By Yusuf Alli, Abuja

on October 29, 2021

*Mimiko’s defection unsettles Ondo chapter

*Court to rule on Secondus’ suit today

*Orbih, others not barred from convention

Hours to the commencement of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention, party leaders and governors are worried over the breakdown of the plan to pick officers through consensus.

Former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola has refused to step down for Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja in the race for deputy national chairman (South).

Oyinlola is being supported by some founding fathers of the party while Arapaja, the National Vice-Chairman (Southwest), is the candidate of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

He is supported by other governors.

Because of this situation, governors on the platform of the party met last night.

At the session, it was learnt that the governors also considered options before the party after today’s Court of Appeal judgment.

Also, PDP governors — Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto) —visited Ondo to woo the leader of the Zenith Labour Pary (ZLP), former Ondo State Governor Olusgun Mimiko.

In Benin yesterday, the Edo State judiciary said there was no court order barring the PDP Vice Chairman (Southsouth) Dan Orbih and 10 others from participating at the convention.

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said plans to have a hitch-free convention and build consensus have failed.

The source said: “Apart from the case before the Court of Appeal, the governors met to think of alternatives if the appellate court gives an unfavourable judgment.

“The governors also considered contingecies in case the court asks PDP to go ahead with its convention.

“But more importantly, the governors were worried that they have not arrived at the consensus candidate for office of the Deputy National Chairman (South).

“This post is an issue that can cause confusion at the Convention. Our consensus has failed on this. Some governors, who hitherto supported Oyinlola, have backed out to support Governor Makinde’s favourite.

“The same Makinde, who persuaded Oyinlola to vie for the office, dumped him for Arapaja.

“But some founding fathers of PDP, ex-governors, former national chairmanship aspirants and some leaders of the party are insisting on Oyinlola.

“Oyinlola has insisted on contesting for the position. He was quoted as saying:” Even if I will vote for myself, I will contest. “

“There are fears that the founding fathers may raise some dust at the convention. Those behind Oyinlola are heavyweights in the party. They have drawn the battle line against the governors. That is why they are opposed to consensus option.”

It was learnt that the governors were working on contingecies in case the party will go ahead with the convention.

“The court case has really affected plans for our convention. We need to have some contingecies in place.

“ We are preparing for the ruling of the Court of Appeal. Either way, the governors felt the party must be prepared, a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party said.

Orbih, others not stopped from convention

The judiciary in Edo State said yesterday it has restrained the party’s Vice Chairman (Southsouth), Chief Dan Orbih and 10 others from participating in the convention.

The clarification ended an alleged claim by Governor Godwin Obaseki’s supporters that Orbih and others had been stopped from the convention.

According to a statement made available to this newspaper, the applicants were only ordered to place the respondents on notice.

The statement reads: “The attention of the Edo State Judiciary has been drawn to some publications to the effect that an Edo State High Court, presided over by Hon. Justice J. O. Okeaya-Inneh retrained the National Vice Chairman of the South-South, Chief Dan Orbih and the State Secretary of the party, Hilary Otsu and others from participating in the party’s National Convention scheduled for October 30 and 31, 2021.

“Let it be stated for record purpose that no such restraining order was issued by Hon. Justice J. O. Okeaya-Inneh. The applicants were only ordered to place the Respondents on Notice and leave was granted to the Claimants to serve the originating process on the PDP outside the jurisdiction of the court and a further leave was granted to the applicant to serve the originating process by substituted means.”

Segun Adewole

The Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has declared that former Lagos State Governor and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is doing his best as leader of the South-West.

Akeredolu, who led governors of the region on a visit to Tinubu’s residence at Bourdillon in Ikoyi, Lagos on Tuesday, said the governors believe in the leadership of the APC chieftain.

His Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde disclosed this in a statement titled ‘Gov Akeredolu Leads South-West Govs To Visit Asiwaju Tinubu In Lagos, Says Tinubu Doing Best To Lead Region.’

According to the statement, “Arakunrin Akeredolu, who led his colleagues to the meeting, noted that Asiwaju Tinubu is not just the leader of the South-West but also the only national leader of the APC in the country.

“He explained that they decided to pay the APC National leader a visit after the South-West Governors’ Forum meeting which took place earlier in Lagos.”

The statement quoted the Governor as saying, “We held the South-West Governors’ Forum meeting. After the meeting, we deemed it fit to come over and visit our leader who has returned home successfully and who is hale and hearty.

“We have come to show our love for him and thank God on his behalf. He has been receiving visitors here. This place has turned into Mecca. We are here as part of the pilgrims.

“The National leader of APC remains one. Most of us in the South-West believe in his leadership and it shows that he’s doing his best to lead us.

“He is not only the leader of the South-West but also the National leader of the APC in Nigeria. But we in the South-West first lay claim to him as our leader.”

Biafra: Even if we part ways with the North, I still don't want a country of Igbo people only - Speed Darlington

As Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB members continue in their struggle for the creation of Biafra, singer Speed Darlington has said that he doesn't want to belong to a country of only Igbo people.

The singer stated this during an exchange with an Instagram user who took to his page to warn him against speaking ill of Nnamdi Kanu.

Recall that a few days ago, Speed Darlington had frowned at the constant sit-at-home order issued by IPOB members. He opined that the directive had an adverse effect on people of the SouthEast who are forced to close their shops any day the directive is issued.

Responding to the IG user who gave him a warning not to speak against Kanu, Speed Darlington opined that the diversity of Nigeria is what makes us interesting and that he doesn't want a country where two or one language only will be spoken.

See their exchange below:

The Federal Government has blamed the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, for the murder of Chike Akunyili, the widower of the late Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Prof. Dora Akunyili.

The government further accused Kanu of being responsible for the murder of a former Presidential Aide, Ahmad Gulak, and over 184 others in the South-East.

This is according to a committee set up by the President. Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to investigate Kanu, who is standing trial for terrorism.

The 24-member committee comprised members of the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Federal Ministry of Information, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the National Intelligence Agency and the Defence Intelligence Agency.

The committee, which was headed by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), said consequent upon the instigating directives of Kanu, members of IPOB and the Eastern Security Network, carried out massive attacks on democratic institutions especially facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission with a view to hampering democratic process in Nigeria.

It said the attacks that were carried out between October 2020 and June 2021 led to the killing of 175 security personnel.

The report read in part, “Acting on the instigating directives of Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB members and #EndSARS protesters attacked and killed many security agents, destroyed several public and private properties, including police stations, public transport buses and other facilities across the country.

“That on October 21, 2020, Nnamdi Kanu through an online call-in radio programme(Radio Biafra), further instigated IPOB members to burn down all police stations and kill government security forces, which was carried out, and security personnel (especially police officers) were killed and public and private properties destroyed.

“That 175 security personnel were killed by IPOB/ESN, comprising 128 policemen, 37 military personnel and 10 other security operatives. Killing of prominent Nigerians: Recently there were gruesome killings of traditional leaders: Obi 1 of Okwudor autonomous community, Eze E. AnayochukwuDurueburuo and Eze Sampson Osunwa of Ihebineowerre autonomous community as well as the killings of Dr. Chike Akunyili and eight others as well as the killing of Alhaji Ahmed Gulak on May 30, 2021.”

The committee found that as a consequence of Nnamdi Kanu’s broadcasts, there were 19 attacks on INEC facilities that resulted in the destruction of offices as well as burning of 18 INEC logistical vehicles, several election materials, equipment and ICT gadgets in Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Cross River, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo states.

The Presidential committee stated that 164 police stations and formations, including police Headquarters, Owerri, Imo State were attacked by IPOB/ESN leading to the death of 128 policemen while 144 were injured and 628 vehicles were destroyed.

It said 396 firearms and 17,738 ammunition were carted away during the IPOB/ESN attacks.

“That there were three IPOB/ESN attacks on Nigerian Correctional Service, including the Headquarters of NCoS, Owerri, Imo State where 1,841 inmates escaped. That the Headquarters of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Umuahia, Abia State was also attacked by IPOB/ESN leading to the death of one officer,” the report read.

PDP Secretary: Obi, Udenwa, Ihedioha reject ‘imposition’ of Anyanwu as Southeast consensus candidate

By Yusuf Alli, Abuja on October 18, 2021

Senator Sam Anyanwu’s choice as Southeast’s consensus candidate for the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has unsettled the party in the region.

Chieftains of the party in the Southeast on Sunday rejected what they called “the imposition of Senator Sam Anyanwu” as the consensus candidate in the forthcoming national convention.

The party chieftains include former Anambra Governor Peter Obi and former Imo State governors Achike Udenwa and Emeka Ihedioha.

Their position was made available to reporters in Abuja in a statement by a National Ex-Officio from Imo State, Chief Madu Chinemerem.

According to them, what transpired at the PDP meeting hosted at the Enugu State Government House by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, could best be described as a stalemate.

Insisting that Anyanwu was not elected as Southeast consensus candidate, they stressed that Ugwuanyi and Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, merely came to the meeting to announce Anyawu’s selection, which was objected to by most of the people who attended the meeting.

The statement reads: “The entire Anambra delegation, led by Peter Obi, rejected it. Imo delegates, led by former governors Emeka Ihedioha and Achike Udenwa, also rejected it.

“The state chairmen of some of the states also said no. The meeting ended without any agreement.”

The statement said that the meeting was also attended by former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, Onyema Ugochukwu, Senator Uche Ekwunife, and others, noting that most of them did not agree with the imposition.

The statement added: “I am very conversant with everything that transpired at the meeting and I can say without fear of contradiction that what was reported as Southeast Zone PDP consensus is a figment of the imagination of the author of the press release.

“It does not in any way reflect the outcome of the Enugu meeting. It is unfortunate.

“Definitely, Anambra and Imo states have better materials for the office if it is zoned to them.”

•Why waste accumulated – Oyo govt

For about two weeks, heaps of refuse have dotted medians of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, just as drums have been overflowing with litter.

Among other routes, persons plying Orita to Challenge, Bode to Agodi Gate, Aleshinloye to Dugbe, Tollgate to Ojoo, Mokola to Sango, Dugbe to Molete, have in recent times, had to behold unsightly stacks of refuse and grapple with the stench from the unpacked waste.

The situation is not peculiar only to medians and residential communities but also to market areas like Bode, Ojoo, Mapo where the big drums are filled to the brim with all forms of waste.

For residents of Ibadan, the situation has gone from bad to worse, with several questioning the efficiency of the present arrangement by the state government regarding waste management, while warning that they are being exposed to health risks like cholera.

The situation, it was gathered, is due to the fact that some private sector refuse collectors (PSPs) stopped packing waste because they are being owed by the state government coupled with that the current number of PSPs engaged is inadequate to efficiently handle the amount of waste daily churned out by residents.

A fruit seller at Bode market, Mrs Fausat Alawuje, said the packing of waste had been fluctuating for more than a month.

She said several attempts were made by the traders in the market to speak with the contractor to help in disposing off the waste proved abortive with the contractor informing the traders that it was not packing the waste because it was being owed by the state government.

She said, “It has been more than one month since our waste was disposed of. At first, we were told that the dump truck was faulty, later we were informed that the contractors could not dispose of the waste because the state government is owing them.

“We are dying of the odour coming from the waste bin here yet we are told to prevent ourselves from Cholera. Before now, waste was disposed of twice a week. In fact, we were thinking of bribing the contractors for the waste to be disposed of but we were told it cannot solve the situation.”

A resident of Molete, Mr Shuaib Adeleke, said it was high time the current government permanently addressed the issue of waste disposal, noting that the issue of waste being unpacked for days had become a recurring issue.

Adeleke said: “For about a month or two, a lot of waste has been noticed by the roadsides and in the middle of the road. I think the government should look into ways of ensuring effective waste disposal in the state.”

However, Chairman Landlord Association ward 11, Ibadan South East local government, Alhaji Kola Bakare said the contractors were promptly disposing of waste in his area.

Another resident, Mr Kola Badmus observed that refuse had piled up on the medians because the contractors were not promptly coming around to pack the waste.

“It is a mess because the waste is not packed on time. Waste bins, waste drums are full and we are now surrounded by waste,” Badmus said.

Another resident of Soka, Mrs Tolu Ayeola stated that she never waited for contractors before disposing of her waste but rather burns her waste and throws it into the Ogunpa drainage.

On his part, a motorist, Mr Oladele Adenuga urged the state government to provide more waste drums across the state.

Adenuga described the waste management challenge as cumbersome, observing that the medians are quick to be filled with waste minutes after contractors had just packed waste.

A shop owner at Aleshinloye market, Mr Babatunde Olabode said without the contractors packing waste on time and the government providing alternatives like drums, the medians will continue to be littered.

He said the roads are particularly littered with waste because some scavengers scatter waste on the medians to make their pick of what they need.

Babatunde said: “Once those packing waste fail to come on time, there is litter overflowing everywhere. Unfortunately, there is no other alternative than for people to drop their waste on the median. People find it easier to drop their waste in the middle of the road.

There are also those who dismantle the waste, removing cartons and leaving the litter scattered and the breeze blows it anywhere.

“The only solution is for those packing the waste to always come around, if not the waste will continue to pile up. There are no drums around and that is the best alternative. If the government can provide alternatives like drums, we are willing to pay but also the amount must not be exorbitant.”

Speaking with Tribune Online, Chairman, Oyo State Waste Management Authority, Mr Morounfolu Adelore admitted the situation to accumulation of unpacked waste for about a week.

Adelore said the state was being held to ransom by the PSP operators who complain that the new waste architecture proposed by the state government is unfriendly as well as the fact that there were issues with financing them.

Due to the quagmire over the issues, he said the PSPs had either not been working or not working to capacity.

Adelore, however, said he met with the PSPs on Wednesday morning to sort out the issue of financing, assuring that the about 12 PSPs for the 11 local government areas in Ibadan will begin to work from Wednesday night to clear the backlog of waste.

Asked when the present waste will be cleared, Adelore said it will take three days non-stop, using a payloader, eight open trucks, five compactors working consecutively to clear the accumulated waste on the Ojoo to Tollgate route alone, which he described as the longest route.

He, however, noted that the state was working on procuring its own compactors to clear waste on the medians such that the PSPs will only have the duty to clear waste inside communities.

While acknowledging the inadequacies of the government in effectively clearing waste, Adelore also bemoaned the attitude of residents who load the medians and roadsides with waste minutes after a compactor had packed waste.

Speaking, Adelore said: “It is an accumulation of waste over a period of six, seven days because we generate waste every day, every hour, every second. You cannot control that and once they are not properly disposed of, there is a problem.

“There is a little delay because the PSP operators that we are using don’t consider the new waste architecture we are using as friendly. So, there is a complaint and the government is trying to address that issue in their own interest.

“While doing that, I think they use that as an opportunity to hold the government to ransom. That is why some of them, where we are supposed to have eight compactors, only two will show up. Where we are supposed to see five, we will see one or not at all. We have had cases of resorting to using our pickup to clear Secretariat waste when it is becoming embarrassing.

“I called them and met them this morning concerning financing, that has been sorted out. They are back to work but before those heaps of refuse will fizzle, it took days for it to gather, it will take two, three days for it to fizzle out.

“This is because the compactor has the capacity. We have 23 metric tonnes compactor; we have 14 metric tonnes compactor and not all those ones are participating. So by the time they load and start.

“If you take the Sango route to Eleyele, you feel sorry. The people installing the street light already dug where they want to lay the pipe but the hole has been filled up with dirt and those that want to work there just remove it and throw it right on the road.

“So compactor will not just be able to take it. We will need street sweepers to pack it before you can put it inside the compactor and that will take time. Before a compactor will move from Poly junction to Arometa, it is filled up. And you will have to go to the landfill to dump. We already got PSPs and they will work overnight.

“We are using between eight and twelve PSPs at the moment and we have told His Excellency that there is a need to procure our own compactors. That will help a great deal and we will be able to do interventions, approach the dark spots.

“You cannot call all these PSPs and make use of them at the dark spots. The longest highway in Ibadan is the one from Ojoo to Tollgate. You have to ply that road and see the situation of the road and it is the accumulation of it.

“For us to face the longest highway in Ibadan, we will need consecutively a payloader, eight open trucks, and five compactors that will work three days non-stop for it to be clear.”

Questioned about the fact that the issue of ineffective waste management was becoming a recurring decimal, he said: “We will get it right. The revenue coming from the centre is not so much and we have to commend our governor for meeting his campaign promises, paying salaries as and when due and other things, against all odds. We are operating a very lean purse and he is still meeting up with these things and he knows we can’t afford to fail in waste management.

“He is working round the clock to ensure that we have our own compactors soon. If we have our own compactors, we won’t need PSPs for medians because medians are the responsibility of the government and you know this attitude of us putting waste on the medians.

“We wouldn’t want to pay the PSPs and prefer to put our waste on the medians and it has become the responsibility of the government.”

Asked about suggestions of getting drums and when the dumping of refuse on the medians will become a thing of the past, Adelore said the state was in the process of getting uniforms for 150 persons engaged to arrest persons found dumping refuse on the medians.

“Yes, we are looking in the direction of drums but for everything to work, we need enforcement. Nothing will work; we won’t get compliance. People would not want to comply until you put some force.

“Through the magnanimity of His Excellency, we have employed about 150 persons. We are working on their uniforms so that they will be recognised from far off, so they won’t get lost in the midst of the crowd.

“We want them to have toga of working for the government and the fear will be there. In spite of the fact that we won’t encourage too much force, they have to be known and recognised as people working for the government.

“150 persons spread across the 11 local government areas is not enough but it is something. We pay them the N30,000 minimum wage.

“Their assignment is to arrest people to serve as a deterrent, get them to do social work, roll up their sleeves, sweep the streets, create some kind of inconvenience for them and shame so that they will desist from doing that.”

•Stakeholders raise concerns over Bala Mohammed committee report •Zoning of party’s chairmanship to North final, says Fintiri

By ‘Dare Odufowokan, Assistant Editor ; Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja And AbdulGafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

on October 10, 2021

A fresh crisis is brewing within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following the decision of the leadership of the party to zone the National Chairman position to the North without clarifying whether the 2023 presidential ticket of the party would be zoned to the South or thrown open.

At its 94th NEC meeting held in Abuja during the week, the party adopted the zoning of its national chairman position to the North, upholding the recommendations of the Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi-led zoning committee.

However, it did not foreclose that the much-coveted 2023 presidency would be zoned to the South as the party announced that a separate National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting will be convened at a later date to discuss the report of the Governor Bala Mohammed-led committee which had earlier recommended that the Presidency be thrown open to all the six geopolitical zones of the country.

The Nation gathered that leaders and chieftains of the PDP in the southern zones are now at loggerheads over the developments.

Highly placed sources confided in our correspondent that aside from a serious struggle among leaders of the party in the south over which zone should get what from the National Working Committee (NWC) positions ceded to the region in the zoning arrangement adopted by the NEC, there is a sharp disagreement amongst stakeholders of the party in the south over whether the region should go to the convention that will elect new party leaders without the topical issue of zoning the presidential ticket being addressed the same way the matter of where the next national chairman should come from was laid to rest.

With the National Chairman position going to the North, all other NWC positions currently in the South will also be ceded to the North while all the positions currently occupied by northerners can only be contested for by southerners at the next convention.

Thus, 11 NWC positions will be coming to the South. They are Deputy National Chairman (South), National Secretary, Woman Leader, Publicity Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Financial Secretary, Auditor, Deputy Treasurer, Deputy Legal Adviser, Deputy Youth Leader and Deputy Organising Secretary.

Another source, who preferred anonymity because he was not authorised to speak, said there is currently a tussle among leaders of the three zones in the region on how the positions of Deputy National Chairman (South) and National Secretary should be zoned.

The Nation also gathered that interest groups within the party in the South are also scheming to corner some of the positions for themselves ahead of the national convention.

“It would have been quite easy to micro-zone the positions, but I can tell you that with zonal interests and group interests currently clashing across the south, tension is in the air and a crisis appears imminent over the positions,” our source said.

It was gathered that while a group of Southwest PDP stakeholders loyal to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State are angling for the zone to get the National Secretary position along with a couple of other positions, another group within the zone, said to be working to ensure that Elder Yemi Akinwonmi retains his place in the NWC, are negotiating for the position of Deputy National Chairman and any other positions as may be deemed fit for the Southwest.

This group reportedly enjoys the support of ex-governor Ayo Fayose and Hon. Ladi Adebutu. By convention, the Southwest can only get one of the two positions.

Similarly, checks by The Nation revealed that Governor Nyesom Wike and other leaders of the PDP in the South-South have their eyes on the position of the National Secretary and have told other leaders of the party from the two other zones in the region to cede the position to the South-South.

But it was gathered that a group of powerful chieftains of the party from within and outside the South are backing former Osun State governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, for the same position. Oyinlola is from the Southwest.

“The South-South wants the National Secretary post, and many stakeholders in the South feel it is not a bad idea owing to the fact that the zone will be losing the national chairmanship position.

“But with another powerful bloc within the party backing Oyinlola for the position, it has become difficult for leaders of the party in the South to agree on where the position should go.

“As at last Friday, not much progress had been made on the micro-zoning of the positions largely because agreements could not be reached on the two topical positions of Deputy National Chairman (South) and National Secretary,” a source added.

It was gathered that the Makinde group may have Eyitayo Jegede from Ondo State in mind for the position of National Secretary, while some sources claimed that Governors Wike and Governor Godwin Obaseki are allegedly not on the same page over the former’s choice of candidate for the position of National Secretary. Details of their disagreement were still sketchy at press time.

The Nation also gathered that leaders of the three zones of Southwest, South-South and Southeast are at loggerheads on how to share the two positions.

“Given the strategic places of the two positions in the NWC, all the three zones are claiming entitlement to one of Deputy National Chairman (South) and National Secretary. And since it is impossible for three people to stand in twos, the disagreement may linger.

“And some party leaders like Governor Makinde are saying the PDP’s silence on where the presidential ticket will go is contributing to the difficulty in deciding how the positions should be micro-zoned.

“If there is a categorical position on the presidential ticket, the zone getting it can easily be asked to forget any of the two key positions in contention.

“But with everybody scared that the recommendation of the Governor Bala Mohammed committee may still be adopted by the NEC, it is difficult to persuade any of the zones to let go anything as the south attempts to micro-zone the NWC positions in its kitty.

“Recall that the NEC specifically concluded to convene at a later date to discuss the report of the Governor Bala Mohammed-led committee that had earlier recommended that the Presidency be thrown open to all the six geopolitical zones of the country,” our source explained.

Our correspondent also learnt during the week that a group of southern governors and party leaders may have also resolved to push for a resolution of the presidential ticket zoning controversy before the PDP national convention.

According to feelers from the Southern PDP Governors’ Forum, the party leaders are worried about the possibility of the ticket being thrown open for all contenders after the North would have pocketed the national chairmanship position.

This possibility is fueled by the resuscitation of the Bala Mohammed committee report during the last NEC meeting of the party, our correspondent gathered.

“It may not be right to say the issues surrounding the zoning of the NWC positions have been concluded. This is because following the importance accorded the Bala Mohammed committee report during our NEC meeting, leaders of the PDP in the South are asking questions about what the future holds for the region in the party.

“What happens if the North gets the national chairmanship of the party now and the presidential ticket is thrown open for all comers? What happens if a northerner wins the presidential ticket again? What effect will that have on the party’s chances at the 2023 elections?

“These are questions we want answers for before the convention,” a source said.

But a former governor from the South dismissed calls that the zoning of the presidential ticket must be resolved before the convention, urging members of the party to allow for genuine healing going forward.

According to the governor, “there are many issues to be addressed and we cannot address them all at once. With the National Chairman zoned to the north, we all know the conventions in our party.

“If we start sounding like we are forcing other zones to agree with us, we may create more problems. But I will want us all to refrain from talking too much about our challenges.

“We must give hope to those following us. I think our governors understand this and will not heat up the polity unnecessarily.”

Zoning of PDP chair to North final, says Gov Fintiri

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State declared yesterday that the decision to zone the chairmanship seat of the PDP to the North is final.

Fintiri, who stated this at the Abuja PDP national secretariat, said with last Thursday’s approval of the zoning arrangement by the NEC, the decision is binding on all stakeholders.

“The highest decision making organ of the party, which is the NEC, has taken a decision, and I think that decision is final. It is binding on all of us members, and we will abide by it. And that is what we are working on”, the governor said.

Fintiri, who is the chairman of the PDP National Convention Committee, added that the sale of nomination forms and screening of chairmanship aspirants would commence anytime soon, stressing that the October 30-31 convention date remained sacrosanct.

Continuing, the governor said: “The zoning committee has completed their job. We have revised our timetable, and we will start selling of (nomination) forms on Monday.

“The screening and appeal is expected to end on or before next week, by the revised timetable. They (aspirants) will be free to start campaigning across the country for us to have a convention on the 30th of October.

“The Electoral Committee has been sensitised. They will be trained at the most appropriate time for them to be abreast of their job, so that we can have the best convention that every Nigerian is waiting for, which will be the most democratic.

“We have come with all our members to brainstorm and for us to strategise and take better decision as to the preparation and arrangement that we need to deliver on the expectations of our teeming supporters and members across the country who have given us this assignment for the best way out.

“And we have put them at speed, also as to what is expected of them as their own assignments so that we can have the convention of our dreams, for us to prepare and get the All Progressives Congress (APC) out of government in 2023.

“The date of the convention still remains, which is the 30th and 31st of October. That has not changed and we don’t think there is any reason for it to be changed despite the fact that the Zoning Committee just concluded their job, which was only approved by NEC on Thursday.

“The venue has been secured; that is the Eagle Square. We have equally secured the Area 10 Parade Ground, which will serve the purpose of accreditation, and our delegates across the country are being sensitised.

“We expect that sale of forms will commence on Monday and we also expect that the screening committee should also commence and conclude their work on or before the end of next week, so that those who are vying will go about and do their campaign.

“We have received budgets from all the subcommittees and we are in the process of streamlining the budgets because there are areas that submissions are conflicting.

“We are all working to achieve one convention, which is the 2021 convention.

“As soon as we finished this meeting we shall approve the budgets based on the availability of funds. And early next week, precisely between Monday and Tuesday, some of the committees will start receiving their budget support so that they can start their work in earnest for us to have a successful convention.”

Corroborating Fintiri’s position on zoning, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, in a separate interview, said the PDP had moved beyond zoning of party offices and that any issues arising there from would be resolved amicably.

Bala said: “We have resolved the issue of zoning. The PDP is a mature party. We have always done our things with the experience we have garnered over the years and what we have been able to do for this country.

“We have learnt our mistakes. We are not going to play to the gallery the way and manner our detractors or our competitors want us to. We will always resolve our issues. So zoning is over. We have really gone over this issue. What we are looking forward to is the emergence of a National Chairman from the North, who will give us a leadership that we require to form a government in 2023”.

Asked if the party would consider consensus options, especially for the chairmanship position, Fintiri and Mohammed did not rule out the option, provided all the aspirants in the race agree on it.

Fintiri said: “I think it is too early for us to discus consensus at this stage, because this is a democratic party. It is open for contest, and if the issue of consensus arises, it is captured in our constitution.”

Bala Mohammed also said: “Consensus is normally a process of democratic consultation, because democracy is about consensus. Certainly, the electoral process can be reduced by having a converging point on an individual and that would have reduced the desperation issues within the party.

“I would say we should have a consensus candidate, but where we do not, we will not practice imposition.”

Northern coalition kicks against PDP’s zoning arrangement

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) yesterday frowned at the resolution taken at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) zoning the national chairman position to the North, describing it as a contradictory threat to the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria.

Spokesperson of CNG, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, while responding to reporters’ questions in Kaduna, said it is contradictory and deceptive for the PDP NEC to leave the contest for the party’s presidential ticket open to all while restricting the national championship position to the North.

According to him, “it is as much an abuse of acceptable democratic process as it is contradictory, deceptive, ultra vires and alien to political party traditions everywhere.

“One fails to understand why the PDP would rather exclude the entire Southern Nigeria and deny them the right to vote and be voted for in a free and fair process for the highest position in the party and at the same time, allow open contest for the presidential ticket.

“This is only a veiled tactic to deceive the North into ultimately ceding the presidential slot, which must be rejected by insisting on an inclusive process for all party and offices in all the parties.

“It is unfortunate that the PDP after the humiliation of 2015 has still not learnt from lessons of history and is still bent on enforcing arbitrary, undemocratic practices that are harmful to internal party democracy and potentially threaten the consolidation of democracy in the country.

“We at the CNG are insisting on the emergence of a purposeful, credible, capable, and result-oriented leadership that would be achieved through a free, fair and inclusive process and not by deceit, blackmail, threat or grandstanding.

“We therefore reiterate our call for all the political parties to internal democratic processes to prevail in the selection of both party and elective positions freely and fairly without the need to disenfranchise any group of people or tribe for whatever intent and purpose.

“We therefore warm that any party that attempts to disenfranchise any group or section of the country stands to be roundly rejected by the North.”

"I don't know why he put on Biafra regalia" - Actors Guild president, Emeka Rollas reacts to arrest of Chiwetalu Agu

The President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Emeka Rollas, has reacted to the arrest of veteran Nollywood actor, Chiwetalu Agu by the Nigerian Army on Thursday, October 7.

Chiwetalu Agu was arrested by the Nigerian Army at Upper Iweka, Onitsha, Anambra state for putting on Biafra regalia, though the Nigerian army alleged that he was soliciting support for the proscribed IPOB.

He was reportedly taken to 82 Division Enugu with the Army saying his regalia was an act of incitement towards a proscribed group.

Emeka Rollas, president of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), has now reacted to his arrest, knocking the actor for wearing the Biafra insignia especially given the security situation in the South East.

He said that the Guild is doing everything possible to ensure Chiwetalu Agu is released.

“I don’t know why he put on Biafra regalia. The state is hot." Rochas told Vanguard.

We are in talk with the military officials to ensure he his released. I heard they have taken him to 82 Division of the Nigeria Military base. We will do our best."

October 7, 2021

Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

Osun state’s Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, a candidate in the 2018 governorship election, Senator Ademola Adeleke has pledged to provide a private jet to ease movement of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi’s local and international trips if elected Governor in 2022.

A statement issued by the spokesperson of Ooni, Moses Olafare stated that Senator Adeleke disclosed this when he visited the monarch at his palace in Ile-Ife on Wednesday.

“I have always cherished the great throne of Oduduwa here in Ife and the personality of the Ooni, I will never disrespect it and I will not allow anyone to hold it in contempt.

“By God’s grace, I shall make provision for a Private Jet to make all Ooni’s local in international trips easier. I am not making a mouth, it is what I will do.

“With the plan to erect the Osun airport, Baba (The Ooni) would be picked from the palace with a helicopter to the nearest airport to board an aeroplane to anywhere seamlessly.

“I am moved to tears when I see the poor state of our roads and others, this would be changed next year.

“The cause of this decay is because the current government has destroyed the local government system, making the supposed closest tier of government very far from the people”, said Adeleke.

Speaking, Oba Adeyeye pleaded with politicians and their supporters to ensure that peace reign before, during and after the forthcoming gubernatorial election next year in the state, saying crisis that characterised election in the past was most times instigated by followers.

“It is you fans, admirers and followers that hear and say a lot to direct your leaders’ minds. I want to urge you to act with all sense of responsibility as violence won’t pay anyone.

“Do not mount unnecessary pressure on your leaders to prevent them from giving empty promises. Be diligent at all times and it shall be well with you all.” The Ooni admonished.

October 4, 2021

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Monday advocated an upward review to 42 per cent of the revenue accruing to states from the Federation Account.

Sanwo-Olu said that an upward review to 42 per cent would enable the states to cater for their rising responsibilities.

Sanwo-Olu made the call at a two-day South-West Zonal public hearing on Review of Allocation formula by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMADC).


The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two-day event, held at Victoria Island, Lagos, had in attendance all the representatives of the South-West states.

Under the current revenue sharing formula, the Federal Government takes 52.68 per cent, the states 26.72 per cent and the local governments, 20.60 per cent, with 13 per cent derivation revenue going to the oil-producing states.

Sanwo-Olu stated that the present revenue sharing formula among the tiers of government which became operational about 29 years ago was long overdue for amendment.

“Nigerian fiscal federalism should be adjusted to develop more expenditure responsibilities with appropriate revenue allocation to lower levels of government.

“So that federal government will focus on matters of national concern like security and defense, among others.

“The Lagos State Government proposed revenue allocation formula: Federal government: 34 per cent, State government 42 per cent, local government councils: 23 per cent and Lagos State (Special Status, 1 per cent).

“The solution is to diversify and strengthen the fiscal base of the state government.

“The need to reverse the age-long fiscal dominance by the federal government in order to re-establish a true federal system is strongly recommended.

“It is the state’s position that state government should be granted the highest share of 42 per cent, while the share of the Local government be increased to 23 per cent since both tiers of government are closer to the people,” he said.

The governor pointed out that there was a need for effective fiscal laws that would ensure a framework for beneficial and dynamic intergovernmental fiscal relations.

“This will help in nurturing strong, transparent, efficient and independent fiscal institutions that will also help in nurturing strong transparent, efficient and independent fiscal institutions.

“This will further ensure accountability and proactively address emerging fiscal challenge in the public sector.

“It is the position of Lagos State Government that State Governments should share 42 per cent of revenue accruing to the Federation Account.

“In addition to the existing items on the concurrent legislative list, the Federal and State government should collectively share the following responsibilities:

“Regulation of labour, mines and mineral, social security and statistical system (census, birth and death etc).

“Guidelines and basis for minimum education, business registration, price control, national parks, fishing and fisheries,”he said.

Sanwo-Olu added: “It is the position of Lagos State that state government should take 42 per cent from the Federation Account and handle the remaining items other than those specifically listed above.

“It is the position of the Lagos State government that Local Government should take 23 per cent and collaborate with the state government in service delivery

“The Derivation and Ecological fund should be de-centralised such that each federation unit will have access to its own reserve whenever the needs arise.

“In other words, the 1 per cent allocated to the Federal Government in respect of the Derivation and Ecological Fund should be deducted from the Federal Government’s share of Derivation and Ecological Fund will now stand at 1.72 per cent.

“The proportion allocated to Stabilization Fund should be increased from 0.5 to 1 per cent. This amount should be deducted from the percentage hitherto allocated to special fund on the development of natural resources,”he said.

Sanwo-Olu also said that the Federal Government should take 34 per cent from the Federation Account and focus exclusively on defense, external affairs, international trade, currency and banking, exchange control and federal trunk roads.

“Others are: shipping, elections, immigration, citizenship, nuclear energy, diplomatic and trade representatives, public debt of the federation, telecommunications, insurance, inter state aviation and railways, meteorology, maritime, shipping and navigation,”he said.

The Federal Commissioner, Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr Adekunle Wright, said the two days brainstorming session on how to ensure equitable distribution of Nigeria’s commonwealth would have positive impacts.

“Lagos as much as we know in per square meter is the smallest in Nigeria, but highest in the number of people per square meter, all of these we are taking into consideration and take on board.

“The revenue that Nigeria generates belong to Nigerians, the revenue acruable in Nigeria belong to all, so all of these things have been taking into consideration to ensure fairness.

“We want Nigerians to give us a chance that we are going to do it in a manner that will be fair, equitable and just,”he said.

Speaking, Commissioner for Finance, Dr Rabiu Olowo, said the state was proposing the provision for Special Economic Status and a Review of Revenue Allocation in support of the state.

According to him, It is very important that federal government review the revenue allocation formula of Lagos State because of the high rate of daily influx of population into the state.

“Lagos State is the smallest in the country, but accommodate 10 per cent of the whole population.

“Due to the daily influx, there is need for federal support. Also the state is shouldering so many of the Federal responsibilities.

“Therefore, in line with current realities, it is very important that the federal government review the revenue allocation formula.

He noted that the current revenue allocation formula had not been reviewed in the last 29 years as opposed to the constitution which stated that it should be reviewed every 5 years

He, therefore, expressed appreciation to the Revenue Mobilization and Allocation Fiscal Commission for making it necessary for the discourse on the review to take place.

He said: “There is an aligned position by all stakeholders that the revenue allocation formula should be reviewed in support of the state and local government.

“This is because they are the closest government to the people.

(NAN)

October 4, 2021

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu, NNEWI

Determined to restore security in Anambra State, the 302 Artillery Regiment General Support has lunched ‘Exercise Golden Dawn’.

Exercise Golden Dawn, according the Commander 302 Artillery Regiment (General Support) Col. Abdulkarim Usman, will combat insecurity in Anambra State.

He said this in the welcome address at the flag off ceremony at Igbariam, Anambra East Local Government Area, adding that it will foster inter-agency cooperation, which will become a routine training exercise in various geo-political zones of the country.

He said that the rise of insecurity across the country had made it imperative that the Nigerian Army comes to the aid of civil authority in joint environment.

He added that the exercise, which runs from October 4 to December 23, is meant to practice command and staff of combat arms and services in planning and conduct of Military Operation Other Than War, MOOTW, to confront security challenges within their area of responsibility in conjunction with other security agencies.

His words: “The military will use the golden opportunity in conjunction with other security agencies to curb the existing security threats in Anambra State.

“The threats ranges from secessionist agitations by the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB; the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and Eastern Security Network, ESN.

“Others are banditry, kidnapping, cultist activities, land disputes clashes, communal clashes, chieftaincy issues clashes, assassinations and youths restiveness.

“To curb these countless security challenges, a robust posture in what the unit has always maintained.”

Col. Usman thanked the troops and other security agencies for the tremendous effort in keeping Anambra State safe and secure, adding that more needs to be done to combat the highlighted security threats in the state.

He further disclosed that the Regiment under the leadership of Major General T. A Lagbaja is currently undergoing unprecedented changes.

The Regiment and indeed 82 Division have continued to benefit immensely from the Chief of Army Staff, COAS transformational drive.

“Remarkable improvements have been recorded, particularly in the refurbishment of Armoured Fighting Vehicles, procurement of new platforms, upgrading of training facilities and construction of new accommodation for officers and soldiers among others.

“These transformational efforts have greatly enhanced the welfare and operational capabilities of the troops. It is therefore my fervent hope that the exercise will record successes.”

The Igbo Conscience (TIC) has asked the federal government to declare a state of emergency in the south-east.

In a statement, the group lamented the killing of Chike Akunyili, saying Igbo citizens are being killed in their numbers while businesses are being destroyed.

The group alleged that despite asking the Igbo to speak against the menace, most of them have continued to shy away from condemning “this self-destructive dastardly act”.

The group also accused religious leaders of being “active participants in the atrocity that has overwhelmed Igboland” instead of being agents of peace.

“This is just a tip of what is happening in the five South Eastern States presently and it has been a recurrent picture since the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra launched an armed warfare against the region,” the group said.

“Today, the South East is under a murderous and detractive siege launched by its people in the name of actualising Biafra.

“TIC notes that when this inclination to murder started in Igboland, many Igbos lent their support, covertly and overtly, to this evil. We note that when the government moved in to stop this evil, these Igbos started a negative campaign against the federal government effort, terming it as genocide against Igbos.

“TIC notes also that given their complicity and active support in grooming the deadly monster ravaging Igboland today, most of the governors in the South East have waxed impotent in rising to the challenge of dealing with this deadly monster.

“There seems to be no remedy in sight as the people have surrendered to the beastialiity of murderous gunmen that have taken over Igboland today, killing as they desire and unleashing mayhem, fear and destruction all over Igboland.

“Given these concerns, therefore, we demand the following; That the Federal Government consider the option of declaring a state of emergency in the South East or at least some states of the South East to arrest this dangerous state of anarchy.

“That the Federal Government draft more security forces and agencies to the South East to save the people from themselves.

“That the Federal Government identify, arrest, prosecute any person, group, interest and organisation found to actively procure, support and facilitate the state of anarchy presently riddling the South East.”

The group expressed hope that the federal government will attend to its demands before the region goes into extinction.

Arapaja’s Emergence Has Prevented Oyinlola, Others’ Chances Of Becoming PDP Nat’l Chair —Bode George

NEWSPOLITICS

By admin - September 28, 2021

Ahead of the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a former deputy national chairman of the PDP, Chief Olabode George, on Sunday, gave reasons why Osun State could not produce national chairman if zoned to South-West.

According to him, both Osun and Oyo states fall within the pairing of states in the southwest by the PDP on the rotation of elective party offices.

Under the arrangement, he said zone one comprises Ogun and Lagos; zone two is made up of Oyo and Osun, while zone three consists of Ekiti and Ondo.

Nigerian Tribune quoted him as saying that Osun State could not field a candidate for the post of national chairman since Oyo has already produced the national vice chairman in person of Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja.

He said anything short of adhering to the arrangement would only throw PDP into further crisis, stating that the failure to observe the rule precipitated the crisis that raged even after Prince Uche Secondus became national chairman in 2018.

He also knocked out Ondo and Ekiti from the race since the immediate past national vice chairman (Southwest), Chief Eddy Olafeso and the current national treasurer, Aribisala Adewale hail from Ondo and Ekiti states respectively.

He said only Lagos State was qualified under the micro-zoning arrangement to field candidate for the office as the current deputy national chairman (south) of PDP, who is the acting national chairman, Elder Yemi Akinwonmi, following a court order against Secondus, hails from Ogun state.

As the two leading political parties weigh options to confront the zoning issue, some key members of the ad-hoc committees set by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are reportedly under intense pressure from influential members to do their bidding.

According to sources, some powerful elements in the party are said to be piling pressure on some key members of the zoning committee to have a rethink on their position that the status quo ante should remain.

The targets of the lobbyists are said to be mostly members of the team from the southern part of the country, who believe the post of national chairman should go to the South-West.

But there was no indication at press time on Sunday that such individuals have caved in to the wishes of the lobbyists.

Tinubu’ll Be Law-abiding, Respect Federal Character As Nigeria’s President — Ladoja

By admin - September 26, 2021

Rashidi Ladoja, governor of Oyo State between 2003 and 2007, has said that his very good brother and colleague in Lagos, Bola Tinubu, would preside over Nigeria better than it is if he is elected to govern Nigeria.

The Osi Olubadan, who made this known in an interview with Sunday Tribune, revealed that apart from being competent to rule Nigeria, [quote]... “look at what he has turned Lagos to. But you are only looking at that one. What about another group, led by some Northerners, which is now saying it is Osinbajo that they want. Anybody can canvass for support, but we should look for who is the most competent to lead the country. If it is coming to the South, all of us should be happy that it is coming to the South. Maybe we will be able to prevent what is happening in the North from happening in the South, i.e., it is not safe to go to any school in the North now because you don’t know when the terrorists will strike cart away the school children, asking for ransom. We have a lot of problems in the country and I am sure the problems in the North are worse than those in the South. Maybe here, we are not used to it here, but they are over there. The only problem we are used to here is the farmer-herder conflict. Instead of the government addressing it as a major problem, it is not. We are risking another civil war because the danger signs are there. If the people of Benue and Akwa Ibom decide they have had enough and move to protect and defend themselves from attacks, what do you think will happen? They say those creating this problem are not from Nigeria, that they spread from The Gambia to Cameroon and they don’t have any territory that is recognised by the UN. This is why we are asking whether the Federal Government is not complicit on the issue. There is free movement of people in the North; there is no free movement of people in the South, particularly in the South-West. The borders in the North are all open; those in the South are not, except the Seme border. And when people make noise about opening of our borders, they opened it only for Dangote and BUA to export their cement. Whereas, most of the time, the cement is even cheaper in Benin Republic than in Nigeria. So, who is fooling who? These are the things that create problems, which is why I said this is not the Nigeria of our choice; a situation where one citizen is treated better than the others. We are supposed to be treated equally by government.

People who are running about 2023, it is not clear what they are looking for. They said Bola Tinubu wants to be president; I told you that the vice-president, Yemi Osinbajo, is also being asked to join the race by people of the North. Why should it be the people of the North that are running about for the vice-president? Do they see in him somebody they can use? He has not yet indicated he wants to run. Tinubu might not have indicated, but his contribution to the enthronement of the man there is known. I remember at that time that people were shouting against Muslim-Muslim ticket. Maybe he would have been vice-president now. So, it should be expected that Bola will want to give it a shot."

But given his health, would you advise him to take such a risk?

Are you a doctor?

People have been going to London on political pilgrimage to him…

Did they come back to report to you that he is not fit? Let me tell you one thing. If Bola feels that his health is not good enough, he will not contest. I know that about him. He wants to give service. He feels he has contributions to make. His lot is not going to be bettered than it is already is. He can feed himself.

What will a Tinubu presidency give to Nigeria and Nigerians?

What did his governorship give to Lagos? He took Lagos from an IGR of less than N1b to what it is today and development also goes with it. He has also been able to streamline the role of the states vis a vis the Federal Government. Do you remember how many months he was denied allocation for local government councils in the states? The councils did not go under. He fought and won. Of course, he did not do it alone. The current vice-president was his Attorney General who was able to fight through the courts to get the victory. So, we can understand that Tinubu will be a law-abiding citizen as president and that is where everything starts. He will respect federal character which is what we are complaining about now. Why should all the instruments of coercion be in the hands of people from one ethnic group? I like to give the example of Hadiza Usman, ex-NPA Managing Director. What is her background that qualifies her for such post? What has she done in her life? As far as I am concerned, she was just a PA to Nasir el-Rufai. Is el-Rufai himself qualified to run the NPA not to talk of his PA? I am sorry I am going personal, but that is where the problem starts. The ports that are supposed to give us a lot of money, now we can’t even go there as the roads are not there, except for Dangote trucks that are going to load there.“

•Pencil in Oyinlola, David Mark for national chair, BoT roles


By Taiwo Amodu - Abuja

On Sep 26, 2021

THE imbroglio trailing the job of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Zoning Committee led by the Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, will soon be resolved, Sunday Tribune can authoritatively reveal.

A party source privy to the deadlock at the Enugu meeting last week over the zoning arrangement being pushed by the Northern leaders of the party said all other things being equal, the final decision of the committee will be unveiled in Abuja this week.

Investigation revealed that the zoning template of 2017, which zoned the national chairman and presidency between the South/North is what the PDP leaders in the North are scheming should be retained is what will ultimately be endorsed.

Nigerian Tribune had reported that about 28 leaders of the PDP from the North, who met last week in Abuja at the instance of former Police Affairs Minister, Adamu Waziri, canvassed for the retention of the 2017 zoning arrangement which produced Uche Secondus as national chairman from the South and ultimately, Atiku Abubakar from the North as 2019 presidential candidate. The PDP leaders from the North will again meet on Tuesday in Abuja ahead of the formal pronouncement by the Governor Ugwuanyi Committee. In attendance at the last meeting of the group were two former Senate Presidents, Senator Gabriel Suswam, Babangida Aliyu, Atahiru Bafarawa and Sule Lamido, former governors of Benue, Niger, Sokoto and Jigawa states respectively.

Also in attendance were former national chairman of the PDP, Kawu Baraje, former governor of Adamawa, Boni Haruna; former Minister of Special Duties and presidential aspirant, Tanimu Turaki; former woman leader, Hajia Inna Ciroma, amongst others.

Checks revealed that the zoning template has the offices of the national chairman, deputy national chairman (South), national organising secretary, national treasurer, national legal adviser, national publicity secretary and national youth leader in the South-South, South-West and South-East geopolitical zones.

By virtue of the arrangement, the North currently holds the positions of deputy national chairman, national secretary, national financial secretary, national auditor, national woman leader and deputy national secretary respectively.

The party source revealed to Sunday Tribune that certain retired Generals who played strategic roles during the formative stage of the PDP prior to the 1999 election that produced Olusegun Obasanjo had infiltrated the ranks of the southern governors to convince them to moderate their position on zoning of the 2023 presidency to the South.

The source mentioned that, while the emergence of Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola from South-West as national chairman in the convention slated for next month is a sealed deal, his colleague who is former Senate President, David Mark, is the anointed choice for the position of chairman Board of Trustees.

“Since there is no alteration in the zoning arrangement, the former Senate President will take over the BoT from the incumbent Walid Jibrin from Nasarawa State. Incidentally, Benue, where Mark hails from, is in the North-Central geopolitical zone.”

Tambuwal, Kwankwaso, Atiku, left in the cold?

Further checks revealed that the camp of retired generals in the PDP which has as arrowheads, former civilian president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and former military President, Ibrahim Ba- bangida has since drafted former National Security Adviser, Aliyu Gusau, to shop for a presidential candidate.

He is tasked with looking for a candidate that will appeal to the sentiment of the North and the Southern parts of the country ahead of the presidential convention of the PDP which would come shortly after its October national convention.

Sunday Tribune source said the power bloc is not looking in the direction of any of the presidential aspirants from the North-West as its choice for the 2023 presidential race.

The incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari, is from the North-West state of Katsina as the late President, Umar Yar’Adua.

Aspirants in the race for the PDP presidential tickets are sitting Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal; former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso; former vice president, Atiku Abubakar and incumbent governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, from North West and North East respectively.

Also in the race is two-term Kwara State governor and former Senate president, Dr Bukola Saraki and former Minister of Special Duties to Dr Goodluck Jonathan, Taminu Turaki.

“The Generals,” according to Sunday Tribune source, “are not looking in the direction of Atiku Abubakar. General Aliyu Gusau who was drafted to Port Harcourt to talk to the Northern delegates to deliver their votes to Atiku in 2018, will be the one to convince him to support the anointed choice.”

Investigation revealed that while the North-West is foreclosed in their permutation, the South-East, which produced the vice-presidential candidate, Peter Obi in the 2019 race, is equally likely to lose the slot to the South-South with Nyesom Wike and Ifeanyi Okowa, sitting governors of Rivers and Delta states, respectively as choices. “The South-East will take the slot of Senate President,” the source further revealed.

September 25, 2021

…Zoning committee won’t micro-zone chairmanship, Presidency

…Why party is silent on zoning Presidency- National Officer


By Dirisu Yakubu

Ahead of its October 30th and 31st national elective convention, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has chosen to pick its national chairman and 2023 Presidential candidate from the South and North respectively.

Although the zoning committee chaired by Enugu state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi failed to make a categorical statement on the distribution of offices in the National Working Committee when it met in Enugu last week, it is expected to do so when it converges on Wednesday this week.

12 out of the 13 governors elected on the platform of the party have unanimously endorsed the retention of the Office of the national chairman in the South. Thus, despite the exit of the suspended chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, the office will remain in the South, with the South-West tipped to produce the next chairman.

Retaining the office of the chairman in the South automatically makes the North the preferred zone for the Presidential ticket in 2023.

Sunday Vanguard gathered however that Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike had done everything possible to prevail on the Ugwuanyi-led committee to throw the race to the national chairmanship open to all zones. His argument was premised on the notion that good, capable hands to steer the affairs of the party abound everywhere in the country. Wike had further argued that zoning any of the party offices may deny PDP the opportunity of having the best man for the job at the helm at Wadata.

Were this to have scaled through, the party would have been left with no option but to similarly throw open the Presidential ticket to all party leaders regardless of their states of origin.

Plausible as the reasons he advanced were, Wike soon realized that he was a lone ranger as his colleagues faulted his stand and opted for a chairman of Southern extraction.

A national officer of the party who joined hands with Wike in the clamour for Secondus’ removal told Sunday Vanguard that the governors chose to back out of Wike’s ship because it is “more of personal interest than for the good of the party.”

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the official said contrary to the argument of Governor Wike, “his colleague governors are aware that he has his eyes fixed on the 2023 Presidency. He knows that a Southern chairman will make it difficult for the PDP to have a Presidential candidate from the South. So, he wasn’t asking that the race be thrown open for no reason. He wants to vie for the highest elective office in 2023 but I think it is clear to him now that the PDP cannot oblige his dream for now. The governors are of the opinion that if the ruling party is going South, it must head in the opposite direction to seize the moment,” he said.

A PDP governor from the North-East, this medium gathered had argued convincingly in one of their meetings in Abuja recently on the danger of fielding a Southern Presidential candidate in 2023.

He was said to have told his colleagues and other party faithful that a good number of Northerners in the ruling party would vote for the PDP if it fields a Northern candidate as the APC is expected to field a Southerner. The meeting attended by all the PDP governors lay to rest the possibility of zoning the Presidency away from the North.

Although the source noted that Wike has not completely ruled out his Presidential ambition, he is now ready to team up with his colleagues to have the chairmanship retained in the South provided the South-South and South-East are excluded. This position was well received by the zoning committee’s meeting in Enugu last week.

“Wike alongside the Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde want to see Olagunsoye Oyinlola as the next PDP chairman. They are not alone in this. Ab initio, Wike knew that his pro-South Presidency on the platform of the PDP is difficult to sell just as having a Northerner as PDP chairman is.

“The alternative choice is that yes, the South can have the chairmanship provided it is not going the way of the South-South. He won’t back the South-East for the position because his long-time friend, Oyinlola is interested in the office,” he added.

Meanwhile, a former Minister under the government of President Goodluck Jonathan and a member of the National Executive Committee, NEC of the PDP has given reasons the party is evading a categorical statement on the zoning of the Presidential ticket ahead of the next general election.

According to him, zoning is a sensitive issue that should be handled diligently, saying, “You need to be careful so as not to play into the hands of your enemy. The All Progressives Congress, APC is taking a similar stand for the same reason. Even though they are looking at a Southerner to fly their ticket, silence is the word for now.

The PDP would have to wait until the very last minute even though we have done our homework well. I can tell you now without mincing words that if the APC openly comes out today to say they have zoned their Presidential ticket to the South, the PDP will announce that it is zoning to the North,” he added.

The decision of the Ugwuanyi-led committee on Wednesday will be taken to the 94th NEC meeting of the party slated for October for ratification.

September 22, 2021

By Arogbonlo Israel

The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, says it will commence a “total lockdown” of the South-East if Nnmadi Kanu, its leader, is not produced for his next court appearance slated for 7 October 2021.

Kanu is facing charges bordering on treasonable felony brought against him by the federal government over his campaign for the Republic of Biafra.

He was released in April 2017 on health grounds but jumped bail after flouting some of the conditions given to him by the court.

Kanu was re-arraigned before Binta Nyako of the federal high court in Abuja on June 29 after being intercepted and extradited to Nigeria.

The trial was adjourned till October 7 owing to the failure of the federal government, the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Nigerian Army to appear in court on Tuesday.

But in a statement issued on Wednesday by Emma Powerful, IPOB media and publicity secretary, the total lockdown will take effect on October 7.

“If the federal government refuses to bring him (Nnamdi Kanu) to court in his next court appearance on October 7, 2021, the entire Biafra land will be on total lock down for one month. The federal government will know that they cannot take us for granted any more.

“Our peaceful disposition as a people should not be misconstrued as weakness. Nigeria cannot incarcerate our leader illegally and expect things to be normal again. If by October 7, Kanu is not brought to court, Nigeria will know that Kanu commands the unflinching loyalty of over 60 million Biafrans home and in Diaspora,” the statement partly read.

September 21, 2021

•As police assure intervention

•Economic activities resuming in Owerri, Umuahia, Abakaliki


By Vincent Ujumadu, Dennis Agbo, Chimaobi Nwaiwu, Chinedu Adonu, Ugochukwu Alaribe, Ikechukwu Odu, Steve Oko & Emmanuel Iheaka

Businesses and other activities remained shut in the South East yesterday in the continued obedience to the suspended sit-at-home order at the instance of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

Although there was semblance of activities in Owerri, Abakaliki and Umuahia, virtually all towns and cities across the South East were grounded.

Business owners who expressed their desire to open their businesses however lamented the absence of security agents to provide security for them against enforcers of the order.

In Onitsha and Nnewi, residents blasted government and security agents for failing when most needed.

Even with the threat by Anambra State government to sanction markets, park owners, banks and other stakeholders who refused to go back to business, residents chose to stay away from the roads and streets in the two business communities in the state. Markets were closed. Streets were deserted, schools were shut, banks and other businesses were under lock and key.

Leaders of traders accused the Anambra State government of not providing security to ensure the safety of the traders in the markets. There was no presence of the usual military and police checkpoints in all parts of Anambra State yesterday.

From Awka to Nnewi; to Onitsha, there was no single security operative. Even the soldiers that usually cause traffic beside the Governor’s Lodge in Awka and those close to Nnamdi Azikiwe University gate were nowhere to be seen.

Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in the state, Mr. Tochukwu Ikenga could not give reasons for the absence of security operatives on the roads, but said that the police was determined to provide security in every part of the state.

According to one of the business owners, “We have 302 Artillery Regiment; we have Naval Outpost and Police Area Commands and Divisional Police Stations in Onitsha and Nnewi, yet, you cannot see a single Police officer, Army officer or Naval officer on any road or street parading in their vehicles to reassure people of their safety and you want them to come out?

“If Police, Army, Navy and other security agents are afraid to come out on the streets and roads in Anambra State, is it civilians like me without gun that will be courageous to come out.? We see Police, Army, Navy and other security agencies in the past in motor cades parading the roads and streets in what they call ‘show of force’ and now that it is the appropriate time to show the force, they are no where to be found.

“What is happening in the South East is failure of government. They have shown us that they are not in control. This time, they should not blame the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, for the continued observation of sit at-home in South East. The blame should go to South East governors who have done nothing as a group and as individuals to secure the people.

“This is the time the people expected them to come up with their Ebubeagu security outfit and the Police, Army, Navy that have been mounting checkpoints collecting money from motorists and delaying their movements to come out and secure the environment for people but they are hiding.

“From tomorrow being Tuesday, they will come out from their hiding stations and barracks to the roads to collect money from Tuesday to Sunday and delay people’s movement, but today they are nowhere to be found. Is it not a shameful situation?”

Lamenting the effect of the continued sit-at-home despite its suspension by IPOB, a Senior lecturer in the department of political science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof Obasi Igwe said that it was unfortunate that it’s the same Igbo that are seeking for freedom that are suffering and losing by the sit-at-home.

“Who are being killed, who are living in fear, dying of starvation, hunger and malnutrition, who are being impoverished and weakened? You’re seeking attention: who’s paying attention; best ‘attention’ they’re just laughing at the Igbo as suicidal fools in a world of calculations and hard choices. Others are doing such calculations; what calculations are the Igbo doing?

“Some of us lowly and less intelligent men are thinking of how to save the Igbo and others, not how to suffer and slaughter them. A movement unable to coalesce with any other group should start thinking twice about itself. The Fulani never do anything except by way of using others. Pre-British Aro never fought a single war but they schemed, led and won in every war and dominated almost the whole south. So, Igbo youths cannot say they have no Igbo to learn from,” Igwe wrote in a public statement on Monday.

In Aba, the roads were deserted as motorists including the ubiquitous keke operators were not seen. The gates of markets were open while all the banks shut their doors. Schools in the city had earlier sent their students home, except those taking the West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE.

A cross section of residents told Vanguard that they were afraid of resuming their businesses because of fear of attack by hoodlums who may loot their shops.

A trader at the Ariaria International Market, Mr. Michael Ndukwe , urged the government to provide security men to patrol the markets, banks, motor parks and other business centres to protect traders and their customers.

According to a keke operator who gave his name as Ndubuisi, “This sit-at-home order is biting hard on the people especially people like keke operators. It is good that IPOB has cancelled the order, but people are still afraid of coming out due to the fear of attack of the unknown. Many people have lost their lives and businesses because they dared to come out. I suggest that the state government should provide adequate security on the roads every Monday, while the IPOB should deploy their members to the roads. This is the only way to encourage residents to come out.”

However, in Umuahia, the Abia State Capital and Owerri, Imo State capital, residents went about their businesses without fear or intimidation. Banks in the capital city also opened for business unlike previous Mondays. The markets were also opened while human and vehicular movements flowed freely.

There was however an unconfirmed report of an attack on passengers coming to Umuahia from Ohafia.

But when contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Geoffrey Ogbonna said some miscreants suspected to be robbers that blocked the Igbere section of the Ohafia -Umuahia road.

He said that on sighting a team of police and military van on patrol the suspected robbers abandoned the roadblock and fled into the bush.

The police spokesman however said no arrests were made but added that free flow of traffic had since been restored on the road.

In Owerri, business outfits that had shut for six weeks due to the sit-at-home ordered by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), resumed operations on Monday.

Our correspondent who went round the capital city saw banks, offices, markets, filling stations, eateries, shops and motor parks open.

There were also an increase on private and commercial vehicles on the roads, unlike what obtained in the past weeks when the roads were deserted.

On Wetheral, Douglas, Orlu, MCC, Egbu roads, as well as the Ikenegbu layout, almost all the shops were open for business.

But the situation wasn’t the same in Orlu area of the state as residents of the area which still sat at home, apparently out of apprehension. The roads in the area and shops were deserted.

Orlu has been the epicenter of violent attacks in the state.

In Enugu, movement was skeletal; the major market gate in Enugu was opened but nobody was inside the market. Banks were still under lock and key.

In a chat with a commercial driver who didn’t want his name in print, said that he came out for business because IPOB has cancelled the Monday sit-at-home. He said that people were scared of being harmed by hoodlums who parade themselves as IPOB members.

In Nsukka, there was improved human and vehicular traffic on the roads when compared to previous Mondays. Vanguard observed that all the commercial banks in the university community were shut.

Vanguard equally observed that the popular Ogige Market in the metropolis was open, but neither traders nor customers were seen in the market.

It was also learnt that there was chaos at Orba Road in Nsukka metropolis as hooded were seen trying to enforce the sit-at-home order earlier in the morning.

Security agencies display ‘show of force’ in Abakaliki

NORMAL economic activities have resumed in Abakaliki in the Ebonyi State capital as citizens were seen going about their normal businesses, not minding any infraction.

When Vanguard moved round the state capital, security agencies in the state including the military and Nigeria Police were seen carrying out what they described as “show of force” to showcase their strength and formidability.

There were no reported cases of harassment from any individual or group of persons on the citizens of the state. But large shopping malls, supermarkets and eateries were closed, not minding the free movements of both human and vehicles across the state.

We put in place water-tight security —Abia Police

Reacting to allegations of lack of security, the Abia State Police Command said that it had adopted proactive measures including convoy patrol to reassure residents of their security as they go about their legitimate businesses amidst fears surrounding the suspended “ghost Mondays” by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

Police Public Relations Officer PPRO, Geoffrey Ogbonna, told our Correspondent that the personnel of the command had been deployed to ensure every part of the state was fully policed.

He said that adequate proactive security measures had been put in place to ensure the security of lives and property across the state.

Ogbonna assured residents and visitors to the state to go about their legitimate businesses without fear of any intimidation.

By Augustine Okezie, Katsina

- Customs probes shooting of official

- Decries media propaganda against state

Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari has revealed that the state generated N393 million as taxes and levies from farming and the agricultural sector despite the spate of growing attacks on the farming communities across parts of the state.

Masari disclosed this during the launch of 600 hectares of Date planting campaign in Katsina; organised by the National Association of Date Farmers’ Processors and Marketers of Nigeria (NADAFPAM) in collaboration with the state government.

He said: “1,249,551 short-term and long-term jobs have been created mostly among youths and women with over N13 billion generated as income for agricultural entrepreneurs across the 34 local government areas of the state.”

The State Deputy Governor and Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mannir Yakubu explained that for the take-off of the Date Palm plantation, 20 hectares of land will be provided in each of the seven old local government areas in the state.

He announced that 17 hectares will be provided in each of the remaining 27 council areas with 60 youths selected from the 34 local government areas of the state to undergo a train-the-trainers workshop on the establishment and management of date palm and a step-down training.

In another development, the Katsina Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has announced the constitution of a panel to probe the assault on a Katsina State Government official by men of the command along Daura- Mai’adua Road in Katsina State

The Katsina State Deputy Controller Dalha Wada Chedi, who made the above disclosure in Katsina, while updating reporters on the latest seizures made by his command between August four and September four this year, also called on the people to patiently wait for the outcome of the investigation.

The spokesman of the command, Danbaba Isah had earlier confirmed the incident which occurred when the Commissioner’s convoy was moving from Daura to Mai’adua Local Government Area.

Isah said the four officers involved have been taken into custody at the Katsina Police Headquarters for investigations and further action.

The Deputy Controller, Customs, Katsina Area Command has said the agency is winning the war on cross border smuggling activities.

He said: “There is a serious reduction in cross border smuggling in Katsina State, compared to the quantity of good we have now seized and the last seizure.”

Also, the Katsina State Government yesterday condemned what it called a “media attack,” by a national television station against the state government over a “viral clip” alleging spelling and grammatical errors contained in two recent executive containment orders signed by the Governor, Aminu Bello Masari.

The State’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ahmed Usman El-Mazuq said the state government was “embarrassed” by the decision of the television house to focus on “trivial matters” rather than on core issues bordering on security threats in the state which the containment orders sought to address.

He said: “A viral clip emanating from Arise News Television on the recent containment orders, purported to have been signed by Governor Aminu Bello Masari and circulating in social media circles, was not the one signed by Governor Masari.”

Ebonyi, Yobe and Katsina states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have received N24billion for ranching from the Federal Government.

Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media, Garba Shehu, stated this last night on Politics Today, a programme on Channels.

He said four received N6billion each for ranching and other associated purposes.

He, however, did not disclose when they got the funds, though he said Katsina was the latest to get it.

Shehu said eight other states will get theirs soon as their applications are being processed.

He said any state that is interested and meets the requirement will get the same grant.

Shehu said: ” Yes, Katsina has been given, but Katsina is not the only state that has been given.

“So far, about N24billion has been disbursed to about four states for ranching and associated activities.

“Yobe has been given. Ebonyi has been given and FCT has been given. More than eight other states are now being processed for this payment.”

Shehu said the programme is one of the ways the Buhari Administration intends to end the farmer/herder clashes.

by Osagie Otabor, Akure

August 24, 2021

A former South-West National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Dr. Eddy Olafeso has said that the ‘agbero styled’ removal of National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, would fail.

Olafeso said the PDP constitution spelt out how a National Chairman of the party should be removed from office.

Olafeso, who spoke in an interview in Akure, said the court’s removal of Secondus in River State was unknown to the party’s constitution.

He said the party does not belong to an individual.

His words: “When in doubt, the constitution comes first. Our constitution stipulates how you can discipline a national officer. If you are going through a slash and burn approach, you are abusing the constitution. The court of the land will not allow it. What they did in River State is not known to our constitution.

“For us, the truth remains that the constitution shall prevail at the end. Whatever anybody does, this party is beyond an individual. This party is beyond everyone one of us.

“The party belongs to the people and constitution of the party holds supreme. Section 59(1) stipulates how you can discipline a National Chairman. If it were not followed to the latter, people are just wasting their time.

“I believe Chief Uche Secondus should continue until his tenure expires as we prepare for 2023 elections. This agbero approach in trying to remove the National Chairman will not work. It has never happened before.

“What they got in Rivers is an interlocutory injunction. Its lifespan is just seven days. We shall overcome. Let us love Nigeria more than we love ourselves.

“Nigerians are waiting for the PDP to come and improve their lives. This purported removal of Secondus will not stand.”

NOAH BANJO takes a look at the top female filmmakers in the country calling the shots

Kemi Adetiba

Before venturing into filmmaking, this damsel had made a name for herself on radio as a host on Rhythm 93.7FM. She later transitioned to hosting television shows such as ‘Studio 53’ and ‘Temptation Nigeria’ on Mnet. She was also a presenter on Soundcity TV and the host of the popular ‘Maltina DanceAll’ show for three consecutive years. Adetiba has also directed music videos for stars including Banky W, Wizkid, 2baba, Dagrin, Niyola, Olamide and Tiwa Savage.

After studying at the New York Film Academy in 2009, she released a short film titled, ‘Across a Bloodied Ocean’. However, her first feature length movie was ‘The Wedding Party’.

To follow up her success with ‘The Wedding Party’, Adetiba released another blockbuster titled, ‘King of Boys’, which was critically acclaimed and successful at the cinemas. With her movies winning awards and breaking box office records, Kemi Adetiba is regarded as one of the foremost filmmakers in Nollywood.


Emem Isong

Many movie lovers know the name, though putting a face to it might be an issue. Emem Isong, who has spent nearly 30 decades in Nollywood, has her footprints in different areas of filmmaking.

With over 40 movies under her belt – where she functioned as producer, screenwriter, or director – she is regarded as one of the purveyors of the new form of the Nigerian movie industry, which has favoured more cinema releases than home videos as it was known for.

In 2010, she founded the Royal Arts Academy alongside Uduak Oguamanam, Anietie Isong and Monalisa Chinda. The academy trains prospective actors.


Mo Abudu

It almost seems like Mo Abudu does not rest from making headlines regarding her work in film, especially with the recent rights acquisition to make a film about the international fraudster, Ramon Abass, aka Hushpuppi.

Abudu’s career in the media came to the fore with her talk show, ‘Moments with Mo.’ She later went on to create EbonyLife TV which gave birth to EbonyLife Films. With EbonyLife Films, she forayed into movie production, starting with ‘Fifty,’ and proceeding to co-produce ‘The Wedding Party’, ‘The Wedding Party 2’, ‘The Royal Hibiscus Hotel’, ‘Chief Daddy’, ‘Your Excellency’ and ‘Òlòtūré.’

In March 2018, EbonyLife TV and Sony Pictures Television signed a three-year deal that would include co-production of ‘The Dahomey Warriors’, a series about the Amazons who took on French colonialists in a 19th-century West African kingdom. In 2020, EbonyLife announced a partnership with AMC Networks (USA) to produce ‘Nigeria 2099’, an afro-futuristic crime-drama created by Mo Abudu’s company.

Over the years, the filmmaker and media mogul has received recognition for her work in the development of the film industry in Nigeria and Africa at large.


Funke Akindele-Bello

Many saw the growth of this former child actor and how she blossomed into a grounded actor and movie producer. Funke Akindele’s star shone bright as Bisi in the popular sitcom, ‘I Need to Know,’ which ran from 1998 to 2002.

In an industry where many child actors fall off the radar and become irrelevant, Akindele-Bello climbed up the ladder to become a household name. With movies like ‘Omo Ghetto,’ ‘Jenifa,’ ‘Return of Jenifa,’ and ‘Maami,’ she sealed her place among A-list actors in Nollywood. Following the success of ‘Jenifa,’ Akindele released a spinoff TV series titled, ‘Jenifa’s Diary’ from her production house, SceneOne Film Productions.

Not resting on her oars, Akindele keeps appearing in movies and directing some of her projects with the most notable one being ‘Omo Ghetto: The Saga’, which is reportedly Nigeria’s highest grossing movie of all time at over N600m, beating ‘The Wedding Party’, which made N453m.


Mildred Okwo

For someone who is selective about the movies she makes, Mildred Okwo is still not one to overlook in Nollywood. She has built a brand for herself and has noted that her films are “for a certain kind of people”.

Okwo took Nollywood by storm in 2006 following the release of the movie, ‘30 Days,’ which she wrote, directed and co-produced. The movie earned eight nominations at the 2008 Africa Movie Academy Awards, with Joke Silva taking the award for Best Supporting Actress.

Her film, ‘The Meeting,’ a romantic comedy released in 2012, received critical acclaim and was nominated in six categories at the ninth Africa Movie Academy Awards, winning the ‘Achievement in Make-Up’ award. Since then, she has been involved in two more movies which have also received critical acclaim. Okwo was among the Nollywood practitioners who formed the Nigerian Oscars Selection Committee, which was approved by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, to screen Nigerian films for submission under the ‘Best Foreign Language Film’ category at the Academy Awards.


Omoni Oboli

Omoni Oboli has become a household name in Nollywood through her acting, screenwriting and directing. But, only few know that she almost quit acting after a long hiatus to finish her Bachelor’s degree in French from the University of Benin, Edo State, and getting married immediately after.

In her first stint in the movie industry, Oboli starred in five films including ‘Not My Will’, ‘Destined to Die’ and ‘Another Campus Tale.’ However, she made a return to the silver screen in 2009, starring in Kunle Afolayan’s supernatural suspense thriller, ‘The Figurine,’ followed by ‘Anchor Baby’ in 2010. In 2014, Omoni made her directorial debut with the movie, ‘Being Mrs Elliot.’ She has gone on to direct and produce audience favourites such as ‘Okafor’s Law,’ ‘Wives on Strike’, ‘Mums at War’, and ‘Love is War.’

In a saturated and highly competitive industry, Oboli has been recognised for her efforts in Nollywood winning the ‘Big Screen Actress of the Year’ award at the 2014 ELOY Awards and the Sun ‘Nollywood Personality of the Year’ in 2015.


Tope Oshin

This is one person one can say has lived a colourful life. As a child, Tope Oshin had dreams to become a painter, but got admitted to study Economics at the university before abandoning the course to study Public Administration, then Theatre Arts, TV & Film Production at the Lagos State University.

Oshin built on her interest in filmmaking and later studied Film Production, and Cinematography at the Colorado Film School of the Community College of Aurora, Denver, United States of America, and Met Film School, Ealing Studios, London, United Kingdom, respectively.

For about 12 years, Oshin was in front of the screen as an actress. However, she made a switch to being behind the camera, working as an assistant director for the business reality show, ‘The Apprentice Africa.’ Since then, she has become known for directing popular TV dramas and soap operas such as ‘Hush’, ‘Hotel Majestic,’ ‘Tinsel’ and ‘MTV Shuga’ (Season six).

While Oshin is known for cinema hits such as ‘Up North’ and ‘New Money’ and its follow-up ‘Quam’s Money’, she also produced ‘The Wedding Party 2’ which was a box office hit.

As a tribute to the late Amaka Igwe, she produced and directed the documentary, ‘Amaka’s Kin: The Women Of Nollywood’, which addresses issues facing Nigerian female directors working in a male-dominated industry.


Jade Osiberu

Some might call it a fast rise to the top, others might call it hard work and diligence. What they would not fail to call Jade Osiberu’s work is lacking in quality.

Trained as a computer systems engineer, Osiberu left her job as a software developer to focus full time on movies and her choice has apparently paid off. In 2013, she produced and wrote one of the earliest Nigerian web series, ‘Gidi Up,’ which featured actors like OC Ukeje, Deyemi Okanlawon and Somkele Iyamah.

After setting up her production company, she wrote and directed ‘Isoken,’ which earned her ‘Best Director’ awarf at the 2018 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.

More recently, Osiberu produced the critically acclaimed musical biopic of Apala music legend, Ayinla Omowura, titled, ‘Ayinla.’


Bolanle Austen-Peters

Setting up a private theatre and then producing for film as well would sound challenging to anyone. It was, however, not beyond Bolanle Austen-Peters. Coming from a legal background and working with the United Nations, her journey to becoming a known figure in live theatre and film exemplifies her love for the arts.

Austen-Peters founded Terra Kulture Arts and Studios Limited to serve as an educational and recreational organisation with the aim to promote Nigerian languages, arts and culture.

She also established her own production company called Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions. To announce its appearance on the Nigerian theatre scene, the company launched its first production, ‘SARO the Musical’ which toured Lagos and was performed in London’s West End.

Austen-Peters also directed the ‘Fela and The Kalakuta Queens’ musical, which is based on the real-life story of Nigerian music icon and activist, Fela Kuti, and the women who stood by him. She also directed ‘Moremi the Musical’, which tells the story of the 12th century Yoruba legend queen who liberated the people of Ile Ife (in modern day Osun State) from the grasp of their enemies.

Her company also produced ‘93 Days’, a film on the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria, which was selected for premiering and viewing at the Toronto International Film Festival, The Chicago Film Festival, the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles, the Johannesburg Film Festival, the Africa Film Festival in Cologne/Germany, and nominated for a RapidLion Award. It also received 13 nominations at the 2017 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, receiving an award for ‘Best Lighting Designer’. The movie was also nominated in seven categories at the 2017 African Movie Academy Awards.

Bolanle Austen-Peters’ production company also released ‘The Bling Lagosians,’ a movie about the lifestyle of Lagos elite.


Toyin Abraham

Aside from tenacity and hard work, the other thing synonymous to Toyin Abraham is her vibrant and energetic nature. It is almost nearly impossible to see this actress playing solemn roles.

Abraham started her career in the Yoruba sector of the Nigerian movie industry and has since spread her tentacles to English speaking movies as well. She is notable for her movie series, ‘Alakada,’ which is in three parts.

While a number of producers kept making home videos, Toyin was among the pioneers of pushing Yoruba movies to the cinema. This could have been a major factor in her gaining popularity and acceptance amongst Yoruba movie lovers.

With over 35 movies under her belt, Toyin won the award for the ‘Best Actress in a Drama’ at the 2020 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards for her role in ‘Elevator Baby.’

August 9, 2021

By Chris Njoku, Owerri

A High Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State has ordered former Imo Governor Rochas Okorocha to forfeit over 500 personal properties acquired while in office to the State Government.

Ruling on a case between Imo Attorney General and Mrs. Nkechi Rochas Okorocha Incorporated Trustees of Rochas Foundation Senator Rochas Anayo Okorocha as Applicant and Respondents respectively in suit No HOW/M1191/2021, Justice Fred Njemanze ordered the final and absolute forfeiture of Royal Palm Springs Hotel and other properties said to belong to Senator Rochas Okorocha and other members of his family.

The forfeited properties are contained in pages 226 to 272 of the Imo Government white paper report by a Judicial Commission of Enquiry on Recovery of Lands and other related matters.

According to the ruling by Justice Fred Njemanze, who was sitting as a vacation judge, Okorocha’s counsel failed to give concrete and verifiable reasons why a final and absolute forfeiture order should not be given in favour of the Imo state government.

Justice Njemanze added the suit against Imo state Government by Okorocha’s counsel was not properly filed.

He also described it as “a surplusage”, a term in law which means a useless statement completely irrelevant to a matter.

Justice Njemanze maintained that the white paper gazette by the Imo Government is a legal binding document.

Reacting, the lead counsel to the respondents, Oba Maduabuchi described the judgment as “perfidy of justice.”

“I’m baffled, at court on Friday, a text message came from the judge that he would deliver his ruling on Monday or Tuesday. So because of the sit-at-home order by IPOB we agreed for Tuesday. I was shocked when my colleague rushed into the room and told me that they have delivered a ruling, not just ruling but a judgment

” We had earlier on Tuesday argued the objections I raised on the processes filled by Imo government, the judge said he reserved his ruling ,when ruling is reserved ,it means that no particular date is fixed but when it’s ready,parties are informed,” Maduabuchi said

According to him: “We are definitely going to appeal the judgment even a primary school pupil knows that the judgment can’t stand.”

John Alechenu and Stephen Angbulu

4 August 2021

Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress are considering an overhaul of the party’s current leadership structure to avoid a legal booby trap, The PUNCH has learnt.

Our correspondent gathered in Abuja on Tuesday that after a meeting attended by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the APC state governors and other stakeholders on Friday night, the party leaders started considering the removal of the Chairman of the Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee of the party, Mai Mala Buni and other governors, who are members of the panel.

Apart from Buni, who is the Governor of Yobe State, other governors, who are members of the committee, are Sani Bello of Niger State, who is representing the North-Central and his Osun State counterpart, Isiaka Oyetola, who represents the South-West.

It was also learnt that among the plans of the party was the reconstitution of the interim panel after the removal of the governors.

The crisis in the party worsened on Tuesday as a member, Okosisi Ngwu, approached the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory and asked it to dissolve the Buni-led committee and nullify all the actions taken by it.

Recall that the APC has been divided since last week over the judgment of the Supreme Court on the 2020 Ondo State governorship election.

Although the apex court declared the state Governor and APC candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, winner of the election and dismissed the appeal filed by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, members of the ruling party were divided over the pronouncement of the justices on the Buni chairmanship.

While Minister of Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo (SAN), advised the party to suspend the ward congress it held on Saturday on the grounds that the apex court had invalidated Buni’s chairmanship, the lead counsel for the APC in the governorship suit, Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), said the judgment of the majority of the apex court justices did not annul Buni’s chairmanship.

Contrary to the advice of Keyamo and some others members, the party went ahead to hold its ward congress on Saturday, despite the warning that it could be annulled in future because of the judgment.

The PUNCH had on Tuesday reported that Osinbajo and the APC governors had begun talks as fear gripped the party over the implication of the judgment.

A member of the party’s National Caucus, who confided in our correspondent on Tuesday, said, “We are only waiting for the President to return to hold a National Executive Committee meeting to review the state of the party.

“The court judgment in the Ondo matter as it relates to the position of the law regarding the chairman of our caretaker committee holding the office while at the same time serving as governor has set us thinking.

“We have two options, continue and risk everything or make adjustments and save something.

“What is currently on the table is to reconstitute the Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee, while retaining members who are not holding executive positions like those of governors.

“There is also a proposal to either pick an acting interim national chairman from among the members or nominate a strong hand who will lead the party into the convention.

“Recall the arrangement we had in 2014 when Chief Bisi Akande served as interim national chairman and led us into the national convention where Chief Odigie-Oyegun was elected as substantive chairman.”

There were also speculations on Tuesday that plans were underway to annul last Saturday’s Ward Congress. However, multiple party sources said this was unlikely.

One of the leaders who also spoke in confidence said, “This is unlikely. Let me ask, on what grounds will such an action be taken? Those who felt shortchanged are the people pushing this kind of narrative.

“Governor Mai Mala Buni did not sign any of the notices for the congresses, go and look at the guidelines we sent out. It was mostly the Acting National Secretary, Senator John Akpanudoedehe who signed them. In a few cases, it was the organising secretary.

“Our advice to members who feel shortchanged and believe they have a strong case is to go and prepare for appeal.

“After the Appeal for ward congresses, the local government congress will follow.”

Recall that in their judgment affirming the election of Akeredolu, justices of the Supreme Court reportedly reiterated the provisions of Section 183 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

The section reads, “The governor shall not, during the period when he holds office, hold any other executive office or paid employment in any capacity whatsoever.”

Meanwhile, the party’s National Secretary, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, has reiterated the party’s determination to proceed with its programmes despite some hiccups during the ward congress held last Saturday.

He said, “Some people are used to sitting in the comfort of their rooms to write out names. But we now have a system where party members at all levels will determine their leaders.

“We don’t have factions in the party. We have tendencies and we encourage consensus. People have interests and people can come together and reach a consensus.

“We can arrive at a consensus when leaders of the various tendencies come together and agree on something. If there is no agreement, it is then we vote. It is democratic. The voting is monitored by all the government agencies and the results so generated at such congresses; INEC (the Independent National Electoral Commission) will have its copies.

On the issue of last Saturday’s ward congress, he said, “There was no Supreme Court judgment barring us from holding our congresses. Before the caretaker committee was set up, most of the Senior Advocates of Nigeria talking today were part of the legal team that looked at the constitution and gave the go-ahead for its composition.”

He also explained that the party was preparing to entertain appeals from aggrieved members. Akpanudoedehe said, “If we find genuine infractions big enough to order a fresh congress, we will do so but we will not entertain results from parallel congresses.”

The secretary attributed the crisis within the party to power tussles ahead of the 2023 elections.

He said “All of these things you are seeing today is all about 2023. We all must first have a party before we struggle for any position. We must not destroy this party because we don’t get what we want.”

July 28, 2021

By Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Anambra Governor Willie Obiano has vowed to make former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Prof Charles Soludo his successor.

He spoke on Wednesday at the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport at Umueri after his three-week vacation abroad.

Obiano landed with a private jet at the airport exactly by 11.45am and was received by Anambra lawmakers led by Speaker Uche Okafor.

Addressing the crowd that came to welcome him, Obiano said Soludo would be the next Governor.

He left the State immediately after the primary conducted by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) at the Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Centre, Awka that produced Soludo as candidate.

Since then, the party had been enmeshed in crisis with two candidates produced for the November 6 election.

But the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had refused to recognise Soludo as the candidate.

Instead, the Commission published Chukwuma Umeoji as the candidate based on a High judgement from Jigawa State.

Obiano described the omission of Soludo’s name on the INEC list as a ‘mistake’, which he said would be corrected soon.

The Governor said: “Prof. Soludo is the next Governor of Anambra State as issues about APGA crisis will be a thing of the past soon”.

He assured of delivery of the Anambra International Airport in record time, saying “I feel fulfilled to have a test of my legacy project- the airport this day.”

We’ve not seen Nnamdi Kanu in the last 10 days, says lawyer; as court adjourns trial till October 21

By Sunday Ejike-Abuja

On Jul 26, 2021

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned the trial of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, till October 21 following the failure of the Federal Government to produce him in court on Monday.

When the matter was called at about 11.10 a.m. after counsel representing parties had announced their appearances, lead counsel to the prosecution, Mohammed Abubakar, informed the court that the case was for continuation of trial and was ready for the proceedings, even though Kanu was not produced in court by the Department of State Services (DSS).

He however requested the court to proceed with the trial without a fiat, from the Chief Judge of the court, taking into consideration that the court has commenced its annual vacation and the trial judge was not one of the vacation judges.

Reacting, Kanu’s lead counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, informed the court of an application he filed seeking the transfer of Kanu from DSS custody to correctional centre.

The trial judge, in a short ruling, held that the trial of Kanu cannot proceed in his absence, having been arrested and brought into the country.

She insisted that Kanu must physically be brought to court since he is now available to face his trial and urged the prosecution to ensure that Kanu be brought to court to witness his trial. She then adjourned the matter till October 21.

Meanwhile, Kanu’s lead counsel on Monday, also told the court that the DSS had denied him and relatives of Kanu the opportunity to see him.

“I was informed authoritatively, I am speaking from the bar, that Nnamdi Kanu has been taken out of jurisdiction of this court.

“We have been denied access to Kanu in the last 10 days. We are worried about his safety and don’t know why the Federal Government refused to bring him in court,” Ejiofor told the court.

It will be recalled that after over two years of manhunt, the Federal Government re-arrested the Biafran leader and was immediately brought to Nigeria for continuation of his trial.

By Afeez Hanafi

24 July 2021

For almost 20 years running, dreams of a budding Nigerian actor, Chukwuma Kabarachi, have been put on hold after he suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident on August 28, 2001 in Lagos.

At 42 then, Kabarachi, who adopted Chukwuma Ugwumba, as his cast name in the movies, was a bubbly man of many ambitions. Aside from being an actor, he had his eyes fixed on a thriving music career.

Our correspondent learnt that he was billed for a studio session to record his songs to jumpstart his music career on the week the accident occurred.

Since then, the father of one has been exposed to a flipside of life steeped in pain, loneliness and despair. He was billed between N3.5m and N3.8m at a hospital in Lagos some years back but he couldn’t afford it.

While narrating his plight to City Round, Kabarachi said the bill might have increased due to the country’s economic situation.

He stated, “I had an accident in Lagos which resulted in spinal cord injury. I was rushed to a private hospital for medical attention. Unfortunately, the hospital had neither the required medical personnel nor the equipment to take care of my medical needs. After five months, I was moved away from the hospital as my health condition got worse with nine bedsores two of which required plastic surgery. It’s almost 20 years since I had the accident and I am still on a sickbed with bedsores around my waist and a fracture a little above my left ankle. It is still on these bedsores I lie down after they are dressed every day. The pain I go through is indescribable, and the mental torture is better imagined than experienced. I now depend on pain relieving drugs every day to reduce the pain.

“For many years I have been confined to a room in my father’s compound and this is where I was when I lost him and my step-mother who were supposed to enjoy their old age under my watch and care, having earlier lost my dear mother and my sister. Now I have found myself at a lonely and secluded part of life where loneliness, feeling of abandonment and betrayal have become my day-to-day companion. ”

Every day, Kabarachi, a native of Obinato in the Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo, reflects on his short-lived blissful marriage and how the incident had deprived him of the ability to sustain the happy union.

“There were times I wished I had died. When I look at the face of my younger brother who has borne the brunt of taking care of me all these years, and I remember the young lady that left her people in Ondo State for a marriage of two years and eight months and our son of about two years and six months, I weep like a baby for becoming an unexpected burden to them,” he stated, grimly.

For his surgery and treatment, he said his doctor referred him to a medical facility that can provide services of specialist neurologist, dermatologist, orthopaedic and anaesthetics.

He added, “His estimate was between N3.5m and N3.8m. This was made a long time ago and may have changed as a result of many factors, including other health complications. I am now seeking financial assistance to enable me to undergo a thorough medical treatment in a specialised tertiary medical institution, so that if I cannot stand again, I can, at least, sit comfortably in a wheelchair.”

A letter signed by the Managing Director of Trinity Medical Centre, Dr A.N Oyekwena, stated that Kabarachi currently receives “ancillary services” at the hospital, “having been totally incapacitated following an accident that affected his spinal cord.”

Donations for Kabarchi’s treatment can be made to his younger brother’s First Bank account with the name...

•Wife released on bail, trial continues today

By Oluwole Ige

On Jul 23, 2021

SPIRITED efforts by the Federal Government of Nigeria to fasttrack the extradition of Yoruba nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Ighoho, might have suffered setback as he would be tried for obtaining fake Beninise international passport in Cotonou, Nigerian Tribune has gathered.

Though details of what transpired in the court on Thursday when Igboho was brought, alongside his wife, Ropo, were still sketchy, sources informed Nigerian Tribune that authorities in the neighbouring West African country insisted on fair trial for Igboho on immigration offence before considering the request of the Nigerian government for his extradition.

The couple was arraigned at the Cour De’appeal De Cotonou for immigration-related offences. While adjourning the matter till today, the court ordered Igboho to remain in prison custody. The court, however, ordered the release of his wife.

Meanwhile, Igboho has hired a Beninise lawyer identified as Rafael Huvehnou to handle his case.

Huvehnou is currently an attorney to the president of the country. Igboho was arrested on Monday night at the Cadjèhoun Airport, Cotonou with a “fake” Beninoise passport while trying to flee to Germany.

A source said: “Igboho had given a statement to the police. He was travelling with a Beninoise passport adjudged to be fake.” Igboho’s lawyer, Yomi Aliyu (SAN), while speaking on the development, said: “The wife has been released and given her passport. The Nigerian government did not file anything on extradition; it just filed to give information to the court that he is wanted in Nigeria for gun running and some other offences.

“They only filed information for the court to keep him in custody while they file charges against him.

“They just want the court to help them ensure he doesn’t leave Cotonou and help them keep him in custody and no court would do that.”

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the Beninise government said it would not handle a request for extradition without first trying Igboho for the offence he was arrested for.

The Nigerian government, through its ambassador to Benin Republic, Tukur Buratai, had mounted pressure on the Beninise government to extradite Igboho to Nigeria.

It was gathered that the former Chief of Army Staff wrote two letters to the government of the West African country, where he insisted on the arrest and extradition of Igboho.

Buratai had in the letters described the activist as a terrorist and murderer.

A source said: “Nigeria had written two letters to the West African state, describing Igboho as a terrorist and murderer. The first letter was written on July 7. A second letter, describing his bodily features, was passed on to Benin Republic authorities on Wednesday.”

Obi Cubana told me people will crave death after his mother's burial, Pretty Mike claims

Pretty Mike has claimed that businessman, Obi Iyiegbu, aka Obi Cubana, told him that his mother's burial will make people wish to die.

The socialite, who was in Oba for the burial of Obi Cubana's mother, claimed he had the conversation with the businessman during the burial of his wife's father.

Pretty Mike wrote: "I remember when Obi's wife father died some months back. We came for the burial. It was nothing short of a carnival.

"I asked him so why wait till July to bury your mum. He said let's keep her on the ice for now, she has to go out gloriously, she deserved it.

"I said bros stop being humble. He replied 'after my mama burial ceremony, to die go dey hungry some people' ... today I understand. "

Olamide Francis

15 July 2021

A kidnap victim has taken to social media to narrate how she was allegedly abducted and sexually abused by some gunmen during her travel to Rivers State.

The woman, with the Twitter handle @Blessedcindy0, claimed that she was kidnapped along with five others on June 23, 2021.

She posted the thread with a picture of her battered face, saying she was admitted to a hospital after the ordeal.

According to her, she boarded a vehicle at a park in Enugu without any premonition of evil.

She said the last thing she recalled was that while sending a text to her sister, she felt “something cold on my nose and dozed off.”

“When I woke up, the six of us were tied to a chair in a bungalow. I immediately knew I had been kidnapped. There was this guy sitting down with a gun looking at us without saying a word until one huge looking man came out of the bungalow and started telling us to pray. He first gave us a hot slap; after that, he told us that we had been kidnapped and that we should not be afraid that as soon as our relatives cooperated with them, nothing’s going to happen to us,” she added.

The social media user said her sister sold some property and borrowed money to pay the ransom of N2m demanded by the kidnappers.

According to her, the gunmen warned her sister not to inform any security agency because neither the police nor the military could do anything about the situation.

She claimed to have watched as two of the six victims were killed because their families could not meet the demands, adding that three other victims were released after paying N2m each.

She said, “The name of one of us was Philip. When he asked him who to call to demand ransom, Philip said he doesn’t have anyone to call and that he is just a normal businessman trying to make ends meet.

“When they called my sister, they instructed her not to tell the police or army and that there’s nothing they can do (that was when I knew my own was finished); they told my sister that she’ll pay N3,000,000 or she won’t see me again.

“My father is not too strong, so my sister had to keep everything away from my father. Two people were killed right in front of me (Philip and one other girl) because they couldn’t meet up with their demands and the other three people were released after the payment of N2,000,000 ransom each.

“They didn’t kill me because my sister was picking up calls even after a week and cooperating with them. My sister had to sell some things and borrow up to pay N2,000,000. Even at that, from the 26 June 2021, every night they beat me and I was raped by two of them.”

The survivor said she was dropped off at night at Four Corners Junction near Agbani in the Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.

She said she was admitted to a hospital, adding that she was traumatised by the experience and the execution of two of the victims.

“I can’t take Philip and that girl they killed off my head. They killed and cut them into pieces. Where they kept us, I can still recognise how the place looks like. When they wanted to drop me after my sister paid, they met the police on their way and the police didn’t bother to look inside the car. They just let them through. Oh my goodness God! They also took everything I had left in my account, which was about N268,000. Nigeria has failed me. I sleep and wake up with this traumatic experience and feel like committing suicide,” she added.

Efforts by PUNCH Metro to speak to the victim and ascertain her condition were abortive, as she did not respond to a message from our correspondent.

The Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, said he could only comment on the case after getting details of the kidnap.

He said, “Where in Enugu did the incident happen? Let’s know the name of the person, where it happened and the date and time. It will help. When you get this information, please send it to me.