₦airaland Forum

omowolewa:
Jonathan knew this, that was why he used private military fighters towards the end of his tenure.

Speaking in an interview with Channels Television on Sunday, Zulum disclosed that the sponsors of insurgency have no interest in seeing the crisis come to an end.

The governor further explained that these beneficiaries are not just limited to Borno State but are spread across different parts of the country, cutting across all levels of society, from civilians to military personnel.

"Among the population. I cannot say who; we still have some people who don’t want to see the end of this crisis. They are benefiting from it, not only civilians; it cuts across all strata.

“Many times informants were arrested within the community; many times military personnel were arrested for trying to provide ammunition to the insurgents” he said.

Zulum added that there is a high level of foreign intrusion in the state, which aids the activities of insurgents.

"The porosity of our borders, the fringes of Lake Chad, the Sambisa game reserve, make safe havens for terrorists,” he said.

Atiku and Obi made the remark against the backdrop of their breakfast meeting in Yola, the Adamawa State Capital.

A video had emerged of both men seated together at a dining table, ready to have their meal.

However, Atiku’s spokesman, Paul Ibe said the meeting was a reunion of two old friends.

Speaking with journalists about Saturday’s meeting, Ibe said: “Let us not jump the gun. The fact is that Obi accepted to be the keynote speaker at the 20th anniversary of AUN and the 16th Founder’s Day, which was a milestone. Obi is part of that celebration.

“The university was founded by Atiku Abubakar, who was more like his host. But people think it is because of politics. We all know our friends. The truth is that politics cannot separate friends.

"So Atiku invited him to breakfast and from there, they went for the programme. I think that is what happened.”

On his part, Obi’s media aide, Ibrahim Umar, said the meeting had no political undertone.

“There was nothing like that. They just invited him (Obi) to deliver a speech there. It has nothing to do with politics. Of course, you know people will always assume things” he said.

BIZNess123:
Though I have no issue with seyi been governor he will perform, he has the energy and intelligence, but my fear is his wife ...

DAILY POST reports that it started with the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders, CONYL, which in a statement in Owerri, Imo State, endorsed the President’s son for the Lagos governorship seat in 2027.

According to the Coalition, Seyi Tinubu had on several occasions proven through his philanthropic gestures that he is a man who is selfless in all senses of the word.

“When there was flooding in Borno State, Mr Seyi and his team were there to sympathize and show support to those Nigerians whose property, homes and means of livelihood were destroyed by the flood.

“He gave a lot of gift items, food, home utensils, drugs and money to the affected persons during that period when the sad event took place,” the coalition said.

Also, the Lagos branch of the Middle Belt Youths joined the call in a press conference, with the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Middle Belt Forum, Dr Stanley Augustine Kavwam, as well as the group’s National Youth Leader, Capt. Brent Kane, urging Seyi to step up in 2027, describing him as the leader Lagos needs.

In the same vein, a socio-political organisation, Friends of Seyi Tinubu, FOST, endorsed Seyi Tinubu for the 2027 contest.

Describing him as a visionary leader with a rare blend of intellect, empathy, and strategic acumen, the group said Seyi Tinubu is the quintessential choice to drive Lagos state into a future defined by prosperity and innovation.

A statement by its president, Comr. Adejorin Tai Manuel, said Seyi Tinubu’s philanthropic contributions, leadership acumen, and commitment to societal progress is evidence of his readiness to serve as governor.

The development has been drawing reactions from different stakeholders.

First to quickly react was a prominent member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Joe Igbokwe, who voiced his opposition in a Facebook post, describing the endorsements as a ploy to undermine President Tinubu.

“Who are these faceless people pushing Seyi Tinubu for Lagos governor? This is a needless distraction. To pull PBAT down is their target. Ruling Lagos is not the job of boys” Igbokwe wrote.

Similarly, a youth group under the aegis of the Coalition of Lagos Indigenous Youths rejected the endorsement, saying there was no vacancy for a non-indigene to occupy the Alausa Government House.

“Our attention has been drawn to the recent endorsement of Seyi Tinubu for Lagos governor by a group known as Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders, CONYL, and the group is described as the umbrella body of all the youth groups drawn across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria.

“The said Coalition sat in Owerri, Imo State and publicly issued the statement of endorsement.

"While we know Mr Seyi Tinubu has his democratic rights as a Nigerian, we condemn the ill-fated endorsement and describe it as anti-democracy and a deliberate move by some faceless individuals to deny indigenes of Lagos State the right to govern themselves in 2027.

“It is no longer news that since 1999, no true blood indigene of Lagos State has taken over the mantle of leadership in the State (except one), the marginalization which underscores the essence of democracy and an outright denial of the indigenes of Lagos State the right to govern themselves.

“We know as a fact that there will soon be vacancy in Osun State where Mr Seyi Tinubu can best exercise his democratic rights unhindered.

“And if the people of Owerri in Imo are also interested in benefiting from the experience Mr Seyi Tinubu has acquired in recent times, they can push him to succeed Governor Uzodinma.

“As for us there is no vacancy for non-indigenes in Lagos State in 2027. The marginalization is too much and the marginalization has led to the underdevelopment in the state” the group said.

On its part, the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said that citizens would resist any attempts to impose Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, as the next governor of the state.

The state PDP spokesperson, Hakeem Amode, while rejecting the idea, said, “Lagos will not serve him.”

Amode asked whether governorship should become an inheritance, suggesting that it was inappropriate for a son to inherit such a role from his father.

He stressed that if the Tinubu camp were to resort to tactics similar to those used in Ondo and Edo states in the past, it would be met with resistance.

“Governorship is not a gift” he stated.

Speaking to DAILY POST, a human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, described the endorsement as laughable, adding that it was a clear indication that the people of Lagos State were taken for granted.

He queried if Nigeria, particularly Lagos State, was practising a monarchical system of government, where a father would pass the baton of leadership to his son in a democratic society filled with eligible and competent citizens.

According to him, such a thing happens because there is no election, adding that what takes place in disguise of election is ‘selection.’

While noting that everyone has the right to contest for election, Adeyanju called on the political actors of Lagos State to rise.

"It is a laughable endorsement because they have underrated Lagos people. If they rate them, such calls would not even be arising.

“Is Lagos a monarchy state, where the Tinubu’s family is supreme? Is it that power is the birthright of the Tinubu’s family?

“Is there something that people don’t know that should be known about them? Because I just don’t understand and can’t explain it.

"It makes no sense that they underrated Lagos people. And it’s because elections don’t take place there, it’s just selection. And because strong political office holders are never held accountable by the people, that’s why things go the way they go.

“Nigeria is practising federalism and not monarchy where political powers are being inherited from the father to the son.

“It therefore behoves on the political actors of Lagos State to stand up and do what is right for the state” he stated.

This was contained in a statement signed by MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Friday, who described the decision as “offensive, nauseating, and denigrating” to Nigerian Muslims.

According to a press statement, the Faith programme, which focuses on Christian televangelism, now occupies the top channel on GOTV, a slot that was previously used for advertisements of other programmes.

MURIC argues that this change forces viewers to watch Christian content by default when they turn on their televisions, regardless of their religious beliefs.

The organisation claims this action imposes Christian religious content on the Muslim population, equating it to “religious apartheid.”

MURIC argued that GOTV’s choice to feature Faith on such a prominent channel infringes on the rights of Muslim viewers, violating their freedom of choice and their right to select television programming without being confronted with unwanted religious content.

The group maintains that this practice is divisive and unjust to Muslims in the country.

In light of this situation, MURIC has demanded that GOTV promptly relocate the Faith programme to a different channel and restore the first channel to its original function.

They also warned that if their request is not fulfilled within a week (by December 9, 2024), they may consider peaceful actions, including urging Muslims to unsubscribe from the service.

"Meanwhile, MURIC appeals to Nigerian Muslims to continue to exercise patience and to remain peaceful and calm. We must not give in to provocation, lawlessness and violence.

“The law is on our side and we have the right to reject a service provider that has no respect for our faith or for its Muslim customers.

“GOTV will also do better by returning to its original practice whereby the last station watched by consumers opens immediately they switch on their television sets.

"Nigerians are going through enough stress and GOTV has no right to escalate tension in the nation’s anatomy,” the statement concluded.

helinues:
Some of them need to be served. They have been doing that irritating attitude for years

The good part now is na the neutral observers have been tackling them lately as they just couldn't comprehend such attitude

helinues:
K in Knives is of no meaning

fuckJones:
she will be remember by akwa ibiom state for the next 6 years

JAWBONE:
You no get choice before Mr T-pain

NOI don pass you already.

All your pre-2015 propaganda against her when she was Minister of Finance only propelled her to greater heights.

The governor, in his speech during the funeral which held at Ikot Ekpene Udo, Nsit-Ubuim LGA of the state, said he would never describe his late wife in past tense as her memories remain fresh in his thoughts and warm in his heart.

“You were my anchor, the one who could tell me what was right and what was wrong. With your death part of me is gone, but I will cherish the memories we shared forever.

“Today, as we bid you farewell, the whole world is here, celebrating your memories, and as I look at our children and grandchildren, I take consolation in the fact that the journey that began 40 years ago, in church, has been a journey of growth and immeasurable blessings and we will be fine

“I will never describe you in past tense. You will always be my “Oluwakemi”, alive in my mind, fresh in my thoughts and warm in my heart,” Eno stated.

In her remarks, the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, who recalled the departed Akwa Ibom First Lady’s laudable contributions to humanity, urged the family to emulate her legacies.

Earlier in his homily, Rev. Simeon Afolabi of the First Love Assembly in Port Harcourt, who spoke on the topic, ‘When Death of Love Ones Occurs’, said,”Whenever a loved one dies, our world strains because of what we think of the person”, adding that anyone who made a difference in life does not die.

Drawing references from, 1 Thess: 4;15-16, Afolabi urged the family of the late First Lady to emulate the good legacies of their mother.

The funeral service was attended by former President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara, Governor of Bauchi State Bala Mohammed, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimna, Abia State Governor Alex Otti and former Akwa Ibom governor, Udom Emmanuel, among others.

Also in attendance were the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas) Ekperikpe Ekpo
Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaette Obot and former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs,
Obong Umana Okon Umana and a host of other dignitaries.

Tinubu gave the assurance while congratulating Okonjo-Iweala on her unanimous re-election as WTO DG.

Okonjo-Iweala made history in 2021 as the first African and first woman to lead the 164-nation-member WTO.

Her first term as the seventh Director-General of the WTO will expire on August 31, 2025, while her second term begins on September 1.

Tinubu said Okonjo-Iweala’s unanimous appointment for a second four-year term demonstrates the trust and confidence the international community places in her leadership.

He disclosed this in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Bayo Onanuga.

The statement reads: “President Bola Tinubu congratulates Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, on her unanimous re-election today as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

“The renowned development economist and global finance expert made history in 2021 as the first African and first woman to lead the 164-nation-member WTO.

“Her first term as the seventh Director-General of the WTO will expire on August 31, 2025, while the second term begins September 1.

“The Nigerian leader notes with delight that Dr Okonjo-Iweala’s unanimous appointment for a second four-year term demonstrates the trust and confidence the international community places in her leadership to advance multilateral trade for sustainable global development.

“President Tinubu is confident that her continued leadership will strengthen the international economic organisation’s role as a critical pillar of inclusive global economic growth and good governance in the next four years.

"As a committed member of the WTO, ECOWAS, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Nigeria will continue to support the WTO’s mission to foster a fair, inclusive, and equitable multilateral trading system.

“President Tinubu assures Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria’s steadfast support as she consolidates her bold reforms, dedication to equitable global trade practices, and tireless efforts to promote international cooperation."

This is coming amid reports that popular investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo, is being held by the Army in Port Harcourt.

However, in a statement issued on Friday, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said Fisayo Soyombo was one of those arrested among those involved in oil theft.

He, however, did not disclose whether this was the same as the investigative journalist or name semblance.

Danjuma highlighted the division’s recent successes in tackling illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta, explaining that intelligence had uncovered a gang involved in pipeline vandalism and oil theft.

He stated that troops conducted a targeted operation at an illegal bunkering site, leading to multiple arrests, including that of Fisayo Soyombo, an investigative journalist, who was apprehended at the scene.

“While the Division will not want to join issues with purveyors of falsehood and misinformation, It is important to put the records in proper perspective.

“You would recall that the Division has scaled up its anti-illegal oil bunkering operations with huge operational successes recorded.

“Only recently, intelligence revealed the existence of a notorious gang of oil thieves noted for bursting pipelines and illegal connections for oil theft in the region.

“In a deliberate operation conducted, troops trailed the criminals to an illegal oil bunkering site.

“In a subsequent operation carried out, troops swooped on the site, where arrests were made, including one Fisayo Soyombo who was also arrested at the scene,” he said.

The military noted that the “suspects are currently undergoing preliminary investigation to ascertain their level of involvement or otherwise.”

It clarified that the recent arrest of Soyombo is linked to the activities of oil thieves operating in the Niger Delta region.

It urged media outlets to verify their information before publishing to ensure accuracy, as it reaffirmed its dedication to curbing oil theft and criminal activities, emphasizing that these efforts aim to boost the nation’s oil and gas production.

“Therefore, his arrest is not unconnected with the activities of these oil thieves in the region.

“It is, therefore, important for media outlets to ensure the veracity of their information before they place them in the public domain.

“The Division will like to reassure the general public of its commitment and responsiveness in ensuring the activities of criminal gangs, particularly oil thieves, are drastically curbed in the region.

“This, it is hoped, will shore up oil and gas production in the country,” he added.

Christlike01:
Yes,he is right to brag with having Yoruba blood in his family! Yoruba people are not just another Africans; they're a special breeds - smart,intelligent, sophisticated,progressive,beautiful in and out,etc.

Richtaiwo:
Na small small, we go reach there. For gain, there must be pain. Nigerians are strongly behind Tinubu. We Nigerians don't give a damn about some handle mops who want Tinubu to do in Nigeria in one day what their messiah could not do in a small patch of land in 8 years.

Atiku Abubakar and Peter Gringory Obi will cast their votes for Tinubu in 2027, this one sire die.

Cajal:
This your statement has further confirmed that you are ignorant
You should demonstrate knowledge by constructively critique the Tax reform bill
Otherwise you are literate but IGNORANT

This comes as he alleged that some elements within the private sector in the oil and gas industry want to undermine and understate the revitalisation of the Port Harcourt Refinery.

Fani-Kayode made this known in a statement on his official X handle on Thursday, noting that the oil business is not the same thing as selling sugar, spaghetti, and cement, tackling Aliko Dangote, president of Dangote Refinery.

His comments come amid claims against the viability of Port Harcourt Refinery after NNPCL announced that the plant has begun trucking out petroleum products on Tuesday.

Recall that Timothy Mgbere, Secretary of the Alesa community stakeholders, in an interview on Arise Television on Thursday alleged that Port Harcourt Refinery trucked sold out old stock, not freshly refined petroleum products.

However, Fani-Kayode fingered some elements in the private sector of the industry as responsible for the campaign of calumny to discredit the Group Managing Director of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the commencement of Port Harcourt Refinery after years of being in comatose.

He stressed that the Port Harcourt Refinery is a great victory for Nigeria.

According to him, what Nigerians need is for NNPCL refineries to flourish, and the same for Dangote Refinery and others.

He said, “The resurrection of the PH refinery is one of the most encouraging things that has happened in the petroleum sector for many years, and the credit for this must go to the President and the GMD of NNPC.

"It is a pity that some elements in the private sector who are new in the field are doing all they can to undermine and understate this great victory for Nigeria.

“The oil business is not the same as selling sugar, spaghetti, cement, or rice, and no matter how hard you try, you cannot muscle your way and create a monopoly on the sale of refined products as you did for other commodities over the years.”.

He added: “NNPC will go from strength to strength, and once its other refineries are working as well, Nigerians will have cause to smile again. Let the new kid on the block flourish, but let the NNPC refineries flourish too. That should be our goal and not a squalid attempt to discredit NNPC and its leadership.

"Every optimistic and true lover of Nigeria’s progress and President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda must be proud of the GMD Mele Kyari. His tenacity, bravery, ingenuity, and forthrightness have been rewarded with this great feat. Surely this is hope renewed for Nigerians.”.

DAILY POST recalls that on Tuesday the NNPCL announced the commencement of petroleum product production at the Port Harcourt Refinery.

Ndume said he taught in the polytechnic for 20 years before joining politics.

He spoke on Channels TV’s Politics Today while faulting those against his stance on President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills.

Ndume said people see him as ignorant because he wears Agbada.

The lawmaker said despite schooling in Nigeria and the United States, while two of his daughters are married to Yoruba men, some people still consider him ignorant.

He said: “I’m 65 years old. I schooled in Nigeria and in America. Because I’m wearing Agbada and because I’m from Borno State, some people call me ignorant. I taught in polytechnics for 20 years before I joined politics. I married two of my daughters to Yoruba men.”

On Thursday, there was an uproar and a shouting match on the floor of the Senate over the tax reform bills.

Ndume had kicked against the bills, identifying timing as one of the elements drawing antagonism to the proposed bills.

He said introducing such a bill at the moment was bad timing, noting the current perception of the present administration by the populace.

On Thursday last week, the Finnish authorities arrested Ekpa alongside four others and they were subsequently detained by the Päijät-Häme district court for “spreading terrorist propaganda on social media.”

The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation, NBI, disclosed that Ekpa, a dual citizen of Finland and Nigeria, is suspected of public exhortation to commit offences with terrorist intent. The charges also include suspicions of financing terrorism.

Leading the investigation, the detective, Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen, said Ekpa is suspected of using his social media platforms to incite violence against civilians and public authorities in Southeastern Nigeria.

“The suspect has furthered his efforts from Finland, resulting in violence and other crimes in Southeast Nigeria,” Hiltunen said in a statement.

Ekpa’s arrest comes amid the worsening insecurity situation in the Southeastern part of Nigeria, which has seen armed men terrorising the region under the guise of pushing for the actualization of the sovereign state of Biafra.

DAILY POST reports that the armed men have been causing mayhem in the Southeast while claiming to be enforcing the Monday sit-at-home order that was first initiated by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, as a measure to get the Nigerian Government to release Nnamdi Kanu.

But IPOB, which suspended the sit-at-home, had severally distanced itself from Ekpa, stressing that he’s not their member.

Commenting on the arrest, Abia South Senator, Eyinnaya Abaribe said Kanu’s release remained the solution to tackling insecurity in the Southeast and not Ekpa’s arrest.

Abaribe said Kanu’s release would reveal the genuine Biafra agitators from the criminals masquerading as gunmen.

He said: “You want Biafra fine, but do you get Biafra by killing the same Biafrans you want? How does murdering people, killing people, going around killing policemen, spreading mayhem, and burning police stations help you?

“Everyone one of them claims that it’s because Nnamdi Kanu is incarcerated that why the Southeast is experiencing insecurity but it will end when Nnamdi Kanu comes out, then we now know who is a genuine agitator and a criminal.

"When Kanu comes out, then he will know his followers. Nobody will have a reason to say we are burning down this police station or killing this person.”

On his part, a retired captain of the United States, US, Army, National Defence and Military Strategist, Bishop Johnson said the proper handling of Ekpa’s arrest by the Finnish government might have an impact on his incitement of violence and bloodletting in the Southeast.

Speaking with DAILY POST, Ambrose said those funding Ekpa’s operations in the Southeast will also stop if he’s held accountable in Finland.

He said: “Simon Ekpa’s arrest will have an impact on the Southeast depending on how it’s handled by the Finnish government.

“If the Finnish government holds Ekpa and his accomplices – those sponsoring his operations, if they hold him accountable in Finland not here in Nigeria, it will have an impact.

“The incitement coming from him will no longer be viable and those sponsoring him will stop, the incitement will end; that is if he’s held accountable in Finland.”

He, however, observed that Ekpa’s arrest might take a negative turn in the Southeast if extradited to Nigeria and detained like Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

Johnson said: “If he’s extradited to Nigeria, there is the possibility that instead of his arrest having a positive impact, it might even lead to more violence because Nigeria as a country is very notorious for its abysmal human rights records.

“If you have a situation where Ekpa is extradited to Nigeria and is kept in the same condition Nnamdi Kanu is kept in, there would be those offended that two Igbo sons are dumped in DSS dungeon and are inhumanely treated.

“So, if you have that situation, then his arrest will lead to a negative impact instead of having a positive impact. It may also lead to bloodletting and destruction in the Southeast.”

Johnson noted that Ekpa’s arrest could further inflame the Southeast if his loyalists noticed that he was not subjected to due process.

"If there is due process and he is found guilty and held accountable for all the incitement in the Southeast, but anything contrary to that, if there is jungle justice, if the judicial process is bungled, it will inflame some of the people he has here on ground, because Ekpa does not operate in a vacuum, there are loyalists who follow him.

“It all depends on how his arrest is handled and if he’s properly prosecuted, if he’s held accountable for all the loss of lives and damage to properties as a result of his actions,” he said.

He maintained that the combination of Kanu’s release and Ekpa’s arrest would go a long way in restoring peace in the Southeast.

“I think a combination of both would work because if Ekpa is held accountable for all the incitement in Finland that he created, which led to loss of lives in the Southeast and Kanu is released, then peace can be restored.

“Most of the time, these people that perpetrate criminal activities in the Southeast, not all of them are real agitators, there are criminals who have capitalized on Kanu’s incarceration and absence to commit all sorts of criminal activities.

"So, if Kanu is freed we would have denied those people the excuse they used in committing crimes.

“With Kanu’s release, we will be able to separate the real agitators for self-determination from the criminal elements that have used the opportunity for their selfish interests,” he said.

Ekpa should be sentenced – Osita Okechukwu

Meanwhile, a former Director General of Voice of Nigeria, VON, Osita Okechukwu, said Ekpa should be sentenced either in Finland or Nigeria for his crimes in the Southeast.

According to the chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Ekpa’s arrest was long overdue.

He told DAILY POST: “His arrest was long overdue. About two years ago, I met the Director General of NIA and he said they were making efforts but there were no bilateral diplomatic efforts with Finland.

"I urged him to intensify their efforts because Ekpa is a criminal and a murderer, because of him a lot of people have lost their lives in the Southeast.

“He has grounded the economy of the Southeast for no just cause, so I commend the diplomatic efforts of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar and our security agencies for the long hunt for fugitive Simon Ekpa.”

“I totally disagree with Ekpa’s strategy of committing heinous crimes against Ndigbo and grounding the Southeast geopolitical zone.

"There are better strategies to halt the marginalisation of our people, which is not by killings and maiming. I call for his sentence whether in Finland or in Nigeria,” he Okechukwu declared.

Broveens42:
Stop deceiving yourself...
He was only investigated and found innocent of terrorism according to finish sources


https://www.mtvuutiset.fi/artikkeli/poliisi-lahden-epaillylla-ei-yhteyksia-terroristijarjestoihin/9051810