BASELESS ALLEGATION AGAINST THE DSS BY JAAFAR JAAFAR

As a social critic, I read with keen interest a piece posted on X (formerly Twitter) by one Jaafar Jaafar in which he alleged that the Department of State Services (DSS) is "spearheading democratic coup against Kano people." Apparently, the writer's position was informed by the sack of Kano State Governor, Kabir Abba Yusuf, by the Appeal Court in an affirmation judgement of the outcome of the Gubernatorial Election Petition Tribunal that earlier ruled against the Governor.

The discrepancies that later surfaced in the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Appeal Court judgement raised a lot of dust yet unsettled as the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) is more energized by the development to further pick holes in the judicial proceedings leading to the Governor's sack. The party has already vowed to proceed to the Supreme Court for the last leg of litigation on the matter.

As I seek answers to many questions creeping into my mind on how it was possible for such grave discrepancies to have appeared in the CTC, I came across what Jaafar posted on X. At first, I thought I was about getting a lead to the answers I needed. However, it was a big disappointment to see the nothingness in the entire text. Jaafar kept pointing accusing finger to the DSS as being instrumental to the judicial sack of the embattled Governor. There is no word, I mean a single word in the entire write-up, stating what the DSS did to influence the outcome of the judicial process. The show of ignorance even threw a flashback to the 2019 Gubernatorial Election in Kano State by further accusing the DSS of conniving with INEC to return Ganduje to power after a "humiliating loss." Still, the assertion was unsubstantiated.

Jaafar further made a direct accusation against the Director General State Services (DGSS), Yusuf Bichi, CFR, alleging that he had turned the DSS to "security arm of the APC." If I were the DGSS, I will have him arrested for him to come and give facts on his claim. Bichi might not do such as I learnt he exudes high sense of gentility and democratic culture. I doubt if anyone could have done that to his immediate predecessor who brazenly laid a siege on the National Assembly.

Jaafar should know that currently, there are states that are governed by the opposition parties. They include: Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, Zamfara, amongst others. Many of these states have commended the DSS under the leadership of Yusuf Bichi for his professionalism, neutrality and zero tolerance for corruption during the last general elections. Commendations also poured in from the international community and various media houses. Jaafar is so beclouded by sentiments that he does not see all these. Anyway, I see Jaafar's piece as one of the ills associated with the social media where everyone is free to have a space, regardless of what he/she brings to the table.

Most importantly, the volatility of Kano State politics is such that a spark can light up a flame that will consume the entire political space. This informs the need for constructive and responsible criticism of political developments in the State. Those that feel they can just pick up their pens, like Jaafar did, and spew falsehood into the public space are the real enemies of the people. When these shenanigans spread their lies, they forget how many lives and property that can be lost from the reactions that may ensue.

Boye Badmus is a social commentator based in London

THE CHAMELEONIC NATURE OF ABUBAKAR MALAMI (SAN)

By: Charles Ogboru

According to Merriam-Webster, "The chameleon is probably best known for the ability to change colors- but when the ancients named this lizard, they apparently had other qualities in mind." It is the ability of the chameleon to change colours that led to the figurative use of "chameleon" for someone that is quick to change. The 16th century King James VI of England, in one of his writings, wrote " I praye you not takk me to be a Camelion."

The character of Abubakar Malami (SAN), immediate past Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation under former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, is best explained by the nature of a chameleon. How quick the former Minister was able to shift allegiance to an opposition party after the Administration of his former boss was inconceivable. Trailed by numerous controversies while in office, Malami is already tired of the serenity of life after public service as he seems to be courting more controversies outside office, however disparaging of the All Progressive Congress (APC) that brought him to limelight.

The SAN, it was reliably gathered, was instrumental to the judicial process that invalidated the victory of an APC candidate in the 2023 House of Representatives election in favour of the candidate of the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) in Kano State. Members of the ANPP even paid him a visit in his house to show gratitude for helping them fight against the party on which platform his erstwhile boss became Nigeria's President.

Further back-stabbing the party that made him, Malami is said to be working towards the removal of the Director-General, State Services (DGSS), Mr Yusuf Bichi, CFR, an appointee of his master. One of his cronies, Nuhu Usman Kemo is already reaching out to very senior officers in the Department of State Services (DSS) for their curriculum vitae, promising them the highest office in the secret Service. Isn't it mischievous that Malami is still bold enough to try to influence presidential appointments in the current Administration, given the knotty and unresolved controversies trailing him from Buhari's Administration?

Malami's double-faced stand in his handling of the OPL 245 case against JP Morgan and Mohammed Bello Adoke, also a former Minister of Justice was glaring to everyone. Also, he was allegedly involved in the controversial reinstatement of the former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, Mr Abdulrasheed Maina into the Federal Civil Service, after being declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The SAN was also accused of seeking approval for the payment of $16.9million fees to two lawyers for the recovery of Abacha loot worth $321million, which was rejected by the former Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun.

It was revealed that Malami got married to a daughter of former President Buhari in a calculated move to be picked as the APC's Vice Presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections. His plan fell like a pack of cards as the Party's stalwarts did not see him as a credible candidate. His bid to also secure APC'S Governorship ticket in Kebbi State also nose-dived, all because of his questionable antecedents.

As succinctly put by a writer, Ejiofor Alike , during Buhari's Administration, "Since the advent of democracy in 1999, no Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice has courted controversies like the incumbent, Abubakar Malami." He added that Malami was always in the news for the wrong reasons.

KWANKWOSO PLAYING DOUBLE AGENT WITH KANO POLITICS

The Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on 20th September, 2023 sacked the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) and declared the candidate of the All Progressives Party (APC), Nasir Yusuf Gawuna the winner of the gubernatorial election held on 18th March, 2023. This was premised on the 165,663 votes ruled to be invalid because the ballot papers used to cast the votes in favour of the NNPP's candidate were not stamped and signed by the Presiding Officer.

The focus of this piece is the compromising activities of the National leader of the NNPP, Engr Rabiu Musa Kwankwoso in the build-up to the Tribunal judgement. His indifference towards the election petition was corroborative of the information gathered on his activities especially after the last Presidential election in which President Bola Tinubu, GCFR was victorious.

Throughout the sittings of the Tribunal, Kwankwoso never appeared to witness the proceedings. While the APC presented over 60 witnesses at the Tribunal, the NNPP did not present any. The only NNPP chieftain who witnessed the Tribunal session was the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Bappa Bichi who even went there to do more harm than good. The whole scenario seemed an internal conspiracy against Governor Abba Yusuf. Bappa agreed to alleged over-voting and invalid votes against the NNPP without any objection.

After the Presidential election, Kwankwoso had been seen patronizing the Presidency for personal gains while abandoning the legal storm facing his party in Kano State, which is already consuming the party. In some quarters, Kwankwoso is said not to be predisposed to the closeness between Kano State Governor and the Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON to whom he feared Abba Yusuf may have shifted loyalty. The aloofness of the party national leader may be a calculated move to unseat the Governor.

The people of Kano State, especially staunch members of the NNPP, may not have realized that the red caps they are made to wear are now mere symbolic of the old formidable NNPP in the State. Their national leader is already looking elsewhere, leaving them with only the red cap that is fast losing its substance.

NO RIFT BETWEEN GOVERNOR UZODINMA AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SPEAKER

Contrary to an online publication by the Leadership Newspaper on 12th September, 2023 that Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has reported House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas to President Tinubu over purported appointment of Ikenga Ugochinyere as Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), facts have revealed otherwise.

A reliable source has disclosed that Uzodinma has outrightly refuted the content of the publication which he referred to as "fake news." The Governor added that he was among the prominent politicians who saw to the emergence of Tajudeen Abbas as House of Representatives Speaker and saw no reason why he would not be able to approach him directly on any issue instead of reporting him to Mr President. The Governor was even reported to have much respect for the Speaker.

Other sources close to the All Progressive Congress' (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) described Uzodinma as a true party man who has remained loyal against all odds. They ruled out possibility of the Governor working against the interest of the Party.

This piece will not be complete without calling out media organizations to diligently verify their facts before rushing to the press. This will not only promote objectivity but also prevent misinformation of the public.

Written by a concerned facts-finder

HOW EMEFIELE LOST HIS DEPOSITS

By: Adedeji Fagbemi

The arraignment of the former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, at a Federal High Court in Lagos on 25th July, 2023 by the Department of State Services (DSS) over illegal possession of firearms cannot be forgotten in a hurry. Aside being a celebrated case, the drama that ensued between the DSS operatives and officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) within the Court premises after the defendant was granted bail in the sum of #20 million by Justice Nicholas Oweibo lingers on in the mind of every Nigerian.

I was one of those that hurriedly castigated the DSS for such rather ignoble display of disrespect for the temple of justice. Many termed it flagrant disobedience of the Court order when the DSS operatives insisted on taking custody of Emefiele after the Court had ruled otherwise, granting the custody to the NCS.

I later got to know that, the DSS has the legal cover to commence fresh investigation of a remanded defendant. Also, the attempt by the officials of the NCS to take the defendant to custody from the Court has been faulted. It would have been legally and morally right for the DSS to take custody of the defendant whom could have been taken to the NCS by the DSS as the Court ordered. The brazen overzealousness of the NCS officer who wanted to take custody of the defendant left much to be desired.

However, it came to me as a rude shock when I began to get some revelations into what made the DSS act the way it did. There is a saying that, he who wants to catch a monkey must act like one. It was revealed that the former CBN Governor had parted with huge sum of money while the beneficiaries included the Judge that heard his bail application and the NCS. The arrangement was that Emefiele would be granted bail by the Judge and the NCS be given his custody until he was able to meet the bail conditions.

The big plan was that the NCS officials would be intercepted while on transit with Emefiele from the Court by unknown gunmen during which he would be whisked away to Benin Republic. From there, he would escape to one of the overseas countries. The incident which was to be staged never happened as the DSS got wind of the entire plan, reason its operatives stood their ground on taking the custody of the embattled former CBN Governor. This captures the situation that, there was more to the screaming headline of the drama that ensued between the DSS operatives and the prison officials on 25th July, 2023.

If the above is anything to go by, it therefore means many sins are hanging on the neck of the former CBN Governor. Nigerians cannot quickly forget the harrowing hardships they were subjected to by the new Naira and cashless policy introduced by Emefiele towards the last general elections. While some lost their businesses to the strangulating policy, others paid the supreme price of losing their lives.

REVEALED: YARI's DEPLOYMENT OF PROCEEDS OF FRAUD TO CLINCH SENATE PRESIDENCY

Among the ranks of senators vying for the Senate Presidency in the 10th National Assembly, former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdul'aziz Abubakar Yari has reliably been fingered to be deploying parts of fraud proceeds hanging on his neck to win the coveted seat. The former Governor got enmeshed in serious graft allegations levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after his administration from 2011 to 2019.

Former Governor Yari was said to have got involved in the embezzlement of public funds of a whopping sum of one hundred and sixty-two billion Naira (#162b). After his entanglement with the anti-graft agency over the fraud allegations, the Senator was said to have coughed out one hundred and forty-eight billion Naira (#148b) of the stolen funds. This leaves the aspiring senate president with fourteen billion Naira (#14b) that has not yet been recovered from by the EFCC.

Meanwhile, reliable sources have revealed that, Yari, in his usual subterfuge, is presently deploying all his financial muscles to buy the position of the Senate President in the 10th National Assembly. Of great concern is the fact that proceeds from his past financial crime are being used to lobby his colleagues in the Upper Chamber for their votes. This may not be desirable for a new leadership regime that heralded a renewed hope for Nigerians in the build-up to the 2023 general elections.

So far, Yari was said to have shared over one hundred and twenty billion Naira (#120b) among his colleagues in the Senate. This is all in a desperate move to assume the position of the Senate President. Of truth is that such an individual will make all efforts to recoup his spent funds, expectedly in a fraudulent way, if eventually elected to occupy the seat.

Aside dipping his fingers into public funds for personal use, Yari's name has been mentioned to be involved in the unpatriotic act of illegal mining in Zamfara State. In connivance with some expatriates, the former Governor was said to have been part of the syndicate involved in the illegal mining of gold deposits in the State.

At this critical time of our polity, the country needs individuals with unblemished track records to occupy sensitive leadership positions across board, one of which is the seat of the Senate President. It is hoped that both the long-term serving senators and the new entrants will be loyal and patriotic in electing the next Senate leaders and avoid being swayed by the ill-gotten money being dangled in their faces by the former Zamfara State Governor.

Isah Ahmed: A Concerned Citizen of Nigeria Wrote From Abuja

LEAKED: PLAN BY CABALS IN THE PRESIDENCY TO STOP SWEARING-IN OF TINUBU AS PRESIDENT ON MAY 29

The Intrigues Towards the APC Presidential Primary Election

With the non-committal posture of the Presidency on who became the APC Presidential flagbearer in the build-up to the Party's primaries in 2022, the race became all-comers affair. Governors, ministers, serving and former senators threw their hats into the ring. Acting from behind the scene were some cabals in the Presidency who wanted their anointed candidate to emerge as a consensus candidate, an idea that fell like a pack of cards as soon as it was muted.

The cabals never relented in their gimmicks and subterfuge which played out before, during and after the APC presidential primary election. Even after the general elections which produced Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) as the President-elect, the cabals seemed to be hell-bent in having their way, to ensure that BAT is not sworn in as President come 29th May, 2023.

Reliable sources have revealed that the cabals are considering litigation against the coming swearing-in based on unfounded legal framework. They were said to hope for the compromise of the judges to be involved in order to achieve their aim.

Asides the above, the cabals are exploiting the extremes in case they fail in the planned legal tussle. There are plans to cause high level civil disturbance, agitations, and in some quarters, military coup was said to have been muted just to truncate handover of power on 29th May, 2023.

In a more desperate move, the cabals were said to have gone to Saudi Arabia for some secret meetings under the guise of performing the lesser Hajj. From the Holy Land, they flew to Paris in France with the purpose of meeting one on one with the President-elect. This move was said to be diabolical as it was revealed that all they needed was to set their eyes on Tinubu whom they planned to cause harm through mystical powers.

Why the Cabals are Desperate

The 2023 general elections threw up a whole lot of surprises. Incumbent governors, senators and other elected office holders lost their electoral bid. Smaller and new parties unseated candidates from supposedly big and weighty parties. It was surprising to many that the APC lost the Presidential election in states like Lagos, Katsina, Osun, Nasarawa, Kano and Kaduna. This attested to the fairness and credibility of the election.

The surprises from the elections were part of the reasons the cabals are so desperate. They believe their political relevance will be in jeopardy if Tinubu is sworn in as President. Many of them believe that Tinubu will not work with them if sworn in and those with questionable conduct in the current administration really feel unsafe.

Call to Nigerians to Save this Democratic Process

Nigerians home and abroad should brace up to bring these cabals to their knees. They are known enemies of our democracy. Their moves are unpatriotic and selfish only to achieve personal interest. The will of these few cannot be foisted on the entire Nigerians.

Beyond the above, the Yoruba Nation cannot afford to sit back and watch the mandate given to one of their own being snatched away. This must be resisted in all fronts.

The cabals should realize that posterity will judge them in their actions. They should also know that their actions today will have effect on how their children will be treated tomorrow. Finally, they should be told that they will fail in their plan just as some vested interests did in the just concluded governorship election in Adamawa State by the grace of God.

Forwarded by a concerned citizen of Nigeria.

Mod do the needful. Democracy must not be truncated

As the dust raised by the 2023 general elections is beginning to settle, a mighty political wind is growing a speck of thicker dust with the potential to mar an amicable relationship between the incoming executive and leadership of the National Assembly. With the results from all, except a few, polling units declared, none of the four major political parties has a clear majority to form the leadership of the National Assembly. At the moment, about 35 House of Representative seats have not been declared because of the cancellation of results in some polling units across the federation. However, supplementary elections will hold on April 15, 2023, after which a clear picture of the composition of the National Assembly, especially the House of Representatives, will emerge. While the All Progressives Congress (APC) has a clear majority in the Senate with 57 seats, with only 162 seats in the House of Representatives, APC lacks a clear majority to nominate the Speaker.

However, APC may attain a majority in the House of Representatives if it can clinch a few more seats in the federal constituencies where the supplementary election will hold on March 15. But even with a simple majority, the smooth running of government in Nigeria is not guaranteed due to the current distribution of seats among the political parties in the National Assembly. Furthermore, the 10th Assembly may be the most volatile legislature Nigeria has ever got because about two-thirds of the lawmakers are first-timers.

On the one hand, the major opposition political parties – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 102 seats, Labour Party (LP) with 34, and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) with 18 seats in the house of representatives may come to the National Assembly with opposing agendas, which may likely affect the smooth running of government. On the other hand, first-time legislators lack experience in legislative matters, and the majority may be radical in their approach. Already, the opposition had expressed a lack of confidence in the electoral process when they attempted to use courts to stop the collation of presidential election results. There is also a call for the annulment of the presidential election and to form Interim National Government instead of transferring power to the President-elect.

Suppose the opposition could not succeed with their plan to truncate a peaceful power transfer. Would they leverage their numerical strength and capitalise on the first-time lawmakers' lack of legislative experience to ensure the incoming government's policies and programmes do not pass through? Or would the opposition cleverly install a stooge from renegades members of APC as Speaker of the House of Representatives to fight the incoming executive government just like the 8th Assembly nearly ground Buhari's government between 2015 to 2019?

Thus, the right leadership in the Senate and House of Representatives is needed to avoid the above-mentioned ugly scenarios. It means finding the right leadership that will command the respect of fellow parliamentarians and staff of the National Assembly. It means finding the right leadership that will collaborate with the Executive arm of government rather than confront it. It means finding the right leadership that will work for the nation's unity and not the country's disintegration. It means finding the right leadership that will put Nigeria first. It means finding the right leadership to stabilise the government and the nation.

But then, finding the right leadership may not be easy. First of all, APC must do the needful immediately after the supplementary election to avert the repeat of the political wrangling that followed the seizure of leadership of the two chambers due to the nonchalant attitude APC leadership and the then incoming government showed concerning the leadership of the 8th Assembly. The party only came up with the zoning arrangement after some lawmakers caused irreversible damage. Consequently, APC leadership, the incoming government, and the outgoing government must devise the zoning arrangement urgently. Thus, finding the right leadership is the function of a meaningful collaboration among all the stakeholders – APC as the party with the majority seats in the National Assembly, the incoming government, the outgoing government and the APC legislators, especially the returning ones.

While it is almost certain that in the spirit of fairness and national unity, the position of the Senate President will be zoned either to the south-south zone or south-east, there is not even a slight clue as to which geopolitical zone in northern Nigeria will APC zone the position of the Speaker. There is a strong argument that the number three position of the President of the Senate should be zoned to the south-south geopolitical zone because of the votes the region gave to APC in the Presidential election. The zone gave APC 799,957 votes as opposed to the south-east, which gave APC the lowest 127,605 votes among all the six geopolitical zones.

As problematic and dramatic as the incoming House of Representatives appears to be, there is no pointer as to which zone will get the position of the Speaker. Meanwhile, one or more members from each of the zones in the north have indicated an interest in the position of the Speaker, including the northeast, where the Vice President comes from. Assuming that the northeast is out of the contest, then the question is to which zone the position of the Speaker (being the fourth most important position in the country) should be zoned between north-central and north-west? Depending on where the President came from, traditionally, since 1999, the north central always gets either the position of the Senate President or Deputy Senate President and the north-west gets the position of the Speaker.

History has, or is about, to repeat itself. The return to democracy in 1999 made two precedents. One, rotational presidency, and two, zoning of the six most important positions in the following order: President (South West), Vice President (North East), Senate President (South East); Speaker (North West), Deputy Senate President (North Central), and Deputy Speaker (South-South). The zoning of the positions was for equity and fairness, national unity, and a reflection of federal character. The 2023 result of the Presidential Election confirms that the north-west is the vote bank of Nigeria and was the zone that contributed more votes to APC to win the election. While the north-west gave APC 2,652,235 votes, the north-central gave APC 1,670,091 votes - almost one million less than the north-west. Therefore, even an onlooker can safely conclude that it is only fair and equitable to zone the position of the Speaker to the North-West geopolitical zone to compensate the region for its contributions to APC in the Presidential. It is also necessary to zone the position to North West as doing otherwise may amount to political miscalculation as it will be suicidal for APC to go to the 2027 Presidential Election without compensating North-West of the Speaker for its support and loyalty to the party.

But even with zoning, there is no guarantee that APC members will abide by any zoning arrangement. The way some ranking members of APC from across the north started to show interest in the position of the Speaker is a clear indication that some ranking members of APC in the House of Representatives are ready to defy any zoning arrangement of their party. It is believed that not only APC and the incoming government would not want to see a repeat of how the National Assembly Leadership emerged in 2015 and what followed after that, but even the majority of Nigerians would not because the whole country will suffer from the gridlock Nigeria will find itself. Therefore, even after zoning, APC must use a stick-and-carrot approach to motivate its caucus in the Senate and House of Representatives to respect and adhere to its zoning arrangement. Otherwise, opposition parties will seize the slightest opportunity a crack within the ranks of APC may present to either take the leadership of the National Assembly directly or support a stooge within APC to emerge as the Speaker and to use him or her to destabilise the incoming government and also destroy APC as a party. Thus, if APC gets it wrong right from the beginning, that is the beginning of the end of the APC in Nigeria.

Narrowing the search for the Speaker to the north-west, there are three major contenders for the office of the Speaker from the zone. However, among the three, the stakeholders, especially the president-elect and his deputy, should narrow the search to the most suitable candidate. Who is that candidate? It is the most competent and experienced person who commands the respect of fellow parliamentarians and staff of the National Assembly. It is the candidate who is a team player and who can stabilise the national Assembly and the executive arm of the government. It is someone who is committed to supporting the smooth functioning of government so that policies and programmes of the incoming government can pass through the National Assembly with little or no hitch. It should not be a candidate whose primary focus is enterprise or a candidate supported by volatile people who may instigate the leadership of the house of representatives against the government at the slightest disagreement with the incoming government.

https://vigil360.com.ng/exclusive-report/22475-the-making-of-the-10th-national-assembly.html

Go court

These gbas gbos upandan has confirmed that people are indeed plotting to truncate democracy. Make una allow court do him job.

Fayose said his decision to quit the party appears to be connected with perceived irreconcilable differences which according to him, has fractured the party.


Aformer Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has announced his resignation from the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He disclosed this while appearing as a guest on a programme on ARISE TV News on Wednesday night.


Fayose said his decision to quit the party appears to be connected with perceived irreconcilable differences which according to him, has fractured the party.

He however added that he wanted to become an elder statesman and would retire from active politics.

“Let me say this, from today (Wednesday), I stay off PDP. In party politics, there are certain facts you must be able to speak. I am 62 and I can’t, at this age, begin lying. When something is wrong with your family, confess.


“I’m retiring from active politics to become an elderly statesman,” he said.

Fayose was one of the presidential hopefuls of the PDP but he lost to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the party’s primary election.

Atiku lost the presidential election held last Saturday to Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress after polling 6,984,520 votes to come second behind the winner who polled 8,794,726 votes.

https://saharareporters.com/2023/03/02/former-ekiti-governor-fayose-cuts-ties-pdp

The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Wednesday, turned down the approval by the state governor, Nyesom Wike, to use the Adokiye Amesiamaka Stadium, Igwurita-Ali, Port Harcourt, for its presidential campaign rally.

Recall that Wike, who fell out with Atiku following the outcome of the party’s primary election last year, had denied giving the approval for the venue.

However, while speaking at the PDP governorship campaign rally at Ogu in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday, the governor announced the reapproval of the facility.


Reacting to the latest approval, the spokesperson of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council in Rivers State, Dr. Leloonu Nwibubasa, said the Atiku campaign was no longer interested in the facility.

The spokesperson, who spoke during a radio programme in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, said the Council could not take Governor Wike by his words.

According to him, “We learnt that yesterday he (Wike) announced that the stadium has been restored and that he has rescinded his decision.

“But let me state this very clearly, the Presidential Campaign Council of Atiku is no longer interested in Governor Wike’s greek gift.

“The said stadium that he revoked for reasons that he gave based on intelligence. May I ask, has he reversed those intelligence report?”


https://dailypost.ng/2023/02/08/were-no-longer-interested-in-your-stadium-youre-unstable-atiku-campaign-blasts-wike/

Na three bags them the produce for the factory? I see rebagging. Believe Ayade at ur own detriment.

That place is dead, comatose, abandoned. Agba Jalingo raised the matter last week and today, Ayade’s e-rats have rebagged Ebonyi rice to claim Ogoja factory is operating. SMH

“We must not present a christian/christian ticket as this would be insensitive to the feelings of muslims and vice versa. I will never support a ticket that presents two members of the same faith no matter what the consequences would be.” The clown said this in 2014

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/04/2015-muslimmuslim-ticket-apc-will-loose-woefully-fani-kayode/amp/

Administration1:
Una no Sabi anything, na just talk talk, PMB can never sack Bichi, till date he praises him for the timely intervention that saved his son's life, after that accident and everyday Bishi comes to the Aso Villa, and they spend hours visiting, eating, praying and sometimes stay very late here, this he repeats everyday. Don't let no one fool you, bishi no dey dey him real office, if not for secrecy act, una for hear truth today sha

Their personal relationship is irrelevant. However, the DSS under Bichi’s watch appears to be one of the most performing agencies in the country. He has managed to stir the secret olokpa out of politics and unnecessary controversies while fulfilling the mandate of the organization in a clinical fashion

WHERE THE FORUM OF MIDDLE BELT YOUTH (FMBY) GOT IT WRONG ON CALL TO SACK THE DGSS BOSS

By Jide Badmus

I think it is high time members of the civil populace, organized civil societies, pressure groups and other non-governmental bodies made friends among operatives of the various security agencies in the country. This might not only give an insight into what they do but also open their minds to appreciate their efforts towards securing the nation.

When I read the report about the call for the sack of the DGSS boss, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, by the FMBY over a report credited to the Department of State Services (DSS), I realized that the statement was made out of ignorance.The report in contention in which the DSS warned of some elements planning to cause high scale civil disobedience ahead of the 2023 general elections was not out of place. My close interaction with some of the operatives of the secret police has made me realize the intricacies involved in their operations. Many security breaches that may have consumed the nation have been averted by the secret Agency which many may not know unless one is close to them. Because the Agency prevents the occurrence of security breaches, its efforts are hardly noticed.

The spontaneous reactions to the DSS report reminds me of an incident in my childhood days. It happened that a mother of four had raised the alarm over some pieces of meat missing in the pot. One of the children who was about nine years old quickly reacted saying he was not the one that stole the meat from the pot. The attention he drew to himself gave him away as stains of palm oil were seen on the khaki shorts he was wearing. He did not see the stains until that time so he became apologetic. Trust the mothers of those days, the rod was not spared.

As far as I know and can observe, Mr Yusuf Magaji Bichi has proven to be one of the most civil and professional DIrectors-General ever appointed to head the DSS. Since his appointment, the DSS, under his stewardship, has remained apolitical and could be adjudged to be among the institutions in Nigeria standing as the bastion of democracy. While I urge the DGSS to keep up the good work and remain focused, I implore him to look closely and continuously at the "khaki shorts" the FMBY and their masters may be wearing. There could be palm oil stains on them.

Kestolove:
Nigeria is Islamic country, to belong you have to act like one

Not true.

Since one of the charges is not a crime, make them kuku convict am for the remaining charges na

jmoore:
Yani doesn't have a brain.

One of the dumbest post ever.

Ur brainlessness is more obvious. Ur post suggests same. No mental capacity to articulate or interrogate a position. Yani said it’s his opinion. U haven’t put urs forward, yet u call him brainless.

TripleOh7:
I disagree with the OP fundamentally.

It is the group called IPOB that was proscribed by the federal government and NOT Biafra.

The Federal government can not proscribe an entity that doesn't exist yet.

So, if the man put on a Biafran flag, it is left to the government to prove that his choice of apparel is illegal. I can assure you the FG will fail woefully.

Sir, there’s nothing like Biafra. It died after the civil war. Attempts by IPOB to resuscitate it has been criminalized. Until a higher court rules otherwise, IPOB remains a terrorist group.

So any insignia associated with the group suggest membership, tacit support or sympathy. These too are criminal.

kollinz1234:
if we were in a country where the government is not insensitive to the plight of the common man, passing message via movies or social media handles and organizing conferences would have been ideal. As for leading a peaceful protest, are you being myopic or naive to the actions of our government on protesters? Ipob was on peaceful protest when there was python dance that killed over 200 youths.

Sincerely, in a country like this, can you beat your chest that you will join a protest without expecting any fear of intimidation from our security apparatus?

I meant peaceful protest. Not violent protests or agitation. In this administration, a priest embarked on a solo protest, a man climbed a mast around the villa area in Abuja in protest, another one embarked on hunger strike, some groups have also protested without molestation. Yes pockets of incidents reportedly involving police have been reported. I’m most cases, the moves were aimed at preventing breakdown of law and order.

The actor is a renowned personality with huge fan base. Several channels are available to him to ventilate his grievances, not identifying with a blacklisted terror group that has become notorious for killing and stealing

kollinz1234:
Since it is an opinion thread, I will like to contribute. I won't blame you or castigate your personal opinion, since it is an opinion thread.

You are the one feeling that Agu is supporting all the killings by the unknown gun men by simply putting on a regalia. What I am seeing is that he is putting on the regalia to stand against injustice, to stand against killings of unarmed protesters (python dance), to stand against corruption, to stand against state sponsored terrorism. May I ask you a question? Do u like the structure to which Nigeria is built upon? Do u like the hegemony of the fulanis over other tribes? Do u feel like a member of this country or a mare attached?

Ur contribution is thought provoking. Truth is we have a lot to improve on. And the government needs to do more to give the federating units a sense of belonging. It’s also needs to do more in terms of social, political and economic justice.

However, the Actor doesn’t need to identify with a terror group to ventilate his grievances. He doesn’t need to share bread adorned in IPOB uniform to make his point.

Actors could pass their messages via movies, or their social media handles. He could organize a press conference. He could lead a peaceful protest. He could organize townhall meetings.

Let me think aloud. Imagine him sharing bread in Onitsha and telling the purported beneficiaries of his magnanimity in Igbo language to join IPOB, stay at home, don’t vote during elections, pick up arms? Just imagine what that could cause.

gidgiddy:




3 things that makes this write up total nonsense

1) In 2017 when IPOB was proscribed as a terrorist group, it was not armed and had no accusation whatsoever of having touched anyone nor killed anybody. To now come and say that IPOB is s terrorist group based on what is happening in 2021, even though no evidence exists that IPOB did anything, is laughable. How can you call an organisation a terrorist group in 2017, but justify it based on what is happening in 2021? Is that nit madness?

2)The Biafran flag is not the property of IPOB. The Biafran flag was existing in May 1967, even before the founder of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, was born. To now say that IPOB owns the flag, or that it is an 'IPOB flag' is a bare faced lie

3) Yes IPOB was procribed, but the Biafran flag was not. Nothing about Biafra was proscribed, only IPOB as a group was proscribed. There are other Biafran groups such as MASSOB,BIM,BZF, BV who all use the Biafran flag. To now say that Chiwetal Agu is showing sympathy to IPOB by wearing the Biafran flag is to assume too much since you are not in his head. How do you know he wasnt showing sympathy to MASSOB which is not proscribed? How do you know he wasnt showing sympathy to any particular group but showing his sympathy to Biafra?

Nigerians an their narrow way of looking at things

Let me educate u a little. Operation Tail-Wind, which commenced on January 7 and ended on January 12, 1970 was the final military conflict between Nigeria and Biafra. The operation ended with General Odumegwu Ojukwu fleeing to the Ivory Coast and then president of Biafra Philip Effiong surrendering to Olusegun Obasanjo. That move ended Biafra. The Biafran flag died with it as well.

If a proscribed group, decides that the abandoned flag could be readopted, it simply means they have owned it. And anyone parading it apparently presents himself as a member, supporter, sponsor or a sympathizer. It’s criminal. The law remains applicable until amended. A judgement remains valid until set aside. The Nollywood actor was lucky, don’t try ur luck, u might not be lucky.

The security operatives being killed by IPOB have children, wards, parents, associates, dreams and other responsibilities. Apart from operatives, innocent Igbo’s are also being killed in the name of sit at home. Pray ur relation doesn’t fall.

lloydtruth:
Yanni writes from Abuja, yanni writes from Abuja, yanni writes from Abuja.
From Abuja you saw chiwetalu agu soliciting support for IPOB, and if by your assertions you categorize IPOB as terrorist organization then Miyetti Allah, Fulani Herdmen, bandits must be the devil's
The problem is not Buhari but some evil-minded minors who cheer their devilish loves out of hatred and jealosy for the igbos. What can we say but all that goes around comes around.

Thank U for your question. The Army released a statement. Also, Videos of his arrest have gone viral. Equally, U probably didn't read where the writer said the Army ALLEGED THAT HE WAS SOLICITING SUPPORT FOR IPOB AND INCITING THE PUBLIC. Read again.

The piece is only meant to add to our body of knowledge. And for U without knowledge, its gonna be one piece U will never forget in a hurry. Pls don't support terror

On 7th October, 2021, a renowned Nollywood Actor, Chiwetalu Agwu was apprehended in Anambra state by the Military, adorned in IPOB/Biafra regalia. According to the Military, the Iconic figure in the entertainment industry was allegedly arrested after he was caught soliciting support for one proscribed group identified as IPOB, as well as inciting the public against the authority. It is noteworthy that the arrest is coming few days after the Military commenced an operation tagged “Golden Dawn” in the South East, following incessant attacks and killings of security operatives and innocent residents in the region. Apart from killing of operatives, cases of armed robbery, car snatching, attacks on POS operators, raiding of markets, setting up of illegal road blocks as well as extortion of motorists have been reported.

The question now is, did the nollywood actor commit any crime to warrant arrest? YES. In September, 2017, a federal high court proscribed IPOB and declared it a terrorist organization. The declaration followed an application by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. The following year, IPOB appealed the declaration/judgement. Fortunately or unfortunately, the appeal was not upheld. Rather the court affirmed its earlier declaration. Consequently, in the face of law, IPOB remains a terrorist group.

Some of the characteristics of terrorist organizations include coercion, targeted assassination, kidnapping, violent confrontation with government forces, violent agitation for secession, armed robbery, using instrumentality of fear to subjugate people and so on. A common test suggests that IPOB has met all these conditions. The group has killed hundreds of security operatives, established an army to confront the government, robbed innocent citizen, burnt government institutions and threatened to sustain killings.

Should public figures or opinion molders identify with such group? The choice is theirs. However, one thing is clear; the group is an enemy of the state. Its supporters, sponsors, sympathizers are also terrorists.

Section 1 of the 2013 Terrorism Prevention Act as Amended criminalizes persons that incite, promise or induce any other persons by any means whatsoever to commit any act of terrorism…The Act also criminalizes persons who omit to do anything that is reasonably necessary to prevent an act of terrorism. It also frowns at those that assist or facilitate the activities of persons engaged in the act of terrorism, and so on.

Suffice to say that Anambra is currently the epicenter of IPOB activities. In few days, several operatives have been killed. The terror elements have also vowed to frustrate the conduct of the forthcoming gubernatorial poll. It is enforcing the illegal sit-at-home order. Yet, this is the time that AGWU elected to be adorned in IPOB/Biafra uniform. More renowned actors like KANAYO, PETE EDOCHIE, ZUBBY, NKEM OWOH, RITA and PATIENCE among others are still shooting movies in the South East and selling same in Onitsha without let or hindrance. They are not less Igbos neither are they more Nigerian. They understand the times and laws.

AGWU by his action, tacitly demonstrated support for the killings of security operatives, destruction of government properties, burning of Nigerian flags, non-conduct of the governorship election in the state, illegal sit-at-home order, killing of Akunyili’s husband, ongoing armed robbery and targeted killings of innocent Igbos. In plain terms, he supports terrorism. He may have been released, but the lessons cannot be forgotten. Influential persons in the society should learn to use their positions to better the society by clamoring for good governance not supporting terror.


*Yani writes from Abuja*

It beats me why this ENDSARS saga is attracting much concern. For one the Government responded to the yearnings of the peaceful protesters, for the first time in generations. But for the populace to resort to violence didn't go well, as the nation recorded more losses than gains during the protest. Innocent lives being lost to violence and shooting will forever remain indelible. Please this one that the press is claiming the government planned the protest is what i don't understand. A further question on this is why would prisoners be released and private businesses looted all in the name of protest. Stop this nonsense, i beg you.

Onebottle:
Whyyyy all this people dey negative na

This one na bad belle. No wish person bad o

Lucky him. Him de work sha.

Facts are beginning to emerge on the real reason why the Department of State Services (DSS) is yet to release Omoyele Sowore, the convener of the #RevolutionNow protest, days after an Abuja High Court ordered his release.

On Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari’s Personal Assistant on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie, reacted to the continued detention of activist Omoyele Sowore by the Department of State Services, DSS.

Onochie who took to her Twitter handle charged Sowore’s sureties to go with the necessary documentation to the DSS office so the activist can be released as ordered by the court.

The Media aide to the President faulted the drama surrounding the continued detention of Swore, stressing that those that have been protesting at DSS Headquarters are being unduly dramatic.

“I don’t know why everything has to be a chore with those who know too much. Why can’t sureties in Sowore’s case go to do the necessary Documentation at the DSS so he can go home?

“Why all these drama? Luckily, Nigeria is no longer a joke so everyone will learn. Eventually!”

Onochie's comment is coming few hours after the spokesman of the DSS, Peter Afunnaya called on Sowore's sureties to come forward for documentation before being handed the suspect.

When Vigil360 contacted Deji Adeyanju, to find out if he was one of Sowore's sureties, since he had earlier approached the DSS for his release, he neither answered his phone nor replied the text message sent to his phone.


https://vigil360.com.ng/nationwide/61-security/15510-real-reason-why-dss-is-yet-to-release-sowore.html

hucienda:


Why then were some of the VP supporters denying this in the first place?

No matter how anyone wishes to spin this - except one just wants to deceive one's self - it's obvious that behind the scenes, all is not well between the President and Vice Presidents' camps.

BUHARI IN A STATEMENT ISSUED BY GARBA SAID THEIR RELATIONSHIP REMAINS "EXCELLENT AND TRUSTING"

The media space has been awash with reports about the reported disengagement of about thirty five aides working or that were formerly working with the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. Several dailies had claimed that the affected aides had their Villa tags withdrawn on Wednesday and Thursday. The reports further hinted that the aides were appointed in August.

Although the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation that purportedly issued the disengagement letters denied that such sack took place, Dailytrust on Thursday released the names and portfolios of the affected aides.

I will reproduce some of the names and their portfolios for Nigerians to decide whether Osinbajo really needs the affected aides in the first place;
I. Arukino Umukoro- SA, Niger Delta
II. Edobor Iyamu SSA, Niger Delta
III. Gambo Manzo SA, Political
IV. Bisi Ogungbemi SA, Political Matters
V. Bala Liman Mohammed SSA Economy
VI. Akin Soetan SSA, Economic matters
VII. Yosola Akinbi SSA, NEC
VIII. Edirin Akemu SSA, Industry, Trade & Investment
IX. Yussuf Ali SA, Power regulations
X. Morakinyo Beckley SA, Off-grid power
XI. Tochi Nwachukwu SA, Power Privatisation
XII. Tola Asekun SSA, National boundary commission
XIII. Lanre Osinbona- SSA, ICT
XIV. Imeh Okon- SSA, Infrastructure
XV. Jide Awolowo- SA, Oil and Gas
XVI. Lilian Idiaghe- SA, Research, Legal and Compliance
XVII. Dolapo Bright SSA, Agro-Allied Value Chain
XVIII. Toyosi Onaolapo SA, Community engagement
XIX. Aondaver Kuttuh Technical Assistant, Rule of Law
XX. Ife Adebayo SA, Innovation.

One of the campaign promises of the current administration was reduction in the cost of governance. Such agenda of course can only be achieved if irrelevant political appointments are not made and political appointees deemed surplus to requirement are disengaged.

Does Osinbajo need two SA and SSA on Niger Delta when we have a full Ministry and a Commission called NDDC? Does the Vice President has need for two SAs on Political and Political matters? What duplicity is this? What politics is he playing? Does the Professor of Law have any need for 4 aides on Economic matters even when his Economic Management Team has been disbanded with Buhari setting up the Economic Advisory Council?

I can go on and on. Let me remind my readers that some Agencies and Programmes that were hitherto under the supervision of the Vice President have been ceded to some Ministries. These aides were assisting Osinbajo when they were still under the office of the Vice President. No wonder the aides were deployed to the relevant Ministries and Agencies. Why force aides on Ministers who might have engaged aides already, performing the same duties as those redeployed to their ministries? Of course they became redundant and must be discarded.

Those weaving their whole argument around 2023 and power tussle between the VP and the fictitious cabal must have a rethink and consider the overall interest of the country. Today, a large chunk of the nation's budget is set aside for recurrent expenditure with little or nothing for capital projects. Yet we complain about the slow pace of development in the country. How can we grow when one man that makes little or no contribution to economic policies have 4 SAs and SSAs? SAs on Niger Delta, which is not even under his watch?

Going forward, the Presidency should review appointment of aides to make room for efficiency. A Vice President with over 85 aides defies logic in the real sense of it.

Yunana Dungs wrote this piece from Jos, Plateau State and could be reached via yarise@yahoo.com

Since Mr. P’s release of the hit single Audio Money which made waves for its narration of people living fake lives on social media, Nigerian have yet again come up with another hit single tittled: Audio Marriage.

This time around, President Mohammadu Buhari and Sadia Umar Farouq, the Honorable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs is at the center of this Audio Marriage, a fake marriage been arranged by social media users. This fake marriage has been trending on most media platforms since the past few days with unsavory and uncomplimentary comments been made against the person of Mr. President and the honorable minister of Humanitarian Affairs.

Let us even assume that the President has decided to take another wife, is that not part of his fundamental human right as a person, or does it violate the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, or the Oath of office Muhammadu Buhari took as the President?. One now begins to wonder the motive behind this fake news.

As at present, the honorable minister of Humanitarian Affairs is away on official trip outside the country, the Vice President is in Asaba, Delta State on Official Visit, no visiting head of State is the country as we speak. Then who is the purported wedding being arranged for, and who are the ghosts that will grace the occasion?

Nigerians have become so gullible to believe in this fake news to the point of projecting doctored videos and pictures of the President and Sadia Farouk, as well as fake poorly printed wedding invitation cards. One begins to wonder the motive behind these moves. Is it to make mockery of President Mohammuadu Buhari or to cause disaffection in his home, or is it to tarnish the image of Sadia Farouk?

#AudioMarriage #StopSpreadingFakeNews #PresidentIsNotGettingMarried #AishaIsStillFirstLady #NoBUSA2019 #NoWedding