₦airaland Forum

Reports circulating online have it that an upcoming Ugandan Singer, identified as “San Yo” got stuck in the wife of a faded musician, Abdu Mulaasi after they both engaged in sexual intercourse inside a hotel.

It is reported that the young singer and his adulterous lover had finished satisfying themselves, but realised that they could not detach from each other.

Sensing danger, they reportedly called for help from the hotel employees.

They were wrapped in a bed sheet and placed on a truck and then taken round local native doctors for help.


It is further reported that the couple remained stuck until Abdu Mulaasi arrived at the scene, after hearing about the incident. But he did not appear surprised, making people suspect that he must have known already that his wife has been cheating on him.

The illicit lovers were eventually separated in the presence of Abdu Mulaasi and they could not bear the embarrassment.

A video of the entire incident was filmed and posted to YouTube and it has been receiving reactions from the public.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2-1JQXKBAc

By Chinyere Abiaziem


LAGOS – Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has warned individuals who idolise him to desist from doing so.

Emphasising that he is not God but an ordinary man, the cleric said those who idolise him put him in danger with God, as God will not share his glory with any man.

Adeboye during the day five of the Holy Ghost Congress, held on Friday night at 3 kilometre, new auditorium in Shimawa, Ogun State, warned the congregation to stop buying materials bearing his picture or that of his wife.

Sharing that his picture was found behind that of Prophet Temitope Joshua in a key holder by a mother who tried to stop her child from chewing the key holder she bought, the General Overseer pleaded with the worshipers not to cooperate with anybody who wants to kill him.

He advised them to report those making merchandise of his picture and that of his wife, to the police.

Noting that he is God’s favourite child, he stated that: “I am not dying yet, whether the devil likes it or not I’m not going anywhere yet.”

During the sermon: “Glory Ahead”, he urged individuals not to despair but to be encouraged because divine help is on the way, especially for those who uphold righteousness.

“‘Glory Ahead’ is a prophetic theme and it generates hope. It is telling you don’t lose hope, after all it is written ‘say yea to the righteous, it shall be well with him’.

“Glory ahead is encouraging, showing that help is on the way. Don’t despair, glory ahead is comfort.

“Glory is in the future, though not necessarily far. If God says your glory is ahead, it shows that the future will be better, because the glory of the latter will be greater than the former,” he stated.

“The real problem comes if a party stands in danger of losing its bearing. I am APC and I don’t see myself somewhere else. I cannot just quite envisage it.”



Romanus Ugwu, Abuja

The immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has opened up on several issues concerning his party, especially on the circumstances surrounding his exit as the chairman of the ruling party.

Speaking to Sunday Sun in Abuja, the former Edo State governor revealed his fears for the 2019 general elections, what he is missing most since leaving office and what the Nigerian youths must do to permanently retire the old politicians, among other issues.


Can we kick-start this interaction with an opening remarks from you?

I have decided to deliberately and totally stay out of controversy because we are in a system that is so dynamic and so active that whatever you say is capable of either being misinterpreted or not being particularly helpful. I have decided to keep away from the politics of who is right or who is wrong. As an elder statesman, I want to make an appeal first in the general polity for a lot more decorum and for our leaders to keep away from distractions and none issues. The social media is full of such terrible distractions, insults and humongous percentage of clear patent falsehood. This seems to have become the main issues whereas they are mere distractions. Such issues as whether people have certificate or not, whether they went to school or not, and quite a lot of other manufactured stories against prominent individuals. It looks as if the past time is the search for scandal rather than an attempt to build up issues, debate alternative approaches. We all know the problem of the country, who has answers to these problems and what are the answers.

These are the issues that these coming two and half months should try to address. As far as my own party is concerned, I have only one appeal, there should be peace and that every effort should be made to establish peace such that we will approach the elections with a united front, united voice and as a united party, rallying around a united programme of action. There is no question now that there are lots of very serious disputations within the party, but I am very glad that peace teams have been sent out. I was happy to run into one of them while I was on personal engagement in the Southeast and it is my prayer that they achieve the goals for which they were set up and for which they have been sent out. However, it is necessary to emphasise that for peace to happen, all sides must be ready and willing to give and to take. There must be willingness for compromise that will bring the party back together again in the kind of fighting mood that we need to be in to confront the elections in February next year, which are bound to be challenges given the state of the nation. It is also the appropriate time to say that my attachment to President Muhammadu Buhari started way back when he was a military Head of State. I think outside Murtala Muhammed, he was the first person to appreciate the need for a disciplined society, the need for an orderly society, the need for basic ethics both in our interactions between one another, both in our business undertakings and dealings with the international communities. He understands the need for basic morality, the need for us as a people to start knowing very strongly the difference between right and wrong. That is the challenge we still face as a people.

It is not the challenge of brick and mortal like how many kilometres of roads we have built, or how many schools we have renovated; it is the challenge of reorienting the basic mentality of us all as Nigerians. It is about learning to do things properly, learning to accept due process and that might not be necessarily right. And because of that, I was sold on him at that early stage and up till today, I absolutely don’t have any reason to change that impression of him. What he needs is our support, genuine support, men and women of passion that will help bring to fruition the corrective measures that he has put in place and still pursuing. Besides that original empathy with him, my support is unflinching. I still consider him by far the best person that we have for president for next year. He has my support in whatever capacity and I will continue to make that available in whatever manner of ways that is necessary to enhance his potential for victory.


What is your reaction to the story trending online that you have left the APC?

I had intended to totally ignore that flown kite. I have almost succeeded in doing that but this will be an opportunity to emphasise that in terms of the thinking, I was basically an originator because I knew that what we were doing while in opposition was wrong. We in opposition truly want to present our nation with democratic choice. We need to build a party that can be comparable in levels, strength and acceptability to the Nigerian public not for them to keep saying that they don’t like them yet they don’t have choice. Having been an originator to that process, it will be extremely difficult to see myself elsewhere. Yes, the party has issues and problems, but you don’t run away from the party because it is passing through a phase or difficulty.

I cannot run away. I will rather give what I have to patch the cracks. We will maintain the direction and goals we have set for ourselves otherwise the fluidity of the movement does not make sense and does not show commitment. Yes, there are difficulties, but they are meant to be addressed, sorted out so that the party does not lose its soul and the message that brought it into being. Those are the critical issues. The real problem comes if a party stands in danger of losing its bearing in those respects. I am APC and I don’t see myself somewhere else. I cannot just quite envisage it.


What is your take on the opinion of the Archbishop of Abuja that the two frontline presidential candidates are undesirable to Nigerians based on their antecedents and achievements?

Well, I have the highest degree of respect for the Cardinal because he is a man of very acute intellect and wisdom. He happens to be part of Nigeria’s democracy, which allows us to have opinion on issues. What he has done was in exercise of his legitimate right as a Nigerian. The candidates involved are Nigerians and whether we like it or not, the candidates have been selected by other Nigerians to be their standard bearers. That is democracy and until we can bring angels to run and go through the mill, offer and place themselves and work, I don’t think you can do better than that. We pray that Nigeria will one day be populated all by angels and we will probably have the opportunity to have it.


Would you have adopted other mode of primary elections if you were still in charge and what is your take on the position of some governors that they will only support Buhari’s re-election, but support their candidates in other parties in state election?

I can say one thing for sure. I am not happy as to the state of relative instability in the party. I don’t think there is a single person who is today happy either. However, the good thing is that there are peace missions that are found now all over the country. At this point in time, it will be inappropriate for me to start saying that things went bad because that happened or because that was not how it should happen. As an elder statesman, I should not start passing my own personal judgment when there is a team already out there trying to broker peace. I will not be helping the situation. What we require is peace and I pray that God gives the team the wisdom required to work out the settlement to bring the party into strong political fighting shape.


Will the endorsements of the presidential candidate of the PDP by the Southeast and Southwest elders affect the outcome of the 2019 election?

I don’t think it will affect the outcome of the election. There is one mistake many of our leaders continue to make and that is underestimating the voting public. They underestimate the farmers, market women, labourers, yet they know what is happening in the society and do not need to depend on anybody in particular except the died-in-the-wood party people like us. I can tell you that if any church today says that the entire congregation should vote for party X, they will accept and go home, but will still vote for whomsoever they have decided to vote for. That is the situation we are in in this country. That was why I emphasised issue-based politics. The average Nigerian is eking, he is not a fool not to know that no one person can solve all his problems.

But he wants to be sure that you are going to make a good trial. He wants to have hope critical that whoever he wants to vote for is likely to start the process of improvement to his personal circumstances so that he will have hope for the future, if not for himself then for his children. That is the motivation of some people. We are going to see more adoptions and I expect to see some presidential candidates withdrawing and supporting one candidate or the other. The trading will soon start and we have more of such declarations. It is part of our politics and some of our leaders do it for their own personal reasons, but at great cost to themselves because they are underestimating the voting public.


What is your advice to the youths, security agents ahead the 2019 election?

I have read a lot about fears of violence for the election, but I think they are highly exaggerated. We are passing through the most difficult times in the process towards 2019. These are the critical periods and I just hope that the campaigns will not also provide platform for groups to clash. Once this did not happen, we are in the clear. My advice is that the youths must know what is in their interest. Most the parties we have today are youths oriented and it shows the kind of difficulty we have as a people and nation. I don’t think any three to 10 of them have been able to come together to endorse one of them as consensus candidate.

That they are not able to do it raises issues of motive of why they are in politics. Are they there to rescue themselves or impact on the direction of events? I would have been the happiest person if 20 parties with youthful candidates can unite to adopt a particular candidate. It is then that I will know that the youths are truly very serious about their own fate and about their ambition to control the political trend in the country. They said that we should retire; yes we are ready to retire, but are the youths ready to take over. Why should we have 91 political parties mainly led by youthful Nigerians? It shows that they too did not appreciate the predicament and the work that they need to do to convince the older ones that they are ready for leadership. The youths are the ones to help themselves and they cannot do that by been part of the violent groups to get a little change that can last them few months only to return to square one. I feel so strongly the way they are presented ahead of the 2019 general elections.


What are your fears for 2019 general elections?

Once we can go through the campaigns the actually voting process will be more peaceful than what most Nigerians think. I am not saying that there will not be one or two odd happenings, but there will not be nothing much. The other challenge will probably be when the result will be announced. But again, I don’t think there is much to fear because the electoral process has continued to progress. It is now sufficiently technology driven to remove all the issue of ballot box snatching, or involving fake voters or this issue of vote buying. How many voters can one buy to make the difference during the presidential election? I don’t think it will work and believe me, if I know where they are buying votes; I will go and collect my own because it is stupidity to convince people with financial inducement. If you give them money, they will collect and vote according to their conscience. In a nutshell, I don’t have much fear. Yes, we are moving ahead in the democratic process, however, the only problem we still have till this moment is the level of abuses, insults, seriousness in the campaign process to almost total neglect of issues. We have neglected the real issues of how to make this country of nearly 200 million people a great nation and what we need to do to move Nigeria from point A to point B. We need people of that kind of vision to convince us that they are going to make that vision a reality.

This is what we need to do, not all these insults being hauled all over the places. I want to appeal to the media, especially the print to help negate the social media that have gone totally ballistic with the kind of stories they carry these days like the kind of violence. You can imagine people outside this country reading our social media. Are they really alright with the kind of things they now consider as breaking news in this country? It leaves a lot to be desired and I just hope it will not spread to the print and electronic media. This also brings me to the recent unfortunate incident that happened in Borno State, where in a surprise attack; many of our brilliant and gallant military personnel were killed in cold blood. The newsmen are more knowledgeable about this and scholars will advise us to beware of the last kick from a dying horse. There is no question at all that the Boko Haram group are in deep trouble. They have been diminished to the point that they are really not effective, but that does not mean they cannot, once in a while, have this great display which they start feeding the propaganda machine to make our military men look like they were falling asleep on their job. It is not like that. I have been very sad and unhappy reading some things and propaganda that trailed the unfortunate event in that camp in Borno State. We must not do anything to fall for the propaganda of this destructive Boko Haram insurgent. Our men in uniform are doing a valiant job and once in a while the enemy manages to inflict some damage. It is very unfortunate, but it should not happen. What we don’t hear always is the amount of good work that our security agents and the non-uniformed ones are doing every day to safe us. The incidents they are preventing that they cannot go to the press to trumpet are humongous. My appeal is that we must stand four square behind our soldiers in the front. We must not fall for enemy propaganda. We must at all times uphold our men under arms because they are performing wonders under very difficult conditions.


What is that particular thing you are missing so much outside the office?

I have to think very deeply to tell you what I am missing most since I left office. It was a very tough job, it was a very challenging job. Yes, I had my vision for the elections, how to approach it and get very resounding victory, but that is matter for another day. What is important today is that I am at peace. What is important today is that having worked hard all my life from the very minute I got into the public service till this point, I am now beginning to appreciate the beauty of being at peace with myself, the beauty of being able to decide that I am not going anywhere today, the beauty of choosing which reception to attend and the one not to attend. I am no longer under pressure to attend functions based on my position as chairman of this or that. It is a beautiful freedom. So, all told, I am glad that I made the decision that I made.

Posted By: Kolade AdeyemI


The Chief of Air Staff, Air Mashal Sadique Abubakar, on Saturday in Kano said the Federal Government has procured 18 more aircraft, in addition with expected 12 brand new aircrafts and six helicopter gun-shoots to intensify war against insurgency in the country.

Air Mashal Abubakar who relocated to the North-West and North-East in furtherance with President Buhari’s directive spoke during the commissioning of a multi-billion Naira Modular Theatre at the 465 Nigeria Air Force hospital, Kano.

He said the United States of America and Italy have been supporting Nigeria with the supply of platforms to fight Boko Haram and other insurgency in Nigeria.

According to him, “the President Buhari administration has done much in re-positioning the Nigeria Air Force. In the last three and half years, the Federal Government has procured and released 18 brand new aircrafts to the Nigeria Air Force.

“We are also hoping to get 12 brand new aircrafts from the United States of America. In addition, we are also hoping to get six brand new helicopter gun-shoots from Italy. So, I think from what we have seen in terms of support, every officer, air-man and air-woman in the Nigeria Air Force has every reason to put in his or her best in order to ensure that Nigeria is secured.”

He further stated that, “I assure Nigerians that the Air Force will continue to work. I am in Kano for two reasons, not only to commission this theatre, but in compliance with the directive that we should relocate to North-West and to the North-East of the country in order to supervise or see what is going on in terms of dealing with some of the security threats facing Nigeria.”

Read Also: Troops kill Boko Haram terrorists in Borno
While commissioning the Modular Theatre, he said, “this hospital is for the benefit of the officers and the benefit of their family members. I also want to urge the Commander of the hospital to make this facility available to the civilian population around here.

“Furthermore, in line with the Nigeria Air Force tradition of giving back to her host community as earlier indicated, I want to direct that the Commander should open the facility to all civilians. This gesture will, no doubt, go a long way in improving the quality of healthcare delivery in these communities.

“I also want to reaffirm our commitment to periodically reach out to the surrounding rural communities, to provide them with the much needed preventive healthcare services, including health education and ensure their wellbeing.

“On behalf of the officers, air-men and air-women of the Nigeria Air Force, I wish to express our gratitude to the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), for his continued support for the Service.

“On our part, the Nigeria Air Force shall continue to strive for excellence in everything we do, and operating within the constitutional provisions, in collaboration with other sister Services to provide the necessary security for Nigeria and Nigerians.

“I was conducted round our hanger where we saw some technicians that are working to bring back three of our aircrafts that are being reactivated. And the second part of it is commissioning of the Modula Theartre.

“Our desire is to have a professional Air Force, an Air Force that has the right structure, and an Air Force that has equipment such as the platforms that have been acquired for us; and then, an Air Force that takes care of the welfare of the personnel and that is where this Modula Theatre comes in.

“Professionalism is about getting all these things sorted out and I am very happy that we have tried in the last two and half years to ensure that we address all the fundamental issues that are likely to make the Air Force a professional service so that Nigeria will be secured and Nigerians will also be secured.”

While speaking during the event, NAF Chief of Medical Services, Air Commodore M.E. Sha’aibu said with the commissioning of the new theatre, “injured personnel from the theatre of operation in the North-East can be evacuated to this hospital, stabilized and treated.

Sha’aibu added that the new theater with state-of-the-art equipment comprises of a reception, lecture hall, common and recovery rooms, offices, two operating suites.

“It is equipped with modern anesthetic machines, operating tables, theatre lamps, C-arm machines and operating microscopes,” adding that, “The Chief of Air Staff has also provided funds for the maintenance of the equipment in the radio diagnostic department of the hospital in addition to employing seasonal consultants.”

Subsea:
The United States Embassy in Nigeria has pointed out that corruption is not limited to diversion of funds but includes a wide range of other infractions, among which is nepotism.

In a Facebook post it made on Friday, the US Embassy noted that instances where public funds were diverted to personal accounts and where a public officer unfairly gives jobs to relatives were tantamount to corruption.

By Abdulganiyu Alabi (Kaduna) and Terhemba Daka (Abuja)


People of Igbo extraction in the 19 northern states have been banned from travelling to their states of origin to vote in next year’s general elections.Any person who flouts the directive would be fined an undisclosed amount of money. The decision was reached following an extraordinary meeting of the Igbo Delegates Assembly (IDA) in Barnawa, Kaduna State. IDA, an administrative umbrella organisation of Igbo resident in the northern states and Abuja, is responsible for members’ welfare. In attendance were executives, all Eze Igbos and chapter presidents in the 19 states.

“We want our people to stay in their respective states and cast their votes. The era of running home during elections cannot be tolerated again. There is no need for us to go home at every election because if you do that you will automatically disenfranchise yourself.

“We have done a lot of sensitisation. We have also educated our people on this and we all agreed. That is why we decided to place an embargo. And if you travel, IDA will fine such person(s),” the organisation said in a statement jointly signed by President General Chief Chikezie Nwogu and Secretary General Austin Ofokansi Ifedinezi. The Assembly also urged members to remain law-abiding in their states of residence.

A non-governmental organisation, the African Electoral Integrity Initiative (AE2i) meanwhile has unveiled ways to guarantee integrity in the elections.This was at the National Conference on Electoral Integrity it organised in Abuja yesterday with the theme: ‘Sustaining the Integrity of the 2019 General Elections.’

Prof. Yusuf Zoaka, Dean Faculty of Social Science, University of Abuja, in his presentation titled, ‘Principles of Electoral Integrity’, said a good election is hinged on fairness and a level playing ground for all.

Zoaka, who was represented by Dr Agaba Halidu, a lecturer at the university, also listed ethical conduct, professionalism and accuracy as criteria for successful polls.He maintained that for Nigeria to have an election with integrity, factors such as enforcement, transparency and respect for the rule of law must be upheld. He advised politicians to shun hate speeches that could breed violent campaigns, and INEC to remain impartial to avoid voter apathy and rejection of results.

Mr. Mohammed Baba, Commissioner in charge of Education at the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), said vote buying has become a threat to democracy, hence all efforts must be made to curb it.He disclosed that ICPC would embark on a nationwide sensitisation programme this month to change people’s attitude towards the practice.

Dr Daniel Omofoman, Convener and Regional Director (West Africa) of AE2i, said: “The conference is aimed at sensitising stakeholders to the need to sustain the integrity of the 2019 elections and restoring voter confidence in the integrity of officials, voting procedure and materials used in the election. We believe more is coming on solutions that will resolve these issues,”

He added that other issues threatening the integrity of the elections include under- age voting, fake news and partisan law enforcement.But President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja gave the assurance that the result of the 2019 general elections would reflect the will of the people.

He made the promise while receiving a letter of credence from the ambassador of Finland to Nigeria, Dr Jyrki Juhani Pulkkinen. He said Nigerians reserve the right to elect their leaders and that all efforts would be made to safeguard the integrity of the process. “I respect the people’s feelings,” he said, adding: “I assure all that we will have a free and fair election next year.”

Buhari congratulated Finland on its 101 Independence Day anniversary, marked yesterday. He commended the country’s growing relations with Nigeria, especially in the areas of Information Communication Technology (ICT), trade and education.

In his remarks, Pulkkinen noted that areas of mutual benefit could be extended to electricity, smart technology and crises management initiatives, pointing out he would work hard to improve trade figures and exchanges. “We will like to contribute to Africa rising. We know that Nigeria is the biggest country on the continent, so we are very interested in its growth,” he said.

He promised that at the United Nations, Finland would continue to support the restructuring of multilateral institutions, giving greater roles to African countries like Nigeria.

The president, who also received a letter of credence from the ambassador of France, Mr. Jerome Pasquier, described the visit to Nigeria by French President Emmanuel Macron as impressive and a booster to bilateral relations.Admitting that “France is investing so much in Nigeria and we are grateful,” he nevertheless called for more support in the fight against terrorism as fighters increasingly cross the borders to support insurgents.

Pasquier responded saying Macron would continue to support Nigeria, especially in the ongoing war against terrorism, with specific interest in the gathering and sharing of intelligence. He also commended Nigeria’s role in resolving the crises in Togo and Guinea Bissau.

Buhari equally received a letter of credence from the ambassador of the Czech Republic, Mr. Marek Skolil, to whom he gave an assurance of improved economic relations in solid minerals exploration.

Skolil, on his part, said his country would continue to support Nigeria’s military in the fight against terrorism in the northeast. “Nigeria is a very important country for us. We look forward to stronger ties, particularly with the armed forces,” he said.

Posted By: Adekunle JIMOH



The Federal Government yesterday said it would float People’s Money Bank in the country next year.

It added that the bank, when established, will have branches in all the states of the federation for traders and artisans to have access to credit facilities.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said this in Ilorin, Kwara State capital at the launch of ‘Tradermoni’ micro-credit scheme.

Prof Osinbajo made the disclosure during a talk in a private radio station, Sobi FM Ilorin, after launching the programme at Ipata and some other markets in the town.

He said that there is no politics involved in the administration’s ‘Tradermoni’ micro-credit scheme.

The Vice President said the government considered petty traders for the programme because it is always difficult for them to access bank loan because of the belief that they would hardly refund.

He said though there was no collateral for the loan, refund may not be difficult with the design that a beneficiary who refunds will receive bigger one.

He explained that beneficiaries at the start are given N10,000 while after refund they receive N15,000 with the progression to continue up till N50,000.

He said that the government targeted a total of two million petty traders across the states of the federation for the programme with minimum of 30,000 beneficiaries per state.

He added that contrary to insinuations in some quarters, it was neither buying vote with the programme nor favouring members of the All Progressives Congress with the programme.

He said contrary to the criticism that the government launched the programme at election time, the programme started in 2016 and fully took off after the National Assembly approved money for it about seven months ago.

Osinbajo said the programme was for the benefit of the masses, petty traders, saying that once the people enjoy the benefit, it is out of place to be complaining about the timing, asking: “Is there any time wrong to do the right thing?”

He denied that the micro credit was being given to only members of the APC, saying that beneficiaries are not considered on account of party affiliations but on merit.

“It is false that only members of the APC are being considered for the money. Nobody even asks anybody about his or her party or trying to know whether you are APC or PDP. Even those who belong to no party are part of the beneficiaries,” he stated

He said that the Marketmoni version of the micro credit programme meant for artisans and marketers of higher status would commence with N50,000 for the beneficiaries and explained that the people could receive up to N300, 000 when they do not derail in refunding.

Temidayo Akinsuyi, Tony Ezimakor and Anolu Vincent


Lagos / Abuja / Owerri – After exhausting all means to placate some critical stakeholders in the party who are aggrieved owing to the fall-out of its controversial primaries, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has decided to wield the big stick on party members, especially state governors who are working against the interest of the party to achieve victory in 2019 general elections, Daily Independent has gathered.

On the cards to be punished, according to a credible source, are Governors Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara, Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun, Rochas Okorocha of Imo and Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo, among others.

The party leadership last month set up a reconciliation committee but majority of the governors refused to cooperate with members of the committee thereby foreclosing any chances of rapprochement.

Speaking with Daily Independent on Thursday, a member of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) said Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the national chairman of the party will soon set up a disciplinary committee which will “look into the activities of some of the stakeholders especially some of the governors who are encouraging their supporters to join other parties.

“I think the party has had enough of the governors and actions will be taken against them. Through their actions and utterances, they have shown utmost contempt for President Muhammadu Buhari who has done everything humanly possible to resolve the issue. They have also disregarded other national leaders such as Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and others.

“The party leadership will in the coming days set up a disciplinary committee which will look into the activities of this men and make recommendations to the party. There is a need to sanitise the party, remove the bad eggs and reposition it ahead of the 2019 general elections”, he said.

On what can be done to the dissidents, our source said they may be suspended, expelled or have their tickets withdrawn.

In Ogun, loyalists of Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, have announced their defection from the APC to the Allied People’s Movement (APM). Adekunle Akinlade, Amosun’s preferred candidate, is the governorship candidate of the party.

The governor who is at daggers drawn with Oshiomhole over the outcome of the primaries said he will remain in the APC to contest the senatorial election in 2019 while ensuring the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The governor, who said that he would not support the governorship candidate of the APC, Dapo Abiodun, however, said aggrieved party members who defected to the APM have his blessings.


The same scenario also played out in Imo State where Uche Nwosu, the son-in-law to Governor Rochas Okorocha, has dumped the APC for the Action Alliance (AA).

Nwosu, who lost the APC ticket to Senator Hope Uzodinma blamed the loss on the party’s leadership.

Okorocha, who has also given Nwosu his blessings, is working to move his loyalists en masse from the APC to AA, sources in Imo Government House said.

Meanwhile, on Thursday 19 out of the 27 lawmakers of the Imo State House of Assembly joined AA, denouncing their memberships of APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The speaker of the state House of Assembly, Acho Ihim, who read the notice of defection signed by the lawmakers during plenary, equally announced that he had joined his colleagues in AA.

Reading the defection notice, Ihim said that the members elected on the platform of PDP have also joined AA.

According to him, the defection notice was dated November 7.

The former PDP lawmakers are Ken Agbim, Bruno Ukoha and Mike Iheanatu.

Apart from the speaker, the former APC lawmakers who joined AA are Ikechukwu Amuka, Authur Egwim, Uju Onwudiwe, Uche Ejiogu, Ngozi Obiefule, Lugard Osuji, Lloyd Chukwuemeka and Victor Onyewuchi.

Others are Chinedu Offor, Kennedy Ibe, Lawman Duruji, Max Odunze, Henry Ezediaro, and Obinna Egu.

In Ondo, loyalists of Governor Akeredolu such as Tunji Abayomi has also dumped the APC for AA.

Abayomi, who has the governor’s full backing, claimed to have won the senatorial ticket of the APC to contest the senatorial election to represent Ondo North Senatorial District at the National Assembly. He also alleged that the national leadership of the party gave the ticket to the serving senator, Ajayi Boroffice automatically at his expense.

Following these developments, the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) also advised the national leadership of the APC to withdraw the ticket of any party leader backing candidates in other political parties for the 2019 general elections.

BMO, said in a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke that such acts amount to anti-party activities that should not be encouraged.

Speaking to Daily Independent, Prof. Itse Sagay, Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), said having immunity does not stop a governor from being disciplined.

“Of course, governors can be disciplined by the party. There is no immunity in party affairs. They can be suspended or expelled as the case may be depending on the level of their offences. Immunity is against the state bringing criminal charges against a sitting governor. The whole idea is to prevent a situation where a governor will be so distracted by civil or criminal charges. That has nothing to do with the party. The party can discipline a governor”, he said.


APC Aspirants In Court Working For Opposition – Oshiomhole

Meanwhile, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has claimed that some aspirants of the party who are currently in court over the last party primaries were actually working for opposition parties.

Oshiomhole made the claim on Thursday while addressing a consultative meeting of the APC NWC, governorship candidates, and state chairmen at the party’s secretariat in Abuja.

He observed that some aggrieved aspirants were seeking justice and asking the courts to declare them winners and candidates of APC in the forthcoming elections, and pointed out that those asking the court to declare that APC did not hold any primaries were working for the opposition.

He said: “I am aware that we have some instances with some people who have chosen to go to court and they are in two parts: those who are asking the court to declare them as winner.

“It is not easy to comment on such cases but where people are going to court that there was no primaries, such persons are not looking for solutions.

“Such persons are more or less agents of opposition because, based on their prayers, our party would have no candidates in such states.

“The implication is that the opposition is unopposed. So, we have to distinguish between those who are in court in pursuance of justice and in fairness and those working for the opposition.”

He also urged the candidates to play active role in the ongoing reconciliation by reaching out to aggrieved members and running inclusive campaigns that exclude no one.

The APC national chairman said the actions and inactions of the candidates would go a long way in either healing the wounds and reconciling the aggrieved members back to the mainstream or deepen the divisions.

He also cautioned the state chairmen to make the structures of the party available to all candidates.

“Your actions will help the process of reconciliations. It could also deepen division.

“For example, in constituting your campaign organisations, if you want to find out that those who want to be governor like you or who has what it takes to be a governor, or somehow the primaries did not favour, I think it is left for you to identify such persons and make conscious efforts in making them part of your campaign organisations.

“If possible, ask them to lead the campaign because when you find out, I think it will be helpful,” Oshiomhole said.

In his response, Governor Mohammed Isah Bello of Niger State said the party in the state had taken the bold step in refunding the cost of nomination forms to aggrieved aspirants in the state to quicken the healing and reconciliation process, and urged other governors to do the same.

He warned that the party was losing time in calling for urgent action in mobilising support in the state.

Bello said: “It is good that we are one united APC and together on one platform.

“I think we should start working together. We are already losing time even though it is not too late.

“We are going to come out in full force even though we cannot take things for granted.

“What is left now is for us to return to our states and start putting up formidable campaign structures to take off.

“Many have been asking when we are going to kick-start the campaign, which is an indication that people still love the party. They cannot wait to see us start.”

On his part, Governor Solomon Lalong of Plateau State urged all Abuja-based politicians in the party to return to their villages and campaign for party.

He said all politics is local. He said a situation where governors toiled to elect leaders only to be shoved aside by Abuja-based politicians would not augur well for the party.

Meanwhile, the APC consultative meeting, which had state chairmen and secretaries in attendance, passed a vote of confidence in the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Oshiomhole.

It also urged the candidates to run issue-based and inclusive campaigns, while frowning at attempts by some leaders of the party to polarize the APC in their domain.

A statement by Lanre Issa-Onilu, APC National Publicity Secretary, said the meeting, among other things, resolved that party leaders must campaign for all candidates of the party (presidential, governorship, and legislative positions).

“A situation where leaders engage in selective support by picking and choosing candidates to campaign for and support was declared anti-party,” the statement said.

By Emmanuel Aziken,


The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Lagos State has denied a secret pact with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to self-destruct the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in the state.

The assertion by the PDP came as the APC in Lagos State yesterday decried the immediate past commissioner for energy, Mr. Olawale Oluwo as an opportunist who repeatedly sought to use the APC platform to promote his family interests.

The Oluwo caused a stir on Wednesday when he announced his resignation from the Akinwunmi Ambode administration and also defected from the APC to the PDP. His resignation had given vent to speculations of a secret pact between Ambode and the PDP that would see the governor remain in the APC and at the last minute throw support and logistics behind the PDP as revenge against his party for making him the first sitting governor of Lagos State to be denied a return ticket.

Mr. Felix Oboagwina, the director of media of the Jimi Agbaje governorship campaign rebuffing the assertion in an interview with Vanguard said: “Those are conjectures, those are theories, it doesn’t necessarily have to be true, but what can be said is that this was a marriage of convenience and it was bound to collapse and we are seeing the beginning of the end of that edifice that was put together just for a tyrannical purpose.”

Asserting that the APC was built on fraud, he said: “We have always known that his former party is one that does not stand for internal democracy neither does it stand for external democracy as manifested in the primaries that recently held which left a bitter taste in the mouth of members of the party and the public. “So, it didn’t come as a surprise, it was just a matter of time.

It indicates the beginning of the collapse of that marriage of convenience that was put in place just to remove the former government. It is just the beginning and we are expecting more. See what happened in Imo State also “We are expecting more of that to happen. When people come together in tyranny after destroying their common enemy, the next thing is that they begin to destroy one another.

So, anyone who has common sense would now begin to run away from this drowning Titanic.” The APC, however, rebuffed the claim as it accused Oluwo of serial opportunism despite the faithfulness of the party to him. The APC in a statement issued by its publicity secretary, Mr. Joe Igbokwe said: “It is on record that Oluwo first made an attempt to reap from the challenges of internal party democracy in our progressive movement when he teamed up with one of the losers in the 2007 primaries of the Action Congress to stop Babatunde Fashola’s sure victory at the polls. The unfortunate political adventurism failed woefully.

“However, in the conventional demonstration of mercy and forgiveness, Oluwo’s principal, Sen. Tokunbo Afikuyomi was accommodated in the second term cabinet of Governor Babatunde Fashola as the Commissioner for Tourism. “A similar milk of mercy and kindness led to the consideration Of Oluwo as a member of the Lagos State Executive Council under Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in the hope that he has purged himself of opportunism, disloyalty and vaulting desperation for power. “Oluwo had hardly resumed as the Commissioner when he began his plot to use that office to advance his quest for political fiefdom.

The object of his ambition was the positioning of his wife as the chairman of a local government. “However, alert party men and women raised alarm about his anti-party antecedents wondering why someone who recently joined the party would want to use his position as commissioner to impose his wife on the constituency.

“The party rank and file aborted this abuse of power and reckless peddling of influence and everybody thought the lesson had been learnt. He, apparently, had not. As soon as the procedures for the general elections began, Oluwo once again became the only commissioner to seek his wife as the member of House of Assembly for Eti- Osa. “By now the pattern of his ambition had become clear.

The intrigue that enabled him to make his wife the first- term commissioner’s wife to become the chairperson of the committee which organised the annual National Women Conference became clear. It was meant to achieve undeserved visibility. “This obnoxious attempt to deceive party members was again foiled and it is the aggravated frustration that has led to this defection.

It has been necessary to put this in true context so as to dismiss the false and capricious insinuation that his resignation was in principled objection to the party’s last primaries. Far from it. He was only playing true to type, seeking as he had done in 2007 to reap from the primaries.”

President Muhammadu Buhari is contemplating rejigging his cabinet in a bid to bolster his chances of succeeding at the 2019 presidential polls, SaharaReporters has been told.

It is not exactly clear how soon the President would ring the changes, but a source in the presidency told SaharaReporters that it could happen at Friday’s emergency meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), or it could be delayed for a few weeks.

The emergency FEC meeting was primarily convened for approval for the 2019 Appropriation Bill, with the government hoping to present the budget proposal to a joint session of the National Assembly next week.

But the source told SaharaReporters that a cabinet reshuffle at a time like this, with elections approaching, should be no surprise.

“The President is considering dropping ministers with political baggage, and those contesting, and is also hoping to strengthen his campaign spread,” he said.

Since becoming President in May 2015, Buhari hasn’t altered his cabinet, the members of which he waited six months before announcing.

Aisha Alhassan, popularly known as Mama Taraba, is the most recent Minister to reluctantly bow out of office. She quit in acrimonious circumstances as Minister of Women Affairs in late September, after she was disqualified from contesting the Taraba State governorship election on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

That was two weeks after Kemi Adeosun, then the Minister of Finance, belatedly resigned following months of sustained public pressure after it was exposed that she did not undergo the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Kayode Fayemi, then Minister of Solid Minerals Development, left in May to contest the Ekiti State governorship election, which he won — he was sworn in in October — while Amina Mohammed resigned as Minister of Environment in February 2017 after she was appointed United Nations Deputy Secretary General.

By Temidayo Akinsuyi


A caucus meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will hold in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital tomorrow, Daily Independent has gathered.

A credible source in the party said elected governors of the party will be meeting alongside the national leadership of the party as well as Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential flagbearer.

By Chidi Nkwopara OWERRI

There is observable crack in the Governor Rochas Okorocha-led All Progressives Congress, APC, in Imo State, following the refusal by most of the APC candidates to join his son in-law, Uche Nwosu to defect to Action Alliance, AA.

Okorocha I’ll win Imo West senatorial district – Okorocha Vanguard investigation yesterday, showed that majority of the stakeholders strongly backing the candidature of Senator Hope Uzodinma, have appealed to the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party to dissolve the Imo State party executive, following the defection of some of them to the Action Alliance.

Nwosu, whose backbone is his father in-law, Governor Rochas Okorocha, had also urged APC candidates and lawmakers to follow him to his new party, so as to achieve his governorship ambition. The stakeholders argued that already, the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Onwuasoanya Jones has joined Nwosu to the AA while other members of the State Executive are expected to follow suit.

However, strong feelers from Mr. Nwosu’s camp, showed that all attempt to lure most of the APC candidates to the new party, hit the brick wall as most of them did not see AA as a platform that could win election in the state. Meanwhile, some diehard APC loyalists, within the Rescue Mission administration of Okorocha have appealed to the NWC of the party, to dissolve the state party executive, following the resolve of Governor Okorocha and his followers to work for Mr. Nwosu.


Dissolve state Exco now

APC chieftain A leader of the party in the state, Mr Livinus Osuagwu, who spoke to Vanguard, asserted that “it will be foolhardy for the NWC of the APC to allow the Imo Executive to remain at this stage”. According to him: “We, the entire stakeholders of the APC In Imo State, genuinely working for the victory of the party in the forthcoming general elections are appealing that the state executive be dissolved since the leader of the party in the state, Governor Okorocha has vowed to play anti-party roles in the forthcoming election.

“The chairman of the APC in Imo State, was a Personal Assistant to Uche Nwosu before he became chairman. It is very obvious he will not work for Uzodinma. The state publicity secretary has already joined AA while others will join soonest”, Osuagwu said. “As a result, for the survival of the APC In Imo State, it is better to dissolve the state executive so we can concentrate properly on our elections to avoid saboteurs,” Osuagwu pleaded.

By Owen Akenzua


The struggle over who wins the heart of a 16-year-old salesgirl, identified as Juliana Itoro in Asaba, Delta State, on Wednesday led to a free-for-all fight among rival lovers.

The fight, which started between two rival lovers, saw three mediators (men) seriously injured and taken to the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Asaba, where they are currently receiving treatment, while the two rival lovers were arrested and whisked away by the police from”A” division, Asaba.

Eyewitness, Azuka Eze said the fight broke out in early hours in Asaba when the two rival lovers coincidentally ran into each other to catch a glimpse of a promo show organised by a group of marketers for their products.

Police officers at the A division police station, who spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity, said the two rival lovers allegedly caused a scene after few minutes of verbal cross fire, adding that they fought with dangerous weapons leading to the mediators sustaining injuries in an attempt to separate them from the fight.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Delta State, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, who confirmed that the two rival lovers were later arrested for disturbing the public peace, told newsmen that they were being detained at the A division police station for further investigation.

While assuring that the police will do everything possible to protect lives and properties in the state during the yuletide, DSP Andrew Aniamaka disclosed that the police command has introduced stop and search in strategic and flash points across the state, adding that it will no longer be business as usual for hoodlums, armed robbers including ritualists, fraudsters.

He said, “The police are working hard to ensure the safety of lives and properties in the state, the police have introduced stop and search method with a view to arresting hoodlums, fraudsters and ritualists who have been operating across the state, the police men will operate without uniforms and are positioned in flash point areas”.

Political thugs, weekend, stormed the house of Nigeria’s former Minister of Commerce, Bello Maitama, and vandalised two of his official vehicles and that of the Speaker, Jigawa State House of Assembly, Isa Idris.

Mr. Maitama, a commerce minister during the military regime of Ibrahim Babangida, was chairing a reconciliation meeting with aggrieved members of the APC in his residence in Gwaram Local Government Area when thugs disrupted the process and attempted to lynch the minister.

A witness, who was part of the reconciliation committee, told journalists that it took the combined efforts of the security agencies to whisk away the ex-minister and the speaker but their vehicles were not spared. He said the security agencies had to fire gunshots into the air to disperse the gathering of thugs, stressing that if that move was not made, the situation might have turned more violent.

The ex-minister was chairing a reconciliation committee meeting which was aimed at bringing back to fold aggrieved members of the ruling APC in the state. Recently, the governor, Mohammad Badaru, constituted a reconciliation committee to bring together all aggrieved members of the APC in the state.

The thugs were believed to be sponsored by other local politicians in Gwaram, who have been nursing grudges against the council boss, Abdulmalik Shehu, whom they accuse of not running an inclusive government. A witness told reporters that politics in Gwaram has been tense, ever since the council boss was installed by the state authority.

He has allegedly not been carrying along members of the party at the grassroots. However, the Police, yesterday, disclosed that 10 political thugs have been arrested in connection with the fracas. Jigawa State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdu Jinjiri, who confirmed the arrests in an interview in Dutse, yesterday, said that four others were injured during the fight.

“We have arrested 10 suspects for fighting after a political gathering in Gwaram town yesterday. “Adequate security was provided for the gathering. However, after the event, thugs began to fight during which four persons were injured.

By Kunle Olayeni



There appears to be a major crack in the political camp of Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, as political campaigns for the 2019 elections intensify in the state. The development followed the refusal of some prominent associates and aides from the governor’s camp in the All Progressives Congress (APC) to buy his “directive” to defect to the Allied People’s Movement (APM) towards contesting the general elections. New Telegraph gathered that contrary to public posturing, all is not well among Amosun’s supporters as they are sharply divided over the prospects of a new party in advancing their collective interests.

While some loyalists believe that the APM would help actualise the succession plan of the governor, others are skeptical and believe the platform would eventually be a stillbirth. Signs that the defection option had run into troubled waters emerged when the governor’s Chief of Staff, Chief Tolu Odebiyi, reportedly defied the order to move to another party in protest against the decision of the APC national leadership to disregard the candidacy of Amosun’s anointed successor, Hon. Adekunle Akinlade. Akinlade lost the APC gubernatorial ticket to Prince Dapo Abiodun, who is backed by loyalists of a former governor of the state, Chief Olusegun Osoba.

Our correspondent learnt that Odebiyi, who has vowed to stay in the APC to contest for Ogun West senatorial ticket, pitched his tent with the Osoba group before tendering his resignation letter last Friday.

Apart from the former Chief of Staff, the party’s senatorial candidate for Ogun East, Senator Lekan Mustapha, has also reportedly told the governor in clear terms that he would not leave the ruling party because doing so would be counter-productive. Sensing that the governor would not have his way as regards the governorship, some of his associates have started to realign with Abiodun’s camp in order not to completely lose out in the emerging power game. A highly placed source within the party told New Telegraph that some notable aides have recently resigned their appointments in government to join the APC campaign train rather than staying put with the governor.

The source cited the example of Hon. Afolabi Afuape, who resigned as Commissioner for Youth and Sports on Friday, to team up with Abiodun and pick up the APC ticket for House of Assembly election. Besides Afuape, eight other aides of the governor resigned their appointments on Friday to contest for legislative positions at either the state or federal level in 2019.

More aides, who have secretly pledged allegiance to work for the success of APC candidates in the polls, are expected to resign soon, another source hinted yesterday. Indications that the governor’s camp is fast losing grounds emerged on Monday when party chieftains who were hitherto in Amosun’s group physically attended the formal unveiling of the APC deputy governorship candidate, Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, at the residence of Osoba in Abeokuta.

They included Odebiyi; the Senator representing Ogun West, Gbolahan Dada; the candidate for Egbado South/Ipokia Federal Constituency, Biyi Otegbeye; immediate past Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, and Dr. Femi Majekodunmi, among others.

However, there is apprehension among the governor’s supporters over subterranean moves to dissolve the Chief Derin Adebiyi-led state executive of APC on the pretext of anti-party activities. Adebiyi, who emerged as state chairman of the party in May, is one of Amosun’s henchmen and the forces against the governor believe he and other executive members may sabotage the party’s campaign if not checked.

A former House of Representatives member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told New Telegraph that the APC national leadership had concluded arrangement to sack the state executive. According to the former lawmaker, many party members are not comfortable with the pro-Amosun executive for several reasons. He expressed reservation over how Adebiyi attended the hosting of defectors on Monday by the governor, describing it as the “height of anti-party.”

“All their anti-party activities are being taken note of. They have moved to APM and kept on putting pressure on genuine APC members to decamp along with them.

We know some of them only stayed back in APC to play a spoiler role, but we will not allow them to derail our party from victory,” he said. But speaking with our correspondent in a telephone interview, the Director-General of Dapo Abiodun Campaign Organization, Prince Segun Adesegun, said they were not really keen about pushing for the dissolution of the state executive loyal to Amosun.

“Those performing their job very well have no cause to fear. But if you are not in APC and you claim to be APC, definitely questions will be asked. But at our end, we are not concerned about all these little things that some people may be thinking about. We are only concerned about selling the party better to the people,” he said.

Adesegun, who was deputy governor during Amosun’s first term, declared that the breakaway of some APC members to APM would not negatively affect the fortune of the ruling party at the polls. He said: “It (APM) does not portend anything. At our own end, we have done what we should do. For example, those who are our friends and our colleagues within the party, we have discussed. Anybody who feels bad about an issue, our duty is to pacify and explain.

You see, we cannot all have the same position, but the party is supreme and whatever the majority says is the issue. We cannot afford to be carrying along as if we are ego-driven. There is no ego in a party situation. All over the world, the minority will have their say; the majority will have their way. But irrespective of that, we still have a duty as good party men to talk to each other. This we have done and will still continue to do as the case develops.

“From ages, people have been coming and going in a party. So, we are going to take it that those who left, we wish them all the best; those who are with us, we thank them. But many more are still coming to the party.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday said those who felt he had died during his medical vacation in the UK in 2017, asked Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo to make them his deputy.

Osinbajo took over in acting capacity when the president was away.

Speaking on Sunday in Krakow, Poland, during an interactive session with the Nigerian community in the country, he said his deputy, Buhari said Osinbajo “received a lot of embarrassment”.

The president said he and Osinbajo discussed the issue when the acting president at the time visited him in London.

“One of the questions that came up today in my meeting with Nigerians in Poland was on the issue of whether I‘ve been cloned or not,” he said.

“The ignorant rumours are not surprising. When I was away on medical vacation last year, a lot of people hoped I was dead.

“Poor Professor Yemi Osinbajo, even he had to deal with the rumours. Some people reached out to him to consider them to be his vice-president because they assumed I was dead. That embarrassed him a lot; we discussed it when he visited me while I was convalescing.”

Those against the reelection of Buhari have asked him to step down in 2019 but the president has insisted that he is fit.

By Don Okere


Contrary to reports that the United States has granted visa to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, after 13 years ban, INDEPENDENT authoritatively reports that he was never given visa.
An embassy source told INDEPENDENT that U.S. position on Atiku has not changed.

A family source confirmed to INDEPENDENT that Atiku only traveled to the UK and is also back in the country.

The family source said Atiku did not even apply for visa from the U.S. embassy as reported in the week.


The Federal Government fearing that the U.S. wanted to grant Atiku visa had cautioned that it would mean endorsing him for the 2019 election.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, gave the government position at an interactive session with media executives in Abuja on Thursday.


Mohammed had said that the government was aware of the move by the former Vice President to lobby the U.S. to lift the visa ban imposed on him.

He said, while the U.S. has the prerogative of whom to issue visa, it should be mindful of the timing, in order not to give the impression that Atiku has been endorsed by the U.S. government.

“We understand and appreciate the fact that it is the prerogative of the U.S. to grant a visa to anyone who applies.

“However, we want the U.S. to be neutral and be wary of taking any decision that will give the impression that they are favouring or endorsing one candidate over the other

“Impression must not be created that the U.S. government is endorsing one particular candidate over the other,’’ he had said.

The minister recalled that for years, there has been a kind of congressional bi-partisan investigation on corruption against certain individuals which had made it difficult for Atiku to secure a U.S. visa.


“I am sure you will all recall the Jefferson’s case and the cold 90,000 U.S. dollar in fridge.

“We are not unaware that Atiku has engaged the services of some lobbyists to persuade the U.S. to issue visa to him.

“Our position is that if the former Vice President is seeking the U.S. visa we have no problem about it.

“However, we want the U.S. government not to create the impression that it is endorsing one candidate over the other,’’ he said.

Yusuf Obaje – ANDP

Rev. Prof. Yusufu Ameh Obaje was the Chaplain to The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (May 1999 to June 2005). Whilst he had made attempts at becoming the governor of Kogi State but failed, his foray to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to pick the party’s presidential ticket also failed. But he eventually became the candidate of the Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party for the presidential contest.

A thoroughbred minister of the Baptist Church fold, Obaje was Chancellor, Bowen University, Iwo – 2003 to 2005; President, Nigerian Baptist Convention (2003 – 2005); President, Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso (1993 – 2003); Professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy (1993 to Date);President, Nigeria Theological Education Council;and Chairman, Nigerian Baptist Convention Theological Education Council (1993 – 2003), among others.


Helen Godswill-Solomon – PRP

Dr Helen-Naomi Ndidi Godswill-Solomon is a woman who has been affecting lives and nations in so many ways; in social justice, Christian ministries and outreaches, Business, Enrichment and Empowerment of men and women. She represents the new generation of leaders emerging in Nigeria to change the reputation of Nigeria.

A lawyer called to the Nigerian bar in 1992, she worked in Lagos, Nigeria and New York, United States of America. She was ordained a minister in Redeemed Christian Church of God in 2001 and commissioned Apostle in 2010.

She has been impacting the lives of individuals and transforming organizations and nations through raising altars of prayers and raising a people of prayer by teaching and impacting the culture of prayer on believers.

The PRP presidential candidate is the Founder/President of Esther Generation Prayer Ministries and Resource centers. Apostolic Training, Coaching and Resource Centers worldwide with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America and branches in various countries. She is also co founder and pastor of Grace Word Arena Church for all nations, life coach in David Solomon Leadership Institute and an international radio host on “Grace Hour”.

A law graduate of Edo State University, Ekpoma, Nigeria law School, Lagos and recipient of honorary Doctor of Divinity from My Life Theological institute, Maryland, United States, she acquired her primary school education from Sacred Heart Primary School (now Diai Primary School), Umunede, Delta State. She later attended Mary Mount Girls High School, Agbor before going for advanced levels at Federal Government College, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

For her, the passion that moved her to join politics with her team of millions of Nigerian youths and new generation leaders both home and abroad “Restoration 2019” is to bring positive changes that will sweep away corruption, insurgency, armed robbery and the numerous ills that currently characterize Nigeria to make room for the birth of a new Nigeria.


Angela Johnson – AUN

Angela Johnson was born on 16th November 1959 to the family of Honourable J.U Udenyi and Madam Nnenna Grace Udenyi of Amuvi Village Arochukwu, Abia State. Angela mother was the women leader in Methodist Dioceses Umuahia for several years and was later elected women Patron of Methodist church, Umuahia. While growing up, Angela was inspired by her mother to be God fearing, hard working and focused in life. Angela attended both her primary and secondary school in Umuahia, Abia State Nigeria. Angela became a successful entrepreneur shortly after her West African School Certificate (WASC).

She had an encounter with the Lord Jesus on 20th December 1986 at a youth for Christ Conference where she gave her life to Christ and became a born-again Christian. Angela was called into Ministry in January 1987 and later travelled to London England in 1991 with the intention of starting her Christian work of Ministry. In 1994, Angela founded and registered Compassion Ministries in London UK. She is the presidential candidate of the Alliance for United Nigeria and according to her if elected as president, her administration will: “Eliminate corruption that has eaten deep into the fabric of our system in Nigeria by God’s grace, with the active help of security agencies and the citizenry. Under my leadership, Nigeria will be strategic and purposeful in encouraging and facilitating sustainable growth, employment, wealth creation and good quality of life through a focus on areas of comparative advantage, in collaboration with the private sector.”

Other clergies in the February 16 presidential election include: Prof.Peter Uchenna Nwangwu (We Are the People of Nigeria Party; Dr. Davidson Isibor Akhimien (Grassroots Development Party of Nigeria, GDPN) and Rev. David Ize-Iyamu (Better Nigeria Progressive Party, BNPP)
As it is, the stakes are very high in the presidential election and beyond the religious affiliation, Nigerians are eager to know what the various candidates are bringing to the table in their quest to resuscitate the ailing fortunes of the country.

By WALE ELEGBEDE reports

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Once again, Nigeria is searching for a leader to pilot her affairs for the next four years. Already, 72 persons are seeking to unseat President Muhammadu Buhari in the election billed for February next year. Interestingly, 11 of those aspiring to lead Africa’s most populous nation are clerics. WALE ELEGBEDE reports

After a tortuous period of party primaries, which was largely characterised by political twists and turns, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has made public the final lists of candidates and their parties for the 2019 general elections.

Although some aspirants who lost out in the 2019 political feast are still agitated and crying wolf, those who scaled the hurdles, through whatever means, are already back to the drawing board to eke out a winning strategy ahead of the elections.

Expectedly, the increased number of registered political parties has also shoved up the number of candidates that emerged as flag bearers for the respective elective positions. For instance, only 14 candidates and parties contested the 2015 presidential election which was won by the All Progressives Congress (APC), but in the forthcoming elections, no fewer than 73 candidates and parties are going to be on the ballot for the February 16, 2019 presidential election.

As anticipated, qualified Nigerians from all walks of life made up the list regardless of their gender, tribe, profession, qualifications, religious beliefs, creed and other factors.

Of the lot, there are handfuls of clerics seeking to take over Aso Rock from May 29, 2019. Expectedly, many have singled them out and have questioned their involvement in partisan politics, asking the question of whether religious leaders should play an active role in politics or refrain from stepping into the political sphere?

This is one question that has defied a definite answer over the years, perhaps, because Nigeria is a country made up of diverse religions.

While it is the right of every citizen as provided in Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) that “every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular, he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests,” many have insisted that religion should be separated from politics.

But, there is a political school, which argues that if others could enjoy political expression, such should not be denied of clerics and religious leaders. This political school insists that religious leaders should be entitled to political comments like other citizens in free societies.

According to those who hold this view, politics is not bigger than religion, and so, if dabbling into affairs of the state is going to make the difference for the people; religious leaders should influence it smartly. They further argued that religion is the driving force of politics all over the world, to separate the two may be the most difficult task.

However, there is another political school, which believes that religious leaders should not dabble into politics on the conviction that doing such runs contrary to their teachings. To members of this political school, the Church/Mosque and the government are two separate offices and should not be joined.

The fear of this school is the danger of allowing politicians to smuggle religion into politics. It was argued that the interest of the country and its people would be better served if religious leaders ensure that religion is taken away from politics and by ensuring that politicians do not drag politics into religion.

There is another belief that separation of religion and state affairs does not mean that those who are religious cannot vote or exercise their right to free speech. This conviction, perhaps, explains the interest of religious clerics across the various faiths in the electoral although such has re-echoed the contentious issue of religion and politics in a society, where faith carries an enormous weight.

Unlike in the past, when indifference was the word for religious leaders as regards politics, a number of them are getting involved by running for elective offices, while many have opted to mobilize faithful for active participation in the electoral process.

In the 2019 presidential election, no fewer than 11 clerics are in the race to unseat Buhari. While some of them are ordained pastors, apostles, prophets and evangelists who own their churches, others are theological intellectuals, chaplains and serving ordained ministers. Some of the prominent ones among them are Rev. Chris Okotie, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Dr. Yusuf Obaje, Apostle Sunday Chukwu, Pastor Habu Minchi, among others.


Rev. Chris Okotie – FDP

Rev. Okotie is the founder and General Overseer of the Household of God Church, a Pentecostal congregation in Lagos since 1987. Once regarded as a rave making musician before he gave his life to Jesus Christ and ventured into the ministry, the flamboyant clergyman graduated with a degree in law from the University of Nigeria at Nsukka. Before

Okotie abandoned his schooling for a while to pursue a pop music career before his returning abruptly. Okotie married twice and announced he has separated from his second wife on June 24, 2012. He returned to school to complete his education and graduated with a law degree. Whilst undergoing law school he interrupted his schooling again to begin his religious ministries. Okotie attended the Grace Fellowship Bible School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and, soon after, established the Household of God Ministry.

In 1990, Okotie established the annual Karis Awards, hosted by his church, to recognize and financially reward Nigerians.

He first made his declaration to contest for president in the 2003 general election under the National Democratic Party.

The erstwhile Chairman of the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs and former Military Governor of Imo State, Maj. General Ike Nwachukwu (retd), who had spent barely one week in the party, however, defeated the clergyman to clinch the ticket.

Okotie then dumped the NDP for the Justice Party, becoming the nominee of his new party on February 8, 2003. He contested that year alongside Nwachukwu, but both lost to Obasanjo.

Undeterred, Okotie registered the Fresh Democratic Party and made more unsuccessful attempts in 2007 and 2011, claiming that this ambition was based on a divine call.

Okotie’s presidential hopes were dashed on December 7, 2012 when the Independent National Electoral Commission deregistered 28 political parties, including the FDP, and conducted the March 28 poll without recognising any of the deregistered parties or their respective candidates because the party failed to secure any elective seat in previous elections.

Declaring his intention to again run for the presidency in 2019 after three failed attempts in 2003, 2007 and 2011, the clergyman told his congregation that he had re-emerged from his political hibernation, based on his conviction that Nigeria needed a credible, dependable and a trustworthy man to lead.

“I have re-emerged from my political hibernation to contest the office of President in the forthcoming elections. I am fully persuaded that Nigeria needs a man who is credible, dependable and trustworthy. A God-fearing man who is embroidered with compassion and love for (this) country. A man who will be readily accepted as a symbol of national unity, who can bring genuine reconciliation and guarantee peace and tranquillity in our nation,” he said.


Oby Ezekwesili – ACPN

Her entrance into the presidential race wasn’t anticipated but those close to her believe that she has the magic wand to turn the nation around. No doubt, she is a household name when it comes to Nigerian politics, but only a few knew of her ministerial callings.

Oby Ezekwesili, alongside her hubby, Pastor Chinedu, are ordained pastors of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). The couple joined RCCG Apapa Family in 1994 and was the co-ordinator of the House fellowship Apapa family and they later moved from freedom Hall to City of David.

In 2000, the ministers relocated to Abuja where they pioneered quite a handful of parishes. The husband is currently pastoring a parish of the church in Abuja.

For her, capacity is no issue as she had been several tested and came out unscathed. But for analysts, her platform, the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), might be a minus for her aspiration despite being the most popular among the female presidential candidate. Ezekwesili was a key figure in the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, working as his senior special assistant on budget monitoring and price intelligence and later as minister of solid minerals and of education. She is a former vice-president of World Bank (African region) and former minister of education, Ezekwesili holds a master’s degree in international law and diplomacy from the University of Lagos as well as a master’s degree in public administration from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

A chartered accountant, she worked with Jeffrey Sachs as director of the Harvard-Nigeria economic strategy programme at the Center for International Development at Harvard. She was one of the founding directors of Transparency International (TI) where she oversaw the operations of the organisation in Africa from 1994 to 1999. The 55-year-old was on the forefront of the campaign for the rescue for the Chibok schoolgirls, co-founding the popular Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) movement.


Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies – MAJA

Before now, Professor (Mrs.) Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies is just like any other academics in the Ivory Tower. But her recent declaration to run for the office of the president in 2019 has spotlighted her among those itching to take over from the incumbent.

Although an academic in the Rivers State University of Education, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Professor Adesanya-Davies, who is from Ira, Kwara State, is the founder and Bishop of the Agape Bible Church.

Although she first tried her luck with the PDP, the lecturer eventually settled for the Mass Action Joint Alliance party, (MAJA), as her platform for the presidential race.

Born on October 15, 1962, Adesanya-Davies, is a Nigerian Educational Consultant and an Associate Professor of Linguistics with specialization in Applied Linguistics and Communication. She is a former Director, Centre for Vocational Skills, Entrepreneurial and General Studies, Rivers State University of Education, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. She is a Linguist, educationist, poet, communication expert, advocacy and activist.

She got born-again in 1974, served as Chapel Prefect in Secondary School, Sisters Leader at University of Ife (NIFES) and during NYSC. In 1988, she founded Agape Bible Church, (Eagle’s Cathedral)at Presidential Housing Estate (Church Headquarters).

On her religious calling qualification, she holds a Doctor of Divinity (D.D) Degree and Professor of Divinity (Honoris Causa) Award of Northwestern Christian University, Florida, USA.

Adesanya-Davies, B.A (Ife), M.A English (Ilorin), Ph.D Applied Linguistics & Communication Studies (Port Harcourt) and P.G.D.E (Port Harcourt) is a Linguist, a Poet, Educationist, Activist and an expert in the field of communication studies.

She has lectured in language, linguistics and communication studies in the past 30 years. She also facilitates courses in Language and General Studies at the National Open University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.


Chukwu-Eguzolugo – JMPP

Apostle Sunday Chukwu-Eguzolugo is the presidential candidate of Justice Must Prevail Party (JMPP). Chukwu-Eguzolugo, is an ordained minister who claimed that his aspiration to preside on Nigeria was supernatural.

Chief Charles Otis, the National Coordinator of the 16-member committee of wise men that formed the delegates, described the election as excellent. According to Otie, all the wise men took an oath that they will never be influenced by anyone.

Apostle Sunday Chikendu Chukwu-Eguzolugo is from Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra and was born on August 20, 1979, and he was the Chief Executive of his clearing and forwarding agency, Phildelson W. A Ltd at International Trade Fair Complex, Lagos, until 1995 when he started experiencing supernatural encounters indicating a divine assignment for the rescue of the nation from corruption and self-destruction and her restoration into a glorious future beyond human imagination.

According to a statement signed by the party’s national chairman, Olusegun Ijagbemi, Chukwu-Eguzolugo’s spiritual inauguration took place on September 17 in a dream.

The way he describes it, the candidate had had a dream around 2:00 am where he knelt down in the midst of Bishop David Oyedepo and Pastor Enoch Adeboye and Jesus Christ.

In Ijagbemi’s own words, he said, “While he was in the midst of the three of them, Papa Adeboye laid hands on him together with Bishop Oyedepo and Christ said that heaven is celebrating the birth of the new party that will establish God’s system of government in Nigeria in a very short time.

“And Christ said to him ‘Fear not, you’re sent with this divine mandate to the nation Nigeria.’ I have appointed a party for my nation Nigeria, a party of my own, and I will shake other political parties and shake out the just out of them and plant them into my own party, and they shall dwell and move no more, neither shall the wicked rulers afflict Nigeria as before time. This is how the symbol of the rainbow in the logo came about.

“The Lord said to him again, that in this dispensation of His era in Nigeria, JMPP shall be established on top of the mountain and it shall be exalted above all the parties, and it shall give light to our nation, Africa and the rest of the world, and all nations shall model their lifestyle after the New NIGERIA.”

Part of JMPP’s plans for Nigeria includes changing the name of the country to Pisonia and the currency from Naira to Pison. According to Ijagbemi, the leadership of JMPP has got a wind of how the country is being impoverished with its currency and will correct this when in government.
He also noted that the country will be fenced and its citizenship laws will be reviewed so as to promote citizens’ welfare and security of lives and property.


Pastor Habu Aminchi –PDM

Pastor Habu Aminchi is the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) for the 2019 presidential election.

The clergyman, who was unanimously affirmed as the party’s presidential candidate through a voice vote of delegates from the 36 states of the country and the FCT, is the National Chairman, United Christian Leaders Eagle Eyes Forum (UCLEEF).

John Alechenu, Sunday Aborisade, Gbenga Adeniji, Mudiaga Affe and Theophilus Onojeghen



Some aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress, who fail to withdraw their court cases instituted against the national leadership of the party over the outcome of the party’s primaries, may be expelled.

The National Working Committee of the party may have thus ignored President Muhammadu Buhari’s stand on the festering crisis.

Buhari had, on Monday, submitted that the aggrieved APC members had the right to seek legal redress over the results of the primaries.

The National Vice Chairman of the APC, South-South, Chief Hilliard Eta, gave the hint in an interview with SUNDAY PUNCH.

Buhari, in a statement last week, said members of the party, who were not satisfied with the outcome of the party primaries conducted across the country, were right to have approached the court to seek redress over the alleged unfair treatment.

The President faulted the position of the NWC of the party, which asked aggrieved members to withdraw their court cases or be ready to face sanctions.

But Eta said many of the aggrieved members currently in court over the results of the party’s primaries did not exhaust the party’s dispute resolution mechanisms before rushing to court.

He said the party would not change its position on the issue, insisting that it would sanction errant members, which might include expulsion for failing to explore Article 20, subsection 10 of the APC’s constitution.

He said, “We need to juxtapose the President’s utterance with the position of the party. The constitution of the party states that you must exhaust all internal party conflict resolution mechanisms before you seek redress in court.

“The party’s constitution does not stop any member from seeking legal redress if they think that their rights have been infringed upon. What it says is that it is only after you have exhausted all the internal conflict resolution mechanisms that you can go to court. But if you have not exhausted them and you proceed to court, the party reserves the right to expel such person because you have brought the party to odium.”

When reminded that the party’s position contradicted the President’s pronouncement on the issue, Eta said, “The President is a loyal party man and if that provision of the constitution is brought to his notice, I am very sure that he is going to abide by the constitution of the party because the President is the man who will always stand on the side of the rule of law and that is the rule of the law of the APC.

“I can tell you categorically that most of these aggrieved members did not exhaust the internal conflict resolution mechanisms before approaching the court. Take the Cross Rive State’s case for instance, at no time did the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor (Usani) Usani, exhaust the internal party mechanisms before going to court.

“Also, the aggrieved party members in Delta State did not explore the party’s conflict resolution mechanisms before approaching the court. The same thing with those in Imo State; they did not come to us at the NWC.”

Eta added, “In most of the states, aggrieved members abandoned the internal party mechanisms and proceeded straight to the court.

“For us, there must be discipline in the party. Regardless of the rank of an army officer, if he is not disciplined and tutored, that officer is a disaster waiting to happen. So, regardless of the largeness of the party and regardless of the membership that we can boast of at any time, I can tell you that we would enforce discipline in the party.”

Also, the Deputy National Chairman (South), Otunba Niyi Adebayo, argued that Buhari’s statement did not contradict the position of the NWC.

Adebayo, a former governor of Ekiti State, submitted that members of the party must explore all avenues to resolve internal conflicts before heading for the court.

He stated, “I believe the President’s statement is in tandem with that of the National Working Committee. He is absolutely right that nobody should be denied the opportunity of going to court if he feels aggrieved. It is not the intention of the NWC that people should not be allowed to go to court.

“All the NWC is saying is that members should explore all the party’s dispute resolution mechanisms. If thereafter they are not satisfied, they have the option of going to court.”


Vice chairmen differ

In the same vein, the National Vice Chairman, South East, of the party, Emmanuel Enekwu, agreed with Eta that members of the party must subject themselves to the provisions of the APC’s constitution.

Asked if the party’s position, asking members to withdraw their court cases on the primaries or face the sack still subsisted, Enekwu answered in the affirmative.

He stated, “The constitution of the party is supreme and binding on all members. It is derived from the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Every member of the APC is subject to the provisions of the APC. That document provides the guidelines for party activities and actions of members.

“The President asked members of our party to subject themselves to the appeals’ committee set up for reconciliation. The President is a man who respects the law. He wouldn’t ask them not to subject themselves to the dictates of the internal party mechanisms (of conflict resolution) before going to court.”

However, the National Vice Chairman, North-West, Inuwa Abdulkadir, in agreeing with Buhari, stated that if members were not given the chance to seek redress in the face of perceived injustice, the result would be chaos.

Abdukadir said, “The President reiterated the position of the law which is the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

“The party or its agents cannot be a law unto themselves; that is why we have rules. If the party knows that if it does anything wrong, people can challenge such actions in court, those in charge will do the right thing. This will promote accountability and transparency. That is what democracy is all about.

“What the President said is in order; there is no ambiguity in it. If people are not allowed to ventilate their grievances through laid down provisions of the law, there will be chaos. There is no human organisation without conflict.”


‘Eta not better than Buhari in party matter’

But a factional chairman of the APC in Cross River State, Mr Etim John, said Eta did not understand the party’s constitution more than Buhari, wondering why the NWC member had continued in the same line of argument.

Besides, John noted that the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Usani, exhausted the internal party conflict resolution mechanisms before approaching the court.

He said, “Does Hilliard Eta really understand what he is saying? Does he think that he understands the party’s constitution more than the President of Nigeria? Do you think that the President of Nigeria is so foolish that he will wake up from his bed and make serious statements relating to party issues without getting some legal advice from the Attorney General of the Federation or any other top legal practitioner?

“Well, I do not think that reacting to what he said is of any issue. First, let them implement the sanctions; then, we would know whether they are qualified to do that. “Talking about not exhausting the party’s internal conflict resolution mechanism, Hilliard Eta is lying because the party set up an appeal panel after the governorship primary and all aggrieved members appeared before them (committee members).

“Having appeared before an appeal panel, those who were not satisfied went to court. Because they were not satisfied, that was why they went to court and for that reason, the President is very correct.”


I’m ready to withdraw my case from court – Marafa

Meanwhile, the Senator representing Zamfara Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Kabiru Marafa, has expressed his preparedness to withdraw the suit involving him and the APC if the party compels him to do so.

He told SUNDAY PUNCH on Saturday that the case he instituted was actually against the party’s congresses held in March and that the court ruling on the matter so far had allayed his fears and those of his supporters.

Marafa said, “I am ready to withdraw the case now if the party insists. As it stands now, it is the governor and the APC that are in court. We only joined ourselves in their cases because we are an interested party.

“I am not technically in court at the moment. I went to court to challenge the APC congresses that produced the party’s executives in the state. The governor unilaterally appointed executives of the party at the wards, local government and the state levels.

“The case is still in court but the development has allayed our fears. We had expressed the fears that Governor Yari’s party executives might be recognised to conduct the primary but the issue had been overtaken by events now.”


We’ll conclude suit, says Delta factional chair

Also, the factional chairman of the APC in Delta State, Chief Cyril Ogodo, said his faction was unperturbed by the fresh threat by the Adams Oshiomhole-led NWC to expel aggrieved members who failed to withdraw their suits against the party.

Ogodo, who was inaugurated by the then National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, before Oshiomhole’s NWC ousted him, said his group would go ahead with the case.

He told SUNDAY PUNCH on Saturday that he would pursue the case to its “logical conclusion” until the Delta APC was served justice by the national leadership.

The chairman, who enjoyed the backing of the state leader of the party, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, Chief Hyacinth Enuha and several of the governorship aspirants in the state, added that the faction would act in line with the position of Buhari.

He added, “Like I said before, I’ll pursue my case to its logical conclusion. However, I have taken advantage of the purported reconciliatory committee the NWC has set up. If justice is served by that committee, there will be no need pursuing the case further.

“But as long as they (NWC officials) keep denying Delta APC, which I am the authentic chairman, justice, we’ll stay in court until the end. The internal mechanism, which they are talking about were exhausted before approaching the court.”

Repeated calls placed to the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, on Saturday, were not returned.

He had also yet to respond to a message sent to him by SUNDAY PUNCH as of the time of filing this report on Saturday.

By Jude Aguguo Owuamanam


Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has ordered the suspension the Accountant-General of the State, Mrs. Stella Udogwu.

Okorocha also ordered for the arrest of the Branch-Managers of Ecobank and Access Bank over the non-payment of November Salaries of the local government workers in the State.

The suspension of the Accountant-General is with immediate effect.

A statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwemeodo, said that the governor had directed that the October and November Salaries of Workers in the State be paid at the same time in October.

He added that the governor had thought that the directive has since been carried out accordingly, only to be told that the directive had not been adhered to.

The statement quoted the governor as giving the directive when he attended an event to mark the 40th Year Anniversary of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE at the Hero’s Square in Owerri.

The statement said that the governor ordered that the November and December Salaries should now be paid on December 3, 2018, since December 1st and 2nd are not working days, and equally announced N10,000 each for the workers as their Christmas bonus and N2.5m as car allowance for each of the Local Government Directors of Administration and General Services.

The governor said, “From today hence forth, there won’t be any need for any Local Government Worker to try to convert to the Ministry to be able to get to level 17 or become a Permanent Secretary. Today, I have officially lifted the embargo on Local Government Staff getting to level 17. Hence forth, Staff of the Local Government Civil Commission will be promoted to level 17 when they are due for it”.

He added,“I had released the salaries of every Worker in Imo State since the second week of October and so if local government workers are been owed, then somebody must take responsibility of it and will be dealt with according to law. This is a criminal act aimed at disgracing this government. What they do is that, they take the money and put in the bank and collect the interest.”

The governor said “An acting Accountant-General will be appointed with immediate effect and the Secretary to the State Government should direct anybody next to her to act immediately. Your salary must be released and your December Salary shall be paid immediately. All the interests from the salary kept in the bank must be collected and shared to the Local Government Workers who are the owners of the money, I order for the immediate arrest of the Branch-Managers of Ecobank and Access Bank with immediate effect”.

He continued “N2.5million has been approved for each of the Directors of Administration and General Services as vehicle allowance. They could use it to buy their vehicles themselves or the ministry can coordinate it for them. The treasurers will only be given the same when the government finishes the investigation and discover that they are not guilty of the salary fraud”

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc., the construction company reconstructing the Lagos to Shagamu section of the Lagos /Ibadan Expressway has promised to open all diversions within the section during the Yuletide.

The Ogun Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr Clement Oladele, disclosed this at the flag-off of the `ember’ months’ campaign organised by the Ifo Command at the Ifo Motor Park on Thursday.

He said that this was to ease traffic congestion during the period.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the campaign was entitled: Safe Driving, Safe Arrival.

Oladele said that Mr Olaf Thamm, the Project Engineer handling the construction, disclosed this after a meeting with the FRSC team on Wednesday.

“The construction company has also promised to open fairly motorable sections on the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.

“This is to ease the pains and discomfort that such may inflict on motorists travelling during the festive period.’’

He added that the construction company would also rehabilitate all the bad portions on the road that had been causing gridlock.

The commander said that the step was part of the preparations toward hitch-free festivities and to reduce gridlock on the road during the period.

Oladele warned motorists to be cautious and adhere strictly to recommended speed limits around the construction sites.

He also implored motorcyclists to always wear their helmets to avoid unnecessary loss of lives.

The Ifo Unit Commander of the FRSC, Mr Joshua Ibitomi, said that the campaign was timely.

Ibitomi added that this was because the FRSC usually recorded an increased in vehicular and human movements in the last four months of every year.

He said, “Motorists should avoid dangerous driving, use of alcohol, overloading, speeding and the use of expired tyres to stay alive during the Yuletide. ” he said.

The commander also admonished road users, motorists, tri-cyclists and pedestrians to be cautious while using the roads.

Temidayo Akinsuyi, Nicholas Uwerunonye and Innocent Oweh


Lagos / Abuja – Nigerians have expressed anxiety over the recent upsurge in Boko Haram attacks, saying the development could affect the 2019 elections if not urgently contained.

Stakeholders expressed the view that the handling of the upsurge could determine not just the fate of the polls but also that of the leading presidential contenders.

President Muhammadu Buhari, presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the leading opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are the major contenders for the presidency.

The widely reported recent killing of 118 soldiers in Metele, a war theatre in Borno State, by Boko Haram insurgents has cast a great deal of doubt on army’s strategies and defence policies under President Buhari in the last three years.

As also gathered, efforts at retaking Metele by over 100 troops, made up of special force operatives of the Nigerian military suffered a setback as the insurgents again put the army to flight.

The insurgents’ exploits have further confirmed intelligence that Boko Haram now has strong intelligence backbone, highly trained operatives sourced principally from its Islamic State (IS) in Syria, and sophisticated arms.

It is believed that Boko Haram has since transformed into the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) which, according to intelligence sources, is a frightening development.

“This means that the insurgents can call on operatives from any of their war theatres in Africa.

“They don’t have to bring in Arabian operatives. There are operatives in Senegal, Mali, Chad, Sudan, who can be mistaken as Nigerians and can easily blend into the population,” explained Dr. Wahab Lawal, a retired Colonel of the Nigerian army, now a defence and policy analyst with UN-backed policy think-tank in Nigeria.
The Nigerian intelligence operatives tend to think along this line, too.

The Department of State Services (DSS), for instance, believes that ISWA is largely behind major kidnaps in the North, cattle rustlings and killings in the Middle Belt.
“They infiltrated the ranks of the original criminals involved in these vices and killed off their leaders.

“At the time they were into these operations trying to raise money and means for the next phase of their operations in Nigeria,” explained a highly placed director of the DSS.

Further complicating the matter, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) appears to be working on theories that state actors had joined their non-state actor collaborators in supporting insurgencies in Nigeria.

“Two countries in the Middle East which ordinarily are not friends now have a meeting point in their tacit support of ISWA,” explained a senior operative of the NIA.

The source said their aim was to badly discredit the efforts of the current administration in the fight against insurgency.

According to the newspaper source, Nigeria’s policy on some touchy international\domestic policies does not sit well with these countries.

But other sources said the Nigerian government lost momentum in the fight against insurgency early in 2015 as a result of what was described as some rash defence strategy and policy.

The army was also said to have suffered setbacks as a result of the recent killing of Mamman Nur, former commander and leader of Boko Haram.

At the tail end of the PDP administration in 2015, the Nigerian military had managed to push back the insurgents to the fringes of the Chad basin on account of arms purchased from the black market, and engagement of South African and Moldovan mercenaries.

The arms package came with terms of refurbishments, technical advice from mercenaries which the army put to great use in pushing back the insurgents in 2015.
But Buhari, upon the inception of his administration, cancelled the contract with the foreign technical assistants. Also, the arms probe in 2015 put a halt to further gains from the arrangement that brought the arms in 2015.

Many of the military hardwares purchased have since fallen into disrepair and over use.

At the tail end of the PDP administration, former leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, was severely weakened that it was easy for Nur to break away from his ranks and pledge allegiance to Abubakr Al Bagdadi, leader of ISIS.

In the early stages, the Nigerian intelligence agency was able to reach Nur to agree on some conditions.

According to Daily Independent findings, Nur, the brain behind the ties between Boko Haram and the Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi led Islamic State, was said to have been killed by his closest lieutenants on August 21, for releasing the Dapchi girls without demanding ransom, among other reasons.
As a result of this development, there were speculations that the insurgents may be aiming to scuttle the forthcoming election.

Speaking on the development, the PDP said while it was not afraid that the elections may be postponed, it was worried that President Buhari and the APC had perfected plans with INEC and the service chiefs to rig the elections.

Kola Ologbondiyan, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, in a chat with Daily Independent , also urged President Buhari to urgently address the deepening insecurity in the country by “reviewing his parade” and bringing in fresh hands.

He said: “Our own is not about the fears as to whether the insecurity, if not well-managed, will affect the elections, our worry is that APC and President Muhammadu Buhari, having failed Nigerians and looking at the handwriting on the wall that Nigerians are going to reject them at the elections, are preparing themselves for institutional rigging.

“They are plotting to use INEC to rig the elections; they are also plotting to use the security agencies to rig, and that is where lies the trouble.”

Also reacting, Dr. Jay Osi-Samuels, national chairman of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), said while there was a likelihood that the elections may be postponed, no one could tell for how long the postponement would be.

He said having seen that Nigerians were tired of APC and ready to vote them out, the rising insecurity may be an alibi for the ruling party to postpone the election, even indefinitely.

“In my mind, I think that whether Nigerians like it or not, there is going to be postponement of this election.

“This is just the beginning because the signs are all there that Nigerians don’t want this government. So, any opportunity that they will use to prolong the D-day, they will do it.

Similarly, Chief Ighoyota Amori, Political Adviser to the PDP National Chairman, believes the ongoing security challenges would definitely affect the elections, leading to its postponement.
“It will definitely affect the 2019 elections.

There is no question about that,” he said.
However, Bamidele Faparusi, a former member, Houses of Representatives, expressed optimism that the elections could not be postponed, arguing that what was happening was a sharp contrast to what happened four years ago which necessitated a postponement of the elections then by six weeks.

“The situation now is not that bad when compared to 2015 to warrant the postponement of the election.
“Unfortunately, we have this killing of soldiers in Metele, but aside that it cannot be compared to what happened in 2015 when the election was postponed by six weeks.

“Right now, we have the country under control unlike then when half of Borno State was under the control of Boko Haram.
“So, it is a different scenario that we have now. It is not that Boko Haram has captured a territory and elections cannot hold there,” he said.


Wipe Out Boko Haram From Earth’s Surface, Buhari Orders Military

Meanwhile, apparently irked by recent killings of soldiers in Metele, Borno State, President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the military to eliminate all threats of Boko Haram from the surface of the earth.

The president said the war against terrorism is “a must win”. He also assured of adequate welfare for the personnel prosecuting the war, including provision of fighting equipment.

“It is a must win war. I want to encourage our troops not to be distracted by speculations but remain focused and committed to the task of eliminating Boko Haram from the surface of the earth”, Buhari said.

The president gave the directive on Wednesday while declaring open the 2018 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference in the embattled state.

President Buhari assured the military that his administration will continue to address their needs in terms of manpower development and equipment supply, promising that their welfare and entitlements will also be improved.

“I want to reassure you that as your commander-in-chief, I will do everything within my power to continue empowering you by providing all the necessary equipment, force multipliers and enablers required for you to prevail on the field.

“I also want you to be aware that I am currently looking into measures to improve your entitlements and welfare generally,’’ he added.

The president lauded the efforts and sacrifices of the military in safeguarding the peace, security and territorial integrity of the country.

According to him, “The officers and men who are fighting against the curse of terrorism in the North East deserve all the attention our country’s leadership can give them.

“As president of the country, I am determined to ensure that every citizen feels safe and secure in all parts of the country. To achieve this, the security agencies must rise to the challenge and curb threats to security in our country.”

President Buhari called on the armed forces to embrace “the wind of change that is blowing across the country,” urging more cooperation at inter-service and inter-agency levels.

“To this end, the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs must work closely together as well as with other security agencies to improve on strategies that will defeat terrorism, militancy and other forms of criminal activities in our country,” he said.

While addressing officers and men of the Nigerian army at the Maimalari Barrack, headquarters of Operation Lafiya-Dole, the president said he shared in the agony of loss of gallant soldiers.

“I have come to pay homage to the gallant soldiers lost by the nation and to console the injured ones in recent terrorist attacks. I urge you to remain focused and win the war,” the president said.

President Buhari also commended Nigerian army’s commitment to upholding democracy and urged them to remain committed to their profession.

“As we approach the 2019 general elections, I want to urge all members of the armed forces to live up to their responsibilities and remain non-partisan. In addition, you must all remain vigilant throughout the electioneering period and alongside other security agencies, prevent every form of violence that could disrupt the process in line with your rules of engagement,” he said.

President Buhari urged the soldiers, who were on parade, to always show disciplined conduct.

“No matter how equipped the military is, the military is of no use if it doesn’t have discipline,” he said, urging them to uphold the tenets of the constitution and ensure tight security to protect lives and property.”

In his statement at the conference, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, said internal security had greatly improved from what it was in 2015 when President Buhari assumed office.

Lt. Gen. Buratai said a new proactive strategy would be put in place to counter the recent military losses.

He said the army remains neutral and non-partisan and will carry out their constitutional duty of safeguarding the nation’s democracy.

The Minister of Defence, Brig. Gen. Mansur Dan Ali (rtd.), assured the president that the military was putting in place new strategies to stabilise the country.

President Buhari asked for a minute’s silence in memory of the gallant soldiers and before his departure, he went round the wards to visit wounded soldiers in the hospital within the army barracks.

He gave assurances that the soldiers would be taken care of.

At the Palace of Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, President Buhari said his administration will do everything to secure the country, commiserating with all Nigerians who lost loved ones following recent setbacks in the fight against terrorists.

“We have to remind ourselves where we were and where we are now and what happened in between. The people of Borno State know what we did in the last three years. The situation would have been worse,” he said.

Buhari also expressed his determination to change the unemployment situation of youths in the country, pointing out that “jobs for the young persons, especially those who are 30 and below in Borno State and across the federation continue to engage our attention. We go to bed with it and wake up with it.”

In his remarks, the Shehu of Borno, who spoke on behalf of the state’s Council of Chiefs, thanked the president for bringing peace to the state, and asked for intensive security patrols across the territories to save people from attacks on farms.

Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri and Noah Ebije, Kaduna


He said the present battle he is undergoing with the likes of Senator Hope Uzodinma, Ifeanyi Araraume and his deputy, Eze Madumere, is as a result of some selfish politicians building up their political career for 2023 election.

According to the governor, who briefed newsmen on Tuesday, Araraume and other of his political detractors are only being used as a tool to rubbish his intention of contesting for any elective position in 2023.

Governor Okorocha said: “Uzodinma is not fighting Okorocha, neither is Ifeanyi Araraume, Eze Madumere nor Emeka Ihedioha. But, they are being used as instruments to fight the governor because of the 2023 ambition of some big shots in the country. And that tells the story of the Igbo. We don’t support our own, rather, we destroy our own.

“What is happening in Igboland today cannot happen in any other place in Nigeria, because Igbo have made themselves shopping centres, where people can come, shop and buy people to destroy their own. It is not a good omen.

“I want to announce that I’m still running for the Senate for Orlu zone and my party is All Progressives Congress (APC). I’m going to make the difference. We are also supporting President Muhammadu Buhari for second term because he has done well to deserve that. I’m supporting Uche Nwosu, too, because he believes in the state and won’t be going anywhere. Imo needs someone with vision and passion to carry on with the development plans of the state.

“The people of the state joined the APC, in 2015, in spite of the blackmail that trailed the party in this part of the country, because of the confidence they have in me, not only as their governor, but, as their son. Imo people never joined APC because of any other person in Nigeria, they joined the party because of me and nothing has changed in the relationship because they are still with me.”

Meanwhile, Imo State Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Ugochi Nnenna Okoro, has said Governor Okorocha needs a committed and focused person to succeed him after two terms in office.

Okoro said this was necessary in view of the fact that governance is a continuum, which needs to be sustained and improved upon, rather than starting all over.

She spoke with newsmen in Kaduna, yesterday, at the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting, organised by the Federal Ministry of Finance, on Development of Solid Minerals as an Alternative source of Revenue for Economic Development.

She said: “Imo State has satisfactory high level of transformation across the state, therefore, the citizens need the continuity in governance under APC, towards the sustainability of transformation in all sectors.

“Governor Okorocha brought a lot of human development to the state, therefore, the people need a reliable hand, who can continue with the development.

“If you do not put somebody who knows about the rescue mission to continue with the abundant project in state, there will be problems, and it is not good for the future of the state.”

However, the finance commissioner expressed dissatisfaction over the recent political crisis within the ruling party in the state.

CHUKA UBAH



The members of a popular church in Oshodi area of Lagos were shocked to realize that their member identified as Daniel had married his younger blood sister, Grace, and had two kids as the fruits of their marriage.

The church is located at Mafoluku Road in Oshodi area of Lagos and was founded by a prophet who hails from Delta State.
The man and blood his sister resided in the prophet’s house before she relocated to Ejigbo with their children.

P.M.EXPRESS scooped that Daniel had come to Lagos from their home state, Akwa Ibom, started attending the church and was given an accommodation by the prophet.

After a while, he told the prophet that he wanted to travel to his village to get married and the church supported him. He went, brought his blood sister, introduced her as his wife and received the blessing of the church.

Thereafter, they moved to the house allocated to them by the prophet in Ogun State due to accommodation problem; there the wife became pregnant and had the kids.

However, recently Daniel was found dead and his private part removed with other parts of his body missing. The death was reported to the police who had commenced investigation into the matter and his wife was brought to Ejigbo stay with the pastor’s family while the church was making arrangements to take the corpse to bury in their home town.

It was at the pastor’s house that the wife confessed that Daniel was actually her blood brother but they came to Lagos, started living as husband and wife and had children. She was also said to be pregnant for Daniel before he was murdered. The church members were shocked over the revelation and were said to be in dilemma about what to do.

When our correspondent went to the church to speak with the prophet, he was said not to be around. When our reporter also asked to know about Daniel and his wife, they declined to speak further on the matter.

However, a member of the church referred our reporter to the wife who had relocated to Ejigbo but on getting there she was said to have gone out and may travel to her village with the children soon to face whatever the consequence might be.

The Ikotun Police Division in Lagos have started manhunt for a man identified as Solomon, who chased his wife and two kids away after taking sex enhancing drugs but the wife refused him sex.

In anger, Solomon chased both the wife and children away from home and swore that he no longer wanted them.

The incident happened at Prophet Amowo Street by Onitire bus stop in Abaranje, Ikotun,Lagos where they reside.

The wife, Mrs. Ijeoma, claimed that she refused him sex after she discovered that he had taken sex enhancing drugs and would have tormented her during their sex romps which usually lasted for several hours before he would release.

The embattled Ijeoma said that she got married to Solomon some years back and they had the children having normal sex with him. She said that at a time, Solomon’s sex behaviour changed as he would make love to her for hours non stop and almost killed her during one of the romps.

She narrated that she was troubled that her husband might kill her one day and had to investigate why he lasted so long in the romps. It was then that she discovered that he was taking sex enhancing drugs before meeting her on the bed.

On Tuesday, Solomon chased her and the children away, threw their belongings outside, locked their house and went out. Ijeoma was said to have refused because she caught him taking the drugs. She identified as one of them as Tramadol.

The incident was said to have caused commotion in the area as some of the residents contacted the Child Protection Agency to come to the rescue of the woman and the children.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the CPA has rescued Ijeoma and the children and they were said to be in protective custody.

The matter was reported to the police who have moved to arrest Solomon who was said to be on the run over the incident.

When our reporter visited Ikotun Police Division where the matter was reported, the DPO, CSP Abubakar Tsav, was not on seat to comment on the matter. However, police sources confirmed the incident and said that the police have commenced investigation into the matter.

This was also confirmed by the officials of CPA who said that they were on top of the situation.

Abuja – The All Progressives Congress (APC) has challenged Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to come clean “on the nagging issue of his travel ban to the United States of America” following his alleged indictment for corruption in that country.

The challenge came on Sunday as rumours of an alleged “presidential impostor” gathered momentum.

The ruling party accused the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of instigating the ‘silly’ claim.

The rumours took a dangerous hype at the weekend following the reported stabbing of a Nigerian diplomatic attaché recently in Sudan.

Yekini Nabena, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of APC, in a statement, said the PDP was busy entertaining people with what it called “silly conspiracies around the president, and ignoring credibility issues surrounding its candidate”.

He added: “From silly conspiracies on the shape of the President’s ear, a ludicrous allegation of a presidential body double named Jubrin from Sudan, tales on the #NextLevelNigeria campaign and the rested certificate issue, Nigerians have been entertained by the comical displays of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“The ruling party also alleged that the meeting in Dubai hosted by Atiku and attended by leaders of PDP was in fact “a last-ditch effort to raise presidential campaign cash from foreign financiers by mortgaging key national economic assets, particularly the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).”

Nabena said the country could not afford to have a “fugitive occupying the highest office in the country”, alluding to Atiku’s alleged travel ban to the United States.

He said: “Again, a challenge the PDP presidential candidate, Alh. Atiku Abubakar, must take up is coming clean on the nagging issue of his travel ban to the United States of America following his alleged indictment for corruption in that country.

“To borrow the words of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, we must stop electing rogues, hooligans, and criminals into public office.

“Truly, we cannot have a fugitive occupying the highest office in the country. Our great country, Nigeria, deserves better.”

Nabena again restated previous claim that the PDP presidential flag bearer is having difficulty raising funds for his campaign, claiming that PDP governors were not willing to fund the Atiku campaign.

“The unwillingness of PDP governors to financially support the 2019 presidential campaign of Alh. Atiku Abubakar is already public knowledge.

“In fact, information is now rife that the Dubai meeting attended by Atiku and other PDP leaders was a last-ditch effort to raise presidential campaign cash from foreign financiers by mortgaging key national economic assets particularly the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as payback.

“This disturbing development must be checked by relevant agencies particularly the recently established Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the country’s arm of the global financial intelligence Units (FIUs) mandated to collect information on suspicious or unusual financial activity suspected of being money laundering and then share such information with relevant anti-crime or regulatory agencies.

“Backed by their discredited cyber-thugs, the PDP in its desperate bid to remain in public reckoning continues to expose itself as a joke before Nigerians.”

“The PDP should know by now that elections are not won through falsehood on the internet, but by valid votes of the electorate who are aware of who ruined the country and who is clearing the rot.

“It is now clear that we have no credible opposition political party, but a gang of selfish and mercantile politicians that will do anything to return to elective office,” Nabena stated.

The Incorporated Trustees of Center for Pursuit of Legal and Constitutional Rights has asked the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Louis N. O Edozien, to resign his appointment or be dragged to court.

The NGO’s demand followed its claim that Edozien failed to undergo the one-year compulsory national service after graduation.

In a letter dated November 19, 2018, and made available to newsmen, Sunday, the group asked Edozien to resign his position in the ministry for allegedly breaching Section 2(1) and 12(a) and (b) of the National Youth Service Corps Act by refusing to make himself available for national service for a continuous period of one year after his graduation from the university.

The letter was written to the Perm-Sec by the group’s lawyer, Samuel Akpenpuun, and copied the office of the Head of Service of the Federation.

Akpenpuun stated in the letter that section 2(1) of the NYSC Act provides that every Nigerian is under obligation, unless exempted under sub section 2 of the Section or Section 17 of the Act, to make him self available for service for a continuous period of one year from the date specified in the call up.

“Take notice that if after the expiration of the seven days graciously given to you by our client, you fail to resign as demanded, you would have left us with no other option than to formerly demand for your sack from the court of law as your appointment is in clear breach of relevant laws of Nigeria”, the lawyer stated.

According to the NGO, an inquiry at the NYSC secretariat showed that the Perm Sec purportedly claimed he served at the Nigeria Institute of Social and Economic Research in Oyo state, but his personal NYSC file, his call up letter mobilising him to Oyo, his letter of posting to the Institute are not sighted to confirm that he ever served in the state.

The group also stated that the name and particulars of the Perm Sec are not in the certificate/book of life for 1981/82 service year.

It was the contention of the group that because Edozien never served the nation as a corps member, “he doesn’t deserve a discharge certificate to make him eligible for any employment in the country by virtue of Section 12(1)(a)of the NYSC Act.

Consequently, the organisation has given Edozien one week, from the receipt of the letter to resign his appointment or face litigation.

Also, the NGO demanded that Edozien refunds all salaries, allowances and other emoluments paid to him as Permanent Secretary to the federation account.