₦airaland Forum

What was all the excitement about? Rumours had swept Ilorin and the entire North that Lt-Col Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Military Governor of the Eastern Region and head of the secessionist state of Biafra, had died. The celebrations only ended that evening when the Military Governor of the North, Lt-Col Hassan Usman Katsina, spoke on the radio and denied the rumour.

Ojukwu was by then the Number One hate figure in Nigeria, the loyalist part of it. Weeks later, when we moved out of Ilorin following the creation of states and I went to school in Jega, in the then North Western State, the widespread hatred for Ojukwu continued unabated.

Ojukwu bashing dominated the early years of our lives in the late 1960s. The Nigeria Army composed many songs against Ojukwu and Biafra, which were played on the radio every day. Every poet in the North, big or small, also composed a song to denigrate Ojukwu.

People can be very foolish.two days ago i opened a trend when a yoruba friend of mine serving in jigawa told me that there were jubilations in the north(maybe some parts) over Ojukwu's death and some idiotic folk where accusing me of propaganda and spreading false news.

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria?topic=812669.0

I think they all have to get their heads checked Idiots

if there is North there should also be a South. It is divide and rule that we have succumbed to. Ndigbo and the Yorubas must bury the hatchet and forge a new future. You must not give up the crusade.

This must start form Nairaland.

Awo was very mean,but nevertheless, we cannot hold the whole yoruba people to ransom because of the deviance of one man!I must remind all that the northern block is not as it used to be!
Kogi, Kwara,Benue, plateau, nasarawa(spellng),southern kaduna, taraba & adamawa. don't, I repeat,don't identify with the core north!I do believe that the east & west should bury the hatchet!In fact I don't hide it from anybody, the core north contributes nothing to the grow of this nation and yet wants to enjoy all the milk & honey on it's own!

I think it is time we cut them loose

By Solomon Asemota SAN

Ikemba was my friend. I had known him in the Congo in 1963, when he was a Major in the Nigeria Army. I was then an Assistant Superintendent of Police. As an Army Officer and the first graduate in the Nigerian Army, he was a very proud Igbo man.

I had planned to get Nd'igbo and the Yoruba to meet so that we can have Southern solidarity. This was after a failed attempt by the Patriots through Professor Nwabueze to get Governors of the South to realize the necessity to unite to forge a common Southern cause. Mr. Michael Orobator successfully facilitated an address by Prof Nwabueze to the gathering of Southern Governors in Benin City in 1999 to apprise them of this need. Regrettably, there were no further meetings of the Governors of the South after this because in my view, Lugard`s divergent policy at amalgamation which is still being promoted by some Nigerians – divide the South for the unity and solidarity of the North - is still very much in place.

went to see Justice Ozobu, Retired Chief Judge of Enugu State and Ohaneze leader at the time and told him of my desire to convene a meeting between the leaders of the Nd'igbo and Yoruba. Justice Ozobu to my surprise, said Dim Ojukwu was the leader of Nd’igbo and that I should go and see him. We immediately proceeded to see Ojukwu and told him of my mission. Ojukwu asked me to come back in three weeks time and we agreed on a date.[b]On that day, in 2003, I arrived and we had a one on one meeting that lasted for six (6) hours. He informed me that he wanted the three weeks time frame to enable him investigate my background and person and expressed surprise that a Nigerian could spend his time and money to fight for the cause of Nigeria the and unity of minorities unaided or assisted internally or by any external body, I told him it was because I understood the problem of Nigeria more than most of those who were involved. I told also him that when he left Biafra to General Philip Effiong to administer and went on exile, I thought he was a coward and that he should have stayed and died in the cause of Nd`igbo. I became convinced after our meeting that God spared his life in the civil war as his subsequent return to Nigeria made reconciliation fast and complete. It would have been difficult if not impossible to reconcile Nd’igbo with the rest of Nigeria had he died a martyr. After our meeting, he started to refer to me as ‘Brother’.[/b]

Ojukwu as a Historian and a former colonial District Officer understood Nigeria, its history and administration better than most Nigerians.[b]He understood what was meant by Lugard’s divergent policy between the North and South. He understood what was meant by “a well conducted youth of the North” and a “Southern lady of means” which was and still is that the resources of the “Southern wife” must be used at the pleasure of the “Northern husband”. Ojukwu also understood that the colonial interest in post colonial Nigeria was designed to benefit the Northern oligarchy more than the rest of the country and therefore was in British interest to hand over power to them (the Hausa/Fulani) the weakest of the Big Three. Ojukwu understood the importance and effect of the intelligence community and the Arab mukhabarat. It was for these reasons among others that made him contest twice for the office of President. He recounted to me his encounter with Obasanjo after the correct result of the Presidential Election in the Eastern States published by the SSS side by side with the fake results were made public in 1999, Ojukwu told me that he took both results to see President Obasanjo and demanded that it be accepted that he, Ojukwu, won the election in the East and therefore he (Obasanjo) must see him (Ojukwu) as his equal with respect to matters concerning Nd’igbo. Obasanjo who was livid, shouted at him and said “who is your equal? Ojukwu then said that he was forced to remind Obasanjo that when he was a Colonel in the Nigerian Army, he (Obasanjo) was a Lieutenant and stormed out of the Villa to drive straight to Daura where he struck an alliance with Buhari.[/b]

Ojukwu also told me why he calls Obasanjo “Omo Oba”. This part of the story is for another day.

The meeting between Nd’igbo and Yoruba was eventually held in my office in Gbagada in 2004.

[b]I recalled this event recently at a public lecture organized by Chief Akande of ACN part of which reads:
“Permit me also to take this opportunity to correct the impression that Awolowo assured Odumegwu Ojukwu that if the East announced secession, the Yoruba would do the same. At a meeting held in my office in Gbagada as the Convener/National Co-ordinator of Ethnic Nationalities Movement of Nigeria (ENM), the first question the Afenifere led by Chief Abraham Adesanya accompanied by Olaniwun Ajayi, Ayo Adebanjo, Gani Dawodu and two others asked Ojukwu was why he came alone when it was agreed that each leader would come with five others. Ojukwu replied that as an Igbo man, the leader first tests the waters – cross the river before calling on others to follow him. Pa Adesanya asked Ojukwu to confirm what was discussed in this “one on one” meeting with Awolowo in Enugu before the declaration of Biafra and in particular to ascertain whether Awolowo assured or agreed that the West would secede with the East. Ojukwu’s answer was “Did you hear me comment when such nonsense was being peddled? We all understood him that no such assurance was given. It was General Gowon who said that Awolowo told him that if he allowed the Nd’igbo to secede, the Yoruba would follow. This shows, in my view, that Awolowo had faith in the union called Nigeria. These facts have been twisted to bring disaffection between the Yoruba and Nd’igbo.” The oligarchy’s agents among Nd’igbo and Yoruba were handsomely rewarded to peddle falsehood, Ojukwu told me later.”[/b]

Our friendship then became very strong and I felt very bad when he had his first stroke and when the second stroke came last year and he was flown to England I visited him in hospital in Reading in August 2011. It is ironic that on the morning of Saturday, November 26, before his death was announced midday, I had sent a text message to an Ijaw friend of mine to wit:Dear Prof. ACF say VP Sambo is the highest Northerner in Government. Meaning that President Jonathan is highest Ijaw as there is no South. This is divergent policy of Lord Lugard, which is “divide the South for the unity of the North”. Ijaws should not be used to divide the South, thereby the country. If there is no South, then there should be no North. If there is a North, then there must be a South. Fair is fair. Asemota SAN”

And he replied:

“Agreed. We shall work for that. Regards.”

Ojukwu and I held the view that it cannot be the “North” and “the rest of us other Nigerians” but all of us as Nigerians. Ojukwu understood, being a historian that Southern Nigeria (a Southern lady of means) was to serve the “well-conducted youth of the North” for some time. It would appear that the elites of the North wants this service to continue in perpetuity, treating the South as a wife whose dowry for the marriage having been paid by her must continue to slave for the husband. This situation, we both agreed, was responsible for the lack of unity in Nigeria, brought upon the country by orchestrated injustices. We both agreed that insecurity has developed into an industry and we needed to re-negotiate Nigeria after a Truth and Reconciliation Conference, as the events of the last 90 years could not be swept the under the carpet. Thereafter a National Conference for a Nigerian Constitution not one imposed on us by the colonialists and our erstwhile military masters.

To Nd`igbo, I extend my heartfelt sympathy and hope that the selection or election of a new leader will be devoid of rancour as Nd’igbo know that political parties, as presently constituted and the non provision of Independent Candidacy is the denial of political freedom and in such situation, political parties cannot be a substitute for ethnic and religious affiliations. To his dear wife Bianca and his children with Emeka as the head of the family, I extend my heartfelt sympathy. I hope the death of Ojukwu will cement the unity that existed in the Ojukwu family, Nd’igbo and, above all, Ethnic Nationalities including the three major Ethnic Nationalities - Hausa/Fulani, Nd’igbo and Yoruba who must begin to appreciate that the other 386 ethnic nationalities are also stakeholders in the Nigerian Project especially when 93% of the sustenance of Nigeria presently derives from these minorities. Wazobia is condescending and should be discarded permanently by all Nigerians for the unity of Nigeria as one Nation.


God bless Nigeria


Solomon Asemota SAN
National Co-ordinator
Ethnic Nationality Movement (ENM)

Most of the young officers who fought the war did not actually understood why they were fighting, especially on the federal side. They were made to believe that they were quashing a rebellion. And they fought with that impression.

that goes to show you that it was Nigeria that launch a war on biafra.Ojukwu only pulled out of Nigeria but the federal side in a bid to capture the eastern side launch a war on the biafra and Ojukwu had to defend his people from the aggressors.


History always have a way of vindicating people.am sad,at the same time glad all these revelations are coming out now,also with the present realities of Nigeria which have beencome more of a nightmare than a blessing.Shame on Nigeria Especially the whole north except (Benue,kogi, kwara )they are out biggest problem.the earlier we recognize it the better for use.


NIGERIA MUST SPLIT IF WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD.MAKE ALL MAN BARE EM PAPA NAME.

You must be a fool for starting such a disgusting thread.

let the igbo mourn their dead.it is not your business to tell weather to immortalize him or not.a word a enough for the wise.let the sleeping dog sleep even more than enough,don't forget you will die someday

There's no point opening this thread

GBAM!!nice display of maturity

“The issues he fought against are currently happening in the country where our people are killed at every opportunity. I am from Asaba and I can tell you that the area is almost a no-go area now.

I dare any non-igbo idiot to go to the east,rivers&delta and make any unwarranted statement (for all those deceiving themselves that Asaba/portharcoth is not igbo.please keep living in delusion.

Ye right! What a hogwash? Awo acknowledged the wrong against the ibos by the North. Yet he joined the North to sustain the wrong-doings 9 massacres and genocide) for a nation he called a geographical expression!If he knew all this thing why did he join Northern-led Nigerian government who took power all to dominate Nigeria? Why did he not reject Gowon's appointment and allow North and East to fight it out? Why did he not insist on Aburi Accord which would have addressed his statement that Nigeria was a "mere geographical expression"
You mean Awo accepted appointment with Gowon to sustain a "mere geographical expression" where the rest of tribes - including Yorubas will be dominated by the North.Awo was a tribalist and opportunist - l don't hold it against him! He chose to join the north and exploited the tragedy of the Ibos and the war to strategically enthrone Yorubas as the dominant tribe and reap the post-war political and economical spoils.


All the fools that are trying to reduce the atrocities Awolowo committed against Igbo to what he promised or not promised to Ojukwu. During the genocide awolowo called for total blockade of Biafra. He and Edwin Clark forced Gowon to use hunger and starvation to starve all Igbo children to death. Awolowo ordered his brother Colonel Adekunle to shoot down a Red Cross cargo plane carrying medicine at Eket near Calabar. The world was shocked by that mayhem which prompted Harod Wilson of Britain to undertake a PR mission because the war was about to turn against Nigeria for their atrocities. After the daily shooting war Awo dispossessed Igbo of money. He banned the importation of used clothes which Igbo people traded on to survive. He closed all western universities against Igbo students. The chancellor of Lagos university defied him and admitted qualified Igbo students. Where do I stop to enumerate the injustices meted on Igbo race?


As per the argument being advanced about who released Awo from the Calabar prison it is obvious that Ojukwu released him because the Gowon counter coup was not national and was never accepted by Ojukwu who was the military governor of the Eastern region.There was no way Gowon would have ordered the release of Awo when he was still fighting for legitimacy as far as the East was concerned. The northern coup was not national and more so the regions then were strictly under the control of the regional military governments.Awo was a big coward!! History will judge everyone!



it takes discerning or like minds to decipher what/how great minds reason? See below glimpses of Ikemba's person
*At 13, he slapped a colonial tutor for insulting a junior worker- A yoruba woman
* During Nzeogwu's revolution/coup (always mistaken as Igbo coup),he wasnt involved and played a major role to counter it and also encouraged the coupist to surrender
* His issue with Gowon and the counter coup led by TY Danjuma, Murtala Mohammed and co that toppled Aguiyi Ironsi- (An Igbo man )was professional- Allow the most senior military officer-Ironsi's deputy-A yoruba man (Babafemi Ogundipe) to take over and not Gowon who was several years their junior but obviously, the northern soldiers had their plans.
* When the massacre of the southerners started in the north, he guaranteed the safe return of northerners to their states by providing escorts
* He never waged a war but left in peace when the federals could not guarantee the safety of his people

pray and hope it dries up faster and earlier than that so that we can face d reality of life.


By the way.can water the ground dry up??Am ye to believe oil will dry up.it is God given just like day and night.

Hmmmmm!!! speechless

A cantankerous fete in the Kano State Government under the tutelage of Governor Kwankwaso appears on the heels of anarchy amidst ill conceived conspiracies unapologetically rocking the pillars of the administrative cabinet. This is as information available to 247ureports.com reveals all is not well with the Governor and his administration.

On the late Monday evening of September 26, 2011, an incident [assault] occurred in the Government House in Kano State that may change the face of Kwankwaso’s administration for the remainder of Kwankwaso’s tenure as governor. The governor was reported by credible sources to have verbally and physically assaulted one of his commissioners while at a closed door meeting with other inner caucus members of the administration. It took the intervention of the Chief of Staff and Perm Sec Special Services who prevailed on the Commissioner not to resign there and then.

Close associates of the governor who opened up to 247ureports.com express concerns over the governor of Kano State. They state that he may have reverted to old habits of hard drug abuse. In the words of one of the associates, “the man has sunk lower by resorting to hard drugs. Apart from the cannabis that he was known to indulge, the governor of the most populous state in Nigeria is on heroin and perhaps cocaine. He collapsed twice since his assumption as governor and it may perhaps explain why his Chief of Staff, Dr Yunusa Dangawani, whose only experience in life is having once served as an executive secretary at the state Health Services Management Board is ranked above all political appointees including the SSG, HOS and Kwankwaso’s deputy governor. He is an Urologist”.

According to information gathered, the assaulted Commissioner goes by the name Abdullahi Abbas, a cousin brother to the Central Bank of Nigeria [CBN] Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. Abbas oversees the affairs of the State Ministry of Environment. He is regarded as one of the fieriest critic of Shekarau administration and a major financier of the fanatical Kwankwasiya movement. He was an All Nigeria Peoples Party [ANPP] stalwart during Governor Kwankwaso’s first tenure. He had fallen out with Ibrahim Shekarau after his failed bid to see that Ibrahim Al-Amin Little emerged as ANPP’s flag-bearer prior to 2003 polls, in which Shekarau emerged victorious after trouncing the much maligned Kwankwaso.

Further inquiry indicates that Abbas had pitched his tent with Kwankwaso prior to the 2011 gubernatorial elections of 2011 and participated actively in the overall activities of Kwankwasiya [of which many observers believe was the Kwankwasiya movement as not a PDP movement], curiously promoting a fanatical political group bent on unleashing mayhem if they fail in their bid to clinch Kano. Sources cite the Kwankwasiya movement as a blood thirsty group – as they movement openly campaigned for violence and bloodshed against any group who would be a stumbling block to their desire to wrest Kano from the ANPP. Their main slogan, during their campaign a year before the 2011 gubernatorial elections was “Sabon Sarki, Sabon Gwamna“, meaning “New emir, new Governor” a euphuism for Kwankwaso’s plan to dethrone the Kano emir, ostensibly for supporting Ibrahim Shekarau in his pet project, a societal reorientation program: A daidaita Sahu.

Part of Kwankwaso’s present troubles is traced to the activities surrounding his controversial victory at the polls in 2011. Kwankwaso, according to his close associates, appointed many unqualified persons to his cabinet. “Most of them lacked the pedigree to question Kwankwaso as he is widely perceived to have disdain for criticism” – stated the close associate. The associate also noted that Kwankwaso’s appointment of Abbas as the Environment Commissioner struck a lone chord in that Abbas was considered “his own man” and not a “praise singer”, and that he normally speaks his mind and is not afraid to take a stand. Abbas is reported to be the only cabinet member that questions Kwankwaso on certain issues – and it was widely believed among cabinet that Abbas’ liberty at questioning Kwankwaso so freely was largely due to the supposed closeness between him and Governor.  One amongst the slew of questions raised by Abba was the promise by Kwankwaso to continue to pursue the agenda to remove the seating Monarch. At the time, Kwankwaso appeared happy and at ease with the manner the cabinet was sailing.

Then suddenly one evening, in a manner deemed abrupt and uncharacteristic, by keen observers of the Kano State government, Kwankwaso summoned his cabinet members to the government house. And then began a tongue lashing. Two of the Commissioners present told 247ureports.com that the Governor appeared “clearly stoned.  He accused all us as having a mindset of perfidy and that he would not tolerate any one of us who came in with the intent to steal. He insulted us and alleged that most of us were “jobless” and that he saved us by offering us to serve him [not the state]”.  And in Kwankwaso’s words, “most of you, look at you fools, are entertaining friends and relatives, in anticipation of making money in this government, I will not tolerate it. I will sting anybody who dares to challenge me on this“.

In a timely manner, the abrupt tongue lashing by Kwankwaso of his cabinet members brought to anchor the unraveling of the Kwankwaso’s administration.

Its symptoms began exhibiting outwardly with the flood of June 2011 which wrecked havoc on the hapless community of Feggae in Nassarawa Local Government Area [LGA] – where the Kwankwaso administration was reported to have responded unimpressively. Gov Kwankwaso then directed the Ministry of Environment to proffer advice and offer a palliative solution to the crisis – of which Abbas complied. The Environment Ministry drafted and submitted a plan to evacuate the drainages in the LGA of Nassarawa – with a cost appendage of N10million. But the Governor responded to slash the cost to N1million without discussions/consultations with the technical experts or the Commissioner.

Abbas became unhappy and somewhat disgruntled partly following the unprovoked tongue lashing by the governor. Abbas began considering abandoning the Kwankwaso administration when he discovered that he was not alone. In his brief interaction with the other cabinet members, he learnt that nearly all of the Commissioners were experiencing similar fate with the governor. The Commissioners who spoke to 247ureports.com revealed that all contractual submissions that are lucrative are reserved by the Chief of Staff of the Kano State Government, Dr Yunusa Dangawani, for the brother of the governor, Garba Musa Kwankwaso. As a result, the commissioners chose to stop forwarding their submissions with financial implication or suggesting any company to be considered.

Unrelenting in his “induced rage”, Kwankwaso announced the abrupt suspension of over 5,000 street cleaners without consulting with the Ministry of Environment – under the care of Abbas. This led to Kano streets being overtaken by refuse. Reports from Kano metropolis indicated that the public were angry as most of the “Yanshara” [street cleaners] were widows, poor and undeserving of the abrupt sacking. But a source close to Kwankwaso defended the governor’s actions stating that the street cleaners were suspiciously too many – and that the governor suspected foul-play so he decided to act to reorganized the street sweeping program. The associate indicated that Kwankwaso is determined to fight corruption in his government.

But the activities of Kwankwaso’s brother-in-law, Babangida Sule Garo poses a contradiction to the fight against corruption in the Kwankwaso administration. As investigations uncovered, Sule Garo has been having a field day as the Chairman of Sabon Gari Market [a lucrative South East majority Market]. Sule Garo recently sold the Market Union building at N54m while renting a N10m office along Sani Abacha Way. This is while reviewing upwards the tenement rent of Market shops, including that of First Bank of Nigeria, situated within the market without the knowledge of the Ministry of Commerce that oversees the affairs of the Markets in Kano. The Bank’s rent was increased from N950,000 to N5 million annually – and was asked to pay for five years upfront [N25 million]. The payment was made directly to the governor, sidelining the Commerce Commissioner, Hon. Danburan. [Danburan, a former Finbank employee, is said to be a wealthy business man who amassed tremendous wealth and splashed some on Kwankwasiya movement, financing most of the movement's illicit deals and sheepishly believing that Kwankwaso would reward him with finance ministry so that he can recoup his "investments" He was disappointed when given the Commerce Ministry, a Siberia of sort in Kano.]

Then came the altercation that followed between Kwankwaso and the Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero [see Kano State Gov, Dr. Kwankwaso & Vice President, Arc Sambo at war path – for a brief on the altercation]. Kwankwaso, acting under what his commissioners referred to as an “induced rage” ordered Abbas to issue a warning threat to the Emir through his father [Abbas] that the Emir risked being dethroned if he dare do the traditional Sallah ceremony. Abbas’ father, Alhaji Abbas Sanusi, seats as the Senior Councilor [Wambai] in the Kano Emirate Council. The altercation between Abbas’ boss and the Emir placed Abbas in a “Catch 22”. The emir defied Kwankwaso and to go ahead with the ceremony. Disaster was averted when eminent Nigerians cautioned Kwankwaso against plunging Kano into another crisis reminiscent of July 1980 rampage.

Clandestinely, the band of disgruntled cabinet members has since decided to join forces to fight the governor. Having decided to abandon the Kwankwaso administration, at a time deemed appropriate for maximum impact, they also have opened talks with the former governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau for possible collaboration. The disgruntled group, as our source reveals, feels emboldened by the dwindling fortune of Kwankwaso – his popularity rating is at its lowest, he is presently contending with what experts believe as an unwinnable trio of litigations, all capable of upturning the results of the April 2011 gubernatorial elections.

The disgruntled cabinet members are said to be increasing in number – to five [5] confirmed Commissioners and five [5] Special Advisors – with Abbas as their leader.

It is certain the State Governor, Kwankwaso finds himself in a precarious situation. He appears waging a battle against the Vice President of Nigeria, Arc Sambo, the former governor of Kano, Ibrahim Shekarau, the members of his cabinet – all within the first 120days in office. His close associate who have expressed fear over his return to drug abuse, indicate he has launched a battle against himself. They fear the unspoken may result if caution is thrown to the wind.

A cantankerous fete in the Kano State Government under the tutelage of Governor Kwankwaso appears on the heels of anarchy amidst ill conceived conspiracies unapologetically rocking the pillars of the administrative cabinet. This is as information available to 247ureports.com reveals all is not well with the Governor and his administration.

On the late Monday evening of September 26, 2011, an incident [assault] occurred in the Government House in Kano State that may change the face of Kwankwaso’s administration for the remainder of Kwankwaso’s tenure as governor. The governor was reported by credible sources to have verbally and physically assaulted one of his commissioners while at a closed door meeting with other inner caucus members of the administration. It took the intervention of the Chief of Staff and Perm Sec Special Services who prevailed on the Commissioner not to resign there and then.

Close associates of the governor who opened up to 247ureports.com express concerns over the governor of Kano State. They state that he may have reverted to old habits of hard drug abuse. In the words of one of the associates, “the man has sunk lower by resorting to hard drugs. Apart from the cannabis that he was known to indulge, the governor of the most populous state in Nigeria is on heroin and perhaps cocaine. He collapsed twice since his assumption as governor and it may perhaps explain why his Chief of Staff, Dr Yunusa Dangawani, whose only experience in life is having once served as an executive secretary at the state Health Services Management Board is ranked above all political appointees including the SSG, HOS and Kwankwaso’s deputy governor. He is an Urologist”.

According to information gathered, the assaulted Commissioner goes by the name Abdullahi Abbas, a cousin brother to the Central Bank of Nigeria [CBN] Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. Abbas oversees the affairs of the State Ministry of Environment. He is regarded as one of the fieriest critic of Shekarau administration and a major financier of the fanatical Kwankwasiya movement. He was an All Nigeria Peoples Party [ANPP] stalwart during Governor Kwankwaso’s first tenure. He had fallen out with Ibrahim Shekarau after his failed bid to see that Ibrahim Al-Amin Little emerged as ANPP’s flag-bearer prior to 2003 polls, in which Shekarau emerged victorious after trouncing the much maligned Kwankwaso.

Further inquiry indicates that Abbas had pitched his tent with Kwankwaso prior to the 2011 gubernatorial elections of 2011 and participated actively in the overall activities of Kwankwasiya [of which many observers believe was the Kwankwasiya movement as not a PDP movement], curiously promoting a fanatical political group bent on unleashing mayhem if they fail in their bid to clinch Kano. Sources cite the Kwankwasiya movement as a blood thirsty group – as they movement openly campaigned for violence and bloodshed against any group who would be a stumbling block to their desire to wrest Kano from the ANPP. Their main slogan, during their campaign a year before the 2011 gubernatorial elections was “Sabon Sarki, Sabon Gwamna“, meaning “New emir, new Governor” a euphuism for Kwankwaso’s plan to dethrone the Kano emir, ostensibly for supporting Ibrahim Shekarau in his pet project, a societal reorientation program: A daidaita Sahu.

Part of Kwankwaso’s present troubles is traced to the activities surrounding his controversial victory at the polls in 2011. Kwankwaso, according to his close associates, appointed many unqualified persons to his cabinet. “Most of them lacked the pedigree to question Kwankwaso as he is widely perceived to have disdain for criticism” – stated the close associate. The associate also noted that Kwankwaso’s appointment of Abbas as the Environment Commissioner struck a lone chord in that Abbas was considered “his own man” and not a “praise singer”, and that he normally speaks his mind and is not afraid to take a stand. Abbas is reported to be the only cabinet member that questions Kwankwaso on certain issues – and it was widely believed among cabinet that Abbas’ liberty at questioning Kwankwaso so freely was largely due to the supposed closeness between him and Governor. One amongst the slew of questions raised by Abba was the promise by Kwankwaso to continue to pursue the agenda to remove the seating Monarch. At the time, Kwankwaso appeared happy and at ease with the manner the cabinet was sailing.

Then suddenly one evening, in a manner deemed abrupt and uncharacteristic, by keen observers of the Kano State government, Kwankwaso summoned his cabinet members to the government house. And then began a tongue lashing. Two of the Commissioners present told 247ureports.com that the Governor appeared “clearly stoned. He accused all us as having a mindset of perfidy and that he would not tolerate any one of us who came in with the intent to steal. He insulted us and alleged that most of us were “jobless” and that he saved us by offering us to serve him [not the state]”. And in Kwankwaso’s words, “most of you, look at you fools, are entertaining friends and relatives, in anticipation of making money in this government, I will not tolerate it. I will sting anybody who dares to challenge me on this“.

In a timely manner, the abrupt tongue lashing by Kwankwaso of his cabinet members brought to anchor the unraveling of the Kwankwaso’s administration.

Its symptoms began exhibiting outwardly with the flood of June 2011 which wrecked havoc on the hapless community of Feggae in Nassarawa Local Government Area [LGA] – where the Kwankwaso administration was reported to have responded unimpressively. Gov Kwankwaso then directed the Ministry of Environment to proffer advice and offer a palliative solution to the crisis – of which Abbas complied. The Environment Ministry drafted and submitted a plan to evacuate the drainages in the LGA of Nassarawa – with a cost appendage of N10million. But the Governor responded to slash the cost to N1million without discussions/consultations with the technical experts or the Commissioner.

Abbas became unhappy and somewhat disgruntled partly following the unprovoked tongue lashing by the governor. Abbas began considering abandoning the Kwankwaso administration when he discovered that he was not alone. In his brief interaction with the other cabinet members, he learnt that nearly all of the Commissioners were experiencing similar fate with the governor. The Commissioners who spoke to 247ureports.com revealed that all contractual submissions that are lucrative are reserved by the Chief of Staff of the Kano State Government, Dr Yunusa Dangawani, for the brother of the governor, Garba Musa Kwankwaso. As a result, the commissioners chose to stop forwarding their submissions with financial implication or suggesting any company to be considered.

Unrelenting in his “induced rage”, Kwankwaso announced the abrupt suspension of over 5,000 street cleaners without consulting with the Ministry of Environment – under the care of Abbas. This led to Kano streets being overtaken by refuse. Reports from Kano metropolis indicated that the public were angry as most of the “Yanshara” [street cleaners] were widows, poor and undeserving of the abrupt sacking. But a source close to Kwankwaso defended the governor’s actions stating that the street cleaners were suspiciously too many – and that the governor suspected foul-play so he decided to act to reorganized the street sweeping program. The associate indicated that Kwankwaso is determined to fight corruption in his government.

But the activities of Kwankwaso’s brother-in-law, Babangida Sule Garo poses a contradiction to the fight against corruption in the Kwankwaso administration. As investigations uncovered, Sule Garo has been having a field day as the Chairman of Sabon Gari Market [a lucrative South East majority Market]. Sule Garo recently sold the Market Union building at N54m while renting a N10m office along Sani Abacha Way. This is while reviewing upwards the tenement rent of Market shops, including that of First Bank of Nigeria, situated within the market without the knowledge of the Ministry of Commerce that oversees the affairs of the Markets in Kano. The Bank’s rent was increased from N950,000 to N5 million annually – and was asked to pay for five years upfront [N25 million]. The payment was made directly to the governor, sidelining the Commerce Commissioner, Hon. Danburan. [Danburan, a former Finbank employee, is said to be a wealthy business man who amassed tremendous wealth and splashed some on Kwankwasiya movement, financing most of the movement's illicit deals and sheepishly believing that Kwankwaso would reward him with finance ministry so that he can recoup his "investments" He was disappointed when given the Commerce Ministry, a Siberia of sort in Kano.]

Then came the altercation that followed between Kwankwaso and the Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero [see Kano State Gov, Dr. Kwankwaso & Vice President, Arc Sambo at war path – for a brief on the altercation]. Kwankwaso, acting under what his commissioners referred to as an “induced rage” ordered Abbas to issue a warning threat to the Emir through his father [Abbas] that the Emir risked being dethroned if he dare do the traditional Sallah ceremony. Abbas’ father, Alhaji Abbas Sanusi, seats as the Senior Councilor [Wambai] in the Kano Emirate Council. The altercation between Abbas’ boss and the Emir placed Abbas in a “Catch 22”. The emir defied Kwankwaso and to go ahead with the ceremony. Disaster was averted when eminent Nigerians cautioned Kwankwaso against plunging Kano into another crisis reminiscent of July 1980 rampage.

Clandestinely, the band of disgruntled cabinet members has since decided to join forces to fight the governor. Having decided to abandon the Kwankwaso administration, at a time deemed appropriate for maximum impact, they also have opened talks with the former governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau for possible collaboration. The disgruntled group, as our source reveals, feels emboldened by the dwindling fortune of Kwankwaso – his popularity rating is at its lowest, he is presently contending with what experts believe as an unwinnable trio of litigations, all capable of upturning the results of the April 2011 gubernatorial elections.

The disgruntled cabinet members are said to be increasing in number – to five [5] confirmed Commissioners and five [5] Special Advisors – with Abbas as their leader.

It is certain the State Governor, Kwankwaso finds himself in a precarious situation. He appears waging a battle against the Vice President of Nigeria, Arc Sambo, the former governor of Kano, Ibrahim Shekarau, the members of his cabinet – all within the first 120days in office. His close associate who have expressed fear over his return to drug abuse, indicate he has launched a battle against himself. They fear the unspoken may result if caution is thrown to the wind.

To quote Kanye, that ish crazy, lol. Didn't know people were carrying their naija beef to Canada and such

lol

Well put, But i suppose you are talking of the Igbos outside not the ones on the internet

The ones on the internet keep calling the hausa/fulani blood thirty and the yorubas cowards

why ? Don't you think it gets annoying if someone keeps insulting your ethnic group ?

don't you think we should respect our ethnic groups even though it is on the internet ?

why your sudden change!!Nowadays i have noticed that you have suddenly became soft with you word.have to taken a resolution.but still i don't trust you cos you a a staunch IGBO hater.
Dont talk as if you are not one of those tribalist that spur tribal war. i don't blame the tribalist on NL.Cos it people like you that bring out the tribalist in them.by the way all man is always for himself and his people.if u like act like reasonable people it will never make me trust you and you blood sucking people.

"A man convinced against his will is still of his own opinion"so don come and act as if you have decided to be reasonably with issues. Agwor

HAHAhahahahahaha!!!!!I dey laugh big tym


maybe they are telling him he is the bigger fool!!OBJ must hear this

as for the yorubas it is understandable afterall they have muslims and i have never for once in my life heard yorubas killing the igbos in their land or even kill other tribes and religion in their land.they are not backward people like the sharia states.

New Biafra War:Canada-based Activist, Singer in War Of Words Over Ojukwu's

are you minding the harlot that is seeking attention?to hell with her i will not use her to judge the rest of yoruba cos i know allot of yorubas believe in him and his legacies

But the rate at which this "few igbos" are going, they'd end up making enemies out of every tribe in nigeria i tell u. And it will really be bad if people from these tribes come across some of their posts. From some rejoicing over the deaths in plateau (which the ignorantly forgot that even igbos have/are/can accrue casualties), to one who claim idoma people are dumb, to some who claim some niger deltans are lazy. Not forgetting their usual rants of "yorubas are cowards" "hausas are dirty and dumb". They are not doing any good for their people i tell u. Really sad.

Obviously you still maintain an ideology of hate and to prove a point that Northerners as a whole enjoy the death of Ojukwu.While you want to draw Sultan into it.Can you assure me that all other traditional rulers in the Southern and xtian kingdoms have all sent there condolence.Remind how many condolence Ojukwu (while alive) has sent northwards to late traditional rulers or any late Sultan?If you consider the religious side of it has CAN done so or is it your blind hate that rides you like crazy.
     Until now Northerners are still sending there condolences yet you say they pretend.Abeg you crazy fools can you just leave us alone.You guys just keep Judging us falsely and expect to be right.At this point i will ask you keep your sick mind to yourself.
      I see where you are going with this.You are full of hate and just want to create the impression that Ojukwu and the Igbos are hated by all northerners and Muslims.If not i don't see your point.You were told that  your friend maybe right or wrong.That your friend could be saying the truth but only valid to his immediate domain where he resides.why can't you as a human being pull your brain matter together and reason as one.To prove your point you are now asking why the sultan is yet to say anything.Jumping to a deceitful position and concluding that it could be for the reason he is a non-Muslim.What is wrong with you dude.Na by force say we must meet your profile.Why are you trying so hard?Is it the hate you have for Us?

You guys can denial it that you hate not just the Igbos you also hate the so called Muslim infidels(yoruba)&ND. We don't need to urge about it.

when i mean north i mean the sharia states(excluding the christian communities)

As for my brother from jos,the igbos don't hate you.be rest assured that the igbos are your best friends we don't hate you rather its painful to see that it was your brothers that was used by the jihadist to massacre the igbos.the igbo did not attack Nigeria.they only declared their own nation and your brothers invaded our land.am sure many igbos have forgiven you and maybe some have not but am very sure majority of the igbos don't have any problem with the good people of middle belt.In fact you guy are the best tribe in this country,just that you guys where blinded and you could not see who your real enemy was at the formative years of Nigeria and you allied with your enemy to commit genocide on the peace loving igbos.after all Gowon have come to apologies to the igbos.I can assure you,when ever you need us to help you fight your enemy, you can count on us.

I don't hate any tribe rather i dislike what Usman dan fodio let behind as his younger Generation.they say a bad tree will always bear bad fruit and that is what we are seeing today.The haramist and almarjiris.Bleep all of you.weather you like it or not,your region will never progress.insecurity,poor infrastructure, illiteracy,poverty,extremist and nepotism that is what you guys are all born with and so it shall be with you all.unless you seek forgiveness form Almighty God cos the blood of all the innocent children and woman that you guys murdered shall hunt you.Idiots

Good for him but he should remember that his brothers are suffering that is why dangote is the richest man in Africa but Bill get came all the way from United states to come Immunize his people.they need to help all those roaming Dogs on the road called almajiri and boko haram. and also leprosy, polio, bombing, illiteracy, almajirism, tes tse fly, poverty is alos very high which needs urgent attention.

Mortal Kombat Fatality

That is if he know what that means?why not suggest kunu haram fatality

Igbokwenu!!!!4 countries is too small, dey shud tour him thru out d whole world, lol

na wetin na??no b world death tour them dey do oooo.abeg make them do as them want but e must dey befitting

@namfav

Nwanne have mercy on the Hausa Muturu Ndama . . LMAO

Ewu kaya nma!!

Good for him but he should remember that his brothers are suffering like the same why dangote is the richest man in africa but Bill get came all the way from United states to come Immunize them.they need to help all those roaming Dogs on the rood called almajiri.

he truly was a great man.no doubt about that.you don't need NL to know that.am sure your father must have told more you about him

Am still waiting for what Sultan of sokoto will say.

he truly was a great man.no doubt about that.you don't need NL to know that.am sure your father must have told more you about him

Good for him.but he should remember that a weak naira is bad for our economy.Congrat all the way

A traitor to the grave

why u dey beaf?

in as much as am not going argue with anybody on this issue,at the same time am not going to dispute what am been told because there is a possibility that there was indeed jubilation.
BTW, jigawa is not the whole north.that you are based in the north maybe in kano,kaduna or sokoto, etc does not mean you know what is happening in other parts of the north particularly jigawa.also it may not be the whole jigawa but i can confirm to you that my friend told me that it was a thing of joy to hear that ojukwu is dead where he is staying in jigawa which means other parts of jigawa and probably the north in general maybe happy as well.don't be deceived by their politicians and leaders.

Also am yet to hear sultan's of sokoto's comment on Ojukwu's death.Don't forget they don't just see him as a breakaway leader,they also see him as a crusader.

am otta here

I repeat.i will not recant my post.By the way,why has sultan not made any comment on Ojukwu's death.because he is an infidel also shay? or a crusaders?Abeg you guys should stop deceiving yourselves.the more you act defensive toward my post the more i believe it is true.Deal with it.your leaders are happy.but i can promise you Somalia will soon be your resting place.Idiots

this almajiri boy,why are you always in a rush to comment on igbo trends.at least we have the money and a hero.do you have any?? IBB,ATIKU,BUHARI??BOKO IDIOT like you.

BY OUR REPORTERS

STATESMEN are usually given state burial but former Biafran Leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, will get more than that. His body will be flown to three African countries and one American country before the final burial in his Nnewi country home, according to his will.

Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, who gave the indication, yesterday, in Awka said that Odumegwu-Ojukwu listed where his body would be taken to before burial.

The countries are nations that supported the Biafran struggle and recognised Biafra as an independent state. They are Gabon, Tanzania, Ivory Coast and Haiti

At the end of the civil war, Ojukwu sought asylum in Ivory Coast from where he returned to Nigeria in 1982 when he was granted state pardon by former President Shehu Shagari

Obi who reiterated the determination of Nigerians to give the leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, a befitting burial, added that arrangements for the burial would soon be announced.

He said that government activities had been scaled down as a mark of respect for Ojukwu, adding that only very necessary activities would be taking place in the state.

Meanwhile, condolence registers have been opened in various places in Anambra State for people to record their feelings about the late Ikemba. An announcement in Awka named the places as the Government House, the state secretariat, the judiciary headquarters, the House of Assembly complex and all the 21 local government headquarters in the state

This came as the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, declared seven-day mourning and rain of tributes for the late Ikemba Nnewi continued to pour yesterday. Among those, who eulogised Ojukwu were General Olusegun Obasanjo, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, Chief Edwin Clark, Major-General Adeyinka Adebayo, Alhaji Yusuf Ali, Governor Gabriel Suswam, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC.

Ojukwu’s death marks the end of an era – Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who went down memory lane on his relationship with Ojukwu, said: “It is with deep sadness that I received the news of the demise of my friend and colleague. He and I were sub-lieutnants in the army at Nigeria’s independence in 1960. In a way, his death marks the end of an era in Nigeria.”

Obasanjo also reminisced over discussions he had with Ojukwu before the latter’s demise, noting that at several times, he discussed the possibility of an expression of remorse from Ojukwu “on the Nigerian civil war which in itself was a culmination of actions and reactions. I condole with his family and pray for the repose of his soul.”

MASSOB declares 7-day mourning

Declaring a seven-day mourning for Ojukwu, MASSOB Leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, said the mourning period would commence on December 1 during which Ndigbo all over the world were expected to offer prayers for the repose of Ojukwu’s soul in the bosom of the Lord.

He said: “Ojukwu’s death should not be used for politics. His death should be the basis for the unity of Ndigbo. We have to start the unity of Ndigbo from somewhere. With the death of Ojukwu the trouble of Ndigbo has come to an end. Let his death unite us rather that using it to play politics.”

I did not expect him to die now – Obi

Anambra State governor, Mr Peter Obi has said that he did not expect Ojukwu’s death on Saturday, noting that he was with the legendary Igbo leader the previous day. Obi, who was on President Goodluck Jonathan’s entourage to France for an investors’ forum said he had asked the president to permit him to break protocol so that he could go to London to see Ojukwu.

He said: “I spoke with him, he was fine. And I boarded a plane back to Nigeria. I was about boarding a plane to Enugu on arrival in Nigeria when I got a text message to the effect that Ojukwu had passed on. I now had to go in search of a flight back to London. I was not so lucky with BA but Virgin Atlantic did well although I had to pay a commission. So I got on that flight back to London. I just got back today.”

Our sun will never set—Chukwumerije

Senator Uche Chukwumerije in a tribute entitled ‘Our Sun Will Never Set’, said that Dim Ojukwu passionately believed in equity and justice, diligence and merit, mutual trust and con fraternal bond, as the veins and arteries of the Federation. He said: “No citizen of this Republic ever lived Nigerian so fully, spoke Nigerian so eloquently and embraced so fearlessly the path to Nigeria ’s greatness as Ojukwu. With iron will he defended these prerequisites not as lingua of governance and political rule but as the practical irreplaceable hinges of federal union. Eloquent in Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa and English he personified the feasibility of this oneness.”



He was a hero and father figure for Igbo – Okonjo-Iweala

The Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, described Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu as a symbol of the Igbo struggle for a better Nigeria and a revered father figure to his people who would be dearly missed. Noting that Ojukwu was a man who had the courage of his convictions, she said his example should serve as an inspiration for Nigerians to stand for what they believe in.

**An advocate of distributive equity – Oshiomhole

Governor Oshiomhole described Ojukwu as an advocate of distributive equity in the governance of the nation, lamenting that Nigeria had lost a major personality.

Oshiomhole said: “On behalf of the people and Government of Edo State, I wish to commiserate with you and the good people of Anambra State over the death of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. Given your personal and political proximity to the Ikemba, I can appreciate how much pain his demise has caused you and several others, who found inspiration in his aversion to the opportunistic politics of the “mainstream”.

He demonstrated uncommon statesmanship – Suswam

Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State said the death of Dim Odimegwu Ojukwu was coming at a time when Nigeria needed his wise counsel and wealth of experience in its journey to a full-fledged democracy.

He was a patriot — CJN

Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, yesterday, extended his condolence to the family of the late Ikemba of Nnewi, Ojukwu, describing him as a genuine patriot.

The CJN said: “Although the collapse of military esprit de corps and the failure of geo-politics regrettably resulted in Ojukwu taking up arms against his fatherland, his rebellion was no less motivated by patriotism than the action of patriots who rose to quell it was. Thus the post-war declaration of ‘no victor no vanquished’ was equally an affirmation of ‘no hero, no villain.”

He was voice for the voiceless—Clark

Also, former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark said the late Ojukwu was the voice for the voiceless who hated oppression and injustice. He also stated with Ojukwu’s demise, a vacuum which will be difficult to fill has been created.

Clark who described Ojukwu as a fine top military strategist noted that “by his death, a vacuum has been created which is difficult to fill.”

One of the best patriots Nigeria ever produced— NLC

Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, described the late Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, as one of the best patriots and nationalists Nigeria ever produced. The congress said in a statement by its Head of Information and Public Relations, Comrade Chris Uyot, that the late Odumegwu – Ojukwu lived and died fighting for a better Nigeria. It said: “The NLC received with shock and sadness, the news of the death of one of Nigeria’s most revered patriots, and statesmen, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu – Ojukwu who died after a protracted ailment in a London hospital on Saturday.”

His death has created a vacuum, says TUC

Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, said in Lagos that the death of Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, had created a vacuum that nobody could fill in Nigeria.

In a statement by its President and Secretary, Comrade Peter Esele and Chief John Kolawole, TUC said in Ojukwu’s death, Nigeria has lost another icon a week after the death of Alex Ibru with both statesmen affecting lives in different ways. It said: “By his death Nigeria has lost yet another icon a week after the death of Alex Ibru with both statesmen affecting lives in different ways. ”

He fought against injustice and oppression — YCE

The Yoruba Council of Elders, YCE, has described the late Chief Emeka Ojukwu as a man who fought against injustice and oppression of the people. Addressing a press conference in Lagos, yesterday, president of YCE, Major-General Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd) expressed sadness saying Nigeria lost Ojukwu at “this crucial time of our national development.”

Adebayo said: “Chief Ojukwu was a leader who devoted all his life to fight against injustices and oppressions. He was a man of strong principle who remained dedicated to his convictions until his last breadth. He was a political icon and a man greatly needed by many people to build and enhance their respective political influences.”

He was courageous— Akinyele

Former Minister of Information, Chief Alex Akinyele, described the late Ojukwu as courageous man who laid the foundation for the agitation of the minority interests in Nigeria. He told Vanguard yesterday, that contrary to the views of some people, Ojukwu was a true Nigerian who had the interest of the nation at heart.

He was a wonderful man — Yusuf Ali, former NFA boss

Similarly, former chairman of the Nigerian Football Association, NFA, Mr. Yusuf Ali described the late Biafran warlord, Chief Ojuwku as a man who always thought of how to better the lot of Nigerians. Ali who described Ojukwu as a wonderful man said: “I had so many interactions with Ojukwu and I found him a wonderful man, a man who loved Nigeria so much. He loved his people and always thinking about how Nigerians can prosper.”

where is that idiot Namfav mallam that said they don't rape in the north.