₦airaland Forum

WHY THE UNENDING ENVY BY INNOSON OWNER ?

• By Chukwuemerie Uduchukwu

It is very shameful that a man who claimed to be an industrialist and business mogul always delight in exhibiting pure hate and envy against his own brother who has contributed mostly as a private citizen to the development of his company. It is no longer a rumor that the CEO of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company, Chief Innocent Chukwuma is afraid of the rising profile of his brother Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah who is also the Senator representing him and other Anambra South constituents at the upper chamber of the National Assembly. This is shocking because a man who claims to be an industrialist is expected to work together with his representative at government but rather than doing so, he delights in exhibiting all kinds of hate against the Senator.

It is important to note that as a private citizen, Senator Ubah was the biggest customer of Innoson company despite the fact that his company products lack parts and proper service centers which make the products difficult to maintain as confirmed in the attached pictures. However, instead of reciprocating the patronage he received with necessary supports, the Innoson Boss regularly delight in blackmailing the Senator using his brother Chief Gabriel Chukwuma popularly known as Gabros and a gutter press known as Anaedo Online which he manages with the name of his Company’s Media Officer Cornel Osigwe.

In a recent interview with Anaedo Online, the CEO of the defunct Gabros Football Club, Chief Gabriel Chukwuma claimed that an Appeal Court has vacated an injunction restraining him from entering the Ifeanyi Ubah International Stadium and that consequently, he is now the rightful owner of the stadium. He also claimed that Senator Ubah duped him and forcefully collected the land where the stadium was located. In the interview, the defunct Gabros FC boss also boasted that stakeholders have already decided on who will take over governance from Chief Willie Obiano and that Senator Ubah will never win if he contests. He also said that Senator Ubah is yet to inform him personally that he will be contesting the 2021 Anambra State Governorship Election. The most funny thing is that he (Gabros) wasn’t able to produce the court document that vacated the said injunction as he claimed, maybe someone needs to remind him that telling lies against a court of law is a serious crime that can put him behind bars. He should also always remember that Chief Obinna Uzor was too pompous like him until he found himself behind bars for telling lies against a court of law and forging court documents.

Furthermore, on the claim that he was duped and his land forcefully collected from him, the defunct Gabros boss should understand that it is sub judice since the matter is still before a court of competent jurisdiction, therefore I won’t discuss it here and he should be cautious of what he discusses in the media before he sends himself to jail. Also, saying that stakeholders have already concluded on who will be the next Anambra Governor and that Senator Ubah has not personally informed him that he will be contesting the election is not only funny considering the fact that he cannot even win an election in his ward, but is also an undemocratic utterance, maybe he was trying to tell ndị Anambra that his infinitesimal and non influential group have concluded plans to take over voting from the people.

Looking at the baseless claims of Chief Gabriel Chukwuma, it is easy to understand that he is broke and needs financial bailout, no wonder why he forwarded copies of documents that appeared to be gamble notes to the whatsapp platform of Nzukora Nnewi recently (see attached pictures). Gabros as he is fondly called should simply plead with Senator Ubah to assist him with some money instead of hiding under the petty tricks of his brother, Chief Innocent Chukwuma to utter rubbish.

After his brother played his script on Anaedo Online, the CEO of Innoson Vehicles Chief Innocent Chukwuma went online through his image maker Cornel Osigwe to post a stale video in a bid to paint his Senator black and cause some rift between friends of the Senator and those of Coscharis Boss, Dr. Cosmas Maduka forgetting the fact that Coscharis remains a good friend of Senator Ubah. In fact, Dr. Cosmas Maduka is not only Senator Ubah’s friend but also a member of Anambra Progressives, a group of patriotic high profile Nigerians convened by the Senator and has donated millions of naira to the group to support their cause. Also, it is important to note that the Innoson Boss has refused to join the Progressives and contribute to the development of his hometown and the state at large. If Innoson’s mouthpiece is wise enough, he wouldn’t have engaged in such propaganda overdrive and cheap blackmail.

Moreover, the fact that Anaedo Online always refuse to get Senator Ubah’s official response to every baseless accusation made against him by the Chukwuma Brothers and failure of the Innoson Boss to caution Mr. Cornel speaks volume of the company's biased principles and confirmed the fact that every rubbish published by the online medium against Senator Ubah was the handwork of the Innoson Boss.

Chief Innocent Chukwuma and Chief Gabriel Chukwuma should spend their time thinking on how to at least, contribute to the development of their hometown Nnewi instead of having sleepless nights over the rising profile of their brother Senator Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah. They should be happy that he is their Senator and presently, possesses overwhelming capacity to win the 2021 Anambra Governorship Election. The Chukwuma Brothers should also utilize their time in fashioning out ways of giving employment to the youths instead of inciting them against their brother and Senator. It is very unfortunate that Innoson boasts of situating his vehicle manufacturing business in Nnewi but cannot boast of how many Nnewi or Anambra indigenes that work in the company, if a check on the employees of the company is conducted, one will be shocked to see that it’s personnel department sidelined ndị Nnewi and Anambra at large. In fact, it is even doubtful that majority of its employees are Nigerians.

The Innoson boss should also always try to separate his personal bitterness with his company. It is so unethical and unprofessional to engage the official image maker of his company in Anambra Politics and baseless propaganda. By using his company’s media unit to push his selfish agenda and by deleting comments criticizing it’s unprofessionalism including my comments after I exposed their lies on Facebook confirmed how greedy he is. The Company’s Media Officer, Cornel Osigwe also blocked me. Recall that the Innoson boss falsely claimed through same media unit of his company sometime ago that he has taken over Guarantee Trust Bank, a claim that was not only baseless but confirmed how naive he is.

The love ndị Nnewi and ụmụ ọma Anambra State have for Senator Ifeanyi Ubah is not a magic. It was because of his giant efforts towards human capital and community development. Therefore, instead of envying him, the Chukwuma Brothers should join hands with him and develop Anambra South, and the state at large . They should also emulate him and embark on real human capital development instead of chasing shadows.

Picture 1: Innocent Chukwuma

Picture 2: Gabriel Chukwuma

There are 8,132 people on France’s security watchlist for persons suspected of terrorist leanings, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Monday.
Working out which people on the list were at risk of actually attempting acts of terrorism was a “very difficult and delicate task,” Darmanin acknowledged.

France suffered a series of major Islamist attacks in 2015 and 2016, mostly claimed by the Islamic State extremist group, which cost the lives of more than 230 people.

Darmanin’s comments come two days before the trial of 14 people accused of links to the first attacks, in January 2015, in which 17 people were killed.

The suspects face various charges, including terrorist conspiracy and complicity in murder, related to the attacks on satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, a kosher supermarket, and police officers.

Darmanin said Islamist extremists, such as the Islamic State group, remained the main terrorist threat in France, although there were also worrying signs of far-right activity.

In recent months, he said, suspects appeared to be acting more often on their own initiative rather than in concert with Islamic State, which last year lost the last territory it controlled in Syria.

The minister said that 61 planned attacks had been foiled by French authorities since 2013, including 32 since 2017.

Authorities were preparing for the release of persons convicted of less serious terrorist offences, of whom 45 are due to be freed this year and another 63 in 2021, he said.


https://www.inform.ng/post/8000-people-on-terror-watchlist-in-france

I believe that Glo is a network we can trust
https://www.gloworld.com/ng/personal/data/data-plans/

Glo Introduces Mega Data Plans

Good times are here for businesses and individuals who desire heavy and affordable data plans for their internet needs as Globacom has introduced a package to address such requirements.

The company said that the plans, called Glo Mega Data, are meant for Home Broadband users such as Small Office Home Office (SOHO) and SME customers as well as high-end customers who have the need for higher data benefits with longer validity periods.

The plans are for N30,000, N36,000, N50,000, N60,000, N75,000 and N100,000, while the data validity ranges from 30 days to one year.

“With the Covid-19 situation, millions of people rely on the internet to work or study from home, carry out most business and social transactions, hold meetings, seminars, religious worship, among other activities. We have introduced this package to cater to such heavy data users”, Globacom said.

A breakdown of the offer shows that the N30,000 plan gives the subscriber 225GB with a validity of 30 days, while the N36,000 plan gives 300GB and also has 30 days’ validity.

The N50,000 plan comes with 425GB and is valid for 90 days, just as a subscriber who opts for the N60,000 pack will get 525GB of data valid for 120 days.

Similarly, the N75,000 package gives the customer 675GB with 120 days’ validity, while the biggest plan in the offer, the N100,000 plan, gives an unbelievable 1Terabyte of data valid for one full year.

“These fantastic data plans are available for both existing and new Glo subscribers”, the company stated, adding that the plans are auto-renewable and can be gifted or shared with others on the Glo network as the subscriber desires.

Glo, which pride itself as the grandmasters of data also explained that the Mega Data packs could be used on any compatible device such as handsets, modems and routers.

The company advised customers wishing to subscribe to dial *777# for plan menu and select “Super Mega Plans” and then choose the plan of choice. The plans can also be purchased at https://www.hsi.gloworld.com/ng/

See https://www.gloworld.com/ng/personal/data/data-plans/ for more details

The Northern Governors Forum has congratulated Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi, over his election victory at the Supreme Court.

The Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau, Simon Lalong, congratulated Bello in a message by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham, on Monday in Jos.

Lalong said Bello’s victory was an affirmation of the mandate Kogi people entrusted on him, which he should work hard to justify.

“The Supreme Court judgment affirming your election victory gives you an opportunity to settle down to serve your people and fulfill their aspirations without any distraction.

“The people have already reposed their confidence in you and are looking up to you for the dividends of democracy,” he said.

Lalong assured Bello that members of the Forum would continue to support him to ensure his success.

He also called on the people of Kogi to support the governor and put behind political, religious and ethnic differences, in order to create the enabling environment for Bello’s administration to fulfill its mandate.

He urged Bello to continue his commitment in the task of finding solutions to the challenges of the region and the nation at large.



https://www.inform.ng/post/northern-governors-congratulate-bello-on-supreme-court-victory

Betsy Obaseki

Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki has for the first time openly spoken on the absence of children in her home and chided those who have used the issue to make politics.

She described such people as lacking understanding of the times and seasons that are in the hands of God.

 

Mrs. Obaseki spoke on the issue at the weekend when answering a question during a zoom meeting.

Responding to a question from a caller based in Britain on not having her biological children, Mrs. Obaseki said:





“I hear some people saying all sorts of things about us but I know nobody in his right senses would make jest of people who do not have their own children, but my advice for those in my shoes is to ignore them and focus on God.

“Children are a gift from God, so one must be patient with God and I really don’t mind what humans are saying as I know I have many children here in Edo to care for as the wife of the governor.

“On the other hand, I will advise proper check-up and do other things as advised by medical experts, do all medical investigations, but you know at times everything is right with you and it’s not just coming but that is when you actually need to hope on God”.

“You could try many other ways like IVS etc, but at times they don’t work, but you must be calm, relax and leave everything to God. For me, I’m very busy here in Edo, especially with my husband being the Governor, we have more than enough children here in Edo to care about and I really pity those mocking us. They don’t understand the issues of life”.

She noted that her husband has placed high premium on women empowerment programmes in Edo State, saying over 400 women were already part of government at different capacities.

“My husband has absolute confidence in Edo women, he has always talked about their loyalty and trustworthiness that is why he has over 400 of them in his government at different levels and he has always praised them for putting up excellent performances in their position,” she said.



https://www.inform.ng/post/you-are-not-god-obaseki-wife-slams-opposition-for-mocking-her-with-childlessness

The Kogi State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accepted the verdict of the Supreme Court which upheld the victory of Alhaji Yahaya Bello as Governor of Kogi State.

The party also paid tribute to its flag bearer, Engr. Musa Wada and his running mate, Hon. Sam Aro.



Reacting to Monday’s Supreme Court’s ruling, the PDP in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Bode Ogunmola, said while it accepts in good faith the ruling of the Apex Court, it leaves the final judgement in the hands of God.

The statement said while the higher court in the land has given its verdict, the PDP has no choice than to accept it.

The statement appreciated the resilience of members and the teeming supporters of the party.

It also appreciated the Legal Team of the party and paid tribute to all those who either died, got maimed or injured during the election.

Concluding, the party said: “We thank God for the grace and the courage to go this far. We believe that He has the ultimate say.”

It could be recalled that the apex court on Monday disagreed with the appeal filed by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the Kogi Governorship Election, Musa Wada.



Mr Wada had claimed that the election held on November 16, 2019, was riddled with serious electoral infractions; rigging and over-voting, and that Governor Bello didn’t secure the highest number of votes

https://www.inform.ng/post/kogi-pdp-accepts-supreme-court-verdict-leaves-final-judgement-to-god

Cool, lovely, beautiful

The Jos Electricity Distribution Plc (JED) has commenced mass metering of its customers, the company’s Head, Corporate Communications, Dr Friday Elijah, has said.

Elijah disclosed in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Jos that the company had the capacity to meter every resident of the city.

“People who want to be metered should go to any of the JED offices to apply for one.

“Once applicants make the necessary payment, installation will be made within 10 days of payment.

“We are here to serve you and if there are issues of any form concerning metering, we encourage our customers to report to us,” he said.

He, however, warned people to desist from illegal connection and vandalising the company’s property.

The official said some offenders had already been prosecuted, and warned that any one caught would be punished accordingly.


https://www.inform.ng/post/mass-metering-begins-in-jos

What a confused op

The National Park Service and National Environmental Standards and Regulatory Enforcement Agency (NESREA) have warned against the consumption of bushmeat.

The Conservator of Park (CP), Dr Abdulrahman Mohammed, disclosed this on the sidelines of a sensitisation campaign to Gosa Market, Airport Road, in Abuja.

The two agencies had embarked on joint sensitisation campaign against bushmeat consumption to some markets in the FCT

Mohammed said the purpose of the campaign was to educate people on zoonotic disease, especially the vendors of bushmeat on the dangers it posed to the heath of humans.

He said zoonoses is a disease that could be transmitted from animal to humans and vice versa.

Mohammed said there were many zoonotic diseases that originate from wildlife, that is the bushmeat people consume, such as tuberculosis, Ebola and currently Corona Virus had been traced to wildlife.

“The main objective of our outing is to sensitise the public to the significance of zoonoses.

“It is a disease that can be transmitted from man to animal or animal to human and to some extent they have been traced to bushmeat.

“We are here to educate the public, those that are into it, the vendors of bushmeat to avoid it.

“We said we should come to those joints and spots to educate them because the hunters just kill these animals and the lifeless bodies are brought in for them, and they bought.

“Before they process for selling, the vendors are the first contact and the disease is spread through contact and the disease keeps spreading from humans to even domestic animals. So that is why we are here.”

He said the campaign would be continuous and the first target was Kuje and Abuja Municipal Area Councils.

Mohammed, however, said funding was needed to continue to support the exercise.

He advised the general public to avoid buying bushmeat as the best option to avoid the disease.

“As I said they should avoid buying the bushmeat, like I said to the vendors.

“The best option is to avoid it, that is my best advice to the public.

A Bushmeat seller, Madame Christiana , who spoke with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) thanked the organisers of the programme and promised to abide by the rules.

“What I will do is to abide by the rules . If I want to buy the bushmeat I will know how to buy it as they have enlightened us.

“I will tell my customers to obey the social distancing when they come to buy.”

Mr Josiah Goni, Chairman of the market, thanked the the National park and NESREA, adding that he was impressed with the programme.

Goni noted that many of the traders did not believe there is coronavirus, saying “but I am sure they have learnt today that it is real.”

He said he would further sensitise other traders that the virus is real and they should comply with the safety guidelines.


https://www.inform.ng/post/fg-agency-warns-nigeria-to-stop-consuming-bushmeat

Karma Agagowei, Councilor representing Ward 6 Sagbama Council Area of Bayelsa State, has died from gunshot, InformNG reports.

InformNG reports that Agagowei was attacked by gunmen along Opolo while returning from a People’s Democractic Party (PDP) ward congress on Saturday night.

Agagowei was taken to two different hospitals, Gloryland Hospital and Federal Medical Centre, Yenogoa, but was allegedly denied treatment for lack of a police report.

He died shortly afterwards.

InformNG reports that another person, who was with Agagowei at the time of the incident, was attacked with machetes by the hoodlums but fled with the injury.

When contacted, Spokesperson for the police in Bayelsa, SP Asinim Butswat, said the command had not been briefed on the incident.

https://www.inform.ng/post/gunmen-kill-serving-councillor-in-bayelsa

Lionel Messi did not attend a pre-season medical with FC Barcelona on Sunday, a Barca club source has confirmed.

This is the last latest development, following his shock announcement on Tuesday that he wants to leave the club.

Reuters footage showed players arriving for coronavirus tests on Sunday morning and Messi did not appear.

He had been due at FC Barcelona’s training ground at 10:15 a.m. local time.

Players had been given staggered appointments throughout the morning until midday.

Media reports on Saturday said Argentine Messi would not undergo a pre-season medical or attend training on Monday.

The 33-year-old six-times world player of the year informed his lifelong club on Tuesday he wished to leave immediately.

His request plunged Barca into new turmoil less than two weeks after their humiliating 8-2 UEFA Champions League quarter-final defeat by Bayern Munich.

Messi’s lawyers plan to invoke a clause in his four-year contract, signed in 2017.

The clause in the contract which expires in 2021 would have allowed the forward to leave the club for free if he had requested it by June 10.

They will argue that that date —- nominally the end of the season —- is now irrelevant after the coronavirus delays which led to the season’s extension and the team playing deep into August.

Under the terms of the contract, the only way Messi can leave without the club’s consent is if another club pays his release clause of 700 million euros (833 million dollars).

https://www.inform.ng/post/messi-shuns-barcelonas-pre-season-medical

edochie12:
In igboland,onowu is the traditional prime minister,or is second in command to the king,onowu is a great title in igboland,congrat sir.

Very correct

Members of Igbo speaking community in Lagos have double reasons to celebrate as High Chief Obi Fredrick was crowned as the new Onowu Indigbo, while Evangelist Ken Ebenizer Obioma received certificate of return as the new Youth Leader of Igbo Community in Lagos.

Evangelist Obioma received his certificate from Hon.Jude Idimogu, the member representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency state constituency in Lagos State House of Assembly, and Dr Jonathan Nnaji, the Chairman of the board.

The event was hosted by His Royal Majesty, Eze Dr. O.C Anomneze at the palace of Eze Ojiofor Ndigbo

The colorful event also witnessed the inauguration of executives of other members of the Igbo apex union, which was attended by prominent Igbo personalities within and outside the state.

https://www.inform.ng/post/igbo-community-in-lagos-get-new-onowu

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF AN EMERGENCY CONGRESS OF THE CROSS RIVER STATE COUNCIL OF THE NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ) HELD ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2020 AT THE ERNEST ETIM BASSEY PRESS CENTRE, CALABAR

Arising from the recent outburst from the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode with the Cross River State Correspondent of Daily Trust Newspaper, Mr. Eyo Charles during an illegal press conference organized by the Cross River State Government, on Thursday, August 20, 2020 and subsequent reaction from deferent segments of the society, the Cross River State Council of NUJ held an emergency congress to appraised the various issues that emerged from that event.

Accordingly, after exhaustive deliberations and contributions from members the Congress hereby resolves as follows:



1. Congress condemns the verbal insult and abuse from FFK and noted that such words could only come out of the lips of a frustrated, immature, bankrupt, irresponsible and unsteady mind and accordingly blacklisted the former Minister of Aviation from all media activities in the State.

2. Congress further blacklists the Government of Cross River State from any media coverage by all members of Nigeria Union of Journalist in the State for organizing an illegal press conference thereby creating a platform for FFK to abuse and insult a journalist, Mr. Eyo Charles of the Daily Trust Newspaper.

3. It mandated the State Council to immediately communicate in writing to all media organisations to withdraw their correspondents from Government House and stop them from covering or reporting any activity of the State Government until the issue is resolved.

4. Congress restates it’s total support for and stand with the Daily Trust Correspondent, Eyo Charles on the question that resulted to the unprovoked outburst.

5. Congress also directs that the State Council to issue warning letters to members who attended the press conference and did not do anything to protect their colleague after which each of them is to individually write an apology letter through the State Council to the National Leadership of the Union with a firm promise never to violet the rules and regulations guiding the Journalism practice.

6. Congress hereby resolve that henceforth all press briefings by any individual(s), public or private organizations must be held at the NUJ Press Centre, unless as maybe directed by the State Council.

7. It warned that any journalist that organizes or attends any press briefing not approved by the State Council shall be sanctioned.

8. In line with NEC resolution on the proscription of beats, Congress directs the immediate proscription of the illegally operated Cross River State Government House Press Corps.

9. Congress hereby thanks the National Leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalist, Management of Daily Trust Newspaper, Civil Societies, Community Based and Faith-based Organisations, religious leaders, members of local and international organisations, groups and individuals for defending the truth.

Richard Ndoma Oka Ibor

Chairman State Secretary, NUJ

Communiqué drafting Committee

Victor Udu

State Chairman, NUJ

https://www.inform.ng/post/criver-nuj-blacklist-state-govt-calls-ffk-frustrated-and-immature

Ten children have been killed in a lightning strike while sheltering from a storm during a football game in northern Uganda, police said on Friday.

The boys, aged 11 to 16, had been sheltering from a storm in a makeshift structure in Arua city, northwest of the capital Kampala on Thursday, police spokeswoman Josephine Angucia told dpa.

“These are young boys who had been playing football when rain began to fall and lightning struck them,” Angucia said.

The children, were sheltering from the rain in a grass-thatched house when the lightning struck Thursday evening.

Police said“ they had been playing soccer in a nearby field.” Four other children were injured.

“Relatives have been picking up the bodies from the mortuary since yesterday and the burials are taking place from today,” she added.

Angucia said “Deadly lightning is commonly reported in the East African country during the wet seasons, urging children to avoid playing in the rain.”

The football pitches are usually within or near schools.

It’s advisable for schools to fix lightning arrestors so that we offer protection to our children,” she said.

Uganda National Meteorological Authority recently warned of enhanced rainfall.

Coupled with floods, thunderstorms and lightning over several parts of the country that could lead to a loss of lives and property.

https://www.inform.ng/post/tears-as-lightning-kills-10-children-playing-football

A businesswoman, Morufat Giwa, on Friday prayed a Customary Court in Mapo, Ibadan, to grant her request for divorce and save her from husband, Kamardeen and his children.

Giwa said:”I filed the suit for divorce to have a breathing space from my husband who is cruel to me.

”Kamardeen and his children from his first wife have terrorsied me enough. My husband ran down my business.

“‘He has stolen from me and his children sold my car without my permission and knowledge.

“He has abandoned the two children I had for him. He is stingy. He only gives them N20 a day as their daily upkeep.

“I moved out of his move house because he has a wicked heart”.

She alleged that he traced her new location and set all her belongings ablaze in protest.

Kamardeen, a retired teacher, consented to the suit, but denied some of the allegations leveled against him, describing his wife as a devil in reincarnate.

”The two children she brought from her former marriage are the major problem in their matrimonial home. They steal. They are my headache.

“It is true that my children beat her up and it is because Morufat stripped me naked during an argument and she nearly killed me that day.

“My son and I never sold her car. The truth of the matter is that Morufat joined our daily contributory group and we gave her the contribution due to her at the end,” he said.

Delivering judgment, Chief Ademola Odunade, the President of the court dissolved the 12- year-old marriage.

Odunade held that he dissolve the union in order to forestall any action that might result in blood shed.

He therefore awarded custody of the two children to the plaintiff and ordered the defendant to pay N10,000 as the children’s monthly feeding allowance. (NAN)

https://www.inform.ng/post/businesswoman-begs-court-to-save-her-from-husband-children

The Nigeria Union of Journalists- NUJ condemns the gangster-like outburst by Chief Femi Fani Kayode against the Cross River State Correspondent of the Daily Trust Newspaper, Eyo Charles who asked him a simple question which he felt was embarrassing.


In his reaction, Kayode assaulted the journalist and threatened him for daring to ask such a question.


By denigrating the journalist, Fani Kayode has exposed himself the more as an intolerant and unstable person who will not want his activities closely scrutinised by the Media.
It is instructive to remind the likes of Fani Kayode that it is the Constitutional right of Journalists to monitor and keep a check on people and institutions in power.


By delving into politics and holding political office, Fani Kayode is very conversant
with the watchdog role of the media.


For him to have embarked on assessment of projects in some states, even though we are yet to be told under what platform, he is doing so, it is proper for the media to hold him to account for his actions and decisions.


His reaction was totally unacceptable, dishonourable and reprehensible and we demand for retraction of his untoward, irritating and awkward utterances which negate simple decorum and civility.


We are more shocked that the same Kayode who had in recent times, used his social media handles to call leaders to account is at the same time attacking a Journalist for a simple demand for him to unmask those behind his nationwide tour. He had already visited six states. This is indeed, terribly disappointing.

Chris Isiguzo
NUJ President


https://www.inform.ng/post/assault-on-journalist-fani-kayode-is-uncultured-a-disappointment-nuj

Baawaa:
Atiku will now be vice president

Him no big pass VP

OPEN LETTER TO MY COMRADES AT ALL ATIKU SUPPORT GROUPS
25-08-2020

Dear Comrades,

2023: Southeast Presidency Is The Noble Agenda

I am not unaware that some of you are worried over my decision to advocate for a credible man from the Southeast geopolitical zone to emerge as the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

I am also not unaware that some of you, my comrades, still hold the conviction that His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President of Nigeria, who we all supported for the office of the Nigeria President during the 2019 general election, still hold the magic wand to win the 2023 Presidential election in Nigeria.

Although, I also share in the view that the Wazirin Adamawa possesses the charisma, leadership qualities and political will to make Nigeria great, it is unfortunate that the issues of 2023 Presidential election are about Equity, Justice, Fairness.

You may recall that since the Fourth Republic in 1999, Nigeria has been practicing an unwritten rotational arrangement between Northern and Southern Nigeria. The South, through Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a Yoruba man of Southwest geopolitical zone, presided over the affairs of Nigeria for 8 years between 1999 and 2007. Penultimate to the conclusion of Chief Obasanjo's last days in office, the entire country elected Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'adua, a Fulani man from the North as his successor for a tenure of four years that could be renewed the second time after the expiration of the 4-year term; unfortunately, Alhaji Yar'adua demised three years into his first term.

Upon his demise, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, a native of South South zone and the deputy of Umaru Yar'adua, was subsequently elevated to the position of President, and he held the position for a period of five years. Although Dr Jonathan sought reelection in 2015, his bid was rejected by Nigerian electorates due to the consensus among the populace that the North should be allowed to produce a candidate for the office instead.

The collective decision of Nigerian electorates led to the victory of General Muhammadu Buhari in 2015. President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, was declared winner of the Presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and his victory affirmed by the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court - even though field results pointed to the victory of our amiable principal, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (GCON).

By the year 2023 when President Buhari will conclude his Presidential tenures of 8 years, it is expected that power returns to the South in line with the spirit of the unwritten rotational arrangement; and the Southeast, being a marginalised zone and the only geopolitical zone in the southern region that is yet to produce the President of Nigeria, is naturally expected to produce the successor of President Buhari.

It is unfortunate that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, although loved by many, is not a native of the Southeast, neither did he hail from any part of the Southern region. It will amount to gross injustice, unfairness and inequity for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar or any other Northerner to be supported to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari, their own kinsman.

It is based on this fact that I, alongside other well meaning Nigerians, are advocating for a credible aspirant of Southeast extraction to emerge as the President of Nigeria and succeed President Buhari in 2023.

May I add that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is a well respected elder statesman in every right. However, he can write his name in gold as the father of modern Nigeria by joining the advocacy for Southeast 2023 project. He has the political goodwill and financial might to help the Southeast and other well-meaning Nigerians to actualise this noble cause.

Furthermore, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar can endorse Mr. Peter Obi, the immediate past governor of Anambra state and his running mate during the 2019 poll, to run for the office of the President of Nigeria in 2023 and actualize their blueprint for Nigeria.

Finally, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has always displayed leadership and sacrifices for better Nigeria. He should see 2023 as a noble task for the actualisation of the Southeast PRESIDENCY. This task when actualized, would provide the platform to address all the various agitations and injustice in the Southeast geopolitical zone.

May Nigeria flourish in our lifetime.

Sign:
Mazi Dickson Nnamdi-Iroegbu (DGN)
for Southeast Presidency Project 2023.

https://www.inform.ng/post/2023-supprt-peter-obi-and-write-your-name-in-gold-mazi-iroegbu-tells-atiku

Derailer:
If Anarchy had a human face, it'll be Ize-Iyamu's

What OshiomhOLE is overseeing in Edo will come back to bite him in the sphincter.

Spits.

Oshiomole is a violent man

Video Speaks more than billion words...



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4W3Rms-Iu4

First I must say this, I am a Nigerlite, I am a keen observer of political happenings in the state, In fact an active participant.

So I speak with the tune of an authority on happenings in the state.

Some persons who clearly have ran out of reasons and ideas have dusted an old line that has since been abandoned using a willing tool called The Whistlers to publish a story titled, “How bribes were paid through Omale, BDC Operator see link: https://thewhistler.ng/exclusive-magu-how-bribes-were-paid-through-omale-bdc-operator/

I read the whole story, but I am very conversant with aspect where Liman Kantigi was mentioned, it reads:

“A former Chairman of the Niger State Pilgrims’ Agency, Liman Kantigi, who was being investigated by the EFCC for allegedly misappropriating funds during his tenure at the agency, also allegedly paid N200 million bribe to Magu through Shanono. Kantigi, through his company, Sadiq Air Travels, allegedly transferred N200 million into the Access Bank Account of Shanono’s company, the panel report said. Weeks before paying the alleged bribe, the EFCC was said to have traced N4 billion to two Guaranty Trust Bank accounts linked to Kantigi.” The whistlers alleged.

To start with, Liman Kantigi was NEVER Chairman of Niger State Pilgrims’Welfare board, Never!

The Sponsors were likely in a hurry otherwise a little check or a call would have saved them their integrity of running a fake news site aimed at tarnishing people’s image.

I think the media House gave itself away cheaply.

Secondly, Liman Kantigi NEVER has anything do with funds “found” in an account with GTBank, anything, I mean! The issue of funds “found” in banks was succinctly exhausted through a forfeiture suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Suit Number FHC/ABJ/CS/359/17.

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Abuja had this to say in his ruling on the 25th April, 2018.

“Exhibits EFCC9 and EFCC10, as proof of the claim that the funds are abandoned and unclaimed. A look at Exhibit EFCC9 shows that it cannot assist the Applicant because Exhibit EFCC9 speaks of the bank account over which the said Alhaji- Liman Katingi disclaimed ownership of funds in, as an account in the name of "Liman and companies” whereas the entities subject of the present proceedings are "Katah Property And Investment Ltd", and "Sadiq Air Travel Agency Ltd". Exhibit EFCC10, though mentioning Sadiq Air Travel Agency Ltd only speaks to a sum of N2Billion in an account, whereas the subject proceedings is over the total sum of N6BiiIion. In any event, both Exhibits EFCC9 and EFCC10, while very salacious and sensational, are of dubious evidential value. See RNHW v. Sama (1991) 12 NWLR (Pt. 171) 14 at 77; Zamani Lekwot v. Judicial Tribunal (1997) 8 NWLR (Pt. 515) 22 at 35. They cannot stand in the face of the entities themselves, Katah Property And Investment Ltd, and Sadiq Air Travel Agency Ltd, coming out openly in court to assert claims over those funds as they have done in this proceedings, following the publication of a Notice of an intended permanent forfeiture to the Federal Government.

In brief, having reviewed all that the Applicant, the EFCC, provided by way Of evidence, and the claims that they have made, I do not believe that the application that the funds be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government, I REFUSE IT”

Take note of the last words, “I Refuse it”

The Judgment was clearly delivered in favor of the account owners which didn’t include Liman Kantigi, in any way, How then would Liman Kantigi bribe Magu through one Shanono in a case he is not party to?

It is obvious from the the above that someone or some people are daggers drawn and sworn to their oracle that Liman Kantigi’s blood must be spilled using a compromised section of the media.

I think the Media needs to self regulate otherwise in no distant time, usurpers will take over the space, peddling fake news, injuring reputations and dragging the noble profession of journalism in the mud.

Saidu Ibrahim Abdullahi,
Current affairs analyst writes from Minna, Niger State.

RE - PUTTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT, THE WAY NOT TO BE A CHIZA.

We have read with dismay the infantile, hypocritical, after thought reaction of Umar Garba Chiza, the caretaker committee chairman of PDP Niger State. Chiza’s reaction to the well intended National Working Committee solicited intervention of Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom In the “Family Feud” that has bedeviled Niger, Nasarawa and Plateau states’ PDP.

Governor Ortom never on his own “jumped” into the matters as Chiza is wont to speculate, his leadership and wisdom was sought as the leader of the party in the North Central after the National Working Committee specifically went to Makurdi Government House, to plead with him to intercede

Chiza seems to be talking before he thinks, how could Chiza of all people, say Governor Samuel Ortom’s intervention lacks backing of the National Working Committee?

As though that is not enough, Chiza himself, sent out the Invitation for the meetings with a template clearly given to Governor Ortom by the National Working Committee. See sample invitation from Chiza:

“MEETING WiTH HIS EXCELLENCY THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF BENUE STATE SAMUEL ORTOM.
I write under the directive of the State Caretaker Chairman Alh Umar Garba Chiza to invite you to a Meeting with the above Captioned Schedule as follows:. 1.Date: Friday 21st August 2020. 2.Venue: Benue State Governor's Logde Asokoro Abuja.
3.Time:7.00Pm.
Please Strictly on Invitation. Thank you. Signed.
Hon Jibrin Ndagi.
Director Admin.
For the State Caretaker Chairman PDP Niger State.”

It is laughable too, for Chiza to claim lopsidedness in the Iist of attendees, when the invitation was based on a template which consist of all Serving, Former elected and selected appointees who are still members of the party.

If all party candidates, party appointees, party Executives and party elders are what Chiza referred to as lopsided, he must be expecting APC members to balance the list.

Similarly, Chiza at the Governor Ortom’s Chaired meeting said, the stakeholders have no confidence in him, knowing that is the situation, why does Chiza and his team want to hang on if not for Malicious, Mischievous intent to abort a transparent congress.

We in Niger are Proud of the statesmanly role Played by Governor Ortom, Senator Phillip Aduda, The north Central Executives and especially the Zonal Vice Chairman Mr. Theophilous Daka Sham.

We call on the National Working Committee to immediately without any delay implement the decisions taken for the three states as the decisions were unanimously endorsed and accepted without any dissent.

Any action outside that, means there is a voice of Jacob and hand of Essau aimed at destroying the PDP in the north central states of Nigeria.

Signed:
Bello Ibrahim,
PDP Media Unit,
Niger State.

Good afternoon Gentlemen of the Press.

NATIONAL PRESS CONFERENCE OFTHR NATI O.NAL WORKING COMMITTEE , ADVANCED NIGERIA DEMOCRATIC PARTY, ANDP HELD ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 22 , 2020.

There is an urgent need to address the press and put records straight in respect of the participation of the ANDP in the Bayelsa Gubernatorial Election held on the 16th of November 2019 and the position of the party on the outcome of the election petition tribunal delivered on the 16th of August 2020.

THE GAMUT OF THE MATTER:

The Bayelsa State Election Petitions Tribunal nullified the election of the Bayelsa Gubernatorial elections and ordered for a fresh election within 90 days from the date of judgement.

I Mr. James Pere Femowei esq , current National Chairman of the Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party , ANDP, was the National Legal Adviser of the party until 8th December 2018.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT SITUATION OF ANDP:

1. The purported Chairman of ANDP Chief Barrister Charles Ogboli who has been parading himself as the Chairman of the party had been expelled from the party since the 8th day of December 2018. Reasons for this expulsion are well documented in a report submitted to the Election and Party Monitoring ( EPM ) Unit of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC on the 12th of December 2018.

2. Therefore Chief Charles Ogboli has no platform on which he could challenge a well constituted gubernatorial elections held in Bayelsa and even exercise the temerity to address the press as he had done in the last few days on AIT on 17th and 18th April 2020.

3. In fact Gentlemen of the Press, Chief Ogboli does not have the Locus to sue on behalf of ANDP having been constitutionality expelled by a comfortable 2/3 majority of Members of the National Executive Council of the party , guided by the Party constitution and which action was known to INEC.


4. Suffice to say that Chief Charles Ogboli did not contest his expulsion at that time and until date has not done so.

5. ANDP Bayelsa State did not present any candidate for the purpose of contesting November 16, 2019 Governorship election, as it had earlier adopted Senator Douye Diri of the PDP.

6. The NWC or State Exco did not attend any purported ANDP primary in Bayelsa before the election. How, where, when, which and how was the primary held without the involvement of the Party organs in the State? Barrister Ogboli should thus produce the list of members who attended the primaries, or, INEC can equally produce the attendance list of the National Working Committee members and the State Exco who were present at the ANDP primaries.

7. It is instructive to note that the purported ANDP candidate and the presumed deputy withdrew from the suit when the full extent of the charade was brought to their notice. Why Chief Ogboli is maintaining this solo course of deception is open to your interpretation.

8. The NWC is responsible for conducting primary elections at states and local government levels. At no time did the NWC of the party mandate Chief Ogboli to field candidates for the Bayelsa Election since he had been rightly expelled for several acts of gross misconduct, including using a knife to threaten the National Party Secretary Hon. Quadiri A.S. Kehinde and physically fighting the ANDP Director of NGO and Volunteers. Ogboli descended below the standard befitting the status of the Chairman of a political party in Nigeria.

9. It is also on record that Chief Ogboli, before his expulsion blatantly refused to inaugurate the main party organs insisting that the ANDP was his for keeps with his wife as Director and signatory to the Party account, running ANDP as a family business, an act that is in violation of the constitutional provisions of our great Party, hence ANDP never operated as a party immediately after receiving the Certificate of Registration on the 16th of August 2018 and up to the 8th of December of the same year, when he was officially relieved of his Chairmanship position through very constitutional means.

The National Executive Council, NEC, the National Working Committee, NWC, the board of Trustees, BOT and some other sensitive bodies were consequently inaugurated immediately after his expulsion by the NEC.

Thus we wish to state emphatically that:

* The ANDP as a party did not field any candidate for the Governorship elections in Bayelsa State.
* ANDP Bayelsa State did not sue INEC, PDP nor Governor Douye Diri
* ANDP National did not sue INEC, PDP nor Governor Douye Diri


It is our avowed intention to be joined in the suit and raise preliminary objections to the locus of Chief Ogboli to have filed the suit in the first instance.


Please permit me and indeed the authentic members of this great party to state that our action in calling this all important Press Conference is not an act borne out of malice, but to refute the unquantifiable falsehood being fed the public through the media. FAKE NEWS IS A CRIME.


We have therefore taken a conscientious decision to redeem the GOLDEN image of this great Party with its unique logo, the Whistle, no doubt the precursor of this current administration’s WHISTLE BLOWING POLICY. We therefore urge the security agencies to immediately apprehend this imposter in the interest of peace, law and order.

GOD BLESS ANDP
GOD BLESS OUR DEMOCRACY
GOD BLESS THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

Hon. James Pere Femowei, Esq, National Chairman

Hon. Quadri-Adu S. Kehinde, National Secretary

https://www.inform.ng/post/andp-nwc-faults-tribunal-ruling-on-bayelsa-insist-on-senator-diri-as-adopted-candidate

Former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Prof. Kolapo Olusola Eleka, has described a write up being circulated on Social Media, insinuating a crack in the political family of former Governor Ayodele Fayose, as figment of the imagination of the writers.

In a statement in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, Prof. Eleka, who said he remained "an unrepentant Osoko political disciple and a member of the Osoko Political Assembly," added that his unwavering commitment and loyalty which has its root in the fear of God was not in doubt regardless of tales targeted to create division by the rumor mongers.

"It is worthy to note without ambiguity that I belong to Ayo Fayose Political Assembly which was recently inaugurated; my unwavering commitment and loyalty which has its root in the fear of God is not in doubt regardless of tales targeted to create division by the rumor mongers. I participated fully in the inauguration of Osoko PDP Political Assembly on Friday at Afao Ekiti which is one of it kinds in the history of PDP in Ekiti.

"It is misplaced and unfounded that Fayose whom I enjoyed his total support against all odds could extort me according to the statement."

Fayose had said recently that “On Ekiti Agenda we stand. Any other agenda is self serving and negates our collective interest and fair representation; it is always sponsored by weak and narrow minded politicians and driven by political extortionist. No to south agenda.”

Writer of the fictitious write up had capitalised on this statement, insinuating that it was directed at the former deputy governor.

However, Prof Eleka wondered if those he described as "disgruntled elements masquerading as PDP members, but are more of APC" were bereft of knowledge to comprehend what Fayose meant.

"Even before my boss, Fayose cleared the air on his statement which was not targeted at genuine aspiration of any of our members irrespective of his or her senatorial district, it has always been my belief that Ekiti is one and must be treated as such.

"Although there are legitimate agitations from the south senatorial district for equal representation, this should not necessarily be the only yardstick for determining who will be the governor of Ekiti. Any governorship candidate must enjoy wide support of people and stout acceptability across the state regardless of his constituency.

"It is also very important to note that no former or serving Ekiti Governor has started his electioneering campaigns with zonal agenda. Electoral qualities such as viability, general acceptability and popularity are preeminent among the factors that will determine the victory of any contestant."

Speaking further, the University Don said; "It is imperative to note that there is no division of any form in Osoko political family. First, I am and have always been an unrepentant member of the Osoko dynasty. Secondly, I enjoyed Fayose’s support and confidence when I was his deputy and he is still my boss.

"As his deputy and confidant, I have knowledge of some, if not most of the challenges facing education sector in Ekiti state. He gave me the opportunity to revitalize the education sector which resulted in the first position Ekiti made in NECO/SSCE.

"Through his quest for egalitarian society, I have dedicated aspect of my productive life to human development, to the study of ways the incoming generations and Nigeria at large can witness a rebirth.

"I therefore admonish those behind the write up to desist from spewing balderdash in their futile attempt to create division in the PDP and Osoko Political Family. They should rather engage themselves in productive issues which will be of great importance to their lives, Ekiti State and Nigeria."

https://www.inform.ng/post/i-am-eternally-loyal-to-fayose-eleka-ex-ekiti-deputy-governor

Lawyers write NBA to stop Gov El-Rufai from addressing NBA Conference, give reasons.

18 August, 2020

Prof Koyinsola Ajayi, SAN
Chair, Technical Committee on Conference Planning (TCCP)
Nigerian Bar Association, NBA
CBD, Abuja

REQUEST TO WITHDRAW THE OFFER OF PLATFORM AT THE 2020 ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION TO MALLAM NASIR EL-RUFAI

We are a collective of lawyers enrolled to practice in Nigeria and have duly subscribed for our Practicing Fees in 2020. We have learnt that the TCCP under your leadership has chosen to invite Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State, as a headline speaker to address the 60th Anniversary Annual Conference of our beloved Association. We regret that our Association, whose Motto is “Promoting the Rule of Law” extended this invitation to a man who represents the very anti-thesis of what we profess to defend. We, therefore, write as members of the NBA and citizens of Nigeria to request that this invitation should be withdrawn. We set out our reasons below.

As you may know, at the end of June 2020, Civic Media Lab, which monitors mortality in Nigeria’s many security crises, declared Kaduna State, which is governed by Mallam El-Rufai, as “the most dangerous state in Nigeria.” As recorded by the organization, Kaduna’s “record of 493 persons killed between January and June, is higher than the reported deaths in the Boko qHaram/ISWAP terrorised territories of Borno; 290, Adamawa; 37 and Yobe; 5.” As at today, Southern Kaduna is the most active site of massacres and mass atrocities in Nigeria. Despite this, when the Governor met with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna on 17 August, Governor El-Rufai dismissed the atrocities going on in Southern Kaduna as “media hype”. The previous day, on 16 August, he informed Seun Okinbaloye on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” programme, that he had been unable to visit the sites of atrocity in Southern Kaduna nor extend empathy to the victims because of COVID-19. However, not having found time to show up for victims of mass killings in his own state, on 8 August, Governor el-Rufai found time to travel to Benin-City for the flag-off of the Campaign of his party in the Edo State Governorship elections. Apparently, COVID-19 did not preclude that.


In April 2020, Bello El-Rufai, Governor El-Rufai’s son, who is also himself a special adviser to the Senator representing Kaduna Central in the Senate, Uba Sani, threatened another citizen who had criticized his father, the governor, with the gang-rape of the person’s mother. When Samuel Ogundipe, a journalist with Premium Times, reported the episode, Bello El-Rufai, parlaying his filial propinquity to a powerful governor, threatened to arrest or disappear Mr. Ogundipe.


In the run-up to the 2019 General Election in Nigeria, Governor El-Rufai infamously threatened foreign observers that they would “go back in body bags” if they reported what he or his ruling party did not like. He suffered no consequences.


As you may know, on 9 December 2019, Quartz Africa named Governor El-Rufai at the head of a “powerful” group of Nigerian state governors who “now regularly use security agents to arrest & intimidate journalists & activists who dare to question their actions or attempt to hold them accountable.” One of the most prominent victims of this is University lecturer, Abubakar Idris, better known as Dadiyata, who was abducted from the gate of his house in Barnawa, Kaduna, on 1 August 2019 and has not been seen since then. At 10:16 Hours on 23 December 2019, one of Governor El-Rufai’s sons, Bashir, issued a tweet gloating over the disappearance of Dadiyata, in which he signed off with the line “Dangerous lines in the public space have consequences.” The Kaduna State government has not much acted as if the disappearance of Dadiyata is of much concern to it.


Many other critics of Governor El-Rufai have been luckier, but only because they ended up in prison or detention. These include university lecturer Dr. John Danfulani. Digital activist, Stephen Kefason, was abducted from his home in Rivers State on the orders of Governor El-Rufai and detained for over five months. Luka Biniyat, journalist with Vanguard Newspaper, was also detained and, at the instance of Governor El-Rufai, fired from his job for writing a report the Governor didn’t like. The same thing happened to Segun Onibiyo, another journalist with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN.
A major focus of the intolerance of Mallam El-Rufai has been lawyers and the legal profession. In 2016, when he was visited by the then President of the Nigerian Bar, A.B. Mahmoud, SAN, Governor El-Rufai threatened to the NBA President to abduct Kaduna lawyer, Ms. Gloria Ballason, because she had criticized him in a news article, a perfectly lawful act of exercising constitutionally protected speech. Ms. Ballason sued to protect her rights and in May 2017, secured a judgment of the High Court of Kaduna State, which found that the Governor had indeed violated her rights. The High Court awarded also damages against the Governor. He refused to pay up. Instead, he instigated another round of violations of the rights of Ms. Ballason, instructing the Kaduna State Police Command to blockade her law office in Kaduna at the end of 2019. In July 2020, the High Court of Kaduna State presided over by Honorable Justice Hannatu Balogun again found Governor El-Rufai and the Police in Kaduna State under his direction, in violation of the right of Ms. Ballason to practice her vocation as a lawyer. The High Court specifically found that they had violated the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.


As the proceedings were pending in February 2017 in Ms. Ballason’s case, Governor El-Rufai arranged to abduct one of her clients, Audu Maikori, from Lagos. Mr. Maikori, himself a lawyer of some distinction, was transported to Kaduna on the orders of Mallam El-Rufai, where he was detained and tortured, first at the police before being sent into detention. Both the High Court and the Court of Appeal have found that the conduct of the Governor constituted egregious violations of the laws and the constitution. There is presently pending an award of N10.5 million against the Governor for the violations inflicted on Audu Maikori. Governor El-Rufai will not comply or pay up.


On the eve of the presidential elections in February 2019, Mallam El-Rufai took to the television to announce on 15 February 2019, that “66 Fulanis” had been massacred in an Adara settlement in Kajuru Local Government Area in Southern Kaduna. The Police as well as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), denied that any such incident happened. When Dr. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, one of our leading members and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, challenged Mallam El-Rufai to provide proof of his claims, the governor sought to procure his abduction with an order in a case that did not have a suit number.

You may argue that it is a good thing to offer Mallam El-Rufai the platform of the #NBAAGC2020 so that he may be subjected to some examination by the participants. However, as you can see, those who have criticized him so far, many of them well placed members of our Association, have suffered untold persecution from Mallam El-Rufai or his family. When these members of our Association fought for their freedom and against their own persecution by Mallam El-Rufai, neither the NBA nor its leadership showed up. If you ask our members to criticize him now, will you protect them when Mallam El-Rufai levies his inevitable retribution and persecution or will you offer us all balaclavas so that we will ask him question with our faces fully covered?!


We have set these out factually because we do not wish to be presumptuous. This then is the person that you have decided to elevate and offer a platform at the biggest gathering in defence of the rule of law in Africa. As Governor, Mallam El-Rufai has shown no regard for the rule of law, for human rights or for human beings. He has been reckless in his utterances, hubristic in his outlook and irresponsible with power. Offering him the platform of the NBA Annual General Conference 2020 is reward for misrule.
Recall that in 2018, this very platform was given to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and he used it to advance an agenda that is against the motto of the Nigerian Bar Association when he asserted thatb”Rule of Law must bow before National Security. That is still a very bad stain on the image of the Nigerian Bar even now. Let us not repeat such a reckless mistake as this is even potentially worse


This is why we have chosen to appeal to your professional conscience with a factually founded letter to withdraw this invitation that brings our cherished Association into irremediable disrepute. We hope that you will find our correspondence worthy of your time and our prayers deserving of your attention. If, however, it is the preference of the TCCP, to disregard our very reasonable request, we will take steps to make you and your conference popular and join you in ensuring that the Conference under your leadership enjoys maximum disrepute.
Yours sincerely

Silas Joseph Onu Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, Ph.D
CONVENER CO-CONVENER

CC: Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, Chair, Board of Trustees, NBA
Olumide Akpata, President-Elect, NBA

https://www.inform.ng/post/nba-agm-read-the-petition-that-nailed-elrufai

Pastor Blessing Iginla who cried out for help alleging domestic violence meted on her by her husband, Prophet Precious Iginla has said her husband has apologised to her.

Pastor Iginla released a video calling on human rights organisations to come to her aid to leave her six year old marriage to the senior pastor of Prophetic Fire Embassy International located in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.

In her video which went viral, Pastor iginla alleged that Prophet Iginla does not care for her well-being and hat of their two children aged 5 and 3. She disclosed he starves them and beats her. According to her, Prophet Iginla even tried to strangle her on one occasion.


On Saturday, August 22, 2020, the couple released a joint video assuring the general public that they have settled their issues and are working on their marriage.


Pastor Iginla revealed her husband has apologised and she no longer wants out of the marriage.

Prophet Precious Iginla is the younger brother of Prophet Joshua Iginla who is the senior pastor of Champions Royal Assembly, also known as City of Wonders in Abuja.

Watch the video below:


https://www.inform.ng/post/pastor-iginlas-wife-makes-new-video-says-she-has-reconciled-with-husband

Watch Video



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lwxnVwjUbw

One question which Dr Reuben Abati is often asked by many is why he chose to accept to run for Governorship with late Senator Buruji in 2015. This is because both men belong to two ends of the pole. Dr. Abati is intellectual to the core with a PhD in his kitty, while Senator Buruji Kashamu was a grassroots politician and mobiliser who was streetwise. Little did many know that what looked like a misnomer was why Kashamu picked on Dr. Reuben Abati to run with him.

Last week, Dr Reuben Abati told how he was picked to run with Senator Kashamu and why he gladly accepted.

What was the attraction at that time to accept to run with Kashamu? “First of all let me say that we are all politicians. As citizens, we are all interested in what happens to the Nigerian state. There are people who sit in their houses and expect that they will be invited to come and join politics. That won’t happen. Nobody will write you a letter of invitation to come and join politics. We have to make that clear.




I was part of the Progressive Youth Movement with Akin Oshuntokun, The Fagbayi sisters, Femi Fani Kayode, Lamido Sanusi who later became an Emir, with many of our colleagues at that time when we formed the Progressive Youth Movement of Nigeria and our objective then was to involve young people in Politics.




And one of our 1st major resolutions was that nobody was coming to invite you to join politics. You have to show interest. I showed interest. That is why I am not apologetic about being interested in Nigerian politics because even the people who tell you, no I don’t want to do politics are lieing. One way or the other they are involved. They make comments, they observe, they vote.

So, when I was invited to come and be running mate to Senator Buruji Kashamu, I had no qualms because I was coming from 2 directions- (1) I had shown interest in Nigerian politics through our Progressive Action Movement (PAM) as it was called then and (2) Also through my service with President Goodluck Jonathan as his Special Adviser. So, it wasn’t an issue for me.

In any case when I was invited, I was invited for balancing. You know in politics there is balancing. When I was invited I felt comfortable because I had known Senator Kashamu. I had a relationship with him when I was in office. So when he invited me and I went to him, he brought out a list. He said, look, there is a list of 15 persons. You were not even originally on the list but your people from Ogun Central said you are the person they want, that they thought it is Reuben Abati that should represent Ogun Central, which is the Abeokuta Constituency and he said it was convenient for him because I know Abati. It is not as if you are recommending a stranger to me. He is somebody I know very well and he just wanted to know whether I was interested, whether I will like to do. 

I said yes. It will be a great pleasure to grow at this level.

And he said you know, I know you very well. The people who recommended you didn’t know you are my person. He said I just told them yes, yes, yes, I know Abati. He made a phone call and we met. And that was how we started.

We had great dreams. We were determined to make a difference. His position was that he will use his entrepreneurial skills. At all our campaigns, he will tell people, look, you know I am a successful businessman. I have done very well with real estate, hospitality business across West Africa, not just even in Nigeria and I will like to replicate that in Ogun State. He used to say Abati, the nitty-gritty of it, you and other people will face it. My own is to make sure I transform the state. He was really determined to transform.

But you know we had peculiar challenges. The party was divided right down the middle. There were legal cases in courts. There was an objection to the party at the National level. Most of that, for personal reasons, some persons who had interacted with him politically were simply afraid of him. Because he was a very formidable man. He had courage. He had financial power. He had a very intimidating Grassroot mobilisation structure with his Omo Ilu Foundation. In politics, people ger easily intimidated particularly if you have a combination of Economic and Financial Power with Political Influence and you combine that with a towering personality and an intimidating grassroots support, combined with the kind of unexplainable street wisdom that Buruji Kashamu demonstrated. So, even if he did not offend anybody, he will pick up enemies. When they needed him, they used him, for their own purpose. When he decided that he wanted to use those skills for himself and for the people of Ogun State, they opposed him.

We lost the elections because there were too many 5th Columnists within the house and there were formidable opponents outside.




https://www.inform.ng/post/why-i-accepted-to-run-with-kashamu-abati

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has received an award from the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) for outstanding performance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Commission’s chief executive officer, Babatunde Irukera, received the award certificate, tagged Extra Mile Award, signed by the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, CON at its head office in Abuja.


The certificate stated that the “Extra Mile Award is presented to Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) for outstanding performance as a member of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment Committee on Sustainable Production/Delivery of Essential Commodities during the COVID-19 pandemic”.


In a similar vein, the Permanent Secretary, FMITI, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, mni in a letter to FCCPC, signed on behalf of the Honourable Minister, emphasised that FCCPC’s “exemplary dedication, commitment and loyalty in the service of our fatherland will remain indelible.”

It would be recalled that in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria, the Commission announced on February 28, 2020, that it had become aware that “certain suppliers and retailers are taking undue advantage of citizens and engaging in unconscionable trade practices with respect to basic safety and protective apparel such as face masks and latex gloves, as well as personal hygiene products like sanitisers and anti-bacterial wipes, because the products are relevant and necessary in preventing infection or spread of COVID-19.”


The Commission cautioned that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) empowered it to address such abuses, and advised businesses to operate within the law or risk consequences, which may include criminal prosecution.

In March 2020, Jumia Nigeria delisted 390 products belonging to 168 sellers of hand sanitisers and face masks from its online platform on account of FCCPC’s warning that sellers who engaged in price gouging and arbitrary increases in prices of protective and hygiene products would be prosecuted.

In June 2020, FCCPC arraigned four major pharmacies and supermarkets at the Federal High Court, Abuja for allegedly taking advantage of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country to increase the prices of key hygiene products, contrary to law.

In the midst of the COVID-19 lockdown, FCCPC sealed Med Contour cosmetic surgery clinic in Lagos, following an open investigation, on reasonable suspicion of illegal activities, and in an abundance of caution and consumer safety, pending further inquiry. This culminated in the arraignment of Dr. Anu Adepoju, doctor in charge, and Med Contour Clinic at the Federal High Court, Lagos, in July 2020, under criminal charges of failure to appear and provide information relevant to FCCPC’s investigation.

Further to its surveillance and work to prevent unjust, unreasonable, exploitative or unscrupulous conduct by businesses during the period, FCCPC set up a COVID-19 response team and created a dedicated platform through which it received information and complaints or intelligence.

The Commission busted a number of companies in the course of its surveillance and enforcement operations, including FarEast Mercantile Company and Apples and Pears Ltd, in whose warehouses it uncovered large quantities of expired products.


ON JUNE 30,2020 FCCPC operatives, led by the CEO, Babatunde Irukera, made an unscheduled visit to Fareast Merchantile Ltd, Idu, Abuja.
As part of its continuing oversight and in response to multiple social media posts about what appeared to be excessive and imprudent pricing of potentially vital medication, Hydroxychloroquine, that is perceived or presented as efficacious therapy in addressing COVID-19, FCCPC conducted simultaneous on-site investigations on Ebus and Avis Pharmacy, both in Port-Harcourt, multiple locations of Health Plus Limited in Lagos and Abuja, Tonia Pharmacy, H-Medix, and New Health pharmacies, all in Abuja on August 4, 2020.


FCCPC Enforcement Team at Apples & Pears Ltd
In some of the targets of the investigation, which is ongoing, FCCPC discovered what appeared to be inconsistent pricing of Hydroxychloroquine and other products that are considered relevant to managing COVID-19, with most being sold at margins between 66% and 89%.

In the period under review, the Commission also prioritised key competition and consumer protection issues related to and arising from the pandemic, particularly prevalent complaints, which included failed electronic banking transactions and associated delays in restoration, reconciliation or resolution, slow speed internet connectivity, as well as arbitrary and inexplicable charges for data and restricted access or delayed signal release after payment for payTV services.

From February 2020 to date, the Commission has received thousands of consumer complaints in the aforementioned areas, which it continues to resolve.

The Commission’s mandate to promote competition was not ignored in its COVID-19 response, as it created room for merger review, advisories or investigations.

For merger review, FCCPC undertook to accept remote filing and electronic notifications where there is a possibility or imminent failure of the business of a merging party.

Other grounds propounded by the Commission for merger review during the period include where there is a host jurisdiction other than Nigeria, or situations where there are time limitations, but requiring notification and determination by the FCCPC prior to conclusion of the underlying transaction, and other sensitive situations.

https://observerstimes.com/covid-19-response-fccpc-receives-fg-award/