₦airaland Forum

The chairman of chairmen of the 28 host communities in OML34, Delta State Hon. Michael Oghenegueke, has dismissed purported threats made in a publication to disruption operations of ND-Western E&P Company and NNPC E&P Limited.



According to reports in the media, a letter purportedly from the host communities had claimed that the host communities are up in arms against the oil company over what they claim is continued negligence, failure, and refusal to fulfil the mandatory obligations to the aggrieved host communities.

But speaking to newsmen, Oghenegueke who is also the executive chairman of Otu Jeremi Community in Delta state, condemned the publication, saying it does not have his approval and other host communities chairmen.

He said that if there are any issues that need attention, the company and the communities have a process of resolving it and not through pages of newspapers.

He added that management of NNPC E&P Limited and of ND-Western have been doing their best to sustain the cordial relationship that have existed with the communities.

Oghenegueke dismissed any claim of disagreement with the management of ND-Western E&P Company and NNPC E&P Limited, saying the publication was the handiwork of mischief makers and fifth columnists who want to cause disaffection between the host communities and the oil company.

In his response, the President General of Iwhrekan Community, Comrade Rufus Onokurefe, said that there was never a time when the host communities agreed to engaged the management of OML 34 in any media war.

He said that even when they have had to write letter to management over some issues of concern they had always opened a window of engagement and the issues resolved amicably.

Rufus Onokurefe asserted that neither they knew about the alleged letter nor did they give their consent for the publications in question.

Oghenegueke asserts that all host communities have been working in harmony with the company and sees no justification for starting a conflict with one that has demonstrated such high standards of responsibility in their interactions with the communities.

However, addressing issues raised in the publications, the chairmen and president generals of the 28 host communities in OML34, said that the management of ND-Western E&P Company and NNPC E&P Limited, have a more responsible way of dealing with issues with the host communities and have never failed to address host communities concerns.

“Even if we have any problems, there are more responsible ways to solve them than fabricating fictitious crises that don't exist. since the company started operations in the host communities, it has upheld its corporate social responsibilities to the communities, including skill acquisition, scholarship awards, and the execution of the GMoU capacity building programme”. He added that those who have not benefited will have the chance to participate in the programme.

However, he noted that the OML communities' leadership had convened on November 5th to discuss the malicious publication and had decided to conduct a thorough investigation and take necessary action.

https://bigpenngr.com/2022/11/06/twist-as-host-communities-debunk-threat-to-disrupt-operations-of-oml-34-in-delta/

Governors Wike, Uzodinma Fight Dirty Over Party Politics
By BIGPEN -March 18, 202036

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(L-R) Governor Hope Uzodinman of Imo and his counterpart in Rivers states, Nyesom Wike
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Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo and his counterpart in River states, Nyesom Wike, are at each other jugular over party politics.

BIGPEN understands the two are at ‘war’ over comment credited to Uzodinma who thrown the first salvo at the heat of Adams Oshiomhole’s removal as national chairman of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

Uzodinma reportedly castigated Wike for Oshiomhole’s ordeal, alleging that he (Wike) and PDP were instrumental to the attempted plot to oust the APC chairman.

But Wike, in his response took Uzodinma to the cleaners, calling him a “fraudster” that should hide himself from public glare.

Wike had earlier crudely berated Governor Uzodinma on a national television on Tuesday in a manner many wonder if the office the Rivers State Governor occupies today is the same those who came before him did.

In a follow up tweets, Wike said: “It is unfortunate that Senator Hope Uzodinma will have the temerity to make that false allegation. Hope Uzodinma was an APC agent while he was in PDP,” Wike said pointing out that, “That was why APC used him as an agent to support Ali Modu Sheriff, but they failed.

“It is unfortunate that people of questionable character are in Government. Hope Uzodinma cannot talk about the attempted removal of APC National Chairman and mention the PDP. What is our business in the attempted removal of Oshiomhole?

“APC does not mean well for Nigeria. It is a party of strange bedfellows merely formed to take over power. If Senator Uzodinma dares to make such false comments again about the PDP, we will tell the world about him. That he fraudulently took the mandate of PDP does not mean that PDP is weak. Hope Uzodinma lacks the capacity to discuss the PDP.

“We must protect the Judiciary to do its work. But the Judiciary should protect itself. APC has destroyed the Judiciary. The Judiciary should be very careful. The Judiciary should be alert. It should not allow itself to be used. It should not allow itself to be destroyed.

“APC should not be allowed to destroy Judiciary. Judiciary was there before APC. It was there before any political party. I cannot see the Judiciary being destroyed and keep quiet.

“I am not interested in what happens in APC. But I am concerned with the Judiciary and its survival. The Chief Justice of Nigeria should caution judges.

“With what the APC is doing today, we may not have the Judiciary and everyone will pay the price. The party is trying to destroy the hope of the common man,” Wike said in series of tweets through his official Twitter handle @GovWike.

Responding to the seething attack, Governor Uzodinma, who insisted that he does not have any regret in his comment that Wike was instrumental to Oshiomhole’s ordeal, warned the Rivers Governor to think before he talks on political matters.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser, Mr. Oguwike Nwachuku, Governor Uzodinma, said that Governor Wike arrogates to himself the strength he does not have going by the way he talks.

“There is no better way to pin Governor Wike down to the recent crisis rocking the APC and its National Chairman than the careless way he spoke against Governor Uzodinma who obviously was echoeing what many already know about Wike and his type of politics.

‘Is it not unfortunate that Governor Wike pretends to have a court injunction on how to speak carelessly, the reason many erstwhile members of the PDP, including founding members, had abandoned the Party which is about to collapse on Wike’s head.

“Rather than engage in some kind of introspection on what went wrong with his Party, Governor Wike thinks that trivializing serious issues of national and international importance will bring accolades his way.

“If Governor Wike did not have a hand in the Oshiomhole saga, why insult innocent Governor Uzodinma whose only crime was that he brought Wike’s mischief tendencies to the fore for everyone to see?

“Governor Wike pretends to love the Judiciary more than anyone else, but the truth is that every opportunity he gets to stand the judiciary on the head he does so with relish.

“Mr. Governor, your interest in the attempted removal of the National Chairman of the APC is legion and you know it. Unlike most of you, Governor Uzodinma does not talk much and when he does it is not frivolous. Stop pretending because that has been the lot of characters like you that did the PDP in and ready to bury it finally.

“Governor Uzodinma has an idea why you are badly hurt. You have the right to be hurt anyway. However, because you are Mr. Know All you still cannot imagine how Governor Uzodinma has reduced yourself acclaimed political “wisdom” to ignorance.

“Governor Uzodinma believes in the rule of law like the APC and has not hidden his respect for the judiciary as a critical organ for national development and survival of Nigeria’s democracy.

“If Governor Uzodinma were to be you, he would not have followed through all the processes he painstakingly adopted to emerge the governor of Imo State on Januray 14, 2020, and reaffirmed Governor on March 3, 2020 after you worked so hard to truncate the judgment of the Supreme Court.

“But unfortunately, you have continued to denigrate the Supreme Court that adjudicated over Governor Uzodinma’s case by carelessly and arrogantly describing the ruling of the Apex Court as synonymous with fraud. I do hope you know the implications?

“By saying that Governor Uzodinma’s APC is not a political party, and that it is an assemblage of strange bed fellows you have not said anything new from what you have been saying since 2015 the PDP lost power, but one would have thought that the narrative would have changed in 2019, yet, your party lost. Is it not time you changed strategy on what you have been saying for nearly five years now?

“Make no mistake about it, there is nothing in your kitty you are threatening to tell the world about Governor Uzodinma for stating the obvious about your party that can be worse than what they know about you and your Party”.

Renowned economist, Prof Pat Utomi has denied making the noxious comments relating to his party, All Progressive Congress (APC) and the governorship primary of the party in Delta State being circulated in the social media.

Utomi, in what appears like a caricature was quoted to have said, “While I was still looking for the venue for the APC Governorship primaries, a friend called to tell me that the election has been concluded & a winner has emerged. APC is fraudulent & occultic.”

http://bigpenngr.com/bp/2018/10/01/just-in-utomi-disowns-caricature-comments-ascribed-to-him-about-apc-delta-governorship-primary/

Speaking at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Lagos on Monday, the fiery preacher said the former vice president of the World Bank will seek the highest political office in the land.


The serving overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly (LRA), Tunde Bakare says Oby Ezekwesili, former minister of education, will be stepping into politics to contest for the office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

http://bigpenngr.com/bp/2018/10/01/breaking-oby-ezekwesili-to-run-for-president-tunde-bakare/

A Niger Delta militant group, Ultimate Warriors of Niger Delta, UWND, have asked the Federal Government to immediately come out with its blueprint for the oil-rich but strife torn region, insisting that whatever demands made by the Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark’s Pan Niger Delta Forum if eventually acceded to remains a product of its agitations and should not be regarded as government developmental project for the region.

The group in a press statement signed by its spokesman, Sibiri Taiowoh and made available to BigPen Online Thursday night, expressed dissatisfaction over the outcome of the meeting between leaders of the region and President Muhammadu Buhari, ostensibly because the federal government could not make a categorical statement concerning some of the demands by the leaders.

The group also named a Niger Delta activist and environmental rights campaigner, Barrister Chimennma Okolo as its nominee to liaise with the Clark’s group in pushing its positions.


http://bigpenngr.com/News/200/Militant-Group-Chides-Buhari-Over-Failure-To-Make-Categorical-Statement-On-NrsquoDelta-Dev-Call-On-FG-To-Unveil-Its-Blueprint.html

just copy the link to the full report on ur browse and read.....there is a youtube display of the chairless chair....bigpenreports..com/2015/07/no-black-magic-chairless-chair.html?m=0

In Lagos, Nigeria, people gathered to watch a man who sat on this chairless chair while doing a sale promo, some called it black magic, others say the man was using voodoo's power because it appear incredible but it is actually power of innovation.

As an informative and educative platform, our team decided to carry out investigation on it and our findings was wow! A 29 years old actually designed this technology as reported long ago by Cable News Network (CNN).

bigpenreports..com/2015/07/no-black-magic-chairless-chair.html?m=0

Follow Follow @THEWILLNEWS @THEWILLNEWS BEVERLY HILLS, November 14, (THEWILL) – Itsekiri leaders on Friday demanded the resignation of President Goodluck Jonathan as well as Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State following what the leaders described as the inability of the duo to curtail “rampaging ex-militants” who seized the Delta waterways and prevented the much-awaited groundbreaking of the $16billion Export Processing Zone Project, THEWILL has learnt.

The leaders of the tribe said if President Jonathan couldn’t curtail the ex-militants whom they claimed the President had spent billions of tax payers’ money in rehabilitating, then he is not fit to rule Nigeria because, according to the sources, he is easily frightened by a “threat from Tompolo.”

“It is the responsibility of every sitting President and Governor to ensure that they are not cowed by threats; otherwise all manner of groups will rise up every now and then and keep on threatening them. Therefore, if a President keeps on succumbing to threats by his own people and he cannot curtail them, then he has goofed up and should resign as it is done elsewhere in the world,” Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, a formidable group of national and Diaspora groups of Itsekiri leaders said in a statement.

Trouble Loom For People Who Cut Pastor Ayo Style of Hair Cut as Soldier Shave Man's 'Punk' Hair

A man who probably like Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor's style of hair cut and had decided to emulate the clergyman, himself being a cleric, gone a load of what he didn't bargain for on Monday as soldiers of the Nigerian Army, 3 battalion Effurun, Warri attach to a checkpoint in Alegbor assaulted him, shaving his hair as if they were punishing a school boy.

Probably because the man identified himself as a clergyman, the soldier now gave him a sign of the 'cross design' apparently to mock the man who may be in his early 60s.

What is wrong with this hair cut or 'punk' style of hair as it is called? Is checking people's ways of dressing part of the mandate of the army now?

Meanwhile, the incident which had attracted wide condemnation have force the army authority to arrest and detain the power drunk soldier.

They have just imported another 'time bomb' they want to use to blackmail the government to town!!!

BEVERLY HILLS, September 10, (THEWILL) - Fresh crisis is looming in Warri, the commercial nerve centre of Delta State as Ijaws and Itsekiris are currently engaged in bickering over alleged ‘missing’ persons whom Ogbe-Ijaw people alleged were abducted by some ‘militia Itsekiri youths’.

The Ijaws of Ogbe-Ijaw, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State have alleged that five of their kinsmen are missing after some “Itsekiri ‘militia Itsekiri youths attacked their kinsmen who were emissaries at NPA community in Warri.

Following this development, THEWILL learnt that the Ijaws of Ogbe-Ijoh have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the alleged Itsekiri attackers to release the ‘missing’ persons as well as restore all valuables allegedly stolen from them, failure of which they threatened dire consequences.

But in a counter claim, Chairman of the Itsekiri National Youths Council (IYNC), David Tonwe, denied the involvement of Itsekiri youths in any attack on any Ijaw group, pointing out that his people had no problem with any Ijaw community.

Addressing newsmen in Warri on Wednesday over the matter, the Ogbe-Ijoh Governing Council, Ogbe-Ijoh Youths Council, as well as Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), however called on the Delta State Government, security agencies and Itsekiri leaders to wade into the matter to avert a major crisis.

The group charged the state government to prevail on the Itsekiri youths who they alleged abducted the Ijaw youths to release them without delay, asking further that all the valuables they stole during the attack be restored.

Speaking to newsmen, Lucky Clement Oromoni, chairman of Ogbe-Ijoh Governing Council and the President-General of Ogbe-Ijoh Youths Council, Christmas James, as well as the Chairman of the Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom of the IYC, Comrade Liberty Arerebo, condemned the alleged unprovoked attack by the Itsekiri youths.

Giving a graphic detail of the incident, the community representatives said that the youths of the community were returning from a meeting with an oil servicing company, Saipem, situated within the Warri Port, when they were suddenly attacked by a hoard of Itsekiri youths, led by one Emiko, alleging that the Ijaw youths had encroached into their territory.

The community leaders claimed that the gang of youths led by Emiko over-powered the Ogbe-Ijoh youths, who were about 16 in number, using dangerous weapons on them and robbing them of valuables, including cash and phones, all running into millions of naira.

“Five of our boys are still missing now from yesterday’s incident; Boma Ebiarede, Daubiri Wuruakpo, Zitangbei Doutimi, Sir Ditorusin Lawyerwei and Krokongha Biniebi. They are all from Ogbe-Ijoh and we can’t find them. We have reported this and up till now we are still looking for these people.

“Recently, precisely on Monday, my community boys went to Saipem to press an issue over a contract done by indigenous contractors, to demand payment and other benefits for the contractors. When we got there the company welcomed us and discussed amicably and agreed.

“Therefore, we are giving a seven-day (starting from today) ultimatum to Emiko and his Itsekiri group to bring back all the things they took from us; the money is over N500,000, more than 18 phones were taken from us,” one of the community representatives said.

When contacted however on the development, the Delta State Police Command dismissed the purported claim of ‘missing’ persons , saying it could be false or probably a ploy by those laying claim to the territory to escalate the fracas.

Spokesperson of the Command, Celestina Kalu (DSP), told THEWILL on telephone that she had spoken to the Warri Area Commander of the Command, ACP Hussein Rabiu, on the matter and was informed that steps were already being taken to resolve the fracas.

“I’ve spoken to the Area Commander, he said it’s not true. He said NPA people wrote him as the thing happened inside NPA. He said it’s a small problem and that he has invited the two communities for dialogue. He said 30 people entered the place and 30 people left, so there’s nobody missing in Ijaw. May be they are just using that to escalate the matter,” she said.

- See more at: http://thewillnigeria.com/news/fresh-crisis-looms-in-warri-as-ijaws-give-itsekiris-ultimatum-over-missing-kinsmen/#sthash.jrJEaZAx.dpuf

Hundreds of residents of Warri, the economic hub of Delta State, on Tuesday took to the streets to protest the outrageous bills recently served them by Benin Electricity Distribution Company.

The protest created confusion in the city as it disrupted traffic flow and caused commotion in some areas.

The protest was said to have been sparked by an attempt by some BEDC personnel to disconnect a building at the 3rd Marine Gate.

The BEDC officials had just before then pulled down the connection cable of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Warri Correspondents Chapel Secretariat to enforce settlement of outstanding tariff payment by the union.

Curiously, the so-called bill did not bare the name of the union but that of the Nigerian Union of Teachers.

The NUJ had expressed displeasure at the recent electricity billing from BEDC in the metropolis and the alleged frequent extortion from BEDC agents. This BEDC did not take it lightly and had threatened to disconnect the union.

The Vice Chairman of the union, Joe Ogbodu, who discovered the anomaly when BEDC officials stormed the Union House to pull down their cable decried their attitude noting that they refused any explanation with the mindset to cut the cable or be bribed.

“We can’t afford to pay such outrageous bills. They often send us estimated bills even when we don’t get regular power supply. The last bill they brought read N141, 618. The month in which we owe that bill was not stated; the year was not stated.

“They just wrote the bill in one piece of paper which read; ‘disconnection notice/order’ and said we have to pay N2,000 as reconnection fee for a three-phase meter.

“It is completely strange to us that BEDC is sending us bill which either belong to NUT or could be their administrative mistake which I think should not be blamed on us.

“If BEDC call it a computer mistake, for us it is their error, not ours and so they should bear the cost. We would go to any length to contest it that the bill is not ours and I believe this is how they have been fleecing many Nigerians of their finances,” he said.

who know dis people wen they seek relevant so? nor be only arrest....hungry politicians !!!

As build up for 2015 general elections continues to gather momentum, the South-South Chiefs and Elders Council, SSCEC International, yesterday vowed to arrest President Goodluck Jonathan, should he fails to declare interest for second term in office.
The group made the position known in Abuja during a Grand endorsement of the President for second term in office and conferment of Transformation Excellence award on the Federal Ministry of Information and other outstanding Ministries.
The Executive Chairman of the Council, Ama-Opu Senibo of Opobo Kingdom, Chief Reuben Jaja, who made the declaration on behalf of other Chiefs said the programme was designed to showcase their support for the President for serving the country right and doing the people of the country proud.
He argued that the President reserved the right to seek a second term in office in view of his performance in the last four years in the areas of education, agriculture, transport, women affairs, entertainment and other critical sectors.
Consequently, Jaja further threatened that the Council would arrest the President and compel him to run for the 2015 general elections should he ignore their call.
“Our goal is to show support to our president who has served this country right. We feel that he is qualified to run by law and by way of performance. He is doing exceedingly well, we have seen tremendous progress in our education, agriculture, transport, women affairs, youth development and entertainment and the critical sectors of our economy.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/2015-will-arrest-jonathan-south-south-elders-council/#sthash.ZNYxvhn2.dpuf

....Says era of imposition, endorsement over



Elder statesman and South South Leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark has said that his house has turn a 'Political Mecca' of sort to those seeking for his blessing to be governor of Delta state come 2015.

He however warned that such visitors should not dare to use his name or that of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan to campaign as if they have been endorsed as the party’s candidate.

Clark said that all those nursing the ambition of becoming the governor of Delta state next year should rather use the names of the electorates saying that the practices of imposition and godfathers' endorsement would no longer work in the state.

The Ijaw foremost leader spoke on Thursday at Kiagbodo country home in Burutu council area of the state when one of the governorship aspirants on the platform of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP), Sir Tony Obuh, visited him.

Clark, advised politicians in the state not to live with the illusion that they could ride on any godfather's back to governorship position

He warned politicians seeking elective offices, especially governorship, to desist from dragging either his name or that of Uduaghan, into their ambitions as the candidate of the party for the upcoming election would only be a product of a transparent primary contest by all aspirants.

According to him, his house has turn like a political Mecca of sort to those seeking for his blessing to be governor which according to him is one of the ingredients of democracy.

He said that at the need of the day, only one person amongst the numerous persons who have indicated interest will be governor of the state come 2015.

“As I said, let us have one family. All my children want to be governor. All of them cannot be. Only one can be. Are we going to fight?

So if you chose one you are bias. So what is there is let them go for the test, the arena where primary will be held and the most popular one will win and others will support.

The era of imposition is gone, the era of endorsement is gone so nobody should use the Governor’s name and no aspirant should use my name.

"There should be no intimidation, there should be no fighting, there should be no acrimony, and there should be no insult.

“You have your programme as you have stated, let others have their programme.

"So once again you are welcome, I have accepted you as my son and you will have my blessing to go out and explain to the people of Delta whom you are and what you stand for.

“If anybody tells you that I do not like you, I am against you, that is a lie", he said.
joegbodu..com/2014/09/clark-to-delta-guber-aspirants-my-house.html

Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and seven other aspirants of the fourteen jostling for the Adamawa State Governorship ticket under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stepped down from the race in the early hours of Friday.

Following the impeachment of the former Governor, Murtala Nyako, October 11 has been fixed for election to get a substantive governor for the state.

After about four hours meeting with the aspirants that started by 9.06 p.m on Thursday and ended around 1.00 a.m on Friday at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Senate President, David Mark along with other officials of the party were able to reach a compromise with the aspirants and pruned down the number of those contesting to six.

The six aspirants still in the race for the party’s ticket on Saturday are Ahmed Gulak, Buba Marwa, Ahmed Modibbo, Dr. Umar Ardo, Acting Governor Umaru Fintiri, and Jerry Kumdisi.

Those who have withdrawn from Saturday primary election include Nuhu Ribadu; Auwal Tukur; Aliyu Idi Hong, Andrawus Sawa; James Barka; Gen. Aliyu Kama; Markus Gundiri and Abubakar Girei.

It was agreed at the closed-door meeting that the six aspirants contesting for the party’s ticket on Saturday will not contest for the position in 2015.

The meeting also agreed that only those stepping down now can contest for the party’s governorship election ticket in 2015, with more consideration in 2015 for Adamawa Central that has never produced a governor.

Any aspirant who fails to win the party’s ticket in Saturday’s primary election, the meeting, also agreed must support the party’s flag bearer towards the 11th October election.

Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Chairman of the Adamawa State chapter of the party, Joel Madaki said: “Fourteen aspirants contesting for the position earlier has now reduced to six aspirants due to this meeting. It is a very welcome idea. Nobody was forced to step them. Those who stepped down did so voluntarily in order to wait to contest for the position in 2015.”

“The six aspirants contesting this election are Ahmed Gulak, Buba Marwa, Ahmed Modibbo, Dr. Umar Ardo, Acting Governor Umaru Fintiri, and Jerry Kumdisi,” he added

The former Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Ahmed Gulak, who is contesting for the ticket on Saturday, said: “The outcome of the meeting was fantastic. We met as family members of PDP, even before coming here all the aspirants in Adamawa have unanimously resolved that after the primaries, in a free, fair primaries, anybody that emerges will get our support.”



“Today, in this meeting, the number of the aspirants has been drastically reduced to six, which is manageable. I am contesting, Gen. Marwa is contesting, Ahmed Modibbo is contesting, Dr. Umar Ardo is contesting, Hon. Jerry Kumdisi is contesting, and Acting Governor Fintiri is contesting.”

“And we have resolved to go into the primaries without rancour, without acrimony and to come out of it as peaceful co-existing members.

“And at the end of it all, anybody that emerges, we will all queue behind him. And if I emerge as the candidate, they will all queue behind me. It is going to be a family affair and there will be no losers.”

On his chances of getting the ticket as Ribadu and others are now out of the race, he said: “Nuhu Ribadu or not, you know, I prepared for this election. Even, if 14 of us are going into this election, I am confident of my ability, of my capability, of my mobilization, of my sensitization that the delegates will select me.”

Aliyu Idi Hong, who is among those who withdrew from the race, said: “Peace-building, negotiation, give-and-take, everything went well. We have been given a caveat and one thing we have succeeded in extracting from this meeting is that the meeting started with a preamble that whoever is going to contest and if he happens to win as a governor, he will not have the right to contest the 2015 election.”

“Some of us think that our aspirations, our ambition, our vision for Adamawa is a long term and more articulate vision and not a stop-gap six months aspiration.”

“For that reason, we saw it is wiser that if you are going to do something to change the fortune of Adamawa, you need a longer period of time. So, we decided that it is not wise for you to go into this aspiration for six months,” Hong said.

“Two, we have also been able to have on record, that whoever is going to emerge as governor will not contest in 2015 and it has also been unanimously agreed that because Adamawa Central has not been able to produce governor of the state before, it is on record that the Presidency and the party have accepted that the aspiration for the PDP nomination for 2015 will be strictly for contestants from Adamawa Central. It is not negotiable.”

“So most of us from Adamawa Central have agreed to this position and about eight of us have withdrawn from the race. We are going to remain members of the party and we are going to contest in 2015 because it will give us the opportunity to make that transformation that we want to change Adamawa into,” he stated.
www.theparadigmng.com/?p=22114#

My submission: If the Federal Government don't act before 21 days, let the Maiduguri branch of the NBA head to ICC and produce their own evidence against the accused if they have one... case close!!!

BEVERLY HILLS, September 05, (THEWILL) – As controversy rages over the allegations against Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd) by Australian hostage negotiator, Dr. Steven Davis, on Boko Haram sponsorship, the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Friday disclosed that it would send nothing less than 50 lawyers to the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague, Switzerland, for the trial of both Sherrif and Ihejirika if the Federal Government fails to act on the matter within 21 days.

Issuing the 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to act on the matter at a media briefing in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, the chairman of Maiduguri branch of NBA, Abdulwasiu Alfa, said the association had assembled more than 50 lawyers who have volunteered to go to ICC to prosecute the case.

“If the Nigerian Government fails to thoroughly investigate the duo of Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff and Rtd. Gen. Ihejirika, we shall mobilise our knowledge, skills and resources to initiate or commence criminal proceedings before the ICC for the heinous crimes committed against humanity by the sect and their sponsors.

“No Nigerian is above the law as justice must not only be seen to be done but must be manifestly seen to be done. Let me assure the good people of Borno State that the NBA Maiduguri branch will stand firmly and solidly behind them to ensure that those who made orphans and widows of us are sent to where they belong, ” Alfa stated.

He warned that the association will initiate criminal proceedings before the ICC against the duo if the Federal Government fails to act within 21 days.

“The Federal Government should act now. If it fails, we shall, after 21 days from today, give effect to our undertaking to initiate criminal proceedings before the office of the chief prosecutor of ICC to investigate these allegations. We strongly believe only a court can declare a person innocent or guilty. This can only be done when such person is properly investigated and possibly arraigned before a court,” he said.

While calling on all relevant security agencies and stakeholders to as a matter of urgency beam their searchlight on Sheriff Ihejirika, Alfa said: “The NBA believes the mention of the duo was not a co-incidence considering the robust relationship between them. If anything, the revelation by Mr. Davis has confirmed the long conclusion by Nigerians involvement of Sen. Sheriff as the sponsor, facilitator and mastermind of Boko Haram sect.

“Little wonder, that only recently he was at the Presidential Villa to intimate the Presidency on how to end the insurgency. This is not only a corroboration of Mr. Davis revelation but an indirect admission of culpability.”

He added: “What men do in the cover of night surely come to light? The revelation of Mr. Davis is just the beginning. The Federal Government should act now. If it fails, we shall, after 21 days from today (Friday), give effect to our undertaking to initiate criminal proceedings before the office of the chief prosecutor of ICC to investigate these allegations.

“We strongly believe only a court can declare a person innocent or guilty. This can only be done when such person is properly investigated and possibly arraigned before a court. Already, more than 50 private lawyers have volunteered their services pro bono in support of this noble cause. We are confident, the Federal Government and relevant and relevant security agencies will act now.”

The NBA chairman however praised the Federal Government for the zeal with which it fought the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), saying such zeal should also be extended to the terror war in the country.

- See more at: http://thewillnigeria.com/news/boko-haram-nba-issues-21-day-ultimatum-to-fg-prepares-50-lawyers-for-sheriff-ihejirikas-trial-at-icc/#sthash.MwpM65XB.dpuf

SAN FRANCISCO, September 03, (THEWILL) – As the political calculations for the 2015 Delta governorship race begin, the political atmosphere in Delta State is already tensed up following a plot to scheme out of the race some prominent aspirants from Delta North Senatorial District who are already gearing up to take over from incumbent governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.

It was learnt that going by the ‘zoning arrangement’ reportedly working for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, the Delta North Senatorial District is supposed to produce the next governor of the state but there appears to be plans to ‘zone’ the governorship by constituency, a move that is already being resisted by key players in the zone.

Political analysts close to the party told THEWILL that the Governor had allegedly adopted a ‘system’ which will cut off some parts of Delta North from the race, adding that several aspirants from such areas were on a daily basis calling the state party chairman, Peter Nwaoboshi to clarify the insinuation which is making the round in the state.

Political pundits in the state said that in 1999, when PDP reportedly ‘zoned’ the governorship to the Delta Central Senatorial District, Chief James Onanefe Ibori clinched the ticket on Senatorial District formula of which his administration lasted for eight year.

Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan also clinched the party’s ticket in 2007 when there was a strong agitation for power shift to Delta South following the supposed zoning arrangement of the party.

It is expected that based on the ‘senatorial district’ arrangement and not ‘zoning by constituency’ that is being peddled currently by the governor and some of his foot soldiers so as to technically block at least four formidable aspirants, the Delta North Senatorial District would also take its turn to produce the next governor by the PDP ‘arrangement’ when Uduaghan’s tenure expires.

But dependable sources said that going by the maneuvering currently playing out in the state, the Governor is adamant on ‘zoning’ the governorship to two Federal Constituencies within the Delta North Senatorial District in a grand plot to ‘zone out’ some aspirants who the ‘system’ feel may pose grave threat to the plot to foist a stooge as Governor on May 29, 2015.

THEWILL learnt that by the calculation, aspirants from Ika North East/Ika South Federal Constituency and those from Ndokwa East/Ndokwa West/Ukwuani Federal Constituency within the Delta North Senatorial District are more favoured to the detriment of others in the race who might be ‘zoned out’ if the permutation is anything to go by.

Our multiple sources said that if the ‘arrangement’ is the determining factor, it means that aspirants from Aniocha North/Aniocha South/Oshimili North/ Oshimili South Federal Constituencies may have been tactically disenfranchised from the race.

Although the Chairman of the party in the state, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, could not be reached on phone as he didn’t respond to calls or reply to text messages sent to him on the issue, the state Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Ben Igbakpa, had earlier alluded to the game plan by the Governor and a clique in the party when he said that “the system and party” had agreed that the governorship should go to Ikas or Ndokwas council areas of the state.

Igbakpa, a close confidant of Uduaghan who hails from Oghara, the hometown of former governor, James Ibori, was quoted to have said that they have agreed on the area the next governor of the state would come from and as such, all that was left was to ‘work’ for the candidate the ‘system’ has penciled down for the job so as not to be left out in the scheme of things in the next administration.

Click to watch video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch v=TX1VvXq0eoM&feature=youtu.be

“It has been agreed that the governorship should go to Delta North,” Igbakpa said while addressing stakeholders at the recently convened meeting in Ethiope West Council Area of the state, adding; “having gone to Delta North (referring to the governorship slot), where are we looking at?”

Continuing, he said: “It has also been agreed by the system and the party that the governorship should go to the Ikas or the Ndokwas.”

Igbakpa said the essence of the meetings and others to come was to start forming alliance with the area that would produce the next governor saying; “So the essence of this message is for us that when we are attending to prospective aspirants, it will be in our interest to be strong partakers in the coming government. And the only way to be strong partakers and benefit from it is for us to take a stand.”

As if that was not enough, the Political Adviser to the governor, Chief Ighoyota Amori, also corroborated what had been revealed as Governor’s plan to zone the governorship position even before the party’s primaries in favour of a ‘chosen candidate’, when he said that Urhobos were prepared to form alliance with a candidate from Ndokwa or Ika axis of the state.

This was weeks after some PDP chieftains in Delta South and Central Senatorial Districts, including militant-cum-contractor, Chief Ayeri Emami, who happened to be a close ally of Uduaghan and member of the state House of Assembly, Hon Monday Igbuya, had begun building structures for the newest entrant into the race, Tony Obuh, a serving permanent secretary and political neophyte, who is being touted as the ‘anointed one’, given the ‘body language’ of Uduaghan.

Emami was specifically quoted in some national dallies to have said that they were sent by Uduaghan to ‘work’ for Obuh, whom, according to him, had been ‘agreed’ and penciled down as the next governor of the state. But Uduaghan has since denied ever ‘anointing’ anybody or authorising anyone to ‘work’ for any of the aspirants when he saw the backlash over the move.

However, reliable sources revealed that the political summersault, which is allegedly being orchestrated by some overzealous elements within the ruling PDP in the state, is currently heating up the polity, as political analyst said the ‘arrangement’ would only spell doom for the PDP.

Already, pressure is mounting in the political arena in the state for some obviously unknown elements purportedly favoured by the supposed ‘arrangement’ to foray into the race just as the topmost gladiators who are warming up to take over the mantle of leadership in the state and their supporters engaged in subtle horse-trading and clandestine politicking over the development.

In the Delta North Senatorial District alone, over 11 aspirants are jostling for the plum job in Asaba. Prominent among those believed to be eyeing Uduaghan’s seat are the senator representing Ika North East/Ika South Federal Constituency, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, who had once contested the governorship position, alongside the incumbent governor; energetic former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, (Aniocha North); Hon. Ndudi Elumelu (Aniocha North); Prof. Sylvester Monye (Aniocha North); Hon Festus Okubor (Ika North East); Chief (Mrs) Ngozi Olejeme (Oshimili North); Chief Godwin Obielum (Ndokwa) as well as recent entrant, Chief Tony Obuh (Ika South), among others.

The Delta North Senatorial District where these aspirants hail from has nine local government councils, which make up the zone and is the only ‘zone’ yet to produce a governor hence the intense political activities in that part of the state.

Political analysts in the state said the suspicion within the political arena in the state, obviously is because the ‘system and party’ is overwhelmed by the ‘big names’ foraying into the governorship race in the Delta North.

Dependable sources said that even the state governor is currently overwhelmed by the caliber of persons showing interest in the race and giving the fact that the governor has no full grip of the party structure, he is purportedly finding it difficult to play the political chess game which was easily played by his supposed ‘political mentor’, Ibori, whom pundits described as ‘generalissimo’
in the game of party politics.

Reliable party sources fear that with the development, the party may be torn apart in the state before the 2015 general elections, if Uduaghan continues his current ‘body language’.

The sources affirmed that the governor was behind the renewed “plot and antics” being deployed by both party and officials of the state government to thwart the ambition of some aspirants in the race. It added that instead of allowing a level playing field for all who desire to contest as was done by Ibori, the governor is ‘scheming’ to ‘rubbish’ some elements out of the race in order to easily install his stooge.

Our sources said when the die is cast and the permutation by the ‘system and party’ eventually becomes the order of the day, there is every indication that some of the aspirants that may be affected may mop up their resources and form an alliance to confront the ‘single enemy’.

Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, one of the leading contenders in the race, though, dismissed the alleged plot.

He said in a reply to a text message sent to him by THEWILL that he had just consulted with the state party echelon over the purported insinuation, giving the impression that he may have also learnt of the plot.

“I have just consulted the PDP State Exco and such insinuation doesn’t exist,” he told THEWILL.

Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa and Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, believed to be one of the “biggest” contenders in the race and who may be affected by the political abracadabra could not be immediately reached to react to the alleged plans as at the time of filing this report.

Attempts to reach Governor Uduaghan were also unsuccessful as at the time of publishing this report.

However, State Information Commissioner, Mr. Chike Ogeah, when contacted said it is totally false that the governor was behind the plot to shortchange some parts of Delta North in the race.

A source close to the governor said that it was not true that the governor had a hand in any political maneuvering going on in the state.

But a party chieftain who craved anonymity said there is “no smoke without fire,” adding that with the unfolding events, intrigues have just began in the state.

-See more at: http://thewillnigeria.com/news/delta-2015-tension-over-alleged-plot-to-scheme-out-topnotch-guber-aspirants/#sthash.DYep1uk3.dpuf

…Group Calls On Jonathan To Reverse Posting

BEVERLY HILLS, September 02, (THEWILL) - The recent postings at the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) have triggered mixed reactions across the country.

FRSC’s authority had on Monday released the names of FRSC’s personnel posted to various parts of the country but the release of the list which also included married women had triggered outrage.

Reacting to the development, a Lagos-based human rights group, Network for the Defence of Public Servants (NDPS), in a statement on Tuesday obtained by THEWILL, condemned the postings of married women from one end of the country to another in the recent transfers .

The statement signed by the Executive Director of NDPS, Dr. Babatunde Badmos, and Executive Secretary, Barrister Eugene Okocha, alleged that the posting was aimed at disrupting family values in the respective homes of the affected officers.

The statement said the policy of the new Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi, will affect the morale of the affected officers and their spouses whose families are being put in disarray.

“We are surprised that Boboye Oyeyemi, a career officer, whose appointment was wildly jubilated by officers and marshals in the commission, will pay them back with this untoward policy by separating families just because they work under his commission.

“How on earth do you explain a female officer, who has spent about four or five years in Port Harcourt to be transferred to Adamawa State, what happens to her children? What happens to her husband and in a case where the officer is a widow or not residing with her husband, what happens to her children? Is it now a sin for married women to serve in the FRSC?” it asked.

The group however said though it was not against married female officers being transferred, it noted that such posting should be within the zonal commands of the commission as being practiced in other sister para-military organisations for their female officers.

“If the married female officer serving in Port Harcourt is posted to another command within the zone, it would be tolerable. Such officer will know how to manage herself and the home front but transfer from Port Harcourt to Adamawa is despicable. There are many officers undergoing this plight in the posting released last Monday,” the group added.

The group therefore called on President Goodluck Jonathan, the Senate President, David Mark and Speaker, House of Representatives, Tambuwal to intervene and ensure the reversal of the posting.

“If this policy of Boboye is allowed to stand, the many homes of the affected female officers will break and their children short-changed of adequate parental care. The male officers are understandable but that of female officer’s posting is condemnable”, the group said.

- See more at: http://thewillnigeria.com/news/frsc-outrage-over-posting-of-married-officers/#sthash.AuSUDc8B.dpuf

Dem don talk again...Next month counting...pls what is your take? How is the power supply in your areas. Lets monitor the situation....

The federal government has again assured Nigerians that adequate measures have been put in place to ensure the nation achieve improved and stable power supply from October.

Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo who disclosed this in Abuja at the end of a meeting on power, chaired by Vice President Namadi Sambo also said the federal government was making arrangements to ensure that bills of electricity Generating Companies (Gencos) were promptly paid.

Nebo who spoke to State House Correspondents said other issues in the electricity value chain were being addressed and expressed hope that Nigerians will experience improved power supply from next month.

http://nigeriantimes.ng/news/power-supply-to-improve-by-october-fg/

BEVERLY HILLS, August 31, (THEWILL) – The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said Nigerians must hold President Goodluck Jonathan personally responsible if the Ebola Virus Disease spreads more than it has done in the country, after he failed to stop a rally in his support in Port Harcourt on Saturday, despite warning from individuals and groups.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said never before has a President of a country sabotaged his own Administration’s policy and endangered the lives of his compatriots as President Jonathan has done over the issue of Ebola.

It said the same President who declared a national emergency on Ebola and advised against large gatherings to prevent the spread of the virus was the first to flout his own advice by his failure to stop the rally by the so-called Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) in Port Harcourt, a few days after the virus was detected in the city and at a time that contact tracing was going on to find all those who may have had contact with the medical doctor who is a victim of the disease.

- See more at: http://thewillnigeria.com/news/ebola-apc-faults-president-jonathan-over-tan-rally-in-port-harcourt/#sthash.4ox6z6H3.dpuf

Interesting o but make i waka pass first, i dey come

BEVERLY HILLS, August 28, (THEWILL) - One of the buildings being constructed at the much-flaunted Delta State Mega Project, the Warri Industrial Business Park in Warri, the commercial hub of Delta State, has collapsed.

Although no life was lost in the incident, THEWILL learnt that part of the structure caved in few days ago following a heavy down pour.

The source however said that the structural failure at the project site was as a result of substandard materials used in the construction.

THEWILL learnt that construction workers had on Wednesday packed out the debris of the collapse part of the structure and have commence repairs work on the effected areas.

It could be recalled that about two companies have been working at the project site, erecting buildings as part of the first phase of construction at the multibillion dollar project.

Under the first contract, Palmyra Construction will construct the iconic administrative building which would include a seven-storey building with extended parking lots.

The project will cover a floor area of over 10,000sqm with office space available for leasing.

The second contract includes the construction of 11.9 kilometres road network within the Park.

The road network which is designed to offer the widest concrete road system in Nigeria will be constructed by CCC Construction.

- See more at: http://thewillnigeria.com/news/heavy-rain-triggers-building-collapse-at-warri-industrial-park/#sthash.M9SIWfPg.dpuf

… Tells Muazu Not To Approve Waiver

BEVERLY HILLS, August 28, (THEWILL) - Chief Edwin Clark, a former Minister and foremost leader of the Ijaws in Nigeria Thursday said Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has no electoral value and so the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should not grant him a waiver to enable him seek the party’s governorship ticket for the Adamawa State governorship election.

In a letter he addressed to the National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Adamu Muazu, which he read to journalists in his Abuja residence, Clark described Ribadu as a “paperweight politician from Adamawa” who could not even win election at the polling booth where his family home is located.

Clark said: “What, really, is our party receiving so joyfully? What is the political value of this emerging treachery, the well-established bone-marrow trademark of the man, Ribadu?

“How can we so brazenly break our own rules to destabilize our party, if not in a dangerous palace coup in the interests of high-level element within and beyond the party for reasons best known to them? What is this man bringing into the party? His antecedents are many; alas, not clean.

“My respected, chairman, is this the paperweight politician from Adamawa state, a state which gave the president the highest number of votes, behind Taraba, that is being celebrated as a viable candidate to fly the party’s flag in 2015?

“In 2011 election, Ribadu ran for President on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, lost at his family home polling booth, and also his ward, scored a mere 32 votes in Yola, and 32,786 total in Adamawa, against Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s 344,526 and President Goodluck Jonathan’s 508,314.”

“A Presidential candidate turned governorship aspirant, being celebrated? And you are from that zone, and should know much more than I do. Why do we seem so unmindful of the collateral damage this abnormal development, its timing and all, would cause the party, in terms of loss of enthusiasm and indeed, membership in massive numbers?

“Has something gone into our eyes and brains, or we are all locked in voodoo charms of some fifth-columnists working out some wicked, unpatriotic, subterranean agenda, in league without opponents, to undercut the President, the party and nation?… ”

- See more at: http://thewillnigeria.com/news/clark-says-ribadu-has-of-no-electoral-value/#sthash.pIhhDPPK.dpuf