A coalition of human rights activists in Nigeria have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to step aside from office if he cannot put a stop to the incessant Fulani herdsmen’s mindless killing of innocent citizens of the country.

The group, under the leadership of Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ), disclosed on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 that it has concluded arrangements to stage a protest at the nation’s seat of power, Aso Rock, to register their displeasure over the development.

While sympathized with the governments and people of the affected states and communities in the federation for the loss of their loved ones in the Fulani herdsmen’s massacre, the activists also called on the all levels of government to come to the aid of the affected people and families to ameliorate their suffering as a result of the dastard incident.

The activists under the aegis of Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ) including; Centre for Constitutional Rights and Counter Corruption Crusader, Save Lagos Group(SLG), The Conscience Mainstream (TMG), African Masses Voices for Survival (AMVS), The Christians Youths for the Peoples’ Rights and Development(CYPRD), Islamic Movement for Muslims’ Rights (IMMR), and Divine Nigerians Liberators for Peoples’ Fundamental Rights(DNLPFR).

Others were: The Christian Awareness Mission Group(CAMG), Passengers Fundamental Rights Group(PATRGIA), The Political Awareness Group (TIPAG), Centre for Social Justice and Equity of Nigeria(CESJEN), Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State(CSCEOS), Veteran Groups for Operation Clean Crusade (VGOCC), Apata-Aiyeraye Social Political Volunteer Group (ASPVG), and De-Mainstream Independent Group(DIG).

Read more

Deputy senate president and leader of the party, Ike Ekweremadu, Gombe state governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo, and chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, called on all members of the party to be bound by the decisions in spite of disagreements, where such exist.

According to Ekweremadu, PDP is the only party in Nigeria that can be said to belong to everyone and belongs to no one even as he called on members of the party to know that “the time is now for us to make sacrifices, the time is now for us to make compromise so that the party will remain strong, so that Nigeria will be able to trust us again in 2019.”

Read more

By St Jude Ndukwe

“As they campaign vigorously for elections, you would think they are coming to grow the economy, enthrone justice, breed unity and tolerance, love for one another. No, they are coming to enthrone Hausa/Fulani supremacy, to reposition the security agencies by sacking all competent hands and replace them with their kinsmen in order to drive their ethnic domination of the south; the Fulani herdsmen will be armed and encouraged to slaughter us with impunity and their masters will protect them. They are coming to ensure that my people are enslaved forever. Those who do not believe me will soon see it happen before their eyes” – Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), in an address to an assembly of the Igbo in the UK on February 6, 2014.

The recent attack on the sleepy community of Ukpabi Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani local government area of Enugu State by suspected Fulani herdsmen has generated an unprecedented furore from a large section of the Nigerian public owing to the circumstances surrounding the action itself which raises a lot of concern and questions about the value our leaders and security agents place on the lives of citizens.

It is most unfortunate that we have degenerated to this level. With the brazenness of the attackers, the alarming proportion of the attacks and the incessantness of this terror, one can hardly fault Nnamdi Kanu’s assertion over two years ago. Although Kanu may not have the calling of a prophet, he, no doubt, has beaten a lot of prophets to their game. The precision of his ‘prophecy’ might just be why he is still being held and bails granted him by our courts defied by those who would rather see Nigerians of other ethnic nationalities perpetually subjugated to them and die as their slaves rather than build a nation where there is equality and where freedom and justice reign.

Rather than come out clean and attack this monster headlong, government and government officials have tried their futile best to dance around the issue by claiming, at various times, that perpetrators of this evil are not Nigerians. When the fact is laid before them that they are indeed Nigerians and of Fulani extraction, they spin some other lies that they are not Fulani but just “herdsmen”. All these go on as a time wasting mechanism while the Fulani herdsmen keep unleashing their terror on innocent and defenceless Nigerians of other extractions.

While on Al Jazeera, Garba Shehu, one of the presidential spokesmen, attempted, albeit fruitlessly, to exculpate the Fulani herdsmen from the new reign of terror. He said part of the problem is that when anything happens, people now say it is Fulani herdsmen, as if the people’s position was contrived. However, Al Jazeera showed Shehu an interview it had with the secretary of the Fulani herdsmen who confirmed that they were responsible for the killings and that they were doing it to defend themselves. At this point, Shehu, like other government officials have always done, attempted to modify his position but he was already caught.

It is therefore not surprising that despite the security agencies being duly informed by no less a person than the governor of Enugu State himself about the looming pogrom just a night before the deadly and unprovoked attack, and having received assurances from heads of the security agencies in the state that such an attack would not happen, the attackers had their way all the way from Nasarawa State where they were purportedly “imported” from to Enugu State without any challenge from any of our security agencies who mount countless road blocks on that axis, and carried out their attack freely and willingly.

I travelled through nearly that same axis recently, and I know how many times I was stopped and delayed by security agents on the road just to see what they could extort from me. With such “effectiveness”, one then wonders how these mercenaries could have purportedly travelled all the way from Nasarawa to Enugu with weapons without being detected by those extorting motorists in the name of policing our highways.

The conspiracy theory gets thicker especially when the president himself had earlier promised people of the South East and South South only 5% government attention while other regions get 97%. Maybe this is why the south east gets only 5% government protection while the Fulani herdsmen are getting 97%? If not, why did the government not clampdown on these marauders who have become law unto themselves? Why, despite their well documented atrocities, they are hardly arrested or prosecuted? Why, despite their going about with sophisticated weapons, none of them is ever arrested for unlawful possession of firearms? Upon that, they use the firearms to sack communities and take over them with impunity, yet, nothing ever happens to them!

It is even most alarming, that the leadership of the Fulani herdsmen had once openly claimed responsibility for these dastardly acts right before the Inspector-General of Police in Makurdi, yet, neither he nor any member of his gang was arrested. Why this is so is very obvious! This is why the police corporal, attached to the Adani police station in Enugu State, who was said to have led the Fulani attack should bear little blame. He probably was learning from his superiors.

However, kudos must be given to our security agents who dared to behave differently even when they knew where the preferences of our leaders anchor. But for reinforcement from the Police Area Command which battled the Fulani herdsmen frontally, the casualty figures in the Enugu attack would have been much higher than the one reported. To the head of that police command, we say kudos! We just hope he/she is not given a punitive transfer for standing up to terrorists.

Then the cowardice of Igbo leaders: what was all that smile about from the governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwianyi, on his visit to Buhari? Did he go to Aso Rock to be turbaned that he went in such a flamboyant flowing gown, grinning with laughter from ear to ear? That governor did not look like a man in pain for the calamity that befell his people. He looked more like a man who had gone with the blood of his people to renew a ritualistic obeisance to a leader who cared less how the blood was obtained.

On October 13, 2000, Buhari had led a delegation of 5 people under the auspices of the Arewa Consultative Forum, to the then governor of Oyo State, Lam Adeshina, to protest the killing of 5 Fulani herdsmen by the Saki people of the State in a reprisal attack against the old menace of the herdsmen. Recounting what transpired on that day in the government house, Mr Agbaakin Kehinde Olaosebikan, the Chief Press Secretary to the then state government had written in Vanguard thus: “At about 2pm, Buhari arrived in a long convoy at the governor’s office in company of the former governor of Lagos State, General Buba Marwa, Alhaji Aliko Muhammed. They all wore long faces. In fact, the anger in them was palpable as all pleasantries extended to them were ignored. ‘This is trouble’ was the expression on the faces of all of us in the governor’s office’.”

Buhari’s attitude on that day was how a caring governor should have approached the issue when visiting the president, but like most Igbo leaders, Ugwuanyi probably turned that auspicious time to an occasion to pledge servility! Little wonder Nnamdi Kanu is incarcerated for so long despite court orders and no Igbo leader speaks for him except friends from distant lands like the Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose and former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode. Yet, some Igbo still vilify these two while our own leaders dine with our traducers right before the cameras!

Lastly, although Buhari has expressed his sympathy over the unfortunate incident that took place at Ukpabi Nimbo, we want to strongly urge him to keep his sympathy to himself and concentrate more on flushing out the criminals behind this dastardly act. This is not a time for niceties!

What is the essence of the sympathy when no action was taken to prevent its occurrence despite the outcry that has greeted the fast-growing needless murders of innocent Nigerians by the herdsmen? Can anyone imagine the disaster that this nation would have been turned into if an emir was abducted and killed by any group from the south eastern, south southern or south western part of Nigeria the way a fully beaded monarch in Ubulu Uku area of Delta State, HRM Akaeze Edward Ofulue 111, was abducted and killed by these same Fulani herdsmen on January 5, 2016? Time and space would not allow us talk about the two-time attack on Chief Olu Falae and the killing of one of his guards nor would we be able to talk about Agatu and others.

I, therefore, find it very curious that Garba Shehu, in his statement following the Enugu attack, say that “Ending the recent upsurge of attacks on communities by herdsmen reportedly armed with sophisticated weapons is NOW a priority…” Does this then confirm our earlier position that this, despite its recurrence and the danger it poses to our nation, was never a priority of this government? Your guess is as good as mine.

Mr President, sir, we want action, not sympathies!

Jude Ndukwe is a political analyst who lives and works in Abuja, Nigeria. He is a member of The Trent’s Elite Columnists. His column is published every Friday. He tweets from@stjudendukwe.

Read more

By Iyamu Emmanuel

Jonathan was corrupt and yet was able to touch all areas of Nigeria economy and stabilise it for 5 years of his leadership, but Buhari fighting corruption in less than 11 months, every sector of the country is dying down . Even those Jonathan built, okay just manage it the way he left it , is a big problem who is fooling who of being corrupt.

Pls open ur eyes before they stay close forever, see inflation and high cost of living erupt over night because of Buhari’s cluelessness

Read more

*Says Buhari ran a more expensive campaign than Jonathan

by Femi Fani-Kayode

That whole ordeal almost ruined my life and my career but God was with me throughout and He delivered me from their evil because I had done nothing wrong. On 1st July, 2015, I was acquitted by a duly constituted court of law of all those charges and I give God the glory for that.

Yet the struggle continues. I am appalled at the behaviour of the EFCC in this latest matter but I am not surprised because they have had it in for me for many years.

Their almost obsessive interest in me and their motivation to destroy me is essentially political and partly personal and this has always been so. In short, just as was the case seven years ago, they are being used by the powers that be and by forces that are far above them. To that extent, I sympathise with them.

Yet if this is an attempt to intimidate, silence or distract me, they shall fail because I am not a coward and I do not fear them or those that sent them to torment me.

And neither will I sit by idly and watch them trying to destroy me again. Their allegations are malicious and self-serving and there is no substance or truth in them. We did not run the Presidential Campaign Organisation or my Directorate with paper or hot air: We ran them with money. There is no crime in that.

A substantial portion of that money was paid by my Directorate directly to the media for rallies, television, radio and newspaper adverts and jingles together with many other services rendered and we have all the records and documents to prove it. As stated earlier, those records have been duly submitted to the relevant quarters and they commended us for our work.

I did not run the Directorate alone and I had, at least 10, Deputy Directors, Assistant Directors and Sub-Directors, who were all also appointed by President Jonathan, working under me.

I was responsible for the funding of each and every one of their various operations. Our entire team was dedicated and we all worked very hard because we believed passionately in our candidate and our party.

I have yet to hear of any Presidential Campaign Organisation anywhere in the world that was run without any money and that was funded with just goodwill.

I might add that we spent far less money than the APC and the Buhari Presidential Campaign Organisation because they had access to massive amounts of state government funds and they used those funds effectively. For every million naira we spent, they spent ten.

They even contracted the services of a famous American media consultant (the same one that President Obama used in 2008) and paid him ten million U.S. dollars for his counsel and advice. They had fleets of cars and buses whilst my Directorate was not even given one vehicle to get our people around.

The official jeep that was meant to have been given to us for our operations during the campaign was high jacked and it never arrived.

We were forced to use our own personal vehicles and we were glad to do so. Yet the other side had everything that money could buy. They even chartered numerous private jets throughout the campaign to get around the country. Where did they get all their funding from? Why is the EFCC not leaking stories or talking about that?

Instead of using the EFCC to try to rubbish me and my colleagues and smear our good names, those that are in power today should tell us where they got their campaign funds from and how much of it came from the Governments of Lagos and Rivers State.

The two people that headed those two state governments then are now both Federal Ministers today. One of them, who was the Director-General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation, was specifically indicted by a Judicial Commission of Inquiry for using millions of dollars of state government funds to run the Buhari campaign, yet nothing happened and his reward was to be appointed as a Minister.

Again, what about the five billion naira cash that was flown down to Port Harcourt in Rivers State from Abuja in chartered plane a couple of days before the re-run election that took place on March 19, 2016. Where did they get that amount of cash from and what was its purpose and source?

What has the EFCC said or leaked about that? It appears that there is one law for those that are in power today and another for those that are not. Why persecute the innocent and leave the guilty? Was it a crime to fight and lose an election?

If Jonathan had not been a gentleman and if he had insisted on remaining in power at all costs or challenging the outcome of the election in court, would we have the peace that we are enjoying in our country today?

Have those that are behind all this nonsense forgotten all that so soon or is it that they are just drunk with power and they are on a mission of revenge? If that is the case, are they then worthy of the power that God has given them and should He not take it away from them before it is too late and they set the country on fire?

If there was any wrongdoing, can the EFCC honestly put their hands on their chest and say that those of us that were asked to do a job and given money to do that job knew anything about it?

Were we the ones that sourced the funds and were we expected to launch our own private investigation into where the funds came from before accepting to receive and use them for the job we were asked to do?

In their heart of hearts, they know that the answer to the two questions are both in the negative. Instead of going after the right people they wish to use the situation to embarrass and shame those of us that they see as the President’s political enemies and critics just to further defame, malign and humiliate us and destroy our future and careers.

This is vindictive, petty and wicked and, as long as the Lord is on the throne, it will not stand. It is a very dangerous precedent and I sincerely hope that all stakeholders take note of the implications of what is brewing and going on.

It would be a very dangerous thing and utterly counter-productive for this government to open a can of worms and try to implicate innocent men and women, who were simply doing their job and who knew nothing about any wrongdoing or illicit and illegal transactions or bank transfers of public funds from or to government accounts.

I wish to remind them that they will not be in power forever. Sooner or later, the tables will turn and they themselves will be subjected to the malicious lies, false allegations, smear campaigns, injustice, brutality and persecution that they are presently subjecting others to. It is only a question of time.

Now, let the Ancient of Days and He who never sleeps or slumbers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, judge between this government and all those innocent men and women that they are demonising and persecuting and that they seek to torment and destroy.

As long as Jesus is on the throne and our hands are clean, no matter how long it takes, we shall prevail and, ultimately, they will pay a heavy price for their malice, injustice and wickedness.

These are facts and readers can be rest assured that I will say nothing different to this if and when I am formally asked by anyone or any agency. When the EFCC begins to leak their falsehood and sallacious allegations to their agents in the media kindly take note of the fact that, as usual, they will be telling tall tales and they will be lying.

Now, I challenge them to do their worst. I have no fear of them or of those who have sent them to do this dirty job. May God judge them all and may He reward them for their wickedness.

Read more

By- Pius Adesanmi

Bukola Saraki, the enormously corrupt and filthy rogue who rose to the position of Nigeria’s number three citizen after robbing a bank and a state blind, managed to summon enough human feeling to beat President Buhari to a reaction to the recent massacre committed by Fulani herdsmen in Enugu. Bukola Saraki expressed sadness over the Enugu tragedy and urged expedited action on the escalating terrorism of Fulani herdsmen.

Here is a portrait of Saraki. He is facing a mountain of corruption charges. His undivided attention is now focused on a vast architecture of bribery as he moves insane amounts of money through the system to bribe the judiciary, the media, and every bribeable Nigerian in the vain hope of scuttling his trial and retaining his seat as Senate President.

A crook this busy should not be more alive to the duties, obligations, and responsibilities of the Nigerian president than the Nigerian president but, alas, it has happened. Even if Saraki’s reaction to Enugu is more of political expediency – anything that could cast him in a positive light helps in his desperate circumstances – than genuine concern for the dead and their families, he sha did it.

The Presidency did not stop at dereliction of duty. It would be very un-Nigerian if power stopped at dereliction of duty in terms of her relationship with the Nigerian people. There is always that little jara insult that power is ever in a hurry to administer to the people; that added humiliation that must be inflicted on the sensibilities of the people. Power is never content in Nigeria when she has not added insult to injury.

Thus, the Presidency eventually reacted to Enugu via Lai Mohammed who tucked in the President’s statement as an aside during the book launch of Senator Ike Ekweremadu! Ogbeni Ekweremadu’s book is entitled, “Who will Love my Country: Ideas for Building the Nigeria of our Dream.’’ Every day, somebody in the political class wakes up and decides to compete with Basketmouth and I Go Dye in the comedy business.

Ekweremadu has ideas for building Nigeria? After how many useless years of being part of the problem by gorging on immoral and amoral allowances in an indolent Senate? Ekweremadu has ideas? Hehehehehehe. Walahi talahi, there is nothing that Pius Adesanmi’s eyes will not see in the hands of Nigerian politicians.

And it is the launching of this book that the Nigerian presidency has elevated over other urgent matters of state, including Nigerian lives. Let’s be clear: the only reason a statement was released about Enugu boils down to the fact that they had no way of launching a book with the glitz of a Presidential address without first acknowledging Enugu. Issuing a belated presidential statement on the tragedy of Enugu was a distant hurdle that had to be scaled to clear the path for the jamboree of a book launch.

I thought about the callousness of making the statement on Enugu an aside during a book launch and winced. The Presidency and the National Assembly are lucky that they have and deserve each other. Otherwise, the handling of the idea of the sanctity of Nigerian lives by the President is an impeachable offence. All his predecessors have been guilty of this offence – Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan. Calculated indifference to the lives of ordinary Nigerians is chapter one in the instruction manual of the Nigerian Presidency. President Buhari was supposed to be the one who changed course but he has apparently decided not to rock the boat.

When a taciturn President jams an information manager like Femi Adesina who pompously believes that talking to the people is a favour that the Presidency must dish out with considerable parsimony, it is a recipe for tragedy. I have said it once and it bears repeating: if President Buhari does not kill Femi Adesina, Femi Adesina will kill President Buhari.

Some have suggested on social media that we need to borrow a leaf from the American White House where there are regular press briefings by the President’s spokesman. Great idea but we have a greater psychological war to wage before we arrive at those specifics. The psychology of power in Nigeria, so eminently personified by Femi Adesina and President Buhari today, believes that every mechanism of relating and communicating with the people is a favour done for them, a privilege granted unto the people.

The war against this mentality, against this atrocious psychology of power in Nigeria, must be waged before we settle down to agree on how many times the President needs to address us. No matter how many times the President addresses you, if it is packaged as favour and privilege, it will always be an insult. Your dignity will always be trampled upon first. The war must start with this Presidency so it doesn’t get carried over to the next: Femi Adesina’s coconut head must be cracked so that he will come to understand that when President Buhari communicates with his employers, the Nigerian people, it is his duty, it is his responsibility. He is not doing us a favour.

The President also obviously needs help in the department of optics. Because his presidency persists in not seeing how certain things look; because his presidency has been consistent in displaying unbelievable infantilism in terms of their understanding of the importance of perception, it is necessary to show them how the narrative of the Fulani herdsmen looks to people who are not within their bubble of filtered reality.

If you have a way of getting past Femi Adesina’s filter to the President, tell him that the prevailing perception is that he is indifferent to the terrorism of the Fulani herdsmen because they are his kinsmen. Tell him that in the realms of perception, it doesn’t really matter whether this is true or not. That is why we call it perception.

Tell him that he is feeding this perception by constantly threatening the Creek boys who are vandalizing pipelines and instantly threatening IPOB for even non-violent protests while maintaining stoic silence bordering on callousness as Fulani herdsmen unleash terrorism all over the country.

If you have the ears of the President, tell him that we know that some people are deceiving him that the Fulani herdsmen wahala precedes him. Such people have been telling him that this issue was there under Jonathan and that people are only bloviating now to smear him. Tell him that the coconut headed idiots telling him these things do not mean well for him and for Nigeria.

For starters, that it happened under Jonathan is no justification for anything. Secondly, the Fulani herdsmen now seem to have acquired a new sense of boldness and impunity because they understand that nothing will happen to them under their kinsman. After all, the police and the DSS only have balls when they are dealing with IPOB and the Creek boys. When it comes to the Fulani herdsmen, their balls and scrotum disappear altogether.

Tell the President that these are the predominant perceptions that he is fueling with his attitude. Warn him that perceptions, whether true or not, have consequences. And the only foreseeable consequence of the prevailing perceptions of his handling of this matter is the doom of his Presidency.

He will not have the excuse of saying: why didn’t anybody tell me.

Magana ya kare

Read more

▪Benue State Government where Fulani terrorists killed over 500 persons in Agatu is yet to make a statement

Northern governors rose in defence of the killer Fulani Terrorist herdsmen, saying it is an insult to call them criminals.

The Governors of 19 Northern States rose from their meeting in Kaduna Friday, condemning labelling perpetrators of crimes around the country as Fulani people.

The Governors who met behind closed doors said, as much as they condemn the recent attacks in Enugu and other parts of the country, they condemned labelling the criminals as Fulani people.

Briefing newsmen shortly after the meeting at the Kaduna Government House Friday evening, Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) and Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima said, it is an insult to label criminals as Fulani.

According to him, “We want to unequivocally condemn the recent killings in Enugu and other parts of the country. But we equally condemn the politicisation or permit me, the ‘ethinicisation’ of the whole crisis. It goes beyond Fulani. If anything happens, they say Fulani herdsmen; to me it is an insult.

“Kidnapping in this country originated in the South-east, were they called Igbo kidnappers? We have a great national challenge and we want to call on all and sundry to come and let us solve our common challenges as a people. Because the blood of paternity that binds us together supersedes whatever differences that might divide us,” he stressed.

While he condemned the Agatu killings, the NSGF Chairman, charged the media to avoid sensationalism and harp on issues that bind the country Nigerians together.

On the legacies of the Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Governor Shettima said they were doing everything possible to revive the New Nigerian Newspapers and Arewa Textile Limited.

Read more

My Dear People of Enugu State,
Four days ago on Monday April 25, 2016 many of our brothers and
sisters in Nimbo in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of the state were
murdered in cold blood by suspected Fulani herdsmen who have been
grazing their cattle in that area for a while now.
May their souls rest in peace. Amen.
On Sunday, April 24, 2016, by 7 pm, the night before this carnage took
place, I got security information from Uzo-Uwani Local Government
Transition Chairman, Hon. Cornell Onwubuya that such an incident was
likely to take place in the state.
I immediately summoned a meeting of the State Security Council which
commenced by 10 pm.
The meeting was attended by the following:
1. Garrison Commander Brigadier General Olufemi Akinjobi who normally
represents the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division Nigerian
Army
2. The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Nwodibo Ekechukwu
3. The State Director of Department State Security Services (DSS),
Mr. M. Abdul Malik
4. The State Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence
Corps, Mr. Lar Stephen
5. Representatives of the Nigerian Air force, Federal Road Safety
Corps and Nigerian Prison Services, who attended as observers.
From the side of government were, myself, the Governor, the Deputy
Governor, the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff,
the Chairman, State Traditional Rulers Council and the Honourable
Attorney General of the State.
In the meeting, we received assurances from the Commissioner of Police
that the Area Commander of SARS was on ground in Nimbo.
-That the Anti-Terrorism Unit was at Nimbo
– That he was in contact with the Kogi State Commissioner of Police
and reported suspected herdsmen grouping at Odolu in Kogi State
preparatory for an attack on Nimbo and Abbi communities
– That Police mobile force and conventional police were already
drafted to Nimbo and Abbi communities.
– That he was in touch with the Area Commander, ldah, ACP lkegwuonwu
and had linked him with the Area Commander, Nsukka, ACP lVlonday
Kuryas.
Both men according to the CP reported that there were no traces of
suspected herdsmen in Nsukka or Idah.
-That he ordered the Area Commander, Nsukka to redeploy to Nimbo.
-That the Garrison Commander on his part assured the meeting that
Military was already deployed to Nimbo.
Let me state that the State Government provided logistics for these deployments.
After receiving these assurances of deployments to Nimbo, I felt quite
confident that we had done everything possible to forestall an attack
on Nimbo. I have deliberately narrated what transpired at the Security
Council meeting fully conscious of the provisions of the Nigerian
Constitution pertaining to my oath of office. I am doing this in due
discharge of my duties as Governor.
Sadly, in the early hours of Monday reports of this carnage reached
me. More disturbing was the report that the attack of innocent and
defenceless citizens were carried out at about 6 30 am.
Further reports available to me indicate that apart from the killing
and maiming of innocent and defenceless citizens of Nimbo a Church was
also burnt. Following this development, I engaged the security
agencies in order to
ensure that the Nimbo area was secured from further attacks that might
escalate the situation.
On Tuesday, April 26, 2016, I visited Nimbo in order to establish
firsthand the extent of carnage. My visit to Nimbo was revealing. I
came face to face with the wounded and bereaved. I saw burnt and
damaged personage of Christ Holy Church. I saw a traumatized community
in shock and despair. I saw a dead body. I wept. I wondered what has
become of our quest for a united, peaceful and prosperous nation. Our
first national anthem had a phrase which went thus: “though tribe and
tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand.”
Only two weeks ago we gave a posthumous award to Alhaji Umaru Altine,
a Katsina born Muslim who was elected mayor of Enugu before the Civil
War, in the period that Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was leader of the NCNC.
Now in less than three months, violent clashes have occurred in Enugu
State in Awgu, Nike, Abbi and Nimbo between suspected Fulani Herdsmen
and our people.
This situation cannot be allowed to continue.
For this reason, I sought audience with His Excellency, the President
and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
Our discussions were frank and cordial.
I am very grateful to the President and Commander in Chief of the
Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari for his prompt and decisive reaction to
the incident in Nimbo.
The President came out with a clear and unmistakable condemnation of
this dastardly act and gave clear and definite directives to the
security agencies to fish out these criminals and bring them to
justice.
l have called you today not just to brief you on what has happened so
far but to discuss in depth with you on what we must all do to prevent
the occurrence of such incidents in the future.
So long as we are Nigerians, we cannot live in isolation but those who
come to Enugu must respect out values and not engage in such dastardly
act as we have witnessed recently.
I am at once, constituting a judicial commission of inquiry to
investigate the immediate and remote causes of all the violent
occurrences in the State associated with suspected Fulani Herdsmen and
recommend appropriate measures that will be put in place to prevent
future occurrence.
What happened between 6.30am and 7.30 am on Monday 25th April, 2016
despite assurances from the Security Agencies? Only the Security
Agencies can answer this question.
Finally, all security agencies in the State are hereby directed to
continue to ensure that lives and property of the people of the State
and all its residents are protected.
Thank you and God bless you.

Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi
Governor Enugu State

Read more

From Left: Member, Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Kelechi Nwogu, and Former Netherlands Football Legend, Patrick Kluivert at the City of Manchester Stadium on Tuesday after discussing on development of youth football

Hon Kelechi Nwogu said that he will build the information to develop youth football in his Constituency in Omuma Local Government Area.

He noted that previous contacts with Two Former Super Eagles Captains, Austin Okocha and Kanu Nwankwo have been helpful in his youth football programme for the Omuma State Constituency.

The State Lawmaker said that his interest in youth football development stems from his belief that it will help in the empowerment of less privileged children.Read more

By Moji Danisa Dawodu

Please people, let’s try and approach the Tiwa Savage issue as human beings with flesh and blood. Drop the celebrity and assume they were you or you were in their position at the same age given same situation. I still believe Tiwa’s husband needs urgent help. What I read from the whole situation is a man who created a star, watched as she became a mega star but had to stay still as the industry literally yanked her away from him. I would imagine him watching from the sideline as she went further and further away from him. It is very hard in that situation for a man wanting to hold on to his love and creation, she wanting to be with him but her stardom taking over her whole life or much of it. At this stage, the industry owns the performer. A musician makes Hay while the sun shines. TeeBlitz should have gone into same business he understood and built more stars rather than venturing into businesses he knew little of. Right now he feels shattered cos he ended a career, put his stakes on her but lost out to the ruthless showbiz grinding mill. We need to pray for him. If as Tiwa said, he slid into drugs, then there’s no wonder he went into depression. He needs prayers and medical care to get out of it and move on with his life with or without his beloved wife. Tiwa is shattered from what we saw in that video. We must pray for her and her little baby. May God heal the hearts of the broken hearted. May He step into that marriage.
Enough of the jokes please. We are becoming too distant from humanity as a people.
Whatever happened to: “Milk of human kindness?” Some of us have been through worse situations, many of us are battling several personal demons.

Read more

Photos: Soty Ray

Read more

Deputy Governor of Rivers State Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo says the confirmation and swearing-in of another female, Justice Christy Gabriel Nwankwo as the President of the State Customary Court of Appeal is a fulfillment by Governor Nyesom Wike’s promise to give women opportunity to achieve their potentials under his administration.

Dr. Banigo, in a statement issued by her Press Secretary, Paul Damgbor, said the swearing-in of a substantive President of the Customary Court of Appeal few weeks after the 2nd female State Chief Judge, Justice A. I. Iyayi-Lamikanra was sworn-in, demonstrates the political will and sagacity of the State Governor to recognize professional excellence and enhance the capacity of the judiciary to discharge its duties.

The Deputy Governor said the recent conferment of a live membership of African Bar Association Council by the NBA on Governor Wike as a testimony of his immense contributions to the progress of the Judiciary.

She noted that Governor Wike, shortly on assumption of office, took steps to revive the State Judiciary that was in comatose occasioned by the political interference of the previous Government of the State.

The Deputy Governor observed that the State Government has continued to guarantee the independence of the judiciary by creating an enabling environment for Judicial Officers to perform their duties.

According to her, the State has adopted transparency, equity and fairness in the appointment of Judicial heads in the State.

Dr. Banigo described Justice Nwankwo as a competent Judiciary Officer, adding that her appointment was based on merit and urged her to justify the confidence entrusted in her.

Paul Damgbor

Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor

Friday, April 29, 2016.

—

Read more

Parts 1.3 (A&B) and 2.2 (iv&v) of the Electoral Guidelines for the conduct of Year 2016 Ward, LGA, State, Zonal Congresses and National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) provide that there shall be a Ward Congress to elect members of the Ward Executive Committee and Ward Delegates to the LGA and State Congresses. Part 2.1 (i) also stipulates that the Ward Congress Committee shall conduct the elections at the Ward Congress.

Accordingly, the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great Party has nominated the following Party members to serve on Electoral Committee and Electoral Appeal Panels for the conduct of Ward Congresses, LGA Congresses and State Congresses in the following States commencing from Saturday, April 30, 2016, Thursday, May 5, 2016 and Tuesday, May 10, 2016 respectively.

ADAMAWA STATE:
A. Congresses Committee
1. Dr. Abiye Sekibo Chairman
2. Alh. Abdullahi Ohioma Secretary
3. Hon. Mike Kalango –
4. Dr. Godwin Duru –
5. Hon. Habu Dawaki –
6. Alh. Yusuf (Barma) Gumel –
7. Mrs. Stella Nwajei –
8. Ahetima Jallaba
9. Adamu Ahmed Datijo –
10. Wisdom Ivo Okafor –
11. Chief Lawrence Osiebu –

B. Appeals Committee
1. Aminu Yakudima Chairman
2. Pastor Godwin Akpovie Secretary
3. Barr. Moses Ibeyemi –
4. Chief Chris Onyeri –
5. Otunba Kunle Yusuff –

AKWA-IBOM STATE:
A. Congresses Committee
1. Senator Umaru Tsauri Chairman
2. Hon. Denis Alonge Niyi Secretary
3. Dr. Sadiq Musa Member
4. Prince Abdullahi Obaje “
5. Barr. Vincent Okpaleke
6. Ms Kemi Adewunmi
7. Mr. Noble Akenge
8. Alh. Usman Abubakar
9. Mrs. Victoria Madaki
10. Barr. Cosmas Ugwueze
11. Hajia Gambo Niger

B. Appeals Committee
1. Chief Tunde Akindehin – Chairman
2. Hon. Mahmud Bichi – Secretary
3. Veronica Williams – Member
4. Dr. Umar S. Hauwa “
5. Rita Okeyia “

BAUCHI STATE:
A. Congresses Committee
1. Nnoli Nnaji Chairman
2. Hon. Daniel Udoh Secretary
3. Amb. Umar Ilyasu Damagum –
4. Hassan Ahmed Grema –
5. Okunbiri E. Dortimi –
6. Umaru Babayo
7. Barr. Sylvester Egbenidion –
8. Barr. Val Ikeonu –
9. Alh. Kabiru Usman
10. Hon. Ado Dogo Audu
11. Hon. Josephine Naodi

Appeals Committee
1. Hon. Boniface Archibong Chairman
2. Dr. Bashir Balarabe Secretary
3. Barr. Efeke Hauwa Solomon –
4. Vivien Ojobo –
5. Dare Adeleke –

BAYELSA STATE:
A. Congresses Committee
1. Hon. Edwin Anayo – Chairman
2. Dr. Sylvester Omaji – Secretary
3. Samuel Iyoyo – Member
4. Donatus Nwabueze
5. Ene Ogbeh –
6. Hon. Dr. Okey Ibe –
7. Saratu Hamman Janru –
8. Hon. Logun Wasiu –
9. Henry Beedie –
10. Paul Abbey –
11. Mr. Ewitat Uduak –
B. Appeals Committee
1. Hon (Barr) Dozie Ike – Chairman
2. Dr. (Barr) Ime T. Ekpoattai – Secretary
3. Hon. Samaila Lado Kankia –
4. Hon. Alaye Don Pedro –
5. Mr. Aminu Yahaya Okeke –

BENUE STATE:
A. Congresses Committee
1. Barr. Caleb Ubale Chairman
2. Alh. Wada Abubakar Secretary
3. Mr. Jude Fregene –
4. Alh. Wada Masu –
5. Alabi Ebenezer –
6. Umar Wasa –
7. Babangida Maina –
8. Ashiru Abdullahi Bomo –
9. Hon. Chidi Okoh –
10. Alh. Aminu Sankara –
11. Hon. Alex Marama

B. Appeals Committee
1. Prince Victor Egbune Chairman
2. Alh. Ibrahim Abdulahi Secretary
3. Austin Atiti – Member
4. Alh. Musa Sakan – ”
5. Miss Ruth Efemini – ”

CROSS RIVER STATE:
A. Congresses Committee
1. Hon. Taleb Tebite (JP) Chairman
2. Hon. Abdul Azeez Idris King Secretary
3. Mr. Daniel Yusuf
4. Prof. Sam Aghalilo
5. Hon. Bucky Olakpade
6. Hon. Barr. Dennis Omovie
7. Hon. Mike Ogwa
8. Mr. Shaibu Ali
9. Mr. Friday Adejo
10. Alh. Shakur Yinusa
11. Chief Adakole Ijogi

B. Appeals Committee
1. Barr. Fred Majemite Chairman
2. Alhaji Yahaya Alfa Secretary
3. Comrade Ovuzorie Maculay Member
4. Hon. Stella Ogigba Member
5. Hon. Jimmy Ochei, Esq

DELTA STATE:
A. Congresses Committee
1. Dame (Mrs) Uzor Nwandu Chairman
2. Barr. Musa Amagbor Secretary
3. Hon. Ado Datti Member
4. Engr. Kingsley Chinedu Oki “
5. Mrs. Mercy Sharon Ayuba “
6. Mr. Innocent Nnaji “
7. Dr. Lawrence Ezenwa “
8. Dr. Frank Collins Okafor “
9. Umeh Anthonente “
10. Joseph Haruna Kigbu “
11. Barr. Raymond Nnah

B. Appeals Committee
1.
2.

EBONYI STATE:
A. Congresses Committee
1. Barr. Emma Okah Chairman
2. Barr. Theophilus Owhor Secretary
3. Prince Weli Wosu
4. Mr. Emeka Onowu
5. Mrs. Joyce Ajikere
6. Major Jack
7. Mrs. Torka Apenu
8. Mrs. Toru Ofili
9. Chief Ogbams Ojimah
10.
11.

B. Appeals Committee
1. Barr. Osima Ginah Chairman
2. Barr. Vitalis Ajoku Secretary
3. Mrs. Emila Nte
4. Barr. Hanny Woko
5. Mr. Promise Jacobs

ENUGU STATE:
A. Congresses Committee
1. Alh. Ibrahim Bashir – Chairman
2. Eugene Onuegbu – Secretary
3. Hon. Idowu Onyie – Member
4. Christiana Didel – “
5. Frank Ogar – “
6. Harirat Mabe Yakubu – “
7. Hon. Uzo Azubuike
8. Lawal Anche
9. Ugochukwu Okeke
10. Ndubuisi Nwigwe
11. Colet Odenigbo

B. Appeals Committee
1. Hon. Adamu Kalba Chairman
2. Barr. Chima Nwana Secretary
3. Emeka Ekwueme –
4. Joel Clinton
5. Elizabeth Ogbaga –

EKITI STATE:
A. Congresses Committee
1. Hon. Chief Henry I. Ikoh Chairman
2. Diran Odeyemi Secretary
3. Mr. Kalu Chukwuemeka Isreal
4. Parker Davies
5. James Yakubu
6. Funmiso Babarunde
7. Ayo Aluko
8. Akin Adeyi
9. Yemi Komolafe
10. Olubunmi Aronolo Christian
11. Akinmade Habibat

B. Appeals Committee
1. Dare Adeleke Chairman
2. Ola Kukoyi Secretary
3. Aminu Yakubu
4. Shamaki Bbati – Bello
5. Hon. Samuel Bulus

FCT
A. Congresses Committee
1. Wing Commander Wisdom Chairman
2. Barr. Tony Okah Secretary
3. John Okpako Omene –
4. Ahamdi Ejimudo Chikwe –
5. Barr. Dukkas Mohammed –
6. Hon. Asimiyu Alarabe –
7. Dr. Amos Ighorodje –
8. Clement Awoyedu –
9. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwujah –
10. Princess Bola Kwara
11. Hon. Ikechukwu Akonobi –

B. Appeals Committee
1. Hon. Ibrahim Ahmed Nafada Chairman
2. Hon. Isa Bello Gwadayi Secretary
3. Raymond Edijala –
4. Hon. Sylvester Nwanko –
5. Bakura Waziri Abuna –

GOMBE STATE:
A. Congresses Committee
1. Bashir Bukar Rimi Chairman
2. Dr. Jacob Audu Secretary
3. Hon. Habiba Adams
4. Alh. Umaru Magaji
5. Dr. Jalo Buba
6. Yawale Boltingo
7. Dr. Emmanuel Asufi
8. Mrs. Aladi Usman Gift
9. Alh. Abubakar Mijinyawa
10. Yakubu Barau Ningi

B. Appeals Committee
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

JIGAWA STATE:
A. Congresses Committee
1. Hon. Salisu Dabo Chairman
2. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwujah Secretary
3. Adamu Shuaibu Gwani – Member
4. Sheriff Audu –
5. Alex Eyamike –
6. Hon. Aminu Abdulsalam Giwa –
7. Chief Augustine Nwodo –
8. Hon. John Ogbodo –
9. Dr. Sandra Ote Dafiaghor –
10. Barr. Chuwang I. Paul –
11. Emmanuel Joseph Etim –

B. Appeals Committee
1. Chairman
2. Secretary
3. Col. Kujipilam – Gombe
4. Chief Mike Udo – Enugu
5. Yomi Ajayi – Ogun

KADUNA STATE:
A. Congresses Committee
1. Prince Tajudeen A. Aleshinloye Chairman
2. Hon. Mathew Akwe Doma Secretary
3. Mr. Ogaga Udi Member
4. Alh. Ibrahim Isa Mayana
5. A. Moh. Jikan Malam
6. Muazu Bawa
7. Okey Ozoani
8. Emmanuel Inyang
9. Hon. Ubale Jakada Kiru
10. Engr. Sarki Labaran
11. Hon. Kamal Olonenoje

B. Appeals Committee
1. Hon. Kawu Idris Chairman
2. Comrade Fidelis Edeh Secretary
3. Engr. Steve Agbaka – Member
4. Hon. Fatai Adams – Member
5. Mr. Patrick Omeje – Member

KANO STATE:
A. Congresses Committee
1. Chairman
2. Hon. Suleiman Lawal Kauru Secretary
3. Hajia Amina Aliyu Wamba
4. Hon. Enesi Kutemi –
5. Chief Eloka Nwafor –
6. Barr. Yusuf Hardo –
7. Alhaji Lawan Owando –
8. Emmanuel Alamu
9. Hassan Jirgi
10. Ibrahim OLumide Ajiga –
11. Hon. (Mrs) Broderick Preye –

B. Appeals Committee
1. Engr. Solomon Bello Chairman
2. Secretary
3. Kingsley Muogbo – Enugu
4. Barr. Ochai Jacob Plateau
5. Mrs. Linda Onovughe Olayebi Delta

KATSINA STATE:
A. Congresses Committee
1. Chairman
2. Secretary
3. Alh. Kashim Ahmed Grema – Borno
4. Gody Nwankwo – Enugu
5. Shetimman Kallungo – Gombe
6. Prince Kola Adewusi – Osun
7. Mrs. Grace Aderounmu
8. Dr. Hauwa Husseini
9. Hon. Rabiu Bako – Imo
10. Hon. Dennis Odebala – Delta
11. Mrs. Ngozi Oguike – Imo

B. Appeals Committee
1. Chairman
2. Secretary
3. Barr. Ray Nnaji – Enugu
4. Hon. Chuma Nnaji – Imo
5. Hajiya Zainab Julde – Bauchi

KEBBI STATE:
A. Congresses Committee
1. Chairman
2. Secretary
3. Usman Saidu Umar – Gombe
4. Hajiya Hauwa Musa Kida – Kaduna
5. Mathias Arekie – Enugu
6. Hon. David Egbe – Cross Rivers
7. Hajiya A’in Maradun – Zamfara
8. Alh. Ibrahim Baba Kassim – Adamawa
9. Hon. Madu Mai – Yobe
10. Princess Philomena Ededey – Delta
11. Alh. Tajudeen Alesinloye – Oyo

B. Appeals Committee
1. Chairman
2. Secretary
3. Shehu Abubakar – Borno
4. Sunday D. Zoaka
5. Francis Iyasere – Edo

KWARA STATE:
A. Congresses Committee
1. Chief Niyi Oyeleye Chairman
2. Secretary
3. Hon. Aliyu Tukur – Jigawa
4. Dr. Chris Oghenechovwen – Delta
5. Alh. Haruna Turaki – Gombe
6. Hon. Hajara Haruna
7. Abdullahi Abubakar Danladi – Kano
8. Hon. Yinka Aluko – Ekiti
9. Mrs. Olabisi Olabimpe
10. Wale Soladoye – Osun
11. Hon. Larry Ogieva – Edo

B. Appeals Committee
1. Chairman
2. Secretary
3. Hajiya Aisha Ahmad Darina – Kano
4. Mr. Efe Itie – Bayelsa
5. Hon. Nduka Ozougwu – Imo

NASARAWA STATE:
A. Congresses Committee
1. Hon. Baba Shehu Agae – Chairman
2. Hon. Sado Sunday – Secretary
3. Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo – Member
4. Kindom Nwala “
5. Hon. Peter Tsauza “
6. Alh. Ruki Ibrahim “
7. Mr. Gift Enejere “
8. John Obidinma “
9. Chinedu Lawrence “
10. Chief Livinus Iwuoha “
11. Alh. Razak Adekola “

B. Appeals Committee
1. Chairman
2. Secretary
3. Garba Akoma Gona – Gombe
4. Alh. Lawan Wowo – Katsina
5. Barr. Blessing Oborevwori – Delta

NIGER STATE:
A. Congresses Committee
1. Sen. Musa Bako Chairman
2. Alh. Usman Bagudu Secretary
3. Alhaji Ibrahim Abe Tijani – Katsina
4. Hon. Chibuike Edeh – Anambra
5. Miss Onome Omene – Delta
6. Ahmed Umar Ziko – Kaduna
7. Alhaji Zakari Kashere – Gombe
8. Hon. Emmanuel Tsandu – Adamawa
9. Mrs. Oby C.H. Nwafor – Imo
10. Mrs. Maureen Djoma – Bayelsa
11. Alhaja Hadizat Umoru – Edo

B. Appeals Committee
1. Chief Chidi Okolo Chairman
2. Alh. Liman Kwande Secretary
3. Hon. Chibuzor Okenwa – Enugu
4. Alhaji Lawal Alu Dangi – Katsina
5. Nasiru Roni – Rivers

OGUN STATE:
A. Congresses Committee
1. Muhammad El-Yakub Chairman
2. Hon. Miko Bernard Secretary
3. Alh. Mufutau Kajogbola Member
4. Mr. Bashir Olanrewaju “
5. Prince Adekunle Aladesnmi “
6. Alhaji Kola Ibrahim “
7. Chukwudike Muonago “
8. Ibrahim Sherif “
9. Hon. Issa Lawal Kangar “
10. Alh. Ahmed Bala “
11. Ahmed Umaru Gwandu “

B. Appeals Committee
1. Mrs. Lilian Cosmos Chairman
2. Hon. Segun Odebunmi Secretary
3. Fati Danlami
4. Alh. Nasiru Barau
5. Mohammed Garba Baba

OSUN STATE:
A. Congresses Committee
1. Dr. Eddy Okokon Chairman
2. Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Musa Secretary
3. Alhaji Kolawole Ibrahim Member
4. Ngozi Felicia Ajekwu (Mrs) “
5. Hon. Kayode Arigbede “
6. Hon. Helen Taiwo Adebakin “
7. Prince Adekunle Adesanmi “
8. Ijeoma Nwoyeocha
9. Comrade Moses Fakojo
10. Chief Kayode Oloja
11. Rt. Hon. George Diaka

B. Appeals Committee
1. Dr. Joe Abraham SAN Chairman
2. Barr. JohnMathew Secretary
3. Princess Mary Ekwe Member
4. Alh. Bala Balami Member
5. Hon. Ernest Nweze

PLATEAU STATE:
A. Congresses Committee
1. Hon. Mustapha Habib Zanna Chairman
2. Prof. Chudi Uwazuirike Secretary
3. Mr. Kes Ojighoro –
4. Mr. Uchenna Ogbodo –
5. Hon. Grace Odirri –
6. Alh. Yahaya Dan Uwa Bakori –
7. Ibrahim Bala Aboki –
8. Hon. Chris Iroegbu –
9. Alh. Bakari Dalibi –
10. Alex Kanebi –
11. Umar Sani Babban Duhu –

B. Appeals Committee
1. Prof. Onje Gyewado Chairman
2. Hon. Nuhu Sani Ibrahim Secretary
3. Engr. Emeka Nnam –
4. Mrs. Vicky Brikins-Edewor –
5. Mr. Larry Onah –

RIVERS STATE:
A. Congresses Committee
1. Chief Augustine Umahi Chairman
2. Hon. Clement Nweke Secretary
3. Barr. Joseph E. Nkama
4. Hon. Obinna Nwachukwu
5. Dr. (Mrs) Nora Aloh
6. Mrs. Bene Obah
7. Barr. Anselem Enigwe
8. Mr. Emma Nwangele
9. Hon. Ali Odefa
10.
11.

B. Appeals Committee
1. Hon. Barr. Vincent Nwokpor Chairman
2. Barr. R.U.V. Nwaeze Secretary
3. Hon. Uchenna Orji
4. Mrs. Euphemia Nwali
5. Chief Hycinth Ikpor

SOKOTO STATE:
A. Congresses Committee
1. Chairman
2. Secretary
3. Hon. Haruna Junga – Gombe
4. Chief Niyi Oyeleye – Osun
5. Barr. Basil Onovo – Anambra
6. Hon. Daniel Mkpanam – Akwa Ibom
7. Hon. Tom Agi – Cross River
8. Hon. Sani Kutigi – Niger
9. Fatiregun Kehinde – Osun
10. Jerry Awa – Abia
11. Hon. Mrs. Fatima Adamu Auta – Nasarawa
B. Appeals Committee
1. Chairman
2. Secretary
3. Chief John Ugwuanyi – Enugu
4. Ramson Onoyake – Delta
5. Hon. Doshima Alkali – Benue

TARABA STATE:
A. Congresses Committee
1. Sir Emmanuel Ekprikpo Chairman
2. Prof. Dakum Shown Secretary
3. Usman Sani Elkudan
4. Mr. Wale Ogunremide – Bayelsa
5. Engr. Ashanti Bekewei – Bayelsa
6. Dr. Haruna Dabin – Plateau
7. Alh. Shehu Adamu
8. Mr. Adiel Kurdah
9. Umar Danjani
10. Alh. Danjuma Musa Garkuwa
11. Fyneface Ayayi

B. Appeals Committee
1. Senator Solomon Ewuga Chairman
2. Barr. Auta Maisamari Secretary
3. Alh. Babajide Shehu
4. Engr. Lynn Nathan
5. Sir Charles Menegbo

YOBE STATE:
A. Congresses Committee
1. Chairman
2. Secretary
3. Alh. Mohammed Chindo – Gombe
4. Alh. Isiaku Jibril – Niger
5. Tunji Akinosi – Ogun
6. Hon (Barr) Bathsheba Riki
7. Chief Ochuko Sakpaide – Delta
8. Musa Kalifa – Katsina
9. Joel Richard – Ebonyi
10. Samuel Kevin Andason – Kaduna
11. Alh. Ogber A. Ganiyu – Ondo

B. Appeals Committee
1. Chairman
2. Secretary
3. Hon. Richard Ibande – Benue
4. Engr. Awwal Hayatu Wakili – Adamawa
5. David Umar Gurara – Kaduna

ZAMFARA STATE:
A. Congresses Committee
1. Hon. Akinlade Abiodun Chairman
2. Mr. Obinna Anosike Secretary
3. Alh. Nasiru Nastub
4. Nura Sani
5. Larai Furtherson
6. Yusha’u Aliyu Bagudu
7. Junaid Idris
8. Mr. Monday Danladi
9. Sheik Kabir Bako – Kaduna
10. Hon. James Eze Alaka – Ebonyi
11. Joy Ubong David – Akwa Ibom

B. Appeals Committee
1. Nabil Mohammed Chairman
2. Hon. Halima Labo Secretary
3. Rabi Baby Kano
4. Cecilia Obum
5. Sadiq Nuhu

Abubakar Mustapha MFR, mni
National Organizing Secretary

Read more

… Igbo Group Bemoans FG’s Inability To Protect Lives

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has called on South East lawmakers in the National Assembly to deploy every legislative instrument to uncover and bring to justice the promoters of the murderous attacks on communities in the zone.

Similarly, the Igbo Ekunie Initiative (IEI) has expressed its dismay at federal government’s inability to uphold its constitutional responsibility of protecting the lives and properties of all citizens.

Describing as unacceptable, the loss of innocent lives and destruction of properties in Nimbo, Uzo-Uwani Council of Enugu State by suspected Fulani herdsmen, the state chapter of the party, in a statement yesterday, signed by the Chairman, Mr. Ken Ikeh, stated that “Government at all levels should rise up to stop this development, which is assuming a different proportion

Read more

Until it gets so close, you’ll never understand. Can you imagine what Northern minority farmers have endured for decades?

If these foolish Fulani herdsmen can slaughter hundreds in the South, it’s getting clearer what Plateau, Taraba, Nassarawa, Kaduna South etc, have put up with for decades.

When next we hear the invasion of Northern Christian community, we’ll understand exactly what happened.

Again, I apologize.

By Ross Alabo-George

Read more

By D.A.N Osa-Ogbegie, Esq.

I was shocked when I read the description of the departed Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo as “iconoclastic royal father”. The last time I checked, iconoclastic meant “attacking or ignoring cherished beliefs and long-held traditions, as being based on error, superstition, or lack of creativity”. It also means a person that is intolerant of other religious beliefs.

Adams Oshiomhole’s description of our revered departed King and father in this manner is calculated to present him in bad light. The Oba never appeared as intolerant of other religion. The Holy Aruosa cathedral in Benin City is the oldest Church in Nigeria. The Oba has always showed support to Muslims in Edo State and cause unity among all Edo tribes and the various ethnic groupings in Nigeria.

The Oba has also been the custodian of long held customs of his people and at no time has anyone complained that he was deviating from the beautiful customs of his people. To therefore describe our revered monarch and the embodiment of Edo, especialy Benin people, is to insult our Oba and insult all Edo, especially Benin people.

As Benin people, our Monarch goes to the very root of our existence and pride. We know that Oshiomhole is an ungrateful person, but we didn’t know he could be so brazen in attacking our pride and our Oba minutes after the announcement of his departure to the land of his ancestors. Even though Oshiomhole did not really grow up in Edo to understand us as a people, and to be able to empathise with us at this time, eight years ought to be enough to make him learn the act of respect, gratitude and Edo etiquette.

I hereby urge Adams Oshiomhole to apologise to the memory of our departed Oba, apologise to the Benin traditional institution, apologise to all Benin and Edo people for causing them this discomfort and embarrassment.

If Oshiomhole fails to do the needful, I would hereby call on the Edo State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against him for this bungling incompetence, disrespect and insensitivity to a people.

Daniel Osa-Ogbegie is a member of the Oloke family of Benin.
▪Paparazzi

Read more

The Nigeria Labour Congress has hinged its proposal for a N56,000 minimum wage increase to current inflationary trend in the country.

NLC argued that it was not out of place for government to increase workers’ salary even in times of recession, as it was an indirect means of stimulating economic activities.

According to Peters Adeyemi, Deputy President of the NLC, wage increase was a constitutional matter which ought to be observed by government as the employer, once every five years.

Adeyemi who spoke on the sidelines of the May Day commemoration which comes up on May 1, 2016 nationwide, noted that as at the time N18,000 minimum wage was negotiated with the Federal Government, the exchange rate was about N145 to a dollar.

NLC also argued that while inflation had resulted in the increase of goods and services, workers salary had remained stagnant.

“If you ask me how justified is the N56,000 wage increase in spite of the economic crisis, my answer would be yes, it is highly justified.

“First do not forget that the naira itself has collapsed, beyond the expectation of every Nigerian; I recall when we negotiated the N18,000 minimum wage, the exchange rate then was about N145 to a dollar.

“As at this morning, it is about N321 to a dollar; I heard it is a bit stable now at N321, but if you do arithmetical calculations, it shows it is more than one hundred per cent poorer, in whatever way you want to look at it.

“What that means in effect is that the N18,000 itself has gone down beyond one hundred per cent from the time it was negotiated.

“By implication, what N18,000 could buy as at when it was approved has reduced significantly beyond more than half; it would not be fair to say that we must continue to insist that N18,000 should be what is payable.

“Talking about the inflationary trend, if you look at the values associated, even the unlawful increase in electricity tariff, you will find that there has been tremendous increase in the prices of goods and services and salaries of workers have remained stagnant.

Right now, we are talking of fuel scarcity; you also know that Nigerians have had to contend with buying of petrol as much as N250 per litre and workers are involved at these outrageous demands,” Adeyemi said.

On the theme of this year’s May Day which is: “The Working Class and the Quest for Socio-Economic Revival,” he said the current economic situation called for stakeholders, particularly workers, to chart a way for national rebirth and engendering pro-poor policies.

▪Independent Newspaper

Read more

Read more

Read more

Read more