I stand with James Onanefe Ibori!

                                                                                                                        OPINION                                                                                                                             

By Tony Ademiluyi

The corruption issue is one of the crafty strategies that the Caucasian imperialists have used to keep this country divided. Nigeria as the most populous black nation on earth is of strategic importance to the neo-colonialists and so it is in their best interest to perpetually keep this nation divided.

Chief James Onanefe Ibori

In my bid to critically understudy the nitty-gritty of divide and rule, I made it the subject of my final year thesis at the University of Lagos where I bagged a degree in English and Literary Studies. My focus was on how this ancient strategy played out in the then British colonies of Nigeria and Kenya using Chinua Achebe’s evergreen ‘Things Fall Apart’ and Ngugi Wa Thiongo’s ‘Weep Not Child as sturdy case studies.’ My project supervisor was the University of Sheffield trained Dr. Gabriel Adetokunbo Pearse who had also taught extensively in over 10 American institutions. My choice of him was strategic as he had vast experience in political consulting in the United States of America and nearly became a Congressman. The late visionary Engineer Funsho Williams brought him back to the country after two decades in Uncle Sam to coordinate his campaign for his 2007 gubernatorial run.

I was in my maternal grandparents’ house in Benin City when the news caption on July 27 2006 read ‘Prominent Lagos Politician brutally assassinated.’ My instincts told me it was Funsho Williams that was murdered. I waited with breath as my worst fear was unraveled. My political mentor and hero was no more! I passed out and woke up in the hospital. The hope for good governance in the ‘Centre for Excellence’ was gone like a candle in the wind. I recall the extensive discussions I had with him as a then student member of first the Network Alliance and then the Williams Campaign Organisation. In 2003 at the risk of my personal safety and life, I mobilized many Akokites to cast their vote for this former alumnus who was a gentleman per excellence despite the fact that the then Olusegun Obasanjo led government shut down all the Nigerian universities. How could Captain be murdered? I recall when my paternal grandmother died in 2005; he drove himself with his beautiful wife to the funeral without any police escort.

James Onanefe Ibori is no saint and like every mortal has his good and bad sides. After a six year incarceration in the United Kingdom, the tumultuous reception that was accorded him could be interpreted differently depending on the perspective you choose to view it. From mine, it was a loud protest against the conspiratorial forces of imperialism that incarcerated him. It was a loud rejection of the flawed and biased system that didn’t satisfy the dictates of the maxim that ‘he who comes to equity must come with clean hands.’

I have always been suspicious of the overt interest of imperialist institutions in the backing of the corruption fight in Nigeria. It is no news that the British Department for International Development (DFID) massively funded Ibori’s trial so as to get a large chunk of the 250 million pounds booty. The international agency for destruction with a more than passing interest in the exporting of gay rights, abortion, euthanasia and all other nauseating cultures of death didn’t lift a finger to ensure that the funds got back into the coffers of the Delta State government in one bit. It was a total travesty of justice for them to have interfered in the entire judicial process and Ibori was absolutely right when he opined that he was not an ex-convict. Some of his vociferous supporters are silently clamouring for a state pardon but in my candid view, the basis for it doesn’t even exist as he can’t be truly regarded as a felon.

Until Nigerians realise the divide and conquer strategy of the imperialists and reject their poisonous overtures, this country will never develop.

Why is the Ford Foundation funding Sahara Reporters? What is the interest of this anti-Africa organisation that backs agendas that are capable of annihilating the world’s second most populous continent?

Nationalists like Kwame Nkrumah, Zik of Africa etc led the struggle to rid the continent of colonial rule. The Osagyefo proved more visionary as he used his influence as President to spearhead Pan-Africanism and wisely tapped the talent of maverick Senator Francis Arthur Nzeribe to spread the ideals to all the ends of the continent. Nkrumah was miles ahead of his peers as he established the Kwame Nkrumah Ideological Institute in 1961 to entrench ideological consciousness among Ghanaians. Tragically, the incursion of military rule made the grand vision hit a cul-de-sac.

The new buzzword that will shape the development of the African continent will be a strong leader that can damn the imperial west and massively influence the rest of the fifty-three countries to toe a similar line in the manner reminiscent of how Nigeria played a primordial role in the political liberation struggle of most African countries.

Ibori has the grit to spearhead this much needed anti-imperial struggle with his unjust incarceration that will act as the much needed bulwark. History often repeats itself as there is nothing new under the sun. We won’t forget Mandela’s and Obasanjo’s prison to presidency story in a hurry. Omisore’s and Nkrumah’s also followed the same trajectory!

The coincidence of his and Obama’s birthday – August 4th is similar to the nexus of the much told John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln legendary story.

Obama represents the worst of the anti-African agenda while Ibori will be thrust by in controllable circumstances to act as a counterfoil to lead the continental struggle of breaking the yoke of imperialism.

I make the prediction that Ibori will one day sit in Aso Rock and will ruthlessly unleash the catharsis that will see Africa free at last.

The Oracle has spoken!

TONY ADEMILUYI

Uduaghan to DTSG: Reduce blackmail of whistle blowers

·         As Okowa decries invasion of social media space by miscreants, hack writers

·         Urges journalists to retrieve profession from pretenders

The former governor of Delta state Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has taken a swipe at the unwholesome activities of whistle blowers with a plea to the Delta state Government to help reduce their blackmailing antics.

Dr. Uduaghan

Dr. Uduaghan made the appeal Tuesday, 21/2/2017 at the commencement of the Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State chapter with the theme: “Good governance, journalists and social media,” a theme that was addressed by the erudite professor of law, and former governor of Edo state, Professor Oserhiemen Osunbor at the Labour House, Asaba.

Uduaghan, who was chairman of the occasion, identified the social media as a leveler as it provides a forum for people to air their views, whether good, bad and ugly, but called for caution that leaders must be cautious and careful in the handling and use of information emanating from the platform.

He called attention to the issue of whistle blowers pointing out that petitions by whistle blowers have no basis as most times whistle blowers are just blackmailers. “

“I appeal to the Delta state Government that activities of blackmailers should be reduced as such activities can lead to security challenges if left unchecked,” Uduaghan said. He recalled how he intimated the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Festus Agas  in which he complained about the unwholesome activities of these blackmailers, and that he had to bring the matter to the public domain having waited without any response from the state government to his complaint.

“I will not be part of anything that will bring insecurity to Delta state,” Uduaghan said, appealing to the state government to help reduce the benefits that blackmailers are enjoying on the social media in the state.

He called on journalists not to take every social media story hook, line and sinker, but that as journalists they should ask questions when they stumble on such stories and do some investigation so as not to fall victim of the antics of blackmailers.

In his speech read on his behalf by the Deputy Governor, Barrister Kingsley Otuaro, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa observed that the social media space has been invaded by jobless miscreants and hack writers who regularly churn out fake news, and who take delight in black mail, extortion and character assassination.

“It is so bad that almost on a daily basis, individuals, especially public officials, are made to defend themselves against spurious and unfounded allegations”, Okowa said.

He continued: “I don’t know whether it is out of pressure to be relevant or to outdo the new media, some of the mainstream media are, regrettably, beginning to toe the line of the social media in publishing rumour and fiction. The cardinal principles of accuracy, fairness and balance are being violated to the detriment of the profession and the public’s right to be properly and adequately informed.”  

The governor believes that the spectre of falsehood and misinformation that currently dominate the social media is a clear and present danger to the journalism profession. “ A situation where every person with a phone or Ipad  is now a journalist and a broadcast station, does not augur well for the profession and for good governance.

“It is incumbent on you the professionals to take back the profession from this pretenders and impostors. It is time, I say, to take back your profession!,” Okowa protested.

Information commissioner, Mr. Patrick Ukah reiterated Governor Okowa’s call that journalists must retrieve their profession from social media charlatans masquerading as journalist. He said: “Professional journalists must take over the social media. The professional journalists ust take over the cyber space and push out truthful information and opinions.”

A green light to this effect came from Mr Edward Akpati-Ogude, the NUJ vice president, Zone F, South-South, who represented the National President of NUJ, Mr. Waheed Odusile, and who intimated that the issue of discipline among journalists is being treated with seriousness. “It has come to the notice of the NUJ that some journalists are being used by some politicians to blackmail other politicians. The union is looking into this and will not fail to flush out culpable journalists,” he said  

London police called in to arrest Nigerian reporter who made attempts to see Buhari

By Jerrywright Ukwu

A Nigerian reporter with The Guardian has been told President Muhammadu Buhari is not at the Abuja House in London.

The reporter was given the information by an unidentified official when he made attempts to see the president.

President Buhari

According to the reporter’s account, he told a member of staff at the Abuja House, the official residence of the Nigerian High commissioner to the United Kingdom, on Sunday, February 19 that he had come to see the president, but he was told: “As far as I’m concerned, he’s not here.”

The reporter also said security staff at the Abuja House called in policemen to arrest him for visiting the residence.

He wrote: “At 2:50 p.m., when a black Mercedes jeep arrived, the occupant sitting by the driver rolled down the glass and asked, “Why are you here?” “When I told him that l was a reporter with The Guardian and l had come to see if the president was there and to interview him, he looked quite irritated and replied angrily: ‘he’s not here, you can’t see anybody here.' ”

The report stated that: “In an extraordinary move, two police officers, Constables Marlett and Stock, were called in by the security staff at the Abuja House to arrest the reporter.

“When both arrived on their motorcycles, they took the reporter’s name and date of birth and subsequently made a check on the national database, before staying around for about 20 minutes and then left.

“Prior to that, the security staff threatened the reporter with the police when he called at the Kensington residence to interview President Buhari about his continued stay in the UK.”

The reporter also confirmed citing Senate president, Bukola Saraki in the premises.

“At 5:13p.m., Saraki emerged from the house in a black suit, accompanied by a male aide, before he entered an official car and was driven away,” he added.

The presidency had announced President Buhari's meeting with the Senate president yesterday evening, which made it the second meeting in one week between the duo.

President Buhari has been in London since January 19. The presidency had first announced that he was there for a 10-day leave. But he has since extended the leave on medical grounds.

·         Source: Naij.com

Agbon Day celebration: Okowa charges communities on infrastructural development

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has called on public spirited individuals and politicians to consolidate on government's developmental efforts in their communities. 

Former Governor Ibori in a discussion with Governor Ifeanyi
 Okowa at the Agbon Day celebration.

Governor Okowa spoke at the weekend at a grand reception organised for him as part of the 2017 Agbon Day Celebration, held at the Palace of the Ovie of Agbon Kingdom, Ogurime' rime, Ukori, in Isiokolo, Ethiope East Local Government Area, and attended by Chief James Ibori, Former Governor of Delta State, top government officials, traditional rulers and prominent Deltans from all walks of life.

Governor Okowa said that the State Government would continue to bring development to all parts of the state despite biting economic recession and urged Deltans to join government in empowering communities.

"We are trying to empower our youths so that they can create jobs for themselves and others. We will continue to engage our people from Agbon kingdom as their relationship with the government will help to empower the communities”, he  said.

Governor Okowa and Agbon monarch.

Senator Okowa said that government has embarked on the construction of the Okpara-Samagidi road and the Ekrerhavwe-Isiokolo road among many other projects in the area, stating "We are taking the development of Ethiope East holistically, as we are working in Agbon Kingdom we are also working in Abraka Kingdom. We have awarded two township roads in Abraka and the contractors have since moved to site”.

He thanked the Agbon Monarch for acknowledging the development efforts of former Governor James Ibori, stressing that " As a state, we must continue to consolidate on the gains of the foundations of what our leader Chief James Ibori has done since 1999.”

On the electricity challenges facing the people of Agbon kingdom, Governor Okowa promised to discuss with the Benin Electricity Distribution Company BEDC to restore electric power to the community, and called for prompt payment of electricity tariff by the communities.

Prof. Oyovbaire and wife, with them is Mr. Ovie Agas.

The Ovie of Agbon Kingdom HRM Ogurimerime, Ukori I said the grand reception was organized to welcome Governor Okowa to Agbon Kingdom and commended Governor Okowa for the developmental strides in the community while pledging the support of his people to his administration.

He lamented the lingering problem in the power sector and called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the sector and provide a lasting solution to the problem.

The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Johnson Barovbe called on youths of the Kingdom to remain peaceful to attract investors and fast track the development of the community.

Amai Kingship Stool: Umuekum insist on Andrew Ikogwe as king-designate

Obiaruku: The last may not has been heard on the lingering crises of the kingship stool of the Amai Kingdom, in Ukwuani LGA, in Delta state, as the people of Umuekum, who according to a section of the Law recognising the monarchy system of Amai Kingdom, is threatening secession due to interference from the other four communities and the state government.

In a communiqué signed by representatives of the community from a one day conference held on the 6 of February 2017, the people resolved that any attempt to impose any candidate, and neglect the decision of the people where they selected High Chief Andrew Ikogwe as the king designate about five years ago, will not hold.

The communiqué which was signed by the chairman of the 2017 conference, Mr. Dom Okpochine, Chief J. Ifeakanwa, the Onotu-Uku of Umuekum, and Chief Alfred Onyewonsa, the Odeniosa of Umuekum, stated among others that; Umuekum has suffered several unfairness in the handling of its issues by the other four Amai quarters, stating that it is the turn of Umuekum to present candidate to be king of Amai kingdom.

The communiqué further stated that the Umuekum community will not accept any imposition of any candidate to the stool by any other quarter, as the community stands by the nomination they earlier made of High Chief Andrew Ikogwe, as their nominee and candidate.

It further stated that any attempt to impose any candidate to usurp the turn of Umuekum indicates deliberate effort to force her out from the Union of Traditionally Administrative Autonomous five quarters of Amai, and this will force her to evolve into an Autonomous community, if any declaration is made by any one on the kingship stool, as the case is already before a competent court of law.

In other to enforce its decision, the conference proclaimed High Chief Andrew Ikogwe, as the Okei of Umuekum, and the King designate of Amai Kingdom.

According to information gathered, the crises started five years ago, when after the election of who will take over from the Late King, Igwete Monday Ossai, High Chief Ikogwe won his closest rival, Chief Paul Ifeneziuche, but people refused the candidate of High Chief Ikogwe, without cogent reason on that same day of the election.

Our investigation revealed that the law of the Amai Kingship stool stated that in a situation of rejection, the eligible quarter must be given 14 days to represent another candidate.

This protest of secession is coming when the government’s white paper to settle the kingship issue is yet to be released.

In other to get the side of the committee on the lingering issue, a telephone call and sms to the Executive Chairman of the Ukwuani LGA, Barrister Benedicta Osakuni-Izuegbu, was not acknowledged as at the time of going to the press. She is the Secretary of the Peace Committee setup by the state government.

Makarfi-led PDP to challenge verdict at Supreme Court

The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chaired by Senator Ahmed Makarfi has resolved to head to the Supreme Court to challenge the verdict of the Court of Appeal which granted the authority of the party to the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff faction.

The defeated faction, which had been making frantic moves to reconcile the party and unite its members in recent time, also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of being behind the appeal court ruling.

It said the judgment showed that the APC wanted a one-party state for the country.

The ruling was the outcome of a long-drawn battle between the two factions which saw the party secretariat shut down for many months.

Meanwhile, former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has criticised the Appeal Court verdict which confirmed Ali Modu Sheriff as the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The verdict was delivered on Friday, February 17 in Port-Harcourt, Rivers state by the three judges who a unanimously agreed that Modu Sheriff is the chairman of the PDP.

However, the decision has not gone well with some members of the party who were expecting the decision to go in the favour of the Ahmed Makarfi led faction.

One of those opposed to the ruling is Fani-Kayode, who said the decision of the Court of Appeal to recognise Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the national chairman of the PDP is a victory for President Buhari.

The former minister described the verdict as absurd, saying it was time for party members who shared his line of thought to leave the party for Sheriff and form a new party.

Court confirms Ali Modu Sheriff as PDP chairman

By Tonye Bakare

A Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt Friday confirmed former Borno State governor Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Senator Ali Modu Sheriff

In doing so, the appellate set aside a Federal High Court judgement delivered Justice Mohammed Liman which recognised Senator Ahmed Makarfi as the chairman of the party.

Justice Liman in his judgment said that the National Convention of the PDP held in Port Harcourt in 2016 was lawfully conducted in accordance with the party’s constitution and guideline and that Ali Modu Sheriff’s led executive was lawfully dissolved during the national convention.

But in today’s split decision, justices B.G Sanga and A.B Gumel held that the convention disobeyed the court order and as such, was illegal. But Justice Justice T. S. Orji-Abadua noted that the PDP national convention was not in violation of any court order since it was in line with the 2012 amended constitution of the party.

The court awarded N100, 000 to Sheriff, to be borne by the nullified national caretaker committee’s Chairman, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, the PDP, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Inspector-General of Police and Department of State Service (DSS).

Justice Orji-Abadua said “going by Article 33(3) of the PDP Constitution, Sheriff does not possess overriding powers over the PDP National Executive Council and therefore, had no right to unilaterally cancel the May 21, 2016, convention.

She further said that Sheriff erroneously and unwittingly absented himself from the May 21 convention after being screened, which prompted the party to invoke Article 31(1) of its Constitution and set up a caretaker committee.

She also held that Article 47 did not make it mandatory for the PDP to pass a vote of confidence before removing its officers and therefore, upheld the outcome of the convention and the caretaker committee.

Orji-Abadua stated that Sheriff had no powers to cancel PDP national convention. She awarded a cost of N100, 000 against Sheriff.

·         Source:The Guardian online.