One week to the general elections, Senior Pastor of Dunamis Gospel International Church, (DGIC), Dr Paul Enenche, has called on Nigerians to make the right choices as their contributions to ending the myriad of ills holding the country backward.
Loading ...
Enenche made this call while speaking with newsmen in Makurdi on arrival for the Healing and Deliverance Crusade themed “Light Has Come.”
He said from the candidates who have presented themselves for elections, it is clear that Nigerians have a choice between corruption and incorruption, light and darkness.
He posited that 2023 election is an opportunity not only to change the situation of this country but also an opportunity to depart from the evils, the wickedness, the darkness that bedeviled the nation for the last seven to eight years.
“2023 election is an opportunity to choose whether we want banditry to continue, kidnapping to continue, whether we want terrorism to continue, underdevelopment to continue, massive corruption to continue, nepotism, clanistic operations, regionalism and all these kind of things to continue or whether we want a complete total departure.
“When we see the candidates that are presented for presidential election, it is very very clear. We are having choices between people that have issues that we know and people that have records that are clean and untainted.
“It is a choice to make and it is very very clear. It is a choice between corruption and incorruption, it is the choice between light and darkness, it is the choice between progress and retrogression, it is a choice between the old order and a new order.”
“If Nigerians choose the old order, the old way of doing things, If we choose expired, retired people who should be resting and bring them back, that means we are ready to continue in their adversity and calamity.
“But if we choose people with proven result, proven credibility, proven integrity, if we choose people with proven track records, with a heart for the people, then we have the opportunity to change things,” he advised.
He urged on all Nigerians to rise up with their PVCs and vote the right candidates for a change in the nation praying that by God’s mercies the change would come.
Responding to questions on miracles at the crusade ground on Thursday even in his absence, Pastor Enenche said “the most important person to be on ground is Jesus Christ. He said where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there. So He was there yesterday and He will be here today, whether I’m here or not. So we expect a continuation of what we already started yesterday.
He expressed confidence that after the crusade, “individual lives will experience light, communities, families will experience light. Communities represented will experience light and the state as a whole will experience the light of the gospel that will dissipate darkness of wickedness, darkness of witchcraft, darkness of underdevelopment and any form darkness that is holding our lives back.”
Kano state government has decried as most unfortunate the discriminatory attitude of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), apparently aimed at crippling the economy of the state by refusing to release new naira notes to commercial banks operating in the state in the last four days.
Loading ...
The state commissioner for information and internal affairs, Malam Muhammad Garba, who made the assertion in a statement issued on Friday, revealed that since Monday, commercial banks in the state get zero allocation from the Apex Bank.
He said the prejudiced approach by the CBN governor, Gowin Emefiele in the implementation of the cashless policy, no matter the intentions, seem to be targeting Kano and its economy, given the daily volume of trade in the North’s commercial nerve centre, by starving commercial banks of the money supposed to be allocated to them.
Malam Garba pointed out that the CBN as an organ of the federal government has, from all indications been reduced to a tool to settle political scores by choosing a wrong time to force a policy on the people that could have been implemented at the appropriate time in the past.
The commissioner noted that the general populace in the state has been subjected to unnecessary hardship by depriving them access to their hard earned money, ostensibly to precipitate civil unrest that could lead to the postponement of the most awaited general elections scheduled for next week.
He, however, said that the people of Kano, who are known for their peace-loving posture even in the face of provocation, have endured the hardship and called on them to not only continue with the spirit, but also come out enmass to exercise their franchise.
Malam Garba also assured that the administration of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje identify with them in this trying period and would do whatever it takes to see to the resolution of the present situation.
The All Progressive Congress (APC), the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) and some other were absent as representatives and candidates of various political parties taking part in the 2023 General Election, signed a peace accord in Anambra State, pledging to ensure a peaceful and violence-free conduct of the election.
Organised by the Anambra State Police Command, and moderated by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, the peace accord signing held on Friday at the Command’s Headquarters in Amawbia, with candidates and representatives of five political parties present to sign the pact.
The political parties that have their representatives and/or candidates present during the exercise include the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP), the
Allied People’s Movement (APM), the Young People’s Party (YPP) and the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).
Also present during the exercise were the representative of the Anambra State Government, representative of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the representative of the Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers, as well as other senior officers of the Command.
Speaking at the event, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng Echeng, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration and Finance, DCP Peter Ozigi explained that peace accord was primarily aimed at binding the political parties and political actors in the state to play by the rule of the game, both before, during and after the election, towards ensuring the peaceful, secured, free, fair, and credible election.
While noting that the Command had had a similar engagements with the political actors and stakeholders in the state sometime in September last year; the CP further reassured the Command’s readiness for the election, as well as its commitment in maintaining and promoting internal peace in the state. He warned that anybody or group that indulges in any act capable of bridging the peace and security of the state will be lawfully dealt with.
“I also wish to sternly warn elements whose perception of democracy is the application of violence, to have a rethink, as Anambra State Police Command, under my watch, is committed to dealing firmly with such characters within the dictates of the law which is in furtherance to the Inspector-General of Police desire to bequeath a legacy of entrenched democratic values to our beloved nation,” he said.
Earlier speaking, the representative of the state government and Commissioner for Homeland Affairs, Mr. Chikaodiri Anara highlighted some of the efforts so far made by the state government, the security agencies, and the INEC towards ensuring a hitch-free election general election in the state, even as he called for sustenance and consolidation of those efforts, both before, during and after the election.
He commended the Anambra State Police Command and the INEC for their commitments, while also reassuring that the Soludo-led Anambra State Government will continue to play her own part, as peace and security, remain the topmost priority of his administration. He also urged the residents of the state to come out en masse and cast their votes in peace on the election day, without any fear.
On his own part, the representative of the Resident Electoral Commission in the state and Head of Department, Election and Party Monitoring (INEC Anambra), Mr. Emmanuel Isong reassured of the Commission’s preparedness to conduct free, fair, credible, and peaceful election, while also urging the stakeholders and political actors to allow the officials constitutionally discharge their assigned duties without any interference or intimidation.
Contributing, the representative of the Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers and Traditional Ruler of Umueri, Igwe Ben Emeka who commended the state police command for organising the exercise, however expressed dissatisfaction with the low turnout of political actors at the event despite having been duly invited.
While reminding the Anambra politicians that they are brothers and sisters, the monarch who noted that no blood of any indigene is worth shedding in the election, also advised them to abide by the peace accord they signed and to prevail on their supporters to be law abiding and stick to the rules of the game.
In a vote of thanks, the Deputy Director, Operations, Atiku-Okowa Campaign in Anambra State, Hon. Sir Ndubuisi Nwobu appreciated the police for deeming it necessary to organise the peace accord, while also expressing optimism that the exercise will go a long way in making the environment very conducive for INEC to discharge its duties effectively and for people to participate in the election peacefully without any form of violence.
An appeal was also made to the Anambra State Police Command to ensure that those parties and candidates who were absent at the event were also made to sign the peace pact.
Based in Avanti’s new offices in Lagos, Nigeria, Akande will be working closely with Avanti’s teams across the globe. She will be responsible for developing an integrated channel strategy across key sectors including mobility, enterprise, defence and education.
Akande’s new role will be pivotal in accelerating Avanti’s roll out across Africa.
Libby Barr, COO – Customer at Avanti Communications, said:“I am delighted to welcome Jumoke to our growing team of senior executives in Nigeria. Jumoke is a proven leader with over 20 years’ experience in marketing and joins us at an exciting time.
“What stood out about Jumoke was her extensive experience managing teams across markets and launching large-scale campaigns in Africa. We can’t wait to see her strategic insight in action in this newly created role. Her experience will be vital in helping Avanti reach its growth ambitions over the next few years.”
Prior to joining Avanti, Akande was an Associate Director at GICL/IHS Towers where she oversaw their fibre and rural telephony marketing strategy. She has also held senior roles atMainOne, Dell Technologies and consulted for leading MNOs in Africa including MTN Nigeria.
It is often said a leader without credible successor is a failure in the society. This forms part of the succession crisis often experienced when the need arises for change or at elections. Most leaders preoccupy themselves with other important issues to forget making the hay when the sun shines and end-up without grooming genuine successors that understand their vision and focus in governance until the wee hour. In most situations, the governed are worst for it in the long run when wrong choices are made. History has shown that wrong choices are factors responsible for lack of continuity of good governance with debilitating inconsistencies that retard progress.
Loading ...
One of the formidable tasks a genuine leader accomplishes is grooming a worthy and credible successor that shares his ideals, vision and tenacity of purpose spiced with sincere loyalty and commitment to the welfare of the governed.
The groomed successor should be a person with proven integrity blessed with the courage to deliver results minding the public interest of the predecessor no matter the circumstance.
In the present situation, in Bauchi, there are those masquerading as loyalists to the ruling party and subscribers to the ideals of Bala Mohammed in governance but the opposite is the case if carefully assessed. Some unpatriotic politicians are desperate and inpatient to take over and are same mischievously behind the scene fighting the administration they want to take over from. They operate under the guise of politicking while others have recruited identified miscreants and political merchants to challenge the administration tailored to ridicule as others are running from coast to coast recruiting all manner of people to package them for sale to the gullible public just to achieve their inordinate ambitions which is too early now.
Over the years as former FCT Minister, apart from acquitting himself in service delivery, Gov Bala Mohammed painstakingly groomed several capable and determined disciples of his peculiar leadership ostensibly for continuity of laudable service tailored to the comfort of the governed.
In 2010 when he was defecting to the PDP from the defunct ANPP, he carried along trusted and some state and National assembly lawmakers in the state who enjoyed his influence in 2007 elections and remained committed to his ideals of modern democracy. Others abused the trust and resorted to fighting him without a cause.
Unarguably, as FCT minister he left no stone unturned as he set a paradigm shift for his predecessors, including the completion and initiation of new meaningful projects. This is in tandem of his quest to reposition Bauchi State in the main stream politics for greater developmental initiatives and stand a chance of benefitting a meaningful federal projects such as the Tsangaya Islamic schools, additional universities in the northeast (Yobe and Taraba state respectively) etc .
The overwhelming support he receives from the people across party divide shows his place in history as a great political titan that sacrifices his life to midwife the State to greatness and total emancipation laced with guaranteed security to lives and property.
Having acquitted himself and set the pace in the sub-region, his recent election as 5th governor of Bauchi state prove his support and confidence from the good people of the state based on his track record of achievements in service to humanity and credible representation for over a decade.
Soon on assumption of office in less than a year Bauchi state has totally change its facelift in all boundaries, from coast to coast—from nook and crannies of state.
Civil servant are now smiling with the implementation of the national minimum wage; training and retraining to enhance capacity building an optimum upshot; promotion and rationalization.
Restive youths have now turned to be future product of the state; some are now in university from 0 level while some re sit their papers. Massive road construction and rehabilitations of dilapidated schools etc
With the bunch of desperate lame-duck politicians and opposition members that are condemning Gov. Bala Mohammed, who are lacking vision, patriotism, nationalistic instinct and altruistic tendencies, majority look at position as an opportunity, not only to steal public funds , but to loot and plunder with pride. They drive pleasure in displaying arrogance with ill-gotten wealth and ostentatious living
Honestly, Bauchi state is now gaining its lost glory and being saved from head to ditch. Another distraction from service delivery will turn back the hands of the clockand rob the state of the many gains of democracy that Gov. Bala Mohammed battles to bequeath
The commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs of Bauchi state, honorable Nuhu Zaki, said “in my decade of active politics, I have never seen a true grass root politician than Governor Bala Mohamed who is performing well in the area of human and capital development despite numerous challenges inherited and paucity of funds.
Loading ...
According to Nuhu Zaki, the numerous awards accorded to the governor so far is a testimony of the reality of facts and transparent leadership he is displaying in the state that solely depend on oil shared money and the meager internally generated revenue in the state until recently when the governor set another landmark history for facilitating the formal commissioning of Kolmani crude oil within the realm of Bauchi and Gombe state that was graciously endorsed by president Muhammadu Buhari, as a recognized oil prospecting states.
At the local government level, Governor Bala Mohamed fulfilled his election promised by instant and fair service delivery in accordance with various demands of each of the twenty local government area council of Bauchi state with priority given to the traditional institutions being the closet and the most respected body that is guiding the people on their roles as patriotic citizens.
Immediately on assumption of duty as governor of Bauchi state that defeated a sitting governor who has averagely performed in the four years, Senator Balsa Mohamed begins with thorough study by changing the narrative of the state with passion especially at the local government level where 70% of the total votes normally comes from. Having the masses at heart ignites the governor to channeled 80% of his projects to local government levels. This pedigree in rendition of quality dividend of democracy as promised during electioneering campaign splashed across the twenty existing local government councils with the priority to urgent desired need. These have become bait on which the electorates of the state vowed to unanimously vote him back to power as Governor to continue to positive projects.
According to Governor Bala Mohamed “we all have local government as we were all born as locals, as such it has become imperative for us to build our local government so to complement it for breeding us”. This proves the rationale behind the governor’s interest in focusing in restoring the lost glory of the then destroyed tier of government. The governor has directly provided a direct protrude in the last three and quarter years of friendly government despite inheriting heap of debt and paucity of fund but went ahead to change the story by sourcing funds to restoring the fading glory. All forms of corruptions in the local government have been booked, that provided another means of serving lots of misused funds to proper direction.
Today each of the local government area council has not fewer than twenty physical infrastructures and social amenities actualized and properly as well as fairly provided after blocking iota embezzlement. From the first place, the governor personally awards total renovation and furnishing of all existing local government secretariat to the indigene of each benefiting local government so that immediate members of the community would benefit from the project aside from the overall aim of providing state of art healthy working environment for effect upshot. In Tafawa Balewa local government, peace has permanently restored by implying modern techniques and adequate support to the operating security agencies and personnel and extension of house to house enlightenment on the impact of peaceful coexistence. About ten roads are currently ongoing constructions; some are link with neighboring states, new worshiping places have been constructed for both Muslims and Christians, new resettlement have been provided to displaced persons, more bridges erected to address eventual break up or destruction.
In Bauchi local government area council, tens of newly constructed primary health care centers have been constructed while old existing ones have been renovated filled with standard facilities to meet up with demand, roads have been laid down while many areas have been link up to ease hardship, portable drinking water is now 80% close to every house in the city, workers are enjoying the implemented national minimum wage, pensioners receives their entitlement on time without hitches or bribing of the past, and the most important is the total renovation and furnishing of the secretariat to provide serene working environment for workers.
While in Toro local government area council, Governor Bala Mohamed has so far renovated the local government secretariat furnished with modern working tools, constructed roads from Rimin Zyam through Polch, Blarade Palama to Dass, Magama Gumau-Rishi Rahma, constructed Rishi Tama road, Maraba Ganye-Golfada Bakin Kogi road, and construction of District head palace at Nabardo and construction of District head palace Lame and rehabilitation of Toro General hospital and general hospital Gumau Lame District.
Similarly in Darazo local government area council, Governor Bala Mohamed kicked up with the renovation of the local government secretariat as a deliberate attempt to provide serene working environment after many decades of abysmal decay, in the process more jobs have been provided to the people of the local government as well as the overall civil service system. The governor went ahead to bring prompt succor to the victims of flood and other related disaster that unabatedly erupt. One time chairman of the local government, Bello Mahmood Yayaji, said, “ I have never seen a leader with determination and passion for the plight of his people like governor Bala Mohamed, because, so far Darazo local government in particular remained one of the best place the government gave priority of social services provided that has direct bearing to the wellbeing of the locals despite dwindling economic meltdown, among the successes brought by the governor in his few years of reign are; the kaura Economic empowerment program (KEEP) which is a poor masses supporting docket considering the items and cash doles out to thousands of beneficiaries from across all electoral wards aimed at reducing the menace of restiveness and adverse effect of poverty created by previous government, these includes, sewing machines, fifty thousand naira cash, motorcycles and buses for transportation.
In the area of agriculture, Governor Bala Mohamed, leased out 5,000 hectares of land out of the two reserves for the farmers of Darazo local government, the government also constructs water reservoirs at strategic locations for cattle rears aimed at cushioning the tension and rift between farmers and headers and the unwanted water scarcity disturbing cattle rearers.
Inter alia are; boreholes were constructed at Darazo correctional center, co-members lodge, lago and Kari village and adequate electrification of various villages under each district in the local government. These have since yield positive result in boosting economic activities as well as attracting local investors venture into various acquisitions.
In Dass local government area council governor Bala Mohamed, began with restoration of hope through harmonious relationship among numerous existing tribes surrounding the local government and compounding challenges of insufficient internally generated revenue that may help government achieve it desired goals without interventions of the state government or other supporting institutions. Imminent, after pointing out the quest of the people which include lack of non-existing tertiary institution, the governor approved the establishment of college of education, Dass. In the area of construction, governor Bala Mohamed’s led PDP constructed 11 village head palace, successful construction of Jumaat mosque Kagadama, Renovation/ Remodeling of ECWA church kagadama, construction of 18 lock up shops at Tudun Wuss Dass, General renovation/ upgrading of Dass central motor park, renovation of central abattoir and construction of Burgle Dass to Bangim road.
Others are; general of Dass local government education authority, construction of drainage at Dass cental Motor Park and construction of culvert along Bundot to Bayan fada bye pass, General renovation of Dass local government secretariat to meet up with the global standard for soft and conducive working friendly environment.
In Alkaleri local government area council, an enclave of governor Bala Mohamed, quickly the governor facilitate the formal ground breaking ceremony for the commencement of project activities in oil prospecting licenses 809 and 810 Kolmani River11oil field project site. This particular effort truly define Bala Mohamed as a transformer and a committed leader who is ready to sacrifice his comfort for the development of his state, already thousands of indigenes are benefitting from the then neglected projected that will increase even the nation’s income not only Bauchi state. After the completion Alkaleri local government will be a tourist hub.
In the area of social services, the government has so far secured the establishment of institute for petroleum resources, aimed at training and grooming of potential expert in the petroleum field for the benefit of the community. Aside from the learning institution, new primary healthcare centers and schools have been provided to address the concurrent demand as a result of influx from neighboring states who enjoying the relative peace and economic activities in the local government that has standard roads constructed and link to various communities in all the three districts.
The Kaura Economic empowerment Program (KEEP) was exceptional as thousands of potentials youths and women benefitted from the gesture.
The issue of migrated bandits and kidnappers wrongly basing in part of the local government have been dealt with in conjunction with the security forces in the state and amity between Bauchi state governor and plateau state in the shared-boundary. This restoration of order has attracted tourist from across the globe return to famous Yankari Game reserve which significantly increases the internal generated revenue and more job creation for the benefitting local government indigenes.
More primary healthcare centers have been established to address the blessed increasing number of inhabitant in the oil prospecting local government plus establishment of more local security outlet to support the commercial activities within the local government; an opportunity that absorbed thousands of indigenes.
In Warji local government, Governor Bala Mohamed focuses on construction of Warji District Head palace and construction of Warji-Gwaram road, construction of general Hospital as well as construction of Dagu road, erection of concrete channel in Dagu, construction of Danya-Aru road and most importantly general renovation of the local government secretariat for effective service delivery and result.
While Ganjuwa local government being the gate way of kano state witnesses renovation of district head house at Kafin madaki and renovation of slaughter house, construction of four compartment VIP at local government secretariat, construction of surface drainage at PCGH Gate, construction of Box culvert, completion of various worshipping centers, renovation of slaughter slap at Marbini, construction of box culvert at Soro Tsallake, and renovations of class rooms at Kediya,Dauduwo, Gungura, Yala and Kakuma respectively.
Others are; renovation of dispensary clinic at Zida, tsagu, Manga and completion of mosque at Kariya and construction of Box culvert at Gidan Waya, renovation of classrooms at Siyi, renovation of burnt police station at Soro, renovation of feeder road Zara at Kwanan Geyeya and drilling of boreholes at various strategic areas and repair of 204 boreholes and above all the first class renovation of the local government secretariat.
In Gamawa Local government Area, the present government ensured rehabilitation/ overlaying OF Gamawa to Bulkacuwa road, general renovation of staff quarters at the general hospital, construction of classrooms at Construction of out patientDepartment (OPD) at General Hospital Gamawa and general renovation of Local Government Secretariat, Purchase of 3 Official Vehicles to the Local Government, Distribution of Motorcycles, threacycle machines, sawing Machines, Supergetti Machines, Generators, Irrigation Generators,Domestic Animals (Bread of Goats), Flower, Granding Machines, Barbing Clipers, Saloon Machines and Capital to Pity Traders Youth and Women Groups for Empowerment, Distribution of 3 Sharon to Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers, Construction of NURTW Office at Gamawa Motor Park, Distribution of 5 Sharon Cars to Gamawa Local Government Exco and Stakeholders.
Others are; Distribution of 5 Sharon Cars to Gamawa Local Government Exco and Stakeholders, Drilling of Hand Pump at different location, Construction of 4 Block of Market Shades at Gamawa and Udubo, Distribution of relief materials to the victims of flooding in the year 2021, 2022 respectively, Construction of Ring cultvet alone Kore –Sakwa Road T-Junction and Construction of classrooms at Markaderi, Tumbi, Debi, Kankare, J.S.S Udubo, G.J.S.S Gamawa, Garuwa, Garin Fari, and Alagarno Primary Schools, Renovation of Classrooms at Garin Kure, Dallari, Kutunas, Bulaburin, Adabda, Kasuwa, Kore I, Alagarno, Biriri, Karba, Danchuwa, Ibrahim Ibrahim Memorial, Gayau Sengo, Kaigamari, Kesa Kachallari, Marana, Kuran Jeji, Kore, Bakori and Gadiya Primary Schools as well as Replacement Electric Poles from Bulkachuwa to Gamawa.
Governor Bala Mohammed is governing Bauchi state with caution, he needs additional four years to fully actualize his lofty programs that has direct bearing in the lives of the Bauchians.
The PDP in Imo made the call in a press release today. See the statement below:
–
PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP), IMO STATE
February 17, 2023
Text of World Press Conference on Threats to the 2023 General Elections In Imo State, Sponsored Armed Attacks On PDP Candidates and Members, and Abuse of State Power by the APC-led Regime In Imo State
Good morning, Gentlemen of the Press. Welcome to the Secretariat of the PDP in Imo State, and thank you for your prompt response to our invitation.
The People’s Democratic Party in Imo State has been upfront with you as members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm about the threats and challenges which bedevil our democracy in Imo State. Today’s briefing is in furtherance to our abiding commitment to strengthening democracy and ensuring that this reign of iron-fist tyranny in Imo State is not allowed to consume the State.
from one of the attacks…
In the past three years, Imo State has been under the rulership of an APC regime which emergence till date remains a mystery to the people. Through a judicial coup, a man who came fourth in the 2019 governorship election became the Governor of the State. And since this travesty occured, there has been a sustained effort by the unelected and anti-people regime to dismantle all democratic institutions in the State.
Just recently, Imo people woke up to hear that the State House of Assembly had been railroaded by the Executive into voting against the autonomy of the local government system, the judiciary and even the legislature! This brings home the reality of a conscripted political space in Imo, where the innermost intentions of the Governor is to erect an empire for himself and convert free citizens of the State to his conquered vassals and serfs. Imo State today occupies the top positions in all the indices of social misery in Nigeria.
To achieve this, political dissent has now been criminalized. Rule of law has been stifled, and Imo people today live in the throes of dictatorship, horror and pervading atmosphere of the unknown.
As the 2023 elections draw closer, the harrowing situation in Imo State has only become worse.
Candidates, vocal members and prominent leaders of our Party have been targeted and attacked in the most gruesome ways.
In the last one week, the Chairman of our Party in Ogbaku Ward in Mbaitoli LGA has been shot by gunmen who laid ambush around his residence and opened fire at him upon his return in the evening. A Judge has been dragged out of the courtroom and slaughtered like a goat. Another court building has been razed. The member representing Orlu State Constituency in the House of Assembly, who also is the Candidate of our Party for that Constituency, has had his house burnt down. All these happened just in the past one week.
Gentlemen of the Press, for the third time in less than two months, there was another armed attack on February 7th, 2023, at the residence of our candidate for Ideato Federal Constituency, Barr. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere.
Recall that on December 23, 2022, the convoy of Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere was attacked in Ideato as he returned home from Abuja, and he narrowly escaped death. When this happened, we took appropriate steps to ensure that justice was done. We wrote the security agencies. But to our shock, no arrest has been effected till date. We are not even certain if the authorities ever open an investigation into that matter.
On January 14, 2023, Ikenga’s residence in Umukegwu-Akokwa witnessed a bloody attack that left three persons, including his uncle, dead, about thirty-two vehicles burnt to ashes and buildings levelled to the ground with explosive devices. In the aftermath of that, we wrote the security agencies again, took a protest to the Commissioner of Police in the State and called off all political activities to draw attention to the infamy and get the authorities to act. But till this day, we are not aware if that attack, in which innocent Imo citizens were murdered, was ever investigated. And no arrest has been made. Not even a single statement has been issued by any of the security agencies in the State about that attack.
Yet again, on February 7, 2023, the terrorists who, according to eyewitnesses, rode in a convoy of vehicles that included an armoured personnel carrier, returned to the very same residence of Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere with even more audacity, all in the desperation to kill our Candidate.
It becomes unacceptable and reprehensible that till this moment, no security agency in Imo State has reacted to these attacks.
All of these have enriched our suspicion that the attacks on Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere are masterminded by agents of the APC regime in Imo State. The falsehoods, incoherent tales and contradictory stories being peddled by Senator Hope Uzodinma and agents of his decadent regime only strengthen our conviction.
Gentlemen of the Press, let us now play for you the CCTV footage of the last attack at the Akokwa residence of our candidate, so that you could come to terms with our position that when the witch cries at night and the baby dies in the morning, it is unnecessary to ask who killed the baby.
PLAY THE VIDEO!
About seven days ago, a lady conveying campaign materials of our candidate, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, was intercepted at the airport and arrested along with the airport taxi driver on accusation of being in possession of INEC materials. They are still in the dungeon of the Imo State Police Command. It is important we display the campaign materials in question, so that Nigerians can see the level which the APC-led regime in Imo State has descended in its fight against our candidate.
DISPLAY THEM! ALSO SHOW OTHER CANDIDATES IN IMO WHO HAVE SIMILAR CAMPAIGN MATERIALS!
What Nigerians must know is that these wicked attempts to eliminate Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere by all means began immediately after he exposed the widespread and mind-boggling compromise of the INEC voter register. This is what is now known as the Omuma Magic. An appointee of Senator Hope Uzodinma, particularly one Chinasa Nwaneri, had telephoned Ikenga and threatened to deal with him whenever he would be sighted in Imo State. Since then, Ikenga Ugochinyere has come under attacks which have gulped human lives and consumed assets valued in billions of Naira.
For us as Imo PDP, it is deeply worrisome that despite our demand for the arrest and prosecution of Chinasa Nwaneri, who earlier betrayed the intention of the APC-led regime of Senator Hope Uzodinma to attack Ikenga through telephone threats, the Federal Government and security agencies have never budged.
More worrisome is the fact that despite our calls for the disbandment of Ebubeagu security outfit, which has been implicated in most of the attacks in the State, nothing has been done by the Federal Government and security agencies.
It is now clear that PDP members and candidates are generally endangered in Imo State, and the current security leadership in the State cannot provide a neural and fair atmosphere for a democratic electoral contest to take place. Already, our party has intercepted intelligence about a plot to whisk away most prominent leaders, members and candidates of the party ahead of the elections.
In view of that, we demand the immediate redeployment of all heads of security agencies in Imo State.
Further, the Federal Government should establish an independent panel of inquiry to unravel the Imo killings and unearth the real identities of those behind the so-called Unknown Gunmen in the State.
Imo State has now become like the Hobbesian pre-political state, in which life is nasty, solitary, brutish, poor and short. Our Party is greatly pained by this situation.
Therefore, we call on the Chief of Army Staff, Inspector General of Police and Director General of the State Security Service to intervene without further delay. The sponsors and perpetrators of the attacks on Ikenga Ugochinyere must be arrested and brought to book with the urgency of now!
President Mohammadu Buhari should realize that his promise of free and elections to Nigerians has become a mirage in Imo State in view of the existence of state-backed militia groups and state-sanctioned attacks on opposition figures.
Finally, we urge Ideato people, PDP members and overwhelming supporters of Ikenga Ugochinyere to stand strong and never allow forces of darkness prevail over their land. They should never yield to the threats and intimidation of the enemy. They should mobilize and come out en masse on February 25th to vote Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, so as to give Ideato Federal Constituency the quality and enviable political representation it deserves.
Thank you so much for your kind and gracious attention.
The display of solidarity in Nigerian politics continued in Ebonyi State on Thursday where the Hausa community unanimously visited and threw their weight behind the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Ifeanyi Odii.
Loading ...
They also pledge to work assiduously to ensure his victory at the polls.
Speaking on the visit, leader of the delegation, Alhaji Idris Datti, said that the PDP candidate is the only one who has a plan for inclusion in his campaign manifesto.
According to him, the Dave Umahi administration has neglected the Hausa community and treated them with a lot of disdain.
Datti said the Hausas in Ebonyi have endured untold hardship under Umahi who continued to isolate and targeted them in his avowed war against political opponents.
He said the Hausa community have never had it so bad in the hands of the state government, stressing that Ebonyi state Hausas have nowhere else to call home other than the state.
Datti recalled that the government of Dr. Sam Egwu recognized the Hausas and even made him a Special Adviser but Umahi completely neglected them.
He said, “Even when I go to Kano with my children, they always say let’s go back home. I tell them Kano is home but they insist that they only know Ebonyi. My father’s house at Abakaliki is over a 100 years old.
“I probably speak better Igbo than some of them. Yet, Governor Dave Umahi has treated us as third class citizens and have shown us that we are not welcome.”
Datti also decried the activities of Ebubeagu militia, adding that the outfit have specially targeted Hausas for ethnic cleansing.
He said, “The militia group normally harass everyone but they have a special eye on us, the Hausas. They have attacked us unduly and profiled us ethnically. We live in fears of our lives. Yet, Umahi will go up North and lie that he’s taking good care of us. He is lying to our leaders in Abuja.”
On the political atmosphere of the state, Datti said the Hausa Community have endorsed the PDP candidate as he (Dr. Odii) have promised to carry them along.
He said, “The PDP candidate has clearly shown us he’s not going to discriminate against us as Dave Umahi has done. Umahi has enacted policies that have excluded us. One of our big traders here lost close to 80 shops when Umahi suddenly moved the markets. This has led to a serious economic hardship in our community.
‘Umahi has also earmarked our houses for demolition. It took the intervention of the Sultan of Sokoto and other well meaning Nigerians to stop the ugly plan. Some of the houses are as old as a century. He has isolated our traditional leadership by refusing to extend any courtesy to our Sarki (king). He stopped his salaries for no reason. Even when he shared cars, he neglected him.”
Many States in Nigeria were gradually drooping into a state of anarchy as banks all over the country were being besieged by desperate customers due to the extreme shortage in the circulation of the new currency and the expiration of the old currency. Several bank ATM machines around the country were vandalized by angry mobs that could not gain access to their funds and could only vent their frustrations on the machines. The rejection of the old naira notes by the various commercial banks in Nigeria had also taken effect on the 10th of February 2023, despite the pending interim order of the Supreme Court. It was therefore no surprise when the Special Adviser to the President, Media & Publicity, Femi Adesina announced that President Muhammadu Buhari will make a national broadcast on Thursday, 16th February 2023 at 7 am to address the lingering issues bedeviling the country. It had become highly imperative in the face of growing agitations for the President to address/rescue the Nigerian situation before it gets out of hand. However, the broadcast of Mr. President has come with mixed feelings as it has thrown up several legal issues as to the correctness or otherwise of the position taken by the President in his morning broadcast. Here is a brief chronology of events that occurred with respect to the currency redesign that cumulated in the president’s broadcast of 16th February 2023.
Loading ...
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had in October 2023 redesigned N200, N500, and N1000 notes and had set a deadline of 31st January 2023 for the use of old naira notes. However, after intense pressure, the CBN extended the deadline to 10th February 2023. Some Governors had met with President Buhari over the naira redesign, saying it was causing hardship. The President had told them to give him seven days to take action and resolve the issue.
On the 8th of February 2023, the Supreme Court of Nigeria granted an interim injunction, ordering the Federal Government through any of its privies, particularly the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) not to end the use of old naira notes, although the Central Bank of Nigeria in itself was not a party to the suit as instituted by three northern states of Kogi, Kaduna and Zamfara States. The order by the Supreme Court canceled the CBN’s 10th February deadline to end the validity of the old versions of the banknotes. The suit was adjourned to the 15th of February 2023 for the hearing of the interlocutory motion.
On the 8th of February 2023, in reaction to the injunction of the Supreme Court, the Governor of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele, said that there was no need for the deadline to be shifted. Technically, the statement by Governor Emefiele overruled the interim order of the Supreme Court. This further sparked confusion as banks, petrol stations, malls, and many others rejected the old notes while Nigerians spent hours in queues in the process of getting the scarce new notes.
On the 15th of February 2023, when the suit came up for hearing at the Supreme Court, several applications were pending for joinder and a preliminary objection by the Attorney General of the Federation challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear and determine the suit. The various applications led to the adjournment of the suit to a further date. The Supreme Court ordered the parties to amend their processes in line with the new parties joined. The Counsel to the Plaintiff at the Supreme Court had orally brought to the attention of the court that its order had been flouted by the CBN. In a unanimous ruling by a seven-member panel, led by Justice John Okoro, it held that the “interim injunction” will subsist “pending the hearing and determination of the Plaintiffs/Applicants’ motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.”
On the 16th of February 2023, the President delivered a broadcast stating amongst several other issues that “In line with Section 20(3) of the CBN Act 2007, all existing old N1000 and N500 notes remain redeemable at the CBN and designated points”.He further stated that “To further ease the supply pressures, particularly to our citizens, I have given approval to the CBN that the old N200 bank notes be released back into circulation and that it should also be allowed to circulate as legal tender with the new N200, N500, and N1000 banknotes for 60 days from February 10, 2023, to April 10, 2023, when the old N200 notes ceases to be legal tender.”
Issues of law
It is of note that the President had told the Governors who came to visit him to give him a few days within which to decide on the lingering issues, the Governors however still rushed to the Supreme Court to get an interim order restraining the President through his privies (the CBN) from ending the use of old naira notes. The President still operating within the time he had given to the Governors, without minding the interim order of the Supreme Court went ahead to deliver a position contrary to the standing order of the Supreme Court. This I must state most respectfully is a terrible gaffe on the side of the President and all members of his inner circle who were privy to the broadcast of the President before its delivery.
You cannot sideline or undermine the standing orders of the most superior court of the land. It is more like desecrating or committing sacrilege against the exalted position of the court. It is an affront to the sacredness and sanctity of the Supreme Court.
Supremacy of the Constitution and the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the highest court of the land and the highest decision-making body in the land as conferred on it by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The decision of the Supreme Court is final. Section 235 of the Constitution provides that no appeal shall lie to any other body or person from any determination of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court had ordered that in the interim, the old notes should remain legal tender. This order remains extant until discharged or set aside. However, the President has in contrast to the interim order restricted the use of old notes to the N200 denomination only.
The Order of Court Must be Obeyed
There have been a series of arguments as to whether the President only exercised his constitutional powers as granted to him by the Constitution to the exclusion of any other arm of government. Well, whether the President was acting within his powers or not, there is already a subsisting order of a court, (whether obtained rightly or wrongly or even fraudulently), that has prohibited the decision to end the use of the old naira note. The correctness or legitimacy of the order of the Supreme Court will be left for the court to decide, but the point is that there is a subsisting order of the court, which MUST be obeyed until discharged or set aside. In A.D.H LTD V AMALGAMATED TRUSTEES LTD. (2007) ALL FWLR (PT. 392) 1781 AT 1842 (SC), the Supreme Court had held that “courts do not make orders in vain and they are meant to be obeyed…” Also in OKOYE V A.G ANAMBRA STATE (2002) FWLR (PT. 94) 198 at 205, the court held that any act of disobedience or disrespect directed at the Court which lowers its integrity, amounts to contempt and same must be discouraged. The President had no business giving any order in respect of the validation or otherwise of any of the currency. Having made this decision, what else is left for the Supreme Court to do? Has the suit at the Supreme Court not been overtaken? I hope the Supreme Court can make a pronouncement or take a position that reinstates its supremacy.
The decision of the President might be necessitated/justified on the grounds that there was an urgency that needed his quick intervention which could not wait till a final decision is made at the Supreme Court in the face of numerous applications for joinder and preliminary objections. There is no guarantee of having a final decision from the Supreme Court within a reasonable time in the face of growing anarchy in the system. Furthermore, the decision of Mr. President might have been borne out of the intention to forestall the monetization of upcoming general elections in Nigeria by substantially reducing the physical funds in circulation which is good and healthy for our democracy, particularly at this time. As a matter of fact, no substantive decision can be made by the Supreme Court before the incoming general elections. However, the method of execution strongly undermines the powers of the judiciary that has taken steps to intervene in the unfolding situation in Nigeria. As much as the decision of Mr. President to stand by his constitutional powers is commendable, the right approach to the action has not been properly engaged. A broadcast delivered by the President that overturns a standing order of the Supreme Court has in itself become an appellate decision of the President. As it stands, the broadcast of the Mr. President might be voided by the Supreme Court. We however hope that whatever decision is taken by the Supreme Court, it would be in the overall interest of the Nigerian economy and the future of Nigerian democracy.
Akintayo Balogun Esq., LL.B (Hons), BL, LL.M, is a legal practitioner in private practice based in Abuja, FCT. A prolific writer, public affairs analyst, and commentator on national issues. akinson6@gmail.com.
A dilemma is when you leave Amaechi and APC to join Wike and PDP only to realize that Wike has sacrificed his party candidates to save his political future by subscribing to Tinubu and APC.
Loading ...
It is a dilemma when the Governorship candidate of the PDP, Sim Fubara is left in the dark and only hopes that Tinubu wins to help him using the Courts.
It’s a dilemma when Amaechi’s loyalists, which includes my humble self, have to support APC in the state for Tonye Cole to win the Governorship.
A dilemma is when Tonye Cole is forced to deliver Tinubu even when Tinubu has a pact with Wike’s PDP and Tinubu shies away from publicly soliciting support for Tonye Cole.
It’s a dilemma when Amaechi cannot publicly go against Tinubu in preference to Atiku or Peter Obi, yet he cannot support Tinubu who prefers Wike now.
It is a dilemma when Rivers APC NASS candidates must campaign for Tinubu and the APC since their election is on the same day.
Same for PDP NASS candidates.
A dilemma is for Rivers politicians like Magnus Abe who was supposed to be Tinubu’s preferred Governorship candidate but may have been sacrificed for Sim Fubara.
It’s a dilemma for me to choose to remain with Amaechi no matter the odds or to carve a new friendship across the board.
Loading ...
