Ekwunife And Company Did Not Win By Popular Votes – By Ifeanyi Afuba

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Ekwunife And Company Did Not Win By Popular Votes – By Ifeanyi Afuba

 

Uche-Ekwunife
Uche-Ekwunife

Uche Ekwunife is entitled to her gloating over her INEC victory in the March 28, 2015 Anambra Central Senatorial Election as reported in This Day of Friday, April 10, 2015 with the caption: ‘I beat Umeh silly, he is crying like a baby’. But while her triumphalism gets the better of her, the contest for the Anambra Central Senatorial seat is about to enter a new phase as the people of Anambra State are resolved on taking their destiny in their hands.

There are different forms of electoral victory. There is the popular and credible victory which can be defended any day; there is also the appropriated victory procured through coercion and connections. The latter obviously cannot stand the test of objective scrutiny.

Only Ekwunife and her fellow PDP travelers believe in their pyrrhic victory. That is why they have to resort to massive propaganda to launder their controversial mandates.  But the day of reckoning is gradually dawning.  Those who were purportedly mandated by the Anambra electorate to represent them at the National Assembly could not deliver any of their constituencies in the House of Assembly election held on April 11, 2015. The APGA won 26 of the seats whose results have been declared and is poised to win the remaining four. Nothing could be more revealing and damning of the PDP’s self rating.

The nightmarish experience of March 28, 2015 had roused Ndi Anambra to vigilance and solidarity to defend their votes in the April 11, 2015 election. After casting their ballots in the national assembly elections in the same way they voted on April 11, 2015, Ndi Anambra were horrified to see Abuja – based PDP chieftains from the state invade the collation centres with heavily armed security personnel and thugs to have a field day to themselves.

A cross section of Anambra’s elite has spoken out in condemnation of the brazen manipulation of results of the senatorial and House of Representatives poll. Thousands of youths demonstrated against this subversion of the people’s will in the major cities of the state just before the House of Assembly election last week.  Furthermore, Vanguard of Thursday, April 9, 2015 had this interesting headline: ‘Election Observers allege discrepancies in Anambra polls’.

The story read: ‘The Coalition of INEC accredited election observers for 2015 general elections in Anambra State yesterday released the reports for the March 28, 2015 general elections, saying there were noticeable discrepancies between results declared at the polling units and the collation centres.

Due to the observed irregularities and malpractices culminating in the mutilation of recorded result and outright falsification of figures thereby awarding fictitious ballots to the wrong person, we call for immediate review of the declared results and subsequent declaration of the authentic winners.’ It is pertinent to note that a week after this stinging report was made public, not a word of it has been refuted by anybody.

Nothing further needs be said except to put in proper perspective Ekwunife’s claim that the ‘truth is that the people reposed confidence in me and elected me because I rendered account of my stewardship which met their expectation.’ Does this stewardship include the inferior and unserviceable street lights brandished as constituency project in the same federal constituency where this writer hails from?

Political goodwill is a function of three variables, namely, the appeal of the candidate’s party; antecedents of the candidate; and the manifesto/perceived readiness of the candidate to tackle present challenges. The PDP on which platform Ekwunife ran for election has a tattered image especially in Anambra State where the party has at least three factions and been enmeshed in election rigging controversies since 2003.  In demonstration of its characteristic disorderliness and penchant for impunity, PDP went into the Anambra Central Senatorial election with four aspirants each claiming to be the authentic candidate of the party. Contrastingly, APGA has struck a fine chord with the people as the vehicle for the state’s development since 2006 as well as the voice of the Igbo, minorities and other marginalized elements in Nigeria’s power structure.

Ndi Anambra would not freely choose Ekwunife as one of their senators knowing her views on the inept and failed Chinwoke Mbadinuju administration. The mismanagement of the state’s resources in those years of the locusts and the role of some bank managers who are indigenes of the State in its near bankruptcy still leaves sad memories.

Ekwunife’s circuitous membership of the PDP, PPA, APGA and PDP again projects her as a playful politician who may be trusted more with cosmetic and beautician matters rather than the serious issue of governance. She is easily remembered for the self – serving suit she filed seeking the disqualification of her party’s candidate Chief Willie Obiano in the November 2013 governorship election on trumped up multiple registration allegation.

Victor Umeh, who independent sources say received massive votes in the senatorial election, has been the face of APGA for the past ten years. He ranks as one of the foremost brains behind APGA’s electoral victories since the formation of the party in 2002. Without Victor Umeh’s leadership, APGA as we know it today would not exist. A courageous fighter for equity, Umeh has both the vision and passion to pursue renegotiation of the Nigerian federation at the Senate. Ndi Anambra are only too aware that Umeh’s collaboration with the action –driven Governor Willie Obiano will reap many benefits to the State; hence their endorsement of his candidature.

The battle for the National Assembly mandates the Anambra electorate bestowed on their leaders has just started.

Afuba wrote from Nimo, Anambra State.

Turkish foreign minister accuses Pope of discrimination

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Turkish foreign minister accuses Pope of discrimination

Turkish Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said the Pope has chosen one side’s pain over the other by ignoring the pain of Turkish and Muslim people who lost their lives during World War l.

The Foreign Ministry made this known is an official statement.

There has been a new turn of events in the diplomatic crisis between the Holy See and Turkey over the massacre of Armenians in 1915 to 1917, which Pope Francis defined a “genocide.’’

From Mongolia, Prime Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu attacked the Pope’s position as contradictory and discriminating because the expression “genocide” is a specific legal concept.

The statement said Ankara has always claimed that the massacre of Armenians under the Ottoman Empire resulted from a conflict in which many Muslims also died.

However, the Turkish Embassy to the Holy See defined Pope Francis’s words as “an unacceptable political manipulation.’’

Meanwhile, the Pope has not reconsidered his statements but recalled that the path of the Church is also that of frankness, adding that there is no alternative to speaking out bothersome truths.

Italian Foreign Minister, Paolo Gentiloni, said that Ankara’s reactions to the Pope’s words appeared to be out of proportion.

“The harsh tones used by Turkey do not seem to be justified, considering that roughly 15 years ago, Pope John Paul II expressed the same judgment,’’ Gentiloni said during his visit to Barcelona, Spain.

He added that Italy has often expressed its solidarity and closeness to the Armenian people and government for the violence and the suffering inflicted upon them 100 years ago.

“As for the legal recognition of the genocide, we have always invited the two countries, Turkey and Armenia, both of which are friends of Italy to dialogue.

“This is in order to avoid that these situations hinder a more relaxed situation,’’ he said.

Reports say the issue is extremely delicate, especially in light of the international commemoration of the centennial of the genocide on April 24, which has already sparked controversies between Turkey and Armenia

Bayelsa 2016 Governorship: Alamieyeseigha, Sylva, Others Are Greedy – Ex IYC leader

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Bayelsa 2016 Governorship: Alamieyeseigha, Sylva, Others Are Greedy – Ex IYC leader

 

A former Secretary-General of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and one time student union leader, Mr. Captain Ozu, has criticized the rumoured ambition of three political heavyweights to contest the Bayelsa State governorship election scheduled for 2016, describing them as greedy.

 

A former Governors of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and an ex-Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Timi Alaibe, were said to be scheming to be governor on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

 

Others said to be eyeing the party’s tickets were a leader of the APC and a former Governor of the state, Chief Timipre Sylva; a former Commissioner for Health, Chief Frank Akpoebi; a Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Godknow Igali, and APC Chairman in Bayelsa state, Mr. Tiwe Oruminighe.

 

Alamieyeseigha was impeached on December 9, 2005, two years into his second term in office, on allegations of acts of malfeasance.

 

Reacting to their ambitions, Ozu told journalists on Tuesday that some of them have decided to indicate interest in Bayelsa Government House because they are greedy and broke.

 

He said, “Most of these so-called leaders are broke and have become liabilities both to themselves and members of their family. If you check very well, the only reason why these men want to get power is to enable them enhance their economic well-being. The aim is not to serve the people but to serve their pockets. Bayelsans are not fools. We know their antecedents and when the time comes, we will disgrace them at the polls”

 

It was reported that Preye Aganaba (aka Prince of Odi), who lost his senatorial bid, is being prepared by Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi to go for the governorship slot on the platform of APC.

 

A source, who spoke in confidence, said Alamieyeseigha, the state’s first elected governor, was nurturing his ambition to return to the Creek Haven, the sobriquet for the Government House in Yenagoa, on the platform of APC.

 

The source said the former governor and Igali are plotting to wrest power from the Governor Seriake Dickson.

 

Sources said that they have been meeting for the past two weeks in Abuja to finetune their plots.

 

The source added that both men met last Friday at the late Oronto Douglas’ home, after a condolence visit, to discuss their plan.

 

Alamieyeseigha became governor in 1999 and was re-elected for a second term in 2003.

 

But he was embroiled in allegations of corruption and money laundering.

 

He was impeached by the House of Assembly, prosecuted and convicted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

 

Alamieyeseigha was succeeded by his deputy, incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan, in 2005.

 

The ex-governor got the President’s State pardon on March 12, 2013.

 

The source said: “Alamieyeseigha is eyeing the governorship seat. His plan is to make a return to the seat of power in 2016. He has been holding a series of meetings with some APC stalwarts.

 

“He is assuring the APC leadership that with him at the helm, the militants would feel comfortable. He is saying Governor Dickson is not liked by former militants, citing the clash between the governor and ex-agitators over pipeline contracts.”

 

But when reminded that President-elect Muhammadu Buhari has a zero tolerance for corruption and may not allow the likes of Alameiyesegha to become candidates of the party, the source said the former governor is banking on his closeness to some APC leaders.

 

The source said: “He is banking on his relationship with some national leaders of the APC to market him to Buhari because he knows that ordinarily, the President-elect would not give him a chance, regardless of the Presidential pardon granted him.

 

“But we know that Dickson still stands a good chance of retaining his seat in 2016, given his performance and strong progressive contacts within the APC as a former member and leader in the Alliance for Democracy (AD).”

 

But another source in the APC said the state leadership of the party had placed an embargo on the influx of defectors pending the swearing in of the President-elect.

 

Without the embargo, he said a gale of defections to the APC would have hit the PDP in the state.

 

“Major PDP stakeholders are warming up to join the APC in the state. We are going to be busy welcoming them. Most of them will be coming with governorship ambitions,” the source added.

Valentine Obienyem: Have You Tried Looking Up? – Martin Beck Nworah

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Valentine Obienyem: Have You Tried Looking Up? – Martin Beck Nworah

Val-Obienyem--620x350

Valentine Obienyem (herein after referred to as Val or Mr. Val) is the media aide to the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Gregory Obi. I have great regards for Val because after reading his book on Ojukwu and following his strides while working for Peter Obi in Office, I saw a man young people like me can look up to for inspiration. I saw the perfect definition of hard work which leads to success personified by this gentleman and as Martin Beck Nworah, a youth in Anambra State, I took him as a model and wanted to achieve so much in my personal life; just like he did many years ago while still in school and while working for Mr. Peter Obi.

But since Mr. Peter Obi left office as the Governor of Anambra State and still retained Val as his media aide, I cannot say much positively about the man that was a huge source of inspiration to me in the past. What started out as a little altercation between APGA and PDP, Peter Obi and Victor Umeh; ultimately grew into a big war of words and propaganda directed to the state Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Willie Obiano. And the one name that has been a recurrent decimal is that of Barr. Valentine Obienyem and this really pushes me to ask; is he the media aide to Peter Obi or the political spokesperson or less preferably, his stooge? The events that has unfolded within the past few months if left unchecked, will surely breed serious trouble among Ndi Anambra who hold both Dr. Willie Obiano and Mr. Peter Obi in high esteem.

In the first instance, Mr. Val must come to the realization that his Boss (oga ya) did a very nice job as the governor of this state. In spite of his shortcomings and the many flaws of governance, he performed creditably well and laid the foundation for a greater Anambra State. But at this point, he (Peter Obi) is no longer the governor and must therefore allow Dr. Willie Obiano to continue the development of Anamabra state from where he stopped. If Mr. Val will be kind enough to look up and see the divergent projects taking shape in Anambra State, he will quickly come to the realization that Dr. Willie Obiano is actually working and taking this state to the next level.

Few days ago, Val referred to an elected governor of a state, under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as “Awka.” Asides been the governor of Anambra State, Dr. Willie Obiano has achieved so much in his professional life that I, as Martin Beck Nworah and a son of the soil, will never address him in that manner. It is a clear evidence of disrespect to not just the Office of the Governor but to the Person of Dr. Willie Obiano. If I was to Address Mr. Valentine Obienyem or his boss as “Agulu” or “Ifite” or “Onitsha”; it sounds too demeaning for his personality and people in their right-thinking state of mind will surely write me off. And to ever think that the man who says these things is a trained legal practitioner in this country, an ex-seminarian and a well groomed individual sends cold shivers down my spines. But wait; Mr. Val, have you tried looking up to realize that you are merely a media aide to Peter Obi and not Peter Obi himself?

Earlier this year, the former governor of Central Bank, Prof. Charles Soludo stated in his articles that he will not dignify Mr. Peter Obi (Oga gi) with a response to his(Soludo) articles since he is always sending Val Obienyem to present his opinions. Ndi Anambra holds these two men in high esteem as professionals and businessmen who have achieved so much in life; why should an ordinary media aide be the issue of discussion in an article that is critical to the development or otherwise of this country? If Val Obienyem can look up, he will quickly realize that he is over stepping his boundaries and making himself always available where he would rather keep mute and allow his boss do the talking. And of a truth, I don’t want to believe that Mr. Peter Obi approves of all the derogatory Facebook posts and articles been published on dailies that Val makes or else, we may begin to think that Valentine’s problems is an extension of his boss.

On Val’s out pour on the Willie Obiano led administration and how they have not allowed Peter Obi to rest since he left office. As Martin Beck Nworah and a youth in this state, I humbly submit that Mr. Val Obienyem should “aide” his boss to leave Ndi Anambra alone. It is no longer news that the popularity of Peter Obi is dwindling down courtesy of Val’s unguarded attacks at a substantive governor of a state. Mr. Peter Obi, with all due respect, is not and will never be an angel. No matter how highly placed a man is, he has vices that will always bring him out to to be criticized by the public. In sending Val to always respond to all criticisms leveled against him, whether constructive or not, Mr. Peter Obi is gradually opening up the hole that will drown his public acceptance in Anambra State by Ndi Anambra. And if Val will be kind enough to look up, he will quickly realize that he is the one shooting his boss in the leg.

In just one year in office, Dr. Willie Obiano has worked very well and his government is very popular in this state. Val and his boss always travel in and out of the country and “rarely” do they spend time among the common folks on the streets to sample their opinion about the Willie Obiano led administration and I will help him with that. An important aspect Mr. Peter Obi (Oga gi) didn’t pay much attention to was the media of this state. Mark my words, he paid little attention to the Anambra Broadcasting Service and till he left office, even workers in that government establishment publicly refused or most preferably, denied having anything to do with it. It took Dr. Willie Obiano less than Six months in office to pump life into ABS again. If you’ve started looking up, you would’ve realized that a world renowned media guru from our State and a former high ranking staff in GLO is now the MD/CEO of ABS. If you’ve started looking up, you’ll realize that a new digital studio and a gigantic three storey administrative building is about taking off. In less than one year from now, the whole media spectrum of Anambra Broadcasting Service will be transformed into what you (Val) will love to use in spreading the message of your boss to the whole world. And that is just a tip of the iceberg. I mentioned the media because that is where I am coming from and I have a perfect comprehension of what has been going on in that sector since the time of Chinwoke Mbadinuju.

Take it or leave it, Ndi Anambra are really happy with the level of development and investment that is coming into the state right now. Have you heard about ANSIPPA and ACTDA? The Cargo Airport? The three modern fly-overs been constructed right now in Awka? The divergent road networks linking our inner towns? The multi-million dollars agricultural investments? The new look of the State House? And the one we all love so much; have you heard about the spirit of Anambra? That positive spirit that is evoked each time the Anambra State anthem is been sung? If Val does not have an mp3 or disc player, one of his apologetics should send him the Anambra State anthem, he needs to listen to it. And after hearing, seeing and verifying all these developmental strides taking shape in this state, a man in his right senses will refer to his governor as “Awka”. (Tufiakwa)

The youths of Anambra State thanked Mr. Peter Obi for doing so well as a governor during his tenure. He has finished and left the stage. Let him allow Willie Obiano to work. Valentine Obienyem, with all due respect, has not reached a level where a press conference will be called to tell an “ordinary” aide to stop insulting our governor. If he throws a single punch at the Office of the Governor again, we will throw fifty at his personality and that of his boss. These distractions is getting out of hand and we thank God they didn’t have their way in the State Assembly elections just as they did in the federal. Peter Obi left the stage while the ovation was at the loudest and Val Obienyem should not bring him so low that Ndi Anambra will see him as an enemy of progress.

My name is Martin Beck Nworah and as onye Anambra, I am happy with the level of work Willie Obiano is doing in my state. Valentine Obienyem should use his Facebook to connect with his old friends from the seminary and law school. With all due respect, I should not be referring to a man I once looked up to for inspiration in this manner. But as the saying goes, if you bring yourself so low to dine with children, be ready to dance with them. He first threw the punch at the Office of an incumbent governor and carelessly referred to him as “Awka”. So therefore, he has opened the floodgate of aspersions to be poured on him first, and if we confirm his boss (Mr. Peter Obi) was aware of that particular Facebook post, then we will include him. Anambra State is not in captivity waiting to be rescued by Peter Obi or a media aide. Because the more Val continues to treat Ndi Anambra and our governor in this way, the more his principal will appear to be a clog in the wheel of progress of Anambra State.

Barr. Valentine Obienyem must try hard and look up. The same people he is insulting today because he is working for Mr. Peter Obi are the same people that Ndi Anambra hold in high esteem. If he feels a criticism leveled against his principal is not constructive enough, let him reply to it in a matured manner. He is a trained professional and I want to believe his Facebook account was hacked and all these short commentaries about Anambra State and our governor that has a “ghetto” undertone released in his name was not from him. If so, let him make an official clarification but if he indeed made such comments, then I will agree with Prof. Okey Ndibe, as he rightly said in his 2011 article, that Val is a merchant of lies.

Anybody who will read this article and bring it to the knowledge of Valentine Obienyem must tell him not to reply for a singular reason that is audible to the deaf and clear to the blind. Martin Beck Nworah is not known anywhere; I am just an ordinary young person in Anambra State. Replying this article, either directly or by proxy, will end made up making me popular and creating more opportunities for me to write more. So if he reads this, let him ignore it and pretend like it was never written. Although it will be published in major dailies both online and on print media, he must ignore it. Because if he attempts to reply in any manner whatsoever, he will be opening a door for me to climb the same ladder he climbed many years ago to be where he is now. And he should also prevent his boss from reading this because Mr. Peter Obi may end up on Google to search my name and realize I have better and more constructive ways of addressing issues than referring to my governor as “Awka”. I wonder what will happen after that.

So there you have it my erstwhile mentor and friend I never had, Mr. Valentine Obienyem(ESQ); you can try “scrolling up” again to read this so my message will sink in. In all you will do please, ignore this article because if you give credence to it by replying, then more…more…more…and many more will come. We will keep ourselves busy and coin silly names like “Awka” “Isi Mango” and several others that will come to mind. And who knows, we may end up writing a Nollywood script.

Till we get the Promised Land, I shall be waiting for when you will pass me a glass of water and thank God for the gift of grace for the race.

MBN.

N1.1bn subsidy fraud: PPPRA confirms payment to oil marketers

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N1.1bn subsidy fraud: PPPRA confirms payment to oil marketers

The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) on Tuesday confirmed that N1.1 billion was paid to an oil company, Majope Investment Ltd., accused of fuel subsidy fraud.

A Senior Research Officer in the PPPRA, Mr Mohammed Ghidi, made the disclosure while testifying at the trial of three oil marketers before Justice Lateefa Okunnu of an Ikeja High Court.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the marketers, Opeyemi Ajuyah, Abdullahi Alao and Olarenwaju Olalusi, are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The defendants are facing an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence, forgery, uttering and use of false documents.

Ghidi, under cross-examination by the Defence Counsel, Messrs Olarenwaju Ajanaku and Aderemi Oguntoye, however, said the computation made in 2011 was based on the documents submitted by the marketers.

“There was no problem with the transaction in 2011 when the PPPRA recommended that the money should be paid to Majope Investment Ltd.

“A Sovereign Debt Note was issued to the company which was later presented to the Debt Management Office for the payment of the subsidy claim.

“As far as the transaction was concerned, there was no cause for alarm,’’ he said.

Ghidi said he was not aware of the case until the PPPRA received a letter dated May 10, 2013 from the EFCC requesting it to re-compute the Majope Investment Ltd. transaction carried out in 2011.

According to him, the EFCC has asked his agency to re-compute the transaction based on a quoted figure to the tune of 5.7 million liters of premium motor spirit.

He said this was against the initial total of 20.3 million litres for which the marketers obtained subsidy payment from the Petroleum Support Fund.

Ghidi noted that no document was attached to the letter from the EFCC to back the quoted 5.7 million litres from which the new computation was made.

NAN reports that the matter was adjourned till May 22 for continuation of trial

APC consoles Chibok girls’ parents

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Our great party reaches out in thoughts and feelings to the parents of the over 219 school girls abducted by the ignoble Boko Haraam terrorists exactly a year today to which no solution is yet in sight.

We are intrigued that the situation remains the way it is ,in spite of mechanical successes to reclaim the occupied territories of the North East from the insurgents in the heat of the 2015 General Election Campaigns.

We are saddened that we still live in a Nigeria where some are still expressing doubts whether the girls were actually abducted or not. These doubt merge from our internal insecurities, after which no other evidence is required to show that ours has not evolved or been restored to a compassionate society.

With crying and lamenting parents who nonetheless traveled in buses to Abuja t meet the president, we cannot be in any doubt about the reality of their disappearance.

We are worried by the report that the Federal Government has prioritized the repair and renovation of the school building of Government Secondary School Chibok, we here owing to fear many parents have withdrawn their children because etheir safety is not guaranteed.

Once again we in Anambra State urge the parents of the MISSING Chibok girls to find solace in the coming of a new administration.

Their agony coincides with those of the people of Anambra State and indeed the two regions of the South East and South South who are yet to join the rest of Nigeria in exercising their right to choose their leaders.

Our party has registered our rejections of the conduct of the elections in the State on March 28 and April 11 for lacking in substantial compliances with the 2015 Electoral Act, as amended.

We wish to enlist the support of the rest of Nigeria in the new struggle that will define our lives in the next few months and years.

There is no doubt that well traced, the same factors that led us to the Chibok sorry pass, are also connected to the factors driving the resistance to electoral change in the mentioned regions.

We however have no doubt that we will triumph at the end of the struggle.

For: ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC) ANAMBRA STATE

Okelo Madukaife

State Publicity Secretary

How South Korea Repatriated Me In December 2014, My Story

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How South Korea Repatriated Me In December 2014, My Story

C/O Savanna Express Magazine Ltd.

Abuja.

2nd March, 2015.

 

Ambassador Aminu Wali,

Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs,

Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

Off Ahmadu Bello Way,

P.M.B. 130 Abuja,

Nigeria.

 

Sir/Madam

PETITION ABOUT MY INHUMAN TREATMENT IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH KOREA

 

I Mr. Amobi Nwilo wish to bring to your notice the level of inhuman treatment meted to me and so many other Nigerians living in the Republic of South Korea. I will start by introducing myself and expressing my confidence in your person and office.

My name is Mr. Amobi Nwilo, I am from Nise community in Awka south local government area in Anambra state, Nigeria my decision to petition your office is borne on my deep conviction and confidence in your person and office, having heard about your commitment in defending innocent Nigerians that are being maltreated abroad.

IN THE BEGINNING

I will start my story by first Narrating on what transpired in the year I went to South Korea in search of greener pasture. I first traveled to South Korea in 2001 and returned back to Nigeria and then traveled back to south Korea again in September 2002, after my return back to south Korea, I got a working permit visa in less than one year of my stay without any criminal record, after that I got a job in IS-Textile company, a textile manufacturing company where I worked for twelve (12) years without any criminal record.

After some years precisely in 2005 I got married to a south Korean lady Miss Kim Kyun Hae by name and we were married for about seven (7) years with the marriage not producing any child, after about seven years of marriage precisely in 20012 Oct. 12 we called off the marriage by obtaining official divorce, this was done due to our Irreconcilable differences before the divorce in 2010 I was wrongly accused by a Korean lady for rape, I took up the case and decided to get a legal assistant but my wife then pleaded with me not to go out with the case because of its time consuming nature, compelled with the fact that I am a foreigner. The police over there after speaking with my then wife advised me not to go on with the case, that it is better I should settle with the girl but I insisted on going on with the case. Because of the information I got that the Korean girl in question collaborated with a Nigerian, One Mr. Christopher Nwosisi from Ogidi Community in Anambra State and another Nigerian Mr. Stanley Nwofor from Mbano in Imo State to extort money from me.

But after so much persuasion from my then wife, Yong San Police Officers and Nigerian Embassy to settle the case instead of going to court, I decided to consider their suggestions. Owing to the fact that the Korean law States that any case settled out of court is considered a closed case. At the closing of the case I paid the sum of Ten Thousand (s10,000) dollars to the Korean girl, the amount was considered cheaper than engaging the services of a Korean legal professional to pursue the case. During the closing of the case, my ex-wife, and the said lady signed the settlement papers which was given to us from the Korean Court of law, the presiding judge, a female judge said I have been acquitted and discharged as the case has been closed. I continued to live my normal crime free life in the Republic of South Korea still going for my annual visa extension without any problem until 2013.

Immediately after the case I applied for residency papers which was long over due but I was told to wait for two years that if there is no criminal record against me that I will get my residency, though I was disappointed by that condition but I decided to wait, and the immigration continued to extend my visa stay without any job until  August 2012. When I decided to re-apply for the residency visa status. Before my divorce with my ex-wife in October, 2012. Officially notified the immigration authorities that I am embarking on a divorce with my wife and they said they cannot give the residence permit for me until I get the divorce papers, after our divorce I got the divorce papers and went to immigration and submitted it. But they started demanding to know the cause of the divorce and I told them it is irreconcilable difference, but the truth is that she did a permanent family planning and never informed me for the period of seven years we lived together so after much insistence from the immigration officers I told them the truth and they said I should get the hospital report to prove what I said and I told them that they know that it is not in my power to get another persons medical report from the hospital, then I suggested that they should call my x-wife and demand for the result from her, or that we, me, my x-wife and the immigration officials to go to a hospital to conduct a test to know the truth, but they knowing that I was right declined tactically. Although they said that they have all my records and found I have no criminal record. They requested again that I should bring my house papers and my bank account so that I can collect my permanent residence card: But on arriving at the immigration office on April 15th 2013 a young immigration lady told me that she spoke with  my x-wife and they are not comfortable with my continuous stay in their country and I asked why and she couldn’t give me any reason, I reminded her that my stay has not expired that I only want  to  change my visa status from annual to extension to permanent residency which by their law I was already over qualified to receive. I also reminded her that they were the people that asked me to come and collect it. But she said she cannot release it to me, she then asked me how much did my x-wife paid me after the divorce, knowing that she is the cause of the divorce, I told her that she didn’t pay me any damage, she said but you will still demand for damages and I said no then she asked me do you know I can send you back to your country? And I asked why, on what condition and for what reason. And I fervently asked again why she said I shouldn’t ask. So I said I am going to call my country embassy and inform them and she smiled and said there is nothing my country embassy can do, but I quickly contacted the embassy immediately and they promised to come. Then she asked me to come to the next room and I obediently went there and found eight huge immigration men, who ordered me to pull off my clothes and I asked why but they came seized  my hands and forcefully pulled off my clothes and said they have arrested me but in utter surprise and amazement I kept asking Them what is my offence, what have I committed but there was no answer till today and one of them said ah this Nigerian just go to your country, just get out of our country, the next thing I saw was that they handcuffed me like a common criminal and drove me to a place that I later found out that it was a UN refugee camp in Hwasong, where I spent three (3) days without food and water, while I was incarcerated at the UN refugee camp my daily questions to the immigration officer was that what is my offence and some of them said they were told  illegal STAY, some said different things which were all lies, but I told them that I still have the papers they gave me that stated that I have the liberty to stay in South Korea until my alien card is out, and that I have never committed any crime in  South korea, one day one of the immigration officer Mr Jang by name  said Mr. Nwilo we know you have not done anything wrong, we have checked your records and we found nothing wrong, but  our authority  brought you here, but don’t worry we will be taking care of you but I remembered clearly that a day to my arrest my x-wife called and said she is no longer comfortable with my continuous stay in Korea and I asked why and she said because I could wake up in the future and decide to sue her for marriage damages but I told her I am not interested In that, then at my point of arrest I called and she confirmed that she spoke with the immigration and the immigration lady confirmed that they spoke with my x-wife, but what baffled me most is that while all these things were happening I was giving the embassy update information and the embassy never showed up until after three months of my incarceration. They finally showed up they asked me some questions and I answered them, when I told them about the closed case of four years they said I should forget about it, that they were aware of it and that it is not a case. After about three months of my incarceration I contacted the Korean administrative court for assistance through my church member who happens to be my friend in the person of Miss Sora Kim. After series of legal battles between the immigration and the administrative court the administrative lawyer advised me to get a private legal professional involved. Saying that he has critically studied my case and found out that the immigration has no case against me but he is wondering why they are still refusing to let me go. Based on this advise I called Mr. Tony Ebipado the senior consul and head of chancel of Nigerian embassy in South Korea, he said it is okay that I should go ahead and get a private legal professional. By first August 01|08|2013, I contracted a Korean legal professional in the person of Bar Lee Ki Yeon. After going through my documents he expressed anger over the Korean immigration’s attitude towards me and promised that he is not only going to fight for my release but he is also going to file a case of damages against the Korean immigration authority but I told him that my main interest then is to get me out of the refugee camp (illegally converted to immigration cell). He showed some sign of commitment initially and promised that he is going to finish the case within the next five to six months and ensure that I am released, he will institute a litigation against the Korean immigration authority concerning my illegal arrest and detention, time wasting and denial of permanent residency. He started the case very well initially and I exercise patience with him but about three months into the case he suddenly changed: he stopped answering my calls and the calls of our fifteen Nigerians who held meeting with him. He did this for over one month until my church member Miss Sora Kim and Mrs. Hyuna Lee called and held a meeting with him, at the meeting he was still giving excuses but still promised that he was going to win the case, but in April which was the eight month of his contract, after several calls and text messages were put across to his phone he reluctantly called and answered Miss Kim Sora and said he is sorry that he is having pressures from some vested interests to drop the case, after about two days he is sorry that he has lost the case, so I asked him what is happening? Some days ago you said you were under pressure to drop the case and now you are saying you lost the case, that I strongly suspect conspiracy between you and the immigration authority. Meanwhile I paid him a legal fee of (s 5, 000, 00)   five thousand dollars.

CONSPIRACY

. Few days later the immigration officers brought what they claimed was a printed copy of my case judgment but I told them pointedly that they are not the one that should bring my case, judgment paper to me that it is my lawyers responsibility to do that, but I never saw the lawyers again when I called him and ask him to refund my money since he is not interested in the case again he said he will not and that I can  do nothing, I threatened him that I will report him to my embassy he laughed a scornful laugh ,and asked me what do you think your embassy can do. Meanwhile throughout all the one year that I spent in cell no Nigerian embassy official ever showed up despite the fact that I was calling them every day to keep them informed about what is happening to me. But after the lawyers unprofessional attitude I wrote a letter officially to the embassy and told them to ask him why he should make such comment that Nigerian embassy cannot do anything but I did not know what was the outcome of that meeting, but I wrote another letter to the Nigerian embassy explaining to them that since the Korean immigration don’t want the case to be decided by the court of competent jurisdiction that they should settle  all the damages they have caused me so I can return to my country. I gave a copy of that letter to the immigration officials in Hwasong. Two days later the immigration official called me for a meeting and informed me that the embassy has called them and discussed the letter within them. The immigration told me that my claim of four years damages is wrong, that they can only pay for two years damages, we argued about that for some minutes and they suggested that I should go back to my country and come back after one year I rejected the suggestion and told them that once I live for my country I will never come back again. So they said okay that I should go that they have discussed my claims with their higher rank officers, later I told them that I am okay with the two years damages, that if they will pay it I will leave their country immediately.

NIGERIAN EMBASSY ROLE

Mr. Tony Ebipado promised me on behalf of the embassy that the embassy will take over my case when I complained to him about their inability to visit me, he promised me that the Nigerian ambassador in South Korea Mr. Desmond Akawor will send some people to come and visit me, but I never saw any Nigerian embassy until the day I had worst humiliation of my life in 2014. On many occasions the immigration will scornfully ask me where are my embassy officials who promised to come, but I will not answer them anything. When I felt convinced in my spirit that I am not getting any help from our Nigerian embassy I decided to run to some Nigerian dignitaries through some concerned Nigerians living in Korea. I informed his Excellency Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife a former governor of Anambra state, I also informed the secretary to the government of the federation. Senator Pius Anyim and also the minister of state for foreign affairs Prof (Mrs. Viola Onwuliri) I believed that my complaint and some other complaints from other Nigerians living in South Korea made Hon. Mrs. Onwuliri and some of her officials to visit South Korea in 2014. When I heard about her visit I had some relieve but after many months of her visit I didn’t hear anything again from the Nigerian embassy but I kept calling them. A Nigerian living in South Korea once called the Nigerian ambassador Mr. Desmond Akawor to discuss my case with him and he told him that he is already aware of my case on October Tuesday 21 2014 five Korean immigration officials called me for a meeting to discuss my claims. They told me that my claims of ($100, 000) one hundred thousand dollars as damages is too much that the immigration authority cannot afford to pay such amount, but they can afford to pay a maximum of thirty thousand dollars ($ 30, 000) I told them to give me time to think about it on Thursday 23rd of October 2014 they called me again and I told them that I can only manage about ($60, 000) sixty thousand dollars, they said okay that they will discuss it with their superiors, but I didn’t hear anything from them again. Then on November 26th 2014 by eight pm in the night they came with hand cuff and handcuffed my hands and legs without prior information, they took me to the Incheon international air port but instead of taking me through the checking in the counter they took me through the back of the airport straight to the aircraft where they removed the rubber they put in my mouth and covered my eyes I realize that I was at the airport and in front of Ethiopian airline and they pushed me to enter the flight then I raised my voice and told the airlines and the passengers what is happening and I pleaded with the people to ask the Korean immigration officers what is my offence even if its one offence but they couldn’t give any tangible reason then the air officials got visibly angry with the immigration and told them point blank we cannot carry this man, go and settle him. One of the airline officials a woman I feel she is the chief airline hostess asked them ( the Korean immigration) what did this man do, even many already seated passengers of the airline stood up and asked severally and asked them what did this young man do but they couldn’t answer anything, they were only saying we are sorry we are sorry. Then the airline woman called me and apologized on behalf of the airline she said that the immigration lied to the airline that I am the one who has chosen to go back to my country please  verify and investigate these claims by contacting the Ethiopian airline to request for the CCTV camera and the information on what happened with their airline scheduled from Incheon international airport on 26/11/2014 by 10pm right in my presence the three Korean immigration officials promised the airlines that they will settle me before deporting me. But by the time they took me back to their car they pulled my hands off and handcuffed me again they gave me the beating of my life, beating me with sticks and hands and my eyes was swollen. When we got back to the refugee camp they took me to one small room and kept me there without any room heater with a room temperature of about one degree. I was in that room for six days without food, water and no bathing until I fell seriously sick on the sixth day and I am crying that I am dying and they came and brought me out and gave me some warm liquid to drink and food to eat and gave me some medication which I took for five days and then he took me to a normal room. You can also confirm this claim through one Evang. Justus onyeke who’s also incarcerated, because he witnessed my condition in the immigration cell and threatened that he will report them to the united nation’s human right defence office if I die there. Even as I am writing this petition now I am overwhelmed with pains and depression remembering what I went through. This Evang. Justus onyeke called our Nigerian Embassy immediately and informed them of my condition and the Embassy promised to come but they never did. Then after some weeks I wrote a letter to the embassy asking to know what is their effort about my condition, three days later after sending the letter I called the consular general and chief chancellor and he Mr. Tony Ebipado said I should not worry that the embassy have sent a letter duly signed by the Nigerian ambassador to South Korea Mr. Desmond Akawor himself the consular Mr. Tony Ebipado the embassy secretary. I solely accord my hope on his words and promises that knowing that it was a fact, hope and promises, because on the 17/12/2014 by 9:20 or there about the immigration.

That they have instructed the Korean immigration to either release me or settle me or they should be ready to face the Nigerian government.

KOREAN IMMIGRATION STRIKES AGAIN, MY JOURNEY TO DEPORTATION

Officials struck again one of them called me out again as I went out to the general hall I saw about Twenty Korean immigration officers standing, immediately I came out they grabbed me and push me to the ground and handcuffed my feet then they took me outside, I believe it was where there camera cannot capture them, there they used their hands to press my mouth open and they started stuffing my mouth with something like foam that has a rubber coating, they stuffed in about six of it into my mouth and tied it to the back of my head and they used another three masks joined together to cover my mouth so that even if I make sound with my mouth it can not come out, after that they used something like a blue towel to cover my eyes tiring it to my head and they used some foam to stuff my ears leather. They used one big bag to cover my whole head and tied it to my neck so that all the things they tied on my eyes and my mouth will not be visible, I started loosing my breathe, but I tried to let them know that I was loosing my breathe I could not because there was no way I could do that. Then they took me into a van and drove off after about 40 – 50 minutes the vehicle stopped and I was TIED into a wheel chair and went off ,then after about few minutes I noticed that I have been wheeled into an aircraft, I noticed this when I faintly heard the announcement while all these things were happening I was only crying but there was nothing I could do. This is the condition under which I was until about two hours to land in Nigeria. Even when we got to the transit country they carried me under the same condition through a back door into the aircraft. I think they purposely did that to give other passengers of the airline the impression that I am either an Ebola virus victim or a very dangerous criminal. Please I will be very glad if you can use your office to investigate these claims by calling for the CCTV cameras of Ethihad airline EY 873 Ethihad Airways which departed from Korean on 17th December at 00:05 to Abu Dhabi and flight number EY 671Ethihad Airways which departed Abu Dhabi Int’l airport to Lagos on 17th December, 2014 by 10:05am. On arrival to Murtala Mohammed Int’l airport the three Korean immigration officers that escorted me to Nigeria where arrested by our immigration officers and they found all the equipments they used in packing me like a dead man inside their bag. But later I was told that the Korean ambassador to Nigeria sent some officials of their embassy to come and release them. But our immigration men properly documented the case and wrote down all the equipment they saw in the bag, and told me that they will forward the file to appropriate quarters. Right their at the Murtala Mohammed Airport the three Korean immigration officers called me and one of them spoke with me and said we are sorry we are only doing our job and he asked me when are you coming to the Republic of South Korea again and he said please contact your embassy in Korea, we have settled them, we have given them all your entitlements because that is the most proper thing to do, so that it can be well documented. my Pastor, Pastor Ekene who was in touch with Mr. Tony through out the battle called Mr. Tony Ebipador the consular general of Nigerian embassy in South Korea and Mr. Tony promised him that the embassy is going to fight and get all the entitlements. But UPTIL now Mr. Tony has refused to pick my calls, my Pastor’s calls and the calls of many concerned Nigerian’s living in South Korea, you confirm this through one Mr. Chijioke Okponwa +821041346976 the question that has been on lips all the while is what exactly did I do, because neither the Korean immigration nor the Nigerian embassy has ever been bold enough to tell me, this is your offence.

When I finally got Mr. Tony Ebipador the counselor of our Nigerian embassy he asked me to go and get the Nigerian immigration report about my case at Murtala Mohammed airport which I did, but when I got to the airport the immigration politely explained to me that they cannot give the report to me that they have forwarded it to the appropriate places please I will be glad If you can use your good office to.

MY DEMANDS

  1. Demand the Korean immigration to tell Nigerian government via your office what is my offence, to warrant the humiliation done to me.
  2. Ask the immigration office in South Korea what role they played in my case because I was really informed that the consular was the one who issued visa for my deportation and visa’s to the three Korean immigration offices that escorted me to Nigeria.
  3. Fight for me against the injustice done to me by the Korean immigration and the Nigerian embassy in South Korea.

Pleas Note: Why I said it is injustice is because it is the Korean immigration law that if any foreigner commits a crime the first thing they do is to confisticate his alien card, Bank card and drivers license. If he has any, but in my case they didn’t collect any of the items mentioned above, as a prove that they know I didn’t commit any crime. The photocopies of these cards are attached here. Secondly if I had committed any crime they would have handed me over to the Nigerian Government for prosecution but they didn’t do that.

  1. To make a thorough of all that I have stated in this petition and help me get at your office is my last hope.
  2. Help me get all my entitlements from the Korean immigration and if it has been paid to the Nigerian embassy as they claim then to help me get it from the embassy.
  3. To set up a committee to investigate the activities of the Nigerian embassy.

 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION.

 

AMOBI NWILO

COMPLAINANT/VICTIM

 

cc:

THE AMBASSADOR,

Republic of South Korea,

Abuja,

Nigeria.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS,

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY,

ABUJA.

STATE SECURITY SERVICE,SSS.

Abuja.

Inconclusive Guber Polls: Imo And Repeat Of History

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Inconclusive Guber Polls: Imo And Repeat Of History

rochas-okorocha

The 2015 governorship election in Imo State was practically a repeat of history as the Independent National Electoral Commission declared the election inconclusive. Damian Duruiheoma reports.

History was again made in Imo State Sunday night when the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared the governorship election in the state inconclusive. The reason, according to the state’s Returning Officer, Professor Ibidapo Obe, was because some wards and polling units were cancelled in 23 local government areas of the state that did not include Ideato North, Ideato South, Ahiazu Mbaise and Owerri Municipal council areas.

In the results so far released, Governor Rochas Okorocha and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC scored 385,671 votes to lead his major rival, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP candidate, who polled 306,142 votes. The margin of lead is 79,529 votes.

However, the figure, according to Ibidapo-Obe, is not enough to declare the governor winner because the number of cancelled votes in the affected areas is 144,715. as a result of this, the returning officer declared the election inconclusive, saying a new date would be announced for a supplementary election in the cancelled wards spread across 23 local government areas.

The governor was initially thought to have won the election after he garnered 385,671 votes compared to the 306,142 votes scored by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Emeka Ihedioha.

The APC candidate is ahead of his PDP counterpart, Ihedioha by 79,529 votes, which is by far lower than the 144,715 votes cancelled by INEC as a result of irregularities in some wards occasioned by ballot box snatching and heavy violence.

INEC’s verdict on the Imo election is a repeat of what happened in the April 26, 2011 governorship election in the state.

ihedioha-market2

The commission had at the time declared the election inconclusive because it did not hold in Ohaji/Egbema, Mbatioli, Ngor-Okpala and Oguta Local Government Areas as well as in Orji Ward in Owerri North Local Government Area.

Before that election was declared inconclusive, results for 24 of the state’s 27 local government areas had been announced, with Okorocha then of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, leading in 12 local government areas with a slim total margin while the then governor, Ikedi Ohakim, also led in 12 local government areas but trailed Okorocha in the total votes garnered.

Just as in this one, a supplementary election was then fixed for May 6, 2011, which Okorocha went on to win.

However, unlike the 2011 election, where the two candidates then were running neck and neck before the supplementary election, there is likely not going to be any difference in the pattern of results that had come in so far from the forthcoming supplementary election.

This is because less than 40 percent of the registered voters participated in the 2015 elections in the state. According to the INEC records, out of the 1,761271 registered voters in the state, only 796,958 voters participated for accreditation in the governorship and house of assembly elections.

As a result of this, political watchers are of the belief that out of the remaining 144,715 votes across 23 LGAs in the state, not up to 100,000 voters will turn up to vote.

With this, the odds favour Okorocha to return re-elected. If  he eventually wins the supplementary election being planned by INEC this time, the APC would have succeeded in holding on to the only state it controls in Nigeria’s South-East geo-political zone.

However, the PDP might eventually be declared winner of the governorship election in with simple majority as most of the areas where supplementary elections would hold are its strong holds.

For instance, Oru East LGA, where elections did not hold in six wards is a PDP area. Also, wards like Uvuru in Aboh Mbaise, Dimeze in Ihitte Uboma, Ekwe in Isu as well as those of Ohaji Egbema, Ngor Okpala and Oguta LGAs are all the party’s strong holds.

The PDP which glossed victory in seven out of the 27 local government areas of the state will consolidate its grip on the ultimate prize by winning the most number of votes, having garnered the required twenty five percent in up to eighteen local government areas, which constitutes two third of the twenty seven local government areas of the State.

Based on this, it is not uhuru yet for the supporters of the ruling party, APC, who had since Sunday night gone into frenzy with celebration.

When The Politics Of Tribalism Forces The Pendulum Of Leadership To Swing – By Terfa Naswem

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When The Politics Of Tribalism Forces The Pendulum Of Leadership To Swing – By Terfa Naswem
APC LALONG SUPPORTERS
APC LALONG SUPPORTERS

Thomas Jefferson was elected the president of the United States in the presidential election of 1800 and was re-elected in 1804 and became the third president to govern American.

 

Jefferson’s political philosophy affirmed that while “the best government to be that which governs least,” he was equally convinced that “the welfare of the whole is the proper purpose of the state.

 

But when politics of tribalism takes the day, the government deviates from Jefferson’s political philosophy; the welfare of the whole which is the proper purpose of the state no longer has a place in the government and so many things can go the wrong direction as well.

 

Jonah-David-Jang
Jonah-David-Jang

Two months before the Plateau State PDP gubernatorial primaries that took place in December, 2014, I was told by someone in a gathering at first gate, Dadin Kowa, Jos, Plateau State; who claimed to be a Berom man that Gov. Jonah David Jang was planning to bring someone from his Tribe (Berom) to pick the PDP gubernatorial ticket and that since he might want to contest for senate, which is always the next landing ground for out-going governors in Nigeria, Senator Gyang Nyam Shom (GNS) Pwajok could be the one to pick the ticket so that he can take his place for an exchange. I laughed and told him that it can’t be possible because Jang is from Berom and Gyang Pwajok is also from Berom and considering the volatile nature of Plateau state to ethnic and religious crises, other ethnic groups in Plateau will not allow that to happen.

 

He argued that Jang has the political power to bring in whomever he wants and the Plateau people will have nothing to do about it. In fact, he made it clear and gave me his words that Plateau belongs to Berom and Berom people control the politics and the affairs of Plateau State.

 GNS

I tried to make him understand how the outcome of the 2014 PDP gubernatorial primaries and 2015 gubernatorial elections might be like in Plateau state but he still told me with absolute confidence that Jang will win his senatorial election and GNS Pwajok will win his gubernatorial election. I told him that I have nothing against Pwajok but if he eventual wins the PDP primaries, then Jang and PDP will directly and indirectly force most of the people of Plateau, even some of those within his party to join hands with All Progressives Congress (APC) and stop Pwajok from getting into the Government House. He told me to wait and see what happens on that day.

 

When senator representing Plateau North, Gyang Pwajok  emerged winner of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP gubernatorial primary election in Plateau state, I knew that Plateau State for the first time in history of democracy in Nigeria would face the strongest opposition.

 

The Chairman of the Electoral Panel, Abdullahi Ohioma announced Pwajok polled 435 votes to defeat incumbent deputy governor, Ignatius Longjan who got 163 votes in the primaries.

 

The Berom (sometimes also spelt as Birom) people are an indigenous ethnic group of the Jos plateau in Nigeria. Within plateau state, they are concentrated mostly in the local government areas of, Jos South, Jos North, Barkin Ladi (Gwol), and Riyom. They speak the Berom language, which belongs to the large Niger-Congo family of languages. It is not related to the Hausa language (which belongs to the Afro-Asiatic family) as has sometime been claimed by some Hausas of Northern Nigeria.

Let’s look at the brief profiles of Jang, Pwajok and Lalong:

 

Jonah David Jang , from Berom was born on 13 March 1944 at Du in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State. In 1965 he enlisted as an Air Force Officer Cadet at the Military Training School in Kaduna. He was given flying training at Uetersen in West Germany (1965–1966) and further training at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in 1969 and promoted to Lieutenant in 1970. He attended a course on Supply Operations Training (Logistics) in Denver, Colorado, United States and was promoted to Captain in 1972, Major in 1975 and Wing Commander in 1978, serving in most of the Nigerian air formations during this period.

 

During the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida he served as Military Governor of Benue State from August 1985 to August 1986, then as Military Governor of Gongola State from August 1986 to December 1987.

 

He voluntarily retired from the Nigeria Air Force in 1990. Jonah Jang took a Bachelor of Divinity Degree at the Theological College of Northern Nigeria (2000–2002). In 2007, he successfully contested the governorship election in Plateau State on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He ran successfully for reelection on 26 April 2011

 

Gyang Nyam Shom Pwajok, aka “GNS” from Berom, was born on the 15th day of March, 1966 in Jos, Plateau State. He had his primary education at the Jos Township Primary School from 1972 to1977 and obtained his secondary education at Saint Murumba College, Jos between 1977 and 1982. He obtained his Interim Joint Matriculations Board Examination (IJMBE) from the School of Preliminary Studies (SPS) Keffi, between 1982 and 1984, from where he proceeded to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria and bagged his first degree between 1984 and 1987. He earned a Master of Science degree in Political Economy and Development Studies from the University of Jos in 1991.

Until his election as senator, GNS was the Chief of Staff, Government House, Jos.

 

Barr. Simon Bako Lalong, from Ajikamai, Shendam was born on 5th May 1963
He obtained his First School Leaving Certificate from Roman Catholic Mission (RCM) Primary School, Shendam in 1977. He obtained his GCE O’ Level from Government Secondary School Shendam in 1982. He obtained his IJMB A’Level from the school of Preliminary Studies (SPS) in 1986. He went further to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria where he obtained his Bachelor of Law (LLB) in 1990. He went to Nigerian Law School Lagos and was passed out in 1991 (Call to Bar [BL]). He obtained his Masters Degree in Law (LLM) from the University of Jos in 2006.

 

Barr. Simon Bako Lalong started his professional career in 1992 with the prestigious T- Obot & Co. Legal Practitioners, Jos immediately after serving the mandatory National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) in the Legal Unit of FCDA Abuja. He also worked with Victor Fomwul & Co. Jos from 1997- 1999 as a Managing Partner. Presently, he is the Principal Partner of Simon B. Lalong & Co. Legal Practitioners When Nigeria was planning to go back to democratic governance in 1998, and as a youth activist/Lawyer, Barr. Simon Bako Lalong decided to take part in the formation of the party (PDP) at the grassroot in Shendam L.G.A.
In 1999, he responded to the call of the people of Shendam constituency to contest into the state House of Assembly, which he won overwhelmingly under the platform of the PDP (a party he took part in its formation in Shendam L.G.A.).While in the Plateau State House of Assembly between May 1999 to September 2000, he was;(a) House Committee Chairman on Judiciary (b) Member, House Committee on (i) Local Government & Chieftancy Affairs(ii) Public Accounts/Petition (iii) Agriculture

 

Similarly, in October 2000, his colleagues saw rare leadership qualities in him and overwhelmingly elected him as the Speaker of the State Assembly.
As a Speaker, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong humbly used this platform to further exhibit his leadership quality to the admiration of all the members. This rare leadership qualities earned him the record of the longest serving Speaker in the history of Plateau state legislature (2000 – 2006 i.e seven years of unbroken quality leadership).

 

According to most of those I interacted with on Pwajok’s issue, they told me that he is a very nice person but since he is from the same Local Government and Tribe with Jang, they will not support him because of the politics of tribalism which Jang has been playing since he became the governor in 2007.

 

Even before I conducted series of informal interviews to have a clear perception of the Plateau people on Sen. Pwajok, they were numerous calls from some members of the 54 ethnic groups in Plateau State for Pwajok to withdraw his gubernatorial ambition and allow someone else to contest.

 

Some aggrieved members were either engaging in anti-party activities or having a parallel PDP in the state with the hope of helping the APC candidate, Simon Lalong win the April 11 election. These issues further polarized the tribes in the state as most view the Berom, the tribe of the governor and the PDP governorship candidate who lost to Lalong as “ungrateful people seeking to dominate and turn us into servitude.” The allegation was buttressed by the fact that the Berom are the candidates for all available federal elective positions in Plateau North Senatorial zone except Jos North/Bassa whose candidate were the immediate past Commissioner for Works, Chris Hassan from Bassa local council. The Berom also head most parastatals and agencies in the state.

 

According to KMS WORLD report published on April 10, 2015, it is clear that some leaders of the 54 ethnic groups in the state under the agies of A UNITED AND PEACEFUL PLATEAU WE STAND publicly declared at a press conference that they have all decided to vote in the APC Gubernatorial candidate in the person of Barrister Simon Lalong; not necessarily for the party he belongs to but for the zone he came from that represents fairness and justice in connection to the principle of zoning that the PDP candidature is jettisoning. It was in the light of this that A Berom elder and a national chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, Jock Alamba placed an immediate open call on the GNS to step down before he faces shameful defeat in the April 11th gubernatorial election.

 

The All Progressive Congress gubernatorial candidate for Plateau State, Simon Lalong was declared winner by the returning officer for the governorship election, Emmanuel Kucha, who is the Vice Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, having scored 564, 913 votes and defeated Pwajok who scored 520,627 votes.

 

The basic reason that made Pwajok to lose that gubernatorial race to Lalong is because of his politics of tribalism. If Jang had picked his would-be successor from another Local Government most especially a non-Berom, most of those who supported APC would have given their support to PDP.

 

Since the history of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria and in Plateau State from 1999 till date, this is the first time PDP will lost its leadership momentum to an opposition party in Plateau State because the Politics of Tribalism of Jang has forced the pendulum of leadership to swing from PDP to APC.

 

This defeat should be a great lesson not just to the Berom and the Plateau people but to all Nigerian politicians and citizens who believe in the principle of “Politics of Tribalism”.

 

It is the hope of all those who supported and voted for Lalong that he will not follow the footsteps of his would-be predecessor but will learn great lessons from the Change that has taken place and reposition Plateau State and make it the Plateau of their dreams.

Maku Rejects Nasarawa Governorship Poll’s Result

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Maku Rejects Nasarawa Governorship Poll’s Result

Media Statement

 

 

The Maku Campaign Organisation has rejected the result of the Nasarawa State governorship election declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on 13th April, 2015.

The outcome of the election results is unacceptable.  This is because there were of the widespread fraud, conspiracy and collusion between INEC, the police, the military and the Al-Makura Regime, which led to criminal and large-scale rigging of the vote to impose Tanko Al-Makura on the people of Nasarawa State.

What happened in Nasarawa does not qualify to be called an election.  It was an electoral coup executed by the INEC and the security chiefs in Nasarawa State purely for ethno-religious reasons.

I did not lose the gubernatorial election to Al-Makura of APC.  This was rather due to INEC and security agencies who obviously and completely colluded and aligned with the APC to disrupt the electoral process and allocate votes across constituencies to the APC regime in Nasarawa State.

The INEC Commissioner, the Commissioner of Police and the military completely aligned with the state in distorting and disrupting the electoral process leading to one of the most fraudulent elections in the history of Nigeria. What took place in Nasarawa State could only be compared to the widely condemned 2007 general elections when the authorities used INEC and security agencies in the states and simply coerced them to rig the vote.

`        From the process of materials distribution and appointment of Adhoc electoral staff and even the posting of INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner to Nasarawa State, it was clear that the agenda was to massively rig the votes in Nasarawa State for Al-Makura to continue in power.  Most of the INEC Adhoc staff were either core APC members or sympathizers.  The rest were bought over by the regime.

The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner ensured that materials were delivered mainly to places where APC would have the opportunity to rig.  All the places dominated by APGA either suffered shortage of electoral materials or were supplied card readers programmed to fail.

In many cases, results sheets were not available.  In most cases, card readers were set aside to allow massive rigging to take place in various units and unspecified localities outside electoral units.

INEC Adhoc staff played the role of APC agents and manipulated the voting process to favour the APC.  Mercenaries and thugs were equally deployed to make sure that places where APC was losing were disrupted through attacks on polling and collation centres.

Ballot box snatching was rampant. There was intimidation of voters, destruction of election results and other coordinated crimes by the thugs supported by police in some cases that made the so-called re-election of Tanko Al-Makura laughable and a charade.

In Lafia Local Government, the Governor and security services shut down the entire exercise through widespread intimidation by thugs and security personnel acting together to frustrate tens of thousands of voters.

There were attacks by mercenaries in Awe, Doma, Obi, Lafia and Kokona Local Government Areas, aside from the fake policemen and soldiers recruited by Al-Makura to unleash terror on hapless electorate.

In Keffi, Lafia Metropolis and Nasarawa, widespread ballot box stuffing occurred.

In Karu collation centres, soldiers stormed the place, beat up everyone at site and carted away materials only to cook up outrageous figures for the APC at Mararaba, which is a known stronghold of APGA.

What happened in Kokona was a shame.  A local government APC could never dream of winning was suddenly manipulated by rigging the vote in Agwada, Sabon Gida and Hadari to cook up figures for the APC.

Nasarawa and Toto witnessed freelance rigging to contrive figures for Al-Makura.

Most of Saturday and Sunday was suffused with widespread reports of ballot theft and thumb-printing at Government House, NADP home of the Governor, Sandaji Hotel and on a notorious farm in Keffi known for shady deals since the National Assembly and the Presidential elections of March 28, 2015.

The worse forms of violence and abuses occurred at Awe, Giza, Bassa, Dadare, Adudu, Ikposogye, Akwaika of Obi Local Government Area as well as Lafia Metropolis where armed APC thugs operating under the tacit cover of the police attacked APGA supporters, voters and stabbed to death one APGA supporter in the premises of the Ibrahim Abacha Youth Centre in the full glare of the police.  Other thugs in Lafia attacked voting centres at Tudun Gwandara and Chiroma Electoral Ward.

The scale of abuses is exemplified by widespread cancellation of APGA votes by the INEC in collusion with security personnel and the APC.  In Doma Local Government Area, over 10,000 votes belonging to APGA were cancelled on flimsy grounds.

In Akwanga Local Government Area, all returning officers were replaced shortly before the vote with APC members/sympathizers.  This led to flawless rigging in Akwanga.

Wamba Local Government Area witnessed the same systemic rigging of the vote.

In several ward collation centres, returning officers simply ran away, leaving voters and materials stranded for hours on end!  Lafia Local Government was the worse case scenario where returning officers abandoned the job and fled on the instruction of the state government because APGA was in the lead.  The whole of Lafia East witnessed disappearance of returning officers, only for soldiers and the police to storm the collation centres to seize the results and electoral materials to unknown destinations.  The police later re-appeared at collation centres in Lafia claiming that they were “kidnapped” by voters, which was a blatant lie to justify the criminal refusal by INEC staff to complete the voting process.

Everywhere figures were cooked up and announced to a dumb-founded public who stayed shell-shocked as this absurdity in the name of election lasted in Nasarawa State.

The INEC then ensured allocation of votes in the various local governments completely in contrast to the actual votes cast by the people!

If what happened in Nasarawa State is a sample of the new APC regime in Nigeria, our country is up to a long long night of state criminality that will surely tarnish the electoral process reforms and the new standards set by President Goodluck Jonathan, which have been applauded by the whole world.

Nasarawa’s case was worsened by the ethno-religious conspiracy in the North, which continues to see our state as a fiefdom for the theocratic domination of the indigenous people of the state.

Shortly before the election, the system quickly posted Police Commissioner who hails from Bauchi, INEC Commissioner who hails from Niger State and Mobile Police Commander, all from the far north to prepare for the electoral coup against my candidacy in APGA for purely ethno-religious reasons.

Some traditional rulers were deployed to intimidate voters in their domains not to vote for me.  While in several cases many were intimidated and threatened if their communities voted against the APC.

I am a victim of an electoral fraud committed by the INEC and the police, which led the fight against me in order to continue the policy of ethnic and religious exclusion in the governance of Nasarawa State.

In this fraud, the PDP chiefs at the national level who had earlier frustrated me out of PDP also joined the APC regime in fighting against my candidacy under APGA in the election, and collaborated at every junction in ensuring that the vote was rigged against me.

It was an ethno-religious electoral coup perpetrated by the INEC, the police, the APC regime in Nasarawa State, the PDP candidate, Yusuf Agabi, some members of the State Traditional Council and some bigwigs from outside the state who are bent on the domination of Nasarawa State.

The system was deployed against me by powerful forces to achieve a long term objective of keeping our state in serfdom.

I therefore totally condemn and reject the outcome of the electoral coup in Nasarawa State and after full consultations with stakeholders at all levels, will very soon come up with a definite path for the actualization of the struggle for justice, liberty and peace for the broken tribes of Nasarawa State.

I remain eternally grateful to all our people across ethnic and religious lines who stood firm and fought to give me overwhelming victory at the polls.  That the vote was criminally robbed by the INEC, the police and the Al-Makura regime does not in any way diminish the heroic struggle and determination of our people to free Nasarawa State from oppression, exclusion and domination by a few.

We will fight on till freedom, liberty and justice is attained for all our people regardless of ethnic, religious and social origins.

The struggle continues!

 

 

LABARAN MAKU (CON)

Governorship Candidate of APGA

Nasarawa State

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