**why did the Boko Haram chose Buhari and not another former head of state to lead its talks?
The sour relationship between the Presidency and former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, took a further downward spiral, yesterday, when the seat of power took exception to the allegation by the former head of state that the Boko Haram sect was a creation of the PDP-led government and that he shouldn’t be roped into its problems.
Buhari had addressed the press in Abuja on Wednesday and absolved himself of any link with the sect as well as declined an offer from the group to mediate in its reconciliatory talks with the Federal Government.
The Presidency was infuriated by the general’s statement and has asked him to explain why the sect chose him and not another former head of state to lead its talks.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, said it was amazing that the sect named Buhari as one of its leading mediators with the government.
Okupe said: “What amazes me here is the fact that they mentioned Gen. Buhari to be one of the mediators. So things are beginning to fall into place.
“And the reaction from the CPC does not help matters at all after all an elder statesman, Dr. Ali Mongunu, was also mentioned and the man has neither rejected nor said anything wrong but the CPC quickly disowned Boko Haram in a very suspicious and questionable manner.
“From my own perspective, it would appear to me that with the statement that is coming from Gen. Buhari that Boko Haram is a creation of PDP and that they should go and fix it, that he is economical with the truth.
“How does that apply to Boko Haram inviting him to mediate in its talks? Is it the government that asked Boko Haram to invite him? And even if it is PDP that created Boko Haram, why should they be asking for Buhari to mediate?”
A youth leader in Abia State, Comrade Chikezie Chukwuocha has called on the Igbos to support the current move by the former governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu to unite the people and form a common front to be able to win the presidency in 2015.
Chukwuocha said the call had become necessary in view of the fact that the Igbos has suffered marginalization in the present Nigerian polity.
He said the present situation in Igbo land where everybody wants to be king and nobody wants to be led would not augur well for the unity of the people which he stated was crucial if the zone would speak with one voice and fight a common purpose.
“When the Igbos come together, it will make for greater achievement, if we do one common thing, we shall fight from a common front, but if we are divergent in our views, we cannot meet, we shall be running parallel.”
Chukwuocha stated that it was important Igbos come together to face the forces from other regions particularly as 2015 is around the corner.
He lamented that some people in the area were working against the project of the Igbos uniting to forge a common front in the scheme of things in this country.
“I don’t know the people championing the ‘Njiko Igbo’, I commend them a lot, including the ex governor of Abia state for doing a wonderful work, that’s the type of thing we need this time around; to have common front to actualize our dream of an Igbo man becoming the president of this country in 2015.”
The United Progressive Party (UPP) congratulates President Barack Obama on his victory in the United States presidential election on Tuesday 6th November 2012. This is democracy in action and worthy of emulation by Nigerians in our quest to build a strong, virile and prosperous democratic society.
The massive turnout of voters and peaceful conduct of the presidential polls despite Hurricane Sandy that struck some parts of the nation shortly before the elections reaffirmed Americans’ belief and confidence in democracy as the best form of government. By re-electing Obama the US electorate has once more proved that power belongs to the people. Obama should justify the confidence Americans reposed in his presidency and work hard to revive the country’s economy and improve US-Nigeria relationship.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state today [November 9, 2012] dissolved the state executive committee, thanking them for their selfless service to the state.
At the valedictory exco session held in Benin City, yesterday, Governor Oshiomhole said “I want to use this opportunity to say how much I appreciate your efforts.”
In an emotion-laden voice, Governor Oshiomhole said: “four years down the road, working together, arguing, debating, even sometimes disagreeing, we have provided a collective leadership to the people of Edo State. We have served them diligently with all our hearts.
“You are the least paid commissioners in the country, but that did not dampen your morale to put in your best efforts. I want to thank you very much for what God has used you to do for me and your state. Thank you for the sacrifices you have made.”
“I thought it wise that having worked so hard, it is right to appreciate you.
“On Sunday, I recognize it will be full time for the first tenure of this administration and when it is full time, no matter how interesting the game is, the referee must blow the whistle and end the game. The life of this council comes to an end on Sunday, not today, because that is when the end of the first tenure of this administration will come to an end, so you are still Commissioners even after this statement till 11:59pm Sunday.”
Responding ion behalf of his colleagues, the state Attorney-general and Commissioner for Justice, Osagie Obayuwana thanked the Governor for giving them the opportunity and the free hand to serve.
He said “the experience of working with the Governor has been a school of leadership for us, which was defined by the highest level of congeniality”, adding “I doubt if there is any other exco in any other state in the country comparable to the one we had here.”
He said last sitting of the exco “is a day of celebration because an example has been set that when there is a will, there will, there will always be a way, and this will endure for all time”.
Also present at the valedictory exco session were the Deputy Governor, Dr Pius Odubu, Secretary to the State Government, Dr Simon Imuekemhe, Head of Service, Princess Ekiuwa Inneh, Chief of staff, Osarodion Ogie and all the commissioners in the state.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole will be sworn-in for a second term in Monday, November 12.
Washington: Susan Rice, the US ambassador to the UN, is emerging as the frontrunner to replace Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who is expected to leave the post of top American diplomat early next year.
Senator John Kerry, the chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and National Security Advisor Tom Donilon are also in line to succeed Hillary.
While all the three are confidant to the US President, Barack Obama, but Rice, 47, is said to be his most favourite. Obama has given Rice the status of a Cabinet Minister.
Rice will be the second African-American woman to hold the position — the first being Condoleeza Rice under George W Bush.
The name of Bill Burns, the deputy secretary of state, is also doing the rounds in some circle.
Republican Senators have been very critical of Rice, after her comments on Libya that the attack on the US Consulate Benghazi was a result of mob violence agitated against an anti-Islam movie. However, the Obama Administration determined that this was a terrorist attack.
“Everybody knows that Susan Rice is a possibility, but would have some difficulties in confirmation, given the controversy over what happened in Libya. It’s anybody’s guess. The decisions of a single person are always very difficult to predict,” Daniel Serwer, Professor, School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, told foreign journalists. Top Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has gone public that Rice’s confirmation would be “virtually impossible”.
Senators McCain, Graham, Kelly Ayotte and Ron Johnson have accused Rice of jumping the gun and disseminating false information about the attack.
As a result of strong opposition to her among Republican Senators, experts say Obama might have to do a lot of negotiations and back room manoeuvring have his favourite Rice’s nomination get it confirmed by the Senate.
Kerry, another confidant of Obama, might have a smooth Senate confirmation but the slender majority of the Democratic party might make go against this Massachusetts Senator.
Kerry has been Obama Administration’s problem solver on several key foreign policy issues especially when it comes to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
“John Kerry is a sitting Senator. If he resigns to become Secretary of State, there has to be a new election in Massachusetts. And given the difficulties the Democrats have had in this round with Massachusetts, I’m not sure they want to go for that again.”
“And the majority in the Senate, if they are able to preserve it, is very, very important to the Administration and to the Democrats. So I’m not sure if John Kerry, who is an obvious name, is a likely name,” Serwer said.
The Democratic Party in the next Congress would have 53 Senators in the 100-member Senate, which is an increase of two from the current Senate.
“Kerry’s chances may also be looking up now that his absence from the Senate won’t cost the Democrats a majority, though there are still questions about who would replace him on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.”
A Kerry resignation would trigger a special election in Massachusetts, potentially opening up a place for recently-defeated Republican Scott Brown, but that would still leave 53 Democrats in the Senate — and 54 if the Independent Angus King decides to caucus with the Democrats,” the Foreign Policy magazine said.
“Another reason to think Kerry could have the leg-up on Rice is that some of his former advisors — including the State Department’s chief economist Heidi Crebo-Rediker and Steven Feldstein, director of USAID’s Office of Policy — are already in the administration, though it’s not clear how much of a difference this will make,” it said.
The Catholic Pontiff, Pope Benedict the 16th, has commended Governor
Okorocha for his developmental strides in the state.
Speaking through the Prefect General of the Congregation of
Evangelism, His Eminence Fernando Cardinal Filoni, the Pope described
Imo state as the heart of Catholic evangelism in Nigeria.
Cardinal Filoni who represented the Pope at the centenary celebration
of the Arch. Diocese of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, expressed
satisfaction over the tremendous transformation that has taken place
in the state especially in the area of evangelism and human
development.
He applauded the significance of the centenary celebration, pointing
out that it was a seed sowed 100 years ago, at a particular point in
Imo state that has grown into an Arch diocese.
Cardinal Filoni commended Governor Okorocha, for capital and human
development in the state, saying that governors are those who must in
the name of God, exercise their power for the good of the people.
He assured that the church must continue to support and pray for his
government and the nation for justice and peaceful co-existence even
as he thanked him for his hospitality and provisions of security.
The Bishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaikan also thanked cardinal
Filoni for visiting Imo state for the centenary celebration, of the
Catholic faithful in Owerri province.
He described his recent appointment as a cardinal as God’s continued
calling upon his life, and a decision of the Pope as led by God.
In a vote of thanks, the state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha
expressed joy for hosting His Eminence Fernando Filoni which he
described as a blessing to the state.
Governor Okorocha used the occasion to appeal to the Pope
representative to call for a conference of political and religious
leaders for effective development of the people and to address and to
address global leadership challenges.
He pointed out that such step would go a long way towards achieving
the desired leadership that will help the society.
The governor envisage a scenario where people’s culture should be a
synergy with religion, pointing out his observation that people like
worshipping God in their own tradition, culture, norms and values.
Governor Okorocha decried the spate of Western culture spillage in the
country are called on the Pope to put a ban on pornography and nude
clubs which are ravaging the society.
He noted that the Catholic Church was a worthy partner in the state,
especially in the area of ensuring quality leadership, truth, and
people’s welfare, and commended the Arch. Bishop of Owerri
Ecclesiastical Province, Arch. Bishop Anthony Obinna for his
outstanding contribution in this regard.
He recalled on the ongoing free and compulsory education in the state,
pointing out that the state would want to extend the gesture to the
churches but expressed worry and fear of abuse.
Chief Theodore Orji has urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alaoma Muktar to swear in Justice Ifeoma Jumbo Offor even as he has commended the Senate for directing the CJN to do same. The Governor who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Ugochukwu Emezue said that Justice Jumbo Offor who is from Abia State is qualified for the position.
According to the Governor, Justice Jumbo Offor who has spent 14 years in Abia State Judiciary was cleared by the National Judicial Council for the position.
Chief Orji further stated that since President Goodluck Jonathan also gave his nod for her appointment as a judge at the Appeal court, the CJN was expected to have sworn her in like she did to others.
Chief Orji who said he is optimistic that Justice Jumbo Offor will be sworn in no distant time praised the Senate for taking a patriotic stand on the issue.
Chief Orji said he watched the debate on the issue and he was satisfied with the lawmakers’ contributions which he described as devoid of sentiments and quite illuminating.
The Abia State helmsman also commended other professional bodies and human rights groups that have added their support for the swearing-in of this Abia great jurist. According to the Governor “I have no doubt in my mind that the CJN who is highly respected as the first female judge to occupy the exalted position will swear in Justice Jumbo Offor who is also an erudite Judge and a great Ambassador of Abia State”.
The much amplified USA Presidential elections has come to a
successful end. Mr. Barack Obama is declared president re-elect and,
Mr. Mitt Romney wasn’t outright declared loser. So, Obama can’t see
himself as ‘Bull’ while Romney as ‘Shit’. They both fought for
democracy purpose and, not for politics. No rival politicians were assassinated. Obama and Romney exposed numerous agenda. They lavished
wealth of knowledge and, not wealth of the pocket on Americans during
the electioneering campaigns.
A warm embrace! What played in the USA is passively not like that In
Nigeria. So, it behooves Nigerians to know in earnest that while the elections in the USA are drawn around fierce party lines, elections in
Nigeria are drawn around ferocious ethnicities. This is why every
tribe in Nigeria makes sure it goes to polls during elections with all
their heart, hoping that it will be their turn to rule next.
Ndigbo have been doing this in Nigeria, but the rest of Nigerians have
refused to give them the same opportunity Americans gave to Obama, not
minding that he’s from the minority, whereas Ndigbo are among the
major ethnicities in Nigeria.
If not for providence, President Goodluck Jonathan who happens to come
from one of the minority tribes in Nigeria wouldn’t have been
president. Straight away, it’s not well defined in some congratulatory
messages some Nigerian leaders have sent out in congratulation with
Obama. Some just clattered – a case that proves that they want to be
relevant at all cost.
However, showering praises on Obama and, hoping that his re-election
will place new steps of further change, is good. It is on this subject
‘change’ that Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, MON, former Governor of Abia State,
is one leader who has congratulated with President Obama with a
defined purpose, unlike many.
What made Kalu’s congratulatory message to Obama unique was his
description that Obama represents a lively leadership, who’s keen to
listen to his people and do their biddings. But is this applicable to
our own President Goodluck Jonathan?
Kalu, as far as Ndigbo and the rest of Nigerians are concerned,
represents the moon that shines down in the darkest hours, unlike most
Nigerians want to be the sun that lightens up Nigeria, but refused to
be around at the darkest hours.
So, is anybody thinking that he or she can do without Kalu in Nigeria?
He may be called the crusader against South-East marginalization in
Nigeria, but the fact remains that Kalu is well positioned to help the
emergence of an Igbo as President of Nigeria in 2015. This is why it
was not seen as a ruse when Dr. Kalu advised developing countries to
take a hint from the democratization process in America. This, he
said, would help in making certain, stable democracy, in countries.
But what is the rest of Nigerians thinking about the Igbo in achieving
the 2015 presidency? Are some groups showing lionic gait and, other
expressing chameleonic approach?
Kalu would say: “Give it to the South-west. They always raise
personalities against injustice. It did not just start with Late Chief
Gani Fawehinmi. Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was ready to confront
colonialism with bare hands. Prof. Wole Soyinka risked his life and
went to jail not really because his friend Christopher Okigbo died in
Biafra; he had a soft spot for the Igbo who suffered so much
persecution. The road to 2015 will throw up more such men and women.”
Ndigbo have maintained that there is so much between them and the rest
of Nigerians, but they have been refused opportunity such as the
President, Forty Two years after the Yakubu Gowon-led genocide against
the Igbo erroneously called Nigeria-Biafra civil war took place. And
even if we may take the genocide as a war, it was then an uncivil war
led by the War-head of State, Yakubu Gowon.
Gowon was it who removed the Bight of Biafra from the Nigerian map in
his continuous bid to extirpate anything Igbo. And if Ndigbo do not
mind many of the mayhems meted out against them in some parts of the
country and still embrace the rest of Nigerians as brothers and
sisters, why can’t the same be shown to them in Nigeria at least in
2015?
And Kalu would also say: “There is so much between us. During the war,
you found some Igbo living in Lagos. Chief Philip Asiodu even served
in the Federal Government inspite of the loss of his brother, Sidney,
to the bullets of Nigerian troops. Tony Igwe was busy playing soccer
and Obisia Nwankpa sweated out in the gym. At the same time, Prof.
Vincent Ike’s wife, a Yoruba, was part of the Biafran war efforts.
Even the daughter of Lagos Oba Adeyinka Oyekan, was married to a
Biafran naval officer, Ohiaeri-Duru. To cap it all, one of the gallant
Yoruba officers who saw the war, Lt. General Alani Akinrinade had
since condemned it as unnecessary. That is why the Yoruba stand out.”
Conversely, it is a radiating nuisance the debasement by the Nigerian
state not to allow this long handshake across the Niger always
initiated by the Igbo to the rest of Nigerians to have direction, just
as Americans expressed in the born-African Obama. Kalu have been
crying that the South-west, for example, will prove their love for the
South-east in 2015. According to him, that is the best way to bury all
the accumulated suspicion between both groups.
In his words: “For me, I know the Yoruba could stand up and be
counted. The war years showed it. There was this Yoruba soldier who
applied the brakes of his army truck to save the life of an Igbo
pedestrian near Orlu at the end of the war in January 1970. An
accompanying officer was so furious that he took control of the
vehicle, drove for about 10 kilometers and forced the driver out into
the dark. Time was 1.00 a.m. ’Ejoo oo, ejoo oo’ [please, please] the
soldier pleaded. All to no avail. Fortunately, the drop zone was in
Isu right in front of the house of the first Igbo Dental-Surgeon who
had worked in Ibadan before the crisis. And he took the soldier in.
The lesson is that there are more Yoruba out there who cannot kill
Igbo dreams in 2015.”
When will the cry of Ndigbo come to an end in Nigeria? Today, Africans
in America are happy because one of them is allowed the number one
seat in the White House, after years of humiliations and abuse. Ndigbo
are suffering what these Africans in America once suffered. Kalu had
been twice a presidential candidate and, was suspiciously frustrated.
He gave Jonathan his support by stepping down owing to the view of the
Igbo that they all must support Jonathan in the 2011 presidential
elections. Kalu advertised this in many of the national newspapers’
paid advertorials. But today, is Jonathan not disappointing? Did
Jonathan not lie to Ndigbo over his one term plan in 2011 for 2015
Igbo presidency? What is happening today? Jonathan wants to rule
Nigeria beyond 2015?
Please, hear Kalu again: “I want to bring together our Igbo leaders,
Senator Annie Okonkwo, Gov. Rochas Okorocha, Victor Umeh, Chekwas
Okorie and other Igbo sons, so we can produce an Igbo president. I am
not doing politics now. I am not a member of any party. I am doing
Ndigbo now.” And Kalu will do it.
An observer captured Kalu’s ability thus: “I have the confidence that
Orji Uzor Kalu can do it. Everybody has his own God-given talent. Orji
Uzor Kalu is an illustrious Igbo son. Please, let’s criticise
objectively, those who are wasting their time saying that they are
fighting Kalu…Orji Uzor Kalu is one of the few Ndigbo that have the
courage, the charisma and every other thing required to unite or to
fight for the Ndigbo. Anybody facing any type of suppression, watch
out, that person has talent. Name them – Orji Uzor Kalu, Chekwas
Okorie, Chris Ngige. Etcetera.”
This is why the presumed disunited Igbo tribe must support Kalu so
that Ndigbo will achieve the presidency in 2015. Nevertheless, all
that Kalu requires is to remain focused just as he advised President
Obama to remain focused and committed to his good work. For this
reason, Ndigbo should come together so that they can cure this symptom
of a waiting presidential scuffle once and for all and, stop Jonathan
if he may be in perkiness to join the presidential race again in 2015.
–
Odimegwu Onwumere who temporarily relocated to Abia State contributed
this piece from Aba. Mobile: 08032552855 (or) 08057778358. Email:
apoet_25@yahoo.com
From Precious W. Ahiakwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
–
The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Indabawa has urged youths of the Mgbuesilaru community in Okporo road, Obio-Akpor local government area to always settle their differences with the instrument of the police rather than taking laws into their hands.
Indabawa who was represented by his deputy Admin, D.C.P Thomas Etomi gave the charge during the commissioning and hand-over of the Nigeria Police Okporo divisional Head Quarters executed for the Mgbuesilaru community as one of the deliverables from the negotiated partnership agreement between the NNPC/TEPENG JV and the community in Port-Harcourt.
“a situation where we take laws into our hands doesn’t blend well with the international image of our society. We are trying our best and we’ll make sure those communities that give us cooperation, we will police that community very well. I want to urge the youths of this community to embrace the good friendliness of Total and the NNPC and also be useful to themselves,” he said.
Also in an address by the Eastern General Manager Port Harcourt district Administration of Total E&P Nigeria Limited, Peter Igbinovia, represented by the Sustainable Development Project manager, Blessing Nwaerema urged the people of the Mgbuesilaru community to make effective use of the sustainable development projects and programs provided by the NNPC/TEPNG JV for the economic development and wellbeing of the community and the society in general.
In response, the paramount ruler of Mgbuesilaru community, HRH Eze Ejike Wali, commended the companies for their cordial relationship with the community and assures that the youths especially, will be law abiding and ensures any offender of the law will be brought to book to as it will serve as a deterrent to others.
Eze Wali also assures that the community will make judicious use of the projects and programmes provided by the companies and urged the companies to provide patrol vehicles to enable the Okporo Police division be more effective in carrying out their duties.
*traders, Okpoko Community invade Govt House to protest imposition of
agents, multiple taxes
Hundreds of placard-carrying members of the all powerful Onitsha
market traders’ association made up of importers and their clearing
agents yesterday invaded the Government House, Awka as the closure of
the one of its branches at the Old Motor Spareparts, Ugwuagba Obosi,
enters the fourth day.
The angry traders, who insisted on seeing Gov Peter Obi, said they
were protesting what they described as the imposition of multiple and
often dubious taxes on them by some persons under the garb of state
government revenue agents.
Simultaneously, another group from the Okpoko Community, a suburb of
Onitsha, led by Mr Felix Onunkwo, an elder in the area, also came to
register their anger over the non-conduct of Town Union elections that
became due long before now. They were averse to the continuous
appointment of Caretaker team to over see their affairs.
The importers led by Chief Titus Aninwa, carrying placards with
inscriptions like, “we are tired of illegal levies, we say no to
corruption”, “too many levies are killing our businesses”, ASMATA
please leave us alone”, insisted that oftentimes the revenue agents
invade their business premises with touts and armed security agents
and bully and intimidate them into parting with huge sums to escape
molestation. They disclosed that the agents who often come into the
markets in convoy of about 7 buses loaded with arms, machetes, clubs
and other dangerous weapons has threatened to harm anyone who dares
resist them.
One such revenue collection currently generating tension that could
boil over any moment include the ‘container levy’ of N2500 for a 20ft
container and N5000 for a 40ft container, as against the loading and
off-loading of containers, which was well-known to them.
The Okpoko citizens said they came to express their anger over the
latest imposition of another team of Caretaker executive to oversee
their affairs after the community had concluded plans with the
immediate past Caretaker team led by Godwin Ehiobu, to conduct formal
election to chose their leaders who would overee to their welfare.
That any new foisting of handpicked officers on the 42 constituting
communities in the area would breed more crises.
The Secretary to the State Government(SSG), Chief Oseloka Obaze who
received them in turns, assured the traders that the government was
very much aware of their complaint and has been working behind the
seen to apprehend all the culprits as well as the security officers
being used.
He also told the Okpoko community to expect the government action
soon. Thereafter he went into a closed door meeting with all their
leaders to formulate ways of ensuring the crises did not boil over.
