Gunmen kidnap priests, others in Kukkah’s Diocese

 

The armed hoodlums early Wednesday broke into the rectory of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Gidan Maikambo, in the Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State and kidnapped two priests and two others, The Primerosenews has learnt.

The church is one of the parishes presided over by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan-Kukah.

Bishop Kukkah’s Sokoto Diocese covers four northern states which includes Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi States.

The Director, Social Communications of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Rev. Fr Christopher Omotosho, confirmed the development on Wednesday morning with newsmen.

He said the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto is under attack and no information has been gotten as to the whereabouts of the abductees.

Omotosho said, “As at midnight of today, 25th May, 2022, gunmen broke into the rectory of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Gidan Maikambo, Kafur LGA of Katsina State.

“The parish priest and his assistant Rev. Frs. Stephen Ojapa, MSP, and Oliver Okpara and two boys in the house were kidnapped.

“No information as to their whereabouts. Kindly pray for their safety and release,” Omotosho stated. 

NYSC anthem composer dies at 74

The composer of the National Youth Service Corps anthem, Dr Oluwole Adetiran, is dead.

The septuagenarian who died on Friday evening, has been announced in multiple Facebook groups of the Celestial Church of Christ, as he held the post of National Music Director before his death.

The Director-General of NYSC, Ibrahim Shuaibu, visited Pa Adeniran at his house in Ibafo, Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, in July last year.

The Music graduate said he was moved that he was finally remembered 37 years after he composed the song.

He lamented that he had been suffering from diseases, including hypertension, diabetes and prostate cancer since 2018.

Adetiran, who studied music at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, recalled that he composed the anthem in 1984 while he was a corps member in Oyo State.

Tinubu Campaign DG leaves APC

The Director-General of the Tinubu Support Group, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has dumped the All Progressives Congress.

The former federal lawmaker who announced this via his twitter handle on Saturday, added that he would announce his new party soon.

Director-General of the Bola Tinubu Support Group Council, is a politician, businessman and academic, who represented Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State

He tweeted, “I have done my best for APC. Its time to move on. I will announce my new political party within the next 24 hours Insha Allah. I will make a formal statement in due course,”

2023: South-East presidency will heal past wounds, unite Nigeria - Umeh

The former National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, Senator Victor Umeh has said the aspiration of the people of South-East to produce the next president of Nigeria in 2023 was not by force but to heal the wounds of the past and unite the country.

Umeh, who spoke in an interview at the sideline of the Imeobi Ohanaeze meeting in Enugu on Thursday, added that Nigerians must show sincerity of purpose and mission towards achieving unity for Nigeria.

He said it was incomprehensible that South-West whose their son, Olusegun Obasanjo served eight years as the president, and their son is currently serving out eight years as Vice President, would be jostling to occupy the presidency in 2023.

The former Senator who accused the South-West politicians jostling to occupy the presidency in 2023 of seeking the break-up of Nigeria, explained that it would not help the country “if people begin to tell others that they cannot do anything”, noting that in an actual sense nobody can do it alone.

Umeh who represented Anambra Central at the Red Chamber, noted that South-East had eminently qualified people for the 2023 Presidency, who could provide leadership that would bring prosperity to Nigeria.

He added that the only way Nigeria can move on will be for Nigerians to accommodate each other, noting that the South-East governors who are not supporting South-East presidential aspiration were in minority.

He said, "It will be paying lips service to the need for us to be one people, one country, one nation. Today we have a country with so many nations inside it and the only thing that is making it look like that is because people are not happy with the way things are being run in Nigeria.

“So if the political gladiators are sincere that they want to keep Nigeria together, the best thing to do is to support the South-East based on equity, justice and fairness. In the South-West, you can see a lot of presidential aspirants are declaring from the South-West, it is funny.

“The South West has produced Obasanjo for eight years, their son is the Vice President, who is serving out for eight years and the election is coming up next year for the presidential election, all of them are declaring. I think they are looking for a breakup of Nigeria if I want to put it forward because if they want Nigeria to be united, they will not be seeking to occupy that office next year. It will be insensitive to the need to gum our people together. Let them be united in one mission of having a viral united country.

“So if this year, at the presidential primary which is coming up at the end of this month and first three days in June, and they think they can do it that way, I will tell you that the restiveness in Nigeria will continue. So we give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give God what is God’s. Justice does not hurt anybody that is what we have been doing.”

“We must show sincerity of purpose and mission towards achieving unity for Nigeria. It will not help the country if people begin to tell others that they cannot do anything and the actual nobody can do it alone. We have said clearly in the past that for Nigeria to remain together there is a need to share power with all Nigerians, is not something somebody will take and run away and say order should continue. We have also looked at the demographics to prove that no group can do it alone.

“They are already minority because when you go out of the mainstream of your people’s desire, you will be self-destructing yourself and the truth is that maybe some of them fall into the trap of comradeship – governors doing brothers. But what is paramount is where your people stand. Everyone must stand with his people in leadership. If you don’t stand with your people, you will become isolated,” he counseled.

Nnamdi Kanu: Buhari tells Igbo leaders to wait for court decision

President Muhammadu Buhari, has told South-East leaders to be patiently wait for court to determine the fate of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

Buhari stated this on Friday during a  meeting with leaders from the region at the New Government House in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital.

In address read by the Chairman of  South-East Traditional Rulers, Eze Charles Mkpuma at the Executive Council Chambers, New Government House, Abakaliki, Igbo leaders pleaded with the President to release the IPOB leader and other Igbo youths who are in detention across Nigeria.

Ohanaeze had in a statement on Tuesday expressed optimism that Buhari’s two-day working visit to Ebonyi would kick-start the process to get Nnamdi Kanu released.

The statement read, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has given assurances of peace and security ahead of the planned presidential visit to Ebonyi State.

“This is part of the resolutions reached at the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Elders council meeting held in Abakiliki on Tuesday 3rd May 2022.

“For translucence and clarity of purpose, President Muhammadu Buhari has been fair to Ndigbo with federal projects irrespective of the fact that his party’s declined fortunes and acceptance in 2015 and 2019 elections in the southeast, but the Chairman of Southeast Governors and Ebonyi Governor, Engr Dave Nweze Umahi has brought good tidings and paid huge sacrifices for Ndigbo to access the presidency and attract federal government’s projects and attention to the southeast zone.

“The Elders council was presided over by Prince Dr Richard Ozobu insisted that this is the best opportunity for Igbo leaders with the southeast Governors to dialogue with President Buhari over the release of the IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kalu.

“Ndigbo expectations are that such windows of opportunities must be fully utilized for positive results as President Buhari will be received warmly by Ndigbo, this will be one of the most remarkable visits of Mr President to the southeast, as we except that the President’s two days working visit to Ebonyi state will change the narratives that Buhari loves Ndigbo, and he will prove it by kick-starting the process that will release Nnamdi Kanu”.

“IPOB and other Biafra Agitators should hold their peace and remain loyal to the procedure that will help them achieve the release of their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“Buhari’s visit will usher in fresh hopes of having a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction and secure the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

”We are conscious of the fact that IPOB is cognisant of the process of releasing their leader is ongoing, and their proper attitudes and conduct are expected to solidify the process of Kanu’s release.

“We are welcoming President Buhari with an open mind and wish him a pleasant stay in Ebonyi State," the statement read.

The president’s aircraft landed at Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu at about 10. a.m. on Wednesday, to commence a two-day working visit to Ebonyi State with the inauguration of projects at King David University of Medical Sciences, Uburu.

The president was received by Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State and some governors of the APC, including the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and his Jigawa State counterpart, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

2023: Abe drums support for Tinubu

A former member of the National Assembly, Magnus Abe, has expressed optimism that All Progressives Congress, APC national leader, Ashiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu remain only APC presidential aspirants that can deliver presidency for the party in 2023 general elections.

Abe expressed this confidence on Thursday at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Port-Harcourt, during a meeting with party stakeholders at the inauguration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu Vanguard.

The former lawmaker noted that for the governing party to retain power beyond May 2023, after the expiration of President Mohammadu Buhari's administration, only Tinubu can get the job done.

The former lawmaker who represented Rivers South-East Senatorial District at the Red Chamber said, he will vie for governorship seat whether Tinubu wins the APC presidential ticket or not, saying he stands the chance of becoming the next governor of oil rich Rivers State.

He assured the APC faithfuls in the State his unflinching support to the party irrespective of whoever emerges as the APC’s flagbearer to contest the presidential election.

“Tinubu is the only man that can deliver the killer punch that will make the APC to remain in power after President Muhammadu Buhari leaves.

“The reason I am supporting him is simple. I looked at all who want to run, who claim they have done this and that and I saw that Ashiwaju is the person in APC that can deliver.

“I was not being sentimental, he did not tell me he was going to support me, no. I support him because I want the party to win," he explained.

NERC approves electricity tariff increment

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has given Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC); Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC); Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDC); Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KEDC); Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC); Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) approval to increase their tariff rates.

The new approval took effect from January1, 2022 but the new rate is from February 2022.

According to the document titled: “This regulatory instrument shall be cited as Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO-2022) for Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company Plc (PHED”), NERC based the increase on the Performance Improvement Plans of the DisCos and indices such as gas price, inflation, exchange rate, US inflation rate and available generation capacity.

The commission who noted that the indices with potential impact of on electricity rates were considered, adding that the indices shall be reviewed every six months to update the tariffs with changes in the indices as applicable in line with the MYTO.

This was contained in the commission’s Order No: NERC/304/2021, which chairman, Sanusi Garba and Vice Chairman Musiliu Oseni signed on 29th December, 2021.

The document explained: “Consequently, following the approval of PHED’s PIP on 30th April, 2021, the Commission issued the MYTO-2021 Extraordinary Tariff Order effective from 1st July 2021 in consideration on PHED’s CAPEX proposals over a 5-year plan in line with the approved PIP.

“Accordingly, this MYTO-2022 order restates PHED’s approved 5-year CAPEX and relevant assumptions applied to forecast revenue requirements and applicable tariffs for the period 2021-2026 in line with MYTO Methodology and Regulations Procedure for Electricity Tariff Reviews in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).”

It is programmed from 1st July 2021 to 30th June, 2026.

The document showed that for the PHED (A-Non MD) customers who paid N56.16/kwh in January 2022 will now (February to December 2022) pay N60.67/kwh).

The Nation reported that (B Non-MD) customers who paid N56.64/kwh in January 2022, will now pay N59.64/kwh.

They noted that E- MD2 customers who paid N50.72/kwh in January 2022, will now (From February 2022) pay N54.22/kwh.

'How I met Tinubu in exile' - Fayemi

The Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of Governor's Forum, Dr Kayode Fayemi has revealed that he met the national leader of governing All Progressives Party, APC, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu while in exile in 1994 after the annulment of June 12 presidential election and at the formation of NADECO, saying the duo have maintained good relationship since then.

Speaking on Channels Television’s current affairs ‘Politics Today’, and monitored by Primerosenews, Fayemi disclosed that his presidential aspiration is not an act of betrayal of Tinubu.

He maintained running for an office is not an ambition but sedvice, sacrifice and duty.

The Ekiti governor who had earlier on Wednesday, declared his intention to succeed President Buhari in 2023 is a member of the All Progressives Congress and in the race with Tinubu, who is also interested in clinching the presidential ticket of the ruling party at the APC primary election later this month.

Reacting to claims on whether or not he had betrayed Tinubu by throwing his hat in the same ring with him, Fayemi said, “I have the greatest respect for Asiwaju and I will continue to do that but I do believe that I have a strong vision on how to reposition Nigeria and build on the legacies of the current President.”

“The Asiwaju that I know is a democrat; he believes that politics is a marketplace of ideas and people should test their own convictions. His (Tinubu’s) courage of conviction is not in doubt and I do not think he will want to stamp on the convictions of others in terms of how Nigerians should go.

“I don’t believe that we should see that as a basis for demonizing anyone and I know that the Asiwaju that I know, that I have interacted with would not subscribe to that. I don’t believe that he will use terminologies like betrayal.

“This is not an inheritance; it is about Nigeria – Nigeria is the commonwealth of all Nigerians. It is not a traditional title that we are seeking, the office we are seeking is to make an improvement for all Nigerians," Fayemi disclosed.

'It's laughable and fallacious to accuse us of killing a military couple'-IPOB

The Indigenous People of Biafra has described the accusation by the Nigerian army that the group responsible for the killing of a military couple in Imo State as "laughable" and "fallacious".

In a statement on Wednesday, the group's Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, denied being responsible for the beheading of the couple, saying the latest allegation is part of the Nigerian Army’s propaganda aimed at staining the IPOB’s global reputation.

He accused the Nigerian security agencies, particularly the Nigerian military of being behind the ongoing secret genocide in Biafra land.

He claimed that the Army has always looked for an occasion to attack the innocent Igbo youths in order to rope them in the aftermath of the act and tag them as suspects.

Powerful said, “Our attention is drawn to the laughable and fallacious statement credited to the Nigeria Army that IPOB is responsible for the killing of a couple on transit in Imo State after their marriage ceremony.

“We, therefore, wish to place on record that IPOB has no hands in the said atrocity which is an abominable act in Igbo tradition. No true Igbo will hurt an in-law, how much more a married daughter (Ada) in Igbo land. Even the ancestors will avenge such wickedness.

“We cannot kill our sister who is about to marry but those who killed them were those Nigerian government and its security agencies, especially the military and DSS created to demonise IPOB and ESN. These agents of death some of whom we have made their identities public severally are behind the killings of these soldiers, not IPOB or ESN operatives.”

“Before the Army jumped into their jaundiced conclusion that such abominable act was masterminded by IPOB, what investigations did they carry out to substantiate their claims? When have armed gunmen or criminals recruited by evil politicians in connivance with the same security agencies in their desperation to demonise IPOB, become IPOB members? 

“The Nigeria Army should leave IPOB alone because we are not unknown gunmen and those who are pursuing them. The monster they created is now after them, yet they keep pointing accusing fingers at us. 

“The latest allegation is part of their propaganda to stain our global reputation but the world knows they are lying. How come the Fulani bandits and terrorists beheading and massacring Indigenous Nigerians, particularly in Southern Kaduna and Plateau State go unpunished while the Army is down South flexing muscles with innocent and unarmed IPOB members and citizens of the South-East?

“But any time these hoodlums they jointly created with evil and greedy politicians in Biafra land commit atrocity they will quickly rush to the press and accuse IPOB without investigations. 

“We understand their game plan. All they are after is to blackmail IPOB before our international friends who understand our predicaments in the region. But ironically when worse crimes are committed in the North by Fulani bandits and other Fulani terrorists in the North, the same hypocritical security agencies will keep mute and it is clear to all that most crimes and atrocities committed in the region was masterminded by retired soldier and police or serving security agents within the region of South East. 

“Our only crime is that we want to be self-determined. How come it is only in Nigeria that IPOB members are cannibals? When will they stop lying against us? Nigeria security agencies should please leave us alone. We hate bloodletting. We are not Killers. We have on our own been battling these same criminals those we can lay our hands on that are unleashing sorrow even on our innocent people. God will judge all those trying to paint us black for black and evil we know nothing about.

“IPOB/ESN made it categorically clear to all and sundry severally that we are not unknown gunmen and can never be, but because of hatred and envy Nigeria Government and its security agencies have continued to link us with atrocities going-on in our land.

“We are letting the world know that Nigeria Army and police are confused institutions. They are beclouded to see the truth because of their bias against us and delivering good jobs correctly,” he stressed.

TODAY IN HISTORY Margaret Thatcher emerges first female Britain Prime Minister at 54

May 4, 1979

Margaret Thatcher, leader of the Conservative Party, became Britain’s first female prime minister on May 4, 1979. The Oxford-educated chemist and lawyer took office the day after the Conservatives won a 44-seat majority in general parliamentary elections.

Margaret Hilda Roberts who was born in Grantham, England, in 1925,  was also the first woman president of the Oxford University Conservative Association and in 1950 ran for Parliament in Dartford. She was defeated but garnered an impressive number of votes in the generally liberal district.

In 1959, after marrying businessman Denis Thatcher and later giving birth to twins, she was elected to Parliament as a Conservative for Finchley, a north London district. During the 1960s, she rose rapidly in the ranks of the Conservative Party and in 1967 joined the shadow cabinet sitting in opposition to Harold Wilson’s ruling Labour cabinet.

With the victory of the Conservative Party under Edward Heath in 1970, Thatcher became secretary of state for education and science. And in 1974, the Labour Party returned to power, and Thatcher served as joint shadow chancellor before replacing Edward Heath as the leader of the Conservative Party in February 1975. She was the first woman to head the Conservatives.

Under her leadership, the Conservative Party shifted further right in its politics, calling for privatization of national industries and utilities and promising a resolute defense of Britain’s interests abroad. She also sharply criticized Prime Minister James Callaghan’s ineffectual handling of the chaotic labor strikes of 1978 and 1979.

In March 1979, Callaghan was defeated by a vote of no confidence, and on May 3, a general election gave Thatcher’s Conservatives a majority in Parliament. The next day, Prime Minister Thatcher immediately set about dismantling socialism in Britain. She privatized numerous industries, cut back government expenditures, and gradually reduced the rights of trade unions.

In 1983, despite the worst unemployment figures for half a decade, Thatcher was reelected to a second term, thanks largely to the decisive British victory in the 1982 Falklands War with Argentina.In other foreign affairs, the “Iron Lady” presided over the orderly establishment of an independent Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) in 1980 and took a hard stance against Irish separatists in Northern Ireland.

In October 1984, an Irish Republican Army (IRA) bomb exploded at the Conservative Party conference in Brighton. The prime minister narrowly escaped harm. In 1987, an upswing in the economy led to her election to a third term, but Thatcher soon alienated some members of her own party because of her poll-tax policies and opposition to further British integration into the European Community. In November 1990, she failed to received a majority in the Conservative Party’s annual vote for selection of a leader. She withdrew her nomination, and John Major, the chancellor of the Exchequer since 1989, was chosen as Conservative leader. On November 28, Thatcher resigned as prime minister and was succeeded by Major.

Thatcher’s three consecutive terms in office marked the longest continuous tenure of a British prime minister since 1827. In 1992, she was made a baroness and took a seat in the House of Lords. In later years, Thatcher worked as a consultant, served as the chancellor of the College of William and Mary and wrote her memoirs, as well as other books on politics. She continued to work with the Thatcher Foundation, which she created to foster the ideals of democracy, free trade and cooperation among nations.

Though she stopped appearing in public after suffering a series of small strokes in the early 2000s, her influence remained strong. In 2011, the former prime minister was the subject of an award-winning (and controversial) biographical film, The Iron Lady, which depicted her political rise and fall. Margaret Thatcher died on April 8, 2013, at the age of 87.

'Nigeria will surmount her trouble regardless of current situation' - Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed optimism that all would be well with Nigeria regardless of the country’s present situation and condition.

Obasanjo expressed this confidence at a Global Crusade organized by the Deeper Life Bible Church in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo who noted that only men of integrity are needed to pilot the affairs of the country, urging Nigerians to keep faith alive in God.

The ex-president stressed that considering the current situation of things, Nigeria and all nations of the world need God's visitation.

The Owu Chief recalled that Noah stood out in his time and also Job, who God described as a man who feared God and shun evil and a man of great integrity.

He advised all children of God to seek His face for visitation.

“If you consider what is going on in our cities, our states, our country, our region of West Africa, our continent and indeed our globe, our world required crusade of this nature.

“Some people accused us, Christians of “religiosity” without spirituality. Yes, that has been the position of the world even in the time of Jesus Christ, but should we lose hope? No.

“There is no time in the world that things have been bad that it is not the children of God that stood out,” he said.

“Nigeria needs such men of integrity at this present moment.

“I believe that because of these kinds of men and women of such virtue in Nigeria, God will open his eyes and have mercy on this country.

“Unless those who don’t want to be honest with themselves will say that all is well, but if we trust in God and believe in Jesus Christ all will be well.

“Children of God, whatever may be our situation, whatever may be the condition, let us have faith in God, and all will be well,” Obasanjo preached.

Clark throws weight behind South-East presidency

Leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Chief Edwin Clark has stressed the need for South-East region to be treated with a sense of belonging, calling on the major political parties in Nigeria to zone their presidential tickets to a candidate from the region.

Speaking in an interview on Arise TV, Clark maintained that former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, should have allowed the Igbo to secede at the outset of the civil war in 1966.

The Ijaw leader condemned the unfair treatment meted on the South-East by concentrating power in the northern region, adding that there was no moral justification for keeping people who are not being treated fairly.

He noted that it was unacceptable for a region to have a domineering spirit because of its population adding that those opposed to a South-East presidency in 2023 were ready to see the end of Nigeria.

“My idea of zoning the Presidency to the South-East is well-known. No Nigerian will like to live in a country where certain people believe that they have the only right to lead. The APC believes the 12 million votes by President Muhammadu Buhari might be eroded if it is zoned to the South. The PDP is also considering zoning to the North. This is unfair.

“Nigeria stood on three legs, and it has never been steady since one of the legs was destroyed during the Civil War. I unpacked all these facts in my forthcoming memoir ‘Brutally Frank’.

“Gowon should have allowed the Igbos to go if they are to be treated as second class citizens. If zoning which will heal the wounds is not done, there will be no Nigeria. Nobody will remain in this country as a second class citizen.

“The North believes their population can be used to oppress other Nigerians. This is not acceptable. The era of that has gone. There are many good Northerners but the Fulani-oriented ones want to dominate everywhere,” Chief Clark opined.

NRC screens 700 companies for N12bn railway projects

The Nigerian Railway Corporation has commenced screening for about 700 companies muscle for its N12bn capital projects procurement.

The NRC Director of procurement, Mr Benjamin Iloanusi revealed this during in Lagos during the exercise, saying the bidding process was purely for capital projects.

Iloanusi disclosed that over 700 companies bidding for the projects had submitted documents, adding that the agency had also trained its staff to ensure the smooth running of the process.

He noted that the process was not for the evaluation of validation but to see the documents submitted by the bidders

“We normally have a day before training for people that participate and they are often clear on what they need to do. The training was for the desk officers handling the documents. At least we started on time and it’s going on well because the processes are being followed. Over the years, we have managed to build guidelines and procedures, which is why you see the process going on smoothly.

“The process is going on well. No company has been disqualified yet until we go through their documents. If we find grounds to disqualify any, then we will do that.”

“As  I said before, we are not evaluating, we are not validating, we are merely looking at the documents they submitted in accordance with the eligibility criteria in the advert. So all that they are doing here is checking that the documents are complete. We can disqualify if the documents are not there.

“The flaws we saw last year gave room for the guidelines this year. If we see any flaws this year, we will work on them in the coming year. So at the end of this year, we will look at lessons learnt and work on the bottlenecks," he assured.

'APC must tread the path of equity' - Akeredolu warns

The Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, has warned the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to tread the path of equity, saying failure to zone the party's presidential candidate to the south may lead to crisis.

Akeredolu made this warning on Tuesday in a statement titled, 'Our party, APC, must tread the path of equity', adding that it is the turn of the southern part of the country to produce the next president.

Earlier on Monday, The PUNCH reported that there was strong indication that APC may field a northern candidate that can compete with the Peoples Democratic Party if the opposition party picks its presidential flag-bearer from the North in 2023.

But the Ondo State governor said the agreement reached when APC micro-zoned party’s offices during its National Convention must be adhered to.

According to the statement, “Our party, the All Progressives Congress, has started the process which will eventually culminate in the presentation of elected political leaders, who must steer the affairs of the country for another term. We have been able to hold the party’s Convention successfully. New officers of the party have emerged in a process that is widely acknowledged as rancour-free. The level of understanding and maturity displayed by all and sundry has been commendable. Known adversaries have been forced to accept the emerging fact that our party is formidable and ready for the next general elections.

“The current socio-economic crises are surmountable. It is commendable that the Government is addressing these issues without drama. The Federal Government and leadership of our great party will come out stronger. We cannot, therefore, afford any internal bickering which holds the potential promise of causing distrust and militating against cohesion, harmony and the zeal to achieve set objectives.

“The current democratic dispensation is anchored on the unwritten convention driven by a principle of Equity. Political expediency dictates, more appealingly, that while adhering to the spirit and letters of the laws guiding conduct of elections and succession to political offices, we must do nothing which is capable of tilting the delicate balance against the established arrangement which guarantees peace and promotes trust.

“Our party just elected officers on the established principle of giving every part of the country an important stake in the political calculus. The focus has now shifted to the process which will culminate in the participation of our party in the general elections scheduled for next year. All lovers of peace and freedom must do everything to eschew tendencies which may predispose them to taking decisions which promote distrust and lead to a crisis, the end of which nobody may be able to predict.

“The leadership of the party ensured that the principle of rotational representation guided its decision at the just-concluded Convention. The party Chairmanship position has gone to the North. All other offices have been filled on this understanding. This is the time the leaders of the party must make a categorical statement, devoid of equivocation, on the pattern of succession.

“The party Executive Committee has fixed a fee for the purchase of the nomination form for the office. It is expected, fervently, that it will proceed to complete the process by limiting the propensities for disagreement to a region for possible micro-management. It is very expedient that we avoid self-inflicted crises before the general elections.

“It is the turn of the Southern part of the country to produce the next President. The party leadership should have no difficulty in making pronouncements on this very important issue, just as it has fixed various fees for the purchase of forms. This must be done without delay. The principle of Federal Character is enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, as amended. It will be disingenuous for anyone to argue against rotation at this period.

“We must not keep our party men and women guessing about the position of the leadership of the party. This is the time to weigh in and take control of the process. No statement must suggest, even remotely, that the party harbours certain sentiments which may predispose it to consider throwing the contest open. This is certainly not the time for equivocation,” Akeredolu warned.

Afenifere renews calls for Igbo presidency

The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has reiterated its calls for the presidential seat to be zoned to the South-East region of the country.

The leader of the group, Ayo Adebanjo who made this call on Sunday in Ogun State, said the group stance is base on morality adding that the region should produce the next president in the spirit of fairness and unity.

He posited that since the South-West has had its turn with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; the South-South with ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, political parties should zone the post to the South-East.

The elder statesman, who also spoke about moves to review the constitution, accused President Muhammadu Buhari of having a “private agenda” for not pushing for the creation of state police in the country.

The group leader noted that moves such as federal character and zoning, are some of the things that have given Nigerians a sense of oneness.

He opined that State police is the panacea to tackling the rising levels of insecurity across the country, lamenting the increased crime rate.

Expressing concern on the incessant kidnapping and bombing in the country, Pa Adebanjo said insecurity may affect the conduct of 2023 general elections.

According to him, "It is a question of principle. It is a question of morality. It’s a question of being inclusive in everything we do,” he stated during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics. “If you want peace, you must have equity.”

“Is South-East not in the south? Is it not in Nigeria?” the Afenifere leader asked, maintaining that the country had always given consideration to every part even during the pre-Independence days.

“It is because of this inclusiveness we put federal character in the constitution.

“Until you change this constitution – it is the problem of the country – you won’t get anywhere and there is evidence that Buhari is not willing because, in my own view, he has a private agenda,” Pa Adebanjo submitted.

Senator Abiru gets Lagos East APC leaders' nod for re-election

 

The leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos East Senatorial District have endorsed Senator Adetokunbo Abiru for a fresh term in the Senate.

The APC leaders noted that the Lagos east Senator has lived up to expectation in terms of quality representation, sponsorship of bills and resolutions, devotion to oversight functions, loyalty to the party, demonstration of good character, respect for party leaders and multiple empowerment programmes for constituents.

Three Governance Advisory Council (GAC) members-Senatorial Leader Busura Alebiosu, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun and Chief Akanni Seriki Bamu-praised Abiru for not letting the district down in the Senate.

The duo Alebiosu, a former House of Assembly member and Basorun, former Second Republic Secretary to Lagos State Government, described the senator as a political incarnate of his illustrious father, Justice Akanbi Abiru, who also served as senator between 1979 and 1983.

Basorun, who said he would sign his nomination form, saluted his passion for service, urging other politicians to emulate his style and good deeds.

Also, at the Eid-Fitri celebrations organised by Abiru at his Ibeshe, Ikorodu residence, a former Works Minister, Senator Seye Ogunlewe, described him as a man of the future, saying that the sky cannot be his limit and that his future is bright.

The celebration became an endorsement ceremony for the senator, whose colleague from the Lagos West, Senator Yayi Olamilekan Adeola, described as an asset to the Senate, the party and the district.

At the ceremony were GAC members-one time Finance Commissioner Wale Edun and Ashipa Kaoli Olusanya-Lagos APC Vice Chairman Olayinka Oladunjoye, House of Assembly Majority Leader Sunai Agunbiade, lawmaker Femi Saheed, Pa Oyedele, Suleiman Adeyanju, Lanre Odubote, Dengie Anifowose, Sesan Daini, Abubakar Olalekan, Kafilat Ogbara, Victor Alonge, Remi Odunsi, Tayo Odunsi and Dele Ogunsipe.

Party chieftains came from Ikorodu, Kosofe, Igbogbo, Ibeju-Lekki, Epe, Ikosi-Ejinrin, Somolu, Bariga, Ijede, Imota and Eredo.

Abiru, a former bank chief and former Lagos State Finance Commissioner, succeeded the late Senator Bayo Pepper Osinnowo in the Red Chamber, a year and four months ago.

Thanking Lagos East for making Abiru a senator, Adeola testified to his robust contributions to debates on the floor and oversight activities, particularly his penchant for asking professional questions at sessions.

He said:”I can testify that his contributions in the Senate are excellent. His contribution to Finance Committee when the agencies are invited is second to none. He asks professional questions and it has given the Finance Committee an edge.

“There is no rival. It is good for Lagos that he will come back as a ranking senator.”

Adeola also thanked Lagos East leaders for supporting the presidential aspiration of the National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, saying: “Our prayer is that May 31,he will be the presidential candidate of our party.”

Alebiosu, who urged Abiru to sustain his good works. He said:”He is like his father; always doing good, visiting us, taking care of us. He deserves,to continue in office as senator. If he is not doing well, many rivals would have come to compete for the ticket with him.”

Basorun noted that it took Lagos East leaders to persuade Abiru to go to the Senate, stressing that they have no regret for drafting him to serve the district.

He thanked him for giving 600 indigent tertiary students N50,000 each to augument their cost of education.

Basorun, who spoke on the value of character and hardwork, added:”Let everybody who want to get to the top to work hard. We are behind Abiru fir the primary and general election.

Those asking for the mandate of the people shoukd be prepared to work hard. He is new in the saddle and he is doing well. Go and get your PVCs ready.”

Seriki-Bamu said:”Abiru is an epitome of good behaviour. You have done well and got a passmark. You are a senator with a difference. You have impressed.”

National Assembly workers threaten industrial action

The National Assembly workers under the umbrella of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN, had threatened to embark on industrial action if the management of the National Assembly fails to pay the arrears to all categories of workers by May 31.

The Association also rejected the planned staggered payment of outstanding National Minimum Wage by the National Assembly Service Commission.

The National Assembly Service Commission, NASC, had planned to pay members of staff on GL 3 to 14 from May to December 2022; GL 15, January 2023; GL 16, February 2023; and GL 17, March 2023.

But in the communiqué issued by Parliamentary workers after a meeting with the NASC and the National Assembly management, the association unanimously rejected the planned payment of the arrears to workers from Grade Level 03 to 17.

The workers stressed that the NASC Act empowers the Commission to fix and determine workers’ allowances, adding that National Salaries, Incomes & Wages Commission has no power to dictate allowances already fixed by the NASC in the new Condition of Service for Staff of National Assembly Service.

According to the, “Why will payment of the minimum wage be split in the first place? The management have realised how weak the union and staff are and they are capitalising on that to ride on our collective sensibility.

“We take anything they place on the table to us and they never agree with us on anything. Will the same Management or Commission scrap all the Directorates and other positions created by the same condition of service until they get the approval from MSIWC? What business does our condition of service have with MSIWC?

“No one is even talking about leave allowances, which is part of the approved Condition of Service that was implemented last year. Leave allowance was paid to staff last year. Up till now the 2022 leave grant has not been paid. NASS management still needs approval from the Salaries, Income and Wages Commission. This is wicked.

“Who is deceiving who here please? Was the minimum wage arrears not captured in the 2021 budget of NASS? If yes, was the money released to NASS Management? What about the improved Condition of Service Allowances provision for NASS Staff in the 2021/2022 Budget? Was the money released or not? What does the record from the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget & National Planning say about releases and cash backing of funds meant for NASS in the last 3 years?”

“We will concede to the management’s proposal to pay the balance of minimum wage arrears to all categories of staff on a monthly basis within six months commencing from April, 2022 and not later than September, 2022," the communiqué read in part.

The association said it would further “concede to the management’s decision to commence additional Tax Deduction with immediate effect,” while stating that “the management should take responsibility for cases of under-deduction of tax."

TODAY IN HISTORY: Pope John Paul II visits Africa, declares self a strong defender of human rights

2 May 1980

Pope John Paul II commenced his first working visit to Africa countries, including visits to Zaire (presently known as the Democratic Republic of Congo), Congo, Kenya, Ghana, Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso ) and the Ivory Coast.

Pope started his tour in Zaire, where Roman Catholicism had recently been suppressed. During his visit he again established himself as a strong defender of human rights, workers rights and religious freedom.

He called for the creation of a new world economic order and a guarantee of workers rights. The Pope believed in speaking on behalf of those who did not have a voice, in this case the Africans.

Source: http://africanhistory.about.com/library/thisday/bl-ThisDay0502.htm

 

Insecurity: Gunmen kill brothers, two others in Anambra

Gunmen struck in a fresh attack in the early hours of Monday, murdered four persons in two different communities in Anambra State.

Two brothers simply identified as Godwin Ikechukwu Modobi and Nnajiofor Modobi, were killed in Umuhu village in Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area of the state.

According to a source close to the family, Godwin was an immediate younger brother to Nnajiofor, and was also a former youth leader in the community.

In a related development, two others were also killed along the Udorji Road, beside St. Mary’s Church, Ozubulu, in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of the State.

The source further disclosed that the gunmen first killed Nnajiofor right in their house, after which they blindfolded and abducted the younger brother, whom they also eventually killed close to Utuh Junction and dumped his corpse at the centre of the road.

A trending video from the scenes of the incident, showed the corpse lying lonely at the centre of the deserted expressway, without a vehicle or pedestrian coming or going through the road.

Efforts by The Punch to get the Public Relations Officer of the state Police Command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, was to no avail, as message sent to his phone has not been responded to at the time of filing this report.

A similar attack was carried out about four days ago, at a beer parlour in Osumenyi, also in Nnewi south Local Government Area of the State, where five persons were killed.

Ambode has put structure in place to displace Sanwo-Olu in 2023' - AMCO

A group loyal to former Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has revealed that the ex-governor has been working silently, since he lost the All Progressives Congress, APC ticket to vie for second term in office as the governor of Centre of Excellence in 2019, to put structure in place that would displace the leadership of the incumbent governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu come 2023.

Akinwumi Ambode Campaign Organisation expressed confidence that the structures are in place to challenge Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the Lagos All Progressives Congress governorship ticket, and send send Sanwo-Olu out of office in 2023.

Chairman of the group and former Commissioner for Energy and Mineral resources in Lagos State, Wale Oluwo made this known during a radio programme, CityTalks with Reuben Abati.

This is coming from the former governor's group leader, about a week after the Governor’s Advisory Council reportedly endorsed Sanwo-Olu for the second term in office.

Oluwo faulted GAC for endorsing Sanwo-Olu to vie for second term in office which Ambode could not get in 2019, saying the position of GAC is not a reflection of Lagos APC members.

The former commissioner who argued that GAC does not have powers to endorse any candidate, adding that Ambode did well as a governor of State of aquatic splendour

According to him, though they are in support of Ambode, he may not emerge as the group’s candidate.

Oluwo said, “Ambode is seriously interested in what happens in Lagos in 2023 and that “interest aligns with the expectation of the people. We will lead people to their expectations.”

On how Ambode would displace Sanwo-Olu despite being silent for almost four years, Oluwo said, “Ambode might have been silent but he is very effective in organising AMCO and his people. The result of that will be seen very soon.

“You don’t need a federal appointment to fight for your space in your state. You just need the right strategy and funding. AMCO is not bereft of that. AMCO is a major group in APC, we will participate in the election and be victorious by the grace of God.

“We are back to implement the change we desired in 2019. Our people have been collecting the nomination forms. Making noise about the forms collected doesn’t add any value to your form. We will collect governorship form next week.”

Oluwo also noted that Bola Tinubu is not his preferred presidential aspirant.

When asked what could be Ambode’s game plan after failing to win the party’s ticket in 2018, he replied, “We cannot compare 2019 with 2023, they are not the same. This is because the national leadership of the party we had in 2019 is not the same that we have in 2022.”

He claimed that a study had been conducted and the outcome showed Lagosians are not getting dividends of democracy under the present administration compared to what was obtainable during Ambode’s administration in the state.

He noted that Ambode would be guided by a suggestion that he (Ambode) should “communicate more with the people when we return to power”.

“Performance for performance, the administration of Sanwo-Olu cannot be compared to what Ambode achieved. You have to start with security and infrastructure, we can show a lot of things now. But for this government, well this is not the time to start tearing ourselves apart,” he said.

“The way that the GAC sponsored its candidate is the same way that we will do that for our own candidate too. And members of the party will have the option of determining which of the candidates, either AMCO or GAC, they will like to vote for. We acknowledge that Sanwo-Olu has picked his nomination form, the AMCO candidate will also do his own; and the primary will happen.

“For AMCO, we are participating at all levels of the election. From governorship to the House of Assembly. We will field candidates for all positions. Our candidate will not be Akinwunmi Ambode. We will ensure internal democracy. We will present our own aspirants and they would challenge the governorship and other seats in Lagos.

“The process of presenting our own candidates is almost concluded and I can assure you that by early next week, the candidates will be announced. The GAC is only promoting their own interests by announcing Sanwo-Olu as their candidate.

“I regard GAC as an NGO – Non-Governmental Organisation. They picked the incumbent to promote the interest of their members. We will pick our own and go to the field to determine who the party’s candidate will be.

“We have confidence in the national leadership today that there would be fairness, justice and level-playing ground for all groups.

“What is happening today is that a group forces candidates on the party. That is not internal democracy. We should agree to a consensus. 100 per cent of the party’s position has been assigned to just a group and that is not sustainable. That is still being contested.”

When asked if Ambode would pick the governorship form and challenge Sanwo-Olu, the AMCO leader laughed and said, “We don’t annoint. We practise internal democracy within AMCO itself. We are participating at every level of the election. The group will determine who will be its candidate and he will go and contest in the primary. It could be any person.”

Responding to how AMCO would displace GAC’s candidate, Oluwo said, “We have the structure. Those structures are populated by our people. Our approach is not that of godfatherism. We are taking power back to the people and the youths. Our philosophy and direction are clear.

“Our strategy is not to join PDP. We are within the APC. Our interest is to contest the primary of the party and get the governorship and other tickets. APC will win Lagos and that will be the APC of Ambode campaign organisation.”

Asked what structure AMCO has within APC to upstage the current administration, he replied, “APC structure in Lagos State is incomplete and that’s why no ward executive has been sworn in. Only the Lagos APC chairman has been sworn in in Abuja. The implication is that a new list will come out that will harmonise all the tendencies within the party," he concluded.