Women lawyers lament increasing rate of GBV in Ekiti

Despite efforts to curb Gender-based violence in Ekiti state, much was still needed to be done to halt the social menace. The Chairperson of the International Lawyers, Ekiti State chapter, Mrs Oyinade Olatunbosun has said.

Olatunbosun who spoke on Sunday at Ilawe-Ekiti and Erinmope-Ekiti during separate GBV sensitisation rallies to boost residents’ awareness, said, FIDA was making frantic efforts including rendering free legal services to secure justice for victims of rape, domestic violence, child trafficking and other GBV acts in the state.

She enjoined people of the state to encourage victims of GBV to speak up so that there could be justice for perpetrators would largely help the fight.

FIDA boss said, “We received 78 GBV cases from December 2021 to February 2022. While some are concluded, a substantial part of the cases are still pending with interventions, mediations and litigations ongoing.

“These cases confirmed that GBV is high in Ekiti and we have a lot of work to do. The first thing is for our people to speak up. Anybody that is experiencing any of these violent cases should report to the committees and we will take it up.

“We offer free legal services. We have to join hands together to fight rapists, female genital mutilators, child traffickers, wife beaters, oppressors of widows and gender inequality perpetrators. All these affect female majorly.

“We have handled several cases for women who were neglected by their husbands. Through our interventions, those men have now taken up their responsibilities.

“Many girls and women who were raped have had their cases taken to court. Justice will be done in those cases. If you see any case, don’t hesitate to tell us, we will fight for you and perpetrators will be punished,” she said.

Olatunbosun charged parents to protect their children against societal evils to prevent their future from being derailed.

The GBV Committee leaders in Erinmope and Ilawe-Ekiti, Chiefs Michael Awoyemi and Maurice Adaramodu respectively, lauded FIDA for its giant strides in confronting oppression of the female gender, adding that anyone engaging in slavery, forced marriage, rape, keeping children of school age away from school, was liable in the face of the law.

BREAKING: Buhari hosts Tinubu, Gov. Masari behind closed door

President Muhammadu Buhari is currently in a private meeting with the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari is also at the closed-door meeting, which is holding at the Daura private residence of the President.

The APC presidential candidate, along with Governor Masari, drove in to the President’s residence few minutes after 2pm.

Tinubu had earlier arrived the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport, Katsina at 1:15 pm Sunday from where he joined Governor Masari for about an hour drive to Daura.

Meeting still in session as at the time when this report was filed.

Tinubu had reportedly picked former Borno  State governor, Senator Kashim Shettima as his vice presidential candidate.

He had earlier submitted the name of Kabiru Masari to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as his place holder.

My decision to run with Obi borne out of commitment to rescuing Nigeria - Baba-Ahmed

The Labour Party vice presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has explained why he accepted his nomination as the running mate to the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

The Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, unveiled Baba-Ahmed as his running mate in Abuja on Friday.

The 46-year-old Baba-Ahmed is the founder of Baze University, Abuja, and former Senator represented Kaduna North District.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Baba-Ahmed said his decision to accept the nomination was borne out of his commitment to rescuing Nigeria.

He said, “The undeniable and unchallengeable fundamental reason for being on this ticket is to rescue Nigeria.”

Ten things to know about LP's vice presidential candidate, Baba-Ahmed

The presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, unveiled Datti Baba-Ahmed as his running mate Friday morning.

This came shortly after the running mate “place holder”, Doyin Okupe, withdrew from the race.

Below are ten things to know about Peter Obi's running mate in the 2023 general election:

1 – Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed was born to the Baba-Ahmed family in Zaria, Kaduna State, in 1975/1976

2 – He is among the thirty-three children of his father, Baba Ahmed, who was an Arab cattle-trader from modern day Mauritania, who later became a notable professor and expert on Islamic jurisprudence.

3 – Baba-Ahmed has a BSc and MSc in Economics from the University of Maiduguri in Borno State.

4 – He worked in the security Printing and Minting, Lagos before entering into politics.

5 – Baba-Ahmed was elected as House of Representatives member for Zaria Federal Constituency on the platform of All Nigeria People’s Party in 2003.

6 – While in the position, he became known for speaking out against corruption and the Third Term Agenda of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

7 – In 2006, while a Federal representative, he earned the title of Doctor of Philosophy when he completed his PhD studies at the University of Westminster.

8 – Baba-Ahmed was founder and Pro-Chancellor of Baze University, an independent university located in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. which opened in April 2011.

9 – In the April 2011 elections, Baba-Ahmed polled 366,398 votes in the contest for Senator and won the senator seat for Kaduna North from 2011 to 2012.

10 – Baba-Ahmed was officially unveiled as the running mate of Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in the 2023 general election on Friday, July 8, 2022.

PDP Chairman, Ayu returns to Nigeria

The National Chairman of the opposition’s Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, has returned to Nigeria from the United Kingdom after a brief vacation.

The former Senator arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Friday.

Ayu jetted out of Nigeria on June 21, 2022, for a brief vacation after the busy party primaries.

A statement by his Special Assistant on Communication and Strategy, Simon Imobo-Tswam, stated that Ayu transferred the interim leadership of the party to the highest-ranked member of the National Working Committee, Amb. Umar Damagum, the Deputy National Chairman, North, before the vacation.

The Independent National Electoral Commission was also put on notice of the interim leadership of Damagum for the brief vacation.

The statement reads in part, “Before travelling out, the PDP National Chairman had handed over to the most senior member of the party’s National Working Committee, i.e. Amb. Umar Damagun, who is the Deputy National Chairman, North.

“Besides handing over to the deputy chairman North, Ayu also notified the Independent National Electoral Commission of his brief vacation and the temporary handover to Amb. Damagun in an acting capacity”.

Ayu applauded the unrelenting effort that the acting chairman exercised during his absence and the support party members gave him.

Group calls for Aregbesola's sack over incessant jailbreaks

A Civil rights advocacy group under the aegis of Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has impressed on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, with immediate effect over the alarming attacks on correctional facilities in Nigeria. 

In a statement signed by the National Coordinator of the group, Emmanuel Onwubiko on Thursday and available to the press, HURIWA condemned the incessant jailbreaks under Aregbesola’s watch.

The group noted that, in the last five years, there have been over 15 jailbreaks under the former Osun State governor while over 3,000 inmates have escaped from custody.

HURIWA’s outburst is coming hours after attack on Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja on Tuesday night, where heavily armed with explosives, led to the loss of lives.

During the attack, the terrorists reportedly freed over 600 inmates, including 64 suspected Boko Haram members who were held in custody.

HURIWA also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to quit asking rhetorical questions on how the intelligence system of the country failed to detect Tuesday’s attack at Kuje prison in Abuja on social media.

The group demanded the President immediately set up a judicial panel of inquiry on prison attacks in the country and ensure that such assaults on the entire security apparatus of Nigeria do not recur.

The statement reads in part, “The spate of jailbreaks under President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, is alarming and condemnable. Even under then-President Goodluck Jonathan, who had no military experience or background, jailbreaks weren’t as rampant as what Nigerians see these days.

“The frequent and recurring jailbreaks show the inefficiency of all those President Buhari appointed into office and his unwillingness to sack them show also that the President tacitly want the situation to continue to fester.

“HURIWA demands the sacking of the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; and his Defence counterpart, Bashir Magashi; for perpetual incompetence. We also call for a broad-based judicial panel of inquiry on prison breaks in Nigeria to be constituted.”

Oni files 1,095-page petition against Oyebanji’s victory at Tribunal

The candidate of the Social Democratic Party in the June 18 governorship election in Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni, has filed a 1,095-page petition before the Ekiti State Election Petition Tribunal.

Speaking with journalists in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, shortly after his legal team submitted the petition, Oni said he was challenging the election outcome at the tribunal in view of the fact that he allegedly defeated the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Biodun Oyebanji, who was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

INEC had, in the early hours of June 19, declared Oyebanji of the APC winner of the gubernatorial election with 187,057 votes against Oni of the SDP who polled 82,209 votes to come second among the 16 candidates that participated in the election.

The former Ekiti state governor said he submitted the petition in accordance with the law and doing that to defend the sanctity of the system, adding that he’s challenging the election result because he believe that he won.

The SDP candidate had disclosed to newsmen last week that he could not congratulate Oyebanji because he did not believe the person declared governor-elect won the June I8 election.

Oni’s lawyer, Obafemi Adewale, SAN, who said there was more to the election, said, “If my client had believed the governorship election was free, fair, and credible, he would not have challenged the outcome.”

Adewale said that his client also believed that “the person declared by INEC as the winner did not win with lawful votes.”

LP sets to unveil 46 year-old Baba-Ahmed as Obi's running mate

The Labour Party (LP) has concluded plans to unveil Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed as its vice presidential candidate on Friday.

Baba-Ahmed, who represented Kaduna North Senatorial District in the 7th Assembly, is also an economist and the Proprietor of Baze University, Abuja and Baba-Ahmed University Kano.

The National Chairman of the party, Barrister Julius Abure, said the ceremony to unveil Baba-Ahmed was postponed because Obi, who travelled to Maiduguri and was expected back in Abuja Thursday afternoon, had his flight cancelled.

Abure announced that the unveiling of Obi’s running mate is rescheduled for Friday at the party’s headquarters, Abuja.

Kuje prison attack: IPOB calls for transfer of Kanu to Southeast prison

Following the Tuesday attack on Kuje prison facility, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called on Federal Government to transfer its leader, Nnamdi Kanu to a prison in the Southeast.

Kanu who was arrested on 29 June, 2021, has been in detention in the facility of the Department of State Services ( DSS), Abuja.

In a statement by the group’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB alleged the Kuje attack was planned with certain security operatives to kill IPOB detainees in the prison.

IPOB alleged that similar plot was being hatched to attack Abuja DSS facility with the intent to kill its leader.

The separatist group also demanded for Kanu’s unconditional release, expressing worry over his safety in Abuja.

The statement reads in part, “Our intelligence unit uncovered the Fulani evil plan against our leader. We are therefore demanding that our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu be transferred immediately to a prison in the Eastern region for his safety because if anything untoward happens to him Nigeria will see and feel total and consuming madness even after the Biafran Nation’s freedom is fully achieved they will never have peace.

“Kuje prison attack was pre-planned with full knowledge of the decutity agencies. The question the world should ask Nigeria military is why bandits and terrorists did operation for more than 4 hours in the country’s capital Nigeria Government and its security agencies did not show up until they finished their attack?

“We are demanding for the unconditional release of our leader or for him to be transferred to a prison in the South-East. Our leader is not safe in Abuja. The impostor president is aware of what happened in katsina and Kuje prison . The next attack is DSS and their singular target as always will be Biafrans detained in the custody of the DSS and our leader Nnamdi Kanu is detained in the DSS custody.

“Detention of our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in DSS custody has assumed a very dangerous stage, this is in view of the ongoing secret meetings between the security Agencies especially DSS of which one of the outcomes was the mobilization of the bandits for a make-believe attack on DSS facility.

“We call on the civilised countries in the world especially UK Government, US government, EU, AU, German Government, Israeli government, Russian government, Canadian Government, French government and other reputable human right institutions across the world to prevail on Nigeria Government and her compromised security agencies to release our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from DSS custody unhurt because if anything happens to our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in DSS custody, the story would never remain the same and the consequences is better not imagined.”

“We want to let the world know that IPOB members were profiled and detained in Kuje prison yards for simply being persons indigenous to Biafra and of Igbo race. we have their details and want them alive because if anything untoward happens to our comrades who are detained in Kuje, IPOB will never take it easy with Nigeria Government and her security agencies.

“It is high time to release these innocent folks who were detained illegally and unjustly, Nigeria cannot continue to detain them indefinitely while allowing terrorists and bandits to come and slaughter them under a disguised arrangements by the Buhari-Fulani administration.

“A very pertinent question to ask is: how can bandits and terrorists be rampaging the North, even supposedly attacking president’s convoy and breaking into prison yards to release their colleagues while Buhari and Fulani government deployed and continue to deploy battalion of soldiers to occupy many peaceful communities in Biafraland?”

Ekweremadu, wife appear in court, plead not guilty to alleged organ harvesting

Former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice, have appeared at Westminster Magistrate Court this Thursday for the continuation of their trial.

The lawmaker and his wife pleaded not guilty to the charges of human trafficking and organ harvesting in the United Kingdom. 

The court accepted that the kidney donor in Ekweremadu’s case is 21 years old not a minor as earlier claimed.

Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice were arrested by the British police on June 23 on allegations of human trafficking and organ harvesting that violate the country’s Modern Slavery Act.

The police authorities had accused the lawmaker of conspiring to bring a child to the United Kingdom for organ harvesting, saying the victim was a 15-year-old boy.

The court thereafter fixed August 4 as the date for the next hearing.

The Federal High Court Abuja yesterday had ordered the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to transmit the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the biodata information of an alleged Minor to the Attorney General of the Federation for onward transmission to the UK to aid Ekweremadu’s trial.

Ekweremadu’s lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, had on July 27 urged Justice Inyang Ekwo to order the release of certain official documents of Ukpo domiciled with NIMC, Nigerian Immigration Service, and Stanbic-IBTC Bank for the purpose of effectively defending Ekweremadu in the UK.

The prayers were granted by Justice Inyang Ekwo.

MTN Cameroon partners LigaData to implement data analytics and Al solution

MTN Cameroon in partnership with LigaData, has announced the adoption of a new data analytics and AI platform to drive its digital transformation plans. 

In a press released made available to newsmen, the Chief Technology & Information Systems Officer at MTN Cameroon, Reuben Opata, said the new solution will unify and correlate mobile operator and subscriber data into a single 360-degree view and enables real-time decisioning with LigaData’s Data Fabric and Flare products.

Opata disclosed that MTN Cameroon becomes the thirteenth MTN Operating Company to implement the innovative technology solution with the support of strategic data partner LigaData, adding that the business looks to build on the success of its fellow OpCos, offering more advanced mobile money products, optimizing network resources and enhancing customer experience.

According to him, the partnership that was dated back to 2018, has already seen great advancement in leveraging new technologies to support real-time decision-making, improve data quality, and provide AI capabilities at scale.

“Accelerating MTN Cameroon’s Digital Transformation agenda is a top priority and leveraging Data is a critical part of that mission.

“Implementing our new data platform in partnership with LigaData will not only create business efficiencies but provide superior day-to-day experiences for our loyal customers,” Opata disclosed.

In his own reaction, the Chief Revenue Officer at LigaData, Darya Nasr, said, “MTN Cameroon has many exciting plans to introduce innovative digital services to its customers. 

“We’re thrilled our products and services are assisting MTN Cameroon to utilize data and analytics even further to support their data-driven digital transformation ambitions.”

Presidency confirms attack on Buhari's convoy

The Presidency has confirmed the attack on President Muhammadu Buhari's convoy in Katsina State, describing the act as sad and unwelcome.

The attack occurred in Dutsinma, about 152 kilometres from Buhari’s hometown of Daura.

Confirming the unfortunate incident, presidential spokesman Garba Shehu said the convoy included an advance team of security guards, protocol and media officers ahead of the president's trip to Daura for Sallah.

The attackers opened fire on the convoy from ambush positions but were repelled by the military, police and DSS personnel accompanying the convoy. 

Two persons in the convoy are receiving treatment for the minor injuries they suffered. All the other personnel, staff and vehicles made it safely to Daura.

Kuje prison attack: 64 Boko Haram members escaped – Defence Minister

The Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi, on Wednesday, disclosed that all the 64 members of Boko Haram terrorists cooling their heads in Kuje prison have fled the facility after it was attacked on Tuesday.

Gunmen had stormed the facility on Tuesday, with explosions and gunshots heard from the direction of the correctional centre located in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Interacting with journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, Magashi said there are strong indications that terrorists invaded the facility to free their members being held in detention.

He told the newsmen that the Federal Government is working hard to ensure that other fleeing inmates were being recaptured and kept back in the facility.

“Most likely, they are Boko Haram because we have a sizeable number of Boko Harams that are in detention.

“Presently, we could not locate any of them. I think there are about 64 Boko Haram (members) in prison, they have all escaped,” he revealed.

Noting that the situation is under control, he said the correctional centre could accommodate 994 prison inmates.

Of the figure, the Defence Minister said the government has been able to track down 600 inmates who have been recaptured.

He stated further that before the end of the day, many more inmates still hiding would be rearrested and sent back to the facility.

Amid Kuje prison attack, Buhari jets out to Senegal

President Muhammadu Buhari will on Wednesday, depart Abuja for Dakar, the Senegalese capital to participate in the International Development Association for Africa Summit.

The trip comes barely 24 hours after a convoy of cars carrying the Advance Team of security guards, protocol and media officers ahead of the President’s trip to Daura for Sallah, came under terrorist attack.

According to a statement signed on Wednesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President is expected to join other African leaders in an open Dialogue on Development Challenges and priorities as well as transformational initiatives that will lead to an outcome document, the Dakar Declaration.

The statement is titled ‘President Buhari to attend international development association for Africa summit in Dakar.’

It reads in part, “An institution of the World Bank Group, IDA is deepening its support to drive a resilient recovery for countries hit by the global crises of climate and COVID -19, growing levels of insecurity and more recently, by the impact of the war in Ukraine through its historic $93 billion 20th replenishment cycle which goes into effect between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2025.

“At the High-Level event slated for Thursday, July 7, and hosted by President Macky Sall of the Republic of Senegal, President Buhari is expected to join other African leaders in an open Dialogue on Development Challenges and priorities as well as transformational initiatives that will lead to an outcome document, the Dakar Declaration.

“This commitment is expected to chart the way forward for the transformation of the economies of these nations in partnership with the World Bank/IDA.” 

Topics slated for discussion include: Financing for Recovery and Economic Transformation in Africa; Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security; Human Capital; Digital and Technological Innovation; and Energy Transition and Climate Change.

The President will be accompanied on the trip by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Geoffery Onyeama; Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; as well as Industry, Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo.

Others in the entourage are the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele; Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar; Director-General, Debt Management Office, Patience Oniha; and the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Olukayode Pitan.

Buhari is expected back in the country at the end of the Summit on Thursday, July 7.

I prefer younger and competent running mate – Obi

The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on Wednesday, opened up on his choice of running mate, saying he preferred a younger and competent person as vice-presidential candidate.

The former Anambra State governor stated this while featuring on Arise TV Morning Show.

He added that he prefers a younger person who has something to offer to complement his ticket rather than recycling old hands who had been in the government before now.

When asked to clarify social media rumours that he had picked the Director of Publicity and Advocacy of Northern Elders Forum, Dr. Baba-Ahmed, as his vice-presidential candidate, Obi noted that though consultations are ongoing, he was yet to pick a running mate.

He said, “We’re talking to a quite number of people and Hakeem Baba-Ahmed is a capable hand. But I wish I can work with somebody who is more younger.

“I prefer younger people who have a lot to offer rather than recycling old hands. I want a competent person and I am building a formidable team.

“I want people who can look me in the eye and disagree with me during cabinet meetings. People who have their own minds and ideas.

JUST INN: OPEC Secretary-General, Barkindo, dies at 63

The Secretary-General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Muhammad Barkindo, is dead.

Barkindo, born on 20th of April, 1959  died late Tuesday at age of 63.

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mele Kyari, announced Barkindo’s death in a tweeted posted to his verified Twitter handle, @MKKyari, in the early hours of Wednesday.

“We lost our esteemed Dr Muhammad Sanusi Barkindo. He died at about 11pm yesterday 5th July 2022. Certainly a great loss to his immediate family, the NNPC, our country Nigeria, the OPEC and the global energy community. Burial arrangements will be announced shortly,” Kyari tweeted.

President Muhammadu Buhari, had on Tuesday, honoured Barkindo, describing him as a worthy ambassador of the country, at the State House, Abuja

Reacting to Barkindo’s death, a former lawmaker in the eighth Assembly, Senator Shehu Sani, tweeted to his Twitter page, “Muhammad Sanusi Barkindo, former GMD NNPC and until recently, @OPECSecretariat scribe, was honoured yesterday. He died 11pm yesternight. May Allah grant him Aljanna firdausi. Amin. That is the ephemerality and transience of life.”

PDP crisis deepens as Wike rejects one-on-one parley with Atiku

The crisis rocking the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) over the choice of Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as the party’s running mate to the party’s presidential flag bearer, took another turn yesterday as the River State Governor Nyesom Wike rejected the possibility of one-on-one meeting with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Governor Wike said Atiku should engage his team for peace talks on the terms proposed to the party, particularly the resignation of the national chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.

Although the Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Senator Walid Jibrin, had suggested that Atiku should lead a reconciliation team to Wike, who also contested for the presidential ticket at the primary, the governor indicated that he would rely on the advisory from his “Strategy Team”.

It was learnt that emissaries have traced Wike to Turkey where he was on vacation while Atiku’s lobbyists were said to have offered Petroleum Minister’s portfolio to him, if Atiku is elected in next year’s election.

Also yesterday, a BoT member, Waziri Adamu, suggested that Wike should be appointed as Director-General of the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation.

A source said Wike, who has returned from Turkey, has foreclosed a one-on-one meeting with Atiku, citing lack of faith in any personal agreement with the candidate, instead of reconciliation talks with Atiku by his team.

The source said: “There is no likelihood of Wike having one-on-one private discussion with Atiku. Shortly after the primary, the governor had a side meeting with Atiku in Abuja and nothing was adhered to.

“He was shocked that Atiku has not told Nigerians what transpired between him and Wike after the primary and how he arrived at Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as a running mate.

“Since there was no full disclosure, Wike has directed that fresh talks with Atiku should be with his strategy team members, who will come up with an advisory for him.”

Wike’s strategists include Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Samuel Ortom (Benue); ex-governors Hassan Dankwambo (Gombe); Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti) and Donald Duke (Cross River), among others.

On what transpired between Atiku and Wike, the source said: “You can also crosscheck what I will tell you from the camp of the ex-VP. Following the euphoria of winning the primary, Atiku visited Wike to seek his support,

“He promised to make him a vice presidential candidate. Wike said he does not want the office, but that Atiku should consider ex-Governor Donald Duke. Atiku and his supporters prevailed on Wike to be his running mate.

“There was much pressure on Wike to agree to the offer. A 17-man committee was also set up by the leadership of the party and 14 of the 17 members recommended Wike as Atiku’s running mate.

“The party leadership later raised a kangaroo committee (with Ayu as a member), which claimed that the party can only recommend three candidates to Atiku to pick. And it was obvious to Wike and his team that there was a predetermined candidate.

“You can see the lines of insincerity and lack of faith to talks. This explains why Wike shut his doors against Atiku.

However, Atiku is still said to be hopeful about reconciliation with Wike.”

It was gathered that five items may dominate Atiku’s interaction with Wike and the outcome of the parley may determine the fate of PDP and its chances in 2023.

Explanation by Ayu and Atiku for abandoning the recommendations of a search committee for vice presidential candidate;

Restructuring of the party, including the removal of the national chairman,

Adherence to power rotation between the North and South,

Intra-party inclusion and

Offers on the table for Wike’s camp if Atiku wins the presidential poll.

A former governor said: “The crux of the matter is that Atiku’s camp has not made significant offers to assuage Wike and his group. The only thing on the card was a proposal to make Wike the Minister of Petroleum Resources if Atiku is elected.

“This infuriated Wike who said a ministerial appointment was not far-reaching. He said he had been a minister before and he is not aspiring to be a minister.

“Instead, Atiku and his men have been cleverly working on a winner takes all formula in a party where everyone is equal,” the source disclosed.

Source: The Nation

2023: Peter Obi is a scam, is going nowhere – Asari Dokubo

Ex-militant leader Asari Dokubo has described the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) as a scam defrauding Nigerians with lies.

The founder of Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force who  stated this  on Facebook via his Asari Dokubo Foundation Page, said the OBI-dient movement of the former Anambra Governor cannot succeed “because it is going nowhere”.

Dokubo claimed that Obi cannot square up to the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar in 2023.

He also queried Obi’s achievements as Governor, saying the money he saved was child’s play to what Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike spends.

Dokubo said: “There is a scammer in town. Peter Obi is a scamming people with lies and people are believing him.

“This is nauseating. Peter Obi was a governor of Anambra state for eight years.

“Anambra State is one of the advantageous states in Nigeria because of the people. They have Onitsha, Awka, Nnewi. These are the biggest goldmines in Nigeria after Lagos, Port Harcourt and Aba.

“They said he saved seventy-something billion. What is seventy-something billion? The money that Wike toys with in Rivers.

“How would you compare Obi with Tinubu or Atiku? What is his antecedent? Lies. You are showing documents. Who showed that you rejected the lands? All these small small [sic] scams, who dem wan do naw [sic]?”

Nollywood stars shower encomiums on Olu Jacobs ahead of 80th birthday

Nollywood stars like Yul Edochie, Femi Adebayo, and others have showered praises on industry veteran, Olu Jacobs, ahead of his 80th birthday.

Olu Jacobs, who will clock 80 on the 11th of July, 2022, is a seasoned actor who has starred in numerous Nigerian and British drama series and movies.

His actress wife and fellow veteran, Joke Silva, had hinted at his 80th birthday celebration on her Instagram page when she shared a throwback picture of her husband.

She captioned the photo on Monday, “Who has the foggiest idea who this handsome young man is? #80th birthday loading.”

The image was reposted on the aged actor’s Instagram page.

Following her post, various Nollywood stars has celebrated Jacobs on their social media pages.

Edochie wrote, “When I started my acting career in 2005, one of my biggest wishes was to be on set with the Legendary Uncle Olu Jacobs. I finally got that opportunity many times and I learnt so much from him. And I’ll forever be grateful.

“A very happy 80th birthday to you Sir. May God be with you always. We love you.”

Adebayo wrote on Instagram, “I celebrate a living legend of arts and entertainment on his 80th birthday. Pa Olu Jacobs is a leading light for many of us thriving in the trade of creativity.

“It is our prayers that God continues to bless your household exceedingly. Happy birthday icon.”

Saheed Balogun said, “Happy birthday to our greatest legend, Daddy Olu Jacobs, we are really proud of you Daddy".

National Waves Magazine honours Keyamo, Dangote Group, others at 14th Anniversary Awards

The Abuja based National Waves Newspaper/Magazine is celebrating its 14th year on the newsstands.

To commemorate the anniversary, the management of the Newspaper/Magazine has concluded arrangements to honour eminent Nigerians and industries.

Among personalities to honour at the anniversary include; the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr Festus Egwarewa Adeniyi Keyamo SAN; the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Delta North Senatorial candidate and founder of Prince Ned Nwoko Foundation, Prince Ned Nwoko; Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, immediate past Enugu State Commissioner for Environment and Labour Party gubernatorial candidate, Hon. Chijioke Edeoga.

Others are; the Publisher Pointblank News and founder, Mary and Ude- Jack Foundation, Chief Jackson Ude, President of Institute of Debt Recovery Practitioners of Nigeria, Mr Chris Akintunde Opeodu, MD/CEO of Corporate Choices Nigeria Limited, Mr Chia Waya, Dangote Group and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.

Mr. Festus Keyamo SAN, is expected to deliver a lecture on, “THE JUDICIARY AND THE 2023 ELECTION”, in the event which will take place on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. 

The SDP presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo will also deliver a lecture entitled: “LET THE VOTE COUNT, THE IMPERATIVE OF FREE AND FAIR ELECTION.”

Speaking to the newsmen, the Publisher, Mr Jimmy Enyeh noted that the board and management of National Waves, nominated the recipients of the awards after a careful scrutiny of their immense contributions to the development of the country and service to humanity.