Category: Featured

The Senator Andy Uba Campaign Organisation has rejected the results of the just-concluded Anambra State governorship election that returned All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate Prof. Charles Soludo.

A statement in Abuja yesterday by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate’s campaign organisation’s spokesperson, Ambassador Jerry Ugokwe, said the outcome of the election was a charade and did not reflect the wishes of Anambra people.

Ugokwe said: “Our popular candidate, Senator Andy Uba, is a victim of widespread electoral fraud and manipulation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in cohorts with the Willie Obiano regime and the security forces deployed to oversee the election.

“The elections were characterised by widespread irregularities, intimidation and voter suppression to clear the path for the inglorious victory of APGA in the polls.

“For instance, in polling units where the Biometric Voters’ Accreditation System malfunctioned, INEC went ahead to conduct the elections manually. There were numerous cases where votes announced by INEC exceeded the number of accredited voters in polling units.

“Another clear manifestation of collusion between the Obiano Administration and INEC was the publishing of results on the Social Media handles of APGA even before the official announcement by INEC. Yet mysteriously, the votes announced in advance by APGA always corresponded correctly with the official figures released by INEC.”

The campaign organisation argued that “it is inconceivable that our candidate, who polled over 200,000 votes in the APC primary election, would be allocated slightly above 43,000 votes by INEC”.

The organisation maintained: “What happened on November 6, 2021, fell far below the acceptable standard of a free and fair election and can best be described as an electoral fraud perpetrated by the INEC, Willie Obiano Administration, and the security forces.”

It appealed to its supporters to remain peaceful and calm.

“We will not relent in pursuing our stolen electoral mandate to the limit of the law through all the constitutional means available as the facts on the ground did not in any way reflect the outcome of the elections as announced by the compromised INEC,” the campaign organisation said.

 

Soludo, deputy to get  certificate of return today

 

But, Soludo and his deputy will be presented with Certificate of Return by the INEC today.

The certificate will be presented at the commission’s office in Awka, the state capital.

The commission, in a statement by National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said the Anambra poll was conducted under most challenging circumstances.

 

INEC reviews poll

 

The statement indicated that the commission has commenced preliminary review of the efficiency of the new technology introduced for the election.

It reads: “The INEC met today (yesterday) and conducted an initial review of the election. The commission is awaiting the reports of all officials deployed for the election for an in-depth review of the processes.”

 

Southeast governors hail Soludo

 

Southeast Governors’ Forum yesterday congratulated the governor- elect for his victory in the election.

The forum stated this in a statement by its Chairman and Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi.

It hailed INEC and security agencies for conducting a free and fair election despite the challenges.

The statement reads in part: “May I, on behalf of South-East Governors congratulate Prof. Soludo on his victory in the just-concluded election.

“I congratulate all other candidates that participated in the election for their efforts and peaceful conduct during and after the election. I believe that God rules in the affairs of men.

“I urge Prof. Soludo to please extend healing and loving hands to all the candidates in the election so that together, you will continue to contribute to the progress of the state from where Chief Obiano would stop. After every election, party politics should be left to political parties while good governance takes the centre-stage for the good of the people.”

Read Also: Obiano to Anambra voters: Soludo’s victory is your parting gift to me

U.S., UK greet governor-elect, hail INEC

 

The United States (U.S.) and the United Kingdom (UK) government have congratulated the citizens of Anambra State for the peaceful conduct of the election.

In a statement, the U.S. said: “We note the tremendous challenges faced by INEC and security force personnel on the ground and commend the efforts that led to a secure election with a credible outcome.  We also applaud the engagement from our civil society partners for their tireless advocacy on behalf of voters and electoral transparency.  We look forward to continued improvements in the electoral process as the country heads into gubernatorial elections in Osun and Ekiti in 2022 and national elections in 2023.

A British High Commission statement quoted the British High Commissioner, Catriona Laing, as saying: “Credible and inclusive elections are fundamental to Nigeria’s democratic growth”.

The UK encouraged INEC and stakeholders to continue improving the electoral system and to ensure meaningful participation of young people, women and citizens generally in the democratic process.

 

Ekweremadu hails winner, voters

 

Former Deputy President of the Senate Senator Ike Ekweremadu yesterday joined other well-meaning Nigerians in congratulating the winner, saying he possesses the experience and pedigree to lead the state and contributing to development of the South East and Nigeria.

Ekweremadu, who also congratulated the people of Anambra and critical stakeholders for the peaceful election, said by electing Soludo, the people of Anambra State had raised the bar of leadership recruitment in the Southeast.

 

Anambra Assembly: APGA’s victory was expected

 

Anambra State House of Assembly has congratulated Soludo on his victory.

In a message in Awka, the Speaker, Mr. Uche Okafor, said Soludo’s victory was expected and deserved.

Okafor added that the outcome of the governorship election was a reflection of good governance in the state.

“On behalf of the state assembly, I congratulate Prof. Chukwuma Soludo on his victory at the poll, which was a result of hard work and steadfastness of the leadership of APGA in the state.

“His victory is also as a result of the achievements and successes recorded so far by the Willie Obiano-led administration,” he said.

 

National Peace Committee thanks Anambra people

 

The National Peace Committee (NPC) yesterday commended Anambra citizens for the peaceful conduct of the governorship election.

It also called on the winner of the election to be magnanimous in victory and live up to the democratic ideals for which he was elected.

In a statement issued in Abuja, the Chairman of the National Peace Committee, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, said: “On behalf of the members of the National Peace Committee (NPC), I wish to congratulate Ndi Anambra for the peaceful conduct of the election.

“I want to particularly thank the people of Anambra for the way and manner they conducted themselves throughout the period of the governorship election, leading up to the announcement of the election results. Throughout the period of the elections, you displayed unprecedented patience, courage, decorum and sacrifice to cast your votes and play your part in deepening the culture of peaceful elections in Nigeria.”

The committee said irrespective of the earlier narratives of doom, fear, tension and anxiety, Anambra citizens once again demonstrated to Nigerians that good will always overcome evil.

 

APGA chairman thanks electorate, Nigerians

 

The APGA has expressed gratitude to the people of Anambra and Nigerians for their contributions toward the success of the governorship election.

The statement by the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Victor Oye, said the choice of Soludo was made out of the resolve to present a candidate that was fit and eminently qualified to take over from Obiano.

He said the party had unshaken confidence in the governor-elect to raise the bar in the governance of Anambra, considering every available index, which stood out in the comity of states.

 

The dust raised by the planned deduction of $418 million from states’ allocation to settle Paris Club Refund consultants has not settled.

Yesterday, governors accused the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN) of backing the contractors and private firms by insisting on the payment of the disputed consultancy fees.

The Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, traced the genesis of the controversy to the activities of an illegal faction of the forum, led by former Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang.

The governor who answered questions on an Arise Television clarified that the disputed fee is $419 million, and not $418 million, as previously claimed by the minister.

He urged Malami to allow the court to determine the case.

On Wednesday, Malami insisted that states and local governments cannot back out of the payment.

Painting an awful picture of fleece, Fayemi said it was worrisome that a whopping sum of $7million was earmarked as a consultancy fee for a firm for writing a two-page letter for the factional NGF.

He wondered why the AGF was bent on enforcing the payment of the arbitrary consultancy fee when cases relating to the loan refund are still pending in the court.

Fayemi said: “It does not even appeal to common sense at all and this is why it befuddled the mind that the Attorney-General of the Federation is pushing so vehemently on the side of people whose primary intent is to fleece the Nigerian people.”

Fayemi added: “While some people can obtain money by fraudulent means, it doesn’t mean that another legitimate authority like Governors’ Forum will not reveal that and then, insist on the right thing being done.”

The NGF chairman said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that reviewed the matter accused the Federal Ministry of Justice of lack of diligent prosecution.

Fayemi said the NGF has been discussing the controversy with President Muhammadu Buhari, the Chief of Staff and Minister of Finance in the last seven-eight months.

He said: “It’s unfortunate that we’ll even be put in this situation. There are four particular cases that concern us – Linus Ned Nwoko vs the FG/ALGON and a company called Riok Nigeria Ltd belonging to one Nicholas Ukachukwu.

“The third relates to a man called George Oboh who runs a company called Panic Alert and a gentleman called Ted Iseghohi, who used to be an official of ALGON.

“These are matters relating to the Paris Club as far back as 2005 and they tried to get this money from (Olusegun) Obasanjo administration, they failed; they tried it with (Umaru) Yar’Adua administration, they failed; they tried it with the (Goodluck) Jonathan administration, they failed.

“They have now resorted to taking advantage of the decency and generosity of spirit of President Buhari to try and fleece the Nigerian people of these resources.

“And it is not $418 million, it is $419 million and that may ring some bell in many places… Malami claimed he has an Order of Mandamus to release the fund. There is no order of mandamus anywhere; I challenged the Attorney-General to produce it if he has one.

“He said there was a consent judgment by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and ALGON which confirmed that there was money being owed and that we consented that we would pay. I was not the Chairman of the NGF in the period referred to.”

Fayemi added: “I happen to have been a governor in the era of 16-19 controversy. So there was no Jonah Jang administration of the Nigerian Governor’s Forum.

Read Also: Governors can’t back out of Paris Club debt, says Malami

“Rotimi Amaechi was the official, authentic Chairman of the Nigerian governors at that time and what was claimed relate to a review of a judgment for which he allegedly was offered $7 million.

“No top law firm in the world would charge $7 million for a two-page letter purportedly given to some factions of the governor’s forum on the back of the review of a judgment.

“It does not happen anywhere in the world; it does not even appeal to common sense at all and this is why it befuddled the mind that the Attorney General of the Federation is pushing so vehemently on the side of people whose primary intent is to fleece the Nigerian people. That’s one.

“Even the EFCC that reviewed all of these matters accused the Federal Ministry of Justice of lack of diligent prosecution of these matters. These matters were not appealed by the Ministry of Justice.

“Admittedly, not under Abubakar Malami at the time but what is happening now is a continuation of the matter and that is what the governors are challenging.

“I wrote to Mr president on behalf of my colleagues; I sat with Mr President on this issue and clearly Mr President was misled and there’s no way governors are going to do this.

“I’d ordinarily not come out and do this but my brother Abubakar Malami directed his media aide to accuse governors of being the one behind this and he has repeated on your programme today that we are forum shopping. The case relating to the matter is still sitting at the Supreme Court of Nigeria today.

“This is a gentleman who claimed he built boreholes in 774 local governments in Nigeria; this did not happen anywhere. He lost the case in the Court of Appeal and they made it clear to him that he can only sue ALGON and ALGON is not a local government for goodness sake.

“That matter is sitting in the Supreme Court and now Attorney-General Malami has paid to Riok promissory note to the tune of $142 million until we got this injunction from court stopping them from recognising and discounting this promissory note.”

Fayemi recalled that President Buhari had agreed to pay the refund in 2017.

He said: “In 2017 when the President graciously agreed to pay the refund that was inappropriately deducted from the state and local governments account, many of these people came out of the woodworks and they were blocking the receipts of this funds by states.

“One of the ways in which the governors’ forum at the time, tried to address it was to call for all the cases that are in courts, and all the claims that are being made by the consultants and reviewed them. This review was carried out.

“The Attorney-General requested for information on this. The information was passed to him and at the end of the day, $350 million was approved by Mr President as a full and final settlement and some of these funds went to some of the people who are now back to the Attorney-General claiming $419 million.

“So, if in 2017, a certain amount of money had been approved as full and final payment, where did this $419 million come from? I suppose that’s the question that the court needs to help unravel and that’s why we were saying Mr Attorney-General, you were the one behind the settlement of the $350 million in the first place. Why the hurry, if we are challenging your $419 million? Then let the court adjudicate on that matter.

“Certain money had been paid to consultants on accounts of claims that were made and in the wisdom of my predecessors in office and the governors who are in office, they let that be because they wanted access to their money and these purported consultants had gone ahead to secure garnishee orders from the court to block the accounts of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, to block the accounts of ALGON and a number of other entities.”

Chiding the AGF for lack of due diligence, Fayemi said: “We are all servants of the Nigerian people and what we do in the office today will be subject to scrutiny in future. That’s why it is absolutely necessary for us to uphold the very best and the strictest form of transparency when we are in public office.

“I’m afraid we do not believe that the Attorney-General has demonstrated this and that’s what has brought this about.”

He added: “EFCC was brought in but EFCC clearly could not have been in a position to verify the amount and that’s why we asked for a forensic audit. EFCC is not a body of forensic auditors; yes they’re investigators and in the report by EFCC, they pointed out that the letter that Mr Ted Iseghohi presented was a forgery and it was on the back of this, that our Attorney-General approved what should go to Ted Iseghohi, who by the way was a staff of ALGON at the time that he claimed he was a consultant to ALGON.

“Those are the kind of malfeasance that we are dealing with in this matter; EFCC is an established body of the Nigerian law, charged with investigating economic crimes.

“EFCC as I indicated even accused the office of the Attorney-General of lack of diligent prosecution. It wasn’t the Nigerian Governors’ Forum that was sued, it was ALGON and the Federal Government and when the Federal Government failed to take this matter after the judgment he referred to, the judgment by Ademola in 2013 – this was not appealed. We had to go to court. What’s the hurry?

“Why can’t the Attorney-General who’s a Senior Advocate of Nigeria wait for the court to adjudicate over this matter and resolve them one way or the other?

“If the court now says Nigeria Governors’ Forum, you’re liable, then, we wouldn’t have a choice. We would have to pay the money in question but at this point, that’s not been the case.

“This case has not been sufficiently adjudicated on and they’re still sitting in court. All that we need to see the Attorney-General for, we’ve done this in private, we’ve done this in his office; we’ve gone to the President to highlight this. Let this matter be resolved in court and we’d take it from there.”

 

 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has held its National Convention, which threw up former Senate President Iyochia Ayu as national chairman. All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship aspirants are intensifying their consultations and mobilisation. The question is: when will the ruling party hold its convention? Deputy Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the contenders.

There are many permutations. If the presidential ticket is zoned to the South, as it is being expected, then, the next national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will come from the North.

Today, it appears the party has settled for the Northcentral, comprising Benue, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara and Kogi. The majority of chairmanship aspirants are from the zone.

It therefore, means that APC is following the path of the PDP, which recently selected an eminent politician, Third Republic Senate President Iyochia Ayu, who hails from Benue, as national chairman.

After the Anambra governorship poll, the most important political event Nigerians look forward to is the APC convention. To observers, the elongation of the term of the National Caretaker Committee, led by Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, is not defensible.

Ahead of the national congress, the ruling party has many hurdles to cross. These include the unfinished business of reconciliation, litigations in court, post-state congress crisis, and direct primary controversy. Unless care is taken, politics of inclusion is promoted and internal democracy is upheld, APC may become a victim of its internal contradictions. The ruling party, according to analysts, should move swiftly to avert the tragedy of collapse, which organisational oppression, systematic intimidation and exclusion can herald.

The choice of the right person as chairman is critical to the future of APC. The next chairman should not be politically inferior to Dr. Ayu. He must be a competent person who can forge unity and cohesion in the divided fold. He should be able to reduce tension among the competing blocs and tendencies. He must be without excessive blemish.

The party had mooted the idea of a consensus candidate, instead of the candidate of the cabal and the Governors’ Forum. Many believe that consensus candidacy is unifying. But, building consensus is hectic, in view of the polarisation and disunity.

Aspirants include former Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Almakura, former Borno State Governor Modi Sheriff, former Benue Governor George Akure, former Nasarawa Governor Abdullahi Adamu, Senator Sani Musa from Niger and Alhaji Mustapha from Kwara.

 

Almakura:

Almakura has publicly declared his intention. He said he is eminently qualified, adding that if elected as chairman, he will lead the party to victory in 2023 presidential election.

The chieftain of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) is believed to be a strong contender. He is close to President Muhammadu Buhari. But, it could not be ascertained whether he will also emerge as the candidate of the APC Governors’ Forum.

In APC, there are complaints about the domination of the party by CPC elements.

 

Musa:

Senator Musa parades excellent educational and professional credentials. The senator from  Niger East has embarked on extensive and aggressive campaigns within the party. He is trying to prove that his influence goes beyond the endorsement of the cabal. A loyal party chieftain and man of integrity, he once aspired to rule Niger.  He was a delegate to the National Convention and a member of the APC Presidential Election Campaign Committee for 2019. His fans describe him as,a bridge builder who possess interpersonal skills.

The senator has been at the forefront of the push for the card reader and Permanent Voter’s Card.

In the Senate, Musa is not a bench warmer. He has served on Appropriation, Petroleum Resources, Foreign and Local Debts and Water Resources committees..In the APC, he had served as member of NEC, Contact and Strategic Committee, and Constitution Review Panel.

In 2015, he was arrested, but refused to divulge any confidential information on the card reader. The Business Administration graduate from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he was the President of Zodiac, served as Special Adviser on Investment and Infrastructure in Niger State; director of Niger State Development Company Limited, Chairman, Task Force on Environmental Sanitation.

Read Also: Echoes from PDP convention and 2023 calculations

Adamu:

The former governor is currently leading a peace effort in the party. He is a party elder endowed with experience and a no-nonsense politician, who knows his onions.  He is a former minister. After serving as governor for eight years, he was elected senator. In 2007, he was a presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

 

Goje:

Another likely aspirant is Goje, former Minister of State for Steel Development, former governor and now, senator. He is also a former PDP chieftain; bold and fearless.

Goje is currently involved in a running battle with Governor Yahaya Inuwa, who is seeking a second term.

 

Sheriff:

The former governor of Borno served as a senator before becoming governor in 2003. He served for two terms. He defected from the APC to PDP, where he was briefly the national chairman. A smart politician, there were allegations that he wanted to use the position as a stepping stone to the realisation of his presidential bid. When he was shoved aside as chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi became the PDP caretaker chairman. Some months ago, Sheriff retraced his steps to the APC.

 

Mustapha:

Mustapha hails from Gambari District in the Ilorin East local government area of Kwara State. He is is the youngest aspirant.

He has distinguished himself in business, politics and humanitarian services. He founded the Saliu Mustapha Foundation to serve as a platform for human empowerment and community development.

Mustapha, a young and vibrant politician, is a former deputy national chairman of CPC. He played a role in the merger of the CPC with other parties that gave birth to the ruling party. He was a signatory to the merger agreement on behalf of the CPC in the coalition.  Before he became the deputy chairman of the CPC, he had served as an Ex-Officio and a foundation NEC member of the party.

He was the National Publicity Secretary of the Progressive Liberation Party (PLP) between 2001 and 2002 under the leadership of Dr. Ezekiel Ezeogwu. In 2003, Mustapha and other like-minds formed the Progressive Action Congress (PAC). He was the National Publicity Secretary of the party. He was a member of The Buhari Organisation (TBO) and the Buhari Campaign Organisation (BCO).

 

Fourteen suspects, including a fake Chief Superintendent of Police(CSP),  Lawrence Ajodo, who laid siege to the Abuja home of  Supreme Court Justice Mary Odili were yesterday paraded by the Police.

Ajodo described himself as a consultant on recoveries to the Attorney-General of Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami. He was found with Police and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) identity cards.

Malami has, however, distanced himself from the fake police officer and alleged mastermind of the October 29 siege.

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike condemned the invasion, alleging that the Federal Government is intimidating the judiciary ahead of 2023 elections.

Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO)  Frank Mba, who paraded the suspects at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Headquarters, Area 10, Abuja,   said seven other suspects, including two soldiers, are still at large.

Mba said the suspects with different professional backgrounds were members of a criminal syndicate that operated as law enforcement officers. One of them is a herbalist and an Islamic prayer warrior, Ali Ibrahim. A journalist, Stanley Nkwaezema, was also among those paraded.

The FPRO, who described the suspects as “loose cannons and document forgers”, said they conspired to raid Odili’s residence on learning that the jurist had foreign currencies.

He commended the resistance by the security personnel deployed in  Odili’s home for not allowing the suspects access to the premises.

Mba said it would have been a huge embarrassment to the country if the suspects had succeeded.

Ajodo confessed that he was not a policeman, does not work with the EFCC, and was not detailed by anyone for the botched task.

He also admitted to having forged Malami’s signature on the EFCC identity card found on him.

His words:  ”I work for Malami as a consultant on recoveries. There are five of us. I was given 18 accounts to recover, though Malami did not send me to this mission. I am a banking expert with a specialty in finance and forensic.”

Ajodo also claimed that there was a mix-up during the siege, adding that the search warrant they obtained from a chief magistrate’s court was “supposed to be for No 9 but it read No 7.”

The herbalist, who served as the syndicate’s whistleblower, said he was contracted by Justice Odili’s godson, whose name he did not give.

Ibrahim confessed that after he conducted prayers and got a revelation that there was money in Odili’s residence, he proceeded to swear an affidavit to that effect at the office of the EFCC.

He claimed that Ajodo diverted the affidavit to the Ministry of Justice and later led a team on a surveillance mission to Odili’s residence before the siege.

Ibrahim said:  ”I am the whistleblower and I swore an affidavit that millions of money were stashed in that house. I was introduced as an Islamic prayer warrior to the godson of Justice Odili and I prayed there on October 13. I prayed to know if the story that there was money in the house was true.

“So, after the prayers, I decided to go through the EFCC as a formal channel and I was interviewed and interrogated.

“However, I ended up in the Ministry of Justice because Ajodo told me it was the same thing;  that the EFCC is under the ministry.

“We went for surveillance before the raid. I took him (Ajodo) to the address and directed them to Justice Odili’s house.”

Nkwazema, who described himself as a Contributing Editor with ThisDay,  said he was following a lead on recovery of assets brought to him by one of the suspects, Alex Onyekwere, a lawyer.

He said he followed the lead for three days before joining the team for the raid. However, he claimed he did not enter the premises.

Read Also: VIDEO: I was told dollars were stashed in Justice Odili’s residence – Journalist

In a statement shortly after the parade, Malami described Ajodo claim as “an orchestrated attempt to stir   unnecessary controversies and public apprehension.”

He urged the Police and other relevant security agencies to get to the root of the siege to Odili’s home.

“This is a case of a drowning man scavenging for a dying partner. We are happy to note that investigation has commenced to unravel the circumstances and personalities behind the invasion and sponsored,” he said in a statement by his spokesman, Umar Gwandu.

The statement added:  ”It only takes the imagination of evil minds to assume or think that the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice will descend so low to engage a quack or fake police officer to serve as his consultant.

“This is a case of a drowning man scavenging for a dying partner. We are happy to note that investigation has commenced to unravel the circumstances and personalities behind the invasion and sponsored campaign of calumny against the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

“We ask the suspect to present documents of engagements where he worked as a consultant to the Attorney- General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, whether in past or now.

Also, THISDAY said in a statement by its Managing Editor, Bolaji Adebiyi, that Nkwazema was neither its staff member nor a contributing editor.

It added that Nkwazema resigned more than 15 years ago after serving as one its Sports correspondents.

The statement reads: “The attention of the management of THISDAY Newspapers has been drawn to the news making the rounds that Mr. Stanley Nkwazema, one of those suspected to have invaded the home of Justice Mary Odili claimed to be a staff and Contributing Editor of THISDAY.

“Contrary to his claim, Mr. Nkwazema is neither a staff member of THISDAY nor a contributing editor. He was a Sports correspondent and resigned more than 15 years ago.

“However, occasionally, he, like hundreds of other readers of the newspaper, sends for publication articles and analyses and is usually obliged, a privilege ThisDay gives to some of its ex-staff members.  That does not in any way make him a staff member and Contributing Editor of THISDAY.

“Since his resignation, THISDAY had at no time contracted Mr. Nkwazema to investigate any story, and we know nothing of his alleged investigation of a story leading to the raid of the residence of Hon. Justice Odili.

“The police authorities and the general public should therefore note that Mr. Nkwazema, whatever may be his involvement in this matter, was not on any reportorial assignment in any shape or form on behalf of THISDAY.”

 

 

The rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba was on display on Saturday, October 9, 2021, as the Ifetedo Kingdom in Ife South Local Government Area of Osun State celebrated this year’s Ifetedo Olojo Festival. CHINAKA OKORO reports

For several hours on Saturday, October 9, 2021, the palace of the Olubosin of Ifetedo Kingdom, Oba Akinola Oyetade Akinrera came alive with several cultural activities. It was the venue for this year’s Olojo Festival.

The roomy and ever-busy palace was literally shut down as a huge crowd made their way to it to behold a cultural spectacle and catch some fun usually experienced once in a year.

There was heavy drumming, singing, trumpeting and breath-taking dance steps by cultural dancers who thrilled guests who had seated before the arrival of dignitaries.

It was all glamour and show of opulence, as an estimated crowd of more than 5,000 that included those who are indigenous to the Ifetedo Kingdom, friends, and well-wishers participated in the celebration of the pristine and long-standing cultural carnival for which the kingdom is known. The weather was clement as the sun shone brightly out of the azure sky.

As early as 12 noon that day, the spacious palace where Oba Akinola Oyetade Akinrera holds sway had begun to witness a massive influx of spectators.

The roomy palace was largely suffused with beautifully coloured masquerades and traditional dancers who entertained the people.

Gaily dressed Ifetedo women known for their panache and active social lifestyle were a marvel to behold. The men equally in their beautiful Yoruba attire swirled to the suiting rhythm of drums and other musical instruments in that somewhat balmy afternoon. It was a gathering of who is who in the Ifetedo Kingdom in Ife South Local Government Area of Osun State.

Yoruba have very rich customs and traditions. Many of these are evident in various aspects of the life of the people, including music, choreography, chants, mode of dressing and language, to mention just a few.

Festivals also constitute one of such veritable showcase for the Yoruba rich cultural heritage.  The Olojo festival depicts one of the occasions that resonates among the people. It is all about Ogun, the awesome powerful god of iron, a cultural revival that has gone beyond an annual event in the Ifetedo Kingdom.

The 2021 edition was enamouring, as personalities across the world and from all walks of life highlighted how the Olubosin of Ifetedo Kingdom, Oba Akinola Oyetade Akinrera has succeeded in reinforcing the status of Ifetedo as a cultural melting pot, a ground for strengthening the bond of unity in a land of ethnic heterogeneity and diversity.

Top government officials, entrepreneurs and culture enthusiasts were on hand to support the traditional ruler and the people of the community in the event designed to further promote culture, customs and tradition of the Yoruba ethnic nationality.

The 2021 celebration was the convergence of the Hausa, Igbo, Ebira and other ethnic groups in the country, with spectacular acrobatic displays depicting the huge endowment of the country.

A lawyer and great player in the oil and gas sector, as well as the hospitality industry, Oba Akinrera was full of appreciation for the cooperation and collaboration that has continued to take the annual festival to greater heights through new pragmatic initiatives.

Read Also: NIIA, Indian High Commission seek better ties at Diwali Festival

His speech on the occasion was devoid of inanities but a deeper reflection on the socio-economic challenges on the ground that he called for urgent action by the government at all levels.

Nonetheless, Oba Akinrera was not oblivious of the efforts made by the state government to bring succour to the citizens in his domain.

And the crème de la crème that was part of the celebration included the

Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Adebayo Adeleke Banik; Commissioner for Home Affairs, Sooko Tajudeen; Special Adviser to Governor Gboyega Oyetola, Evangelist Adeosun Rasaki; veteran journalist Kunle Oderemi; Chairman Ife South Local Government Area Mufutau Adegbite; President of Ifetedo Progressive Union, the Chairman, 2021 Olojo Festival Planning Committee, Alhaji Adedapo, hordes of other traditional rulers, first-class chiefs and traditional worshippers.

His Royal Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife was the Royal Father of the Day. He sent another leading Oba to stand in for him due to an urgent matter he had to attend to.

From Oba Ogunwusi to other prominent traditional rulers, the occasion was remarkable in many respects, because, according to them, beyond the facade of culture and tradition symbolised by the festival, were inherent huge economic potential.

Oba Akinrera put this into a sharper perspective in his brief remarks at the festival.

A few of those intrinsic values in the Yoruba culture and customs on that day were on display at the 2021 Ifetedo Olojo Festival. From cultural troupes, bata drummers and dancers; acrobats and Ijala worshippers, all in customary costumes, all of whom were at their best, keeping guests spellbound for hours.

For the traditional rites at the Ogun Shrine at Oju Oja located in the heart of Ifetedo, Oba Akinrera was joined by thousands of people under heavy rain that conveyed a good omen for the community, citizens and the participants and their families.

Colourful banners adorned the streets and walkways, just as members of different age groups, professional bodies and artisans in uniform attires joined in the massive movement to the site. Fuji wizard, Rasheed Osupa rendered scintillating sounds to the admiration of the guests and other participants, including tourists.

The Chairman, Organising Committee of the 2021 Olojo Festival, Chief Rasheed Alani Adedapo thanked the Kabiyesi, community and his team for the overall success of the event, which he said was another stride in the revival and sustenance of the historical heritage of the Yoruba.

The President of Ifetedo Progressive Union (IPU), Alhaji Musedik Gbenga Ojuade underpinned the essence of the festival: cultural rebirth and seamless revolution towards attaining a new level.

During the event, Oba Akinrera raised other salient issues: “The government of Osun State is trying its best possible in curbing insecurity in our area because the inauguration of the security outfit, Amotekun has helped the state government to prevent the influx of kidnappers, bandits and other evil perpetrators from invading the state.”

He, however, suggested how to improve the security of lives and property across the country.

“Insecurity is a general problem we have and I think that traditional rulers can be of tremendous help if traditional institutions are empowered.

“In order to curb insecurity in any society, there is a need for intelligence gathering; the layman language for intelligence is information.

“For you to get information, some people have to work for it. As a traditional ruler, you are not the one that will work for information but the people in your domain. Traditional rulers live with their people; know the boundaries of the community and other vital information get to us. Giving us a constitutional role will curb insecurity in any given society.”

Oba Akinrera lamented the terrible condition of infrastructure in his domain and the frightening rate of unemployment and joblessness across the country, urging the Federal Government to provide jobs for the youth, as such intervention “will make them fully engaged and discourage them from indulging in unholy acts that can threaten the corporate existence of the country.”

Ondo Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Igbara Oke community in Ifedore local government area following violent protest by some youths of the community.

The youths were protesting the outcome of the re-run councillorship election, which was won by Kehinde Lawal of the All Progressives Congress(APC).

A leader of the protesters, Francis Ayeni said the protest was to reject imposition of what he termed as ‘alien’ as councillor representing the community.

He alleged that Lawal hails from Oyo State.

An elder of the community, who spoke under anonymity, said Lawal won the election and was declared winner.

Read Also: VIDEO: Reopen the forests, Ondo wood merchants beg Gov Akeredolu

He said it was surprising that the protest turned violent saying the youths destroyed some vehicles and vandalised some buildings.

Security was said to have been beefed up around the community.

A statement by Chief Press Secretary to Governor Akeredolu, Richard Olatunde, said the curfew order was with immediate effect.

“This is sequel to the violent dimension of what was initially considered a peaceful protest in the town following the outcome of a Councillorship bye-election.

“All security agencies are urged to enforce to the letters, this order. In the same vein, Traditional Rulers, Opinion Leaders and all persons of goodwill are enjoined to rein in their wards as non-compliance with this curfew order shall not be tolerated.”

The Yobe State Protocol officer, Ali Shehu Mai Lalle, has been released by Boko Haram insurgents after close to four months in their captivity.

A source informed The Nation: “Our man Mai Lale is now safe in the hands of his family”.

The source also disclosed that Mailale was released with his friend, Mustapha, with whom he was abducted on Maiduguri/Damaturu road on July 24, 2021.

Read Also: Boko Haram terrorists suffer heavy loss in Pulka

There are unconfirmed reports that a heavy ransom was paid to secure the duo’s freedom but no family member, friends or associates was willing to talk about this.

The Nation reports Mai Lalle and Mustapha were abducted with two soldiers, who were executed two days after.

Details shortly…

Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of intimidating the judiciary ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Citing the recent invasion of the residence of Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Mary Odili, the Governor said the Federal Government was riding a roughshod on the rule of law and the sanctity of the country’s electoral system.

He spoke at a special court session to mark the opening of the 2021/2022 Legal Year of the Rivers State judiciary held at the Chief Judge’s ceremonial court, Port Harcourt on Thursday.

He said: “Although it is still early morning in our democratic match towards 2023, the attack on Justice Mary Odili is a prelude to many more and even worse political manoeuvrings we should be prepared to experience from the APC-led Federal Government, which has lost relevance and popular support is becoming more and more desperate over its dwindling political fortunes by the day.

“While cases with political undertones, including the constitutional validity of certain sections of the recent amendments to the 2010 Electoral Act, if assented to by Mr. President, would necessarily come before our courts; what is important is the duty and capacity of our judiciary to save our democracy and the country.”

Wike said it was the responsibility of the government at all levels to protect the judiciary and assist the courts to enable them to safeguard their independence, advance the rule of law and dispense justice equally and fairly to all citizens.

READ ALSO: ‘No second term governor is working like Wike’

He said the present Federal Government had been very weak in resourcing and strengthening the judiciary, buy very strong and readily predisposed to ridiculing the entire institution and subjecting individual judges to both physical and psychological trauma for its own self-interest.

He said: “We all witnessed the infamous midnight raids on judicial residences and the subjection of some judges, to illegal raids, arrests and detentions by agents of the Federal Government purportedly carrying out a baseless sting operation back in 2016.

“Since then the intimidation of judges whose judgments, intellectual or moral disposition they are not comfortable with has continued unrelenting with the latest attack on a peaceful mother, wife of a former Governor and Justice of the Supreme Court, our own highly revered Hon. Justice Mary Odili.

“It is important to emphasise that we allow these intimidations to become acceptable standards of behaviour and even become complicit in their unholy design to undermine the administration of justice when we all opt to keep quiet in the face of these assaults.”

Wike commended the leaders of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Body of Senior Advocates, the Chief Justice of Nigeria and members of the public for promptly condemning the idiotic siege on the judiciary.

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami has faulted the claim by a suspect in the invasion of the Abuja residence of Justice Mary Odili of the Supreme Court.

The suspect, identified as Lawrence Ajodo, was said to have claimed while being paraded by the police, that he was a consultant to the AGF.

But, in a statement on Thursday, Malami’s spokesman, Umar Gwandu, described the suspects claim as “an orchestrated attempt to stir unnecessary controversies and public apprehension.”

Malami challenged security agencies to get to the root of the issue, describing the suspect as a drowning man, who was scavenging for a dying partner.

The statement reads: “The attention of the Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been drawn to a confession of a suspect during interrogation in the investigation of the recent invasion of the residence of the highly respected Justice of the Supreme Court; Justice Mary Peter Odili.

“With all the competent, high level professionals and capable human resources available at the disposal of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, it only takes the imagination of the evil minds to assume or think that the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice will descend so low to engage a quack or fake police officer to serve as his consultant.

“This is a case of a drowning man scavenging for a dying partner. We are happy to note that investigation has commenced to unravel the circumstances and personalities behind the invasion and sponsored campaign of calumny against the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

READ ALSO: VIDEO: How we invaded Justice Odili’s residence, by suspect

“It is our desire and we hope that the investigation would also disclose those after the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, those dragging his personality, his name and his exalted office in the dirty politics of disrepute.

“This is an orchestrated attempt to stir unnecessary controversies and public apprehension.

“We asked the suspect to present documents of engagements where he worked as a consultant to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, whether in past or now.

“Consultant for what? Which activity or assignment? When was he engaged? What were the terms of references for the alleged consultancy service? When was he engaged? Where was he engaged? Which worked has he executed for the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and the Ministry of Justice? For what duration? And for how much?

“We boldly and unequivocally challenge the fake consultant/police officer to come out with answers or responses to these questions to the general public.

“The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice superintends over and respects the rule of law who will not do anything to undermine the sanctity of his office and that that entire judiciary and Justice sector.”