Category: Lead

• INEC, Tinubu, APC ask court to dismiss PDP’s petition
• Keyamo knocks Obi kicks over Bilken/Tinubu phone call

The Justice Haruna Tsammani-led five-member Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) will on Monday delivery rulings on two applications  by Peter Obi/the Labour Party (LP) and Atiku Abubakar/the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeking live streaming/televising of the proceedings of the court. The court gave indication to this effect on Friday after taking arguments from lawyers to parties in the application by Obi and the LP.

The court had on Thursday,  after hearing a similar application by Atiku and the PDP, reserved ruling, which it said will be delivered same day with the one by Obi and his party, in view of the similarity of the reliefs being sought. While moving the application by Obi and his party on Friday, their lawyer, Awa Kalu (SAN) urged the court to grant the application in the interest of the public.

Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) for INEC, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) for Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettma, and Adeniyi Akintola (SAN) for the APC, moved their various counter affidavits and prayed the court to reject the application for being without merit and constituting a distraction to the court. Justice Tsammani then announced that ruling will be delivered on Monday.

He ordered that further pre-hearing session in the petition should continue on Saturday, during which the court announce the schedule of hearing of the main petition. Justice Tsammani said parties will, at Saturday’s hearing, agree on the number of witnesses to be called, time to be allocated for each witness to testify in-chief, and to be cross-examined.

Earlier, the court heard and reserved rulings in applications by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), President-elect, Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) seeking the dismissal of the petition by Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

INEC, Tinubu and the APC are praying the court to either dismiss the petition in whole or some of its paragraphs and other accompanying processes filed by the petitioners for offending the provisions of the law.

Lawyers, who moved the applications for INEC, Tinubu and APC – Kemi Pinheiro, Yusuf Ali and Lateef Fagbemi (all Senior Advocates of Nigeria) prayed the court to grant the reliefs in their applications, seven in all. INEC filed two, Tinubu filed three, while APC filed two. Lawyer to the Atiku and the PDP, Chris Uche (SAN), in counter argument, urged the court to dismiss all the applications and proceed to hear his clients’ on the merit.

Uche faulted INEC’s application in which it prayed the court to strike out about 32 paragraphs from the petition by Atiku and the PDP, arguing that some of those paragraphs contained allegations against Tinubu, which the electoral power cannot defend. The petitioners’ lawyer contended that it did not lie with INEC to seek to defend Tinubu against allegations his clients raised in their petition, which include dual citizenship, allegiance to foreign nation and forfeiture of funds in a United States court case.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, has condemned the reaction of Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) Presidential candidate, to the phone conversation between the United States Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, and Nigerian’s President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Bliken had during a phone conversation last Tuesday, told Tinubu that the Joe Biden administration is committed to strengthening ties with Nigeria during Tinubu’s tenure.

But Obi, a statement on Twitter, wondered why the United States did not wait for the full resolution of the ongoing judicial processes before tacitly conferring legitimacy on any of the contending parties. According to him, the US responses to Nigeria’s affairs should be based on mutual respect, shared ideals, aspirations, and interests which ought to transcend the considerations of any individual. He added that the final determination of the true winner of the election can only be made by the relevant courts of law.

Responding to Peter in a statement on Twitter yesterday, Keyamo said there is clarity to the basis of the phone conversation between Tinubu and Blinken and their pledge for support and cooperation. The Minister said the United States is aware that in a complex society like Nigeria, Obi could not have won the 2023 election, especially with his message of religious war, adding that the US also knows that the INEC’s declaration of a winner has the force of law and Obi’s petition in court is an acceptable legal framework that is yet to be decided.

“Your Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, It’s obvious that you and your supporters have overrated your noise and tantrums after the election as having any real effect internationally. No, they have not had any such massive effect as you would wish. Unfortunately for you, the US have dealt with so many opposition figures around the world and they know exactly how to separate facts from fictions. They know you lost, fair and square. They know that in a complex society like Nigeria you could not have won with your message of ‘religious war’.

“They know you’re just a splinter of the main opposition, the PDP, so it amounts to delusions of grandeur to think that you won when you actually came third. Recall, sir, that when you won your second term in office as Governor of Anambra State, your opponents were in the Tribunal when you were sworn in and you got congratulatory messages from across Nigeria and the world.

“Did you reject those congratulatory messages because your opponents were in court? Why are you now misleading these largely hapless mob trooping blindly after you? Why? As you are going about with this pretentious holier-than-thou attitude, a court of law just nullified the nomination of a number of your Party’s candidates at the last election. Are you not more worried about this development, even as it affects your own nomination as the Labour Party’s Presidential candidate?,” Keyamo tweeted.

• Otti sues for calm, says inauguration unaffected
• Abia PDP weighs options as LP accuses it of instigating judgment
• Court lifts suspension order on Abure, other officers

The Labour Party (LP) which is currently embroiled in a leadership crisis has run into a fresh storm.

The Federal High Court sitting in Kano on Thursday nullified the candidature of Abia State Governor-elect Alex Otti who flew the party’s flag in the March 18 election.

Also affected by the court order are all LP candidates in that election and that of February 25 in the 36 states of the federation.

The ruling sparked a furious reaction from the LP.

The party labeled it inconsequential, laughable and an evil agenda by the Lamidi Apapa faction.

It insisted that Otti remains the Abia State governor-elect.

Some observers feared the court order could have wider implications for the party on the strength of some of its actions in the last few months.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), whose candidate was the runner-up in the Abia State governorship poll, said yesterday that its lawyers were studying the Kano ruling.

Justice Mohammed Nasir Yunusa, in the Thursday ruling on the originating summons filed by Ibrahim Haruna Ibrahim, declared that LP’s handling of the selection of its candidates for the last elections contradicted the mandatory provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

This, according to him, rendered the party’s “participation in the general elections of 2023 in Kano State and Abia State as null and void”.

He also said a party that failed to comply with the provisions of Section 77 (2) (3) could not be declared  winner of the election.

“This being so, the votes credited to alleged candidates of the 1st Defendant are wasted votes as per the decision of the Supreme Court,” he said.

The court did not mention Otti by name, but he was the party’s governorship candidate in Abia State and was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after polling 175,467 votes.

He was trailed by Okey Ahiwe of the PDP who got 88,529 votes, and  Enyinnaya Nwafor of the Young Peoples Party (YPP) who had 28,972 votes.

The court ordered as follows:

*That every registered political party is bound to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 in the conduct of its activities and any activity of the political party not done in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 is void ab initio.

*The 1st Defendant (LP) has carried on with its activities in the selection of its candidates for the General Election in a manner that is at variance with mandatory provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 which renders its participation in the General Elections of 2023 in Kano State and Abia State as null and void.

*That the 2nd Defendant (Independent National Electoral Commission) was bound to insist on receiving  the Register of Members of the 1st Defendant (LP) and that of other political parties registered in Nigeria in both hard and soft copies in Kano State and the rest of the 35 states of the Federation and the FCT at least 30 days before the 1st Defendant conduct its Primary Elections for its candidates that participated in the General Elections of 25th of February, 2023 and 18th of March,2023 respectively in Kano State and throughout the Federation in compliance with the provisions of Section 77 (3) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

*That the failure of the 1st Defendant to submit its Register of Members in Kano State and Abia State is in crass breach of the provisions of Section 77 (3) of the Electoral Act,2022 and the purported  Primary Elections of the 1st DefendaNT IS INVALID,NULL AND VOID AND OF NO EFFECT.

*That the fundamentally flawed Primary Elections of the 1st Defendant as a result of failure to comply with the mandatory provisions of Section 77 (2) and (3) cannot produce a qualified candidate that participated in the General Elections as held on 25th of February, 2023 and 18th of March, 2023 respectively for all the elective positions in Kano State and Abia State.

*That the void Primary Elections of the 1st Defendant cannot produce eligible candidates to be sponsored by the 1st Defendant in the General Election in Kano State and Abia State is of no moment and waste of time.

*That the votes cast for all the candidates of the 1st Defendant in Kano State and Abia State in the General Elections of 2023 are wasted votes.

*A party that has not complied with the provisions of Section 77 (2) (3) cannot be declared the winner of the election. This being so, the votes credited to alleged candidates of the 1st Defendant are wasted votes as per the decision of the Supreme Court.

*The candidates that participated in the Election in Abia State are not parties before this court. As such the Court lacks the jurisdiction to make an order for the issuance of Certificate of Return to them. They are, however, at liberty to seek the said redress in the appropriate Division of the Court.

LP rejects ruling

The party rejected the court ruling with a wave of the hand.

Its Acting National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said the LP was horrified with the judgement, particularly “with the haste“ with which the court “discharged its duties as the appearance and judgement in the matter brought before it by suspended members of the party loyal to the former deputy National Chairman, Lamidi Apapa, lasted only 48 hours.”

Ifoh said the LP which was mentioned as a respondent in the case was not even aware of the matter and “was not served with any summons.”

Continuing, he said: “The former National Legal Adviser Samuel Akingbade Oyelekan has since ceased from being an officer of the party and his appearance for the party is not with any authorization from the leadership of the party’s National Working Committee.

“You will recall that on Wednesday, we raised an alarm that suspended National Legal Adviser Samuel Akingbade Oyelekan, while the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal was sitting in Abuja with all attentions focused on it, clandestinely sneaked out of Abuja to Kano State where he in collaboration with some members of the other political parties asked the court to invalidate all the elections won by the Labour Party, particularly the National Assembly in the 36 states and FCT on the grounds that the party didn’t submit register of voters to INEC.

“Akingbade who presented himself as representing the Labour Party did not oppose the motion, thus forcing the helpless judge to reserve judgement for Thursday. On hearing the evil agenda of Apapa’s plot, the party directed one of its counsel to appear on its behalf, an attempt that was rejected by the judge, who went ahead to give judgement against the party.

“The judgement is not only inconsequential but also laughable and holds no water. The court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain an election matter at a time when elections have since been concluded and winners emerged. The Kano Court is also not a tribunal which has the constitutional powers to entertain pre-election matters.

“The two respondents in the matter are Labour Party and INEC. No individual is mentioned in the matter and no court can grant any relief that is not sought for. So we lose no sleep on the black market judgement as we will soon direct our lawyers to approach the Appeal Court to vacate the ill- conceived judgement.”

Ifoh accused opposition parties of seeking to “ensure that the Labour Party is engulfed in crisis.”

Otti remains governor-elect, says Abia PDP; accuses PDP of sponsoring judgement

In a separate reaction yesterday, the Abia State chapter of the Labour Party said Otti remained governor-elect of the State.

The governor-elect’s media adviser, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, claimed that the PDP was the brain behind the court ruling.

His words: “For the records, though the perpetrators targeted the Abia Governor-Elect and the people of Abia for that legal coup, they were not courageous enough to confront him in the open, hence he was never joined as a party for fear that his eminently qualified lawyers would take the perpetrators to the cleaners.

“To put the records straight and reassure our teeming supporters and millions of Abians who are still celebrating the liberation of Abia, we wish to emphatically state as follows:

“That the Federal High Court in Kano did not issue any order on Abia Labour Party candidates nor the Governor-Elect, Dr. Alex Otti, because, unlike those who brought the suit to steal the Abia peoples’ mandate, the court was conscious of its powers and careful not to fall into the booby trap set for it by the  PDP and Abia State Government.

“To that effect, the court specifically stated in Clause 9 of the judgment: ‘The candidates that participated in the election in Abia State are not parties before this court and as such the court lacks the jurisdiction to make an order for the issuance of Certificate of Return to them’.

“The Federal High Court in Abia had entertained similar cases as Pre-election matters involving some PDP candidates vs LP candidates, and the matters were adjudicated up to the Supreme Court. In all the cases, Labour Party won at the Federal High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court respectively.

“The case brought by the petitioners is a pre- election matter and under Section 285(14)(a) of the Electoral Act, the petitioners have no locus standi as they were not  aspirants in LP.

“Section 285 (9), requires that it must be filed within 14 days of the occurrence of the event. In other words, the suit should have been filed before the end of June last year. On the contrary, this suit was filed on May 11, 2023 and a week later, the very ‘efficient’ Judge delivered judgement.

“Like earlier stated, the FHC in Kano does not have jurisdiction over Abia State, therefore it is impossible for any decision emanating from the court to have effect on Dr. Alex Otti who was not a party to the suit in Kano. It therefore exposes PDP’S gullibility to have expected the court to make an order against Dr. Otti, an action that would have incurred the wrath of the NJC.

“For purposes of further elucidation, Dr. Alex Otti became the Governorship Candidate of Labour Party on 09 June 2022, then any pre-election litigation questioning his candidacy must have been commenced not later than 14 days from 09 June 2022— meaning the case must be filed not later than *23 June 2022*

“Any case filed not later than 23 June 2022 must be determined not later than 180 days from the date of filing. Again, assuming it was filed on 23 June of 2022, the 180-day timeline terminated on 20 December, 2022.”

PDP denies accusation; asks Abians to be calm

The State chapter of the PDP denied the LP accusation.

It said it did not institute any case against the Abia governor-elect and the Labour Party in a Federal High Court in Kano.

It added: “However, as a responsible political party, the Abia PDP is aware of the judgement and has mandated its legal team to study the judgement. 

“The Abia PDP has already filed a petition against the Abia governor-elect and the Labour Party at the Abia State Election Petition Tribunal and is exploring legal options that would enable it to recover its mandate.

“We urge the good people of Abia State to remain calm and peaceful as we await the judgement of the Election Petition Tribunal and we are very sure that justice would be served at the end.”

Lawyer faults ruling

Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, also faulted the ruling which he called shocking.

Writing on his Twitter handle, Effiong said: “Based on this Judgment Order, this case was filed on the 11th day of May, 2023.

“Alex Otti emerged as the gubernatorial candidate of LP during primaries held in June 2022.

“Section 285 of the Constitution states that all pre-election matters must be filed within 14 days of event.

“A case relating to election is either a pre-election matter or a post election matter (election petition).

“If the case filed by Ibrahim Haruna Ibrahim at the Federal High Court in Kano was/is a pre-election matter, it should have been filed within 14 days of the primaries.

“How can a court assume jurisdiction in a matter that is indisputably statute barred?

“This is shocking.

“Also, no candidate was joined as a party in this suit. I have noted that Abia is specifically mentioned in the judgment. A court in Kano cannot nullify primaries outside Kano.

“The jurisdiction of the Federal High Court cannot be invoked this way.

 “Nullifying primaries of candidates, and even declaring votes scored as wasted votes in this circumstance, goes against all established principles of law and fair hearing.

 “The court lacked jurisdiction.

“This type of judgment has the potential of exposing the judiciary to avoidable public ridicule.”

• Buhari, Gbajibiamila, Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun, others mourn

The nation was thrown into mourning yesterday as news filtered in midday announcing the death of the business magnate, lawyer and founder of the First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Group, Otunba Subomi Balogun, who breathe his last at the age of 89 years in a London hospital after a brief illness.

As news of his passing reverberated across the business community and beyond, hail of tributes poured in from all corners of the globe as many spoke of the Ijebu prince in affectionate terms and superlative adjectives.

Firing the first salvo, President Muhammadu Buhari mourned the death of the late icon even as he condoled with the Balogun family and the business community over the loss.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, President Buhari lauded the philanthropy and humanitarian services of the late Otunba Tunwase of Ijebuland to the community and the nation.

“The President condoles with family members, friends, and associates of the revered businessman, whose legacy of kindness and charity stretched into many homes, institutions, and communities, touching lives through education, health, and multiple empowerment opportunities.

“President Buhari affirms that Chief Balogun, through foresight, wisdom, and hard work, lived ahead of his time, by starting the First City Merchant Bank in 1983, which has grown over the years, with branches across the country, and working assiduously for the take-off and success of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

“The President notes the outpouring of testimonies on the life and times of the legendary banker, especially his towering influence in grooming many talented leaders in the sector, who had since set up their investment platforms, within and outside the country.

“President Buhari prays that the Almighty God will receive the soul of the departed, and comfort all his loved ones,” the statement said.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, described the demise of the founder of the First Monument City Bank, Otunba Michael Olasubomi Balogun, as painful.

The Speaker said the death of the banker of note in the early hours of Friday in London came at a time when his wise counsel would be needed as the country transits to a new government.

While commiserating with the family, people and government of Ogun State over his demise, Gbajabiamila said Otunba Balogun’s impacts and innovations on the Nigerian banking sector cannot be overemphasised, which makes his death painful.

He said Otunba Balogun would be sorely missed and urged his family and friends to take solace in the knowledge that he lived a fulfilled life while contributing positively to society and the Nigerian economy.

The Speaker also prayed for the repose of the soul of the late septuagenarian, and for God to forgive his trespasses. He sent heartfelt condolences to the people and government of Ogun State over the loss.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described the late Otunba Balogun as a renowned technocrat, seasoned administrator and philanthropist, who made a mark in the country by contributing to the growth and development of the banking sector in Nigeria.

In a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, on Friday, Governor Sanwo-Olu also commended Balogun’s contribution to the economy of Nigeria as boardroom guru and employer of labour, especially as the founder of FCMB among several other companies.

The governor while condoling with the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Awujale of Ijebu Kingdom, Oba Sikiru Adetona and the entire people of Ogun State, especially the indigenes of Ijebu on the demise of their illustrious son and elder statesman, also sympathised with the Managing Director of FCMB, Mrs. Yemisi Edun and the entire management and Staff of the financial institution.

He said: “On behalf of the Government and people of Lagos State, I want to express my sincere condolences to the family, friends and associates of Otunba Subomi Balogun, as well as management and staff of FCMB.

“I pray that God will grant him eternal rest and grant his immediate family, friends, associates, FCMB team, the banking industry and the people of Ogun State, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

In his tribute Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun described the death of the Olori Omo Oba of Ijebuland as a colossal loss.

Mourning the passing of the business mogul and philanthropist, the governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, described the death of Balogun as a colossal loss, not only to Ogun State, but Nigeria and the business world.

He noted that the late Olori Omo Oba of Ijebuland was one of the foremost entrepreneurs who took banking to an enviable level in the country.

Abiodun added that apart from being a business magnate, Chief Subomi Balogun was a devoted Christian, a loving father and husband as well as lover of Ijebuland.

The governor said the contributions of the late banker to the socio-economic development of Ijebuland and Ogun State was humongous and beneficial to numerous people and entities.

According to the statement, the vacuum created by the demise of Balogun will be difficult to fill, pointing out that his love for humanity and dedication to the service of God was worth emulation.

While commiserating with the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Adetona and the entire people of Ijebu on the passing of the renowned entrepreneur, Abiodun equally condoled the immediate family left behind by him.

He emphasised that the philanthropic gestures and good sense of fashion and traditions of one of the illustrious sons of Ogun state, will be sorely missed.

While praying for the repose of the soul of the deceased, the governor urged his family members not to grief, but find solace in the fact that Chief Subomi Balogun lived a life of industry, service to God and humanity.

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, in his tribute described IOtunba Balogun as an “icon of the African banking and finance industry.”

“I celebrate the extremely accomplished life of the private and public sector colossus, Chief Michael Olasubomi Balogun, the Founder of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and icon of the African banking and finance industry, “ Obaseki said, adding that “Chief Balogun was a dexterous banker, who deployed his intellect for the service of humanity and his country.”

“A blue blood and scion of Ijebuland, in Ogun State, Chief Balogun, after acquiring a law degree at the London School of Economics, cut his teeth as a banker working for the World Bank before setting up what was then known as the First City Merchant Bank.

“He was a great man in all ramifications and remained the leading light in the banking profession.

“Chief Balogun strode like a titan in the banking and investment sectors and was indeed a pioneer who tread where others feared. He was brave and an inspiration to many who sought a career in investment banking.

“Through FCMB, Chief Balogun opened a new vista of opportunity for the expansion of the private sector in Nigeria by providing much needed credit for the growth of businesses. The banking industry has indeed lost a great pillar and Nigeria has lost an irreplaceable icon.”

The governor also commiserated with the Balogun family, friends and associates of the deceased and prayed that God will grant all the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Samuel Ogbuku, and Chairman of the Board, Lauretta Onochie, fought dirty on Friday when they accused one another of being corrupt.

Ogbuku and Onochie engaged in sordid exchanges during an investigative hearing by the Senate Committee on unauthorised spending of the 2021 and 2022 budget of the agency without the National Assembly approval.

The managing director was represented at the session by the Executive Director in charge of Finance and Administration, Charles Airhiavere while Onochie appeared in person.

Airhiavere accused Onochie of overstepping her bounds by desperately seeking to be a signatory to NDDC’s accounts.

He alleged that Onochie even wrote a letter to the Accountant-General of the Federation seeking to be made a signatory to the agency’s accounts.

Onochie, however, said the decision for her to be a signatory to the accounts was taken by the board at one of its meetings, adding that it was not a personal decision.

She said the request for change of signatory was rejected because the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directed the managing director to ensure that her confirmation was sought in every financial transaction.

“The CBN said I should be the confirming authority but they didn’t come back to me. That is why they have been operating the way they like,” Onochie said.

Onochie, however, accused the managing director and the entire management of running the commission in breach of financial regulations.

She alleged that the NDDC management currently operates a total of 367 accounts against the dictates of the Treasury Single Accounts (TSA) policy of the Federal Government.

According to Onochie, all these accounts are in foreign exchange (FOREX).

The managing director denied the existence of 367 accounts in the agency but admitted that it operates only four.

Onochie also informed the Senate that since the board assumed office in January 2023, it had not enjoyed the cooperation of the management of the NDDC.

She alleged the managing director had been frustrating attempts to hold board meetings where necessary decisions ought to be taken.

This allegation was rejected by the managing director who said the main problem arose from what he called “trust deficit” between the board and the management.

 Airhiavere also said that the board never gave sufficient notice of any board meeting as required by law.

 Onochie further informed the Senate Committee that part of the abuse of financial regulations displayed by the Ogbuku-led management was the increase of the monthly imprest for the managing director from N4 billion to N10 billion.

 The Senate Committee led by Senator Yusuf Yusuf (APC, Taraba Central) expressed shock at the disclosures made by the board and the management of the NDDC.

 He directed Onochie and Ogbuku to appear before it on Monday to substantiate their allegations.

• Commission: No more back and forth with Zamfara gov

The face-off between Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman,  Abdulrasheed Bawa, took a twist yesterday after the governor accused Bawa of  demanding $2 million bribe from him.

The EFCC had announced that it was investigating the governor  over an alleged N70billion fraud.

Matawalle,it alleged, had  diverted the sum which  he sourced as loan from a bank purportedly for executing projects across the local governments in the state.

But the governor said on BBC Hausa Service yesterday that Bawa himself was not clean.

“He requested a bribe of $2 million from me and I have evidence of this,” he claimed.

He added:”He knows the house we met, he invited me and told me the conditions. He told me governors were going to his office but I did not. If I don’t have evidence, I won’t say this.

“It is not just to always blame governors. It is not only governors who have treasury, the Federal Government also has.

“What does the EFCC boss do to them? As he is claiming he has evidence on governors, let him show to the world evidence of those at the federal level.

“If he exits office, people will surely know he is not an honest person. I have evidence against him.

” Let him vacate office, I am telling you within 10 seconds probably more than 200 people will bring evidence of bribe he collected from them.

“He knows what he requested from me but I declined.”

Commission: No more back and forth with Zamfara gov

But the EFCC,when contacted yesterday to react to the governor’s bribe allegation against Bawa, said it would  no longer join issues with him on any issue or allegation.

It insisted on the facts and figures it laid before the public on the ongoing investigation of N70billion phantom contracts against the governor. 

A top senior official of the Commission, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “We have decided not to go back- and- forth with the governor.

“We have explained that Matawalle is under investigation for N70billion phantom contractors. It is left to him to prove otherwise.”

The abrupt dissolution of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole led National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2020 was to scuttle the presidential ambition of the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

This revelation was made on Friday by the former Acting National Chairman of the party, Ntufam Hilliard Eta at a countdown rally for the May 29th inauguration ceremony of the President-elect and his Vice, Senator Kashim Shettima at Unity Fountain in Abuja.

Eta who described the dissolution of the 21-man Oshiomole-led NWC in June 2020 as unwarranted, maintained that the committee’s sacrificial role led to the actualisation of Tinubu’s presidential aspiration.

He recalled that the reason some party leaders and members were against the Oshiomhole-led NWC was because of their fear that the committee would ensure the actualisation of the presidential ambition of Tinubu after President Muhammad Buhari’s second term.

Going down memory lane while addressing newsmen at the event, the former APC leader said:”This occasion is the gathering of political champions of the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s led National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as we do a countdown to the presidential inauguration. The essence of this gathering is to bring to the fore, the significant roles played by these courageous Nigerians towards the realization of the presidential project of our President-elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

“For you to understand the reason for this gathering, it is my pleasure to reverberate history in a very summarised form.

“In June 2018, a National Convention was held in Abuja to elect new sets of leaders to pilot the affairs of the All Progressives Congress. In line with the APC constitution, the tenure of the newly elected members was to run for a period of four years (2018 to 2022). The National Convention came with its tensed contestations for all the positions and at the end of the exercise, the National Working Committee, National Executive Committee and Zonal Executive Committee members emerged. 

“Needless to state that at the period, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu remained the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, and he never hid his intention to contest for office of the president from anyone. 

“Of course, other leaders, some of them, then serving members in the administration of President Muhamadu Buhari had presidential ambitions too, howbeit, surreptitiously; and/or working for those who had such ambitions. The result of this was that alliances and counter alliances began to set in, quite early in the life of the newly elected NWC.

“From the day Comrade Adams Oshiomhole assumed office as the National Chairman of APC in June 2018, those who didn’t want him in the first place to become the National Chairman for the fear that he might work for the Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu presidential bid, started unholy unions within and outside the NWC, to ensure he was removed as the National Chairman; as they believed that once Oshiomhole is removed, then the dream of Bola Tinubu becoming the President of Nigeria would have kissed the dust! And so, the anti -Oshiomhole/Tinubu forces gathered day and night and the NWC became a minefield of some sort.”

The former chairman who was accompanied by three other members of the Oshiomole-led NWC at the ceremony further recalled, “The constitution of APC is unambiguous on how to elect and or remove any NWC member from office, but did these coup plotters bother to read the constitution of the party? I doubt! 

“There were futile efforts to reconcile the NWC and make it one indivisible body so as to remain focused in party administration to enable the party to prepare for the great task of winning future elections. But on a daily basis, there were quite a lot of distractions from the anti- Oshiomhole’s forces. Suddenly from the blues, and in a bizarre form, and without being invited to appear before any disciplinary committee, and in complete defiance to APC constitution, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (then sitting National Chairman) was suspended from the party by his ward in Edo State.

“Needless to state that Comrade Oshiomhole and Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Governor of Edo State had open political disagreements. And so, it was easy for anti- Oshiomhole’s  forces to gang up and penetrate from within, with the connivance, full protection and funding by Edo State Government. Furthermore, “bang”, a High Court ruled that Oshiomhole, having been suspended by his ward in Edo State, cannot continue to function as the National Chairman. From then, peace eluded the NWC in particular and APC in general; as court orders were flying around, constantly; for and against the opposing camps.

“In the ensued feud, as the then National Vice Chairman South South of APC (being the most Senior NWC member from the National Chairman’s zone) and considering that the then Deputy National Chairman – South (His Excellency, Late Abiola Ajimobi) was indisposed, yours faithfully became the Acting National Chairman of the party. My job was to give direction, stability, reconcile and reposition the party for future electoral gains. It was a sad period in the history of party administration politics because betrayal and cowardice defined the character of those we thought hitherto, were brave political leaders. What followed shocked Nigerians. The anti-Tinubu forces had infiltrated and succeeded in misleading the presidency. And so, with full presidential backing, the NWC was illegally dissolved and a Caretaker Committee was set up. We went to court to challenge the illegality. The post legal struggle only rekindled another cycle of bravery, cowardice, betrayal, and sycophancy.  The rest as they say is history.

“This brief perspective is not by any means an exhaustive insight of what transpired during the period under review. However, this summarised account is meant to bring you to speed and to underscore the reason the forthcoming inauguration portends double celebration for us.  

“I will urge you members of the fourth estate of the realm and writers to do a thorough research of that dark era and situate same contextually, with comprehensive and specific viewpoints of what transpired. I believe such step will help in deepening our political knowledge as we continue to nurture our nascent democratic process.

“Gentlemen of the press, in the words of Martin Luther King, Jr ‘The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in the moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy’.  Martin Luther King, Jr went further to say ‘A man who won’t die for something is not fit to live’ and ‘The quality, not the longevity, of one’s life is what is important’.

“As we get ready to celebrate on the 29th of May, 2023, when our respected President-elect will be inaugurated, it is important to know that this set of NWC members standing before you; paid huge sacrifices and became a great conduit to the success story of Asiwaju Presidency.

“I salute the courage of these men and women of steel. I salute their strength of character. There are other progressives in other spheres of endeavour who may have made huge sacrifices to bring this project to fruition. I salute them too. I dare say that most of us learnt the ropes of politics from the feet of Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu. He taught us several theories and strategies, amongst others; to stand firm in opposing oppressors of other humans and challenge all forms of illegality with vigour, courage and tenacity. He taught us that evil will only triumph when courageous men and women choose to sleep, slumber and go into oblivion. He taught us that evil men and women in place of authority will flee, the moment men of courage show up.

“Gentlemen of the press, standing before you are men of great courage! We all know how the President-elect fought the military junta to a standstill and even became a fugitive just to ensure that democracy returns to our fatherland. We all remember how Asiwaju fought President Olusegun Obasanjo up to the Supreme Court on constitutional issues and secured victory.

“It is no news that the President- elect left office as Lagos governor about 16 years ago, but till date, his legacies and blueprints in Lagos State are still very fresh.  His footprints on the annals of history are very visible. His team and structure remain unshakable, several years after he left office. You will agree when political followers define Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu as a political Powerhouse! 

“I dare say, we are proud products of the Tinubu Political Dynasty.”

• Tinubu condemns attack, says culprits will be prosecuted
• IPOB condemns killings, demands unbiased investigation

Security operatives yesterday rescued two workers of the United States Consulate Lagos abducted in Ogbaru Local Government Area, Anambra State on May 16.

The spokesman of Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said in a statement issued in Awka that the two consulate workers were rescued unhurt by joint security forces early yesterday.

Some gunmen had ambushed the convoy of the consulate officials on Tuesday, killing seven including police personnel, and abducting two others.

The bodies of those killed were also set ablaze by the gunmen along Atani-Osamala Road in the state.

 Ikenga said the security forces have sustained security operation in the area, adding that further details would be communicated to the public on the operation.

The United States Embassy also confirmed yesterday that two of its mission employees missing since the May 16 attack in Anambra State were alive and safe.

The Embassy said in a statement via its website yesterday: “Two U.S. Mission employees missing since the May 16 attack in Anambra State are alive and safe, and under the protection of Nigerian authorities in Anambra. 

“We have informed their families of their safe recovery. U.S. Mission personnel are on their way to meet and accompany them home.

“We continue to work intensively with Nigerian security and law enforcement on this matter, to identify the victims previously found, and to bring to justice those responsible for this heinous attack.

“We welcome any information the public may have in this regard.

“We are deeply grateful for the partnership and solidarity of the Nigerian government and Nigerian security and law enforcement colleagues, and mourn with them for those who died in the attack.”

Tinubu condemns attack on US Embassy’s officials in Anambra

The President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday condemned Tuesday’s attack on some United States Embassy officials at Ogabru in Anambra State.

Tinubu, in a statement issued by Mr Tunde Rahman, his media aide, said he was shocked to hear of the attack.

The statement said: “Tinubu is deeply shocked to learn of the attack on United States Embassy convoys just hours after his telephone call with the U.S Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.

“He expresses his sympathy and condolences with the U.S. Government and families of the four personnel killed in the horrific attack at Ogabru, Anambra.”

The statement said Tinubu had been making inquiries into the persons responsible for the attack as well as their motive, and would do all he could to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

It added that security is one of the cardinal issues on Tinubu’s agenda, and he would give it priority attention on assuming office.

This, it said, was why security featured prominently in his telephone discussion with Secretary Blinken.

The statement said Tinubu had in a telephone conversation with Blinken on May 16 urged the U.S. to factor in Nigeria’s important place in Africa and provide needed assistance in the areas of security and economic investment.

This, he said, was critical for Nigeria to lead the way and become a shining example to the rest of Africa continent.

He said his immediate priorities would be to deliver institutional reforms and development programmes to deepen Nigeria’s democratic institutions and bring help to poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tinubu had expressed determination to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and faithfully serve the people as president.

IPOB condemns attack on US convoy, demands unbiased investigation

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) yesterday condemned the recent attack on the convoy of US Embassy in Anambra State.

The separatist group said it sympathised with the families of the victims and requested that the brains behind the attack be brought to book. 

In a statement issued by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, yesterday, the group demanded an independent investigation of the attack by the US intelligence.

The statement reads: “The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi KANU condemn the recent attack on the USA Embassy convoy in Anambra State.

“Though the White House said no American citizen was involved in the convoy attack, nonetheless, we condole with the families of the victims and request that the masterminds and the perpetrators be brought to book. 

“It is important to note that those accusing IPOB of being behind the attack on the US Embassy convoy are the real masterminds.

“Their quest to blackmail IPOB globally has led them into assassinating innocent people in Biafra Land.

“For instance, these government agents assassinated Alhaji Gulak in Owerri, and they assassinated Army couple in an undisclosed location in Biafra. They assassinated Dr. Akunyili (the late Dora Akunyili’s husband) in Anambra.

“In all these and many more of the state sponsored murder cases, IPOB was accused, and till date Police never conducted an investigation on any of them.

“If not for the Intel from IPOB M-Branch on the plans to assassinate ex-British High Commissioner, Catriona Laing, in 2022 and the warning from IPOB leadership for her not to visit Southeast, they would have assassinated her too.”

He noted that those linking these attacks to Peter Obi were the actual perpetrators of the crime.

“Those linking Peter Obi to these attacks on US Embassy convoy are the ones that fingers are pointing to in regard to the crisis happening in the South East Region.

“There is no way they can link innocent Peter Obi to it because he is from Anambra State. Does that mean that all the attacks happening in Adamawa State and Katsina State were caused by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Buhari in Aso Rock respectively?

“What is the justification to link Peter Obi to the criminalities going on in the Southeast? Can it also be said that all the banditry and terrorism happening in Northern Nigeria is masterminded by their criminal politicians who evidence show that they aid and abet terrorists?

“We are aware that several terrorism and banditry groups in the North are sponsored by the unscrupulous elements around them there.

“We should be asking, why are they mentioning Peter Obi? Is it because he summoned up courage to contest their selection process called election and won by a landslide?

“They are now robbing him of the mandate given him by the people of Nigeria because he is an Igbo man.”

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Samuel Ogbuku, and chairman of the board Lauretta Onochie, fought dirty on Friday when they accused one another of being corrupt.

Ogbuku and Onochie engaged in sordid exchanges during an investigative hearing by the Senate Committee on unauthoried spending of the 2021 and 2022 budget of the agency without National Assembly approval.

The Managing Director was represented at the session by the Executive Director in charge of Finance and Administration, Charles Airhiavere while Onochie appeared in person.

Airhiavere accused Onochie of over stepping her bounds by desperately seeking to be a signatory to NDDC’s accounts.

He alleged that Onochie even written a letter to the Accountant-General of the Federation seeking to be made a signatory to the agency’s accounts.

Onochie however said the decision for her to be a signatory to the accounts was taken by the board at one of its meetings, adding that it was not a personal decision.

She said the request for change of signatory was rejected because the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directed the Managing Director to ensure that her confirmation is sought in every financial transaction.

“The CBN said I should be the confirming authority but they didn’t come back to me. That is why they have been operating the way they like,” Onochie said.

Onochie however accused the Managing Director and the entire management of running the commission in breach of financial regulations.

She alleged that the NDDC’s management currently operates a total of 367 accounts against the dictates of the Treasury Single Accounts (TSA) policy of the Federal Government.

According to Onochie, all these accounts are in foreign exchange (FOREX).

The Managing Director denied the existence of 367 accounts in the agency but admitted that it operates only four.

Onochie also informed the Senate that since the board assumed office in January 2023, it has not enjoyed the cooperation of the management of NDDC.

She alleged the Managing Director had been frustrating attempts to hold board meetings where necessary decisions ought to be taken.

This allegation was rejected by the Managing Director who said the main problem arose from what he called “trust deficit” between the board and the management.

Airhiavere also said that the board never gave sufficient notice of any board meeting as required by law.

Onochie further informed the Senate Committee that part of the abuse of financial regulations displayed by the Ogbuku-led management was the increase of the monthly impress for the Managing Director from N4 billion to N10 billion.

The Senate Committee led by Senator Yusuf Yusuf (APC, Taraba Central) expressed shock at the disclosures made by the board and the management of the NDDC.

He directed Onochie and Ogbuku to appear before it on Monday to substantiate their allegations.

The original reason for the investigation of how unauthorised spendings were made in the commission between 2021 and 2022 despite the absence of NDDC budget took the back stage when the two parties engaged one another in corruption allegations.