Category: Southeast report

All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State has promised to take Governor Douye Diri to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to explain the spending of N3billion that accrued to each of the eight local governments from the withheld 13 per cent derivation funds released to oil-producing states by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The party challenged the governor to explain the spending of over N100billion that accrued to the state from the withheld 13 per cent derivation fund.

The Chairman of APC in Bayelsa State, Dr. Dennis Otiotio, made this known yesterday while speaking with reporters at the Correspondents’ Forum organised by the Federated Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in Yenagoa.

He alleged that the Diri administration had brought sufferings to the people. According to him, APC was focused on recovering the mandate given to the party during the last governorship election, but was upturned by the Supreme Court.

Otiotio said: “We learnt that about N3 billion accrued to each of the local governments from the money that was withheld from 13 per cent derivation, but we are aware that as we speak, there are no electoral officials manning the local governments, because the government is unable to conduct council elections.

“And since there are no officials at the councils, how did they manage this N3 billion? I hear they are sharing the money to candidates to do projects. We are going to write EFCC to investigate that money; the money was given to local governments.

“They should explain to ‘Bayelsans’ how they spent the money when there are no officials at the local governments.

“Coming to the state, they got over  N100 billion from that 13 per cent refunds from the record we have seen. Meanwhile, a month after they got the money, the governor went to the House of Assembly with loan request. Why are they collecting loan when they have over N100 billion from the Federal Government?

“It is unfortunate that even the transparency briefings they have been holding, they have not deemed it necessary to disclose that they have collected over N100 billion from the Federation Account. This is the money that PDP-led Federal Government then withheld, but the APC-led Federal Government released them to the PDP states, but the governors unanimously concealed them, if not for the revelation by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.

Governor Diri had said while receiving the Interim Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu (retd), on a courtesy visit recently, that the 13 per cent oil derivation fund accruing to the state was being prudently spent, mostly on infrastructural development.

The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, insisted that the administration had nothing to hide and that the state’s monthly allocations from the Federation Account had always been made public through its monthly transparency briefings.

He, however, explained that what the state received as 13 per cent derivation refund from the time of the previous administration was being paid in instalments after it had been discounted.

Despite his Supreme Court victory last week, kinsmen of the former Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Senator Godswill Akpabio, have promised to jettison party affiliation and work against his senatorial ambition.

They said Akpabio’s aspiration was against the zoning formula of Akwa Ibom Northwest Senatorial District, adding it was the turn of Abak Federal Constituency to go to the Senate.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Petroleum Minister, Chief Don Etiebet and the chairman of Essien Udim Local Government, where Akpabio hails from, are among his kinsmen, who threatened to stop him.

Etiebet said: “We in the district do not accept the verdict because of the inherent inconsistences in the run off to the primaries in our layman’s view, but we respect the judgment, having come from a court and the Supreme Court for that matter.

“Although this point was not adduced in court, we from the senatorial district have resolved that it is the turn of Abak-5 Zone of the district and in particular, Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency, to produce the senator this time, since the other three federal constituencies in the senatorial district have produced senators several times.  

“The federal constituency of Ikot Ekpene where Senator Akpabio hails from has produced five senators since 1960, or three senators since 1999, including  Akpabio himself. Whereas Abak Federal Constituency has produced none since 1960. 

“This is why we in the district unanimously nominated DIG Udom Ekpoudom (rtd) from Etim Ekpo Local Government of Abak Federal Constituency to contest on the platform of APC.”  

Akpabio, who spoke through the Director, Media/Publicity of his campaign organisation, Mr. Joe Iniodu, described the chairman’s argument as spurious and a complete fallacy.

The campaign office of the  Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, Dr Ifeanyi Odii, has accused   Governor David Umahi and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of engaging in divisive campaigns, instead of focusing on issues.

It said the governor and the APC in the state were deploying “sub-ethnic and primordial sentiments” in the ongoing campaigns, thereby inciting  “one group against the other in the state.

The Anyichuks Campaign Organisation mentioned the APC campaigns in Izzi, Ikwo, Afikpo and Ohaukwu last week as instances where Umahi and the ruling party engaged in “verbal incitements.”

Recalling Umahi’s attack on former Governor Sam Egwu, who is the PDP senatorial candidate for Ebonyi North, the campaign organisation reminded the governor and his party that “democracy does not limit anybody from contesting elections.”

“We wish to use this opportunity to advise the APC in Ebonyi State to stop all divisive and inciting comments capable of overheating the polity as the campaigns for the 2023 general election gather momentum,” the campaign organisation said in a statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, Chief Abia Onyike.

The statement further reads:” Promoting divisions or harping on clannish and artificial differences between administrative zones and people as was done recently by Gov ernor Umahi and other APC leaders during their campaign rallies at Izzi, Ikwo, Afikpo and Ohaukwu was the height of verbal incitement of one group against the other in the state.

“Even the attack on the person and candidature of Dr Sam Ominyi Egwu, was uncalled for and provocative. Democracy does not limit anybody from contesting elections and nobody has the legitimate authority to stop the electorate from voting for any candidate of their choice.

“APC should stop dividing Ebonyi State along sub-ethnic and primordial sentiments, as such a practice can become the nurturing ground for communal disturbances.

“Egwu is a popular candidate for re-election into the Senate. Using such childish antics to cast aspersions on his candidature is a sign of political rascality, which shows that the APC is not prepared for the 2023 elections.

“The problem with the APC is that its autocratic imposition of candidates had robbed it of popular and acceptable candidates. It is this realisation by some of the APC leaders that gave rise to these soap-box rhetorics.

“As the ruling party in the state, one would have expected them to engage in issue-based campaigns. They should advertise their development projects and create a favourable atmosphere for peaceful campaigns and electioneering to take place.”

“Their attitude of desperation and name-calling has shown that they are empty and have nothing to justify their quest for re-election as a political party.”

Students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State have urged the Federal Government to build more hostels within the school environment, to forestall attacks on those living off-campus.

President, Students Union Government (SUG), Charles Ijeomah, spoke yesterday at a news conference.

He said their hostels were inadequate and could no longer accommodate many of them.

There have been robbery attacks on students living off-campus. It was alleged that hoodlums recently invaded some off-campus hostels, injuring many and raping unconfirmed number of female students.

Ijeomah said: “Students live outside the campus because of limited hostels in the institution. We implore the Federal Government to build more hostels. 

“This is a federal institution, we have lots of land that can accommodate many hostels so that the students will feel secure and sleep soundly.”

He apologised to the police command over allegations of raid, thuggery and other crimes in hostels in Ifite area of Awka.

The union spokesman, Ikechukwu Dikeojo, had issued a memo accusing the Special Anti-cultism Squad (SPACS) unit of the police of raiding, intimidation, thuggery, criminalisation and immorality, as well as invading students’ lodges and forcefully collecting their phones, laptops and other valuables. 

He issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the police commissioner to call the SPACS to order and return valuables to the students, threatening to block the entrances of the town if the demands were not met.

But Ijeomah disassociated the body from the memo, absolving the police of the allegations. 

Read Also: Controversies over alleged rape, robbery attack in UNIZIK hostels

He said: “We the apex body of the union retrieve our memo through the office of the PRO. After a thorough investigation, we’re convinced that it was not the police that raided the lodges of students at Ifite on Sunday morning.

“We apologise for the damages it may have caused the police and other agencies. We commend the police for securing the students community. 

The Financial Secretary, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone F, Okafor Ernest, appealed to Inspector General of Police Usman Baba Alkali to create a police division in the area, to assist in curbing insecurity around the university community. 

The police in Imo State have begun a manhunt for the kidnappers of the sole administrator of the Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, Chris Ohizu.

The cops are also investigating a possible clue that will lead to the arrest of the suspects who also abducted two other persons along with the council boss after razing his house at Imoko community in Arondizuogu area of the LGA.

Ohizu was abducted with two others after the hoodlums burnt down his house on Friday.

Spokesperson for the police in the state, Henry Okoye, said that all had been put in place for the rescue of the victims.

Okoye said “On 20th January 2023 at about 0100 am, some armed gunmen number yet unknown attacked the home of the Sole Administrator (SOLAD) of Ideato North LGA of Imo State, Mr Christopher Ohizu ‘m’, shot him on his leg, shot his two security dogs, burnt his house, abducted him and two others, one Christopher Okeke ‘m’ and Onyedikachi Kanu ‘m’ after which they drove away to an unknown destination with one of the SOLAD’s vehicles.”

Some members of the Atiku Support Organisation have decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra.

Among those who defected was the Publicity Secretary of Atiku Support Organisation, Anambra State Chapter, Fidelis Onakoma.

Speaking on behalf of all members across the 30 states at the APC-PCC head office in Abuja, in a statement said their decision to abandon the Atiku Support Organisation was because they were not recognised for their hard work and also as a result of the poor leadership values of Atiku.

They, however, concluded that they believe in the structure of Tinubu and his agenda for Nigerians.

Part of the statement reads: “What we want is to be incorporated into the activities of APC in our various states and at the national level.

“Atiku Support Organisation is the leading support organization of the PDP campaign council. It’s the only support group that Atiku himself created and made his son to be chairman.

“For that reason, we’ve all decided to join the Tinubu Support Organisation under the Youth wing. I assure you that we joined the APC in good faith,” he averred.

Welcoming the new members, Secretary of the Presidential Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of 2023, James Abiodun Faleke described the defection as a step in the right direction, saying the APC and Asiwaju have contributed a lot in the development of Nigeria.

He said, “On behalf of our principals, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima, the APC-PCC welcomes you all.

“Your grievances are well noted and it’s not too late to realize that you were in the wrong place. But because Asiwaju is a party for all, it is important that you all have on record Asiwaju’s performance when it comes to reward. The basic issue here is the lack of reward from where you are coming from. One of the major things Tinubu is known for apart from the developmental structure is his reward system.”

The Chairman of the Ogboru Campaign Council, Prince Emmanuel Okotie-Eboh, son of the Nigerian First Finance Minister, late Chief Festus Sameal Okotie-Eboh, weekend, condemned in its entirety alleged campaign of calumny by Chief Moses Oddiri against the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru.

Okotie-Eboh who made this statement in Warri, Delta state while reacting to a report credited to Chief Oddiri in community and national dailies, that Ogboru’s governorship ambition will split the votes of Delta central for the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, is the beginning of Oddiri’s fear.

While describing the report as inconsequential, the former Regent of Warri Kingdom, Prince Emmanuel Okotie-Eboh, said if Chief Moses Oddiri is looking for cheap popularity, relevance and means to gain recognition from Sen. Omo-Agege, it shouldn’t come through campaign of calumny against Ogboru.

Okotie-Eboh said Oddiri should be aware that a lot of persons that are today in their various elective positions, rose through the name of Chief Great Ogboru, including the present Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, his principal, hence Oddiri should be mindful of his choice of words.

Okotie-Eboh said, “If Oddiri’s fear is Ogboru splitting the votes of Delta central with a sitting Deputy President of the Senate, Omo-Agege, meaning Oddiri has accepted Ogboru a big threat to his principal, why then Oddiri’s bragging and claim that Omo-Agege has full control of the three senatorial districts, yet scared.”

From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

• Says Atiku will restructure Nigeria

The Southsouth Ethnic Nationalities Assembly has adopted the Atiku Abubakar/Ifeanyi Okowa ticket of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for next month’s presidential election.

The group said the PDP’s ticket is best suit to the needs and protection of the interest of the region, particularly as it affects their quest for justice.

Speaking at a press conference in Warri, Delta State on Saturday, National Coordinator of the group, Chief Favour Izoukumor, who led other ethnic leaders to the event, said resource control and true federalism would be easily achieved under the PDP.

He said, “One of the critical demands of our people is to restructure Nigeria, so that the people of the Niger Delta would benefit from their God-given natural resources. These demands have been presented at several fora, including two CONFABs.”

 “We are aware that of all the candidates and political parties, only PDP and Atiku have categorically promised Nigerians restructuring and resource control.”

“We believe that this will bring peace and transform the Nigerian economy, as it would galvanize all regions to explore their options and available resources for their growth and better lives for their citizens.”

He urged the region to make critical appraisal of the political parties, candidates, their manifestos, antecedents, leadership, and track records, as it affects the region, noting that the PDP’s candidate was part of an administration that was kind to the region in the past.

“The Federal Government under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led by President Olusegun Obasanjo a former military Head of State, through to President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, provided extensive support to the South-South geo-political zone.”

He listed some of the achievements of the PDP in the region to include establishment of Niger Delta Development Commission, 13% derivation fund, the Presidential Amnesty Program, the Niger Delta Ministry, and establishment of specialized universities in the region.

The text was signed by Izoukumor, as well as Chief Alwaye Oweredaba, Dcn Robert Igene, Hon Eno Udongwo, Sambo Patricia and Victor Okokon, representatives and leaders from Rivers, Edo, Awka Ibom, Bayelsa and Cross Rivers states respectively.

While appealing to Nigerians to support the PDP team, the group said choice of Okowa as Atumu’s running mate was well deserved because of the Delta State Governor’s performances in various sectors of the state. 

After several postponements and delays, the All Progressives Congress (APC) formally flagged off its campaign in Cross River yesrerday.

The carnival-like ceremony saw mammoth crowd of supporters welcomed party bigwigs including the sitting governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, seeking the senatorial seat of the northern district of the state; the governorship candidate of the party, Senator Prince Bassey Otu.

The flag off took place at the Ogoja township stadium in the heart of Ogoja, the headquarters of the northern senatorial district of the state.

The Local Government Area was practically at a standstill as thousands thronged the venue to demonstrate their love for the ruling party in the state and the candidates fielded by the party.

The decision to commence the party campaign from the northern district according to political pundits in the state, was to make a statement of support and commitment to the Ayade-led government that come rain, come shine, his people and APC supporters in the state would continue to follow him to wherever he leads in the overall interest of the state and of the country as a whole.

Supporters were seen brandishing placards with different inscriptions such as, “Ayade we know”, “Otu for All’ will do it very well”, “Ayade is our leader”, “Okadigbo for the people”, “Tinubu is our president”, “No way for seasonal politicians in Cross River,” among others.

Speaking at the event, the State chairman of APC, Alphonsus Eba drummed support for the candidates of the party in the respective elective positions.

“I want to tell you that these forthcoming general elections in Cross River state are not about any politician, or about our governorship candidate, Senator Prince Bassey Otu and other candidates in the election, but about Cross River and our tradition of good governance.”

“We must all come out with our permanent voter’s cards and come out en masse during the polls to vote for all the APC candidates and Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu and Shettima as the presidential and vice presidential candidates, respectively during the elections.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Otu promised to sustain the legacies of the outgoing governor when elected even as he made a case for employment opportunities for the teeming youths.

Ayade in his remarks thanks the people for the unflinching support he receives from them and promised to give them even better representation if voted back to the Senate.

The event witnessed the presentation of party flags to the candidates of the party for the state House of Assembly, House of Representatives, senate and governorship elections.

Also, the state chairman of the party at the rally received one of opposition foot soldier named Hon Emma Lifu. He officially decamped to the APC along with hundreds of his excited supporters.

Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri and his Delta State counterpart, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, have restated their support for the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) introduced to the electoral system.

They canvassed constitutionally defined roles for traditional rulers to ensure peace.

The governors spoke yesterday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, during the South-South Monarchs Forum Extraordinary General Assembly with the theme: ‘Entrenching Grassroots Security and Peace in the South-South Region during and after 2023 General Election.’

Diri said the importance of BVAS could not be overemphasised, as it would reduce electoral fraud.

He lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for his insistence on free and fair elections, saying the country was relying on him to match words with action and deliver a credible 2023 general election.

Describing democracy as a government of the people, Diri called on politicians and Nigerians in general to allow the electorate make their choices without molestation.

Advocating constitutional role for monarchs as custodians of culture, he cautioned politicians against the use of youths for violence and said all hands should be on deck to ensure a violence-free election.

He said Southsouth people would continue to agitate for the restructuring of the country to enthrone justice and equity.

Diri said: “You are the custodians of our culture and tradition and generations of our people have depended on you for their existence.”

Okowa hailed the introduction of BVAS and wondered why some persons and political parties were against a technology that would promote credible elections and improve the image of Nigeria in the international community.

The Chairman, South South Monarchs Forum and Amanyanabo of Nembe, Dr. Edmund Daukoru, said the aim of the organisers of the meeting was to achieve peaceful elections.

Describing Governor Diri as a man of peace, he called on the government and people to take matters of security more seriously before, during and after the elections.