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Tag: crisis

  • ‘No crisis in Delta ACN’

    ‘No crisis in Delta ACN’

    Frank Eghomien is the Publicity Secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Delta State. In this interview with POLYCARP OROSEVWOTU, he speaks on the activities of the party.

     

    What efforts are being made by ACN leaders to halt the crisis that has engulfed the party in Delta State?

    There is no crisis in Delta ACN. Differences do not mean crises and we all know that there could be misunderstanding among even family members and at the end, there is bound to be settlement and that is politics for you. The little issue we seem to have is about some few overzealous individuals who want to hijack the party; but we are saying no, that a contestant who is seeking for an elective position cannot at the same time claim to be the leader of the party when there are executive members from the wards to the state. That is not done in a progressive party like ACN and that was why we have always said ‘no’ to them.

    As l speak, the leadership of Chief Joe Adolor Okotie-Eboh whom God has sent to liberate and sustain the party to this present state with over 20 per cent of the congress chairmen intact under his leadership cannot (at this challenging time that we are preparing for 2015) be disturbed. He has been wonderful and has been the rallying point of the Delta ACN.

    Who is he the rallying point in Delta ACN?

    Most of the things that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has not done in their party, even with the status of being a ruling party, we have started seeing them in our party. If you go round the 25 local government areas, you will see that what those overzealous persons could not do in their respective local government areas, Chief Adolor Okotie-Eboh has done them. He has ensured that secretariats are put in place in almost all the local government areas aside some administrative costs that he shoulders as the state chairman. Unfortunately, there are still some people out there thwarting his efforts instead of appreciating him.

    The likes of Dr. Veronica Ogbuagu, Prof. Adego Eferakeya and Ovie Omo-Agege are on the other side; won’t this reduce your membership strength?

    The people you just mentioned have no other state chairman apart from Chief Adolor Okotie-Eboh and their allegations against the party’s state executive was to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it. One thing we must correct in the party is that those who contested elections in the party cannot turn round and become leaders in the party; we can never accept it. The leadership of the party is in the hands of Chief Joseph Adolor Okotie-Eboh.

    In the case of Mr. Ovie Omo-Agege who left the party for PDP, it is obvious that he has gone and cannot be one of us except he retraces his step and rejoin the party as a new member. But for Dr. Veronica Ogbuagu and Prof. Adego Eferakeya, they are not helping the party. We expected them to be complementing the effort of Chief Okotie-Eboh; instead, they are trying to thwart his effort and that is not the character of a progressive.

    I still believe if they can repent, l have no doubt in my mind that they will be reconsidered and allowed to come back and be a progressive. So, there are no issues of factions in the Delta ACN as people claim.

    So, what do you think should be done to sink all differences in the party?

    There are bound to be differences in every political setting; so, it is not strange or peculiar to the Delta State CAN. We have seen a lot in other political parties and on issues of reconciliation, l must tell you that there are no factions apart from some few that want to take leadership by any means. We will always welcome them as much as they are ready to change and become a progressive. So, we can call them so that we can ride on. No permanent friend or enemy and this could be achieved only when we drop our pride and submit totally to the party’s decisions since party is supreme.

    How would you describe Chief Adolor Okotie-Eboh as an individual?

    You and l know that the name Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh, first Republic Finance Minister was a household name and working with his son, Chief Joe Adolor Okotie-Eboh, as my state chairman, gives me great pleasure. He epitomizes ideal leadership.

    I have always referred to him as the leader of the party because he the major financier of the party and since l have been working with him, his leadership qualities cannot be compared and that shows too that he is a true son of his father. It is not easy for one person to shoulder the responsibility of a political party in a state. He is such a wonderful man, well prepared to work with his executive members to take the party to an enviable height.

    The local government and 2015 general elections are approaching. How prepared is your party?

    We can face any election at any time because the party is on ground with huge number of committed members. We are not afraid of any election as long as Delta Sate is concerned. On the forthcoming local government election, we are prepared and l must tell you that the ACN party is putting all machineries in place from the state to wards in ensuring that the election is free as many are banking on rigging the election. We are so confident that there is no way we will allow rigging and we will ensure we monitor the election from the wards to the state level until the results are announced. The fact that our leader and chairman of the party in the state, Chief Okotie-Eboh has ensured that secretariats are put in place in all the 25 local government areas is a clear manifestation of his readiness for the local government and 2015 general elections.

    I am saying this because if you go round the local government councils across the state, you will find out that it is ACN that has taken the challenge to put his structure on ground and these are steps that are taken solely by the state chairman as it mostly involves finances. So, with our tentacles that we have spread across the state, l must tell you that we are waiting and warming up for the two elections and l know we will excel at the end of the day as of course, we have started building bridges.

    There are no indications that your party men are warming up for governorship, or are you trying to align with other political parties in the state?

    This is emphatically wrong; we are still working and we know if there will be such a thing, first, it will be known to us through the state chairman. So, we have never been bothered about it because when the time comes, you will see them but I’m not perturbed because my state chairman and his executive will scrutinize all those that will come and join us before issue of contest comes up.

    Furthermore, we don’t have any intension to align with any political party but if we will even do, we will have the briefing from the leadership of the party. As far as we are concerned now, no any other party has the kind of structure that ACN has in the state, and that tells you how prepared we are for coming elections.

     

  • ‘Govt alone can’t solve crisis in education’

    Minister of State for Education Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has said the problems in the education sector should not be left for the government alone.

    He spoke at the weekend in Abuja during the signing of a a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Education and Daar Communications Plc to broadcast educational signals to institutions.

    Wike said the Federal Government is ready to partner stakeholders in the private and public sectors to deliver quality basic education.

    “We are determined to improve the quality of education in Nigeria and our resolve is to involve everyone, since government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of creating educational access for Nigerian children.”

    Wike noted that though the President Goodluck Jonathan administration has invested in the basic education sub-sector, collaborations are required to increase access across the country.

    He said of the N29billion needed for the project, the Federal Government would not make any financial commitments besides facilitating the participation of local and state governments.

    The Chairman of Daar Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, said the communications outfit would commit 22 channels to air education programmes patterned in line with the approved Federal Ministry of Education curriculum.

    He said the required infrastructure would be developed in localities in the 774 local governments and rural communities of the Federal Capital Territory to transmit signals to schools.

    Dokpesi added that trained and qualified teachers have been recruited to deliver lessons to Nigerian children.

    The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. MacJohn Nwaobiala, described the project as a landmark initiative to extend the benefits of the Federal Government’s educational programmes to the nooks and crannies of the country.

  • Jos crisis worse than Biafra war, says senator

    The senator representing Plateau North, Gyang Nyam Pwajok, yesterday said the protracted crisis in the state is worse than the 30 months of Biafra war that occurred between 1967 and 1970.

    Addressing reporters in Abuja, the senator urged the Federal Government to establish a Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Stability Fund to address the fallout of the crisis.

    He noted that the destruction caused by the 1994, 2001 and 2008 conflicts had not been reconstructed.

    Pwajok said: “When I talked about establishing a Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Stability Fund, somebody said it is actually more or less an incentive for further conflict. We had a civil war and we had to pass through a reconstruction effort. In fact, the damage this protracted conflict has caused can be more than the civil war damage in itself.

    “This is because the nature of the conflict is such that people have died on all sides, whether it is Muslim, Christian, indigene or non-indigene.

    “Many people have died, many others have lost their property, even in the nature of the relationship between communities. Victims end up becoming perpetrators and perpetrators end up becoming victims at certain moments.

    “If you check, the conflict of 1994 left behind structures that were battered. In the 1994 conflict, during military era, some of the destroyed property have not been reconstructed. In 2001, there was another conflict in which a number of structures were ravaged. Nobody has done anything about them.

    “In 2008, a number of structures were destroyed; nothing has happened in some areas. Yet, there is government’s effort to reconstruct, even at the state level and even help the residents to stand on their feet. Once there is a fresh conflict, the property gets burnt again.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • ‘Plateau Labour crisis political’

    The protracted crisis between Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang and workers of the 17 local governments has been attributed to the interference of political opponents.

    Leaders of a group, Plateau Youths for Good Governance, yesterday addressed reporters in Jos, the state capital.

    The state chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employee (NULGE) has been on strike for six months over a dispute on the N18,000 minimum wage.

    The workers became violent last week during a rally.

    Chairman and Secretary of the groups, John Sheku and Samuel Danjuma said: “The protesting workers may have allowed opponents of Governor Jang to introduce violence into the dispute.

    “We have carefully reviewed the course of the Labour dispute so far and realised that the hard-line stance of Labour showed clearly that the issue has gone beyond wage dispute.”

    Also, the Middle Belt Youth Forum and Middle Belt Students’ Forum, led by Comrade Pios Attah, have condemned the violence the workers have introduced into the wage dispute.

    Attah spoke in Jos at a separate media conference.

    Sheku expressed worry over the consequence of the violence.

    He urged Labour leaders to show good examples to the workers.

    The Middle Belt Youths urged Labour to eschew violence and return to the negotiating table with the government.

  • Minister wants NPL crisis resolved

    Minister wants NPL crisis resolved

    The Minister of Sports and Chairman, National Sports commission, Bolaji Abdullahi yesterday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State at the NFF Annual General Assembly described the imbroglio that has engulfed the Nigeria Premier League board as saddening.

    The minister who said the Baribote-led board has driven away sanity in the administration of the domestic league urged the Nigeria football Federation to take drastic actions that will restore the dignity of the league.

    Abdullahi, who was represented by former NFF Secretary-General, Bolaji Ojo-Oba, said that the National Sports Commission, NSC, decided to abstain from playing any direct role in the Nigeria Premier League saga in order that people may not misconstrue their objectives.

    “It is sad that the Premier League, which provides the bulk of players for the national teams, is in such distress.

    “The kick-off of the 2012/2013 has again been postponed for the next two months and issues around sponsorship and broadcast rights remain unresolved.

    “It is a sad situation because if we are not careful, the impasse in the NPL may lead to poor results in our national teams internationally.

    “The Super Eagles will be taking part in the African Cup of Nations in South Africa as from next month, the Flying Eagles will participate in the African Youth Championship in Algeria and the Golden Eaglets will play in the 2013 African Junior Championship in Morocco, all within the first half of next year. Yet, elite domestic competition is in abeyance and will remain so until the middle of February; it is disheartening”.

    The minister said the whole episode of the Baribote-led NPL board is totally disturbing to the National Sports Commission and as a baby of the NFF, he therefore trusted that the Glasshouse would deal squarely with the matter.

    “I am mandating the NFF to act decisively in order that the lingering issues in the NPL are conclusively and satisfactorily resolved before the commencement of the new season”.

    Meanwhile, there was mild drama at the Atlantic hall of Presidential Hotel, venue of the 68th Annual General Assembly of the NFF when the seat and tag of the second vice chairman of the NFF was ordered to be removed from the high table. The situation was also not different when Tunji Babalola was also a lone ranger on his table with the Secretary of the NPL tag placed in his front.

    The situation made many invited guests and journalists alike to believe that the Baribote era as the NPL chairman is indeed gone for good.

  • FUT Minna VC crisis: ‘Court to hear suit’

    The Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, Niger State, as well as its Governing Council yesterday at a Minna High Court failed to stop three of its professors from challenging the selection procedure of the next Vice-Chancellor of the institution.

    The three dons – Professors Musa Galadima, Adama and M. A. T. Suleiman – had prayed the State High Court to stop the selection of the sixth Vice-Chancellor of the university.

    They alleged double standards in the selection.

    At the mention of the suit early in October, Mr Olajide Ayodele (SAN), counsel to the defendants (FUT), said the Governing Council and council chairman challenged the competence of a State High Court to entertain a matter affecting a federal-owned institution.

    He accused the court of lacking locus to hear the case.

    The defendants prayed the court to strike out the case for lack of competence.

    The motion was, however, opposed by Ibrahim Ishyaku (SAN), the counsel to the plaintiffs.

    He averred that the court was competent and should hear the case.

    In her ruling yesterday, Justice Aishat Lami Buwari declared, after reviewing the submissions of the parties, that the court was competent to entertain the matter.

  • APGA crisis over, say Obi, Umeh at Ojukwu memorial

    APGA crisis over, say Obi, Umeh at Ojukwu memorial

    The one year memorial service in honour of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu yesterday presented the occasion for leaders of the crisis-ridden All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to embrace one another.

    They declared that the crisis rocking the party is over.

    The major players in the crisis – Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and APGA National Chair Chief Victor Umeh – declared that peaceful reconciliation is unavoidable.

    Apart from members of the Ojukwu family and top officials of the Anambra State government, many traditional, political and business leaders, graced the memorial atUmudim, Nnewi.

    Thousands of MASSOB members led by Chief Ralphs Uwazuruike and his deputy Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, were there along side thousands of other political office holders and traditional rulers including Igwe Kenneth Orizu and former Anambra State Governor Dame Virgy Etiaba.

    Uwazuruike acknowledged cheers from thousands of MASSOB members and War veterans.

    The memorial service was preceded by a holy mass at St Michael De Arch Angle Catholic Church, Umudim, Nnewi.

    Umeh pleaded with all parties involved in crisis to give peace a chance saying he has forgiven all those who stoked the crisis.

    ‘’ I want all those who survived our late leader Dim Ojukwu in the party and in the family to give peace a chance and remember that Ojukwu stood for peace and love. They should know that Ojukwu hated persecution and intimidation and lies being told against anybody. He encouraged people to work hard and reap from where they worked ……when we show love, there would be no room for bickering, rancour, acrimony and face off.

    Umeh insisted that Ojukwu never humiliated anybody. He encouraged all parties to the crisis rocking the APGA family to behave as Christians by forgiving one another and embrace the reconciliation moves by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). He noted that nothing on earth is permanent including political office positions. He said his chairmanship would end in 2014.

    He wondered why people were asking him to resign and appealed that due process should be followed in doing things to avoid doing them wrongly.

    ‘’What I want in APGA is peace , truth and fairness because we are human beings and we have chances of error. He said the problem in APGA is about 2014 election saying only God knows who the governor of Anambra will be in 2014. He insisted that APGA still have the chance of retaining the seat unless due process is not followed. He re-assured that there would be no imposition of candidates as the peoples choice at the primaries would be elected to fly the flag of the party in 2014.

    On the can of worms he threatened to open this week, Umeh said,” people make mountain out of mole hills. It was a cautionary statement because I know the sources of the crisis in the party ….but in the spirit of mediation from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), I don’t want to say anything further. I want peace to rein in our party and I don’t want to undermine the peace initiative…..’’

    Governor Obi insisted that the crisis in APGA is a family affair. He called on the Igbo to pray for the repose of the soul of Ojukwu.

    ‘’There is no problem in the family of APGA. We are focused and promising a stronger , united party capable of wining election any day ,any time and the best we could do to the name of our political leader is to immortalise him.

    Obi said the memory of Dim Ojukwu, like those of the greatest in history, such as Napoleon Bonaparte, King Louis xiv, Gen. MacArthur, Alexander the Great, King Philip of Macedon, and many others, would remain ever conscious in the memory of men because they lived for something worth remembering.

    “You know that Ojukwu’s motto was ‘to thy self, be truthful’, with this he lived the life of truthfulness and that enabled him to tell the truth to Nigeria. For us to have a better and prosperous Nigeria, we must be truthful to us and confront the problems that face us in the spirit of truthfulness.”

    Obi, again thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for the honour he did to Ojukwu both in life and in death, said that the people and Government of Anambra State would continue to be inspired by the life Ojukwu lived to work for the common good.

    Obi advised the Igbo to work closely among themselves since more, according to him, would be achieved in the spirit of unity.

    Ojukwu’s wife, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, thanked Nigerians for the honour they have continued to heap on Ojukwu.

    Asked how she felt about the absence of Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, who was always noticeably absent in recent functions revolving around Ojukwu and who is also an APGA Governor, she said: “Governor Okorocha might have had some other more important functions to attend than the memorial service of his late party leader …..’’

    Ojukwu’s son, Emeka thanked Nigerians who have continued to stand by them, especially Gov. Obi who has continued unflinchingly to show love and support for the Ojukwu family.

  • Five die in Kano community crisis

    Five persons were reported killed in Bichi Local Government Area of Kano State yesterday following an alleged inflammatory statement by a tailor.

    An eyewitness said the tailor described a dress he just completed as Annabi ya shigo kasuwa (The Prophet has entered the market).

    The Muslim residents considered the tailor’s statement defamatory to Prophet Mohammed.

    The tailor, it was learnt, hails from the Southeast.

    He was allegedly beaten up by the Muslims but rescued by security operatives.

    Security agencies blocked the main road linking Katsina with Kano states in the town.

    The injured were said to have been rushed to various hospitals in the area.

    The crisis spread to Kano city, about 50 kilometres from the town.

    A group of Muslims allegedly started the violent protest, ransacking and burning shops known to belong to Igbo traders.

    The protesters allegedly torched an unconfirmed number of churches.

    The figure of the dead could not be confirmed at the time of filing this report.

    But sources said two of the victims were students of the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Bichi.

    Another group of youths took to the streets and set bonfires with disused tyres.

    This heightened tension and confusion as residents scampered for safety.

    Security operatives, including men of the Joint Task Force (JTF), have been deployed in the area.

    It was learnt that armed security operatives have restored sanity in the area as the residents returned to their businessesn without molestation.

    Police Commissioner Ibrahim Idris confirmed the incident.

    He said security operatives were on the scene to restore peace.

    The police chief said the command would probe the incident to prevent a recurrence.

  • Death toll in Nasarawa communal crisis hits nine

    Nine people have died in the crisis that broke out on Wednesday at Agyaragu, Jenkwe Council Development Area of Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

    The clash reportedly occurred when a vigilance group attempted to arrest a Migili man for allegedly stealing a motorcycle at Angwan Yakubu.

    The suspected thief allegedly ran into the home of a rival Koro ethnic group in Gwadanye.

    It was learnt that the demand by Angwan Yakubu residents for justice on the suspected thief resulted in a clash between them and a Koro armed group.

    Fifteen houses, including the palace of Agyaragu monarch, were destroyed.

    However, the Zhe Migili, Chief Ayuba Agwadu, escaped.

    The council chairman, Mr Sam Agidi, yesterday confirmed the incident.

    Agidi said he had told the police that a crisis was brewing in the area.

    He said: “I later got information that a group of Eggon ethnic militia, known as Ombatse, had mobilised and was heading to the town with weapons.”

    Deputy Governor Damishi Luka visited the area yesterday in company of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Hamza Elayo, the State Security Service (SSS) Director Abubakar Bubuche and Police Commissioner Abayomi Akeremale.

  • Police arrest 50 over Taraba crisis

    The Taraba State Police Command has arrested over 50 suspected militia men over the ongoing religious riots in the state, police spokesman Amos Olaoye said yesterday.

    The police said the suspects were heavily armed with charms and ammunitions, adding that they were dressed in military uniforms when they were apprehended.

    Christians and Muslims on Sunday clashed in Ibi Local Government, resulting in the death of five people.

    The rioters burnt down churches, mosques, commercial and residential buildings.

    The death toll rose to 10 yesterday as the violence continued to spill to other communities.

    It was gathered that the suspects are mercenaries believed to have been hired from other states.

    Olaoye said: “By mere looking at the suspects, you would definitely agree that they are not from Taraba. They are hired men from other states and not from Taraba because the weapons they are carrying are more sophisticated than those of our security personnel here.

    “They (suspects) are neither from Ibi nor any other part of Taraba.”

    He explained that the police were investigating the “root cause” of the crisis.

    Eyewitnesses said the riots started when a church vigilance group allegedly killed a Muslim who insisted on going through a checkpoint set up to prevent attacks on the church buildings during service.

    Many other people, including two pastors, were said to have been killed in reprisals.

    Ibi local government Chairman Isiaku Adamu said the crisis has a political undertone.

    Many residents were fleeing the crisis area for refuge in the neighbouring local government areas.

    A dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed on the areas to ensure law and order.