The Nation Newspaper

Tag: exile

  • Ekiti monarch returns to palace after six months in exile

    THE Owalogbo of Ilogbo Ekiti, Oba Edward Ajayi, has returned to his palace, following the resolution of the lingering crisis that bedevilled the town.

    The indigenes of Ilogbo Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area had on October 21, last year, evicted the monarch from the palace and chased away from the town during a violent protest during which one person was killed and properties worth millions of Naira destroyed.

    Oba Ajayi was accused by his subjects of alleged highhandedness, autocratic tendencies, withholding of monthly allowances of his chiefs, failure to control his children whom they accused of involvement in cultism and bringing suspected cultists to their community to unleash terror.

    Barely six months in exile, the indigenes have pardoned their monarch.

    It followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the supervision of the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, after series of peace meetings to reconcile the embattled traditional ruler with his estranged subjects.

    According to a statement signed yesterday by his Special Assistant (Media), Odunayo Ogunmola, the Deputy Governor said the Owalogbo is now free to come back to the throne and assume his royal duties.

    Egbeyemi said the traditional ruler has learnt his lesson after spending six months in exile, urging indigenes still aggrieved with him to bury the hatchet and allow peace to reign.

    Apart from Oba Ajayi, other signatories to the peace accord are the representative of Ido/Osi monarch and the Alayetoro of Ayetoro Ekiti, Oba Olufisan Ajayi; the Coordinating Director of Ido/Osi Local Government, Mr. Akinola Adebayo; a prominent Ilogbo indigene and former Ekiti State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker, Chief Adetunji Orisalade; leader of Egbe Ilosiwaju Ilogbo, Chief Gabriel

  • Mugabe to go on exile

    Mugabe to go on exile

    President Robert Mugabe last night agreed to step down.

    A new government is to be formed within 48 hours, a twitter handle claiming to be speaking on behalf of the provisional government of Zimbabwe said.

    Mugabe will then proceed on exile to South Africa.

    Fresh elections will be held in the spring of 2018 once order and peace have been established.

    The likely presidential election date is April 18, 2018, Zimbabwe’s independence day.

    “The structure of government will remain the same under the provisional government of Zimbabwe. However, the introduction of new posts, such as ‘prime minister’ are being negotiated. “The new, provisional government of Zimbabwe will be formed within the next 48 hours. It is likely that vice presidential posts will remain vacant.

    “Comrade R.G Mugabe is not going to be prosecuted for his actions and crimes throughout his tenure as Prime Minister (1980–1987) and President of the republic (1987–2017). He has accepted H.E Jacob Zuma’s offer and will depart to South Africa after the resignation.

    “Mugabe is currently negotiating with the Zimbabwe Defence Forces. The provisional government will soon address the nation to update you all with the current situation.”

    Mugabe’s wife Grace and two key figures from her G40 political faction are under house arrest at Mugabe’s “Blue House” compound in Harare and are insisting the 93-year-old finishes his presidential term, a source said.

    The G40 figures are cabinet ministers Jonathan Moyo and Saviour Kasukuwere, who fled to the compound after their homes were attacked by troops in Tuesday night’s coup, the source, who said he had spoken to people inside the compound, said.

    Zimbabwean intelligence reports seen by Reuters suggest that former security chief Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was ousted as vice-president this month, has been mapping out a post-Mugabe vision with the military and opposition for more than a year.

    Fuelling speculation that that plan might be rolling into action, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who has been receiving cancer treatment in Britain and South Africa, returned to Harare late on Wednesday, his spokesman said.

    He urged President Mugabe to resign in the interest of the country.

    “In the interest of the people, Robert Mugabe must resign and step down immediately,” Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, told a news conference, reading from a statement.

    The opposition called for the intermediate installation of an interim government.

    “At the moment the transitional government is the best way to go,” said Douglas Mwonzora, Secretary-General of Tsvangirai’s MDC-T party.

    “We back the military move but the country should quickly go back a constitutional government.”

    Armoured vehicles that were stationed at key government buildings during the political upheaval on Wednesday remained in place.

    The soldiers appeared relaxed, even smiling and chatting with onlookers.

    Most people were going about their daily business and children went to school.

    Special envoys sent by South African President Jacob Zuma were holding discussions on Mugabe’s fate with Zimbabwe’s leaders.

    Officials from the Southern African Development Community were also meeting in Botswana’s capital Gaborone yesterday to discuss the situation in Zimbabwe.

    “What is needed is an inclusive government to run the affairs of Zimbabwe until a time it is right to have elections,” said Didymus Mutasa, a long-time minister in Mugabe’s government, who was fired in 2014 for backing Joice Mujuru as the president’s successor.

    Jacob Mafume, a spokesman of the People’s Democratic Party led by Tendai Biti, said that any interim government “should be inclusive of all the stakeholders, including the church and all parties.”

    While the army has said Mugabe is safe, there were mixed reports in the media about his wife Grace Mugabe’s whereabouts, with some saying she had fled the country.

    Speculation had been growing before the coup that 52-year-old Grace was preparing to take over from her husband.

    The potential ascendency appears to have faced resistance from senior military officials.

    There was an uneasy calm on the streets of Harare, after initial jubilation on Wednesday when the army announced it had seized control from Mugabe.

  • I would have gone on exile if…, says Buhari

    I would have gone on exile if…, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday jokingly told traditional rulers that he would have looked for one country to run to if there had not been good agricultural produces in the country.

    He thanked God that there have been good rains in the country in the past two years.

    Without the rains, he said, that the problems facing the country would have been overwhelming as there would have been famine.

    The traditional rulers paid a courtesy call on the President to thank God for his return to the country and recovery.

    The meeting was held at the new Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, had paid a courtesy call on the President to thank God for his return to the country and recovery.

    “We know our limitations, we have to continue to strengthen our constitution, to strengthen the resolve of our people to live together, work together.

    “We are lucky this year that last year and this year the rainy season is good. If it were not good I must confide in you that I was considering which country to run to.

    “But God answered the prayers of many Nigerians the rainy season last year was good and this year with the report I’m getting is good. We thank God for that otherwise there would have been a lot of problems in this country,” Buhari stated.

     

     

  • We celebrated the creation of Rivers State in exile and bushes…

    We celebrated the creation of Rivers State in exile and bushes…

    Rivers State, the Treasure Base of the Nation, will on May 27 roll out the drums in celebration of its golden jubilee. PRECIOUS DIKEWOHA appraises the struggle that culminated in the creation of the state in 1967 and the development it has witnessed thereafter. Residents who witnessed the creation of the state also relive their experiences.   

    Activities to mark the creation of Rivers State on May 27, 1967 have begun in Port Harcourt, the state capital. On May 27, the state, like others created at the same time, will roll out the drums to celebrate its golden jubilee celebration. This has provided an opportunity for some of the state’s elder statesmen to go down the memory lane to recall some odd experiences that nearly marred the joy that occasioned the creation of the state from the old South Eastern State.

    The administrative and commercial situations in Enugu and Port Harcourt, between 1939 and 1967, more than any other factor, provoked and motivated the Rivers people to start fighting for the creation of a new state. In February 1966, Isaac Boro, Sam Owonaro and Nottingham Dick alongside their supporters proclaimed a Delta Peoples Republic. The rebellion was immediately crushed by the Federal Government with support from the old Eastern Nigeria government.

    However, on May 27, 1967, under the military administration of Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Decree No. 14 was promulgated, allowing the creation of Rivers State. From then on, complaints about political marginalisation, environmental degradation and economic pauperisation remained among the Ijaw groups. The governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, during the Traditional Rulers Day, one of the activities marking the celebration of the state’s golden jubilee, said their forefathers were humiliated, marginalised and disregarded because of their fight for the creation of Rivers State. Many traditional rulers and chiefs, he said, made serious sacrifices for the day’s celebration.

    Wike said: “The significance of today is that we have come to recognise the contribution of our traditional rulers to the creation and development of our state. As we all know, Rivers State was not created by accident; it was by years and conscientious struggle. Before then, our people suffered untold deprivation and disregard. So for us, 27th of May, 1967 is the liberation day. That is why we were inspired to celebrate our golden jubilee as a platform to project to the future.

    “As we look back, we must appreciate the significant contributions we have made as a people for the past 50 years. We must also allow the celebration to deepen unity among our people.”

    Dedication service

    At the dedication service of Rivers State at 50, which was attended by prominent Rivers leaders, including former Rivers State Governor, Dr Peter Odili; first Rivers State military governor, Diete Spiff; former Rivers State deputy governor, Dr Gabriel Toby; Senator George Thompson Sekibo; former ministers, members of the National Assembly and officials of the Rivers State Government, Governor Wike declared that Rivers State has a lot to celebrate. He said the previous administrations had contributed a lot to the development of Rivers State, while his own administration is building on previous achievements.

    Wike said: “Irrespective of our affiliations, we should come together. It does not matter the parties we belong to, let us work together to move Rivers State forward. Of importance is that we should use this period of our Golden Jubilee as a time of reconciliation. I fault former Rivers leaders who tell the media that there is nothing to celebrate after 50 years of the state’s creation. The events that led to the creation of Rivers State and the ensuing benefits indicate that the people have a lot to celebrate.”

    However, reports have revealed that based on the struggle for the creation of Rivers State, the Council of Rivers Chiefs was renamed in 1954 as Rivers Chiefs and Peoples’ Congress. In 1956, the organisation became known as the Rivers Chiefs Peoples Conference. Until 1958, hopes of an independent state resonated with the region and lingered consistently in the minds of its natives.

     

    Fear of civil war

    Recalling his experience, Alabo Ibiba I Kombinimi (Opu Kurowi II), who is the   Secretary General, Bille Kingdom Chiefs Council in Degema Local Government Area, said the celebration of the creation of Rivers State came when the atmosphere was tense over civil war. He said people were hearing that war was about to break out when they got the news of the state creation.

    Chief Kombinimi said: “The Biafran soldiers came and shut down the schools in order to recruit able-bodied men to join the Biafran army. From there, I went to stay with my late elder brother. I stayed there for about three weeks. By the time Rivers State was created, our people embraced it so much, especially those of us from the riverine areas who massively joined the Nigerian army. Even when we were celebrating, we were also living with the fear of civil war.

    “From there, Biafran soldiers started maltreating us, forcing young men to join the Biafran army. But some of us refused and as a result of that, most of us sneaked to Bonny to join the Nigerian army. We have developed from the time of the creation of the state till now. Before then, all the activities of Eastern Nigeria were centred in Enugu because that was where the seat of government was.

    “The people of Rivers State embraced the creation of the state because under the Eastern Nigerian government, Rivers and Cross River people were not embraced. That was why they formed a movement called the core states, comprising people from the riverine areas in the South-South, so that a state would be created for us.

    “When Alfred Diete Spiff built the secretariat, a great feat was achieved. When you hear that the Igbo can do business, it is because they took all the money for themselves and became multi-traders. It is our collective money. So you can see now that whatever development we have is from our own sweats and our own resources. We have developed greatly.

    “But it was painful that my late elder brother, who was in Uyo, resigned after the creation of Rivers State to join Rivers Basin Board, but he was assassinated by Biafran soldiers.”

    Another civil war veteran, Chief Iwaringo Koma, said there was not much celebration because of the tense atmosphere caused by the civil war.

    Chief Koma said: “Twelve states were created. The whole of Igboland was still Eastern State, while ours was Rivers State. There was also South Eastern State, made up of Cross River and Akwa Ibom. Those of us in Rivers State were very happy. The reason for our happiness was that we felt we were being cheated under the Eastern State government.

    “So, that alone made us to feel happy, because we were now on our own, even though some people were already on exile or in the bush running due to the news of civil war. Since the creation of Rivers State, things have changed. We have more awareness.

    “Before the creation of the state, if you wanted to get to those in power, you would have to pass through Enugu. So it was a long process. But when the state was created, we had our own direct head and didn’t have to pass through Enugu before making any complaint.”

    Chief (Mrs) Uzorchi Amadi recalled that most of the people that fought for the creation of Rivers State were based in Lagos.

    She said: “Most of the prominent sons and daughters were in exile. Some of them were in Lagos. That was why we celebrated but we were not so excited because of the civil war. But one thing was certain: the creation of Rivers State made us to cater for the people and build on its development. If you look around Port Harcourt today, you will see that we have something to celebrate.

    “While we are celebrating the golden jubilee, it is also good to know that more than 16 governors have sat in the Brick House since the creation of Rivers State. They have all contributed to the development of the state through their services to the state.

    “They include Commander Alfred P. Diete-Spiff (1967-1975); Colonel Zamani Lekwot (1975-1978); Navy Commander Suleiman (1978-1979); Chief Melford O. Okilo (1979-1983); Police Commissioner Fidelis Oyakhilome (1984-1986); Col. Anthony Ukpo (1986-1988); Group Captain Ernest O. Adeleye (1988-1990); Col. Godwin O. Abbe (1990-1991); Chief Rufus Ada-George (1992-1993); Lt. Col. Dauda Musa Komo (1993-1996); Col. Musa Sheikh Shehu (1996-1998); Group Captain Samuel Ewang (1998-1999); Sir (Dr.) Peter Odili (1999-2007); Sir Celestine Omehia (May 2007-Oct. 2007); Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (Oct. 2007-May 2015) and Chief (Barr.) Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, who became the governor of Rivers State on the 29th of May, 2015.

     

    Economic development

    It is believed that Rivers State is economically significant as the centre of Nigeria’s oil industry. The state is bounded in the south by the Atlantic Ocean, in the north by Imo, Abia and Anambra states, in the East by Akwa Ibom State and in the West by Bayelsa and Delta states. It is home to many ethnic groups like the Ikwerre, Ibani, Opobo, Eleme, Okrika, Kalabari, Etche, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Ogoni and Ogu, among others.

    The inland part of the state consists of tropical rainforest. Towards the coast the typical Niger Delta environment features many mangrove swamps. Rivers State, named after the many rivers that border its territory, was part of the Oil Rivers from 1885 till 1893 when it became part of the Niger Coast Protectorate.

    In 1900, the region was merged with the chartered territories of the Royal Niger Company to form the colony of Southern Nigeria. The state was formed in 1967 with the split of the Eastern Region of Nigeria. Until 1996, the state also included the area now known as Bayelsa State.

    Rivers State has a good business climate considering its abundant possession of human and natural resources. Unfortunately, there has been a decline in the interest of business actors with regard to investing in the state or doing business with it due to insecurity, which began with the activities of Niger Delta militants.

    Although business life appeared to have returned to the state after the Amnesty programme conceived by the Federal Government to appease the Niger Delta militants during the late former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua administration, the situation became tense again before, during and after the 2015 election and insecurity in the state was escalated by the struggle for political supremacy. The amnesty Governor Wike offered to cultists and other criminal elements has also helped to reduce incessant cult clashes that led to the killing of rival cultists and innocent citizens in the state.

     

    Agriculture

    Agriculture is the primary occupation of Rivers people. Before oil was discovered in commercial quantity in 1951, agriculture was the mainstay of the economy of the Oil Rivers Protectorate now Rivers State. However, the oil boom in the early 1970s accelerated the establishment of very many business firms by government in its attempt to invest for the future, thereby causing a mass exodus of farm labour for blue collar jobs in the cities. It is the attendant consequences of this neglect on the economy that has necessitated the various efforts of government at reinvigorating the sector with a view to ensuring food security.

    Rivers State has a total land mass of about 1,940,000 hectares of which the cultivable area is about 760,00 hectares, approximately 39 per cent of the land mass of the state. National statistical data shows that Rivers State is one of the leading states in the production of cassava, cocoyam, rice, maize, pineapples, mango, pawpaw, guava, beans, pepper and banana among other food and cash crops. The major tree crops in the state are oil palm and rubber. Others are cocoa, citrus and coconut. An overwhelming majority of the people of Rivers State are involved in two primary activities: farming and fishing. But many farmers and fishermen are still struggling and hoping that government would create a conducive environment for sustainable agricultural development.

    However, with access to extensive arable land, water resources and two of the largest fertiliser production plants in the country, backed by an agricultural policy that favours public-private partnership model for commercial agriculture, Rivers State provides a platform for profitable crop and fish farming for local and international investors to exploit.

     

    Mineral resources

    Rivers State is rich in crude oil production. An enormous amount of Nigeria’s oil wealth is derived from Rivers State. The first commercial discovery of crude oil was at Oloibiri in Bayelsa State in 1956. This success was followed by the discovery of other wells at Afarn in 1957, and Ebubu and Bomu in 1958, all in Rivers State.

    Thus the state has become firmly established as one of the major oil-producing centres in the nation. By 1983, Nigeria’s gross oil output was 450,974,545 barrels, of which 44.3 per cent came from wells in the then Rivers State before Bayelsa was created out of it. The area’s contribution to the overall oil revenue in the country for 1982 and 1983 stood at N2,684.99 billion and N1,676.06 billion respectively, representing 47 and 41.5 per cent of the total revenue for the country.

    Rivers State now produces oil from 416 wells out of the 1,201 wells in the country. But during Governor Amaechi’s second term, some of the oil wells were politically ceded to neighbouring states like Bayelsa, Imo and Abia, thereby reducing the revenue profile of the state.

    Before now, Rivers State was said to be second only to Lagos in terms of industrial development. The natural resource potentials of the state include wide-ranging agricultural and industrial mineral products from which raw materials can be sourced for the establishment of low, medium and large-scale industries. Agricultural raw materials for agro allied industries include rubber, oil palm, palm kernel, cassava, vegetables, rubber, timber and rope. Raw materials for medium to large scale industries include petrochemicals such oil as carbon black and polypropylene, and petroleum and gas, natural gas, bitumen, and a host of others.

     

    Commerce and industry

    The problem affecting commerce and industry in Rivers State is the tumultuous atmosphere in the Niger Delta which has lasted till date. Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, was once known for its lively night life and numerous businesses in the state before the advent of militancy and kidnapping drove a lot of investors and would-be investors away.

    At present, a lot of companies are closing shops due to the economic hardship in the country. Some companies could not afford to buy raw materials for production, thus leading to mass retrenchment. Even before now, some companies operating in the state had gone comatose and the present   administration is working hard to create a conducive and peaceful environment that would attract investors. Of course, some investors are beginning to show interest in the state as stakeholders advise government to revamp those companies that have closed shop.

    During the administration of Rotimi Amaechi, effort was made to reposition the business environment in the state and to recover lost investors through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The ministry introduced a blueprint to serve as guide to investors in the state. Governor Amaechi said his government was planning to make Rivers States investors’ destination. He said that government was tackling the poor power supply problem in partnership with the PHCN. Government was also handling the complaint of multiple taxation through a fiscal responsibility bill as well as the problem of insecurity.

  • Day Dogara returned from ‘exile’ with bounties

    On Friday May 5, 2017, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, received a rousing welcome to his home state of Bauchi. Ordinarily, a representative on a visit to his constituency shouldn’t attract such fanfare but this wasn’t just usual constituency visit as the Rep was said to have gone on “exile” even though four months prior, he was in Bauchi, and always interacts with his people as he often hosts different groups from across the state in Abuja.

    For the record, he was in Bauchi last August and December and was billed to go back in April this year, which means that he goes back to give account of his stewardship to the good people of Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa-Balewa Federal Constituency every three to four months.

    Readers may recall that very recently, the Bauchi State government issued a statement in which they alleged that the Speaker had gone on “exile” and cannot visit his constituency which, to them, amounts to abdication of responsibilities even though they know that he was there just four months ago. In his response, Dogara had stated that as a federal lawmaker, he was elected to work in Abuja and as such he is not supposed to be seen frequently in Bauchi as doing so could be considered dereliction of duty. He further added that as Speaker, he visits honourable members’ constituencies to help launch their projects and programmes and attend other social events cutting across the 36 states of the federation, which effectively denies him the luxury of visiting his constituency often. Regrettably however, he said, those who were elected to work in Bauchi are now the ones who are seen more frequently in Abuja, Kano, Lagos and other cities across the country and even foreign lands, meaning that they spend more time outside their place of primary assignment.

    Rumours have permeated every nook and cranny of the state that Hon. Dogara cannot visit his home state as he might have been declared persona non grata by the powers that be but to their chagrin, the Speaker’s visit was announced well ahead of time in both local and national media to put them on notice that he will be going home on May 5, and contrary to what had been said, a mammoth crowd had gathered to wait for hours at the Plateau/Bauchi border to welcome their son, and the party continued from one village to another up to Bauchi city.

    For a hour journey from Jos to Bauchi, it took the Speaker’s train almost four hours due to heavy vehicular movement with stopover every 20 to 30 kilometres to greet the thousands of citizens who came out en masse to welcome and cheer their son. Dogara, in company of over 162 Federal MPs, friends and associates, drove straight to Sir AbubakarTafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital where he moved from one ward to another, consoling patients who were children, women, young and old.

    The Speaker, together with his colleagues settled medical bills of many patients. In April last year, he sent a team of 60 medical doctors, surgeons and nurses to the same hospital where they attended to the medical needs of over 50,000 people from Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, Plateau, Yobe, Gombe, Adamawa ,Borno and Taraba State for two weeks.

    Thereafter, he also went to condole with two Bauchi elders who were bereaved recently, had lunch in Senator Ali Wakili’s residence and visited Senator Suleiman Nazif’s house before proceeding to Tafawa Balewa.

    The next day, May 6, the Speaker commissioned a market donated to Bogoro community by a good Samaritan which he facilitated, and then inspected state of work at Government Girls Secondary School Tafawa Balewa FOR WHICH he attracted federal presence with the total renovation of the school and building and equipping of ultra-modern ICT centre among other laudable projects. He was received by hundreds of schoolgirls who were beautifully dressed in their blue and white uniforms. They sang songs of joy on sighting the man who is investing in their future.

    The main reception was held in Dass and a sea of human beings flooded the area with some people climbing on top of the beautiful Dass mountains to catch a glimpse of “Dan Amana” as they fondly call him because according to Frieddrich Nietzsche, in the mountains of truth, you never climb in vain. The event at Dass, which was initially meant to flag off construction of four roads that traverse Gombe, Bauchi and Plateau states, turned out to be a major political gathering which sent shock waves across the state.

    The gathering brought together old friends and foes, and was attended by not fewer than 30,000 people including women and children. It also attracted the presence of big political stalwarts and juggernauts in the state including the immediate past governor, Malam Isa Yuguda, Hon Yusuf Tugga, Senator Maikafi, Senator Adamu Gumba, Senator Mohammed Mohammed, scores of retired former permanent secretaries in the state, retired or dethroned traditional rulers numbering about 100 who were removed by the present government, students, and a number of cultural groups who performed to entertain the guests among others.

    Of all the dozen villages and towns the Speaker visited commissioning healthcare centres, water and electricity projects, schools including big Almajiri schools he built in Fulani communities, Dull, a community also in Tafawa Balewa Local Government stood out. The team arrived there between 6-7pm and the people especially youths positioned themselves more than 5 kilometres ahead to receive the Speaker. Sarkin Dull, Alhaji Zulkiflu Abdullahi was recently deposed by the Bauchi State government after he refused to go on state radio to read a prepared text attacking Hon Dogara.  The chief had said that he will rather be removed than to go against his conscience and his people to attack and blackmail a patriotic and peace-loving leader who attracted projects that will forever change the destiny of his people and their land, especially the road which will link his community to neighbouring Plateau and Taraba states.

    The roads are entirely new roads that will open up these communities and link them with other parts of the country across the three states with their total cost or value put at over N50 billion, and the Speaker gave assurance that the road project will be completed within the next two years. He also added that in collaboration with governments of neighbouring states, other road projects will be constructed to ease movement from Bauchi State to their respective states.

    Apparently overwhelmed with joy, the visibly elated Malam Isa Yuguda told the mammoth crowd that it was the first time federal projects of such magnitude were attracted to Bauchi since the creation of the state and urged the people to keep praying for the Speaker so that he can do more for them.

    When it was his turn to speak, Dogara, didn’t disappoint. He reminded the people that every solar power street light in the three local governments were his projects. No wonder they also call him “mai solar”, and added that he just completed total renovation of Dass Central Mosque which he later inspected after the event.

    Earlier, he had facilitated the construction of the 78 kilometre Bauchi-Tafawa Balewa road with three bridges by the federal government, which happens to be the best road with no single pothole in the whole of Bauchi State. This is in addition to scores of primary health care centres, hundreds of blocks of classroom in primary schools, empowerment schemes including in rice farming, cottage industry, transportation, tailoring, training of young people in agriculture in Israel, scholarship schemes for students in tertiary institutions from first degree to PhD level, etc. These are just few works of an “exiled” representative who boldly told his people that “We are real children, we were born and bred here, we grew up here among you, we won’t tell you lies because we have no other place greater than Bauchi.”

    Thereafter, the speaker lead over 30,000 of his constituents to offer special interfaith prayers for the health of President Muhammadu Buhari, led by the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Dass Local Goverment, Reverend Kefas Galadima and Sheikh Hamza Dass.

    Indeed, if staying in Abuja to work and attract unprecedented number of federal projects by MPs is seen or misinterpreted mischievously in some quarters as going on exile, then not only Bauchi people but Nigerians would rather have them stay put in their places of primary assignment instead of junketing from one city or country to another as is now the norm being practised by their traducers.

     

    • Hassan is Special Adviser on Media & Public Affairs to Speaker Dogara.
  • Tinubu’s private plane flies Jammeh into exile

    Tinubu’s private plane flies Jammeh into exile

     

    More details of the peaceful battle to restore democracy in The Gambia became known yesterday.

    After days of stand-off, former President Yahya Jammeh suddenly agreed to quit office, yielding to last-minute pressure from Guinean President Alpha Conde and his Mauritanian counterpart Mohammed Ould Abdel Aziz, who were with him between Friday and Saturday.

    After agreeing to leave and save The Gambia from a major crisis, Jammeh was confronted by big challenge –  how to fly out.

    The leaders, The Nation learnt, reached out to All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who authorised his private aircraft to be used to fly Jammeh out of Banjul, sources said.

    Jammeh’s exit paved the way for the return of President Adama Barrow to take office after he was sworn in on Thursday in Dakar, Senegal.

    Tinubu’s VP-CBT Falcon Jet had been with President Conde, who is a close friend of the leading politician.

    It was not until late on Saturday night that Jammeh agreed to go. Sources said Tinubu was contacted to allow the use of his jet to fly Jammeh out of Banjul.

    He reportedly gave a condition: it should only be used “if it will facilitate the quick exit of Jammeh and lead to the restoration of peace and democracy in The Gambia”.

    The plane eventually flew out with Jammeh, his wife, mother and President Conde on board.

    Senegal, it was learnt, insisted on knowing those on board before allowing it to overfly its airspace.  This wish was granted.  Jammeh was flown to Equitorial Guinea where he will be on exile

    Jammeh arrived at the airport amid a large convoy of vehicles and throngs of cheering supporters.

    He stood on a small platform to hear ceremonial music performed by a military band and then walked down a long red carpet, surrounded by dignitaries.

    He climbed the steps to the plane, turned and kissed and waved a Qur’an at those assembled.

    It was an emotional farewell. Many soldiers, supporters and dignitaries were crying. Others in The Gambia were glad to see the end of a 22-year dictatorship which had little respect for human rights and freedom of speech.

  • Jammeh, family leave for exile in Guinea

    Jammeh, family leave for exile in Guinea

    •Says love of Gambia made him leave
    •Barrow to set up truth commission

    Former Gambia President Yayah Jammeh yesterday departed his official abode of the last 22 years, the Banjul State House, to start a new life in exile.
    His first destination was nearby Conakry, Guinea, whose President Alpha Conde and  Mauritania’s President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, spent much of Friday with him in Banjul to trash out issues like where  he would live and whether he could be offered amnesty for alleged crimes committed during his years in power.
    Yesterday morning, the disgraced leader took to the air to address Gambians on his next move after turning down earlier persuasions to accept the result of last month’s election and leave office.
    As Jammeh spoke, the new President Adama Barrow said in nearby Senegal from where he will move to Banjul that he will set up a truth and reconciliation commission to investigate the alleged human rights abuses of Jammeh’s regime.
    But Barrow explained that it is too soon to say whether the former president could face trial at the International Criminal Court or elsewhere.
    Jammeh in his broadcast claimed that he decided to give up power because of his commitment to the security and peace of the country.
    His words: “All this while, as a Muslim and a patriot, I believe it is not necessary that a single drop of blood be shed.
    “Since the beginning of this political impasse that our dear nation is going through, I promised before Allah Subhuana Wa Ta Allah and the entire nation that all the issues we currently face would be resolved peacefully.
    “I am indeed thankful to Allah Subhuana Wa Ta Allah that up till now, not a single casualty has been registered.
    “I believe in the importance of dialogue and in the capacity of Africans to resolve among themselves all the challenges in the way towards democracy, economic and social development.
    “It is as a result of this that I have decided to, in good conscience, relinquish the mantle of leadership of this great nation with infinite gratitude to all Gambians – women, children, youth and men – and friends of the Gambia who have supported me for 22 years in the building of a modern Gambia.
    “Above all, the independence of the free and proud people of the Gambia, and I will always, together with you, defend this independence that we so dearly fought for and worked for.”
    He said his decision to quit was “not dictated by anything else but by the supreme interest of you, the Gambian people and our dear country.”
    With him as he was driven out of the State House were his mother, wife Zainab, son Mohammed and President Conde,according to Agence de Presse Africaine (APA).
    It said a Mauritanian plane was on standby to take Jammeh and his entourage away.
    It was not immediately clear whether his stay in Guinea will be permanent.
    The BBC reported at 10.30 last night that the plane had taken off for Guinea with Jammeh,his family and President Conte on board.
    An anti-Jammeh website, freedomradio, reported yesterday that Jammeh’s supporters “appeared sad and distressed” as he made to leave town.
    It added: “The airport is a ghost airport today (yesterday). Jammeh and his enablers are crying.
    “Yahya Jammeh is history. He was booed while leaving town. His supporters have all gone into hiding.
    “The end of Jammeh has become a sad story. All his so called loyalists have abandoned him.”
    However, Barrow in an interview in Dakar, Senegal  said:”We aren’t talking about prosecution here.
    “We are talking about getting a truth and reconciliation commission.
    “Before you can act, you have to get the truth, to get the facts together.”
    Barrow also said yesterday that he would be returning to his country on the completion of the on-going security sweep.

  • Orji is senator in exile, says Abia ex-Speaker

    Orji is senator in exile, says Abia ex-Speaker

    A former Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Stanley Ohajuruka, has said former governor and senator representing Abia Central, Theodore Orji, has not given his constituents effective representation.

    The former lawmaker described Orji as a senator in exile.

    Addressing reporters in Umuahia, the state capital, Ohajuruka said Abia Central was unfortunate to have voted for Orji.

    The former speaker accused the former governor of not doing anything to impact on the lives of his people since he got to the Senate.

    He said: “Look at the kind of senator we have here in Orji. Can we say we are having an effective representation in the Senate? We don’t have effective representation in the Senate. I stand to be corrected.”

    Ohajuruka, who was also a member of the House of Representatives, recalled that he attracted 63 projects to Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency when he was in the House.

    The former lawmaker said it was unfortunate that Orji had not attracted a single project to his senatorial zone since he went to the Senate.

    He said: “How many projects can the present senator (Orji) tell us he has attracted to the people of Abia Central? Has he ever invited anyone from the area for a senatorial meeting? Where is the senatorial office? Does he have any? If you can find any, you tell us.”

  • Talking of exile

    It mirrored the twists and turns of the anti-corruption war. A national newspaper reported: “There are strong indications that former President Goodluck Jonathan may have gone into temporary self exile in Cote d’Ivoire, following reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) may arrest him on his arrival in Nigeria from his overseas tour on allegations of corruption and misappropriation of billions of dollars in the five years during which he was Head of State.”

    The May 23 report continued: “Several sources close to the ex-president, who confirmed that Jonathan had sought refuge last week in the West African country, also blamed the heightened attacks on oil and gas installations by Ijaw militants in the Niger Delta, resulting in the loss of an estimated 800,000-900,000 barrels of crude oil per day (bpd), to what they claimed was “the decision by President Muhammadu Buhari to renege on his promise that his predecessor had ‘nothing to fear’ from him (Buhari) after he handed over the reins of power on May 29, 2015”.

    When Jonathan said it was all false, did that mean it was truly all false? He was subsequently quoted as saying “on the phone”: “I’m not in exile. I have no cause to go into exile. It is a wicked and malicious report. I was Vice President for two years and President for six years. I did everything I could and I served my country very well. This is what they keep saying anytime I’m outside the country. I was in Ecuador; they said I was in exile. This is my second time in Cote d’Ivoire and I’m rounding off my visit. It is a wicked attempt to link me with the renewed Niger Delta crisis.”

    How did the newspaper that triggered Jonathan’s denial get the information that was denied? Why was it confident enough to publish the story? Were the news gathering and reporting professionally done? Consider the newspaper’s declarative headline: “Jonathan Goes into Exile, Militants Move to Shutdown Oil Output”.

    The report had a heavy smell, perhaps suggesting an attempt to test the waters. Were the authorities after Jonathan? Was it a way of saying that if the authorities went after Jonathan, there would be trouble for the government? Further questions: In whose interest was the report published?  Which interests was the report meant to serve?

    As the anti-corruption war is intensified, the government must be intensely focused despite the twists and turns.

  • Borno: 7000 residents return after two years in exile

    About 7, 000 residents of Gomboru Ngala in Borno State have returned home after two years in exile, according to the Local Government Chairmnan, Hon. Abdulrahman Abdulkarim.
    Hon Abdulrahman Abdulkarim who disclosed this to journalists on Saturday in Maiduguri narrated that he was in Gomboru Ngala three days ago where he met with the over 7, 000 civilians to distribute relief materials to them and Fotokol town in Cameron.
    While describing the situation in the town as pathethic, the local government boss however commended the brotherliness of the people whom he said are now sharing houses because of the destruction.
    “Although almost all our homes are burnt but they agreed to share houses with their neighbors and they are ready to protect themselves from any attack, ”
    “We jointly provided relief materials to them with according to the size of the families. Each of the families was given a bag of rice, grain, oil and cooking condiments to start their life.
    ”We need paramilitary to secure our borders so that whoever wants to go in will be screened at the border. Our people are ready to support the security agencies. In fact the military are already on ground and are doing good job there.
    ” We have more 7000 people that have returned as at last Thursday. So more people are still coming. In fact they are eager to come back to come, ” Hon. Abdulrahman disclosed.
    Boko Haram insurgents invaded the border town of Gomboru Ngala between Nigerian and Cameron about two years ago, where hundreds of civilians were killed and over 50,000 residents were forced out of their homes either to Cameroon or Maiduguri and Adamawa state.
    It will be recalled that the Nigerian troops reclaimed Gomboru Ngala five months ago from the militants after the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Buratai led top generals and security outfit to raise the Nigerian flag at the border town.