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Tag: Ibeto

  • Court awaits verdict on Ibeto’s jurisdiction application

    Court awaits verdict on Ibeto’s jurisdiction application

    Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has adjourned the trial of Chairman of Ibeto Energy Development Company, Chief Cletus Ibeto ,who was charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged N4.8 billion fraud, till  May 27, 2024.

    Justice Ogala fixed the date after hearing submission of the defendant’s counsel Adebayo Oshodi.

    Oshodi had prayed the court to move an application challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the charge.

    However, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacob opposed the application on the ground that the defendant had filed an appeal on same issue before the Court of Appeal and the appellate court is yet to decide on it.

    Read Also: Alleged $6b fraud: Court dismisses Agunloye’s application on ‘amicus curiae’

    Besides, Jacob also insisted that court could not entertain the application because the defendant has not submitted himself for trial.

    After listening to both parties, the trial judge, Justice Ogala ruled  that in view of the fact that there’s a pending appeal which is coming up May 7 on the same subject matter, there’s no need for the court to be in a hurry to hear the preliminary objections.

     The court further ruled that it will be better for the high court to await the Court of Appeal’s decision on the issue of jurisdiction matter, since same issue is currently pending before the appellate court .

    The EFCC had charged the defendants, Chief cletus Ibeto and his companies before the high court of Lagos State on a 10-count charge of conspiracy, fraud, forgery and fraudulent use of documents.

    However, the defendants have consistently failed to  appear before the court to take their pleas.

  • Judge returns Ibeto’s case file to chief judge

    Judge returns Ibeto’s case file to chief judge

    Justice Ismail Ijelu of Lagos High Court in Ikeja has returned the charge against Chairman of Ibeto Energy Development Company, Chief Cletus Ibeto, to Chief Judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba.

    Ibeto and his companies were charged with N4.8 billion fraud.

    Justice Ijelu said the case could not proceed until the chief judge decides on petition challenging the court’s jurisdiction and that accusing him of bias.

    Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) could not arraign Ibeto on September 28, October 5, November 3 and December 6 as he was only represented by his lawyers.

    Justice Ijelu then acceded to the prosecution’s request on November 3, to order the arrest of the businessman, for allegedly refusing to appear to take his plea despite undertakings by his lawyers to produce him in court.

    On December 6, Lagos State Attorney-General/Commissioner for Justice Lawal Pedro, informed the court the state had taken over the matter based on a petition by the defendant.

    Read Also: Ibeto warns youth against electing bad leaders

    Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Dr. Jide Martins, representing the Attorney-General, also informed the court of a petition by the law firm of Robert Clarke, counsel to Ibeto, seeking a review of the case file and take over of the case by the Office of Attorney-General.

    The case originated when Daniel Chukwudozie filed a petition with EFCC over a failed transaction with Ibeto and his companies, which occurred at Reclamation Road Layout in Bundu Amo Community, Port Harcourt Local Government, Rivers State.

    Both parties appeared before High Court of Rivers State to resolve their dispute in Suit PHC/15S/CS/2022, between Ibeto Energy Development Limited & Anor vs. Dozzy Oil & Gas Limited & 2 Ors.

    The court in Port Harcourt declared Ibeto Energy as rightful owner of the land, awarding it Statutory Right of Occupancy over the land.

    Dissatisfied, Chukwudozie and his companies lodged appeals, while Ibeto filed a cross-appeal challenging a specific aspect of the judgment.

    These appeals are pending at Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division.

    While the case awaits resolution, Chukwudozie petitioned EFCC, resulting in the charge before Justice Ijelu.

    It is expected that the attorney-general will proceed with the case based on Clark’s petition.

  • Former Envoy, Ibeto Apologises to PDP

    ….Submits Letter of Intent

    Former Nigeria High Commissioner to South Africa, Alhaji Ahmed Musa Ibeto has apologised to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  for defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
    According to him, the leadership of the party then was not honest to the members and because they felt cheated, they decided to shift base.
    Ibeto who made the apology while submitting his letter of intent to run for Governorship under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the State secretariat in Minna, Niger state, “we were cheated, that was why we left”.
    He said that he will do only one term to give credence to the zoning formula put in place by the founders of the PDP in the state in 1998.
     “I will do only one term to give credence to the zoning formula put in place by the founders of the PDP in the state in 1998. And by the grace of God, in 2023, the governorship will go to zone A”.
    The former Envoy who was the Deputy Governor for eight years during the administration of Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu stressed on the need to adhere to the zoning policy stating that it would bring peace to the state.
    “Anyone who wants to truncate the zoning arrangement wants to destroy the state; the arrangement was put in place to give all parts of the state the spirit of belonging”.
    He promised to work “with those on the ground”, adding that “I will not import people from Kaduna and other states to assist in administering the state.
    In his remarks, the state PDP chairman, Alhaji Tanko Beji assured all new and old members of the party of equal opportunities in the run up of the state Party’s conventio stating that all aspirants would be given equal treatment.

  • Ibeto, US firm merge to stimulate cement, housing needs

    The recent acquisition of 70 per cent equity in an American firm by Nigeria’s Ibeto Cement Company has been described as a remarkable feat. This is not only because it represents the first transaction to be executed on a reverse merger basis, but for its import on the local and African economy, reports, MUYIWA LUCAS.

    Ibeto Cement Company Managing Director, Cletus Ibeto, by nature, is a self-effacing man. But owing to the new vista of business empire he has to oversee, he may have to shout himself to the roof top. And he has every reason to.

    The firm, recently acquired 70 per cent majority equity in Century Petroleum Corporation, a US publicly traded petroleum exploration and production company. This acquisition has made the Nigerian firm the controlling partner in the merger, thus throwing up Ibeto as the Chairman, Board of Directors of the new merger.

    For stakeholders in the industry, the pattern of the merger- a reverse merger option, is unique. This is because reverse mergers are not very popular approaches. Wikipedia describes such mergers as “the acquisition of a public company by a private company so that the private company can bypass the lengthy and complex process of going public. The transaction typically requires re-organisation of capitalisation of the acquiring company”.

    Speaking on the development, an obviously delighted Ibeto said: “This is in line with our collective dream to place Nigeria in its rightful place in the comity of nations. It is strong testament to the abounding potentials in today’s global village and economy.” He lauded stakeholders in the historic merger, saying it will improve the level of actualisation of the huge cement business opportunities around Africa.

    The merger of Ibeto Cement and Century Petroleum bestrode two key sectors of the economy: cement and petroleum.  While it is popular knowledge that the latter remains at the core of our national economy, cement is also a key indicator of any economy. Stakeholders are convinced that housing sufficiency or its lack, therefore, is directly proportional to its level of economic development, especially in relation to cement.

    A report by Morgan Stanley, a US multi-national financial services firm states that: “Cement consumption per capita tends to rise initially with rising gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, but then falls as countries mature economically.”

    It is worthy of note that Nigeria’s construction industry/sector is only 3.2 per cent of the GDP. This may be related to a World Bank statistics, which has it that 60 per cent of Nigeria’s estimated population of over 180 million is caught in the trap of homelessness.

    In the continent’s cement industry, African nations are currently at the low end of cement consumption relative to other emerging economies. With growing populations, it is predicted that cement consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa will grow by an average of between seven and 10 per cent year- on- year over the next two decades. Yet, Nigeria and Senegal are the only two countries in West African sub region that are blessed with limestone deposits in commercial quantities. This makes the cement industry a major development contributor not only in local housing needs, but as a major foreign exchange earner.

    Ibeto praised Federal Government’s initiative, noting that government’s national Backward Integration Policy (BIP) on cement and the call to increase its local production spurred Ibeto’s  acquisition of Nigeria Cement Company Limited (Nigercem), located in Nkalagu, Ebonyi State. He said the strategic acquisition of Nigercem was aimed at expediting Ibeto Cement’s local production  by resuscitating the Nigercem plant and developing the project as a brand new dry process plant. The company is also developing another 6,000 Metric Tons Per Day (TPD) Cement plant at Cross River and Abia states.

    Ibeto also has an ultra-modern bagging plant in Port Harcourt, where it began operations in 2005, with a flat-storage capacity of 50,000 metric tons and a production capacity of 1,500,000 metric tons per annum, which translates to a production capacity of 4,000+ metric tons per day. It has two (2) production lines, each with a capacity of 2, 700 of 50kg bags per hour or designed total production capacity of 5, 400 of 50kg bags per hour. An integral part of this plant facility is a modern purpose-built jetty (Ibeto jetty), which can accomodate ships of 190+ metres long with sophisticated and state-of-the-art ship unloaders, mounted at the waterfront on the jetty to facilitate discharge of bulk cement from offshore/foreign mother vessels.

  • Ibeto: Between zoning and merit

    Ibeto: Between zoning and merit

    Musa Ibeto was set for screening. He looked good to scale the Senate hurdles as the ministerial nominee from Niger State. But, the nomination of the immediate past deputy governor was withdrawn by President Muhammadu Buhari at the eleventh hour. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU traces Ibeto’s antecedents. He cites precendents.

    Musa Ibeto was in high spirits. Since his name appeared on the ministerial list, his house has become a Mecca of sorts. Many party members believe that he deserves the honour, owing to his antecedents and role during the general elections. To them, it is another call to service. Ibeto was warming up for screening. But, suddenly, his hope of becoming a minister was dashed when his name was struck out from the list.

    It is a turning-point in his political career. In the last 16 years, there has not been a dull moment for the grassroots politician. In Niger State, he has served as councillor, chairman of local government, member of the House of Representatives and deputy governor. Until his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), shortly before the general elections, he was one of the dependable leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Northcentral state.

    Ibeto left the PDP for the APC in annoyance when it was clear that his former boss, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu, was not favourably disposed to his governorship bid. He was rooting for Gado Nasko, who lost to Governor Abubakar Bello at the poll.

    It is not the first time a ministerial candidate will miss the opportunity. In the previous dispensation, Ambassador Braimoh Yusuf, was dropped because he could not impress the senators by his answers to some questions. A senator had asked him to give the full meaning of the acronym: NEEDS (National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy). Instead, the seasoned diplomat was explaining the concept of need in elementary economics.

    Ibeto’s predecessor as deputy governor, Alhaji Nuhu Zagbayi, also suffered similar fate. He was being considered for a ministerial position by former President Goodluck Jonathan when stakeholders raised eyebrow. Although they acknowledged that he was eminently qualified to serve as minister, they pointed out that his appointment would distort the unwritten zoning arrangement. Therefore, the former President dropped the idea, saying that the political unity of Niger State should be preserved.

    Former Afenifere National Publicity Secretary  Prince Dayo Adeyeye, who later became Minister of State for Works, was considered for a cabinet position by former President Umaru Yar’Adua at the instance of his predecessor, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo. But, his detractors swung into action. They went into archives, digging up documentary evidence of his previous hostilities to Obasanjo when he was a chieftain of Afenifere/Alliance for Democracy (AD). They convinced Obasanjo that a leopard could not change its skin. Already, Adeyeye’s name was on the list forwarded to former Senate President David Mark. To abort his dream of becoming a minister, it was suggested that obstacles should be created on his way during the screening. But, the detractors, who are his kinsmen from Ekiti State, said, if Adeyeye was allowed to show up for screening, he would overwhelm the senators with his brilliance, mettle of speech and verbal facility. His name was deleted before the list was read to senators.

    But, there was also an instance of self-withdrawal. Senator Udoma Udo Udoma was nominated for a minister by Obasanjo. He was popular among his colleagues. Many of them encouraged him to accept the offer. He was ambivalent. When he and his peers discovered that he was being considered for minister of state, they collectively rejected it. He waited to complete his tenure in the Upper Chamber.

    The foregoing shows that certain circumstances may conspire to abort a ministerial dream. In Niger, Ibeto’s nomination unsettled the stakeholders. To them, his nomination was a mistake. It was a fallout of lack of wide and thorough consultation with the party leaders by President Muhammadu Buhari. A source said the governor, who was shocked to learn about Ibeto’s nomination, was not even consulted. Party sources said that Bello did not  initially kick against it, until top leaders mounted pressure on him to endorse the protest against Ibeto’s candidature.

    According to the source, “The governor and indeed, the entire APC family, saw Ibeto as a big fish when he defected from the PDP to the APC. But, the governor could not go against the wish of the majority. He was asked to lead the protest for the withdrawal of Ibeto’s candidature. He acquiesced to their agitation and demand when it was evident that he would be blackmailed.”

    The President was said to have nominated Ibeto because of his experience as a politician and administrator of long standing. He was also impressed by the risk he took by deserting the PDP ship during the electioneering for the APC train. Despite his harassment by the PDP administration, Ibeto stood his ground, saying that he will not retrace his steps to the PDP.

    When the governor returned to Minna, the state capital, from a visit outside the state, he was confronted with many petitions. They accused him of colluding with the President to impose Ibeto, contrary to the unwritten agreement on the distribution of political appointments. Critics pointed out that the governor set the trend by picking the Secretary to Government from his zone, Niger North, in utter insensitivity to the formula for the distribution of appointments. They argued that, if the minister is also appointed from Niger North, it means that the zone has monopolised key state and federal appointments. They warned Bello about the consequence of ignoring the legitimate protest and its implications for unity in the heterogeneous state.

    Some party leaders also described Ibeto as an opportunist, who should have disqualified himself, thereby exhibiting the rare traits if a statesman. They pointed out that he is one of the architects of the unwritten agreement, which has ensured a fair distribution of political offices in accordance with the principles of justice.

    But, will Ibeto lose out completely? Party sources disclosed that the withdrawal of his name will not diminish his stature as a political leader. In fact, the withdrawal of his name from the list was politely conveyed to him as a loyal and faithful party chieftain. “The President, we also learnt, did it with reluctance”, said a party chieftain. When he was informed about the change, Ibeto was penciled down for a ministerial appointment. But, a source said that the grassroots politician turned down the offer, saying that he would like to operate closely with his people.

    A top APC chieftain, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Ibeto has a bright future in the APC. He added: “If any big appointment is coming to the state again, apart from the ministerial appointment, Ibeto will be a candidate. He will be highly favoured, at least, to compensate him.”

  • Buhari replaces Ibeto with Bawa

    President Muhammadu Buhari has replaced Ahmed Musa Ibeto with Abubakar Bwuari Bawa as a ministerial nominee from Niger State.

    President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki read President Buhari’s letter withdrawing Ibeto’s nomination on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday.

    The President did not state reasons why he withdrew the nomination of the former Deputy Governor of Niger state.

  • I won’t work under Aliyu again- Ibeto

    I won’t work under Aliyu again- Ibeto

    For almost eight years, they were like Siamese twins, but things fell apart at the tail end of their second term. Jide Orintunsin spoke with Ahmed Musa Ibeto, the deputy governor of Niger State on how the cordial relationship with his boss, Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, went sour

    YOU have been the Deputy Chief Servant (Deputy Governor) of Niger State for over seven and half years, how has it been like working with the Chief Servant (the governor)?

    Let me begin by saying it is a worthwhile experience in the sense that one has undergone what I will call a transformation. Transformation in the sense that I can say one was carried along in the formulation and sometimes in the implementation of policies of government. Considering the experience the Chief Servant has acquired over the years as a seasoned civil servant, one must have learnt a lot, particularly when it comes to government policies and implementation. But all the same, just like I told you, we are operating on a political terrain, so one could say, in politics, there are no hard core laws or procedures that are actually there that anytime you have a political issue, this is what you are to apply but sometimes you have to use your discretion to solve certain problems as they arise. So, I want to say there were so many challenges. In my capacity as the deputy governor one cannot, most of the time, challenge the things one does not seem to like. So, one had to go along as it were. So, that is what I can say is my experience in summary.

    How did you handle situations you strongly believed in but were unable to influence decisions on?

    Well, often times you let go. In some instances you find out that even if you did not agree, it doesn’t matter because the governor is the executive governor and you as deputy can only just say your mind but it will not stop whatever the boss has conceived or resolved to do.

    Even when you are operating on a joint ticket?

    What I am trying to say is that it is not like “I must have my way”. But in some instances, you find out that even if you do not agree, you can only voice your views. That is democracy. Majority will always have their way, even when minority can have their say. In some instances, when you have ideas you believe in and make a push but it did not scale through because the majority of the people must have their way, you just have to let go.

    So it means you were unable to push your ideas through. Can you recall instances that your input was sought for or can you recall any particular project or idea you brought to the table?

    There are so many that I cannot count. To be fair to the system, we had a focus of where we are going, what we want to achieve and so all of us decided to key in. As it is with politics, most of the time, you find out that the concept of an idea is different from implementation.

     Let me cite an example of an idea that one could not do anything about. We conceived an idea of having a Minna City Centre; a centre that will have a large complex. It will have a storey building, large shopping mall with restaurant, recreational area and also business area. This is one project I think we cannot implement, looking at our environment and economic base.

    In view of this experience, don’t you think there is a need for specific constitutional functions or responsibilities for deputy governors?

    Yes, I think there is need for that constitutional provision. We are using the American model. To my mind, with my experience as a deputy governor, I believe it is the best thing to happen. The governor and the deputy should have specific functions spelt out in such a way that whoever is going into the office of the deputy will know the areas of operations instead of allowing the governor to dictate what to do as a deputy.

    So how will you describe your personal relationship with the Chief Servant for almost eight years that you never recorded open or public disagreement?

    To be candid, I have said this before and I will say it anytime; at the time we started, we started very well, up to about two years ago. It was a worthwhile experience, in the sense that the governor assigned so much responsibilities to me which I have acknowledged before other people. I was given opportunities by my boss to represent him even at meetings where deputy governors should not be. For this, I am grateful to him; in fact, I have told him over and over and even there was a letter I wrote which is in circulation, where I thanked him for exposing me. He exposed me to the high level of decision making organ in the country. I have represented him at Council of State meetings, National Executive Council meetings for uncountable times. In fact, there were instances where they will say only governors should come and my boss would say, I am sending my deputy for he is as good as the governor because it is a joint ticket. For this I will remain grateful to him for eternity and I will continue to be grateful to him.

     At a certain stage in our journey, I think something happened. I believe people must have told him (the governor) a lot of things. Though I tried to talk to him over it to disabuse his mind from some of these things that they must have polluted his mind about me on, I did not succeed, because if I did, I believe my relationship should have been cordial or would have remained the same way we started.

    You are known to be a dedicated and loyal deputy. How do you feel starting a race together and when it is about getting to the end, you are now separated?

    Very sad, but in life, because of the dynamism in human nature, you find out that it is not the way you started that you concluded it. I will say I feel very sad for the fact that we started well until when some people decided to come between us and of course, he allowed it. I tried as much as I could to let him understand that I am not the kind of person people were painting me to be. He was told that I would witch-hunt him; I will do this, or do that. I told him I am not that kind of a person. It is really a sad ending. But as far as I am concerned, I will always consider and acknowledge those experiences I had with him. I used to tell people that each day I spent with him, I learnt new things. I believe it should be a lesson to other leaders that they should try not to allow people to influence their judgement on people, particularly people who serve under them.

    But some people in the state accused you of being loyal in deceit, that all you were after was to become a governor and when you failed you became confrontational.

    No, no, no. It is not that I was faking loyalty in order to take over from him. Believe me, as a true believer, I believe even if I fought him, the situation could not have been different. So what loyalty could not get me, actually, my fighting him would not have either.

     My belief is that when people believe that you cannot bite, they should not allow you to show them you have teeth. So it is not like there were certain things I was taking now and I was not taking in the past. The obvious thing is that we are no longer together.  For instance, things that are being done to me now, it was not happening in the past; if it was, I would have reacted the same way I am now.

    But as your boss of over seven years, did you concede to him by discussing your governorship ambition?

      Yes, I did. I felt he encouraged me all along. At a time, he even said if you are not interested in running, I should allow him to get somebody who could take over from us successfully. But let me be candid with you, I respect him, I respect the office of the governor of Niger State but at a time, he allowed some people to dictate to him. At a time, I also made it known to him that the people advising him to do what he was doing to me are not after his success but that they are trying to build their own empires after you. They are so much concerned about what happened to them after he leaves the office. I said that he should know that they do not care what happens to him afterwards, whether he succeed in leaving a successful transition or not and this is happening now. I am seeing a situation where people feel if a particular person is there, they will be relevant.  People are not concerned about having a successful transition or about the interest of taking Niger State to greater heights.

    What was your boss’ reaction when you discussed your ambition with him?

     Initially, he encouraged me, not until later when some people including, Marabout that came telling him that they dreamt of who to take over from him. As far as I am concerned and I even told him that all these things were sponsored. He said he came personally to meet me to plead with me not to contest but I told him I am a politician, I told him to allow me to go to the primaries.

    At what point was this sir?

    Just some months before the primaries

    Have you shown interest as at that time?

    Yes, I have gone far. Mind you, I said he had earlier encouraged me. I have gone far. I have gone to the field when he came to me, I said no. I told him to allow me to go and face party members and if at the end of the day, they reject me by voting for another person, I will be too willing to work with that person.  As you know, the primary election when conducted was not free and fair. It was a clear violation of the rules and regulations and that was why I feel I can no longer belong to the party.

    It is said that when your boss approached you, you told him to have the same confidence he has on his anointed candidate. Is it true?

    Yes, it was in this room, it was only the two of us. He sat where you are sitting and I told him, that what your so-called candidate can do for you, I can do. Moreover, I do not see him having better qualities and experience than me. I cannot convince myself to step down for him, because he does not possess what I have educationally or character wise, no, no, I do not see him near me.

    How will you describe your new party, the APC as the new leader of the party in the state?

    Let me say that my experience in APC now has revealed a party with people who are more politically refined. One good aspect of it is that the line between political parties is very thin, that one can cross very easily at anytime. I am happy meeting experienced people in APC and because of their experience; people are saying we must do things in accordance with the rules and regulations. Since I joined the party, I have never sat in any meeting where decisions were taken to subvert the rules and regulations governing even the conduct of the elections.

     The party is striving towards conducting the elections freely and fairly. That we should not use any other means aside the ones the law provided for. We are not cutting corners like other parties. APC is a party of men and women who believe that we must make the system work the way the laws want it.

    As a member of PDP for 16 years, do you still see the party holding forth in the state in the next month election?

    The PDP as it is today is not the same PDP I stood for election in 2007. In the past 16 years, PDP has passed through a lot of transformation to the extent that the people operating the party today have derailed the party far off. They have left off the mark. For me, they have to play certain roles if they must refine PDP or else it is allowed to crash.

    There was this rumour that the Chief Servant wants to go to APC and that he has tactically sent you?

    No, I don’t think there is any truth in that rumour. Many people have equally indicated that some actions of the Chief Servant in PDP are indications that he doesn’t want PDP to win. They cited examples of even the candidates he nominated for the gubernatorial candidate and his deputy, how the party is being run now and the way they are going about their campaigns, saying that they do not believe seriously he wants the party to win. I don’t know why.

    Will you still want to serve under the Chief Servant in future?

    No, I will not. He is no more the Chief Servant I started working with in 2007, particularly with this information and also his sense of judgement. I can tell you that we started very well, in fact, he was so democratic initially, there were so many things people will not expect him to do, yet he did them. I have so many instances to say he has changed, especially the way he takes decisions now, believe me, he is a different person now.

     This view is not restricted to only me, if you ask people around him, they will tell you; he is not the Talba they used to know, particularly in the area of his sense of judgement. I will not be too willing to serve under him; I will prefer to be on my own. This is informed by the way he is handling things now. This is somebody that believes in quality before but you can see that the behaviour in quality is no more and I have many more instances to cite.

    What is your next move?

    I believe that I have gone far. I had earlier offered myself to serve as governor of the state but I did not get nominated by my former party, so I decided to come to APC as a politician, I will remain faithful and I will allow the system to direct me. But as usual, whatever I put myself to do; I dedicate myself to it, to come out with my best. I will ensure I remain a loyal party man and whatever comes from God, I will receive with open hands.

     What is your advice to your supporters?

    Let us continue, life is full of challenges, there is no way we will enjoy struggle to be so easy and cheap. We should try our best, we should be resolute to continue to hold our belief in the system and to continue to stand by our word, have a strong belief in our state and faith in our country Nigeria. We should ensure that the hard earned democracy is sustained beyond 2015.