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  • VON DG: only Igbo can deny themselves presidency in 2023

    THE Southeast heard yesterday what it should do to have a shot at the Presidency in 2023 – support the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and Voice of Nigeria (VON) Director-General Osita Okechukwu said that only the Southeast people can deny the region of the presidency in 2023 if they vote against Buhari in the next year presidential election.

    He warned that the fruit of whatever they sow with their votes would be there for them to harvest in 2023, should they cast their ballot against Buhari.

    Okechuku, who was reacting to the statement  credited to the Ohanaeze Ndigbo to the effect that 2023 Igbo presidency quest is a plot to hoodwink the region, counselled the Igbo leadership to put its house in order and organise the region ahead of the 2023 presidency rather than agonise.

    He said: “May I once more appeal to the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to start organising for Nigeria’s president of Igbo extraction in 2023, instead of agonising. It is surreal for the truism is that equity, natural justice and good conscience is on our side.

    “All we need to do is for the Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership to think out of the box, reflect deeply, and dust off ancient stereotypes and prejudices by voting for President Buhari.

    “The real politics is that voting Buhari will better galvanise and strengthen our alliance with the North, more than voting for Atiku Abubakar. Buhari has a vote bank of 10-12 million voters, mostly his core followership reflected in his bids in 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015 presidential elections.

    “Is it not disheartening for the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze, Prince Uche Achi-Okpagha to agonise thus?”

    He quoted the Ohanaze as saying: “Note that neither President Buhari, nor any Northern political stalwart has made a pronouncement on the 2023 presidency, instead they have allowed some cabinet members of Yorubas extraction, including Osinbajo and Fashola, to dissipate energy to the effect that Southwest would have presidency in 2023. It is an orchestrated plot to hoodwink the people of the two regions in order to elicit their votes.”

    Okechukwu reminded his kinsmen of the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha’s statement that “the quickest and easiest means to the presidency for the Southeast is to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term”.

    He also reminded them that they “can short-circuit the period in terms of only having him there for another four years and whatever they do in 2019 will determine what will happen thereafter because politics is a game of numbers and it is like a cooperative society.”

    Okechukwu went on: “Whatever you bring as an investment when dividends are going to be shared, you will get proportionate with your investment and your investment in politics is what you bring to the table and I urge the Southeast to look at this matter seriously that every time we have a presidency in Nigeria, it is negotiated in several ways. Either negotiated by votes or what you bring to the table and you must negotiate from the position of strength.”

    Reminding them that the Southeast remained the only zone in the Southern Belt that has not presided over Nigeria from the Aso Villa since the rotation of the presidency between Northern and Southern Belts began in 1999, he said: “2023 is our turn, unless we wittingly or unwittingly throw it away.

    “Hence, it is my candid view that with such immeasurable equity, natural justice and good conscience on our side, 2023 president is Ndigbo’s turn; unless Ohanaeze continues to angonise instead of organising.

    “The present rotation convention, we mustn’t forget, was in the first place constructed to engender equity, peace and harmony of our dear nation. Let’s harvest it.

    “One therefore appeals to Ohanaeze leadership to place the core Igbo interest above partisanship and demagoguery; for the quickest and surest route to end the vexatious issue of marginalisation and create a sense of belonging is 2023 president of Igbo extraction.”

  • Igbo leaders backing Atiku are saboteurs, say Buhari supporters

    A group, the Presidential Support Committee has said that Igbo leaders who endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, are working to sabotage the chance of the Southeast to produce the President in 2023.

    Its Southeast caucus spokesman, Charlene Adeasor, said in Abuja at the end of their meeting that Southeast governors and  leaders were determined to subvert the aspiration of the Igbo people.

    He said it is important that President Muhammadu Buhari should secure bloc votes from the region as part of the process marking the greater integration of Igbo into the ruling party.

    Adeasor said: “There was a time we had a press conference and said what our brother could not do for us in six years, Buhari has done under four years. Before Buhari came, one lane of the Enugu Port Harcourt road was almost covered with grasses.  If you go there today, you discovered that the dual carriage way is being worked on.  The one that shocked me is the Owerri Aba express road.

    “In terms of infrastructure,  we are witnessing what he think about the Igbo people.  So,  those who think that Buhari does not like the Igbo people are scared because these are the treasury looters.  Buhari is a man who has the love of the country at heart and that is why we are doing everything to make sure he comes back.”

    The spokesman said “I called them saboteurs because most of them have already taken side and I was the one that manufactured the word saboteur.

    “The Igbos are trying to copy the South west who got the attention of Nigerians because they put their house in order when they voted for UPN enmass. Now that we are trying to move into the APC, you can see governors who we call saboteurs are trying to team up to make sure that the dream of the Igboman in 2023 does not come to light. That is why I label them saboteurs.

    “The essence of this briefing is to let the entire pdp world know that we are ready for the next general election. We want to be our house together so that those who are in doubt as to whether President Muhammadu Buhari is in the south,  they should know that there is a committee that is active in the south east with a strong determination to make sure he is reelected in 2019.

    “We are ready for the election.  We have heard all the negative plans of the People’s Democratic Party and the talk that we have an Igbo man as running mate.  We are not talking about an Igbo man as running mate, but the man who is at the helm of affairs and that is Bulgari.

    “We want to let the whole world know that we have capable hands that will work to make sure Buhari return to power. We are telling the PDP people that we are ready. The Igbos have made up their mind to give Buhari bulk vote in 2019.

    “For those still in doubt,  let me tell you that the south east is together. We cannot talk about an Igbo President in 2023 if we are not united. We are going to do what we are known for and saboteurs will not have a place in the south east. We are going to deliver Mr President.”

  • My Presidency quest Nigerian, not Igbo, says Moghalu

    Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, the Presidential Candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) on Friday said that he was contesting for the office of the President as a Nigerian and not as an Igbo man.

    Moghalu, who was a former deputy governor of the CBN, said that Nigeria’s problem was not about tribes, but socio-economic problems that touched every part of the country.

    The candidate, in a statement he made available to the News Agency of Nigeria  in Lagos, said that any creative limiting his presidential ambition to any tribe was the handwork of mischief makers.

    “Almost a year since I started to engage Nigerians on my candidacy and vision for the country; I have held town hall meetings in nearly all the states in the country, with more still to be done.

    “Anyone who has listened or paid attention to our interactive session with various groups will realise what our single message has always been that Nigeria’s problems are not about tribes.

    Read Also: Buhari: Accounts must be given for all financial transactions

    “We all, as Nigerians, have the power to choose something new, something different that will redirect the country into an upward trend.

    “Our politics has always been plagued by the scourges of tribalism, nepotism, and corruption, a colonial tool that the political class has exploited in order to divide and control us,” Moghalu said.

    According to him, Nigerians cannot afford to keep thinking about whether a candidate is Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Efik, Ijaw or Ibibio.

    He said that Nigeria needed competent and trustworthy leaders which had been the focus of his talks about his aspiration.

    “It is time to put aside these differences and aim for something that unites us all, to deliver a country that works for every citizen,” he added.

  • Lalong: Plateau consensus choice for peace

    When the pressure persisted, Governor Simon Bako Lalong succumbed.  He said on his declaration, “I am yielding to pressure to declare to re-contest Governorship election in Plateau State.  I know several groups have endorsed me, some have printed posters as a sign of their support…”
    One most interesting of the several definitions of Politics is that which defines politics as a process whereby groups of people make collective decisions.  This description is clearly manifested on the Plateau in the build up to the much anticipated 2019 Governorship election in the State.
    Plateau Elders and Stakeholders, Party leaders, Youths/Women groups and indeed plateau citizens as a whole had persistently pressurized the incumbent Governor, Simon Bako Lalong into submission to re-contest the forthcoming Governorship election for another term in office.  The voice of the people is the voice of God.  The people attested to lalong’s developmental strides, and are convinced that his credible leadership has delivered democratic dividends to the people.
    The APC Party Chairman in the State, Mr. Laptep Dabang, in Jos today on Redeem 93.7 FM radio station anchored by Samson Omale reiterated the collective decision of Party stakeholders at a recent forum at Yelwa Club in Bukuru, the endorsement of the hard working Governor Simon Lalong to re-contest the 2019 Governorship election as a consensus candidate.
    The plethora of calls that flooded the station during the programme shows plateau citizens are seemingly in tandem with the collective decision of the Party and affirmed their support for another mandate for Governor Lalong to complement, coordinate and complete what they referred to as the “Plateau Progress Agenda” which he initiated.
    For Governor Lalong, his vision for governance is to make the less privileged; to make the people that elected him to be happy.  The amiable Governor is aware that Plateau people expected true governance and quality representation.  These expectations became the driving force.
    It fortified his unflinching resolve to lead in honesty and truth, and to provide basic things of life such as roads, hospitals, education and develop the human capital.  Most important of all is to bequeath a legacy of politically united, socially integrated, peaceful and potentially prosperous people on the plateau. These are embedded in his carefully articulated 5-point agenda which he committed to implement for the common good.
    In 2015, Gov. Lalong came to the office well prepared.  He brought to bear his intellectual ability, mental capacity, patriotic zeal and above all, the political will of implementing the far-reaching 5-point agenda.  He is convinced, and rightly so too, that these policies will in the long run ensure unity and equitability as expected by the plural nature of the state for the continual sustenance of peaceful coexistence amongst the people.
    Engaging a monumental shift from the past, Lalong adopted an open-door policy.  He gave a listening ear to all shades of opinion and interest irrespective of ethnic, political or religious affiliation.  Furthermore, Lalong carries the management team along in decision making as it affect policy implementation or monetary decision to enhance accountability.
    Sustainable peace has been the fulcrum of Lalong’s government.  Peace is the only panacea for peaceful coexistence; and peaceful coexistence is sine qua non for sustainable development in any state.  Gov. Lalong believes that a society where religion bigotry and ethnicity are the order of the day cannot witness socio-economic progress and prosperity.  He upholds unity as an indispensible ingredient for sustainable development.
    Gov. Lalong began with a genuine effort towards a proactive, enduring and sustainable peace in the state.  He created the model Plateau Peace Building Agency and developed a Roadmap to sustainable peace in the State.  It was a deliberate choice aimed at enthroning peaceful coexistence.
     And in spite of some unfortunate incidence of insecurity in some areas which are believed to be politically instigated, the people still acknowledged and appreciated that the Governor institutionalized peace building and reconciliation through the establishment of the Peace Building Agency.  They praised him for sustained security in the state where many innocent lives had perished before his assumption in office.
    Gov. Lalong’s style of administration is very unique and legendary.  His astute leadership in striving for financial transparency, accountability and inclusive governance is admirable.  Lalong adopted prudent management of available resources and despite the dwindling inflows that accrue to the state, he ensured funds are judiciously channeled towards priority projects that have direct bearing on the people.
    Plateau is within the bracket of States with low federal government allocation but Lalong’s prudent financial management capacity became a mitigant. He maintained regular payment of salaries and pension and cleared all outstanding arrears of workers and pensioners in the state.  Civil servant nick-named him the “alert” Governor because of the prompt and consistent payment alerts they received on their phones.
    Gov. Lalong’s achievements are numerous and are scattered across all key sectors of the state’s economy.  He deviated from what hitherto seems to be the established norms in Nigerian politics, to completing ongoing projects bequeathed to him by his predecessor.  Many road infrastructures in this category were already commissioned, including the State Secretariat flyover bridge, and the Mararaba Jema – Secretariat junction road, and several others across the state.
    Reports indicated also that Gov. Lalong has lived up to his campaign promises and has performed even far beyond the expectations of many who did not give him a chance because of the seeming insurmountable challenges.

    Read also: Lalong regrets fresh attacks in Plateau

    Take the education sector where he accorded topmost priority.  He funded and resuscitated the hitherto abandoned Plateau State University and brought it back to life with state-of-art e-library, science laboratory, road networks, students’ hostel accommodations etc.  Many courses were accredited and several lecturers sponsored abroad for doctorate degrees.  Same apply to state owned primary and secondary schools where massive infrastructures are being put in place.
    On Human Capital Development, the Governor initiated several reforms in the civil service and settled promotion arrears and salaries accruing to staff to boost Morales.  The Tourist sector is also being revamped and revitalized under Public Private Partnership with some foreign interests.  Agriculture, Health, Commerce and Industry need not be over emphasized as evidence of growth in these sectors is glaring for all to see.
    Governor Lalong’s antecedents and performances litters all over the state. His sincere and effective leadership in financial prudency, transparency, accountability and inclusive governance has earned him a lot of accolades, numerous awards and recognition by local and international bodies and organizations.  His managerial skills were attributed to his wealth of experience garnered over the years.
    Gov. Lalong’s all inclusive governance style is a trait that has gone a long way in strengthening mutual relationship among the diverse ethnic groups in the state and endeared him to the people.  Today in the state, the entire citizenry including the Berom, Anaguta, Goemai, Angas, Yoruba, Hausa, Idoma, Igbo, etc, are full of praises to Lalong for his exemplary leadership qualities which have further bridged the gap of unity in the hitherto troubled state.
    That explained why many groups in the State are insisting that Lalong second term bid is vital.  Women and youth groups across the 17 LGAs had matched in solidarity to the Governor to assure him of their unalloyed support for continuity.
    For the “VOLA” 2019 Groups, there is no alternative to Gov. Simon Bako Lalong come 2019.  Gathered in Kanam LGA recently, they said, “We know that our Governor has integrity, he has wisdom and above all, he can be trusted with our collective destiny.  He is a man of peace who has suddenly become a rallying point for the suppressed and oppressed.  We say, TO VOTE LALONG AGAIN IN 2019 IS A TASK THAT MUST BE DONE”
    Ikese is a Columnist and Political Analyst.

  • Igbo Professionals applaud repel of Boko Haram

     

    The Igbo Professionals in Diaspora, has lauded the recent  landmark victory of the troops of the Nigerian Army in the battle against the Boko Haram insurgents in some communities it described as the black spots of the insurgent group, in the North Eastern part of the country.

    Reacting to the Nigerian Army’s recent operations which foiled the attempt by the terrorist group, to recapture some liberated towns in Borno  State, leader of the Igbo group, Engr. Fidelis Nze KSR, described the army’s effort, led by the Chief of Army Staff,  as a milestone in the war against terrorism in Nigeria.

    It said this latest development also justifies the group’s believe, that the Nigerian  military is truly fully in control and have maintained his victory over the Boko Haram.

     

    Read also: NAF destroys Boko Haram vehicles

     

    “We wish to salute the men and officers of the Nigerian Army for their untiring and gallant commitment at making the Boko Haram insurgents feel the tremendous heat of our military power, which has been unleashed on them; therefore, ensuring further Return Of peace and stability to the Northeast and other insurgency ravaged part of our country”

    The group also decried what it termed as the mischievous reportage of the war against terrorism by some sponsored medium and their foreign collaborators. It said the actions of the said media organizations, are aimed at disparaging the efforts of the Buhari’s administration, towards ending the insurgency, while tacitly emboldening the terrorists.

    The group also lauded the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai for continually providing leadership for the Army by being in  the frontlines always, thereby justifying President Muhammadu Buhari’s promise  of leading the war against terrorism in the country, from the front at all times.

     

     

  • Igbo in Katsina greet Kalu on turbaning

    The Igbo community in Katsina State has lauded former Abia State Governor Orji Kalu for his contributions to nation-building.

    The Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar, on Tuesday turbaned Kalu as the Dan Baiwan Hausa of Daura.

    The Eze Igbo Daura, Igwe Ferdinand Osunkwo, said Kalu’s outstanding qualities are worthy of emulation.

    In a congratulatory letter addressed to the former governor, Osunkwo urged Nigerians to embrace peace and unity.

    He said: “It is not incongruous to applaud the giant strides you recorded in the governance of Abia State as Governor and your unrelenting efforts for the transformation of the political arena of Nigeria through the All Progressives Congress (APC) positive change mantra.

    “Your laudable development ideologies are always in the front pages of national and international newspapers, as well as social media, which prove that you have taken national issues to a higher pedestal where the opposition and detractors cannot refute.

    “Your efforts in nation-building have earned you the Dan Baiwan Hausa of Daura (Blessed Gift to Humanity).

    “I, Igwe Fredinand Osunkwo, Eze Igbo II of Daura Emirate, the Eze cabinet members and the entire Igbo community in Katsina State, appreciate your leadership acumen and wish to celebrate you in greater capacity soon.”

  • Ambode not against the Igbo, says Eze Ndigbo

    Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State, Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu has urged the Igbo resident in Lagos State to go about their legitimate businesses without any fear of intimidation by the Lagos State government. He said Ambode has no plans to do anything  harmful to Ndigbo or any other ethnic group resident in Lagos.

    Eze Nwachukwu spoke on Sunday while addressing reporters at the Lagos State Igbo Community Centre on Nwachukwu Drive Okota Isolo Lagos while reacting to what he called “fake news on one of the social media platforms to the effect that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was making some moves against non-indigenes, especially the Igbo”.

    He revealed that the government, through the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Kehinde Bamigbetan, has debunked the allegation, adding that “those who peddled the fake news only wanted to sow seed of discord among Ndigbo and their host communities to achieve their selfish goals.”

    Eze Nwachukwu said the mischief makers aimed at causing disaffection among Ndigbo resident in Lagos and the governor, using his (Eze Nwachukwu) office as their target, to the effect that the governor has outlawed his position as Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State.

    He said Ndigbo have gone beyond that stage of confronting their host communities or show disregard for laws of the land because the Igbo are stakeholders in Lagos State’s economic development.

    He noted that it was in realisation of this that Ndigbo organised a befitting solidarity with the Lagos State when it celebrated Lagos at 50. He noted that people who don’t want to recognise the huge achievements of the government want to disorganise the system by causing disaffection among Ndigbo, other ethnic nationalities resident in the state and the state government.

    He said: “Now that elections are few months away, mischief makers want to smudge the name of Governor Ambode and make him unacceptable to certain ethnic groups that will help in his electoral success in 2019.

    “This is an act of cowardice. Those peddling fake news should openly confront the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in Lagos State rather than engage in sowing seed of discord between the governor and Ndigbo in order to achieve their selfish desires.

    “The relationship among the Yoruba and the Igbo resident in the state has been on since 1999 when the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu was the governor. We cannot break our promise of being partners in progress during the administrations of Tinubu and his successors.

    “If any group or groups are afraid of fighting the government of Lagos State, they should not use Ndigbo as platform to engage the Ambode administration to achieve their selfish ambition because we will not subscribe to such myopic and retrogressive idea.”

    He stated that Ndigbo remain resolute in their support for the government of Ambode or any governor after him. Any political groups that are trying to use Ndigbo to fight Ambode and his administration cannot succeed. We are strongly behind the government of Lagos State, the obas, the APC as a party because we cannot play the role of an opposition in Lagos.

    “I advise Ndigbo to ignore that piece of falsehood because the government has debunked the report.

    “Ambode loves Ndigbo and listens to them whenever they call on him. We urge law enforcement agents to fish out those who peddled the fake news and bring them to justice, as their action was capable of destabilising the society.

    “It is disheartening that people could be mischievous when they are not benefiting from any particular party or government.

    “Many politicians and political groups have been approaching the office of the Eze Ndigbo  with a view to receive blessings or endorsement or to join them in their bid to rubbish the good name and work of Governor Ambode, or to fight a sitting government. The moment you turn down their requests, they start looking for a way to throw a stone and to fan the ember of discord.

    “Many of them have come here seeking for coalition to bring the government to disrepute. But we cannot be part of such nasty and unproductive game.

    “Since I turned down their requests, they are now looking for a way to ruffle the government or make it seem unacceptable to Ndigbo. No matter how hard they try, we will never join forces with them to jeopardise the efforts of Lagos State government in making life better for its indigenes and non-indigenes. We will continue to be law-abiding citizens,” he said.

    He added that people should appreciate the rapid and unprecedented infrastructural development the government has been able to achieve and join hands with it for more of such achievements.

     

  • Lagos: Ambode not against Igbo, other groups

    THE Lagos State Government yesterday described as untrue a social media report that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was making moves against non-indigenes, especially Igbo.

    The report, it said, was baseless, mischievous and irresponsible.

    Commissioner for Information and Strategy Kehinde Bamigbetan, in a statement, described the report as absolute falsehood and a mere figment of the imagination of the unscrupulous persons who concocted it.

    The report alleged that the governor had outlawed the position of Eze Ndi-Igbo in Lagos and was making other moves against non-indigenes.

    Describing the report as laughable and ridiculous, Bamigbetan said Ambode emphasised at the inception of his administration that he would run a government of inclusion regardless of tribe, colour or creed.

    The governor he said had, lived up to his word.

    “While we would have opted to totally ignore such crass report, we have chosen to set the records straight for unsuspecting members of the public who might be tempted to believe such falsehood.

    “For emphasis, there is no record anywhere of the governor making such remarks and we dare the faceless authors to come out with any evidence otherwise. This is certainly the handiwork of enemies of Lagos State whose sole aim is to distort the existing harmonious relationship among ethnic groups in the state.

    “They have totally failed in this attempt. Besides, in this season of politics, it is expected that those seeking to gain mileage would stop at nothing and cling to any straw just to score cheap points,” Bamigbetan said.

    The commissioner urged the public to disregard the report and called on security agencies to fish out those behind it.

  • Buratai, 49 senior officers take language test

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai and 49 senior officers on Wednesday at the Army Headquarters, Abuja took a language proficiency test in Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba languages.

    Brig.-Gen Texas Chukwu, the army spokesman, said the test was part of the army’s effort to ensure that all personnel are proficient in the use of the three major Nigerian languages.

    Chukwu said the test came after eight months of intensive lecture organised by the army headquarters for the senior officers.

    He said the belief in the army was that understanding those languages would aid troops during internal security operations across the country.

    “This will also enhance mutual cooperation between the army and the general public.” Chukwu said the senior officers that participated in the test included Principal Staff Officers of the Army Headquarters, Corps Commanders, Directors, among others.

    He quoted Buratai as commending the officers for their conduct throughout the period of the test.

    The army chief said the result of the test will be announced soon and urged them to prepare for another exam next week.

    Buratai upon assumption of office in 2015, enjoined all personnel to learn the three major Nigerian languages as part of a deliberate effort to improve communication skill among troops.

  • Buratai, 49 senior officers take language test in Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai and 49 senior officers on Wednesday at the Army Headquarters, Abuja took a language proficiency test in Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba languages.

    Brig.-Gen Texas Chukwu, the army spokesman, said the test was part of the army’s effort to ensure that all personnel are proficient in the use of the three major Nigerian languages.

    He said the test came after eight months of intensive lecture organised by the army headquarters for the senior officers.

    He said the belief in the army was that understanding those languages would aid troops during internal security operations across the country.

    “This will also enhance mutual cooperation between the army and the general public.”

    Chukwu said the senior officers that participated in the test included Principal Staff Officers of the Army Headquarters, Corps Commanders, Directors, among others.

    He quoted Gen. Buratai as commending the officers for their conduct throughout the period of the test.