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  • ‘Why I wrote book on Ijaw struggle’

    ‘Why I wrote book on Ijaw struggle’

    The struggles of Niger Delta has been a long sociopolitical battle,  former president of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Elvis Donkemezuo, has said.

    Donkemezuo indicates imperative of preserving the historical injustices faced by the people and the legacy of the struggle for future generations.

    He spoke at the book launch, The Vaiun Ijaw Struggle and celebration of his 40th birthday  on Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The foreword was written by 12th Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council at Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Godknows Igahi.

     Prof Adepoju Tejumaiye of Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Yaba Lagos, reviewed the book.

    Donkemezuo highlighted the relentless pursuit of justice amid adverse conditions, characterised by political manipulation and environmental degradation.

    He said he wanted a record of sacrifices made. “Having been a key player in Ijaw Youth Council, I thought to document incidents and role I played…’’

    “Having been a key player in the Ijaw Youth Council, I thought it wise to make my statement known, that I should write a book and document the incidents and role that I played. Because my children are small, they’re going to grow up tomorrow. I don’t want anybody to come and say your father never did this or never did that.

    “It is important and imperative, that the children who have lived their life on the course of the struggle, which I dedicated the book to, should be heard.  The Ijaw nation have been on this struggle for more than 30 years. From the time of Issac Adaka Boro And yet there has not been proper documentation on our struggles,” he said.

    He also stressed the importance of ensuring that future generations are equipped with knowledge about their heritage and the ongoing struggle for justice.

    Read Also: Okuama: Ijaw elders demand apology for military invasion of Clark’s home

    Reflecting on the broader impact of the book, Donkemezuo emphasized its role in initiating a culture of documentation within the Niger Delta community.

    He believes that the book serves as a catalyst for future writers and activists to contribute to the narrative of the region’s struggle, fostering a deeper understanding of its complexities and challenges.

    In discussing the key message conveyed by the book, Donkemezuo said that the collective nature of the Niger Delta struggle, transcends individual egos and interests. He emphasized the need for unity and steadfastness in pursuing the foundational goals of the struggle, cautioning against the influence of external forces that seek to derail the movement.

    “The Ijaw nation is bigger than any one man and we should not allow any individual parochial ego or interest, distract the foundational course of the struggle by our forefathers. “The purpose of this struggle is that the nation should not allow any government, any person placed in high positions to undermine the collective interests of the Ijaw struggle or to impose leadership on us, that is my message.”

    Thanking God for blessings bestowed upon him, including family, health, and the opportunity to contribute to society, Donkemezuo reflected on the significance of reaching a milestone age and the sense of purpose derived from giving back to his community.

    “They say life begins at 40,  to me, I feel fulfilled. God has given me a beautiful family, good health  and the ability to take care of my family. What more can a man ask and I feel grateful and it is a welcome call to do more for the society.

    A few days ago I distributed books to my alma mater and so much I’ve been doing for Niger Delta and it is a reason for me to more.” Speaking on the sideline at the event, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, defined the Ijaw struggle as a quest for the emancipation of the oppressed and the pursuit of social and economic justice.

    According to him, the struggle has also undeniably yielded tangible results. He cited examples of advancements in governance and recognition of the Ijaw marginalized groups as evidence of the enduring impact of societal movements.

    He highlighted the progress made in the struggle, albeit amidst ongoing challenges such as environmental degradation and economic disparities. “Today, most of the things the Ijaw have actually benefited in the managerial state is based on the fact that yes, they were given the palliative of the struggle. 

    “They are struggling and they were  listened to, and Nigeria as a nation has also blessed the Ijaws too by giving the region at least the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Today, even me as the MD of NDDC is also part of the struggle,” he said.

    Earlier in his address, Chairman of DAAR Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi Jr, emphasized the importance of supporting the author and the significance of documenting the region’s journey towards progress.

    “The book ‘The Vain Ijaw Struggle’ which is deeply rooted in the history and culture of the Niger Delta region, aims to redefine the narrative of the collective struggle for economic and political stability among the Ijaw people.

    With poignant insights into defining moments and past events, the book sheds light on the hardships faced by the Niger Delta community and serves as a wake-up call for action.

    The event marks a pivotal moment in the quest for a better future for the Ijaw people, sparking discussions on leadership and direction in the struggle for development.     

  • Ijaw youth group warns Tantita boss’ detractors against rumours

    Ijaw youth group warns Tantita boss’ detractors against rumours

    • Says Tompolo too focused on fight against oil thieves to be distracted

    The Ijaw Youths Network has cautioned those spreading wild rumours against the Chairman of  Tantita Security Services Limited, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo.

    The IYN, in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Frank Ebikabo, and Secretary, Federal Ebiaridor, yesterday, urged those who have repeatedly associated High Chief Tompolo with a non-existent stroke to desist immediately.

    The youth body called on Nigerians to ignore the antics of a group of disgruntled individuals who have consistently displayed alarming pettiness over the issue of renewal of Tantita’s pipeline contract with the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited.

    The IYN noted that the public appearances of High Chief Tompolo during a festival at Ogulagha and others should properly inform the mischief makers that the Tantita Boss “is hale and hearty and as fit as fiddle.”

    Ebikabo and Ebiaridor urged those behind the mischief to desist saying Tompolo is too focused on the fight against oil theft to be distracted by cheap mischief by associates of oil thieves.

    They also stressed that the claim that the Tantita Chairman and the revered Itsekiri Monarch, the Olu of Warri are at each other’s throat is absurd and wicked.

    The IYN noted that the tendency to play important personalities and institutions in the region against each for perceived economic gains will fail and should be discouraged at all times.

    The statement reads, “The Ijaw Youths Network has expressed dismay over the brazen campaign of calumny and outright falsehood being peddled against the Chairman of Tantita Security Services Limited.

    “Those behind the falsehood have made publications that have repeatedly associated High Chief Tompolo with a non-existent stroke attack which will never be.

    “We in the IYN had thought that those who desired and made moves for the pipeline surveillance contract would have moved on in the interest of the region and the nation after the Federal Government and the NNPCL renewed the Tantita contract.

    Read Also: Tantita, NSCDC arrest vessel siphoning crude oil in Bayelsa

    “The recent publications which display unacceptable pettiness are most uncharitable and should be ignored by the discerning public.

    “We have seen a number of these publications in some online platforms and would have ignored them if not for the need to halt further misinformation caused by these wicked lies against High Chief Tompolo.

    “First, we need to tell all men of good conscience and Nigerians who have always supported the Tantita boss that Chief Tompolo is hale and hearty and as fit as fiddle.

    “The story of his purported ailment is a product of delirious minds that jolted the serious progress Tantita has made in the campaign against oil theft in Nigeria.

    “For the record, the Tantita boss and his teams are too focused on the campaign against oil thieves and their sponsors to be distracted by fabrications from frustrated individuals who don’t mean well for the society.

    “Recent arrests of rogue vessels such as MT Kali, illegally siphoning crude oil from Pennington Oil field of the Anglo-Dutch energy giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Bayelsa State and many before them would suffice.

    “Lastly, we wish to stress the point that there is no conflict between the revered Itsekiri Monarch, the Olu of Warri and Tompolo.

    “The cheap mischief to set important personalities and institutions from the region against each other will continue to fail.”

  • Bayelsa to prioritise teaching of Ijaw, French, other subjects in public schools

    Bayelsa to prioritise teaching of Ijaw, French, other subjects in public schools

    Bayelsa State Government has said plans are underway to make the teaching and learning of Ijaw, French and Chinese languages a priority in public schools.

    It said science and mathematics would also be prioritised.

    Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo made this known yesterday during a visit by the state chapter of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), at the Government House in Yenagoa.

    He said government was emphasising the teaching of the three languages, and the core science subjects, including mathematics, to prepare and equip children to take advantage of career opportunities in the subjects.

    The deputy governor said the growing economic influence of China in global affairs as a major state actor in world trade and commerce, justified the inclusion of Chinese as a subject in the curriculum.

    Read Also; ‘I wasn’t sexually molested in DSS custody’

    Sen. Ewhrudjakpo said:  “I am happy about the programme you are introducing. For us, we have made it compulsory; we are pursuing STEM because we believe with this, the negative impression of Bayelsa State will change sooner or later.

    “We will really be available for anything you want us to do from the government angle. As I told you earlier, in our teachers’ recruitment, we deliberately laid emphasis on science, ICT and mathematics.

    “We are recruiting more teachers in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, agric science and computer science. The other subjects we are placing priority are: Chinese, French and Ijaw languages.”

    The deputy governor, who urged APWEN members to make team work their watchword to achieve their objectives as a professional body, advised them to also include male students in their programmes.

    He said engineering career required a lot of hard work for one to be awarded fellowship, enjoining the association to work together in closer synergy to gain more visibility in the male-dominated profession.

    He advised APWEN to redouble its effort in marketing engineering to the girl-child at the secondary school level for more female pupils to embrace and develop interest in engineering as a course and profession.

    He thanked the national and state executive councils of APWEN for honouring him with awards in recognition of his contributions to the growth and development of engineering in the state and country.

    Ewhrudjakpo noted: “For everything you are committed to do, do it as much as you can. I always tell people to be paced, to be prayerful, have a positive attitude, courageous, put in effort, and to be determined.

    “Your profession is one that requires a lot of hard work. For you to be inducted as a fellow, real hard work is required in this profession, unlike politics where anybody is given any position.

    “Once you are not together as a team you will fail. Together everyone achieves more. This is what team work is all about. Nobody is an island; a tree standing alone can’t make a forest. I want you to continue to work as a team.”

    The state Chairman of APWEN, Mr. Diepreye Owana-Omubo, and the Vice Chairman, Dr. Ann Obuebite, said the association was doing everything to push its corporate social responsibility project aimed at introducing the girl-child to engineering at the basic education level.

    They hailed the state government for establishing more technical colleges and recruiting science and mathematics teachers to promote science technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in the state.

    Obuebite thanked the deputy governor for his support to the Bayelsa State chapter of APWEN, which had helped it to gain a lot of recognition and prominence at the national level.

  • Ijaw community urges firm on inclusion in OML 42 projects

    Ijaw community urges firm on inclusion in OML 42 projects

    Indigenes of Pepeama community in Warri Southwest Local Government of Delta State have urged Matrix Energy Ltd to include them in its investment and oil-related activities at Oil Mining Lease (OML) 42, to avert an “unavoidable crisis”.

    In a protest letter dated October 4 and addressed to the oil firm, the indigenes who are descendants of Pozi Tuwabor (nee Ogeh), stressed the need for the company to comply with the decision of their monarch, the Pere of Gbaramatu kingdom, Oboro-Gbaraun, Aketekpe Agadagba, that proceeds of Pepeama be equally shared among Pozi, Oyi and Fafa quarters of the community.

    The letter was signed by Madam Brass Piniki, Apst. Noah Douperegha Kemezide, Mr Ebi Alakiri and Moses Mala on behalf of the Pozi Descendants.

    Read Also: Ijaw leaders, council back Diri’s re-election bid

    “Please note that it is our humble and irreducible demand that the community relations of your company’s operations, going forward, should reflect compliance with the expressed verdict on Pepeama by our king, Oboro-Gbaraun II, Aketekpe, Agadagba, the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom.

    “The directive as it affects us can be achieved for desired peace by consciously engaging us, the owner-stakeholders, to formally and effectively belong to the project.

    “We further appeal that your inactions in the foregoing regard does not create avoidable crisis.”

  • ‘Alagoa’s impact on Ijaw nation, Nigeria remarkable’

    ‘Alagoa’s impact on Ijaw nation, Nigeria remarkable’

    Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has said through his literary works and exemplary lifestyle, foremost historian, Emeritus Professor Ebiegberi Alagoa, has brought honour to the Ijaw nation and Nigeria.

    Speaking in Yenagoa at the weekend during the 90th birthday celebration of the iconic historian, Governor Diri said his contributions to the development of the Ijaw nation, Bayelsa and Nigeria were remarkable, adding that his name had been written in the sands of time.

    A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying that at 90, Alagoa is an accomplished scholar not because of his literary works, but also because of the success in raising his children.

    Diri thanked God for not only keeping the nonagenarian celebrator, but for also granting him good health and prayed for more fruitful years ahead.

    Read Also: Ijaw protest land ceding in new Ondo LCDAs

    Describing his Nembe-Ijaw ancestry as a land blessed with intellectuals that have distinguished themselves in fields, Diri, however, expressed concern that Nembe had in recent times been in the news for the wrong reasons and urged the leaders to do more to restore peace to their area.

    He said: “We heard about Prof as children. Fortunately, I also passed through the University of Port Harcourt Faculty of Social Sciences, while Prof was a lecturer at the Faculty of Humanities.

    “So, this is a man who has projected the image of Bayelsa and Ijaw nation to the world and today, we are celebrating a giant. Not only are you 90 years, you are hale and healthy. You have equally brought up your children well.

    “Sir, on behalf of the good people of Bayelsa State, we celebrate you on attaining this age. God has blessed you and we pray for more years in good health.

    “Nembe, your ancestral home, should be one of the leading lights in Bayelsa State for producing great and exceptional intellectuals and academics. But, unfortunately, Nembe has been in the spotlight nationally for negative reasons in recent times. I therefore appeal to the leaders of Nembe to do more to restore peace to the area.”

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan, represented by King Amalate Turner, described Alagoa as an example of success and thanked God for keeping him in good health at 90.

    Prof. Alagoa thanked the governments of Bayelsa and Rivers states for their support and those who made the birthday celebration a success.

  • Give priority to Ijaw job seekers, IYC urges NNPC

    The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide has appealed to Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) give priority to qualified Ijaw persons in the ongoing recruitment exercise of the corporation.

    Speaking in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, the IYC Secretary-General, Alfred Kemepado, warned against hijacking the employment announced recently by NNPC.

    Kemepado said it would amount to injustice and unfairness for the Ijaw people, who suffer pains of oil exploration and exploitation, to be marginalised in the ongoing process.

    He said: “Recently you may have discovered that NNPC made a publication for qualified people to apply for various positions in NNPC and applications were made around the nation and as Ijaws as qualified and competent as we are, most of us also applied to be given those jobs.

    “But sad information reaching us is that the Presidency has hijacked the process of recruitment and that our people, the Ijaw people are being sidelined and we find that very offensive for many reasons.

    “One of the reasons is that we cannot continue to dwell in a nation where they come around the Niger Delta especially in the Ijaw territory drill the oil, take the oil and sustain this country called Nigeria and leave us here in the Niger Delta with the associated diseases such as leukemia and the degraded environment but when there is opportunity for employment, our people are always sidelined, marginalised and not considered at all. We find that very offensive”.

    Read Also: Crisis rocks Ijaw Youths Council in Bayelsa

    Describing the situation as intolerable, Kemepado appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and the new General Managing Director of NNPC to look into the issue and consider qualified Ijaw for the existing job opportunities.

    “We appeal to the Presidency and the new GMD to look into this issue and ensure that ijaw people who applied for those positions, whom we know are qualified for these positions should be considered and not sidelined by one list from the Presidency.

    “If that really happens we will take it as an insult. From the inception of this government, we have been provoked many times. The time the presidency came to this Niger Delta it promised us that companies would relocate to the Niger Delta. We did not see that happen. But we frown at this one and we are calling on the presidency to have a rethink and do what is right”.

    Kemepado said the IYC also heard that following the appointment of the new NDDC boss, the corporation would be restructured and called on the Federal Government to considered Ijaw people during the process.

    He said Ijaw people had been trained in the oil sector through various interventionist programmes from the Amnesty Office, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and other scholarship schemes sponsored by the government.

    “They are qualified with local and foreign certificates. So nobody can doubt the competence of the Ijaw people. Therefore, the country should not continue to provoke this region. As Ijaw youth council in conjunction with the elders, we have done our beat to keep the peace in this region.

    “Let us make it abundantly clear here that the peace that present Muhammadu Buhari has enjoyed for the past four years and the peace that unfortunately he is enjoying that has resulted to the continuous flow of oil is not as a result of what this government is doing for the people of the Niger Delta.

    “It is only as a result of our resolve as a people to keep the peace here with the hope that in situation like this, our people will not continue to be sidelined and I don’t want the presidency to push its luck too far and further provoke our people.

    “This country cannot afford the provocation of this region and we also do not intend to request for anything more than equity and anything more than justice. We know that there are other issues like the Maritime University Bill that is still waiting on the President’s table to sign. We call on him to sign it.

    “We all know that the East-West road is unattended to. The Brass LNG is unattended to including other issues in the region. But now what is most pressing and most disrespectful to us is the issue of the NNPC and we want the presidency to include our people”.

    Also speaking IYC Chairman, Central Zone, Kennedy Olorogun, said the zine was bothered by the issue of employment ad appealed to the presidency to use the NNPC employment to make up for the neglect of the Ijaw.

    He said the youths had decided to embrace peace but warned against actions capable of provoking them into violence.

  • Ijaw community decries military presence

    Residents of Gelegele community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo have decried the presence of soldiers from the 19 Battalion Koko and 4 Brigade, Benin in their community.

    Spokesman of the community, Chief Macaulay Ayiwei, who spoke to newsmen in Benin City, said the soldiers were strategically positioned around the Ijaw community.

    Chief Ayiwei noted that the high presence of the military may not be unconnected with the land dispute between Benin community of Ughoton and Gelegele.

    Ayiwei said: “Yes, the court is billed to sit on this matter on Monday and Tuesday but what are they (Army) doing here taking over the whole community?

    “If there is no sinister motive about this, why will a whole detachment of military from Delta and Edo States, armed with gunboats, take over a whole community as early as 6am on Friday?

    Read Also: Ijaw group petitions Akeredolu, alleges marginalisation

    “While we have them around the community, about five truck load of them are stationed at Ekenwan baracks as we speak.

    “The whole Gelegele community is in utter confusion as to what is happening. We are also not unaware that their presence has something to do with the dispute between the Ijaw community and the Benin.

    “While we appeal to our people to remain calm, we are also calling on the President to call the army, especially the 4 Brigade Commandant, who is a Benin man, to order and not to plunge the state into crisis.”

    But the Army urged the people to go about their normal business

    Spokesman of the 4 Brigade of the Nigeria Army, Captain Mohammed Maidawa, described the presence of the army as a normal routine exercise.

  • Ijaw group denounces NGOs for frivolous allegations

    The leadership of the Ijaw Pride Group (IPG) has slammed the Association of Concerned Bayelsa Professionals (ACBP), for allowing itself to be used by enemies of the Ijaw. According to the group, ACBP was pulling down illustrious people of the Ijaw race.

    In a statement, IPG Director of Publicity Eboiwei Akpeti noted that recent agitations led by the group against the management of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC) was a misadventure.   He added that the civil society group was being partisan, adding it was not in the interests of  the Ijaw race.

    He maintained that it was wrong to insinuate that the management of the two organisations were under pressure to fund the operations of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Niger Delta area.

    He said: “The unfortunate recurring circle of acts of self-destruction by fellow Ijaw. Hardly have fellow Ijaw assisted our sons and daughters that are appointed into sensitive positions to succeed. Instead what you find are efforts at pulling them down”.

    Akpeti said it was curious that the two federal agencies mentioned in the spurious allegation are both headed by illustrious sons of Bayelsa origin. He said his personal knowledge and interactions with the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Simbi Wabote showed a man of very high integrity and professionalism.

    “Here is man that has been known and commended across the entire gamut of the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria and abroad for his high sense of professionalism, integrity and prudence in financial management”.

    He said IPG considered Wabote, a modern icon and pride of the  Ijaw race and must therefore, be allowed to carry on with the good work he is doing. “They should cooperate with him instead of being brought into the murky waters of politics.”

    The statement advised the public to ignore the unsubstantiated malicious allegations by ACBP against their illustrious sons.

  • Protesters block Delta govt. house gates over hijack of jobs

    Regular official activities at the Delta state Government House in Asaba were held to a standstill for close to one hour on Thursday when protesting youths and ex-agitators blocked the only access in protest of an alleged hijack of their surveillance jobs.
    The protesters, under the aegis of OML 30 communities youths and ex-agitators from the first to the third phase of the federal government’s amnesty programme, who stormed the governor’s office in tens of buses from various Urhobo, Isoko, Ijaw and Itsekiri communities, accused business tycoon, Captain Hosa Okunbo and his company, Ocean Marine, of scheming to hijack the the surveillance contract of OML 30 facilities and render thousands of them jobless.
    However, the state government, represented by the Attorney-General of the state and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Peter Mrakpor, affirmed to the angry protesters that the agreement with the operator of the facilities was that the communities handle the surveillance and security of the facilities, adding that the government would not let that agreement fail.
    Expressing the displeasure of the protesters to the state government, from a position paper which was later handed over to the Attorney-General, spokesman of the youths and ex-agitators, Mr Lord Tennyson, said thousands of youths of the state were about to lose their jobs to the alleged hijack, noting also that if not prevented, the security situation in their areas might be adversely affected.
    He also charged the state governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, to investigate the process attending to the alleged hijack, alleging also that the the contract value had been inflated more than five times the actual price, saying , “we have learnt from very reliable sources that the intent of Captain Okunbo, his company; Ocean Marine and his presidency backers is to use the surveillance job as a mere front to siphon millions of dollars for the purposes of executing the 2019 elections in Delta state and rig their party, the APC to power in the state.

    Read Also: A boost for construction in Niger Delta coastal communities

    “To achieve this, we gathered that the corrupt gang in the presidency has corruptly and unilaterally awarded the surveillance contract to Ocean Marine at a rate almost five to six times of the contract award rate of the previous contractor company.
    “Your Excellency, we feel that this is the point at which you, as the Chief Security Officer of our dear state, must rise up to take steps to nip this madness in the bud to avert the impending danger that this greedy set of ‘soldiers of fortune’ is about to impose on not just our communities, but also our dear state.
    “You may wonder how this is our concern. It has become our concern because we have sat down to imagine what the picture will look like when Ocean Marine successfully takes our jobs away from us, using either traditional rulers or president-generals of communities as fronts, how many youths with bustling capacities and abilities will be rendered jobless. We imagine what other uses can hitherto busy, but now idle youths can engage their abilities and capabilities in.
    “We are imagining the level of confrontations and conflicts we might start to have to witness and how much work the security agencies might have to be dealing with by the time these thousands of jobless, able-bodied youths start engaging those they will inevitably blame for their new unpleasant status and how much more chaos the state government might have to be grappling with, having to add the problem of restive youths from an area that had hitherto maintained its peaceful calm all along. Your Excellency, we hope you know these might eventually be the least of the problems you may expect to come out of the 111 communities under OML 30”, he said.
    Responding to the presentation of the protesters, the Attorney-General, Mr Mrakpor, recalled that the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMOU) between the operators of the OML 30 facilities, Heritage Energy Oil Services Limited (HEOSL) and the communities had just been recently, after a whole year of processing, noting that the agreement was that surveillance of facilities will be the job of Deltans and had rejected any involvement of non-Delta personnel or companies.
    He, however assured that he would take the matter to the governor the moment he returns to Asaba, adding “I can assure you that you will not be disappointed”.

  • 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.