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Tag: IPOB

  • Agitations: Buhari disappointed at leaders of communities

    Agitations: Buhari disappointed at leaders of communities

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed disappointment at leaders of communities where agitations have sprout in the country in recent times.

    The President made this known on Sunday in his Independence Day message to the nation.

    According to him, those who are agitating for a re-run were not born by 1967 and have no idea of the horrendous consequences of the civil conflict which the country went through.

    The message reads in full:

    My dear Nigerians,

    October 1st remains a special date for all Nigerians as this marks the day when we attained one of the most precious of human desires — freedom.

    Over the years the country has gone through trials and tribulations, but October 1st is always a day for celebrations.

    It is a day for thanks giving, reflection and re-dedication.

    It is also a day for remembrance. We should remind ourselves of the recent journey from 1999 – 2015, when our country happily returned to democratic rule.

    However, in spite of oil prices being an average of $100 per barrel and about 2.1m barrels a day, that great piece of luck was squandered and the country’s social and physical infrastructure neglected.

    We were left with no savings and huge infrastructure deficit.

    The APC Government’s Campaign rallying cry to restore security, re-balance the economy and fight corruption was not all rhetoric.

    The country must first be secured. The economy must be re-balanced so that we do not depend on oil alone. We must fight corruption which is Nigeria’s Number One Enemy. Our Administration is tackling these tasks in earnest.

    In the past two years, Nigeria has recorded appreciable gains in political freedom. A political Party at the Centre losing elections of State Governor, National Assembly seat and even State Assemblies to the opposition parties is new to Nigeria. Added to these are complete freedom to associate, to hold and disseminate opinions. Such developments clearly attest to the country’s growing political development. But like all freedoms, this is open to abuse.

    Recent calls on re-structuring, quite proper in a legitimate debate, has let in highly irresponsible groups to call for dismemberment of the country. We can not and we will not allow such advocacy.

    As a young Army Officer, I took part from the beginning to the end in our tragic civil war costing about 2million lives, resulting in fearful destruction and untold suffering. Those who are agitating for a re-run were not born by 1967 and have no idea of the horrendous consequences of the civil conflict which we went through.

    I am very disappointed that responsible leaders of these communities do not warn their hot-headed youths what the country went through. Those who were there should tell those who were not there, the consequences of such folly.

    At all events, proper dialogue and any desired constitutional changes should take place in a rational manner, at the National and State Assemblies. These are the proper and legal fora for National debate, not some lop-sided, un-democratic body with pre-determined set of objectives.

    Government is keeping up the momentum of dialogue with stakeholders in the Niger Delta to keep the peace. We intend to address genuine grievances of the communities.

    Government is grateful to the responsible leadership of those communities and will pursue lasting peace in the Niger Delta.

    SECURITY

    On security, Nigerians must be grateful to our gallant Armed Forces for rolling back the frontiers of Boko Haram’s terrorism, defeating them and reducing them to cowardly attacks on soft and vulnerable targets.

    Nigeria is grateful to its neighbours and the international community for the collective efforts to defeat this world-wide menace of terrorism.

    Not even the most organized and most equipped police and security forces in the world can escape the menace of modern day terrorism, as we have seen in recent years in Europe and other parts of the world.

    But we are not letting up. Our Armed Forces in an effort to enhance the operational capability of troops of OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE have established Mobile Strike Teams in the North East. These will ensure the final push to wipe out the remnants of Boko Haram.

    In addition, through targeted air strikes most of the leadership and identified logistics bases and routes of the insurgents have been neutralized. The Armed Forces have established a Naval presence in the Lake Chad Basin as part of the coordinated military efforts to curtail the movements or re-emergence of the sect in the area.

    Government is working round the clock to ensure release of the remaining Chibok girls, as well as other persons in Boko Haram captivity. Government will continue to support the Armed Forces and other security agencies to fight not only terrorism, but kidnapping, armed robberies, herdsmen/farmers violence and to ensure peace, stability and security in our country.

    ECONOMY

    With respect to the economy, the Government has remained pro-active in its diversification policy. The Federal Government’s agricultural Anchor Borrowers Programme, which I launched in November 2015, has been an outstanding success with:

    · N43.92 billion released through the CBN and 13 participating institutions,

    · 200,000 small holder farmers from 29 states of the federation benefitting,

    · 233,000 hectares of farmland cultivating eight commodities, namely Rice, Wheat, Maize, Cotton, soya-beans, Poultry, Cassava and Groundnuts, in addition to fish farming.

    These initiatives have been undertaken in close collaboration with the states. I wish to commend the efforts of the Governors of Kebbi, Lagos, Ebonyi and Jigawa States for their support to the rice and fertilizer revolutions.

    Equally commendable are contributions of the Governors of Ondo, Edo, Delta, Imo, Cross River, Benue, Ogun, Kaduna and Plateau States for their support for the Presidential initiative for palm oil, rubber, cashew, cassava, potatoes and other crops.

    With the abundance of rainfall last year and this year, agriculture has enjoyed Divine intervention.

    Since December last year, this Administration has produced over 7 million 50Kg bags of fertilizer. Eleven blending plants with a capacity of 2.1 million metric tons have been reactivated. We have saved $150 million in foreign exchange and N60 billion in subsidy. Fertilizer prices have dropped from N13,000 per 50Kg bag to N5,500.

    Furthermore, a new presidential initiative is starting with each state of the Federation creating a minimum of 10,000 jobs for unemployed youths, again with the aid of CBN’s development finance initiatives.

    Power remains a huge problem. As of September 12th, production of power reached an all — time high of 7,001 Megawatts. Government is increasing its investment, clearing up the operational and financial log jam bedeviling the industry. We hope to reach 10,000 Megawatts by 2020.

    Key priorities include better energy mix through solar and Hydro technologies. I am glad to say that after many years of limbo, Mambilla Power Project has taken off.

    Elsewhere in the economy the special window created for manufacturers, investors and exporters, foreign exchange requirements has proved very effective. Since April, about $7 billion has come through this window alone. The main effect of these policies is improved confidence in the economy and better investment sentiments.

    The country has recorded 7 consecutive months of lower inflation, Naira rate is beginning to stabilize, appreciating from N525 per $1 in February this year to N360 today. Broad-based economic growth is leading us out of recession.

    Furthermore, in order to stabilize the polity, the Federal Government gave additional support to states in the form of:

    · State Excess Crude Account loans,

    · Budget Support Facility,

    · Stabilization Fund Release

    to states and local governments as follows:

    · N200 billion in 2015

    · N441 billion in 2016

    · N1 trillion in 2017

    Altogether totaling N1.642 trillion.

    This was done to enable states to pay outstanding salaries, pensions and small business suppliers who had been all but crippled over the years.

    In addition, the Government’s current N500 billion Special Intervention Programme is targeting groups through;

    · Home Grown School Feeding Programme,

    · N-Power Job creation to provide loans to small-scale traders and artisans,

    · Conditional Cash Transfer,

    · Family Homes Fund and

    · Social Housing Scheme.

    CORRUPTION

    Fellow Nigerians,

    We are fully aware that fighting corruption was never going to be a straightforward task. We expected corrupt elements to use any weapon to fight back, mainly judicial obstruction and political diversion. But we are determined to eradicate corruption from our body politic.

    In this fight, the Government has:

    · Empowered teams of prosecutors,

    · Assembled detailed databases,

    · Accelerated the recovery of stolen funds.

    The Administration’s new institutional reforms include:

    · Enforcing Treasury Single Account,

    · Whistle-Blowers Policy,

    · Integrated Payroll Personnel and Information System.

    We have signed multi-lateral cooperation agreements on criminal matters with friendly countries. There are signs of increasing cooperation from the Judiciary. Recently the Chief Justice of Nigeria directed Heads of all our Courts of first instance and Appeal to accelerate hearings of corruption cases and dismiss any judicial officers found to have been compromised.

    Justice Salami has just been appointed to chair the Judiciary’s anti-graft committee. Government expects a lot from this Committee.

    I commend the National Assembly for refocusing on its oversight committees. They should, in addition, ensure swift passage of enabling corruption laws. But fighting corruption is a bottom to top operation. I call on all Nigerians to combat corruption at every turn. By not asking for and refusing to accept a bribe, by reporting unethical practices or by blowing a whistle, together we can beat corruption. The government for its part will work for accountability at all levels – Federal, State and Local Governments. CHANGE will then be real.

    As we enter the second half of our term of office, we intend to accelerate progress and intensify our resolve to fix the country’s challenges and problems.

    Thank you and a happy holiday to all of you.

    God bless our country

  • IPOB: I’m disappointed leaders did not warn ‘hot-headed’ youths-Buhari

    IPOB: I’m disappointed leaders did not warn ‘hot-headed’ youths-Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed disappointment that responsible leaders did not warn hot-headed youths against agitating for secession of a part of the country.

    In his Independence Day broadcast on Sunday, Buhari said the leaders in the communities should have told the agitators what the country went through during the civil war over Biafra.

    “ I am very disappointed that responsible leaders of these communities do not warn their hot-headed youths what the country went through.

    “Those who were there should tell those who were not there, the consequences of such folly.

    “As a young Army Officer, I took part from the beginning to the end in our tragic civil war costing about 2m lives, resulting in fearful destruction and untold suffering. Those who are agitating for a re-run were not born by 1967 and have no idea of the horrendous consequences of the civil conflict which we went through.”

    The President noted that while calls for re-structuring are quite proper in a legitimate debate, it has let in “highly irresponsible groups to call for dismemberment of the country.”

    He said the federal government cannot and we will not allow such advocacy.

    “At all events, proper dialogue and any desired constitutional changes should take place in a rational manner, at the National and State Assemblies. These are the proper and legal fora for National debate, not some lop-sided, un-democratic body with pre-determined set of objectives.

    “Government is keeping up the momentum of dialogue with stakeholders in the Niger Delta to keep the peace. We intend to address genuine grievances of the communities.

    “Government is grateful to the responsible leadership of those communities and will pursue lasting peace in the Niger Delta.”

     

  • Protesters at US embassy kick over stance on IPOB

    Protesters at US embassy kick over stance on IPOB

    Members  of a non-governmental organization – Coalition for the Defence of Nigeria Sovereignty- yesterday  stormed the embassy of United States (US) in Lagos,asking Washington  to keep off issues bordering on Nigeria’s sovereignty.

    The protesters who were reacting to the recent pronouncement of the US that it does not regard  the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organisation, said the activities of IPOB separatist movement are similar in nature to those  that attract jail terms in the US

    They carried placards with such inscriptions as  ”Americans! Stay Away from issues bordering on our sovereignty as a nation”; “We are indivisible in Nigeria, US beware”; “US, if you are not in support of the fight against terrorism in Nigeria, don’t be against it”; “US! US! Stop ýyour provocative support for IPOB.”

    National President/Convenerý of the coalition, Otunba Bolaji Alabi, described the US position on IPOB as abhorrent and highly condemnable “in the light of the psychological and emotional trauma that this terrorist group has caused us collectively as a people.”

    He added: “Even in the US, every single thing that members of this terrorist group have done in recent weeks will lead to jail terms.

    “The United States should desist from making decisions from the comfort of its echo chambers, in which it only hears itself without the benefit of appreciating what the end recipients of the situation under consideration go through.

    “Our thoughts are that the United State corrects its mistake within reasonable time so that IPOB would not use its position as an excuse to spread its violence and hatred to other parts of the world.

    “We are closely monitoring to see how soon the US would do the right thing by distancing itself from a terror organization that has the Yoruba in its crosshair.”

    Alabi said that the generality of Nigerian,including the Yoruba had resolved for one united Nigeria.

    He accused IPOB of  attempting to recruit and radicalize Yoruba youths to create a version of the terror group in the Southwest.

    ”It was these brainwashed youths that had unsuccessfully attempted making demands for Oodu’a Republic, which does not enjoy any backing among us,” he said.

    “The culture of hate speech being promoted by IPOB, which it is teaching these youths is alien to us as we are taught to be respectful and considerate of other humans.”

  • IPOB: Kanu not in Military custody – Army

    IPOB: Kanu not in Military custody – Army

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said the various military operations going on across the country to deal with the various security challenges would be sustained, noting that Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) group, is not in military custody.

    Defence Spokesman, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, stated this at a news conference in Abuja on Friday.

    Enenche also said that the exercises were being carried out by the armed forces not only to tackle the challenges but to train personnel, adding that they were being done in line with best international practices.

    He declared the unalloyed loyalty of the military to the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Responding to questions, Enenche urged the citizens not to be alarmed in the face of the presence of the military in almost all parts of the country.

    He explained that they were assisting civil authorities to tackle emerging security threats.

    The defence spokesman noted that the emerging threats were not unexpected as the nation passes through various stages of development.

    According to him, some of the advanced countries have also passed these stages where their armed forces are called in to assist civil authorities to tackle security challenges.

    On the whereabouts of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Enenche maintained he was not in custody of the military as being insinuated in some quarters.

    On the quit notice issued to the Igbo by Arewa youths to leave the Northern part of the country on or before October 1, he said that the issue had been addressed by the political leadership.

    He, however, said that measures had been put in place to address any eventuality and assured the citizens that they were safe to live wherever they chose in the country to carry out their legitimate businesses.

     

  • Group challenges IPOB, Yoruba youths on Nigerian Unity

    Group challenges IPOB, Yoruba youths on Nigerian Unity

    The Coalition for the Defence of Nigeria’s Sovereignty has declared that the position of the United States of America over the declaration of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist group by the Federal Government, is highly condemnable.

    The group, during a protest on Friday, made the declaration while commiserating with Nigerians who fell victim of the activities of IPOB loyalists in Abia state and other parts of the South-East.

    Speaking at the protest venue, Otunba Bolaji Alabi, the National President/Convener, noted that the group came out to protest against “something that we know threatens not just our dear country, Nigeria, but also poses a risk to our culture as Yoruba. It is a culture we cherish as passionately as we respect our nationality as Nigerians.

    “Our compatriots in South-east Nigeria, our Igbo brothers, have a challenge on their hands by way of some errant persons that are advocating for a forceful breakup of Nigeria. They are pursuing this evil enterprise under the name of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, which the Federal Government of Nigeria has properly designated to be a terrorist group. This decision has been confirmed by the court in accordance with what the anti-terrorism law prescribes.

    “We were taken aback when the United States of America said IPOB is not a terrorist organization. We find the position of the United States abhorrent and highly condemnable in the light of the psychological and emotional trauma that this terrorist group has caused us collectively as a people. Even in the US, every single thing that members of this terrorist group have done in recent weeks will lead to jail terms.

    The United States should desist from making decisions from the comfort of its echo chambers, in which it only hears itself without the benefit of appreciating what the end recipients of the situation under consideration go through. In this regard, the hate speech hurled at Yoruba by IPOB members online alone qualify as terrorism. They have repeatedly referred to us as “yorobastards” “yoropigs” “yaribads” and other derogatory appellations.”

    According to him, the disdain with which this terrorist organization hold us as a people was deplorable to the extent that IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, directed his members to kill Yoruba after branding us as colluding with the Hausa/Fulani. Below are a few instances of him threatening us as a people:

    “No Igbo man should attend any Church where the pastor is a Yoruba man, they are criminals and fools.”
    “Any Igbo Person who attends any Church Pastored by a Yoruba Man is an Imbecile”
    “Pastor Kumuyi should be stoned and dealt with thoroughly if he comes to Aba for his planned crusade.”
    “Nigeria is a zoo and everybody living in that Godforsaken zoo deserves to die.”

    “Nigeria should prepare for war, we are coming to annihilate you, my secret service is already studying the zoo and strategising.”

    He further noted that IPOB has also been attempting to recruit and radicalize Yoruba youths to create a version of the terror group in the south-west of Nigeria oblivious to our nationalistic spirit and staunch belief in the unity of Nigeria.

    “It was these brainwashed youths that had unsuccessfully attempted making demands for the Oodu’a Republic, which does not enjoy any backing among us. The culture of hate speech being promoted by IPOB, which it is teaching these youths is alien to us as we are taught to be respectful and considerate of other humans.

    “We wonder what would be the fate of anyone that repeatedly incite others to violence through the promotion of hate speech and go the extra mile to actualize the threats as we witnessed in Rivers State when IPOB terrorists were stopping commercial buses and singling out non-Igbo passengers, including Yoruba, for attacks.

    “These IPOB’s activities have already negatively affected the economy and unleashed hardship on the population from which Yoruba are not immune. This situation is unacceptable and we do not see why any country will offer support to a terrorist group that is responsible for human suffering on this scale.

    “We have decided as a people that our lot is in a united and indivisible Nigeria. It is inconceivable that we change who we are as Yoruba because some terrorists have been bolstered by the US.  To be so insulted, derided, attacked and killed by IPOB terrorists for this conviction is unacceptable. It was on this note that we commended the court’s declaration of IPOB as a terrorist organization; if the United States thinks and says otherwise then we have no option than to begin to treat that country as a state sponsor of terrorism.

    “May we also point out that stakeholder may know the start of this contention but no one knows where it would head or where it would end. IPOB is already exporting its violence as seen in Bengaluru, India on September 24, 2017, when violence by members of the terror group left one person dead and property destroyed. The US is home to many Nigerians and it is a matter of time before IPOB export its violence to that country and we boldly warn the US to watch out in Houston, Texas, where IPOB has vibrant cells.

    “Our thoughts are that the United States corrects its mistake within a reasonable time so that IPOB would not use its position as an excuse to spread its violence and hatred to other parts of the world. We are closely monitoring to see how soon the US would do the right thing by distancing itself from a terror organization that has the Yoruba in its crosshairs,” Alabi summed.

  • Nigeria and NADECO’s absurd mouthing

    Nigeria and NADECO’s absurd mouthing

    Democracy in Nigeria is a precious gift to every Nigerian. That it has survived uninterrupted for over 17 years, since its return in 1999 is a big plus to the active players of the game and every other Nigerian. It is more a plus and applause to the Nigerian military under the current leadership for their absolute subordination to civil authority and faith in democracy.

    It is an apt expression of the determination of all stakeholders to uphold and defend democracy. Unarguably, democracy cannot flourish in an atmosphere of anarchy, violence and like vices. That it has survived this long is a mystery to die-hard rubble rousers and spoilers, who have become sleepless.

    The manifested angst now stems from the unexpected sustenance of democracy. So, they have risen to speak in negative tongues against the democratic leadership. And dreading shadows of their own demonic spirits, they hide under some funny excuses to attempt punching of this fledgling democracy.

    These are the same characters, who have etched their shadows as Nigerians uninterested in nurturing this democracy to attain full maturity. They masquerade variously to derail it. They have tried to wrestle it to the ground to no avail. Now new tricks are invented, which at best assault the sensibilities of the people. The perpetual power elite, the political gangs, the venomous cabals and the betrayals of democracy ethos have stepped up relevance from the absurd angle.

    Nigerians however know them as those who willfully thwart the electoral process, by deploying assorted devices against the civic expression of the masses; they abuse the vote; they frustrate accountability and transparency in public governance; they are the same Nigerians who sponsor assorted violence and crimes against the Nigerian state. They have foreign collaborators who pay them handsomely to ensure Nigeria knows no peace.

    The agitations, the restiveness’ in some parts of the country, the weird crimes, the terrorists’ atrocities and the militancy everywhere are all traceable to their satanic shadows. But in public, they pretend some saintliness and sound sanctimonious about national interest and defence of democracy.

    When the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) under President Muhammedu Buhari deflates these evil forces from crippling and crumbling Nigeria further, fresh groups reactivate to wage more wars. So, the National Democratic Coalition ( NADECO ), the pro-democracy activists of yester-years have sauntered on stage.

    Democracy is excited by divergent views, quite alright. But when such views are lubricated by malice, propelled by a mindset immersed in the desperation to be heard, more than the reason or crux the messages embody, it becomes a near intractable problem.

    The remnants of NADECO members met recently in Lagos and issued a widely publicized statement. Having been on sabbatical leave for a long time, news from the group ignited instant interest from the public. But perusing through it over and over again, the contents infinitely mocked the grandeur ideals of the founding fathers.

    Disappointingly, NADECO members are pleading the understanding of Nigerians to rejig the narrative of Nigerian military’s intervention in internal insurrections’ and the very destructive acts of terrorism which manacled Nigeria. NADECO was piqued and prophesied that the selfless and thankless job of taming these terrorists acts, and violent crimes, the Nigerian military has devoted time, energy and lives is signpost to the return of dictatorship.

    This is absolute gibberish! They can howl and scuff, but cannot convince any sane mind, simply by twisting facts, especially from Nigerians the military intervention has brought respite and peace.

    And singing the familiar song of revert to true federalism, which the likes of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar keeps singing  and someone,   suspected to have sponsored the resurrection of NADECO, it thought an impression has been ingrained on the psyche of Nigerians. Atiku feels his only and most worthwhile political asset is to preach restructuring to Southern Nigeria, as he restlessly eyes the Presidency of Nigeria in 2019 and beyond.

    It is bemusing what NADECO intends to imply by the assertion “Nigeria is back to dictatorship.” That, soldiers Operation Python Dance II in the Southeast has invaded communities, tortured civilians and scared the people and so, it is unconstitutional abuses logic. The explanation is as shallow as it sounds. Operation Python Dance II cannot be unconstitutional by such infantile reasoning. Soldiers on lawful deployment cannot be acting unlawfully by any stretch of imagination.

    But NADECO’s “conscionable” voice drained into the Ocean or  the Lagoon, when the Nnamdi Kanu’s  led Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) trampled on the rights and freedom of every Nigerian, most especially, Southeasterners’. When Kanu established a Biafran state, within Nigerian sovereignty, it was not NADECO’s business. When it formed security organizations’, which it armed and deployed to terrorizing law abiding citizens and security agents, NADECO’s wisdom never decoded it as threat to democracy and its liberties to the citizenry.

    To polish an obvious lie, NADECO faulted the FGN’s declaration of IPOB a terrorists organization, arguing lamely and insisting government has gone against the order of a Federal High Court. Did the court order restraining the FGN from declaring IPOB a terrorists organization came before the deviant and abrasive group was formally declared a terrorists sect by a Federal High Court in Abuja?

    If IPOB was ever dissatisfied with the verdict, does it not amount to abuse of court procedure for IPOB to approach a court of concurrent jurisdiction seeking to vacate a subsisting court verdict, instead of a higher court? This is the blind argument NADECO has condescended into endorsing in public domain. Are the grey hairs in NADECO members so ignorant to the extent of knowing that laws of Nigeria permits the President to invoke his execute powers to certain limits, when internal security is threatened, without recourse to the National Assembly (NASS)?

    Thoroughly washing itself in shamefulness, NADECO morphed into soothsayers by predicting the deployment of soldiers to the other two regions in Southern Nigeria. Some Nigerians you expect should exude honour are most times, prodded by the wrong instincts.  Actions of government are official. It is not a backyard discussion or a tete-a-tete with an “Iyabo” in the kitchen.

    So, utterances’ on government should not just hang in the air, but be based on incontrovertible facts, as against presumptions or anticipatory actions. It is quite strange that NADECO is arguing against deployment of soldiers in the Southeast in sympathy with Governors of the eastern states and at the same time, dubiously preferring to forget that the same Governors under the umbrella of Southeast Governors Forum (SGF), directly under the furnace of IPOB members, proscribed IPOB. The reasons for reaching such extreme conclusions cannot be diminished by NADECO’s stale blackmail of the FGN and the Nigerian military.

    Restructuring or true federalism sermons are not strange to Nigeria. Like President Buhari echoed sometime back, every region of Nigeria is capable of sustaining itself. That’s the extent God has blessed Nigeria. The resources are everywhere. But campaigners of true federalism usually prefer not to reflect on reasons Nigeria is astoundingly backward after 57 years of independence.

    Former President and elder statesman of international repute, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (OBJ) is insistent that restructuring is not the answer to Nigeria’s present travails. He was emphatic that the canvassers of restructuring should first, “restructure” their minds. Mindless plundering of national resources by the political elite has left the country, a giant on bended kneels.

    Those irked that President Buhari has abated the pleasurable rape of Nigeria, sound loudest about restructuring, so that they can keep squeezing the juice out of states where they have imposed themselves as mini-lords and demigods. But every nation strives to forge ahead, with new ideals and actions. If all NADECO members and the likes of Atiku can propose after their resurrection is a return to the 1963 Constitution only exposes their wretchedness in ideology. It implies that they are barren of ideas, lost track of the dynamics of the world and seek, albeit questionably to again sink Nigeria into the dark ages.

    NADECO and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar are free to nurse dreams. The problem however is the intention to sacrifice the Nigerian military on the podium of political greed and interests. Nigerian military has demonstrated in the last two years that they are not just guardians’ of Nigerian democracy , but more interested in laying the template to ensure democratic institutions thrive and blossom to unimaginable levels.

    President Buhari’s choice of the present clan of the hierarchy of the Nigerian military was not carelessly selected. It explains why the military, particularly the Nigerian Army, has not only preached this sermon, but acted it in virtually all parts of Nigeria and excelling in every assignment with dignity. If world leaders take turns to salute their courage and resilience in demystifying and defeating Boko Harm terrorists in Nigeria, no amount of envy can obviate this acclaim.

    NADECO’s eyes are still dusty from the years of residence in the graveyard and cannot see beyond the veneer. Its belated bile campaigns against Nigerian military cannot fly and holding tenaciously to archaic ideas and using the military as a springboard is just in the middle of nowhere. If NADECO and its apostates are too haughty to appreciate the efforts of the Nigerian military in curbing acts of terrorism in Nigeria, it shall do its image some good by remaining silent.

    Okanga, a traditional warrior writes from Agila, Benue State.‎

  • Ohanaeze: restructuring way forward for Nigeria

    Ohanaeze: restructuring way forward for Nigeria

    The Igbo have voted for the restructuring of Nigeria, saying it is the way out of its problems. Besides, Ohanaeze, Ndigbo’s apex cultural and political organisation, yesterday rejected the declaration of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organisation. It described the action as “unfair, discriminatory and overhanded.”

    Ohanaeze’s President-General John Nnia Nwodo said the Southeast had been over policed to intimidate and hold down the Igbo.

    According to him, the endurance of the Igbo is being stretched beyond elastic limit.

    He said despite the October 1 quit notice given to the Igbo in the North, the Arewa Youths Council, which issued the deadline, was treated with kid gloves.

    Nwodo insisted that restructuring the country was the  way out of its problems.

    He said the agitation for restructuring was not anti-North. It was all at a lecture at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, London.

    In the text, which was released to repoprters in Abuja by Nwodo’s Media Adviser Ike Abonyi, the Ohanaeze President said “never in the history of Nigeria has there been unanimity for the reshaping of the country as it is now”.

    Nwodo said: “The declaration of IPOB as a terrorist organization is in my view hurried, unfair, and not in conformity with the intendment of the law.

    “Whereas I am not completely in agreement with some of the methods of IPOB, like its inappropriate and divisive broadcast, the uncontested evidence given by the Attorney-General of the Federation in an interlocutory action claiming that IPOB attempted and/or actually snatched guns from law enforcement agents are, if proven, merely criminal offences.

    “They do not constitute enough evidence to meet international law definitions of a terrorist organisation. Happily, the United States Embassy in Nigeria only three days ago shared this conclusion and asserted that the United States Government does not recognise IPOB as a terrorist organisation.

    “This same unarmed IPOB that is being stigmatised by the Nigerian government had its members murdered in Asaba, Nkpor, Aba and Port Harcourt simply for having public demonstrations without the Federal Government ordering a judicial inquiry.

    “Instead, after I called for one and Amnesty International provided evidence that 150 of them were killed, the Chief of Army Staff set up an inquiry composed of serving and retired army officers, thus abandoning the rules of natural justice which prescribes that you cannot be a judge in your own court.”

    Nwodo spoke on the mindset of the Igbo on the proscription of IPOB. He said: “The Igbo in Nigeria feel the treatment of IPOB as unfair, discriminatory and overhanded. They see the move as an attempt to encourage a profiling of Igbos in the international security arena.

    “We know of other self-determination groups in Nigeria that are armed and have destroyed government and private sector installations and wells that government prefers to negotiate with rather than label them as terrorist organisations.

    “Fulani herdsmen, otherwise called the Fulani militants, have ravaged farms in Middle Belt, South West, and South Eastern Nigeria, killing several farmers in the process. In January 2016, they killed 500 farmers and their families in Agatu in Benue state. In Enugu State,

    they murdered more than 100 farmers in Ukpabi Nimbo in April 2016.

    “Photographs depicting them with automatic rifles trend in the entire world media, yet not one of them is facing criminal charges, nor is Operation Python Dance being conducted in the areas where they ravage and kill and the Federal Government describes them as criminals and not a terrorist organization, notwithstanding their classification by the Global Terrorist Index as the fourth deadliest terrorist group in the world (see British Independent Newspaper, 18th November 2015). The London Guardian Newspaper of 12th July 2016 indicated that Fulani herdsmen killed 1000 people in 2014.”

    The Ohanaeze President declared that the endurance of the Igbo was being overstretched.

    He said: “In Nigeria, Ndigbo, whose social-cultural organisation I lead are, notwithstanding their historical experiences in Nigeria, the most loyal ethnic group to the concept of one Nigeria.

    “We are the largest ethnic group other than the indigenous group in any part of Nigeria. We invest and contribute to the economic and social life of the communities wherever we live. We are proudly Christians but very accommodating of our brothers of other religious persuasions.

    “We are grossly marginalised and still treated by the Federal Government as second-class citizens. No Igbo man, for instance, heads any security arm of the Nigerian Armed Forces. Our area is the most heavily policed as if there was a deliberate policy to intimidate us and hold us down.

    “Our endurance has been stretched beyond Hooke’s gauge for elastic limit. The deployment of the Nigerian Army under the guise of Operation Python Dance to the South East was unconstitutional under Section 271 of the 1999 Constitution.

    “Deployment of the army is only allowed in circumstances of insurrection, terrorism and external aggression, not in killing of priests, or fighting kidnapping. And in those circumstances where they can be deployed, leave of the Senate must be sought. This brazen impunity in dealing with matters which concern the South East is provocative.”

    Nwodo went on: “The Arewa Youths Council, by issuing a quit notice for Igbos to leave Northern Nigeria and declaring a Federal Republic of Nigeria without Igboland, had committed serious infractions of the law. First by declaring a new Republic of Nigeria which excises the South East unilaterally, they were committing treason.”

    He said the agitation for restructuring was not anti-North as being speculated by some Nigerians.

    His words: “The only hope for change in Nigeria today is the rising call for restructuring pioneered by the Southern leadership forum, supported lately by ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former President Ibrahim Babangida and leaders of the Middle Belt including Dan Suleiman and Prof. Jerry Gana.

    “Our expectation is that now that our President is fully recovered and back to work, he will address the situation by constituting a nationwide conversation of all ethnic nationalities to look into the 2014 National Conference report and the trending views on this subject

    matter so as to come up with a consensus proposal that the national and state assemblies will be persuaded to adopt.

    “A model based on sharing of Government revenue must give way to a new structure that will challenge and drive productivity in different regions across the country.

    “Restructuring will devote attention to the new wealth areas, promote competition and productivity as the new federating units struggle to survive. It will drastically reduce corruption as the large federal parastatals which gulp Government revenue for little or no impact dissolve and give way to small and viable organs in the new federating units.”

    The Ohanaeze chief gave a picture of what Nigeria would assume after its proposed model of restructuring.

    “Two basic models have been canvassed for restructuring in Nigeria. A conservative model aimed at maintaining the status quo has been proposed to mean simply a shedding of some of the exclusive powers of the Federal Government.

    “The second model calls for a fundamental devolution of powers to the States as federating units and a lean Federal Government with exclusive powers for defence, customs, immigration, foreign relations and a federal legislature and judiciary to make and interpret laws in these exclusive areas.

    “The regions will have the powers to merge existing states or create new ones. There will be regional and state legislatures and judiciary dealing with making and interpreting laws made in the respective political entities. This approach proposes a revenue sharing formula of 15% to the Federal Government, 35% to the State Government and 50% to the Local Governments.”

    Nwodo blamed the All Progressives Congress(APC) and other parties for not paying attention to restructuring. “To make matters worse, none of the other political parties has come up with any clear-cut route for achieving a consensus on this matter.

    “The National Assembly itself is a reflection of the deep ethnic divisions in the country and the Northern majority conferred on it by the military makes it highly unacceptable to Southern Nigeria.”

  • 14 IPOB members remanded   

    14 IPOB members remanded   

    A MagistrateS’ Court sitting in Aba North Local Government area of Abia State presided over by Ogbonna Adiele, yesterday remanded 14 members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Aba Federal Prison.

    Adiele on September 18 remanded seven accused IPOB members: Chinonso Ude (30years), Maduabuchi Echereodo (25years), Ugochukwu Ikechukwu (32years), Okechukwu Daniel (20years), Ifeanyi Sunday (33years), Okezie Jeremiah (26years) and Chizuruoke Nwauzo (27years) in prison custody following charges on terrorism, kidnapping and use of offensive weapons against them in charge sheets; 132C/2017 and MAN/133C/2017.

    The 14 members of IPOB, Anthony Nnamani(20 years), Chima Chukwumere(22 years), Kingsley Sunday (21 years), Michael Onyedikachi(26 years), Eze Okereke(25 years), Christian Sylvester (45 years), Etim Effiong Ade(22 years), Emmanuel Onwukwe(29 years), Ndubuisi Ukoha(29 years), Ogbonna Nwaji(24 years), Salvation Stephen (22 years), Chizoba Nwosu(21 years), Ejike Elom(21 years) and Kelechi Anusie(26 years) were  arraigned on eight count of  Conspiracy, Murder, Arson, unlawful Association, Unlawful Assembly, Stealing with other two charges dealing on burning of the Ariaria Divisional Police Headquarters building and the cars at the premises.

    While Police prosecutor Gabriel Ogbonna urged the the court to commence trial since according to him, the court had the jurisdiction to hear the matter, counsel to the 1st, 2nd and 5th accused persons, Charles Onuchukwu, objected to the prosecutor’s position, saying that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear cases of murder as contained on count 2 of the charge sheet.

    Onuchukwu also argued that the issue of ”holding charge” was unconstitutional and unknown to law.

    The trial magistrate after listening to the argument of the prosecutor and counsel to the accused persons ordered that the accused persons were remanded to prison custody and ordered that the case file be transferred to the office of the Attorney General for advice

    The case was adjourned to October 4 for report of compliance.

     

  • Abaribe denies being queried for standing surety for IPOB leader

    Abaribe denies being queried for standing surety for IPOB leader

    Leader of South East Senate caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, yesterday protested a report that he was queried by the Senate for standing surety for the bail of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

    Abaribe through a Point of Order, tendered a copy of Daily Trust publication of yesterday with the head line that the Abia South senator was queried by the Senate for being one of those who guaranteed Kanu bail.

    He insisted that no such thing happened and wondered why the newspaper could publish what he described as “fake news.”

    The lawmaker also said that the meeting the publication was based was a closed door session which was not open to the public.

    Abaribe said that he was at a loss where the newspaper got its information.

    He told the Senate that his “constituents are deeply worried over the unverified report as was published by the newspaper.”

    Abaribe said, “Our meeting was a closed door one. A headline like this purporting to say that this was what happened in the meeting is wrong.

  • Another 14 IPOB members remanded in prison

    Another 14 IPOB members remanded in prison

    A Magistrate Court sitting in Aba North Local Government area of Abia State presided over by Ogbonna Adiele on Wednesday remanded 14 members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Aba Federal Prison.

     Recall that Adiele had on the 18th of September remanded 7 accused IPOB members: Chinonso Ude (30years), Maduabuchi Echereodo (25years), Ugochukwu Ikechukwu (32years), Okechukwu Daniel (20years), Ifeanyi Sunday (33years), Okezie Jeremiah (26years) and Chizuruoke Nwauzo (27years) in prison custody following charges on terrorism, kidnapping and use of offensive weapons against them in charge sheets; 132C/2017 and MAN/133C/2017.

     The 14 fresh members of IPOB, Anthony Nnamani(20 years), Chima Chukwumere(22 years), Kingsley Sunday (21 years), Michael Onyedikachi(26 years), Eze Okereke(25 years), Christian Sylvester (45 years), Etim Effiong Ade(22 years), Emmanuel Onwukwe(29 years), Ndubuisi Ukoha(29 years), Ogbonna Nwaji(24 years), Salvation Stephen (22 years), Chizoba Nwosu(21 years), Ejike Elom(21 years) and Kelechi Anusie(26 years) were  arraigned on 8 count charges: Conspiracy, Murder, Arson, unlawful Association, Unlawful Assembly, Stealing with other two charges dealing on burning of the Ariaria Divisional Police Headquarters building and the cars at the premises.

    While the Police Prosecutor, Gabriel Ogbonna urged with the court to commence trial since according to him, the court has the jurisdiction to hear the matter, counsel to the 1st, 2nd and 5th accused persons, Barrister Charles Onuchukwu objected to the prosecutor’s position as he stressed that the court doesn’t have the jurisdiction to hear cases of murder as contained on count 2 of the charge sheet.

    Onuchukwu also argued that the issue of “holding charge” was unconstitutional and unknown to law.

    The trial magistrate after listening to the argument of the prosecutor and counsel to the accused persons ordered that the accused persons were remanded to prison custody and ordered that the case file be transferred to the office of the Attorney General for advice

    The case was adjourned to 4th of October for report of compliance.