The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nwosu

  • ADC: Judge orders individual service of court documents on Mark, Aregbesola, Nwosu

    ADC: Judge orders individual service of court documents on Mark, Aregbesola, Nwosu

    Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the plaintiff in a suit querying the legitimacy of the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to ensure that the second, third, and fifth defendants are served individually with court documents.

    The defendants are: Mark (Interim National Chairman), Rauf Aregbesola (Interim National Secretary), and Ralph Nwosu (former National Chairman).

    Justice Nwite issued the order during yesterday’s proceedings upon realising that the plaintiff – a former Deputy National Chairman of ADC, Nafiu-Bala Gombe – had not effected proper service on the defendants, as legally required.

    In the suit, Mark, Aregbesola, and  Nwosu are listed as the second, third, and fifth defendants. ADC is listed as the first, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the fourth defendant.

    READ ALSO: Five fun ways to spark children’s love for reading

    When the case was called, the plaintiff’s lawyer, Michael Agber, told the court that the business of the day was for lawyers to the defendants to show cause why the court should not grant the plaintiff’s motion seeking to restrain Mark and others from assuming ADC’s leadership.

    The judge averred that Mark, Aregbesola, and Nwosu were not represented in court, a development that prompted him to ask Agber whether they were served with the documents in the case, as required.

    In response, Agber said he served the three through the office of the ADC because they were operating there.

    Justice Nwite faulted that mode of service, stating that since they were sued individually, they ought to be so served, except if the plaintiff had first obtained an order of court for substituted service.

    Lawyer to ADC, Shaibu Aruwa (SAN), admitted that his client was properly served.

    Aruwa said ADC had responded to the court’s earlier order directing it to show cause by filing an affidavit detailing why the restraining orders sought by the plaintiff should not be granted.

    The lawyer said his client had also filed a notice of preliminary objection, challenging the competence of the suit and the court’s jurisdiction to hear it, but had yet to respond to the substantive suit because it was still within time.

    INEC’s lawyer, Kingsley Magbuin, admitted being served with some of the documents filed, with the exclusion of one, which Agber later handed to him in open court on the instruction of the judge.

    Magbuin said his client had also filed an affidavit to show cause, but had yet to respond to the substantive suit because it is still within time.

    Justice Nwite adjourned till September 30 for the hearing.

  • Soludo, Nwosu and battle for Anambra

    Soludo, Nwosu and battle for Anambra

    • By Leo Sobe

    As campaigns open in Anambra State for the November 8 governorship race, the intrigues, issues and personalities involved depict an epic battle.

     The unique feature of politics of the state is not strange to political watchers.  Anambra, which prides itself as the ‘Light of the Nation’, is associated with the culture of money politics, perhaps, because of its large population of men and women of means.

       The question, therefore, has been whether the state would continue in that tradition or there would be a shift.

    At the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1999, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held sway with Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju as governor. Political observers are always quick to point at the worrisome record of that era with workers in the state. That was when workers were owed salaries for months, leading to a series of industrial actions by civil servants, primary and post-primary school teachers.

       Critics of Mbadinuju’s administration claim that some high-profile politicians hijacked the government, leading to the revolt that denied Mbadinuju the PDP ticket, which was given to Dr Chris Ngige in 2003.

      The drama that ensued led to the sack of Ngige and the installation of another PDP top shot, Andy Ubah, as governor of the state. But, it didn’t take long before the PDP lost to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) through the courts. Peter Obi took over as the governor of the state in 2006, and thus, began the long reign of APGA in the state.

        This year marks the 20 years of APGA control of Anambra Government House. And, it is looking as if the party will go the way PDP did in 2005 after three governors. Major contenders have emerged on All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Labour Party (LP) and Young Progressives Party (YPP).

     Gladiators on these opposition platforms are already engaging in ground-shaking political moves, thereby establishing the November 8 meet as a heated and highly competitive battle. Already, unfolding events and voter enthusiasm indicate that one of the fresh political forces, John Chuma Nwosu, the ADC gubernatorial candidate, as an outstanding gladiator to watch. JCN, as he is fondly called, comes to the field as the youths favourite. The ICT guru is setting the tone for a fiercely contested governorship race in the state.

       However, the claim by some political actors that Anambra State APC delegates did not support President Bola Tinubu’s candidacy during the presidential primary in 2022 has been fueling speculations that the President quietly supports Governor Chukwuma Soludo, against the Anambra APC, and this, invariably throws the contest open.

    But, APC faithful in the state think differently, as they express confidence that the power at the centre would halt the re-election of the incumbent. At a stakeholders’ meeting of Anambra Central Senatorial District held in Awka recently, APC leaders said it made sense for Tinubu to support them.

    “The President told us to go and win Anambra for the party and promised to give us his full support,” said Senator Uche Ekwunife, who is pairing with Nicholas Ukachukwu as running mate in the election.

    She faulted the logic behind Tinubu’s support of APGA, dismissing the insinuation as “bogus and false. She branded APGA as a “sectional” party with no growth prospects beyond Anambra.

    “How can the President hide his own party and candidate inside a warehouse and then go and promote the product of another party? That’s not possible,” she said.

    Ekwunife declared that Tinubu endorsed Anambra APC and mandated the party leadership to “go and win the state.” Anambra APC Chairman, Basil Ejidike, agreed and announced that the APC was focused on “a clean sweep” on November 8.

    To achieve the goal, the party is focusing its campaign on local government tours, beginning from Ayamelum.

    For the Labour Party (LP) candidate, George Moghalu, after his controversial victory at the governorship primary, the leadership crisis in the party continues to leave a question mark on its acceptability in the state. Muoghalu had stated:  “LP remains a formidable force and we are moving like a train with a clear destination: a better Anambra.”

    Read Also: Nigeria opens door to new economy as Tinubu signs landmark tax reform laws

    Anambra PDP was yet to conclude its primaries as at the time of filing this report. The likes of Chris Uba, Sen Ben Obi and other political gladiators are holding sway, hoping on early resolution of PDP’s internal crisis at the national level.

       No doubt, the squabble would take its toll on the fortunes of the party in Anambra, as the warring party leaders appear not ready to shift ground. In a communiqué issued at the end of an enlarged meeting of the State Executive Committee in May, signed by the Chairman, Chidi Chidebe, the party reaffirmed its “unflinching” support for Ben Obi, its respected leader in the state; as well as the South East Zonal Leader, Governor Peter Mba, and the national leadership on the matter of the authentic national secretary of the party.

     Soludo has to contend with the growing disenchantment among the people as opposition is taking advantage of his alleged perceived low rating in governance. Regrettably, former governor Willie Obiano, who was said to have brought the incumbent to power in 2021, had since distanced himself from Anambra politics.

    The APC candidate, Ukachukwu, who revealed during an interview with AIT that Soludo did not know anybody and had no structure before ascending the saddle as governor, challenged Soludo’s political credentials. The APC flag bearer insisted that the incumbent rode to power solely on Obiano’s political machinery and state’s resources.

    “Obiano brought Soludo, who does not know anybody and has no structure anywhere, to power. Soludo just followed Obiano and his supporters, including me, to campaign and everything,” he stated.

    Another controversial issue is where Soludo claimed that the eight local government areas, once choked by gunmen, breathe free now. The incumbent governor had, in a recent lecture delivered at University of Nigeria Nsukka, claimed that the newly launched ‘Agunechemba’ security outfit had driven kidnappers, ritualists and cultists out of town, adding that “Onitsha touts are now ghosts”, with traders thriving free.

      The perception in the state is that the governor accomplishes more with his mouth than with his hands in measurable performance. At the height of the rising incidences of insecurity in the state, some residents called for his resignation, arguing that such deplorable development was not heard of all through the eight years of Peter Obi as governor.

       For Rev Fr Emmanuel Obimma and many Anambrarians, the APGA governor failed to discharge his primary responsibility of safeguarding lives and property.

    “Our people are comparing the performance of Soludo of Anambra with that of Alex Otti of Abia State and Peter Mbah of Enugu State. Otti and Mbah are two years in office, while Soludo is clocking four years in office.

      “The problem with Soludo is that he has failed in every campaign promise he made to Ndi Anambra. He has failed to make Anambra the Dubai-Taiwan metropolitan city. The first project he commissioned was the Amansea axis of the Old Enugu-Onitsha express road. His road projects are not up to Obi’s standard. The quality of his leadership is not what he promised and never what we expected; it is still business as usual. His tax reform seems to have failed, as he reverted to using touts to harass taxpayers.

       “But Otti and Mbah have positively impacted their people’s lives through disruptive innovation in governance. In Enugu, although many of the citizens lament the huge payment of tax imposed on them by the state government, the governor’s aggressive development of infrastructure in the state is unparalleled. Otti has turned Aba City around,” Dr Agadigbo Ezeaku said in an interview.

    To worsen the fortunes of the ruling party, many founding fathers of APGA have deserted the party, largely due to perceived high-handedness, unhealthy rivalry and indifference by the party’s leadership.

      In a keynote entitled ‘Anambra State 2030: Envisioning the African Dubai, Taiwan and Silicon Valley’ at the 2nd Anambra Development Summit, organised by the League of Anambra Professionals, last year, in Awka, Soludo noted that Anambra was having all the crucial statistics to make grand progress.

       “With a population of 4.1 million and a landmass of 4,887km2, Anambra has the second highest population density after Lagos State. The landmass is so small that the entire state can conveniently be organised into one large industrial park or free trade zone,” the governor said.

      If the old breed governorship contenders in APGA, APC, LP and PDP cancels themselves out by virtue of poor performance, unpopular and troubled platforms, the field would be left open for the fresh entrants in YPP and ADC. This realization may explain the rising political fortune of the ADC.

    The party’s contender, JCN, emerged as a major contender in the race through his accurate analysis of the challenges and fitting explanations. While predicating the place of integrity and pedigree in leadership recruitment, the ADC candidate maintains that integrity is like pregnancy.   

    “You are either pregnant or not. You either have integrity or you don’t. If you lose your integrity, it’s like a miscarriage. There is hardly any recovery. Pedigree is a given. If you have it and protect it, there will always be benefits,” he noted.

       For Nwosu, integrity and pedigree must work in tandem in leadership recruitment, stressing that, above all, in Anambra State, “we must restore faith and trust in our leaders. (Because) The distrust gap between our leaders and the led remains quite wide.”

       “Governance,” he asserted, “is simply about expeditious and sustainable service delivery. I am bringing into governance a commitment to best practices and efficient service delivery with our Security, Health, Education, Economy, Environment, Markets and Social welfare governance platform.

      “We will replicate and improve on Obi’s Anambra Integrated Development Strategy governance model. Most of our leaders no longer have the fear of God.”

      If character, credibility and management of wealth are used as a yardstick to elect political office seekers in Nigeria, then Nwosu, the ADC flag bearer in the poll, has brighter chances to win.

      Little wonder, Nwosu told journalists in a recent interview, “I am an entrepreneur, a good creator and manager of wealth and people. I have effectively operated in the organised private sector for over three decades. I understand the business culture and practices; what works and what does not. In both business and governance, we must strive for cost-effectiveness.”

       “While in business, the bottom line is the profit margin; in governance, frugality and effective management of resources will always be a priority. Operating within available resources means not spending frivolously or borrowing carelessly.”

        He extolled ANIDS (Anambra Integrated Development Strategy) governance approach developed by Governor Peter Obi, describing it as an optimal governance model aligned to the Millennium Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals.  

        Nwosu stated: “The Obi blueprint remains available as the best option and model for developing the 21 local government areas and 179 communities of Anambra simultaneously.”

  • Nwosu’s heroic status

    Nwosu’s heroic status

    In its wisdom, the Senate concluded that Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, the late former chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), did not deserve more than the observance of a minute of silence by members of the upper chamber of the National Assembly. He died in America on October 24, 2024, and was buried in his hometown, Ajalli, Anambra State, on March 28.  He was 83. 

    On the eve of his burial, the Senate rejected, by an unclear voice vote, a motion to immortalise him by naming the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Abuja, after him.    

    Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe (representing Abia South), who presented the motion, praised Nwosu’s “courageous defence of democratic electoral process during the 1993 presidential election,” and “his unwavering stand as an umpire.” He argued that Nwosu “laid a landmark foundation” for the present INEC. He also requested the Federal Government to give him a posthumous national honour.

    Senators who opposed the motion, and apparently carried the day, argued that Nwosu could not be described as a hero because he failed to declare the full results of the 1993 presidential election. They claimed that he lacked courage when it mattered.

    Interestingly, the House of Representatives is not on the same page with the Senate on the question of Nwosu’s heroism. In July 2024, about three months before his death, the House, recognising his contributions to the country’s political development, had urged the Federal Government to “immortalise” him “when he is still alive by conferring on him a national honour” and naming the headquarters of INEC after him.  He was described as a “hero of our democracy.” The House had passed the resolution following the adoption of a motion jointly sponsored by Peter Ifeanyi Uzokwe and Nnabuife Chinwe Clara.

    There is no denying the fact that as the then NEC chairman, he heroically conducted Nigeria’s historic June 12, 1993 presidential election, which is acclaimed as the “freest and fairest” in the country’s political history.

    He was NEC boss from 1989 to 1993 and introduced ‘Option A4,’ an open ballot system of voting that required voters to openly queue in front of the picture of their candidate in an election. This innovation reflected his expertise as a former professor of Political Science at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

    What might have happened if he had lacked the courage to disregard an anomalous court order against the holding of the poll remains a matter of speculation. President Bola Tinubu, in a posthumous tribute, notably described him as “a bold and courageous administrator as well as a patriot and national asset.” There is no doubt that he was a champion of democracy who played a significant role in momentous events which, in his words, “marked a turning point in Nigeria’s tortuous journey towards a democratic polity.” His death highlighted the twists and turns of the country’s democratic experience.

    In his 2008 book, ‘Laying the Foundation for Nigeria’s Democracy: My Account of June 12, 1993, Presidential Election and its Annulment,’ Nwosu said the military authorities had wanted him to “postpone the election at least for one week.” He also said they accused him of conducting “a presidential election the court prohibited” and “helped to cause… confusion.”

    A group ironically known as Association for Better Nigeria (ABN) had encouraged the continuity of military rule under Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, who had designed a convoluted and deceptive programme to restore democracy. As the country looked forward animatedly to democratic governance after eight years under Babangida, the ABN, alleging corruption, dramatically obtained a mysterious high court injunction stopping the election two days before the event. The court order was reported to have been issued at night.

     However, Nwosu ensured that the election was held as scheduled, stating that the court lacked authority to stop it. The contest was between M.K.O. Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC).

    Three days after the poll, in the middle of the collation of the votes, the ABN dramatically obtained another court injunction to halt the counting and verification. The electoral body, this time, bowed to the court order in the face of intimidation by the military authorities, and suspended the announcement of the election results the following day.

    By this time, however, NEC had begun announcing the election results.  Of the 6.6 million votes that had been announced, Abiola had received 4.3 million and Tofa 2.3 million. The final result was later leaked and revealed that Abiola had won by a 58 percent majority.

    The Babangida regime subsequently annulled the election, triggering street protests, particularly in Abiola’s Southwest base, that led to the reported killing of more than 100 people by security forces. Nwosu went into exile.  The annulment of the election led to the emergence of two other military regimes before democracy was restored in 1999 and the death of Abiola in military detention. 

    Nwosu was an unlikely hero, considering the circumstances that led to his appointment as NEC chairman. He had served in the government of a former military governor of old Anambra State. He was chosen to head the NEC following the resignation of his predecessor and former mentor, Prof.  Eme Awa, after a disagreement with Babangida. Indeed, he disappointed those who had thought he would be a yes-man.

    Read Read Also: ‘Nigerians, other Africans have a lotto learn from UAE real estate market’

    He left a legacy of innovative thinking and heroism in the pursuit of democracy. In 2018, he was reported saying, “the democratic system of governance is the best, especially for a multi-ethnic nation like ours,” adding that “expanding the frontiers of democracy will provide economic, social and developmental benefits that will certainly make Nigeria a great nation not only in Africa but across the world.”

     It is noteworthy that Babangida, during the launch of his autobiography, ‘A Journey in Service,’ in February, said “there was no doubt that MKO Abiola won the June 12 election,” claiming that military officers led by Sani Abacha, his chief of defence staff who later became military head of state, annulled the June 12 election “without his permission.” In the 420-page memoir, he acknowledged that the 1993 presidential election was “credible, free and fair.”

    Those who deny Nwosu’s heroism because he was eventually overwhelmed by the military dictatorship are unrealistic. His place is undeniable in the hierarchy of heroism concerning the 1993 presidential election.

  • Unclaimed dividends major problem affecting capital market—Nwosu

    Unclaimed dividends major problem affecting capital market—Nwosu

    • Says African Prudential, SEC, NASS determined to address challenge

    Worried about the growing inventory of unclaimed dividends currently at a staggering N190b in the capital market, major stakeholders have set machinery in motion to address this lingering headlong, the Managing Director of Africa Prudential Plc, Catherine Nwosu has said.

    Nwou who dropped this hint while speaking on the sidelines at the company’s Annual General Meeting in Lagos recently, lamented the protracted problem of unclaimed dividends, stressing that it is one monster that has defied cure for years

    She was however quick to admit that things are looking up as concerted efforts are being made to bring the challenge under control.

    While acknowledging that the N190b inventory of unclaimed dividends was humongous, Nwosu, who just resumed as the CEO at African Prudential Registrars in March, confirmed that as a member of the technical committee instituted by the Securities and Exchange Commission the body is brainstorming to find ways of resolving the issue working in tandem with members of the National Assembly.

    “We really acknowledge that the issue of unclaimed dividends is a major challenge because it has everything to do with the identity management crisis in the capital market. Presently, a lot of awareness is being created. Before the end of this year, SEC must have visited the six geopolitical zones in collaboration with us and some other registrars to create awareness across the board.”

    According to her, “A lot of people are not aware that they have unclaimed dividends. It’s not everybody that reads the newspaper, or watches television. The people in the villages and hinterlands are not even aware and that is why we are going to do grassroots mobilisation and awareness across the country so that people can come forward and solve this problem and then claim their dividends. And you know if you did not claim your dividend last year, if a company declares dividends this year, it will increase.

    “So, it’s not that people have not been claiming their dividends, it is because of the additional dividends being declared by companies you see dividends increasing. But a lot is being done. Today, we are paying African Prudential shareholders dividends and I tell you 95 percent of the dividends will go today. On our part, we are doing everything assiduously to reduce the unclaimed dividends in our coffers.”

    On her expectations in office, she said she hopes to sustain the legacy of growth by focusing on three key major areas including technology, people and process.

    “So, these key areas are areas that I am going to focus on. If you have the best of people, you will achieve a lot. That is it because the people will help you identify the needs of your customers, whatever we are creating to make customers happy.”

    On what she is doing to stabilise the company in order to add more value to the shareholders, she said her aim is to ensure the sustainability of the company through innovation by creating products that are customer-centric for our clients. “I mentioned today that there are lots of opportunities in the capital market. Just this first quarter the NGX has recorded a boom far more than they did in the entire 2023. So, it shows you that the opportunities are enormous and the MPR today is at 24.5 per cent. So, the government is trying to encourage foreign direct investment and where are these investments heading to, the capital market.

    “So, the more the capital market activities, the better for the registrar business. And there is this expansion project that the NGX is doing in collaboration with seven other African countries and what it means is that trade across these countries will happen instantly. People can buy shares of companies listed in Ghana in naira and they can see it in their statements across the board. So, there are lots of opportunities, the market is growing and a lot of companies are warming up to list. So, we are preparing a lot of companies for listing.

    “Transcorp Power listed on the 4th of March this year and some other companies are coming to the market. We have Invearn, our flagship product that we would be launching by the second week of April. It’s a portal, a mobile app where shareholders can look at the value of their investment, get market news and information, and be able to make decisions on the go. A lot is happening in our space and I tell you by the end of this year, you will see the performance of African Prudential shares.”

  • UNFORGETTABLE  MEMORIES: Nwosu, Amuneke recall AFCON glories as Lawal, Kaita reflect on ‘golden bronze’

    UNFORGETTABLE  MEMORIES: Nwosu, Amuneke recall AFCON glories as Lawal, Kaita reflect on ‘golden bronze’

    The 34th Africa Cup of Nations, otherwise called Cote ‘d’Ivoire 2023 AFCON, kicks off tomorrow evening at the Olympic Stadium Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan as hosts Cote d’Ivoire square up against Guinea Bissau in the competition’s opener. But Cote d’Ivoire 2023 will be  Nigeria’s 20th appearance at the AFCON since their debut in the competition in 1963 in Ghana. They have been champions on three occasions (1980, 1994 and 2013); silver medalists four times (1984, 1988, 1990, and 2000) and bronze medalists on eight occasions (1976, 1978, 1992, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2019).

    Ahead of the eagerly awaited continental showpiece, MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN  and TUNDE LIADI engaged some former Nigeria internationals as they reflected on the joy of being champions as well as being part of the ‘golden bronze’ of yesteryears.

    Former Green Eagles midfielder Henry Nwosu has stated that Nigeria was able to win the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 1980 as host because the then President Shehu Shagari-led federal government supported the team wholeheartedly and ensured they had the best of build up to the competition.

    He said the government told them they had invested in the facilities at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan and National Stadium, Lagos, to ensure they played host to win it. And that because of that, the national team then, known as the Green Eagles, lacked little or nothing before and during the competition.

    “In 1980, we hosted the competition and won it,” Nwosu told NationSport. “We had good preparations towards the competition. We gave it all that we had to ensure we won, especially because we were the host.

    “We went on playing tour outside the country to prepare. We were in Brazil, England and an African country to prepare. The federal government made sure we lacked nothing.”

    Nwosu, who was also part of the silver medal-winning team of 1984 and 1988 hosted in Cote D’Ivoire and Morocco respectively, said he and his teammates were on top of the world based on how they were valued and honoured after winning the competition in 1980 on home soil and also returning as second best team in 1984 and 1988.

    “It was grand celebration for us after we won the AFCON in 1980. It was a memorable moment for me and the team. I was the youngest player in the 1980 team. The government was happy to receive us also after we came second in 1984 and 1988. In fact, it was on our return from the 1988 competition that the name Green Eagles got changed to the Super Eagles.”

    Another player that had the honour of winning the AFCON was 1994 Africa’s Player of the Year, Emmanuel Amuneke, who won the competition with his exquisite brace of goals in the final against Zambia.

    Amuneke who was the head coach when the Golden Eaglets won the FIFA U17 World Cup in Chile in 2015 expressed his delight at winning the AFCON. He added also that being responsible for the two goals that sealed the second title for Nigeria was very awesome.

    “The feeling was great after winning the AFCON in 1994 in Tunisia and one of the greatest feelings was that we were able to win the AFCON to make Nigerians happy. And when you are in a position to bring joy to your people, that is one of the greatest things a man can do to his people,” Amuneke recalled with glee. “I’m happy and I’m glad to  have been part of the team that won the AFCON in 1994 in Tunisia. So it was a great feeling and we thank God for that possibility.

    “I am very grateful and privileged to have had the opportunity to play in the final. I never played any game throughout the competition until the final.

    “I was able to score the two goals that gave us the cup. I am grateful to the coach, backroom staff and to my teammates that believed in me. The important thing is that I was able to contribute and add value to the success of the national team. I am happy for that and to see Nigerians happy for the success of the team in 1994.”

    Lawal, Kaita reflect on AFCON medals

    Apart from the joy of winning the AFCON trophy itself, some former Super Eagles  players remain nostalgic about their days on the  continental sphere despite the fact that they did not win the main prize.

    Former Roda JC of Holland midfielder, Garba Lawal, is among those in that category despite playing at four editions of the AFCON between 2000 and 2006. He told our correspondent that having the privilege to adorn the colours of Nigeria at the AFCON would have sufficed for him, even if he had not won any medal.

    Having won a silver and three bronze Medals, Lawal was filled with gratitude as he reflected on the previous AFCON tournaments he participated in.

    “Yes, it’s massive. This is the foremost tournament we have in Africa. So when you are called upon, you have to come and give your best. I’m lucky,” Lawal noted.

    “I’m one of the players that played in four AFCON competitions. But I believe as a player, I know how it takes to play in the Nations Cup. It’s a very important tournament. And every country wants to win the same tournament.

     “So, at least,  I won silverwares for Nigeria. So it’s not even going to be easy to become first, second or third in Nations Cup, but which I did.

     “I have no regret for that; for those achievements at the Nations Cup with Nigeria,” Lawal stated.

    Also sharing his AFCON memories is Sani Kaita who had the privilege to win medals for Nigeria at the Under 20 World Cup, Olympic Games and at the AFCON.

    Kaita who had stints with Alania Vladikavkaz (Russia), Kano Pillars and other clubs in Europe described the two bronze medals he won at the AFCON as golden and precious to him even though he would have loved to win the gold medal.

    Read Also: Governorship dispute: Kano, Bauchi, Zamfara, Plateau, Ebonyi Govs arrive Supreme Court

    He said he was delighted to play for Nigeria and that all the laurels he won were more or less bonus as he would have been contented with just playing for his fatherland.

    “I won bronze medals in 2006 and 2010 AFCONs and I am massively proud of those achievements. We were actually looking forward to winning the gold medal but we were unfortunate not to have it,” Kaita told our correspondent.

    “Playing for Nigeria when I did, gave me every sense of joy and fulfilment. The medals I won at the U20 World Cup medal (silver), Olympic Games medal (silver), playing at the FIFA World Cup and winning two AFCON bronze medals made me to be extremely proud. I still have them and they make me happy.

    “I had the opportunity to participate in two AFCONs in 2006 and 2010. It is a huge experience for every African player. It is their dream to play in the competition because it is an important tournament.”

    Lawal, Kaita reflect on AFCON medals

    Legends counsel Peseiro’s Super Eagles on Cote d’Ivoire 2023

    With varied experiences  spanning different eras, the quartet of Nwosu, Amuneke, Lawal and Kaita believe the current Super Eagles under coach Jose Peseiro would do more than wishful thinking to win  a long-awaited fourth AFCON title for Nigeria.

    The Super Eagles are drawn in a tricky Group A that houses Cote d’Ivoire,  Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau, with their opening match tomorrow to be aired at 3pm Nigerian time on StarTimes’ sports Premium, channel  252 and 246 as well as StarTimes-ON app.

    “This is a very good competition for Africans,” Nwosu enthused. “It is a very good competition for our footballers and this is the same competition that gave me fame, acknowledgement and exposure.

    “I see us qualifying from Group A with Cote d’Ivoire if our players give the matches   the required seriousness. You don’t assume you have qualified when you haven’t kicked a ball. You have to show determination, commitment and the zeal to excel for you to succeed.

    “You may call the remaining two teams as underdogs but no team is an underdog again because every team wants to win. Even the supposed smaller nations want to beat Nigeria and other established nations.

    “All the teams at the AFCON stand a better chance of winning the competition. We can’t underrate any team. They are all coming with the aim to win the cup, not just to participate.”

    Speaking in the same vein,  former midfield Trojan, Lawal, said all the teams at  the AFCON will be eager to win, hence the Super Eagles must give more than 100 percent in all their games.

     “From experience, all the African teams want to win the AFCON. So that’s why it’s very difficult. You have to win every game. You could see the four editions of the competition I played, I ended  with a silver and three bronze medals.

    “They (the current Super Eagles) have to know the intensity of that shirt. To play for the Super Eagles is not a small thing. When you are called upon, you have to be focused and give 200 percent. Your performance must get better after each game.”

    Amuneke, on his part, counselled the Super Eagles to expect a difficult campaign.

    “I would say that it’s always a very difficult journey. African football has grown a lot. A lot of teams have improved a lot. A lot of teams possess players that are playing at top level. So it’s a very, very difficult thing for you to just wake up and say you are going to win the AFCON,” Amuneke said. “There’s a whole lot of work needed to be done. For you to win an AFCON, you must, first of all, have a formidable team. You must have a very good cohesion in your team.

    “You must have the ability to defend when your team is not in possession of the ball and when your team is also in possession of the ball. The individual characters also play a very key role.”

    The former Super Eagles coach tipped traditional teams like Nigeria, Egypt, and Cameroon as teams to beat in Cote D’Ivoire, but that Senegal, Morocco, and Algeria also have the wherewithal to challenge for the title.

    “Teams like Nigeria, Egypt and Cameroon are traditional teams that people look onto. But, of course, you have new teams like Senegal, Morocco and other nations that are springing up.”

    Kaita also has words of caution for the Super Eagles ahead of their first game with Equatorial Guinea, saying the coach Peseiro-led side should not expect Group A to be as easy as A-B-C.

    “Yes, everyone sees that group as an easy group but it is not. We are playing against the host, Cote’d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea. So, we have to approach every game as it comes, one after the other.

     “And if you want to be at the second round, you have to win every game, which is not going to be easy.

    “It is never easy because some countries that not much is heard of may come and surprise you. If you are sloppy, they can punish you at any time in the game. African game is technical and physical as well. It comes with a lot of challenges regardless of who you play. It is never easy.

    “I think we are capable of coming out from that group and going all the way because of the experienced and talented players we have in the team. We have so much quality in the team. I just hope that the manager will get his tactics and the team right. This will determine how far we will go in the tournament.

    “Some other African countries have good coaches that can follow the game more tactically and they can expose your weaknesses and punish you for that.

    “We are capable of going all out and lifting the trophy, but, just as I said earlier, the coach must get his tactics right. I know the players are determined to play at the AFCON because they know the privilege that comes with it. Some of them have been there before and I know they would like to do better than they previously did,” Kaita concluded.

    JOSE PESEIRO

  • Eaglets must beat Uganda U-17 — Nwosu

    Henry Nwosu has urged Nigeria U-17 to go all out for victory against Uganda U-17 in their final Africa Cup of Nations Group A game on Saturday.

    The Golden Eaglets lead Group A standings with six points following back-to-back victories against Tanzania and Angola.

    The Nigerians only need at least a draw to see them through to the semi-final of the competition and qualify for the U-17 World Cup in Brazil. However, the former Nigeria international, who played 60 times for the Super Eagles and scored eight goals, has charged the five-time world champions to look beyond a draw in the match.

    “So far they have done very well. Already they have six points and have not lost any game, kudos to them. Against Uganda, they must not be too comfortable they have to go for a win and put in their best in the game,” Nwosu told Goal.

    “Winning should be their aim against Uganda because if they focus on a draw they might end up losing the game. They must know that they are playing for themselves first, before playing for Nigeria, so they must do everything to continue doing well.”

    Nigeria missed several scoring chances in their last game against Angola and Nwosu wants them to pray for luck against Uganda as well as work on their individual skills.

    “I will advise them to pray for luck to be able to score because it is a factor and they should work towards it by improving on their individual skills.”

    The Golden Eaglets have won the U17 Africa Cup of Nations twice in 2001 and 2007.

  • Court dismisses suits against Nwosu’s candidacy

    An Imo State High Court sitting in Owerri on Tuesday dismissed two Suits challenging the nomination of Uche Nwosu as the governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) in the just concluded governorship election.

    The Court presided over by Justice Nzeukwu T. N, ruled that the suits with Suit No. HOW/21/2019 and HOW/135/19 lacked in merit.

    Read Also: I’m open to reconciliation with APC, says Nwosu

    The Court also held that the two plaintiffs, Sir Leonard Uzoma Okolienta and Ikoku Micheal Obinna lacked the locus standing to bring the action before the Court.

    It submitted that issues of nomination of candidates in political parties remain the internal affairs of the party.

  • Imo: Nwosu, Ihedioha, Uzodinma in epic battle

    Candidates of the Action Alliance (AA) Uche Nwosu; People’s Democratic Party (PDP), People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Emeka Ihedioha; All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Ifeanyi Araraume; All Progressives Congress (APC) Hope Uzodinma and Accord Party Ikedi Ohakim are all in final push for votes ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

    They have devised different means of winning the support of the electorate, which include taking their campaigns to markets, schools, churches and other worship centres to canvass for votes.

    Many have also been engaged in acts of philanthropy, which include paying bills of stranded patients in hospitals.

    One peculiar feature that distinguishes the Imo State governorship election is that apart from Nwosu, the other four leading contenders are assumedly in the ‘departure hall’ of their political careers.

    To that extent, none of them is taking chances or leaving any stone unturned in the election that has been predicted to be the fiercest contest in the political history of the state.

    Results from the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections have shown that the main contest is between Nwosu (AA) and the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, as both showed firm grip in their respective zones.

    While Nwosu is riding on the support of the incumbent governor, Rochas Okorocha and the youths, Ihedioha, who is from Owerri zone, is enjoying the sympathy of people of the zone who are clamouring for power shift.

    Meanwhile, Araraume, Uzodinma and Ohakim could not establish any control in their supposed strongholds, as shown by the results.

    HOW THE CANDIDATES STAND

    NWOSU- the former Chief of Staff to the Imo State governor is actually the candidate to beat in the election. With a massive support base among the youths and women across the state and the power of incumbency, Nwosu stands a better chance of winning the governorship election on March 9.

    One other factor going for the AA candidate is the revolution among the youths, who are determined to topple the old politicians who have remained in power for too long, using him (Nwosu) as the rallying point.

    Another factor that may swing the polls in his favour is the governor’s victory at the Imo West Senatorial election, which has reconciled some of those that left the camp during the primary elections.

    UZODINMA- the major hurdle confronting the APC candidate is the internal crisis in his party. The manner he emerged the governorship candidate at the expense of the governor’s choice, left the APC in tethers. Just a fourth night ago, the APC Chairman in the state, Daniel Nwafor, during a press conference, said that the party does not have any candidate for the governorship election.

    Even though he enjoys the support of the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, the APC candidate, as the result of the last election confirmed, is not in charge in his zone, as two AA candidates and one APC candidate loyal to Okorocha’s camp won in three out of the four Federal Constituencies in Orlu zone, while PDP clinched the fourth constituency.

    However, President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory is likely to buoy the APC candidate’s chances at the election, as politicians are already flocking around him as a channel to penetrate the President.

    IHEDIOHA- Based on statistics available from the results of the last election, the PDP candidate has strong control in his Owerri zone, especially in the three Local Government Areas of Ezinihitte, Aboh Mbaise and Ahiazu, referred to as ‘Mbaise Nation’.

    Recall that in 2015 governorship election, Ihedioha was able to force the election to a rerun with votes from the three LGAs, which were the only Council Areas he won, out of the 27 Council Areas of the state.

    At the just concluded National Assembly election, PDP cleared the Federal Constituency seats and the Senatorial seat in Imo East (Owerri Zone).

    However, the PDP candidate has one major challenge to contend with, the disunity and discrimination among politicians from Owerri zone and the historical rivalry between indigenes of Mbaise and other parts of Owerri zone.

    It is an established fact that an average Owerri man would rather support an Orlu man to be governor, than vote for an Mbaise man.

    OHAKIM- The results of February 23 elections, showed that the former governor and candidate of Accord Party, has completely lost in the power play in his Okigwe Zone.

    It was so bad that during the last election, voting could not take place in his Osu Owerre Ward 1 in Isiala Mbano Council Area, as a result of the absence of INEC officials and voting materials.

    The outcome of the last election also showed that no Accord Party candidate got close to third position in the National Assembly election results and this will largely determine the former governor’s performance in the election.

  • Nwosu: no threat can stop our support for Buhari

    IMO State governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) Uche Nwosu has insisted the state will vote for President Muhammadu Buhari,  irrespective of the position of the party’s national leadership.

    Nwosu, who was reacting to threats by AA’s National Chairman Kenneth Udeze to expel him from the party for supporting Buhari,  said no threats would stop the party from voting for Buhari.

    He said: “We have made up our minds in Imo State AA to support President Buhari and nothing can change that. No amount of threat or blackmail can change our decision. The AA can decide what they want in other states but in Imo, we have made up our minds and nothing can change that.

    Read also: Buhari approves Adamu as acting IG as Idris bows out today

    “The support for President Buhari is far and above party or religious inclination, and it is a task I and other members of the Action Alliance are committed to, and we must deliver”.

    AA members, led by Nwosu, attended the All Progressives Congress (APC) Southeast women rally, which did not go down well with AA’s leadership.

  • Why I attended APC rally, by Nwosu

    Imo State governorship candidate of Action Alliance (AA) Uche Nwosu has said he attended the All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Owerri to demonstrate his support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election.

    Nwosu, who contested the APC governorship ticket, added that what happened at the Dan Anyiam Stadium was a confirmation President Buhari will win the state.

    The ex-chief of staff to Governor Rochas Okorocha explained the massive mobilisation of AA supporters at the rally was to prove that the party would vote for the President next month.

    He said: “We were at the rally to confirm our love and support for President Muhammadu Buhari. No amount of cheap blackmail can deter us from giving the President victory in the state.

    “What happened yesterday has cleared all doubts that AA is the party to beat in the governorship election. We are determined to vote for President Buhari, and that decision is above personal interests, but for the collective interest of Ndigbo.”

    It was gathered youths suspected to be supporters of the APC governorship candidate, Senator Hope Uzodinma, attacked Nwosu’s supporters, who were adorned in T-shirts with President Buhari and Nwosu’s pictures.

    The APC youths, who were overwhelmed by the large turnout of AA supporters at the rally, protested it was an APC affair and not for other parties.