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Tag: Philip Agbese

  • Why House repealed and re-enacted 2024, 2025 Appropriation Acts — Spokesperson

    Why House repealed and re-enacted 2024, 2025 Appropriation Acts — Spokesperson

    The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has said the recent decision by the House to repeal and re-enact the 2024 and 2025 Appropriation Acts was driven by the need to align Nigeria’s budgeting framework with global best practices, enhance transparency, and ease implementation challenges.

     Speaking in an interview on Friday, Agbese said the lawmakers took the step to strengthen accountability at all levels of government while reducing the oversight burden that typically trails budget execution.

     According to him, the repeal and re-enactment will help streamline the country’s fiscal process by ensuring a more coherent and predictable funding structure.

     “Basically, it is to align the nation’s budgeting system with global and international best practices. It is also to ensure transparency and accountability at all levels, and to lessen the burden of oversight during implementation,” Agbese said.

     He noted that the decision would also pave the way for a single national budget cycle after March 31, 2026, a move he described as critical to seamless execution by the Executive arm.

    Agbese commended the Hon. Abubakar Bichi-led House Committee on Appropriations for their diligent and prompt work on the re-enactment bill transmitted to the House by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

     He said the committee’s promptness paved the way for the eventual consideration and passage of the bill before the lawmakers proceeded on their Christmas and New Year holidays.

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    According to him, the work of the committee has further helped in addressing the issue of running multiple budgets in the country.

     He said running of multiple budgets will lead to fiscal confusion and dissipation of the government’s finances in the execution of multiple projects, leading to poor outcomes.

     The lawmaker observed that the abysmally low performance of the 2025 capital budget was due to the running of multiple budgets.

     “By adopting a single budget after March 31, 2026, the Executive will be able to execute the budget without much hassle. When there is a single funding system, it becomes easier to manage cash flow and ensure timely releases,” he added.

  • House has outperformed legislative agenda, says Deputy Spokesman

    House has outperformed legislative agenda, says Deputy Spokesman

    Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep. Philip Agbese, has said the 10th House of Representatives has outperformed its legislative agenda within just two years of its inauguration.

    In a interview with journalists in Abuja, Agbese said the 10th House’s Legislative Agenda (2023–2027) is anchored on eight priorities: strengthening good governance, improving national security, law reform, economic growth, social sector reform, inclusion, open parliament, and environmental sustainability.

    Agbese maintained that the House has not only met but surpassed these commitments in two years, citing unprecedented legislative output and reforms.

    He noted that between June 2023 and March 2025, the House introduced over 2,100 bills, passed 198, and secured presidential assent for several critical legislations. In its first session alone, 1,351 bills were introduced and 89 passed—matching records set by the 7th Assembly.

    Key laws passed include the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria Act, Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Act, Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, Cybercrime (Amendment) Act, Electricity Act (Amendment), National Anthem Act, the Federal Audit Service Bill, the N70,000 national minimum wage bill and the four tax bills amongst others. 

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    The House also held 502 committee meetings, 57 oversight visits to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and 31 investigative hearings to promote accountability, he said. 

    Agbese stated this while responding to a recent article by AdvoKC Foundation, which alleged that the 10th Assembly is failing to meet the targets of its four-year Legislative Agenda launched in June 2023.

    He described the publication as “grossly underrepresenting” the achievements of the House, stressing that the lawmakers have delivered beyond expectation under the leadership of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, PhD, GCON, and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, PhD, CFR.

    “This is not correct as we have surpassed the legislative agenda in less than two years. We welcome every form of assessment and most importantly appreciate critical ones like the above. Nevertheless, as a House peopled by intellectuals and led by academics like Tajudeen Abbas and Benjamin Kalu, it is only just that we set the records straight,” Agbese said.

    Beyond lawmaking, Agbese highlighted initiatives promoting inclusivity and transparency, particularly Speaker Abbas’s Open Parliament project. 

    He noted that the House has hosted citizens’ townhalls on electoral reforms, youth summits, national dialogues on state policing, and retreats on major reforms such as the Petroleum Industry Act and tax modernization.

    “Speaker Abbas has advanced the Open Parliament initiative, ensuring that every Nigerian has a say in the lawmaking process. His efforts have fostered inclusivity and strengthened public trust in our work,” he said.

    He also noted that through the initiative of the leadership of the 10th House under Speaker Abbas the House as part of its social responsibility in March 2025 voluntarily donated half of their salaries for over six months, totalling N705 million, to support President Bola Tinubu’s relief programme for vulnerable Nigerians.

    In the area of fiscal responsibility, Agbese revealed that the House allocated ₦6.11 trillion (11.1% of the 2025 budget) to the security sector, reflecting responsiveness to Nigeria’s pressing security challenges.

    He further pointed to the ongoing Constitution Review exercise led by Deputy Speaker Kalu, which has included extensive citizen consultations across the country.

    Significantly among the constitution review bills is the Reserved Seats for Women Bill. Agbese noted that the Speaker Abbas and the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, have both shown strong support for the Reserved Seats for Women Bill in Nigeria’s 10th House of Representatives.

    While Benjamin Kalu is the sponsor of the Reserved Seats for Women Bill and has publicly assured Nigerians that the National Assembly will vote on the bill after the recess.

    Both Leader Abbas and Deputy Kalu are seen as champions and key drivers of the bill, advocating for its passage as a way to correct historical gender imbalances in representation.

    Their leadership on this legislative reform signals strong institutional backing at the highest levels of the House for promoting women’s inclusion in governance.

    While acknowledging Nigeria’s persistent economic and security challenges, Agbese argued that the House has delivered on its mandate through impactful legislation, oversight, and engagement with citizens.

    “We continue to act as The People’s House, leveraging bills, motions, and oversight to serve Nigerians diligently. Our performance should be measured not by idealistic benchmarks alone, but by the substantial, real-world progress achieved across all legislative fronts. 

    “While we remain open to scrutiny, we respectfully affirm that the 10th House of Representatives has not only fulfilled but in many respects exceeded expectations within less than two years,” he said.

  • House denies alleged $5, 000 inducement over Rivers Emergency rule

    House denies alleged $5, 000 inducement over Rivers Emergency rule

    The Deputy spokesman of House of Representatives, Hon Philip Agbese, has denied  each member was induced with as much as $5,000 dollars to ratify President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request on the proclamations of a State of Emergency in Rivers State.

    Agbese told reporters in Abuja on Saturday that such allegation were false, malicious and emanating from “the pit of hell.”

    He said the resolution of the House on the State of Emergency declaration in Rivers was done out of patriotism and in the interest of restoring lasting peace to River State.

    “The allegation that members of the House of Representatives were induced with $5,000 to pass a resolution, is unfair to the Parliament. Very, very unfair to the Parliament. What we did on Thursday was to align ourselves with what I call the wisdom of King Solomon.

    “All insinuations that any individual was given money to give to members is nothing but lies from the pit of hell. The opposition should see the good things that we are doing day and night for the country.

    “At no point did members of the House engage in any financial inducement in relation to the state of emergency declaration. The decision was taken after extensive deliberations on the security and political situation in Rivers State, in line with our constitutional responsibilities to safeguard national stability. 

    “Any suggestion that lawmakers were bribed is pure fiction, designed to serve the interests of those who seek to distort facts and create unnecessary tension in the country.

    “The House of Representatives remains an independent institution guided by democratic principles, the rule of law, and the collective will of the Nigerian people. Our duty is to make decisions that align with the national interest, not to succumb to baseless distractions aimed at eroding public trust.

    “The allegations of bribery are a desperate attempt to discredit the House and must be dismissed as the political comedy that it is.

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     “What the President did was like what King Solomon did when the two women who were fighting over the propriety of a child came to him. These people in Rivers, are all interested in the progress and development of Rivers State. 

    “They love the state, and they are working hard for it. But one way or the other, disagreements arose among the parties which escalated, and Mr. President, in his wisdom, decided to impose a state of emergency, for a period of time so as to allow the two parties to come together, in order to further deepen our democracy,” Agbese said. 

    He stressed as members of Parliament interested in the peace and well-being of the people of Rivers State, they approved the State of Emergency declaration in Rivers out of patriotism and not for any pecuniary consideration as being alleged.

    “We have seen some of the developments in River State. The government is not doing badly. But what we are saying is that, we don’t want the breakdown of institutions as far as River State is concerned. 

    “We deployed our wisdom as a Parliament, not to pander to sentiments or views expressed by groups outside. Yes, we are a people’s Parliament. We listen to the voices of Nigerians. Of course, there are people who say the state of emergency by Mr. President is wrong. There are those who also believe that it was done in the right manner to ensure that there is peace in that state. 

    “As a Parliament, our interest is to form a bridge, to ensure that our democracy continues to work. As a Parliament, our interest is to protect our democracy and democratic institutions. We resolved as a Parliament to make certain amendments to the proclamations made by Mr. President,” he said. 

    He said the Parliament in its wisdom made some key adjustments to Mr President’s emergency proclamation before ratifying it.

    Agbese said, “One is that, the Parliament remains the law-making body as far as the country is concerned. We resolved that the National Assembly would take over the legislative duties of the Rivers Assembly within the period of time that the state of emergency is enforced. 

    “Secondly, we resolved as a Parliament that it must not necessarily be for six months for the parties to come together and resolve. Even if it is within two weeks, that these parties are able to resolve their differences and show that they are on the same page, Mr. President, in his wisdom, should also reduce the period from 180 days.”

    The lawmaker said he believes that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a true democrat, will not work against democratic institutions in the country.

    “We know Mr. President very well. He is a democrat. He has fought for the institutions of our democracy as far as Nigeria is concerned. And he is one man who would always want to protect this democracy. He is a President that we know as a Parliament. 

    “We have been relating with him as the President of the country for the past almost two years now. We have been relating with him as our President. We have seen his concerns. The 10th House of Representatives has seen the the genuine concerns and we believe and trust that if these issues are resolved in less than six months, Mr. President is going to put an end to the state of emergency in that state,” he said.

    Agbese said the House in its wisdom, equally resolved that a tri-partite committee comprising eminent Nigerians, members of the Parliament and members of the Executive Council on the other hand be constituted to ensure that the warring groups in Rivers State are brought to a roundtable and an amicable resolution is reached. 

    Agbese, while disabusing the minds of Nigerians over the allegations of inducements of members, blamed “fifth columnists” and oppositions, whom he said, are out to tarnish the image of the parliament.

    The Benue lawmaker urged Nigerians to continue to extend the kind of support they have always extended to them, assuring that they will always work in the people’s interest as ‘Peoples’ House’.

    He expressed optimism that at the end of the State of Emergency, both the Rivers State Government and the Rivers Assembly will bounce back stronger for the overall good and progress of the state. 

    On the controversy over achieving a quorum for the resolution, Hon. Agbese said the House satisfied the requirement of quorum with 243 members in attendance during the exercise.

  • Why we approved Tinubu’s request for Rivers Emergency rule, by Reps Deputy spokesman

    Why we approved Tinubu’s request for Rivers Emergency rule, by Reps Deputy spokesman

    Deputy spokesman of the House of Representatives Philip Agbese said on Thursday that the National Assembly was only interested in the restoration of peace and order in Rivers State.

    Agbese, who spoke with newsmen in Abuja, explained that as lawmakers, they believe that peace and order are needed to allow good governance to thrive.

    Tinubu declared emergency rule in Rivers State, suspending the Governor, his Deputy and the House of Assembly, while seeking the backing of the National Assembly.

    Despite agitation and opposition to the decision of the President, the federal lawmakers unanimously endorsed the six-month emergency rule in the oil-rich state.

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    The Benue-born lawmaker said: “The National Assembly is a micro-Nigeria. I say this because every Nigerian has a representative both in the Senate and in the House of Representatives. So, we always to try to seek ways to address the problems and challenges of our people.

    “We cannot deny that the challenges in Rivers need to be fixed. In his wisdom, Mr President intervened and sought the approval of the National Assembly to ratify his declaration. But you saw what played out in the plenary.

    “Members proposed amendments to the proclamation and it is our hope that this will make both parties to come together and embrace peace in the interest of the State.”

    While asking Nigerians to support the National Assembly and Tinubu in finding a lasting solution to the crisis, he said “the House proposed three recommendations which were all approved at plenary. We believe that the Committee of Eminent Nigerians which we recommended will play a huge role in resolving the Rivers crisis faster than we envisaged.

    “We also proposed that a review of the emergency rule such that if peace is secured before the expiration of the six months, the Governor and the State Assembly will be recalled.”

  • Rep. Agbese slams Bafarawa over criticism of Tinubu’s administration

    Rep. Agbese slams Bafarawa over criticism of Tinubu’s administration

    …says Tinubu’s economic reforms yielding results 

    Philip Agbese, a member of the House of Representatives representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in Benue State, has criticised former Sokoto state Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, over his open letter to President Bola Tinubu.

    In a statement, Agbese accused Bafarawa of distorting the realities of Tinubu’s administration and attempting to undermine its achievements. 

    He dismissed the former governor’s claims of authoritarianism and economic mismanagement, arguing that they failed to recognise the tough decisions necessary to stabilise Nigeria.

    “I respect your decades of political experience and your service to Nigeria, and I acknowledge your right to express concerns about the current state of our dear country. However, as an elder statesman, your role ought to be one of guidance based on fairness and objectivity, rather than engaging in narratives that do not align with the realities on the ground,” Agbese stated.

    The lawmaker also defended Tinubu’s approach to insecurity, emphasising that the challenges predated his administration and could not be resolved overnight. 

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    He highlighted the president’s efforts in reforming the security sector, including appointing new military and intelligence chiefs and strengthening regional collaborations.

    “Insecurity that has plagued Nigeria, from terrorism in the North-East to banditry in the North-West and IPOB insurgency in the South-East, did not begin under President Tinubu. The previous administration, despite its best efforts, struggled to fully contain these threats. No sincere observer of Nigeria’s governance landscape would dispute that the country was in dire straits when President Tinubu took office,” he said.

    Agbese also tackled Bafarawa’s assertion that the administration was stifling opposition, arguing that Tinubu had been more inclusive than his predecessors. 

    According to him, the president has assembled a government based on merit rather than political affiliations.

    “For the record, no Nigerian democratic President in history has demonstrated as much commitment to inclusivity as President Tinubu. This is evident in his carefully assembled cabinet; a diverse representation of the country, not just in terms of geography, but in professional expertise and competence,” he said.

    On economic reforms, Agbese defended the removal of fuel subsidies and the restructuring of Nigeria’s financial system, stating that previous administrations had failed to make difficult but necessary decisions. He argued that Tinubu was correcting past economic mismanagement at great political risk.

    “The removal of fuel subsidies, for instance, was not an easy decision, but it was a necessary one. The subsidy regime had become a black hole of corruption, benefiting only a few while draining national resources that could have been channeled into infrastructure, education, and healthcare,” he said.

    He further dismissed Bafarawa’s claim that Tinubu was working towards a one-party state, describing it as “baseless” and a distortion of the president’s long history in opposition politics.

    “The insinuation that he is now attempting to stifle the opposition is a contradiction that does not stand to reason. Tinubu himself rose to power through opposition politics. To suggest that he would now seek to undermine the very system he helped build is both ironic and unfounded,” Agbese said.

    The lawmaker urged Bafarawa to adopt a more objective stance and contribute to national development instead of fueling division. 

    He maintained that while Nigeria faced serious challenges, Tinubu’s leadership was steering the country towards recovery.

  • Binance: Why I sued Gambaryan before seven-day ultimatum, by Agbese

    Binance: Why I sued Gambaryan before seven-day ultimatum, by Agbese

    A member of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has explained why file a N1billion defamation lawsuit against Tigran Gambaryan, an executive at Binance, over claims that he and two other lawmakers demanded a $150 million bribe.
    The suit, filed at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja on Monday, claims that Gambaryan’s statements on social media falsely linked Agbese to corruption, damaging his reputation.
    The case, registered as FCT/HC/CV/576/2025, seeks a court declaration that the allegations made against Agbese are defamatory, an order restraining Gambaryan from making further claims, and a public retraction of the accusations. 

    In a statement on Monday, Agbese, who serves as the deputy spokesperson of the House, revealed that he had given Gambaryan a seven-day ultimatum on February 10, 2025, to retract the allegation and issue a public apology.

    “This egregious allegation was a clear attempt to tarnish my reputation and undermine my integrity,” he stated.

    Agbese referenced a May 7, 2024, report by The New York Times, in which Binance initially alleged that “unknown persons” had approached the company on behalf of the House Committee on Economic and Financial Crimes to demand a bribe. 

    According to him, at the time, he chose not to join a lawsuit filed by Hon. Ginger Onwusibe against Binance, as his name was not specifically mentioned.

    However, Agbese noted that when Gambaryan recently reiterated the claim and explicitly named him, he felt compelled to take legal action.

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    “It became necessary to go to court to protect my reputation and defend my integrity,” he added.

    Agbese stated: “Just three days after issuing the ultimatum, Monday, February 17, 2025, I instituted legal proceedings against Gambaryan. My decision to take action was motivated by the need to protect my reputation, not just as an individual, but also as a distinguished Congressman and a representative of my country.

    “Unfortunately, the accuser, Gambaryan, has shown no remorse for his actions. Instead of apologising, he has chosen to remain silent, citing a desire to spend more time with his family. I am an African, and family is at the heart of our culture. I have a larger family and more loved ones to care for than Gambaryan, and I will not let his baseless allegations go unchallenged.

    “Therefore, Gambaryan must come to court to substantiate his false claims or pay the compensation I have demanded. I’m seeking compensation not for personal gain but a token of accountability, serving as a deterrent to others who would seek to damage reputations and undermine trust in our society. I’m confident that the courts will uphold the truth and hold Gambaryan accountable for his actions.”

  • We will prioritise support for Tinubu’s tax reform bills over loyalty to Governors – Reps Deputy Spokesman

    We will prioritise support for Tinubu’s tax reform bills over loyalty to Governors – Reps Deputy Spokesman

    Deputy spokesman of the House of Representatives Philip Agbese (APC, Benue) said on Monday that members of the House  will will not support Governors against  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the ongoing debate on the four Tax Reform Bills before the parliament. 

    He said that lawmakers consider the bills as catalyst to the growth of the nation’s economy and ready to throw their weight behind the four executive bills.

    He spoke against the wild spread rumour that some Governors are threatening to deny lawmakers from their States return tickets in the 2027 election if they continue to show support for the bills.

    The President transmitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly for consideration, following the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms headed by Taiwo Oyedele for the review of existing tax laws.

    But Governors, under the Nigeria Economic Council, are demanding the withdrawal of the executive bills which are still at first reading stage, citing the need for more consultation and public input.

    But the Presidency is insisting that the legislative process be allowed to go through, while amendments to some of the clauses can be made when the bills come up for public hearing at the Senate and House of Representatives. 

    Read Also: Potential benefits of tax reform bills, by Oyedele

    But Agbese, in an interview, said: “As far as we are concerned in the House of Representatives, nobody can stop us from supporting President Bola Tinubu from rebooting the economy to work for the country. 

    “We are united across party lines to make sure the country works. This is the  disposition of Speaker Tajudeen Abass.

     “Some of these Governors are threatening members from their states.They have even gone far to threaten that they would deny members a return ticket in 2027 if they support the bills.”

    He said members of the 10th Assembly cannot be forced to take a position that is not in the best interest of their representatives, saying, “The difference between the new crops of politicians in the House of Representatives is that we are intellectually sound, progressively-minded and pro-Nigeria.

    “We were not elected by the Governors but our constituents and as far as the legislation (bills) will work for those that elected us, we will support it unequivocally, wholeheartedly and powerfully to see the light of the day,” he added.

    He further added that copies of the bills have been made available to lawmakers to aid their understanding ahead of the second reading. 

    “We have made the bills available to every lawmaker to study, dissect and make inputs when we bring them up for debate,” he stated, adding that the proposed legislation is likely to scale through but with some amendments where necessary.  

    “I see the 10th House passing the bills with some minor adjustments to polish it with a touch of patriotism and intellectualism. 

    “That’s our usual trademark when you have a teacher leading a parliament anywhere in the world,” he said. 

  • El- Zakzaky’s one chance trip to India

    The supremo of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheik Ibrahim el-Zakzaky finally had his wish to travel abroad for medical treatment granted. This should ordinarily have been a good development, especially in a country where the perception is that getting treatment abroad is the ultimate when healthcare is concerned. But for El-Zakzaky, it turned out to be a “one chance” trip to India. A trip that has exposed his branded victimhood to be a sham.

    “One Chance” is the street parlance for a form or robbery targeted at lone commuters. Usually the bus or car would be almost fully occupied by passengers save the last seat, sometimes two, while the driver or conductor in the case of a bus will be bellowing that there is one more chance left such that the prospective victim is encouraged to join the ride. The trouble is, within minutes of picking their victim, the occupants of the vehicle would show their true nature by robbing them and throwing them out of the vehicle while on motion – this had proven fatal in too many instances.
    El-Zakzaky attempted to pull such trick on Nigeria and the world. He would have succeeded but for the thoroughness and professionalism of the Nigerian security personnel that accompanied him on the trip, coupled with the sterling diplomatic behaviour on the part of India.
    It is now obvious that the man was never ill on the scale propagated by his members and the Iranian doctors they brought into Nigeria in April to blackmail the government into sending him for treatment abroad. Yes, he might have appeared frail when he last appeared in public view but that can be accounted for by his age and the injuries he suffered during his arrest. But to cook up the lie of a dying man just so that he can attempt to pull the “one chance” trick on the rest of us is the height of irresponsibility. In his own case, the stunt he wanted to pull was to slink off from the custody of the security guarding him and from there head for the Islamic Republic of Iran.
    From the information surfacing after India was compelled to throw him out of their jurisdiction, it is now certain that he rejected the flight provided by the government and opted for a commercial flight with a stopover that he had hope he could exploit, which explains why he reportedly pestered the security personnel for his passport during the stopover. We now have an insight into why a man, who with the assistance of his legal counsel and doctors, claimed to be grievously ill will request to first be checked into a hotel as opposed to rushing to meet with his doctors. There is now a basis to question how it was possible for a man as sick as earlier reported, who left Nigeria wearing an oxygen mask, to vigorously reject treatment with lame excuses like the doctors on call being strangers to him or that they were going to run new tests on him.
    The recalcitrance he demonstrated to his host is confirmation that people can pretend but can never hide their bad attitude or character. For a man who presents himself as the beleaguered president of Shiite republic in Nigeria, reason should have prevailed on him to leverage his scheduled treatment in India to project himself and his group’s ideology in a manner that would have secured him international understanding and possibly sympathy. Instead, he demonstrated the only reasoning he is capable of, a rabid hatred of organized society, a disavowal of structured government and a fanatical subservience to Iran with robotic commitment to do its bidding of spreading terror across the world.
    Not even the warning and ultimatum from the Indian government could jolt him to have a rethink. All he could think of was the relaxing of the conditions around him so that he would find the loophole or gap to escape so that he can report to Iran. If he had found his way to Iran a stalemate would have ensued. Iran will not agree to repatriate him, India would have been left in a quandary of how he allowed a flagged terrorist to escape from its jurisdiction while Nigeria would have become the target of terrorist propaganda that el-Zakzaky would have been directing from Iran.
    Once it became clear that one chance ploy will not work the same man that had amped the cry for foreign treatment through his members, NGOs, Shia doctors amongst others, suddenly abandoned the much sought after treatment. To give himself a soft landing, he mentioned a list of other countries where he claimed he could get satisfactory treatment – never mind that these are countries with ties to Iran from where he will escape without resistance. It should be noted that video he made to list this demand clearly showed a man who is not as sick as his Iranian doctors had claimed. It also gives an indication to his real motive for trying to escape, first from Nigeria then later in transit and in India. His intention is to get to Iran.
    It is unfortunate that as Nigerians, we are never keen on exacting consequences for bad behaviour, we may allow this ugly scheme to go unquestioned. It is the reason that “One Chance” suspects sometimes get lynched by those who have had bitter experiences at their hands; it is because people do not trust the system to punish such criminals and their accomplices sufficiently. In the case of the fraudulent Indian trip, the questions are not for el-Zakzaky, he is back to Nigeria and will continue to face his trial. The consequences we should exact as is from those that assisted him to perpetrate the attempted fraud.
    El-Zakzaky’s counsel, Femi Falana, should at this time be explaining if his client is as sick as he misled the court to believe. If he was as sick he would not be in a hurry to run from India after discovering that he cannot lam to Iran from there. Falana should make this explanation against the backdrop of other claims and assertions he has made on behalf of IMN and its leader.
    We must also question the commercialized NGOs and their coordinator, Amnesty International, which had held up el-Zakzaky as the poster child for a supposed government clampdown on dissention. They were the ones that mounted the pressure, including supporting disruptive protests, that paved way for the questionable medical evaluation that preceded the trip to India. We should at this point begin to ponder all the figures and statistics that this group have published in their spurious reports in the past. If they were part of the fake scheme for el-Zakzaky to escape in the course of seeking treatment abroad then they are not trustworthy enough for their views are reports to be acceptable. It they were not part of it and were taken in then they are not reliable and thorough enough to be taken seriously. Going forward, these groups should be disregarded.
    The Federal Government must on its part ensure that unlike “one chance” criminals that rob people without consequences those identified as propping up the IMN/el-Zakzaky Indian scam are made to answer for their crime. In doing this, the government should disregard the pontification of the pro-terrorists crowds that will allege a “harsh crackdown” on dissent. After all, el-Zakzaky has helped us confirmed that he enjoys better in Nigerian detention than the five-star hospital he checked into in India, which in his words was not as comfortable as our Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison. If a once chance medical tourist knows this who are we to disagree?

    Agbese wrote this piece from the United Kingdom.

  • Benue group tips 32 year old activist as Audu Ogbeh’s replacement

    The Benue Elite Development Network has tipped self-style Human Rights activist and public affairs commentator, Barrister Philip Agbese as a possible replacement for Mr. Audu Ogbeh who is the current Minister of Agriculture in the Buhari cabinet.
    The group made the call at an event held today in Abuja where Chief Philip Agbese was decorated with an award of excellence in recognition of his humanitarian activities across the country.
    The group particularly hailed Agbese who has joined hands with other Nigerians to assist in curbing the humanitarian issues in the North East using so many NGOs and directly visiting the place when insurgency was at its peak.
    Leader of the delegation, Engr. Onoja Ugwu whilst singling Agbese for commendation, said the young activist with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the Middlesex University London is one of the best brains Benue can trust to represent her at the Federal Executive Council especially in fulfilling the President’s promise to include young active youths who can take the country forward.
    According to the group, Agbese is a master-strategist that has aligned himself with President Buhari’s Change phenomenon and most suitable for the appointment.
    In his reaction, Mr Agbese thanked God for the opportunity and the group for the recognition.
    He said: “It has been our lifestyle to do it the way we do, sometimes we are appreciated and times without number we are rejected by the same people we are trying to protect in the society.”
    He recalled his days on campus as an activist when while fighting for the rights of students in the area of hikes in fees when some will betray the cause and back out.
    “it is normal for people to do things and not appreciated in the society but it is also normal for people to do things and be appreciated I think something in particular makes this one very unique.
    “The fact that the Benue Elite Development network is a group of intellectuals and professionals from diverse backgrounds”
    He said the award is not just well deserved but coming from the right group.
    “I am totally flabbergasted to fit into the shoes of this award consideration ihave honoured people but this is the first time am being honoured in my life and it will remain a memory in my existence for a very long time”
    Mr Agbese further dedicated the award to his family, the staff of TheNigerian News Group who have been steadfast with him for the growth and stability of the organisation.

  • Group tips 32-year-old activist as Audu Ogbeh’s replacement

    The Benue Elite Development Network has tipped self-style Human Rights activist and public affairs commentator, Barrister Philip Agbese as a possible replacement for Mr. Audu Ogbeh who is the current Minister of Agriculture in the Buhari cabinet.
    The group made the call at an event held today in Abuja where Chief Philip Agbese was decorated with an award of excellence in recognition of his humanitarian activities across the country.
    The group particularly hailed Agbese who has joined hands with other Nigerians to assist in curbing the humanitarian issues in the North East using so many NGOs and directly visiting the place when insurgency was at its peak.
    Leader of the delegation, Engr. Onoja Ugwu whilst singling Agbese for commendation, said the young activist with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the Middlesex University London is one of the best brains Benue can trust to represent her at the Federal Executive Council especially in fulfilling the President’s promise to include young active youths who can take the country forward.
    According to the group, Agbese is a master-strategist that has aligned himself with President Buhari’s Change phenomenon and most suitable for the appointment.
    In his reaction, Mr Agbese thanked God for the opportunity and the group for the recognition.
    He said: “It has been our lifestyle to do it the way we do, sometimes we are appreciated and times without number we are rejected by the same people we are trying to protect in the society.”
    He recalled his days on campus as an activist when while fighting for the rights of students in the area of hikes in fees when some will betray the cause and back out.
    “it is normal for people to do things and not appreciated in the society but it is also normal for people to do things and be appreciated I think something in particular makes this one very unique.
    “The fact that the Benue Elite Development network is a group of intellectuals and professionals from diverse backgrounds”
    He said the award is not just well deserved but coming from the right group.
    “I am totally flabbergasted to fit into the shoes of this award consideration ihave honoured people but this is the first time am being honoured in my life and it will remain a memory in my existence for a very long time”
    Mr Agbese further dedicated the award to his family, the staff of TheNigerian News Group who have been steadfast with him for the growth and stability of the organisation.