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Tag: politicians

  • Cleric to politicians: emulate Ekwueme’s approach

    The Anglican Archbishop of Enugu Diocese,  Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma, yesterday enjoined politicians to emulate the peaceful approach to politics by the late Second Republic Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme.

    He said they should do politics without bitterness and shun carpet crossing.

    Dr Chukwuma spoke at a service in Enugu for the late Ekwueme.

    With him at the service were Catholic Bishop of Enugu, Dr, Callistus Onaga and the Methodist Archbishop of Enugu, C. N. Eneh.

    The choir at the service was personally moderated by the late Vice President’s brother, Igwe (Prof) Laz Ekwueme.

    In a homily, Archbishop Chukwuma  drew the attention of Nigerians that Ekwueme served the nation

    meritoriously without being indicted by anybody for embezzlement.

    Rev. Chukwuma also told Nigerians not to accept anybody above 65 years as their president in 2019 and condemned the incessant blowing of sirens by political office holders.

    The man of God also rejected the establishment of cattle colony anywhere in the Southeast, insisting that “we don’t want to be colonised the second time.

    Thousands of people including prominent Nigerians were at the Okpara Square yesterday to pay their last respect to the late former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme.

    At the  Square were the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State; Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State.

    Anambra and Imo states were represented by their deputy governors, Nkem Okeke and Eze Madumere.

    Also at the the venue include Minister of Labour and Productivity; Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu; Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu; President General Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Nnia Nwodo; Senator Victor Umeh and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

    The roll call also include former Delta State Governor James Ibori; former Abia State Governor Theodore Orji, former Ebonyi State Governor, Sam Egwu; former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi; former governor of old Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo, Senator Andy Ubah, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Anyim Pius Anyim, Emma Iwuanyanwu; Arthur Eze and a host of others.

    Tambuwal, in a short speech after the service said when they received the news of Ekwueme’s death in Sokoto, “we were thrown aback”.

    He described Ekwueme as a true democrat and patriot whose contributions to the unity and development of Nigeria can not be ignored.

    Tambuwal condoled with the people of Anambra State, Southeast and the entire country.

    Atiku Abubakar  described Ekwueme as a fountain of wisdom and intellect. “When we were at the Constitutional Conference, he was our rallying point. Even though we disagreed sometime, especially on the issue of restructuring. But I later became his convert on that Issue.”

    President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Nnia Nwodo said all should emulate Ekwueme’s life style, noting that what is important is how did you live your life, how did you impact on other peoples lives.”

    Governors Ugwuanyi, Umahi and Ikpeazu also made short speeches as well as the deputies of Anambra and Imo states.

  • 2019 Election: Cleric caution politicians against do-or-die politics

    2019 Election: Cleric caution politicians against do-or-die politics

    Pastor John Kayode of Disciples Church, Taiwo, Ilorin, has cautioned politicians against win at all cost mentality as 2019 election draws near.

    Kayode gave the warning in Ilorin on Wednesday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He called on politicians to play politics with maturity and stop politics of assassination and kidnapping of other aspirants.

    The clergy man advised politicians to prioritise the development of the country above their personal ambition.

    “It is time for politicians to embrace defeat and cooperate with the emerging candidate to move the country forward.

    Read Also: 2019 election may be chaotic – Cleric

    “There is no reward in sending assassination team to go after your opponent’s life. This must stop in 2019 as we want to witness a peaceful free and fair election in Nigeria.

    “Do-or-die politics will not take us anywhere. We need to emulate Western world where one aspirant congratulates the other after defeat,’’ he said.

    The pastor, however, called on party leaders to organise a platform where aspirants would be adequately orientated to shun violence.

    “Any politician that continues to kill opposition to attain position is only inviting God’s wrath and will surely regret it with time,’’ he said.

  • Bayelsa govt urges politicians to shun violence

    Bayelsa govt urges politicians to shun violence

    Bayelsa State government has warned politicians against engaging in and sponsoring violence ahead of the general election.

    Information and Orientation Commissioner Mr. Daniel Iworiso Markson said it was wrong for politicians, who should be role models, to perpetrate violence.

    Speaking at an inter-ministerial briefing in Yenagoa, he advised such politicians to change.

    Said he: “Any politician, who takes over the mantle of leadership, should desist from violence. There is need to change the narrative because we do not need to win election through the barrel of gun.”

    Briefing people at the event, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters Chief Boma Spero-Jack said the government had zero tolerance for crime.

    He said the security outfit, ‘Operation Doo Akpo’, arrested 8,500 suspects in six years for crimes.

    Spero-Jack said the feat was achieved in collaboration with the police command and security infrastructure, built by Governor Seriake Dickson.

    He said the government had concluded arrangements to procure additional gunboats to check pirates’ activities.

    The aide said the state was ranked above other cities with advanced security technological installations, such as Lagos, Abuja and Johannesburg in South Africa.

    He said 16 patrol boats were acquired in 2012 to fight crimes, adding that the security outfit received 39,000 distress calls and 109 commendation calls.

    Spero-Jack described Bayelsa Integrated Security Strategy as a critical aspect of ‘Doo Akpor’, saying it had reduced the outfit’s response time to distress calls to about six minutes within Yenagoa metropolis.

    He attributed the success to the security surveillance equipment installed at the command and the state Security Control Centre (SCC).

    The governor’s adviser said the equipment were modern, which was attested to by Wikipedia.

    A security consultant to the governor, Mr. Fola Amao, highlighted the government’s efforts in implementing its zero tolerance for crime.

    He said the development earned the state a security award by Security Watch Africa as the most effective crime busting squad.

    Following the feat achieved in the security sub-sector, Amao said Bayelsa had been nominated again this year.

    He said the government had set up a juvenile detention centre to enhance security.

    The House of Assembly Committee Chairman on Security, Mr. Bernard Kenbai, representing Sagbama 2, hailed Dickson for his passion in ensuring that Bayelsa remained one of the safest states.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Urban Security, Chief Abednego Don Evareda, enjoined the people to see security as a collective responsibility.

  • Politicians, pastors paid me to destroy Apostle Suleman, Otobo confesses

    Politicians, pastors paid me to destroy Apostle Suleman, Otobo confesses

    •Begs cleric for forgiveness

    In a massive, dramatic U-turn, Miss Stephanie Otobo, has apologised to founder of Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide (OFM), Apostle Johnson Suleman, who she accused of impregnating and breaching a promise to marry her.

    Otobo, in a confession video on the church Facebook page yesterday, declared she was sponsored by “very strong and powerful politicians and pastors” to defame the popular preacher.

    In the video, which has gone viral on social media, she said: “They paid me a lot of money,” wiping tears from her eyes.

    Suleman’s wife, Lizzy, in turn addressed the congregation, asking them to forgive Otobo, after confession of her sins.

    A commentary by the church in the video on the dramatic confession, said: “The only offense he committed was to have intervened in the numerous heinous crimes against the Church of Christ around the Nation and became a Voice for the Gospel.

    “What followed was a well – doctored drama to attack the reputation of this Golden Voice and seemingly reduce the volume of his voice even as more evils were planned against the Church.

    “After all the evil efforts, the secret agendas, the heavily funded set-up and the unrelenting pursuits to snare an innocent man, they were futile.

    “The master planner has finally vindicated his church and his servant.

    “This is not only a victory for God’s Servant; it is a victory for the Body of Christ and The Church in Nigeria,” the post read.

    Otobo’s counsel, Festus Keyamo, told an online newspaper Premium Times he could not confirm or deny the video.

    “We saw the video online on Saturday morning but we are yet to get any formal statement from Stephanie confirming or debunking the video.

    “We are lawyers and we only act on our client’s instructions. So, we don’t have any comment on the matter,” he said.

    On what will become of the pending court case, he said: “No comment, we are waiting to hear from our client first before we know the next line of action.”

    The actress who came from Canada said she accepted the proposal of the unnamed powerful politicians and pastors because she was assured it would help her career.

    Last year, She accused Suleman of failing to keep a marriage promise made to her.

    She filed a petition asking the police to investigate multiple allegations against the preacher.

    Last November, the preacher also filed a defamation suit against her at the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja.

    The hearing was stalled following the latter’s absence in court.

    The presiding judge, Adedayo Oyebanji, adjourned the matter until February 7.

     

  • The fox, tortoise and lion story: lesson for overtly ambitious politicians

    Ambition in any pursuit is a good attribute for anyone desirous of success in any endeavour – that is, if it is healthy and pursued within the modicum of decency.

    People like Aliko Dangote and Mike Adenuga and advertising czar, Biodun Sobanjo could not have attained their present heights in the business world if they did not possess the uncanny ability to succeed. Neither could Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu have achieved his uncommon exploits in politics if he was not driven by vision, focus and ambition. No harm if people strive to emulate them.

    If however it transcends the bounds of normalcy and veers into inordinate and desperate levels, then the possessor of such negative trait had better watch it.

    Those possessed of inordinate ambition, helped to get into overdrive by greed, are to be found among those who practice the crude politics of do or die, who will maim or kill without blinking an eyelid or the women among them, who worship filthy lucre as god and regularly patronise the orthodox and unorthodox religious shrines to acquire the power of mesmerism with which they hypnotise their big-shot victims.

    I’m told of a particular woman for who an axe was used to have incisions all over her body and who, ever since, has been an habitue of one hospital or the other in search of cure for myriads of inexplicable ailments afflicting her. You now wonder if she’s, in good conscience, now enjoying the unearned wealth she has accumulated in the last couple of years.

    Sermoning to such men and women to strive as best and as decently as possible to earn just living without compromising their integrity, honour and humanity is like addressing the deaf; but lessons had been taught and are still being taught about the futility of their cut-corners and compromise-just-anything approach to political or business survival.

    Such people, driven by inordinate ambition, manufacture all manner of spurious reasons why the business or political or even religious bosses whose names they swore by when the goings were good, should now be jettisoned and maligned to utter destruction. If their causes were right and just, why don’t such people just move on and leave their erstwhile godfathers and mothers to their conscience and let the most Supreme of all judges, God, deliver appropriate judgements in such matters.

    History is replete with such people who messed themselves up irredeemably and ended their lives ignobly. If some of us write like this, it is because of experiences gathered over time, of people who tried to hurry the sunrise and fail to realise that with God, delay is no denial; and that patent wrong done to man, will be redressed even if not by man but by God, in his omnipotence.

    It is for this reason that the story of the fox, the tortoise and the lion needs be retold for those who have ears to hear; and for their unbridled and vaunting ambition to be moderated, for their own sake.

    The fox, according to the folklore, was set on a journey to the town on the other side of the divide but he had a problem to surmount. A lion was keeping ‘sentry guard’ at a border post where the fox was to pass, and he dared not attempt crossing, lest he becomes mincemeat for the king of the jungle.

    Just as he was moaning about his situation, the tortoise showed up and offered to help the fox get to the other side of the divide, without any harm to the fox. A sac was provided for the fox to hide himself in, while the tortoise volunteered to ferry the fox on his head across. Perfect escape strategy it seemed until the fox-carrying tortoise approached the gate where the lion was waiting to catch his prey.

    The lion roared and signalled that the tortoise should not attempt to move closer to him. Defiantly, the tortoise inched his way to the lion and the lion, warned the tortoise not to move nearer to where he was holding sway. To the approaching tortoise, he knew right away that he would need to be at his wit’s end to get his  friend through to the other side.

    The lion told the tortoise that he was putting himself in harm’s way if he dared come closer to him but the tortoise replied that he was himself in no danger but the load (fox) on his head.

    When the lion bared his fangs and launched at the tortoise, the latter fled, throwing the load on his head away; the lion eventually caught up with the tortoise but the hard shell made the tortoise impregnable for the lion and just as he backed off, in frustration, to return to his post, he noticed something wriggling in the sac and when he moved in to find what it was, he noticed a fox was in it; and instantly snubbed life out of the fox and preyed on it.

    Lesson: if one is counselled to have a rethink in the perilous path he has chosen to tread, it is for no other reason than to save that person from sure destruction.

  • FUOYE not campaign ground, students warn politicians

    FUOYE not campaign ground, students warn politicians

    The Coalition for the Advancement of Ekiti State (COAED) and the Federal University, Oye Ekiti Chapter of the Ekiti Student Union have called on politicians in the state not to drag the institution into what is likely going to be a frenetic political year in the state involving the governorship election.

    The groups jointly made the call in Ado Ekiti at the weekend in response to what they called ‘politicisation of academic activities at FUOYE.’

    ‘’FUOYE is one of the few federal institutions in Ekiti State and it behoves on all of us to join hands with its managers to realise their vision of turning this school into a world class institution,’’ Gbolade Oguntomole, Executive Secretary of COAED said.

    ‘’It is disheartening that politicians from Ekiti, rather than look for ways to assist FUOYE to grow fast, have been more interested in using elements in the school to score falsely procured cheap points.’’

    The groups also said they were moved to intervene following a recent media report that the management of FUOYE has been operating with an anti-Ekiti agenda – and that the school’s authorities have been replacing Ekiti workers with others from Ogun State, said to be the home state of the Vice Chancellor, Prof Kayode Soremekun.

    One group called the Ekiti Student Union and some Youth Coalition (ESYC) had issued a statement kicking against a reported removal of the Registrar, Mr. Daniel Adeyemo. But the COAED said this was false.

    ‘’Our investigation revealed that Mr. Daniel Adeyemo, has not been removed from office as claimed in the said report,’’ Oguntomole said.

     

  • Cleric slams colleagues making predictions for politicians

    •Urges them to quit pulpit for politics

    A Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) pastor, Dr. Sunday Ilori, has

    criticised some clerics for “turning themselves to slaves of politicians.”

    Ilori, who is the District Superintendent, CAC Wonders Chapel, Ikotun, Lagos, condemned the penchant of some clergymen to release predictions about politicians at the beginning of each year.

    The Ilupeju Ekiti-born man of God who spoke with our reporter earlier in the week said a good number of clerics have lost the vision for serious task of evangelism, soul-winning and preparing their members for heaven in favour of chasing politicians for filthy lucre.

    Expressing regrets that many Christian ministers have turned their pupils to political soap box, Ilori advised those not interested in working in God’s vineyard to resign and face politics squarely.

    Ilori, who is also the Chairman of Ekiti Unity Forum (EUF), expressed concern about the high rate of poverty and youth unemployment in his home state of Ekiti.

    He promised to organise a public lecture and empowerment programme in his hometown, Ilupeju Ekiti, on February 10 to contribute his own quota to the development of his place of birth.

    Ilori also called for peace among the people of Ekiti State as the July 14 governorship election draws nearer. He urged the people to pray for the emergence of a good leader out of the contenders for the governorship seat.

    He said: “I have a message for 2018; the prophets of doom in Nigeria should go and join the political parties of their choice.

    “Many men of God have turned themselves to slaves of politicians in a bid to gain cheap popularity and attention and fill their pockets with money.

    “I am over 30 years in the ministry and 60 years of age; in Nigeria, we have taken the gospel like a business and see it as a war.

    “Can you imagine that these prophets don’t even prophesy about the needy in their churches. Their targets are the rich, moneybags and politicians.

    “They no longer preach about salvation, repentance again and they have turned their altars to political campaign grounds.

    “They always say this person will die this year and that person will die next year. This is highly unfortunate.”

     

  • Benue killings: Why politicians must speak out, by senator

    Benue killings: Why politicians must speak out, by senator

    Southern Senators Forum (SSF) Chairman Hope Uzodimma has warned politicians of the consequences of keeping quiet instead of speaking out on burning national issues.

    According to him, as major beneficiaries of the democratic process, it became imperative for all politicians, irrespective of their political leanings, to be objective on issues threatening the country’s survival.

    Uzodinma said in Abuja yesterday in the wake of the tension generated over the gruesome killings in Benue communities by suspected herdsmen, the  security agencies should step up patrol in the affected communities and border towns to prevent possible spread and recurrence of the dastardly act.

    Uzodimma, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise & Tariffs, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for mandating the relocation of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris Kpotum to Benue to take charge.

    According to him, though the attack was painful as it claimed several lives, politicians should be cautious of their remarks to avoid the escalation of the already tensed situation.

    He said: “Those blaming the President for not speaking out and accusing him (President) of backing the alleged perpetrators of the heinous crime are only fanning the embers of hatred and putting him on the spot.”

    Uzodinma said the President had done what was constitutional right by ordering the deployment of the police, led by the IGP to douse tension.

    He noted that only the police are statutorily empowered to take charge of such situations.

    The senator said: “It is regrettable that in this country, everything is heaped on the doors of the President whereas there are statutory organs and institutions that are responsible to handle every situation.

    “When a person in this country has an issue with the judiciary or security agencies, the President is accused of having a hand in it. We must move away from this to make progress as a nation.

    “The attitude of our politicians on national issues must be that of unity and national interest because we should always have it at the back of our mind that it will be one person at a time.”

    Condemned the calls for the deployment of the military to Benue, Uzodinma said the Nothcentral state was not in a war situation.

    “The Police are trained to handle civil matters. Calling for the deployment of the military will compound issues as they may intend to use maximum force which will not be good for the people,” he said.

    He urged security agencies to liaise with the Benue State Government and other critical stakeholders in the state to identify the culprits and areas of challenges to put an end to the crisis.

  • Politicians sponsoring killings should be treated as criminals, says Dickson

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has urged security agencies not to spare political leaders who sponsor criminals.

    Dickson said political leaders should be arrested and prosecuted like the criminals they sponsor .

    According to a statement by Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, Dickson spoke while hosting Flag Officer Commanding the Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Alhassan, in Yenagoa yesterday.

    The governor said: “It is our position in this state that crime is crime and security agencies should arrest and treat political leaders who are sponsoring criminals as common criminals because that is what they are.”

    The Governor urged naval authorities to intensify efforts to improve maritime security in the waters of Bayelsa.

    He said: “I count on you to combat and bring down to the barest minimum, the cases of piracy in the waters, cases of kidnapping, the oil theft, the vandalism of Strategic national assets and so forth,” he added

    The governor who commended the Federal Government for the establishment of the Central Naval Command said the Navy had a major responsibility in the maintenance of maritime security and stability.

    According to him, the Navy’s role in supporting development in Bayelsa, the Niger Delta and the country cannot be overemphasized.

    He requested the establishment of a naval outpost at Oluasiri and Agge in Nembe and Ekeremor Local Government Areas of the state to strengthen the onslaught on maritime crime.

    “While thanking you for your record in Koluama, I wish to inform you we intend working with you to support the establishment of another outpost at the Oluasiri end at the Eastern part and we also need a strong naval presence at Agge in the West.

    “If there is any arm of our nation’s security system whose strength is critical to the maintenance of stability, it is the Navy; so this state will continue to partner with the Nigerian Navy.”

    The FOC, Central Command Rear Admiral Alhassan commended the governor for his sustained support to the activities of the service and the military in Bayelsa.

    He lauded the governor for donating a property for the building of a Naval Secondary School in Yenagoa.

  • Drug Abuse: Sanusi indicts politicians, elite

    Drug Abuse: Sanusi indicts politicians, elite

    The Emir of Kano, Sanusi Muhammad II, has slammed politicians and the elite for encouraging drug abuse and addiction among youths.

    The monarch, who spoke at the opening of a two-day Senate Roundtable on Drug Abuse Epidemic at Bristol Palace in Kano, condemned the use of thugs as security guards by politicians, insisting that such practices aid drug abuse among youths.

    Sanusi described those who supply youths with drugs, and pay them to do all sorts of despicable things, as criminals who should be prosecuted.

    The monarch, who said he spoke for the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad III and the Emir of Kazaure, Alhaji Najib Usaini Adamu, noted that the government must implement existing laws to tackle drug abuse.

    His words: “We are sitting on a time bomb as leaders of tomorrow are gradually destroyed through drugs, and their future destroyed.”

    Senate President Bukola Saraki said all hands must be on deck to fight the menace, particularly, among women and youths.

    He added that they are in Kano to rid the country of drug abuse, which has, for too long, been the unacknowledged enemy of Nigerians.

    “The time has come to look that enemy in the face and say – enough. And by your standing up to be counted at this roundtable, it is clear you share the sense of alarm over this issue and recognise the urgent need to do something about it.

    “The scourge has been of a particularly virulent nature, touching all social strata and afflicting families. Women and girls are particularly susceptible, married or not. Not even nursing mothers are spared; and future generations are already endangered by the spectre of drug abuse, even the unborn.

    “The Senate decided to take steps to tackle the malaise. And, subsequent to a motion sponsored by Senator Baba Garbai, and supported by 40 others, calling for a decisive action on the issue, the Senate passed a resolution on the Need to Check the Rising Menace of Pharmaceutical Drug Abuse in the country.

    “We set up two committees to determine the nature of the problem; and their work is ongoing. This roundtable is an additional avenue to take the issue to communities across Nigeria, of which Kano is the first of many that we are planning.

    “This is really a moment of reckoning for our country, and it is important that we look unflinchingly at the problem and tell ourselves the truth.”