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Tag: reject

  • Commissioner urges electorate to reject PDP

    Commissioner urges electorate to reject PDP

    The Imo State Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Chief Chidi Ibeh, has advised the electorate to reject the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and vote out its candidates.

    He said a return to the PDP era would impede the Rescue Mission Agenda and halt transformation.

    The commissioner, in a chat with reporters, warned that a PDP-led administration would stop the free education programme of Governor Rochas Okorocha, which he said “has made education possible for the children of the rich and the poor.”

    Ibeh noted that the monumental achievements of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration “have become a torn in the flesh of the PDP members, who are determined to return to power.”

    He recalled that the 12 years administration of the PDP in Imo “not only stagnated development, but also brought  pains, misery and penury”, noting that a vote for the PDP would amount to a return to the ugly past.

    The commissioner, who hails from Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government with the PDP governorship candidate, advised people to shun sentiments in voting, saying those seeking their votes to succeed Okorocha had nothing to show for the years they had been in office, but only chose to cast aspersions on the governor to cover up their misrule.

    He said Okorocha, through judicious use of the lean resources accruing to Imo, provided democracy dividends in all nooks and crannies of the state, “with the families of his critics benefiting from his free education.”

    Decrying the campaign of calumny against the governor by indigenes of Mbaise in positions of authority, to manipulate their ways to power, Ibeh hoped that  his achievements would earn him another victory.

    He said: “The time for a governor of Mbaise extraction is not now, because there is no vacancy in the Government House, Owerri. It is only in 2019 that Mbaise people will come together, discuss and present somebody for the governorship, who will be accepted by all.

    “For now, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, who I understand is running for the governorship, is on his own.”

  • Investors reject rice import licence bazaar

    Investors reject rice import licence bazaar

    The rice market is flooded – no thanks to an import licence bazaar that is threatening to run major investors out of business.

    The industry’s stakeholders have cried out to the Federal Government to save their huge investments.

    They are pleading that the Federal Government should:

    •cancel the recent wave of rice import licences; and

    •keep the government’s self-sufficiency plan on track by protecting those who have invested heavily in the sector, which is now threatened by a flood of imports.

    In a protest letter to the government through the ministers of Finance and Trade and Investments, the stakeholders drew attention to the recent “indiscriminate and wrongful “ award of import licences as well as concessions to businessmen with “absolutely no investments in the rice sector “ who are now “making millions and billions of naira selling those licences to importers in the market”.

    The fear of rice industry sources is that with the current developments “in which new comers without prior experience were favoured over and above operators who are investing billions of naira in line with the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), their investments may go down the drain.

    “The way it is going, another few years will be wasted and the nation drawn back. With  oil prices falling, the ATA provides the best opportunity for the country to generate alternative revenue by reducing import and in the near future, join the export market. With this sort of policy,this thing is not going to work. The rice import allocations will derail the self-sufficiency efforts,” said the petitioners.

    The industry players across the value chain, with existing substantial investments said the crisis they are facing is “imminent crisis of viability and closure” following the government’s “seemingly biased” allocation of import quotas.

    Besides, if the situation remains, said the petitioner, the government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) may suffer severe reversals. It is their view that the allocations “provide a free ride for smugglers, thereby derailing the objectives on rice self-sufficiency. Nigeria, according to reports, “also stands to lose in excess of N 40 billion through smuggling and loss of Customs revenues.”

    According to a Federal Ministry of Finance stipulated revised lower tariffs for rice imports in a circular dated July 8 2014 (entitled 2014-2017 Fiscal Policy Measures On Rice), bonafide “investors with rice milling capacities and verifiable backward integration programme” are entitled to import rice at the revised tariffs of 10% duty rate and 20% levy.

    Pure rice traders (with no existing capacities/programme) are to pay a duty of 10% and a levy of 60%.

    The allocations released by the Ministry of Agriculture include several beneficiaries who fail to meet the finance ministry’s stipulated criteria.

    Of the 28 companies, only 16 have mills. The remaining 12 have no milling capacities, but account for higher imports than the qualified millers.

    Many of the companies without any proven capacities are selling off the quotas to pure importers for a handsome margin, leading to huge loss of customs revenue and defeating the basic purpose of the allocations – the petitioners allege.

    Some companies have only submitted business plans and expression of interests without verifiable form of investments in the sector may be enjoying waivers amounting to at least N20 billion as per the allocations.

    The basis and pattern of allocations have raised furore and anguish amongst numerous existing investors who were waiting anxiously since July 2014 for the government’s quotas to augment their continuing investments in the rice value chain.

    The gap between demand and supply forming the basis of the allocations seem to have been fixed at 1.5 million tonnes, whereas 2.74 million metric tonnes has been imported, into the country in 2014, including legal imports and smuggled rice from neighbouring countries, such as Benin, Cameroun, Niger and Togo.

  • 22 Akwa Ibom aspirants reject Akpabio’s olive branch

    It looked as though the exparte order has put paid to the possibility of the Akwa Ibom State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) being able to submit the name of Mr Udom Emmanuel as the man who will fly its governorship flag in next year’s election. A vacation judge lifted the exparte injunction, but the 22 aggrieved candidates are not giving up as they have rejected a deal with Governor Godswill Akpabio, writes OLUKOREDE YISHAU.

    This time last week it looked as if the name of Udom Emmanuel, former Akwa Ibom State Secretary to the State Government (SSG), will be missing among those of governorship candidates submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Justice Y. Halilu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) restrained the PDP from submitting Emmanuel’s name or the name of any other person as the winner of the PDP governorship primary in Akwa Ibom State. After giving the order, Justice Halilu adjourned the substantive suit till January 5, next year because of the Christmas and New Year break.

    A vacation judge, however, turned the tide. Now, Emmanuel has to worry about the substantive suit going his way. But, it is clear to Emmanuel and his major backer, Governor Godswill Akpabio, that there is the need to rein in the aggrieved governorship aspirants. There are 22 of them, which include two men who were Akpabio’s deputy, Patrick Ekpotu and Nsima Ekere.

    This was why the governor called a peace meeting in Abuja, which lasted till the wee hours of Saturday, December 20. The meeting, which held at the PDP National Secretariat, was almost deadlocked from the beginning. A shouting match, said a source at the meeting, ensued between one of the aspirants, Chief Asam Asam (SAN) and the governor. There was palpable apprehension at the meeting, according to one the aspirants who would not want to be named, as a result of the fracas between Akpabio and Asam, who was Attorney- General and Commissioner for Justice.

    Both men were later calm down by others in the meeting after which they resolved to sing Christian worship songs and pray as a way of dousing tension. The meeting was from that point moderated by Ekpotu. The governor pleaded with them to accept Emmanuel as the governorship candidate of the PDP, a position that was outrightly rejected by the group on the basis that “the process that threw him up was faulty, not transparent and toxic. The December 8 exercise was everything but democratic and this has resulted in several litigations which ought not to be had the process passed credibility test”.

    At a point in the meeting, Akpabio called on Emmanuel to plead with the other aspirants. A source said Emmanuel in his speech likened his case to that of Jesus who was initially rejected by his people but later turned out to become the saviour.

    This allusion to Jesus reportedly infuriated the aspirants as he was reportedly castigated for his lack of humility. The group of 22 also told Akpabio that Emmanuel cannot win election with such attitude, warning that the PDP would be throwing away its chances of retaining with him as candidate.

    Apparently disturbed at the turn of event at the meeting , Akpabio requested that the group write him a letter stating the reasons why they think Emmanuel should not fly the flag of the PDP in the February election, promising to approach the party leadership and the president with the letter for further deliberation, a source at the meeting said.

    After the meeting, the aspirants promised to work for the reelection of President Goodluck Jonathan, but vowed to do everything within their power to stop Emmanuel. They also said they would pursue the substantive suit. Sources also said that the group will today “appeal the vacation of the injunction”.

    The Nation learnt that the aspirants’ letter to Akpabio will be built on the petition to the PDP leadership on Emmanuel’s emergence. The petition dated December 9 described the primary, which produced Emmanuel, though broadcast live on television, as a “sham” and “scam”.

    In the petition, the aspirants said the primary violated the party’s rule on accreditation of delegates. They said no delegate was accredited at the venue of the primary, adding that they were told by the chairman of the Electoral Panel that the accreditation of delegates was done at the Government House, where the delegates were conveyed in buses to the venue of the poll. They alleged that unqualified persons were smuggled into the venue as delegates, thus rubbishing the process. The non-accreditation of delegates, they said, broke the 19th paragraph of the Electoral guidelines.

    The aggrieved men said the delegates’ list was contrived because there was no proper election of delegates from the ward level on November 1.

    They said: “It is our prayer that the fraudulent exercise, herein complained of, be nullified for the sake of the party’s credibility and a transparent process be deployed for the emergence of a gubernatorial candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State.

    “The enormity of a combination of the above irregularities on the entire Gubernatorial Primary Election and the ultimate fortunes of the party in general election cannot be over emphasized. We believe that your intervention, can save us from the avoidable cataclysm we are won’t to face if this fraud is condoned.”

    Another issue the aggrieved have against Emmanuel’s emergence is that delegates were not given ballot papers in public glare to vote during the election. They said the delegates got to the venue with already marked ballot papers and only deposited them in the boxes when it was time to vote.  They also alleged that their agents were not accredited to be part of the exercise. Their prayer to the court and the party is simple: cancel the exercise.

    The group is also not happy about that they have only received “minimal attention” from the party’s leadership.

    Ime Effiong Ekanem, the aspirant who instituted the suit on behalf of others, said: “I cannot allow the will of majority of Akwa Ibom people to be swept under the carpet as if they do no matter. Democracy is the government of the people by the people. Therefore, we will not allow a few people to impose their will against the interest and the overall good of the people.

    “It is the will of the good people of Akwa Ibom that the process of electing their leaders must be transparent, credible and civil. That was not what was witnessed on December 8 in Uyo. We say no to a system that attempts to subvert the will of the people. This struggle is not our personal struggle but that of every Nigerian who believes in democracy, in the purity of its meaning and essence.”

    To Akpabio, the process which produced Emmanuel was transparent. He congratulated the Chairman of the Electoral Panel of PDP, Mr. Bola Ayebowale and members of the PDP for a successful conduct of the primaries, adding that Emmanuel’s victory was assured.

    The governor said more than 99 per cent of PDP faithful came out to vote, stressing that the state would do the same by giving Jonathan their full support in 2015. Akpabio added that the transparency of the election was an indication that peace thrives in the state.

    Speaking after the primary, Emmanuel said the people have ushered him into the next level, thanking Akpabio and the people for coming out en-mass to support him. He lauded the PDP for the peaceful conduct of the primary.

    Oyebowale also said the process was transparent, explaining that PDP believes in a level-playing ground for all aspirants.

    To the aspirants, Oyebowale, Akpabio and Emmanuel can tell that to the marines. The way things stand now, only the court will settle the matter and when that is done, depending on which way it goes, it will have a backlash. If it favours the governor’s camp, the aggrieved will have to decide whether or not to stay in PDP.

    The waiting game continues.

  • Reject December salary, NLC tells Kogi workers

    The Kogi State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed civil servants in the state to reject their December salaries to protect the jobs of over 6,000 workers slated for sack by the government.

    The NLC gave the directive yesterday in Lokoja, the state capital, in a communique issued at the end of the meeting of its executive committee.

    The communiqué was signed by James Odaodu (Chairman) and John Kolawole (Secretary).

    It noted that the leadership of the NLC was piqued by the arbitrary removal of the names of over 6,000 workers from December pay roll.

    The NLC added that the only way to protect the interest of the affected workers was for the entire workforce to reject this month’s salaries.

    Congress accused the Commissioners for Finance, Budget and Planning and the Accountant-General of ‘hijacking’ the job of the committee constituted by government to implement the report of the recent screening of the state work force.

    It urged the officials to ‘hands-off’ to ensure “thorough implementation” of the report of the exercise.

    While appreciating the government for involving labour in efforts to sanitise the state civil service, the NLC frowned at what it called “selective” implementation of the report of the screening.

    “We condemn the plan by government to implement part of the report.”

  • ‘My love for Nigeria made me reject offers’

    ‘My love for Nigeria made me reject offers’

    Returning Super Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi has revealed that the patriotic spirit in him was the reason why he decided not to take offers from other serious African countries in the past.

    In the past the 2013 AFCON winning coach was linked with a number of clubs and countries, but all failed to materialise.

    “If I wanted a job outside the shores of this country, I would have stayed in Equatorial Guinea, and Alhaji Aminu Maigari, the former Nigeria Football Federation chairman, can bear me witness.

    “The offer I had in Equatorial Guinea is far from what they are offering me here, but I decided to come back because this is my country,” he said.

    Recent reports in Ghana had linked the 52-year-old to the Black Stars coaching job vacated by Kwesi Appiah – and was even quoted in the Ghanaian media as saying it would be a ‘dream come true’ to manage the team.

    It was a failed adventure, as the Ghana Football Association (GFA) dispelled such links.

  • IHEANACHO URGED TO REJECT NEW YORK CITY

    IHEANACHO URGED TO REJECT NEW YORK CITY

    Nigeria’s Manchester City free scoring sensation Kelechi Iheanacho has been told to reject loan deal to new MLS team New York City FC according to reports. But at the tender age of 17, the kid  still needs plenty of rigorous development to become a top player.

    According to reports, one of the ways Manchester City plans on developing the Nigerian star striker is to send him on-loan during the upcoming season.

    Kelechi Iheanacho was absolutely outstanding during the FIFA Under 17 World Cup last year, with this highlight reel (which includes six tournament goals and seven assists) below bound to make many clubs across the world interested in his talents. The reason why Major League Soccer has been sounded out as a possibility for the left-footed player is because of Man City’s connection with New York City FC.

    The Blues went into a partnership with MLB giants New York Yankees to purchase the New York City FC franchise, and the team will make their MLS debut in March 2015.

    The partnership means it’s highly likely that City will use the link-up to improve the youngsters in their squad, and certain reports have confirmed that the EPL side will do exactly that.

    But such a move is something that ex-Nigeria coach Samson Siasia is dearly against. He believes that his compatriot should not be shipped of to MLS, with the former Super Eagles boss insisting City should loan him to an EPL side so they can track his progress more accurately.

    “I don’t think it is right for Manchester City to send the young man on loan to MLS, the best they should do for him now is to loan him to an English Premier League side where they will be able to monitor his progress. Iheanacho has done well in the pre season tour and he should be vying for a place in the squad.”

    Dismissing MLS as an option for Iheanacho is not the right approach, but like Siasia says, there might be better opportunities out there for him.

    MLS is ever improving, and Team USA’s success in the World Cup with a team made up of mostly MLS players is a sure sign that it’s not what people label as a ‘retirement league.’ The signings of Kaka, David Villa and Frank Lampard will boost the league’s profile during the 2015 season, and Iheanacho would certainly benefit from playing and training alongside Villa and Lampard during next season.

    But the big question is how ready for the Premier League is this Nigerian superstar? If he is ready now, then an EPL loan would be more suitable. But if redshirting him is the best option this season, which is more likely, then sending him to New York would be Manchester City’s best option.

  • Ijaw youths reject NYSC postings

    •Support Bayelsa women

    Ijaw youths under the aegis of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, yesterday supported Bayelsa State women, who protested the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) postings of their children to the North.

    The Udengs Eradiri-led IYC rejected the postings, urging the NYSC to review it in the interest of peace.

    The group in a statement by its spokesman, Eric Omare, said it was dangerous for the NYSC to post youths from the South to the North.

    He said it should have considered insecurity in northern states before taking such action.

    The youths said: “IYC maintains its earlier position that Ijaw graduates and anybody from the South should not be posted to the North and that the NYSC scheme should be reviewed to ensure that youths serve in their region.

    “The idea of national integration, which necessitated the posting of youths to different parts of the country, cannot be used as a justification to post Ijaw youths to the North, considering the insecurity.”

    Omare said IYC would retaliate the death of any Ijaw youth arising from the posting.

    He said they would not accept a situation where Ijaw youths were killed in the North, while northern youths were enjoying in multinational oil companies in Ijaw land and in the Niger Delta.

    Concerned parents and guardians in Bayelsa State on Sunday rejected the postings of their children and wards to the North.

    The protesters, who visited the offices of national newspapers, including The Nation, said following the insecurity, especially the Boko Haram onslaught, no part of the North was safe for their children and wards.

    They wondered why the NYSC was bent on endangering the lives of their children.

    “We don’t want to bury our children. The North is not safe. We cannot allow our children to be killed. The bodies of the children killed in the past are yet to be seen,” the protesters said in tears.

    They said since the security agencies were yet to secure the release of the Chibok girls, their children should not be exposed to kidnapping and death.

    The agitators implored the Federal Government to prevail on the NYSC to change their children’s postings to the South.

    They said they were still mourning the youths from their areas, who were allegedly killed by Boko Haram insurgents while serving a few years ago.

    The protesters vowed to continue their protests until NYSC changed the postings.

    They said their children and wards were posted to Yobe, Kaduna, Bauchi and Adamawa.

    “Whether Northeast, Northwest or Northcentral, no part of the North is safe for our children. The Boko Haram insurgency is spreading. We want our children to be posted to the Southeast, Southwest or South-south states pending when Boko Haram problem will be solved,” the agitators said.

  • Nigerians reject $1bn insurgency loan

    Nigerians reject $1bn insurgency loan

    Following the recent request by the President for approval  to ask for a loan of $1billion to fight insurgency in the country, prominent Nigerians have opposed the request,  indicating that it may be an insensitive issue at this time.

    Olubunmi Cardinal Okogie  said: “How would the people trust the government on the sending of such a loan. Things are tough in the country now, and I am not sure that the people will trust the government on such a loan.”

    On his part, activist lawyer Mr. Fred Agbaje said: “It is provocative and unreasonable. Has the president accounted for the previous security votes, more so, when the previous security votes were never judiciously spent. Hence the rise in Boko Haram activities and subsequent superiority in the Boko Haram fire power.

    “The National Assembly would massively be letting Nigerians down, if they accede to the president’s request. Such money should be channelled towards addressing our ill-equipped  hospitals, universities and similar institutions.”

    The president’s request was also opposed by Barrister Festus Keyamo who issued  a  statement which reads thus:  “I am totally opposed to the grant by the National Assembly of the request by the president for the approval of a $1billion loan to upgrade equipment and ‘re-energise’ the military to fight insurgency.

    “The simple reason is that billions of naira have been made available in our budgets in the last few years for the same purpose, yet the insurgents continue to grow from strength to strength.

    “This, therefore, raises the question of the prudence that has been employed in the past in spending the funds. In this regard, it is important that a thorough audit of previous allocations to that sector is carried out before further approval like is  made.

    “Granted that the audit may not be made before the public because of security implications, but a comprehensive audit before critical institutions and stakeholders is important to instill accountability and probity in the security sector. The military is not above the law.”

    Chief Ebenezer Babatope praised the president for the request and called on Nigerians to give him a chance to fight the insurgence by yielding to his request.

    He said: “The President is the head of the country. He is the one in the vantage position to know what the country needs. So if he comes out and says that this is what the country needs, I want to believe that he must have taken time to study the situation.

    “I will want the people of this country to support the president in taking such a loan and allow him to fight the insurgents in order to put an end to the threat that Boko Haram has become.”

  • Don’t want her to reject me

    She is uncomfortable with the arrangement

    My younger sister had been single for a long while. Luckily, she met a man who agreed to marry her and we were all very happy for her. A few months after the wedding, he began to beat her but she kept quiet because she didn’t want to lose the marriage she had waited and cried for. Now, she is very comfortable because he provides for all her needs but she is not happy. What can be done to make her happy? Matilda

     

    Response

    Marriage according to the experts should be sacred and we are expected to make it work. This can be done with trust, love, understanding and communication. However, when violence is added to the mix, it may just be time for your sister to move on. I also think that your sister’s husband is feeling insecure and therefore feels the need to control her at all times.

     

    Something has gone wrong?

    I have been in a relationship with a lady for about three years and we have had so many memorable moments together. Recently, I discovered that her attitude towards me has changed completely. She does not even speak to me and for weeks I get so frustrated with the relationship. Sometimes, I am so confused that I feel like walking away from the relationship to get my bearing. Olawale.

     

    Response

    Have you tried talking to her about this and how you feel about the whole thing? You definitely need to get to the bottom of why she has suddenly gone cold towards you. I must also tell you that it is not wise to wait and hope that she will open up to you one day about the matter. If you also think that it is something that you cannot handle alone, then you can advise her to come with you for counselling, so that you can discuss the problem with a professional. This way, it would be possible to find a lasting solution to the problem.

     

    He wants me to be a housewife

    I am a 28-year-old lady who is passionate about her career and I want to proceed for a masters in law soon. However, my fiancé has not approved of my plans and he actually says that I should cancel all the plans I have if I want to be his wife. He believes that too much education and pursuit of career are factors that affect women in marriages. Do you think I should sacrifice my career for this relationship? Amina.

     

    Response

    I think that you need to follow your heart, your plans and not what your boyfriend thinks. Even if he believes that he knows what’s best for you, and is acting in good faith, it is not a decision he should make for you. It is your life and there are a number of things he cannot determine for you. Unfortunately, a lot of women end up with lifestyles, jobs or professions they hate because they allowed some people to manipulate them from their dreams. Your fiancé should respect your decision to further your studies, if he really loves you.

     

    Don’t want her to reject me

    I just moved into a new apartment and I fell for a lady next door almost immediately. We say hello everyday but somehow I find it difficult to tell her how I feel about her. I am afraid because I can’t stand the thought of rejection. Should I wait a bit or go ahead to tell her how I feel about her?  Joseph

     

    Response

    If you love her, just find a way to tell her. She would either say yes or no. But if you continue to drag your feet about it someone else may take her from you before you know it.

  • Niger Delta delegates reject 13% derivation

    Niger Delta delegates at the National Conference yesterday rejected a resolution by the Committee on devolution of Power to retain the controversial 13 per cent derivation principle.

    The delegates also described agitation by northern delegates for the scrapping of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Niger Delta Ministry and amnesty programme as laughable.

    Most southern delegates at the committee were said to have been overwhelmed by the insistency of their northern counterparts to succumb to the decision to retain 13 per cent derivation principle.

    Northern delegates in the committee, an insider said, “demanded and insisted on the reduction of 13 per cent derivation.”

    But some Niger Delta delegates who are not members of the committee told The Nation that “we are waiting for the issue to come up at plenary.”

    A member of the committee, Annkio Briggs, however, expressed disappointment over the resolution to retain 13 per cent derivation principle.

    Briggs, an activist from Rivers State, said the delegates from Niger Delta came to the conference to make a presentation on ownership of the resources in their zone.

    The activist noted that she was disappointed that those who were not bringing anything to the sharing table of the country were the people dictating the direction of issues at the conference.

    She said that the argument that the status quo of 13 per cent derivation should remain while funds should be made available for the development of other mineral resources in other states is preposterous.

    The position of Niger Delta people, she said, was that derivation should go up to 50 per cent.

    She said: “Our position is that derivation should go up to 50 per cent. What we expected was that we will discuss the position of 50 per cent. If you don’t agree to the position of 50 per cent, what is it that you agree to? Is it 35 per cent or 25 per cent derivation?

    “We expected that we should agree on something so that we graduate upward over time, but those things were not discussed.

    “We sat down and what was clear to me was that people were sitting in groups and making decisions. I refused to agree with the decisions and the major decision was that we should allow 13 per cent derivation status quo to remain.

    “This is based on the presumption that certain amount of money will be invested in other mineral resources in other states and when money is invested in other mineral resources in other states, it will still remain 13 per cent derivation principle.

    “But I cannot lose sight of the fact that until those other minerals are exploited, the only exploration and exploitation that is going on is oil and gas.

    “I refuse to go back to Niger Delta and tell my people that I brought back the status quo of 13 per cent derivation principle and that this status quo is based on the decision of people that are bringing nothing to the table.

    “I, therefore, wish to say that after spending two to three months here that what we are going to take back to the Niger Delta is that 13 per cent derivation principle remains and that the decision was taken at the whims and caprices and the arrogance position that is playing out here.

    “This position is definitely not in the interest of Nigeria and definitely not in the interest of the Niger Delta. And I refuse to accept it on behalf of my people.”

    Asked what steps she wanted to take to redress the alleged injustice, Brigss said that whatever action Niger Delta people decide to take she would join them.

    Reminded that perhaps Niger Delta people ought to be happy that they escaped with the retention of 13 per cent, she thundered that there was nothing to be happy about.

    She said: “I don’t know the Niger Delta people you are referring to. If you are referring to the Niger Delta people that include me, I tell you by my reaction you can see that there is nothing like happiness in what has happened here.

    “I am not happy, my people are not happy and we cannot be happy. It is not about happiness. It is not about what anybody thinks here, it is about justice and it is about doing the right thing.

    “To say that 13 per cent should remain in Nigeria of today is not doing the right thing in this country. We have to be very careful what we expect people to bring when we are bringing absolutely nothing.”

    On the agitation by northern delegates for the restoration of onshore/offshore oil dichotomy, she said that the bridge would be crossed at the appropriate time.

    She said: “It is arguable but we will cross that bridge when we get there. But I want to point it to you that Nigeria as a country is laying claim to the waters through the fact that we the oceanic people, we the people of the riverine area are in Nigeria.

    “If we are not in Nigeria today Nigeria cannot lay claim to the area. So it a privilege to Nigeria that we are in Nigeria because that is the only way they are laying claim to the waters.”