Ex-gov now senator, Adamu, says calls for Igbo presidency is wishful thinking

Former Nasarawa State Governor and Senator representing Nasarawa South in the National Assembly, Abdullahi Adamu, has knocked calls for political parties to zone the 2023 presidency to the South-East, saying it is mere wishful thinking of the proponents.

Adamu who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, on Monday, at a press conference in Abuja, said the President of Nigeria should not be zoned to any region based on sentimental reasons but rather, should be on merit.

Adamu noted that the 1999 Constitution did not mandate political parties to zone the presidency or any other political office to any part of Nigeria.

β€œIf we go by the 1999 Constitution, there is nowhere that says we should zone any public office to any region,” Adamu said.

β€œThere is federal character, but not that parties must zone positions for presidency during election.

β€œThe Constitution is being reviewed. If you want a specific provision that a presidential position be zoned, you say it, and tell us how you want it to be zoned.

β€œYou can’t just wish away a situation that is fundamental to a country. You can’t talk of merit and talk of zoning. You can’t.

β€œLet’s just go by merit. Let every party find a way of selling itself in a manner that will garner the votes that will win the election. It’s as simple as that.

β€œDo we have anything like that in the American constitution? Are we more democratic than them? It is democracy. Why do you want to change it? Wishful thinking only.

β€œYes, somebody is saying the South East has not had a president. I agree, and I sympathise with them.

β€œBut the constitution says you can only become president through the ballot box.

β€œAnd we have been saying it during elections that every vote must count. So, why do you want to zone? Zone your mind if you want to zone,” he added.

NASS not rubber stamp, we only do things differently -Sen Kalu

Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Kalu, has slammed reports by stakeholders and Nigerians that the National Assembly is a rubber stamp to the decisions taken by the executive.

Kalu, who spoke on Tuesday via a statement in Abuja, also advocated for closer synergy between the executive and judiciary in order to entrench good governance.

The lawmaker implored Nigerians to jettison the notion that the National Assembly is a rubber stamp.

β€œThe Senate is not a rubber stamp, it is just that we have done things differently.

β€œThere are many things the Presidency has sent to the senate that we rejected and we reject it at the level of leadership and send it back to him.

β€œThere is no need to fight with the President because our job is to complement the efforts of the executive, to give them the chance to give Nigerians good governance.”

Kalu also explained the importance of a harmonious relationship between all arms of government in order to ensure the betterment and development of the country.

β€œSo, our duty is to make laws and ensure we stabilise the polity by ensuring there is a good relationship between the judiciary, executive, and the legislature.

β€œThe Senate has been very successful in bringing the budget before December each year, this is the job of the legislature.

β€œWe don’t want to enter into unnecessary controversies with the executive.

β€œWe have fought many times with the executive, but quietly. People can call us any name, but I can speak out my mind to say we are not rubberstamp,’’ he stressed.

Yoruba Nation Agitators Protest Alongside UK Labour Party Leaders, Including Parliament Member, Jeremy Corbyn.

The protest was held a few days ahead of a million man match scheduled to hold on Tuesday during the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States.

Yoruba Nation agitators on Saturday stormed the streets of Liverpool, the United Kingdom to continue their demand for a separate nation.

The protest was held a few days ahead of a million man match scheduled to hold on Tuesday during the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States.

The agitators also demanded the release of Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho, who has been detained in Benin Republic since his arrest on July 19.

The protesters displayed various placards on which were written, β€œSelf-determination is our right, not a crime, save us from Boko Haram”, β€œStop the systematic genocide in Yorubaland”, β€œNo Yoruba territory, no election in Nigeria 2023,” among other inscriptions.

The protest was held alongside another by some members of the UK Labour Party and others in an attempt to stop a controversial electronic arms fair from taking place.
The former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn was also in attendance.

One of the party leaders said, β€œI was born in Nigeria, it is a country which was formed by British imperialism after the slave trade, and today, we continue to suffer over there at the wrong hands of arms sold from this part of the world and we have some campaigners here who have banners saying, β€˜Boko Haram are terrorists, not bandits’, ‘Buhari must go’, ’Nigeria is bleeding’.

SaharaReporters revealed that the Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-Determination (NINAS) vowed to go ahead with its planned one million march in front of the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Separatist groups in the country under NINAS had earlier announced that they would hold a one million march to reiterate the demand for a referendum on self-determination and abolition of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.

NINAS is an umbrella body of self-determination movements in the South-South, South-East, Middle Belt, and South-West (Ilana Omo Oodua).

The protest will be led by renowned Yoruba historian, Prof Banji Akintoye; a respected scholar, Yusuf Turaki; Secretary-General of NINAS, Tony Nnadi; pioneer Commissioner for Education in Osun State and National Chairman of Ilana Omo Oodua, Wale Adeniran, among others.

It was learnt that Nigerians in the diaspora from the South-East, South-South, South-West, and Middle Belt’s clans, living in the United States of America, are being mobilised to stand up for their indigenous nationalities.

Akintoye, during a recent interview said, β€œWe want to show the world our plight so that we can see solutions. We can’t keep quiet. The mega rallies held in the South-West were a success, and it is not enough, but we need the world to understand our current plight.

β€œThe Federal Government has tried to clamp down on our rallies, and some of the peaceful protesters were attacked, and some were arrested. We decided the rally that we’ve held at home is not enough, we need to go international.

β€œThis rally is coming at a time the UN General Assembly is going to be meeting in New York. This rally will help in solidifying self-determination agitation.

β€œThe rally is going to be an inclusive one, we’ve done the necessary… We’ve formed an alliance β€” NINAS β€” and we’ve agreed on the rally. We’ll have Yorubas, Igbos, Middle Belt, other regions at the rally.”

I don’t want to be a politician –Ighalo

In an Instagram Live session monitored by PUNCH Sports Extra.
Heartland goalie, Ezenwa who hosted the session, had stated that as players who represented the nation and qualified them for the World Cup had the right to vie for posts in the Nigeria Football Federation set-up or any other political office.


Ezenwa went on to suggest that Ighalo could take up a political office someday but the former Eagles forward said he had no such plans, saying he detested politics.


β€œI don’t want to be president of anything. I don’t even like politics. I just want to play football, make money to feed myself, my children and my mother, that’s all.”

Ighalo who scored 16 goals in 35 matches for the national team also ruled out taking any football related political position.


β€œSome of us don’t want anything to do with Nigerian football after our retirement.”

Former Radio Biafra Director, Ekpa, calls out Nigerian govt, rejects award nominations

Former Director of Radio Biafra, Simon Ekpa, has lambasted the Nigerian government and it’s institutions for nominating him for awards, saying he had since denounced his Nigerian citizenship and hence, not interested in anything that has to do with the country.

Ekpa, who has never hidden his identity as a die-hard disciple of incarcerated leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, took to his Facebook page on Sunday, to call out an organisation known as Institute of Management, for nominating him for one of its awards and recognition.

In the post,Β EkpaΒ said he is a Biafran and saw no sense in a Nigerian institution as well as the Nigerian government nominating him for recognition of any sort.

β€œI got this notification days ago;
β€˜This is the highest grade of the institute’s membership and is reserved for accomplished professionals of your level and status in the profession.”

β€œI reject your nomination publicly; this is the second time the IMC-Nigeria is nominating me for whatever reason.

β€œI am not interested in your nomination, I am not interested in your award, I am not interested in anything that will move Nigeria forward because Nigeria is not structured nor created to move forward, so anybody trying to move Nigeria forward is already a failure.

β€œLet me give you a brief break down on these failures: Awolowo, Zik, Ahmadu Bello, Abiola, Obasanjo, Jonathan and every other person that have held any political position in Nigeria from 1960 to 2021, have all failed because they didn’t realise that Nigeria were never created to move forward.

β€œI am now putting everything I have to the disintegration of Nigeria and restoration of Biafra as that is the only way to move forward, anything outside this, don’t bring my name.

β€œFinally I will be returning every award given to me in Nigeria by Nigeria state or organisation within Nigeria, acting in the capacity of representing Nigeria, including medal given to me by Nigeria will be returned to the Ministry of Sport Abuja in the nearest future.

β€œI am Simon Ekpa, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s Disciple on Biafra Restoration,” he wrote.

APC govs forum condemns Gumi’s amnesty appeal for bandits

The appeal by a renowned Islamic cleric, Shiekh Ahmad Gumi for the Federal Government to grant amnesty to bandits continues to elicit strong reactions from political observers as the PGF has issued a rejoinder.

In its scathing critique issued on Friday, the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) via its Director-General, Dr. Salihu Lukman, queried the rationale behind the appeal of Gumi for the bandits calling it β€˜a threat to national security.’

The statement issued by Lukman titled: β€œNigerian democracy and challenges of nation-building,” also faulted Gumi’s comparison of bandits in the north with Niger Delta militants.

According to the PFG, the conditions which surrounded the amnesty granted to the Niger Delta militants differ from the bandits.

An excerpt from the statement reads, β€œAll arms of the security agencies are fully mobilised and are working in a coordinated way to crush the bandits in Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna forests. Interestingly, however, some Nigerian leaders have dismissed the military campaign going on to crush the bandits.

β€œSo-called media commentators, religious and other leaders have discredited decisions of government to shut down communication services, markets, etc. in the states where the military operations are taking place. A religious leader has already proclaimed that the military operations against the bandits will fail.

What a jaundiced view. Maybe Nigeria should return to the era when hundreds of millions meant for arms procurement to fight insurgency, banditry, and other criminality will be diverted and given to religious leaders for prayers.

β€œInstead of mobilising security agencies to fight the criminals, resources being deployed to fight insecurity in the country should be given to religious leaders to pray for the bandits to come back to their senses.

β€œThis is perhaps what Sheikh Ahmad Gumi is preaching when he insists that government should grant amnesty to bandits in the North just the way the administration of late President Umaru Yar’Adua handled Niger Delta militants.

β€œNigerians need to rise to the challenge of regulating the conduct of so-called leaders, including religious clerics.

β€œNigerians cannot be facing the challenge of insecurity and some leaders are working to undermine the efforts of the government to crush the criminal elements responsible for all the pains citizens are going through, including the loss of lives of citizens.

β€œAnytime leaders dismiss actions of the government against bandits and insurgents, they embolden these criminals to continue with their nefarious activities.”

Why Nigeria’s economic challenges persist – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday expressed concern about the country’s economic challenges.

He listed high population, COVID-19 pandemic, and separatist agitations as major factors fueling the country’s economic challenges.

The President, according to a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, stated this during a meeting with members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) at the State House, Abuja.

He said the challenges exist despite the five percent economic growth recorded in the second quarter of 2021.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) had on August 26 announced a 5.1 percent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for Nigeria in the second quarter of this year.

He said: β€œThe global economy has been seriously affected by the pandemic, and despite recent pleasing news of more than five percent economic growth for Nigeria in the last quarter, we are still having fiscal challenges to deal with like most other countries.

β€œThe source of revenue that Nigeria has depended on for so long experienced global decline, our population is rising fast and the tension arising from both is fuelling agitation among our youth. Organizations like the NMA could play a very useful moderating role in society.”

Zoning will determine PDP’s fate in 2023 – Ortom

The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, said on Friday zoning would determine the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fate in the 2023 general elections.

The governor, who disclosed this to journalists in Makurdi shortly after his arrival from Abuja, said the PDP has no choice but to win the 2023 elections following the abysmal performance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last six years.

He added that the PDP leadership had apologized to Nigerians for the past mistakes which led to the party’s defeat in the 2015 election.

The governor expressed the hope that Nigerians would give the PDP a second chance in 2023.

Ortom said: β€œZoning is very critical; do the right zoning, win elections; do the wrong zoning and you will lose elections.

β€œThe ultimate is for us to win the 2023 elections because of the abysmal performance of the APC government in Nigeria and I’m very confident that, working with my colleagues, we will be able to bring out all that will add value to the party and organise credible, free, fair, and transparent primaries that will ensure that the right people are put in place, ensure that the right peg in the right hole is in place in our party. And that’s what Nigerians are looking unto.

β€œThe PDP as the name implies is about the people. It’s about democratisation and that’s what some of us are selling because of the mistakes that were done in 2015 election that led to the PDP losing out.

β€œAnd I think that sometimes ago, the leadership of the party apologized to Nigerians that they made a mistake and for those of us who are Muslims and Christians, we appreciate that when someone apologizes, we should be willing to accept the apology and give him a second chance.

β€œI believe that Nigerians have given the PDP a second chance; I was a victim in 2015. But now I’m back and believe other people are back and by the grace of God, we will make it this time.

β€œNigerians are tired of the lies and hypocrisy of the APC-led government. There is nothing that they did not say prior to the election, but after they won election, there is no more freedom.”

Plateau gov, Lalong, accuses Assembly of delaying bill to ban open grazing

The Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong has said despite his influence as the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum to convince his colleagues to stand against open grazing and adopt ranching, the effort to ban the practice in his state is being frustrated by the State House of Assembly.

According to him, contrary to the false narrative spread in the state that the government is not doing anything to stop open grazing, the bill seeking to ban the act, which has been sent to the Assembly is yet to be passed.

Speaking at the Azi Nyako Youth Centre, Dadin Kowa, Jos, while swearing in the Executive Members of the Plateau Youth Council (PYC) on Thursday, Lalong said the National Livestock Transformation Programme (NLTP) would have been launched at the Wase Grazing Reserve to commence ranching if not for the recent attacks and subsequent disruptions.

The governor called on the youths to be cautious of some politicians who take pride in setting the youths against the government by insinuating that the governor or government does not care about the people, or is allowing the land belonging to Plateau indigenes to be grabbed by foreign herders, saying it’s a lie that has no basis in the face of facts.

His is words, β€œThis is a great opportunity that I have personally longed for, to meet with my dear youths under the umbrella of the Plateau Youth Council, which is the beacon of the youth movement in the State.

This swearing-in is coming at a time whenΒ PlateauΒ State and Nigeria needs the unity, vibrancy, support and positive action of the youths more than ever.

That is why I continue to appeal to the youths to eschew violence, hatred, intolerance and bigotry. Rather, our youths should embrace tolerance, diversity, mutual respect and love which are more powerful, enduring, and beneficial to society in the long run.

β€œYou must resist the toxic narratives that push you to resort to unconventional means of ventilating your grievances. Government shall work closely with the new leadership of the PYC to ensure that our youths are kept abreast and involved in all empowerment programmes of the State and Federal Governments.

β€œSimilarly, our efforts to end conflicts between herders and farmers are being ignored and twisted for politics. As Chairman of the Northern Governors, I prevailed on my colleagues to take a position against open grazing by adopting modern ranching.

I sent a Bill to the House of Assembly which will outlaw open grazing in Plateau State if passed into law. To date, the House of Assembly is yet to pass the law. Yet you hear the false narrative accusing the Government of not doing anything or β€˜standing with the people.”

Resume Work Or Go To Jail β€”Nigerian Court Threatens Doctors, Rules Against Ongoing Strike.

The National Industrial Court in Nigeria has ordered striking members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to resume work or risk being jailed.

In a court document obtained by SaharaReporters, the Federal Government of Nigeria and Federal Ministry of Health were judgement creditors while members of NARD alongside the association’s president, secretary general and Crown Prince were judgment debtors.

In the document issued on September 3, the court also asked the striking members to suspend all forms of hostilities else they will be guilty of contempt of court and β€œliable to be committed to prison”.

The document read, β€œIn the national industrial court of Nigeria in the Abuja judicial division hodlen at Abuja

β€œBetween Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Government of Nigeria as Judgement Creditors and Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors as Judgement Debtors

β€œIn the matter of an application for commital proceedings for disobediemce to court order against Dr. Okhuaihesum Uyilawa, President of NARD; Dr Jerry K Isogun, Secretary General, NARD; Dr Dare Godiya Ishaya, Crown Prince NARD and NARD members.

β€œTake notice that unless you obey the directives contained in a ruling delivered on the 23rd August, 2021 by Honourable Justice J.I Targema Ph.D to wit:

β€œIt is hereby ordered that the Claimant/Applicant and the Defendants/Respondents suspend all goes of hostilities forthwith pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

β€œAnd other orders made in respect of this suit against the judgement debtors.

β€œAnd this honourable court having delivered its ruling, it is hereby ordered as described above.

β€œFurther take notice that the enrolment order of the court is attached herewith.

β€œYou will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison.

β€œThis form was issued by D. E. Kaswe Esq of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Shehu Shagari Way, Maitama Abuja.”

The doctors went on strike on August 1 to protest against inadequate allowances, irregular payment of salaries, among others.

In a ruling on August 23, Justice John Targema, directed all parties in the suit to suspend all forms of hostilities and return to status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

He said: β€œHaving looked especially on the affidavit of extreme urgency, the grounds of the application, the affidavit in support of same and arguments of counsel for the applicant. I also weighed the submissions and arguments of counsel on the law as it stands on this application.

β€œIt is hereby ordered that claimant/applicant and the defendant/respondent suspend all forms of hostilities forthwith pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”

The judge ordered that a hearing notice and other processes should be served on the defendant, including the originating summons.

Targema adjourned the matter to September 15 for a hearing of the motion on notice and/or any other pending application on its merit.

However, a source said the Nigerian government had gone to court behind the doctors and obtained the exparte motion against the doctors.

The enrolment of order read, β€œupon this motion ex parte dated on 18th day of August 2021, coming up before this court, praying for the following orders,

β€œ1. An order of interlocutory injunction restraining members of the defendants/respondents in all States of the federation from further continuing with the industrial action embarked on the 2nd day of August, 2021 contrary to the section 41 of the Trade Dispute Act Pending the termination of the Substantive suit.

β€œAn order of interlocutory injunction compelling all members of the defendant/respondent in all States of the federation to suspend the said industrial action commenced on the 2nd August, 2021 and resume work immediately pending the determination of the substantive suit.

β€œAnd for such further order or orders as this honourable court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.

β€œUpon reading the motion exparte and affidavit in support sworn to by Ahmed Nasiru, Male, Muslim, Adult and Nigerian citizen of the Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja and after hearing D.E Kaswe Esq for the applicant who moved in terms of the motion papers.

β€œIt is hereby ordered that the claimant/applicant and the defendant/respondents suspend all forms of hostilities forthwith pending the hearing and determination of the motion on Notice.

β€œThis matter is accordingly adjourned to 15th September 2021 for Hearing of the motion on Notice and or any other pending Application. Hearing notice and the originating process he issued and served on the defendant/respondent.

β€œProof of service of same be filed in the case file before the next adjourned date.”

INEC recognises Ozigbo as PDP candidate in Anambra

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recognised the former Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp Plc, Valentine Ozigbo, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State.

The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the decision was taken at the commission’s meeting in Abuja where several issues including a court order and the general preparations for the November 6 poll were discussed.

Okoye said: β€œThe commission was served with two judgments of the Court of Appeal, Awka Judicial Division, in respect of the candidature of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Anambra governorship election.

The court has ordered the commission to recognise and publish the name of Mr. Valentine Ozigbo as the governorship candidate. Earlier, the party had substituted its deputy governorship candidate within the deadline provided by law.

β€œAccordingly, the governorship and deputy governorship candidates of the PDP are as follows – (Governorship) Candidate: Valentine Chineto Ozigbo, Age: 50, Gender: Male, PWD: None, Qualification: FSLC, SSCE, WAEC, BSc., MBA. (Deputy Governorship) Candidate: Lilian Azuka Enemo, Age: 64, Gender: Female, PWD: None, Qualification: FSLC, WASC, BSc.”

He revealed that the final list of candidates for the election would be published on October 7.

The Court of Appeal had last Friday declared Ozigbo as the validly elected PDP candidate for the election.

A three-member panel of the appellate court led by Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem held that the appeal filed by Ozigbo on the judgment which barred him from parading himself as the PDP candidate had merit.

Without Buhari, APC will lose in 2023 – Gov Fintiri

The Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri said on Thursday the All Progressives Congress (APC) would lose the 2023 presidential election without President Muhammadu Buhari on the ballot.

Fintiri, who featured in the Channels Television programme, Politics Today, insisted that Nigerians are hoping on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rescue the country from the APC-induced hardship in two years’ time.

He said: β€œI think at the moment, you can choose between the wrong and the right. The right thing to do is to go with the PDP.

That is the party Nigerians believe in. It is the party that has given them the right thing that they deserve.

β€œI think we have steered the affairs of this country differently from what is happening today. So, the PDP is on top gear to make sure that we take over power in 2023.

β€œAfterall, APC is built around one person. APC is built around the capacity and integrity of Mr. President. That is all they have.

β€œHe is not contesting in 2023. So, he will not be able to use his integrity to bring in somebody and moreso Nigerians are suffering.”

Take proactive steps to prevent coup, Osinbajo urges ECOWAS

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said the Economic Community of West African States must take proactive steps to prevent coup d’etat in the sub-region and even on the continent.

This is as he revealed that the unconstitutional seizure of power in any shape or form is simply unacceptable and has no place in the 21st century.

Osinbajo said this yesterday at a virtual Extraordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS member-states.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, said the meeting, attended by 10 of the ECOWAS leaders, alongside others, including representatives from the United Nations, comes after Guinean President Alpha Conde was ousted by a coup d’etat in the West African country on September 5. This culminated in his arrest and detention by the country’s military junta, the dissolution of the Guinean Government, suspension of the Constitution, and a military takeover.

β€œStating Nigeria’s position on the unfortunate development in Guinea, the Vice President said, β€œI join all well-meaning global leaders to express in the strongest terms the condemnation of the Government of Nigeria of this unconstitutional change of Government; a development that could seriously destabilize the Republic of Guinea.”

β€œWhat happened in Guinea is a brazen disregard for the provisions of ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which clearly states that every accession to power must be made through free, fair and transparent election.”

According to the VP, β€œThe unconstitutional seizure of power in any shape or form is simply unacceptable,” noting that β€œfour coups within the last few months is a dangerous trend indeed,” in the sub-region.

While expressing concern, Osinbajo went ahead to table an idea which the Chairman of ECOWAS and President of Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo later described as β€œa proposal of great weight.”

According to the VP, β€œWe are sliding back to the infamous 60s. Our zero-tolerance for coups is important but clearly insufficient. Are there further steps that we can take to prevent coup d’etat?

β€œCould we, for example, work out an understanding with the UN, AU, Commonwealth and possibly, even the development finance institutions we are a part of to act in unity to suspend a country where there has been a seizure of power from all these bodies simultaneously?”

The statement said, β€œIn the same vein, the Vice President noted that it was imperative that countries in the sub-region respect the provisions against unconstitutional accession to power, and to apply it in all instances.

β€œHe then called on β€œthe Authority to immediately invoke the provisions of Article 45 of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance by suspending Guinea from all ECOWAS decision-making bodies and statutory meetings. We should also take any other necessary punitive measures that will ensure that the military junta does not overstay in power.”

Osinbajo said, β€œWe must forestall a repeat of military interventions and the instability it engenders in the West African sub-region. In this connection, Nigeria wishes to once again urge all to always respect the principles of democracy and the constitutions of your respective countries.”

Furthermore, the VP urged the ECOWAS Commission β€œto immediately appoint a Mediator to lead the region’s genuine engagement with the military junta, all political actors, and civil society groups in Guinea towards finding a lasting solution that will return the country to democratic rule as soon as possible.”

He added that β€œECOWAS must use its regional mechanisms efficiently to engage the military junta and if necessary, provide support for them to return the country to normalcy and democratic rule.”

Osinbajo urged the military junta in Guinea to not only ensure the physical safety of President CondΓ© and all those detained along with him but also ensure his immediate and unconditional release.

β€œThe safety of lives and property of the people of Guinea must also be guaranteed. The military must draw up a timetable for a civilian-led transition and commence the process of exiting the Guinean political stage and return the country to constitutional order and civilian rule,” Osinbajo submitted.

Human rights activist and the convener of an advocacy group, Concerned Nigerians, Deji Adeyanju has commended the residents of Imo State for complying with the sit-at-home directive of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Human rights activist and the convener of an advocacy group, Concerned Nigerians, Deji Adeyanju has commended the residents of Imo State for complying with the sit-at-home directive of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in protest against the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the state.

Kanu had previously directed the people of the state to stay indoors to prevent them from welcoming the president to the state.

Adeyanju on his official Twitter page, stated that it was obvious that IPOB and the citizens of Imo state who complied with the Sit-at-home order, spoke to President Muhammadu Buhari in the ‘language he understands’.

He added that despite the heavy security agents deployed to the state, Buhari hurriedly inaugurated a road project and left the street because of fear of the unknown.

He said IPOB only asked for a sit-at-home but was given a lockdown instead.

Earlier reports showed that residents of the state obeyed the order by staying indoors, while business activities were grounded.

The streets were also deserted during President Buhari’s visit to the state.

Adeyanju further mocked Buhari saying what happened in Imo State was a message to him that he had already lost popularity in the state.

Adeyanju tweeted: “IPOB communicating to Buhari in the language he understands. It’s a ghost town. Even with the massive deployment of military, they hurriedly commissioned the project and left the street. The road Supreme Court Governor told Buhari to commission was 90% completed by Emeka Ihedioha.

IPOB communicating to Buhari in the language he understands. ItҀ™s a ghost town. Even with the massive deployment of military, they hurriedly commissioned the project and left the street. The road Supreme Court Governor told Buhari to commission was 90% completed by Emeka Ihedioha

β€” Comrade Deji Adeyanju (@adeyanjudeji) September 9, 2021
“With what Buhari has seen today in Imo, I hope when next Supreme Court Governor goes to Aso Rock to lie to him that he is in charge of the state, he will just laugh. How Uzodinma will even campaign round Imo State for re-election will be a miracle.

“Imo people are wicked. LOL! It was supposed to be a Sit-At-Home but they turned it to Lockdown. Buhari completely disgraced.

“The lockdown of Imo State today shocked even BBC Igbo. They had to go look for old #EndSARS picture to add for Buhari. Although they have now apologised for this, E Choke.”

β€” Comrade Deji Adeyanju (@adeyanjudeji) September 9, 2021
In a tweet shared on Tuesday, June 1, Buhari spoke about the civil war experience and threatened to deal with secession agitators β€œbent on destroying” Nigeria through β€œinsurrection” and treat them on language they understand.

β€œThose of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand,” he had said.

BREAKING: State Attorneys General Sue Nigeria’s Attorney-General Malami Over Non-remittance Of N176billion From Stamp Duties.

The attorneys general in Nigeria’s 36 States have sued the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, for non-remittance of stamp duties fund generated from the states.

According to a court document, the attorneys sued Malami because funds generated from stamp duties are not remitted into states’ coffers, People’s Gazette reports.

They sought an order of the court to mandate Malami to pay N176 billion for the backlog of stamp duties received between 2015 and 2020.

The document read partly, β€œAn order of this honourable court directing the defendant to pay over to the plaintiffs all the sum of monies amounting to one hundred and seventy-six billion, sixty-seven million, four hundred thousand naira (N176,067,400,000,00) representing ascertained and admitted collected stamp duties on individual persons’ transactions within their respective states for the period of 2015 and 2020, and thereafter till the time of the judgment of this honourable court or any other sum as the plaintiffs may be found entitled by the honourable court.”

The attorneys general also sought an order of perpetual injunction, β€œrestraining the defendant by himself, privies, agents or any persons by whatever name or howsoever called from appointing anyone for the purpose of collecting Stamp Duties on individual persons’ transactions within the respective states of the plaintiffs henceforth.”

They further sought to declare that Malami had no right to withhold stamp duty transactions from individuals in their states.
In the document, they argued that Malami should not be allowed to collect, administer or collect stamp duties.

β€œA declaration that the defendant is not entitled to collect, administer, or keep the proceeds of any stamp duties on transactions involving individuals within the respective states of the plaintiffs or any manner interfere with the plaintiff’s right and authority in the administering the provision of Section 4(2) of the Stamp Duties Act Cap. S8 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria,” the document explained.

They sought the court to declare their entitlement to receive 85 per cent of stamp duties generated from electronic money transfer levies and others.
They demanded a declaration that β€œthe plaintiffs are entitled to 85% of all stamp duties collected on electronic money transfer levy, on electronic receipts or electronic transfer for money deposited in deposit money banks and financial institutions, on any type of account to be accounted for and expressed to be received by the person to whom the transfer or deposit is made in the plaintiffs’ respective states.”

I will use my power to help Uzodinma fight insecurity in Imo – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged to help Governor Hope Uzodinma fight insecurity in Imo state.

He said he would use his constitutional powers to help in fighting insecurity in the state.

The president spoke during the commissioning of Egbeada-Onitsha bypass road in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

He then pledged to help deal with infrastructural deficits of the state.

Buhari said: β€œI have gone round and I am impressed with what I saw. A society without security and infrastructure will not progress and luckily this is where my vision has tallied with the governor of Imo State. I will use my power as enshrined by the constitution to make the governor achieve more.”

Earlier in his speech, the governor urged the president to deal permanently with the issues of insecurity and flooding which he said was ravaging Owerri.

Stray Bullet From Southeastern Nigeria Security Outfit, Ebube Agu Kills Traditional Ruler’s Daughter In Ebonyi.

A stray bullet from an unidentified operative of South-East security outfit, codenamed Ebube Agu has snuffed life out of the daughter of a traditional ruler in Onicha Igboeze community, in the Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi state.

The deceased, said to be the daughter of a traditional ruler, Ezeogo Oshimiri Agwu, Nwukpa, Oshimiri 1 of Onicha, died after the stray bullet allegedly fired by security operative hit her at Onuafor Enuagu where she was selling fruits on Wednesday evening.

Confirming the incident in a Facebook post on Thursday, the monarch said, β€œEven when it seems the tiger sleeps, it doesn’t imply slumbering. Enyi is attached to whatever and whoever that has it for a reason. Onwo dα»₯dα»₯ ayaa, evα»₯ je kwahα»₯ idei n’ime.. iwee oh. I am saddened. Ma seh ọdα»₯ o dα»₯. Omere m erinaaa eh.”

A former Ebonyi lawmaker, Linus Okorie, also shared a photo of the deceased person on his Facebook page.
He alleged that the shots were fired by an Ebube Agu operative who came with his colleagues to the area to arrest a coffin maker over undisclosed allegations.

He wrote, β€œThis young girl (sic) of about 25, a hard-working youth and daughter of HRH Oshimili Agwu Nwukpa, peacefully plying her legitimate trade of selling fruits at Onuafor Enuagu, Onicha Igboeze; was gruesomely gunned down by reckless ‘security operatives’ this evening. She was hit by bullets from the guns of these goons while attending to her customers in her shop.

β€œWhile some say that the reckless shooters were POLICEMEN from Onicha Command Isu, other eyewitnesses insist that they were EBUBEAGU operatives that came in an UNMARKED WHITE HILUX from Isu to arrest a certain COFFIN MAKER for unclear allegations.

β€œWhichever group is responsible for this crime, it is one attack too many on the peaceful people of Onicha Igboeze; and the atrocity must be fully investigated and prosecuted. For too long and repeatedly now, the peace of Onicha Igboeze has been continuously disrupted by ‘state or quasi state’ operators without justification. We have continually appealed and cautioned that Onicha Igboeze can be very volatile and that no one or authority should find pleasure in putting fire to the fuel of that undesirable volatility; but what do we get?

β€œIn the heat of ‘Unknown Gun Men’ era, an alleged Ebubeagu team shot their way into the same Afor Enuagu harassed villagers, destroyed properties and burnt down a widow’s home without justification. Also, a few Mondays ago, after a murderous attack at Anike Onicha by several gunmen that left about 8 people dead, several others injured, with many vehicles and motorcycles burnt; the same ‘Ebubeagu shooters’ invaded the clan in a hail of bullets to execute a vexatious project of mass arrest of hapless villagers; who were still in deep shock of the day’s attack.

β€œWe are peaceful, but not cowards. The people are long suffering, but not timid. They can be understanding, but not stupid. These unprovoked attacks must stop. No one should take the patience of the people of Onicha Igboeze for weakness or fear. We cannot be the shooting range of Ebubeagu or any trainee security force, or our people the dummies for live potshots.

β€œAll those authorized to bear arms must be people appropriately trained and cleared to do so. The looming danger is that citizens could be pushed to resort to self help, if these unprovoked and unprofessional attacks are not stopped forthwith and the persons involved reined in.

β€œWhile calling on the good people of Onicha Igboeze to continue to remain calm and law-abiding, even in the face of this vexation act of murder, government and security agencies must act swiftly to arrest that team that invaded Onicha Igboeze today and snuffed life out of our daughter. They must be brought to justice.

β€œMeanwhile, both local and state government authorities must intervene with the bereaved family to provide succor and empathy at this point of their grief. Anything short is a call to anarchy. Rest In Peace dear daughter. You shall not die in vain.”

Governors of the South-East state had in April 2021 announced the establishment of Ebube Agu.
The outfit was charged with the responsibility to coordinate all the activities of vigilantes in the South-East and check the rising level of insecurity in the region.
It was fashioned after the South-West security outfit, Amotekun.

The South-East region has witnessed an increase in insecurity, including attacks on security operatives, their facilities and other critical infrastructure by unknown gunmen.
There are also reported cases of banditry, farmers-herders clashes, armed robbery, among others.

Imo govt denies accusations of brutality by IPOB ahead of Buhari’s visit

The Imo State government has dismissed allegations of brutality and militarisation by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) which culminated in the imposition of a lockdown on the region by the secessionist group.

This was disclosed by the Imo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba during a guest appearance on AriseTV on Wednesday.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that β€˜unknown gunmen’ had wreaked havoc on the state and the South-East region with repeated attacks on correctional facilities and police formations which led to strict measures by a coalition of security agencies to quell the uprisings.

In his assertion, Emelumba dismissed the allegations by theΒ IPOBΒ saying, β€œThe allegations are neither here nor there. When there is a total breakdown in law and order with the security of residents at stake, the Government has the responsibility to move in to protect lives due to the rampage of β€˜unknown gunmen’ who repeatedly attacked correctional facilities.

The quelling included the coalition of various security agencies including the military so the issue of militarisation by IPOB is unfounded. It has yielded results with the restore of calm.”

The Commissioner also revealed that the Ohanaeze and prominent Igbo leaders will meet with President Muhammadu Buhari in order to table their concerns and brainstorm on solutions on them.

President Buhari is on a one-day working visit to commission crucial projects across the state for the benefit of the citizenry, Emelumba confirmed.

β€œAll the challenges being faced by the South-East will be addressed and the Ohanaeze will table the concerns of the Igbo leaders before the President β€” dialogue is the only way, not violence.

All the challenges being faced by the South-East will be addressed and the Ohanaeze will table the concerns of the Igbo leaders before the President β€” dialogue is the only way, not violence.

β€œAmong the projects to be commissioned by the President is the Nekede-Obinze link-road which houses two tertiary institutions. The road was completely abandoned for 20 years which was a death trap for students but it is still in its first phase with the second phase to be completed by Dec.

β€œWe are grateful for the efforts of the President regarding infrastructure as evidenced by the construction of the Second Niger bridge.”

β€˜Call EFCC to order,’ Parties tell Buhari

The Allied Political Parties for Good Governance on Wednesday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to call the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to order.

The National Chairman of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ralph Nwosu, made the call at a news conference on the state of the nation in Awka, Anambra State.

The group was reacting to reports on the freezing of the Kogi State account by the EFCC.

The Federal High Court, Lagos, had on August 31 ordered the freezing of the Kogi State government’s account domiciled in a commercial bank over an alleged N20 billion loan.

The court ordered the freezing of the account pending the conclusion of an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of funds in the account.

Nwosu charged the commission to be impartial, independent, and apolitical in its fight against corruption.

The ADC chief said: β€œLast week, the biggest topic in the news was the face-off between the Government of Kogi State and the EFCC.

β€œWith the evidence and piles of documents presented by the Kogi State Government and the bank in this instance, it shows that the EFCC is chasing an agenda.

β€œCorruption investigation must be ethical.

β€œI urge the EFCC to focus on its job, stay away from politics and politicians, intensify efforts at ridding the country of corruption and work for the good of everybody.

β€œThe commission should carry out investigations without any prejudice on one side or the other, follow the evidence and take action where it is justified.”

Cows may cost N2m each if Lagos passes anti-grazing bill – Miyetti Allah.

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) has warned that the price of a cow could go up as high as N2 million if the Lagos State Government passes the proposed anti-open grazing law.

Maikudi Usman who is the association’s zonal secretary for South-West gave the warning while speaking at the one-day public hearing organised by the state House of Assembly on the anti-open grazing bill in Lagos on Wednesday, September 8.

According to Usman, ranching which is being proposed by the government is quite expensive when compared to open grazing.

β€œIf cattle are bred in one place, the price could go up to about two million naira each. We agreed with some local chiefs in other states that anyone who wants to rear cows in a location should register and should indicate when he is leaving,” he disclosed.

The Miyetti Allah leader added that the best way to breed cattle was to move them from one place to another, saying that they were moved to different places during the rainy and dry season.

Our breeders are not used to breeding cattle in one place. They move from here to another place. When we say we will keep cattle in one place, the owner of the cattle will not have funds to feed the animals in one place.”he said