Politics, World News

Kremlin says Russia agrees to talks with Ukraine.

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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Friday said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to send a delegation to Belarus to meet with Ukrainian officials.

Peskov made the comments after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he is willing to negotiate Ukraine’s stance on NATO membership as Russian forces closed in on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, The Associated Press reported.

Ukraine has been firm in wanting to join the NATO alliance, but after the invasion broke out, the president said the country would consider a nonaligned status.

Although Peskov said Moscow is willing to negotiate on those terms, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Ukraine “missed the opportunity,” according to the AP.

Russia has continually asked for assurances that Ukraine would not be allowed to join NATO.

No NATO country has yet sent troops to Ukraine, but they have offered humanitarian assistance and placed harsh sanctions on Russia in support of the former Soviet republic.

Putin claims he was ‘forced’ to invade Ukraine
Zelensky has expressed frustrations with some countries refusing to do more to assist Ukraine.

“When bombs fall on Kyiv, it happens in Europe, not just in Ukraine,” he said in an address to the country Friday. “When missiles kill our people, they kill all Europeans.”

Zelensky previously said Ukraine would not give any territory to Russia and the people would fight against the invasion. Finland says debate on NATO membership ‘will change’ after Russian invasion.

Politics, World News

Putin: Countries that interfere with Russia will face severe consequences

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Russian President, Vladimir Putin said in a speech announcing a military operation in Ukraine that countries that interfere with Russian actions will face “consequences you have never seen,” The Associated Press reported.

Russia almost immediately launched an invasion into the country. Putin says the operation is to protect citizens from Ukraine aggression and to demilitarize the country, a continuation of the disinformation about which western allies have been warning.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said at an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting Wednesday that only Russia is to blame for an attack on Ukraine.

“Russia’s attack on Ukraine is tantamount to an attack on the U.N. and every member state in the chamber tonight,” she said, saying a full-scale invasion is imminent.

Putin blamed NATO for the escalation because the defense bloc wouldn’t give guarantees of security and prevent Ukraine from joining, according to the AP.

UN chief pleads with Putin to bring troops back to Russia,
EU says it will ‘hold the Kremlin accountable’ for attack on Ukraine
The White House released a statement Wednesday night condemning the attack.

“The prayers of the entire world are with the people of Ukraine tonight as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces,” Biden said.

“President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering. Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its Allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. The world will hold Russia accountable,” Biden added.

Politics, World News

The House of Representatives has called for the immediate evacuation of Nigerians in Ukraine following Russia’s attack on Thursday, overriding President Muhammadu Buhari’s failure to take urgent action to protect Nigerians caught in the Black Sea crossfire.

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The motion for evacuation was moved by Ahmed Munir at the plenary on Thursday. Lawmakers also took to social media to make the announcement.

The parliament offered to “shoulder the immediate evacuation of Nigerians, students from Ukraine,” a bulletin from the House communications said on Thursday afternoon.

Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila urged Leke Abejide to interact with the Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, to evacuate Nigerians from Ukraine by February 28. The House Committee on Foreign Affairs has been mandated to liaise with the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

At the time of filing this report, it is unclear how the legislators intend to carry out its resolution. Ukraine closed its airspace to civilian flights on Thursday after Russia launched land, sea and air invasions while Europe’s aviation regulator warned about hazards to flying in bordering regions. A spokesman for Air Peace did not immediately return a request seeking comments as to deadlines.

The new development comes after weeks of Ukraine-Russia military tensions. Peoples Gazette had reported on Nigeria’s silence on evacuating its nationals living in Ukraine while countries like the United Kingdom, Israel and others urged their nationals to leave the European country.

Earlier, a statement from the Nigerian Embassy in Ukraine had asked citizens to secure themselves, saying that they were “responsible for their personal security and safety.”

On Thursday morning, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his decision to begin a special military operation in response to the republics’ request. Blasts were heard in Kyiv, the capital city, in Kharkiv, and in Kramatorsk in the region of Donetsk after Mr Putin’s address.

Politics, World News

‘It started with the weakness in Afghanistan – Trump blames the ‘incompetence and stupidity’ of the Biden administration for Putin’s war on Ukraine

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Former US President, Donald Trump has blamed his 2020 loss for Russia’s war on Ukraine, suggesting that this wouldn’t have happened under his administration.

Speaking to Fox’s Laura Ingraham as the Kremlin’s ‘special military operation’ began, Trump claimed that the so-called ‘Russia hoax’ ruined his good relationships with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi, arguing he kept the two apart.

Ingraham asked Trump about the continuing closeness between Putin and Xi.
Well, I had a good relationship with both,’ he said. ‘It was hurt by the Russia hoax. You see what happened with Durham and those reports and other reports including Mueller. It was just a made-up hoax and it really hurt our country but despite the hoax, I had a good relationship and with president XI of China, other than the fact that I was tariff-ing and taxing the hell out of him.’

‘As a young man growing up, I always heard that the worst thing that could happen is drive those two countries together. It really started with Obama and energy. He drove them together because one needed the energy and the other needed the money,’ Trump added. ‘He drove them together and Biden — I kept them apart – and Biden now it’s a great love fest and that’s a very bad thing and I think you can probably add Iran into it too.’

Earlier in the interview, in which Trump spoke over the phone with Ingraham, Trump bemoaned that this was happening at all.

‘This should have never happened. This would not have happened during my administration. In fact, some people are saying why didn’t this take place over the last four years? It didn’t for a very good reason and I’ll explain that to you someday, but it wouldn’t have taken place and it wouldn’t have taken place right now. It’s a sad thing for the world and the country and a lot of people that will be needlessly killed.’

Trump argued he’d have used his good relationship with Putin to stop this from happening.

‘Well, I know him very well. We had many, many times together. I got along with him fantastically despite the fact I shut down Nord Stream-2, nobody would’ve heard of Nord Stream 2 if it weren’t for me. I am the one that shut it down.’

Trump then linked the invasion with the failed pullout from Afghanistan by the Biden administration in 2021.

‘It’s a terrible thing the way it started, I don’t believe he wanted to do this initially,’ Trump said. ‘I think he wanted to do something and negotiate it and had got worse and worse. He saw the weakness and you know, it really started with the weakness in Afghanistan. The way they pulled out of Afghanistan. I really believe that’s where he started thinking he could do this.’
Ingraham then asked Trump what he thought of President Biden’s approach, in which Ingraham said Biden was ‘monitoring the situation’ and then would talk to fellow G7 leaders Thursday.

‘I don’t think he’s monitoring, I think he is probably sleeping right now,’ Trump retorted. ‘This is a terrible thing that should never have happened. I really believe that it was Afghanistan, when he looked at that horrible, weak pullout.’

Trump added that he believes Putin sees this as ‘the weakness and the incompetence and the stupidity of [the Biden] administration.’

‘As an American, I am angry and saddened,’ he continued. ‘It all happened because of a rigged election. That includes inflation and that includes millions of people pouring in on a monthly basis – far more than three million people – and they’re coming from 129 different countries. They are destroying our country.’

Politics

PDP postpones Lagos congress to February 27

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has postponed its state congress in Lagos to February 27.

The exercise was initially fixed for Wednesday.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, said postponement of the exercise followed the approval of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

He said: “All aspirants, critical stakeholders, and members of the party in Lagos State are advised to take note.”

Politics

Obiano confirms wife’s 2023 senatorial bid

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The Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, said on Saturday his wife, Ebelechukwu, would vie for the Anambra North Senatorial seat in the 2023 general elections.

Obiano, who disclosed this to journalists Aguleri, Anambra East local government area, however, said he would not contest for any political office next year.

The governor had earlier taken journalists round the International Conference Center and the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport in Awka.

He said: “I’m going to rest after my tenure in Anambra State. I do not need to be told that I did well for Anambra people, because I know I did well too. Sometimes, I’m impolite about this, because I know that I spent many sleepless nights to ensure that I did the many projects I did for Anambra people.

“My wife is the one who will be going for the Senate. She wants to run for Senate to represent the Anambra North people. She is from Oyi Local Government Area, which is in Anambra North.”

Obiano will complete his tenure as Anambra governor next month.

Politics

Stop blaming IPOB, carry your cross – Adamu Garba to Abba Kyari

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Former Presidential aspirant, Adamu Garba has said that suspended police officer, Abba Kyari should not blame members of the Indigenous People of Biafra for his ordeal.

It was reported earlier that Police arrested Kyari on Monday over drug trafficking allegation leveled against him.

However, while appearing before a probe panel, the former Head of Intelligence Response Team IRT, accused members of IPOB for being behind his travails.

He claimed that the proscribed secessionist group and its armed wing Eastern Security Network, ESN, were after him due to the onslaught launched against them in the South East.

In reaction to his statement, Garba said Kyari should face the consequences of his actions and desist from blaming the pro-Biafra group.

Taking to Facebook, he wrote; ”Abba Kyari should stop blaming IPOB or ESN even though we know who they are, but he should carry his cross because he acted as a common criminal and should be treated as one.”

Politics

IPOB accuses security agents, Ebubeagu of burning ‘Biafrans’ houses

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Outlawed Igbo separatist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused Nigerian security agencies and the South-East security outfit, Ebubeagu of burning houses owned by of ‘Biafrans’.

The group also threatened reprisal attacks over the matter.

In a statement by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, the group warned that anyone involved in sponsoring and encouraging Nigerian soldiers and the Ebubeagu officials to burn houses of innocent people suspected to be its members or supporters of the Biafran agitation in the south-eastern states, especially Imo State, will never go free.

IPOB accused some South-East Governors of conniving with the security outfits to carry out the “acts of wickedness and genocide against Biafrans.”

Powerful added that “the wicked accomplices of the on-going genocide in Biafra land will soon pay for their treachery and cruelty to fellow citizens.”

The IPOB statement made available to Ripples Nigeria on Thursday, reads:

“IPOB will not allow this barbarity and cruelty to continue. We will avenge these unprovoked and needless attacks against houses of innocent Biafrans citizens.

“The mindless burning down of houses in our region by Nigerian security and Ebubeagu cannot go unreciprocated.

We warned against the formation of Ebubeagu in Biafran land. We knew they were coming to collude with the security agencies in killing our people. People ignored our warning, and today we have been vindicated.

“Our fears have come true but the wicked will not go free. For doing this to our people, we declare that the days of Ebubeagu in Biafra land are numbered. They will pay for what the military is using them to do against their fellow Biafrans.

In less than one week now, Nigerian Army has burnt down more than 30 homes of innocent citizens in Enugu, Imo and Ebonyi because they are Igbo members of IPOB and sympathisers of IPOB.

“Very soon, we will make public the total number of houses so far burnt down in different parts of Biafra land, especially in Enugu, Imo and Ebonyi states.

“We also want the governors of these states to take note, and not blame IPOB for any reprisal because we can’t fold our arms to allow criminals in security uniforms continue to commit genocide in Biafra land unchallenged.

“Since nobody is defending our hapless people, we shall not abandon them. Enough is enough!”

Politics

Omokri connects Kyari’s ‘supercop’ status amid drug links to his religion and tribe

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Reno Omokri, a socio-political activist has proffered a reason behind the ‘supercop’ status of the embattled Deputy Police Commissioner, DCP Abba Kyari who is being investigated over drug-peddling links.

Omokri made this assertion on Wednesday through a Facebook post, saying that Kyari was made a supercop because of his religion and tribe.

He also “There is no ethnic or religious balance in Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies, and that is why someone like DCP Abba Kyari became a super-cop.

“The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Attorney General, IGP, EFCC Chairman, NDLEA Chairman are all Northern Muslim males.

Where is the balance? How is that possible in a multiethnic nation? Nepotism and tribalism made Kyari a super-cop! And do not be deceived. There are other undiscovered Kyari’s in the system”.

In the ongoing case, the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) distanced its operatives at the Enugu International Airport from the drug deal allegedly involving Kyari.

The anti-drug agency, in a statement, said it remains committed to the evidence-based investigation and would not be deterred by “any misrepresentation of facts.”

Politics

Mismanagement of borrowed funds causing economic challenges —Peter Obi

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A former Vice Presidential hopeful and former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has blamed the economic challenges in Nigeria on the government’s mismanagement of borrowed funds.

In a statement published on his official Twitter account, @PeterObi, on Thursday, the politician and businessman said borrowing for consumption is also a contributing factor, cause the funds were not properly invested.

The issue surrounding borrowing and debt under President Muhammadu Buhari has been a topic of discussion among Nigerians, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) stating that for every N100 revenue in 2022, Nigeria will spend N93 on debt servicing.

This was reiterated by Obi, with the former chairman of Fidelity Bank stating, “Today, we are spending 90% of our revenue servicing debts because, ironically, our borrowed funds were mismanaged and have not been properly invested.”

How Nigerian government should have invested borrowed funds

According to Obi, the challenges resulting from the debt was the misplaced of priority, as he believes Nigeria would have developed beyond its current position if, “the funds borrowed were invested in critical areas of development, education, health and poverty alleviation.”

While he doesn’t see any wrong in borrowing, he advised that, “what we need to do is to put a law in place that if we must borrow, it must strictly be for investment in areas of growth.

“Many countries have built robust economies with borrowed funds. We can do the same if only we enthrone visionary and committed leadership.” Obi wrote.

Politics

Kanu losing sight, may go blind, Ozekhome raises the alarm

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The trial of the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) continued on Wednesday as the defence counsel, led by Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) disclosed the alleged maltreatment by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The trial Judge, Justice Binta Nyako at the Federal High Court, Abuja, had slated today to hear the application of the quashing of the charge preferred against Kanu by the Federal Government and an application for his bail.

Ozekhome in his application to the court, sought for an order acquitting and discharging Kanu for want of jurisdiction and defective, baseless, and incompetent charges.

Kanu is currently on trial on a 15-count terrorism charge filed against him by the Federal government.

When the case was called, prosecution counsel, Shuaibu Labaran, informed the court that the defence counsel, led by Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) had filed and served him with two applications, which he had responded to accordingly.

Labaran informed the court that the first application was seeking an order quashing the 15-count amended charge levelled against Kanu and the other one seeking his bail and that was ready for the business of the day.

However, Ozekhome complained bitterly that the DSS had vehemently refused to allow Kanu to change clothes contrary to a definite order of the court that he must be allowed to change clothes.

Ozekhome said, for three times, Kanu’s younger brother had been refused access to the DSS facility where Kanu was being kept and lamented that since Kanu was arrested and detained, his eyeglass was seized by the DSS and has not been returned to him.

“My Lord, we demand that the reading glasses of the defendant be returned to him. We can’t afford to allow him to go blind.”

The senior advocate stressed that the offences allegedly committed by Kanu have no basis.

According to Ozekhome, where and when the crimes were committed was not stated in the charges.

He also stated that Nigeria has no territorial jurisdiction.

The Judge however said the complaint had been noted and directed Ozekhome to proceed with the business of the day.

At that juncture, Ozekhome said he had an application that basically seeks the quashing, striking out, and dismissing of the 15-count amended charge against Kanu for being ‘incompetent and denying the court of jurisdiction’ to entertain the 15-count amended charge.”

The application, with 34 grounds, and supported by a 36-paragraph affidavit, Ozekhome said, also seeks for an order acquitting and discharging Kanu for want of jurisdiction and defective, baseless, and incompetent charges.

Politics

INEC to address problems with voter accreditation system ahead of 2023 elections – Yakubu

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The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on Tuesday expressed confidence that the commission would conduct a free and fair election in 2023 despite concerns over the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

Yakubu stated this during a meeting with States Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja.

He said: “When the commission introduced the BVAS last year, the compact device was intended to achieve two objectives. First is the verification of the genuineness of the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) and the fingerprint or facial authentication of voters during accreditation. Secondly, to replace the Z-pad for uploading the polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) in real-time on Election Day.

So far, the BVAS has performed optimally in verifying the authenticity of PVCs and uploading images of Polling Unit results to the IReV.

“We will review and improve its functionality for biometric accreditation of voters in the forthcoming bye-elections and off-season Governorship elections before the 2023 General Election.

“The Commission remains convinced that the deployment of technology in our elections safeguards the integrity of the vote and provides a better guarantee for electoral credibility than the best manual process. The review of Election Day administration, in general, is one of the issues to be discussed at this meeting.”

The INEC chairman listed plans by the commission to ensure more eligible voters are registered before the elections.

Yakubu added: “Similarly, in order to provide more eligible voters with the opportunity to register, the Commission is considering the devolution of the exercise nationwide beyond our State and Local Government offices where the registration currently takes place. The devolution of the CVR exercise to other designated centres is one of the major issues for discussion at this meeting.

“Closely related to the issue of CVR is the balanced distribution of voters to polling units nationwide. Last year, the Commission achieved the historic feat of expanding voter access to polling units nationwide.

“The idea is to decongest the densely populated polling units by converting the erstwhile Voting Points (VPs) and Voting Point Settlements (VPS) to Polling Units and relocating some of them to unserved and underserved areas to make it easier for voters on Election Day.

While this lofty goal has been achieved in many states, there are still congested Polling Units and other Polling Units with between 0 and 50 voters as we saw in some of the recent elections.

“Over the next few weeks, the Commission will intensify efforts to address the issue ahead of the forthcoming Ekiti and Osun Governorship elections and ultimately the 2023 General Election.”

Lifestyle, Politics, World News

Buhari arrives in Belgium for EU-AU summit.

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The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has arrived in Brussels, Belgium, where he will join other world leaders for the 6th European Union-African Union Summit.

The Summit which holds February 17 to 18, 2022, will have the participants deliberate on themes that include Financing for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth; Climate Change and Energy Transition, Digital and Transport (Connectivity and Infrastructure); Peace, Security and Governance; and Private Sector Support and Economic Integration.Sector Support and Economic Integration.

Others are Education, Culture and Vocational Training, Migration and Mobility; Agriculture and Sustainable Development and Health Systems and Vaccine Production.

Presidential aide, Garba Shehu, had earlier announced that the President will be accompanied on the trip by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire and Minister of State for the Environment, Sharon Ikeazor.

Shehu also named the National Security Adviser, Maj.Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd), Director General of the National Intelligence Agency , Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar and the Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa as also being part of the entourage.Buhari is expected to be back in Nigeria on Sunday.

Politics

Delta Assembly speaker joins 2023 governorship race

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The Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Sherriff Oborevwori, on Tuesday declared his 2023 governorship ambition.

Oborevwori disclosed this at the resumed plenary of the House in Asaba.

He said: “My dear colleagues, I have offered myself to serve our people in a higher capacity come 2023 and there is no going back.

“By the grace of Almighty God and the goodwill of our teeming supporters, I remain a frontline aspirant in the 2023 governorship race.”

The speaker commended the lawmakers for their commitment and support for the programmes and activities of the House.

He assured that the leadership of the House acknowledged their loyalty and commitment to the success recorded so far.

Oborevwori added: My distinguished colleagues, as we resume plenary today, I wish to remind all of us that we have a number of bills to consider, process and pass before the end of this session in June.

”Distinguished colleagues, let me commend you for the peace and stability in the House.

”Delta House of Assembly is one of the most vibrant Houses of Assembly in the country.

”This is because of your collective efforts and strength of character. Let us therefore continue to work together with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, our dear governor, to achieve the Stronger Delta Vision agenda.”

Politics

Judge warns DSS as IPOB leader, Kanu, makes court appearance

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There are indications that a sit-at-home may be observed in some parts of the south-east region as Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed separatist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is set to appear in court today (Wednesday).

The group had previously cancelled its directive for a sit-at-home protest over the trial of Kanu, and directed that the exercise should be observed on days the secessionist leader was to appear in court, despite protests from some quarters that the exercise was detrimental to the economy of the region and its people.

This is even as Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, warned the Department of the State Services (DSS) against taking over the security arrangements of the court before Kanu is due in court.

The judge stated that the DSS was not permitted to block the entrance of the court, or undertake any security arrangement within the court premises before 12 noon, as Kanu’s case is scheduled for 1pm.

He lamented that the other cases in the court had been impeded due to the activities of the DSS whenever Kanu appears in court.

Kanu is being prosecuted by the Nigerian govt for alleged treason. Earlier, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mike Ozekhome has joined the legal team defending Kanu over the charges.

Politics

ASUU condemns FUTO promotion of Pantami, resolves to sanction VC, members

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has faulted the promotion of Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami, as a professor.

The union after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Lagos on Monday, declared the promotion as “illegal”.

This was declared at a press conference addressed by the President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, on Monday.

He said, “You cannot be a minister and a lecturer in a university. It is an encouragement of illegality.

“Pantami has to quit as a minister and be tried for doing double jobs within the same federal system. He is not qualified. Pantami should not be treated as a professor.

“We have resolved to sanction ASUU members involved in his promotion and the VC of FUTO.”

Politics

Igboho drags Benin Republic to ECOWAS Court, demands $1m

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Embattled Yoruba Nation activist and freedom fighter, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, has dragged the government of Benin Republic to the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) demanding $1 million as compensation for general damages for each day he has spent in detention in the country.

Filing the suit through one of his lawyers, Tosin Ojaomo, Igboho, asked for a declaration of court that the actions of the West African country regarding his arrest and detention was a violation of his freedom of movement, his right to an unbiased trial within a reasonable time, and violated his right to dignity as a person.

The suit which will be heard at a high court in Benin on Monday, according to Ojaomo, is seeking, among other reliefs, an order for the immediate and unconditional release of Igboho along with his Nigerian passport pending litigation and determination on damages.

“The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the “Banjul Charter”), Articles 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12(1), 12(2), 12(3), and 17(2). Article 3(2)(d)(iii) of the ECOWAS Treaty, Article 2(1) of the ECOWAS Protocol A/P.1/5/79 relating to Free Movement of Persons, Residence, and establishment, upon which Chief Adeyemo sought to escape the persecution by passing through the neighboring Republic of Benin (“Benin”), to take refuge in Germany,” Ojaomo said in a statement on Sunday.

Politics

Atiku speaks on zoning

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Former Vice President and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, has added his voice to the issue of zoning of political offices in the country.

He said there is no place for zoning captured in the Nigerian Constitution which does not recognize its existence.

Atiku, on Friday during a meeting with members of ‘Let’s Fix Nigeria’ group who paid him a visit at his Abuja residence, said the country was blessed with people with the right attributes who could lead the country regardless of where they come from, and advised Nigerians to look for such people to take up the mantle of leadership at all levels.

Atiku also faulted calls that political parties should zone their presidential tickets to particular regions of the country, saying the “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria does not recognise zoning.”

“Fundamentally, the Constitution says all of us can run for elective positions. The Constitution has not barred any one of us. There is no zoning in the Constitution; there is none. I was a member of the constituent assembly that drafted the current Constitution and there was nothing like that.

But then, as a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country, we felt that there should be a sense of belonging. We went and invented this zoning.

“Therefore, we went further to say there should be zonal representation. So, let me assure you that as far as I am concerned, I will observe and implement whatever will bring about the peace and stability of this country.

“Leadership is endowed by God. You can have a young man come and do better than an old man. So, it is an endowed attribute from God, therefore, we should try to look for such a person who has been endowed by God, who has those attributes and then give him leadership.

“As far as the unity of this country is concerned, we are more divided. Even when we fought the Civil War, we were never as divided as this. We never have a breakdown of law and order like this because when we fought the Civil War, it was confined to a particular location, in every other place, there was peace.

“We never had this kind of poverty where even the farmer cannot go to farm the food to eat, not to talk of commercial farming. So, I have never seen this country so bad, and it is going to be a daunting task for anybody to come and turn things around,” he said.

Politics

Gov Ayade says Nigeria very hard to govern, hints at joining presidential race

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The Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade has acknowledged that Nigeria is a very difficult and complex country to preside over, as evidenced by the antecedents of past leaders and the challenges therein.

Ayade made this disclosure on Thursday during a guest appearance on AIT programme, Politics Today.

According to him, “The system we have, even if you bring a saint, the best hand to run it, he will still have problems. Nigeria needs a strategic, long term plan.

“We need to change the political kinetics, focus on our local needs and customize the system to our Afrocentric philosophy. If we continue to depend on the so-called sophisticated, imported democratic pattern system, the majority will always take it, whereas they may not necessarily be the best sometimes.

We must reduce the amount of politics in our economy. We need courageous leadership. We need new orientation, new direction and new belief to emphasise hope for the Black race.”

Ayade further touted his credentials as the best presidential candidate ahead of the 2023 elections.

Nonetheless, he noted that his willingness to contest depends on the final decision of the All Progressives Congress regarding zoning of elective posts.

“Nigeria needs someone like me with uncommon intellect, vast knowledge in every subject under the sun, exposure, learning and international connections to change the country’s narratives.

“I think I am not somebody who likes to throw himself up, but nevertheless, if the party agrees that power should go to the South-South for equity and balance, I will run.

“If I come in as President, I will use the same intellect and magic used in Cross River to build endless factories without much of State’s resources. I will make it clear that I don’t have money to throw about.

“I can make a major difference if I become the APC candidate”, Ayade stated.

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