The Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and other PDP leaders, on Wednesday, arrived in Ibadan for the South-West stakeholders meeting.
Atiku, PDP Leaders Meet In Ibadan
Kidnappers of Imo traditional ruler demand N200m ransom
The kidnappers of HRH Eze Joel Ndenkwo, the traditional ruler of Isiala Umudi Autonomous community in Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo state, have demanded N200m ransom for his release.
The monarch who is also a business mogul, was abducted in front of his office at the ever-busy Tetlow road in Owerri, the state capital, last Friday.
A source close to the monarch said that his kidnappers called the family on Sunday, September 11, and demanded N200 million as the condition for his release.
The source disclosed that the kidnappers called one of his siblings through the monarch’s phone.
“The news is true; the kidnappers of his royal highness have called. They called his family for the first time since his abduction, on Sunday.
They asked the family to make available N200m, on Monday. They called through his phone. I don’t know where they will get that kind of money from.” the source added.
Spokesperson of the command, CSP Michael Abattam, who confirmed the incident said that investigations are ongoing.
Corpse of former Kogi NATA chairman found under bridge in Lokoja
The former Chairman of Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association (NATA), Kogi State Chapter, Jimoh Adebayo, has been found dead.
It was gathered that his corpse was found under the newly constructed flyover bridge in Lokoja, the state capital on Sunday, September 11.
According to Daily Trust, Adebayo died under the flyover bridge four days ago, but his corpse was discovered yesterday. A member of NATA, who craved for anonymity, said the cause of his death could not be established because of some complicated issues.
“We cannot say this is the cause of the death of the former NATA Chairman now. He was a wealthy man years ago, we later learnt he sold out everything he had in life. People said he went insane. We found his dead body in the early hours of today here,” said the member.
The corpse was later taken to Felele Cemetery in Lokoja. Spokesperson of the Kogi State Police Command, SP William Ayah, confirmed the development, saying that the command was aware.
He added that the Police Warden assigned to the Ganaja Flyover Bridge saw the corpse on resumption of work on Sunday and reported.
Aya stressed further that the Command was making arrangements to deposit the corpse at the Mortuary when some people who claimed to be his family members picked it up.
He said the corpse was released to the family following an undertaking by one of the family members.
I began to wonder if Buhari was as smart as he was said to be after we met in 1984 – Chairman of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, Dotun Oyelade
Chairman of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, Dotun Oyelade has shared his experience from meeting President Muhammadu Buhari in 1984.
Oyelade who clocked 70 on Friday September 9, told Punch that he started doubting Buhari’s smartness after their 1984 encounter.
He also stated that he always tells people that Buhari does not possess a quarter of the attributes that people falsely and conveniently attributed to him.
He said;Cast you mind back to 1984/85 when Muhammadu Buhari and Tunde Idiagbon came to power with all their garbage, they showed us an idea of toughness and people were apprehended and punished for little offences.
This made people to sit up and you could see Nigerians in queues at bus stops and there was orderliness during their short stay in power. That is not to say they were angels, they were not.
I have always told people that General Buhari does not possess a quarter of the attributes that people falsely and conveniently attributed to him.
No, he doesn’t.I was one of the few journalists, who, in January 1984, immediately after they came to power, asked him questions at what they called a ‘World Press Conference’ at the Dodan Barracks in Lagos.
That was a week after they sacked the administration of President Shehu Shagari from power. Shagari’s government was sacked via a coup on December 31, 1983. We had the privilege of asking him the first set of questions.
I remember Tunde Thompson was there, Chris Okolie, Nduka Irabor and some other journalists were there. I asked him: ‘Now that you have taken over from a democratically elected civil administration, do you feel any sense of remorse?’
General Buhari could not utter a word. It was Tunde Idiagbon, who was by his side, that brushed aside my question.
That day, I began to wonder if Buhari was as smart as he was said to be. Here we are today; I don’t want to dabble in politics, I want to continue my life as an author and a biographer.
Military will tackle security challenges, Buhari assures Nigerians
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Thursday, urged Nigerians to trust the ability of the country’s armed forces to quell the violence and insecurity nationwide and restore lasting peace.
He also said, under his watch, the military would maintain its operational drive to degrade terrorists and their activities, especially in the troubled north.
According to a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President spoke in Lagos when he inaugurated the 12th Nigerian Navy Games, LAGOS 2022, as well as its new Sports Complex.
The President was said to have called on citizens to “believe in the capability of the armed forces to safeguard and bring long-lasting peace and stability to the country.”
He also assured Nigerians that “the armed forces would continue to sustain their operational tempo to contain the security challenges in the country.”
Buhari also re-emphasised the importance of synergy between the armed forces, other security agencies and the general population for peace and security.
While inaugurating the newly constructed Nigerian Navy Sports Complex, he commended the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, for investing in sports development.
He said,
“Over the years, sports have remained a tool to strengthen the ties between troops, instilling discipline and readiness to serve a common cause in the military.
I am sure that these games will create a forum for the Nigerian Navy to achieve these objectives and more.
“The construction of this sports complex has provided a standard venue for the Nigerian Navy to host major games as well as an appropriate venue for naval personnel within Lagos to use for training and other recreational purposes.
“I am therefore confident that besides the conduct of the games, the Nigerian Navy and its personnel will continue to make good use of the facilities in this complex.”
The President who noted that LAGOS 2022 would provide the avenue to discover new talents to represent the Navy and Nigeria in international competitions urged the 1,800 participating athletes to inculcate fair play and exhibit a high level of decorum during the eight-day competition.
In his goodwill message, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described the Nigerian Navy as a strategic partner to the “coastal state of Lagos” in the security of lives and property.
He, therefore, thanked Buhari for approving the establishment of a new Forward Operating Base in Lekki axis, one of the fastest growing industrial, commercial and residential development areas in West Africa.
In his remarks earlier, the Chief of Naval Staff, pledged that the Navy would sustain the fight against crude oil theft and other maritime crimes, ensuring that the country maintains its delisting from nations of high piracy risks.
Gambo, who noted that Nigeria exited the International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy List early this year, said no incidence of piracy has been recorded in the last one year.
43 Zamfara kidnap victims freed after spending days in captivity
The 43 Muslim worshippers who were kidnapped at Zugu community in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of the state have been freed.
Sources told Channels Television that the kidnap victims were freed on Tuesday night September 6, at about 10:30 pm after the payment of five million Naira ransom.
It was disclosed that the bandits also requested and got supplies of several jerry cans of petrol.
Members of the Zugu community disclosed that 44 persons were kidnapped from the village but one person died in the bandits’ camp as a result of torture.
The other 43, however, returned to the village unhurt and have since been reunited with their families. While the police is yet to give full details of the release, however, after the abductions, the Zamfara command deployed additional tactical operatives to the area to ensure that normalcy returns.
Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Kolo Yusuf who reiterated that the command is committed to rid the state of criminal activities, appealed for continuous support and collaboration to all the security operatives in an effort to achieve this mandate.
Niger state assembly orders suspension of 15 LGA chairmen
A Niger state House of Assembly committee which was set-up to investigate contract financing loans of twenty-five local government councils, has recommended the suspension of fifteen local government councils chairmen.
Chairman of the committee, Abdulmalik Madaki Bosso said the decision to suspend the LGA chairmen will pave way for smooth and unhindered access by members of the committee to enable them to discharge their duties diligently.
The affected local government councils chairmen are those of Mokwa, Gbako, Suleja, Gurara, Tafa Paikoro, Bosso, Agwara, Borgu, Kontagora, Wushishi, Magama, Mariga, Mashegu, and Rijau.
He noted that this is in line with the provision of sections 128 and 129 of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 as amended as well as the provision of section 90 Subsection one A B and C of local government 2001 as amended.
He alleged that most of the suspended local government chairmen collected the loan without following due process, an act he said is unacceptable by the Niger State House of Assembly.
According to him, the problem had added an extra burden to the smooth running of local government administration in the state. Channels Television reported that Abdulmalik Madaki Bosso added that the deduction of N8m each from local government councils for loan repayment be suspended for the failure of the ministry to obtain house resolution as provided in Section 97 Subsection One of the Local Government Councils 2001 as amended.
Court brings forward Nnamdi Kanu’s appeal hearing
Hearing of the appeal challenging the remaining seven-count charge filed against the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, earlier scheduled for hearing on October 11, 2022, has been brought forward to September 13, 2022.
This was made known by the lead counsel for Kanu and IPOB, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, in a post on his verified Facebook page on Wednesday.
The Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CR/ 625/2022; between Nnamdi Kanu vs Federal Republic of Nigeria is challenging the seven-count charge upheld against the IPOB leader by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja on May 18, 2022, after reviewing of 15 counts.
Ejiofor wrote,
“Our Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CR/ 625/2022; BETWEEN NNAMDI KANU VS FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, earlier scheduled for Hearing on the 11th Day of October, 2022, has been brought forward to the 13th day of September, 2022.
“Chukwu Okike Abiama is on the throne and shall forever remain on the throne. Your relentless prayers and supplications is positively impacting.
It therefore means that hearing on Onyendu’s appeal challenging the remaining seven-count charge filed against him, will now be coming up for Hearing at the Court of Appeal Abuja, next week Tuesday, being the 13th Day of September, 2022.
“Thank you so much Umuchineke for your support so far and remain hugely blessed. We move!”
Diarrhoea kills 124,000 infants annually – Minister
At least 124,000 children under the age of five die annually in Nigeria due to diarrhoea and other toilet infection associated diseases.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouk, made the remarks during a visit to Bakassi Internally Displaced Persons’ camp in Cross River State.
The minister, who was represented by the Director of Social Development in the ministry, Mr. Taiwo Bashorun, spoke shortly after distributing toiletries and disinfectant worth millions of naira to the internally displaced persons, and called for good toilet and environmental hygiene if the IDPs wanted to have a healthy living.
During the visit, which was for sensitisation/awareness campaign on Clean Nigeria-Use the Toilet organised for IDPs in Bakassi Camp, the minister charged them to shun open defecation so that they would not invite diseases associated with open defecation to the camp.
According to the minister, the economic impact of unsafe water, poor sanitation and hygiene depletes the Nigerian economy by almost the equivalent of 1.3 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product.
Farouk also stated that an estimated “47 million people in Nigeria still indulge in open defecation,” adding that Nigeria tops the league of countries where open defecation was prevalent.
She said available World Health Organisation records have it that “One in every four Nigerians defecate openly, creating a medium for potential transmission of the wild polio virus, cholera and hepatitis among other infectious diseases because they have no access to adequate toilet facilities.”
The minister further said additional data presented by UNICEF shows that an estimated 120 million in the country lacked access to improved sanitation facilities, or facilities that hygienically separate human waste from human contact.
The Supervisor for Environment, Mrs. Nkoyo Effiong, who spoke earlier on effective hygiene, advised the IDPs not to discard baby pampers in open places but instead drop the pampers into toilets to prevent passers-by from getting in contact with already used pampers which constitute an eyesore and capable of transmitting diseases.
The Chairman of Bakassi LGA, Iyadim Iyadim, thanked the minister for taking the campaign against open defecation to his domain and promised to do everything to end the practice.
INEC explains why comprehensive voters’ list for 2023 polls is yet to be published
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained why it is yet to publish a comprehensive voters’ list for 2023 polls.
Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman who spoke at a stakeholders’ validation meeting on the 2022 revised framework and regulations for voting by internally displaced persons (IDPs), held in Abuja on Tuesday September 6, said claim of them not being willing to display the comprehensive voters’ register as provided by section 19(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, is false.
He disclosed that the list would be released soon and will integrate fresh voters registered under the last CVR.
Yakubu said;
“This claim is incorrect. What the commission displayed for claims and objections in our local government area offices nationwide for a period of one week — from August 15 to August 21 — was not the entire register of voters.
“It was the list of fresh registrants at the end of the fourth and last quarter of the continuous voter registration exercise, covering the period from April 11 to July 31.“This has been the practice for several years.
“We wish to assure Nigerians that the commission will display the comprehensive register in all the 8,809 wards and 774 local government areas/area councils nationwide as envisaged in section 19(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022.
“The date will be announced as soon as the commission completes the ongoing automated biometric identification system (ABIS) to weed out all double/multiple as well as ineligible registrants.
“We appeal to some of our friends in civil society organisations to be guided accordingly.”
Customs seize explosives in Ogun, arrest suspects
The Nigeria Customs Service said it had seized 20 drums of carbide in Ijebu-Ode area of Ogun State.
Addressing journalists in Ikeja on Tuesday, the Acting Custom Area Controller in charge of the Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Comptroller Ejibunnu Hussain, said that the seized explosives had a Duty Paid Value of about N33 million.
Explaining further, Ejibunnu said that the material was used for the production of Improvised Explosive Device.
He added that importation of such substances must get an approval from the office of the National Security Adviser.“The unit seized 20 drums of Carbide, along Ijebuode in August. The substance used for the production of IED.
If allowed to get into the hands of unscrupulous persons, it could cause very serious security concern. And the importation of this has to be approved with an End User Certificate from the office of the National Security Adviser.”
Gridlock As Tanker Breaks Down On Anambra Road
Commuters were stuck in a gridlock on the Onitsha-Owerri Road, Anambra State, on Saturday as a result of a broken-down tanker.
The traffic caused by the tanker has extended past the Lord Chosen Church area and heading towards Upper Iweka as of the time of filing this report.
Nigerians will appreciate my govt soon- President Muhammed Buhari
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Tuesday vowed that his government would not allow any candidate use their “personal resources or influence to intimidate other Nigerians” ahead of the next year general elections.
He added that in six months, Nigerians will appreciate his government that it respects them.According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President spoke when he received members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum led by its Chairman, Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State, at the State House, Abuja.
The statement was titled ‘Why I believe in non-interference in the political process, Buhari.’Citing the outcome of the Ekiti, Anambra and Osun States governorship elections, the President assured Nigerians of his desire to bequeath strong political institutions through non-interference in elections.
This, he noted, would give credence to the political process, ensure participation and inclusiveness, and show that the governing party respects the electorate.
The President said,
“I want Nigerians to know that we respect them, and for us to show that, we will allow them to vote who they want.
We all witnessed what happened in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states. What happened in those states gives me a lot of hope that we are succeeding.
“We will not allow anyone to use personal resources or their influence to intimidate other Nigerians. We will not allow intimidations materially, morally or physically. This is the kind of leadership that can emerge and consolidate our nation.
“In six months, Nigerians will appreciate the government of the All Progressives Congress that we are sincere and we respect them.’’
To the APC political leaders, he called for intensified efforts in “thinking, meeting and strategising for the 2023 elections.’’
In his remarks, the Chairman of the PGF thanked the President for his leadership, affirming that the Nigerian economy had been growing, in spite of challenges.
“We want to congratulate you on the positive trajectory of the economy, with the 3.5% growth in the second quarter, up from 3.1% of the first quarter of this year. Infrastructure projects are ongoing in different parts of the country, and the social intervention programme is expanding,’’
Bagudu stated.
However, the spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party, Debo Olugunagba, said the President’s statement was an acknowledgement of the need to ensure free, fair and credible elections “without unnecessary interference by money bags.”Ologunagba stated,
“We believe that this election should be based on issues, not about who can purchase who.
We know that the leaders and the veterans of the APC, as reported in various media, are always interested in buying votes and trying as much as possible to derail the will of the Nigerian people, either by corruptly buying votes, or unleashing violence, which of course, we have the records.
“So, if the President says that today, that is a welcome development, with the hope that the President will keep his word for once on that, because if his performance in other sectors, particularly security, is anything to go by, then we need to take that statement with a pinch of salt.’’
Court denies Abba Kyari bail again
he Federal High Court Abuja has again denied the bail application filed by suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, and three Others.
Kyari and three defendants had in their bail application argued that new facts relating to the Kuje Prison break and alleged threat to their lives warranted their fresh application.
In response, the NDLEA raised an objection arguing that they have not demonstrated how the new issues will not make them jump bail.
Delivering judgement on the bail application this morning, Justice Emeka Nwite agreed with the NDLEA legal team that the defendants have not demonstrated how they will not jump bail and interfere with the administration of criminal justice.
The court held that a threat to life in a detention facility is not a factor for granting bail.
The prosecution in its counter affidavit had submitted that Mr. Kyari and his co-defendants are flight risks as they would tamper with the money laundering investigations and the witnesses lined up for the trial.
The court had earlier made a pronouncement on the bail of the defendants and that there is nothing placed before the court to warrant a reconsideration of the earlier pronouncement of the court.
You have the right to do video recordings but why do it to taunt, provoke, patronize and sometimes obstruct police officers on duty? – Lagos police PRO asks Nigerians
SP Benjamin Hundeyin who is the spokesperson of the Lagos state police command has said that Nigerians have a right to record a police officer who stops them for a search, but wonders why they do their recordings to “taunt, provoke or sometimes obstruct the officers carrying out their duties.”
He shared a copy of the criminal act which states that assaulting a police officer or obstructing him while carrying out his duties is guilty of felony and liable to three years imprisonment. See his tweet below…
Police arrest bandits’ informants over lawmaker family’s kidnap
Three informants linked to a kidnap for ransom syndicate that abducted the wife and two children of a serving Katsina lawmaker, Hon. Dr Ibrahim Aminu, have been arrested by the police.
Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi who confirmed the arrests, said the three key suspects confessed to the crime during the investigation. Adejobi said; “Acting on credible information, operatives of the IRT have arrested a deadly kidnap for ransom syndicate who kidnapped the wife and two children of a serving lawmaker Honourable Ibrahim Aminu in Katsina State.
“Sequel to the intelligence reports on the activities of the deadly criminal gangs by IRT operatives attached to the Operation Restore Hope of the Force in Yankwani village and Kurani town, the team swung into action and arrested the suspects in their various hideouts.
“IRT personnel arrested the key suspects Muttaka Ibrahim, Suleiman Rabiu, and Surajo all male natives of Bakori LGA for allegedly supplying the information that led to the assault on the lawmaker where his family members were taken into captivity.
“During investigation, Muttaka Ibrahim confessed to the crime saying that he and other gang members were informants to Sanni Tukur aka Abacha terrorising the people of the villages and towns in Katsina and Zamfara States.
“Other victims of the criminal syndicate include one Buhari Usman, also known as Fedeco, Nazaradeen Ibrahim, Amandallah Ahmad, Ibrahim Suleiman, Sumayya Nura, and Yahaya Bura who are currently in the captivity of the gang.
“The kidnappers, after kidnapping the wife of the lawmaker Rabi Yusuf and two of his male children all of Bakori LGA had demanded and received eleven million naira and ten million naira for his children at different times.”
Adejobi further revealed that one of the bandits’ informants, Muttaka Ibrahim, admitted that he got a payment of N130,000 from the gang leader, and also named one Yusuf Bala of Zaria as his accomplice.
The police spokesperson said;
“He also admitted that the bandits’ leader collected a total of six million five hundred thousand naira from the victims they kidnaped at Yankwani totarrating his ordeal, the lawmaker told Police investigators that he paid a total sum of thirty-seven million and five hundred thousand naira to the gang leader to secure his family member’s release from captivity.”
Adejobi added that the suspects are still undergoing investigation and would be charged to court if found culpable in the crime as alleged by the leader of the team.
ASUU extends strike again
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has extended its ongoing strike again.
The decision was taken after the National Executive Council meeting at the union’s headquarters at the University of Abuja on Monday morning, August 29. The ASUU strike began on February 14, 2022, and was initially to last for 4 weeks.
However, on March 14, exactly one month after, ASUU extended its ongoing industrial action by another two months to afford the government more time to address all of its demands. The strike has now entered its 196th day.
The union is on strike over the inability of the Federal Government to implement previous agreements both parties entered into.
The lecturers’ agitations include funding for the revitalization of public universities, earned academic allowances, University Transparency Accountability Solution, promotion arrears and others.
Police arrest two suspected kidnappers, rescue victim in Jigawa
Operatives of the Jigawa State Police Command in collaboration with a vigilante group, have arrested two suspected kidnappers and rescused a victim.
Spokesman of the command, DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, August 28, said the suspects including a 30-year-old woman, were arrested in Ringim Local Government Area of the state.
“A joint operatives from Ringim Area Command in conjunction with local vigilante group, led by Ringim Divisional Police Officer (DPO), SP Shehu Hamdullahi, acted on credible and actionable intelligence raided suspected kidnapper’s hideout at Nisan Marke Herdsmen Settlement in Ringim LGA, and arrested two (2) suspected kidnappers,” the statement read.
“On 24th August, 2022, at about 0800hrs, Intel at our disposal revealed that, one Muhammad Sama’ila ‘m’ age 45yrs of Madari village, Warawa LGA, Kano State was seen with matchet cuts all over his body. “On receipt of the information, a team of Policemen swung into action, visited the scene of crime and conveyed the victim to hospital
“While on admission at hospital, after regained his consciousness, the victim revealed that, he was kidnapped on Tuesday 22nd, August, 2022, at about 0130hrs from Madari Village in Warawa LGA of Kano State and taken to Nisan Marke Herdsmen.
“When he attempted to escape from the abductors, he was attacked by one of the kidnappers and inflicted injuries in his body.
“On the same date at about 0850hrs, a team of Policemen stormed the Area, where one of the kidnappers named Abdurrazaq Musa ‘m’ age 40yrs of Gurgunna village, Babura LGA, Jigawa State was arrested and the phone that belongs to the victim which was used for ransom negotiation was recovered in his possession.
“Furthermore, one Hassana Jimau ‘f’ age 30yrs of Nisan Marke village was also arrested at about 1230hrs.
“During interrogation, both the suspects were confessed to have abducted the victim with eight (8) other gang members. Effort to trace their accomplices is on top gear.
Meanwhile, the suspects have been handed over to the team of anti-kidnapping section, Kano State Police Command for discreet investigation.
The PPRO said the Commissioner of Police, Jigawa State Police Command, CP Aliyu Sale Tafida psc, appreciated the effort of officers and urged the public to always avail Police with credible and reliable information at right time.
We’re still searching for Deborah’s killers, those arrested are not the suspected killers – Sokoto police
The Sokoto State Police Command has disclosed that men of the force are still searching for the suspected killers of Deborah Samuel, the 200-level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto state, who was gruesomely murdered by her fellow students.
Deborah was hacked to death in May 2022, over allegations that she made a comment on her school’s WhatsApp platform which her Muslim colleagues considered to blaspheme Prophet Mohammed (SAW).
DSP Sanusi Abubakar, the spokesman for the command, who spoke with Punch over the case, said those arrested by the police months back were not the prime suspects. According to Abubakar, they were only among those who organised the riot, adding that those arrested were still in remand custody as ordered by the court.
Abubakar further said that the prime suspects were still at large, adding that efforts were ongoing to arrest them.
The police spokesperson stated, “Those ones we arrested then, though not the suspected killers, contributed to the violent riot and were arraigned in court where the judge ordered that they should be remanded.
Concerning those suspected killers, we have circulated their pictures to media houses and sent our intelligence to every part of the state.
“We are still on the lookout for them and we are confident of arresting them wherever they may be hiding. We will flush them out and arraign them before a competent court of law.’’
He promised that the command would not be biased on the case, adding that the state Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Gumel, would ensure that justice is served.
Nigeria is on drip and oxygen – Governor Samuel Ortom
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state, has said that Nigeria is currently on “drip and oxygen.”
The governor spoke at the Port Harcourt International Airport when he returned to the country alongside Nyesom Wike, Rivers state governor, and Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia governor on Friday, August 26.
Recall that the PDP governors met with former Nigerian leader Olusegun Obasanjo and Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in London. They also met with their party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Speaking shortly after their arrival, Governor Ortom who has never hidden his disdain for the Buhari-led government said;
“We are looking at how we can harness ideas and put ourselves together to ensure that we get out of the present challenge we are in Nigeria today.From top to bottom, consider what has happened from 2015 and where we are today. So, what we are doing is a concern that we have for our country, Nigeria.
This is beyond partisan politics. We are looking at how we can come together and find a way of ensuring that Nigeria survives. Nigeria is on a drip, Nigeria is on oxygen and it is about how can we get out of this.
We have individually also had earlier commitments in Europe even if consultations are still going on because nothing concrete has been decided. The consultation is going on and will continue to go on. We are still going to meet here.”