Dons Eze
- Foreign Affairs
- January 10, 2025
- 145 views
ALL FIVE LIVING US PRESIDENTS UNITE AT FUNERAL OF JIMMY CARTER
ALL FIVE LIVING US PRESIDENTS UNITE AT FUNERAL OF JIMMY CARTER Former President Barack Obama and incoming commander-in-chief Donald Trump were seen chatting as American leaders gathered to pay their respects to Carter. The one-term president died on Christmas Eve in Plains, Georgia after spending more than a year in a hospice. His death was confirmed by his son – who called him a hero. Jimmy Carter was the 39th U.S. President, a Democrat, and served in the White House between 1977 and 1981 – but lost a re-election bid to Republican Ronald Reagan in 1980. Presidents Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, George W Bush, and Joe Biden all gathered on Thursday to attend his state funeral in Washington D.C. In surprising scenes, long-time rivals Obama and Trump were pictured laughing and chatting ahead of the ceremony. Melania Trump also made a rare public appearance alongside her husband, as did former White House hopeful and secretary of state Hillary Clinton. Mr Biden, a long-time Carter ally, will deliver a eulogy at the service. Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost the 2024 presidential election to Donald Trump, was also pictured in attendance alongside her husband. It marks the first time Ms Harris has been pictured alongside Mr Trump since his storming election victory in November. After the funeral, the Boeing 747 that is Air Force One when a sitting president is aboard will carry Mr Carter and his family back to Georgia. An invitation-only funeral will be held at Maranatha Baptist Church in tiny Plains, Georgia, where he taught Sunday School for decades after leaving office. Mr Carter will be buried next to his wife in a plot near the home they built before his first state Senate campaign in 1962 and where they lived out their lives with the exception of four years in the Georgia Governor’s Mansion and four years in the White House.
I PLOTTED, SCRIPTED FAYOSE’S IMPEACHMENT WITH OBASANJO – EX-BUHARI’S AIDE
I PLOTTED, SCRIPTED FAYOSE’S IMPEACHMENT WITH OBASANJO – BUHARI’S EX-AIDE Former Special Adviser on Political Matters to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Babafemi Ojudu, has disclosed how he plotted the impeachment of former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose. Ojudu disclosed that he plotted and scripted Fayose’s impeachment with the support of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The former presidential aide disclosed this while featuring on Edmund Obilo’s podcast, State Affairs, which was published on Thursday morning. According to Ojudu: “I plotted and scripted the impeachment of Fayose in Ekiti. I used Obasanjo and when he realized it, he fought back against me. “I had an agreement and signed that Fayose should be impeached but make sure his deputy is not. I took all the lawmakers to Lagos where I kept them in hotels and was feeding and taking them around. “I was not a senator, I was a journalist who had money and my friends gave me money. They were not happy with him, I saw that weak link and I exploited it. “Obasanjo was angry and gave the deputy governor soldiers to return to Ekiti and proclaim herself as governor. When she got there, I called people to resist her and they had no alternative but to declare an emergency. “Fayose sued me for libel and Falana was my lawyer, I went to court and presented my facts, by the time we finished, Justice Daramola told Fayose ‘you have no honour and integrity.’” Fayose became the second governor of Ekiti on 29 May 2003, after defeating the incumbent Governor, Niyi Adebayo in the gubernatorial elections. His tenure was cut short as a result of the impeachment on 16 October, 2006.
APC AFRAID OF PETER OBI’S RISING INFLUENCE AHEAD OF 2027 – LABOUR PARTY STAKEHOLDERS
APC AFRAID OF PETER OBI’S RISING INFLUENCE AHEAD OF 2027 – LABOUR PARTY STAKEHOLDERS A coalition under the banner of the Alliance for all Labour Party Stakeholders and Professionals has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of resorting to desperate tactics to discredit Mr Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, and deter him from contesting in the 2027 elections. In a statement issued by its convener, Dr Blessing Elaigwu, the coalition condemned the recent verbal attacks on Obi, particularly by APC National Spokesperson, Mr Felix Morka, during a televised interview. According to Elaigwu, Morka’s refusal to apologize for his remarks, despite multiple opportunities provided by the program anchor, reflects the ruling party’s fear of Obi’s growing influence. Part of the statement read: “It is disheartening to witness such blatant attempts to silence dissenting voices. “Mr. Morka’s fresh threat to compile and forward a list of 400 Nigerians to security agencies is a brazen effort to intimidate citizens into submission. “This is a glaring sign of a government frightened by the inevitable reckoning at the ballot box in 2027.” The coalition further criticized the APC for what it described as a “policy of institutionalized impoverishment,” accusing the party of creating record-breaking poverty and inequality under the current administration. “Nigerians are tired of APC’s lies and propaganda. Millions of citizens, battered by this administration’s ruinous policies, are preparing to emulate their Ghanaian counterparts by standing firm against bad governance and reclaiming the economy,” the group stated. The coalition warned APC leaders against building an authoritarian system that stifles free speech, emphasizing that Nigerians would not be silenced. “Morka and others in the APC should brace themselves for more criticism. If they aim to silence Nigerians, they might need to expand our prisons and recruit additional wardens because people will continue to demand accountability,” the group declared. Dr Elaigwu concluded by expressing confidence in Obi’s ability to lead Nigeria toward economic recovery, stating that the coalition and millions of Nigerians remain steadfast in supporting him. The Labour Party coalition called on the APC to focus on governance instead of intimidation, urging the ruling party to address the pressing issues affecting Nigerians instead of attempting to undermine the opposition.
X USERS LAMBAST APC NATIONAL SECRETARY, FELIX MORKA, OVER THREAT ON PETER OBI
X USERS LAMBERT APC PUBLICTY SECRETARY, FELIX MORKA,’ OVER THREAT TO PETER OBI It is with great concern and a deep sense of responsibility that I, condemn the recent incendiary remarks made by Mr. Felix Morka, the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), during his appearance on national television on the 5th of January 2025. His statements not only pose a direct threat to the life, reputation, and business interests of Mr. Peter Obi but also constitute an affront to the principles of democracy, decency, and responsible political engagement. Mr. Peter Obi, a man of impeccable character, has devoted his life to the service of Nigeria and the pursuit of good governance. He has consistently demonstrated that competence, merit, and respect for the rule of law should guide leadership. To attack him with baseless allegations and threats is an indication of the APC’s inability to engage constructively on the issues that matter to Nigerians. Such inflammatory rhetoric has no place in our democracy. It undermines national unity, discourages productive political discourse, and endangers lives. We remind Mr. Felix Morka and the APC leadership that words have consequences. The Labour Party will hold them accountable for any harm that befalls Mr. Peter Obi or his associates. We urge security agencies to investigate this matter and ensure that those who use public platforms to incite violence or issue veiled threats are held to account. Political leaders must rise above pettiness and focus on addressing the pressing challenges facing our nation, including insecurity, unemployment, and economic instability. The Labour Party remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the values of transparency, justice, and inclusion. We will not be cowed or distracted by threats or intimidation. Mr. Peter Obi represents hope and progress for millions of Nigerians, and we will continue to stand by him in his pursuit of a better Nigeria. The APC must immediately issue a public apology to Mr. Peter Obi and retract the offensive statements made by its National Publicity Secretary. Anything less would be a tacit endorsement of such reckless and dangerous behavior. As leaders, we owe it to Nigerians to promote peace, unity, and responsible political dialogue. Let us not forget that the true measure of leadership lies in how we treat one another, even in the face of disagreement. Senator Nenadi Usman; PhD Listening to Mr. Felix Morka today on Arise TV evoked a whirlwind of emotions—hilarity, confusion, disbelief, frustration, and anger. His statements were baffling, blurring the lines between truth, fabrication, and the usual APC-style obfuscation. Even the interviewers seemed perplexed, struggling to reconcile his contradictions. In one moment, he agreed to “available data,” only to deny its validity in the next. For someone who emphatically claimed never to have threatened Mr. @PeterObi, his words tell a different story. His angry remark that “whatever is coming to him, he should manage” starkly contradicts his alleged victimhood, where he claims to have received over 400 threats, including 200 death threats afterwards. We live in a time when the APC government’s narrative is so muddled that even proverbial thunder seems unsure where to strike. But one thing is certain: this issue will not be swept under the carpet. Should anything untoward happen to Mr. @PeterObi, his associates, or anyone linked to him, Felix Morka and the APC government will be held fully accountable.Their public, televised threats are on record, and they cannot evade responsibility. Furthermore, the recent baseless allegations of Mr. Peter Obi’s supposed arrest are nothing more than gimmicks—a desperate attempt to “test the waters.” This is not going to end here. We will persist in demanding justice and accountability, no matter the games they play. Moses Paul (Dr MO).Mr. Morka himself has taught those young people…
TINUBU’S CABALS MOST DANGEROUS IN NIGERIAN HISTORY – EX-MINISTER
TINUBU’S CABALS, MOST DANGEROUS IN NIGERIA’S HISTORY – EX-MINISTER Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has described the power brokers in President Bola Tinubu’s administration as more dangerous and sophisticated than those in the government of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today program, Dalung claimed that the cabals in Buhari’s administration lacked education and experience in governance, rendering them less effective in manipulating the government. “Buhari’s cabals were not quite informed, with little experience in politics, public administration, and governance,” Dalung remarked. In contrast, Dalung characterized Tinubu’s cabals as educated, ambitious, and highly knowledgeable about power dynamics. He labelled them as “masters” of influence with a long history in governance, making them far more formidable and dangerous. “These cabals are sophisticated, ambitious, and have a deep understanding of power. They are more dangerous than any cabal in the history of this country,” he said. Dalung also criticized the pervasive influence of cabals in Nigerian politics, emphasizing their challenges to good governance and accountability.
- Foreign Affairs
- January 8, 2025
- 58 views
UK OPPOSITION LEADER, KEMI BADENOCH, DEMANDS NATIONAL INQUIRY INTO RAPE GANGS BY MUSLIM MEN
UK OPPOSITION LEADER, KEMI BADENOCH DEMANDS NATIONAL INQUIRY INTO RAPE GANGS BY MUSLIM MEN Nigerian-born Kemi Badenoch, leader of the British opposition Conservative Party, has called for full inquiry to expose those who turned a blind eye to the grooming gangs in the UK, responsible for raping thousands of girls. Badenoch, in an article, lamented that “Britain has witnessed the mass grooming of thousands of the most vulnerable white working-class girls – children – by gangs of men, many of Pakistani heritage”. “This was rape on an industrial scale,” she said. She added that “shockingly, it was a scandal made possible by the collusion and cover-ups of officials, the police and politicians who were more concerned about community relations than about victims and their families”. She said, “The fact that perpetrators of this sexual violence appeared to have deliberately picked victims because they were white – and not from their own community or religious background – must not be ignored. “Previous inquiries have failed to examine this. It’s for society and the State to address the issue, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. “The testimonies of the victims are hard to read. Girls being forced into barbaric sexual acts. Raped by multiple men at the same time or one after the other. Punished by grotesque sexual violence when they resisted. “Children were identified as targets because of their backgrounds and experienced years of systematic abuse from adult men whose communities in some cases even helped protect them. “Thousands of girls’ lives have been damaged or destroyed. Worse still, this was perpetrated not in one rotten borough by a few rotten individuals, but across the nation. “It is just as disturbing to read accounts of collusion between officials and police – people entrusted with protecting the public – to keep the scandal under wraps, and in some cases even to allow the abuse to continue.” She lamented reading “a shocking example of social workers attending a ‘Nikah’, an Islamic wedding ceremony, between an abuser and his victim” from court evidence. Narrating other cases, she mentioned how a father was arrested for trying to retrieve his daughter from “rape dens”. She said, “Of councils and a police chief collaborating to keep the extent of the child rape scandal out of the headlines for fear of inflaming community relations or being called racist. And of academics and charity workers drafting obfuscatory reports to conceal the true scale of the problem. This can never be allowed to happen again.” Badenoch, however, recognized the efforts of a “number of heroes” who fought “a lonely battle against not only a conspiracy of silence but active hostility that victims faced from officialdom”. She said, “Failing councils were taken over, like Rotherham in 2015. Grooming gang members were prosecuted. “The Grooming Gang TaskForce, launched in April 2023, made over 500 arrests in its first year. “But we still need to know the extent to which institutions like the police, prosecutors, local government and social services are compromised by wrong-headed political correctness, and even self-interest. “Only then can we have any hope of upholding our laws and culture, and preventing this scale of abuse ever again. “That is why I have called for a full national inquiry into the rape gangs scandal. It must have the powers needed to go further than local inquiries have done.” “The inquiry I want to see should start by considering the likely racial or religious motivation of these crimes,” she said. “It should identify all of the institutions and bodies that failed. It should also identify those individuals who facilitated or ignored these crimes so they can be removed from their roles.” According to her, no lenience should be shown to those “who rape and…
- Foreign Affairs
- January 7, 2025
- 114 views
FRANCE’S PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, LAMBASTS AFRICAN LEADERS, SAYS THEY’RE UNGRATEFUL
FRANCE’S PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, LAMBASTS AFRICAN LEADERS, SAYS THEY’RE UNGRATEFUL Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, has criticized African leaders for what he called their “ungratefulness” He made this statement when discussing regional developments. According to him, “We actually had a two-way relationship that was founded on security. On the one hand, we have been fighting terrorism since 2013. We were correct; I believe someone neglected to express gratitude. It will arrive with time, so don’t worry. “I say this for all African heads of state who have not had the guts to stand up to public opinion, even though I know too well that being unappreciative is a disease that cannot be spread to men.” “My heart goes out to all of our soldiers, some of whom have given their lives and fought for years, and without the French army in the region, none of them would be a sovereign nation today.” “We made the correct decision. Due to coup de’tats, we departed. Sovereign states requested our presence and wanted France to accompany them. “France no longer belonged there if it wasn’t for the coup d’etats and the people’s declaration that their goals were no longer combating terrorism.” Recall that the Niger Republic drove French forces out of the nation in December 2023. This came about following a military coup. Niger’s new military rulers made a drastic policy shift and demanded that the French leave after President Emmanuel Macron publicly supported Bazoum, who is still being held in his presidential mansion, and publicly denounced the coup. Relations with France became even more strained in November 2024 when Niger Republic authorities banned the Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (Acted), a French aid organization, from doing business there. In recent years, Chad, Senegal, Mali, and other African nations have also requested that French troops withdraw from their nations.
- Foreign Affairs
- January 7, 2025
- 66 views
TRUMP FILES MOTION TO DELAY SENTENCING ON HUSH MONEY
TRUMP FILES MOTION TO DELAY SENTENCING ON HUSH MONEY United States President-elect Donald Trump’s legal team has filed a motion to delay the sentencing in his hush money trial, which is scheduled for January 10. The motion argues that the sentencing is unlawful, citing a recent Supreme Court decision on immunity, the state constitution of New York, and other legal precedents. Trump’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, on Monday, described the case in a statement to CBS News. He added that Trump’s return to the White House requires “an immediate end to the political weaponisation of our justice system and all of the remaining Witch Hunts.” “The Supreme Court’s historic decision on Immunity, the state constitution of New York, and other established legal precedent mandate that this meritless hoax be immediately dismissed,” Cheun said. Trump was convicted in May on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment made to former adult film actress Stormy Daniels. The payment was intended to silence Daniels’ allegations of an affair with Trump in 2006, ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Punch
THEY’RE AFTER MY LIFE – PETER OBI ALLEGES OVER CRITICISM OF TINUBU ADMINISTRATION
THEY’RE AFTER MY LIFE – PETER OBI ALLEGES OVER CRITICISM OF TINUBU ADMINISTRATION Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, says his life is under threat because of his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The former governor of Anambra made the allegation after Felix Morka, national spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said, “Peter Obi has crossed the line so many times and has it coming to him whatever he gets”. During an interview with Arise Television, Morka described Obi as an “irrational being” and slammed his public commentary. The APC spokesperson labelled Obi’s claims as “ridiculous” and “deceptive,” criticising his eight-year tenure as Anambra governor for lacking legacy. He added that Obi needs to figure out why he lost the 2023 presidential election and should stop being dishonest. Obi, in his New Year message to Nigerians, criticised Tinubu and expressed concerns over “institutional corruption, mismanagement, poverty, hardship, and an escalating debt profile”. He noted that “corruption has been deeply entrenched in government” while “nepotism has become the norm on Tinubu’s watch”. He also demanded “vigorous, positive actions” from the administration to bring succour to Nigerians. ‘HAVE I REALLY CROSSED THE LINE?’ Reacting to Morka’s comments on his X page on Monday, Obi asked Nigerians if he has “crossed the line” after receiving threats against his life, family, and associates following his New Year’s message. The LP chieftain added that he would continue to speak “truthfully,” noting that Nigeria is drifting towards authoritarianism and undemocratic practices, which, according to him, must be addressed. “Have I really crossed the line?” Obi asked. “I ask the question because my New Year message has now led to threats against my life, my family, and those around me. “While I have received all sorts of messages, one Mr. Felix Morka has gone further to accuse me of “crossing the line” and has warned that I will face the consequences. “I find it necessary to share this message again and urge everyone who has not seen it to watch. If I have truly crossed the line, I invite anyone to point it out, as I remain committed to upholding decorum. “However, I will not be silenced in my resolve to speak truthfully, especially as our nation continues to drift toward undemocratic practices. “We are increasingly transforming into an authoritarian and repressive regime, where freedom of expression is being systematically suppressed.
- Foreign Affairs
- January 6, 2025
- 57 views
WEST AFRICA’S SEASON OF FAREWELL AND QUESTION MARK BY CHIDI AMUTA
WEST AFRICA’S SEASON OF FAREWELLS AND QUESTION MARK, BY CHIDI AMUTA Frances’s major military base in Cote d’Ivoire is billed to close down at the end of this month. The long -standing base, Port Bouet, is to be rid of its French troop occupants and is to be renamed General Quattara Thomas d’Aquinn base after an indigenous military figure. No one knows whether the French were pushed or are voluntarily fleeing. The latter possibility makes more sense in the context of recent developments in relations between Paris and its many West African client states. Prior to now, the string of French speaking West African countries : Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad- had severed military and even diplomatic links with France. It is the culmination of lingering colonial economic encumbrances and France’s own domestic political and economic contradictions. In the aftermath of these departures, a vortex of diplomatic and strategic waves have been unleashed. Jihadist military pressure from the northern parts of the Sahel have increased , leading to avoidable mounting casualties especially in Burkina Faso. Domestic political pressure has increased the demand for democratic rule as defined by new economic hardships occasioned by the bungling of the presiding military authorities. New national security arrangements masterminded by an increased presence of Russian troops in the region have crept in as well. New economic and diplomatic imperatives have been inaugurated as the military regimes struggle to adapt to new diplomatic and international realities. Initially, the impulse of non-French West African countries led by Nigeria was to impose sanctions on the countries that fell under military coups. The UN concurred as a reflex. Threats to air links and border closures however did little to discourage the new military juntas. The willingness of black markets and other rogue financial arrangements insulated the new military regimes from the more adverse effects of regional sanctions. One of the far reaching responses of the more daring military regimes has been to threaten the cohesion of ECOWAS, the regional economic integration bloc. An initial threat by ECOWAS to use military force to enforce compliance collapsed due to an obvious lack of military capacity and the cash poverty of most of the bloc’s member countries. In the intervening period, the military juntas have waxed stronger and become more a daring heart to the survival of ECOWAS itself. At the present moment, the three leading states-Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have threatened to pull their countries out of ECOWAS. It is not just a threat but one backed by a deadline of end of January 2025. Nothing has happened so far that indicates a determination to save the 50-year old regional bloc. Many argue that there is little or nothing in the achievements of ECOWAS that deserves to be saved. West African economies have hardly grown, leaving little or nothing to integrate. The free movement of persons in and across the region has mostly translated into the freedom of impoverished “others” to travel into and out of Nigeria in search of opportunities that are hardly there. Otherwise, the free movement of persons has meant the free movement of jihadist insurgents and their black market arms or the migration of scraggy livestock across badly manned borders For Nigeria, the near total evacuation of French military, diplomatic and economic presence from West Africa poses huge foreign policy challenges. First, the imminent loss of ECOWAS is a major historical setback. Our clout as a regional leader is on its way home. The gains made in the days of ECOMOG and the restoration of peace and democracy in Liberia and Sierra Leone are about to be consigned to the dustbin of history. It must concern President Tinubu that this historic diplomatic setback will be happening…