NDUME’S REINSTATEMENT AS CHIEF WHIP NO LONGER IN OUR HANDS – APC
NDUME’S REINSTATEMENT AS CHIEF WHIP NO LONGER IN OUR HANDS – APC The All Progressives Congress (APC) has stated that the National Assembly may decide on the proposed reinstatement of Senator Ali Ndume as Chief Whip after its ongoing recess.Both the Senate and House of Representatives have embarked on their annual recess and won’t resume until September 17. Following the criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the lawmaker was relieved of his position as Chief Whip of the Senate and replaced by his colleague, Tahir Monguno. But weeks later, Ndume visited the National Working Committee of the ruling APC in Abuja to tender an apology. In response, the APC national chairman, who described the matter as a family affair, said Ndume had been forgiven and the party would write to the Senate to restore his position Speaking on the matter during an interviiew, National Deputy Organising Secretary of the APC, Nze Chidi Duru, said the party had communicated with the Senate. He explained that the matter is out of their hands, and the senate would decide the outcome of the situation. According to him, “I think it is now down to the senators to do what is considered to be the right decision. “I don’t think it is in our hands anymore. There is already an engagement with the leadership of the Senate.”
PETER OBI NAMES TANKO YINUSA INTERIM NATIONAL COORDINATOR OF OBIDIENT MOVEMENT
PETER OBI NAMES TANKO YINUSA INTERIM NATIONAL COORDINATOR OF OBIDIENT MOVEMENT The 2023 Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi has announced one of his former spokesman, Tanko Yunusa, as the Interim National Coordinator of Obidient Movement worldwide. Obi said Yunusa was chosen to occupy the position after a consensus agreement that it should be zoned to the North. Speaking during an X Space engagement, the former Anambra State governor said Yunusa’s appointment was part of efforts to lay a foundation that would include members of the movement in the Labour Party structure at all levels. Obi said: “Last week, I held an X space to announce the start of a series of engagements that will help establish this structure. To drive this process, I set up a team to manage these conversations. This team was tasked with holding a series of consultations and engagements. “I want to sincerely thank everyone who showed up at the engagement meeting they recently held. I also want to thank the team for how fast they moved the conversation and the consultation process. “This is just the beginning. We are committed to ensuring that every member of this movement is heard and included as we build our structure. There will be more consultations at the regional level, and I encourage everyone to participate when called upon. “Moving forward, it is crucial to have leadership in place to support this building process. After extensive consultations within the movement and reviewing feedback from Obidients through the ideas submitted, there is a consensus that the position of National Coordinator should go to the North. “From the nominations submitted by key stakeholders in the movement and shared with the engagement team, Dr Tanko Yunusa emerged as the most nominated candidate for this role. Given his track record, leadership qualities, and commitment to the movement, I am pleased to announce that Dr. Tanko Yunusa will serve as the Interim National Coordinator as we continue laying the foundation for our movement. “I want to clarify that all positions filled at this stage are on an interim basis until our structure is fully developed. “As we move forward, we will need your nominations for the best minds in our community to take on key positions in this structure. “Remember, we have over 1 million leadership positions to fill as we work to build a Nigeria that works for everyone. Please be thoughtful in your nominations to help us onboard people with the competence, character, and capacity to lead.”
Dons Eze
- Foreign Affairs
- September 4, 2024
- 142 views
IGBO COMMUNITY CONFIRMS RELEASE OF AMAKA BY CANADIAN POLICE SAME DAY AFTER QUESTIONING
IGBO COMMUNITY CONFIRMS RELEASE OF AMAKA BY CANADIAN POLICE SAME DAY AFTER QUESTIONING Igbo Community in Canada says Police released Amaka Sunnberger same day after wuestioning, cautions the public from escalating the matter The Igbo community in a statement issued by Joseph Eze, on Monday advised Igbos in Canada and beyond to desist from any form of inflammatory comments and interactions that could escalate the matter as the Canadian authorities had taken over the case and investigation was going on. Eze in the statement also confirmed that Sunnberger was arrested by the Toronto Police Service on Sunday for questioning but was also released the same day while the case was already in court. The statement read, “The Igbo Community in Ontario has been closely monitoring the development surrounding the allegations of threats made by a Toronto-based woman against specific members of the Nigerian community. “The woman in question, Amaka Sunnberger was arrested yesterday (Sunday) and charged by the Toronto Police Service. “She was also released yesterday. The case is now in the hands of the authorities and we have been advised to refrain from making any public comments while the investigation is ongoing. “The Igbo union is in touch with Amaka and has heard her side of the story. We are aware that misinformation and false updates are circulating through various media channel “The Igbo union will provide reliable updates as the situation unfolds. We have always maintained a peaceful relationship with all groups within the Nigerian community in Ontario. “Additionally, we are in contact with relevant parties involved in this case and have advised members of our community to remain calm and avoid any interactions that could escalate the situation. “We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you informed with any significant developments.”
PDP GOVERNORS KNOCK WIKE – THREATS RECKLESS, UNACCEPTABLE
PDP GOVERNORS KNOCK WIKE – THREATS RECKLESS, UNACCEPTABLE The governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have sharply condemned the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike,for what they describe as reckless and unacceptable threats.In a statement issued on Tuesday by the forum’s Director General, Emmanuel Agbo, the PDP Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF), chaired by Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkarim Mohamed, expressed strong disapproval of Wike’s recent comments. The forum accused Wike of making inflammatory remarks that threaten the unity and peaceful coexistence within the party. The statement read: “The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF) has noted with concern the recent inflammatory statements made by H.E. Barrister Nyesom Wike, former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Wike’s threats against member-governors of the forum are not only reckless but also deeply troubling, especially given the importance of maintaining peace, collaboration, and mutual respect among party leaders and members. “It is regrettable that these threats come from someone who once benefited from the solidarity of this forum during his time as a governor. The forum’s stance on the affairs of the PDP in Rivers State, as unanimously agreed upon in our 2024 meetings in Enugu and Taraba States, remains firm and is not open to review by any individual, regardless of their position. “We emphasize that the forum’s position is not personal nor does it undermine the relevance of any party stakeholder. Instead, it reflects a commitment to ensuring order and unity within the party, preventing conflicting loyalties that could distract the Governor of Rivers State from his duties. Wike himself benefited from this arrangement during his tenure. “We are fully committed to working with the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great party, the PDP, to ensure that Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State receives all the privileges and support he is entitled to as a Governor elected on the platform of our party, both at the state and national levels.”
I TRUSTED FUBARA, YET HE SACKED ME WHILE I WAS IN ICU – ROYAL FATHER
I TRUSTED FUBARA, YET HE SACKED ME WHILE I WAS IN ICU – ROYAL FATHER A traditional ruler in Rivers State, Eze Ohna Sergeant Chidi Awuse, has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of removing him from his position as chairman of the Traditional Rulers’ Council while he was seriously ill. Fubara removed Awuse on June 21 from his position as Chairman of the Rivers Traditional Rulers Council. The governor accused Awuse, who was appointed by his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, of inactivity and absence of effective leadership of the council under his watch. The monarch was subsequently replaced with the Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, Eze Chike Worlu Wodo. Speaking on the development, Awuse decried the aspersions cast on him by the governor. He said he spent six months in critical condition. Eze Awuse, who is from Emohua Local Government Area, spoke at the weekend during a visit from Wike. Wike led a delegation of his political family to his palace to rejoice with him for surviving a debilitating ailment. Recalling his sacrifices as a first class traditional ruler during the making of Fubara as a governor, the monarch said he backed his candidacy and followed the campaigns to the 23 local government areas of the state. Awuse said: “I never went out of this state without telling my governor; not just once; all written; all acknowledged. So, when somebody said he didn’t know where I went to, I was surprised unless there was another chairman other than me. “He was my candidate. I took him as my candidate. All the people running around him today, none of them showed face. I am the only traditional ruler, first class, that followed that campaign from local government to local government and I went to every local government. “In most of the local government areas I mounted the rostrums to speak for him because I trusted him. I was the main one. But today in the house of politics, you see the good the bad and the ugly. Anyone that falls into your hand you take. “I was sacked from my seat the day I was in ICU. I was in coma for 10 hours. I told only him (Wike) because everybody rejected me. “The government I was serving rejected me. People have the mind to say I will support the governor to the fullest. Why won’t you support him to the fullest when you did not contribute to his being there. “I am learning how to stand up because I was in ICU six weeks with gadgets all over my body fed through my nose. And you (Fubara) told people when I was in ICU that I was a man of questionable character. “You said Sergeant Awuse, I am not steady. That is one quality I don’t deserve. Call me any other name but I am a steady human being.”
PDP GOVERNORS, WIKE SET FOR SHOWDOWN AS MWC MEETS WEDNESDAY
PDP GOVERNORS, WIKE SET FOR SHOWDOWN AS NWC MEETS WEDNESDAY A showdown is looming between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) meets on Wednesday. The meeting is expected to address the lingering political conflict between Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, both of whom are PDP members. The feud has caused a split within the state House of Assembly and led to multiple legal disputes in Port Harcourt and Abuja courts. Amidst the political feud, the governors under the platform of the PDP have expressed support for their colleague, Fubara, urging the NWC to grant him his “rightful” position as the leader of the party in the state. In response, Wike has threatened to ferment trouble in PDP-controlled states whose governors are sympathetic to Fubara “Let me assure all of you, not while we live will anybody take away the structure of the PDP from us. But let me tell people, I hear some governors who say they will take over the structure and give it back to somebody. “I pity those governors because I will put fire in their states. When God has given you peace, you say you don’t want peace – anything you see you take,” he said on Saturday in Port Harcourt. The Director General of the PDP Governors Forum, Emmanuel Agbo, confirmed that a meeting to address Wike’s threat was imminent. “He addressed the governors specifically. The governors will meet and they will take a position. The Secretariat is to convey their (Governors) positions. Until that is done, I don’t have any take on it,” he said. When asked about when the governors would convene, Agbo responded: “Once I get a confirmation, I will let the press know.” The NWC meeting on Wednesday is expected to review and discuss the PDP’s recently held ward and state congresses, as well as the governors’ position on Rivers State. A senior NWC member revealed that the party leaders would address the ongoing litigation involving the defected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The meeting comes after a clear division emerged among NWC members during the last meeting. While some approved the conduct of the Rivers congress in favour of Wike despite a court injunction, others insisted that the correct procedure should be followed in the interest of Fubara. The conflict has led to a series of legal battles, with Wike’s lawyers appealing a court order without the party’s consent. Recall that on July 8, 2024, the Rivers State High Court issued an ex parte order barring key state officials from engaging with the defected lawmakers. Wike’s lawyers appealed the order without the party’s consent, including that of the National Legal Adviser. Interestingly, a letter from the acting national chairman, Damagum, and the National Secretary, Anyanwu, later clarified that the PDP was not involved in the withdrawal of the appeal. A member of the National Executive Committee, Kola Ologbondiyan, stated that the letter provides sufficient grounds for the other NWC members to issue a vote of no confidence in the acting national chairman. “The structure of the party is anchored on the state governor. Therefore, the NWC should apply what happened in other states to Rivers. “In other states where the PDP has a governor, the structure of the party revolves around the governor. So whatever has been done in other states should be reciprocated in Rivers. After all, all states in Nigeria are equal, and they must consider the important role Rivers State plays in Nigeria. We cannot afford to lose control of the state,” he said.
- Foreign Affairs
- September 3, 2024
- 87 views
I’M NOT A FUGITIVE, I’VE BEEN VISITING NIGERIA FOR 25 YEARS – BRITISH NATIONAL DECLARED WANTED
I’M NOT A FUGITIVE, I’VE BEEN VISITING NIGERIA FOR 25 YEARS – BRITISH NATIONAL DECLARED WANTED According to a post that was posted on the official X account of Channels TV on Monday, Andrew Whynne, a British citizen has reacted to the allegations levelled against him by the federal government. His response came after the federal government accused him of trying to overthrow Tinubu as the democratically elected president. Speaking about the allegation, he said he has been visiting Nigeria for 25 years. He said he has a bookshop at the NLC office in Abuja for seven years and there was no time security forces paid interest in him. Andrew Whynne said he had no idea that he was a fugitive and he was not aware he is running away from the law. According to him; “I am not aware that I am a fugitive, I am not aware that I am running away from the law, “I have been visiting Nigeria for 25 years. I have had a bookshop at the NLC offices right at the centre of Abuja for seven years and all that time, of course, the security forces have paid no interest in me”.
EDO APC MEDIA DIRECTOR UPBRADES ARISE TV’S ANCHORS ABATI, RUFAI OVER ALLEGED PARTISANSHIP
EDO APC GUBER CAMPAIGN MEDIA DIRECTOR UPBRADES ARISE TV’S ANCHORS, ABATI, RUFAI OVER ALLEGED PARTISANSHIPThe media director of the All-Progressives Congress, APC Campaign Council, Kassim Afegbua, has taken umbrage at the perceived “high-handed journalistic irresponsibility and verbal recklessness” displayed by anchor of the Arise News Morning Show, and former presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati, when he hosted the Edo State Chairman of the All-Progressives Congress, APC, Jarret Tenebe.Afegbua said Abati also goofed as a journalist when he hosted Asue Ighodalo, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP in the September 21 governorship election in the state when he exhibited preference for Ighodalo and Governor Obaseki, “having run election under the same platform as them”.He said Abati erred “in thinking that even on TV, as a host, he can carry out that duty, jettisoning the code and codex of journalistic ethics, just to protect the interest of the PDP”.In a statement on Saturday entitled ‘Reuben Abati, Arise TV and Their Shenanigans, Afegbua said Abati, as a card-carrying member of the PDP who ran election in 2019 for Deputy Governor with Buruji Kashamu, (in Ogun State) did not just stop at taking sides against the candidate of the APC when he hosted Tenebe, the chairman of the party, he said he “sardonically asked the chairman to invite the APC candidate to feature on his programme adding that even if the APC candidate spoke only Benin or Esan language, they would still be happy to have him”.Taking a swipe at Abati, Afegbua argued that “If fluency in English language is all that is required to sail through political contestation, Abati would not have failed electorally when he contested. This deliberate act to deride and undermine our candidate to suit the bulbous ego of your preferred candidate will not sail. Edo voters will determine who leads them on the 21st of September 2024.Insisting that Arise TV never extended a formal invitation to his party’s candidate, Afegbua, a former commissioner for information in the state, posited that in saner societies, guests feature on programs at the behest of the host, “not on the basis of sassy remarks”, adding that “Impetuous Reuben Abati unfortunately, has hastily concluded that Senator Monday Okpebholo is slaloming around his show”, which he said was incorrect, “rather, it is Abati who has clearly exhibited himself as specious and partisan”.According to Afegbua, “Apropos of Senator Monday Okpebholo’s invitation to Arise TV, if Arise TV wishes to interview him, all they need do is invite him; and properly at that. Arise TV and her producer of The Morning Show have never invited the APC candidate for any interview. As a spokesman for the APC Campaign in Edo, I am sure that nobody has invited him directly, through me, or through any other recognized medium respectfully, to discuss the upcoming elections, on any of the television’s programs.“Abati should not sit in judgement as an anchor, or verbally invite a candidate through the candidate’s opponent as he did on Monday, 26 August when Asue Ighodalo featured on his show. That Reuben Abati made snide remarks about the APC’s candidate in such a hare-brained, reckless and remiss manner is irresponsible and unwise of him, and unfortunate for the profession.“It is clearly emblematic of his partisanship. His remarks watered down his already apathetic invitation leaving it tantamount to no invitation. We have our wits about us and will not capitulate to anything beneath our honour. It is beneath Senator Monday’s honour to respond to that sham and insult”.Afegbua asserted that Senator Monday Okpebholo, who Abati attempted to denigrate, “is versed in the matters of Edo State and people, and his acceptance across the entire state is vast; I dare say cosmic in size!”While stating that the APC candidate had been…
PDP SUMMONS WIKE OVER ANTI-PARTY ACTIVITIES
PDP SUMMONS WIKE OVER ANTI-PARTY ACTIVITIES The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has summoned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over alleged anti-party activities. Wike was summoned to appear before the PDP disciplinary committee. This was made known on Monday by the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Ibrahim Abdullahi, who disclosed in an interview with Channels TV that the former Rivers State Governor has been sent a letter to appear before the party’s disciplinary committee. Abdullahi added that Wike’s statement about “putting fire in their states” in reference to PDP governors is unacceptable. According to him, “Wike should be able to manage his words carefully; that was a very disappointing remark. We weren’t expecting him to say that, and we are not with him on that to be honest with you.” The position of the PDP was made known hours after Wike expressed his contentment with serving under President Bola Tinubu, despite the criticisms and speculations surrounding his appointment. The FCT Minister declared that anyone who is angry with his position in Tinubu’s government should go and hug the transformer. Wike, a longstanding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the only opposition member in Tinubu’s cabinet, addressed the issue during the PDP Congress in Rivers State.
- Foreign Affairs
- September 2, 2024
- 120 views
BRITISH NATIONAL HITS BACK AT FG OVER ALLEGATION OF PLOT TO OVERTHROW TINUBU GOVT
BRITISH NATIONAL HITS BACK AT FG OVER ALLEGATION OF PLOT TO OVERTHROW TINUBU GOVT A British national, Mr. Povey, also known as Andrew Wynne, has responded to allegations made by the Nigerian government that he was involved in a plot to overthrow the Bola Tinubu administration. In a statement, Povey denied the allegations, saying “PROTEST IS NOT TREASON” and calling for the release of all detainees. Recall that Povey’s bookshop, located at the Abuja headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), was earlier raided and sealed by the government. He was accused of enabling #EndBadGovernance protesters with the intent to destabilize Nigeria. In his statement, Povey described the government’s actions as repression, stating that the mass protests had frightened the government, leading to the murder of over 40 people, the arrest of thousands, and the detention of many. He criticized the government for turning to repression rather than addressing the people’s demands. The statement reads: “PROTEST IS NOT TREASON – release all the detainees! The mass protests over #EndBadGovernance and #EndHunger frightened the government. But rather than addressing the peoples’ demands, the government turned to repression. “Perhaps 40 people were murdered by the police and other security forces, thousands were arrested and many still remain in captivity. In Abuja, the authorities have attacked the so-called leaders and organisers of the protests. Ten people face ridiculous charges including treason, mutiny and levying war against the state. “The NLC promised a general strike to protect its President, Joe Ajaero, from arrest and detention in relation to similar charges. Despite the flimsy nature of the evidence against the detainees, they face long years in prison unless the trade union movement is prepared to protect them. On 7th August the NLC said it, “condemns in the strongest terms the human rights violations perpetrated by security forces against peaceful protesters.” “The first person to be arrested in this case was Eleojo Opaluwa. He is a former colleague of Joe Ajaero, working for NUEE, the electricians union, as an organiser in Abuja. He is also the Vice Chair of the NLC in Kogi State. He has now been detained for over 4 weeks with no tangible evidence. His family was told that he had received a WhatsApp message from one of the other alleged leaders. This was after Eleojo had actually been detained. “The ten detainees have been accused of conspiracy to commit a range of serious crimes. However, they barely know each other. Five of them may have been members of a WhatsApp group set up to organise the protests in Abuja. But the other five are unknown to these comrades. They may be a few of the flag waving protesters from Kano who were added to extend the range of the organizers to cover the main protests from Sokoto to Maiduguri “There appears to be a conflict between the government and the police investigating this case. The head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) told the detainees’ lawyers that he would have released them, but that he had orders from above not to set them free. So the police have developed what appears to be a ridiculous case involving the owner of Iva Valley Books. They are claiming that he goes under the name of Andrew Povich, a Russian-sounding name, and that he has now left Nigeria for Russia. “Neither of these claims are true. Yomi, who works for Iva Valley Books, has, like the other detainees, been treated in a terribly inhumane manner. He was arrested in front of his wife and three-year old daughter. All their phones were confiscated by the police. This was despite appeals from his wife that they needed a phone to get money for food. “He was then imprisoned illegally and…