TINUBU’S GOVT, A CAPTURED STATE – PETER OBI
TINUBU’S GOVT A “CAPTURED STATE” – PETER OBI National leader of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi has described democracy under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu as a “captured state”. Obi disclosed this on Monday in a post to commemorate this year’s International Democracy Day. As we join the global community to commemorate International Democracy Day today, we remind ourselves, as a nation, of the need to uphold the tenets of democracy. These include free speech, observance of civil liberties and the rule of law. It also includes the upholding of the ideals of democracy that are embedded in ensuring accountable institutions and the protection and promotion of human rights. Democracy in Nigeria has continued to suffer untold setbacks, heavily burdened by leadership failure which has brought about uncontrolled systemic corruption, high levels of insecurity, lack of freedom of speech, increasing poverty and unprecedented levels of hunger and hardship, These problems have not only remained unsolved but are growing geometrically. The democratic ideals of the nation have, sadly, continued to erode with time, and today, we can be classified as a captured state where the citizens have continued to suffer untold hardship, deprivation and insecurity while the political leadership feasts on state resources . In every measurement of true democracy, we have continued to rank low and perform badly, signalling a critical deficiency in our democratic system. With a democracy index score of 4.23, Nigeria ranks low on the Global Democracy Index, and in other indices of democracy. In the Corruption Perception Index, we are ranked 145th among the 180 countries measured, showing a high level of corruption in Nigeria. In Rule of Law Measurement, we are ranked 120 out of 142 countries measured in the World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index, showing that Nigeria suffers from gross disobedience to the rule of law. The 2024 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) described Nigeria as one of West Africa’s most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists. Freedom of speech is grossly suppressed and citizens are gagged from expressing their civic rights. On a day like this, may we pause and examine our democratic journey as a nation and strive to build our nation on the solid rock of true democracy where every Nigerian is given a voice and a fair hearing, irrespective of tribe, religion or political affiliation. This remains our commitment to the New Nigeria, and it is POssible. -PO
ABURE AN ORPHAN: ABANDONED BY OBIDIENT MOVEMENT, LABOUR PARTY, STAKEHOLDERS; GROUPS ENDORSE USMAN
ABURE AN ORPHAN, ABANDONED BY OBIDIENT MOVEMENT, LABOUR PARTY, STAKEHOLDERS; GROUPS ENDORSE USMAN Support groups made up of the Obidient Movement, Labour Party (LP) members and other support groups have endorsed the appointment of Senator Nenadi Usman as the caretaker national chairman of the party. In a statement co-signed by Eze Morrison Onyenmaechi and Dr Danjuma Sale, the groups noted that Nenadi made impact in Kaduna State and the country in general as a member of the presidential campaign council of the party in the 2023 election. Part of the statement read: “We, the support groups, the Great Obidients, and LP Stakeholders in the State stand firmly behind Sen. Nenadi Usman and pledge our unwavering support for her appointment as the chairman of the Labour Party national caretaker committee. “We are confident that she will utilize her skills and experience to reposition the Labour Party, organizing all-inclusive and expansive congresses at all levels – from the ward, local government, and state to the national convention. “We wish to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dist. Sen. Nenadi Usman on her well-deserved appointment as the chairman of the Labour Party national caretaker committee.” The group said Senator Usman’s unwavering support demonstrated through souvenirs such as wrappers, banners, face caps, T-shirts, and financial contributions not only in Kaduna but across the country was instrumental in galvanizing the support groups and the Obidient movement. The group further called on all members of the support groups, the Obidient movement, members and party leaders to unite in supporting the national caretaker committee under her leadership.
Dons Eze
- Foreign Affairs
- September 16, 2024
- 174 views
I’LL END UKRAINIAN WAR IN 24 HOURS – TRUMP, ZENLENSKY EXPRESSES DOUBT
I’LL END UKRAINIAN WAR IN 24 HOURS – TRUMP, ZENLENSKY EXPRESSES DOUBT Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has expressed skepticism about US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s vow to swiftly end the conflict with Russia, characterizing it as typical campaign rhetoric unlikely to be fulfilled. Trump has consistently asserted that, if re-elected, he would broker a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine “within 24 hours.” “Just get it done. All right. Negotiate a deal,” he said during last week’s presidential debate with his Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris retorted that Trump was planning to “just give up” on Ukraine, and went on to list her own efforts to secure military support for Kiev. However, Zelensky remains unconvinced, suggesting that such promises are mere electioneering and not grounded in reality. In an interview with CNN’s “Fareed Zakaria GPS” on Sunday, Zelensky played down Trump’s words. “My position is that election period and election messages are election messages. Sometimes they are not very real,” he said, adding that while Trump’s remarks “can make us, all our people nervous,” a conversation with the former president two months ago left a very different impression. “I had a phone call with Donald Trump, and he said that he’s very supportive and we had a good conversation,” he told the host as cited by Politico. In April 2022, Kiev and Moscow were close to finalizing a peace agreement in Istanbul, but the talks were broken off due to an intervention by Ukraine’s Western backers. Since then, Kiev has repeatedly stated that any talks should be based on Zelensky’s ten-point peace plan, which states that Russia must relinquish territories held by Ukraine prior to 2014. Moscow has rejected the idea as detached from reality. Last week, Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance suggested that Trump’s potential peace proposal would probably involve creating a demilitarized zone around the current line of contact and guaranteeing Ukraine’s neutrality, ideas that align with Russia’s main objectives. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, however, cast doubt on achieving a quick resolution to the conflict, saying that “anyone, who steps forward and says they could solve the Ukraine war in one day from the outside” needs to be questioned as to “whose side are they going to be solving it on.” Moscow has ruled out negotiations while Ukrainian forces remain in Russia’s Kursk Region, citing war crimes committed during the incursion in early August. Previously, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would order an immediate ceasefire if Ukraine were to abandon its NATO ambitions and territorial claims.
OGONI LEADERS WITHDRAW SUPPORT FOR FUBARA, RALLY BEHIND WIKE
OGONI LEADERS WITHDRAW SUPPORT FOR FUBARA, RALLY BEHIND WIKE Leaders from the Ogoni and Oyigbo zones have formally withdrawn their support for incumbent Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara ahead of the 2027 general elections. The leaders have instead thrown their weight behind the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, while urging political parties to consider an Ogoni/Oyigbo candidate for the governorship. The leaders gathered on Saturday in Nonwa, Tai Local Government Area, at an event tagged “Ogoni, Oyigbo People’s Assembly.” The assembly, which focused on fostering unity between the two ethnic zones, was heavily attended by politicians loyal to Wike, who remains locked in a bitter political feud with Fubara, his estranged protégé. Prominent personalities, including Senators Barinada Mpigi and Magnus Abe, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, and Chief Victor Giadom, attended the meeting. The group emphasized that after years of marginalization, it was time for Ogoni and Oyigbo to produce the next governor of Rivers State. Speaking on behalf of the assembly, Senator Mpigi declared, “The Ogoni and Oyigbo Peoples Assembly, a multi-political convergence of five Local Government Areas within the Rivers South-East Senatorial District, met today to reaffirm their support for the President Bola Tinubu-led administration and pledged total loyalty to the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike. “We also reiterate the obvious fact that the senatorial district’s upland is due for a governor and should produce the next governor of Rivers State come 2027.” Tensions between Wike and Governor Fubara have been mounting, with Wike publicly withdrawing his support for his former ally. Wike, who was instrumental in Fubara’s rise to power, has accused the governor of straying from their shared vision for the state. Wike’s loyalists have now aligned themselves with the push for an Ogoni or Oyigbo candidate, further isolating Fubara politically.
I WON’T FLEE NIGERIA LIKE TINUBU DID DURING ABACHA ERA – SOWORE
I WON’T FLEE NIGERIA LIKE TINUBU DID DURING ABACHA ERA – SOWORE The convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore, has declared that he will not stop coming to Nigeria even though his name is on the watchlist of the government. When addressing journalists shortly after he regained his freedom following his detention at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos State upon his arrest on Sunday, Sowore said he will not run away from Nigeria, unlike President Bola Tinubu, who fled the country in 1994 after being falsely accused by the military dictator Sani Abacha regime. Sowore was detained by the Nigeria Immigration Service at the airport on Sunday upon his arrival in Nigeria on the strength of a watchlist prepared by the Department of State Services (DSS). He was later released and allowed to go and his passport – which was initially seized – was returned to him. Sowore stated that he is not afraid of being targeted by the government and will continue to exercise his right to free movement in and out of Nigeria He criticised Tinubu for allegedly doing to protesters what was done to him in 1994 by a military regime and urged his fellow co-patriots to continue to fight for the liberation of Nigeria from the shackles of bad leadership. He said: “I am not bragging. I am not running away from anybody. It is either we get it right or we all perish. What I meant by perish is that if we don’t do anything about the situation of our country, we are all going to perish; these people are going to finish everybody. “A lot of people cannot believe that Bola Tinubu who was accused in 1994 falsely by the military of trying to bomb Ejigbo… is also doing the same thing to protesters. He was accused by Abacha and that was the reason he left the country. “But contrary to their own decision to leave, I am not leaving.” “I will continue to maintain my right to travel freely whether he puts me on watchlist or down list. Whichever list you want to put me on, it doesn’t matter. The most important thing is that we must save this country and liberate ourselves,” Sowore added.
FAMILY SEEKS PROPER RECOGNITION FOR LATE BRIGADIER GENERAL BENJAMIN ADEKUNLE
FAMILY SEEKS PROPER RECOGNITION FOR LATE BRIGADIER-GENERAL BENJAMIN ADEKUNLE The family of the late Brigadier General Benjamin Maja Adekunle, a.k.a Black Scorpion, has voiced their disappointment over what it called lack of adequate recognition for his contributions to Nigeria. Adekunle, Civil War hero and an Ogbomoso-born distinguished Nigerian Army officer, trained at the Sandhurst Military Academy. He died 10 years ago. He was renowned for his leadership in reclaiming the Delta and riverine areas from the Biafran forces during the Nigerian Civil war. Speaking with journalists during a Golf Kitty organised by the Adekunle family at Ogbomoso Recreation Club in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, on Saturday, the deceased veteran’s eldest child, Barr. (Mrs) Busola Olagunju, said the recognition for her late father was long overdue. She added that her father did his best for the country and there was the need for proper recognition for him. “My late father was a patriot who loved his country and sacrificed everything he had for the unity of this country. He was a good father, and we still miss up till today,” she stated. Asked how she wanted him to be properly immortalised, Barrister Olagunju said: “the same thing they did for other patriots and nationalists, by naming notable monuments, institutions, roads, etc, after them. Same thing could be done for him just for people to remember that such patriotic person existed. “I believe with time, some of the issues in the past will be corrected. We are hopeful that whatever the case may be, in future more recognition will be accorded him for his achievements and contributions to Nigeria.” Also speaking at the event, Brig. Gen. Sameul Gbenga Ladipo said: “I am happy that the family has put this together because for a long time Black Scorpion has not been given the recognition he deserved and I want to believe that charity begins at home. Now that Black Scorpion is being recognised at Ogbomosoland, in no distant future, Nigeria will accord him the recognition he deserves. “Brigadier General Benjamin Maja Adekunle is one of the heroes of the Nigerian Civil War, all these are well documented. However, you can hardly find any monument, road or a military installation named after him now that Ogbomoso has begin to recognise its own. I will suggest we name a major road after him, nothing can be too much to immortalise him,” he added. A retired Permanent Secretary at the Federal Civl Service, Sir Olusegun Adekunle, while expressing optimism that that late civil war hero would be given adequate recognition, said: “I believe that process is underway, there is no time that God cannot touch the heart of a leader to remind him of somebody who deserve to be honoured. It happened in the Bible and I am sure it will happen in our lifetime.” A nephew of the late warlord by the name Adekunle reminisced, saying: “He played great roles in my upbringing and my career. He loved the family and the nation. I am proud to be associated with him. This is a unique event because we are celebrating the 10th year remembrance anniversary and we are thanking God by putting this up. The Golf Kitty is to bring life into the kitty and it is sending a message that keeping alive is part of the legacies he left behind.” He said the family will take over the sponsorship of Hole 9 named after Brig-Adekunle by the Ogbomoso Golf Club and will be financing an annual golf tournament in his honour. For his part, Captain of the Ogbomoso Recreation Golf Club, Engineer Aderibigbe Adeyinka, said golfers from IBB Golf Club Abuja, Tiger Golf Club Ibadan, Ilorin Golf Club and others have arrived for the competition and prizes will…
DOUBTS OVER ATIKU, OBI, KWANKWASO MERGER TALKS
DOUBTS OVER ATIKU, OBI, KWANKWASO MERGER TALKSThere’s an indication that the much discussed merger talk among the trio of Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso, which will see the opposition united against the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, might not sail through after all.The sign emerged recently after Kwankwaso, presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, in the last general election, declared he will win the 2027 presidential election.The NNPP leader made the outburst when he recently inaugurated the party’s secretariat in Katsina State.He was also in the State for a condolence visit to the Yar’Adua family over the death of their matriarch, Hajiya Dada, the mother of late President Umaru Yar’adua.The former Kano state Governor, who had been courted as a beautiful bride by both Atiku and Obi, maintained that his party, NNPP, is ready to take over the presidency, states and other positions across the country come 2027.In addition to his declaration, Kwankwaso claimed that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is already dead, and had gone out of the line.“I wish to remind you that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is already dead, because we were in the party, since they have gone out of the line, we decided to check out,” he said.Prior to Kwankwaso’s outburst, the PDP had announced that key opposition leaders were exploring a merger to challenge the APC in the 2027 elections.Ibrahim Abdullahi, PDP’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, made this known while speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme.Abdullahi confirmed that Atiku, Obi, and Kwankwaso were discussing a potential alliance.He lamented that the party lost by over one million votes, adding that if Kwankwaso or Obi had remained with the party, “We could have closed that gap and avoided the current political and economic hardships.”“Sure. Discussion is ongoing. You’ve seen Peter Obi discussing with Atiku. You’ve seen Peter Obi meeting with El-Rufai,” Abdullahi said, adding that his party was working to bring Obi, Kwankwaso, and other leaders that had left back into the PDP“One of them will concede for the others, and then we will have a direction. Our concern as a party and to these people that I have mentioned is to salvage Nigerians from these despair and despondency—the two maladies of hunger and poverty and frightening insecurity in the land. “You could see cluelessness and ineptitude on the part of those managing the country. And to these people (Atiku, Obi, and Kwankwaso), salvaging Nigeria out of it is more important than their individual ambitions,” he added.Before the 2023 general election, the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku, had, in an interview with the BBC, given a hint of a possible alliance with Obi and Kwankwaso but it never happened.In addition, there was also a failed talk over an alliance between Peter Obi (LP) and Rabiu Kwankwaso (NNPP), on the other hand.Speaking in an interview with News Central Television, which aired on Thursday, Obi said he’s not desperate to become Nigeria’s President.He said he would only agree to work together with others if he sees people who can do the work better.According to him, he will not join just anybody for the purposes of state capture or for winning elections.Obi’s words: “Quite frankly, for me, I am not desperate to be Nigeria’s President. I am desperate to see Nigeria work.“If I see people who can do the work better, I will. I have even heard people who are saying I should not come out in 2027, and I said to them ‘offer yourselves, then we will put everybody on a scale. If they are better, I will vote for them.”When asked if he will stay with the Labour Party if he’s contesting in the next election, Obi said: “Yes, I will be here, and if…
281 MISSING FROM BORNO CORRECTIONAL CENTRE AFTER FLOOD
281 MISSING FROM BORNO CORRECTIONAL CENTRE AFTER FLOOD Some of the missing inmatesThe Nigerian Correctional Service has declared 281 inmates missing from the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. The service noted that this followed an evacuation process in the aftermath of the flood incident in the state, as seven inmates were returned to the centre. In a statement on Sunday in Abuja by its spokesman, Umar Abubakar, the service released the details of the inmates, including their biometrics. Abubakar said, “The Nigerian Correctional Service has observed the flooding currently being experienced in Maiduguri, Borno State, and its environment. “The unfortunate incident has left scars, bringing down the walls of the correctional facilities, including the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Maiduguri (MSCC), as well as the staff quarters in the City. “Upon the evacuation of inmates by officers of the service with support from sister security agencies to a safe and secure facility, 281 inmates were observed to be missing.” He, however, added that “it is important to note that the service is in custody of their details, including their biometrics, which is being made available to the public below. “The service is working in synergy with other security agencies as both covert and overt deployments have been activated to look out for them. “Presently, a total of seven inmates have been recaptured and returned to custody, while efforts are on ground to track down the rest and bring them back to safe custody.” “While this effort is on, the public is assured that the incidence does not impede or affect public safety.”
LP CRISIS: ABURE’S TENURE HAS EXPIRED – INEC
LP CRISIS: ABURE’S TENURE EXPIRED – INEC The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has asked the Federal High Court Abuja to dismiss a suit filed by the Labour Party challenging the exclusion of the party from a refresher training organized by the Commission for uploading party agents in the upcoming Ondo State governorship election. In a counter affidavit deposed to by Ayuba Mohammed, an Executive Officer in INEC’s Litigation and Prosecution Department in suit NO. FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024, the electoral body maintained that based on its records, Julius Abure’s tenure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party, along with the party’s National Executive Committee, expired in June 2024. INEC claimed it did not monitor, participate in, or recognize the purported National Convention of the Labour Party held on March 27, 2024 in Anambra State where Abure claimed to have been re-elected. The Commission argued that the convention was conducted in breach of the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022, and the Labour Party Constitution 2019. Citing its regulations, INEC stated that it only deals with valid and subsisting national chairmen and secretaries of political parties in issuing notices and correspondence. As of August 16, 2024, when the refresher training notice was issued, the Commission asserted that the Labour Party had no valid national chairman or secretary, as their tenures had elapsed in June 2024. In a written address in support of the counter affidavit, INEC’s legal team, led by Tanko Inuwa, SAN, argued that the Labour Party’s suit is seeking declaratory reliefs, which cannot be granted as a matter of course or based on mere admissions. They contended that the Labour Party must succeed on the strength of its own case, even in the face of admissions. The Commission’s lawyers further submitted that having failed to comply with the extant legal frameworks in conducting its national convention, the Labour Party does not have a valid leadership that INEC can engage with. They urged the court to dismiss the suit, insisting that the Labour Party is not entitled to the reliefs sought.
WHY I VISITED IBB MINNA
WHY I VISITED IBB IN MINNA – OBASANJO Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has explained why he visited ex-Military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida in Minna, Niger State, on Sunday. Obasanjo, former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, General Aliyu Gusau, visited Babangida at his Hill Top residence in Minna and held a closed door meeting. Our correspondent in Minna gathered that Obasanjo arrived Minna International Airport in Golf Steam 5 Aircraft at about 4:30pm and drove straight to General Babangida’s residence where he joined Abdulsalami and Gusau. A source familiar with the visit said the four elder statesmen held a closed door meeting that lasted for about an hour after which Obasanjo left Minna around 6:20pm. The source said the meeting might not be unconnected with pressing national issues that bordered on the current economic challenges. “The meeting might not be unconnected with national issues especially the current hardship being faced by Nigerians. But I am not confirming to you what was discussed.” “Obasanjo arrived Minna in company of 10 people and he drove straight to IBB’s residence. He was joined by General Abdulsalami Abubakar and General Aliyu Gusau. The former president came in a chattered aircraft and landed at Minna Airport”, he said. However, Obasanjo in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Sunday night, explained that he visited IBB to felicitate with him on his birthday. IBB clocked 83 on August 17. A statement signed by his Media Aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, explained that Obasanjo could not pay a visit to IBB last month “because of his busy schedules outside the country.” The statement indicated that Obasanjo earlier on Sunday paid a similar visit to the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion in Benin, Edo state, to felicitate with him on his 90th birthday celebration. “After the celebration in Benin, the former President proceeded to Minna in Niger State to visit President Ibrahim Babangida, who celebrated his 83rd birthday on August 17. President Obasanjo noted the contributions of President Babangida and celebrated his good health. “In his remarks, Obasanjo said he could not do this earlier as he was outside the country. He prayed for continued good health for the President,” the statement said.