Jibrin From Sudan, Atiku From Cameroon, No One Is A Nigerian, By Fredrick Nwabufo

April 13, 2019

Before 1914, the geographical space called Nigeria existed in bifurcation – the northern and southern protectorates. And before the British savaged and carved out the area for immanent exploitation, there were thriving kingdoms, ethnic groups, cultures, traditions, and civilisations.

In the stout bushes of the eastern section of the lower Niger, a republican system of government, more organised than that of the ancient city-states of Greece, flourished among the Igbo people. There were sacerdotal institutions upon which the society pivoted. And the people never referred to themselves as “Nigerians”, which is originally an alien appellation and colonial tag.

And in the western plains of the lower Niger, a form of constitutional monarchy, more polished than that of the British, burgeoned among the Yoruba people. There was a sophisticated system of checks and balance, a boisterous culture and civilisation. But these people never referred to themselves as “Nigerians”.

In the hills and archipelagos of the upper Niger area, a disciplined monarchical system flourished among the Hausa people. And they never regarded themselves as “Nigerians”. In fact, they fought one of the bloodiest battles against the progenitors of “Nigeria”.

Casting off pretension, the founding fathers – Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo and Ahmadu Bello did not operate in the consciousness of “Nigeria” because the construction was not organic. They acted in cognizance of their “nativity”.

In 1947, in his book, ‘Path to Nigeria Freedom’, Awolowo expressed concern about the artificiality of the colonial heritage. He said: “Nigeria is not a nation; it is a mere geographical expression. There are no Nigerians in the same sense as there are English or Welsh or French. The word Nigeria is merely a distinctive appellation to distinguish those who live within the boundaries of Nigeria from those who do not.”

Taking inspiration from Awolowo, “there are no Nigerians” in the true sense of the word. Nevertheless, owing to today’s realities, it is convenient to describe those occupying the “Niger area” as Nigerians.

However, Awolowo’s statement should not be construed as an expression of hopelessness in Nigeria’s unity. In fact, he was advancing reasons for unity and why each entity within Nigeria must be allowed to grow at its own pace.

But is Atiku Abubakar Nigerian or Cameroonian? In my essay, ‘Nnamdi Kanu is right; Atiku’s Adamawa was in northern Cameroon’, I had expounded a historical argument about his origins.

I said: “On 11 February 1961, a plebiscite was held in British Cameroons to determine which parts of the territory would stay in Cameroon or align with Nigeria. While northern Cameroon favoured a union with Nigeria, southern Cameroon wanted an alignment with the mother country. On 1 June, 1961, northern Cameroon became part of Nigeria, and on 1 October 1961, the southern territory dissolved into Cameroon.

And really, much of the present day Adamawa state in Nigeria is part of the old northern Cameroon. In fact, there is a region called “Adamawa” in Cameroon today. And even the kingdom of the Lamido of Adamawa stretches into Cameroon. Atiku’s hometown, Jada, was a part of Ganye, which was the headquarters of the British Cameroons.”

However, it is ludicrous to allege that a man who became Nigeria’s vice-president, who has lived, invested and paid tax in the country for years is not a citizen. And by the way, northern Cameroon was constitutionally wedded with Nigeria in “holy matrimony”.

But when it comes down to it, no one is really a Nigerian. Awolowo says so.

Fredrick is a media personality.

Twitter: @FredrickNwabufo

Result Atiku Presented Was Fabricated, INEC To Tribunal

April 13, 2019

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC has told the Presidential Electoral Tribunal that the result which the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and it’s Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar claimed to have retrieved from its internet server was fabricated.

In its response to the result which Atiku presented to the Tribunal to show that he won the just concluded presidential election, the electoral umpire’s filing at the tribunal partly reads: “Further to the foregoing, the website described as www.factsdontlieng.com was neither created nor owned by the 1st Respondent (INEC). It is a site not known to the 1st Respondent.

“The 1st Respondent does not share information with such an unclassified entity and any information purportedly derived therefrom which does not accord with the result as declared by the 1st Respondent is not authentic but rather was invented for the purpose of this case.

“The 1st Respondent (INEC) did not adopt electronic transmission or collation of results in the conduct of the election, voting by electronic means not having been adopted as a provision of the Electoral Act. The 1st Respondent specifically denies the existence of electronic transmission of results as it is unknown to the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) and Regulations and Guidelines for the conduct of the elections, 2019, and put the Petitioners to the strictest of proof thereof.”

While the official result declared by INEC showed that President Muhammadu Buhari scored 15,191,847 votes to defeat Atiku who got 11,262,978 votes, the PDP candidate claimed that the server result he obtained showed that he scored a total of 18,356,732 votes to defeat President Buhari, who allegedly got 16,741,430 votes.

APC’s Claim That I’m Not A Nigerian Is Laughable – Atiku

Editorial staff

April 13, 2019

Presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has described the claim by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) that he is not a Nigerian as laughable.

He said that the APC position, which it filed as its defense in his petition to the Presidential electoral tribunal on the rigged 2019 election “is so pedestrian and shows such straw clutching desperation on their part, that I shall not dignify it with an answer. Our lawyers would, of course, do the needful in court.

“But the point I want to draw the attention of Nigerians to is that both the APC and its candidate have by this infantile logic admitted to the fact that they trampled on the will of Nigerians and that their only defence is to attempt an unconstitutional redefinition of the term ‘Nigerian.”

In a statement by his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku said that he has verifiable and incontrovertible evidence to show that the last Presidential elections were fraudulent, not credible and did not reflect the will of the Nigerian people.

He said that he has been vindicated by the response of the All Progressives Congress and its candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari, to his petition to the Electoral Tribunal hearing the petition he filed.

Atiku said that he based his case on facts and statistical evidence and challenged both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC, to disprove his factual submissions.

“The fact that the APC chose to base its defence on the ridiculous assertion that the Waziri Adamawa is not a Nigerian should show to Nigerians the type of characters we have in the APC and its government, whose legitimacy runs out on May 29, 2019.

“I am, however, confident in the Nigerian judiciary, as well as in the Nigerian people. I trust that the Tribunal will treat such a claim with the contempt it deserves. We must maintain our fidelity to the rule of law and to our fountain of origin, the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended).”

Atiku said that he had served the nation diligently in various capacities, from the civil service, where he rose through merit, to the top of his chosen field, to public service, where he was the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

According to him, he has committed his assets and talents to developing the nation through the provision of tens of thousands of direct jobs and hundreds of thousands of indirect jobs.

“I make bold to state that those who have made Nigeria the world headquarters for extreme poverty are the very people whose Nigerianness should be in doubt, and not a man, who worked with President Olusegun Obasanjo to double the per capita Income of our nation in less than eight years.”

Don’t Chase Erring Motorists, FRSC Cautions Personnel

Editorial staff

April 13, 2019

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has cautioned its personnel against chasing erring motorists no matter the traffic offence committed.

The FRSC Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem, gave the warning in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He was reacting to media reports of an accident on Friday in Ibadan following a chase by FRSC officers.

Kazeem said that the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, frowned at the incident.

“The Corps Marshal, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, condemned the act as it is our rule that officers should not chase any erring motorist.

“Rather the vehicle number should be taken and the offender will in no time be arrested through our drivers’ licence portal.

“As a paramilitary agency investigation must be carried out and if the officers are found guilty, they will be dealt with accordingly,” Kazeem said.

Buhari Worries Over Illegal flow Of Arms Into Nigeria

Editorial staff

April 13, 2019

President Buhari participates at the Extra Ordinary Session of the Conference of Heads of State of CEN-SAD in N’Djamena Chad on 13th April 2019 | State House photo

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed worry over the increasing infiltration of illegal arms into the Nigerian soil, stressing the need for wider cooperation among countries of Sahel and Saharan regions to counter the threat.

The president made the call today, Saturday at the one-day Extraordinary Session of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD) in N’Djamena, the Chadian capital

The Nigerian leader maintained that the call had become imperative as such illegal arms were flowing into ”the hands of militia forces, bandits and insurgents who are becoming a threat to human rights and internal security.

According to him, his administration has worked closely with immediate neighbours in the last few years to stem the widespread availability of small arms and light weapons making their way into Nigeria.

He, however, noted that the “very disturbing recent developments” had impelled the administration to seek support from a wider circle of countries if the illegal inflows are to be curtailed.

Malam Garba Shehu, Presidential spokesman said in a statement that ”the President is also putting on the table for discussions, the problems of irregular migration, trafficking in persons, especially of women and children as part of the security nature of his engagements.

While in N’Djamena, President Buhari is also expected to press for the protection of the well-being of the large population of Nigerians living both legally and illegally in Libya, which is the host country of the CEN-SAD

President Buhari alongside his host and current Chairperson of CEN-SAD, Idriss Deby and their counterparts from Niger and Togo, with high-level representations from other member-countries are expected to issue a communique at the end of the summit.

Why Leah Sharibu Is Still In Boko Haram Captivity – Buhari

Editorial staff

April 13, 2019

President Muhammadu has explained why Leah Sharibu, the girl who was kidnapped last year from Science Secondary School Dapchi, Yobe state is still in Boko Haram captivity.

In a statement by the senior special assistance on media to President, Garba Shehu, said the fear of Nigeria’s military by the terrorists is what is making her release a complicated and prolonged affair.

“The interlocutors have reported encouraging progress so far,” Shehu said in a commemorative statement marking five years of the abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok, neighbouring Borno state.

“The report reaching us says her return to her family has unfortunately been hindered by the fear of the militants.

“They worry that heavy military presence in areas where they previously moved about freely could affect their safety after they return her to the government.

“At the same time, the military cannot jeopardise the security of the entire north-eastern region by halting their operations to accommodate Boko Haram’s fears.

“Leah Sharibu will be reunited with her family as soon as any conclusions are reached on a number of options being considered for her safe transportation.

“The success of the Nigerian military in subduing Boko Haram is evidenced by the large numbers of militants who have surrendered recently, especially in neighbouring Cameroon and Niger.

“A similar mass surrender of militants is expected to happen soon in Nigeria.

“While Nigerian military operations are ongoing, the government is also engaging with the militants but the talks have been affected by the factionalisation of Boko Haram – with one group adopting a hard line attitude and intensifying attacks on Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad, and another group engaging with the government for peaceful resolution.

“President Buhari also uses this opportunity of the commemoration of the Chibok tragedy to commend the girls, now women, who have triumphed over it all.”

Leah Sharibu, was kidnapped February in 2018 by Boko Haram terrorists, along with scores of schoolgirls from the Science Secondary School in Dapchi, Yobe state.

All the other girls were released, except Sharibu, who reports said had refused to recant her faith, as a christian.

The kidnap had since been turned into a religious matter by some pastors and Christian leaders.

Experts Assuage Fear Of Tsunami In Indonesia

Editorial staff

April 12, 2019

A tsunami warning issued after a 6.8 magnitude quake struck off Sulawesi Island in Indonesia has been lifted.

The country’s geophysics agency had earlier placed the warning for about 40 minutes.

The experts issued the alert today, Friday, by asking people to evacuate to higher ground after the quake stuck off the coast of its island of Sulawesi.

“It is clear that the quake has tsunami potential,” geophysics agency spokesman Taufan Maulana said.

“Residents are advised to evacuate as soon possible.”

Rumour Of Fuel Scarcity In Nigeria Is Work Of Mischief Makers – NNPC

Editorial staff

April 12, 2019

NNPC Group managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has described the rumours making the rounds about fuel scarcity in the country as the work of mischief makers.

The Corporation’s Group Public Affairs General Manager, Ndu Ughamadu, said: “the tale is fabricated by mischief makers with intent to create undue panic in the prevailing sanity in the fuel supply and distribution matrix across the country.”

The Corporation’s verified Twitter handle signed by Ndu Ughamadu, insisted that the rumour of fuel scarcity is fake news even as it called on members of the public to discountenance such rumoured.

“@NNPCgroup has once again appealed to Nigerians to disregard trending social media report of an impending fuel scarcity due to purported refusal by some oil marketers to lift products from deports,” the statement said.

NNPC made it clear that as at now, it has over one billion litres of petrol in stock and that there is no need for people to hoard fuel, even as he stressed that fuel price still remains the same N145 per litre.

The spokesman said that there are 48 vessels of 50mln litres each that have been committed for April 2019, saying that there is no need for “panic buying or hoarding of petroleum products in anticipation of a phantom scarcity.”

APC Challenges In Court, Nigerian Citizenship Of Atiku, Says He’s Cameroonian

Editorial staff

April 12, 2019

The All Progressive Congress (APC) has filed a motion at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja challenging the Nigerian citizenship of the Presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

In a petition filed by its lead counsel, Lateef Fagbemi, the Party faulted the candidacy of Atiku in the election, saying that Atiku is a Cameroonian and not a Nigerian citizen.

The APC said that contrary to his assertion in his petition, he (Atiku) had no right to be voted for as a candidate in the election to the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria held on February 23, 2019.

The party averred that by reason of Atiku not having qualified to contest the election, all votes purportedly cast for him and the PDP in the February 23 election are wasted votes.

The APC said that the petition by Atiku against President Muhammadu Buhari, its own candidate in the March Presidential election, should therefore be dismissed for lacking in merit.

The petition read: “The 11.1 million votes recorded in favor of the two petitioners should be voided and considered a waste by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

“The Party averred that Atiku was born on November 25, 1946 in Jada, Adamawa, in Northern Cameroon and is, therefore, a citizen of Cameroon and not a Nigerian by birth.

“Prior to 1919, Cameroon was being administered by Germany and that following the defeat of Germany in World War 1, which end d in 1918, Cameroon became part of a League of Nations mandate territory which consisted of French Cameroon and British Cameroon in 1919.

“In 1961, a plebiscite was held in British Cameroon to determine whether the people preferred to stay in Cameroon or align with Nigeria.

“While Northern Cameroon preferred a union with Nigeria, the Southern Cameroon chose alignment with the mother country and that it was as a result of the plebiscite that Northern Cameroon, which included Adamawa, became a part of Nigeria.”

APC also faulted the allegations of non-compliance with relevant laws made by Atiku and PDP

The party, therefore, prayed the tribunal to uphold the victory of its candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, who polled 15,191,347 to emerge winner and his subsequent declaration as president-elect by INEC while also urging that the petition against the victory should be dismissed for having no cause of action.

With President Buhari, Nigeria Is In Good Hand – Equatorial Guinea

Editorial staff

April 12, 2019

Equatorial Guinea has expressed gratitude to God that it is Muhammadu Buhari that was voted by Nigerians in the recent election to continue as President for the next four years.

The country, via its Ambassador Job Obiang Esono Mbengono, said: “Nigeria is in good hands, and we are happy.”

Ambassador Job Obiang Esono Mbengono, who paid a farewell visit to President Buhari today, Friday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, conveyed the best wishes of his home President, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo to President Buhari.

Ambassador Mbengono acknowledged that Nigeria made great impact on his life, as he learnt a lot “about this big and important country,” adding that the people are very friendly and warm.

This was even as President Buhari assured that Nigeria will always cooperate with its neighbors and lend helping hand as necessary.

The President said that Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea have always identified with each other, “and we will continue to maintain good neighborliness.”

He expressed joy that the outgoing Ambassador had spent nine years here and is going away with a lot of knowledge of the people’s culture quite well.

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