Two former governors of Abia State, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu and Chief TA Orji, attacked themselves with words over who did what during their tenures at different times.

The two former state chef executives launched attack on each other during the burial ceremony of the former Secretary to the Government (SSG), Dr Elekwachi Nwogbo at the Ntalakwu Secondary School, Oboro, in Ikwuano Local Government Area, venue of the burial

Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, who stormed the venue of the burial with his brother, Mascot Uzor Kalu and bus loads of his supporters, praised the departed man and said that while he (Uzor Kalu) was governor, the late Dr Nwogbo helped him to ensure that workers and pensioners were taken care of instead of suffering with no hope.

He said that Abia State stopped working after he left the government and since then no other Governor has been able to do as well as he did.

However, the immediate past Governor of the State and Senator representing Abia central senatorial zone, Senator T .A Orji, praised the work ethics of the departed former SSG who worked with him while he was serving as Chief of Staff in the government, led by Orji Uzor Kalu.

Senator Orji who attended the event with his wife also launched a counter attack by saying: “if there is nothing else, I achieved as Governor of Abia State. I can at least, beat my chest and say I ended idol worship in this state.

“On my watch, Commissioners and appointees didn’t have to go to Okija or any other shrine to pledge allegiance to me and my mother or wife. Even the inherited debts and outstanding salaries/pensions were largely settled and I left the state as one of the least indebted in the country while adding many legacy projects that Abia people are enjoying to date.

“It is on record that I am the only elected former Governor of this state that our people massively elected to represent them at the senate whereas others have tried many times and were rejected by our people.”

Both political gladiators received loud applauses from their supporters at the event which featured the Who is who in Abia politics from 1999 to date. [myad]

A group known of indigenes of Anambra State, under the umbrella of Anambra Peoples Assembly (APA), has concluded that there are no men in Igbo land to denounce the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and his struggle for secession.

The group made it clear that Anambra people will participate in the forthcoming governorship election in the state and warned Biafra agitators to maintain a distance from the state.

In a statement signed by its coordinator, Mazi Nnamdi Okorafor, the group noted that the people of Anambra State are law-abiding and will not be dragged along by any individual or group of persons.

“I will assume that there are no men in Igbo land, if we allow a small boy to drag all of us into war against Nigeria through hate speech.

“Nnamdi Kanu is making a fool of himself, very soon his paymasters will distance themselves from him. He and his illiterate minions will be dancing alone in the market square Unclad. Being Igbo does not mean you are an IPOB member, neither does being an IPOB leader makes you the leader of the Igbos.

“Let truth be told. But with due respect to the right thinking and illustrious sons and daughters of Abia State. Let me ask these questions, When did an Abia man become wiser than the Anambra man to warrant a confusionist like Nnamdi Kanu to order Anambra people not to vote while his Abia governor is still on seat?”

“Why would the good, wise and hard-working Anambra sons and daughters listen to a guy man who kept his wife and kids in London come here to suggest what is capable of destroying the lives of young Anambra youths. Anambra people should not allow anybody to toy with their future and destiny,” Okorafor added.

“We agree that self-determination is the right of every person or group in Nigeria, that being said. We hereby declare that Anambra state has distanced self from Biafra struggle. All Biafra activists and agitators are warned to leave Anambra and return to their various states of origin.

“We are too big to be dragged along by any person or group of persons. Anambra state indigenes and lawful residents will register and participate fully in the forthcoming governorship elections of November 2017 in the state.” [myad]

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has forewarned tax evaders in Nigeria that they have some few months to begin to pay taxes to the government after which they would be treated as economic saboteurs and tax defaulters.

He stressed that after some months grace: “we will consider those who have failed to take advantage of this offer or who have declared falsely, to be willful tax defaulters and economic saboteurs. We will then proceed with aggressive investigation with a view to criminal prosecution. We will also publish a tax defaulters list to name and shame those refusing to do the right thing.”

Acting President Osinbajo who spoke today when he launched Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) at the Presidential Villa Abuja said that VAIDS scheme will be operated from July 1st 2017 to 31st March 2018 and that it will be supported by an executive order that he signed into law today (Thursday).

According to him, VAIDS will offer a once in a lifetime opportunity to those in default

to regularise their tax affairs, adding that this is an offer in the spirit of national reconciliation and rebuilding that should be taken as such.

“ In addition, because we understand that some tax payers may have challenges raising tax. We have built in a system that will allow those owing to pay over a period of time, subject to conditions.

Professor Osinbajo made it clear that the issue of accountability for tax revenue is one that this

government is fully ready and able to address.

“In our war on waste and inefficiency at all levels, we have positioned ourselves to ensure that

tax revenues will be a driver of real lasting progress. Based on information on tax evasion that is now available, our personal preference is that those who have diverted Nigeria’s legitimate tax revenues abroad or concealed them at home, should taste the full force of the law.

“However the extent of noncompliance, coupled with the urgent need to revive the economy has persuaded all of our policy makers that we adopt the pragmatic approach of declaring a time

limited programme of the VAIDS.

He said that available data showed that many companies have distorted the ancient account concept of double entry and now maintain two or three sets of books; one for the tax man, showing low revenues and high expenses and another set showing the reverse, even as others collude with tax officials to fraudulently understate their obligations to government.

“Some have charged VAT and not remitted it to the FIRS. Others have deducted taxes from employees salaries and pocketed the sum.

“Tax evasion is of course not a uniquely Nigerian practice. Some multi nationals have used pricing and profit shifting to rob Nigeria of its share of the revenue generated within this nation.

“For the last fifteen months, a high level team has been working with the ministry of finance undertaking a major data mining exercise. The project was called project Light House and has been able to search various databases including but not limited to bank verification numbers.

“Corporate Affairs Commission, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, land registry records, vehicle registration records, immigration and travel records and of course, whistle blowers tips to stop cash flows. The project has also engaged a retainership of one of the World’s leading asset tracing firms. Nigeria has also solicited and obtained input from various nations who have availed us with data under the many conventions and treaties we have signed. The project has been able to create accurate financial profiles of many thousands of Nigerian companies and individuals which shows levels of noncompliance. [myad]

The National Economic Council (NEC) rose from its monthly meeting at the Presidential Villa today, Thursday, advising governors of the 36 states of the federation to take measure to execute convicted criminals in their various prisons as a way of decongesting the facilities.

The governors were also advised to consider commuting the death sentences of some of the condemned criminals to life imprisonment for the same purpose.

Speaking to news men shortly after the meeting, which was presided over by the acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the minister of interior, retired General Abdulrahman Dambazau, said: “the governors and NEC agreed that the governors should either sign their dead sentences or commute them as they wish because they also serve as a risk if a judgment is delivered but the governors are not taking action on that.”

The Minister also made it clear that they are beginning to do some prison farms and farm equipment and some of these prisoners that are available and could move freely could be engaged in agricultural programmes. [myad]

Imo State Governor and the Chairman, All Progressive Peoples (APC) Governors Forum, Chief Rochas Okorocha has condemned the claim by the Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose, that President Muhammadu Buhari has been on life-support in a London hospital, describing such claim as a statement of hate.

“In our culture and tradition, we do not play politics with people’s lives and anybody can be sick; anybody can be in the hospital, and so making such categorical statement which is unfounded that Mr. President is on life support, is to the best of my knowledge a statement of hate.

“That is a cheap talk and Nigerians should not regard it. What we should do right now is to pray for Mr. President, wish him well; anybody can be sick. Even as he is sick out there, many people have been sick in Nigeria, so  we should not politicize this and play politics with people’s lives and try to create hate and confusion in the system.”

Governor Okorocha, who was answering questions from news men covering the Presidency at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, said that it had become Fasoye’s style to talk about things that are capable of causing confusion and hate.

“Nigerians must never take that kind of talk serious.”

The Imo chief executives said that though Nigeria has been passing through a very difficult time, but that many great nations of the world have passed through similar circumstances before getting to their point of greatness.

He argued that Nigeria will not be an exemption even as he advised Nigerians to see this time as a trying period for Nigeria which he said, shall overcome.

“So this is the time to preach love; this is the time to love one another. This is the time to embrace one another; this is the time to preach peace, especially on more of the things that unite us as a people and talk not at all about the things that will divide us.”

Part of Governor Okorocha’s interaction is reproduced here:

“The Acting President is doing a beautiful job; he is meeting up the daily duties of Mr. President and there are no vacuums and so there is no cause for alarm. We must at this point give every support to Mr. President and we are hoping that very soon, Mr. President will come back and join us.

So that statement (of Fayose) is a call for concern. I do not know if he is speaking from the point of view of being the chairman of the PDP governor’s forum or he is speaking as a person or as a governor. I do not understand but whatever it is, people must disregard this statement.

We are not in campaign any more. President Muhammadu Buhari suffered a lot of campaign when he was running for president. First his health should be left only for God to decide, it is not for man to decide his fate. President Buhari came into power under an unusual circumstances to defeat an incumbent president which  is very uncommon in our political history. So I believe his health is in the hands of God and nobody should play politics with it. This is my advice to Nigerians. Let us focus on majors issues that concern us as a nation.

On that note, I appeal that everyone should disregard that statement. Mr. President will soon be back to commence his daily duties.”

On the issue of Nigeria’s unity.

“Well, we have all agreed that Nigeria remains a united and indissoluble country. But we must never take this unity of Nigeria for granted. We are better off a bigger nation; we are better off as one nation. We are going through problems but these problems do not mean they cannot surmount. We cannot afford to divide ourselves now, it will be an ill wind that will blow anyone no good.

So I support that; the governors’ forum support that, the APC governors support the unity of this country. We have deliberated on it and we are all proud of ourselves. None of us has spoken otherwise asking for division of this country, so Nigeria still remains united.

But one point is clear that we owe our youths, this generation and the future generation, a duty of care and we must bequeath to them legacy of unity to them and not legacy of division. We may have made mistakes as a nation but let us begin to correct them. What is important now is not about ourselves but our children and their children’s children. So we should see Nigeria beyond this period and see Nigeria in view of 100 years to come. Only then will we appreciate the effort and amount of work before us that we must do to get things right and prepare the future for our children.”

Fayose called for the President to resign. What’s your reaction?

“Well, I have just said that even the speculation he is making is wrong; it is unfounded. And if anybody is to speak about the President’s health, Fayose does not have the qualification to speak for the nation on whether Mr. President should resign or stay. It is not in our culture; it is not in our tradition. We sympathize with those who go through pains of ill-health, but we don’t wish them dead. We wish them well. And Mr. President’s office is properly taken care of by Mr. Acting President of Nigeria until Mr. President comes back home and continues his work and finishes his term. But to say he should resign is cheap talk and does not make sense in anyway.”

People say Mr. President is being treated with tax payers’ money and they demand accountability and full disclosure of his health issues. Don’t you believe that this is necessary?

“Well, let’s say to you that if there is an announcement that President Buhari today lacks money to treat himself abroad, believe me, more than 20 million Nigerians will contribute for his health. So this is neither here nor there. You must understand what he represents and who he is. President Buhari naturally does not lack funds. He has never owns funds himself but people support him if the need be. He lives for the people. Buhari must be seen as a great Nigerian who has made most sacrifice in many ramifications. You can see that from his family, you can see that from his children. He is not a man of wealth neither does he discuss it. Anytime he needs money, I’m sure millions of Nigerians will contribute even if is one kobo per head. So it is neither here nor there, talking about using national resources. He is the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and we must honour our President. It is that office; that office belongs to all of us.

It is very funny when people try to bring down the office of the President thinking that they are bringing down Buhari. There are two different issue, there is presidency and there is the person of Buhari but when it has to do with Nigeria’s presidency it concerns all of us. And we will take it out on any nation that insults our president but we can forgive anybody that insults Muhammadu Buhari as an individual but the Presidency of Nigeria is sacred and we must protect it.”

On Nnamdi Kanu…

“You must understand the position of a thing and what has created this hullabaloo. Nnamdi Kanu was a breakaway from MOSSOP. So it is agitation upon agitation.

Nnamdi Kanu is a young man seeking relevance,  agitating for whatever he believes in, what he stands for must be treated separately from the entire Igbo nation. The question is does Nnamdi Kanu have the capacity to lead Igbos to war? Or lead me and the governors to war? So I will stand now and Nnamdi Kanu will tell me stand up let’s go to war? So sometimes we over dramatize issue just to make a big deal out of it and that has been the big challenge.

Like the gentleman that spoke for the Arewa youths, and these are not more than 17 young men speaking for millions of Arewa youths and it doesn’t make sense because if you ask any Arewa youth now whether he is part of this, he will tell you no. We don’t have that wisdom of narrowing things to the perspective where they belong but we like to enlarge it to create the confusion that we all enjoy and the confusion of not well taken care of will consume Nigeria one day. And that is what some of us are trying to avoid.

So the issue of Nnamdi Kanu should be treated as a young man agitating and seeking for relevance, these are two different issues. And he can ride on the back of supposed Igbo marginalization which has been said is not right, and ride on that sentiments and push his agenda but that does not mean that he is speaking for the entire Igbos.

I was in Chatham House and I remember how I was attacked by the IPOB boys when I was delivering my lecture. They walked up to me and they were shouting and I said calm down and the young man has never visited Nigeria. So it is our duty to call our younger ones to order but I want to assure Nigerians that they should not see that as a break but agitation given what they perceived that the South East has been neglected overtime politically, economically, socially and all that. Their roads are impassable; you cannot pass Port Harcourt road, Enugu road, Aba Road, Bayelsa road and all the roads. You can hardly see federal government presence in the South East. All the things you see are self-made things. So, this is a mix up. So he speaks his own and joins it with our issues and it now looks like a nationwide thing. That is not the issue.

We have called for unity and have agreed that we will remain united. Very soon, some of us have taken it upon ourselves to reach out to this young men and talk to them. We must understand that our young men are being frustrated. If they are as comfortable as we are they will not be able to say those things.

So whether we like it or not, this nation must make provision for the future generation who are now IT compliant, social media compliant, who have now access all the goodies in the world without touching it. They smell it but can’t feel it so they are asking why. So you can understand their frustration and so they no longer want to take the stories from us; they want to show that they are the people right now. Even in families right now, my children want to push me out of the system, when you are talking they say no, we know it better. So we must just accept the realities of times and see what we can do for the youths of the federal republic of Nigeria. I think the ministry of youths must give attention now to engage them productively.” [myad]

A group, under the canopy of the Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG) has described Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State as a serial liar and a born agent of confusion over the years who thrives in hate speeches and campaigns of calumny.

The group, which responded to Fayose’s claim that President Muhammadu Buhari has been on life support in a London hospital said that Fayose has been confirmed as a man that thrives in dishing out a cacophony of lies, including the one on the health of President Buhari claiming that he has been on life support system for 20 days.

“The comments of Fayosa did not come as a surprise because of his penchant for exhibiting the characteristics of a serial liar and a born agent of confusion over the years who thrives in hate speeches and campaigns of calumny.

“BMSG believes that most Nigerians are already familiar with the infantile  character of the Ekiti State accidental governor, Ayodele Fayose. Nigerians are already familiar with his antics.”

A statement  by the chairman, Austin Braimoh and secretary, Chief Cassidy Madueke, the group recalled that in 2015, the same Governor Fayose told Nigerians that President Buhari was dead in London, a claim that turned out to be the greatest falsehood of all times.

It said that not only did President Buhari return to Nigeria, but he ran a successful campaign in which he defeated Fayose’s candidate in that election.

“Fayose operates based on his figment of imagination as he will never disclose his source of information or show proof of his utterances. Today, the same character is telling us that the President is now on life support in London.

“If his assertions are right, then he needs to be told that it is an improvement to move from being dead to a life support. BMSG therefore appeals to the loquacious governor to allow the President recuperate peacefully and return to his duties.”

BMSG called on what it called the attention-seeking governor, to concentrate on the intractable challenges in his state and stop assailing Nigerians with lies, insults and abuse of immunity by engaging in malice and negative politicking to get attention.

“Nigerians need to pray together for the full and quick recovery of the leader and our nation. We call on well-meaning leaders of thought to call Governor Fayose to order and advise him to toe the path of reason and truth or he shuts up.

“Nigeria need peace to surmount its present challenges which are being squarely addressed by this administration.” [myad]