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Open Letter To President Buhari On Kogi, By Joseph Ozigi Akomodi

Joseph Akomodi

I have always stood for what is right regardless of how people feel. Those who take their time to study me well know that I call a spade a spade whether it is politically sound or not. I am not a politician and I do not intend to be one and I am not looking for any favor from anyone in any shape or form. What prompted me to write this letter to President Buhari is of many folds.

Ebira as a Kingdom awesomely supported Muhammadu Buhari that led to his victory as President of Nigeria. I, in person knew how much support I accorded Buhari. It is not how much money you have in support of a candidate or how much stolen money that was lavished in an election. The moral and ethical standard of support given to President Buhari should make him wake up from his world of cocoon to face the reality of life. I do not dive into issue without carefully analyzing all the pros and cons of the issues.

President Buhari is a man I knew as young boy growing up in the North Eastern State when he became the Governor of North Eastern State specifically Bauchi that was later carved out of North Eastern State. Buhari was a man in my eyes as a man of action and trustworthiness, which was the main reason I was very passionate in my support for him during his election. President Buhari was a man who would like to be poor as far as someone out there has no food to eat. Buhari was a man who will do his very best for Nigerians because he understood what politics is really all about. He understood that as a leader you ought to serve the people who elected you into voice to make a difference in people’s life. President Buhari believes in teaching people how to fish instead of giving fish to the people. President Buhari believes in educating the young minds of our youths that was why I was so passionate about his leadership skills.

After President Buhari became the President elect the entire world celebrated his victory which was a landslide. I am perturbed that same man that I knew right from when I was a boy growing up could turned the other chick to the situation in Kogi State. I am wondering what has become of a man I knew as the man of action of the then North Eastern State of Nigeria. What has become of a man that majority of Nigerians hope to stand with for what is right at all time? What has become of the President we all whole heartedly supported? Again, I am not here to castigate President Buhari because I knew his nature of responsibility has quadruple a million times.

Nevertheless, when a State is in the stage of anarchy, truth got to be told even if those who you are piloting rebuffed to see the reality. I will now dissect what has been happening in Kogi State right from 1991 which is approximately 24 years ago. One will argued how do you know what was happening to a State that was created when you are not even in the Country? My answer to those kinds of people is simple, I left Nigeria when Kogi State never existed which was a true statement, but Nigeria or Ebira Oiza has never left me. Out of twenty four years of the presence of Kogi State Igalas has ruled Kogi, all of those years, they have nothing to show for it. Kogi State is the least State among all the State that were created around the same time. President Buhari came from a very small place compare to the entire North yet he became the Head of State and President of Nigeria with High values.

During the time when Ebira and Okuns were fighting for Kogi State the Igalas were busy fighting for Okura State. When they could not succeed in creating their own State they decided to team up with West and Central to create Kogi State. Partly it is the fault of Okuns and Ebira in allowing them to join us. I am not also surprised that they suffered in the hands of the majority of Benue people because of their greediness and shadiness in dealing with the affairs of their former State.

When the Igalas were preparing to join Kogi State they manufacture forged documents to show to Okuns and Ebiras. Since the Igalas were the one migrating from Benue to Kogi State they inflated the level of their workers. For example those who are in level 4 in Benue State were given level 7 with the date of service been forged to reflect their seniority over the same level with their counterpart in their new State of Kogi. They systematically displaced every educated elite of Okuns and Ebiras. As I write this article, go into the state of Kogi and compile a data analysis of who heads the various Para status of Kogi State. Igalas are number 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 before they can even place one Yoruba or Ebira in the slot.

The problem we have in the State is not because Ebira or the Okuns did not have the common sense to team together to face the Igalas since they are the one that has ostracized the State for 24 years they have brainwashed our youths who all they knew was Igala men have been ruling the State right from when they were born. They have used stolen money from Kogi State treasury to make our youths susceptible. The sad part of it was that we have people of my age who wined and dined with these evils from both Okun and Ebira to sell their integrity. The Late Audu they are all clamoring around calling him the Adoja of Kogi State which I do not care to find the right meaning of it in Igala language. I can predict that might mean the Lion of Kogi State. Yes he was a Lion that stole all our wealth. He was a Lion that stripped Obangede hospital completely naked. Yes he was a Lion that stole our entire budget and bought many houses in the United States and all over the world. Yes he was the Adoja of all thieves. These do not preclude former Governor Ibro and Wada from this systematic way of annihilation of our people.

What shall it profit a man if he gained the whole world and loses his soul? The profit they all acquired is all vanity upon vanity. Yes I know the ordinary Kogites have suffered in the hands of these looters and they continued to agonize because the Federal Government decided to close their eyes as if they do not know what is happening.

My question to President Buhari is, when are you going to voice out to come out of your box to actually speak the truth? Ajaokuta has been abandoned for decades just because it is in Ebira land. President Buhari, despite the fact that I had blamed you in the past for halting Ajaokuta’s progress when you cut short the leadership of Alhaji Shehu Sagari, yet I gave you the benefit of the doubt that you are looking at the bigger picture for Nigerians thinking if you had had enough time then you probably could have commence the realization of Ajaokuta.

Let us dive into the meat and potatoes of issues Mr. President. You knew late Audu was a criminal you kept quiet. You knew that other ethnic group of Kogi States were relegated you kept quiet. You knew that the Primary election that was held in Kogi State in which Audu emerged as a winner he did not follow the protocol of resigning from his position he held in the party that by law he was supposed to resign yet the big guns Tinubu sheltered him. You knew that after his dead that the INEC made a report that result of the election was inconclusive because of Audu’s death. If Audu was alive and he was sworn in before his untimely dead, the deputy Governor that was handpicked by Tinubu should have been the Governor. You also knew that by virtue of constitution regardless about its clarity the next person who supposed to take over from him should have been Alhaji Yahaya Bello since he emerged the second in the race of the primary election. Yet you continued to stay mute about these injustices that continued to devour the entire State of Kogi.

Mr. President I urge you to use your good office to speak out for the voices of voiceless that I knew you in the past to be a strong advocate for. Where is President Buhari of former North Eastern State? Where is the voice of the President that wants justice for Umaru Dikko back in the 80s? Where is the voice of President Buhari who declared war against indiscipline? Where is the voice of President when I visited home in 1985 Nigeria look like small London? The reason why I am asking all of these questions are simple, you could not have been the same Buhari I knew all my life. For injustices to continue under your nose without voicing out to allow the rule of law to take place is mind bothering to me.

In my final analysis, Mr. President you should be fair to all Nigerians whether it is politically correct or not. Remember your stewardess was what had made Nigerians all over the globe to clamor all around you in your last election. I therefore, urge you to use your good office to fight what is for the Ebiras and Okuns in a State of anarchy. I am a proud Nigerian despite the fact that I left the Nation for more than three decades of my life. I love Kogi State and its people and I love Nigeria as long as I am alive. Again, you can take someone out of Nigeria but you cannot take Nigeria out of them. Long Live Ebiraland! Long Live Nigeria at large!!

Joseph Ozigi Akomodi wrote from United State of America. [myad]

 

Kogi Sacks 15 Local Council Bosses For Decamping To APC

Gov-Idris-Wada-2The Kogi state government, under the leadership of governor Idris Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sacked 15 chairmen of local governments from office for defecting to the rival All Progressives Congress (APC).

The sack was contained in a statement issued today in Lokoja and signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, James Adedoyin.

The statement cited section 20, sub section (1) and section 36 sub section 1 (d) of Kogi State Local Government Law 2000 as amended to back the action.

It explained that the sacked chairmen can no longer remain in office having decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that sponsored them.

Some of the affected council chairmen include that of Lokoja, Ogori-Magongo, Idah, Adavi, Ankpa, Okehi, Bassa, Yagba East, Yagba West and Okene among others.

They defected to the APC during the grand finale of its governorship campaign held in Lokoja on Nov. 18.

The statement warned the sacked council chairmen to stay away from offices, even as it directed the vice chairmen or the council leaders to take over the affairs of the affected councils as may be appropriate.

The statement said that handing and taking over should be completed by tomorrow, Wednesday.

One of the grounds for their defection was the refusal of governor Wada to implement a decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Oct 29 that nullified the removal of the elected chairmen from office.

They were removed from office based on the order of a Kogi State High Court sitting in Koton Karfe which ruled that the election of May 4, 2013 which brought them into office was faulty.

Relying on the judgment, Kogi State Government asked the chairmen and councillors to vacate office but the affected officials approached the Appeal Court which set aside the ruling and declared that they resume immediately.

Kogi state government refused to give effect to the ruling until November 23. [myad]

Atiku Turns 69, Promises To Devote His Life To Democracy, Education

ATIKUFormer Nigeria Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, will turn 69 tomorrow, with a pledge that he would continue to devote his remaining life in the course of advancing democracy and education in the country.

According to his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, in a statement today to mark the birthday, Atiku was quoted as saying that he used to get enduring joy in seeing people around him being empowered with jobs, skills, income and opportunities through investment.

The former vice president has provided scholarship both in Nigeria and abroad to thousands of needy Nigerian students and had also built several schools across the country. This included the American University in Yola which he founded with the cooperation of the American University in Washington, among others.

The university, which was started 11 years ago, presently, has 1,500 students.

Although a private university, the 60 per cent subsidy from the former Vice President has enabled children of both the rich and the poor to gain access to world-class education, the statement stated.

The statement quoted Atiku as saying that gifted children, “regardless of their parental background, are also afforded opportunity to better their fortune in the university.

“The university not only helps students acquire first rate degrees, but promotes entrepreneurship courses to meet the challenges of the present Nigerian realities.”

Atiku said that he has been  inspired by his early life experience as an orphan who struggled through life to make it to the top, adding that he is not only committed to education, but that he has dedicated his life to bringing succor to humanity.

The statement said that the former vice president had donated to worthy causes to tackle many deadly but preventable diseases like the now eradicated polio and had identified with the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

“Atiku is also an exponent of peace, unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence as exemplified by the setting up of the Adamawa Peace Initiative (API) by the America University.” [myad]

PDP Asks INEC Chairman, Attorney General To Resign

Olisa Metuh of PDPThe Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mallam Abubakar Malami  and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Yakubu to immediately tender their resignation for arriving at a decision to ask the All Progressives Congress (APC) to substitute its candidate in the inconclusive Kogi state governorship election.

A statement by the PDP’s spokesman, Olisa Metuh said the party was shocked that INEC, “a supposedly independent electoral umpire could allow itself to succumb to the antics of the APC by following the unlawful directive of an obviously partisan AGF to substitute a candidate in the middle of the ballot process.

“We are all aware that the two legal documents guiding INEC in the conduct of elections; the Constitution and the Electoral Act, have provisions for electoral exigencies as well as empower the electoral body to fully take responsibility for any of its actions or inaction without undue interference from any quarters whatsoever.

“We are, therefore, at a loss as to which sections of these two relevant laws, INEC and the AGF relied on in arriving at their bizarre decision to substitute a dead candidate in an on-going election even after the timelines for such has elapsed under all the rules.

“INEC as a statutory body has the full complements of technical hands in its legal department to advice it appropriately and we wonder why it had to wait for directives from the AGF, an external party, if not for partisan and subjective interest.

“Consequently, the PDP rejects in its entirety, this brazen move by the APC and INEC to circumvent the laws and ambush the yet-to-be concluded election by introducing a practice that is completely alien to the constitution and the electoral act.

“The clear implication of this action of the AGF and INEC is that the APC would be fielding two different governorship candidates in the on-going Kogi election, meaning that INEC would be transferring votes cast for late Prince Abubakar Audu to another candidate, scenarios that have no place in the constitution of the land.

“Whereas the PDP, in honour of the sanctity of human life and respect for the dead, had since Sunday refrained from making comments on the conduct of the election, we can no longer maintain such in the face of the barefaced attack on our democracy.

“This INEC under the leadership of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has shown itself as partisan, morally bankrupt and obviously incapable of conducting a credible election within our laws.”

“In view of the foregoing therefore, the PDP demands an immediate resignation of the INEC Chairman, as the nation’s democracy cannot afford to be left in the hands of an electoral umpire that cannot exert its independence and the sanctity of the electoral process.” [myad]

Nigeria Army Admits There’re Lot To Learn From Japan

Nigeria and Japan armyThe Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin has admitted that there are a lot of things Nigeria army could learn fro their Japanese counterparts.
He added tha sharing ideas and experience with Japan could be beneficial and rewarding to the Nigerian Armed Forces.
General Olonisakin spoke today when he hosted the President of Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force Command and Staff College, Vice Admiral Umio Otsuka in his office.
The Nigeria army chief said that the Nigerian Military appreciated and valued stand Japanese advancement in science and technology, and its proficiency in the production of military hardware.
According to him, the visit of the Japanese top military officer to Nigeria would deepen the synergy of purpose and existing cooperation between the two friendly countries.
Meanwhile, Vice Admiral Umio Otsuka has commended the Armed Forces of Nigeria on the success recorded in the fight against insurgence.
He said that his visit to Nigeria has afforded him the opportunity of cross regional experience and was glad to be in Nigeria which he described as a great country in world politics. He pledged his country’s continuous cooperation with Nigeria, especially in its war against terrorists that has now assumed a global status.
He made it clear that the war against terrorism must also take the global efforts for it to be stamped out. [myad]

APC Fixes Fresh Primary To Pick Audu’s Replacement

APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun
APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the decision to conduct a fresh primary in Kogi state to pick a candidate to replace Prince Abubakar Audu, who died on Sunday shortly after the governorship election was declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun who announced this today said that the party took the decision after receiving a letter from INEC that it could replace late Audu.

The need for the fresh primary was necessitated by the death of its candidate for the election, Prince Abubakar Audu.
The INEC had said earlier today that the APC could replace Audu even as it fixed December 5 this year for the conduct of the supplementary election in 91 polling units where elections were either canceled or not held at all.
no date was fixed however by the APC for the primary,  but it might not be later than end of this month. [myad]

Radio Biafra Chief, Kanu. To Remain In Detention For Another 90 Days

Radio Biafra Director, Nnamdi Kanu
Radio Biafra Director, Nnamdi Kanu

The leader of the Biafran Republic agitators, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu is to remain in detention for another 90 days on the order of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The 90-day grace granted the Department of the State Service (DSS) was to enable investigation into the allegation of acts of terrorism and financing of terrorism leveled against the Biafran leader by the federal government.

Counsel to the DSS, Moses Idakwo, at the resumption of trial of Kanu in Abuja, drew the attention of Chief Magistrate Shuaib Usman, to the federal high court order of Justice Adeniyi Ademola, granting further detention of Kanu for another 90 days.

Idakwo therefore asked the magistrate court to step down from the trial of Kanu on the ground that the court lacked power to prosecute terrorism charges.

The Biafran leader was however, produced in court in compliance with last week’s order of the magistrate court but with heavy security escort.

Counsel to the accused person, Vincent Egechukwu Obeta, objected to the order of the court and the application that the magistrate court steps down from Kanu’s trial. [myad]

Paramount Ruler Of Tiv Land, Tor Tiv Dies At 71

Tor Tiv
Tor Tiv

The paramount ruler of Tiv nation in Benue state, Tor Tiv, Dr. Alfred Akawe Torkula (Ochiviri IV) is dead. His death, at the age of 71, was confirmed today by the Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom.
The Governor said that he was waiting for the Tiv traditional council to formally communicate the news to him.
“As I am talking to you now, the Tiv traditional council members have just left Gboko to formally communicate to me the passing away of the paramount ruler.”
Ortom disclosed that details of the death and formal announcement would be made public later in the day after he had been formally notified by the Tiv Traditional Council.
Aged 71, the Torkula who became Tor Tiv on April 21, 1991, was until his death, the Pro Chancellor of Michael Okpara University, Chairman, Benue State Traditional Council of Chiefs. [myad]

Buhari In Iran, Declares War On Pipeline Vandals, Thieves In Nigeria

President Buhari delivering his address at the plenary session of the 3rd summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum in Tehran Iran on 23rd Nov 2015
President Buhari delivering his address at the plenary session of the 3rd summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum in Tehran Iran on 23rd Nov 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari has formally declared a sustained war against pipeline vandals and thieves that have continually sabotaged and undermined the efforts of the government to increase power supply in the country.

Buhari vowed in Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran, that that existing Military Task-Forces will be reorganized to ensure a successful protection of the network of gas pipelines.

He emphasised that the Military Task-Forces with representation from the Army, Navy, Air Force, the Police and other security agencies will be reconstituted to secure the pipelines. “Supplies will become steady; there will be less sabotage as we secure the pipelines,” he stressed.

The President, who was answering questions from the Nigerian community in that country, said that even though some improvement in power had been recorded in the recent period, but that sabotage of pipeline installations continued to be a problem.

He told his audience that Nigeria had everything it takes to generate enough power, saying: “Power is a running battle because the saboteurs are still there. We have the potential. We have gas, we have qualified people but we are contending with a lot of saboteurs who go and blow up installations. When gas is pumped to Egbin and such other power stations, thieves and saboteurs such as the militants cut those supplies.”

According to President Buhari, another factor is the reduced role of the government in the sector due to the privatization of the institutions under the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), in the process of which, he said, the facilities “have been sold to a number of interest groups.”

President Buhari also spoke on the efforts of his administration towards ending the Boko Haram insurgency and terrorism in the country, explaining that a lot had been achieved following the reorganization of the military top command, followed by increased equipment supply and training.

In a response to a question on the need to improve healthcare delivery, the President said that efforts had been intensified towards ridding the country of fake drugs and fake doctors, and also what he called “the disgraceful aspects” manifested by “baby factories.”

He also enumerated several steps being taken towards the revival of education from primary school level to university. On the creation of jobs, he placed the prevailing joblessness in the country at the door-step of the last administration which he blamed for giving “a devastating blow to the economy through corruption and incompetence.”

The President said that something urgent will be done about the bad condition of roads, citing the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway as one to be addressed from next week by the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, who sat next to him at the meeting.

Speaking on the issue of corruption, one of the three issues he identified as the priorities of his administration, President Buhari said that the necessity for compliance with due process of the law was responsible for the delay in the prosecution of the looters of the country’s economy. He noted however, that the “the day of reckoning is gradually coming.” He also revealed that a number of past officials had begun the voluntary return of stolen funds but expressed the view that his government was not satisfied with tokens.”We want to have everything back – all that they took by force in 16 years,” the President concluded. [myad]

INEC Fixes Dec. 5 For Kogi Supplementary Election, Asks APC To Replace Late Audu

INEC Boss, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu
INEC Boss, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed December 5 for the supplementary election in Kogi State, following the inconclusive election held last Saturday, November 21. The Commission also asked All Progressives Congress (APC) to find a replacement for the party’s governorship candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu , who died on Sunday shortly after the votes were collated and declared inconclusive,.

In a statement today, the commission gave notice to the 22 political parties which participated in the November 21, to get set for the supplementary election in the 91 polling units were elections were either cancelled or not held at all.

There were over 49,000 votes at stake for the supplementary poll in 91 polling units.

With the announcement, the controversies generated over what action INEC will take following the death of Audu have been laid to rest.

After the 21 local councils’ election results were collated on Sunday, with the APC leading while the incumbent Governor, Captain Idris Wada of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) trailed behind with over 41,000 margin which INEC considered to be less than the number of cancelled votes.

Earlier in the day, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) had said that INEC had declared the governorship election held in Kogi state last Saturday inconclusive, the election must be concluded, adding that the APC would have to substitute its candidate for the purpose of the supplementary elections.

Malami, who spoke in Abuja at a seminar organised by the Nigerian Law Reform Commission (NLRC) on the review of the National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (Establishment) Act‎, was however, silent on the possibility of the party’s deputy governorship candidate, James Faleke, automatically becoming the governorship candidate.

On whether the substitution could result in Faleke becoming the governorship candidate, he said the choice was for the party to make.

“The issue is very straightforward. Fundamentally, Section 33 of the Electoral Act is very clear‎ that in case of death the right for substitution by a political party is sustained by the provisions of Section 33 of the Electoral Act.

“And, if you have a community reading of that Section with Section 221 of the Constitution, which clearly indicates that the right to vote is the right of a political party and, the party in this case, which is the APC has participated in the conduct of the election.

“It is therefore apparent that ‎the community reading of the two provisions does not leave any room for conjecture.

“APC, as a party, is entitled to substitution by the clear provisions of Section 33 of the Electoral Act. Also, Section 221 of the Constitution is clear that the votes that were cast were cast in favour of the APC.

“Arising from that deduction, it does not require any legal interpretation. The interpretation is clear, APC will substitute, which right has been sustained by Section 33 of the Electoral Act. So be it.

“The supplementary election has to be conducted along the line. It all depends on the appreciation of issues arising from the primaries conducted before now.

“There was a first and a second candidate. The primaries that had taken place over time had not by anyway been nullified. And it is recognized by law.

“But then, a further consideration would be the idea of conducting another primary, but that is not envisaged in view of the sustainability of the first primaries,” Malami said. [myad]

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