President Muhammadu Buhari has been scheduled to visit Lagos on Friday, for the first time since he assumed office, to witness the re-branding and re-positioning of the state Rapid Response Squad (RRS).
In a statement by the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, President Buhari will be the special guest of honour at the Lagos House, Alausa in Ikeja, to formally commission the three helicopters, patrol vehicles, power bikes and other security gadgets acquired by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration to beef up security in the state through the RRS.
The statement said that Buhari’s visit would further witness the rebranding of the RRS as the state’s no-nonsense police response squad against crime and criminality, adding that the President will also join Governor Ambode in handing over the brand new patrol equipment to the Police authorities in the state.
The equipment to be handed over include: three helicopters, two patrol boats, 100 motorcycles, 13 BM power bikes, 60 Ford salon cars, 55 Ford Rangers, 40 Toyota salon cars, 10 Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs, 31 Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) as well as police uniforms and other kits.
Ayorinde said that the Friday’s ceremony will underscore the seriousness of the Lagos State Government in ensuring the security of lives and property, adding: “with these security equipment, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has demonstrated his firm commitment and ability to safeguard the lives and property of every Lagosian.
“The government is convinced this gesture will further boost the morale and capacity of the Police, RRS and other security agencies in the state. It is an attestation to the efficacy of the state’s Security Trust Fund and we believe that this will send a clear signal that criminals and armed robbers no longer have hiding place in the state as government will spare no effort in ridding the state of every form of criminality.”
The statement added that the deployment of the security gadgets would further complement the efforts of the State Government in making the state a mega city that is working for all and sundry.
“It is noteworthy that the Lagos State Government has stepped up its enforcement of traffic laws and declared zero tolerance on potholes on the roads, a decision that has brought to 282 the number of roads so far rehabilitated in the past five months while another set of 189 roads has been marked for repairs before the end of the year,” he said.
All these, Ayorinde noted, have not only improved the free flow of traffic in the state but have equally reduced the incidence of robberies in traffic.
The statement called on the residents to continue to support the government by abiding by the Lagos State Traffic Law, which forbids, among others, street trading, plying BRT lane by private and commercial vehicles and also restrict commercial motorcycles on the highways. [myad]
Senators, mostly of the All Progressives Congress (APC) stayed away from today’s sitting as Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu (of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party) presided over plenary.
Ekweremadu is presiding over today’s sitting as the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has traveled to Ikenne in Ogun State to attend the burial ceremony of Mama H.I. D Awolowo which was scheduled to take place today.
It was observed that today’s sitting is, however, quite stable compared to the first time Ekweremadu presided over the Senate.
Senators of the Unity Forum who have been neck deep in leadership tussle, including their arrowhead, Senator Kabiru Marafa participated fully in today’s plenary.
The plenary took much time looking at “Alteration Bill” sponsored by Senator T.A. Orji (Abia Central), Babajide Omoworare (Osun East), Nathan Achonu (Imo North).
The proposal for Alteration of various sections of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria came as first reading. [myad]
“Frankly speaking, five months as governor, I am already tired.” This was a confession of the Kaduna state governor, Nasiru El-Rufai when he spoke at the just concluded Ake Arts and Book Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He added: “I honestly do not think that anyone who wants to do this job seriously can do it for more than four years and not burn out. When I look at some of my colleagues, some are putting on weight, they are looking nice, I ask them, ‘how do you do it.”
El-rufai said he had not had time to read a book in the last two years.
“As a state governor the challenge for me is what to do to create jobs in Kaduna State. Eighty-two per cent of the eight million people in Kaduna State are below the age of 35. My challenge is not whether population grows next year or the year after. It is to get jobs for this young people, otherwise no one will sleep in peace.” [myad]
Nigeria army has scheduled the zonal recruitment screening exercise for indigenes of Lagos State that have undergone successful pre-screening for the Nigerian Army 74th Regular recruits intake for November 30. The recruitment exercise will last unto December 12.
A statement from the Office of the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, said that the screening exercise will take place at the Headquarters of the 32 Artillery Brigade, Owena Barracks in Akure, the Ondo State Capital.
The Statement added that the movement of the successful candidates from the Headquarters of 32 Artillery Brigade, Owena Barracks, Akure to the Nigerian Army Depot, Zaria, Kaduna will take place immediately after the screening exercise.
It enjoined affected candidates to take advantage of the screening exercise. [myad]
A National Commissioner at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Akinola Muritala Salau is dead. He died last Saturday at the Turkish Hospital, Abuja at the age of 68. He represented the South West geo-political zone in the INEC. The late Professor Salau who has since been buried in Ibadan according Muslim rites, took ill last month at the Commission’s post-election retreat at the Le Meridien Hotel, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state. Professor Akinola Muritala Salau was born on November 21st 1947. He hails from Oyo state. Professor Salau took his first degree B.Sc (Second Class Upper) Hons. in Physics in 1971 at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) Ile-Ife. He had his M.Sc Applied Physics in 1974 and had his Ph.D Applied Physics in 1976. Professor Salau was a Mathematics Teacher at Adeola Odutola Comprehensive High School, Ijebu-ode, in 1967; Higher School Certificate Physics and Mathematics Teacher, Baptist High School, Abeokuta in 1971; Graduate Assistant, University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) Ile-Ife, from 1971-76; Lecturer II in Physics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife from 1976-1979; Visiting Scientist, Optical Sciences Centre, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA, in 1979; Lecturer I in Physics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, from 1979-1980; Senior Lecturer in Physics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, from 1980-1988; Director, Centre for Energy Research and Development, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife from 1983-1992; Reader in Physics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife from 1988-1992; Professor of Physics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife from 1992 to date; Associate Lecturer, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, (LAUTECH) Ogbomosho in 1995; Co-ordinator, Department of Pure and Applied Physics, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho in 1997; Acting Vice Chancellor, LAUTECH, from July 6 1999 – May 22, 2000; Vice Chancellor, LAUTECH from May 23rd 2000 – May 22nd 2005. Professor Salau who was a Fellow, Nigerian Academy of Science, was married and had five children. [myad]
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]
The 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]
Former 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]
The 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]
The 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]
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President Muhammadu Buhari has been scheduled to visit Lagos on Friday, for the first time since he assumed office, to witness the re-branding and re-positioning of the state Rapid Response Squad (RRS).
Open Letter To President Buhari On Kogi, By Joseph Ozigi 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]