Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described the Friday and Saturday Army clampdown on media houses, vendors and seizures of newspapers in transit for delivery nationwide as reckless.
In a press statement issued by his media office in Abuja on Saturday, the former Vice President said: “since the military is not above the law in any democratic society, they should not be the law onto themselves and recklessly infringe on the rights of citizens.”
Atiku is actually worried at what he called “the humiliating treatment metted on media houses and vendors in the course of conducting their legitimate businesses nationwide by the military personnel.”
He reminded them that Nigeria is a democratic nation where freedom of the press is not negotiable and that such freedom is the vital component of democratic government.
According to him, there are various avenues of dealing with situation where newspapers are suspected to be engaged in any illegal activities that breach national security.
“Such avenues can be explored without brazenly violating the rights of citizens.”
Atiku, who his a chieftain of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) educated the media attackers on the fact that thousands of Journalists, drivers, distributors, vendors and other supporting staff make a living from the newspaper industry.
He asked the rampaging military personnel not stop those who depend on media work from earning a legitimate earning.
He said that the willful violations of citizens’ rights by military and other security personnel breach the tenets of democratic system, even as he warned that by attacking the press, and arresting journalists, the country may inadvertently be slowing edging back to the dark days of military dictatorship, which took a lot of sacrifices by many including the Press to end.
While condemning the excesses of the military, Atiku however advised media organizations to also demonstrate the highest degree of responsibility by ensuring that what they publish don’t endanger national security.
“In the face of the grim security challenges currently bedeviling Nigeria, I wish to caution Journalists and media practitioners against abuses.”
According to Atiku, the war on terror needs citizens’ and press’ cooperation, which may be hampered by the harassment of the press.
“The military and other security personnel should work harmoniously together in times of national crises. Security require sacrifices and understanding from all Nigerians, and the Press are no exception.
“Our media men and women should at every turn, weigh the implications of everything they intend to publish, especially sensitive stories that could undermine national security.”

“I held Alhaji Ado Bayero, the Emir of Kano, in the highest esteem as an honest, wise, compassionate, and courageous leader of all times,” Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe has declared.

In a tribute to the late Emir who passed on in the early hours of yesterday, Igwe Alfred Achebe said that Alhaji Ado Bayero was a great monarch, whose positive influence during his long reign transcended his domain to the entire country and beyond.

In a statement in Onitsha, Anambra, signed by his Palace Secretary, Mr. Nwolisa Agusiobo, Igwe Achebe, who is currently outside the country, noted that Alhaji Ado Bayero loved and gave his all to his people of Kano.

He asked Nigerians to immortalize the late Emir by advancing his ideals of bridge-building among various tribes, ideologies and belief, adding: “the greatest tribute we can pay to our beloved departed monarch would be to fiercely uphold and advance his ideals of bridge building through peace, love, fairness, and respect for one another.”

He consoled the family of the departed Emir, the Kano Emirate, and the entire country and prayed to Allah to grant him eternal rest. [myad]

A respected leader of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria and delegate to the National Conference, Chief Edwin Clark has called on the Government of Nigeria to revoke pipeline security contracts awarded to ex-militant leaders, including Ekpemukpolo, alias Tompolo, and Asari Dokubo.

Chief Clark said on the floor of the National onference: “I don’t know why it (the contract) was given to Tompolo and Asari Dokubo. Youth can protect our pipelines. Today, Tompolo and Asari Dokubo are having the contracts. They are not the ones doing the jobs. Their principals are there. What has stopped us from refining our petrol is corruption, corruption and corruption.”
He said that the contracts for the protection of oil installations should rather be awarded to youth and communities where such installations are located, observing that oil theft has increased since oil pipeline and maritime protection contracts were awarded to the former militant leaders.
“We are talking about oil theft and I have always said there will be no more illegal bunkering if the youth are involved in the protection of oil installations.
“While oil companies employ contractors to guard pipelines, community leaders insist the job be given to local contractors. I went and said to the President, why not give this job to youths or the communities.
“Every community that fails to do its job will be sanctioned. Nothing was done until recently. I don’t know why it was given to Tompolo and Asari Dokubo. Youth can protect our pipelines.
“If you get to a community where there are pipelines, gather the youth in that place and give them to job to protect the facility. You would have given jobs to the youth of that community and you would have stopped oil theft.
Tompolo is a former commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) while Alhaji Dokubo is the leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante Force NDVF). They are disbanded militants groups from the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
A Wall Street Journal report had disclosed that Nigeria’s contract pays over N3.6 billion to Tompolo, N1.44 billion to Dokubo, N560 million to Tom Ateke, and N560 million to Victor Ben, alias Boyloaf.
In 2011, the government had awarded a pipeline surveillance contract worth $103 million (N15 billion) to Tompolo’s Global West Vessel Specialists Limited in a deal that shocked many Nigerians.
Chief Clark also accused top military brass of involvement in illegal oil bunkering, adding that the trend started in early 70s during the oil boom, adding that the military officers in Niger Delta are involved in oil theft.

“I made this point to President Obasanjo and he asked Danjuma, who was Minister of Defense, to look through and he went and found that it was true. Some top military officers, both serving and retired are involved in illegal oil bunkering.
“I have suggested that the troops in the Niger Delta should be changed from time to time. In doing so, you will find that the stealing of oil will be reduced.”
Clark recalled that as Commissioner of Finance in the defunct Mid-Western State in 1972, he travelled with Shehu Shagari, who was then Federal Commissioner of Finance; to Forcados Terminal, where Nigeria crude oil was being exported.
While there, he said the team discovered that government officials were only interested in what comes to them, rather than protecting the interest of Nigeria.
He continued, “One hardly knew how much oil was being taken away from our shores. It was published in the newspaper, till today; I do believe that if you go to Forcados Terminal, the same story will be told.
“We are talking about oil theft, I have always said that our young men at home do bucket bunkering. They have no facility, they lack the technology, but those who steal our oil are people who come from abroad. Have we forgotten the case where three admirals were fully involved? They were court marshaled.” [myad]

Suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is likely to emerge as the next Emir of Kano, with the demise, yesterday, of Alhaji Dr. Ado Abdullahi Bayero, after about 41 years on the throne.

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who has been eying the over 1000 year old stool which his late father mounted before he died, has been Dan Majen Kano, a senior emirate position in the Kano emirate.

Information has it that no fewer than 30 candidates, including Sanusi Lamido are in hot contention for the stool. Others are the Ciroman Kano (heir apparent), Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero; Turakin Kano, Nasir Ado Bayero; Sarkin Dawaki Tsakarigida, Aminu Ado Bayero; Wambai Kano, Alhaji Abbass Sanusi; Galadima Kano, Tijjani Hashim; and a member of the board of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Abdullahi Ado Bayero.

Investigation revealed that all the candidates are expected to be screened soon by a four-man team of kingmakers in the Emirate’s Council of State.

The kingmakers are Makama, Madaki, Sarkin Dawaki Mai Tuta and Sarkin Bai.

A top source said: “The race for the vacant stool  started immediately the death of Emir Ado Bayero was announced. We are talking of about 30 candidates.

“The late Emir had up to 70 children, including females. The jostle appears to be a straightforward battle between the Bayeros and Sanusis whose fathers were brothers.”

The source added that although the Emir appointed his son as Ciroman Kano (heir apparent), but that it may not translate into automatic succession.

The fate of the candidates, the source said, lies with the kingmakers, who will make recommendation to the Kano State Government.

“The Emirate seeks a ruler who will consolidate on the unprecedented developments recorded during the reign of Ado Bayero.

“So, beyond being versed in the history and tradition of Kano Emirate, the new Emir is expected to be highly educated, morally upright, cool-headed, well-connected and with a tinge of international influence and a symbol of peace.

“This is why it is likely to be a battle royale between ex-CBN Governor and the children of the late Emir. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has intimidating credentials.

“For the first time, the kingmakers have blue-blooded candidates who are exposed and well-educated abroad.”

It was gathered that those aspiring to the stool had been lobbying influential Kano leaders to prevail on the kingmakers to pick them for the vacant stool. There are indications that the candidates are already playing what the people say “royal politics.”

For instance, some are claiming that one of the candidates has a Yoruba maternal lineage and the Fulani heritage should not be handed to a Yoruba man.

They are believed to be digging up their antecedents to outwit each other before the kingmakers who have to consult within a short time to appoint a new Emir. [myad]

Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has sacked two first class Kings in the state. They are Eze (King) Cletus Ikechukwu Ilomuanya, traditional ruler of Obinugwu Orlu and Chairman of South-East Traditional Rulers Council and Eze (King) Cosmos Onyeneke, the traditional ruler of Lagwa Autonomous community in Aboh Mbaise.

A statement issued last night in Abuja, the Nigerian federal capital, by the Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Professor A.G. Anwukah, said the dethronement was with immediate effect. The statement was silent on the sins of the two traditional rulers.

The statement said: “In accordance with Sections 11 and 14 of the Imo State Traditional Rulers Autonomous Communities Law No 6 of 2006, His Excellency, the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has approved the withdrawal of certificates of recognition and Staff of Office of Eze Cletus Ikechukwu Ilomuanya, the traditional ruler of Obinugwu Autonomous community in Orlu Local Government Area and Eze Cosmos Onyeneke, the traditional ruler of Lagwa Autonomous community in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State with immediate effect.

“Accordingly, Chief Cletus Ikechukwu Ilomuanya and Chief Cosmos Onyeneke cease to be recognized traditional rulers of Obinugwu and Lagwa Autonomous communities respectively.

“The secretaries of the Community Government Council of the respective autonomous communities will be liaising with the government on behalf of each of the affected autonomous communities pending the selection and presentation of an Eze-elect in accordance with the custom and constitution of each of the affected communities.”

Sources hinted that the sack of the two prominent Kings in Imo state might not be unconnected with the controversial publicized rejection of car gift which the governor offered to the traditional rulers about two weeks ago. [myad]