Ohanaeze Youth Describes “Undue Desperation” Of Atiku As Threat To Nigeria’s Unity

March 22, 2022

The youth wing of apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), has cautioned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to drop his presidential ambition in the interest of the Nigerian nation.

The group frowned at what it described as “the undue desperation of Atiku Abubakar to pick the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic party PDP,” saying that such move is a threst to the unity of the country.

The National President of the group, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, who spoke to newsmen today, March 21 in Owerri, the Imo State capital, emphasized that Atiku’s desperation would instigate Nigeria’s disintegration.

Comrade Igboayaka, who quoted Atiku to have said that, “PDP can’t afford to lose 2023 presidency”, stressed that the former Vice-president ought to know that “if PDP dare give him ticket in 2023 against South-East aspirants, the party will not just lose the election, but it will be an evidential call for total disintegration of Nigeria.

“Atiku Abubakar should go to the history line of PDP formation from G34 led by Dr Alex Ekwueme before it became a political party, to ascertain that South-East has paid the ultimate sacrifice in PDP more than any other zone in Nigeria.”

He emphasized that South-eastern people had contributed in formation, building, as well as sustaining PDP as the biggest party in Africa, saying: “Atiku Abubakar’s call to contest in PDP is a call to interrupt the unity and peace in Nigeria and such move will lead to national political disaster, anarchy and tribal crises that will sink Nigeria.

“If PDP denies a South-easterner presidential ticket, the only thing over 50 million Igbo youths must ensure is to keep Nigeria one by massively voting APC presidential candidate from South-East, and no PDP office/flag from ward level to state level will stand erect in South-East. We’ll fight PDP like Yakubu Gowon did to keep Nigeria one.

“PDP must avoid using Atiku Abubakar, Aminu Tambuwal and other selfish presidential aspirants that are not from South-East to disintegrate or cause Nigeria her national unity,” Igboayaka maintained.

“It’s derogatory that Atiku Abubakar boasted how he used Ben Obi and Peter Obi as running mates, Atiku Abubakar should know that if any Nigerian desires to see Nigeria as the ‘Giant of Africa’ as proposed by Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe (Zik of Africa), then it’s high time he dropped his presidential ambition and support a credible and competent presidential aspirant from South-East to build the Nigeria of Zik vision.

“Atiku Abubakar must awaken his human consciousness and realise that among the six geo-political zones in Nigeria, South-East gave him the overwhelming highest votes, which led the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to nick-name South-eastern people 5%. Therefore, it is historical that Atiku Abubakar and PDP family is owing the South-eastern people a reciprocation gratitude in 2023 presidential election.”

WAEC Bans 35 Secondary Schools In Rivers From SSC Examinations

Editorial staff

March 22, 2022

The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has banned no fewer than 35 secondary schools in Rivers State from presenting candidates for the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) Examination over their involvement in examination malpractices.
A letter signed by the Deputy Registrar/Zonal Coordinator for Head of National office of WAEC, S.D. KUM was forwarded from the State Ministry of Education to the affected schools for the notice of the public.

According to the letter, schools affected by the ban will not register candidates for the examination until further notice.
Schools listed in the letter are EL-Olam global academy, Ogbogoro; Rehoboth Int’l Secondary School; Christ Secondary School, Norwa; Midland Int’l Christian Sec. Sch, Port Harcourt.

Others are Rootway Compre. College, Port Harcourt; Charry Compre. Sec. Sch, Port Harcourt; Millennium High School, Port Harcourt; Sonny Memorial College, Diobu; Sit-up International School, Oyigbo; Rich-Model Secondary School, Oyigbo; Excel Comprehensive College, Okrika; Victory High School, Port Harcourt; Atlantic Heralds High School, Port Harcourt; Nigerian Christian Comp. College, Asarama; John Wesley College, Bori.
Unique International Sec School, Etche Ranjeny’s High School, Ogale Nchia Eleme; Baptist Vocational College, Ahoada; Community Secondary School, Ido; Community Secondary Sch, Baranyowa Dere; Community Secondary School, Kono Boue; Community Secondary School, Kpean; Comprehensive High School, Sii Khanna Kono Secondary School, Kono; Community Secondary School, Baen; Community Secondary School, Ngo-Uyeada; Community Senior Secondary Sch. Abam-ama; Community Secondary School, Ban Ogoi; Tua-Tun Community Sec. School, korokoro; Joinkrama Giris Secondary School, Joinkrama; Western Ahoada County High School, Ahoada and Community Secondary School, Ebubu Eleme.

Source: Tribune.

I Withdrew Stay Of Execution Case From High Court: Not Struck-Out – Ebonyi Gov

Editorial staff

March 21, 2022

Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has said that he voluntarily withdrew the application for stay of execution from the Federal High Court Abuja, as against the news making the rounds that the case was struck out giving an impression that he had lost out.

Umahi said he took the decision because he had already appealed the judgment, which sacked him and his deputy from office.

According to him, what the Federal High Court did was to strike out the application for stay of execution.

In a statement today, March 21 by Umahi’s spokesman, Francis Nwaze, the governor said that he and his deputy voluntarily withdrew the application for stay of execution, since the matter had been entered at the court of appeal and records of proceedings also transmitted to the appellate court.

The statement called on the public to disregard wrong interpretations and insinuations from some “mischievous” quarters about the proceedings of the Federal High Court on Monday which struck out the application for stay of execution filed by Umahi and his deputy.

The statement reads in part: “Governor Umahi and his deputy, Barr. Igwe, having appealed the judgment of the Federal High Court of March 8, 2022, on their defection to All Progressives Congress through their team of lawyers led by Chukwuma Machukwu-Ume, SAN did inform the court for a withdrawal of their earlier application for stay of execution.

“The above was because an appeal has been entered at the court of appeal and records of proceedings have been transmitted to the appellate court.

“On the notice above, Emmanuel Ukala, PDP counsel, did not oppose the application.

“Consequently, Ekwo struck out the application following confirmation that a valid appeal had been entered at the Court of Appeal, Abuja division, challenging the verdict on them and at this point, the Federal High Court, from which the appeals emanated, ceased to have jurisdiction to entertain any matter on those cases.

“Let me equally confirm that a valid application for stay of execution has been made at the Court of Appeal which now has jurisdiction over the case and we urge the good people of Ebonyi State and supporters of our Presidential Hopeful and the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi to remain calm, avoid being distracted as we are on a divine mandate and the court remains the final hope of a common man just as we are optimistic that we shall get victory in the end.”

2023: Northern Group Vows To Rise Against Atiku, Other Northerners Seeking Presidency

Editorial staff

March 21, 2022

A northern group known as Arewa Coalition for Rotational Presidency (ACRP), has advised politicians from the region, in their own interest, to shelve the idea of seeking the presidency in 2023 general election.

The group vowed that it would “practically rise” and mobilise against all presidential candidates from the North that dare contest under any political party.

In a statement jointly signed by ACRP Chairman, Abdullahi Biu and Secretary Hamza Malumfashi, the coalition said: “In the interest of peace, equity and justice, more so, that the North has been in power for eight years, the idea of the North even contesting the highly exalted position of President should be immediately jettisoned.

“All those that picked nomination forms, especially from the PDP, should step down if they are true democrats. As a group of democrats from the 19 northern states, we strongly believe in the principle of equity and fairness as a panacea for peace, progress and, thus, our resolve supports rotation of power to our brothers in the South.

“It is against this background that we are advising all political parties, especially the two major parties, APC and PDP, to field only southern candidates.”

This is coming against the background of the move by the 2019 Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party and former Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar to contest the Presidency under the same party in 2023. Atiku had already purchased the party’s nomination form at N40 Million.

Atiku, in a statement by his media office, said he will officially declare his intent on Wednesday, March 23 at International Conference Centre, Abuja, claiming that his resolve to contest followed several months of consultations with stakeholders across the country and in the diaspora, as well as all organs of the PDP.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles, In Ghana, Play Goalless Draw With Ghana In Qater 2022 Playoffs

Editorial staff

March 21, 2022

The Super Eagles played a goalless draw with today, March 25 in the first leg of their 2022 FIFA World playoffs at the Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi Ghana.

The Black Stars dominated the opening exchanges, but were unable to break down the Super Eagles defence.

Francis Uzoho produced a stunning save to deny Afena Gyan in the 33rd minute.

Victor Osimhen had Nigeria’s first shot on target in the 38th minute but was saved by Joseph Wollacott.

Rangers midfielder wasted another chance five minutes later.

The pattern of play continued after the break with the Black Stars in total ascendacy.

It was the Super Eagles who carved out the best chance of the half.

Moses Simon was put through on goal by Kelechi Iheanacho but his effort was saved by Wollacott.

Both teams struggled to carve out meaningful chances afterwards.

The second leg will be played next week Tuesday at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria.

Source: Prompt news online.

Gov Soludo Declares First “War” With IPOB Over Sit-At-Home On Mondays For Workers

Editorial staff

March 21, 2022

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, who assumed office days ago, has declared the first war with the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB) over the sit-at-home on Mondays to the workers in the State.

The governor, who reacted to the IPoB’s directive, ordered all public servants in the state to start reporting to work on Mondays, like other weekdays or face the music.

It would be recalled that since the resumption of trial of the leader of the IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, the group had called for a shutdown of businesses on Mondays, but later rescinded it.

Despite the rescinding of the decision by the separatist group, there have been fear of attacks on those who go to work, leading to the continued stay at home every Monday.

In some parts of the state, Saturdays have been adopted as working days, including schools and banks as a replacement for Monday.

But in a move to return Monday to a normal working day, Professor Soludo today, March 25, through the Head of Service, Barrister Theodora Igwegbe ordered workers to always ensure they are at their duty posts on Mondays.

In a circular dated today, 25th March 2022, which was signed by Igwegbe and sighted by DAILY POST, Soludo warned that absence from work on Mondays will attract sanctions.

Part of the memo read: “Following the need to reposition the service for better performance and productivity, His Excellency, the governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has directed that henceforth, all public servants should report at their places of work every Monday as every other weekdays.

“Consequently, absence from work on Monday, or any other workday without any approval will be viewed as serious misconduct, which will attract appropriate sanctions. This directive takes immediate effect.”

Soludo had last year, lamented the continued boycott of work on Mondays in the South East, saying that the zone loses an estimated N19.6 billion every Monday.

During his inaugural speech as governor, last two weeks, Soludo had extended an olive branch to all armed groups, saying he was ready to engage them in a round table discussion.

He lamented that many criminals now hide under freedom fighting to perpetuate criminality.

We May Be Heading To 3rd World War If…, Ukrainian President Warns

Greenbarge Reporters

March 21, 2022

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, has warned that the current military conflict between his country and Russia would end in a third World War if President Vladimir Putin of Russia fails to come to the negotiation table.

President Zelensky said that he is ready to meet Putin on the negotiation table but warned that if the attempts fail, it could mean the ongoing war would lead to “a third World War.”

“I’m ready for negotiations with him,” the President said, adding that he has been ready for the meeting for the last two years and insisted without negotiations between him and his Russian counterpart, the war will not end.”

He said that said that if there is just one percent chance for the conflict to stop, both sides should grab the opportunity, adding that more innocent people are being killed on a daily basis.

“But, unfortunately, our dignity is not going to preserve our lives. So, I think we have to use any format, any chance in order to have a possibility of negotiating and the possibility of talking to Putin. But if these attempts fail, that would mean that this is a third World War.”

Source: CNN.

It’s Dangerous For PDP To Leave Presidency Open Without Zoning, Bode George Warns

Greenbarge Reporters

March 21, 2022

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has warned the parties against leaving its 2023 presidential ticket open for all members to contest.

George who acknowledged the necessity for the party to ensure the right candidate is fielded to vie for the highest office in the land, stressed that it is equally important to ensure that such a position is zoned to a particular region.

“Yes, it is important to look at the characters of those who want to be president, but it is mandatory, it is legitimate for the party to say yes, this is zoned to the South or to the North; but to leave it wide open is combustible,” George said during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

His remark came against the backdrop of the controversy trailing the zoning of the PDP’s presidential ticket as activities build up ahead of next year’s polls.

While aspirants from the North seek to fly the party’s flag, their southern counterparts have continued to demand that the PDP’s presidential candidate emerge from the region.

Amid the debate that the PDP has produced a southern president for 14 years of its 16-year reign, George, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), insisted that the party should zone its ticket to the South.

“Whatever has been in the North after eight years must come to the South; whatever has been in the South for the last eight years must go to the North. It guarantees that commitment, it guarantees that oneness, it guarantees that you have a sense of belonging to this country called Nigeria.

“I am looking at now as an engineer, there is a political equation; when they conceptualize this idea, nobody in their wildest dream thought there could be another political party that could produce the president.”

According to the PDP chieftain, it is standard that zoning and rotation will be the heart of the party, and like its spinal cord that can lead to its death or make it cripple if broken.

“When you now say you want to throw it (zoning) away, are you telling Nigerians that it is only in certain parts of the country that you have people who have the competence or the courage to rule Nigeria? How can there be peace?” he questioned.

“My best friend is still a Fulani man and I have no qualms about that, but justice, fairness, and equity must be the dictating norms for our party going forward.

“Are you saying we don’t have anybody in the southern part? What we are telling people (is that) we have no right as a party to tell any individual (that) you cannot contest, because it will be illegal.”

80 Percent Of Civil Servants In Nigeria Are Thieves, Sanusi Lamido Blasts

Greenbarge Reporters

March 21, 2022

“Over 80 percent of them (civil servants in Nigeria) have lost their conscience for personal gains. A public servant is a servant to Nigeria, not to any head of state, governor or minister. This is what is missing now in the country; hence the judiciary, health, agriculture, education, transport and power sectors are not working.

“Today, you see civil servants stealing millions and billions of naira meant to build roads, provide power, water, education, food and transportation, to the detriment of the majority of Nigerians. All of these have given birth to Boko Haram, killer herdsmen, bandits and numerous arms struggles, especially among the youths, which resulted in the worst threats to human lives all over Nigeria.”

These were the words of the former Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, in his address at the closing ceremony of the AIG Public Leadership Programme, Class of 2021 in Abuja he expressed regrets that instead of the civil servants sticking to ethics and performing their duties creditably for the benefit of the masses, they are busy stealing public funds.

“I advise you to go and resign, if you are a civil servant and fail to stand and care for the people you’re supposed to plan for, by executing favourable government projects. Remember, your failure would surely affect your children tomorrow.”

According to the former Emir his resolve to always stand to speak the truth to power, cost him the positions of first, the CBN governor and second, Emir of Kano, vowing that such things would not stop him from doing what he sees as the right thing.

He called on the beneficiaries to impact their knowledge in the service of their fatherland by redirecting the civil service to productivity based on transparency, accountability, dignity and results for good governance.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Chairman and Co-founder of Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, said the foundation spent £563,000 to train 49 top civil servants for the Public Leaders Programme Class of 2021.

According to him, having partnered with the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government, the foundation drew top executives as beneficiaries from across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

“But we are expecting the second batch of training to be increased to 100 beneficiaries and would be extended to other countries in Africa.

“Our mission at the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation is to transform public sector delivery in Africa, and one of the ways we do this is by building capacity in the public sector workforce. With the public leader’s programme, we offer public servants a unique opportunity to access a world-class training programme that will enhance their professional skill, leadership abilities and empower them to be more effective in their roles.”

Head of Service of the Federation (HoSF), Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, expressed gratitude to the foundation for lifting the capacity of the federal civil service through the training, stressing that the training would be reproduced in the entire service through the beneficiaries.

Ali Modu Sheriff Chickens Out Of Contest For APC Chairmanship

Greenbarge Reporters

March 21, 2022

Former two-term governor of Borno State, and a frontline national chairmanship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ali-Modu Sheriff, has withdrawn from the race.

Sheriff, who spoke at a news conference on March 20 in Abuja, said that he withdrew from the race to respect the party and President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to zone the position to the North Central.

“I am sure that most of you have been following the trends of activities of our party, the APC within the last 10 days or so.

“The party has taken a position that the position of its national chairman should go to the North Central, meaning it is exclusively zoned to contestants of the zone.

“The President is the leader of the party and he has taken a position. I have always told you that I will contest if the position is zoned to my zone.

“That has been my statement always, and today they have taken a position. I respect the president as a person and as a president, he is my leader, therefore, I do not want to oppose him in any way or form,” Sheriff said.

The former Borno State governor said that the president and the party’s leaders must have a reason for allowing the zoning of its chairmanship to the North Central.

“I have led a party: the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), I am a founding father of this party. I was the Chairman of Board of Trustees (BoT) of the All Nigerian People Party (ANPP),” he said.

He added that he therefore, knew the procedure and processes of a political party. Sheriff while saying that he would abide by the party’s decision to exclusively zone its chairmanship position to the North Central, added that this was however, not a final decision.

According to him, he may still contest in case if the party rescinds its decision between now and Friday, and throws the race open for all.

He explained that normally, zoning revolved around an individual, adding that it was however, not done in a vacuum.

“And in party Congresses and Convention, there is what is called a unity list, on the last day of the convention, when the leaders make up their mind, they will bring out one list.

“And in that respect, the list will be followed by the participants because parties are made up of men and women who are also coming from the zones and states,” he explained.

Sheriff maintained that he would, however, not offer himself for an election that had clearly been zoned out of the North East.
He thanked the party members, stakeholders, and Nigerians generally, who had been with him through his campaign across the country in the last two years.

According to him, his campaign has resonated all across the country with a lot of people showing interest, adding that he was withdrawing from the race because he wanted to follow the rule of law, saying that it was not correct for anybody to do otherwise.

“I Ali-Modu Sheriff, will not offer myself for the contest of the APC national chairmanship position slated for Saturday, March 26, because it has been zoned out of my zone.

“I am from the North-East. North Central where the position had been zoned to is made of Kogi, Kwara, Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau, these are the places where the party’s next national chairman will come from.

“Borno is North-East of Nigeria. I want you to communicate to all our followers, men and women across the country so that they do not expect to see my name on the ballot paper.

“But if the party changes its mind between today and Friday and says everybody can contest, within 12 hours one can fill a form.

“But as long as the position is zoned to the North Central. I’m not going to be party to that,” he stressed.

The APC National Convention has been slated for March 26, to elect new national executives to manage the party’s affairs.

The party is currently being managed by a Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC). So far, seven aspirants had bought the APC Expression of Interest and Nomination forms at the cost of N20 million to contest its national chairmanship position.

The aspirants include: Malam Saliu Mustapha, a former Deputy National Chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressives Congress (CPC), and George Akume, Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs.

Others are; Sen. Sani Musa, Tanko Al Makura and a former Governor of Zamfara, Abudulaziz Yari, among other aspirants, who have also purchased the forms.

Source: NAN.

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