The British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, resigned his office on Thursday, ending an unprecedented political crisis over his future – a situation that has paralysed Britain’s government.

Johnson made the official announcement at Downing Street on Thursday. He said he will continue to serve until a new leader emerges.

The former PM has faced a barrage of criticism from all sides over his conduct and that of some members of his government.

The climax of his crisis included illegal, Covid-19 lockdown-breaking parties thrown in his Downing Street offices for which he and others were fined.

Numerous other scandals include accusations of using donor money inappropriately to pay for a refurbishment of his Downing Street home and ordering MPs to vote in such a way that would protect a colleague who had breached lobbying rules.

According to BBC, there are reasons that accumulated the downfall of the former PM failed in his leadership style.

 

The Chris Pincher affair

 

On Wednesday, 29 June, a Member of Parliament, Chris Pincher, who was at that time the Conservative deputy chief whip, went to a private members’ club in London. In his words, he “drank far too much” and “embarrassed himself”.

Downing Street disclosed that Johnson did not pay attention to “specific allegations” about Pincher before appointing him as deputy chief whip in February.

On 4 July, the BBC reported Johnson had been aware of a formal complaint. The next day, a former civil servant – Lord McDonald – said the prime minister had been told of the complaint in person.

Johnson then admitted he had been told in 2019, and apologised for appointing Pincher as deputy chief whip.

 

Partygate

 

In April 2022, the former prime minister was fined for breaking lockdown rules, after attending a gathering on his birthday in June 2020.

He also apologised for going to a “bring your own booze” party in the Downing Street garden during the first lockdown.

More widely, the Metropolitan Police issued 126 fines to 83 people for breaking lockdown rules in Downing Street and Whitehall.

And a report by, a senior civil servant, Sue Gray described a series of social events by political staff that broke lockdown rules.

“The senior leadership at the centre, both political and official, must bear responsibility for this culture,” she wrote.

Last December, Johnson told the Commons that “all guidance was followed completely in No 10”. Then, he is currently being probed by a Commons committee over whether he intentionally misled Parliament.

 

The cost of living crisis – and a tax rise

 

Inflation has risen sharply in 2022, to the current rate of 9.1%.

Many of the inflation’s reasons are were not directly under Johnson’s control. A good example is Russia’s invasion of Ukraine which has led to rises in oil prices and the cost of food.

And, while the government has taken some steps – for example, by cutting fuel duty by 5p per litre – it also went ahead with a tax rise in April. National Insurance went up by 1.25 pence in the pound.

The government said the tax increase would pay for health and social care, and changes that kicked in this week moderated the burden – but anyone earning more than £34,000 a year will still pay more.

“In the middle of the worst cost of living crisis for decades,” said Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer in April, “the government chooses to increase taxes on working people”.

 

Owen Paterson vs Boris Johnson

 

In October 2021, a House of Commons committee recommended a 30-day suspension for then-Conservative MP Owen Paterson.

The committee said he broke lobbying rules, to try to benefit companies who paid him.

 

But the Conservatives – led by the prime minister – voted to pause his suspension, and set up a new committee to look at how investigations were carried out.

After an uproar, Paterson ended up resigning. Johnson later admitted he had “crashed the car” in his handling of the case.

 

Unclear visions and ideas

 

Boris Johnson won his thumping majority on the back of a clear, easy-to-follow policy – Get Brexit Done.

But since then, his critics said, there was a lack of focus and ideas in Downing Street.

His ex-adviser turned chief critic, Dominic Cummings, repeatedly accused him of being an out-of-control shopping trolley, veering from position to position.

Others questioned the prime minister’s philosophy – or, indeed, if he had one. In June, Conservative MP and former minister Jeremy Hunt accused Johnson of lacking “integrity, competence, and vision”.

Hunt was speaking before a confidence vote, which ex-PM won – but the complaints were getting louder.

The by-election defeats kept coming. After the latest, Johnson said he would not undergo a “psychological transformation.”

But that, now, is not the concern of Conservative MPs. They have spoken, and the prime minister is gone.

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File photo used to illustrate story.

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of a property developer, Mr Cecil Osakwe, who was charged with alleged N130million fraud by the Nigerian government, to September 19 after he failed to appear before Justice Mohammed Idris.

SaharaReporters had on Monday reported that the Federal Ministry of Justice arraigned Osakwe, before a Federal High Court in Abuja over Advanced Fee Fraud, punishable under section 3(1) of the Laws of the Federation 2004.

File photo used to illustrate story.

According to the charge signed by the Director of Public Prosecution in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. M. B. Abubakar, Osakwe was also accused of criminal intimidation of one Ms Asabe Waziri.

Osakwe’s counsel, Orhakioyamhe Emmanuel Esq, claimed on Thursday that his client was not served with the charge.

He assured the court that his client would appear before the court on September 19, 2022, to face his trial. 

The prosecutor, Mr Una Matthew, during the proceedings told the court that Osakwe's counsel undertook to serve the charge on his client.

“The police told us that the charge has been served on the accused through his lawyer,” Matthew said; but Orhakioyamhe denied signing any undertaking.

After it was established that the accused person was not served with the charge sheet, Justice Idris adjourned the case to September 19 for the arraignment of Osakwe.

Justice Idris in a short ruling ordered Osakwe's lawyer to appear before the court to explain his client's absence in court.

Part of the charge reads, “That you Cecil Osakwe, male, adult of Abeh Signature Limited, sometimes in 2021 in Abuja, Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court obtained by false pretence and with intent to defraud, the sum of N130,000,000 00 (one hundred and thirty million naira) only being payment for the purchase of a two bedroom flat with a maid’s quarters at Abeh Signature Apartment, located at 1, Mekong Close, Maitama, Abuja from one Ms Asabe Waziri which property you failed to deliver neither did you refund her money. You thereby committed an offence contrary to section 3 (1) and punishable under same section of the Advance Fee Fraud, Cap. Ab, LFN, 2004.

“That you, Cecil Osakwe, male, adult of Abeh Signature Limited, sometimes in 2021 in Abuja, Nigeria within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court threatened Ms Asabe Waziri with injury to her person and reputation with intent to cause harm and even death in order to cause her to stop requesting legitimatety from you her receipt for payment for the purchase of a unit of two bedroom flat with a Maid’s quarters at Abeh Signature Apartment, 1, Mekong close, Abuja, from you and the deeds of assignment thereof. You thereby committed an offence contrary to section 396 (2) and punishable under section 397(a) of the penal code law (cap 89).”

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Human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has condemned the brutality meted out to the founder of the Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry, Onitsha, Prophet Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere aka Odumeje, by officials of the Anambra State task force.

Sowore asked that the soldiers and policemen involved in the act be arrested and prosecuted by the appropriate authorities.

SaharaReporters had reported earlier that the officials in collaboration with the security agents beat up Odumeje for daring to confront them during the demolition of a section of his church in the Fegge area of Onitsha on Thursday.

The church is popularly known as the “land of freedom and miracle centre.”

The government of Chukwuma Soludo had shortly after he was sworn in as the governor of Anambra, marked the ministry for demolition in what residents tagged as witch-hunt for the cleric’s failure to support him during the Governorship election that brought him in November, 2021.

Meanwhile, the AAC presidential candidate, Sowore, condemned the treatment meted out to the pastor, while describing the actions of the soldiers and policemen as degrading.

This attack on Pastor Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere “Odumeje” by soldiers/policemen is cruel, inhuman and a violation of his dignity, it amounts to torture and degrading treatment. The soldiers or policemen involved must be arrested and prosecuted. pic.twitter.com/6A1A9OqRev

— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) July 7, 2022

Sowore noted that states must be disallowed from using soldiers and security agents to carry out civilian activities.

He tweeted, “This attack on Pastor Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere “Odumeje” by soldiers/policemen is cruel, inhuman and a violation of his dignity, it amounts to torture and degrading treatment. The soldiers or policemen involved must be arrested and prosecuted.

"Nigerian states must be disallowed from using soldiers and security agents to carry out civilian activities. #WeCantContinueLikeThis.” 

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The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar, has called on Muslims across Nigeria and those on pilgrimage to dedicate special prayers to Allah for quick intervention in Nigeria over the daily rising cases of insecurity, poverty, high cost of living and corruption.

Pleading in the name of Allah, the Sultan urged Nigerian muslims to “fervently supplicate to Allah for His intervention and an end to the myriad challenges bedeviling the country” as “It is obvious and very scary if we don't humble ourselves to the Almighty Allah, an end to these orgies seems not in sight if happenings in the country are anything to underscore.”

The Sultan made the call as Muslims observe the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah (Arafat) on Friday with special Juma'ah Prayer as was recommended by the Prophet (PBUH) as part of the Sallah celebration.

According to a statement by the Secretary–General of Jama'atu Nasril Islam (JNI), National Headquarters, Kaduna, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, the Sultan noted that the prayers will be more effective at this period when Muslim faithfuls observe “Sa'a (hour) and Arafat– the best day of the year, wherein standing for it, is observed by pilgrims, and Allah, the Most benevolent forgives and answers all supplications on the Arafat day gracefully.”

Sultan, who is also the President-General of JNI urges Nigerian Muslims to fast specifically on Friday “as was recommended by the Prophet (PBUH) and to also pray ceaselessly to Allah, the Most High for His quickest intervention. Nigerian pilgrims are also implored to specifically pray for Nigeria and its leaders, while standing for the Arafat.”

“It is obvious and very scary if we don't humble ourselves to the Almighty Allah, an end to these orgies seems not insight if happenings in the country are anything to underscore,” he was quoted in the statement.

“He implores us all to dedicate special prayers against all the menaces and the hydra-headed calamities (of insecurity, poverty, high cost of living and corruption) occurring in Nigeria. Similarly, with the 2023 general elections fast approaching, we need to also seek Allah's apt intervention for stability, security, peace and development of Nigeria.

“Indisputably, as people of faith we MUST submit ourselves to Allah, especially that all efforts geared towards restoration of peace and order seem to defy solutions,” the statement added.

He maintained that fervent prayer for peaceful and smooth political transition and an end to the varied socio-economic challenges has become imperative in the country.

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The Vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Doyin Okupe, has withdrawn as the running mate to former Anambra State Governor and LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi, ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Okupe’s withdrawal is not a surprise having announced earlier in June that he was a “placeholder” in the VP’s slot.

According to Okupe on Thursday, a replacement will be announced “shortly” by Barrister Julius Abure, the National Chairman of the party.

“This afternoon I submitted my withdrawal letter from the position of the Vice Presidential candidate of the Labour Party to INEC.

“A replacement will be announced by d national chairman of d party shortly. I feel greatly blessed to have been part of the foundation of success 4 the LP,” Okupe wrote on his Twitter handle.

Datti Baba Ahmed has been identified as a possible running mate to Obi. He is the founder of Baze University Abuja.

SaharaReporters had on June 17 reported that Okupe, the former Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, said he was “standing in” for the running mate to Obi.

In an interview with Channels TV, he had said, “I’m standing in as the vice-presidential candidate of the party. Labour party has submitted my name as the VP of the party. Our idea is to bring up the largest political coalition ever in the history of Nigeria because we are facing two giants; the APC and the PDP.

“We cannot work alone, we need to put up a coalition and it is important for us to ensure all stakeholders are carried along. The choosing of VP candidate is an electoral process which does not stop until the process ends. We believe that the Labour Party coming to rule Nigeria is essentially going to be about young Nigerians.

“I’m willing to put down my back so young people can come to the top. The decision of LP to use Okupe is to comply with the Nigerian constitution.”

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The Lagos Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday secured the conviction and sentencing of Bolarinwa Abiodun, a fake Army General, to seven years in prison, before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos State.

Abiodun had been arraigned on a 13-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, forgery of documents and possession of documents containing false pretence to the tune of N266,500,000.

The offences are contrary to Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006; Section 363 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015 and Section 6 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Related Offences Act No 14 of 2006, respectively.

The defendant, who posed as a General in the Nigerian Army was accused by the EFCC of making false representations to the complainant, Kodef Clearing Resources, that the President, Muhammadu Buhari, had short-listed him and one other to be appointed as the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, and that he needed a short grant to “press and process the appointment.”

Abiodun, who was arrested at his house in the Alagbado area of Lagos State on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, was also accused of forging a letter of appointment as COAS purportedly signed by the President and showed the same to the victim to further prove his claim.

In the said letter, he claimed that he needed to pay a certain amount of money into the coffers of the Federal Government of Nigeria, as part of the requirements for the appointment as COAS.

Abiodun was also accused of forging a Nigeria Army Identity Card with serial number 387140, claiming the same to have been issued to him from the Nigerian Army, and another forged Letter of Recommendation purportedly signed by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo recommending one Adebayo Rasaq Adebola, with recruitment No 77RRI/OG/556/0032555 and Adeogun Emmanuel Adesola with recruitment No 77RRI/OG/352/0123751 for employment into the Nigeria Army.

He was also accused of being in possession of a forged Certificate of Confirmation dated November 7, 2018, purporting the same to have emanated from the Nigerian Army Headquarters.

One of the counts had read, "Bolarinwa Oluwasegun Abiodun, between 15th June, 2020 and 31st December 2020 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud and whilst holding yourself out as a General in the Nigerian Army, obtained the sum of N111,400,000 from Kodef Clearing Resources Limited, under the pretence that the sum represented part of the amount expended to "press and process" your incoming appointment by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, as the CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF of the Nigerian Army, which pretence you knew to be false."

He had pleaded "not guilty" to the charges when he was first arraigned on April 11, 2022.

In the course of the trial, the prosecuting team, Rotimi Oyedepo, A.O. Muhammed, S.I. Suleiman and E.K. Uduak presented six witnesses and tendered documentary evidence to prove the case against him.

The prosecution opened its case on April 25, 2022 and closed its case on June 20, 2022.

However, at today's sitting, July 7, 2022, the defence counsel, Otunba Ogunleye, informed the court that his client had decided to change his plea, "rather than going through the rigours of defence.”

There was no objection raised by the lead prosecuting counsel, Oyedepo, who noted that "the defendant has the constitutional right to do so, and we are still standing on the same charges."

Thereafter, the 13 counts were read afresh to him.

"I'm guilty," he said to all the counts.

Thereafter, Justice Taiwo convicted him as charged.

In sentencing the convict, Justice Taiwo held that: "The defendant went the length of involving a former president of this country, General Obasanjo and forged documents allegedly signed by the current president of this country, President Muhammadu Buhari.

"It is so sad that people like the defendant have given our beloved country bad image.

"It is obvious that the defendant appears to be a very intelligent man, more is the pity that he could not put his ingenuity to better use.

"In the light of the seriousness of this scam, and in order to send a clear message to all scammers, fraudsters and criminals, this court is prepared to protect the interest of Nigerians and the society at large.

"I therefore sentence the defendant to seven years imprisonment without an option of fine."

The Court also granted the prayers of the prosecution for the forfeiture of the four vehicles and the property in order to help the victim recover his money. He was also ordered to pay N20 million as restitution to the victim. His First Bank account was also ordered "closed forthwith.”

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Offon Khalid al-Barnawi, Ansaru factional leader who bombed the United Nations Headquarters, Abuja, has been revealed as one of the 64 Boko Haram inmates set free by terrorists from the Kuje Prison on Tuesday.

The Ansaru leader, factional Islamic terrorists, Khalid al-Barnawi, who masterminded the bombing of the UN Headquarters in Abuja in 2011, was among the inmates which the terrorists released.

Recall that the attack at UN Headquarters and ThisDay Newspapers claimed no fewer than 18 lives while several others persons got injured.

Al-Barnawi, who trained by the Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in Algeria, may have coordinated the Kuje jailbreak from his prison cell, as he is rated very high in terms of his IQ and organisational capability.

Sources added that he was regarded as one of the most valuable assets of the Boko Haram terrorists’ sect.

The sources who sought anonymity because they did not have permission to speak on the matter told People’s Gazette that the jailbreak was most likely engineered to set Mr Al-Barnawi free, given his doggedness and commitment to carry out Boko Haram assignments before his incarceration in 2016.

As a commander, he was notorious for executing other commanders who failed to meet their operational targets, sealing his reputation as a leader who accepted no excuses even from his equals. See Also Exclusive EXCLUSIVE: How Terrorists Attacked Kuje Prison With Massive Firepower, Preached For 20 Minutes, Gave Us Transport Fare And Ordered Us To Leave – Escaped Inmate 0 Comments 6 Days Ago

Al-Barnawi goes by many aliases, including Abu Hafsat, Mallam Dauda, Alhaji Tanimu Kafuri, Naziru, Alhaji Yahaya, Muhammad Usman and Mohammed Usman, to avoid detection while conducting his criminal operations.

Arrested five years after the UN bombing, the nation’s State Security Service (SSS) in April 2016 described Al-Barnawi’s capture as “a major milestone in the counterterrorism fight of this service.”

On June 21, 2012, the U.S. Department of State designated Khalid al-Barnawi a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under Executive Order 13224 on June 21, 2012. Other terrorists designated are; Abubakar Shekau and Abubakar Adam Kambar.

The release of Al-Barnawi may signal a significant increase in Boko Haram terrorist activities in Nigeria.

The U.S. government has already issued a security alert to citizens resident in Abuja and environs to be cautious. See Also Sahara Reporters Kuje Prison Attack: US, UK Advice Citizens To Avoid Abuja Airport Road Over Likely Crime Increase, Kidnap Threat 0 Comments 1 Week Ago

The Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi, had on Wednesday said the 64 Boko Haram suspects who escaped from the Kuje Prison after the Tuesday’s night attack were still at large.

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Senator Shehu Sani has said Nigeria is currently at war with many terrorist groups who have been attacking several institutions and places in the country.

 

The former lawmaker who represented Kaduna Central in the Senate on Thursday via Twitter said Nigeria needs a leader, which invariably knocks President Muhammadu Buhari for incompetence.

Sani also dismissed the assertions of Buhari’s government that terrorists had been weakened in the country and reduced to only attacking soft targets.

 

According to Sani, the places attacked by the terrorists are not soft targets.

 

On Tuesday, some terrorists attacked Kuje Correctional Centre, freeing hundreds of inmates including Boko Haram fighters.

 

Sani tweeted, "The Attacks on military formations, Police Stations, Prisons, Election commission offices are attacks on symbols, institutions and pillars of the state. They are not soft targets. The nation is at war with multiples of organised guerrilla terror groups aiming at power. WE NEED A LEADER."

 

SaharaReporters earlier reported that the Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, known as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) claimed responsibility for Tuesday's attack on Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

 

According to sources, the terrorists invaded the facility around 9:05 pm on Tuesday and operated till 1:30 am on Wednesday morning.

 

ISWAP in a video released on Wednesday claimed responsibility for the attack.

 

In the video, the terrorist group showed some of its men shooting their way into the facility.

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A Federal High Court has nullified the election of Sheriff Oborevwori, as the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate in Delta State for the 2023 general elections.

 

Oborevwori, who is currently the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, is Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s stooge and was allegedly imposed on the PDP in the state, causing internal ripples.

SaharaReporters Media

The court on Thursday nullified Oborevwori’s election as the PDP candidate based on certificates issues and ordered the party to conduct a new primary before the final date of change of candidates, SaharaReporters learnt.

 

The Electoral Act does not permit the runner-up to automatically become the candidate. 

 

According to Fejiro Oliver, a journalist familiar with the development, “Sheriff Oborowheri has been disqualified by the Federal High Court on certificate issues. PDP has been asked to conduct a new primary before the final date of change of candidates

 

“This is where Okowa wants to actualise his Ijaw agenda to make James Manager the standard PDP flag bearer. He would rather die than see Edevbie succeed him.”

 

SaharaReporters had reported that Oborevwori emerged as the candidate of the PDP, after polling 590 out of 825 votes to beat former commissioner for finance, David Edevbie, who is the anointed candidate of former governor James Ibori with 113 votes to clinch the second position.

 

Okowa recently nominated the state internal revenue board chairman, Monday Onyeme as the running mate to Oborevwori.

 

SaharaReporters had reported that some chieftains and stakeholders of the party were angry that Okowa nominated the candidates without consulting them.

 

This has further aggravated crisis, with some of them now looking to leave the party, sources had told SaharaReporters.

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I recall having this conversation with my wife during the week when the case of Sen. Ike Ekweremadu came up and I was completely in an incandescent shock that this man actually has a sick daughter yet has been all over the place attending political meetings for his political ambition instead of taking time out from the highly demanding world of politics to sort out his daughter's pressing health needs.

He was all over the place during the PDP primaries, he lost the PDP gubernatorial primaries for Enugu state then started planning to decamp to APGA, then APC , reportedly taken to APC national Chairman by HE Uzodinma, Imo state Governor, when APC stalwarts in Enugu APC, led by their state APC Chairman, Chief Ugochukwu Agballah, outrightly rejected him. 

He eventually lost and , unlike previous election cycles, Senator Ekweremadu is not returning to the Nigerian Senate.He lost on all the political fronts.

Sen. Ike Ekweremadu was all over the place so much that it appeared like he did not follow through on the health and lifestyle choices of his children.

He did not follow through on what I believe is more important than his political ambition; the life of his daughter and a family at the low ebb of the apprehension of losing a child to kidney failure.

Ike Ekeremadu was so consumed by his political ambition that he had no time and seriousness to do due diligence and background check on the character they got him as a donor for his daughter , I doubt if with his PhD, he even had the time to follow through and read up to ask the right questions from the professionals, understand the risks and benefits of why it could be better for one member of his family of six to donate to the daughter instead of a stranger and seek help to find out if there are some of the tests which can be done on the stranger here in Nigeria before bundling a total stranger overseas. 

He was so consumed by politics that when the 22-year old donor went rogue and was allegedly scheming behind him to deny his age and report Ike and family to UK police, it probably escaped his detection and intervention soon enough so he can be the first to report to UK police and then return the donor to Nigeria for him to immediately restart the process of getting alternative donor(s) for his ailing daughter whose life was more important to him.

He forgot that he was first a father and husband before becoming a Senator,Deputy Senate President and SSG. 
He forgot that he will finish as a father and husband.

I compared Senator Ekweremadu to Joe Biden and I believe that he could have followed the Biden example. Then in 2015 , US Vice President Biden had a dying son and had the opportunity to contest in his party's primaries to emerge against Trump for the US Presidency but Biden stepped down from that race in order to support his dying son.

At a point, Biden was to sell his family house before Barack Obama intervened and offered to pay for the treatment. Biden's boy made his Dad promise him that no matter what happens, Biden must not give up his life long ambition to be US President, Biden's boy, Beau Biden later died. Biden grieved without the guilt of abandoning his son for his political ambition.

 In 2021, years after his son had passed on , Biden contested and won. There are many Nigerian politicians (and professionals) who will do like Biden but not like Ike.   

Family is so important that we even need the approval of a sick dying one before we place anything above their life

That is the lesson Ike missed and was almost about to lose from both ends as his wife who takes care of the daughter remains in prison until August 4 .   

Last two Sundays ago was Father's Day , I really truly hope that fathers used that day to reflect and understand the real responsibility of fatherhood. It is the hardest job for a man but it gives the greatest reward if you do your best at it.

As a father , I have realized that it is not possible to outsource that role of a father and not pay heavy fines.  

May God heal that Ike Ekweremadu's daughter and may God help the Ike Ekweremadu family in this their difficult time. I know it is a difficult place for them. 
May God help all fathers to realise that "your child is your responsibility". 

That you pay all the bills and have a devoted and responsible wife/mother of your child won't still make up for your negligence. 

Your child is your responsibility and not even your ambition can replace what you will miss if you neglect your role in the life of your child. 

This a lesson to all fathers: Do not behave like Senator Ike Ekweremadu who was literally chasing rats around the house when his house was on fire.

May God help us all to succeed and may our children not develop kidney failure. May our labour of love and sacrifice be rewarded in our life time and when we are long gone, Amen.

Sunkanmi Vaughan is a Lagos-based Pharmacist and Author.

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With the spate of mass killings and mass destruction taking place in Nigeria, there is no one in charge. General Muhammadu Buhari, the absentee President of Nigeria, has no shame, no conscience, no backbone, and no integrity. Buhari has completely lost his way.
 
When the president, reps, and senators act like animals, Nigerians believe actual four-legged creatures would make great leaders. Nigerian voters frustrated with rats in politics turned to another option for 2023: a black-and-white even-toed hoofed bovid named Cacareco Cow for president. Can a Cow run for president? Why not? Can a Cow become the president? Of course, yes! If Buhari could run and win the presidency, a Cow is doubly qualified to run and become president.
 
Although the Cow wasn’t formally listed on the ballots as a candidate, many voters wrote his name in. Nominated for president by the Vegetarian Party of Nigeria (VPN), Cow attracted two million likes on Facebook, six million followers on Instagram, 10 million disciples on YouTube. At first, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) didn’t allow Cow on the ballot, but with a million fans and supporters, INEC bowed to the fame and popularity of Cow. With the nomination of Cow, Nigerians declared that a Nigerian four-legged creature named Cacareco Cow was more qualified to run for office than any of the candidates running for president.
 
A local goat named Boer has been appointed as the campaign manager. According to Boer, INEC confirmed that Cow’s nomination was approved having verified his age requirement and educational qualifications. The 100-year-old Cow is now a candidate for the 2023 presidential election. Besides launching a campaign website and accompanying social media accounts, Cow has caught some media attention, nabbed an endorsement, and even inspired a line of campaign swag.
 
“Cacareco Cow is a candidate we can all get behind! Now it is the turn of the Cow!” the VPN website announced. The slogan of the VPN is: “They elect a president, and he kills the people. We are going to elect a Cow that the people will eat.” If Cow is elected president, it will mean a paradigm shift in the political history of the 62-year-old troubled country. Nigerians are convinced that Cacareco Cow will be a better president than General Muhammadu Buhari whose tyrannical regime is reputed for genocide, ethnic cleansing, poverty, unemployment, corruption, insecurity, and other unthinkable barbaric killings never witnessed in Nigeria. Nigerians can’t wait for Cacareco Cow to take over the affairs of the country!
 
bjoluwasanmi@gmail.com

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Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin

An activist and President, Women Arise, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, has revealed why the Muslim-Muslim ticket cannot work in present-day Nigeria, unlike the 1993 era of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola and Babagana Kingibe who contested the presidential election together.

Odumakin in a statement titled "The MKO Phenomenon @24," said there are so many factors and forces that contributed to the Nigeria's dysfunctional and mutual mistrust among Nigerians at the moment.

Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin

She said, "There are enduring questions and eluding answers. Such is the nature of an enigma who happened to Nigeria 24 years ago. The greater worry is how we capture for our kids and articulate for them.

"Babies who came to birth as MKO Abiola departed twenty-four years ago are becoming parents themselves now. Such is the energy of transiting generations in defining societies.

"This year's memorial of MKO brings a familiar yet imposing challenge; imposing, not because of its familiarity but by its position on our political timeline. It is called Muslim/Muslim ticket. Steeped in Emilokan and Eleyi political jest vents, which do have their uses."

Odumakin explained that Nigeria had seen the Muslim/Muslim presidential race ticket before, but queried while it had not manifested right now saying "that it has become a fragrance to some and a nauseating odium to others.

"Nothing speaks to us about the Nigerian project better than this. Why it was not a question 27 years ago and it passed freely. Why it is the question today and it looks like a waiting trap.

"MKO Abiola was a proud Muslim, a deep Yoruba son and leading light, a committed Nigerian and a visionary African. Very few recall his reparation call. But you could not forget his Nefertiti cap. Abiola was all these virtues with true energy. Not without his flaws as with all.

"The Muslim vs Christian political conflict was visible but kept under - grand national pretense; rigged constitutional stipulations; incredulity of the cheated; North-West/Southwest religion/political clouded narratives; The plague of representation. The long military interregnum as preparatory scheme among others.

"Nigeria has in truth dislocated but not fortuitously. So, the greater conflict today is not the Muslim/Muslim ticket, but between the forces. One, the force which engineered the dislocation and is moving at a cruise rate to consolidate. Two, the force which seeks to fix the dislocation. 3) The force which seeks relocation. 4) The force in oblivion."

She however, stated that "forces 2 and 3 are constantly losing, finding and mixing their identities, while force 4 misplaces the analysis, there becoming the companion of force 1 and the nightmare of 2 and 3.

"The further complication is that all are represented at the table dominated by force 1...and they love being at the table more than their constituents.

"Now, the representatives are Christians and Muslims who often share Dibias, Babalawos and Shaman...How could they be that much friends in the closet and this much enemies in the open?

"The southwest where such manufactured, unnatural battleground is seen has its own explanations not so hidden. All through the travails of Chief Awolowo, South-West muslims stood and were counted. Islam in the west is not the same as the North but there are forces which want it to be so. While it is not yet so, it is being presented as such.

"This is probably one factor worth watching. Christianity in South-East, south-south is different from South-West. At the risk of courting controversy, South-West is 50-50 at least. Other south is about 100% take some single digits.

"Yet, MKO did not come at a time of mindless murders of Christians, abduction of the Reverend and torching of churches. This is stoking the quest for apex political power to douse or solve the carnage. At which point a reflection must come. That OBJ and GEJ were Christians. As presidents, how much did they solve? How much black problem did Obama solve?

"Never mind that the position, region or religion of the Vice President in office is NOTHING. That is the joke. But people, out of pain must make a statement...but contestants must win election. This conversation will continue in this plural society and MKO/Kingibe occurrence would be evoked."

She added, "These and many other points come with the MKO memorial. How he stunned the world which thought he was too rich to fight. Alhaja Kudirat Abiola who stood by her vows, her conscience and her humanity.

"Those who fought then and had since joined them. The evolution of a struggle for nation building from Colonisation to Restructuring. 

"These are the factors which make Abiola's relevance unyielding. We have not answered the questions which Hope '93 was going to answer. Until then, all the forces above will be in a perpetual state of conflict. On this timeline, restructuring would then force itself on us, if we fail to implement it. That might not be pleasant.

"Finally, we owe our children the undiluted narrative of June 12 and the martyr called MKO as a steady study in their curriculum. That is how a nation is built. The reverse is when such knowledge is kept in the burial ground. A Chicanery which destroys a nation."

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The Nigerian government has declared next week Monday and Tuesday as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

This was announced by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, through a statement released on Thursday from his office.

Aregbesola congratulated all Muslims and Nigerians both at home and in the Diaspora on this festive period.

The statement reads, “I call on Muslims to continue to imbibe the spirit of love, peace, kindness and sacrifice, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) and to also use the period to pray for peace, unity, prosperity and the stability of the country, considering the challenges of insecurity we face at the moment.”

Aregbesola, while wishing Muslims a happy Eid-el Kabir celebration, urged Nigerians to take responsibility by reporting any suspicious individuals and criminal activities they observed around them to law enforcement agencies with the use of N-Alerts application that has been designed to mitigate security challenges with prompt response from security agencies: as soon as you “See Something Do N-Alerts”, most especially during this festival.

"He also enjoined all Nigerians to be vigilant and observant of intruders in their communities. “We must all take responsibility for the security of lives and property as we celebrate this year’s festival,” he admonished.

"Aregbesola craved the indulgence of every Nigerians “to come together, put heads, hearts and all we have together, in order to achieve relative peace for harmonious coexistence and put an end to insecurities in Nigeria.”

"The minister assured Nigerians of the government’s protection for all law-abiding citizens."

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Nigerians can go anywhere perhaps including hell in their quest for higher education. They are ready also to invest any amount of money in their educational pursuits. If you doubt this, consider the humongous amounts of pounds that the UK is currently getting from desperate Nigerians in the name of higher education. Tuition fees in the UK often exceed £10,000 a year. This is aside from living expenses. Averagely, international students pay between £15,000 and £25,000 depending on the programme and the university.

 

Yet thousands of Nigerians are rushing to the UK for studies. As a matter of fact, choosing the education route is one of the easiest ways to leave Nigeria. The UK has made the process very easy and straightforward. Apply to a school, get your admission, make a part payment of your tuition and provide proof that you can sustain yourself and your dependants for the next nine months. At the end of your study, you are free to stay for two years during which you must get a job or you return to your country. If you choose not to return, you can enrol for another programme. You can do that for as long as you want provided you pay your tuition and meet other conditions set by the Home Office.  

 

If you are a couple, you are free to take your spouse along with you. Your spouse will get a work permit. He/she works so that you will be able to fund your education and take care of other expenses. The UK treats its education as a major export product, so it does whatever is required to make it yield the highest returns for the country. Its focus is currently on Nigerians. It is aware that Nigerians are looking for where to study because of the poor higher educational system at home. It also knows that many Nigerians are looking for greener pastures. So, it has opened its door wide to its educational institutions. It has also put in place checks and balances to protect itself. It is a win-win situation. Nigerians want what the UK has, that is, quality education and good life. And the UK also wants what Nigerians have- our money and probably cheap labour!

 

While our forefathers were deceived into becoming slaves in sugarcane plantations abroad, Nigerians today are more than pleased to offer themselves as ‘labourers,’ albeit for some time in their search for a better life. To them, their labour will not be in vain because there is a light at the end of the tunnel. After all, this is more promising than the hopeless situation at home.

 

Can anyone blame them? Life at home is brutish. Aside from insecurity, the unemployment rate has hit the roof. A report published by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in the first quarter of 2021 said Nigeria's Unemployment Rate rose from 27.1 per cent in the second quarter of 2020, to 33 per cent, making it the second-highest on the global list. The NBS report also shows that ‘more than 60 per cent of Nigeria’s working-age population is younger than 34. Unemployment for people aged 15 to 24 stood at 53.4 per cent and at 37.2 per cent for people aged 25 to 34. 

 

For the few that are lucky to be employed, the remuneration is very poor. Graduates are paid between N30,000 and N50,000. This is less than $100 per month going by an exchange rate of N610 to a dollar. Casual workers in the UK for instance earn roughly 100 pounds per day- that is about N80,000 per day. Granted the cost of living in both countries are different, Nigeria’s minimum wage of N30,000 is far too low to sustain the cost of living for the average Nigerian which is about N43,200, according to Statista. And the standard of living in the UK is far better. So, how do you compare the two? Isn’t it better to be a slave in the UK than be a free man in Nigeria?

 

Unfortunately, not many Nigerians can afford the financial investment required for a UK education. So, they are opting for countries that put a lesser financial strain on them. Unfortunately, such countries could be hellish. Just on Tuesday, Members of the Nigerian Diaspora Youth Ambassador raised an alarm over the plight of Nigerian students in Northern Cyprus.

According to them, these students are suffering from intense depression due to the inhuman treatment meted to them giving rise to a high rate of suicide amongst them. The President of the Association, Mr David Alozie, told Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission that their visit was to appeal for quick intervention on the plight of these students. In his words "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is not the best place to study, as the majority of the institutions there are not recognized by the European Union (EU) or any country in the world."

 

Imagine, these students know that their certificates are worthless outside Northern Cyprus but they still choose to go there anyway because “it is in the abroad” and it is a means of escaping the “shit hole” called Nigeria. This is pathetic. Sadly, many of them get killed in the process and they are simply forgotten.

 

The students’ expectation of hope was soon dashed when the Nigerian rep advised them to stay back in Nigeria. “It is better for the youths to stay back in their country and be alive than risk their lives in going to a country where unaccountable and unresolved cases of young Nigerians that have been killed and still being killed are being recorded,’’ Dabiri-Erewa advised.  

 

I guess many Nigerians will easily pick a hole in this piece of advice. First, we know that Nigeria does not guarantee anybody any form of security. Stories of the young Nigerians wasted by terrorists in the Kaduna-Abuja-bound plane are still fresh in our memory. Besides, we have lost count of students in Boko Haram enclaves across the country. When these terrorists strike, they don’t release all their victims - they keep some behind. An overwhelmed government desperate for credibility go to town over the few releases and forget about the remaining victims. We move on until another kidnap case is reported. Here, citizens get kidnapped at random. One does not even need to go out before they are abducted. Kidnappers go to people’s homes to steal them for ransom. So how safe is Nigeria really? A nation where the president’s convoy is attacked by bandits and terrorists attack prisons to free their members without a hindrance? These are the things that citizens suffer when you have an irresponsible government.

 

But, must we continue like this? Are Nigerian higher institutions irredeemable? Must we continue to enrich other countries at our own expense? What stops this country from making its higher education work? What can we do to stop incessant strikes by the academics and other unions in our higher institutions? A certain Nigerian called Malik steered the hornet’s nest on Tuesday with this Tweet: “University of Birmingham tuition fee for PGD ~ N10,430,000.00k, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University tuition fee for PGD ~ N110,500.00k. But my fellow Nigerians want our universities to be like that of those in the UK.’’

 

The tweet caught my attention and I read others’ reactions to it. Someone said he paid less than N40,000 per year at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. By the way, I learnt OAU charges the cheapest accommodation fee among all federal universities in Nigeria. Hostel accommodation fee is between N5,000 and N10,000 per student per annum!

 

Another person said, “I paid 136k as an undergraduate, and it is not easy for my family to pay such an amount for two children. I still have some of my mates that can't afford to pay their tuition fee.’’

 

“Everything over there is working perfectly where the citizens can afford it. There are students’ loans and grants, even scholarships. The moment the citizens there can afford to pay the tuition fee, there is nothing to prove. Can some Nigerians afford the N110,500k you mentioned?’’ another person said in his reaction.

 

“Empower the people before you tax them.” People in the US can afford to send their wards to the university of $25,000 tuition because they earn far above that. Even when they can’t, they have alternatives (Student Loan). How much is Nigeria’s minimum wage? Why is $1 = N615?

 

Others that reacted were just plain angry and abusive. “If only you have sense you won't come up with this tweet, ppl like you are why we are campaigning for PETER OBI to give you good education to think.” “Did you compare their income per capita? They are thriving well and can afford the fees! Nigerian politicians got us to this stage and now comparing the carcass of their actions with the UK! So dumb!’’

 

Another said, ‘Well, pls add that, the amount is for foreign students. I am in the UK studying. What you gain from that amount. NEVER CAN ANY Nigeria UNIVERSITY.GIVE u THAT. FOR their citizens, you can access that at a lower fee and can pay only when you start working. Can Nigeria do that?”

 

Others think the fees are expensive for UK citizens as well, hence the reason why they take loans to pay their fees while some say that Nigeria’s tuition is too low to demand the foreign standard of University education arguing that “the more you pay, the more value you get.” “The fees of some private primary and secondary schools in Nigeria are far higher than all public universities, public tertiary institutions are damn too cheap in Nigeria…’’ “Until we face the real fact of funding sustainability, we shall continue to go in circle and strikes will be what ASUU will give to short change the students and their parents.”

 

The take-home for me from this Twitter Thread is the urgent need for a meaningful conversation around the funding of higher education in Nigeria. All the people aspiring to lead Nigeria in 2023 should tell us how they intend to fund our higher institutions. Until we explore potential revenue streams and resources outside of government funding for Nigeria’s higher education, other countries will continue to take advantage of our foolishness and cluelessness.

 

Already, the number of youths pursuing higher education in Nigeria is too low compared to our population. Nigeria has 39.9 million people aged 15-24 years. Of that number, just about 2.1 million students are enrolled in higher institutions as at 2021. We don’t need a statistician to tell us that something is wrong with this figure.

 

Yet, Nigerians are flocking to other countries for higher education. Just recently, a Canadian university boasted of producing all-Nigerian Masters of Law students. Many of us were excited about the news report but we didn’t bother to ask ourselves why the Canadians shunned the law programme. Could it be because it isn’t a good investment of their time and money?

 

There is no point in deceiving ourselves. The main reason for going abroad for many Nigerians is not just to earn a degree. It is simply a vehicle of escape! The earlier we initiate the real conversation on the funding of our higher institutions, the better it would be for every one-both as a nation and a people!

 

 

Olabisi Deji-Folutile (PhD) is the editor-in-chief of franktalknow.com and a member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors. Email: bisideji@yahoo.co.uk

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Nigeria is awash with arms – guns, bullets, charms, drugs and local stuff. Not just Nigeria. The entire Sahelian and sub-Saharan African region is drowning in deadly small arms and light weapons – so-called because of their portability and ease of use and adaptation.

 

The firearms may be out of the line of sight, but they are making the rounds in cars and motorcycles or as headloads and hand luggage, concealed in unimaginable places. Many are also believed to be siphoned from the armouries of security agencies and are making their way into the hands of “unknown gunmen” with destructive motives and in ever-increasing numbers.

 

According to the 2019 SAS and African Union study, Weapons Compass: Mapping Illicit Small Arms Flows in Africa, “Civilians including rebel groups and militias hold more than 40 million small arms and light weapons, while government-related entities hold fewer than 11 million”.

 

The 2020 SBM Intelligence Report on Nigeria said there were about six million illicit small arms in circulation in the country, up three-fold from the two million reported by Oxfam in 2016. The SBM report indicates that about 10 million small arms were on the loose in West Africa. Nigeria accounts for six out of every 10 illicit weapons in the region.

 

Given that many such weapons are military-grade, their description as “small arms” is grossly misleading considering the amount of violence and destruction they can be used to unleash. These weapons have “liberalised” and “democratised” conflicts. With them, every coward in the neighbourhood feels emboldened, invincible and hungry for a fight.

 

The ISWAP and Boko Haram conflicts in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso; the ethnic wars of South Sudan, the unravelling of Libya; the banditry in North and Central Nigeria, and indeed all conflicts in diverse places, are the direct manifestations of ease of access to weapons by unauthorised persons.

 

Unfortunately, the region is also awash with weak state actors. Military and civilian leaders in Nigeria, the region’s powerhouse, that should lead the charge against the insurgency, are confused, exhausted and afraid for their own lives. Nothing illustrates this dire situation more than the Tuesday night attack on President Muhammadu Buhari’s advance party to Katsina and the jailbreak in the Kuje Prisons, less than 44 kilometres from the Central Business District, Abuja.

 

The jailbreak, claimed by ISWAP, was the ninth successful one in two years. The Katsina attack came on the heels of several deadly attacks on communities in Kaduna and what appears to be coordinated kidnappings of Catholic priests.

 

The affected states and Buhari’s government have tried everything from cutting deals with bandits in negotiations spearheaded by the Muslim clergy, to regional joint task forces and from local vigilantes to calls for divine intervention. So far, nothing seems to have worked. Modest gains are too often undermined by corruption in the top military hierarchy, poor intelligence and demoralised soldiers.

 

Small groups, communities and individuals who formerly relied on traditional weapons for self-defence and survival have found force multipliers in firearms and taken to crime and violence. The weapons are cheap and have become an economic tool with guaranteed access to war booty with minimum effort.    

 

This desperate situation partly explains why Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State called for citizens to arm and defend themselves, a call that has sparked significant resistance from the military top brass.

 

Matawalle is not the first governor or prominent citizen to make a rallying cry for ordinary Nigerians to take up arms in self-defence. The deposed Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, made a similar call in November 2014 at the height of Boko Haram’s callous and brutal reign of terror.

 

Sanusi said he had to make the call because the state had become significantly weak – so weak that it lacked the initiative and appropriate response mechanisms to armed groups holding citizens and government to ransom.

 

Cultists, bandits, terror groups and all manner of militias acquired the brazenness to take on the police and military forces in frontal attacks or ambushes and inflict serious casualties on them. Then they raid their armouries to harvest more weapons – adding legitimate stock to illegitimate ones.

 

Governments of South West Nigeria have set up a regional militia, Amotekun, after the Federal Government refused support to the call for state police.

 

Why Matawalle doesn’t seem to see his call for citizens to take up arms as an abdication of responsibility, is baffling. Quite credulously, he sounded as though he would order a shipload of Kalashnikovs and distribute them to all Zamfara citizens – who, instead of the police and the army, should now stand guard, fight and perhaps overcome the bandits.

 

This is the same governor, who only in April, used state funds to buy 260 assorted Cadillac limousines each valued at about N50million for district heads and traditional rulers in Zamfara. It’s a telling indictment on the governor that he would indulge the exotic tastes and comfort of a few at the expense of the safety and security of the majority.

 

Insecurity is not limited to Zamfara alone. In the last 23 years, however, that state has had more than its fair share of irresponsible governors from the one who gave them political sharia instead of food to the one who told scores of citizens dying from meningitis that the disease was punishment for their sins.

 

Matawalle’s bizarre call to arms should be seen for what it is: another public acknowledgement from a ranking Nigerian politician in the ruling party that the current federally controlled, unitary command system of policing is not working.

 

How long would it take for the National Assembly and Buhari’s executive branch to set up state police, which even a committee set up by the ruling party (with a parliamentary majority) has recommended?

 

The army is overwhelmed dealing with both internal law and order issues which it has no business meddling in and fighting insurgency at the same time.

 

The improvised, backdoor security outfits that many states, especially those in the South West have created, lack the legitimacy, authority and structure that state police could provide. These ad hoc arrangements should never be confused with a properly constituted state police force. They are desperate straws states are grasping at for survival.

 

It’s interesting that Matawalle would not press for state police, preferring instead to share arms to citizens. His suggestion is a shortcut that would only create more problems. It is the usual short circuit of our public officials – taking a plunge at every quick fix without well-thought-out plans for the aftermath and domino effects.

 

The most prevalent argument against state police by the political class is that politicians – especially those in power – will use them to settle personal scores against their rivals, especially at elections. They find nothing wrong with the present broken system under which only the Federal Government can use the police for its own fancies, including carrying handbags for wives of government officials.

 

Yet, if fear of abuse – an irrational fear as jurisdictions with state police systems also have inbuilt checks and balances – is the problem, consider the abuse that would ensue from Matawalle’s suggestion where everyone could have a gun!

 

The call is not only a self-indictment, it’s also an indictment of the Federal Government that has substituted responsibility for a meaningless statement after a public statement of sympathy.

 

Not only has Buhari’s government failed to secure the country as he promised, but it has also failed spectacularly to provide jobs to keep idle minds out of deadly mischief.

 

Ensconced in the bubble of government houses and watched over by different retinues of security aides, our public officials think security means guns and bullets. They have a blinkered vision of the Nigerian reality and cannot do better than prescribe poisonous pills with debilitating side effects to ailments for which there are herbal remedies.

 

The state has left many with Hobson’s choice: a gun or your life.

 

Ishiekwene is the Editor-In-Chief of LEADERSHIP

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Another Catholic Church priest, Rev. Father Peter Amodu has been kidnapped by terrorists in Benue State.

It was learnt that he was abducted around 5pm along Otukpo-Ugbokolo Highway when he was going to celebrate Holy Mass on Wednesday, July 6.

According to a verified circular issued by the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo and signed by Rev. Father Joseph Itodo, the Diocesan Chancellor confirmed the abduction of the priest.

The circular read, “We write to notify you of the kidnap of Rev. Pr. Peter Amodu, a priest of the Holy’ Ghost Congregation who is working in the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo as Parish Priest of Holy Ghost Parish, Eke-Olengbeche.

“The sad incident occurred today, July 6, 2022, at about 5pm along Otukpo – Ugbokolo Road, Benue State, while he was on his way to celebrate the Holy Mass at Okwungaga-Ughbokolo.

“The Local Ordinary, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, has called on all Christ’s Faithful in the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo and beyond to earnestly pray for his quick and safe release as we intensify efforts to ensure his release.

“We commend our brother and all those in the kidnappers’ den to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for their speedy and safe release from the hands of their abductors.”

The director of communication of Otukpo Diocese, John Okpotu, who confirmed the incident and verified the circular, said the priest was abducted on Wednesday.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, a Superintendent of Police said she had yet to receive the report.

 

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Officials of the Anambra State Government have reportedly beaten up Onitsha-based prophet, Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, more commonly called Odumeje, and demolished his church building.

SaharaReporters learnt that Odumeje, popular for his dance steps, and founder of the Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry, was said to have been beaten up while he and other members tried to convince the taskforce not to demolish his church in Onitsha on Thursday.

The church popularly known as “land of freedom and miracle centre” had been marked for demolition shortly after former Central Bank Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo was sworn in as the governor of the state.

Some opinion leaders in Anambra had tagged the state government’s action as a witch-hunt because Odumeje reportedly did not support Soludo during the Governorship election that brought him in November 2021.

Located at Bida Road, Fegge, Onitsha, the church was identified and marked for demolition among over 200 other houses, for obstruction and blocking the drainage way within the Fegge-Onitsha, Ogbaru and their environs.

The state government had few months ago commenced a massive clean-up exercise aimed at decongesting Okpoko and Onitsha waterways so as to avert environmental threats associated with flooding.

Prophet Odumeje had thanked the governor for keeping to his campaign promises of riding Onitsha and its environs of refuse and making it a human habitation, not knowing that his church would be affected.

Soludo had while officially launching the dredging of Sakamori in Ogbaru Local Government Area, Onitsha, explained that the exercise would be replicated in all the local government areas of the state.

He had said that the citizens’ habits of erecting structures on flood plains, indiscriminate dumping of refuse, excessive rainfall and deforestation were identified as the causative factors, which helped to render the communities vulnerable.

However, in implementing his promises, on Thursday, Soludo's taskforce went and demolished the ministry that holds over 2500 worshippers.

The taskforce was said to have demolished the church for falling short of the Anambra building plan.

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The Nigerian Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Bwari in Abuja has issued an interim order of status quo restraining the FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello, his Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, Attah Ikharo and the Abuja Department of Development Control (AMMC) from demolishing any building and plots of land belonging to Foluke Daramola Braimoh at the Trademore Estate in Lugbe area of Abuja. 
 
The presiding judge, Justice M. A Mudagu, gave the order on Wednesday, July 6, 2022.

Reacting to the judgment shortly after the court session, counsel for Braimoh, Samuel Ihensekhien Jnr. said the FCT Minister and his Special Assistant have been acting with impunity and disobedience to the laid down procedure of the Nigeria Urban and Regional Planning Act.
 
Ihensekhien said the minister and his assistant issued no notice to the residents of Trademore Estate before going on air to threaten and started demolishing buildings and houses in the estate.
 
The lawyer noted that “the court case was a step to prevent such flagrant and outright abuse of governmental powers by the AMMC, the minister and his Special Assistant,” adding that “all steps will be taken to enforce the interim orders of the court to the letter on the minister, his Special Assistant and the AMMC.
 
According to Ihensekhien, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had earlier marked 100 houses for demolition at Trademore Estate, out of which, no fewer than 30 houses had been demolished as of Wednesday.
 
The lawyer however said that the FCT Task Force Team led by Ikharo said that the purpose of the demolition was to mitigate flooding, as it was reported that floods had been ravaging the area.
It was reported in September 2021 that at least three persons died in the estate after a heavy downpour.
 
Ihensekhien noted that Ikharo had claimed that the recurring flood in the area, especially during the rainy season, has caused a lot of damage to property in the area.
 
The legal practitioner quoted Ikharo as saying that “Some developers are fond of carrying out excessive development on the flood plain in Trademore Estate in violation of building codes and the master plan of the FCT. This situation is also very disturbing to the FCT Minister, Mohammed Musa Bello, who authorized the demolition exercise.
 
“All the houses that are going down were marked and some have been marked as long as three years ago. Some were marked at foundation level, window level, and roofing level. The final marking was about four days ago. And we gave them 48 hours plus an extended grace of 24 hours.”
 
According to the counsel, Ikharo noted that the FCTA was still engaging critical stakeholders at the estate on how they can use the Solution Act to determine the fate of the remaining 70 marked buildings in the area.
 
But Ihensekhien maintained that with the court interim order, “all issues between the minister and his client on this plot of land/building are now subjudice and any attempt made by the minister and his Personal Assistant will incur the wrath of the court, as any further atrocious step by the authorities above will lead to contempt of court against them.”

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Boris Johnson

Several Conservative lawmakers have said that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson should be replaced immediately rather than allowed to remain as a caretaker leader until his successor is found.

According to Reuters, seven Conservative members of parliament on Thursday demanded Johnson leave office immediately because he has lost his authority. They called for an interim prime minister to take over during the leadership contest to follow, a process that could take weeks.

Boris Johnson

Two senior Conservative lawmakers also recommended that the deputy prime minister Dominic Raab, would be a suitable replacement.

"We need to be rid of Boris as soon as possible. He’s too toxic. Raab as interim prime minister would be acceptable," one Conservative lawmaker said.

Saharareporters earlier reported that Johnson had announced his resignation as prime minister on Thursday after he was ditched by cabinet ministers and many Conservative Party's lawmakers who said he was no longer fit to govern.

Speaking outside his Downing Street office, Johnson announced his "painful" resignation but defied pressure to step down now, insisting he planned to stay on as prime minister while his party picks his successor.

The prime minister's decision to quit marks the end of a rollercoaster political career in which he led Britain out of the European Union and took his Conservative Party to the largest election victory in three decades.
 
It follows three years of scandals, including anger over parties held at his Downing Street office during the coronavirus lockdowns, accusations of breaking international law over his threat to override parts of the treaty governing Britain's exit from the European Union and, most recently, his handling of sexual harassment allegations against a lawmaker.

Reuters reports that another Conservative member of parliament, Simon Hoare said Johnson's behaviour meant he had forfeited the right to remain as a caretaker leader.
 
"Ministers resigned because of the PM. The party lost confidence because of the PM. It is beyond credulity that Mr Johnson can stay in office....He has to go and go means go."
 
Business minister Kwasi Kwarteng said the Conservative Party needed a new leader as soon as feasible, and insisted the government must continue to operate.
 
"We now need a new leader as soon as practicable. Someone who can rebuild trust, heal the country, and set out a new, sensible and consistent economic approach to help families," he said. "The wheels of government must continue in the meantime.

Another Conservative lawmaker said if Johnson tried to stay on as caretaker premier, he would ask the executive of the 1922 Committee, an influential group of Conservative lawmakers, to tell the prime minister he should go now.

"I think his behaviour over the last few days has shown we would be better off with a clean break," the lawmaker said.
Chris Bryant, a member of parliament for the opposition Labour Party, said Britain needed an established government to deal with the twin challenges of a cost-of-living crisis and the war in Ukraine.
 
Bryant said, for example, a caretaker government would be unable to deploy troops.

"A caretaker government can't do that. It simply can't, the rules forbid them from doing that. So can we please, please have a proper government soon?" he asked.

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The lives of some military officers who masterminded the arrest of several Boko Haram terrorists who were among inmates that escaped after an attack on the Kuje Prison may be in 'grave' danger.
 
SaharaReporters had on Tuesday reported that the facility was under attack by gunmen.

According to one of the sources, the terrorists invaded the facility around 9:05 pm and operated till 1:30 am on Wednesday morning.
 
He added that over 800 inmates including terrorists escaped during the attack by gunmen.
 
According to PRNigeria, the terrorists who fled and were later nabbed after fighters of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) bombed the facility have vowed to 'eliminate' the military commanders behind their arrest and detention.
 
Most of the terrorists who had spent years at the prison facility were said to have been arrested by some military officers who 'involuntarily' retired from service in 2016.
 
Some of the officers, who were unjustly retired but won court judgements for their reinstatement included Col. Danladi Ribbah Hassan, Col. Auwal Suleiman and Lt. Col. Mohammed Abdulfatai, who had led several missions that neutralised hundreds of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists, prior to their 'sudden' removal from the Nigerian Army.
 
Hassan, Abdulfatai and Suleiman, also got many insurgents arrested and eventually detained, while also preventing bloody attacks on civilian populations and public infrastructural facilities in Northeast Nigeria and Abuja, before they were arbitrarily retired, six years ago.

In 2009, Suleiman led the arrest/killing of more than 370 insurgents and later helped to scuttle a Boko Haram plan to attack the Presidential Villa, Daily Post reports.

In 2014, Mohammed led the Konduga operation that eliminated over 200 terrorists. Both received official commendations for their feat, it was also learnt.

A legal representative of one of the 'illegally' retired army officers, told PRNigeria that his client and some other military commanders that led combat operations in the North East a few years back, which resulted in the killing and arrest of terrorists, have received threat messages from Boko Haram and ISWAP.
 
"My client's life and that of his colleagues are in serious danger. We don't know what the terrorists are planning to do to them. The military and other relevant security agencies must act fast," he said.
 
The counsel, while declining to give his name, expressed dismay over the refusal of the present military hierarchy to facilitate the reinstatement of his clients, and others in line with several court rulings in their favour.
 
He, however, said he would continue to write appeal letters to relevant authorities to intervene and get justice for the forcefully retired officers.

"It is gratifying to note that the present Service Chiefs do not have an objection to the court ruling.

"Moreover, they were not behind the travails of my client and his colleagues.
 
"But our concern is the Minister of Defence. He has refused to act and do the needful.
 
"Nevertheless, we shall not relent in writing and exploring every possible avenue that will get justice for the retired senior army officers," he noted.
 
According to the counsel, his client (whose name was not mentioned), and some of his colleagues are still committed to serving the Nigerian military and have even pledged to tackle criminal bandits terrorising states in the North Central and West, together with the Federal Capital, if they are reinstated.

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