The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has begun investigations to ensure that the monies used in the purchase of nomination forms by political parties ahead of the 2023 elections are legitimate.
The EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa said this on Friday when he featured on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

“When it comes to the issue of monitoring election funds as well as candidates’ funds, that has to do with the work of INEC in this regard but, of course, we are working hand in gloves with INEC and other related agencies in that field to ensure that we follow the money, we know the source, whether it is legitimate or illegitimate because that is what concerns us,” he said.
His comments followed the outcry that greeted the prices for the nomination forms for the major political parties. While the All Progressives Congress (APC) pegged the presidential nomination form price at N100million; that of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is N40million.
“You know that we are concerned about good governance. We are concerned about transparency; accountability. We are also concerned about ensuring that corrupt elements are not given leadership positions in this country,” the EFCC explained further.
“That is one of the things we are working behind the scene to ensure that at least we make our positions known on some certain actors within the political space in this country.”

News AddThis :  Original Author :  SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK Disable advertisements : 

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately remove the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, over his involvement in partisan politics.
This comes after the CBN Governor, Emefiele, picked the nomination form of the All Progressives Congress.

Emefiele reportedly picked the form on Friday from the party’s organising secretary at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja.
Reacting in a tweet, SERAP urged Buhari to remove Emefiele as the latter acted contrary to section 9 of the CBN Act which forbids CBN governors and their deputies from engaging in politics.
The tweet reads, ”We urge President Buhari to exercise his power under section 11(2)(f) of the CBN Act to immediately remove the CBN governor Mr Godwin Emefiele over his engagement in partisan politics, contrary to Section 9 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act.
”Section 9 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act provides that "The Governor and the Deputy Governors shall devote the whole of their time to the service of the Bank and while holding office shall not engage in any full or part time employment or vocation.”
Meanwhile, section 11(2) (f) of the same act emphasises the provisions of the section 9. It reads, “A CBN governor can be removed by the president provided that the removal shall be supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate praying that he so be removed.”

News AddThis :  Original Author :  SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK Disable advertisements : 

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has called on Nigerians to work with their state governors to secure the country, stating that security should not be left in the hands of a clueless federal government.

Mohammed made the call in an interview with journalists on Friday after he led members of his presidential aspiration team on a close-door meeting with his Benue counterpart, Samuel Ortom, in Makurdi, the state capital, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

“We must work with the state governments at sub-nationals to secure the country. Majority of our people live at the sub-nationals and local government levels. We must come up with a template; that is part of the restructuring; you cannot surrender safety and security to a clueless administration at the centre.

“You cannot allow exclusion and nepotism to drive disillusionment and to cause misconception, sensibilities up to the extent of threatening our collective heritage as Nigerians,” Mohammed said.

He said that his administration would be driven by knowledge and leadership recruitment would be in a manner that would not exclude any section of the country, stressing that everybody would have a part to play.

The president aspirant said security was the key, adding that he was going to work with his colleagues to address security challenges bedevilling the country.

Politics Terrorism News AddThis :  Disable advertisements : 

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Friday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to grant a state pardon to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Rev. Fr. Ibrahim Nwali made the appeal in Abakaliki, Enugu State, while speaking on behalf of CAN members, in a town hall meeting with the president, who was on a two-day state visit to Ebonyi State.

Nwali said, “Your Excellency, as a father of our dear nation and South-East, we bring to your notice that the sit-at-home order has crippled the economy of the region and banditry is engulfing the nation.

“As a body that is of genuine counsel, our country is currently challenged greatly by insecurity and societal conflict here and there with high levels of poverty. A great number of our families are living in fear of the unknown.

“We know that you’re doing your best to solve these problems, but we request your Excellency for more dialogue with all nationalists and more empowerment to the various security agencies to tackle this monster called insecurity.

“We plead with you for a political solution as a father, a loving father; a forgiving father to grant Nnamdi Kanu freedom.”

Buhari, however, in response to the free Nnamdi Kanu request, noted that the case, which is currently before the court, should go through the judicial process.

News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 

Chelsea, on Saturday morning, officially confirmed Todd Boehly as the club’s new owner.

In a statement via their website, the Premier League giants confirmed that terms have been agreed for the new ownership group, led by Todd Boehly, to acquire the West London club.

Boehly became Chelsea’s new owner following the completion of his £3.5billion takeover, replacing Roman Abramovich.

His consortium was named as the preferred bidder to take over Chelsea by the Raine Group, the US bank who are overseeing the sale.

Chelsea’s statement read in part: “Chelsea Football Club can confirm that terms have been agreed for a new ownership group, led by Todd Boehly, Clearlake Capital, Mark Walter and Hansjoerg Wyss, to acquire the Club.

“The sale is expected to complete in late May subject to all necessary regulatory approvals. More details will be provided at that time.”

Sports News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 

President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has said the matter of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, is entirely within the purview of a court of law.
Buhari stated this on Friday while meeting with South-East leaders.

President Muhammadu Buhari
Earlier, Buhari was said to have agreed to a political solution to the crisis, according to Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State.
The governor, who urged the Southern leaders to work towards finding a political solution in resolving some challenging issues, warned that the region was at a crossroads.
“On this issue of a political solution, I have never believed in IPOB’s method of operation, I disagree with them but we have gotten ourselves to a very terrible and pitiable solution.
‘‘Some of us warned that we will get to this situation and some were playing politics with it. Mr. President, we are at crossroads. I have been to you and I have begged you for a political solution. Surprisingly and graciously you granted that. You said our people should initiate that and at the forefront is Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer,” the governor said.
Buhari, while speaking at the meeting held in Abakiliki, promised that the Federal Government would deploy its strength to protect innocent and hardworking Nigerians from terrorists and those causing break down of law and order in the South East region.
The President, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the region, reiterating his directive to security agencies to ‘‘flush out’’ those perpetrating violence in the land.
‘‘I must register my deep and grave concern with regards to the deteriorating state of security affairs in this region.
‘‘In the last 48 hours, I have been informed of the latest in the round of brutal actions carried out by gun-wielding terrorists, who prey on innocent and hardworking citizens, unfortunately, these barbaric acts were visited upon those who have committed their lives to protect their fellow citizens,” he said.
Buhari paid tribute to members of the Nigerian armed forces who recently lost their lives in the region.
The President, while responding to appeals by traditional, religious and political leaders in the region for the release of the detained leader of the outlawed IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, said: ‘‘I have listened carefully to the various appeals from the elders to the traditional leaders regarding a wide range of options, and as I have said previously this matter remains in the full purview of the courts where it will be properly adjudicated.”

 

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORKn Disable advertisements : 

Former Vice President and presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, on Friday said the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos State has been in disunity for many years and is reason why the party could not win the state.
He also accused the ruling party, All Progressives Congress, APC of causing disunity and woes for the country.

Atiku who asserted that Nigeria was more divided under the APC government than pre-civil war era, made this known while speaking in Lagos State at a meeting of PDP members ahead of the upcoming primary election.
He said, “We are living witnesses of the challenges that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has caused us in this country.
“The biggest challenge that APC has brought is disunity. We have not been as divided like this before even the (civil) war.
“We have a responsibility to send the party away but we must be united to enable us to do that. Lagos PDP has been in disunity for many years. I appeal to Lagos PDP to bring about unity in the party. I appeal to the eldest to please ensure unity in the Lagos State chapter of the party so that we can take over the state.
“I look forward to working with you to reposition Lagos State PDP. We don’t want Lagos to be under one family. We want Lagos to belong to Lagosians. We should avoid making the same mistake that we have made over the years. I will continue to work with you until we achieve success.”

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK Disable advertisements : 

Former Governor of Lagos State and presidential aspirant, Bola Tinubu, has thrown a poser to other presidential aspirants of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, daring them to try and see who would win the party’s ticket and become the next president of Nigeria.
According to Vanguard, the APC national leader spoke on Thursday evening in Abuja when he hosted the forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria (FFDGN).

He said, “But for those who have decided to be an opponent, I will not dwell on that, let’s see who wins, but I want to win and I want you to work along with me and to convince more delegates.”
Tinubu also appealed to the forum to support his presidential ambition and also ensure the unity of the party in their various states to achieve success, starting with Osun and Ekiti elections which are close.
Tinubu added that he would address the economic and security challenges if given the opportunity.
“Many of you I know, and you have participated in governance and political activities. You have given a value to your various states. When we merged as one and took a broom as the symbol of our party; broom has a lot of meaning.
“Let me first of all address our element of constitution, I promise to look into that if elected.  Our reward system as APC is very poor, and it was late before I could recognise that. Let me assure you, I won’t repeat that mistake, if I’m elected.
“I know that you still have people who believe in you, in the system. In some states where we have divisions, please tell us, we have to harmonise and become one. Particularly, Oyo is divided, Osun and Ekiti elections are coming; these elections are precursors to the national election,” he added.

 

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK Disable advertisements : 

Human rights' lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has said Nigerian workers have the right to participate in politics.
According to the senior lawyer in a statement, Nigerian workers must stop agonising about the country’s problems and participate in politics.

Falana added that the dividends of democracy promised by the ruling class have snowballed into “worsening insecurity, gross economic mismanagement and grand corruption.”
He said that Section 40 of the 1999 constitution gives workers the right to join the Labour Party (LP) for participation in electoral politics.
The statement read, “The official history of Nigeria claims that the Independence of Nigeria was won by nationalist politicians on the platter of gold. But contrary to such dubious claim the Nigerian workers, women and the youths who fought for the nation's independence suffered casualties in the hands of the British colonial police.
“When the civilian regime was sacked in 1966 by military officers who later  led the nation to fight a civil war and installed a regime of repression and corruption it was the working class and other progressive forces that fought against unending military dictatorship.  However, successive military and civilian regimes ensured, through draconian laws and backward civil service rules that Nigerian workers are completely ostracised from the political terrain. It is on record that majority of the politicians who formed the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) in May 1994 had served military regimes in various capacities. They were therefore involved in the struggle against military dictatorship after the annulment of the results of the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by Bashorun MKO Abiola, only for restoration back to power and preservation of class interests. 
“At the end of military rule, the political class who took over the reins of power have made a complete mockery of constitutional rule and endangered the democratic process.  Happily, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress have resolved to reposition the Labour Party to contest political power with members of the ruling class. In order to achieve the historic objective the labour movement should proceed to mobilise Nigerian workers and allies to embark on mass registration of the members of the Labour Party.
“This has become a daunting task in view of the undeniable fact that the members of the political class have virtually collapsed the neocolonial State through the implementation of anti- people's political and economic programmes for the past 23 years.
“The dividend of democracy promised by the ruling class parties has turned out to be worsening insecurity, gross economic mismanagement and grand corruption.  Since the resolution of the labour movement to mobilise the oppressed people of Nigeria to get organised and participate in the electoral politics of the country is going to be questioned by the ruling class it is pertinent to point out that the  fundamental right of workers to belong to the Labour Party is recognized by section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution which provides that "every person shall be entitled to assembly freely and associate with other persons, and in particular he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any association for the protection of his interests."
“Like other citizens, workers are equally entitled,  by virtue of section 39 of the Constitution,  to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference. In Inspector-General of Police v All Nigeria Peoples Party (2008) 12(WRN 65 the Court of Appeal  annulled the issuance of police permit for rallies and other public meetings on the grounds that it was a breach of the fundamental rights of citizens to freedom of expression and association guaranteed by sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution. In line with the judgment, section 83 of the Police Establishment Act 2020 has imposed a duty on the police to provide adequate security for participants in peaceful rallies and public meetings. 
“In addition to constitutional provisions the Government of Nigeria has ratified the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948  International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)5 both of 1966 as well the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) 1981 which guarantee freedom of association and freedom of expression. Indeed, the right of workers to associate and organise is enshrined in the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention 1948 (No. 87)6 and the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention 1949 (No. 98) of the International Labour Organization (ILO). Section 254C(2) of the Constitution has conferred exclusive jurisdiction on the National Industrial Court to enforce provisions of all ILO Conventions that have been ratified by Nigeria.
“In the case of Independent National Electoral Commission v Balarabe Musa & Ors (2003) 10 WRN 1 the Supreme Court faulted the civil service rules which restrict the participation of civil servants and other public servants in the politics of the county. In the leading judgment of the apex court, the Honourable Justice Ayoola JSC  held that "There is nothing reasonably justifiable in a democratic society in the interest of defense, public safety, public order, public morality or public health in prohibiting a member of the public service or civil service … from eligibility to be registered as a member of a political party. The submission that the restriction is a valid derogation from section 40 by virtue of section 45 (1)(a) of the Constitution was erroneous."
“In his concurring judgment, Mr. Justice Uwais, the then Chief Justice of Nigeria said that "The provisions of section 40 of the 1999 Constitution are clear. Their import is to allow 'every person,' including public office holders and civil servants, the freedom to assemble freely and associate with other persons to form or belong to any political party, or trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests. The section has made no exception and there is no proviso therein limiting its application to civil servants or public officers."
“Even though the civil service rules were not set aside as its legal validity was not challenged in the case, it has been held by the Court in several cases that sections 7, 66 (1); 107 (1) (f); 137 (1) (g); 142(2); 182 and 187(2) of the 1999 Constitution permit civil servants and other public officers who wish to contest elections to resign their positions 30 days to the date of elections for all the various positions of the President and Vice President, Governors and Deputy Governors, Federal and State Legislators as well as Chairmen and Councillors. See FAYEMI v. ONI & ORS (2019) LPELR-46623(CA); PPA v. PDP & ORS (2009) LPELR-4865;(CA); ADAMU V. TAKORI (2010) ALL FWLR (P. 540) 1387 (C.A)
“Notwithstanding that the Constitution is silent on the right of workers in the private sector to participate in politics it is submitted that they are equally entitled to contest elections without any legal entanglement.  However, like civil servants, private sector workers who wish to contest elections are advised, subject to agreements reached with their employers, and/or the applicable conditions of service, to resign their positions or ask for leave of absence. It is therefore incumbent on workers in the private and public sectors to stop agonising about the problems confronting the country. This is the time to get organised with other pro-labour, radical and human rights forces and insist that a new Nigeria is possible.”

 

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK Disable advertisements : 

The United Kingdom government has stated that the Indigenous People of Biafra is neither a terrorist group nor proscribed in the European country.

The UK in a release on Friday obtained by SaharaReporters said reports claiming it designated the group as terrorists were false.

SaharaReporters Media

The United Kingdom Visas and Immigration office disclosed in its May 2022 policy update said, “IPOB is proscribed as a terrorist group by the Nigerian government, and members of the group and its paramilitary wing – the Eastern Security Network (created in December 2020) – have reportedly committed human rights violations in Nigeria. 

“If a person has been involved with IPOB (and/or an affiliated group), MASSOB or any other ‘Biafran’ group that incites or uses violence to achieve its aims, decision makers must consider whether one (or more) of the exclusion clauses under the Refugee Convention is applicable.

“Persons who commit human rights violations must not be granted asylum.”

See Also Insecurity UK Government Recognises Nnamdi Kanu’s Indigenous People Of Biafra As Terrorist Organisation, Violent Group 0 Comments 1 Week Ago

The Nigerian government in its statement issued by the presidency’s spokesman, Garba Shehu, had said the UK’s stance was a welcome development and should be followed up with appropriate actions.

But a statement by the British High Commission Abuja on Friday said this wasn’t the case.

It reads, “We are aware of inaccurate reporting circulating in the media and online that the UK Government has added the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to the UK’s list of terrorist groups or organisations banned under UK law. These reports are untrue. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is not a proscribed organisation in the UK.

“The inaccurate reporting relates to the 13 April 2022 publication by the UK Government of a revised Country Policy and Information note (CPIN) on separatist groups in SE Nigeria, including the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). CPINs provide country of origin information (COl) and analysis of COI for use by UK Government decision-makers handling particular types of protection and human rights claims.

“All asylum and human rights claims made in the UK are considered on their individual facts in accordance with our obligations under the UN Refugee Convention and European Convention on Human Rights, taking into account relevant background country information and case law.

“The CPIN on separatist groups in the South East, including the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), provides a general assessment of risks faced by individuals belonging to those groups. These assessments are based on an analysis of publicly available country information obtained from a wide range of reliable sources including media outlets; UK and other governments; local, national and international organisations; and non-government organisations.

“This CPIN also acknowledges that the Nigerian government has proscribed IPOB as a terrorist organisation, some members of IPOB have reportedly used violence against the state and members of the public, and advises that persons who have committed human rights abuses must not be granted protection.

“The document is publicly available on our UK Government website, Gov.UK at www.gov.uk/government/publications/nigeria-country-policy-and-information-notes.”

Politics Breaking News News AddThis :  Original Author :  SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK Disable advertisements : 

Nigerian airline operators have announced they would suspend operations as from Monday due to the high cost of aviation fuel which has hit 700 naira per litre.
The President of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON, Abdulmunaf Sarina, disclosed this in a statement.

The statement advised the traveling public who intend to fly to make alternative arrangements to avoid being stranded at the country’s airports.
The statement read, “It is with a great sense of responsibility and patriotism that the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have carried on deploying and subsidizing their services to our highly esteemed Nigerian flying public in the last four months despite the steady and astronomical hike in the price of JetA1 and other operating costs.
“Overtime, aviation fuel price (JetA1) has risen from N190 per litre to N700 currently. No airline in the world can absorb this kind of sudden shock from such an astronomical rise over a short period. While aviation fuel worldwide is said to cost about 40% of an airline’s operating cost globally, the present hike has shut up Nigeria’s operating cost to about 95%.
“In the face of this, airlines have engaged the Federal Government, the National Assembly, NNPC and Oil Marketers with the view to bringing the cost of JetA1 down which has currently made the unit cost per seat for a one hour flight in Nigeria today to an average of N120,000. The latter cannot be fully passed to passengers who are already experiencing a lot of difficulties.
“While AON appreciates the efforts of the current government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure air transport in Nigeria grows, unfortunately, the cost of aviation fuel has continued to rise unabated thereby creating huge pressure on the sustainability of operations and financial viability of the airlines. This is unsustainable and the airlines can no longer absorb the pressure.
“To this end therefore, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) hereby wishes to regrettably inform the general public that member airlines will discontinue operations nationwide with effect from Monday May 9, 2022 until further notice.
“AON uses this medium to humbly state that we regret any inconveniences this very difficult decision might cause and appeal to travelers to kindly reconsider their travel itinerary and make alternative arrangements."

 

Travel News AddThis :  Original Author :  SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK Disable advertisements : 

Omoyele Sowore

Human rights' activist, Omoyele Sowore, has taken a swipe at the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, after the latter purchased the N100million presidential form of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Emefiele had reportedly picked the nomination form on Friday from the party’s organising secretary at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja.

Omoyele Sowore SaharaReporters Media/Dotun Olawoye
While reacting to the development, Sowore described Emefiele as one of “Nigeria’s longest-serving and probably most brazen thieves.”
Sowore lamented how a sitting governor of the apex bank would make such a move without first considering resignation.
He wrote on Facebook, “Godwin Emefiele, Muhammadu Buhari and his Cabal personal banker, most importantly one of Nigeria’s longest-serving and probably most brazen thieves has picked up All Progressives Congress N100m Presidential Nomination Form. Nigeria is finished but #WeCantContinueLikeThis #RevolutionNow.”

 

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK Disable advertisements : 

Ifeanyi Ejiofor

Ifeanyi Ejiofor, one of the lead counsel for the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has clarified reports that the United Kingdom government designated the agitators as terrorists, noting that such is not correct.

Ejiofor in a release on Friday explained that the UK government at no time in the said document referred to IPOB group as terrorists, but only used the word as was commonly employed by the Nigerian government.

Ifeanyi Ejiofor

The lawyer said Kanu's legal team was finalising plans to make a presentation to the UK government to correct all misconceptions about IPOB and to prove that the group had never been violent.

The United Kingdom Visas and Immigration office in its May 2022 policy update, said, “IPOB is proscribed as a terrorist group by the Nigerian government, and members of the group and its paramilitary wing – the Eastern Security Network (created in December 2020) – have reportedly committed human rights violations in Nigeria. 

“If a person has been involved with IPOB (and/or an affiliated group), MASSOB or any other ‘Biafran’ group that incites or uses violence to achieve its aims, decision-makers must consider whether one (or more) of the exclusion clauses under the Refugee Convention is applicable.

“Persons who commit human rights violations must not be granted asylum.”

The Nigerian government, in its statement issued by the presidency’s spokesman, Garba Shehu, had said the UK’s stance was a welcome development and should be followed up with appropriate actions.

But reacting, Ejiofor said, “In view of the obvious sponsored false narrative ostensibly orchestrated by mischief-makers, the facts need to be set right. Following the UK Government's update vide the UKVI, which is clear and unambiguous in every respect, the direction contained in the referenced update is that the Indigenous People of Biafra's (IPOB) affiliated applicants seeking ASYLUM status in the UK, should not be considered on the merit of such claims without a thorough review of their level of involvement in uncivil activities.

“Obviously making reference to the proscription of IPOB in Nigeria, and relying on such sub-judicial subject, to insist that the granting of Asylum status on the basis of IPOB related persecution claims, can no longer be as a matter of course.

“It is pertinent to point out that the leadership of the IPOB has severally distanced the peaceful movement, from the increasing violent activities of some blood-sucking monsters going on in the South East under the name of UNKNOWN GUNMEN, and in most cases, offered to join in the fight against these monsters. 

“The leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra has never supported the nefarious activities of these enemies of our people, neither have they, in any of their publications approved such inhuman and barbaric activities of the UNKNOWN GUNMEN.

“Moreover, the UK Government needs to be aware that the proscription status of the IPOB is a subject matter before the Court of Appeal, currently pending before the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division in Appeal Number: CA/A/214/2018 between IPOB VS ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION, now coming up on the 12th day of October, 2022 for definite hearing.

“Therefore, all foreign governments are persuaded not to rely on largely fabricated publications on the pages of Nigerian Newspapers in arriving at such far-reaching decision, which is capable of endangering millions of innocent lives who are being persecuted in Nigeria for being members of the IPOB.

“In the coming days, the IPOB legal team will make formal representation to the UK Government on this subject via the British High Commission in Nigeria, accompanied with verifiable facts and evidence, to persuade the UK Government to review their recent position.

“For clarity, the Government of the United Kingdom has not designated the IPOB as a terrorist organization, rather, reference was made to the proscription of the Organization in Nigeria, and also the heinous crimes being perpetrated by some dissidents in the South East, which said crimes are totally condemnable and have nothing whatsoever to do with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) which is a peaceful, non-violent self-determination group.

“The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) remains a lawful and peaceful movement.”

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK Disable advertisements : 

Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has warned that the presidential declaration by the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, is a joke taken too far; brings “shock and disbelief” and is capable of wreaking havoc on the Nigerian economy.

Akeredolu in a release he personally signed on Friday urged Emefiele to resign his appointment, and allow the apex bank to breathe fresh air.

Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

Emefiele had picked the nomination form of the All Progressives Congress.

The CBN governor, who has refused to quit his appointment despite his political ambition, reportedly picked the form on Friday from the party’s organising secretary at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja.

Reacting the Ondo governor said, “The news of the purchase of Declaration of Intent and Nomination Forms to contest for the office of the President in the forthcoming general elections, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, purportedly by the supporters of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele, has been received with palpable disbelief and shock by many Nigerians. This act, if unchecked, timeously, portends great danger to the fragile economy of the country.  

“Rumours had been rife on the subterranean partisan activities linked to him through these shadowy characters in the recent weeks. Pictures of branded vehicles, ostensibly purchased for electioneering campaigns, were also posted on the social media. The audacious moves by those who claimed to be supporting this interest have been unsettling.

“This latest news confirms that the Governor may indeed be interested in immersing himself in the murky waters of politics like any other Nigerian with partisan interests. It is incontrovertible that Mr Emefiele enjoys a constitutionally protected right to belong to any group or association and participate fully, just as any Nigerian. It is, however, difficult to imagine that a person who occupies the exalted and sensitive office of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria will be this brazen in actualizing his ambition.

“There is no gain asserting the obvious. The combined effect of the Public Service Rules, CBN Act and the 1999 Constitution, as amended, exposes not only the oddity inherent in this brash exercise of presumed right to associate. It also confirms the illegality of the act should he proceed to submit the forms while occupying the seat as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“Consequently, we admonish Mr Emefiele to leave the office, immediately, for him to pursue his interest. He cannot combine partisan politics with the very delicate assignment of his office. Should he refuse to quit, it becomes incumbent on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to remove him forthwith. This is a joke taken too far.”

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK Disable advertisements : 

The Muhammadu Buhari-led Nigerian government has asked the United Kingdom government to confiscate the assets of the Indigenous People of Biafra, “shut down their communication channels and sanction the issuance of visas to IPOB funders in Nigeria.”

The Presidency stated these in a release on Friday obtained by SaharaReporters in its reaction to reports that the UK government had recognised IPOB as a proscribed organisation – although the UK government has denied such claims.

The United Kingdom Visas and Immigration office in its May 2022 policy update said, “IPOB is proscribed as a terrorist group by the Nigerian government, and members of the group and its paramilitary wing – the Eastern Security Network (created in December 2020) – have reportedly committed human rights violations in Nigeria. 

“If a person has been involved with IPOB (and/or an affiliated group), MASSOB or any other ‘Biafran’ group that incites or uses violence to achieve its aims, decision-makers must consider whether one (or more) of the exclusion clauses under the Refugee Convention is applicable.

“Persons who commit human rights violations must not be granted asylum.”

The Nigerian government in its statement issued by presidency’s spokesman, Garba Shehu, said the UK’s stance was a welcome development and should be followed up with appropriate actions.

Shehu said, “Nigeria welcomes the decision by the United Kingdom to proscribe the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist group. The violent secessionist organisation has long been proscribed as such in Nigeria where it carries out the majority of its murderous activities.

“It has taken our allies in the U.K. so long to follow suit owing to two reasons: first, the deep pockets of IPOB’s international network of funders that allow for lawyers and influence peddlers to aggressively lobby for and whitewash the activities of their client in Western courts; and second, IPOB’s influential communication network of TV and radio stations – including London-based Radio Biafra – employed with great effect to spread misinformation abroad and incite violence at home.

“The next steps are clear: now that IPOB has rightly been designated a terrorist group, the UK authorities should, in our view, follow up with confiscation of their assets, shut down their communication channels and sanction the issuance of visas to IPOB’s funders in Nigeria.

“Such sanctions have played a critical role in combatting other terror groups. And make no mistake: today Africa is a breeding ground for terror, with local and international groups alike gaining strength across the continent, thriving on the economic devastation of the pandemic.

“Nigeria’s intelligence and security forces are the first lines of defence against such groups, including ISIS and Al Qaeda affiliated Boko Haram. We rely on our allies in the West for their support. IPOB’s – and its 50,000 strong paramilitary unit’s – reign of terror has seen villages butchered, school buses set alight and politicians’ homes bombed. Through their international network of radio and TV stations, they threaten further violence if their demands are not met, while inciting violence and religious and ethnic tension between Nigeria’s Christian and Muslim populations.

“Their mouthpieces and their wallets are their most effective tools – it is these assets Nigeria’s allies must target next. And there is no time for complacency. We thank the U.K. for its decisive action and call on our friends in the U.S. to at last heed our calls and follow suit in designating this murderous terror group as what it is. Across Africa, Increasingly what were once small localised groups are growing in size and influence and becoming connected to global networks of terror. The free and democratic world must act now to stomp them out before any more misery is caused.” 

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK Disable advertisements : 

A stakeholders meeting of leaders of the South-West chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) met in Lagos State on Friday with a resolve that the next president of Nigeria must come from their region.

The trio of former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, were among the major presidential and governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-West that attended the meeting co-convened by former interim national chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande and former Ogun State governor, Olusegun Osoba, on Friday in Lagos.

Chief Akande who briefed the press after the 2-hour meeting said the South-West chapter of the party was united on the presidency coming to the zone in 2023. He added that all those in attendance at the meeting had a fruitful discussion.

He refused to entertain further questions from newsmen. It was, however, gathered that the meeting affirmed the right of all aspirants to contest the elections while advising them to be civil in their campaigns.

The meeting was called to ensure that aspirants in the 2023 general election conduct their campaigns free of hostility and rancour. The meeting was also attended by aspirants for the National Assembly. Tinubu, Osinbajo and Fayemi are presidential aspirants.

Also at the meeting, apart from the aspirants, were Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Chief Niyi Adebayo and Governors Rotimi Akeredolu, Dapo Abiodun and Gboyega Oyetola of Ondo, Ogun and of Osun states, respectively. Others included former Osun State governor and Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola and the APC national secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore. Osinbajo arrived at the venue of the meeting in same vehicle with Aregbesola.

Former governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun; Pastor Tunde Bakare and former House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole and other Yoruba aspirants on the party’s platform were absent.

Politics News AddThis :  Disable advertisements : 

It is a kaleidoscope – the pattern keeps mutating. Nigeria’s politics should be among the most unpredictable, intriguing and exhilarating. There are more smokescreens than actual smoke; more pawns than real players; more masquerades than true pipers and more jokers than aces.

 

But Bola Tinubu, former Lagos governor and APC presidential hopeful, is no joker. As he said during his declaration, it has been his ‘’lifelong ambition’’ to become president. A younger and healthier Tinubu will make a good president.

 

As I wrote in a previous column, Tinubu as Lagos governor showed his mettle. He worked out a roadmap for the state; had a diverse cabinet; in fact, he is reputed to be one of the few governors who appointed non-natives, including Igbo citizens, in their cabinet at the time. Against a federal government allocation blockade, he governed Lagos with internally-generated revenues and was able to steer the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to dominance in the south-west, and then midwifing a merger with the Congress for Progressive Change and the All Nigeria Peoples Party for the parturition of the All Progressives Congress. We cannot ignore Tinubu. For what it is worth, he has shown an uncanny ability to build consensus and mobilise consciences towards a cause.

 

The argument for Tinubu by his supporters in the APC is that he has watered many seeds which have burgeoned. He has nursed many fledging political careers to maturity. He has created opportunities for many who were without a compass. He has invested his life and resources in building people. And that he gave oxygen to the APC, machinating the deracination of an incumbent president at a time everyone thought it was impossible.

 

The arguments for Tinubu are not vacant of verisimilitude. Tinubu has built people. Only an inveterate hater will say otherwise. Jagaban is deserving of a princely reward. But should the presidency of Nigeria be his compensation? I do not think so. Like Kayode Fayemi, another APC presidential hopeful, said, Nigeria’s presidency is not an ‘’inheritance or traditional title’’. It is a critical office that should not be occupied on the basis of political requital. If the supporters of Tinubu are so compelled to want to pay ‘’reparations’’ to him, it should be done outside the delicate office of the president.

 

However, I believe a Tinubu presidency should have come about 13 or 15 years ago when he was firmer in body and in mind. It is evident that Jagaban is not of keen mind or of excellent health. This is without prejudice to the transcendent leadership qualities of the APC national leader.

 

Tinubu will make a good president if the vicissitudes of age and failing health permit him. But it will not be fair on Nigeria to stake a gamble on this. Nigeria has had a history of presidents who make personal medical vacations quotidian and customary. They need a breather. A fresh start.

 

I have watched videos of Tinubu speaking, and I am overwhelmed by emotions owing to his frailty, inability to focus; lack of articulation and presence of mind, slurred speech and integral disconnection from subject matters. Tinubu presidency should have come 15 years ago.

 

Anyone who truly loves the Jagaban of Borgu should be honest about these realities. The time of this living designer of Lagos as president is perhaps in the future past.

 

Some stakeholders of the APC are cognisant of this obvious but gnawing fact. Party insiders say leaders of the APC, including Aso Rock, will prevail on Tinubu to retrieve his gauntlet considering the very evident encumbrances. A source told me Jagaban will be propitiated by being given the latitude to ‘’anoint’’ any candidate of his choice from a pool of hopefuls to fly the APC flag.

 

In a report titled, ‘Suspense as APC orders aspirants to sign ‘withdrawal letter’, on Thursday, The Guardian quoted a presidential hopeful as saying the party had asked them to sign a ‘’withdrawal letter’’.

 

“This is the first time we are seeing this kind of form for aspirants and we see it as an attempt to enforce consensus option through the back door. This is unconstitutional. Signing that letter means the party leaders can impose any candidate and you will not have any right to challenge them in court. Something is fishy and we must be very careful because there are surreptitious moves not to allow delegates to decide the fate of aspirants,” the presidential hopeful said.

 

Party insiders say there is pressure on Tinubu and a few other presidential hopefuls to step aside. Whether Jagaban will take the noble exit door is a question of time.

 

By Fredrick Nwabufo; Nwabufo aka Mr OneNigeria is a writer and journalist.

Opinion AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  Fredrick Nwabufo Disable advertisements : 

The tours through Europe and Africa from April 26, 2022, by Antonio Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General, raised once again the powers, importance and relevance of the world body.

 

The tours reinforced my analysis that the UN scribe is basically a funambulist, an acrobat walking a tightrope or slack on the world stage. He has to be faithful to many masters with conflicting interests, especially the five permanent members of the UN Security Council each of who, at will, can veto whatever he does or deny him a second term in office as was done to Boutros Boutros-Ghali in 1996.

 

When Guterres visited Europe over the Ukrainian Conflict, he was aware that two permanent members, China and Russia, are on one side, and the three other members: the United States, Britain and France, are on the other. It was like a man tiptoeing through a landmine. He had visited Russia before crossing over to Ukraine. He received a barrage of attacks for not visiting Ukraine first. But did it really matter which country he visited first? Secondly, the visit, coming in the third month of the war was late when the UN in the first place, should have prevented the war. True? Can the UN effectively intervene in a war in which its permanent members have no meeting point?

 

I think these attacks were tactics meant to intimidate Guterres into feeling some guilt that he had not championed the cause of Ukraine. Ukraine, before this visit, had attacked the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, for not allegedly being effective in addressing the humanitarian crisis in which 12 million persons are in need of assistance. It had also attacked the International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC, for alleged inaction. In fact, ICRC President, Peter Maurer, who visited Russia, was accused of being in bed with the former.

 

In Moscow, Guterres and President Vladimir Putin discussed proposals for humanitarian assistance and evacuation of civilians from conflict zones, especially in the port city of Mariupol where thousands of civilians, Ukrainian troops and non-state far-right combatants remain holed up in the Azovstal steel mill. Guterres said possible war crimes – a refrain of Ukraine and its supporters – will require independent investigation for effective accountability. He proposed the establishment of a tripartite Humanitarian Contact Group comprising Russia, Ukraine and the UN “to look for opportunities for the opening of safe corridors, with local cessations of hostilities, and to guarantee that they are actually effective”.

 

The UN scribe raised the energy and food crises the war has caused adding: “This comes on top of the shock of the continued COVID-19 pandemic and uneven access to resources for recovery, that particularly penalize developing countries around the world. So, the sooner peace is established, the better – for the sake of Ukraine, Russia, and for the world.” Guterres who had repeatedly called for ceasefires said: “But it is my deep conviction that the sooner we end this war, the better – for the people of Ukraine, for the people of the Russian Federation, and those far beyond.” But he had no ceasefire plans nor any for a negotiated settlement.

 

He was merely a “messenger of peace.” On April 28, Guterres crossed into Ukraine visiting the Kyiv suburbs of Borodianka, Bucha and Irpin, claimed places of war crimes, where he said the “horrific scenario demonstrates something that is, unfortunately, always true: civilians always pay the highest price”.

 

He added: “I fully support the International Criminal Court and I appeal to the Russian Federation to accept to cooperate with the International Criminal Court.”

 

As in Russia, while he seemed worried about the war and its effects, he did not press for a ceasefire or immediate peace talks. Yet he knew that the war is devastating for humanity. When he flew to Senegal, Guterres told the African continent that its twin challenges of COVID-19 and climate change have with the Ukrainian War, become threefold.

 

He emphasised that the war is aggravating a “triple food, energy and financial crisis”, which could push more people into hunger and result in socio-political crises. Guterres is aware that the combatants in Ukraine, their backers and cheerleaders do not want an immediate end to the war, so despite his personal belief, he is not pushing for peace. All he does is make loud lamentations about the war. In the Niger Republic where he arrived on May 2, his theme was about terrorism in the region.

 

Referring to the terrorism in the Tillabéri, Tahoua and Diffa in the northwest, south and southeast of the Niger Republic, and cross border attacks in the Maradi region by terrorists operating from Nigeria, Guterres told President Mohamed Bazoum, that “peace, stability and prosperity in Niger and across the Sahel remains an absolute priority for the United Nations.”

 

The UN says in Niger where 80 per cent of the populace depends on agriculture, a combination of climate change and terrorism has forced many off the farms and that 15 per cent of its 25 million people, will require humanitarian assistance in 2022.

 

The situation in Nigeria raised the issue of how much the UN and its leadership know and how the state can control access.

 

Guterres had visited Borno State this Tuesday and interacted with displaced persons and repentant Boko Haram members.

 

Based on this and what he saw, he said: “I want to congratulate the Governor for what I see today. I want to strongly appeal to the international community to understand Borno as a state of hope, to support humanitarian action in Borno, to recognise the enormous challenges that Borno faces with climate change and Boko Haram activities, and to invest in Borno of hope.”

 

While this is commendable, the question is why other major areas of terrorism, especially Plateau and Benue states where terrorists, mainly from outside the country, occupy countless towns and villages, pillaging, murdering and seizing the homesteads of the people, were not on the schedule of the UN scribe.

 

Just like Borno, these states are devastated with many living for years now in Internally Displaced Peoples camps. Does the Nigerian Government not want these states and their terror victims to be assisted by the UN? Why is the government exhibiting the terrorist activities in the North East for the world to assist while seemingly keeping those in the North Central under wraps?

 

This raises the issue of whether during visits to countries, the UN Secretary-General should meet only with governments while leaving out non-state actors. Can this be part of the problem; that the UN scribe is a chief servant with many masters who happen to be the governments of member states? Does humanity need a UN that is faithful to state agents rather than to the human race?

Opinion AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  Owei Lakemfa Disable advertisements : 

Leaders in the South-West region and of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have planned to meet with the presidential aspirants in Lagos State on Friday.
Former governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, and former governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande, are among the leaders who are conveying the meeting at Lagos Flag House, Marina, Lagos.

Those expected at the meeting include former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, Vice president Yemi Osibajo, Ekiti State governor Kayode Fayemi, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, and other presidential aspirants from the South-West in APC.
Others to attend the meeting include the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, the deputy Senate Leader, Prof Ajayi Boroface, APC governors in the South-West, and other stakeholders who were invited to the meeting.
Chief Osoba confirmed the meeting, according to Guardian, saying the  meeting was designed to bring peace to Yoruba land.

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK Disable advertisements : 

A Nigerian lawyer, Bernard Damisa, has said he had asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate a Chinese company, 86FB Football Technology, whom he facilitated its registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
Damisa stated this while clarifying his roles in the company to clear the air about the massive fraud.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that thousands of Nigerians had invested funds in the company which claimed to return 3% profit on the initial investment.
The Chinese-owned investment platform, however, stopped paying investors. Several Nigerian investors had lamented that they lost over N200billion to the scheme.
The company, according to the victims, was dubiously registered under the Corporate Affairs Commission using the passport document of a Nigerian young lady named: Alozie Chidiebube Chimuanya.
Damisa was said to have facilitated the company's CAC registration.
But in a short statement sent to SaharaReporters, the lawyer explained that one Chidi Asiegbu approached him with regards to the registration of the company for "Sports Betting" purpose.
Asiegbu, according to the lawyer, further provided the details of Alozie Chidiebube as director and shareholder of the Company after which the registration was completed.
Damisa said upon completion of the registration, the incorporation documents were handed over to Asiegbu.
The lawyer said that was the only role he played stating that he was not aware of the intention of the company to operate an investment scheme as the registration does not include this.
He, however, said he had since petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission when he started receiving calls from people who claimed they were defrauded by the company.
Damisa added that he applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission to remove him from the company's details due to the alleged scam.
He wrote, “For the avoidance of doubt and for the benefit of setting the records straight, please be informed that I never aided or 'helped' any dubious entity.
“Sometime in February 2022, Mr. Chidi Asiegbu approached me requesting that I register a company for the "Sports Betting" purpose.
“I advised Mr. Asiegbu on the requirements of CAC and the National Lottery Commission for entities with this kind of objective. Mr. Asiegbu provided the details of one Alozie Chidiebube as director and shareholder of the Company in line with CAC's allowance for a single shareholder/director company under the 2020 CAMA as amended.
“I proceeded to register the company and handed over the incorporation documents to Mr. Asiegbu upon conclusion. This is the extent of my involvement without more.
“I am not aware that the company had commenced operation or even aware of the intentions of the Promoters. They were registered specifically for sports betting and not to carry out any investment scheme whatsoever.
“Upon confronting Mr. Chidi on this issue, his team issued a statement on 3rd May 2022, explaining the extent of my involvement. I equally petitioned the EFCC to investigate the activities of the company when I started getting calls and messages from people alleging that they have been defrauded by the Company.
“I have also applied to the CAC to remove me from the Company's details on the basis that the alleged business of the company does not align with the values that I stand for.
”While I sympathise with the victims of this scheme, it is important to set the records straight and I implore you to report verifiable facts and not peddle rumour or hearsays to the public to further complicate the situation.
“The EFCC is carrying out their investigations and hopefully, in due time, those behind the alleged fraudulent activities will be revealed and prosecuted. Acknowledged copy of my petition is herein attached.”

News AddThis :  Original Author :  SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK Disable advertisements :