Thursday 28 September 2017

PSquare: Game finally over?


                                                                                                     PSquare: Game finally over?

With a musical career spanning over 10 years, superstar brothers, Peter and Paul popularly known as PSquare, have come to represent the perfect example of what a group should be like, but apparently, that’s about to take an entirely different turn, a terrible one at that.
Starting out in Jos, Plateau State where they both grew up and launched their career, the duo under maternal mentorship flourished through the harsh tides typical of any up and coming act and over time became a local sensation, gracing the stages at special events to thrill their audiences with signature Michael Jackson moves. With this pace, they progressed until their very big break in 2001 after winning the star prize at the Benson & Hedges ‘Grab Da Mic’ competition, which helped them earn full sponsorship for their debut album, ‘Last Nite.’
Fame, power, and money attract all sorts of negativity, and with such attained status, premier performers, PSquare were placed right in the middle of all the mess. In their early days, the duo seemed to have clear-cut duties with Peter doing most of the dance choreography while Paul took the spot of the group’s soloist. Apparently, this didn’t sit quite well with Peter who felt disgruntled to a certain degree, stemming from fewer acknowledgements for his vocal and writing contributions to the group’s final cut.
Mum’s influence, controversial wife
PSquare’s mother, Josephine Okoye was a heavy influence and huge support system for the duo; she was more like an informal manager who played therapist in times of disagreement. Unfortunately in 2011, the pair lost their mother to a protracted unspecified heart condition. She died in an Indian hospital after she was transferred from St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos, leaving the twins behind to solely deal with any future differences that might arise between them.
With mummy gone, Lola Omotayo became the subject of controversy for both brothers in the media. Several sources at the time of their fight in 2016 linked the cause to Lola, speculating how the entire Okoye family, ranging from Jude to Paul to their deceased mother didn’t like her and never wanted Peter to marry her.
In a follow up interview to the duo’s split, Peter clearly stated that Lola wasn’t the cause of the dispute between him and his brother; rather he said the quarrel came from the structural defects in the group. He at length explained how he was reduced to a mere backup dancer with little credits for his writing contributions to the group, while Paul (whom he acknowledged as a better writer) was apportioned the juicy bits of the contracts, most of which he had worked tooth and nail to secure for the group.
After the initial fight, the group disbanded only to regroup a few months later.
The video
In the most recent happenings, hell was let loose on a courtesy visit to Festus Keyamo’s chambers. In a trending video allegedly released by Peter, the brothers are seen yelling at each other over an undisclosed dispute. Sequel to this, Peter reportedly filed for dissolution of the union between him and his brothers, stating that Paul has since refused to cooperate with him on many levels. He had further stated to be referred to as Mr. P – his chosen solo moniker.
Keyamo’s statement
Just a day after the incident, the lawyer representing the PSquare brand, Festus Keyamo released a statement denouncing on behalf of the group any intentions to split.
The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to the ongoing feud between the Psquare brothers in online, print and electronic media. We have also been inundated with calls from the media to authenticate the correspondence Peter Okoye sent to our office, indicating his interest to terminate his contract between the brothers for various reasons and the online video showing a purported scuffle between the brothers in our chambers.”
In the long statement, Keyamo went on to say that the validity of the trending video was void, declaring that it was a visual recorded from their 2016 conflict.
Fans’ reactions
In this precarious stage, the spoil of war is the Internet for the take. While some are bothered about PSquare’s prospective break, others are taking the entire situation with a grain of salt, saying it is all a marketing stunt targeted at the release of their new album, much like they did last year. Other popular figures like Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti and ace comedian, Basketmouth had gone online to express their feelings.
Expressing a slight frustration about the development, Basketmouth took to his Facebook fan page to say: “Why una no wait until after my show on Saturday before una fight this fight?!! You guys are distracting my publicity!”
On his part, Seun Kuti said: “This one na show. Don’t fall for the Okio Doko. Relevance+Finance in the pop industry. Solange and Jay Z in the elevator. Then you get tabloid-styled albums talking about it all and you are all hooked. Okio Doko, they are fine.
“I can already see people chucking nose, picking sides. Wow! The album will be massive.”
Threats and slanders
Peter has since voiced out his concerns over the threats made by Paul and Jude on his wife, Lola. In the video, Jude could be heard clearly in the background threatening Peter, saying he would bring a coffin for him (Peter) if he ever visited his home.
Peter’s next moves
As clouds of uncertainty hang above the fate of the duo, Peter has confirmed concert dates in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States on his Instagram page where he conveniently goes by the name Mr. P. If this is anything to go by, it simply means that Paul is out of the picture for at least now until further ratification from their management team.
Nothing without the PSquare brand
While it is no longer a vogue for groups to break up in Nigeria as can be witnessed in the case of Plantashun Boiz, Styl Plus and The Remedies, with PSquare, it goes beyond this. Hitting the music scene when they did, it did take a while to figure out that they were two separate individuals. With this in mind, even after discovering that they were twins, people took them as a single entity that created a double illusion.
In the hearts of millions of their fans, it will take a while to sink in, get used to each brother performing as a solo act; a move most see as unnecessary. Simply put, Peter and Paul are nothing without the PSquare brand.

IGP inaugurates 500-unit police estate in Lagos


IGP inaugurates 500-unit police estate in Lagos

By Christopher Oji and Amarachi Amachukwu
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim kpotun-Idris, yesterday, inaugurated 500 police housing units constructed for officers and men of the force in Lagos, named after President Muhammad Buhari at Badagry in Lagos. The house was built in partnership with Remax Realtors
Speaking at the ceremony, IGP Idris said that the houses were built as part of effort to alleviate the accommodation problem of the officers and men of the force. He said the gesture was also inline with President Muhammad Buhari’s change mantra of providing conducive accommodation for all categories of civil servants in the country.
The IGP said the Corporative housing estate, which was built at Onowo, Badagry, was to tackle the police housing deficits. Idris said the project was part of the initiatives of his regime to improve the welfare of the police across the country.
The IGP said the Police Corporative Society and Insurance Scheme was sustained by the investments of police personnel in the country. According to him, the scheme was in keeping with his earlier promise to the police of reinvigorating the corporative housing scheme to ease their housing challenges across the country.
He said his welfare programme for the police was “ high” for the purpose of achieving a proactive and functional police force.
“The welfare of personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, especially the rank and file, is uppermost in my agenda for a more functional, proactive and result-oriented Police Force. Consequently, I enjoin you to be at your best, applying best practices in our dealings with the civil populace with total loyalty to our dear nation,” he advised.
The top cop reiterated his commitment in promoting the welfare of his personnel to achieve enhanced service delivery. “I have assured police personnel of my determination to accelerate all issues that advance their welfare and our families such as promotion, prompt payment of entitlements, salaries and provision of affordable housing units among others.”
According to him similar estates would soon be inaugurated in Katsina, Zamfara, Niger and FCT while that of Enugu State will kick off soon.
In a remark, the Managing Director, Remax Realtors, Mrs Funke Adesoji, said when fully developed, the estate would have 1083 bungalows of both two-bedrooms and three-bedrooms. She said the facilities were fitted with modern amenities such as water, reticulation systems, central Sewerage processing system and over 14 Kilometers of roads were in the estate.
She said the estate has schools, a petrol station, a banking complex and an event management centre. Adesoji admitted that there were several challenges in the construction of the estate such as the filling up of landmass, but said they had been overcome.
Meanwhile, the IGP has assured that the force would partner with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to burst the international syndicate behind the illegal importation of weapons into the country from Turkey.
Though, he said that the customs was yet to inform the force officially on the issue, but added that the matter bordered on national security. 
He said: “The Comptroller General of Customs had made a broadcast on the seized arms. The police as a security agent will join force with the Nigeria Customs Service to investigate the source of the arms and we will ensure that those behind the illegal importation do not go scot-free, no matter the circumstances”.

Quit order latest: Kaduna govt obtains warrant to arrest masterminds

 

Quit order latest: Kaduna govt obtains warrant to arrest masterminds

From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
As the October 1, 2017 deadline quit notice handed down to Igbo living in the North, by Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, the Kaduna State Government has obtained a court warrant for their arrests.
The state government said the bench warrant become  necessary, in case the coalition dares to enforce the ultimatum.
The coalition had, in July, issued the ultimatum to Igbo living.
But, on Augiust 24, 2017, the Coalition of Northern Youth Groups formally withdrew the quit notice in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, which had earlier been issued in Arewa House, in Kaduna.
At a World Press Conference held at Transcorp Hilton hotel in Abuja, the coalition withdrew the quit notice in the presence of Governor of Borno state and Chairman of Northern Governors’ Forum, Alhaji Kashim Shetima, ex- governor of Kano State, Senator Kabiru Gaya, ex-minister, Alhaji Sani Daura and Alhaji Shetima Yerima of Arewa Youths Council.
Spokesman for the coalition, AbdulAziz Suleiman said the withdrawal was as “a result of series of consultations and pressure from different groups”.
Regardless, at a press conference, yesterday, Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s media spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed that the state government has obtained the warrant to arrest the youth should they rescind the ultimatum.
Aruwan assured Igbo and other residents of the state that they have nothing to fear.
“The state government is steadfast about enforcing the law and in keeping the peace.The state government has taken further actions, in relation to those persons who carpet-bagged into Kaduna, to threaten the liberty of other citizens.
“The state government has obtained bench warrants for their arrest, after filing a formal, criminal complaint. The state government notes with commendation, efforts of the residents of our diverse state to uphold peace in their communities.
“The state government and security agencies are working to prevent any threats to this cherished harmony. Vigorous security patrols will continue, as part of concrete action, to reassure residents and demonstrate that bad behaviour is unwelcome and will not be tolerated.
“When some elements barged into our state capital, to deliver an illegal ultimatum, to a section of our community, the government condemned it and ordered the arrest of those concerned.
The Kaduna state government followed up with a formal criminal complaint to the police, and has obtained a bench warrant against them.
“Therefore, anybody who sights them, or is aware of their location, should proudly discharge the civic duty of informing the police.
“The criminal complaint specifies the sections of the recently updated Penal Code Law of Kaduna State, 2017 that were violated by those that issued the illegal ultimatum. These include Inciting Disturbance, Disturbing Public Peace (Section 77), Injurious Falsehood (Section 373), Unlawful Assembly (Section 66) and Criminal Conspiracy (Section 59).
“The formal, criminal complaint and the bench warrant secured on August 8, 2017, provides a basis to investigate, apprehend and ultimately prosecute the suspects.
“Accordingly, a competent court has directed Kaduna state Commissioner of Police, to act on the criminal complaint. The state government considers this a most important matter of law enforcement, and will not relent on the matter.
“Anybody contemplating unlawful action should know that such will invite a vigorous law-enforcement response. Kaduna state government is persuaded that a law-governed society should always signal that sanctions will follow illegal behaviour.
“This is in the interest of justice, peace and harmony.
“All residents of Kaduna state are enjoined to go about their lawful business, uphold and respect their neighbours and report any suspicious activity or person. Nobody has the power to evict another citizen or to tell them where they can or cannot live.

Restructuring: Northern states give conditions


Restructuring: Northern states give conditions


• Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Nasarawa want strong centre, state police, others
From Desmond Mgboh, Kano, Gang Bere, Jos and Chukwudi Nweje, Lagos
As The wind of  restructuring debate continued to sweep across the country, northern states of Kano, Kastina, Jigawa, Nasarawa and Benue, yesterday, gave condition upon which they would support it: retention of a strong Federal Government.
At the North West Zonal Public Hearing on True Federalism held at the Coronation Hall, Kano State Government House, Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje expressed support for “a strong Federal Government  founded on a clear responsibility and sufficient resources to guarantee the development of the federating units.”
While restating support for the indivisibility of the country, he cast his vote for a strong Federal Government that would be strengthened to define and set uniform minimum national standards in all facets of national life with the objective of ensuring even spread of social amenities and balanced economy.
His Katsina State counterpart, Governor Aminu Masari equally backed a strong central government. While calling for an arrangement that would recognise the peculiar needs of the different federating units, he said the powers of the central government must not be weakened in the process of the devolution.
He argued that recent agitations, rebellion and insurgency in some parts of the country had all made a case for a strong central government that could deal with such situations, but objected to the creation of additional states.
In its contribution, Jigawa State government also rejected the push for the creation of additional states, saying it made no sense when most of the existing states were not viable.
Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadiri Fanini, who represented the governor, canvassed the idea of independent candidacy in the political process and state police, saying  it was well known that most state governments were providing huge support to the police in the area of  equipment and logistics.
Jigawa also made a strong case for the devolution of the functions of the Federal Government in the area of agriculture, education, road construction and health while asking for increased allocation to states and local governments.
Kaduna State was not represented at the public hearing chaired by the former governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime and some other top party members of the APC.
In a related development, Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Al-makura kicked against restructuring that would disintegrate the country.
Speaking during the public consultation of the APC Committee on true federalism, in Plateau, Benue and Nasarawa State, held at the Hill Station Hotel, Jos, he said: “We will not support those who want restructuring that will balkanise this country, we will kick against those people and they need to think very well. I believe we have come too far to start changing the system. It will be disastrous and unproductive.  I don’t share the same opinion with those advocating for disintegration. Those people are using the word restructuring loosely and I don’t want to fall into that trap.
“I want to look at restructuring or true federalism as a way of looking into how our constitution works and making it more effective.”
Director of Research, Planning and Documentation, Government House, Jos, Prof. John Wade said there was no going back on restructuring in Nigeria if the country must remain peaceful and united.
But he said restructuring must be done within the confine of the law to douse tension occasioned by current agitations for self-determination by various sections of the country.
On his part, legal adviser of APC in Benue State, Omale Omale, threw his weight behind land tenure administration, devolution of power and local government autonomy.

2019 guber: Rivers APC stakeholders endorse Abe

                       

2019 guber: Rivers APC stakeholders endorse Abe

 

From Chris Anucha, Port Harcourt
Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State chapter, have endorsed Senator Magnus Ngei Abe for the 2019 governorship poll.
This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a meeting of the stakeholders in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
The communiqué endorsing Abe’s candidature was jointly signed by Chidi Wihioka, Felix Nwaeke, Augustine Wokocha, Maurice Pronen,  Marcus Nle Ejii and Ipalibo Harry.
The group unanimously called on the senator representing Rivers South East to offer himself for the party’s governorship primary.
“Without equivocation and with the power and support of both the APC constitution and the Nigerian Constitution, the meeting stated that  “Abe’s qualification to aspire to the office of governor of Rivers State on the platform of our party could not be questioned.
“Accordingly, the meeting called on him to present himself for the 2019 gubernatorial on the platform of APC, as he clearly has the support and approval of a majority of our party fateful in the state.
“The meeting affirmed the right of party members to have ambition, openly express it and canvass and lobby and rally support for its actualisation without fear and within the laws and constitution of the party.
“The meeting strongly urge the state working committee to strive for independence, impartiality and inclusiveness if the party must come out of the present low morale of members.”
A motion for the adoption of senator Abe for the governorship race was moved by Wihioka, House of Representatives members, representing Ikwerre Federal Constituency.
It was supported by Mrs Shedrack Wenzu.
The motion was unanimously supported by a voice vote by stakeholders from the 23 local government areas in the state.
The stakeholders’ meeting was attended by former councillors, local government chairmen, former and serving APC members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, members of the House of Representatives, former commissioners, Chief of Staff, Chief Tony Okocha, Senator Wilson Ake and different groups.                       

State governors are more powerful than the president – Obasanjo

State governors are more powerful than the president – Obasanjo


29th september 2017
  Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that state governors are more powerful than President Muhammad Buhari or any other Nigerian President. Obasanjo Obasanjo speaking with africanarguments in an up close and a little too personal interview said ‘In fact, state governors are more powerful than the president. That’s the truth’ He also said President Buhari has not done enough on unemployment and recession  saying “Buhari has made some announcements. He has tried to keep on going in the area of agribusiness, but not enough. It is not yet enough to prepare the ground for uninhibited growth of the economy, which we need”. He further said that he believes that President Buhari can do more for the youths area of empowerment saying: “All youth in Nigeria have legitimate reasons to feel frustrated and angry,”  He advised that if “youth empowerment, skill acquisition and youth employment – education are provided ‘’the ticking bomb of possible youth explosion out of restiveness and anger will subside.” He went on to say that many of those who are agitating or protesting for the sovereign state of Biafra do not know why they are doing so. “The protesters don’t even know what the struggle is all about, but if it gives them false hope, why not hang onto it?” “Let the elders handle it or ignore it until it loses momentum,” “There are elders in any community who are still respected…After all, they’re their fathers and mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers, and can still be used effectively.” he said. On federalism Obasanjo said he does not not believe in it and that those talking about devaluation and true federalism don’t know what they are talking about. “I don’t believe in true federalism. What is true federalism? “Why are they not accountable? What powers do they not have?”, ““In fact, state governors are more powerful than the president. That’s the truth,” ‘If anybody tells you they want devolution or true federalism, he doesn’t know what he is talking about. . “The fact anybody talks about it doesn’t mean it’s right.” he said. On the N20,000 said to be in his account before he became president in 1999 he said he was a wealth man despite that and that even then he had the largest poultry farm before in Africa then. “Come off it. I had the largest poultry farm before I became president, the largest in Africa. The fact I have N20,000 in my account does not mean I’m not wealthy,

Arewa youth’s Oct 1 deadline: Lawyers advise Ndigbo in north to return home

     Arewa youth’s Oct 1 deadline: Lawyers advise Ndigbo in north to return home




     ONITSHA—Concerned lawyers in Onitsha, Anambra state have advised Ndigbo resident in the northern parts of the country to return home before the  October 1 deadline quit notice served them by Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, whether the threat to their lives is going to be carried out or not. Cartoon: Igbo must go order by AREWA They said all of them should come home now because there are comfortable homes  in Igbo land that will accommodate them better than being in a foreign land where their lives are subjected to imminent risk of being terminated unlawfully. The lawyers, Samuel Chukwukelu, Ben Okoko and Maurice Efobi who spoke to newsmen yesterday in Onitsha, ahead of the  October 1  quit notice deadline, stated that threat of such nature which borders on the national security, lives and properties of free citizens of the country ought not to be taken for granted. They advised Ndigbo not to allow themselves to be trapped twice, like in 1966.

2019: PDP rejects Fayose’s presidential bid


2019: PDP rejects Fayose’s presidential bid

• I’ll defeat Buhari, boasts Ekiti gov as he joins race

The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the People Democratic Party (PDP), has poured cold water on Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose’s Abuja bid to seek its presidential ticket in the 2019 election.
A member of the PDP BoT, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, conveyed the message to Fayose, yesterday, when he told the governor, pointblank, he cannot contest in the party’s primary poll for the 2019 presidential election.
Nwodo stated this yesterday, in Abuja, shortly after Fayose’s formal declaration of intent to contest for the party’s ticket in 2019.
Nwodo said PDP’s ideology forbade Fayose and other members from the South from contesting in the presidential race in 2019.
He said that the ideology would be followed to the letter, in spite Fayose’s declaration.
“Fayose cannot run and I will tell you my reason…Now, we did not only zone the presidency to the North, we have re-emphasised at every opportunity we had that the zoning will take place. So, the party will not collect Expression of Interest money from anybody else who is not from the North and will not issue him a nomination form to contest. No, we will not do that,’’ said Nwodo.
Earlier, Fayose had, in a letter to PDP leaders, insisted that his ambition to be president was without prejudice to the party’s position, and added that it was in the interest of the party and Nigeria.
Elsewhere, his formal declaration ceremony  in Abuja, Fayose vowed to defeat President Muhammadu Buhari at the poll.”
Fayose reiterated he would defeat Buhari in a free and fair contest.
He said despite the party’s decision to zone the its 2019 presidential ticket to the North,  the Nigerian constitution guarantees his right to contest for the position.
Pushing his position, the Ekiti state governor said the PDP needs someone like him,  who has a knack for defeating incumbent to fly its flag in the 2019 presidential contest.
“Our party must not lose sight that Nigerians at this period are desirous of a president with demonstrated capacity to change their fortunes. Furthermore, we must be mindful of the fact that our party needs a candidate like me, with a penchant for defeating incumbents.
“Twice, I defeated incumbents to become the governor of Ekiti state and I am confident that with your support, as my party leaders and supporters, I will defeat the incumbent president, Muhammadu Buhari, in a free and fair election…
“My name is Ayo Peter (Peter, the rock) Fayose.  I will defeat this Goliath for you,” he declared.
“(Late President Umaru Musa) Yar ‘Adua  was sitting quietly in his house when (former President Olusegun) Obasanjo sent me to go and tell him  he wants him to succeed him.  The man said no but God said yes.
“ Today,  for the doubting  Thomases, I want to be president of Nigeria.  I know I have haters; they will not die.  They will watch me enter Aso Rock. I am here to tell you that the hour of the Lord has come for Nigeria.  I have not lost any battle.”
Furthermore,  Fayose challenged PDP presidential aspirants in the North to openly declare their ambition,  if truly they want the party’s ticket zoned to them.

Breaking: Fireworks as Governor Fayose declares his 2019 presidential ambition in Abuja (photos)

Breaking: Fireworks as Governor Fayose declares his 2019 presidential ambition in Abuja (photos, video) 


- The governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose, has officially declared his ambition to run for presidency in 2019 - Faysoe said he is the person to lead Nigeria out of its current condition - He said his decision to contest was due to the love he has for Nigeria The governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose, has declared his intention to contest the 2019 presidential election. In an elaborate ceremony at Chelsea Hotel, Abuja, on Thursday, September 28, the governor said his decision to contest the election is borne put of his love for Nigeria. He stated that he is the best person to lead the country out of its present quagmire. The governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose, has officially declared his ambition for run for presidency in 2019 The event was a party-like carnival as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faithfuls from across the nation, thronged the venue in solidarity with the governor. Faysoe said he is the person to lead Nigeria out of its current condition. NAIJ.com sighted dozens of the governor's supporters adorning t-shirts and caps with the inscription 'Fayose For President', singing and dancing at the event. Faysoe said he is the person to lead Nigeria out of its current condition The event was held under very tight security as security agencies were on hand to ensure the programme was hitch free. Faysoe said he is the person to lead Nigeria out of its current condition PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigeria’s #1 new app NAIJ.com earlier reported that the PDP had said that Fayose is wasting his time. The party through its national publicity secretary, Dayo Adeyeye, said it had earlier warned Fayose that the PDP has zoned its 2019 presidential ticket to the north. The party said it wondered why Fayose was going against the same decision he is privy to. You can watch a NAIJ.com Facebook live video of Fayose's 2019 Presidential declaration.

FG moves to block IPOB’s source of funding – Lai Mohammed

FG moves to block IPOB’s source of funding – Lai Mohammed
    

28th, september 2017
The Federal Government says it is aware of sources of funding of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and is taking steps to block them. Lai Mohammed The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed disclosed this on Tuesday when he appeared on a live TV programme “Good Morning Nigeria” on the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA). “Terrorists do not publish where their funding are coming from. But we know the countries that are supporting IPOB. “We know the sources of their funding though I am not at liberty to disclose them here. “We are taking steps to block them and we are also taking a lot of diplomatic actions in respect of the countries that are supporting them”. The Minister said that most of the countries supporting the group were doing so based on ignorance. He said they had been hoodwinked to believing that “Nigeria is a country where Muslims persecute Christians” and a country where there is genocide. “As we speak today, IPOB has written letters to many Governments outside Nigeria, international parliaments sending fake and cloned videos claiming there is genocide in Nigeria. The minister charged the international community not to adopt double standard in dealing with IPOB and to be more diligent before making any pronouncements. He said what the countries would never accept in their territories, should not be condoned or encouraged in Nigeria. The minister justified the actions of the military for declaring IPOB a terrorist group as well as its proscription by the South-East governors. “There are a lot of arguments regarding the constitutionality of the action of the military and the South East governors. “People must realise that we are dealing with issue of national security and I do not think that the military and the governors should fold their arms while the country is set ablaze. “I have heard a lot of comments as to whether the military has the right to declare IPOB, a terrorist group “What the military has done is to catalogue all the activities of IPOB, which are not different from that of terrorists groups,” he said. Mohammed said IPOB set up a para-military organisation, a parallel military group, Biafra Secret Service and Biafra National Guard. He said the group were attacking army installations and soldiers at check points, extorting money from innocent people. “IPOB activities are not jokes. If there have not been the proactive actions on the part of the military and the South East governors, there would have been retaliations from other regions and the entire country will be set on fire. “We cannot be talking of semantics or procedure when the nation is moving towards crises and precipices. It is only in a Banana Republic that you can see non state actors doing what IPOB is doing. “The actions by the military and the governors should be seen from the perspective of ensuring internal security and averting chaos,” he said. The minister reiterated his position that IPOB was being sponsored by the association of disgruntled politicians and treasury looters to discredit President Muhammad Buhari”s Administration. He admonished the media and opinion leaders to be circumspect in their publications and discussions on IPOB in order not to aggravate the crises the more. “The kind of comments and headlines in the media as well as comments from certain quarters are the types that give oxygen and confidence to the IPOB. “They must exercise restraint because the only reason we practice our profession or be a commentator is simply because there is peace in the country,” he said. (NAN)

FG rejects U.S. position on IPOB as terrorist group

FG rejects U.S. position on IPOB as terrorist group

28th september 2017
 The Federal Government has described as “unfortunate” and “unacceptable,” the position of the U.S. Government over the declaration of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist group. Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kany & The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, gave the government position Wednesday night in London when he featured on BBC Television programme, “Focus on Africa”. The Minister, who stressed that the Federal Government was right in declaring IPOB a terrorist organisation, noted that he could not make up with the US seemingly disagreement with the position. “It is very unfortunate, if countries decide to pick and choose which organisations are terrorists and which are not, bearing in mind that terrorism has no boundary. “I think what we should do is that every country should work together to ensure that terrorism does not thrive,” he said. Speaking on why the Government labelled IPOB a terrorist group, the Minister said, “the acts and utterances of IPOB were acts and utterances of terrorists”. “For instance, Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB leader was caught on tape, saying that they want Biafra and not peacefully, but by force. “He declared that if they do not get Biafra, Somalia will be a Paradise with the kind of mayhem they will unleash on Nigeria. “The group openly embraced arms and ammunition and the leader set up Biafra National Guard, Biafra Secret Service and openly attacked army formations”. When asked by the anchor of the programme, Peter Okwoche, why “other militarised group” like the Fulani herdsmen had not been classified as terrorist group, Mohammed said that “acts of criminality should not be confused with terrorism acts”. He explained further: “When an organisation decides to not just attack the Army but set up its own parallel government; “When an organisation openly solicits for arms all over the world; when an organisation starts issuing out its own passports and currency and does not recognise the democratically elected government, then it becomes a different thing”. The minister said that Nigeria is so fragile and an attempt to allow such excesses from IPOB to continue could attract reprisal attacks from other parts of the country and set the entire country on fire. The President General of the Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo, who was earlier interviewed on the programme, said that the labelling of IPOB as a terrorist group was “extremely unfair and lopsided.

Fayose allegedly storms Abuja Street with campaign buses


Fayose allegedly storms Abuja Street with campaign buses

28th september 2017
 A viral social media report has it that the Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose, Thursday stormed Abuja Street with posters and branded buses that have ‘Meet your next president 2019, Ayo Fayose solution 2019’, inscribed on it, thus for his presidential campaign,newsmen report. Report has it that Gov Fayose will officially declare his presidential ambition by 11:00 am today at the Golden Hall of the Chelsea Hotel Abuja. Recall that Fayose on Tuesday this week insisted that he is going straight to Aso Villa as Nigeria’s next president come 2019 presidential election via a statement made known to newsmen through his special assistant on public communications and new media, Mr Lere Olayinka, “I’m going straight to that Villa. I’m the next president” a part read. Recall also that the National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, has warned Fayose to jettison his presidential ambition under the party, maintaining that PDP has zoned the presidential ticket to the north. Watch video and photos bellow: Fayose’s campaign bus Fayose’s campaign buses

US position on IPOB, unfortunate, unacceptable – FG


US position on IPOB, unfortunate, unacceptable – FG


The Federal Government has described as “unfortunate” and “unacceptable,” the position of the US Government over the declaration of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist group.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, gave the government position Wednesday night in London when he featured on BBC Television programme, “Focus on Africa”.
The Minister, who stressed that the Federal Government was right in declaring IPOB a terrorist organisation, noted that he could not make up with the US seemingly disagreement with the position.
“It is very unfortunate, if countries decide to pick and choose which organisations are terrorists and which are not, bearing in mind that terrorism has no boundary.
“I think what we should do is that every country should work together to ensure that terrorism does not thrive,” he said.
Speaking on why the Government labelled IPOB a terrorist group, the Minister said, “the acts and utterances of IPOB were acts and utterances of terrorists”.
“For instance, Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB leader was caught on tape, saying that they want Biafra and not peacefully, but by force.
“He declared that if they do not get Biafra, Somalia will be a Paradise with the kind of mayhem they will unleash on Nigeria.
“The group openly embraced arms and ammunition and the leader set up Biafra National Guard, Biafra Secret Service and openly attacked army formations”.
When asked by the anchor of the programme, Peter Okwoche, why “other militarised group” like the Fulani herdsmen had not been classified as terrorist group, Mohammed said that “acts of criminality should not be confused with terrorism acts”.
He explained further: “When an organisation decides to not just attack the Army but set up its own parallel government.

BREAKING: Fani-Kayode endorses Fayose to replace Buhari in 2019



BREAKING: Fani-Kayode endorses Fayose to replace Buhari in 2019



A former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, on Thursday, says that no force could stop Fayose from becoming the next president of Nigeria.
He said this at the presidential declaration of Governor Ayodele fayose of Ekiti State in Abuja.
He also said under Governor Fayose, Ekiti State had been blessed. He also said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has also been blessed with Fayose being a member of the party.

Either we restructure or Nigeria’ll perish – Iwuanyanwu




Either we restructure or Nigeria’ll perish – Iwuanyanwu



Chyna Iwuanyanwu is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He accused the federal government of dealing in absolute secrecy and putting the nation in a ‘Spiritual cross road’. He also spoke on other national issues.
Two parties, APC and PDP are trading blame of how the nation got into recession. How do you react to this?
What I know about governance is that there is continuity in government, where one person stops, the other begins. Before you decide to contest and take over power you must have a blue print, they did not have a blue print until one and a half years ago, even to appoint ministers took them six months, it has never happened.
In Ghana, the president appoints ministers within seven days, they promised us that they were going to get technocrats and they ended up with well known people. So nothing changed, when in fact we were expecting change. We have seen that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was not prepared, in fact they did not expect the victory which the former President, Goodluck Jonathan gave to them on a platter of gold.
To now blame the same Jonathan is not right because when Obasanjo took over the mantle of leadership in 1999, the country was at its lowest level he did not worry himself blaming Abacha, of course he was dead, Abdusalam who took over after, was never blamed, rather he assembled a team and set up a system that rolled Nigeria out of it all. The only thing these people have held on is corruption.
But corruption did not actually start with Jonathan, it started with the military government of which Buhari was one of them. So basically, what caught up with them was that the oil price came down, if the oil price was still as it was during Jonathan, there wouldn’t have been recession and they would have not seen anybody to blame.
Secondly, the Niger Delta boys started striking and the quantity that was available for sale also dropped. It’s a combination of these factors that rattled them, confused them plus their unpreparedness for governance and that is what brought us to where we are today.
Are you going to blame Jonathan for the oil price that dropped or are you going to blame him for the Niger Delta agitation? He was able to manage it, you brought out soldiers to go and kill them. If not for the Vice president, Osinbajo who changed the parameters by going there to dialogue with them, If we had allowed Buhari, that place would have been a war zone and there would be no oil at all. If you meet a problem, solve it, move us away from it. If you tell us first year Jonathan caused it, second year Jonathan caused it, going to third year again Jonathan caused it. I mean it shows that you have no plans to get us out of it.
All I am saying is that we have tolerated the blame for a long time, from the second year, no amount of blame would be acceptable anymore, let them get down to the business of delivering democracy, the change they promised us, they owe us because we did not ask for it, they promised us change, we voted for change and we have the right to demand change. Look at the roads, there is confusion all over the country, the senate is not agreeing with the presidency, inside the senate there is problem, the APC is as if it does not exist, the president operates as if he is not a product of a party and all kinds of things.
What do you think is the way out of insecurity and joblessness in the country?
When I contested for the national chairman of PDP in 2008, in a speech I delivered to the South-East leaders, I warned that the greatest problem facing this country is the army of poorly educated and uneducated youths roaming about the street hopeless, jobless and I said that those people can easily be converted into time bomb. Boko Haram members are youths not old men, the old men may actually be behind them but the people that throw the bomb are youths.
IPOB members are youths, Niger Delta boys too, it is not Edwin Clark that is shooting gun and breaking pipes. It is the young people who are unhappy and discontented that destroyed the oil pipes in the Niger Delta region. They are not happy about the way they are being treated, they don’t see any hope either, and they take their destiny into their own hands and that is the reason for the insecurity in the country. Injustice brings insecurity, unemployment brings frustration and anger and an idle mind is a devil’s workshop, but I have not seen any policy initiative to address this problem of unemployment.
The government has not been able to address the main issues and incidentally, all of these are contained in their manifestos and up till today nothing has been done. Even the army in recent times named 14 areas of insecurity in Nigeria, it is too much, sometimes I think that thesesoldiers are overwhelmed. Insecurity is the major problem, but unemployment is a major factor that created insecurity.
Another element of insecurity which the government is responsible for is the herdsmen militancy, up till now nobody has been prosecuted or gone to jail with all the destruction they have done around the country. You say you are promoting agriculture and then you unleashed cattle herdsmen to go and destroy people’s farm and when they complain they are shot dead, their towns and villages are destroyed. We need to sit down seriously as a country, they were not prepared, they are just doing ad hoc things that have no solution to the problems, and they have not solved the problems of this country. There was some stability when PDP was in power, but now there is insecurity. They have to design programmes to give hope to the hopeless that is the only way we can have peace.
The imposition of candidates destroyed PDP, but Fayose today has again endorsed his deputy as governorship candidate. Has PDP not learnt any lesson?
I am a victim of the impunity. I contested for the national publicity secretary which I know that I won, but they took it away from me and if there is anybody who cursed PDP I am one of them. And all those people who were instrumental to what happened to me because they had another agenda to become senators or governors they all lost including Jonathan.
For allowing that kind of thing to be done, rape of justice to be done at the last convention, is unfortunate. We have learnt a lesson but politics is a game of contention of interests, there will always be interests, but those interests should be subject to what I called common wealth interest. There is nothing wrong with the PDP stakeholders saying the deputy governor in Ekiti state is their candidate, but that is just a mere statement, there has to be a convention to produce him.
So why are people worrying themselves? So far what they have done, for me is masturbation. So why are people responding to masturbation? The people have said we want this, but this is not how the constitution says that a candidate should emerge, it is subject to a convention, it is subject to a process that is enshrined in the constitution of the party. What they did now is like a social gathering until we have a convention and get a candidate, he cannot be said to be a candidate. Anybody is free to contest, so it should not cause a problem.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting was recently cancelled because of Sallah break, is there something the president is not telling Nigerians?
There is a lot. Nigerians are being deceived. Here is a government that promised us change and they are dealing in absolute secrecy even the health of our president is secret, everything is secret. Now how do you imagine a whole Charles Okputa and his team says he should step down, if somebody says resume or resign, is it an insult? I don’t see anything that should provoke them to go and hire some miscreants and almajiris to arm Okputa and his team.
In a Democratic system, they should have their say, the man should have his say, but they went to the extent of physically attacking him in Wuse market, manhandling him and breaking his cars and we have found out through intelligence that the attackers were sponsored.
Basically, as far as I’m concerned, Nigeria is in a state of confusion or what I call spiritual cross road, nothing is working. The man hurriedly came back, if his return was planned, his aides who are in Nigeria could have gone to his office and found out the rat that invaded his office and they could have disinfected and prepare the office for his return. Nothing brought the president back, and it is either Charles Okputa or they had some other intelligence that they are hiding from us. The way he came back was unplanned. Now he came back the first Wednesday, it was an opportunity for him to meet his ministers, he did not, and he said he would work from bedroom. For three months, rats droves our President away from his office.
I am into building and decoration; there is no damage that rats can cause that the problem cannot be solved in one week. If Julius Berger enters that place they can turn it round in one week to get our president’s office ready. These people are deceiving us and for you to tell the whole world that rat invaded the office and it would take three months, is not fair. How does a British man look at you? How does an American man look at you? They would just be amused they cannot understand what is going on.
What is your take on restructuring?
There is a discussion about secession, restructuring or no restructuring. The fact that Nigeria is divided between north and south is clear. It is the north who has been beneficiaries of the injustice, imbalance, the iniquity, in the system, they are the ones that want to maintain the statusquo. But I tell them that nobody has moved forward, even then, in spite of the fact that they have been controlling the resources of the country centralised in Abuja, the headquarter of poverty in Nigeria is still the north, which shows that the system is also not still working for them.
We want a situation where every components of this country begin to look inwards, generate revenue and use that revenue to develop themselves not somebody to go and get oil from Bayelsa, you bring it here for everybody. So people get lazy they are not doing anything. It is either we restructure or this country would perish. My prayer is that Buhari should not be the last president of Nigeria. South -South has spoken, the South-East has spoken, the South- West has spoken, the Middle Belt has spoken, even part of North -East like Atiku have said we should restructure. But a group of people mostly from the North-West are resisting change, no you came to government and the mantra has changed, restructuring means change for those who said they don’t know what it means.

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