Nigeria: LET THEM USE POWER; WE SHALL USE COURAGE -nPdp

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Read Time:6 Minute, 58 Second

The Office of the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola has described the reaction of the National Working Committee of the PDP, to Oyinlola’s press briefing as excessively long on posturing, but short on reasonable arguments, as it has failed woefully to answer very pertinent questions and issues pertaining to disrespect for the judiciary, Due Process and violation of the principle of fair hearing.

This reaction, which is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday said the explanations offered so far by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh did further damage to the cause of the PDP as it only confirmed the national working committee’s disdain for the Judiciary, the rule of law and statutory regulations, by taking reprehensible steps to circumvent court orders, the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and that of the PDP, which both guarantee the right to fair hearing.

The statement captioned: ‘’LET THEM USE POWER; WE SHALL USE COURAGE’’,disclosed that following developments which seem to indicate an indecent political behaviour and a lack of accountability and integrity, the PDP national secretary has formally reported the matter to the national leader of the party, President Goodluck Jonathan. Oyinlola took this step in consideration of the widely held notion that the perceived long chain of any organisation is its leadership, which is always credited with the gains or shortcomings of the organisation. It went further to assert that the statements that emanated from Thursday’s PDP press conference, could only suggest that regrettably, some people thrive on the basest and lowest forms of sentiments, giving cause for concern about their true commitment to democracy’’.

‘’I simply refuse to believe that those perpetrating the horrors of numerous atrocities designed to nail Oyinlola at all costs, are not aware of the implication of denigrating the Judiciary and the rule of law; and that my fiercest critics and opponents today are those who are unhappy at my preference for Due Process in administering the affairs of the PDP national headquarters’’. Most of them are people who were denied attempts to secure undue and illegal political advantage and patronage that would have amounted to the circumvention of regulations’’. It is true that I chose not to compromise on illegalities and destructive tendencies exhibited by these people’’. That was the advent of the culture of impunity, tyranny, oppression, dictatorship and refusal to abide by the resolutions of majority of PDP NWC members, who were all elected by the party’s national convention’’.

Yet, these same culprits of confusion preach internal party democracy! This evidently explains why my friend, Metuh, had no convincing answer for the media, that requested to know why the G-7 governors were not also summarily suspended; but opted to consult with his national chairman on a matter that ought to have been discussed, applying the principle of collective responsibility’’. One notes with consternation and disbelief the recent developments in the PDP NWC, which disallow the Deputy National Chairman from acting on issues and matters in the absence of the national chairman’’. This is obviously an embarrassing statement which portrays the NWC as a one-man affair.

‘’For the records, I wish to state in clear and unequivocal terms that I never supported the suspension of the National Vice-Chairman of the PDP for the North-west zone, Senator Girgiri Lawan, a rather forthright personality, as a member of the NWC. The minutes of the meeting at which the decision was taken would reveal that Senator Girgiri Lawan was accused and judged by Alhaji Tukur, whose actions at that particular NWC meeting are recorded. It is also on record that the letter conveying Senator Lawan’s suspension was not signed by me in my capacity as the national secretary with the statutory responsibility but was drafted, approved and signed within the office of the national chairman. ‘’My colleagues on the NWC will attest to the fact that on some occasions when illegalities were perpetrated and forced down the throats of NWC members by a personality, who is supposed to be ‘’primus inter-pares’’, I protested vehemently; and to show my displeasure, never waited for the usual entertainments at the end of the meetings. Metuh would surely attest to these facts’’.

It is also funny that the PDP spokesman could state that the absence of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur from Nigeria last Thursday prevented the NWC from taking an immediate action on the Court of Appeal order for my reinstatement, even when the PDP Deputy National Chairman is empowered to act in the absence of the national chairman’’. Where true internal party democracy is operated; not in a setting of an‘’Executive Chairman’’ who is under a false illusion that he has the power to ‘’hire and fire’’, the principle of collective responsibility demands and commands that individual official opinions be respected in taking NWC decisions’’. That was what we did on the Adamawa state PDP crises, and Alhaji Tukur, in one of those unfortunate outbursts described fellow NWC members as ‘’traitors’’;simply because they acted in consonance with the PDP constitution! I must say with deep respect that I have never seen the national leader of the PDP, President Goodluck Jonathan, in spite of his enormous powers, or Mr. Vice President, behave this way, or make such offensive utterances at any of the meetings of the organs of the PDP’’. It is important to highlight the fact that leadership is indeed an endowment, and part of the responsibilities of a true leader is the ability to manage people and crises without losing his or her head’’.

‘’Let it be known that when the PDP Disciplinary Committee is legally and validly constituted at the national level, those of us who are aggrieved may also press charges against those whom we believe have breached the party’s constitution and engaged in serial violation of rules and regulations guiding the operations of the PDP. These are people, who have also engaged in conducts that have apparently caused confusion and disharmony, encouraged divisions, refuse to consider appeals timeously, made utterances that have put the PDP into disrepute, have clearly breached the PDP constitution and refused blatantly to summon meetings of the National Executive Committee of the party, as well as meetings of its other organs as prescribed by PDP regulations’’.

‘’I sincerely hope that members of the NWC would stop being accomplices and accessories to constitutional violations because there is an in-built mechanism which allows two-thirds of NWC members to reason logically and prevent descent into anarchy, as elected members of the NWC, who swore to protect and uphold the PDP constitution. ‘’If they fail in their duties, they cannot reasonably present an alibi of ignorance of this constitutional provision of the in-built checks and balances. Failure to act suggests compromising on illegalities, and undermining the constitution of the PDP, which itself is an enough reason to also press for disciplinary actions against them, having failed woefully by supporting absurd transgressions’’. I find it inexplicable that PDP NWC could claim that it is unaware of the Appeal Court order when its counsel was in court when the judgement was delivered. More importantly, the court order was transmitted electronically to the National Legal Adviser, Mr. Victor Kwon and Chief Olisa Metuh. We have proof of service and will prove this. The question to ask is ‘’If PDP is unaware, how did it rush its appeal to the Supreme Court? That is the same manner in which Justice Abdul-Kafarati claimed that he was not aware that records of proceedings of his court had been transferred to the Court of Appeal, when he wanted to pronounce Prof. Wale Oladipo as the national secretary, when the proceedings were actually forwarded from his court. Thank God that pronouncement, following its abrogation, has been made in vain.

FEMI ADELEGAN

PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO THE NATIONAL SECRETARY

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Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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PDP: Suspension of Oyinlola, Baraje, Others Constitutional

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Read Time:2 Minute, 12 Second
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Thursday took on its court-reinstated National Secretary, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, over his claim that his suspension, along with that of three others, breached the party's constitution.
 
Oyinlola, a former PDP acting National Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja and Vice-Chairman (North-west) Ambassador Ibrahim Kazaure, were suspended on Monday for anti-party activities.
 
Oyinlola, at a press conference on Wednesday, faulted the action, which he said, violated section 57 (7) of the PDP constitution.
 
Reacting to his claim, the party yesterday said the disciplinary action taken against the trio, who were members of a splinter group in the PDP, was in order.
It quoted the party’s constitution and precedents to justify its action.
 
It referred to  the suspension of a former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, former Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Masari and other members of the PDP Reform Group, to buttress the propriety of its action.
 
PDP, at a press conference addressed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olisa Metuh, said contrary to Oyinlola's claim,  the National Working Committee (NWC) has the powers to  suspend members at national level. He cited section 57 (3) to justify the action.
 
He added that the NWC could also take  actions or act on behalf of National Executive Committee (NEC) as contained in Article 29 (2b) of the PDP constitution.
 
Metuh also said it was the same constitutional provisions that were used to suspend   Rivers State Governor, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi and the National Vice-Chairman of the party for North-east, Alhaji Lawal Girigiri, for anti-party activities.
 
He explained that Oyinlola was the national secretary when Girigiri was suspended and that Jaja was the deputy national chairman when Amaechi was suspended, adding that there would be no selective interpretation of the PDP constitution.
 
According to him, “There is only one PDP constitution and when you contravene it, then you must face the full wrath of the law. There is one constitution and one law.”
 
Metuh also said as at the time of the press conference, the party was yet to be served the Court of Appeal order for the reinstatement of Oyinlola.
 
On why other party members like the seven governors and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who were also members of the New PDP were not sanctioned like Oyinlola and others, he said the PDP was considering other options for ‘other brothers’ who committed anti-party activities.

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Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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National Dialogue: S’East Leaders Meet in Enugu, Set up Committees on Igbo’s Position

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Read Time:3 Minute, 23 Second
Less than a week after the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo, presented a paper representing Igbo position to the Senator Femi Okunroumu-led Presidential Advisory Committee on the proposed national conference, prominent Igbo elders under the aegis of Igbo Leaders of Thought yesterday met in Enugu to take a common position in readiness for the conference.
 
Though, the meeting could not take a definite stand concerning the proposed national dialogue, the highpoint of the three-hour closed door meeting was the setting up of three committees on Planning, Fund raising and Outreach by the elders.
 
The meeting which was convened by renowned Constitutional Lawyer, Prof Ben Nwabueze, attracted Prof. Uche Azikiwe, widow of late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe; former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbokaba (SAN); Senator Anyim Ude, former Ohaneze President-General, Dr Dozie Ikedife; Prof Elochukwu Amucheazi and Chief Nduka Eya.
 
Others in the meeting were Archbishop Anthony Obinna of Owerri Ecclesiastical Catholic Diocese, Archbishop Emeritus Maxwell Anikwenwa, Senator Offia Nwali, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd), Chief Mbazulike Amechi, His Majesty, Nnaemeka Achebe, Presidential Adviser on Inter-Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi; Dr Aja Nwachukwu and the National President of Igbo Youth Movement, (IYM) Elliot Uko.
 
THISDAY findings showed that no official of Ohaneze was present at the meeting.
Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, Nwabueze said the elders were worried over the leadership crisis rocking the Ohaneze Ndigbo and therefore decided to come together and not only find solution to the problem but also articulate what would ultimately become the Igbo position to be adopted for the national conference.
 
Though, he said the issues of Ohaneze could not be addressed at the meeting, they mainly succeeded in setting up the committees, explaining that while he would chair the Committee on Planning with Prof. Mike Echerue as the deputy and Prof. Amucheazi as secretary, the Committee on Fund Raising has the Obi of Onitsha as the chairman.
 
For the Committee on Outreach, which he said would be saddled with the responsibility of reaching out to other ethnic groups with a view to having a common ground on most of the issues that would be raised, Nwabueze said members of the committee would soon be announced.
 
He however expressed optimism that the elders would soon resolve the problem in Ohaneze saying: “The body remains the umbrella organisation for the Igbo but there’s problem in Ohaneze; there’s division in Ohaneze. This is part of what we are here to do, we haven’t done it yet but we want to resolve the problem in Ohaneze.”
 
Also speaking, the former NBA President, Agbakoba, said although the civil society groups would have preferred a Sovereign National Conference (SNC), he would take part in the exercise because it would afford the people of the country an opportunity to take a critical look at the problems facing them as a nation.
 
“Prof Nwabueze has always said what Nigeria needs is a revolution. There’s no way you can replace what you have now with dialogue but unfortunately, the energy for revolution is not there. We in civil society, realising that we don’t have energy to claw back power from the leaders having tried it severally, and remembering the 12 million man march that nearly took my life, will have to lower our expectation regrettably and engage in the process with the hope that it will take us to our destiny. Though we have been deceived in the past, but we have to take part and find ways of blocking some of the loopholes in order to avoid a defeat,” he said.
 
Agbakoba further raised an alarm that there could be a conflict between President Goodluck Jonathan and members of the National Assembly, who he said might not be happy with the proposed dialogue but however expressed optimism that something should come out of the exercise at the end of the day.
 

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Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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National Dialogue: S’East Leaders Meet in Enugu, Set up Committees on Igbo’s Position

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Read Time:3 Minute, 23 Second
Less than a week after the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo, presented a paper representing Igbo position to the Senator Femi Okunroumu-led Presidential Advisory Committee on the proposed national conference, prominent Igbo elders under the aegis of Igbo Leaders of Thought yesterday met in Enugu to take a common position in readiness for the conference.
 
Though, the meeting could not take a definite stand concerning the proposed national dialogue, the highpoint of the three-hour closed door meeting was the setting up of three committees on Planning, Fund raising and Outreach by the elders.
 
The meeting which was convened by renowned Constitutional Lawyer, Prof Ben Nwabueze, attracted Prof. Uche Azikiwe, widow of late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe; former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbokaba (SAN); Senator Anyim Ude, former Ohaneze President-General, Dr Dozie Ikedife; Prof Elochukwu Amucheazi and Chief Nduka Eya.
 
Others in the meeting were Archbishop Anthony Obinna of Owerri Ecclesiastical Catholic Diocese, Archbishop Emeritus Maxwell Anikwenwa, Senator Offia Nwali, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd), Chief Mbazulike Amechi, His Majesty, Nnaemeka Achebe, Presidential Adviser on Inter-Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi; Dr Aja Nwachukwu and the National President of Igbo Youth Movement, (IYM) Elliot Uko.
 
THISDAY findings showed that no official of Ohaneze was present at the meeting.
Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, Nwabueze said the elders were worried over the leadership crisis rocking the Ohaneze Ndigbo and therefore decided to come together and not only find solution to the problem but also articulate what would ultimately become the Igbo position to be adopted for the national conference.
 
Though, he said the issues of Ohaneze could not be addressed at the meeting, they mainly succeeded in setting up the committees, explaining that while he would chair the Committee on Planning with Prof. Mike Echerue as the deputy and Prof. Amucheazi as secretary, the Committee on Fund Raising has the Obi of Onitsha as the chairman.
 
For the Committee on Outreach, which he said would be saddled with the responsibility of reaching out to other ethnic groups with a view to having a common ground on most of the issues that would be raised, Nwabueze said members of the committee would soon be announced.
 
He however expressed optimism that the elders would soon resolve the problem in Ohaneze saying: “The body remains the umbrella organisation for the Igbo but there’s problem in Ohaneze; there’s division in Ohaneze. This is part of what we are here to do, we haven’t done it yet but we want to resolve the problem in Ohaneze.”
 
Also speaking, the former NBA President, Agbakoba, said although the civil society groups would have preferred a Sovereign National Conference (SNC), he would take part in the exercise because it would afford the people of the country an opportunity to take a critical look at the problems facing them as a nation.
 
“Prof Nwabueze has always said what Nigeria needs is a revolution. There’s no way you can replace what you have now with dialogue but unfortunately, the energy for revolution is not there. We in civil society, realising that we don’t have energy to claw back power from the leaders having tried it severally, and remembering the 12 million man march that nearly took my life, will have to lower our expectation regrettably and engage in the process with the hope that it will take us to our destiny. Though we have been deceived in the past, but we have to take part and find ways of blocking some of the loopholes in order to avoid a defeat,” he said.
 
Agbakoba further raised an alarm that there could be a conflict between President Goodluck Jonathan and members of the National Assembly, who he said might not be happy with the proposed dialogue but however expressed optimism that something should come out of the exercise at the end of the day.
 

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Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Iyayi for Burial in Dec, Says Family

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Read Time:4 Minute, 15 Second
The burial ceremony for a former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Festus Iyayi, has been tentatively fixed for the first week of December, a member of the Iyayi’s family, Prof. Robert Ebewele, disclosed Thursday.
 
The disclosure came as the federal government expressed deep shock and regret over the death of the former ASUU president, describing him as a foremost patriot and literary icon.
 
Also, the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), has expressed shock and sadness at the road accident, which led to the death of Iyayi, just as a former Chairman of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors and chairman of Bi-Courtney Group, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), expressed shock at the tragic manner in which Iyayi died.
 
Iyayi died in an auto crash involving the convoy of Kogi State Governor, Idris Wada, in Banda, Lokoja, while he was on his way to honour a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the union in Kano State, over the four-month-old strike by university teachers across the country.
But Ebewele, who disclosed the funeral plan, when the Pro-chancellor of the University of Benin Senator Effiong Dickson Bob, paid a condolence visit to the bereaved family, said the funeral would commence with a commendation service.
 
He stressed that the family would liaise with the university community for the burial programme, even as he thanked his guest for his concern.
 
Earlier, Effiong, who was led on the visit by the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Osayuki Oshodin, said: “It’s my hope that his death will spur ASUU leadership to honour him by finding a lasting solution to the strike even as I urge all those who are alive to do all they could with steadfastness and courage.”
 
Also, the Minister of Information and supervising Minster for the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Labaran Maku, while expressing federal government’s condolences, in a statement he personally signed said Iyayi was not just a scholar of first class distinction, but a true Nigerian, who had distinguished himself in the literary world, particularly with his two classics: Violence and Heroes.
 
Maku added that Iyayi’s death came shortly after the demise of Prof. Chinua Achebe, stating that the two incidents had robbed Nigeria, Africa and indeed the entire literary world of two outstanding giants, who made distinctive contributions to Africa’s literature.
 
“He was never one of those scholars seen at the corridors of power seeking favours.  He devoted his life to scholarship and active struggle for the democratisation and transformation of Nigeria. This death indeed has robbed Nigeria of one of Africa’s most fecund minds and a devoted advocate for Africa’s renaissance,” he said.
 
In its reaction, the National Chairman of PDM, Mallam Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim, said the demise of Iyayi came at a time when his services were still needed most by the academic community.
Ibrahim, who spoke through his Media Adviser, Mr. Alaba Yusuf, deplored the incessant loss of valuable Nigerian lives to avoidable road accidents. 
 
“Nigeria has endured too much loss of its priceless human assets through untimely deaths resulting from unnecessary road accidents. Iyayi was a global academic icon who didn’t have to die this way. We pray for the repose of his soul and further pray God to grant his family the fortitude to bear the sad loss,” the party said.
 
Meanwhile, Babalakin, who was the chairman of the Implementation Monitoring Committee of the Federal Government/University-based Unions Agreement 2009, expressed regret that Iyayi’s death was a sad development and a set-back to the current effort to halt the prolonged industrial action by ASUU.
 
He however said Iyayi’s death, as sad and regrettable as it was, should serve as a nudge to the whole nation on areas of our national life that require urgent and sincere attention.
In a statement issued yesterday, Babalakin commiserated with the leadership and members of ASUU as well as the immediate family members and friends of the astute professors, on the tragic death.
 
“I knew Iyayi as a brilliant and committed scholar and an exemplary leader, who wanted the very best for the Nigerian universities and the educational system in general,” he said.
Babalakin, who recalled his close relations with Iyayi as well as other officials of ASUU, when he served as the chairman, Committee of Pro-Chancellors said: “Iyayi would not have died in vain if the sad occurrence of Tuesday caused us to revisit and act on the agreements between ASUU and the federal government.”
 
The Bi-Courtney chairman, who was the immediate past Pro-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), said: “The agreements were painstakingly negotiated with the prime desire not only to uplift tertiary education in Nigeria from its lowly, less-than-ideal state, but to also, ultimately, lead to the autonomy of universities in the country.”
 

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Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Kogi Begins Road Construction, Two Days After Iyayi’s Death

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Read Time:1 Minute, 6 Second
Barely two days after his convoy was involved in an accident that led to the death of a former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Festus Iyayi, Kogi State Governor, Idris Wada, has approved the re-construction of the Lokoja-Okene Road at the cost of over N2 billion.
 
The road, running through Lokoja metropolis,  belongs to the federal government and  is one of the failed roads littering the state capital.
 
The   accident that claimed  Iyayi's life  happened at Banda village, a few kilometres outside Lokoja, while the governor was returning from an official engagement in Abuja.
Other roads also to be constructed include  Idah and Egbe township roads.
 
The state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Yabaji Bologi, told journalists yesterday, after the state executive council's meeting that the council also approved the establishment of the State Road Maintenance Agency  (KSRMA), which has been given N332 million as a takeoff grant.
 
The commissioner also said over N95 million was also considered by the council for the electrification of the Post-flood Housing Estate in Lokoja, while N50 million was also approved for women empowerment in the state under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with the Kogi Micro-Finance Bank.

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Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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CAN Suspends Niger Delta Bishops over PDP Peace Bid

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Read Time:1 Minute, 10 Second
The disagreement among Christian leaders over  an attempt by some bishops from the Niger Delta to mediate in the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  took a new dimension yesterday, following the alleged suspension of those involved in the peace deal.
They were suspended by Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) South-south Chairman, Archbishop God-Dowell Avwomakpa, from the association.
 
Reacting to the suspension yesterday, leader of the aggrieved bishops, under the auspices of Global Peace Relief Initiative, Jones Ode Erue, threatened legal action against Avwomakpa and CAN, stressing that the archbishop had no power to suspend them.
 
He said: "Avwomakpa has no capacity to suspend us. He is not our member; we only invited him to join us when our delegation visited Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
 
"We give him 48 hours to retract the announcement of our suspension and all the bad things he said about us on Delta Television else we will institute legal action against him and CAN."
Earlier, the clerics took up the CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, over his alleged comments disparaging the group for attempting to reconcile the seven aggrieved governors of the PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan.
 
In a statement by Erue, they described Oritsejafor's statement that CAN is apolitical as laughable, accusing him of getting involved in politics of calumny and name-dropping.

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Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Excess Crude Account Drawn Down to $3.5bn

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Read Time:1 Minute, 38 Second
The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) Thursday withdrew $1 billion from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) to augment the revenue for October, leaving the ECA at about $3.598 billion.
 
It was gathered that President Goodluck Jonathan approved the withdrawal in order to shore up revenue shortfall.
 
Also, total statutory allocation amounting to about N525.2billion was shared among the tiers of government for October.
 
Minister of State for Finance, Alhaji Yerima Ngama, said total actual collection for the month stood at N539.553 billion, representing a shortfall of N84.215 billion when compared with the budgeted amount of N623.768 billion.
 
He said although total revenue collection for October exceeded that of September by N11.979 billion, it fell short of  the budgeted allocation of N465.057 billion for the month under review.
Total collection for the month stood at N443.052 billion, representing a shortfall of about N22.005 billion.
 
Addressing journalists in Abuja after the monthly meeting of the committee, Ngama explained that non-oil mineral revenue collection totalled  N96.501 billion, which fell short of the budgeted amount N158.711 billion by N62.21billion.
 
He said: "The total funds available for distribution have been adjusted with transfers to excess crude. And this month we transferred N80.651 billion to excess crude. Thus leaving N458.901 billion after cost of collection to Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) of N2.097 billion and cost of collection to Nigerian Customs Service of N3.085 billion."
 
Meanwhile, the breakdown of the distribution showed that the federal government received  N213.825 billion while the states shared N108.455 billion. The local governments got N83.614 billion while the oil-producing states received N47.112 billion under the 13 per cent derivation principle.
 
Also shared were the N7.617 billion debt from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and N35.5 billion SURE-P contribution.

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Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Peterside hails Amaechi, bewails dearth of men of courage and character

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Read Time:1 Minute, 35 Second

Hon. Dakuku Peterside, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) and representative, Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency has described Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi who yesterday received award by Business Day for States’ Competitiveness and Good Governance as a man of uncommon courage and character.
 
Peterside who attended the colourful award ceremony which held in Lagos commended Business Day for selecting Amaechi and for showing rare bravery in their choice especially in this season when any act of courage is easily misunderstood.
 
According to Peterside, “we are not surprised that he was selected for this award. For a man who has dedicated his entire life to the service of his people, this award is not only fitting but encouraging. We are therefore happy that his achievements resonate beyond our state”.
 
Continuing, Peterside added: “Governor Amaechi will continue to disappoint his detractors because of the strength of his character, courage and focus. And for his teeming admirers, we are optimistic and confident that he will end well because he is already leaving lasting legacies in Rivers State. Award by Business Day for States’ Competitiveness and Good Governance is part of that celebration that is already echoing beyond Rivers State.    
It will be recalled that Business Day gave out the award in 13 categories and Rivers State won in a number of categories. Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State carted away the Best Governor in Education Development award.
 
The lawmaker therefore prayed God to grant Nigeria more individuals in the mould of Amaechi. “Nigeria needs more Rotimi Amaechis to speak truth and courage whenever the need arises. That is the only way to build our nation and escape God’s judgement”.
 
 
          
Sylvester Asoya
Special Assistant, Media to Hon. Peterside.
 

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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New PDP Felicitates With Gov. Babangida Aliyu @ 58

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The New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) has felicitated with Niger State Governor, His Excellency Dr. Babangida Aliyu, on the occasion of his 58th birthday on November 12, 2013, describing him as a good example of the kind of leader Nigeria needs at this period.

The party in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, nPDP said that Nigeria would be a better placed if those in leadership positions in the country could emulate Governor Aliyu.

“It is not for nothing that Dr. Babangida Aliyu chose to be addressed as The Chief Servant rather than as His Excellency, The Executive Governor. Dr. Aliyu is humility and modesty personified. Despite his great learning and intimidating track record as a civil servant, administrator and political juggernaut, Dr. Aliyu remains humble to a fault,” Chief Eze said in a statement signed on behalf of nPDP National Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje.

He further described Governor Aliyu as a bold and courageous democrat who hates injustice in any form and is committed towards entrenching true democracy in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as to the survival and growth of democracy in Nigeria.

“This explains why The Chief Servant has distinguished himself as the pillar of our just struggle to reclaim our great party, the PDP, from the hands of political soldiers of fortune who now hold it hostage, so as to pave the way for the realisation of the vision of the founding fathers of the party. Dr. Aliyu is indeed, a rare patriot, a detribalised and selfless leader, a first-class statesman,” the statement added.

New PDP wished Governor Aliyu a happy birthday while praying for Almighty God to grant him many more years of life and good health to enable him continue his good work.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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