NIGERIA: Why INEC Recognised Otti as APGA Guber Candidate in Abia

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Read Time:2 Minute, 59 Second

 It has emerged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognised the former Group Managing Director of Diamond Bank, Dr. Alex Otti, as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia State based on the submission of his name by Chief Victor Umeh-ledNational Chairman of APGA.

Otti’s candidacy had suffered a temporary setback when a state High Court placed an order stopping Umeh from parading himself as APGA National Chairman thereby leaving the fate of the candidates he submitted to INEC hanging in the balance as Chief Chris Ejike Uche emerged as “acting national chairman” with his own list of candidates.

But in a letter entitled: ‘Re: Submission of nomination of APGA candidate for the 2015 general election,’ addressed to the factional acting national chairman of APGA, Uche, which was made available to THISDAY, the national electoral body made it clear that only the list of candidates submitted by Chief Umeh was acceptable.

The three-paragraph letter from INEC dated  December 31, 2014 and signed by Ibrahim K. Kawa for the Secretary to the commission, was a reply to a letter dated December 10, 2014 and received on  December 29, 2014 in which Uche sent to INEC ‘by courier Form CF 002B and other documents for an alleged governorship candidate of APGA in Abia State.’

The electoral body explicitly stated in its reply that “the INEC does not receive submission of names of candidates through courier services (as) such submissions shall be by personal delivery of the Form CF 002 duly signed by signed by the National Chairman and the National Secretary of the political party.

“It is in the record of the commission that Chief Victor Umeh and Alhaji Sani Shinkafi are the National Chairman and National Secretary of APGA respectively,” INEC stated further in the said letter, adding that “the purported order of the high court of Abia State (which stopped Umeh from parading himself as APGA national chairman) has since Friday 12th December  12, 2014 been vacated.”

INEC also educated Uche that “in any event, no submission of candidate for an elective position for the 2015 general election shall be received less than 60 days before the elections (hence) the submission is accordingly not accepted.”

Meanwhile, the campaign organisation of Otti has debunked the allegation that agents and campaign volunteers of APGA were involved in purchasing of permanent voters cards (PVCs) in the rural communities of the state.

In a statement sent via e-mail, the Otti camp described the allegations as “not only befuddling but malicious and in bad taste,” adding, “we are amazed that the PDP will even band this allegation on air given that it sounds puerile, ludicrous and hollow to the discerning minds.”

It noted that its grassroots campaign drive was deliberately being misconstrued for political gains.

“In our goal to reach voters and campaign on the ground as widely as is possible and permissible, our campaign organisation has been embarking on door-to-door initiatives across the state since Otti emerged as the authentic APGA governorship candidate for the election,” the statement explained.

According to the Otti camp, the ruling PDP was becoming jittery and so has to “cook up” such allegations to tarnish the image of APGA” even in an era when INEC has tightened security and technological measures around its portal and cards which makes cloning  difficult and near impossible.”

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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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CSO Asks Presidential Candidates to Tell Nigerians How they Will Address Critical Sectors

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Read Time:2 Minute, 33 Second

 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have called on all presidential candidates of political parties in the country to tell Nigerians the specific policies they will adopt to tackle the numerous challenges facing the country.

In a statement signed by the Coordinator of Human Rights Agenda Network (HRAN), Melissa Omene, the group called on the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari respectively, to speak directly to Nigerians in respect of the prevailing livelihood and human rights issues to enable  Nigerians vote based on concrete agenda.

HRAN asked the candidates to explain in detail how they intend to tackle the issue of corruption in the private and public spheres in Nigeria.

According to the statement, “HRAN being a network of over 303 registered members who are non-governmental organisations and human rights activists across Nigeria, issues this open letter due to concerns that key human rights and livelihood issues have not been addressed by the presidential, gubernatorial and other political candidates during the lead up to the 2015 general election.

“Democracy demands that politicians set concrete agenda upon which the electorate can select a suitable leader who can be held accountable using the concrete agenda.”

It asked them to tell Nigerians how they would tackle youth unemployment saying: “Today, 80 per cent of youths are reportedly unemployed or under-employed. Explain your strategy to tackle the issue of youth unemployment with particular reference to the empowerment of young girls.”

The group also asked them to explain how how they will improve the petroleum sector via policies towards production and refining petroleum products.

CSOs urged the candidates to tell Nigerians how they will ensure the security of lives and property with particular reference to the insurgency in the North-east and North-west regions?

It asked: “How can you reduce the quantity of small arms and light weapons that are illegally found in hands of people which increases insecurity of lives and properties in Nigeria?”

Other agenda posed for the candidates are: Protection of minorities – religious, tribal and economic minorities as well as persons living with disability who had suffered greatly from mis-governance;
Power Sector – practical agenda in increasing access to regular and consistent electricity;

Women’s rights – What measures will they take to ensure that women are protected from all forms of gender based violence and are given equal opportunities in the work place and in politics as well as ensuring affirmative action for women;

How will you increase Nigeria’s compliance with its obligations under international treaties including the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (UN CEDAW), and the United Nations Convention Against Torture (UN CAT);

The group consequently, posed a question: “If elected, how do you intend to reform the justice sector, with particular reference to the police, prisons and lengthy delays in determining a case?”

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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Ekweremadu Tasks Nigerians to Unite against Electoral Violence

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Read Time:1 Minute, 54 Second

 Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, at the weekend challenged Nigerians to unite against electoral violence, irrespective of their political, religious or ethnic leanings.

Ekweremadu, according to a statement, made the call while being  conferred with the honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D) award at the 44th convocation ceremony of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka on Saturday.

The statement signed by his Special Adviser, Media, Uche Anichukwu, also challenged the nation’s higher institutions of learning to rise up to the task of restoring the dignity of man through quality researches that can address the nation’s security and development challenges.

Ekweremadu who recently obtained a PhD in Law from the University of Abuja, canvassed the need for rigorous advocacy to keep the youth away from electoral violence.

He urged well-meaning Nigerians to rise in defence of national interest, against all acts of electoral violence, irrespective of political, ethnic and religious affiliations, saying elections must not be a do-or-die affair.

“Election is not a do-or-die affair. We are worried about the attacks on some political actors by people in parts of the country other than their own. Let us stand together and call the political elites to order. We must admit that elections will come and go, but that this country will remain.
Therefore, we must play politics with every sense of responsibility, ensuring that everybody is accorded his due respect.

“We must also bear in mind that events and utterances that incubate electoral violence start well ahead of elections. We must live with a sense of history and remember that the same tree stump does not trip a wise man twice,” the statement said.

Ekweremadu who is also an alumnus of the University of Nigeria, said the nation was in dire need of the restoration of human dignity.

“Today, human life is cheap, unlike in the days of our fathers. Stealing used to be a taboo. Today, people are kidnapped and armed robbers are on rampage unlike our school days. There are so many churches and mosques today, yet we have more evil. Indeed, there is need for all to rise across religious and ethnic divides to restore the dignity of man,” the statement added.

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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Alkali: PDP Cannot Be Distracted

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Read Time:2 Minute, 12 Second

 The Special Assistant to the President on Political Affairs, Prof Rufai Ahmed Alkali, on Sunday said his office, along with the national headquarters of the Goodluck Support Group (GSG), would not be distracted by unfair commentaries from a few individuals whose missions are not be in tandem with the goal of re-electing President Goodluck Jonathan.

Alkali made the assertion in response to a communiqué issued by a group claiming to be speaking on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Support Groups who are claiming they were not integrated into the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation.

He declared that the allegations contained in the communiqué are unfounded an intended to distract the teams and individuals working for the re-election of President Jonathan.

He declared that in appreciation of the role played by over 8,000 support groups that passionately called on President Jonathan to step forward and present himself to run for re-election, a whole directorate was created within the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation for the support groups.

“With the acceptance of the president to run and his emergence as the candidate of the PDP, the expectations of the support groups have been reasonably realised.

“The PDP National Campaign Council in recognition of the roles played by the support groups has for the first time created a whole Directorate for Support Groups at the headquarters of the campaign. All the support groups are aware of this and we expect that all complaints should be directed to this office instead of engaging in unnecessary controversies in the media.

“It is now time for them to join hands with the mainstream PDP National Campaign Council at the ward, local government, states and national levels to actively market the president’s candidature and help convince Nigerians to vote for him.

“We appreciate the zeal and commitment of all support groups and wish to appeal to them to remain focussed on our ultimate goal which is the reelection of President Jonathan.

“This can be achieved through an intensive mobilisation of the electorate and not a resort to name calling or libellous conclusions.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs along with the national headquaters of the Goodluck Support Group (GSG) is completely committed to the goal of working with all individuals and groups for the bigger project of ensuring victory for Mr. President and all PDP candidates nationwide.

“We shall therefore not be distracted by unfair commentaries from a few individuals whose mission may not be in tandem with our goal.”

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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NIGERIA: Obi, Amadi Endorse Ihedioha as Mbaitoli, Ikeduru Stand Still for the Campaign Train

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Read Time:1 Minute, 47 Second

Immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, and erstwhile governorship aspirant in Imo State, Hon. Bethel Amadi are among top politicians that rallied support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, in the quest to become the next governor of Imo State.

These gladiators spoke during the governorship rallies at Mbaitoli and Ikeduru Local Government Areas at the weekend where a tumultuous crowd caused a huge traffic stretch over several miles as thousands of party faithful walked long distances to be part of the events.

At Mbaitoli where canon shots and huge shouts of joy heralded Ihedioha’s entry into the campaign venue, Peter Obi advised Imo electorate to identify themselves with the re-election project of President Goodluck Jonathan as well as Ihedioha as Imo State Governor.

The former Anambra governor lambasted Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha for his failure to uplift the living standard of the people and for being hostile to President Jonathan.

He said every responsible governor will always be in the good books of the president and not to work against him. He therefore urged Imolites to reciprocate the good gestures of Mr. President by voting his party PDP to power at all levels, adding that Imo should be reconnected to the national political grid once again. According to him, Ihedioha is the chosen one to salvage Imo State and bring back its last glory.

At Ikeduru Local Government Area, one of the frontline guber aspirants and President of the Pan African Parliament, Hon. Bethel Amadi stormed the Iho, campaign ground with his supporters to declare support for Ihedioha.

Amadi embraced the deputy speaker to the admiration and cheers by the crowd and declared his total support and commitment towards the realisation of the governorship project.

He maintained that Imo PDP is now stronger and more united adding that Hon. Ihedioha is now the chosen one to lead the state to greater heights.

The jubilant Ihedioha, thanked Hon. Amadi for his support and reception for his entourage and assured that he will work closely with him towards making Imo State a model state.

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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NIGERIA: Statesmen Should Refrain from Telling Lies, Ajimobi Tells Ladoja

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Read Time:4 Minute, 12 Second

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has said lies and character assassination should not be found among statesmen, especially those who have had the privilege of administering a state government.

He made this known in a reaction issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, to an interview former Governor of the state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, granted to the Tribune and published on Sunday.

Ladoja had alleged that Ajimobi and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) made overtures to him to be given the gubernatorial ticket of the party while Ajimobi goes to the Senate.

“The truth is that Ladoja has become used to spinning untruth, which has become a way of life. While we see lies as abhorrent, especially for anyone who has risen that high in life to the former governor, it is like a fisherman who has seen so many shrimps that a fish is not new to him.

However, anyone who is even barely educated would know that Ladoja was on his familiar turf of lying. Isn’t it illogical that a sitting governor would be asked to vacate his seat for someone he beat to the third place in the 2011 elections and that same sitting governor will gladly go to the home of his ‘nemesis’ and gleefully hand over his mandate to him?

“Again, it is clear that, in telling this lie, Ladoja merely wants to recreate the absurd position he found himself in 2007 when, as a sitting governor, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took away his ticket in his very presence and handed it over to his deputy. It is apparent that he lacked political sagacity and the so-called people’s support, which were responsible for this political hemlock handed over to him to drink. This also led to his phony removal by NURTW officials led by a common thug who is now late.

“Isn’t it a negation of common sense that Ajimobi, who was a one-time distinguished senator and a Principal Officer of the senate who completed his tenure, as against Ladoja who didn’t, would prefer a senate slot that he once occupied to the prospect of continuing as the Chief Executive Officer of a state? Ladoja must have thought that Oyo State people and Nigerians have no sense of appreciation of logic and common sense,” the governor said.

The governor also picked hole in Ladoja’s claim that he was not arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), stating that he was merely on a “roller coaster of comedy.

“Nigerians will, with this statement, appreciate the real comedian that Ladoja is. If he meant to demonstrate his naivety of semantics, he did it so well. For his information, he cannot rewrite the fact that he was arrested and detained for mismanaging the proceeds of the sales of shares belonging to the state. In his defence in a newspaper advertorial, he said he did not personally refund money to the EFCC. Does he have to personally refund money? He is the chief culprit of the alleged sleaze, and if any money was refunded by his co-accused, he cannot exonerate himself from it. Moreover, we put it to him that he and his co-travellers in the shares boat refunded money in excess of N500 million,” the statement said.

  Stating that Ajimobi was yet to receive the so-called Ladoja’s letter asking the governor to apologise for accusing him of the refund, the statement said the former governor was merely buying time as he does not have any case to pursue in court.

On the allegation that the Ajimobi government reneged on the agreement he had with the government to give him and his party 20 per cent of all appointments in the state, the governor said Ladoja was being driven by political covetousness.

“Could Ladoja, known to be arrogant and unbending, during his time as governor, ever concede this absurd demand to anyone? Was it not a similar demand from the strongman of Ibadan politics, Chief Lamidi Adedibu, for a chunk of Ladoja’s security vote that led to the spiral of violence which consumed so many lives in the state and which eventually truncated his regime? If Ajimobi gave in to this demand and only had to stop it on account of Ladoja benefitting from government in terms of contracts and patronage, as well as having his people in our government, yet attacking same government, then Ajimobi demands commendation for accommodation of and forgiveness of his enemies and not this shameless ingratitude that is being demonstrated by Ladoja,” the governor said.

The governor counseled Ladoja to embark on an issued-based campaign rather than that of calumny, stating that the people of the state were too sophisticated and knowledgeable to be fed with a pot-pourri of lies and indefensible character assassination as contained in the Ladoja interview.

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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Let Our Pupils Go Back to School, Otti’s Campaign Group Tells Orji

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Read Time:1 Minute, 23 Second

 Concerned by the continued stay at home of school children in Abia State as a result of the strike embarked upon by the teachers, Abia First, the campaign organisation of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate, Dr  Alex Otti,  has appealed to Governor Theodore Orji to do something urgently to arrest the situation in the interest of the future of the pupils.

In a statement signed by the Director of Media of the organization, Chris Ukah, the group observed that the continued stay of the students at home was a potential danger to the security of the state, the future of the young Abians and inimical to the general development of education in the state.

According to the statement, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government in the state should not allow the strike by the teachers to linger any longer by doing everything necessary to pay or agree with the striking teachers to resolve every issue arising from the strike action and allow students to go back to school.

“It is dangerous to allow the young Abians and leaders of tomorrow to rot away at home when they are supposed to be in the classroom receiving knowledge.

“This is not only dangerous to the security and development of the state, it is equally inimical to the overall development of the educational system of the state that presently needs re-engineering,” Ukah noted.

Teachers in the state had since embarked upon an indefinite strike that has grounded school and learning activities since the beginning of the current term. This has since attracted condemnation from interest groups in the state.

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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NIGERIA: Ambode Hinges Plans for Lagos on Four Pillars

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Read Time:4 Minute, 43 Second

 The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has promised to hinge his plans for the continuation of rapid economic development in Lagos State on four pillars.

According to Ambode, the blueprint of his economic agenda will be anchored on economic development, infrastructural development; social development and security as well as sustainable development and environment.

In a statement signed by his Director of Media and Communications, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Ambode’s four-pronged approached to sustainable economic development was unveiled to a rich array of captains of industry, entrepreneurs and corporate players at an event tagged: ‘An Evening with Akinwunmi Ambode,’ which held on Friday evening at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos.

The statement quoted Ambode as saying that under his economic development pillar, “we will create jobs, provide skill-based trainings, pursue investment relentlessly, embark on innovations and new technologies, broaden the economy, and pursue the Project THESE.” Project THESE is Ambode’s innovative approach to harnessing the potential in tourism, hospitality, entertainment/arts and sports to achieve excellence in job creation and social development.

Under his infrastructural development pillar, Ambode, a Fulbright Scholar with specialty in public finance management, said: “We will seek to provide reliable power and energy, integrated transportation system, including tapping into the potentials inherent in our waterways.”

He added that his social development and security pillar would ensure the provision of good and quality education as well as to improve on provision of technical and vocational skills to shore up the labour gaps in the market. “We shall deliver a first-class health system, as well as secure the lives and property of all Lagosians,” he stated.

On his sustainability and environment pillar, Ambode said he plans to combat erosion and flooding and undertake effective and efficient solid waste management across the state.

At the occasion which had several bank managers, retired chief justices, serving commissioners in Lagos State as well as a number of former governorship aspirants under the APC in Lagos State, Ambode reiterated his reasons for seeking to be the next governor of Lagos State, adding that if Lagos is the business centre of Nigeria, the guests at the event, without any doubt, are the major players in its economy.

Ambode said it was important for the corporate sector and the public to understand his career trajectory in order to appreciate the reason why he is more than qualified and better prepared to succeed Governor Babatunde Fashola come May 29 this year.

“I started my career at the Lagos State Waste Disposal Board, an important agency of government. I also worked as treasurer in several local governments where I developed a deep understanding of how government works at the grassroots level. I also acquired a deeper understanding of how local government finance operates and its impact on our citizens. Thereafter, I became the Auditor General of Local Governments where I had an overview of how the 57 local governments/LCDA operate. This was, in essence, a larger stage for me to operate and develop my knowledge of how the entire local government system functions.

“From this position, I moved to become the Accountant General/Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance where I had an even larger stage to operate, interact and learn from two of the best governors that Lagos State has ever produced.

Ambode likened Lagos State to a company with the citizens as the shareholders. In essence, he said he had served meritoriously in the company called Lagos State, building his skills and experiences with a view to ultimately becoming its Chief Executive Officer.

He added that his experience was not limited to the public sector, having worked as an entrepreneur and Managing Director of Brandsmiths Consulting, a firm that specializes in Public Finance Management since 2012. “My firm has a Memorandum of Understanding with reputable international agencies to assist public sector entities in enhancing accountancy standards in Nigeria.”

I have also been an employer of labour, and I understand what it takes to run a business in the private sector. I, therefore, want to be the governor because I believe that with my public sector experience and private sector exposure, there is still more that I can do for my State and our people, and that is why I want to serve.”

Ambode who got his first degree in Accounting at 21, and became a Chartered Accountant at 24, with a masters degree in financial management, as well as being an alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and Wharton Business School said his quiet achievements over the past 30 years were all designed to prepare him for greater leadership roles and responsibilities.

“If Lagos is a project, I dare say that I have served as a plumber, a builder, a carpenter and a foreman. What I seek your support for now is to put me in charge as the project manager.

I seek a clean, secure and a more prosperous Lagos, driven by a robust economy and grounded on equity, fairness and justice,” adding that  in the collective determination to make Lagos rank not just as one of the fastest growing economies in Africa, but to make the state become one of the most livable and business-friendly cities in the world, “Lagos cannot afford to baby-sit a governor without cognate experience at this point in its development, but should elect a governor who will hit the ground running by continuing with the good works of the incumbent governor.”

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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NIGERIA: When Warri Froze for a People’s General

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Read Time:4 Minute, 33 Second

Zik Zulu Okafor marvels at the reception accorded Chief Great Ogboru at a recent rally in Warri, Delta State

Happiness won kill me o!! Happiness won kill me o!! Na happiness won kill me so o!

Those were the chants and choruses coming from over 30,000 fans, ‘fanatics’, loyalists and admirers of the man called the People’s General, Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru.

The chants, the noise, the ecstasy practically shook Warri Township Stadium to its core foundation. It was without a doubt one of the biggest political gatherings ever witnessed at the stadium and will certainly remain a palpable historic episode whenever the story of political campaigns in Warri is told.

Date was Wednesday, January 21, 2015. The event was the kick-off of Ogboru’s governorship campaign. The people of Delta State, particularly political gladiators had waited for this day, and for two reasons. First, some of Ogboru’s opponents had spread the news that he was not going to contest again.

That having ‘lost’ three times, the man was tired and had lost hope. But the discerning minds in Delta knew that those jangling words were coming from Ogboru’s opponents, who are scared stiff and feared the remotest possibility of this political toughie coming out again.

But there was another group. These are Deltans who adore the fishery magnate, who were sure that he was going to run for the governorship but were very unsure about what the turn out for the kick-off of his campaign would be.

This fear was accentuated by the tamed publicity that preceded the much awaited event. Only one radio jingle with what has now become the Ogboru campaign signature tune – Happiness won kill me o – caressed the air from the radio. Plus a television promo titled Moment of Decision, which also popped occasionally.

But there were the die-hard Ogboru fans and loyalists. This passionate brand had vowed that Warri would freeze for yet another political odyssey of a pilgrim soul called Great. They screamed it loud and clear that Delta would stand still for this man with a granite cast conviction about the huge promise of their state and the plucky determination to actualise this promise.

And so, by 9am on January 21, people held their breath to see whether the Ogboru cult followership would resonate once again. And yes, it did. By 12 mid-day, traffic in Warri stood still. No movement. By 1.00pm, the situation had become vexacious. Buses, tricycle, cars, even okada could not move. Ogboru had arrested traffic in Warri. People stood on the sidewalk in awe of a man called General even though he never joined the military for one day.

Inside the Stadium, banners, billboards screaming, The People’s General, Ogboru: Our Highway to Freedom, Justice and Equality and Ogboru: The Sound of Hope, all hoisted in the air. With over 30,000 people inside and at least, 5,000 outside, Ogboru in clear terms told Deltans that he was the issue in the state’s politics and that he was indeed the awaited Change Agent.

It was a gathering that Labour Party showcased its very best. The National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, the State Chairman, Chief Tony Ezeagu, the Senatorial candidates including Obaisi (Barrister) Ovie Omo-Agege, House of Representatives candidates and the State Assembly contestants, all were present as the Chairman performed the ritual of party endorsement by handing them their flags.

And finally, at exactly 3.41pm, the man described as Delta’s symbol of justice, the man that will construct a theatre of hope for youth employment and empowerment, the fetching symbol of freedom and equality for all Deltans, Olorogun Great Ovedje Ogboru, mounted the podium.

The stadium quaked as screaming, hoarse and ecstatic voices hit the sky in jubilation and celebration of a long distance runner, a man described as tougher than hope.

Ogboru spoke on the dynamics, dialectics and necessity of change and the need for “one Delta, one people with equality, justice and freedom for all; a Delta where education, infrastructural development, agriculture, healthcare and transparency in governance” will have primal places.

His voice carried acoustics of clear vision and inspired robust hope. As the echoes of Happiness won kill me continued to reverberate, you had to pause to ask: “Why happiness won kill people”. An old woman of about 70 years of age, sitting right there on the field amidst the mammoth crowd, dressed in a top and wrapper provided the answer. In her shaky, drowned voice, she said: “Happiness won kill me because Ogboru don come out again. Now hope don dey for Delta.              I don old but I know say I no go die. I go see Ogboru as him go become governor. After that, God fit take me. No problem”.

As she shook her head on her last word, you stood glued to your feet, head bowed in sobriety over the soul-moving, words of an old woman, who must have seen many political years in Delta – the good, the bad and the ugly. And just as you raised your sober eyes, a banner right opposite you accentuated the same mantra: “Na happiness won kill me so oo!” What a day, you muttered.

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Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

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We Will Be Rewarding Boko Haram If We Elect Buhari – Middle Belt Group

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Read Time:2 Minute, 49 Second

Middle Belt Dialogue (MBD), an umbrella body of all ethnic nationalities in the middle belt has said that although President Goodluck Jonathan the failed the Middle Belt after voting en masse for him during the last elections, the region wont fare better under All Progressives Congress, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari (rtd).

The Group in a communiqué signed by Hon. Aminu Zang, Mr. Lanre Obafemi, Mr. Mark Jacob and the facilitator of the MBD, Mr. Rima Shawulu Kwewum and made available to journalists yesterday in Kaduna after its strategic summit which held in Jos said middle belt citizens will be rewarding Boko Haram if Buhari is elected as president.

“We have watched in awe as hostile regions and personalities to Jonathan, particularly in the north, attract, secure or corner appointments and projects.

“It is obvious that as a result of our huge political investment by our communities in 2011, they have been exposed to unimaginable genocide and consequent untold hardship, while governments at the state and federal levels have appeared indifferent to the suffering of our people.

“As a result of the genocide, agriculture which hitherto had been the mainstay of the Middle Belt and a major source of economic stability of our people has been ruthlessly disrupted thereby laying the foundation for food insecurity in the country at large.

“Comparable to operations of the Janjaweeds during the slave trade era, Fulani militias and Boko-Haram have ravaged and destroyed our communities, attacking serene, quiet settlements in the Middle Belt, thereby killing thousands of people between 2011 to 2014 and sacking hundreds of villages, ensuring that our communities and people were displaced from their regular homelands before the 2015 elections.

“If our people have been so single-mindedly targeted for genocide at a time that the patrons of the Fulani militia and Boko Haram are not in power, how much more would they be able to do should their patrons be put in charge of the federal government?

“Although the federal government allegedly provided funds to state governments to pay compensation to victims of the 2011 post-election violence, it is clear that governors across the north circulated these funds to the communities that perpetrated the violence, destruction and killings.

“The churches and Christian victims have not been rebuilt nor has such compensation been extended to families of victims. No political party or candidate shall be given unconditional support by the Middle Belt.

“Upon careful consideration of the issues above, and the need to invest in the safety and future stability of the Middle Belt, the summit resolved to support the candidature of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in the 2015 presidential election on clearly articulated conditions that the secretariat of the MBD has been mandated to negotiate with the president.

“The political independence of our people is too precious to be sacrificed in appeasing those who believe that our people should not have access to political power.

“The summit therefore unanimously resolved that irrespective of our political leanings, all ethnic nationalities should vote en mass and ensure the success of President Jonathan at the polls in the February 14, presidential election.

“While we are obviously not completely satisfied with Jonathan, we will be eroding our freedom and would be paying/rewarding Boko Haram by even remotely considering the possibility of voting for Buhari.”

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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