Credible source has revealed that Local Government Councilors in Abia State were set to protest against the former commissioner of Chieftaincy and local government Affairs Chief Charlie Ogbonna yesterday before frantic effort was made to stop the protest which was billed to be kick started in Aba.
These councilors were set to protest due to what they describe as highhandedness and financial misappropriation which the former commissioner takes advantage of his office to commit.
Based on further research, it was gathered that the 17 Local Government Area Executive Chairmen in Abia State are equally extremely upset with Chief Ogbonna for the same reason as the councilors. It is also said that the chairmen have kept mute due to constant impeachment threat by the former commissioner, it is alleged that bulk of the chairmen came through the former commissioner.
Our source who want to maintain anonymous but is attached to the Chieftaincy and Local Government Affairs Commission revealed to us that former honorable commissioner was the major reason Local Government workers have not been paid salary since January, he is also the reason why Executive Chairmen cannot execute projects, in fact the source maintained that if the former commissioner is not stopped, he will bring down the government of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
Our source insisted that the need to stop Chief Charles Ogbonna’s re-appointment is extremely important because it will immediately facilitate the speedy payment of council workers, it will also stop the massive financial misappropriation taking place during JAAC meetings and likewise enable chairmen to execute projects for the betterment of the rural people which was the desire of Governor Ikpeazu to call for Local Government election.
Our source alleged that the former commissioner takes home above N100m (One Hundred Million Only) monthly from JAAc for his personal pocket, this action has deeply affected salary payment and development in the rural areas.
The sources of misappropriation as alleged by our source includes the following:
1. JAAC maintenance fee – N13m monthly
The question now is, what is JAAC maintenance fee?
Who is the money paid to?
What is the money used in maintaining?
2. ASEPA – N85m monthly.
Why will Federal Government allocation for Local Government Areas be used to pay ASEPA?
ASEPA collects levy from Abians and also gets budgetary allocation from the state government, why another N85m?
Does the money really get to ASEPA?
3. Consultants – N40m monthly.
Who are these consultants?
What are they consulting with Local government allocation?
Who engaged these consultants?
4. Swoshers Service Limited – N9.1m monthly into FCMB Acct: 3373498073 (For Cleaning of Abia Environs)
What then is the job of ASEPA, why should Swoshers Service Limited receive another N9.1m monthly for cleaning?
Who is behind this Swoshers Service Limited? It is alleged that the company is owned by Chief Charles Ogbonna’s son.
5. Okey Technical Construction – N4.5m monthly into Fidelity Acct: 4010727804
Even Local government chairmen cannot explain why the money is allegedly paid to Okey Technical Construction.
6. Samba Beddings – N41m monthly into Fidelity acct: 4010889054
Is Samba Beddings supplying beddings worth N41m monthly to the Chieftaincy and Local Government Affairs commission? Please we need answers.
7. Security – N80m monthly
8. Media – N25m monthly
Our source went further to allege that these above mentioned accounts and companies are conduit pipes used by the former commissioner to misappropriate state funds meant for local governments in Abia state. It was also alleged that the former commissioner paid N1.5m to Abia State Education secretaries as running cost and he instructed them to return N700,000.00 each to him which they did as alleged.
Speaking to a local government chairman from Abia North who want to remain anonymous, he maintained that Chief Charlie Ogbonna is the reason Local Government Areas are not working in Abia state, the chairman went further to say that the commissioner goes home with more than N100m monthly from the above mentioned conduit pipes, he queried why a councilor will be paid N90,000.00 as pegged by the former commissioner and why should an executive chairman receive N1m as running cost for a local government area and likewise stopped from executing projects meant to touch the life of the rural people.
The chairman insisted that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu should not re appoint Chief Charlie Ogbonna if he really wants to govern Abians transparently as Chief Ogbonna is one of those painting the government bad with his actions and attitude which kills the good intention of the governor.
While speaking to some Local Government Councilors from Aba North who want to remain anonymous, but are preview to the above allegation of financial misappropriation, they insisted that the former commissioner be handed over to EFCC or ICPC for further investigation as his actions were meant to sabotage the government and paint the governor as incapable and weak. They advised the governor to resist every attempt or pressure which may be mounted on him to re appoint the former commissioner if he actually wants his government to succeed.
The Councilors confirmed the position of the Chairman early quoted who said the former commissioner goes home with more than N100m monthly after every JAAC meeting, the councilors also drew the attention of our source to the fact that Local government workers have not been paid salary for the past 5 months.
As at the time of publication, effort was made to reach Chief Charlie Ogbonna for his side of the story, but he was not available,he was said to have traveled abroad and his phone numbers were switched off.
It was a disgraceful day for former Governor of Abia State, Senator T. A Orji, as prominent sons and daughters of the state Friday gathered to pay their last respect to the former secretary to the state government under ex-Gov Orji Kalu’s regime, Dr. Elechi Nwaogbo.
The event which was held at Ikwuano local government area of the state had in attendance Ex-Gov. Orji Kalu, Abia State Deputy Governor -Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu, Chief Mascot Uzor Kalu among others.
As guests were pouring encomiums on the deceased, the gathering took another dimension as the youth sighted ex-Gov. T.A Orji at the venue and his entry was received with shouts of “we don’t want you”, “thief” among other negative names.
The former governor and now senator had barely sat down when artisans and students started throwing pure water and stones in his direction before he was later rescued at out of the venue by his fierce looking policemen.
Earlier in his remarks, Kalu extolled the virtues of the late administrator describing him as a perfect gentleman whose life was anchored on fairness, justice and equity.
He noted that the success of his regime as Governor can be largely attributed to the tireless efforts of the likes of the late Dr. Elechi Nwaogbo.
Also speaking, Abia State deputy governor stressed that the deceased will be remembered for his contributions to the development of the state.
Meanwhile, Trouble Started at the burial according to PUO reports, when the Leader of Service handed over the Microphone to Former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu for his Tribute to Late Dr Nwaogbo at the Primary School Filed where the burial Service held.
Dr Kalu began by stating that he cancelled his International Appointment to pay his last Tribute to a man who was Loyal to his Boss.
“Since I Left Office in 2007,this is the First Time am making Speech in any Burial,but I have to be here to show my last respect to a man that showed uncommon Loyalty to his Boss while he served as the Secretary to the Abia State Government When Abia was Abia,not now that Salaries are not Paid”
“While in Serving as the Secretary to the State Government,he served his boss with humility not like Trators,not like those who sold their Boss” He Said.
Responding to the Comments of Dr Orji Uzor Kalu,Senator Theodore Orji who took over the mantle of Leadership from Dr Orji Uzor Kalu in 2007,said he is the First Governor in Abia that had gone to the Senate after Successfully ruling for 8years.
“We are not here for Politics,but I want to remark that Late Dr Elekwachi Nwaogbo was already known before he became the Secretary to the Abia State Government”
“When I came into Office as the Governor of Abia State,the First thing I did was to abolish Idolatory which was reigning in Abia”
“I am the only Governor that had ruled for 8years in Abia State and went to the Senate,if anybody thinks its easy,let him Contest Election and go to the National Assembly”
“The man we have gathered here to pay the final Respect today was among those who insisted that power must go round in Abia,from Abia North to Abia Central,from Abia Central to Abia South”
The Both men who are Political enemies did not have any handshake till Orji Uzor Kalu left the Venue at Exactly 5Minutes to 1Pm.
Since the end of the civil war in January 1970 and the declaration of a no victor no vanquished position by the Gowon administration meant to palliate the Igbos for the humongous loss incurred during the three year old civil war that saw the Igbos losing millions of lives and properties. The Nigerian government and the entire citizenry have collectively lied to ourselves about the unity and coexistence of the three major tribes of Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba.
I may not want to be politically correct, but the truth stands erect against all manner of pretentious narratives aimed at forcing cohabitation of strange bed fellows in the Nigerian project. The undeniable truism known even by our British colonial masters is that Nigeria cannot be united.
The government of the day has by their actions or inactions deepened the cracks of disunity so much so that, it has gone beyond patching and the resultant effect is what we are seeing today being the call by every ethnic region asking for self-determination.
The citizenry is being served political and social injustice and the mental tuning of everyone in the country today is denial and rejection by the ruling class, I do not want to sound alarmist, but the truth must be told, any one following the recent events in the country should know that those we see talking and shouting in the streets are not the real players, the real players are behind the scene, at our government houses, the legislative assemblies and foreign missions, everybody in this country today innately wish that the country can disintegrate for the different ethnic regions to go their separate ways and live the way it suits them, but the challenge is who will take responsibility for such action.
That the IPOB no matter how you look at it, has come to enjoy the acceptance of the majority of Igbos, is simply undeniable, that the violent actions of the Arewa youths against other tribes basically the igbos has always received the hidden endorsement of hausa/fulani elites is also one fact that can easily be substantiated, one doesn’t need to search too far to see that the call by the Oodua people’s congress for the division of the country had the blessings of the Yoruba elders, the middle belt region has been crying to anyone who cares to listen that they want out, the elders and youths of the south south geopolitical zone had always insisted on resource control and had become restive because of their perceived criminal marginalization of the zone.
That the Muslim northerner and the Christian southerner had always seen each other as unclean and unworthy to occupy same geographical, religious and social space is evidenced in the number of religious violence and killings being witnessed every day in Nigeria, the country on its own has got natural boundaries along ethnic, religious, language and cultural barriers brazenly visible to all.
Nigeria is a fraudulent marriage that lacks basic trust of each partner in the relationship and at such, crash is inevitable, no matter how much we try to manage and tolerate, the contraption called Nigeria is not working has never worked and can never work.
Aguoru
In his 1963 book titled ‘The Wretched Of The Earth’, Franz Fanon wrote on colonialism and how countries could free themselves not just from the clutches of colonial rule, but break its yoke of dysfunctional development or underdevelopment, eradicate poverty and disease and emancipate themselves from the umbilical cord of their oppressors. He was specifically addressing Algerians in their struggle for independence from the French Colonialists in the 60’s. He advised against the path to independence taken by some countries in Latin America that seemed to have encouraged a transition from foreign oppressors to local oppressors, leaving the entire structure that supported colonialism intact.
The structure, in turn, reinforced poverty and hunger on the larger populace while keeping them dependent on foreign markets and capital which ensured the institutionalization of a vicious cycle of poverty. He concludes that rather than the conventional negotiation approach to securing independence, Algeria and in fact other African countries should engage in revolutionary arms struggle, not only to uproot colonialism but to totally eradicate all its vestiges. A new crop of leaders without any trace of the old order would, therefore, emerge to protect the interest of even the poorest of the poor.
It is now several decades since the dismantling of colonial rule in Africa. It is true that majority of the independent countries have struggled with enthroning true national leadership that would work in the interest of the people. What is open to debate is whether Fanon’s recommendations would have been able to cure the issue of poverty and hunger that most African societies are dealing with in the recent times. Critics have also argued that Fanon’s theory was an open invitation to violence and could boil over to consume the countries, setting off civil wars and leading to military interventions in extreme cases.
Nigeria has battled with poverty for as long as one can remember and the level of has reached the point where serious attention must be paid to it before the country is plunged into fratricidal crises. Poverty refers to a situation where people are unable to access basic needs of food, shelter, and clothing. Poverty can be absolute or relative. Absolute poverty has to do with severe deprivation of basic human needs and has the same definition everywhere. The World Bank defines it as a condition limited by malnutrition, diseases, illiteracy, squalid surroundings, high infant mortality, and low life expectancy, which is below any reasonable definition of human decency. It depends both on the income and on the access to services. Relative poverty, on the other hand, occurs when people in a country do not enjoy a certain minimum level of living standards as compared to the rest of the population and so would vary from country to country, and even within the same country. The World Bank has defined poverty line as that amount of money below which people are not expected to lead a decent life.
The threshold has recently been reviewed from $1.25 to the current $1.90 per day. That figure translates to less than N600 per day in today’s exchange rate or N18, 000 monthly. The number of people living below this amount relative to the total population is said to live below poverty line and it is usually expressed in percentages. Countries are therefore ranked according to the percentage of their population living below poverty line. The higher up the ladder a country is, the worse off that country becomes. In the latest report published by Index Mundi, Nigeria, with 70% of its population living below poverty line, came 6th amongst the 162 countries ranked. Nigeria only did better than Chad, Haiti and Liberia with 80% each, the Democratic Republic of Congo at 71% and Sierra Leone at 70.2%.?Alex Otti
Another measure which puts the situation in clearer perspective is the Human Development Index, HDI. The HDI ranks countries on the basis of life expectancy, education and income per capita. A country scores higher HDI when the life expectancy at birth is longer, the education period is longer and better, and the income per capita is higher. HDI is used to determine whether the country is a developed, a developing or an underdeveloped country. There are four categories that countries fall under as measured by the United Nations.
These are Very High, High, Medium and Low HDI. In the latest report released March this year by the UNDP, Nigeria placed 152nd out of the 185 countries measured. The HDI measure works in the opposite direction with the poverty rate measure, as the lower a country is in the ranking, the worse off that country becomes. At number 152, we fell into the category of Low HDI countries. It should be noted that in Africa, 5 countries made it to the High HDI category. These are Mauritius, Seychelles, Algeria, Libya, and Tunisia.
So, how come a country that prides itself as the biggest economy in Africa parades this level of poor people at the same time? One answer lies in the law of averages. Absolute numbers tend to mislead but when you apply the rule of relativity, you would discover that what otherwise looked very big may actually not be that big after all. That is why, even with a GDP size of over $510b in 2014 when we rebased our GDP and became the biggest economy in Africa, Nigeria still remained one of the poorest countries when looked at on a per capita income basis. Simply put, we have a lot more mouths to feed than other countries and therefore require a lot more resources than they do. But that is not where the story ends. It is instructive that the poverty rate was slightly over 27% in 1980 and just like in most things we have made progress albeit in the wrong direction to the present 70%. Helping the slide is the number of our people that either do not have jobs or are doing jobs much below their capacity. Unemployment figures have grown with rising population from single digits of less than 5% about 10 years ago to close to the current 15%. From a statistical perspective, this is abnormal as unemployment rate should actually go down with a larger population.
Inequality is another culprit. The gap between the haves and the have-nots has become so much that Oxfam had to raise the alarm recently that 112 million Nigerians are living in abject poverty while the combined wealth of the five richest Nigerians, put at about $29.9 billion, could end extreme poverty in the country. According to Oxfam, “despite a rapidly growing economy, Nigeria is one of the few countries where the number of people living in poverty increased, from 69 million in 2004 to 112 million in 2010 – a rise of 69 percent. The number of millionaires increased by 44 percent during the same period.” If this is not a recipe for disaster, I wonder what else is.
Poverty cannot be discussed without looking at corruption, a dysfunctional political system, and bad governance. There may not be any agreement on how much has been stolen from Nigeria through the corrupt practices of its leadership in the last 57 years but everyone agrees that the funds would have been enough to eradicate poverty in the land. Besides, our political system is organized in such a way that government spends over 70% of our budget on recurrent expenditure including paying salaries and allowances of government functionaries and politicians, leaving a meager 30% for infrastructural development and social services. This is very sad and is a major reason why ravaging poverty and hunger have been the lot of Nigerians.
We also seem to have misplaced our priorities with the advent of oil. We became an oil-dependent economy and de-emphasized other sectors that used to provide jobs and means of livelihood for our people. Agriculture, particularly, has been the worst hit. Meanwhile, the majority of our people live in the rural areas. We became a net importer of food and other goods and services in which we hitherto, were self-sufficient. With population explosion and dwindling oil prices, hunger became our companion. All these were not helped by a changing value system that denigrated hard work and encouraged laziness and get-rich-quick crusade. Education was relegated to the back seat as a lot of school leavers end up in the unemployment line. The quality of education itself became suspect owing to several factors. Criminality, brigandage, robbery, and thuggery became very attractive to a lot of the young people and were wittingly or unwittingly encouraged by the warped political system imposed on the populace.
Granted, there have been attempts at reducing poverty or better still alleviating poverty as successive governments call it, they have been largely cosmetic and ephemeral. One is not unaware of some rural development initiatives, skills acquisition programs, and other intervention programs. One makes bold to say, however, that these have remained at best palliatives rather than enduring solutions. Most of our people still face acute malnutrition challenges, poor healthcare delivery systems, non-existent educational opportunities, severe unemployment and general lack of basic amenities of life. All these are in spite of the opulence exhibited by a few of us. In fact, Oxfam’s report that exposes the large and growing gap between the rich and the poor in Nigeria insists that extreme inequality is exacerbating poverty, undermining the economy, and fermenting social unrest and that Nigerian leaders must be more determined in tackling this terrible problem.
The report highlighted the fact that poor people are unable to benefit from Nigeria’s wealth because of high levels of corruption and the excessive influence that big business and a wealthy elite have over government policy making. For example, public office holders stole an estimated $20 trillion from the treasury between 1960 and 2005, while multinational companies receive tax incentives worth an estimated $2.9 billion a year – three times more than Nigeria’s entire health budget. Meanwhile, small and medium-sized businesses and workers in the informal sector are faced with multiple taxes. Despite being Africa’s biggest economy, the share of the national budget allocated to education, health, and social protection is one of the lowest in Africa. In 2016, Nigeria spent just 6.08 per cent of its national budget on education and 3.6 per cent on health. By comparison, Ghana spent 18.5 percent and 12.8 percent on education and health respectively in 2015. As a result, 57 million Nigerians lack access to safe water, over 130 million lack adequate sanitation and the country has more than ten million children out of school. The report insists “Nigeria is not a poor country yet millions are living in hunger.
The government must work with the international community to get food and aid to hungry people now but it can’t stop there. It must free millions of Nigerians from poverty by building a new political and economic system that works for everyone and not just a fortunate few. “The government can make a start by tackling corruption, ensuring big business and wealthy individuals pay their fair share of tax, investing in vital public services, and protecting the rights of women”, the report concluded.
In the face of all these, there have been a lot of strife and social tension in the country. Starting from Niger Delta militants through Boko Haram in the North, to the secessionist agitations in the South East. While social unrest is inevitable in most countries, it is our contention that Nigeria’s case has been worsened by a high level of discontent in the land which is fueled by hunger and poverty. The large “reserve army of the unemployed” would remain willing tools in the hands of whoever wants to use them for any purpose.
Literature has documented that out of self-interest, the ruling class provides for the vast majority of the masses to ensure against insurrection. Somehow, we seem to stand everything including logic on its head. Otherwise, someone should have realized that if nothing is done about the increasing level of hunger and deprivation in the land, it is a matter of time before arms struggle and probably, revolution set in. The sad reality is that students of history will confirm that sometimes, both the leaders of an insurrection and the followers may not realize that against the professed cause, the latent cause may just be social injustice, deprivation, and hunger unleashed by the ruling class. It is, therefore, time for us to deal with causes rather than effects. Let me, therefore, join my struggling compatriots in squealing, Chairman, do something; your boys are hungry!
The time to restructure Nigeria has come, former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida said on Monday as he launched an appeal to Nigerians to draw back from further campaign of hate the like of which he said led to the 30-month civil war.
Noting his own historic linkages across the various divides in the country, the former military president said that there was little discord among Nigerians of different social classes as he urged Nigerians to synergize their different potentials towards building a great nation. Towards restructuring the country, Babangida called for the devolution of more powers from the federal level to the states even as he urged Nigerians to embrace the creation of state police. He said the fear of state governors using state police to run amok was not as strong as the greater benefit that creating state police would do for the nation.
While passionately appealing to leaders of the different divides in the country to show more maturity by reining in the younger elements, the former military president observed that war is not a joke anyone should toy with.
General Babangida said: Nigeria, my dear country, is not a stranger to crisis, nor is she immune to it. In a profound sense, she can be said to have been created out of crisis, a nation state that will continue to strive to subdue and transcend crises. In over a century of its formalized colonial architecture, Nigeria has grown and made remarkable progress in the midst of crises. The most tragic and horrendous episode in Nigeria’s history has been the 30 month Civil War of July 1967 to January 1970, in which many of our compatriots lost their lives. Indeed, many others also suffered terrible injuries of human and material dimensions. So, who really wants to go through the depth and dimensions of another Civil War in Nigeria again? Who does not know that that Civil War was preceded and started by intolerance and a series of hate pronouncements, hate speeches, hate conducts and actions that were inflicted upon one another by the citizens?
Today, with a deep sense of nostalgia, I still carry within my body the pains of injury from the Civil War: there is nothing romantic about war; in any form, war is bad, condemnable and must be avoided. I need hardly say I am very worried by the current on-going altercations and vituperations of hate across the country by individuals, well-known leaders, religious leaders, group of persons and organizations. We need to remind ourselves that conflicts are not evidently the stuff of politics and governance, particularly so of democracy, hence we must apply caution in our utterances, body language and news reportage.
The management of conflicts is the acid test of maturity, of mutual livelihood and of democratic governance. We cannot and we must not allow the current hate atmosphere to continue to freely pollute our political landscape unchecked. Personally, I reject the proceedings of hate and their dissemination and urge my fellow citizens to strongly condemn the scourge and orgy of the current crisis which, in my view, is an outcome of vengeful appetites within the multiple contexts of our democratic governance and the profound inequalities that have distorted our social relations. Nonetheless, it is not the place of leaderships to fuel and hype conflicts nor should we allow losers and gainers of our governance regimes to make pronouncements and threats that exploit our ethnic, religious and geopolitical construct.
Democracy, anywhere in the world, is a work in progress; and one that is subject to constant evolution and debate. The drums of war are easy to beat, but their rhythms are difficult to dance. Starting wars or political upheavals comes with the slightest provocation, but ending them becomes inelastic, almost unending with painful footages of the wrecks of war. I have been involved and its ripples are tellingly unpalatable, with gory details of destruction and carnage. I am a Nigerian, a citizen, patriot and concerned stakeholder. It is my strong belief that Nigeria can attain greater greatness if we all nurture our minds in the direction of building a nation, and accepting responsibility for its successes and failures.
We cannot deny or repudiate our progress at nation-building in spite of the limitations and challenges that we have continued to experience. As a people, we need a proper study and understanding of our history in order to correct the warped perceptions of our past so as to minimize the dangers of badly skewed stories of our democratic experience in governance; and to regenerate mutual confidence and uphold the tenets of living together as one country.
No one government or administration can provide all the answers to the myriad of problems and challenges confronting us as a country; no matter how determined, resolute, committed and motivated such a government is. The citizens have their roles to play, and their obligations to fulfill in order to motivate government in achieving its stated goals and objectives. Governance is a function of the leadership and the followership. It is a two-way traffic that demands certain responsibilities from those involved. Of late, Nigeria has become so sharply divided with emotions running high on the least provocations.
Once tempers are that high, the fault-lines become easily visible and with the slightest prompting, the unexpected can happen. But I want to believe that Nigerians are still their reasonable selves’, highly endowed in various skills and intellectually empowered to compete anywhere in the global arena. As a Nigerian, I have had the rare privilege to benefit from robust relationships from different people across the socio-political divide; East, West, North and South. I have also immensely interacted with persons from all the numerous tribes, cultures and ethnic configurations dotted across the entire gamut of Nigeria’s expansive lands.
I have made friends, built alliances, nurtured relationships and sustained linkages amongst Nigerians of all shades and opinions. In fairness, Nigerians are great people. In those hours, moments and duration of friendship and camaraderie, no one talks about origin, geopolitical zones or even states. The issue of religion does not dictate the flow of discourse. We deal with ourselves based on our character and content, and not the sentiments of what part of the country we hail from. The inalienable fact that Nigerians can live in any part of the country to pursue their legitimate aspirations is a strong indication that we have accepted to invest in the Nigerian project, and are no longer driven by mutual suspicion but mutual respect.
That we have not fully realized our potentials as a great nation is not enough reason for us to want to demolish the foundation of our nationhood or rubbish the labours of our heroes past; both of which are borne out of our collective efforts to build a truly great nation, and great people. If we have repeatedly done certain things and not getting the desired results, we need to change tactics and approach, and renew our commitment. It is our collective responsibilities to engender a reform that would be realistic and in sync with modern best practices. For example, restructuring has become a national appeal as we speak, whose time has come.
I will strongly advocate for devolution of powers to the extent that more responsibilities be given to the states while the Federal Government is vested with the responsibility to oversee our foreign policy, defense, and economy. Even the idea of having Federal Roads in towns and cities has become outdated and urgently needs revisiting. That means we need to tinker with our constitution to accommodate new thoughts that will strengthen our nationality. Restructuring and devolution of powers will certainly not provide all the answers to our developmental challenges; it will help to re-position our mindset as we generate new ideas and initiatives that would make our union worthwhile.
The talk to have the country restructured means that Nigerians are agreed on our unity in diversity; but that we should strengthen our structures to make the union more functional based on our comparative advantages. Added to this desire is the need to commence the process of having State Police across the states of the Federation. This idea was contained in my manifesto in 2010 when I attempted to contest the presidential elections. The initial fears that State Governors will misuse the officers and men of the State Police have become increasingly eliminated with renewed vigour in citizens’ participation in, and confidence to interrogate power.
We cannot be detained by those fears and allow civilization to leave us behind. We must as a people with one destiny and common agenda take decisions for the sake of posterity in our shared commitment to launch our country on the path of development and growth. Policing has become so sophisticated that we cannot continue to operate our old methods and expect different results. I also want to appeal to the Nigeria media to be more circumspect in their news reportage. They should always weigh the security implications of the contents of their news and the screaming headlines that stare us in the face every day, especially at this fragile period of our political emanations. The media play an important and remarkable role in shaping the flow of discourse.
Their level of influence is also not in doubt, but as the fourth estate of the realm, it has a greater responsibility to moderate public discourse in a manner that will cement inter- and intra-cultural relationships. If Nigeria works, it benefits all her citizens; if it fails, it hurts all her citizens too. The media should be patriotic in its present engagements to berth a new Nigeria of our dreams. On a final note, I really wish we see strength, determination, commitment and confidence in our diversities rather than adversities. As a heterogeneous country with flourishing skills and numerous endowments, we should dictate the pace in Africa and lead by example of what is possible amongst a people that are focused and determined to pursue common national goal.
As a former Military President who had the rare privilege to travel around Africa to sustain the African cooperation through peace-keeping operations, I have come to the conclusion that nations are driven by a common ideal and not by the homogeneity of their race. I saw Somalia, such a homogeneous conclave yet one of the most troubled countries in Africa today. I saw South Sudan, which broke away from the old Sudan, but peace and stability have eluded them. Rwanda genocidal experience is not romantic either. But a President from the minority ethnic group has repositioned the country to assume its pride of place in the comity of nations. That a people share common identity, language, history, doctrine, culture, mores and values is not synonymous with development, growth, stability and peace.
When we went into peace-keeping operations in Sierra Leone, Somalia, Liberia and Congo, we had in mind to sustain oneness in Africa even though we are a continent of different countries all bearing different logos and identities. Our motivation was simply that we are Africans. I am therefore appealing to the sensibilities of all of us, young and old, leaders and followers, groups and organizations, that in the interest of peace and stability of our country, we need to sheathe the sword. At 76, I have seen it all. I have seen war. I have fought war. And I have survived war, even though I still suffer the pains and injuries of war, it is part of the selfless sacrifice to keep the union afloat. We must build a country that is forward looking for our children and future generations of Nigerians. We cannot afford to toil with the destinies of the 170million Nigerians by the shape of our discourse and the content of our interaction. We must carry out conscious attitudinal orientation that will change the mindset of our youths and the held beliefs of the elderly. We must explore the therapies of dialogue and constructive engagements in our desire to make life more meaningful for our people.
My friends cut across all regions, zones and states. I am proud to be a Nigerian because I see hope in the youthful population of Nigerians. I see remarkable skills and raw talents that can stimulate enterprise and innovations. This is the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan, a month in which Muslim faithful have dedicated their lives to seek closeness to God, and forgiveness of their inequities. It is a month of penance; a month of prayer for physical, moral and spiritual rejuvenation, regeneration and rebirth. I urge my countrymen and women to use the occasion to look ahead with hope and renewed dedication to the service of our country.
Eminent Businessman and Former APGA guber aspirant in Abia State, Chief Dr. Emeka Charles Kalu, have called on all Nigerians especially Muslims to embrace peace in the spirit of Salah and Ramadan.
In a message to Muslims signed by his Media Aide, Comrade Sunny Okpo Idika, Chief Kalu urged Muslim faithfuls to sustain the virtues learnt during Ramadan in their everyday life, saying all Nigerians should remain steadfast and prayerful in the face of daunting socio-economic challenges.
He said: “On this blessed occasion, I rejoice with the Nigerian Muslims and wish them a hitch-free Sallah celebration.
I equally urge them to carry the lessons of the Holy month of Ramadan beyond the month by remaining a people who forgive and eschew rancour and bitterness, while also remaining just and sincere in their dealings with fellow Nigerians.
Kalu called on Nigeria’s Muslims Umah to use the occasion of this year’s Eid- El -Fitr to pray for divine intervention in the face of various forms of difficulties confronting the nation.
“As Nigerians, we must continue to strengthen the spirit of oneness, regardless of religious, ethnic, regional, and political diversities, for that is the only way to surmount our intimidatingly impressive challenges and build a greater Nigeria.
“In particular, he renewed his call for “religious tolerance among Muslims because for the nation to develop and make meaningful progress, both Muslims and Christians must appreciate each other as well as live together as brothers and sisters.”
Kalu , who described Nigeria as a blessed nation, called on Muslims and Nigerians in general to “pray fervently for the Federal Government , the States and Local Governments to overcome the difficult times and put smiles back on the faces of Nigerians.”
On behalf of my family, management of stercoll group, ECK foundation; I wish you all, happy Eid-El-Fitr celebration.
Former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, has felicitated with Muslim faithful on the successful completion of the compulsory Ramadan fast , adding that if the virtues of the holy month are sustained, it will go a long way in strengthening peace and unity in the country.
He noted that Nigeria’s strength lies in the diversity in culture, religion and ethnic multiplicity, stressing that the oneness of Nigeria is not negotiable, adding that the common interests of the people is paramount and should be placed above personal interests.
According to Kalu, for the country to prosper, we must stop hate speeches and continue to live as one family regardless of our heterogeneity.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu said: “Although, I am a Christian, I have, over the years, observed Ramadan fast with our Muslim brothers and sisters. It is a mentally and spiritually fulfilling exercise, I must confess.
“Islam is a religion of peace and as such, we should use this special season of Eid-el-Fitr to appraise ourselves individually and as a nation.
“Let us sustain tenets of Ramadan anchored on piety, alms giving, patience, tolerance, peace, brotherhood and unity beyond the holy month.
“It is not only unfortunate but also sinful that some selfish people are heating up the polity with unguided statements that are capable of causing social unrest in the country.
“We must collectively resist the antics of those brainwashing the youth and other vulnerable groups to achieve their selfish ambitions”.
“Nigeria shall continue to remain strong and united, against all odds”, Kalu declared. While congratulating the Muslim community on the occasion, he called on them to extend the festivity to people of other religious faiths.
Kalu also used the opportunity to call on Nigerians to continually remember President Muhammadu Buhari, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo and other leaders in prayers, adding that Nigeria’s future is bright under the present administration.
Confusion has taken over the Abia State Government House, Umuahia, following the decision of some of the aides of the governor who were sacked in the recently announced cabinet dissolution to return to their offices.
Some of the aides who were relieved of their duty but are still sighted in their offices are the immediate past Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Enyinnaya Appolos; ex SA on Special Duties, Mr. Erondu Junior Erondu ; former Chief Press Secretary to Governor Theodore Orji, Mr. Ugochukwu Emezue and the ex Special Assistant on New Media, Mr. Newman Ubani.
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu had on Friday, June 16, dissolved his cabinet through a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Mr. Onyi Wamah. The statement retained the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Chief Chijioke Nwakodo; the Special Adviser, Aba Urban Renewal, Engr. Solomon Ogunji, Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Obinna Oriaku , Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Chief Umeh Kalu ( SAN) , including former Commissioner for Works, Hon. Eziuche Ubani, who was demoted to serve as Special Adviser on Works and Project Monitoring.
Abia Facts learned that the development has caused huge confusion at the Abia Seat of power as civil servants no longer know who to deal with since the affected aides have been relieved of their appointment by the governor.
A staff of Government House, who pleaded not to be mentioned, said, “Some of the governor’s aides who we think were affected by the dissolution, have resume work.The situation has created confusion as we don’t know who to deal with since they relieved of their appointments. Everybody is afraid to talk because these are the Governor’s Boys, they are very powerful. Anything you say can land you in trouble. We prefer to keep quiet and tread softly until the governor returns. Since they were not excluded from the dissolution, the right procedure would have been to do a follow up announcement to bring them back to office, but in Abia State anything goes.”
Immediate past Chief Press Secretary, Enyinnaya Appolos was sighted at his office yesterday where he signed a statement quoting Governor Ikpeazu calling on the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to investigate the petition of alleged threat to life levelled against the governor by a contender in the 2014 governorship primaries, Sir Friday Nwosu. Appolos has alleged been telling some friendly journalists that Ikpeazu cannot sack him from his position.
Ex Special Assistant on Special Duties, Erondu jnr, has since the dissolution of the cabinet, been coming to work and is known to have boasted that the dissolution did not affect him. It is the same situation with the Special Assistant on new Media, Newman Ubani, who alleged boasted that with his performance defending the policies of the governor on facebook , that the dissolution did not affect his office.
Ibrahim Magu, acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has said that the agitations for secession are being funded by looters.
He said the root of the agitations is corruption as the looters hope to sabotage the country in a bid to “enjoy their ill-gotten wealth” unhindered.
Magu said this on Tuesday while receiving Segun Runsewe, director general, National Council for Arts and Culture.
“Corruption has eaten so deep into the fabric of this country. It is a threat to our co-existence, it is a threat to our unity and the survival of Nigeria,” he said.
“We have to have a common consensus to fight corruption; all of us must agree to fight it.
“The cost of corruption to this nation is much. It is poisonous, It is something that breeds Boko Haram, militancy, these boys calling for Biafra and those people calling for some parts to leave Nigeria.
“The looters actually funded these agitations. There are people behind these boys funding them to sabotage this country in order to have room to enjoy their ill-gotten wealth.
“The root of these agitations is corruption. Join us and other Nigerians in fighting corruption for the survival of this country.”
Magu urged Nigerians to assist in the war against corruption by blowing the whistle on corrupt persons more often.
“Not all of us can arrest but we can join the whistle-blowers. Joining the whistle-blowers has two advantages: The fact that you have exposed crime and the fact that you will get a cut of any recovered amount. Let us join the whistle-blowers, let us expose all forms of corruption.
“We have to sustain the tempo so that the looters will not find a place to hide,” said Magu.
He added that Nigeria will be among the best in the world if corruption can be eliminated.
Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr. Ibrahim Idris, to thoroughly investigate the allegations of Mr. Friday Nwosu bothering on threats to his life.
In a release signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Enyinnaya Appolos, Governor Ikpeazu also frowned at what he described as “penchant for unnecessary and frivolous assertions without proof by politicians to curry attention” and demanded full scale investigation into Nwosu’s allegations.
It will be recalled that Nwosu in a petition to the Inspector General of Police accused Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Senator Theodore Orji, Hon Chinedum Orji and one Ekpe Ekpe of planning to assassinate him.
Governor Ikpeazu, in a petition to the IGP through the the Abia State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Umeh Kalu SAN, stated in part: ” the said petition (by Nwosu) contains Weighty criminal allegations that are capable of truncating the enduring peace in Abia State and should be investigated to ascertain the veracity of the allegations.
“The truthfulness or falsity of Nwosu’s grave allegations has its consequences in our criminal legal system, for those who plot to kill another as well as those who offer false information to the police are culpable of known offences.”
Counsel to Sir Friday Nwosu, Chief Solomon Umoh(SAN), has told a five man panel of the Court of Appeal sitting at Owerri Division , Imo State, that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, presented false tax information to the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) for the 2015 governorship election.
He prayed the Court to disqualify Ikpeazu and declare Nwosu the lawful candidate of the PDP in the 2015 governorship election in Abia State, and order his swearing- in as Governor.
The Senior Advocate who was represented by Abel Ozioko argued that Ikpeazu presented false information to INEC on his affidavit in support of his nomination in Form CF001 as well as his PAYE tax clearance certificate and receipts for 2011, 2012 and 2013, stressing that the offence is punishable under Section 31(6) of the Electoral Act 2010, as amended.
Counsel to Governor Ikpeazu, Chief Theo Nkire had filed a motion seeking the dismissal of Nwosu’s appeal based on the decision of the Supreme Court in the Uche Ogah vs Ikpeazu case, SC/ 717/2016, SC/719/2016 and SC/739/ 2016, delivered on May 12, 2017. The motion was supported by Counsel for INEC, Jude Nnodum , SAN and Uche Ogah, O.J. Nnadi, who were represented, as well as Dr. Livy Uzoukwu representing the PDP. They agreed with Nkire that the Court lacked jurisdiction to hear Nwosu’s appeal claiming that it had become academic and urged the Court to dismiss it.
During the announcement of appearances for parties, Dr. Livy Uzoukwu, SAN and B.O. Nafagha, were at each other throat over who should represent the PDP. But after listening to both counsel, the presiding Judge, Justice Jimi Bada upheld Uzoukwu’s appearance.
But Nwosu’s counsel insisted that neither the Supreme Court nor the Court of Appeal has given any decision on whether Ikpeazu presented false tax information on oath to INEC or not, and urged the Court to hear the appeal on merit.
He further urged the Court to reject the arguments of the respondent counsel, stressing that the Supreme Court had in suit No SC/739/2016, delivered on May 12, 2017, upheld that Nwosu and Ogah has rights of action to pursue their separate suits under Section 87(9) of the Electoral Act 2010, as amended.
After listening to the arguments of counsel, the Court reserved ruling on the whether it has jurisdiction to hear the case on a date to be communicated to all parties.
A former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has described the recent quit notice issued by the Coalition of Northern Youths and the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) to the people of South-East resident in the North as a big mistake and a condemnable act.
Kalu, a politician and business mogul, said it was unfortunate that such utterances were made by Nigerians against fellow citizens.
He, however, applauded the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NGF) for promptly condemning the action.
The former governor, who reaffirmed his faith in the unity and oneness of Nigeria, said unguarded utterances that tend to create division among Nigerians should be discouraged at all times.
He blamed the divisive tendencies in the country on certain policies of the government which emphasises the ethnic, geographical and religious roots of the citizens, thereby creating room for discrimination in the society.
“The federal government and state governments are encouraging nepotism and tribalism by even asking people what local government area or what state they come from whenever they are required to fill forms for employment or other official purposes.
“What I will like to see is that every Nigerian filling forms for anything within Nigeria should simply identify himself or herself as a Nigerian and not state, local government area or tribe,” he said.
On the growing agitation for the revival of the defunct Republic of Biafra, by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other youth groups in the South-East, Kalu said even though he had always believed in one united Nigeria, those agitating for Biafra had a right under the constitution to express themselves on their own beliefs.
According to him, what has been fuelling the agitation for Biafra among the young people of Igbo extraction was the inequality and lack of social justice in the polity.
“The whole issue of Biafra is because people from the South-East feel they are not carried along in the politics of Nigeria. Although, I never supported what they are doing even when I was a governor, the whole issue centres on injustice.
“The Igbo people want to be treated equally with other people everywhere in Nigeria. If they have social justice, rule of law, if you have one law for everybody, there will be no problem and every part of the nation will agree that they are Nigerians,” he said.
Kalu said that the best way for Nigeria to tackle the Biafra challenge was for the federal government to heed the alternate agitation for restructuring of the federation and return to regional governments that would have relative autonomy to develop at their own pace.
He said that going back to six regional governments and adopting the parliamentary system would not only save cost, but will enhance the cooperation between the legislature and executive arms of government.
He urged President Muhammadu Buhari not only to fight corruption, but to tackle the economic challenges facing Nigerians frontally.
“My advice is that the Federal Government and every other level of government should stand up. Nigerians are very hungry.
“In terms of fighting corruption, they have done very well. Government has also done well in the area of fighting Boko Haram because by now Boko Haram would have taken over this place.
I want this government to see that our problem is not political, our problem whether Boko Haram, Biafra, militants, OPC are all economic. Once you solve the economic problems, these agitations will cease,” he said.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship Aspirant in Abia State in the 2015 General Election, Sir Friday Nwanozie Nwosu has petitioned the Inspector General of Police over alleged threat to his life.
In a terse three- paragraph petition made available to the media, Nwosu alleged that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, the former Governor of Abia, Theodore Orji, now a Senator, son of the former Governor, and current Member of Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Chinedu Orji, one Ekpe Ekpe, alias Trigger and others have perfected plans to assassinate him.
In the petition dated June 12, and entitled: ‘Threat to Life and Application for Police Security’, Nwosu said he was being targeted for elimination because of his ongoing suit challenging the candidacy of Governor Ikpeazu at the Owerri Division of the Appeal Court.
He said:” I am asking the court to disqualify Governor Okezie Ikpeazu as the Governorship Candidate of PDP and declare me as the lawful PDP Governorship Candidate and therefore the duly elected Governor of Abia State in the 2015 general election on grounds that Governor Ikpeazu falsified his documents and gave false information.
“I have been in Court since January, 2015 and even the Supreme Court. The apex court has now referred the matter back to the Court of Appeal for determination of the case on merit. As soon as the Supreme Court referred my case back to the Court of Appeal on May, 22, 2017, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, former Governor Orji, Hon. Chinedu Orji, one Ekpe Ekpe aka Trigger and others plotted to assassinate me with the said Ekpe Ekpe as leader of the killer gang”, Nwosu alleged.
Abia Facts Newspapers had already alerted Abians of plans to reshuffle the cabinet of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu since after the decision of the Supreme Court that retained him against the suit of Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah that wanted him fired.
The reshuffling of the cabinet as we gathered by an insider in Ikpeazu’s government was to enable Ikpeazu free himself from some unnecessary baggage’s and weight which was placed on him by some political gladiators in the state. The inside source informed Abia Facts Newspaper that the reshuffling will enable Gov. Ikpeazu assert himself more, take total control of the government with his cabal and position himself as the alfa and omega of Abia State politics.
Our source actually said that the litigation has cost Ikpeazu 2 years of taking total control of the state, he said the litigation has placed Ikpeazu in a servitude position for too long despite being the governor of the state and equally made him unable to start placing his cabal members in choice positions to facilitate his 2019 ambition and to even build financial war chest for the election.
Finally, our report of dissolution of cabinet has come true and the question now is who and who will fall causality as a result of this dissolution decision. Let’s not forget, that the dissolved cabinet was virtually forced on Governor Okezie Ikpeazu by Senator T.A Orji and other critical stakeholders that played one role or the other during 2015 election, it is assumed that they have been compensated for their role whether negative or positive during the 2015 election and it is now time for Ikpeazu to place his own men and fully redefine the political landscape of Abia State and determine who will remain relevant come 2019.
Obviously, by this dissolution, the political structure of the then governor now Senator T.A Orji is gradually closing up or grinding to a stop, this means the worst hit by this dissolution will be Senator T.A Orji as Ikpeazu will start defining his independence and asserting his power because the days of litigations are assumed over.
WHO ARE THESE LIKELY UNTOUCHABLE 6 COMMISSIONERS?
1. Chief Charles Ogbonna – Former Commissioner for Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs
Chief Charles Ogbonna
Chief Charles Ogbonna is said to be a very strong force in the emergence of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu as governor. He is also deeply rooted in the system and removing him will obviously send a signal of political war to Senator T.A Orji who is both their political godfather. It is true that Ikpeazu wants to assert himself fully, but removing Charles will trigger something that may snowball or backfire against the governor. The governor still needs the Ochendo relationship to avoid so much turbulence during the 2019 election.
But, Chief Charles Ogbonna may not be retained in the capacity he was relieved from because that position is very sensitive and it is alleged that a lot money is made from that office. So, Ikpeazu may fix in one of his very close ally into that position for raising of fund for 2019 election and for grass root mobilization.
2. Honorable Uzo Azubuike – Former Commissioner for Agriculture
Honorable Uzo Azubuike
Based on our discovery and assessment, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu seems to be very proud of the achievement of Honorable Uzo Azubuike as Commissioner of Agriculture because of what they termed laudable agricultural project which include the poultry farm, Palm revolution, rice farms and other projects. So, Uzo Azubuike may be returned based on merit and has 95% chance of retaining his former office.
3. Honorable Eziuche Ubani – Former Commissioner for Works now SSA to the governor on works.
Honorable Eziuche Ubani
While other Commissioners were sent home, Hon. Eziuche Ubani was not sent home, rather he was appointed into another position just to make sure he remains active in supervising projects of the state which are ongoing. The immediate re-appointment of Eziuche, tells the value and importance attached to him in this government. So, he is not going anywhere, he has 95% of retaining his former office. Honorable Eziuche Ubani is the owner of Magic FM in Aba.
4. Barrister Haggler Okorie – Former Commissioner for Youth & Sports
Barrister Hagler Okorie
The chances of Barrister Haggler Okorie returning is about 65% going by his long standing relationship with Governor Okezie Ikpeazu. Though our inside source informed Abia Facts Newspaper that his performance in office has not really impressed the governor, but Haggler is banking on his relationship and blaming lack of fund for his lack of impressive performance.
5. Prof. Ikechi Mgbeoji – Former Commissioner of Education
Prof. Ikechi Mgbeoji
Prof. Ikechi Mgbeoji is another Commissioner who could be recalled based on performance. Our source intimated us that the governor is proud of the Commissioner and is willing to retain him in the same position.
6. Honorable Osita Igbe – Former Commissioner for Lands and Housing.
Honorable Osita Igbe
Based on our investigation, Honorable Osita Igbe may not be one of the outstanding commissioners, but his believe in Okezie Ikpeazu before even he emerged as PDP gubernatorial candidate from 2014 may retain him. Osita Igbe is one of the founding and rooted member of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s campaign Okezuo Abia, this may earn him a recall as commissioner, but retaining his former office is not guaranteed.
These are the 6 persons that are highly likely to be re-appointed as commissioners soon, remember that two commissioners were spared these include the Commissioner for Finance Obinna Oriaku and Commissioner of Justice Barrister Umeh Kalu. The reason why they were retained will be revealed soon.
All Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants dissolved.
The Chief of Staff retains his position but the SSG Dr Eme Okoro was Sacked too, though his has been long over due considering his involvement in the SEEDC contract scam and other corrupt practices, which has been embarrassing to the Ikpeazu administration for over a year now …
Eastwind Newsonline 
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