Dr KALU DISTANCES SELF FROM ALLEGED DEFECTION, SAYS NO CRISIS IN ABIA APC

Former Governor of Abia State and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Orji Kalu, has strongly refuted rumours that he is set to dump the APC for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as reported on some online media platforms.

Describing the mischievous falsehood and propaganda as the handiwork of political jobbers and speculators, Kalu stressed that the APC of which he is not only a member but a strong activist remains the only political party to salvage Nigeria from the atrocities of the previous administrations.

The former governor, while emphasizing that he can never rejoin the PDP, called on those spreading fake news to look for other means of survival as against cheap political blackmail and character assassination.

Lambasting the perpetrators and cohorts of the vicious act, Kalu maintained that in view of the achievements of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, the APC is waxing stronger in the South East and Nigeria in general.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu registered his uttermost displeasure over the wrong reports being disseminated in some quarters, adding that he remains not only a prominent member of the APC but a committed supporter of President Buhari, with no apologies to anyone.

“My attention has been drawn to a news report in some online media portals especially PUO Reports, that I am set to dump the APC for the PDP.
“The malicious report is not only laughable but mischievous.

“This is another attempt by enemies of progress to cause disaffection and confusion in the APC. I remain a solid and committed member of the APC.
“Those behind the falsehood should seek attention from legitimate pursuits.

“I am not bothered and will not lose sleep over the atrocities of political jobbers.

“It is no longer news that I will be vying for a seat in the Senate (Abia North) under the APC in 2019.‎
“I will rather quit politics than to return to the PDP because the APC is the only political party that will take Nigeria to enviable heights.

“As we approach the 2019 general election, preparations are in top gear to ensure victory for the APC at all levels”.

Kalu, while advising the public to disregard the misinformation of his purported defection, called on online media proprietors to be wary of activities of those using their media platforms for unprofessional and scurrilous motives.

He equally used the opportunity to commend members of the APC in Abia State for their unalloyed support for President Buhari, adding that the party will wrest power from the PDP-led state government in 2019.

The former governor will on Thursday, August 2, host a mini rally comprising the state executive council, vice-chairmen, women leader, secretary, youth leaders of the three senatorial zones, vice-chairmen, secretary, women leader, youth leader in all the wards across Abia state; and other APC stakeholders in his country home, Igbere.

Ikpeazu, Adaelu and 2019:- Ebere Uzoukwa

I am moved to author this brief article for some obvious but compelling reasons. The recent developments in the political turf of Ukwa Ngwa nay Abia State and the mirrored consequences of some actions and inactions of some political actors aptly summarize my reasons.

There are proven reasons that are genuinely forming the nexus and rallying grounds for the reelection of Okezie Victor Ikpeazu Ph.D in 2019. While a few support the governor’s reelection bid because of what they have accumulated, still accumulating and still want to accumulate more from his government, many others are doing so on the grounds of morality and conscience. But, the larger percentage of the governor’s support base is progressively anchored on his good performance and equity.

It is, however, expected that the governor’s approach to sensitive political issues and his leadership style in Ukwa Ngwa will surely drive the support-anchors to fruition which is his anticipated VICTORY in 2019. This includes how the subordinates tickets are given in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).

Who will fly the Abia South Senatorial ticket? Who gets the Obingwa/Osisioma/Ugwunabo Federal Constituency ticket? Who is that personality whose candidacy for Aba North/South Federal Constituency will harness majority votes for the PDP? Who will get Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency ticket? Who is the right person for Isiala-Ngwa North/South Federal Constituency? What about the state constituency seats that form the fulcrum that galvanizes the grassroots for the election of a governor? These are where the problems lie in greater proportion for Dr. Ikpeazu.

However, a particular TICKET that itches my head amid intrigues and power-play is my Obingwa/Osisioma/Ugwunabo Federal Constituency, a seat presently occupied by Hon. Solomon Adaelu from Osisioma precisely. The young man, who is also an illustrious son of our revered leader and foremost industrialist in Ngwa enclave, Elder Emmanuel Adaelu, succeeded Hon. Eziuche Ubani, my kinsman from Obingwa and the current super commissioner for Works, who spent an uninterrupted eight years of two terms in the green chamber.

Recall that Hon. Adaelu sometime last year expressed his dissatisfaction against the system and government of our brother, Dr. Ikpeazu. Some of us equally expressed our anger on some of the happenings that hallmarked the government. The essence was to get the governor into adjusting his styles and possibly amend some of his ways in the overall interest of Ukwa Ngwa nation and Abia at large.

It is rather unfortunate that some of my Obingwa brothers who are wining and dinning with the governor almost on daily basis failed to see things that way. For raising a voice against some of their actions that can’t help the governor in anyway, you automatically assumed the posture of an enemy to the governor. They will christened anyone that dares say his or her mind “judas”, “Nwanne ne egbu” “onye obi ojoo” “onye choro ikwada nwa nne ya bu govono n’ala ngwa”. They will blackmail and ruin whoever that fails to sing their praises before the governor. They blocked many and almost enjoyed the government alone. Anytime they see a face they don’t like, their anger rises immediately.

This is why I am not surprise that some of these my Obingwa brothers are maliciously against Hon. Solomon Adaelu. Beyond spoiling the governor’s mind, these guys are recruiting opposition against this vibrant lawmaker. They are desperately working to deny Hon. Adaelu a second term ticket by projecting one of their friends from Osisioma.

Conceding that such is expected in the game of politics, caution should equally be their watchword. If they feel the only way they can help their principal and our brother governor to scale the 2019 hurdle are by shaking the table and heating up our polity, we are ready and prepared for them. Some of us are ready to teach them how the game of politics is played. We will definitely set everywhere on fire if that is their bargain. What did I just say? I said that we will set Ukwa Ngwa on FIRE. I am Ochiagha Ebere Uzoukwa…I mean everything I have stated in this piece.

For me brother governor, Dr. Ikpeazu, I will talk to you privately on this issue. But, permit me to publicly drop this advice…Ignore those pushing you to work against the nomination of Hon. Solomon Adaelu. Like every other persons including you and I, Solo Adaele has his own SHORTCOMINGS. Your brother may have offended you in one way or the other, but going by your gubernatorial position, you are a father to all of us. This singular fact places some moral burden and spirit forgiveness directly on your shoulders and in your mind. Hon. Adaelu cannot be described as a non-performer; that is a fact you will surely attest to anytime. He is giving you and I a strong and loud voice in the green chamber of the National Assembly. He has equally done laudable things that have impacted on the welfare of our people including the 3 brand new Graders he procured and deployed to our rural roads. He is good enough to return to the National Assembly. Sir, accord him all the necessary support and encouragement he expect from you hence he has vowed to reciprocate your kind but anticipated gesture. Other things we shall discuss when we meet.

May God Bless Everyone

I remain Ochiagha Ebere Uzoukwa

MASSIVE DEFECTIONS LOOMS.; A Lesson Under The Headlines.- By Benard Ogbe

As the political Titans struggles for ownership/ leadership of our country Nigeria, the road to a better Nigeria get deeply clouded with uncertainties, emanating from all cardinals of the length and breath of our nation Nigeria…

The wind of change, no longer seen as a route to possible achievements of a better tomorrow, rather, a war for selfish contents…

The stronghold of corruption on our society, had led to the ingestion of confusions in the mind of Nigerians, as they tend to loss focus and directions…

Could this be the reasons corruption had strived, comfortably within the Nigerian system? Not just the government but also among Nigerians from all works of life.

Little is it said that “habits are hard to conquer”

A smoker is addicted to smoking irrespective of what is writen boldly on the packs and it’s health danger….

A drunker would always have extra cups, irrespective of the fact that he woke up, to find himself in the gutter, a result of previous stupor…

A lying man would always look for ways to cover the truth even when caught with hands full of oil from the soup pot…

All this and many more are addictions that takes divine interventions to over come…

Many Nigerians are addicted to hearing the bad headlines of peoples failure, but, not interested in the credit of their successes.

Many are rather addicted to frustrating peoples efforts to gain themselves entrance into positions where they can practice the root addict in them which is corruption…

It’s becoming irritating the way we paint our nation for the world to see, as seen in our gullibility and insufficient dignitarium in the way and manners we take politics…

Politics now seem to be more or less personal interest excluding the collective purpose of the people. Politicians ridiculed in gullibility and the horror in this, is a twist of clear light into darkness, while multitudes rejoice, at same time making fun and funds out of complicity….

“There’s an extent you can push a Lion, hence you turn it’s meal”…

Corruption is like a lion hovering in our nation Nigeria… If you caution wrongly that lion (Corruption) without properly fencing and providing channels to reinforce, then, be sure to receive multiple bites from such wounded lions (Corruption).

This is relatively what is seen, facing Buhari’s administration today.
A point at which his determinations and will, never to bend to several quest for selfish and individual interest, and not keeping this elements at their rightful dispositions, giving them an escape routes, down into the forest to collide with their rot grand leaders with the aim of regaining their lost territory, their acclaimed inherited oil wells and sharing within, the national cake…

It is no doubt a clear evidence that corruption remain the course of what we face today as a nation, be it by clamour of marginalization from the South east to the killings happening around the country, perceived to be sponsored by some politicians hunting desperately for power…

Every sensible Nigerian knew, from unset, that Buhari would be facing lots, if he sole faithfully decide to fight corruption.

Corruption as an addict, can not be easily stopped because, it’s immune to the blood streams and would take vigorous efforts to flush away amidst odds…

The colonies of corrupt grand kings have gathered once again to finish what they started over sixteen (16) years ago…

We see with them this time, each, with four (4) straws as against the two (2) previous straws they used in sucking Nigeria dry…

How painful is it, to see supposed ever ready and smart Nigerians unable to see this build up as a step to cementing the unjustified strategic killings, a “Chandum” ( the more you look the less you see) to deviate Nigerians from seeing the efforts of this present administration…

In my silence, I wonder most times why Nigerians should think Mr President Buhari is comfortable with the killings of his citizens under him knowing fully well it’s negative effects on his come back, come 2019…

Well, fake news are believed, trends and welcomed mainly to the oppositions. However, when such fake news floats on media, am forced to ask, could people truly believe this??? What kind of mind would fall cheaply for such empty PROPAGANDA ?….

Irrespective of the fact that the opposition has seized the killings as a media tools, to divert Nigerians attentions, so many Nigerians had looked beyond it to also credit the efforts of Buhari’s administration compared to past administrations…

I see the defections as selfish and am sure they can only defect with few members. However, among them, on that election day, will for sure have a rethink and probably vote Buhari (APC) …

For many Nigerians, it’s better they see the eight years of APC’S administrations than get back into the hands of the PDP that in sixteen (16) years had nothing of sustainable and valuable finished ventures that guaranteed the boast of our economy, rather, sapped dry our economy and also reduced our international values and reputations all in the name of corruption…..

Nigerians be wise, look and see beyond the ordinary. Put not in mind PROPAGANDA that are cheap, misleading and meaningless as that is a Trade Mark of the opposition Party, the PDP…

Bernard Ogbe
A Political Activist And Seasonal Writer.
bernardogbe@gmail.com

ABIA READY FOR CHANGE…. Ekiti As Litmus Test…

Gladiators fight till the end, no Returns no Surrender…

The moment the PDP’S biggest political movie actor, Governor Ayo Fayose released his last and most recent episodes of been beaten by the men of the NPF, it got obvious his end to dictating who succeeds him got nearer…

In this movie, Aides untouched, his Protocols untouched. In fact, he lost the trust of his little followers to cheap Propaganda…

Nigerians and the good people of Ekiti presumed to have decided, such clown can only be mischievous…

This goes a long way to tell the kind of evil minded men gathered under an Umbrella called the PDP…

Always ready to do anything inhumanly possible to get hold of power…

No doubt the fear of President Buhari becoming the beginning of their failures…

The comic aspect that made them run back to the man whom in pieces tore their PDP party card disgracefully on a national television…

Thinking Obasanjo was the sole reasons Buhari assumed Presidency. Laughable because the so called OBJ does not even seem to know nor have a direction.

But as it is in the gathering (of the blind) of such kind of people, they’re helpless but to seek leadership and advice from a one eyed man and probably crown him their king…

What happened in Ekiti is the replica of what will come to play in Nigeria / Abia state come 2019…

A Free, Fair and most Credible elections….

A situation where Nigerians would allow the PDP and others to keep doing their deceitful media Propaganda works against Mr President Buhari, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu Senate Abia north and the collective efforts of all well meaning Abians to changing the PDP government, in Abia state.

The PDP’S manipulations and malpractice channels ( buying of votes) been blocked by our able, capable and gallant force men to ensure that people vote and their votes count…

As it was in the administrations of President Obasanjo and GEJ, where they, through the IGP then, used the force men to hold sway powers and the voice of the people denied as perceived…

However, we thank God and keep fate with President Buhari and the present IGP for re orientating the force on the need to ensure the votes of the people counted as seen in the just concluded election in Ekiti state…

Nigerians had waited to hear the flop of the deployed 30,000 force men to Ekiti state.

They must be disappointed by now because the NPF is beginning to stand up to their integrity…

THE BEATING DRUM….

The sounds of the drums of victory filtering into the nation from Ekiti state is enough to set the good people of Abia state into dancing for victory, as the evil clamp of power in the state is never to exceed 2019…

When I looked into the line ups of the APC leaders that stood for the Ekiti election, during the last Ekiti mega rally, I could only smile to see Abia state well represented by his Excellency Dr Orji Uzor Kalu.

He as we all know had fought the power from the Federal and to our best knowledge, won in all. Though the PDP then, did their magic…

Moreover, -He who laughs LAST, laughs BEST is set to qualify and justify what becomes in Abia state come 2019…

You could tag it the karma of “do to others what you want be done to you”…

The people of Abia state had voted PDP out severally in past elections in Abia state. This time, nothing will save them through the back doors nor the windows….

Every beginning has an end…

Abians especially the civil servants, Pensioners, students and youths ( ndi york in Aba, Enyimba city) can have a deep breath for having a man like OUK still standing tall to see that their voice and vote counted in the face of justifiable facts come 2019….

INEC is committed…

Buhari is committed and open to level playing ground…

The Nigeria forces are committed to ensure every single Nigerian votes counted in deciding our leadership…..

Are we committed to making the difference????

Say no to those using money to buy your Contience….

You can only get the BEST when you vote the BEST/ QUALIFIED candidates irrespective of the malicious propaganda by the PDP camps to further deceive us….

Your vote remain your power, shine your eyes, get thoughtful for once and be wise in your decisions….

We will in no distance time find out all those behind the killings happening in Nigeria as their plots are been reviled each day by the turns of events…

#APC Continuity#

Bernard Ogbe
A Political Activist And Seasonal Writer.

15th July 2018

“HOW DO YOU SLEEP WHILE HOLDING UP THE WAGES, SALARIES OF ABIANS FOR MONTHS” – ATTORNEY AHANNA QUERIES GOV IKPEAZU

APC governorship aspirant, Attorney Ahanna Igwe has queried Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for his inability to pay Abia State workers and pensioners their salary.

Speaking to Abia Facts Newspaper from Abuja, the legal practitioner explained that it is evil to owe someone who has worked for you and in this case the state government.

“Growing up, we were thought by our parents that the dignity of a man is the ability of that man to work and to provide for his family, Abia State employees understands the above-mentioned principle more than anyone else. Therefore, they work hard daily, so that they can be able to provide for their families, pay rent, pay school fees”.

He continued “They work believing that at the end of every month, they will get their pay and take care of their problems, but after working so hard for the government they will not be paid”.

“Instead of paying the workers, the reverse is the case. Instead of appreciating the hard work of these Abia State employees, by paying them their salaries on time. The government of Ikpeazu owes these workers for months, sometimes up to 5 to 9 months”.

“Borrowing the words of President Buhari, Governor IKPEAZU, how do you sleep while holding up the wages and salaries of Abians for months”?

Attorney Ahanna Igwe

“How does the government of Okezie Ikpeazu want these employees to pay their rents at the end of the month, when they have not been paid for months”?

“How does the government of Ikpeazu expect these Abia State employees to go home after working so hard for the state, and look into their children’s eyes and tell their children that they cannot afford to pay their children’s school fees as at when due”?

“Does Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu know the feeling of hopeless that a lot of Abians feel when they cannot provide for themselves, talk less of their families”?

“Does Governor IKPEAZU know how it feels for the elderly people in Abia State to wait for their pensions for months and nothing is paid to them”?

“These are our mothers and fathers who have served Abia State with all their power, hoping that when they are old, they would be taken care of by Abia State government”.

“This is unacceptable. This should be unacceptable to all Abians and to all well-meaning Nigerians” he concluded.

Attorney Ahanna Igwe called on Ndi Abia to prepare themselves for a new leadership that will make sure salaries are paid as at when due and end the suffering of the people. He encourage them to join the train which he will lead for the progress of Abia State.

©Abia Facts Newspaper

Herdsmen Violence: It’s unfair to accuse Buhari of killings – Gowon

A former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, says it is unfair to blame President Muhammadu Buhari for the incessant killings in the conflict between farmers and herders in some parts of Nigeria.

Mr Gowon, who was Nigeria’s military ruler between 1966 and 1974, said he believed the president has no hand in the killings.

“The Buhari I know will not be involved in such things. Certainly, no leader will encourage his people to be killed.”

He spoke on Tuesday at the Plateau State Government House when he paid a condolence visit to Governor Simon Lalong over the resurgence of violence in the state.

At least 200 persons were believed dead in the violence in three local government areas in the state.
Mr Gowon condemned social media reports linking the president to killings in Nigeria, describing the reports as unfortunate.

According to a statement by the state commissioner for Information and Communications, Yakubu Dati, Mr Gowon decried the past practice of releasing arrested suspects without their trial.

“People arrested should be investigated and prosecuted in Jos where the crime was committed,” the former leader said.

Thanking him for the visit, Mr Lalong said the state government has reviewed the state laws to prosecute perpetrators of killings and these would soon be signed into law.

“We have reviewed adequate laws to prosecute offenders in Jos,” he said.
Mr Lalong thanked Mr Gowon for standing by the state as a father, adding that all efforts were being made to restore peace to the state.

President Buhari to Commission $823.5m Abuja Light Rail on Thursday

* ‘Project will boost FCT economy, transport system’

President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to commission the recently-completed first phase of the Abuja light rail project on Thursday, July 12, 2018.He is also expected to flag-off the railway services signalling the commencement of operations of the long-awaited rail services in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to FCT Minister, Cosmas Uzodinma, stated that the 45.245km standard guage rail line from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to the Abuja Metro Station is the first of its kind in West Africa.

According to the statement, the project had been in the works for over 11 years. He said the commissioning would mark formal commencement of rail service and the fulfillment of a long-awaited dream for a modern state-of-the-art mass transit system for the FCT.

Meanwhile, the Transportation Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kayode Opeifa, yesterday expressed optimism that most of the transport gridlock in Abuja would soon disappear with the commissioning of the rail system on Thursday.Opeifa, a former Commissioner for Transport in Lagos State, who spoke with The Guardian, allayed the fears that the transport situation in Abuja could relapse into a worse state.

According to him: “The Abuja rail system is as advanced as any in the developed world and it is designed to provide speed and comfort to the passengers within the FCT and serve as a delight to tourists.”

Opeifa, who disclosed that the project was financed through counterpart-funding with the China Export Import (Exim) Bank on the basis of 60 per cent from the Chinese and 40 per cent from the FCT administration, said the project that took more than a decade to complete, having been flagged-off by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration in 2007, “will link 13 communities with 12 stations at the Abuja Metro, Stadium, Kukwaba 1 and 2, Wupa, Idu, Bassanjiwa, Airport, Gwagwa Dei-Dei, Kagini and Gbazango.”

He added that the rail system has modern facilities that include ultra modern edifices, modern shopping centres and eateries with the prospect of springing up further economic activities along the tracks and overall positive impact on the growth of the FCT, among others.

EKITI 2018: Oshiomole, Kalu, APC Govs woo voters for Fayemi

More All Progressives Congress (APC) bigwigs arrived Ekiti State on Monday to woo voters for the candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, ahead of Saturday’s governorship poll.

The APC National Chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole; former Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Kalu; Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo) and Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) were the latest arrivals to give support to Fayemi.

National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande and former National Vice Chairman (Southwest) Chief Pius Akinyelure had earlier arrived on Sunday.

Tinubu, Akande and other party elders were billed to participate in a road show originally scheduled for the day but it was cancelled based on security advice from the Police High Command.

Oshiomhole led the APC team to canvass for votes of labour unions led by former state Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Ayodeji
Aluko for Fayemi.

Kalu led the delegation that met with the leaders of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo where he sought the support of the large Igbo population in Ekiti for Fayemi at a separate meeting.
The three governors-Amosun, Akeredolu and Bagudu-were present at the parley held with the Igbo.

Oshiomhole, former National President of the NLC, assured Ekiti workers that Fayemi was not seeking a return to the state number one seat to seek vengeance but to make a positive difference in government and better their welfare.

The former Edo State governor said the APC will win the election not by intimidation but based on past records of Fayemi’s government in the state
Oshiomhole said: “Our task as labour leaders is not to agonize but to have the will to fight; I have not come to lament that Fayose has not paid workers. I have come to give guarantee to the workers of Ekiti that their welfare will be priority to us.

“Fayemi knows that if he doesn’t perform especially for workers, I will box him from Abuja. Don’t be afraid, I am behind you and I will get whatever due for you from Dr Fayemi if you convince your people to give him the votes”.

Kalu, during the forum with the Igbo said Fayemi has promised to give financial supports to their businesses if elected governor, the way he did in his first term.

He urged them to discountenance the hate speeches being peddled around by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), labeling APC as anti-Igbo and Islamic party, describing these as attempts to smear the image of the party.

Kalu said Fayemi remains the only person that can bring Ekiti out of
squalor, saying the present governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose shouldn’t be
allowed to impose whom he described a ‘cowboy’ on the people.

The former Abia governor said Fayemi is more experienced, exposed and has a better pedigree in governance than the PDP candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola.

Kalu said: “You have to vote for a man that is better equipped for the job. Don’t listen to the rumour that APC is an Islamic party.

“When President Muhammadu Buhari came, he inherited a massively looted economy. The PDP people were just going to the Central Bank of Nigeria to collect money on the order of the then President.

“You know what it means for the CBN to be looted and that was why we experienced the economic recession when Buhari came and today we are out of it.

“APC remains the best party for Ndigbo. I cannot be bribed by anybody to deceive you. I would rather die than to deceive you because we are one.

“President Buhari did the second Niger Bridge. He had also awarded many road contracts in the Southeast. Did former President Olusegun Obasanjo, late Umaru Yar’Adua and Dr Goodluck Jonathan did all these?

“President Buhari might not have given us many appointments, but he had performed for the Southeast in terms of facilities and public utilities.
“If President Buhari is bad, I will be the first person to expose him. Please, vote for APC in this election. Make sure you spread the gospel and you will never regret it.

“He has promised to give you appointments in governments and give you other supports and I know the promise shall be fulfilled.”

Fayemi pledged to treat the Igbo and the workers with dignity and honour if given the chance, promising to fulfill all pledges made to these groups if given the mandate to govern Ekiti again

R-APC: What Tinubu, Modu Sheriff are doing – Orji Uzor Kalu

Orji Kalu, former Governor of Abia State has disclosed that a National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu is busy discussing with a splinter group, Reformed-APC with the aim of bringing them back into the fold of the party.

Kalu, a chieftain of the APC, said former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff was also involved in the discussion of unifying the ruling party and settling all grievances.

This is coming at a time the New Peoples Democratic Party, nPDP, faction of APC announced their breakaway under a fresh alias, R-APC.

However, chatting with journalists in Abuja, the business mogul said the APC leadership was committed to resolving its crisis amicably.
He noted that the leaders were in touch with all aggrieved members to ensure that the party was not consumed by the crisis.

He said, “We have through our new chairman engaged most of them to get them back.
”The kind of jubilation, what you people want to have is not what we have at the moment, because we will control it. It is a family matter, in every family you quarrel.

“Tinubu is busy, he is talking, everybody is busy, and in all arms of the APC we are busy talking to everybody as much as we can. Ali Modu Sheriff and everybody you can think about, we are busy talking as much as we can so it is a family matter.”

THE PRAYER AGAINST BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA AS TWISTED IN THE FIELD OF REALITY

THE PRAYER AGAINST BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA AS TWISTED IN THE FIELD OF REALITY….

Could any administration fight CORRUPTION without CORRUPTION fighting back??? Read and think sensibly……

As far back as 1998, when Nigeria was still under a military government, the Catholic bishops composed a prayer against corruption to be recited by every Catholic in the country. This was as a result of the corrupt practices by our leaders in Government….

Following the series of events, in 1999, democracy took shape, giving us the encouragements that truly our prayers was beginning to get answers from God….

In the trends of events, as administrations pass by, it was to many that corruption has no stop as it eat deeper into our system of governance forgetting that God, works in mysterious ways….

2015 rolled in an administration that seem to have the will to stand against corruption and in a Communiqué at the End of the Second Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the Pastoral Centre, Igwuruta, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, September 10-18, 2015.

In paragraph 7,8 and 9 of this communique the state of the nation was addressed as follows…

-“THE STATE OF THE NATION

We congratulate Nigerians on the peaceful 2015 General Elections. The doom that many predicted did not happen. We are indeed grateful to God and to all those who allowed God to use them for this POSITIVE development. The elections have come and gone. It is time now for REAL GOVERNANCE and we call on our leaders to work for the common good of all our citizens. We congratulate the Nigerian government and all the security agencies on the achievements recorded so far in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency. THE REFUGEES and INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS are GRADUALLY RETURNING to their HOMES. As we pledge our willingness to collaborate with the government on the modalities of their movement and resettlement, we enjoin the government and other humanitarian agencies to start putting in place practical measures necessary for immediate REHABILITATION, RECONSTRUCTION and the RECONCILIATION of the victims and their families.

-CORRUPTION AND INJUSTICE

Since it came into existence, this Conference of Bishops has CONSTANTLY CONDEMNED CORRUPTION, VIOLENCE and injustice and has consistently urged all Nigerians, especially those who hold PUBLIC OFFICES, to embrace a life of TRANSPARENCY and service. FOR MANY YEARS, the Catholic Church has offered public prayers against BRIBERY and CORRUPTION in Nigeria. It is therefore a WELCOME DEVELOPMENT that the present government has made the FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION and INSURGENCY central to its programme. We affirm that the WAR AGAINST CORRUPTION is not just a BATTLE for VIRTUE and RIGHTEOUSNESS in our land but a fight for the SOUL and SUBSTANCE of our NATION. This is a COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY that requires our COLLECTIVE EFFORTS. All Nigerians should be part of this STRUGGLE, which ought to be carried out at ALL LEVELS, in order that we may RECOVER our WASTED OPPORTUNITIES. To GUARANTEE sustainable SUCCESS in fighting corruption, Nigerians must TRANSCEND ETHNIC, RELIGIOUS and REGIONAL AFFILIATIONS and SENTIMENTS. Those who are GENUINELY IDENTIFIED to have either STOLEN or RECKLESSLY used the national wealth MUST be compelled to make COMPREHENSIVE RESTITUTION. In this process, we strongly URGE all to ESCHEW PERSONAL INTEREST, POLITICAL VENDETTA, and BITTERNESS.

THE ECONOMY

At the moment, the NIGERIAN ECONOMY is in DISTRESS. More and more Nigerians are now STRUGGLING or are unable to provide the BASIC neeYds for their families. UNEMPLOYMENT is growing beyond control, leaving many of our citizens, especially the younger ones, to migrate, both locally and to other countries. This exposes them to inhuman conditions, including different forms of immorality and criminality. In many cases, young promising lives are wasted on our streets, in the deserts of some African countries and on the shores of Europe. We therefore APPRECIATE the DESIRE of the GOVERNMENT to RE-INVEST in the AGRICULTURAL sector and to seek other ALTERNATIVES to oil and gas, which have FARED very BADLY in the recent past.”

These were their submission from their conference 2015, the year Buhari took over governance….

Faithfully had we prayed against bribery and corruption but should we faithfully let in the seed of discord come between our answered prayers?????

For years we prayed, within this years came administrations, none talked putting a stop to corruption, yet we continued to pray and never for once taught of a mass protest against the then administrations to cub corruption.

But now, the church is at rage, politics seem to have cripped in silently that we now forgot the need to pray against forces fighting against progressions….

It will be so ungodly to give away our answer from God, our request from Him for ages, for sanity to return, for judicious use of our God given resources…

A syndrome that had plunged Nigeria our great nation in the mess set to be redeemed…

It gave most Nigerians insight the moment the catholic bishops declined membership with CAN ( Christian Association of Nigeria) in a letter to CAN dated September 24, 2012, announcing its withdrawal from the organisation, have we asked why?? I believe with their recent return, things could really get shapped…

How well had the church of God contributed to the growth of this nation??? The so called enemies to the growths of this nation since democracy had been christian… They attend one religious organization / congregation or the other, does it mean our religious leaders are not preaching or working hard to effect changes in the heart of members who turned to be leaders of our nation Nigeria??

The churches / mosques are believed to be the basic foundation upon which morals are built in the character and attitudes of members…. How these morals as displayed in Nigeria is different from that built around the globe that yields benefits and had placed them high in the world….

Our religious leaders had failed us in one way or the other…

We are not to judge but should not also forget that the holy books compelled us never to short our eyes to evil, so permit me to delve a little into some miss deeds of our religious leaders…

Our doctrine made us understand that the church is a free place for worship to our maker….

Inside the church is full of love, affection, redemption of souls and lots more good proceeds of spiritual benefits… The question now is, what went wrong? What brought about envy and greed among members under our religious leaders?? Has the fight for humanity eluded the churches ???

Big questions right ??? But I have a better reasoning to them all…

No individual can boast of owning a Church / Mosque … The success of churches are collective efforts from members. Hence SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS are achievements from these efforts to supplement the effort of that, of the rulers of the land (government) to enhance humanity…

But things fell apart, the POOR in the church can not attend the schools with which his/her little efforts was part of.

-Take it, don’t squeeze, truth is bitter, bear it for once, you just need be told.

The truth is all over the streets, but the government is bad…..

How can a Church’s school fees be 10x higher than that of the federal??? Is the church meant for the rich alone ???

Let me not get deeper because am sure you know where am heading at…. But the government is bad….

When the issues of boko haram and the killings in Jos and kaduna crises the churches never saw the need to protest a 10 million man match rather, the then CAN ( Christian Association Of Nigeria) presidents private jet became the tools for misfortunes….

There’s no doubt politics had be clouded religions, but, had also infiltrated much injuries on our sense of reasoning….

Rev. Fr. Mbaka saw it coming from the on set… He talked about these forces lucking around this mantra and zeal to fight corruption….

Please don’t be surprised am a christian and a Roman Catholic from birth, in baptism and confirmation and in all my life had recited in faith the PRAYER AGAINST BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA, instituted by the church in redemption of our country Nigeria, I can’t see my efforts for years, kneeling, after a table before my God in prayers for my country’s corruption redemption, thwarted by those same evils that led to the origin of that prayer, ” PRAYER AGAINST BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA….”

Instead, I pray for God to touch the hearts of our religious leaders to institute a prayer against the forces fighting to discredit the man sent to correct the miss managements of our God’s given resourses…

I have not written this to discredit our religious leaders, but to let them know they have a bigger role to play in remolding this country.

We must not forget that corruption is the root of the state of our nation.

-Funds meant for power generation diverted

-Funds meant for road constructions/ bridge constructions diverted selfishly…

-Funds meant to clean our waters polluted by spillage of oil, the source of our nation wealth diverted…

Should we with our clear eyes tie our life to corruption? Why have we failed to see the evil behind this killings of innocent citizens as a way to discredit Buhari’s administration???

Our religious leaders can not be right at all times, because, as human they are, mistakes are bound…

It will be lovely if our religious leaders join the paths of this administration in fighting corruption by fishing out some of this leaders that are in one way or the other connected to the loots of funds meant for the people….

They’re in one religious organization / congregation or the orther, under the umbrella of our clergy / Imam, during their looting years in administrations but no, they will hide in the auspices of “I don’t care” and turn around to blame the government….

In most developed countries, religious organizations bring up programs that will help their memberships, please may I ask, who are this members??? Nigerians???? But how can this be possible when their first hit is to buy a private jets… Jets to where??? Heavens to tell God how His children are suffering??? At the expense of the poor among the organization that can’t afford a square meal a day???? What happens if they invested in building mini companies, staff their members, there by creating jobs for the people in their own little ways???

Have you taught how it would look like if religious bodies creates jobs to help membership??? After all, they pay no TAX…..

Now you can say am talking off point but am so sure within me that your inner spirit must bet to disagree with you this time…

What does it take to put smiles on the poor in the streets?? Those unfortunates, believing on God for survival… And they turn around and throw stones at the government while within their Holistic Terran things go wrong..

God for all I know is humble in nature, none materialistic, meek, given, understanding/ merciful. Hence, His grace sufficiency upon us… When all this qualities are radiated to the people of God, it could add some relief to the state of our suffering Nigerians….

This is the time for our catholic bishops and all clergy/ Imam to get back to our prayer rooms and pray against this evil forces set against the progress made so far by this administration, the forces bent on stopping the answers to what we had prayed for, the forces that had induced to the nation the killings of innocent citizens to achieve a situations where people lose trust on the existing administration and fall back into the same hands we’ve prayed fervently for God to make right…

This is a call on all our religious leaders not to fall for the evil behind the killings of our dear innocent citizens, in discrediting the answer to that prayer, “PRAYER AGAINST BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA”, but get back to the prayer rooms, institute another pray to GOD to fight that evil against the administration that is dedicated to this course of corruption, the deep roots to Nigeria’s problems….

This is my humble opinion, I beg you leave it as such….

The only thing you can hold against this President Buhari’s administration is the divergent killings by the supposed Fulani herds men, which we all know to be highly political to sabotage the government efforts, though the government is yet to come up with facts, but we should not succumb to the perpetrators intentions and accepting corrupt monsters back in power…

This administration has earn some credit… You can’t deny that fact…

May I bring to the notice of all Christian that this evil, fighting our mysterious answered prayers, rejoice to see us lose trust in God for our answered prayers, they’re perfecting their evils and we’re following astray…

Bernard Ogbe
A Political Activist and Seasonal Writer
bernardogbe@gmail.com
08/07/2018

We Will Support You For Senate; Abiriba Community to Orji Kalu

By Kenneth Udeh – Abia state

Former Governor of Abia State on Sunday stormed the Abiriba community in Abia State to inspect the on-going NDDC Abiriba Ring Road Project. The Federal road construction project was facilitated by Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu.

The people of Abiriba in their joyous mood flooded the roads and joined the former Governor for a long walk as he inspected the road project which was 90% completed.

The people were full of praises for the former Governor and expressed their gratitude to him for attracting such a laudable project to the community despite not being a political office holder. They promised their unflinching support for him to represent them at the Senate come 2019 and promised to support the re-election of President Buhari.

Addressing some selected members of the press, Dr. Kalu expressed satisfaction at the level of work done on the road, he also advised the people not to be deceived by politicians and the ruling party in the state who are in the practice of claiming Federal Government projects in the state, he stated clearly that the Ring Road project was a Federal Government Project under the NDDC in his words”

“I am very pleased today, as you can see the people are happy with the project, you can see the crowd this is not even a political rally. I am grateful to Mr. President for heeding to my requests for the construction of this road and so many other roads”.

“There are many other projects I have been able to facilitate. The people of Abia State have realized that they have a lot to gain under the APC”.

“They have started reaping the benefits of the APC led Federal Government and they are in a better chance to gain more when APC takes over the state come 2019”, the APC chieftain concluded.

ECHOES OF BLOOD FROM THE PLATEAU: I WILL RESTATE MY STAND FOR NIGERIA’S RESTRUCTURING – By Great Imo Jonathan

Before the elections of 2015, I supported the call for restructuring and I have written about it and supported various agitations in this regard. Honestly, RESTRUCTURING was one of the Key selling points of our party and it was one of the reasons I invested my resources in advancing it. Although there are arguments about what restructuring really means, I sincerely don’t think that is difficult to understand. At least those who made it a part of our party’s manifesto should come out and tell us what it means to them.

By and large, there is need for those who represent our party in government to accept that it is part of our party’s manifesto and an obligation we owe Nigerians; even as the need for it has become more imperative. Except we intended to make it a tool for deception.

To accentuate the need for restructuring, I want to start by quoting His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Leader of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). Represented by Dr Wale Edun at the 2017, Annual Dinner of The King’s College Old Boys Association, as the Keynote Speaker and Principal Guest of Honour, our cerebral party leader said that “It would be better to restructure things to attain the correct balance between our collective purpose on one hand and our separate grassroots realities on the other.”. In an in-depth presentation titled: A NEW NIGERIA OR A BETTER ONE:THE FITTING TOOLS OF……, our great leader made some profound suggestions of what can be done in the now. I remember sharing the full details of that presentation in order to give its content a push.

But I am surprised that up till date, the many ingenious ideas he presented are yet to be borrowed by our government, even with the fact that it came from a leading light in our party, who’s statement by any inch cannot be considered as the voice of opposition. At least, I expect those in government who represent our party in that capacity to be respectful enough to accept that it was a part of the manifesto we presented to Nigerians and which made many to believe in us.

But as the ECHOES OF BLOOD FROM THE PLATEAU continues to roar into our ears, I am constrained to make the demand of government to immediately begin a national discussion on restructuring instead of paying deaf ears to its clamour. With the many complaints of state governors that their commissioners of police do not take orders from them, we can see how messy things have become without RESTRUCTURING.

Let nobody tell us that they don’t understand what restructuring means; that is a blatant lie. Before we came to power, our great leaders like Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the likes of Fashola had been in the vanguard of the call for restructuring when we were in opposition and there are documents produced by them to this effect that makes nonsense of that excuse.

At over 40 years of age, I can boldly say that I represent a new generation of Nigerians that must take responsibility for the future of our nation. Anybody expecting me at this age to live a lie and to be silent on national issues is joking. We don’t have opportunity to live this life a second time, hence we must make our lives count for the betterment of our country. The call for restructuring is consistent with best practices in advanced democracies and we cannot continue to hope for progress when we deny that it is a necessity going forward. Our greed for oil money is making us mad and we must STOP this madness and look at the bigger picture.

If a country like the Netherlands with 39,000 square kilometres of land is making over 100 billion dollars annually from agricultural export, we should imagine what we can make out of only Niger State that is about 74,000 square kilometres of land. It is time to reason high and stop this mess. We should be better than this.

I may not have all the answers to restructuring but my earlier position on this debate and that of others can still be considered.

As one of our country’s leaders remarked sometime ago, “a smaller, leaner Federal Government with reduced responsibilities is better. This means devolution of powers and resources to states and local governments.

“State and local governments should control education, health, agriculture, roads and other infrastructure.

“A true federal system will allow the federating states to keep their resources while the Federal Government retains the power of taxation and regulatory authority over standards.

“The result will be a political and governmental system that empowers local authorities and gives them greater autonomy to address peculiar local issues, while enhancing accountability and contributing to the general good of the country”

“Such a robust federal system will reduce the tensions that are built into our current over-centralized system,’’ he said.

If there is indeed anything left for Nigeria and President Buhari to do, it is to institutionalize true federalism.

I do not support separatists and ethnic jingoists but I am in support of the call for the decentralization of Nigeria for effective management and fast tracked development. At the heart of many agitations for secession is the issue of resource control and suppression of true federalism. Our great party and especially President Muhammadu Buhari must find the courage to do this if we are sincere about moving the nation forward in the long run.

I appreciate the ongoing effort by our leaders to diversify the economy, to cleans the system and to retool the nation. But to a make lasting impact, we need to make the nation positively competitive and more creative by allowing potentials of our diversity to become manifest.

The greater the centralization of resources and responsibilities in a plural society like ours, the greater the opportunities for needless bureaucracy and corruption that are still formidable obstacles to development. The more resources are concentrated in an all powerful center, the more states and local governments are incapacitated to effectively discharge their responsibilities as agents of development. Yet states and the local governments are where the people live. It is when their potentials are unleashed as units of government closed to the people that any meaningful development can be recorded.

A true federal government recognizes that it is the states that give birth to the federal government which exist for their benefit and not vice versa. Such a federation recognizes that the federal government has powers which the states agree to cede to her for common convenience. These powers are in areas of common conveniences like defence, so a joint army, currency, so a common currency and central bank, nationality, so the question of nationality and citizenship.

Historically, politically and culturally, no form of government can better suit us than a federal system. This is because Nigeria is not homogenous in many forms. The common factors, if any in the Nigerian Federation is the diversity.

Our development efforts must take sufficient cognizance of how to effectively carry the grassroots through federalism, because it is central to solving may other related problems.

Although some people have argued that many of our governors are corrupt and that some of our states are not viable. That appears true, but not a good excuse for not decentralizing the country. Given, many governors are corrupt and are stifling the local government system. But rather than see that as excuse for the continued refusal to unleash the nation’s potential we should find a way to solve the problems of corruption at the state and local government levels. And we should encourage the states to think beyond oil and to be more creative.

There is no state in Nigeria that does not have what it takes to develop itself; the only thing missing is the creativity of leadership that is required by governors to turn seeming impossibilities into a reality.

History has shown that we made great progress as a nation when we were under regional government. How come this generation of Nigerian leaders are afraid to venture into that kind of success? Where did we learn this lazy attitude from? Or do we intend to continue to delude ourselves that Nigeria will ever make progress with the kind of structure we currently operate? That is a big lie!

At least from research and history we know that a restructured Nigeria will bring development. Let the sceptics continue, we know better. At least from the history of what former leaders under regional government achieved we know that this unitary system bequeath to us by the military in the name of federalism is a waste of time, life and resources.

Coming from the old East, the many achievements of our former leaders under regional government convinces me that it is better to have true federal states than to have Biafra or to continue to maintain this current type of federalism.

History has it that during the First Republic, the Igbo nation made enviable progress in qualitative and coherent leadership, organizational cohesion, fiscal and industrial development, planning, superb educational system, good governance, integrity in political office, and so forth. In fact, this solid foundation was laid before the inception of the First Republic, courtesy of the Igbo State Union and leaders of thought. Notably, government initiatives adequately encouraged farming and other allied produce for food and export. Thus, items such as rice, yam, cassava, cocoyam, vegetables, palm produce and cashew nuts were readily and ordinarily the mainstay of the economy. It was essentially on these that Eastern Nigerian economy thrived and expanded to become the largest growing economy in Africa, just between 1957 to 1967.

The Eastern Nigerian government had a clear vision which was progressive, and complementary to the nation of the Igbo State Union.

As a result, the Eastern Nigerian Development Corporation (ENDC) was established, which became a tool through which series of development projects emerged , including: University of Nigeria Nsukka, Aba Textile Mills, Shoe Industry Owerri, Nigercem Nkalagu, Enamel Plate Industry Umuahia, golden Guinea Brewery Umuahia, Obudu Cattle Ranch, Glass Company Port Harcourt, Ulonna Farm Settlement, Niger Steel Company Emene, African Continental Bank (ACB), Hotel Presidential Enugu and Port Harcourt, Co-operative Bank of Eastern Nigeria Ltd (Co-operative and Commerce Bank). These and many other developmental strides were achieved within a ten year period 1957-1967.

In like manner, Western Nigeria and Northern Nigeria were prosperous as well.

Our leaders of old under regional government made Nigeria the fastest growing economy within ten years. What is happening now?

Like it or not, there is the need to redefine the Expected Role Performance (ERP) of states going forward.

We need to restructure Nigeria and that is simple.

Great Imo Jonathan

A PR, Media and Business Development Consultant.
Email: greatimosoundmind@yahoo.com
Tel: (+234) 08083474856

Ikpeazu Can’t Win in 2019, Some APC Leaders on Ikpeazu’s Payroll – BB Apugo

Elder statesman and member of the Board of Trustees of All Progressives Congress, APC, Prince Benjamin Apugo, has told the Abia state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu to forget his second term ambition.

Apugo said that the governor has nothing to show as achievements since assumption of office in 2015.

He stated that all the ongoing and completed road projects in Abia, were federal governorment’s, being executed through the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

Prince Apugo, made this known in a chat with newsmen at his Nkata ibeku residence in Umuahia, the Abia state capital on Sunday.

He advised Governor Ikpeazu not to waste his time seeking reelection to avoid being humiliated at the poll, stressing that Abia people were now poised to chase him out from the government house in 2019.

According to the frontline politician, “Why would they vote for Ikpeazu again? What single thing has he done in Abia? Infact, I am surprised that people are saying he is building Aba. He is not building anything in Aba”.

“All the things you see, going on now in Aba, are all federal government projects being executed by NDDC. Let Ikpeazu come out and tell Abians one project he is building or has built. And if Ikpeazu think that Abia people will vote for him, he is wasting his time”.

Apugo also alleged that some APC leaders in the state, were in the payroll of Governor Ikpeazu, and vowed to join hands with other like-minds to resist any attempt to destabilize the party.

He said,” It is true that some APC leaders are in the payroll of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu. That is the problem we are having now. But those APC leaders who goes to the governor to take money are of no consequences”.

“They are just defrauding Ikpeazu. Because none of them can win their booths. They are defrauding him”.

I’ll Open A Can Of Worms- Sen Abaribe

The controversy trailing the 2018 budget may not have abated as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Electricity, Iron, Steel and Meteorology, Senator Eyinaya Abaribe says he would open a can of worms that must have precipitated his arrest when the Senate resumes plenary on Tuesday.

Responding to Sunday Telegraph’s enquiry on the heels of his release last week after spending five days in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Senator representing Abia North in the National Assembly declined comments, but said would keep sealed lips till that day.

Sources close to the Senator, however, said his recent arrest and detention was designed cow because of his protest over unlawful padding of the power budget by N30billion by yet to be identified highly placed person(s) in the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing after its passage by the National Assembly. “In the 2018 Appropriation Act, the National Assembly discovered a disparity to the tune of N30billion in the budget passed by them and the one assented to by the President.

A new item under code 1010927, titled: ‘Expansion and Reinforcement of Infrastructure in 11 Distribution Companies to Reduce Stranded Generation Capacity,’ was noticed by lawmakers,” the source said.

The discovery, our source said, has compelled other committees in both houses to carry out a comparative study of what they approved in the Appropriation Act, and what was contained in the copy signed into law by the President.

“I was when the report was to be made known by Abaribe, Senate Spokesman and his counterpart in the House of Representatives that Abaribe was arrested. “I was there during the arrest. Eight security operatives visited the house; two manned the gates while the other six searched through every document in the house.

We were told they were looking for weapons, but no such was found. “They even saw Mrs. Abaribe marking some school scripts, but they took her laptop computer and examined it for any incriminating content.

But again nothing was found. During his detention, he was given statement sheets on many occasions to see whether he would contradict himself, but he failed to do so,” the source said. The source added that the leadership of the National Assembly which believed the arrest was designed to intimidate the senator also visited the Director of SSS over the matter, to formally lodge a complaint over the matter.

The National Assembly wondered why the executive complained about alteration in the budget because the former introduced 6,403 projects critical infrastructures totaling N578 billion and slicing other allocations, when it inserted new project after its passage.

However, when contacted, Senator Abaribe declined comments on the issue, he rather said he could only speak extensively on it when the National Assembly resumes this week. Responding to the allegation, Special Adviser to the Power, Works and Housing Minister, Mr. Hakeem Bello, said it is illogical for anyone to claim that a new item was introduced into a budget already passed by the National Assembly, just before Mr. President signed it into law. “It is very illogical to make such claim. If anyone injects a new item into the bill before the President signs it into law, will the Ministry of Finance release such fund for it?

I don’t know what they are talking about, and if the Senator wants to open any can of worms, we are waiting to see it,” he said.