TODAY Nigerian VP noncommittal on Buhari's 2019 election plans

Buhari, 75, has not publicly said whether he will contest the February 2019 election. Political insiders have privately questioned his willingness or ability to keep the top job after he spent much of the past year in Britain being treated for an undisclosed ailment that left him visibly weakened.

But Communications Minister Adebayo Shittu, who played a prominent role in Buhari’s 2015 campaign, has said he would chair a group to support the re-election of the president and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Osinbajo, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, said: “The president is focused on this term. He wants to ensure that he delivers on the promises that were made. He is not talking about 2019.”

In an interview with CNBC, Osinbajo outlined a number of road and rail projects which the administration is working on and a social program to support the unemployed in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation.

In 2015, Buhari rode a wave of resentment against President Goodluck Jonathan over endemic government corruption, a struggling economy and a failure to defeat the Islamist Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast, but now much of public opinion has turned against him.

In a blow to the president, Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president and Buhari ally, quit the ruling All Progressives Congress and said he was prepared to run in 2019. Last month he joined the opposition People’s Democratic Party.

Reporting by Chijioke Ohuocha; Editing by Alison Williams and Angus MacSwan

 
LAGOS (Reuters) - Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari is focused on delivering on promises made for his current term rather than thinking about the next election, his vice president said on Thursday.

IPOB restates call for referendum

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) worldwide, on Sunday, said that happenings in Nigeria have vindicated its position that the Nigerian union was unsustainable.

IPOB, which expressed gratitude to all, especially Biafrans and lovers of freedom who joined in the march/rally, in Aba, Abia State capital, on Saturday, to honour its members and other innocent people allegedly murdered in cold blood by Nigerian security agents last year at Igweocha (Port Harcourt) on the day of the inauguration of President Donald Trump of America, insisted that the only solution for Nigeria was for free, self-governing nation states.

The group, in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, noted that all the injustices that necessitated its agitation for Biafra were now being felt by all including those that opposed the ideology of its leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The statement read in parts, “Today, Nigeria is still paying a high cost in loss of human lives, which unfortunately, includes a preponderance of Biafran lives, for that decision of Yakubu Gowon. Nigeria is still paying in the form of renewed genocide, now championed under the twin umbrella of a lopsided Nigerian security forces and Fulani herdsmen.

In an era where armed Fulani men, emboldened by the acquiescence of the Northern ruling class and complacency of the Presidency, unleash murderous mayhem on unsuspecting civilian populations, we must spare a thought for IPOB agitators brutally slaughtered for demanding to be accorded their constitutionally guaranteed rights.    

Ironically what IPOB is agitating for – freedom for all, is the only approach that can solve the Fulani conundrum. Had the wider Nigerian public not sided with the Buhari regime in their persecution of IPOB, such blatant discriminatory and hypocritical approach to democratic governance in Nigeria would not obtain. We steadfastly and unapologetically maintain that the Nigerian union is unsustainable, only free self governing nation states is the solution.

IPOB remains today, at the forefront of the new revolutionary change sweeping across the land. Things can no longer be the same because all the injustices that gave birth to our agitation for an independent Biafran state are now being felt by all those that once stood in opposition to the ideology of our prophet and leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

As genocide looms ever large in Nigeria today, IPOB restates the call for a referendum to enable ordinary people decide their destiny. The fate of 160 million people cobbled together by Frederick Luggard in a horrible experiment gone wrong cannot be determined by a morally bankrupt leadership of old men who are past their retirement age.

In the face of all these, Biafrans have exercised uncommon restraint and continue to demonstrate to the world their commitment to peaceful agitation by refusing to take up arms for self-preservation. We have chosen this route because we trust in a new international order that is committed to protecting all oppressed peoples from genocide

Biafrans we must share dis information to save lives of others especially in Biafra land.

Biafrans we must share dis information to save lives of others especially in Biafra land.
As we continue to preach d Gospel of Biafra, I want to assure biafrans and freedom fighters all over d world dat our struggle is legitimate and internationally constitutional.
As our leader Nnamdi KANU expect us to obey d chain of his commands he rightfully put in place before he was kidnapped by Nigerian DSS officials in Lagos.
If d below populations of biafrans can stay at home on Friday 23th and pray for d release of our leader KANU, den d world will understand again dat we r fanatic about our freedom. And soon Biafra will be restored for all to live again happily.
Buhari let Biafra go now or d economic recession will be worsening day by day as long as KANU is still being detained illegally without any substantial evidence of d false charges against him.
Pls both Igbanke, Idoma, Igala, Ishoko, Ishekiri, Ishogbo, Urobo, Akwa Ibom, Ijaw and Igbo are expected to stay at home tomorrow and ignore anybody dat calls for protest because dat will be an attempt to kill us again. God will guide his people and grant us our heart desires which is Restoration of Biafra on d face of d earth. All hail Biafra. Pls share to others. – Biafrans

IPOB SIT-AT-HOME UPDATE: ABA DESERTED, ONITSHA-ENUGU SHUT DOWN, IGWEOCHA-ONITSHA TRADERS ON HOLIDAY.
Family Writers Correspondence across all sections of Biafra Land has given an update on the ‘Sit-at-home’ protest which is currently taking places across Biafra Land and environs.
The indoor protest which is scheduled to hold today, September 23 2016, by the Indigenous People Of Biafra, IPOB, have early this morning around 9:30am left several cities in Biafra Land deserted, as millions of Biafrans both in Biafra Land and across Nigeria adheres to the protest ‘modus operandi’.

A reporter from Aba, Abia state has disclosed that as at this morning, businesses, schools and transportation companies across the city witnesses a massive shut down as few people are seen parading the roads and streets.
In Onitsha, Anambra states, the hub of Commerce of Biafra Land also witnessed a massive level of desertion on roads, market and schools. Main market, Ochanja market, Okija market in Onitsha are all shut down. At Nkpor, shops are locked, as similar situation is noticed across Awka Road Onitsha.

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In Port-Harcourt, several markets and businesses have all been locked up. Oil tools dealers at Mile 3 Market are nowhere to be found, Motor Parts dealers and Business tycoons at Ikokwu Port-Harcourt, all seem to be enjoying their holiday in their various homes, as Ikokwu Market is completely shut down.
STEEL VILLAGE at Eleme Rivers state is deserted. Hundreds of shops at Mile 1 Port-Harcourt are locked up, even as Trans-Amadi Oil Tools dealers have all gone on vacation.
Few civil servants and taxi drivers(mostly of Yoruba and Hausa origin) are spotted going about their daily routine.
Enugu also witnessing similar case, as shops in Ogbete Market are locked up. Few cars and people are seen on the roads as the beautiful city looks as if its inhabitants are still at sleep.
Family Writers Correspondence across Biafra Land have reported that hundreds of Military trucks and Police vans have been mounted across various check points, roadsides and other strategic places across BiafraLand, with personnels fully equipped to the teeth like soldiers ready to win a second World War.
Biafrans have been advised to remain indoors, as Human Rights groups have revealed that a “shoot at sight” order have been given to Nigerian military and Police, against any Biafran activist or loyalist seen on the streets or roads with any item or colour that synchronises with Biafraagitation.
More reports and updates will be coming shortly – Biafra Reporter
It will be so stupid if i refused to observe what is right, the sit at home instruction. I’ll not beg anyone either to remember this day 23rd September 2016 and keep it Holy,because it’s an avenue we will use to know who is who, who loves Biafra and who stand with Nnamdi Kanu in distress. Remember, Nnamdi Kanu is where he is today not for his sake but for our sake and that of our children and yet unborn, therefore I’ll reciprocate the undying love he showed to me and millions of Biafrans with my humble prayers to Almighty creator for his immediate release.
I Stand With Biafra! I Stand With Nnamdi Kanu! – Biafra

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Biafrans in Biafra Land and any where in the zoo, today is 23rd of sep 2016, the long awaited day for our SIT AT HOME protest in honour of our trusted leader and hero, the prophet of our time who has been kept in illegal detention by the evil forces of the zoo called nigeria for one year now. If you know you are a Biafran and you want Biafra to come, dnnt engage in any commercial activity today. Dont go to market, close your shops and stay at home let the world know that we are seriouse about what we are saying and doing. If you sacrifice today for Biafra and our leader, you will not die, afterall our leader had sacrificed all he is and all he has for Biafra. May Chukwuokikeabiama bless him. – Biafra

I AM NNAMDI KANU I have chosen death, I shall die for Biafra and let my death give my generation a better life, let my death be a guarantee for a better future, let my death be your smile and let my death end your marginalization, subjugation, slavery and tears. I am Nnamdi Kanu the lion that chose death over the abuse of his people. I instead die than renounce Biafra, give me Biafra or kill me is where I stand. I have been arrested for nothing, I am a prisoner of conscience, they are here to break me, to make me renounce Biafra but they don’t know me, they don’t know Biafra is my religion and they don’t know renouncing Biafra is a death sentence, is like committing suicide. In their widest dream shall I commit suicide and I assure them that days of reckoning will come, for Chiukwuokikeabiama shall avenge the death of His children. I have taken an oath with the name of God that I shall never betray or give up Biafra because I knew this day will come. I am physically and psychologically prepared for this period. I took the oath and staked my family, my generations and everything I am, and so giving up Biafra in any condition is impossible, even at gun point, I will only accept my inevitable death than renounce Biafra. – Nnamdi Kanu

IPOB REGROUPS, HOLDS FRESH PROTEST IN ABA (PHOTOS)

 

The indigenous people of Biafra IPOB seem to be regaining her composure since the python dance saga.
The group on Saturday held a fresh protest in Aba the commercial nerve center of Abia State which witnessed massive turn out of people as opposed to popular opinion! 
We learnt that the protest was part of the comemoration and remembrance of all those who had lost their lives for the Biafran struggle.

FREEDOM:IPOB gives more reasons it’s calling for referendum

 

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has again called for referendum that would allow for the actualization of Biafra.

IPOB reiterated its earlier call on Sunday, while noting that happenings across Nigeria have vindicated its position that the country was unsustainable. 

The pro-Biafra group noted that all the injustice that necessitated its call for secession were now being felt by all, including those that opposed the ideology of its elusive leader,
 Nnamdi Kanu.
According to IPOB, its call for referendum would allow people of the South East decide their destiny.
A statement by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful reads,  Today, Nigeria is still paying a high cost in loss of human lives, which unfortunately, includes a preponderance of Biafran lives, for that decision of Yakubu Gowon. Nigeria is still paying in the form of renewed genocide, now championed under the twin umbrella of a lopsided Nigerian security forces and Fulani herdsmen.
In an era where armed Fulani men, emboldened by the acquiescence of the Northern ruling class and complacency of the Presidency, unleash murderous mayhem on unsuspecting civilian populations, we must spare a thought for IPOB agitators brutally slaughtered for demanding to be accorded their constitutionally guaranteed rights.

 Ironically what IPOB is agitating for – freedom for all, is the only approach that can solve the Fulani conundrum. Had the wider Nigerian public not sided with the Buhari regime in their persecution of IPOB, such blatant discriminatory and hypocritical approach to democratic governance in Nigeria would not obtain. We steadfastly and unapologetically maintain that the Nigerian union is unsustainable, only free self governing nation states is the solution.

IPOB remains today, at the forefront of the new revolutionary change sweeping across the land. Things can no longer be the same because all the injustices that gave birth to our agitation for an independent Biafran state are now being felt by all those that once stood in opposition to the ideology of our prophet and leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

As genocide looms in Nigeria today, IPOB restates the call for a referendum to enable ordinary people decide their destiny. The fate of 160 million people cobbled together by Frederick Luggard in a horrible experiment gone wrong cannot be determined by a morally bankrupt leadership of old men who are past their retirement age.

In the face of all these, Biafrans have exercised uncommon restraint and continue to demonstrate to the world their commitment to peaceful agitation by refusing to take up arms for self-preservation. We have chosen this route because we trust in a new international order that is committed to protecting all oppressed peoples from genocide

Court decides IPOB’s fate today

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja will today rule on the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
The Acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Abdul Abdu-Kafarati, will deliver the judgment in the suit seeking to void the proscription and declaration of IPOB, as a terrorist organisation. 
The Pro-Biafra group had through its lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, approached the court challenging the ruling it delivered on September 20, 2017, which outlawed it on the strength of an ex-parte motion the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, filed on behalf of the government.
The court had declared as illegal, all activities of IPOB, particularly in the South-East and South-South regions of the country in the said ruling.
The Acting Chief Justice, who gave the ruling in chambers, further restrained  any person or group of persons from participating in any of the group’s activities

The judge further directed the AGF to ensure that he published the order proscribing IPOB in the official gazette, as well as in two national dailies, an order FG had since complied with.    
IPOB, however, in a motion it filed, insisted that the proscription order  was made without jurisdiction adding that it was granted against an entity unknown to law.
The group also queried the legal validity of the order, which it said was surreptitiously obtained by the Attorney-General.

Dokpesi’s alleged N2.1bn fraud trial adjourned until Feb. 6

 
The Federal High Court, Abuja, has adjourned until Feb. 6, the trial of erstwhile Chairman of DAAR Communications Plc, Raymond Dokpesi, over alleged N2.1bn fraud. Dokpesi Justice John Tsoho, fixed the date after the 11th prosecution witness, Mr Gabriel Agorye, testified on Friday. Agorye, led in evidence