IPOB Why God won’t hear your prayers yet – Fani-Kayode tells Gowon

The former Minister conveyed this in a statement he signed on Monday, adding that 300 Igbo army officers, including an Igbo Head of State, were murdered on July 29th, 1966 by northern army officers.

   Former Minister of Aviation and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has told former Military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, that the various prayer sessions he is conducting would be wasted if he (Gowon) does not apologise to the Igbos over the genocide against them during the 1966 Civil War.  

  He also reminded the war lord that 30,000 innocent and defenceless Igbo civilians were slaughtered between September and December 1966 by savage and barbaric northern mobs in three separate pogroms in the north before the outbreak of the Nigerian civil war.

“Finally 3 million innocent and defenceless Igbo civilians, including one million children, were targeted and butchered by the Nigerian Army and the northern ‘Gwodo-Gwodo’ auxiliaries and militias during the Nigerian civil war between 1967 and 1970.

“General Yakubu Gowon can conduct all the prayer sessions that he wants for Nigeria but until he acknowledges the fact that the genocide that the Igbo people were subjected to under his watch between 1966 and 1970 was unacceptable and until he appeals to the Igbo nation to forgive Nigeria for what we did to them, things will get from bad to worse.

“Though it is unknown to most, our nation has been afflicted with a deep spiritual wound which was inflicted as a consequence of our barbaric actions over the years and particularly before and during the civil war. This is a spiritual matter and sadly and regrettably we see its consequences unfolding in the physical realm before our very eyes every day.

“The shedding of innocent blood always results in divine retribution and it goes from generation to generation. Unless remorse is displayed, forgiveness sought and national repentance is established the cycle of divine retribution and judgement will continue unabated and affect the lives of millions.

“The civil war “Gwodo-Gwodo” militias, made up of savage, bloodthirsty, heartless, godless, dark and evil men from Chad, Niger Republic, Mali and parts of north-western Nigeria are the spiritual forefathers and the same dark forces that have resurrected as terrorist and killer herdsmen that are slaughtering our people ALL over the country today.

“The whole thing has come back to torment and haunt us and only God can deliver us from their hand. The fastest way to make your nation the land of the accursed and rejected is by continuously shedding innocent blood and showing no remorse for it.

“We must recognise and accept this, we must endavour to stop the violence and killings, we must beg God and our victims for forgiveness and we must do the right thing. Anything short of that will not put us on the road to redemption and restoration. May God open our eyes to see and accept these harsh realities and may He guide, help and lead us in all our endeavours.”

The PDP chieftain said Nigerians needed to ask the Lord for forgiveness for what they did and what they were still doing to the Igbo nation if they really wanted to be restored to the great and prosperous nation and people that they once were.

Bayelsa guber: What Goodluck Jonathan told Aspirant Okara

Jonathan said this when Okara visited him at his Yenagoa residence on Wednesday night, to formally inform him of his desire to run for the office of governor in the Nov. 16 election.   

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan has urged a Bayelsa governorship aspirant, Kemela Okara, to bring to bear his wealth of experience if elected as governor in the November gubernatorial election.       The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the primaries for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will hold on September 3, while the gubernatorial election will hold on November 16.

The visit by Okara to Jonathan was part of his statewide consultations with critical stakeholders in Bayelsa ahead of the gubernatorial election.

Jonathan, who is the immediate past president of Nigeria, expressed confidence in Okara’s capabilities as a two-time Commissioner for Trade Industry and Investments and former SSG, to run the state competently.

“As the immediate past secretary to the state government and from your exposure as a lawyer in Lagos, the commercial nerve centre of the nation, I expect you to perform well as a governor.

“Just know that my doors are open anytime you wish to see me for counsel and consultations,” the former president said.

Earlier, Okara thanked Jonathan for finding time to host him and his entourage amid his busy schedule.

“Your Excellency, there is no way that I will not seek your blessings as I strive to run for the office of the governor.

“I came to you because of your wealth of experience and rich political pedigree.

“It is for this singular reason that I have come to inform you of my desire to contest for the office of the governor of Bayelsa State and for your blessing,” Okara said.

Bayelsa guber: You are ‘push and start president’ – APC chieftain fires back at Jonathan

Nabena stated this in reaction to remark credited to Jonathan that APC in Bayelsa State lacked political presence at the wards, local government and state levels to win the state governorship election slated for November 16.   Yekini Nabena, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Thursday, described former Goodluck Jonathan as a “push and start president” who never won any election in his home state of Bayelsa.     Speaking during the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Elders’ Advisory Council meeting at Government House, Yenagoa, Jonathan had said a large number of governorship aspirants on the platform of the PDP indicated the dominance of the party as the preferred platform for election.

However, Nabena, while speaking with reporters in Abuja, cautioned Jonathan against making misguided comments.

Nabena said: “Jonathan is attempting to rewrite history on presidential elections conducted under his watch in Bayelsa state while he was president. He never won as votes never counted. Aided by security agents, election results were simply announced by the election body in favour of the PDP.

“Former President Goodluck Jonathan even lost in his senatorial zone in the last 2019 National Assembly election won by the APC candidate. So, one wonders the party Jonathan was referring to as not being on ground in Bayelsa state, he was a push and start president.

“The media will recall that under Governor Seriake Dickson’s watch, 63 Smart Card Readers belonging to INEC were stolen and later retrieved. Also, I had earlier called on the Inspector General of Police to proscribe the state-controlled security outfit, Operation Doo Akpo following security reports indicating that the state government was plotting violence by flooding the state with arms ahead of the 2019 polls. That threat is still active as Bayelsa state prepares for the governorship election.

“It is clear that no amount of falsehood and rigging can stop PDP’s imminent defeat in the forthcoming governorship election. The PDP has become very unpopular and stands rejected in Bayelsa state.”

Boko Haram: What Nigerian Air Force did to insurgents in Borno

The ATF successfully carried out the operation through Operation GREEN SWEEP III which aimed to target some identified terrorists’ positions in the State.   The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says its Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has successfully destroyed a Boko Haram Terrorists’ (BHT) Command and Control Centre in Dusula, on the fringes of the Sambisa Forest in Borno State.      Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, said the operation was conducted on Friday, NAN reports.

Daramola said this was sequel to a renewed offensive aimed at further eliminating remnants of Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province Terrorists (BHT/ISWAP) in the North-East of Nigeria,

”The operation was executed after series of Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions led to the identification of the Command Centre with its solar panels, communications equipment and other facilities.

”The three Alpha Jets dispatched by the ATF engaged the location in multiple passes, recording accurate hits on the target area.

“The structures housing the Command Centre were completely destroyed by the strikes while several of the terrorists were neutralised.

”The few surviving terrorists, who were seen attempting to flee the area, were taken out by follow on attacks,” he said.

Daramola further disclosed that the NAF, operating in concert with surface forces, would sustain its operations against terrorists in the North-East.

Court jails 26 over oil bunkery in Port Harcourt

The convicts including 24 individuals, one company and a vessel were slammed with various jail terms.     A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has convicted and sentenced 26 fraudsters for illegal dealing in petroleum products.        They were prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Port Harcourt’s Zonal Office.

The anti-graft Spokesman, Tony Orilade disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

He said 12 of the convicts who got their jail terms on Friday are: Abubakar Lawal; Mustapha Babagana; Christian Nweke; Ikpaikpai Elvis; Abdullahi Bawa; Hamson Sadiq; John Owoicho; Elewa Roy; Areh Sunday; Nafiu Sani, Emeka Michael and Kingsely Ihuoma.

Orilade added that the rest 14 including 12 individuals, one company and a vessel were convicted and sentenced on Thursday, August 8, and they are: Kabiru Saidu; Saleh Muhammed; Yusuf Bala; Salisu Usman; Hamisu Sha’Ibu; Aliyu Muhammed; Umar Mohammed; Muhammed Aliya; Sunday Emmanuel Udo; Mallam Garba Abubakar, Ifeanyi Duru and Sani Haruna. The company and the vessel are: Solution Mark Nig.Ltd, and M.V. Chi-Ebubeh.

Further, it was learnt that the first set of convicts, 12 of them, were arraigned on Friday, August 9, by the EFCC, Port Harcourt’s Zonal Office, on a one-count separate charge bordering on illegal dealing in petroleum products.

The count charges read: “That you Abubakar Lawal sometimes in April, 2018, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did distribute petroleum product (Automotive Gas Oil) with Daf with registration number AKD 893 XG without a licence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4(1) of the Petroleum Act, Cap P10 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004 and punishable under Section 4(6) of the same Act”.

But the defendants pleaded guilty to the count charge when it was read to them.

On this basis, prosecuting counsels Samuel Chime; M. T Iko; E. Abbiyesku; F. O Amama; Celestina Okorie and K. W Chukwuma-Eneh reportedly prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.

Also, Counsels to the defendants, Babatunde Opadola; J. C Okere; O. M Ofodili; A. D Ndaboye, C. O Odoemena, and M. M Suleiman did not oppose the prayers of the prosecution.

In his ruling, Justice A. T. Mohammed convicted and sentenced Lawal, Babagana and Nweke to two years imprisonment with an option of fine of N100,000.00 each while Elvis; Bawa; Sadiq; Owoicho; Roy; Sunday; Sani, Michael and Ihuoma were sentenced to a fine of N100.000 each respectively.

The Judge also ordered that the products conveyed in the various trucks be forfeited to the Federal Government.

Trouble started for the convicts, Orilade affirmed when they were intercepted by men and officers of the Nigerian Army, 6 Division, Port Harcourt, at different locations in Port Harcourt, for illegal dealing in petroleum products without necessary licenses.

The convicts were also arrested alongside trucks with registration numbers: AKD 893 XG; XA 452 NNR; PBT 525 XA; KHE 477 XA; RGG 183 XA; EPE 238 XN; ABN 948 YN; XW 775 FST; WMK 130 XA; XB 252 KMC, BGM 209 XA and APP 348 XM while distributing and storing illegally refined AGO and carrying out anti- bunkering operations.

The second set of convicts, 14 of them, were arraigned on Thursday, August 8, 2019 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Port Harcourt’s Zonal Office, on one-count separate charge bordering on illegal dealing in petroleum product.

The count charge read: “That you Kabiru Saidu, sometimes in 2017 at Abuloma, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did distribute Petroleum Product (AGO) conveyed in a Truck with registration number XL 985 KRD and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4(1) of the Petroleum Act, Cap P10 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004 and punishable under Section 4(6) of the same Act”.

The defendants also pleaded guilty when the charge was read to them.

It was on this premise that prosecuting counsels: A. Osu, C. O Ugwu, Esin-Otu Ebipade, F. C Obinwa and M. T Iko prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.

Counsels to the defendants: M. M. Suleiman, Babatunde Opadola and E. X Eboh did not oppose the prayer of the prosecution.

Justice Mohammed convicted and sentenced the defendants to a fine of N100,000 each, while Solution Mark Nig. Ltd, and M.V. Chi-Ebubeh were sentenced to a fine of N500,000 each for illegal dealing in petroleum products.

The judge also ordered that the products carried by the trucks and vessel should be forfeited to the Federal Government.

BIAFRA : APC sends message to Nigerians

The party urged all to imbibe the lessons of the important Islamic festival which exemplifies sacrifices and fulfillment of promise as demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim (RTA).       The All Progressives Congress (APC) has hailed Nigerians especially Muslim faithful on the commemoration of Eid ul-Adha.       Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, APC National Publicity Secretary, in a statement on Saturday, said: “As we celebrate the Sallah feast with family, friends and loved ones, Muslim faithfuls and indeed all Nigerians are implored to show love to neighbours and cater for the less privileged around us.

“In our national life, Eid ul-Adha is a reminder for us to make our individual and collective sacrifices for the well-being, unity, peace and development of our dear country, Nigeria. We must, therefore, shun the disruptive and divisive utterances and actions emanating from some unpatriotic quarters lately.

“In our private capacity, official duties, wherever we find ourselves, we must all exhibit the pan-Nigerian spirit. We should embrace our country’s diversity and harness it for good. We must see every Nigerian as a brother. We should take advantage of his strength, help him with his weakness. That is the only way we can grow as a country.”

Expect nothing from Buhari, he’s failing woefully – Gen. Williams tells Nigerians

He claimed that Buhari has failed and has nothing to offer, adding that the promise of change made by the All Progressives Congress, APC, was nothing but a deceit.     Former Chairman, Transparency International, Nigeria chapter, Maj. Gen Ola Ishola Williams (retd) has told Nigerians that anyone putting hope on President Muhammadu Buhari was wasting his or her time.      Williams insisted that there was no hope of any meaningful change for Nigeria under Buhari, adding that the signs of the failure of the administration were visible for Nigerians to see.

“Obviously, Buhari is failing, he has not been inspiring, and any Nigerian who puts any hope in Buhari is wasting his time – the state governors are also a big burden to this nation,” he told Saturday Sun.

Asked about the promised change, he added, “That’s deceit. It is a deceit by APC, and Buhari’s supporters. There can’t be any change under Buhari. Those who are talking of next level are politicians deceiving Nigerians.

“There is no hope of any meaningful change for Nigeria under Buhari. It is not that I have anything against him. But all the signs of the failure of his administration are there, visible for Nigerians to see. Insecurity has become a big challenge. It is festering, and Buhari’s government appears clueless to tackle the problem.

“The Boko Haram insurgency is also there. Although top government officials will always pretend that all is well, it is not only Nigerians that know that the security situation in Nigeria is precarious; members of the international community are also aware. So, who is government deceiving?

“Look at the Apapa gridlock which has become a shame of a nation. For more than four years now, Buhari’s government has not been able to find a solution to it, and that is just a single problem; what about the power issue? Nigerians can’t be deceived even if Buhari and his apologists are deceiving themselves.”