BIAFRA : Ikpeazu govt has destroyed all institutions of governance in Abia – Alex Otti

Dr. Alex Otti, the 2019 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA) in Abia state has heavily descended on Governor Okezie Ikpeazu-led administration, claiming that the governor has destroyed all institutions of governance in the state.

He berated the Ikpeazu-led government’s penchant for creating inconsequential agencies and offices, as well as appointing individuals without real job descriptions for political exigencies.

Otti said the inactions of the state government has continued to make mockery of governance and retards development of Abia state.

The APGA chieftain spoke in a press statement issued by his Media Assistant, Ferdinand Ekeoma and made available to reporters in Umuahia, Tuesday evening.

According to the statement which read partly, “The attention of the Alex Otti team has been drawn to a trending Press Release from Abia state government through the Ministry of “Homeland Security” inviting applications from “suitably qualified and able bodied males and females” across the state for recruitment into the state’s “Homeland Security Outfit”

“First, no one can doubt our positive stance where it concerns the need for the security of lives and property of Abians, thus we would have been the first to endorse such a recruitment exercise if the most basic fundamentals had been taken care of, but because we consider the policy as very unserious,unsound and poorly thought-out, we deem it appropriate to voice out our disapproval by stating the following:

“That Abia Has a Security Outfit established by an act of the Abia State House of Assembly.
The said outfit known as the “Abia State Vigilante Services” exists to complement national security agencies, especially the police in fighting crimes in Abia, but very sadly, the welfare of the members of the Abia Vigilante has been so ignored, that many members of the group now resort to molestation and extortion of innocent citizens, especially traders in Aba for economic survival.

“It’s an undisputed fact that no Importer can open/offload his container in Aba without paying a specified amount of money to members of the Abia Vigilante Services. Infact, some members of this Vigilante had approached us in confidence a few months ago to help them call out the government over the neglect of their welfare, but we turned down their request and advised them to approach the Abia State House of Assembly. We directed them to Abia Assembly because we didn’t want the government to falsely accuse us of sponsoring them to oppose the government.

Continuing, “Our question therefore, is, how can a government that has failed to take care of the ordinary welfare of her already existing security outfit embark on the creation of another security agency, as well as recruitment of individuals into same agency with zero structures and no defined welfare package?

“What number of persons does the government want to employ,where are they going to work, and what would be the difference between the “Homeland Security” and the Abia Vigilante Services”? What would be their modus operandi, and how will they be remunerated?

“Since the Ikpeazu led government has become very reckless and careless in owing months of accumulated salary arrears to those they brand “Non Core Civil Servants” in the Abia Civil Service, and since members of the outfit are going to be armed as security agents, what would become the fate of innocent citizens when these security agents are ravaged by hunger as a result of non payment of their salaries by the Ikpeazu led government?

“If the newly created Ministry of Homeland security was not created for leadership braggadocio and for the settlement of the army of unproductive political/ election rigging associates making life miserable for Abians, the Abia Vigilante Services would have been collapsed and integrated into this ministry, and a process of reform and sanitization commenced.

“We want to strongly caution that, security is such a sensitive issue that when handled with carelessness creates a destructive monster that can consume everyone, and having conspiculously shown lack of leadership and empathy in dealing with issues that concern the welfare of Abians, we believe that the Ikpeazu led government is the most unsuitable to talk about setting up a security outfit, let alone carry out a recruitment exercise.

“Finally, we call on the government to halt this exercise, carry out a very intensive consultation and put the necessary institutional mechanism and welfare packages in place before coming up with this exercise, in the interest of our people”.

BIAFRA : 2023 Goodluck Jonathan speaks on contesting next presidential election

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has distanced himself from reports claiming that he was under pressure to contest the 2023 presidential election.

Jonathan said he was not under pressure to contest, rather he was focused on promoting peace and sustainable democracy across the African continent.

He stated this in a statement issued by his Media Aide, Ikechukwu Eze.

The statement reads: “There was nothing like that. The former President has not made any comments nor spoken to anyone on the coming elections.

“He is busy concentrating on his foundation, The Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF), and its work of promoting peace, sustainable democracy and youth empowerment in Africa.

“If you check online, you will discover that a story with similar headline had been published in the past by few shady online sources.

“The last time this same story circulated online was before the 2019 Presidential elections. It has now come up again.

“The good thing is that Nigerians already know this to be fake. That is why Nigerian newspapers and serious online news media will not publish such falsehood.”

BIAFRA : Boko Haram attacks General in charge of Operation Lafiya Dole

The Nigerian Army has confirmed an ambush by the Boko Haram terrorists on the convoy of the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD), Maj.-Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi.

The Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, in a statement on Tuesday, disclosed that the attack took place about two Kilometers to Auno in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno.

Iliyasu said that the Commander was returning from Jakana where he visited troops’ location following his earlier meeting at Auno with the Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno.

He said that the ambush was a clear display of misguided desperation to stage a reprisal following the recent neutralisation of several of their top commanders by troops on Dec. 6.

According to him, the Theatre Commander led the gallant troops of his convoy to engage the insurgents with superior fire power, subduing them and thereafter assaulting the ambush site with his men.

“This caused the criminal insurgents to flee the location in disarray.

“Other senior military officers in the Theatre Commanders’ convoy at the time of the ambush included the Deputy Theatre Commander, Maj.-Gen. M.G Ali, Brig.-Gen. E.I Eze, Brig.-Gen. S.I Igbinomwanya and Lt. A.A Tejuoso.

“In the aftermath of the encounter, several Boko Haram criminal insurgents were decimated.

“Additionally, 20 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 2 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, one camouflage trouser, one Nigeria Police Force fragmental jacket, 2 AK 47 Rifles and 3 AK 47 Rifle magazines were captured from the fleeing insurgents.

“Thereafter, the Commander and his convoy continued their trip and have since returned safely to the Headquarters Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE in Maiduguri,” he said.

Iliyasu disclosed that two soldiers who were wounded in the encounter were currently receiving treatment at a military medical facility and in stable condition.

According to him, the theatre commander, on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai congratulates the troops for their resilience and courage.

“He urges them not to relent in their efforts until all the remnants of the Boko Haram and ISWAP criminal insurgents are completely defeated.”

BIAFRA : US vs Iran Hezbollah issues strong threat, say American troops in Middle East will return in coffins

The chief of Lebanon’s Iran-allied Hezbollah movement, Hassan Nasrallah, has warned that troops of the United States
in the Middle East would return home in coffins.

Nasrallah explained that the threat was in retaliation for the assassination of Major General Qassem Soleiman.

The Hezbollah chief stated that the response to the assassination of Soleimani was not only Iran’s responsibility but also that of the entire axis of resistance.

Speaking in Beirut, Lebanon yesterday, Nasrallah said: “When the coffins of American soldiers and officers begin to be transported to the United States, President Donald Trump and his administration will realize that they have really lost the region and will lose the elections.”

He stated that attacks on US military forces in the Middle East will be “fair punishment” for the crime, listing US bases, naval ships and military personnel.

“The targeted killing of General Soleimani and Muhandis is the beginning of a new era not for Iraq or Iran, but for the whole region.

“We are witness to a heinous crime whose perpetrators are well-known. US President Donald Trump said he had ordered the (drone) strike (on the airport in Baghdad, Iraq).

“More than three years into his presidency, Trump has failed to accomplish the goals he had defined at the beginning of his tenure. Previous US attempts to assassinate General Soleimani had ended in failure. All of Trump’s forms of pressure to subdue Iran have also failed to realize that goal.”

A US-backed airstrike had killed Soleimani, who is the Revolutionary Guard General and head of the elite Quds Force, at Baghdad International Airport.

Soleimani’s killing had sparked rumors of a third world war likely to start between the US and Iran.

DAILY POST also reported that Trump had disclosed that Soleimani was plotting to kill lots of American citizens but was caught in the process.

Also, Iran had threatened to attack the US White House, following warning of retaliation by Trump.

The threat was issued by Iranian MP, Abolfazl Abutorabi during an open session of parliament in Tehran, Iran, the country’s Labour News Agency reports

BIAFRA : Islamic group attacks Akeredolu over alleged plot to evict Muslims

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has attacked the governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN over an alleged plot to eliminate Muslims in the state.

A peaceful demonstration by Muslims was also foiled by heavily armed policemen drafted to the town yesterday, Monday, 6th January, 2020.

It was learnt that properties belonging to the Ansar-Ud-Deen (AUD) Primary School in Oke-Agbe, Akoko in Ondo State was forcefully packed out of the school.

This was disclosed by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) in a press statement sent to DAILY POST on Tuesday, 7th January, 2020.

The human rights organization Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola described the action of the Ondo State government as arbitrary, intolerant and provocative.

MURIC described plans by Akeredolu to evict and take over the land of Ansar-Ud-Deen school as a plot to eliminate Islam and Islamic education from Ondo State.

The Islamic group accused Akeredolu of being intolerant to Muslims, therefore ascribing religious tolerance in Yorubaland as a myth and mirage.

The statement reads: “MURIC received an S.O.S. from the Muslim community of Oke-Agbe Akoko yesterday. The whole town was taken over by heavily armed policemen. Properties belonging to the Ansar-Ud-Deen (AUD) Primary School were forcefully packed out of the school. We strongly condemn this action. It is arbitrary, intolerant and provocative.

“A letter dated 16th December, 2019 was received by the school a few days ago. The letter with reference SUBEB/PRS/766 was addressed to the headmaster of the school. The letter under the heading ‘Re: Request For Transfer of Oke-Agbe Mega Primary School to Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Akoko’ reads inter alia:

“Following the directives given by Mr. Governor that the school, A.U.D. Mega Primary School, Oke-Agbe, should be handed over to Adekunle Ajasin University, the Education Secretary is hereby directed to: The pupils of AUD Mega Primary School, Oke-Agbe will be relocated to St. Georges Primary School, Oke-Agbe, pending the time a permanent place is given to the school by the community. The board will thereafter construct new classroom building for the school. The Acting Education Secretary should liaise with the three communities (Oyin, Oke-Agbe and Afin) to get a suitable land to site the school (AUD Mega Primary School, Oke-Agbe).

“This letter depicts Islamophobia and tyranny. It is a manifestation of totalitarian dictatorship. There are five primary schools within the town: St Georges, Catholic, Local Authority (L. A.), Christ Apostolic Church (C. A. C) Orimolade and Ansarud-Deen (A.U.D). Why didn’t the state government pick any of those four?

“Why must it be the only Islamic school in the vicinity that Akeredolu will take over? Afterall that land belongs to the Ansar-Ud-Deen. It is unfair to just seize it like that.

“It is a grand plan to uproot AUD Primary School, Oke-Agbo Akoko. This is a school founded since 1975. It is also an attempt to intimidate the Ondo State branch of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society and an undisguised attempt to embarrass the organization at the national level. This is unacceptable. Akeredolu’s action runs counter to civilized norms and the principles of dialogue and religious tolerance.

“By the way, was the Ansar-Ud-Deen consulted? Akeredolu cannot pretend that he does not know about the Ansar-Ud-Deen and its educational activities in Yorubaland in particular and Nigeria as a whole. It is administrative ineptitude to have failed to consult the original owners of the school. It is true that the past administration of Olusegun Mimiko had rebuilt the school but that was done in the spirit of public service. At least eighteen other schools were also rebuilt at the same time and they all retained their original names. So what is the big deal? Islam is simply being victimized by the Akeredolu administration.

“Where is Donald Trump? Where are the leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)? These are people who always make false claims that it is Christians who are being persecuted in Nigeria. Here is another palpable and indubitable evidence of the persecution of Muslims by a Christian governor.

“It is noteworthy that the state government has no land ready for the Ansar-Ud-Deen school it is evicting. The government is leaving that issue to three distant and unfriendly communities to decide the fate of an Islamic school.

“These are the same communities who have been threatening Muslims in their domain? Akeredolu is deceiving us.

“This move is part of a grand plan to eliminate Islam and Islamic education from Ondo State. Otherwise why move pupils of a Muslim school to a Christian school? Can Akeredolu claim ignorance of the ideological differences? Can he assure us that those Muslim pupils will continue to enjoy their religious freedom? Will St. George allow those Muslim children to observe Salat within its premises? Will the headmaster of St. George school allow the female Muslim children to use hijab? How will the morning assembly be conducted: in Christian fashion or in Islamic pattern? Hasn’t the governor himself ignited bitter religious rivalry between Christian and Muslim children and even the teachers? Is this not another attempt to subject Muslim children to Christian domination and way of life?

“Already, there has been a potent threat against Islam and Muslims in Oke-Agbe Akoko for some time now. In fact, it was the intervention of the security agencies that foiled the planned attack on Muslims at the Id praying ground after the 2017 Ramadan.

“Muslims in the city have been living in fear since then. They complain of intimidation and harassment and this has led to the conversion of many of them to Christianity, including a biological son of the Imam.

“Here lies another concrete example of the persecution of Muslims in the South West. Those who claim that Yoruba Christians and Muslims enjoy cordial relations need to take a second look at the real situation in Yorubaland. The so called religious tolerance in Yorubaland exists only among members of the same family who belong to different faiths, tenants living in the same house who practice different faith and people working in the same establishment. No more, no less.

“Religious tolerance in Yorubaland exists only at micro level. It is a horse of another colour at the macro. A Muslim is welcome as a person among members of his family, in the house where he lives and in his workplace. But not his religion, not Islam. Non-Muslims in Yorubaland abhor Islam as an institution. We can authoritatively affirm that many Yoruba critics and writers refer to Muslim activists as agents of the caliphate and treat them like lepers. That is the bitter truth.

“There is no tolerance for the religion of Islam in Yorubaland. That is why it is only in Yorubaland that the use of hijab in schools is disallowed. That is why a socio-cultural organization like Afenifere arrogates to itself the role of protecting the interest of Christianity and opposing anything that dons the toga of Islam. That is why some governors demolish mosques at will (or threaten to demolish them).

“That is why Islamic schools like the Ansar-Ud-Deen school, Oke Agbo Akoko has been commandeered. Religious tolerance in Yorubaland is, therefore, a myth, peaceful coexistence is a mirage and the principle of live and let live is a phantom.

“Akeredolu has elected to uproot Islam in Akokoland by using a popular neo-imperialist gimmick called ‘elimination by substitution’.

” It is a wicked concoction from the bottom of hell. How can you take over a primary school building for a university faculty? How can you advance the cause of education by destroying its root? Can you climb a tree from the top? Must primary schools be dislocated just to locate the faculty of a university? What kind of logic is that? Who did this to Ondo State? What is Akeredolu doing in the state house if he cannot protect primary education? Akeredolu has abdicated his responsibility to the citizens of Ondo State.

“Leaders of the Ansar-Ud-Deen in Oke Agbo Akoko had assured the state government that they are not opposed to educational advancement but Akeredolu will not listen.

“They suggested that since their school compound is very big and since it has 21 classrooms, the state government should demarcate their compound. They said they were ready to concede as much as 15 classrooms to the university project while they continue to manage six (6) only. Yet Akeredolu turned deaf ears.

” It is curious that the state government has rejected this noble idea. It insists on ejecting the Ansar-Ud-Deen from the premises. This is mean, callous and belligerent. The buck stops on Akeredolu’s table.

“We assure Governor Akeredolu that Nigerians are watching, in particular, the Nigerian Muslim community is keenly watching Akeredolu’s overzealous and fanatical desire to inflict pain on Muslims in Ondo State. Akeredolu has killed tolerance. He should not preach the gospel of ‘being our brothers’ keepers’ to us no more. We reject the eviction of Ansar-Ud-Deen School from its original location. The government of Ondo State should look for another location for the faculty.

“Before we turn off the ignition key, we call on Nigerians to hold Governor Akeredolu responsible for anything that happens to the Muslims in Oke Agbo Akoko in particular and Ondo State in general.

“We urge the Commissioner of Police and the heads of other security agencies in the state to give adequate protection to all Muslims in Ondo State, both indigenes and non-indigenes, as we have no confidence in the interest of the state government to protect the lives and properties of anyone who is not a Christian in his state.”

BIAFRA : Boko Haram fears loom as vigilantes threaten to withdraw from war front in Borno

While Boko Haram fighters intensify anti-citizens’ campaign in the Northeastern part of Askira Uba local government area of Borno state, local vigilantes considered as strong pillars in the fight against the terrorists are threatening to withdraw their indispensable services.

The withdrawal threats were heard among members of the vigilante group fighting Boko Haram insurgents in Askira Uba local government area for lack of payment of their monthly stipends.

The group which comprises hunters who depend solely on farming could not cultivate their farm produce this year, because of their regular patrol of flashpoints in the area to protect citizens from the carnage of Boko Haram fighters and were eventually left with only one source of income of N10,000 stipends given to them by the state government.

Stopping or rather depriving them of this allowance for the past three months has already put them in economic difficulties as they can no longer take care of their basic family needs, DAILY POST gathered.

This situation has dampened their fighting spirit as they feel they have been allegedly neglected by the authorities responsible for the payment of their allowances.

It was hinted that, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum in his recent visit to the local government, having received the complaint from the leader of the group; ordered for the immediate payment of their allowances, but as of the time of filing this report, the group is yet to receive the allowance.

A concern citizen of the area, Muhammad Musa Askira said, “If truly the state government released the money, only for some individuals to refuse the payment, then, it is not out of place to suggest that the individuals concerned are bent at sabotaging the efforts of the federal and state governments in the fight against the insurgency.

“The immense contribution of the vigilante group cannot be overemphasized even by the soldiers who see the group as moral booster and indispensable pillar in the fight against Boko Haram in the area.

“Soldiers alone cannot fight the insurgents as they are new to the terrain and so are depending on these gallant vigilantes for success in moving Operation Lafiya Dole to its logical conclusion”.

It was gathered that, residents are now in fervent prayers so that the allowances be paid to them on time to keep them in the war front as their withdrawal is capable of jeopardizing the whole operations.

BIAFRA : BREAKING, Soleimani killing: Islamic Movement protests in Abuja, burns US flag

Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) otherwise known as Shi’tes has began a protest in Abuja, the Nigeria’s capital, over the killing of Qassem Soleimani the leader of Iranian military.

Suleimani was killed by an American airstrike on Friday, a situation that have heightened tensions in the Middle East region.

Shiites led a procession through Banex, Wuse Area to Berger roundabout in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday.

They also demanded that the President Muhammadu Buhari government should release their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat unconditional.

El-Zakzaky and his wife are currently detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) in Kaduna State.

While burning a flag of the United States and carrying placards, the angry protesters, chanted hate songs and slogan criticising the American government.

Their placard condemned the killing of the top Iranian general.