FREEDOM : IPOB backs Dokubo’s declaration of Biafra

 

Rather, he said the formation of many pro-Biafragroups would make the work of IPOB easier, adding that IPOB would support any group that fights for Biafra freedom. 

Leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnmadi Kanu Tursday backed the formation of Biafra Government as canvassed by the former Niger Delta warlord Mujahid Asari Dokubo saying it is not a threat to IPOB.

Dokubo had few days ago declared himself as the Head of Biafra de facto Customary Government (BCG).

Speaking to the Nation, the IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary Emma Powerful, said the leadership of IPOB has no interest whether Asari Dokubo or any other agitating group forms Biafra government or not.

“IPOB is not interested with the formation of Biafra agitating group. Anybody can form his and her own group but one thing is certain- let them maintain stand to fight for Biafra freedom and independence. IPOB will support any group genuinely formed to fight for Biafra freedom.

“We have said it time without number that anybody can form any group one likes and use it to pursue the Biafra cause. We are not against any group genuinely fighting for Biafra restoration. IPOB and its indefatigable leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu have been in the forefront of this struggle for our freedom, and nobody can controvert that,” he added.

BIAFRA : We Don’t Need Asari Dokubo’s Biafra– PANDEF, Ohanaeze

 

Relatedly, the president-general, Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), Chief Goodluck Ibem, described the declaration as a joke and the entertainment of the year, saying Asari Dokubo is seeking for attention which nobody is ready to give to him.

A few days after Mujahid Asari Dokubo of the Niger Delta Peoples Salvation Force proclaimed a Biafra Customary Government and declared himself as its head, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and Ohanaeze Ndigbo have said their aspirations cannot be realised through the purported republic.

In its reactions to Asari Dokubo’s proclamation, PANDEF said the so-called Biafra Customary Government was not in tandem with the desires and aspirations of the Niger Delta people at this particular time.

Asari Dokubo, who announced the republic last Sunday, named Uche Mefor as head of information and communication of the customary government.

He also appointed George Onyibe as secretary and Emeka Esiri as head of legal matters of the new government.
On his plans for the new Biafra Republic, the ex-militant said, “We proceed to set up provincial structures of government starting with provincial assemblies and provincial governance and administrators.”

But in an interaction with LEADERSHIP Friday in Port Harcourt, PANDEF spokesman, Ken Robinson, said evident bias under the current administration is a contributory factor to the increasing calls for secession by certain ethnic-based groups.

Robinson said, “We do not think Asari Dokubo’s declaration of a supposed Biafra Customary Government is in tandem with the desires and aspirations of the Niger Delta people at this time.

“Though the evident bias under the current administration is a contributory factor to the increasing calls for secession by certain ethnic-based groups; that is not our focus. We are not aware of any ethnic nationality in the Niger Delta region that has communicated support for any of these groups. We have seen some maps of the so-called republics, where some parts of the Niger Delta are crafted into the Oduduwa Republic,” he said.

Also, Ohanaeze Ndigbo president in Cross River State branch, Barr. Ugorji Nwabueze, said Asari Dokubo’s declaring himself as Biafran leader was “ridiculous and a mere imposition of himself on the people.”

The spokesman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Alex Ogbonnia, said the body was not opposed to agitations or freedom of associations.
According to him, people have the right to form any association they like, adding that the constitution pledged freedom of association for all citizens.

He said Asari Dokubo’s declaration of Biafara Customary Government was not the first time the apex Igbo social-cultural organisation was hearing that kind of group.

Similarly, the leader of the Movement for the Survival of Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), Kennedy Tonjo West, described Asari Dokubo’s action as “disrespectful and an affront to the ancestral integrity of those ancient towns he made mentioned off.”

West said: “We respect Asari Dokubo’s views on so many issues; he has contributed immensely to the advancement of the Izon cum Niger Delta agitations. His Biafra Customary Government adventure has a narrow perspective. It lacks acceptance, it is disrespectful and an affront to the ancestral integrity of those ancient towns he made mentioned off. It is disturbing, misleading and undermining.

“There was no proper consultation with leaders and actors in the struggle. As a people if we keep quiet and ignore Asari because he is perceived to be a controversial fellow, it might boomerang someday. So for the records, MOSIEND is stating that the communities claimed to be Biafra province is untrue.”

To Nwabueze, Asari Dokubo declaring himself as Biafran leader is “somehow ridiculous and a mere imposition of himself on the people. Declaring himself as head of Customary Government is like you were there, when they started cooking the food, as at the time of dropping the food, somebody claimed to have cook the food,” he said.

Nwabueze said the important thing is that the federal government has declared “IPOB as an illegal group. I wouldn’t want to disown him like Egbesu and other Ijaw leaders disowned him and declared him as a lone ranger and somebody who has been speaking for himself. The important thing is that the federal government has declared IPOB as an illegal group.

On how the federal government should handle the issue, Nwabueze said that as a father who is in the house, where there is an uprising, the government must be very determined and diligently handle it.

The national president of Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), Comrade Igboayaka, said Asari Dokubo was alone in the declaration of Biafra Customary Government.

He said, “Nobody was consulted by the ex-militant, the traditional rulers, prominent citizens of the zone, politicians were not consulted. The exercise looks like a child play.”

According to him, “This has exposed Asari Dokubo as a joker of the century. Nigerians have a lot of important things to do and not to discuss or watch a man who wants to distract them from focusing on pertinent matters confronting them.”

PDP endorses Senator Adeleke as flag bearer

 

 recalls that the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure had returned Sunday Bisi to the Chairmanship position of the PDP in Osun State.

The Peoples Democratic has unanimously agreed that Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke will be the Governorship candidate of the party (PDP) in the 2022 gubernatorial election in Osun State.

The recommendation was part of the highlight of resolutions arrived at a reconciliatory meeting of the Osun PDP, mediated by the national reconciliation team, headed by its chairman and a former Senate President and two-term governor of Kwara State, Dr. Olubukola Saraki.

In the meeting attended by both interest groups from the Osun State Chapter of the PDP, it was also agreed that Sunday Bisi will be the validly recognised chairman of the party in the state.

The meeting was called pursuant to a national reconciliation committee set up by the PDP National Working Committee led by Prince Uche Secondus.

As part of the reconciliation process in the Osun PDP, Saraki assured that the party has noted the concerns raised by Olasoji Adagunodo and that necessary steps will be taken to clear his name over allegations leveled against him as a former state chairman.

While noting that such is not unusual in politics, he advised that Adagunodo be accorded his due respect as a former chairman of the party in the state and that he be carried along in party activities going forward.

 

Give PDP another chance in 2023 – Saraki to Nigerians

 

“Your administration’s commitment to the growth and development of Asaba capital city is laudable and commendable”.

Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has appealed to Nigerians to support the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the 2023 general election.

The former governor of Kwara State, made the appeal on Friday while inaugurating some projects executed by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State in Asaba the state capital.

Saraki who lamented the current security situation of the country expressed hope that the opposition party would do better in the fight against insurgency if given the opportunity again.

The former senate president who lauded governor Okowa over the projects, said there are still remnants of PDP faithful who has capacity and integrity like the governor.

Saraki said the Nigerian economy would pick up again after the support of Nigerians to ensure that the party takes over leadership from President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to him: “It gives me great pleasure to be here and to be part of this inauguration. For four years in the Senate, we sat next to each other and I worked very closely with you when we passed the National Health Bill; I am very pleased with your performance here in Delta.

“It is on record that in our party, anytime we have difficult assignments we come to you because of your competence, integrity and commitment to duty.

“Our country is passing through some difficulties and I appeal to Nigerians to give PDP the chance again to lead Nigeria and you will see the difference.

NJC recommends 18 Justices to Buhari [Full list]

 

The candidates will be sworn-in by the President and their respective State Governors after confirmation by the National Assembly and the State Houses of Assembly.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended 18 candidates to President Muhammadu Buhari for appointment as Justices of the Court of Appeal.

The spokesman, Soji Oye, in a statement on Friday, said the decision was taken at the 94th Meeting of NJC chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad.

Names of justices were also presented to Governors of Rivers, Nasarawa, Kogi, Jigawa, Ebonyi and Delta States.

The 18 names submitted to Buhari were Justices Bature Gafai, Muhammad Sirajo, Waziri Abdul-Azeez, Yusuf Bashir, Usman A. Musale, Jauro Wakili, Abba Mohammed, Danlami Senchi, Mohammed Abubakar, Hassan Sule.

The rest are Grand Khadi Mohammed Danjuma, Amadi Ikechukwu, Peter Affen, Sybil Gbagi, Olasumbo Goodluck, Banjoko Ibironke, Olabode Adegbehingbe and Bola Ademola.

The NJC recommended the appointment of Justice Salisu Garba as Chief Judge of the FCT; Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi as Chief Judge of Rivers; Justice Patience Onuwa Elumeze as President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Delta State.

Others are Justices Aisha Aliyu as Chief Judge of Nassarawa State; Sunday Omeiza Otu as Chief Judge of Kogi; Umar Sadiq as Chief Judge of Jigawa; Ngene Elvis as Chief Judge of Ebonyi; Theresa Diai as Chief Judge of Delta.

Dino Melaye apologizes to God for supporting Buhari, calls his agenda “the greatest scam”

 

Melaye, who lost his re-election to Smart Adeyemi in 2015, also said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has better chances of winning the 2023 elections.

Former senator who represented the Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye, has apologized to God for supporting President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

Melaye, speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, also described Buhari’s agenda as the “greatest scam that came out of Africa”.

The former lawmaker insisted the Buhari administration has failed Nigerians in all aspects from security to economy and infrastructure.

“I apologise to God Almighty who is the Supreme Controller of the universe and to Nigerians for supporting Buhari.

“The Buhari presidency in 2015 is the greatest scam that came out of Africa, because the subject matter Buhari is the greatest con that came out of Africa.

“How can one remain in a political party or support a president with what is happening today in Nigeria? How? So, I regret very seriously because we were scammed,” Melaye said.

gunmen kill two NCS staff, attack Police station in Anambra

 

Two policemen and three soldiers had also been killed by unknown gunmen, the previous day in two locations in the state, with their arms carted away, while a police van was set ablaze.

Two persons said to be members of staff of the Nigeria Correctional Services, NCS, attached to Ekwulobia Prisons in Anambra State have reportedly been killed by unknown gunmen.

The men were alleged to have been attacked and killed while escorting a van conveying inmates of the prison to the court for hearing at about 11am on Friday.

Meanwhile,  gathered that at about 4am on Friday, a police station in the same Ekwulobia was attacked by gunmen but the attack was quickly repelled by officers on duty.

Ekwulobia station is among the police stations razed during the EndSARS protest and was recently rebuilt.

The Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Command of the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Mr Francis Ekechukwu confirmed the attack, saying the command was devastated by the news of the attack.

“You know this (attack) has been on for sometime now, but we never envisaged it will get to us. Yes, there was an attack on our men, and two persons were killed. One of them is our staff, but the other is not.

“We are still investigating. We will issue a press release about this soon, but for now, we are trying to unravel how it happened and to go after the criminals. It was a gun duel, but two people were killed as a result,” Ekechukwu told

The spokesperson of the state Police Command, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga also confirmed the attack on Ekwulobia station but added that the men on duty overpowered the attackers, causing them to flee.