Akeredolu Oppressing, Neglecting Minority Arogbo Ijaws Of Ondo State – Group

...Says Gov has spent N310 billion on capital projects in four years with nothing in Arogbo Ijaw

The Arogbo Ijaw Patriots has accused the Governor of Ondo State, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu of deliberate nepotistic conduct in project execution against the minority Ijaws of the state.

The group in a statement signed by the Coordinator, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei and Secretary, Barr. Bibisa Kekemeke, on Sunday said that Akeredolu has failed to protect the interest of the disadvantaged Ijaw minority in the state.

The group said that it was rather distressing that Akeredolu only focused attention on the development of Ijaw Apoi, his maternal O home to the exclusion of the Arogbo Ijaws.

According to the group, the Arogbo Ijaw community has not been so terribly marginalized and treated as an enemy territory by any Governor before Akeredolu.

The duo appealed to the Governor to display the compassion expected of a leader to recognize the fact that Ondo State has two ethnicities: the dominant Yoruba and the minority Arogbo Ijaws.

Soriwei and Kekemeke stressed further that since Akeredolu took over governance in Ondo State, he has executed four budgets totaling N734 billion out of which N310 billion was approved for capital projects.

They expressed shock and disappointment that not even N10 million worth of project was sited in the more populated Arogbo Ijaw part of Ese Odo while the Governor and his deputy moved all the projects to Apoi.

The group challenged Akeredolu and his government to counter the claim if it is untrue by pointing to any such project in the area after almost four years of his administration.

“Ondo State has 18 Local Government Areas and Ese-Odo, the Ijaw Local Government happens to be one of the two oil producing councils in the state. The Arogbo Ijaws are the more populated out of the two Ijaw clans making up the local government area but Akeredolu and his deputy, Hon Agboola only opted to site all road and other projects in Apoi land in a brazen display of unparalleled nepotism.

“Between 2017 and 2020, Akeredolu has had the opportunity to preside over a cumulative budgetary figure of about N734 billion. Out of this figure the Governor allocated about N310 billion for capital projects for four years! We hereby challenge the Ondo Government to contradict this statement of fact and make itself an objective of public mockery.

“We can only plead with the Governor to show compassion as a leader to listen to the cries of the mistreated Ijaws for a likeness of developmental attention.

The group lamented further that Akeredolu’s maternal country people were given 188 job slots out of a total of 200 that were given to Ese-Odo Local Government areas

They added further that out of seven contracts of about N100 million awarded by the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Authorities, four were given to the Ilajes òf Ilaje Local Government Area and three to Ese-Odo, which Akeredolu gave to his mother’s people to the exclusion of Arogbo Ijaws.

The group said that all entreaties of the Ijaw people to the state Government for a bridge across the tiny River Oluwa to link the headquarters of the Ijaw community, Arogbo, with the outside world have been ignored by Akeredolu who is doing bridges on land in other parts of the state.

The recalled that the Governor constituted five state committees including the one on COVID 19 without the inclusion of any Arogbo Ijaw person in the committees.

N3.5m Fraud: Justice Mallong Peter Didn't Sit On Thursday

The Online Reporters Association of Nigeria, Federal High Court Chapter has condemned the publication by Pulse news online captioned _"N3.5m Fraud: EFCC secures conviction of businessman for 3 years imprisonment"._

Information gathered by ORAN shows that Justice Mallong Peter never sat on Thursday 21st May 2020, to deliver the above judgement.

Further information shows that the case was never before his lordship's docket.

Our correspondent also confirmed from the   Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that such case didn't hold at the Federal  High court Kaduna as published by the online media.

It will be recalled that due to the Corona virus pandemic, all the courts across the country has gone on break except on some urgent and time bound cases.

PDP Lauds PMB, Military On Sustained Offensive Against Boko Haram/ISWAP Terrorists

The PDP National Support Vanguard (PDP-NSV) has shoved aside its usual politics to hail the Nigerian government and military for the sustained onslaught against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists. 

According to the top opposition group, now is the time to shun partisan interests in support of the gallant troops ahead of final victory. 

In a statement co-signed by Hon. Gideon Ekele and Comrade Lucky Jonathan, its President and National Secretary respectively, the PDP Vanguard said that President Muhammadu Buhari has maintained a patriotic stance by providing much-needed leadership in the Armed Forces. 

This, according to the group, has translated to the multiple gains recorded by the Nigerian troops in the war against the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists. 

In time past, the PDP-NSV admitted sitting on the fence instead of rallying behind the troops on the frontlines. 

For the current momentum to be maintained, the opposition, however, urged all Nigerians to support the military in ridding the nation from the remnants of the already decimated radical jihadists. 

Read full statement below:

The PDP National Support Vanguard wishes to laud the Muhammadu Buhari led administration for its commitment in the war against terrorism in Nigeria. The government has maintained a patriotic stance by providing that leadership needed in the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

This leadership has indeed translated to the multiple gains recorded by the Nigerian troops in the war against the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorism in North-East Nigeria. 

The PDP National Support Vanguard sees the war against terrorism in Nigeria as a collective one, rather than one blinded by party sentiments and at the detriment of the much-needed peace and tranquillity in the country. 

We wish to state that it behoves on all well-meaning Nigerians to put party sentiments aside and give the Nigerian Military the needed support in the discharge of its constitutional mandate of preserving the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country. 

It must be stated that the Nigerian troops consist of Nigerians from various parts of the country that swore to an oath to protect and fight for the interest of Nigeria regardless of their ethnic and religious affiliations and this much they have stayed true to so far. 

The PDP National Support Vanguard believes that it is time for all and sundry to shun partisan interest and support the Nigerian troops as they begin the final push for the decimation of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group. 

The multiple gains recorded by the troops in battle against Boko Haram/ISWAP must be sustained for the betterment of the country, and this suffices why all hand must be on deck in this critical point of our existence. 

This is not the time for the pursuit of blind partisanship or loyalty to party affiliations. This is indeed the time for unity of purpose and utmost loyalty to the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.  

We wish to state that in times past, the PDP National Support Vanguard like many other Nigerians have sat on the fence as far as the war against insurgency is concerned mainly for partisan consideration.

It is therefore instructive to state that sitting on the fence is no longer fashionable because Nigeria is on the verge of winning the war against terrorism through the exploits of our troops in the theatre of operations in North East. 

The PDP National Support Vanguard recognizes the exigencies of time. It, therefore, states that it is in full support of the efforts of the Muhammadu Buhari led administration in the war against terrorism in the country. 

We call on other Nigerians regardless of their political affiliations to rally support for the troops in battle in North-East Nigeria as any attempt to continue in any blind partisanship by any organization is to declare oneself as enemies of humanities.

Shekau weeps in new audio, seeks protection against Nigerian troops’ firepower

The leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, has cried profusely in a new audio, seeking protection of Allah against the firepower of the Nigerian military.

Of late, the Nigerian military has intensified offensive and recorded a series of successes against the Boko Haram terrorists on the fringes of Lake Chad.

In a 1:22 seconds audio obtained by our platform ,the Boko Haram leader spoke in Kanuri, seeking protection of Allah against the “devilish act” of Nigerian military, and said they are facing difficulties in this Holy month of Ramadan.

“If it is the devilish act and wickedness [of the Nigerian military], may Allah protect us from their evil. Oh Allah, keep us firm on your religion. We are poor things who know nothing, oh our Lord, Allah.

“We deserted Izala people to practice Your true religion; we abandoned Tijjaniyya people to practice Your true religion; we deserted the Shiites to practice Your true religion; we forsook our parents, uncles and aunties to practice Your true religion.

“It is because of your religion that we placed knife on Your servants’ necks; but today, they are trying to change us from one thing to another. Oh Lord, have mercy upon under [the blessings] Ramadhan; Oh Lord, have mercy on under [the blessings] of Ramadhan (crying profusely).

“Oh Allah give us victory over our enemies. Oh brothers, for Allah’s sake, obey Allah and help me with prayers. This does not mean I am angry.

“May Allah keep us firm on the Qur’an. Allah knows best. Peace and blessings be upon the Prophet of Allah and all thanks be to Allah,” Mr Shekau sobbed.

In a reaction to the audio clip, Bulama Bukarti, a human rights lawyers and conflict analyst who has studied Boko Haram for over a decade, said “this is the first time we heard Shekau cry in this way.”

According to Mr Bulama, the audio suggests that something terrible is happening to the Shekau faction of Boko Haram.

“The Shekau we are used to is a bombastic, ruthless gangster that ridicules, mocks and chortles at his victims. This audio is quite unusual. It suggests that the group is under immense pressure that threatens its existence. Anything that will make Shekau sob must be a serious existential threat and I think it is the Nigerian Army’s ongoing onslaught.

“The army has been releasing news and photos of their successes and Boko Haram itself has lately been releasing eulogies to dead fighters. That is what made Shekau wail in this audio. He thinks it is hard to survive this one,” Mr Bulama said.

He however noted that the audio does not suggest that the Boko Haram leader is surrendering and seeking negotiation.

“But make no mistake that he would never back down, he will not surrender. He would rather die fighting. As the clip indicates, he is as committed to his cause as ever. And history has taught us that Boko Haram is capable of weathering storms and bouncing back from serious defeats. Therefore, I suggest that the Nigerian Army should push on; it is not time to relax. It is time to do even more,” he added.

Nigeria will overcome the forces of darkness of Covid-19 just like we defeated Boko Haram - Archbishop Ediwe.

A renowned cleric Archbishop Julius Ediwe has predicted that Nigeria will overcome the Coronavirus pandemic in the country in no distant time. The cleric stated this during the virtual prayer and fasting conference organized by the National Inter-Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace (NIFROP) recently. 

According to the cleric in his sermon titled “The beginning of the end”, he stated that the evil forces behind COVID-19 pandemic are on the verge of been put to shame in Nigeria and other countries. 

“Nigeria shall soon overcome the coronavirus pandemic in no distant time to the glory of God with the avalanche of revelations during our virtual prayer and fasting programme across the country. We prayed to God in our numbers, and God indeed proved Himself faithful to his people. The evil forces behind the coronavirus pandemic shall be put to shame, and Nigeria shall be liberated.”

“God revealed to us in the book of Revelation 17:14 that “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”

The cleric further stated that the coronavirus pandemic is akin to the Boko Haram war in Nigeria and just like Nigeria defeated the Boko Haram terrorists, Nigeria shall also defeat COVID-19 pandemic. 

“I would like to state that just like God delivered victory to Nigeria against the Boko Haram terrorist group, He will also deliver Nigeria from the coronavirus pandemic. God was clear about this victory in the book of Isaiah 42:13 which states that the Lord will go forth like a warrior; He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes; He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies.” 

“God will go forth like a warrior for Nigeria and prevail against all our enemies, including the coronavirus, and there shall be a shout of victory in Nigeria.” 

The cleric counseled Nigerians regardless of their religious inclinations to be resolute in prayers in anticipation of the great victory coming. 

“God revealed to us during our virtual prayer programme that the victory that is coming for Nigeria shall be a resounding one just like in the book of Exodus 6:6 “Therefore, say to the people of Israel: ‘I am the LORD. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment.” 

“We, as Nigerians must understand the supremacy of the word of God and his promises to us as a nation, is sacrosanct. God did it for us in the Boko Haram case, and He shall do it again for us in the critical time. The coronavirus pandemic cannot be worse than the Boko Haram war in Nigeria. If God delivers us victory, He has also promised to deliver victory to Nigeria again.”

He further stated that NIFROP is an organization consists of people from both Christian and Muslim faithful’s that have come under one voice to pray for liberation for Nigeria over the years. 

“NIFROP is for the good of Nigeria, and this has been witnessed in all our programmes where pastors and imams take the turn to pray for Nigeria, and God indeed answered our prayers. We have received prophesies that have come to pass and the victory over coronavirus pandemic is one of them, just like the defeat of the Boko Haram terrorists.” 

Archbishop Ediwe who is also the Chairman Board of Trustees, National Inter-Faith and Religious Organization for Peace further charged Nigerians to keep faith in the word of God because every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights. He does not change like shifting shadows. 

“James 1:17 states that every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. Isaiah 43:2 also states that when you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” 

“When we walk through the fire, we will not be burned; the flames will not set us ablaze because God is with Nigeria, and this COVID-19 pandemic too shall pass.” 

It would be recalled that the National Inter-Faith and Religious Organization for Peace is holding a 21-Days Prayer and Fasting for divine intervention and solution to Covid-19 Pandemic in Nigeria.

Global Centre For Conscious Living Against Corruption Says Uzor Kalu Is Manipulating The Judiciary

The Global Centre for Conscious Living against Corruption has questioned the Supreme Court judgement on the nullification of the trial of former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu.

While addressing a joint press briefing on Tuesday, 12^th May, 2020 in Abuja, The Director General of Global Centre for Conscious Living against Corruption Dr. Nwambu Gabriel wondered why Uzor Kalu who has allegedly stolen even more money (N7.65 Billion Naira) be different from that of Jolly Nyame, Joshua Dariye.

He further said that, "could we rightly assert that there are some sacred cows close to the corridors of power in Nigeria who are above the law or are our corruption trials selective?

Excerpt is the full text of the press briefing:

Recall that our coalition addressed you on the 28th of April, 2020 warning Nigerians to watch out on the serial antics perpetrated by some jailed politicians and ex-Governors who leverages on all possible windows to evade justice thereby bringing to disrepute the genuine efforts of President Mohammadu Buhari  and indeed the EFCC in bringing corrupt politicians to book irrespective of their political affiliation and amount of money stolen.

On the 7th of April 2020, the Supreme Court as the Apex Court in Nigeria nullified the trial of former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, his firm, SLOK Nigeria Limited and Jones Udeogu (an accomplice), a former Director of Finance and Accounts of Abia State Government and ordering their fresh trial at the lower court.

The apex court based its verdict on the grounds that Justice Mohammed Idris, who convicted Kalu and others had been elevated to the Court of Appeal before the judgment and returned to the lower court to deliver the judgment which it considered as illegal.

Although the EFCC had responded to this judgment in a letter signed by Dele Oyewale, Head, Media and Publicity on the 8th of May, 2020, stating that the anti graft agency considers the judgment of the apex court as 'quite unfortunate'. He stated that it was a 'technical ambush' against the trial of the former Governor. He further stated "The commission is prepared for a fresh and immediate trial of the case because its evidences against Kalu and others are overwhelming. The entire prosecutorial machinery of the EFCC would be launched in a fresh trial where justice is bound to be served in due course".

Now, for us as coalition against corruption, the Centre had notified Nigerians on how in 2019, Mr. Orji Kalu lied to the court that he was admitted in a German hospital for a knee surgery, only for him to appear in a political campaign a few days later jumping up and down. This trial has been on for 13 years and yet the process has been reassigned for fresh trial. Some questions waiting for answers includes:

1. Could anything  be wrong with our Criminal Justice System?

2. Could it be that Kalu had perfected on some windows to evade justice especially referring to a letter written by his counsel Gordy Uche (SAN) & Co. to the President, Court of Appeal on the 26th day of June, 2018 requesting  for Hon. Justice M.B. Idris DCA, to conclude the part- heard trial?

3. Some other ex-Governors are in jail, why is that of Kalu who has allegedly stolen even more money (N7.65 Billion Naira) be different from that of Jolly Nyame, Joshua Dariye, etc?

4. Could we rightly assert that there are some sacred cows close to the corridors of power in Nigeria who are above the law or are our corruption trials selective?

This is a trial that would again test the strength of our Judiciary. Nigerians expect a more expedient and expeditious trial in line with the Criminal Justice Act of a matter of this magnitude which has taken 13 years depleting tax payers money in an economy that is already hemorrhaging.

We wish to state clearly that any judgment that would acquit Mr. Orji Uzor Kalu or any ex- Governor or corrupt politician who has allegedly stolen or misappropriated  public funds on technical grounds will not be accepted by our coalition and Nigerians in general.

We urge the people of Abia state and indeed Nigerian citizens who are yearning for justice to remain calm while we follow events as it unfolds. Updates on this note would be relayed to Nigerians accordingly.

Thank You.

Signed:

Dr. Nwambu Gabriel                                                          Mallam Sadiq Malik

For the Coalition.

Bayelsa West Senate Bye-Elections: Ijaw Leaders/Patriots Say Seriake Dickson Is The Way Forward

Scoops here and there from very authoritative sources have it that opinion leaders, patriots, stakeholders and the owners of the Ijaw Nation have individually and collectively adopted the immediate past governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Henry Dickson (HSD) as their sole candidate for the forthcoming Bayelsa West Senatorial District bye-elections.

This position was further given a boost at the end of a one-day critical session of Patriots of Ijaw Struggle held in Yenagoa, capital city of Bayelsa State.

In a comprehensive communiqué issued at the end of the session, members-in-atendance in one voice called on the entire Ijaw Nation to throw its full weight behind the candidature and adoption of HSD as the most qualified, most vibrant, most articulate and experienced Ijaw son at the moment  to represent Bayelsa West at the upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly.

The session among other issues also resolved to send a high-powered delegation to the Hon. Dickson, to formally compel him to once more make himself available for selfless service to the Ijaw Nation and its people.

Below is the unedited version of the 15-point communiqué.

A COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF A ONE-DAY CRITICAL SESSION OF MEMBERS OF THE

PATRIOTS OF THE IJAW STRUGGLE HELD ON THE 27TH DAY OF APRIL , 2020 AT YENAGOA TOWN ON THE FORTHCOMIMG SENATORIAL ELECTION OF THE BAYELSA WEST SENATORIAL DISTRICT.

PREAMBLE:

Following the 14th of February, 2020 victory of the duo of Senator Douye Diri and Lawrence 

Erudjakpor of the Peoples Democratic Party as Governor and Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State respectively, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declared the two senatorial seats vacant necessitating the electoral commission to begin preparations for a bye-election to fill the above-stated vacant seats.

1. We have in this regard x-rayed the several aspirants who have indicated their interests to represent the Bayelsa West Senatorial District and have taken the pains to evaluate each and everyone of these aspirants, their backgrounds, educational qualifications and political persuasions as well as their beliefs in our undying Ijaw Struggle. However, given the present unstable and unpredictable nature of our National politics viz a viz the growing national discourse on the shape of Nigeria's democracy given the many unpalatable developments of security concerns, environmental challenges and the issues of fiscal federalism and devolution of power.

2. It is in the light of the above-mentioned realities that this political cum social group as a major stakeholder in the larger ijaw cause consider it an imperative to take these steps to guide and ensure that our corporate interest as Ijaw Nation and a people be given its proper place in adequate representation.

3. That it is also in the interests of our people to find a character whose personality equates such national assignment to drive and place our issues above board and have the capacity to build bridges across the various political blocks and find voices of similar persuasion to protect and project our larger aspirations as a people in the Nigerian project .

4. That such a character must be a man of such legislative experience to hit the ground running and use his influence and contacts to give us such universal and impeccable representation that sees the entire ijaw Nation as his constituency.

5. That such a man must be one whose knowledge of our corporate issues must be deep and has the political will and sagacity to muster appeal from fellow colleagues in driving our cardinal objectives on the floor of the Nigeria Senate.

6. That further to the above, such a character must have equally participated in our cultural organizations given the role of our flagships; the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Ijaw Youth

Council (IYC) in giving impetus to our collective drive for the emancipation of our people from the clutches of deprivation and marginalisation.

7. That in view of the above-mentioned realities, it is hereby resolved that all patriotic sons and

daughters of Ijaw Nation should persuade and support His Excellency, Hon. H.S Dickson who has been a pillar of support to all Ijaw people irrespective of our artificial boundaries.

8. And that this decision is unbiased and springs from the above expectations and his overwhelming performance as a former member of the house of representatives for five years and a Governor who served our people for eight years which has given him the much-needed requisite experience.

9. That as a member representing the good people of Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency,

His Excellency, Hon H.S Dickson, was a voice that was heard conspicuously on matters affecting our people. His deep legal and political knowledge was brought to bear and saw him cause major positive changes to his Federal constituency .

10. That as Governor of Bayelsa State, he ran a government which saw inclusion of our brothers from Ondo, Delta, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States in governance without any segregation. That this exemplary leadership demonstrates his passion and core leadership values that shows he is and still a Patriot to our noble cause as a people.

11. That it is on record that as a Governor he became the leading voice in the call for restructuring of the Nigeria State, true federalism and the devolution of power to the component units for a greater people-oriented governance. This role made respected senior citizens of our country rally around him as a leader of trust for this national progressive cause.

12. That as Governor, his legacies in health sector reforms , education , environment, justice, road, infrastructure and youth empowerment is unprecedented till date.

13. That given the above, it is our considered submission that the people of Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency should see his election beyond party lines and a further call to duty and one which is seen as an Ijaw project critical to our collective goal as a people.

14. That we further call on all sons and daughters of Ekeremor Local Government Area to respect our historical understanding of rotation in the Senatorial District and allow their Sagbama kith and kin to produce the Senator to complete the remaining term of His Excellency, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpor to further cement this political decision for unity, cohesion and progressive politics.

15. We therefore call on His Excellency, Hon. HSD to contest the senatorial election while appealing to all Ijaw Patriots to stand with His Excellency, Hon. Seriake Dickson and elect him to the  Senate to continue to fly the Ijaw Flag.

Signed:

Chief Frank Omare

Felix Tuodolo, PhD

(Pioneer President, IYC)

Alhaji Asari Dokubo

(Fmr. President, IYC)

Mr. Oyinfie Jonjon 

(Fmr. President, IYC)

Engr. Udengs Eradiri

(Fmr. President, IYC)

Barr. Owoupele Jeremiah (Fmr. Spokesman, IYC)

Adokeme Godwin

(Fmr. Chairman, IYC- Central Zone)

Bobolayefa Owoupele

(Fmr. Chairman, IYC- Central Zone)

Chief Williams Mkpa (Fmr. Auditor, INC)

Chief Ben Donyegha 

Chief Pamotei Wasuote

Mr. Alfred Kemepado

(Fmr. Secretary General, IYC)