Group Says That Land Grabbing Allegations Against Prince Ned Nwoko Is Baseless

 

The Islamic/Christian Movement for Unity, Peaceful Co-Existence and Development has said that the allegations of land grabbing by Prince Ned Nwoko to build private University which some elements who are negatively envious of his massive God given wealth are championing, based on the investigations they carried out, is not only laughable but at the same time very painful.

According to a press release jointly signed Executive of Islamic/Christian Movement for Unity, Peaceful Co-Existence and Development, they said that they have it on a good authority that Prince Ned Nwoko legally follow the due process and fully compensated those said to be the owner of the said land even when it is a general knowledge by every indigenes of Idumuje Ugboko and beyond that Prince Ned Nwoko is not only an indigene of Idumuje but; a descendant of the Royal family which has given him the power as a Prince to use any part of the land within Idumuje for development drive even without seeking for anybody approval.

Excerpt is the full text of the press release:

With regards to some unverifiable lingering issues concerning land grabbing allegations made by some constitutionally recognized citizen of Nigeria from Idumuje Ugboko in Aniocha Local Government Area of Delta State on Prince Dr. Ned Munir Nwoko, a well-known and highly valuable Nigerian, nationally and internationally labels as an icon of peace, humility, love, unity and development, whom for more than two decade has been tremendously deploying his vast knowledge, resources and connections to positively transform the economy of Nigeria both in the past administrations and especially in this current government lead by a highly respectable anti-corruption Czar; His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari. We therefore, wish to lend our own declarations on the issue as an Independent body established mainly to preach Unity, Peaceful Co-existence and Development of every segments of Nigeria devoid of ethnicity, tribes, religious, political affiliations and parental or educational background. In this connection, we collectively speak in Unisom to call on all the opposing faction in this matter, to shield their sword and allowed the constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria to prevails over the issues in view of the fact that the constitution of Nigeria gives power to Nigeria government as the sole owner of every land within its territory. For clarity purpose, we refer the opposing groups to the Land Use Act of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In this connection, we also want to open the eyes of the indigene of Ugboko in Aniocha Local Government Area of Delta State Nigeria, not to give room to their enemies to jeopardize the massive development God is already using their Son Prince Ned Munir Nwoko to bring to their terrestrial. The so call allegations of land grabbing by Prince Ned Nwoko to build private University which some elements who are negatively envious of his massive God given wealth are championing, based on the investigations we carried out, is not only laughable but at the same time very painful. Because, by the time the university is fully completed, no doubt the economy of Idumuje Ugboko in Aniocha LGA and the entire Delta State as well as Nigeria will indeed improves significantly. Therefore, we appeal to some disgruntled elements and charlatans been used by the enemies of our nation, that are using all the available resources at their disposal to cook up unverifiable allegations against Prince Ned Munir Nwoko who no doubt is been presently use by God to turn around the fortune of Nigeria through the recovery of Nigeria Billions of Naira from the Paris club, to allow peace to reign and as well wait for the final decision of the court of law. Prince Ned Nwoko to us should rather be highly celebrated instead of been humiliated and insulted on daily basis on media platform base on mere allegations of land grabbing which is still pending at the competent court of law.

For clarity purpose, we wish to point to those that enemies of Prince Ned Nwoko are using to cause enmity between Prince Ned and the Indigenes of Idumuje Ugboko, to some very important points as enshrined in Nigeria constitution of 1976 as amended regarding individual rights especially on land acquisitions.

The Gender and Land Database as promulgated in Trinadad and Tobago as captured in Chapter1, Section4, clearly states that; in the country there have existed and shall continue to exist without discrimination by reason of race, origin, color, religion or sex, the following fundamental human rights and freedoms, namely: The right to acquire lands in any part of the country of residence of an individual especially when the person is constitutionally recognized as a citizen of such country, as well as the right to life, liberty, security of lives and property etc. Meanwhile, the section14 provides that; if the individual rights of someone is violated as a pointer to issues stated in section4 above, such individual has the rights to apply for motion to the High Court to seek for redress.

Therefore, we the Islamic/Christain Movement for Peaceful Co-Existence, Unity and Development wish to call on all the opposing bodies in this lingering mere quarrel on land grabbing allegations against Prince Ned Nwoko to follow the due process which we’ve already learnt based on our findings that’s already pending in the competent court of law. We also learnt that; the unverifiable, unnecessary tussle over this hectares of land is just a ploy by some gluttonizes politicians from that axis to cause disintegrations in order for them to achieve their own satanic, selfish and greedy profits. We also have it on a good authority that Prince Ned Nwoko legally follow the due process and fully compensate those said to be the owner of the said lands even when it is a general knowledge by every indigenes of Idumuje Ugboko and beyond that Prince Ned Nwoko is not only an indigene of Idumuje but; a descendant of the royal family which has given him the power as a Prince to use any part of the land within Idumuje for development drive even without seeking for anybody approval. However, based on our findings, Prince Ned been a man of peace, decided to acquire the lands in contest, for development purposes by following a lay down processes. So, the hullabaloo cries by some hungry and disgruntled elements of Idumuje Ugboko is nothing but, a scheme by these sets of people to stop the development of Idumuje Ugboko which if not stop now, shall indeed affect them negatively in the nearest future. Furthermore, we are cutting serious warnings to those igniting this trouble to stay clear for the reason that, Nigeria is presently going through a lot in the area of insecurity of lives and properties, so for some individuals to just because of their personal hatred and negative envy for Prince Ned Nwoko to start mere campaign of calumny against his hard earned national and international image, it will not be taking likely.

We also call on the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria lead by a no nonsense General, in person of President Muhammadu Buhari to hold responsible all those who are going publicly to threat the highly valuable life of Prince Ned Nwoko. That; should incase anything happen to Prince Ned Nwoko, those people should be grip responsible.

Finally, we pray for Peaceful Co-Existence, Unity and Development of Nigeria devoid of ethnicity, religious background, political affiliations, and parental inclination.

Long live Christian/Islamic Movement, Long live Delta State and Long live Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Coalition Says INEC Compromised In Cross River North Senatorial By-Election

 

The Centre for Credible Leadership & Citizens Awareness, a coalition of over 60 NGOs and CSOs has said that the entire crisis rocking the candidiate of the PDP in the Cross River North Senatorial By-Election scenario does not absolve INEC as a commission of complacency. 

Addressing the media on Friday, 5th February, 2021, Dr. Nwambu Gabriel who spoke on behalf of the coalition said that the implication of this is grave to the great height already attained by the current leadership of the commission and indeed our electoral system.

“Dr. Steve Odey was affirmed by the court as the winner of the primary election hence his name sailed through the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abuja.

“Dr. Odey was then issued a nominations form provided for the PDP’s candidate by INEC headquarters, Abuja. Same was submitted to INEC headquarters by the PDP and acknowledgement obtained from the commission.

“Hon. Jarigbe did not fill any nominations form; meaning that Dr. Odey is the authentic candidate of the party. In spite of this, INEC would not publish Dr. Odey’s name as the party’s candidate for the election, Dr. Nwambu said.

The coalition advised the INEC Chairman to continue his good works but should be weary of some desperate politicians whose target is to win elections at all cost.

Excerpt is the full text of the press statement:

As a coalition and organization committed to strengthening our democracy with a view to adherence to laid down laws, principles and the rule of law, it is onerous on us to analyze the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the role of the Judiciary in our elections with a view to proper appraisal in terms of stipulated rules and laws enacted for the purpose of conducting elections in Nigeria. This essentially is targeted at the degree of compliance of the electoral Management body and other stakeholders towards progressively attaining a more transparent, free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.

By-elections were conducted in some states of the federation to fill the vacant positions in state Assemblies, House of Representatives and the Senate on the 5th of December, 2020. But the events that has followed the Cross River North Senatorial District by-election from the primary election till the time of the round table is rather embarrassing to Nigerians because the template seem to be reversing Nigeria 40 years backward.

Two fellows were the key contenders in the PDP primary for candidature of the senatorial district. One is Dr. Steve Odey and the other Hon. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe. A five-man panel was set by the political party, the PDP, made up of the chairman, secretary and 3 other members. INEC’s representatives from the 5 Local Government Areas that make up the senatorial district were present. The police were also present at the party primary. Midway into the exercise, Hon. Jarigbe stormed out of the venue alleging that INEC was not present. All the INEC officials stood up to affirm their presence. This did not deter Hon. Jarigbe who moved to another hotel in Ogoja with 2 out of the 5 members of the panel to conduct his own primary and there he declared himself the winner. Nonetheless, the chairman of the panel, the secretary and one member of the panel continued the process of the election where Dr. Steve Odey emerged the winner of the primary election having scored 450 votes against his closest contender Hon. Jarigbe who scored 90 votes.

Hon. Jarigbe had challenged the delegate list for the primary in a court. Dr. Steve Odey was affirmed by the court as the winner of the primary election hence his name sailed through the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abuja.

Dr. Odey was then issued a nominations form provided for the PDP’s candidate by INEC headquarters, Abuja. Same was submitted to INEC headquarters by the PDP and acknowledgement obtained from the commission. Hon. Jarigbe did not fill any nominations form, meaning that Dr. Odey is the authentic candidate of the party. In spite of this, INEC would not publish Dr. Odey’s name as the party’s candidate for the election. Odey proceeded to the Federal High Court in Calabar to compel INEC to do the right thing. Hon. Jarigbe went to court or better still, somebody went to court to sue him in an FCT High Court in Apo, not over the list, not over that he won the primary election, or whether INEC was present at the primary. The FCT High Court does not have jurisdiction over this matter. He did not tell the court under Justice Binta Mohammed that he had declared himself winner at a fake primary conducted by himself. One John Alaba sued Jarigbe over a forged certificate, and that Jarigbe could not be a candidate with a wrong certificate. He didn’t event sue Dr. Odey. He did not join Odey, or even the PDP in the suit. Jarigbe’s name was not submitted to INEC as a candidate, yet INEC presented a lawyer at the court. The substantive issue was not addressed.

The Justice did not question Alaba’s ‘locus standi’ as lawyers say. The Judge did not ask for Odey, nor did she ask for the representative of the political party (PDP). It was a red- herring of judgement. A fiction alternative story was created by Jarigbe and lies became truth. Another certificate of return was issued to Jarigbe. What an “Abrakatabra” of a judgement. But before then, the authentic certificate of return had been received by the Senate President and Dr. Steve Odey had been sworn in as the Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

Now, here are some germane facts here.

1. Dr. Steve Odey participated in a primary conducted by the PDP and signed by the chairman, the secretary and a member of the panel. Hon. Jarigbe declared himself winner of a self-conducted election.

2. All the ballot papers used in the authentic primary won by Dr. Odey was submitted to the PDP headquarters in Abuja. Jarigbe’s primary had no ballot papers.

3. A candidate form sent to the PDP by INEC was filled by Dr. Odey and submitted to the INEC Headquarters by the party. Jarigbe did not fill any nomination form.

4. The provision of section 285(13) of the 1999 constitution as amended is very clear and unambiguous. It provides thus:

“An election tribunal or court shall not declare any person a winner at an election in which such a person has not fully participated in all the stages of the election.” Jarigbe did not participate in the primary election conducted by the PDP. He stormed out mid-way, vacating the venue of the authentic primary election. Dr. Steve Odey participated fully in all the stages of the election and was declared winner of the primary election.

5. The PDP in a letter signed by the National Chairman and Secretary communicated INEC in writing stating clearly that Dr. Steve Odey is the authentic candidate for that election. Jarigbe was not recommended by the party he claims to fly its flag. Instead he ambushed with alternative fiction stories and deceived the court even while on oath to obtain judgement.

6. The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Cross River state who monitored the primary election that produced Dr. Steve Odey wrote a report to that effect affirming Dr. Odey’s victory.

Now, as a coalition that has collaborated with INEC for over a decade, we are aware that Prof. Mamood Yakubu is a man of impeccable integrity who has pioneered several resounding visionary innovations in terms of ensuring a transparent, free, fair and credible elections as well as adherence to rule of engagement in Nigeria. INEC under Prof. Yakubu has remained unbiased as an electoral management body saddled with such responsibility. But with profound respect to the Chairman and National Commissioners, the template which has played out in the Cross River North Senatorial district by- election does not depict fairness. It does not depict unbiasedness. It does not depict neutrality. The entire scenario does not absolve INEC as a commission of complacency. The implication of this is grave to the great height already attained by the current leadership of the commission and indeed our electoral system.

However, we thank God that this matter is before the Supreme Court where eminent Jurists would do justice proving once again that the Judiciary is the hope of the common man.

We hereby advice the INEC Chairman to continue his good works but should be weary of some desperate politicians whose target is to win elections at all cost. The entire situation in the Cross River North Senatorial by election indeed raises a lot of questions. We urge the chairman to set up a panel of enquiry to ascertain some the aforementioned observations.

For the matters that were before the FCT courts, we wonder if the Judges do not read the news and do not follow currents in their society. Judgments are not about law, but about the society. If they read, they would have known about the background. The several issues of obtaining judgments in courts in Abuja even when such courts clearly do not have jurisdiction over such matters is impacting negatively on our electoral system. This is putting our electoral system in an auto-reverse 40 years backward. We need our institutions to be stronger than individuals.

Finally, it is worthy of mention that while the Nigerian youths are clamoring for the participation of Youths in Nigerians politics, Dr. Steve Odey, a vibrant young lawyer and a doctorate degree holder should be let alone to effectively continue the representation of the good people of Cross River North Senatorial district who have unanimously elected him in a resounding victory to continue with his effective representation.