Breaking News!: INEC overwhelmed, chickens out, refused to present witness/evidence at the Tribunal

In what looks like a sign of defeat, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has chickened out at today’s hearing of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. 

PDP & Atiku/Obi: 10 Days of Legal Exposition

Presidential Election Petition Tribunal

PDP & Atiku/Obi: 10 Days of Legal Exposition 

Between Thursday July 1, 2019 to Friday July 19, 2019, the legal team of the Petitioners, the PDP and Atiku/Obi presented over 50,000 evidences and 62 witnesses before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. 

Buhari’s anti-corruption fight and the tragedy of integrity

Buhari’s anti-corruption fight and the tragedy of integrity

The best way to take over power in Nigeria is to continue to shout, this people are thieves, they are looters, etc, if you vote me into office,’I will flush them out. 

El-Zakzaky: How Not to Quell "Dangerous" Protest

IN any country other than Nigeria, what happened in Abuja on Monday, July 22, would have shocked and dumbfounded many. Any other country, whose seat of government is so violently convulsed as Abuja was, will be shaken and the citizens traumatised.

Termites ate my school certificate, says CJN Tanko

Tanko Muhammad in an affidavit which he submitted to the Senate last week to be confirmed as the head of the Supreme Court said “No portion of the certificate was salvaged,”. 

Brief Overview of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal

adeyemiayodeji.blogspot.com

*Brief Overview of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal*

*Did You Know*

- That the PDP and Atiku/Obi have concluded presentation of witnesses and evidences at the 2019 Presidential Election Petition Tribunal? 

- That the Petitioners presented over 50,000 evidences and 62 witnesses after 10 days of legal battle at the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division? 

Top Newspaper Headlines In Nigeria Today 11th November, 2017

NATION

*Chairmanship: PDP in dilemma over aspirants on trial

*11 governors storm Kano as Ajimobi’s son, Ganduje’s daughter begin marital journey

*Threat to resume bombings: Avengers bow to pressure, extend ceasefire by 3 months

Buhari Appoints Moji Christianah Adeyeye New DG NAFDAC

@NGRSenate members wife appointed 

DG NAFDAC @MBuhari confirms appointment

of Moji Christianah Adeyeye wife of Professor 

Sola Adeyeye as new NAFDAC DG.

Professor Moji Christianah Adeyeye, the wife of Senator Olusola Adeyeye representing Osun Central constituency at the National Assembly, has been appointed as the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, by the Federal Government, Nigeria’s burgeoning online integrated media, ALEDEH can authoritatively report.

Biography & Profile : Moji Christianah Adeyeye – DG NAFDAC

Let’s use this medium to discuss the Biography and Profile of Moji Christianah Adeyeye , the Current Director General Of NAFDAC , who is the Wife of Senator Olusola Adeyeye representing Osun Central constituency at the National Assembly.

Professor Mrs. Adeyeye who is the founder of Drugs for AIDS and HIV Patients, a nonprofit organization committed to prevention, education, care and treatment of HIV/AIDS children in Nigeria, takes over from Mr. Ademola Andrew Magbojuri who was appointed as the Acting Director-General of NAFDAC in September.

PDP Convention: We Are Seeking the Best Candidates, Says Gana ……Kola has the qualities for NPS

Former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, at the weekend, assured that the forthcoming Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) convention will not be about “allocation of offices.”

“This is not the time for allocation of offices in PDP. The party needs the best capable hands to occupy the various offices zoned to us. Kola is one of the best hands we have around,” Gana said while addressing a group of young professionals who were in his residence to seek support for Kola Ologbondiyan in the race for the PDP’s national publicity secretary.

According to him, “I have been a Minister of Information in the past. I know how difficult it is to navigate the terrain of Nigerian media. Kola had been a Special Adviser to our President of the Senate for eight years and did it well.

“I have taken serious note of your letter of intention and you are coming from people that I respect tremendously. This is not the time to go into details. Let me just say that I will do my best.

"I will see the right people in the right places and I pray that God will guide us,” he further said.

Earlier, Ologbondiyan had told Prof Gana of his intention to contest the position of national publicity secretary assuring the party leader of his  plans for the party which he said includes re-inventing the narratives of the party to address the hearts and minds of Nigerians as well as rebranding and repositioning the party to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.

WHY KOLA OLOGBONDIYAN SHOULD BECOME PDP NATIONAL PUBLICITY SECRETARY

The opposition status conferred on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over two years ago necessitated a change in media approach and strategy. At a time when the party is at its lowest ebb & struggling with a protracted battle for its soul the people who love it cannot afford to get this decision wrong.

Being an opposition spokesperson requires an eye for detail, a memory that recalls forgotten details and promises as well as a mind that can see connections between events before they appear and thus become a political prophet, making his statements look like predictions of what is to come. It also requires an ability to work through third party perspective to highlight what a partisan spokesperson can not. I have no doubt in my mind that #KolaOlogbondiyan fits this bill most perfectly and I urge everyone who believes in our cause to support him in any way they can.

Over the next four (4) years, the person who gets elected as NPS will be the face of the party. At a time when the image of the party is in tatters because of allegations of corruption, real /or false; when the story of the party is not being told in the manner it should; when the deluge of lies & propaganda from the ruling party refuses to stop; the party cannot afford to make the costly decision of electing the wrong person as NPS.

Any PDP chairman who works with Kola OLOGBONDIYAN will be our luckiest in history – Kola knows how to adapt his journalistic style to anybody he works with. Right now, our opposition needs a publicity secretary who understands the art and science of opposition, a professional and one who knows how to sell his own party. We also need a man who can carry a team along and ensure that every voice of the opposition speaks from the same political playbook.

This is because whoever emerges as NPS of the party bears the responsibility of not only representing the party but also of aggregating facts, the many stories of the party, its many voices and making them speak as one, making them tell one story.

A lot of people have made these contests about the individuals and say things like maturity, experience & so on. But not many people have addressed the fundamental issue. This election is not about the voices or persons of any of the contestants. It is about who can position the voice of the party & make it louder than all these individual voices.

This is why I support Kola Ologbondiyan;
1) He is experienced, mature and has a network among the political and media class

2) Served as a Special Adviser, Media & Publicity to the  6th & 7th President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, between 2007- 2015, a responsibility he discharged creditably.

3) His journalism journey of 25 years which cruised through news reporting to the image and perception manager of the number three citizen for eight uninterrupted years has placed him in the best stead to manage and project the corporate image of our great party, the PDP.

4) He is endowed with a huge capacity to deliver on rebranding our party

5) He can swing narratives to suit the mindset of Nigerians

6) He is at home with the traditional and social Media

It is for this reason I have decided to support him. He is the best bet for this job from the contestants. This is what PDP party deserves – a new way of doing things. I really hope he gets the support he requires to win this as a professional with the right experience.

-Olayinka Samuel writes from Abuja

VIDEO: Fulani Herdsmen Declares South Conquered Territory, Threatens More Attacks

A video has surfaced, showing armed fulani herdsmen boastfully discussing their plans and actions against other Nigerians.

The discussion was in Hausa language but I have translated it to English.

Read translation below and watch video:

"We are Fulani Herdsmen declaring war against any tribe be it Hausa or any Language that has being subdueing us. We are out everywhere in Nigeria... he mentioned some states in the North and South and also said, we are in Sokoro, Kwara etc."

"Our mission is to destroy souls and claim their properties especially from the Hausas and other minority tribes that has ganged up agaisnt us by stealing our cows"

"We will spill the blood of everyone in any community that will one Fulani man

"We are in the Millitary, the Police and the DSS etc"

"We are everywhere. We are not ignorant as they thought we are. I am educated and knowledgeable of my Islamic rights."

"We have what it takes to defend ourselves at any time. We also have beautiful women that will satisfy our sexual arousal. We have money, enough bullets and etc. I lack nothing. I have enough weeds to smoke."

He ordered that the Video be sent to the Governor of Zamfara State and that if the Governor fails to cooperate with him, that they will begin onslaught on farmers in Zamfara state that stole their cows.

He said that an Hausa man is not suppose to own a cow in the first place. That all the cows they have were stolen from them.

This is the much I was able to pick from the not too fluent Hausa they spoke.

Watch video:

Click here for Video

PDP National Convention: Will the party survive the looming catastrophe?

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has scheduled to hold its Elective National Convention from December 9 – 10, 2017, in Abuja, Nigeria. The Convention is supposed to elect officers of the party at the National level to pilot the affairs of the party for a period of four years.

As the major opposition political party in the country and a party that has also been in power since the birth of the forth republic in 1999 till 2015, Nigerians are of the opinion that the success of the PDP Convention in December will end the APC regime of misgovernance, maladministration and total failure to deliver on its campaign promises.

It is however worrisome that the PDP has not leant any lessons from the fourteen months leadership crisis that began on May 21st 2016 and ended at the Supreme Court on July 12, 2017, after some governors on the platform of the party imposed one of their own, the former Governor of Borno state, Senator Ali Sheriff on the Party.  

The PDP is once again enmeshed in some serious power-game, involving different stakeholders, zones and organs of the party competing for who becomes the National Chairman of the party and other positions come December 9, 2017. The most worrisome aspect of these power tussles includes and not limited to the following:

1.     Culture of impunity and imposition of candidate

2.     Influx of immediate past National Working Committee (NWC) members into the race and the records of misappropriation of funds by the same NWC in recent past. 

3.     Endorsement of some aspirants by the zones and party leaders without recourse to merit and capacity to deliver.

4.     Threat by some zones to leave the party if election does not favour them at the convention.  

Another disturbing development is the revelation that the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), has concluded plans to plant aspirants for key and sensitive offices in the PDP, like the National Chairman, National Secretary, National Organizing Secretary and National Publicity Secretary, in order to destroy the party from within as it did on the wake of the 2015 General Elections.

It is therefore incumbent on the founding fathers of the party and other elders to intervene urgently to rest these ugly developments before the scheduled National convention of the party; otherwise, the PDP is heading for another dangerous implosion that may end the life of the party if proper care is not taken.

Some concerned members of the party are calling on the former Head of States, Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and other Generals behind the formation of the party to quickly intervene on these issues to restore peace in the party before the Convention.

Others are also inviting the founding fathers of the PDP that are still alive, e.g former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Dr. Bamanga Tukur and Alhaji Adamu Ciroma to call the rampaging members to order before it is too late.  

Some stakeholders have also mooted the option of convening meetings of Major critical stakeholders of the party to brainstorm on the way forward to resolving these issues in order to carry everybody along, to give them sense of belonging and inclusion.  

Nigerians are waiting with great expectations that the PDP will conduct a very successful, free, fair and credible Elective National Convention in December 2017, that will end the misery of the failed APC led administrations at all levels. 

Dimgba Okonkwo is writing from Ebonyi State

Police search for friends of lovers found dead in car

The police in Lagos State are looking for friends of the two lovebirds found dead in a Toyota Corolla on Abisogun Leigh Street, Ogba, Lagos State.

The move, it was gathered, was to investigate what played out at a birthday party the duo attended the previous day.

PUNCH Metro had reported that a tricycle rider and a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, had discovered that the lovers, identified as Lukmon and Promise, were motionless inside the car with its headlamps on.

They alerted operatives of the Area G Police Command, who opened the car door and found them dead.

While the man was reportedly met half naked on the driver’s seat with his private parts exposed, the woman was said to be in a gown, reclining on the passenger’s seat beside him.

A brand of alcoholic drink – Best –  and their phones were allegedly recovered from the car around 9am on Sunday.

It was gathered that Lukmon, Promise and some of their friends, had attended a birthday party at Obawole, in the Iju Ishaga area the previous evening.

A credible source at the Area G Command confided in our correspondent on Tuesday that the police were looking for the friends.

“For now, investigation is not pointing to a murder case. However, the investigation is still at a preliminary stage. We are looking for the friends they (the deceased) attended the birthday party with to get information on what transpired at the event,” the source said.

Another source said the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba, for discreet investigations.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, said the command would explore all the investigative angles to the incident.

He said, “It is still a case of sudden and unnatural death. We will leave no stone unturned. The families of the deceased will be interviewed. Investigation will be thorough to know if there was a foul play.”

PDP Convention: Chief Dokpesi Have All the Qualities To Lead The Party - Sen. Emodi

Ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention scheduled to hold on the 9th of December, 2017, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi earlier today paid a courtesy visit to Sen. (Dr) Joy Emodi; former special Adviser to the President On National Assembly matters at her Abuja office.

During the visit, High Chief Dokpesi informed the former Senator on the need for the PDP to elect a National Chairman that is capable of reforming the Party and a man that is committed to reclaiming  power back to the people in 2019 and beyond.

High Chief Dokpesi noted that he has to come to seek the former Senator's  support which will in turn assist his campaign team in passing and spreading out the message of "hope" across the Country.

Chief Dokpesi stressed further that "there is nothing that is impossible to God, we will ensure a level playing ground and remove impunity from the activities of the party and recruit younger generations, capable of moving the party to a higher and enviable level", he said.

Responding, Senator Joy Emodi commended High Chief Dokpesi and his campaign team  for leaving no stone unturn by going round to seek the support, endorsement and prayers of party stakeholders and leaders across the Country.

Emodi described High Chief Dokpesi as a true politician who has distinguished himself from those waiting to get endorsements by political god-fathers.

I must also "thank you for recognizing the women folks in your campaign and consultation, because women and youths play key and vital roles in electioneering processes", she noted.

She urged the National Working Committee (NWC) under the able leadership of Sen. Ahmed Markafi to create room for and ensure a free, fair and credible election where any candidate that posses character, integrity coupled with fearlessness and doggedness will be emerged.

She also condemned all forms of manipulation by godfathers. “We all need to have a sober reflection of what happened in the past, so that we can have someone that will offer something to the party rather than exploiting the party.

My joy is that we have able leaders holding the positions of the National working committee who will not allow themselves to be used”

She concluded by saying that High Chief Dokpesi is a man who has all the qualities, with sincerity to lead the party to greater heights.

PDP National Convention: NPS Aspirant, Bar. Usman Kabiru fingered in misappropriation of PDP Campaign funds

A former Director of Publicity of the PDP Wada/Awoniyi campaign Organisation,  Bar. Usman Kabiru has been fingered in misappropriation of funds meant for the success of the party in the 2015 gubernatorial election

The Barrister who was in charge of publicity during the campaign was alleged to have made away with  and diverted into his personal pocket large amount of campaign funds which led to the loss of the election to the ruling party APC.

The lid on the misappropriation of the fund was blown open by a group PDP new media experts who participated in the Governorship election campaign, they narrated how the Barrister disappeared with over N3M meant for them during the campaign. We are sending warning signal to the NEC members of the party and the upcoming National Convention Committee to be careful of characters allowed to participate in the party Convention. We have also concluded plans to write the party officially on this matter.

To avoid dragging the party into another round of election defeat, proper screening of aspirants must be done to stop questionable characters like that of Bar. Usman Kabiru from plunging the party who is yet to recover from defeat hangover into another financial mess, the group said.

The Barrister is a fraudster who diverted campaign funds to himself during the Wada/Awoniyi Gubernatorial election campaign in Kogi state therefore immensely  contributed to the defeat suffered by the party in the state.
This is the same man who wants to be our party National Publicity Secretary, no way, PDP will be doing a great disservice to Nigerians if such character is allowed to run for any office at all.

The barrister has some people working with him to disburse the funds but he and some principal officers in the campaign office are alleged to have cornered a substantial part of the fund running into millions of naira which led to the defeat suffered by the party in the November 2015 gubernatorial election.

THE LOOMING DANGER: Micro Zoning!

By: Mike Odeh Akatu James.

Whilst the All Progressive Congress (APC) is busy enriching its financial war chest against the backdrop of the 2019 General Elections, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is bogged down in an unnecessary quagmire called Micro Zoning .

After the the defeat of 2015, the PDP set up a delegation that recommended that all positions must be contested for in primary elections and that these positions be zoned between the North and the South.

Whilst the Committee bequeathed the North with the Presidency, the South got the powerful position of the Chairman of the Party.

However, many top politicians from the South are openly calling for a distortion of this zoning arrangement prelude to the 2017 PDP National Elective Convention.

Those calling for the change are advocating that the PDP further narrow its zoning arrangements to their zones, states and perhaps ward. So they are plotting to impose their own candidates hiding behind contraption they called Micro zoning.

DANGERS OF MICRO ZONING.

This micro zoning arrangement can distort the party convention and even cause an unending confusion in the party.

Thus assuming the PDP micro zoned its Chairmanship position, it risks loosing many of its supporters as the result and allowing other parties to poach on its candidates.

Secondly, Micro Zoning do not portray PDP as a party with national appeal or a party with mass followers. It rather show a party this is elitist, a party that is regionally and ethnically inclined the backlash would be that regions, tribes whose candidates were excluded using micro zoning, would simply look for another party as an option.

Furthermore, if the party allows Micro Zoning of the Chairmanship position, it should be ready to allow for a stooge as the Party’s chairman and at most a very ineffective and weak chairman.

Needless to say that an open free and fair party delegates elections would knock out the possibility of installing a weak chairman.

A cursory glance at the advocates of zoning, one would discover that their average age is between 68 and 75.That itself is a letdown on the youths who form the bulk of the party’s voting strength. It also negates the much talked about generation shift.

Finally, if the party’s zoning arrangement is distorted for a particular region, it may prove deadly and lead to another defeat in 2019.

THE LOOMING DANGER: Micro Zoning!

PDP National Convention: Why The Immediate Past NWC Should Not Contest

Please share this and make it go viral…confidential information just received from a top source in All progressive Congress (APC)

PDP National Convention: Why The Immediate Past NWC Should Not ContestThe Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), the leading opposition political party in Nigeria has scheduled to hold its elective National Convention, between November and December, 2017 to elect officers that will replace the National Caretaker Committee (NCC) and pioneer the affairs of the party ahead of 2019 and beyond.

2. However, the concern in the minds of stakeholders of the party and other lovers of democracy in Nigeria is that, the PDP must surmount the various political calculations and interest within the party and in the country in order not to further destroy its fortunes.

3. Critics of the PDP are already positing that the party has not learnt from its past mistakes of imposition, lack of internal party democracy, illegal manipulation of the zoning arrangements and possible disenfranchisement of credible persons that may take the PDP out of the woods.

4. One of the issues under contention in recent times, is the influx of the immediate past National Working Committee of the Party in the race for various party positions. It has been alleged that the Immediate past national working committee of the party committed serious act of gross misconduct and looted the party with reckless abandon.

5. Nigerians may recall that, after the disappointing loss of the PDP in the 2015 General Elections, staffers of the PDP National Secretariat raised an alarm, accusing Prince Uche Secondus, the former Deputy National Chairman of the Party and other members of the then NWC of mismanagement and misappropriation of party funds.

6. The party had recorded over N12 Billion from the sale of nomination forms during the 2015 General Elections but the members of the NWC under Dr. Adamu Muazu and Prince Uche Secondus squandered the said amount before leaving office in May, 2016.

7. In one of the publications made available to newsmen by the PDP staff, it was gathered that Prince Secondus after the resignation of Adamu Muazu sat with other members of the NWC and appropriated to themselves various sums of money ranging from N30 to N100million without the approval of the National Executive Committee (NEC).

8. It was reported that the NWC in less than six months paid themselves six years housing allowances in areas, far above the stipulated four years tenure of the NWC, thereby neglecting the backlogs of the same allowances meant for the administrative staff of the party.

9. It was also gathered that, one of the share meant for Dr. Adamu Muazu was paid into Julius Berger company account, a situation that led to some Inter agency rivalry between the company and the party.

10. In order to perpetrate this nefarious act, the then National Working Committee under Prince Uche Secondus opened a pseudo or ‘All Purpose’ bank account in Zenith Bank, N0 1014041654, without the approval of NEC, in the name of ‘Morufi Nigeria Limited, where monies were diverted to serve their personal interest. The Morufi Nigeria Limited account was used, instead of the Party official account for the payment of nomination forms of delegate elections in 2015.

11. Investigations has also revealed that part of the failure of the PDP in 2015 was traced to the Immediate past National Working Committee of the party.. It was revealed that the non inclusion of some of the past NWC members in the Jonathan Campaign Organization angered most of the members, leading to infighting and anti party activities.

12. Some stakeholders are also of the opinion that the former National Chairman, Dr. Muazu, his Deputy, Prince Uche Secondus and the members of the NWC colluded and collected huge sums of money from various aspirants of the party and later denied them tickets. This also led to the mass exodus of PDP members before the general elections. It is therefore a misnomer and suicidal to allow the immediate past NWC members to administer the affairs of the PDP at this crucial times.

13. Party members are therefore worried with these embarrassing situations and believes that, returning again this same set of persons to the National Secretariat will not only spell doom for the party, but will remain an impediments to the progress and success of the PDP in the 2019 general elections.

PDP National Convention: Why The Immediate Past NWC Should Not Contest

State of Affairs in the PDP and the way forward

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is at its lowest ebb since it first emerged as the ruling party in 1999. From a near total domination of the Nigerian Political space, the party lost the Presidency in the March 28, 2015 Presidential and National Assembly Elections and PDP won only 11 States out of the 27 seats in April 11, 2015 Governorship poll.

The PDP also lost its domination of the Senate with 40 members out of 109. The PDP currently has about 130 members out of the 360 in the lower chamber of the National Assembly. Most State Assembly seats have also been conceded to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

Apart from the loss at the National and State levels, the Party in the build up to the last elections suffered gale of defections across the country which continued unabated within the period of the 14 months leadership crises that rocked the foundation of the party between May 2016 to July 2017.

Within the periods under review, the morale of Party members, officers and supporters was dampened beyond imagination until the July 12, 2017 Supreme Court judgment that brought a lot of relief to the party. The National Secretariat of the PDP that used to be a center of political gathering was deserted due to the crisis but suddenly came alive after the Supreme Court ruling.

The Way Forward:

The current situation in the PDP presents another golden opportunity for the emergence of a strong team of leaders that will re-cultivate that nationwide support base the PDP is known for in order to bounce back to power in 2019.

A critical analysis of the candidates that emerged during the April 11, 2015 Governorship Elections proves that the PDP is still the dominant political party in Nigeria. The current APC Governors of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Jigawa, Katsina, Kano, Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna, etc were all former PDP members who left the party due largely to the issue of imposition of candidate, impunity and lack of internal party democracy. There is therefore a chance to correct these mistakes and rebuild the party for the greater good of all Nigerians.

The first step will be to rally round the remaining members of the party across the states of the federation and at the national level to halt the tide of defection. The party organs must remain active, holding meetings regularly and getting the leaders elected on the platform of the Party to be very supportive of the party at all levels.

As a matter of urgency, the Party must put in place series of reform programmes before the December 2017 Elective National Convention that will encourage participation of all members and the return of other previous party supporters that left on the wake of the 2015 general elections and with the period of the leadership crisis. The leaders of the party that will be elected at the forthcoming National Convention should be people of unwavering character that are committed to revitalize and reform the PDP speedily before 2019.

In view of the above, efforts must be made to consciously do away with the above listed impediments that have remained the clog in the wheel of progress in PDP.

An opportunity therefore exists to harvest from the catalogue of failures that has bedeviled the ruling party, the APC in the last two and half years. The achievements of previous PDP government at the national and states levels are great advantage for the PDP to regain power in 2019.

The party must therefore do away with the burning issues of imposition of candidates, gross impunity and lack of party internal democracy. Party leaders must allow a level playing field for all members of the party to contest for any offices he/she deems fit without interference.

Another topical and disturbing issue at various discussions in the party at the moment is that of micro-zoning. Some concerned members of the party are of the opinion that the office of the President which has been zoned to the North, based on the Ike Ekweremadu report should be allowed for all eligible party members in the three northern zones to contest while that of the Chairman should also be allowed for the entire zones in the south to contest.

These opinion leaders are averse to micro-zoning the two important offices in order to create an opportunity for a robust platform for party members to choose the right person (s) that will pilot the affairs of the country in 2019 and that of the party from December 2017.

Finally, deliberate and conscious efforts must be made by the Party’s Standing Reconciliation Committee to achieve total reconciliation especially towards individuals and groups that were disenchanted and alienated by the party in order to present a unified force towards 2019 general elections.

Mohammed Bashir is writing from Kano.

State of Affairs in the PDP and the way forward

What to Eat at Frutyz'N'More Today? Pepperoni Pizza! YES!!!

Let’s hug it out in Pizza style! 

Is there ever a more perfect day for a pizza party than Wednesday? Answer: Yes. I mean, besides every other day of the week.Second real answer: but Wednesday makes it really special. No? Let’s have our own little Book-It party here with personal pan pizzas while wearing pins with holographic gold stars on them and heading over to Fruty’N’More Restuarant located in Citec Estate, Jabi airport road and also beside Shoprite at Apo.

These guys are the Kings of Pizza!!!

We will be there to pepperoni Pizza party this evening! Come join us!!!

What to Eat at Frutyz'N'More Today? Pepperoni Pizza! YES!!!

It's Been 60 Days Since Buhari Abandoned his Duty Post!

It is a big shame on the Nigerian National Assembly, the senators and legislators for their refusal up to this point to discuss the health issues of the president of Africa’s largest nation.

Why is it that we Nigerians are so gullible and prefer to fold our hands as we watch things get damaged rather than fight for the right cause because maybe our man or benefactor is  the person behind the evil?

60 days is a lot of days to be gone from work! Any serious (even the unserious) business owner will sack his staff under 7days! Nigeria what’s happening? Why is this happening to us?

We need to change our attitude of neglect and culture of shame else we will watch as this great nation burn to the ground!! 

It's Been 60 Days Since Buhari Abandoned his Duty Post!

Price Wise and Hungry?

Visit Fruityz’N’More today for the most delicious cost effective and affordable meals you any price can’t beat in Abuja. 

We make everything fresh daily, and offer dine-in, delivery and take out and are always ready to serve you!

We are located at Citec Estate, Jabi Airport Road and beside Shoprite, Apo all in Abuja here!

Quality is guaranteed in delicious meals we offer!

Price Wise and Hungry?

Frutyz'N'More's Chopped Salad Pizza

Another rainy season favorite, comin atcha!

If you asked me if We’ve made this 1500 times in the last two weeks, We’did say yes. Yes, emphatically yes.

It’s the kind of recipe where everything stays good for a long time in your fridge or freezer, so We just keep all the ingredients on hand at all times, and this becomes our we-don’t-have-any-groceries-but-we-can-still-make-magic meal. Crust = freezer. Pepperoncini, salami, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sauce = fridge. Chickpeas, olives = pantry. Gang’s all there and ready to party, no matter how many days (fine, weeks) we’ve been neglecting the grocery store.

This chopped salad pizza situation is what the rainy season tastes like to us. We’ve got a crispy, crackery crust baked with just a super thin layer of tomato sauce and mozz, and topped off with a complete bomb-overload of Italian-y chopped salad – the type that is in no way a “salad” but more like heavy with salami, cheese, pepperoncini, olives, tomatoes, and homemade Italian. 

Once you’ve got the salad chopped (it’s a little bit of a pain so just pour yourself something to drink and put some good music on), the rest is so easy. You just bake a crust with sauce and cheese, and put that salad right on top.

Visit us at Frutyz’N’More today at either our Jabi or Apo outlets and let’s fulfill your dreams of a richly tasteful chopped salad pizza. 

Hurry up and order on our website at www.frutyznmore.com

For more enquiries, call: 0806 057 9210

Frutyz'N'More's Chopped Salad Pizza

Historical Lessons for Biafra Agitating Igbos

When the Biafra war broke out in the late 1960s. Millions of Igbo died. Thousands of Igbo children died of starvation and thousands more were either hacked to death or slashed into piece meat. 

The Biafra soldiers had to face stiff resistance from both the north and the south. Facing two enemies is not dangerous enough but what is dangerous is the second enemy which also happens to be the closest to the Igbo are the northerners. 

The hatred the northerners habour for the igbo started when Major Nzeogwu Kaduna led a failed coup which claimed the lives of northern elites like Ahmadu Bello, Tafawa Balewa et al before General Yakubu Gowon launched a counter coup that toppled Nzeogwu Kaduna’s short reign across half of Nigeria and claimed the life of Igbo vips like Aguiyi Ironsi. Looking at this scenario clearly we would see the Igbo drew first blood by provoking the northerners. Well they provoked the yorubas too by killing some of our leaders like Samuel Akintola and Brig. Gen Samuel Ademulegun. Though the yorubas may be forgiving but same can not be said of the northerners which we all know won’t take any thing laying still after the Igbo steered up their hornets’ nest. 

The Hausas supported by the FMG drank the Igbo blood to their satisfaction, raped, maimed, killed and massacred the igbo in honor of their fallen leaders that lost their lives to the hasty and rash behaviors of the igbo.

By the time the northerners were done with them, the Igbo had no where to run because they had already turned their backs on the world by declaring a Biafra Republic and in return the whole world turned their back on them. Their closest allies like France and South Africa had to drop all support for them in fear of international economic and military sanctions on their nations. So the Igbo had to escape into forests with starvation on their necks and the Nigeria soldiers on their heels. 

Soon enough hunger caught up with them, there were no food and no water to the extent that some had to start roasting the dead for lunch and dinner while some killed their children to feed them to the others for them to survive. 

Along the way they started eating different leaves in the forest, some killed them, and some happened to be delicious delicacies from which the Igbo now derive soup delicacies like Orha soup, nzuza leaf and others that they now eat today.

At the peak of the war, their now late leader Captain Ojukwu absconded leaving power into the hands of his vice who eventually led the Biafra soldiers and the Igbo to surrender to General Olusegun Obasanjo at Dodan Barracks in Lagos in which the Igbo resolved that they are sorry and have unanimously agreed that Biafra has ceased to exist. 

After that many Igbo millionaires and billionaires became penniless Cuz they had foolishly converted their money to the Biafra currency which was eventually rendered null and void and absolutely useless…I’m afraid such is about to happen again. At the end of the war the Igbo were forgiven and factored back into Nigeria, their homes and lands were restored back to them and they were given full privileges to enjoy every other benefits their fellow Nigerians enjoy. 

But as rebellious as their nasty nature is like a stubborn child, they’ll keep doing the things that’ll keep getting them more flogging….

*Moral of the Story*

Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it

Just like Senator Dino Melaye once said “Ajekun Iya ni o je, eni ti o toni mu to lo ndena de ni, ajekun iya ni o je”

Written by me: 

Ayo Adeyemi

#AyoAdeyemiSpeaks

Historical Lessons for Biafra Agitating Igbos

The Weather is Cold, How about a Cup of Coffee?

Good morning Abuja! It’s a lovely chilly morning with lots of prospects! 
Coffee is good for chilly weathers! When the weather gets cold, nothing feels better than a nice hot beverage. The right hot drink can reinvigorate your body, and warm you from head to toe. And if you’re a coffee drinker, the colder weather this Friday brings is the perfect time to enjoy a nice hot cup of coffee, just about any ol’ time of day.

So why not join me over at Frutyz ‘N’ More beside Shoprite, Apo to enjoy their amazingly creamy taste of fresh and sweetened coffee?

Only God knows how they get that creamier taste but they do sure get it!

The Weather is Cold, How about a Cup of Coffee?

Where are the protester generals of Nigeria?

Prof. Wole Soyinka, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Rev Father Mbaka. Never knew you guys could be so silent like this. You used to be talkatives 

What happened to that blazing furnace inside your guts? 

What happened to your zeal to free the common man from the oppressions of bad governance?

You shouted and beat your fists on your chests demanding for a more sunnier Nigeria when she was sunny and now that Nigeria is in her rainy days we ain’t hearing anything.

Is it that the thought of sleeping on cold floors behind heavy iron bars was what got to you? 

Or the fear of ending up like Nnamdi Kanu in Kuje prison was what held your horses?

I don’t want to believe you are all like the proverbial rat that runs the show but slide into hiding when the cat shows up!

Yes I know you all have good lives, living comfortable in your rosy mansions and you dread the thought of been away from your beds for many months on end!

But wait a minute, is it that you guys  intentionally launched the “Save Nigeria Group” solely for profiteering purposes only? 

Of course GEJ will invite you guys to Aso Rock for dialogues and hand you guys bundles of dollar bills as transport fare when leaving.

But…President Muhamadu Buhari? The only handouts you’ll get for daring to challenge him are cold, dark and lonely rooms with twin chains on your wrists. That must be bad business of course.

So does that now mean that you 3 musketeers intentionally and repeatedly capitalized on the ignorance of the half baked Nigeria literate folks for your glory and profits alone?

And it’s not a risk worth taking at this present time in Nigeria?

You guys want to know what I think?

….I think you guys must have received some visits from men in the cloak and dagger business of Nigeria’s intelligence community 

…..I think you are too scared of going into exile not when the dollar is too high up against the naira because all your business interests are vested in naira.

Reverend Father Mbaka, what has happened to your prophesying tongue, I know it hasn’t been cut off. And those tears I always see on AIT yes those tears, are their fountains all dried up now?

Pastor Tunde Bakare, man of God in politics. Even laymen christians knows you can’t serve God and serve Mammon. I’ve been wondering why I’ve not been hearing you insulting the president of Nigeria through your viperous sermons lately. What has happened to that fire inside you?

Professor Wole Soyinka, at least we have some rest now from your many dictions and nail to the coffin pointers you are well known for constantly throwing out during the Goodluck Jonathan era. It will be too much stress for us to handle when we have to cope with our stomach in this season of “four years of famine, drought and hunger” that we’ve dragged ourselves into. So thank you for shutting your trap sir and thank God that you’ve not yet torn your green card.

Come to think of it, you guys should be held responsible for the calamities we are in now. For it was your voices of dissension in the time of GEJ that brought us into the era of Buhari!

….I think you guys are all fake!

Please next time, you guys should not start what you can’t finish! Because it’s obviously clear to us that though Nigeria may be worth a few naira notes to you, Nigerians are worthless.

…the silence is chilling ehn!

Where are the protester generals of Nigeria?

NEPA: No More Black Out; 1986 Deadline

This newspaper article was from 1979 under the Shagari administration.

It’s been 37 years now from that day. It’s only a shame that we are still at the same crossroads …. 37 years later! And still no light, no productivity, darkness is all over the land. 37 years later!

Naija I hail o!

NEPA: No More Black Out; 1986 Deadline

Nnamdi Kanu fulfills bail conditions

The Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, today, fulfilled the bail conditions granted him by the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Nnamdi Kanu had been ordered by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja to provide three sureties, consisting of a serving Senator, a Jewish religious leader and a traditional leader from the South-East. Each of the sureties is to provide N100 million bond and must own a landed property in Abuja.

On Friday, the bail conditions were met as the Chairman, South East Senate caucus and former Deputy Governor of Abia State, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, a Jewish High Priest, Immanuu-El Shalom Okabemadu and a Chartered Accountant residing in Abuja, Tochukwu Uchendu, were all present to stand as sureties. The Rabbi was flown into Abuja from Port Harcourt.

Justice Binta Nyako had earlier said that Kanu’s bail will be revoked if he flounts any of the orders in his bail condition, one of which states that he is not to be in a gathering of more than 10 people.

Nnamdi Kanu fulfills bail conditions

'If he sleeps with you and gives you money, he's a customer not a boyfriend' - Reno Omokri

True indeed…according to his words

'If he sleeps with you and gives you money, he's a customer not a boyfriend' - Reno Omokri

Herdsmen invade Professor Wole Soyinka's home for the second time

Herdsmen have invaded the home of Nigerian writer, Prof. Wole Soyinka, and this will not be the first time such will happen. Last year, the Nobel laureate revealed that his home had been invaded by the herdsmen and hoped there will not be a repeat. Sadly, it’s happened again.

The first time the herdsmen got into his home in Ogun State was in April last year. He said he was out of the country when it happened but came home to find that his home ground had been invaded and a motorable path was made by the hooves of cows through the grounds. The improvised entry and exit were blocked soon after but that did not deter the herdsmen as they intruded again.

Prof. Soyinka made this known to newsmen on Friday at the Freedom Park, Onikan, Lagos and disclosed that they created a different path to gain entrance this time, PM News reports.

Source: PM News

Herdsmen invade Professor Wole Soyinka's home for the second time

Abuja’s Premier Restaurant Frutyz’N’More Opens in Apo

If you are a lover of healthy and tasty foods, it’s certain you must have dined out severally at one of Abuja’s finest restaurants; Frutyz’N’More at CITEC Estate along Jabi Airport Junction.

Here’s the good news, another branch of the restaurant is now open behind Shoprite, Apo Abuja.

It is located in a serene environment, with a big enough parking space, 247 manned and unmanned security, CCTVs, healthy and fresh meals, eat in and take away and order from home.

Visit us today and lets help make your day with the tasty crunches which Frutyz’N’More is well known for!

More photos after the cut…

Abuja’s Premier Restaurant Frutyz’N’More Opens in Apo

Photo: Long before Oba of Lagos, Jay-Jay Okocha once left someone's hand hanging

A throwback photo of former professional footballer, Jay-Jay Okocha looking on as a man held out his hand has surfaced online Who knows the story behind the photo?

Photo: Long before Oba of Lagos, Jay-Jay Okocha once left someone's hand hanging

Photos: Baby found alive after being dumped in carton and left by the roadside

A Cambodian Facebook user posted video and photos of a baby found in a carton by a roadside by villagers last Thursday, fortunately, the baby survived. More photos after the cut..

Photos: Baby found alive after being dumped in carton and left by the roadside

Bobrisky Be Giving Girls A Run For Their Money, Check Out His New Hairstyle

Nigerian male Barbie, Bobrisky has unveiled his new curly hairstyle on Snapchat.

This got me laughing.

See more after the cut…

Bobrisky Be Giving Girls A Run For Their Money, Check Out His New Hairstyle

Stop Developing Abuja, Kano, Lagos – Okorocha tells Igbos

Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has called on his Ndigbo kinsmen to stop wasting resources in developing other land. He asked them to return to the East and set up their businesses instead of helping other states like Lagos, Kano to grow.

Okorocha stated this while commissioning a hotel in Arondiziogu in Ideato council area of the state on Tuesday.

He said, “I commend the proprietor of this hotel for coming home to invest. He could have built this hotel in Abuja or other places knowing too well that he could have made more profit, but he chose to think home. Let’s all come home, develop our area and create jobs for our people.”

The governor further directed the ministry of Works to assess the cost of drainage and asphalting the road leading to the area.

According to him, “We don’t have to tell anybody to invest at home; anyone who has ear, let him hear. Why do we have to develop Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt and other places? We should always think home.”

Una dey hear this yeye talk abi?

Stop Developing Abuja, Kano, Lagos – Okorocha tells Igbos

Nigerians Didn’t Elect A Work-at-Home President – Buhari’s Former Aide Spits Fire

Yinka Odumakin, the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere on Wednesday said Nigerians didn’t elect President Muhammadu Buhari to work at home.

He was reacting to a statement by the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed who told reporters that the President needed some rest and has asked that all the files on his table be brought to him at his official residence at the Presidential Villa, Abuja for treatment.

Odumakin, a former aide of Buhari, said if the president’s situation has gotten to a level where he will be working from home, it shows something is wrong which Nigerians are not told.

“We elected a president who will work from office not from home. If it gets to a situation where he will be working from home, then the interest of the country requires taking a hard look at the situation and taking the right decision. It shows something is wrong somewhere”.

 

Nigerians Didn’t Elect A Work-at-Home President – Buhari’s Former Aide Spits Fire

Jobless Man Who Stole N1,100 Granted Bail Of N50,000

A 19-year-old man, John Akwaji, who allegedly stole his neighbour’s N1,100, was on Wednesday released on N50,000 bail on the orders of a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

The Magistrate, Mrs F.O. Ikobayo, who gave the ruling, also asked the accused person to produce one responsible surety in like sum as part of the bail condition.

She said the surety should also provide evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government Akwaji, whose address was not provided, is facing a two-count of unlawful entry and stealing.

Earlier, the prosecutor, ASP Richard Odigie told the court that the accused committed the offences on March 30 at Edomia Street, Oke-Ira Nla in Ajah area of Lagos.

He alleged that the accused unlawfully entered Mr Samson Popoola’s house at about 3.20 a.m. and stole N1,100.

“The accused is in the habit of entering the complainant’s room to steal but was caught when he came calling again. The complainant sighted him when woke up to go to the toilet, he raised alarm and the accused was apprehended, ” he said.

The offences contravened Sections 285 and 306 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised). Section 285 provides a three-year jail term for stealing, while Section 306 stipulates seven years imprisonment for unlawful entry.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge. The magistrate adjourned the case until May 5.

Jobless Man Who Stole N1,100 Granted Bail Of N50,000

ISIS Fighters in Iraq Killed by Wild Boars Before They Can Ambush Locals

Three militants loyal to the Islamic State group (ISIS) have been killed by wild boars as they planned to ambush Iraqi tribesmen opposed to the group, according to a local anti-ISIS leader.

At least eight ISIS fighters had reportedly taken cover among dense reeds in Iraq’s al-Rashad region, about 55 miles southwest of Kirkuk, in preparation for a surprise attack on local anti-ISIS tribesman when a herd of wild boars attacked the jihadists on Sunday, killing three. The militants likely disturbed the notoriously short-tempered animals, said Sheikh Anwar al-Assi, a chief of the local Ubaid tribe and head of the group of local tribesmen who took up arms after ISIS took control of the nearby town of Hawija.

“It is likely their movement disturbed a herd of wild pigs, which inhabit the area as well as the nearby cornfields. The area is dense with reeds, which are good for hiding in,” Assi told The Times.

The event was corroborated by local Kurdish fighters who have joined Iran-backed Shiite Muslim militias in attempting to oust ISIS from nearby Hawija. The jihadists’ mutilated bodies were reportedly discovered by refugees fleeing the violence that has beset the war-torn nation. An alliance consisting of Iraqi military, majority Shiite Muslim militias (called Al-Hashd Al-Shaabi), U.S.-led coalition forces and Kurdish units (known as peshmerga) are seeking to drive ISIS out of Iraq, according to Brigadier Azad Jelal, the deputy head of the Kurdish intelligence service in Kirkuk.

“Three fighters from ISIL were near the Peshmerga checkpoint in al-Rashad. They met some feral boars and the boars killed the three fighters,” Jelal told The Telegraph, using an alternative acronym for ISIS.

“Some refugees saw the bodies on the edge of a farm when they were fleeing and they told us. A few days later ISIL started to kill pigs around the area,” he added.

The news first appeared on the local Iraqi news site Al-Sumeria, which quoted unidentified local sources, and later gained attention on social media as officials confirmed the event. While fatalities caused by wild boars are relatively uncommon in the region, the animals are known for their relentless, ferocious attacks that can result in death, according to a 2006 article titled “Death by attack from a wild boar” published in the Journal of Forensic Medicine. 

“The boar has a typical method of attack wherein it steadily rushes forward, pointing the tusks towards the animal to be attacked and inflicts the injuries. It goes back, takes position and attacks the victim again. This repeated nature of attack continues till the victim is completely incapacitated due to multiple penetrating injuries, which can have a fatal consequence,” the authors wrote.

Sunday’s incident reportedly came after ISIS massacred at least 25 local civilians attempting to escape areas under the jihadists’ control. As pro-government forces close in, ISIS’s territory, which is down to less than seven percent of the nation from 45 percent in 2014, has been largely reduced to the northwestern city of Mosul, where a months-long battle has been waged by the Iraqi military and its allies to defeat the jihadists. The militants still maintain small pockets of control in southern Kirkuk.

ISIS Fighters in Iraq Killed by Wild Boars Before They Can Ambush Locals

Court Grants "Iron Bail" to IPOB Leader, Kanu

EMBATTLED Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in detention since October 14, 2015, yesterday, secured bail from the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Trial Justice, Binta Nyako, granted Kanu bail on stringent conditions and refused to okay the release of three other pro-Biafra agitators- Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi- who are facing trial alongside the IPOB leader.

Court grants ‘iron bail’ to IPOB leader, Kanu ON APRIL 26, 20171:29 AMIN HEADLINES, NEWSCOMMENTS ABUJA— EMBATTLED Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in detention since October 14, 2015, yesterday, secured bail from the Federal High Court in Abuja. Trial Justice, Binta Nyako, granted Kanu bail on stringent conditions and refused to okay the release of three other pro-Biafra agitators- Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi- who are facing trial alongside the IPOB leader. Nnamdi Kanu outside the court premises The bail conditions * Produce three sureties including a highly respected Jewish leader * Produce a highly placed Igbo person * Produce a respected person who resides and owns property in Abuja * Each surety must deposit N100million * Must not attend any rally or grant an interview * Must not be in a crowd exceeding 10 persons * To surrender his Nigerian and British passports * Must be available for trial at all times On a day that jubilations and mixed reactions trailed the bail, Kanu, however, could not meet the tough bail conditions and has returned to Kuje Prisons, Abuja. The Federal Government is prosecuting the defendants on a five-count criminal charge bordering on treasonable felony. Justice Binta Nyako said her decision to release Kanu, who is the 1st defendant before the court, on bail, was based on health grounds, citing an affidavit that was attached to the bail application Kanu filed through his lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor. Specifically, the court held that Kanu must produce three sureties, including a “highly respected and recognised Jewish leader.” Apart from a Jewish leader, Kanu must also produce a “highly placed person of Igbo extraction”, as well as “a highly respected person who is resident and owns landed property in Abuja.” Each of the sureties is to deposit N100 million. Justice Nyako had in the course of the ruling, asked Kanu to tell the court the religion he believes in, considering that one of the bail conditions would include his production of a highly placed religious leader. “My lord, I believe in Judaism”, Kanu replied from the dock. “Are you a Jew?”, the Judge queried. “Yes, I am a Jew”, Kanu maintained. “Good, in that case, one of the sureties must be a highly respected and recognised Jewish leader. I must be able to know him. Thank God I have been taught how to use Google”, Justice Nyako jokingly added. As part of his conditions for bail, Kanu, was expressly barred by the court from attending any rally or granting any form of interview. “I must stress it here that the defendant must not attend any rally. He must not be in a crowd exceeding 10 persons”, the Judge warned. Justice Nyako equally held that Kanu must sign an undertaking to make himself available for trial at all times. Kanu was ordered to surrender his Nigerian and British international passports, even as the court compelled the Federal Government to return to Kanu, his wedding ring and reading glasses. However, Kanu’s co-defendantss were denied bail by the court which described charges against them as “very serious.” Justice Nyako said the fact that she earlier struck out the terrorism charges slammed against the defendants did not water-down the seriousness of the treason charge against them. She held that Kanu’s co-defendants did not adduce fresh facts capable of persuading the court to release them on bail. Court okays shielding of witnesses’ identities In a separate ruling, Justice Nyako gave the Federal Government the nod to shield identities of all the witnesses billed to testify in the matter. She dismissed the applications that Kanu and the other defendants filed for a variation of an earlier ruling that permitted Federal Government to mask the witnesses. While re-affirming her earlier ruling, Justice Nyako held that the witnesses who are mostly security operatives would testify behind a screen or wear mask when the need arises. Pro-Biafra supporters jubilate Meanwhile, several pro-Biafra supporters went into jubilation after they heard that Kanu was admitted to bail. They sang, danced and engaged in a mini-procession, while chanting different Biafra war songs. Most of them waved the Biafran flag, others brandished various insignia from the defunct Republic, while a small group of men and women dressed in Jewish apparels kept muttering what seemed to be a prayer in the way believers in Judaism do. Fayose, Fani-Kayode defy DSS to enter courtroom Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, was among dignitaries that stormed the court to show solidarity with the IPOB leader. Fayose, who wore an Igbo chieftaincy red cap, was temporarily denied entry into the court room, a similar measure that was also meted out to former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode. The action of the security operatives, who were from the Department of State Services, DSS, sparked off a mild drama, as it took the intervention of lawyers to ensure that the duo entered the courtroom. While Fayose stayed till the end of the proceeding, Fani-Kayode could not stay because his own trial was also coming up before Justice John Tsoho of the same high court. Fayose was in the court even before Kanu was brought in by officials of Kuje Prison. Immediately Kanu entered the courtroom, his lawyers drew his attention to Fayose’s presence. The IPOB leader took quick strides towards Fayose, who met him midway. Both men hugged themselves. Subsequently, Fayose left his seat and went over to where Kanu and his co-defendants sat; he sat beside Kanu and discussed with him for a while before the trial Judge entered. After the ruling, Fayose told newsmen that he came to court to show solidarity to Kanu, saying: “I love his spirit.” Also in court for the ruling was another erstwhile Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka. Justice Nyako, however, fixed July 11 and 12 to commence trial, just as she stressed that she would not entertain any form of interlocutory application from any of the defendants. Kanu, who was hitherto the Director of Radio Biafra and Television, has spent a year and seven months in detention. He was arrested by security operatives upon his arrival to Nigeria from the United Kingdom. This was not the first time a court okayed his release on bail. Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the same high court had previously ordered the Federal Government to release the IPOB leader on bail. Justice Ademola was later arrested by DSS operatives and prosecuted on18-count charge that was subsequently quashed by an Abuja High Court at Maitama. Justice Nyako had in a ruling on March 1, struck out six of 11-count charge the Federal Government initially entered against Kanu and the others on the premise that they were not supported by the proof of evidence adduced before the court. The Judge held that none of the six charges established a prima-facie criminal case against any of the defendants. She said the fact that IPOB was not an organisation registered in Nigeria did not make it an illegal society. Kanu’s family rejects bail conditions, says no going back on Biafra agitation Immediately after the court ruling, the family of the IPOB leader rejected the bail conditions with the father, His Royal Highness, Eze Israel Kanu, and his wife, Ugoeze Sally Kanu, saying Kanu should be released unconditionally. Both parents and their daughter, Chinwe, faulted Justice Binta Nyako on the bail conditions. Speaking to reporters at Isiama Afaraukwu, Umuahia North Council, Eze Israel Kanu said while the family was happy over the bail granted their son, they rejected the bail conditions. According to the monarch, the bail conditions were like giving something with one hand and taking it with the other hand, saying that the IPOB leader must be set free without any condition attached. “The Federal Government should release my son unconditionally. The world should judge if the bail conditions are proper”, the monarch said. He explained that he was happy when he received the news that his son had been granted bail by the court but was taken aback by the conditions attached to the bail. Eze Kanu was not happy with Justice Nyako for asking the IPOB leader to produce a Jewish leader as surety and wondered why a court of competent jurisdiction would demand for a citizen of another country to come and stand as surety in Nigeria. Flanked by his wife, Ugoeze Sally and daughter Chinwe, the monarch also faulted other bail conditions given to his son, including that a Senator from the South East should provide a whopping N100 million bail bond. Corroborating her husband’s position, Kanu’s mother noted that if her son eventually returns home, she would advise him not to abandon the agitation for the restoration of Biafra, insisting that without Kanu’s activities, the world would not have known about the problem of Biafrans in Nigeria. “No retreat, no surrender; God will deliver Biafra as He delivered Israel,” she said. IPOB too.. Also yesterday, the IPOB picked holes in the bail conditions. IPOB, in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Mr. Emma Powerful said that its leader did not accept the bail conditions given to him, just as he dismissed the bail as unacceptable unless the other detained members of IPOB were also granted bail and with feasible bail conditions. IPOB said: “It is unacceptable to the entire members of IPOB worldwide that the presiding judge, Hon. Justice Binta Nyako attached conditions towards the release of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The conditions are not feasible and possible. “The bail conditions are probably designed by politicians, who are afraid of our leader’s popularity. These are inhuman, non-feasible, childish and stringent for any reasonable person or group to accept, and we say no to that. While we say no to the bail conditions, IPOB worldwide commends those who put pressure on Nigerian Government and her judiciary to grant bail to our leader. “We salute people like the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose and well meaning sons and daughters of Biafra Land, who were in court to show solidarity with IPOB and its incarcerated leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. We, however, say a big shame to South East Governors and politicians who because of their ignorance of what IPOB stands for, have refused to identify with us. “They and the government holding him are oppressors and are always afraid of our leader’s popularity. Their plan is to cage him through the childish, funny and unacceptable bail conditions they gave him in court. We are not excited, we demand the release of our members detained with him.” Jubiliation in Umuahia, Port-Harcourt In Imo State, yesterday, the ever busy MCC/Uratta Road and other communities in Imo State, were taken over by scores of IPOB loyalists, who were celebrating Nnamdi Kanu’s bail. The spontaneous jubilation, drew a large crowd of ardent supporters of the Biafran sovereignty in Imo. They carried various Biafran insignia, including flags, caps, shirts and banners, as they sang victory songs and danced happily on the streets. Some other jubilant loyalists in Owerri, were seen distributing free drinks in some of the joints Vanguard visited before going to press. One of the demonstrators, Chike, who spoke to Vanguard as they celebrated, said: “We are celebrating the release of one of our own, who has been incarcerated for several months. I am only praying that the bail granted him this time, won’t be treated like the previous ones, especially as the present Federal Government hates the rule of law with passion.” Speaking also, a woman who simply identified herself as Mrs. Sylvia said they were not particularly concerned with the bail conditions, even as she described them as “stringent and draconian.” “I am a mother. I know how it feels to have a loved one locked up endlessly by traducers. I do not know why the High Court Judge does not want Nnamdi Kanu to be seen among more than 10 persons or talk to the press about his experience in captivity”, Mrs. Sylvia said. In Port-Harcourt, hundreds of pro Biafrans shutdown the Obigbo end of Port Harcourt-Aba Road as they celebrated news of the bail granted Nnamdi Kanu. Passengers heading to Aba in Abia State on that road were stranded as most of them had to come down from their vehicles, trekking some distance to board vehicles that had already passed the huge traffic snarl created by the jubilant pro Biafrans. It was also a tough time for police men from the Obigbo Police station drafted to control the traffic. Meantime, the pro Biafrans danced,singing solidarity songs. Some who spoke to Vanguard expressed hope that the concept of a Biafra nation would come to be. Bail conditions too stringent —Ikedife, Amechi Also reacting to the bail conditions, former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Dozie Ikedife and First Republic Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amechi, described the conditions as too stringent and wondered how the court expected Kanu to meet those conditions. Ikedife said: “It is good that they have granted him bail. This is what I have been demanding for a long time. The next thing we expect them to do is to dispose of the charges brought against him one way or the other. They detained him for a long time and the question is, are they going to compensate him for long incarceration? He ought to have been released a long time ago, but those who kept him in detention did so for reasons only they can explain. Besides, the bail conditions are stringent. Is Kanu going to get all these people to surety him? Where will he find the three people listed as those to surety him?’’ Also speaking to Vanguard, Chief Amechi said: “Granting bail to Nnamdi Kanu was long overdue. He is a prisoner of conscience and they incarcerated him this long because he is an Igbo man. The conditions given him to meet are very unkind. He should have been granted bail unconditionally. And how do they expect him to get people with the kind of money mentioned to surety him?” Ohanaeze, Eastern Consultative Assembly reject bail conditions Similarly, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the Eastern Consultative Assembly, ECA, rejected the bail conditions, which they said are not implementable. President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and former Minister of Information, Chief Nnia Nwodo and the Deputy Leader of the ECA, Chief Marie Okwo spoke during separate telephone interviews with Vanguard in Enugu. Nwodo said the conditions attached to the bail were superfluous and cannot be implemented, pointing out that it was unconstitutional to ask Kanu not to make speeches, grant interviews or stay in a crowd exceeding 10 persons as conditions for his bail. He said: “We welcome the bail given to him but we reject the conditions attached to his bail. The court cannot in the process of granting him bail deny him his basic rights of speech and association. The conditions are superfluous. No court can ask anybody not to express his views or opinions or not to associate with people. Freedom of speech and association are guaranteed in the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria and you cannot ask a man not to exercise such rights especially when they do not have criminal undertones. The whole thing is superfluous.” We are happy but— MASSOB The Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, in its reaction, said its members are joyful but that other pro-Biafra detainees in various places in Nigeria should also be released. Leader of MASSOB, Uchenna Madu said: “Thousands of MASSOB members are in jubilant celebration over the bail granted to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu of IPOB. We always identify with true representatives of Biafra and genuine struggle for the liberation of the people of Biafra. The bail granted to our brother today is a sign of light triumphing over darkness. It is a motivational factor that Biafra will always triumph.’’ Speaking, MASSOB National Director of Information, Comrade Edeson Samuel, said: “killing cannot stop us from pursuing the independent state of Biafra. MASSOB is rejoicing with IPOB and all Biafrans over the bail granted Nnamdi Kanu by the Federal High court Abuja. It is a very good development. “We commend the judge for the bold step she took in delivering the judgement. An Igbo adage says that truth must definitely prevail. Nigeria cannot hide the truth forever..” Okorie, Ukoh, IPAC react National Chairman of the United Progressive Party, UPP, Chief Chekwas Okorie, while reacting to Kanu’s bail said it was a welcome development. ‘’The UPP received with joy the news that the Federal High Court at Abuja has admitted to bail Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. We welcome this development, although we would have preferred an unconditional bail, which is what he has always deserved. The courts have always granted bail to Nnamdi Kanu but the Nigerian Government, the accuser and plaintiff always denied him freedom to the utter embarrassment of the civilised world. ‘’We urge the government to save Nigerians further anxiety by releasing him from detention without further delay. ‘We further urge the government to take steps to drop all charges against Nnamdi Kanu and other prisoners of conscience. This will reduce avoidable tension in the polity. This is the path of wisdom. Nigeria will be better for it,’’ he said Chairman of South East caucus of Interparty Advisory Council, IPAC, Prince Emeka Okafor, while welcoming the bail, rejected the conditions attached to it, saying it amounts to denying Kanu his fundamental rights. He frowned at the bail conditions given by the Judge, saying that the Judge has deliberately denied him some of his fundamental human rights. SERG hails judiciary, urges FG to obey order The South East Revival Group, SERG, described the bail granted Nnamdi Kanu as yet another victory for the judiciary, saying “it proves that some Judges still have conscience and a sense of justice.” The group in a statement signed by its Convener and national coordinator, Chief Willy Ezugwu urged the Federal Government to obey its own court order this time around. “Despite that his bail conditions were too stringent, we commend the judiciary for proving its independence by not standing justice on the head by refusing Nnamdi Kanu bail. We hope that this time around, the Federal Government would obey the order of the court and allow the judicial process to be completed.’’

Sourced from VanguardNGR

Court Grants "Iron Bail" to IPOB Leader, Kanu