Niger Delta Congress, Middle Belt Patriotic Front Describe Nigerian Constitution as fraud, Demand a new, All-Inclusive Constitution

…Say ongoing constitution amendment in the National Assembly a mere facade meant to hoodwink the generality of the Nigerian masses

The Niger Delta Congress (NDC) and its Middle Belt counterpart, Middle Belt Patriotic Front (MBPF) have raised concerns over what they tagged “the deliberate neglect” of the two regions in the scheme of things in Nigeria.

The groups in a joint statement signed by Kemedengiyefa Opia, Secretary General of the Niger Delta Congress and Iorwuese Samuel, Secretary General of the Middle Belt Patriotic Front described the existing 1999 constitution as a document that embodies and entrenches injustice against the Niger Delta and the Middle Belt regions. It also condemned the degradation of communities in the Niger Delta and the massacre and occupation of areas in the Middle Belt.

The statement reads in full;

In prelude to the general elections, the Niger Delta Congress (NDC) and the Middle Belt Patriotic Front (MBPF) recognizes that there isn’t a comprehensive document that effectively captures the position of the Niger Delta and Middle Belt peoples as relates to our legitimate political interests and future. 

While at the foundation of this is a leadership failure on the part of elected representatives from our regions, we believe our precarious position within the Nigerian Federation as a result of the injustices we have suffered is well documented historically and known to every section of this country and the rest of the world. 

To this effect, the NDC and the MBPF held its Joint Conference on Tuesday 21^st of February 2022 to deliberate on these issues as concerns us after which the Niger Delta and Middle Belt Position and Recommendations on the Nigerian Federation was unanimously adopted by all ethnic nationality representatives present.

While this comprehensive document will be forwarded to the relevant media organizations, elected political representatives, foreign governments, sociopolitical and ethnic representative groups, and other international and local organizations in due time, we deem it necessary to share with the general public a summary of our position and recommendations.

Our position is that the Nigerian Federation is built on injustice; That the current 1999 Nigerian Constitution which was foisted on our people and the rest of the country embodies and entrenches this injustice by legalizing it; That this 1999 Nigerian Constitution has been the main pillar in the sociopolitical and socioeconomic subjugation of our people; That the recent 1999 Nigerian Constitution amendment being undertaken by the National Assembly is a facade meant to hoodwink the generality of the Nigerian masses; That the Niger Delta and Middle Belt peoples reject the 1999 Constitution in its entirety and its ongoing fraudulent amendment.

In lieu of the above our recommendations are as follows: that a New Nigerian Constitution be developed with the input of all ethnic nationalities and their representative groups to ensure that it captures the hopes and aspirations of the different constituent parts that make up this country. That on the issue of resource governance and ownership, that the Hicks-Philipson recommendations of 1951 be adopted; Area of Origin 50%, States/Region 35%, Central Government 15%. This will give our people the freedom to harness, utilize and benefit form our God given mineral resources while also benefiting the rest of the country.

Taking into consideration the economic effects this change will have on states and regions who have become completely dependent on the Central Government, we recommend a phased increment spanning at most 10 years. This will give the dependent states and regions ample time to adjust and put in place economic mechanisms and structures to sustain them.

In addition to these, we also call for the comprehensive examination of the Niger Delta environment which is now a threat to lives, and a follow up cleanup. We also call for an emergency  intervention in the Middle Belt to put a stop to the ethnic cleansing and land grabbing currently ongoing.

While the ethnic nationalities of the Niger Delta and Middle Belt expect the Nigerian state to right its wrongs to ensure its corporate survival, the Niger Delta and Middle Belt peoples under the leadership of the Niger Delta Congress and Middle Belt Patriotic Front are committed to cooperating and will continue to make actionable plans and take actionable steps to secure and guarantee the economic and political rights and future of the Niger Delta and Middle Belt peoples.

God bless the Niger Delta and Middle Belt Peoples.

End….

Middle Belt Group Blasts Concerned Northern Forum Over Bill on Arabic and Islamic Studies

…Says Middle Belt never agreed to controversial Arabic and islamic studies bill

A group under the auspices of Middle Belt Patriotic Front has blasted the “Concerned Northern Forum” for alleging that it consulted 73 civil society organizations and the 19 Northern States regarding a proposed bill before the National Assembly for the propagation of Islamic Education in the country.

Middle Belt Patriotic Front (MBPF) said in a statement that stakeholders in the Middle Belt were not consulted about such a bill and would oppose its implementation due to the dishonest method employed by the sponsors of the bill on the Nigerian people. Esson Abalaku, the MBPF’s president, made the statement on Wednesday in Jalingo the Taraba state capital.

According to the statement sighted by Middle Belt Times, the president said;

“such a bill should be restricted to all core Northern Islamic areas and exempt the Middle Belt people who favor secular education.

“It is crucial that they be consulted in the case that the Middle Belt people think about switching to other kinds of education, and each state government release affirmative remarks to confirm this viewpoint.”

Speaking further in response to request for budgetary increase so that the board could operate similarly to other educational boards, MBPF said;

“Any group who would want such special provisions in their states could make do with the budgetary allocations specifically allocated for their state for such activities.”

The President added that it was “concerning” that the forum representatives wanted the bill to be passed quickly, especially since it would have an impact on areas where the majority of the populace felt uncomfortable about not having their views represented on such a delicate matter”.

The MBPF has urged all state governors, legislators, civil society organizations, and all southern and middle belt groups to thoroughly review the aforementioned bill before it passage into law.

Rampaging bandits abduct Plateau female councillor

A female councillor in Plateau State, Hannatu Bawa, has been abducted by bandits.

The state’s Kanke Local Government Area’s Kabwir-Fadar Ward is represented by the abducted councilor.

She was reportedly in her home on Kabwir-Dawaki Road in the council area when the bandits attacked the neighborhood early on Tuesday and kidnapped her.

The kidnapping of the female councillor was reported by a source who chose to remain anonymous.

The Source told Middle Belt Times that “It was around 3am on Tuesday that the bandits came and abducted the female councillor.

She was being taken hostage while she slept in her Kabwir home. Her captors forcedfully removed her via a window after forcing entry into her apartment through a window 

“Her door was still locked when community members gathered at her place later.”

The spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, also confirmed the incident when contacted.

“The command is aware of the abduction of the female councillor in Kanke Local Government Area. We are on top of the situation because our officers and men have been deployed to the community and are working to rescue the victim from her abductors,”

Explosion rattles Kogi LG; government claims saboteurs behind attack

The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed an explosion that rocked the administrative office of Okehi Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that unknown gunmen had stormed the secretariat around 5pm on Monday and planted the explosion that ripped through the administrative block of the secretariat.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Aya, told our Correspondent on Tuesday that the explosion occurred on Monday evening.

Also confirming the explosion, the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omadara, said that the incident had been traced to saboteurs who wanted to cause panic during the election to prevent people from coming out to vote

Aya said officers had been deployed to the area to ascertain the extent of damages.

He urged for calm and stated that adequate security personnel have been deployed to the area while normalcy has since been restored to the area.

Middle Belt Generals: General Theophilus Danjuma, Gen. Zamani Lekwot (retd) – others under NCEF endorse Peter Obi

General Theophilus Danjuma, a former minister of defense, and other elder statesmen through the National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF), has endorsed Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, ahead of this weekend’s presidential election.

The Christian Elders claim that it is important to take seriously the accusations that some areas were purportedly planning to use violence during the elections.

The NCEF urged Nigerians to elect officials based on their qualifications, skills, honesty, and general health since “a sick country demands hearty leaders.”

Its chairman, Dr. Samuel Gani, and secretary, Pastor Bosun Emmanuel, signed a statement with the title “Resolutions towards 2023 elections: Think new” that contains this information.

Ret. Gen. Zamani Lekwot, Dr. Saleh Hussaini, Vice Chairman (North), Elder Shyngle Wigwe, Vice Chairman (South), Mrs. Osaretin Demuren, Prof. Joseph Otubu, Hon. Justice Kalajine Anigbogu, Ret., Dr. Kate Okpareke, Ret. Dr. Ayo Abifarin, , Ret. Hon. Justice James Ogebe, Ret. Elder

Others are Elder Nat Okoro, Solomon Asemota (SAN), Elder Matthew Owojaiye, DIG P. L. Dabup, Sir John W. Bagu, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Dame Priscilla Kuye, Prof. Deborah Ajakaiye, and Dr. Taiwo Idemudia.

“In view of the need to ensure that democracy survives in Nigeria and the culture of corruption, incompetency, lawlessness, and impunity, which assailed the country in the past 24 years is eradicated, NCEF encourages Nigerians to think new.

“Nigeria requires new leaders, new methods, new policies, and new political parties. In view of the above equity, justice, inclusiveness, and unity produce the preferred future for Nigerians.

“The National Christian Elders Forum is endorsing Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party as the Presidential candidate to be voted for. NCEF encourages all Nigerians of voting age to exercise their civic duty and ensure that they vote for capacity, competency, integrity, and good health. Nigerians, think new!” The statement reads.

Furthermore, the Elders disclosed that Nigerians are beginning to attach importance to capacity and integrity rather than the primordial emotional choices which afforded unqualified and incompetent people access to leadership positions.

“NCEF commends the Federal Government for taking steps to curb vote-buying during the 2023 elections. While the policy of currency change has brought some inconvenience to the people, the long-term benefit should be appreciated. It is crucial that vote-buying must be prevented at all costs to prevent unqualified and incapable persons from bribing their way into power,” the statement added.

I’m Ready To Sacrifice My Senatorial Ambition For Peter Obi To Win – Ortom

In order to guarantee the victory of the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom says he is willing to give up his desire to run for the Senate in this Saturday’s elections for the National Assembly.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Ortom is running for the Benue North-West senate seat.

After months of refusing to back Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate, whose emergence in May 2022 was regarded by numerous high-ranking party members as unfair, he finally endorsed Obi in January.

While speaking to members of the Igbo community in the state on Monday, the governor of Benue reaffirmed his support for the former governor of Anambra State.

“For me, the issue isn’t even that I’m running for office. Yes, the citizens of Benue State purchased the form for me. I’ve visited them, and they have agreed to vote for me,” he stated.

I am aware that the Igbo are the most interconnected people in the world, he continued. This is your chance to claim that the president is an Igbo man from the South-East.

Ortom identified with those who believed in the unity of Nigeria and working together, saying it was for this reason that he accommodates everybody.

“Then let’s not waste this chance that God himself is giving us. Young people, members of my own community, traditional leaders, and party members from different parties have all told me this. Obi’s situation has nothing to do with the APC, PDP, SDP, or any other party. It concerns Nigeria.

He described Obi as a species that is not bound by ethnicity.

“That is why when I hear some prominent Igbo personalities castigating Peter Obi for contesting the election – is it not you people that have been saying you have been marginalised since after the war?

“The opportunity has come today and you’re still complaining. What do you want?! What are you looking for?  

“The whole country – North, South, East, and West – are saying Peter Obi, and you hear some people say, ‘We don’t want it.’ Haba! Those people should be outcasts.”

Williams and Solomon break the national record and triumph in the Jos cross country race

Kefas Williams and Blessing Sshambor Solomon, two runners from the Plateau State, have won the Jos Cross Country, the first-ever cross-country race in Nigeria sponsored by Nilayo Sports Management Limited.

Kefas finished first among men in 31 minutes, 38 seconds. He received a cash award of $300.

Stephen Joshua, who finished in second place, did it in 31 minutes, 28 seconds. He received N200,000.

Emmanuel Gyang, who finished in third position, did so in 32 minutes, 01 seconds. He received N100,000.

The men’s race was so fiercely fought that elite Nigerian athletes took first place through sixth place.
Paul James Pam (32:39:08), Solomon Nyango (33:19:69), James Gyang Gwon (33:25:93), Simon Markus (33:26:10), Nyango Gyang (33:31:49), and Iliya Pam (33:39:69) were among the pre-event favorites who ran 33 minutes or less.

Pam, led the field for four lapses out of five, only to be overtaken by Solomon in the fifth lap. The Plateau state athlete didn’t look back to cross the finish line at 38minutes 36:12 seconds. She got N300,000.

Pam, who finished at 38minutes 47:37 seconds blamed fatigue from road travel from Lagos as hindrance. She got N200,000.

In third place was Grace Dalum, who finished at 39minutes 10:91 second. She got cash prize of N100,000.

Winners from the 4th place to 10th positions all got cash prizes from the sponsors, Nilayo Sports Management Limited. A total N2million cash prizes was shared among the winners.

The Zonal Coordinator, North Central in the Sports Ministry, Mrs. Deborah Pitman represented the Honourable Minister of Sports at the event.

All the Elite runners that participated in the Jos Cross Country Championship together with the event’s Coordinator, Chief Tony Osheku, commended the Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Chief Bukola Olopade, for sponsoring the Jos Cross Country competition, which has opened the eyes of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, and indeed the Sports Ministry to host a championship that would benefit the fortunes of Nigeria long distance performances in international races.

‘Strange herdsmen have invaded our lands’ – Ondo Communities

Traditional leaders in Ondo State’s Ose Local Government Area have urged security organizations to increase security in the area’s villages due to an invasion of what they have dubbed “strange herdsmen”.

Eight people were killed in an attack on three towns last month, according to Adetunji Adeleye, commander of the Ondo Amotekun Corps, who claimed that several herders were driven to neighboring states after the attacks.

The traditional rulers, in a message to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, after a stakeholders meeting, said there was a spike in attacks on farmers, kidnapping, rape and the destruction of farmlands.

They said activities of the strange herdsmen have been hindering preparation for the new planting season

The traditional rulers of the region, including Olute of Ute, Oba Oluwole Akinrongbe, Olumoru of Imoru, Oba ‘Rotimi Obamuwagun, Arujale Ojima of Okeluse, Oba Oloyede Akinghare, and Odibiado of Ijagba, Oba Andrew Okioya, claimed that farmers who were supposed to mobilize for the new farming season had been driven from their farms by heavily armed miscreants.

The state administration and security agencies were urged by the royal fathers to act quickly to put an end to unjustified attacks on nearby towns, villages, and settlements.

“That the frequency, intensity, and scope of unjustified attacks on cities, villages, and communities in the southern Ose Local Government Area are extremely ominous and humiliating.

“These recurring/constant attacks typically leave in their aftermath huge destruction of lives, properties, fires, rapes of married women, teenagers, and minors, kidnapping, murder, etc.”

SOKAPU cautions against taking El-Rufai’s ‘Naira desperation’ for granted

The Southern Kaduna People’s Union stated on Friday that Nasir El-Rufai, the governor of Kaduna State, should be probed for his objection to the Federal Government’s order declaring that the old N1000 and N500 notes will no longer be accepted as legal money as of February 17.

President Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) had declared that the old N500 and N1,000 banknotes were no longer accepted as lawful tender when addressing the nation. He urged Nigerians to deposit their old N500 and 1000 notes with the CBN, but said that the old N200 note would be legal tender for the following 60 days, or until April 10, 2023.

However, in complete disregard to the President’s directives on the N500, N1000 naira notes to be deposited in the various branches of the Central Bank of Nigeria across the country, El-Rufai mandated residents of the state to continue the use of the old naira notes, pending the determination of the matter which is before the Supreme Court.

The governor gave the directives in a state-wide broadcast on Thursday night.

But the SOKAPU in a statement by its Spokesperson, Luka Binniyat, argued that El-Rufai’s “desperation was not ordinary”, declaring that he (El-Rufai) should be investigated.

According to Binniyat, SOKAPU has been observing the curious ongoing drama between Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State and the Federal Government over the new Naira policy.

“The desperation of el-Rufai is not ordinary and we suggest that he should be investigated. However, El-Rufai has gone overboard in his reaction to the response of Buhari to the Supreme Court order.

The statement stated that El-Rufai looked to be heading a gang of APC governors bent on reversing the controversial Naira redesign.

“In his broadcast to the State last night, el-Rufai sounded desperate; he became unduly emotional and abusive and spoke with a lot of braggadocios in the typical manner that has been his public image. He even alleged that there was a plot to stop the 2023 general election and its place an interim government installed.

“He called on Kaduna State citizens to disobey the directives of President Buhari. He insisted that the N500 and N1000 notes are still legal tenders in Kaduna State, contrary to the position of the Federal Government and promised dire consequences on anyone who refused to make transactions with them in Kaduna State.

“It will therefore look like el-Rufai has declared himself a rebel. If this is not treason, then we need another definition of the word.

“If El-Rufai has such goodwill towards the people of Kaduna State why has he not approached the Supreme Court to force the Federal government to wipe out the so-called bandits that have taken over a large portion of Kaduna State creating their own government right under his nose?”

“We are yet to see el-Rufai make a case at the Supreme Court forcing the National Emergency Management Agency to give relief materials to the millions of IDPs in Kaduna State. SOKAPU does not know el-Rufai for charity towards his electorates; we have no records of him on empathy and sympathy to the suffering people of Kaduna State.

“From all accounts, el-Rufai’s most important concern is the flow of raw cash for seamless spendings during elections. But there may be more than meets the eyes. It has been said that there are a few powerful individuals and families that have stashed away billions of stolen Naira which they can’t put in the bank without raising suspicion.

“So, we want to appeal to our members not to be charmed by El-Rufai’s bravado towards the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Government as a genuine act of concern to the citizens.

“He cannot hide under the cover of the suffering we are going through as a result of the new Naira policy and wage his war.”

Governors insisting on the continued circulation of old naira notes do so with the intention of utilizing them to buy votes – SAN

According to Senior Advocate of Nigeria Muiz Banire, the governors’ insistence on the continued use of all old naira notes as legal tender is an attempt to buy votes.

In order to “purchase voters’ conscience,” according to Banire, the governors planned to deceive the public into accepting the “already stocked old notes in their custody.”

“A lot of us might not understand why the Governors are insisting on the old notes being legal tender,” the SAN wrote.  “Certainly, it is not that they don’t know that they do not have the power to declare what is legal tender, neither did they not know that [they] … lack the capacity to enforce any Supreme Court judgment.

He claimed that their true intentions were to deceive naïve prospective voters into taking the already stocked old notes in their possession in order to buy voters’ conscience.

Banire advised people to demand “the true legal tender as stated by the apex bank” in all cases

In his letter, he advised prospective voters to either insist on the real legal cash declared by the apex bank or use any other form of payment they found acceptable.

But he cautioned, “Your conscience is not worth purchasing; if you must collect the money, which is primarily taken from the Treasury, insist on acceptable legal tender and still vote your conscience.