Press Statement from the Middle Belt Forum for Immediate Release.

12th August, 2024.

The Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Kaduna State Chapter, hereby wishes to express its sincere appreciation to all its members for heeding to its call to shun the August 1st – 10th, 2024 #EndBadGovernance protest in Kaduna State.

The MBF is the umbrella socio-cultural body of all ethnic nationalities north of the Benue and Niger Basins that were never under the Sokoto caliphate and Kanem-Borno rule in pre-colonial Nigeria.

Kaduna State Chapter of the MBF, also hails the effort of Kaduna state Governor, Senator Uba Sani for the manner he managed the chaos, violence and seditious dimension that the protest predictably assumed in the state, as we had earlier warned.

We join other well meaning Nigerians in condemning the well planned anarchy, looting and arson that took place.

We also commiserate with innocent victims of the violent demonstration.

Though we can never be part of that inappropriate way of addressing our grievances, nonetheless, the anger, frustration and hopelessness driven by hunger in Nigeria of today is real. And the government must take note of this seriously and address it urgently.

We are, however, very proud to note and praise the composure and civility of our youths from, Sanga, Lere, Kafanchan to Chikun et al, and all areas dominant by the people of the Middle Belt in other major towns and cities of the state, while other parts of the state boiled with lawlessness during the mass protest.

Though the curfew that is slammed in Zaria and Kaduna metropolitan areas affects even our major areas of residency far removed from the scenes of the rebellion, we nonetheless agree that it’s a development we have to endure for the good of the state.

We are however, happy to note that life has resumed to normalcy in targeted areas. In this light, are very much looking forward to the total uplifting of the curfew so that everyone can go about the full pursuit of livelihood in affected areas.

In Conclusion, MBF, Kaduna State Chapter acknowledges the dire living challenges we all face under this government and our legitimate rights to protest and hold the government accountable, but we insist that it must be done in a responsible and patriotic manner devoid of other negative motives strange to the intended action.

Together, we can build a brighter future for our State and our nation.

Let us stand firm in our values of orderliness, civility, and discipline, ensuring that our actions reflect the best of who we are as Middle Belters.

Thank you for your commitment to peace.
Together, we can navigate our challenges and work towards a better tomorrow for our country.

Signed: Luka Biniyat
Chairman, Middle Belt ForumKaduna State Chapter.

12th August, 2024.

A PRESS CONFERENCE CONVENED BY THE NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL OF OGONI PEOPLE ( NYCOP) WITH OTHER YOUTH GROUPS IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHER CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS OPERATING IN THE NIGER DELTA REGION ON JANUARY, 13TH, 2024

Good day ladies and gentlemen of the press. On behalf of the National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP), Niger Delta Congress (NDC), Ogoni Youth Federation (OYF), National Union of Ogoni Students (NUOS), Ogoni Comrades and Patriots Forum (OCPF), the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) , Ogoni Liberation Initiative (OLI), Ogoni Environment Watch (OEW), Ogoni Living Martyrs (OLM), Ogoni Youth Initiative (OYI), Eleme Youth Council (EYC), Ogoni Youth Coalition Movement (OYCM), Tai Youth Assembly (TYA), Standing and Living Without Bitterness (SLWB), and the good and peace loving people of Ogoniland, we welcome you all to this press conference.

We have convened here to discuss critical issues capable of disrupting the peace of not just Ogoni, Rivers State, and the Niger Delta, but Nigeria at large. But first, a brief history.

It is on record that a large part of Ogoni history has revolved around resisting injustice in all its forms and manifestations against Ogoni people and the Niger Delta Peoples. First, against the slave raiders, then the British colonialists, then International Oil companies who in collaboration with our fellow Nigerian compatriots, for personal gain, sought to dominate and subjugate us.

In holding the social justice mirror to the Nigerian society in it’s different phases of evolution, the Ogoni people have never attempted to denigrate, dominate nor subjugate anyone or group. Neither have we set out to take what does not rightfully belong to us.

In October 1990, the Ogoni people having grown tired of enduring environmental degradation and economic and political subjugation, despite our immense contributions to the development of the Nigerian Federation, presented to our fellow countrymen and the world the Ogoni Bill of Rights which captured the hopes and aspirations of our people and became a watershed moment for oppressed groups worldwide.

Although the Rights and demands captured in the Ogoni Bill of Rights were internationally recognized rights such as the control of Ogoni affairs by Ogoni people; control and use of Ogoni economic resources for Ogoni development; adequate and direct representation as of right for Ogoni people in all Nigerian national institutions; and the right to protect the Ogoni environment and ecology from further degradation, the Nigerian government responded by unleashing on our land and people a brutal violence never before seen in Nigeria’s history since the Nigerian Civil War.

As a result of this attempt at genocide and ethnic cleansing of our people, thousands of Ogonis were displaced, many of our communities sacked and have remained sacked till date, many of our people were maimed for life, and thousands more killed, including a generation of some of the brightest minds in not just Ogoni, but the Niger Delta and Nigeria in general. All these happened without the Ogonis picking up arms or firing a single bullet.

It is important to refresh our minds with this history because over the past 24 months, as Ogoni people continue to recover from our losses in our just stand against injustice and oppression, the Nigerian Federation and its collaborators in an attempt to reenact its past onslaught on Ogoni people have set in motion sinister plans to not only deprive Ogoni people of our rights and resources, but to further subjugate us politically and economically while also sowing seeds of discord capable of disrupting the peaceful and harmonious environment in Ogoni.

Firstly, it has come to our notice that between October 2021 and September 2022, the Nigerian government began negotiations with Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPco) over the handing over of the Ogoni field in its possession, OML 11, to the Nigerian government via the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC).

At the conclusion of this negotiation which was spearheaded by the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in his then capacity as Governor of Rivers State, over $900 million, in equivalence of over N 1 trillion, was paid by Shell for the development of Ogoni in addition to handing over its assets to the NPDC.

Be that as it may, Ogoni people have not been properly informed of this fund from the appropriate quarters such as the Nigerian Government, the Rivers State Government, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPco), or former Governor Nyesom Wike who spearheaded the negotiations “on behalf” of the Ogoni people.

On the other hand, information available to us shows that over $300 million (over N360 billion) of the funds meant for the development of Ogoni has been shared amongst a few individuals with no recourse to the Ogoni people. We do not only find this insulting, we also find it inciting.

We are also aware that part of this fund have been made available to certain members of the Ogoni community via the NPDC to aid the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland before the end of the fourth quarter of 2024 via bribery and the factionalization of Ogoni groups with the social license to discuss these issues such as the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), and the National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP).

The Ogoni people find the recent attempt at shortchanging and depriving our people of resources meant for our development as an affront taking into consideration the current economic and political realities of our people. And we want to state unequivocally, that Ogoni Youths are not against oil Resumption. But, we are open to honest, transparent and fruitful negotiation with Ogoni people.

According to the Multidimensional Poverty Report of 2022, Rivers South-East Senatorial District which is home to 90% of Ogoni people in Nigeria accounts for the poorest Senatorial District in Rivers State. The Ogoni people today have the least access to health facilities, the lowest life expectancy in Rivers State, and the highest unemployment rate despite having arguably the largest educated population in Rivers State. It is therefore tantamount to economic genocide the ongoing attempts to pilfer, plunder, pillage, and deprive Ogoni people of over $900 million (N1 trillion) meant for the economic development of our land and people bearing in mind the present socioeconomic realities as aptly captured by Nigeria’s own National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

We therefore use this medium to call the attention of the international community and the United Nations (UN) to the inciting actions of political actors in Nigeria capable of disrupting the peace in Ogoni.

OUR DEMANDS

1. We call on Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPco) led by Elohor Aiboni to come public on the compensation paid for the development of Ogoni.
2. We call on the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) led by Mr Mele Kyari, and the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) led by Mansur Sambo to come public on the compensation paid by Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPco) for Ogoni people.
3. We call on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to come clean on the compensation paid by Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPco) for the development of Ogoni.
4. Most importantly, we call on the Nigerian President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to as a matter of urgency order for an investigation into the whereabouts of the $900 million paid by Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPco) and meant for Ogoni development which has gone missing and the speedy prosecution of anyone or group found wanting in this regard.
5. In conclusion, we request for an audience with the Commander in- Chief and the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria with Ogoni stakeholders and youth leaders for necessary actions to address the pertinent issues raised herein.

Long live Ogoni Kingdom.

Long live the Niger Delta peoples.

Signed

1.National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP).
Comr. Barinuazor Emmanuel- NYCOP PRESIDENT.

2. Ogoni Youth Federation (OYF),
   Comr. Emmanuel Goteh Bie, Acting President OYF.
3. National Union of Ogoni Students (NUOS) World Wide. Comr. Nukpugi Daniel Karabari, NOUS World Wide President
4. Ogoni Comrades and Patriots Forum (OCPF), Ledogo Amabu. Converter of Ogoni Patriots.

5.National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), David Bariereka, NANS National Secretary

6.Ogoni Liberation Initiative (OLI), Elder Owens Vincent, OLI National Secretary

7. Niger Delta Congress (NDC), Nubari Saatah

8.Ogoni Environment Watch (OEW), Tokpa Effort Korlue

9 Ogoni Living Martyrs (OLM), Elder Nuka Kobo( Spoke man) and Elder Uebari Macus

10.Ogoni Youth Initiative (OYI), Pastor Efenyie

11.Eleme Youth Council (EYC), John Osaronu

12.Ogoni Youth Coalition Movement (OYCM), John Kpalap

13. Tai Youth Assembly (TYA), Prince Akeekue

14.Standing and Living Without Bitterness (SLWB), Godswill Nwiwuga

on behalf of the good and peace loving people of Ogoniland,

This House Must Not Fall

…Being an Address by Gloria Mabeiam Ballason Esq, C.E.O. House of Justice, at the 8th House of Justice Summit on Friday 24th November, 2023 at Epitome Events Centre Barnawa Kaduna-Nigeria

PROTOCOLS:

On behalf of the Management and Staff of House of Justice, I am truly delighted to welcome you to the historic city of Kaduna for the 8th House of Justice Summit & Burgundy Ball Banquet.

This is an annual civic gathering that enables the review of the biggest challenge in Nigeria and the African continent and invites those we consider most suited to curating solutions to enlighten and teach us so we can overcome those challenges.

As a private Justice multi-door house, we realize that if human beings create problems, it will behoove some other human beings to find solutions. In the normal course of events, we would have lingered on platitudes, but there is an urgency of now to which we must review electoral accountability and democratic stability because there is a straight line that leads from one to the other.

The tell signs are in Burkina faso, Sudan, Guinea, Mali and our next door neighbor, Niger. And with the murmuring sounds in Nigeria of the overturn of popular electoral votes, there is the need to very quickly review the imperative for the peoples votes and choice to be respected.

In recent times we have seen the state of our nation in the blighting endurance of citizens who are working past exhaustion to have a better country but are constantly being hit on the blindside and subdued to choices of leaders they did not make and an economy that, according to the World Poverty Clock assessment, makes it difficult for the 133 million multi-dimensionally poor Nigerians, to breath.

No one would have imagined that between August 2022 to August 2023, the average retail price of fuel will move from N189 to N626- an over 330% increase in just a year. The word that flies is subsidy removal but the presidency seems to not appreciate that a surgery without anesthesia is just as risky as the disease itself.

There is of course, a sharp decline in productivity as a number of state governors have struggled to contain the debilitating effect of the fuel hike on their public work force and so have reduced the work days, this remedial act, is in itself a direct violation of the Constitution which puts labour and public holiday under the exclusive legislative list.

Running up to the 2023 elections, Nigerians mobilized to choose leaders they hoped will make the difference they desire. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which promised to ensure credible elections through the use of Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) to reveal results in real time on the IREV portal violated their own rules and sought alibi in system failures.
INEC had a 2015 precedence of not delivering on the promise it claimed the smart card readers would deliver. On both counts, INEC’s failure to count and account for the sweat, tears and blood that often accompanies the Nigerian vote, has not met any consequence. At the minimum, there should be a refund to national coffers the huge sum for the purchase of these electoral gadgets and an inquiry on why INEC failed on its part of the bargain.

To be clear, Nigerians are not asking for smart card readers, BVAS or IREV. They just want their votes to count however that is done.
Indeed, it has not helped that the onus to prove substantial compliance rests on candidates while INEC sadly, enjoys presumption of regularity. One clear effect of this undeserved presumption is that two successive senate presidents, who violated the Electoral Act by running for two offices at the same time, sit pretty at the National Assembly. Are there no more standards to leadership? Did they take thought on the legacy and precedence this creates?

And while we linger on that thought, the overturn of popular mandate by persons and institutions- including the Courts, has become all too worrisome. Popular votes are sometimes overturned by the Court. This flies in the face of section 14 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution which states that the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a state base on the principles of democracy and social justice. (2) It is hereby accordingly declared that sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom governments through this constitution derives all its powers and authority.’

Of the Supreme Court case of Hope Uzodinma V. Emeka Ihedioha, where a candidate who came first in elections was substituted with the one who came fourth, Supreme Court Justice Centus Nweze said ‘This court has powers to overrule itself and can revisit any decision not in accordance with justice…This Judgment will continue to hunt our electoral jurisprudence for a long time to come.’
In October, 2023,about a month ago,Hon. Justice Dattijo Muhammad, a Supreme Court Justice who rose to become the second most senior Justice of the Supreme Court shocked many when he, in his valedictory speech gave an insider account of corruption in the judiciary which manifests through the subversion of merit, lopsided composition of the Justices of the Supreme Court, skewed composition of the panel that decided the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s election, loss of the judiciary’s prestige and public confidence- a situation he described as an unprecedented low sink.

The situation is perhaps best described by my friend whose job description requires him to be apolitical but puts it this way:
“ Nigeria takes for granted leadership at every level and does not think about the implications on our existence as a nation. We have dropped the bar so low that governance is an all- comers game and the polity treats politics and political matters like supporting a football club with blind pseudo loyalty and no long term thought other than ‘we won’. We have normalized chaos and political debauchery and sanctified moral decadence.The corrupt are worshipped and given a place of honour, while the morally upright are ostracized”

My friend’s football metaphor resonates. The challenge however is that in the Nigerian situation, laws and rules are on suspension. There are no yellow cards or red cards, just win howsoever and whensoever. This is dreadful as we have no separate country for those politicians or government officials who violate the laws different from the rest of us. The laws must therefore be allowed to speak a consistent language so it works for everyone.

Today we are a country awakened to the danger of treating the Constitution as a list of suggestions rather than the grund norm. The pain of citizens has turned to anger and despondency but that anger needs to be converted to resolution. Whether we take leadership to standards or bring standards to leadership, we must keep on the front burner the thought that a country which has no leadership threshold and which honours its laws in breach rather than in compliance is not a country that will proceed beyond its woes.

And so for myself, for House of Justice and for our nation and continent, I want to thank you for honouring our invitation with your hope that I believe will not make ashamed. I welcome most respectfully and warmly, Nigeria’s conscience, our Keynote Speaker, the Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Chairman, Senator Shehu Sani, the Special Guest of Honour, Hon. Justice K.B. Akaahs OFR JSC (Rtd), the outstanding faculty of speakers and doers of the High Panel Discussion and the Professionals who will be proferring solutions and action points. I have no doubt that we shall together find a method to our challenges if we let none hear us idly saying there is nothing I can do.

Kaduna,Friday 24 November, 2023.

Please Leave Wike Alone: No to Unproductive, Destructive and Divisive Ethno-Religious Rhetorics in Nigeria -Para-Mallam

…Religious Leaders by their Calling Should be Agents of Peace and Promoters of Unity and National Cohesion. Anything short is manipulation of religion for destructive purposes.

Jos, Nigeria – Monday, October 30, 2023

The Revd Dr. Gideon Para-Mallam, a prominent Nigerian peace builder and advocate, has issued a call for religious leaders across faiths to act more responsibly and shun issuing inflammatory statements from their pulpits either on Fridays or Sundays. Such misuse of the pulpit only divides Nigerians and consumes gullible listeners and followers along religious and ethnic lines.

Para-Mallam’s admonition comes in response to recent inflammatory statements particularly from some clerics of Northern extraction questioning the appropriateness of Ex-Governor Nyesom Wike’s appointment by President Bola Tinubu to serve as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on religious grounds. The clerics had suggested Wike’s Christian faith disqualifies him from holding an office overseeing the FCT. Some of such deadly rhetorics, erroneously described the Nigerian federal capital territory as a “Hausa and Fulani enclave,” which historically and geographically it is not.

In a strongly worded statement, the President and CEO of the Jos-based peace building organisation, The Para-Mallam Peace Foundation reminds such clerics and all Nigerians that the position of FCT Minister belongs to every qualified Nigerian regardless of their tribe or religious affiliation.

The peace and social justice crusader who has never met or known Wike personally, apart from the pages of newspapers or television, stated that Muslim clerics calling Wike on account of his Christian faith ‘infidels’ is not only erroneous but dangerous hate speech that could instigate religious violence against innocent Nigerians. Para-Mallam reminds such clerics that Christians firmly believe in God and love Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Therefore, referring a Christian as an unbeliever is factually incorrect, provocative and risks inciting hostility against them.

Para-Mallam further called on such clerics to be more responsible with their public utterances and stop making loose comments that demean other faiths or suggest excluding qualified Nigerians from positions of national service and governance roles; on religious grounds.

“It beats my imagination that clerics use vulgar language to characterise the Hon Minister. This is strange and dysfunctional application of religion. To suggest that Wike being a Christian is therefore an Arne (infidel) is an intentional wicked characterisation of not only Wike but all Christians. It is absolutely wrong for any Muslim leader or Muslims to describe Christians as Arne. This is pure hypocrisy on the part of such Muslim Clerics. To describe Christians as Arne is not only unacceptable but hate speech borne out of hatred. Nigeria should be spared further agony by such unfounded miss-applied religious labelings.” He said.

He also reminded all faith leaders that Nigeria belongs to people of every tribe and creed. No ethnic group or religious followers can lay exclusive claim over national roles and institutions. Any thing to the contrary is religious grandstanding.

“Abuja belongs to all Nigerians. It is not the sole preserve or entitlement of any particular ethnic group or religious adherents. If the Gbyagis have shown accommodation of other ethnic groups, the rest of us should shun politics of provocation in the name of religion. Those making these inflammatory utterances should know better than to insinuate ex-Governor Wike cannot hold the office simply because he is a Christian from the South. Targeting Wike and other Christians who hold visible positions in the country is an act of disservice to the Nigerian State.” Para-Mallam said.

Para-Mallam urges clerics to act with wisdom, restraint and dignity befitting their offices when they are preaching or speaking to audiences.

“They should refrain from sermons which demeans other faiths or insinuating exclusion of qualified Nigerians from service because of their religion. We should all be tired of such antics. We become the laughing stock of the global community. Nigeria is blessed by excellent minds and brains. In truth these gifted individuals are found both in the north and south and also among Christians and Muslims. The age of using religion for manipulative purposes is gone forever in Nigeria.” He said.

The peace advocate explained that faith leaders have great influence, so their words carry weight hence the need for caution.

“They must avoid language that marginalizes, excludes, divides or incites hostility against any Nigerian on religious or ethnic grounds. In truth there’s huge groundswell of support for Wike and he is gradually being transformed into a national hero. Wike rises while his detractors are diminished. Every Nigerian is qualified to be Minister of the FCT. Wike should not and cannot be made an exception.” He said

In addition, Para-Mallam called on religious leaders to become positive voices of moderation, inspiration, reconciliation and unity. They should build bridges between faith communities, calm tensions, and advance shared interests for the common good of all Nigerians: Christians and Muslims alike.

“With Nigeria facing huge insecurity and socio-economic challenges, the country needs clerics to serve as forces of stability, progress and hope – rather than merchants of division and strife. Their platforms and influence should unite, not divide.” The Peace builder added.

Speaking on recent attacks and negative criticisms towards the FCT Minister, Nyesome Wike over allegations of ‘forming alliance’ with Israel to attack Gaza and the people of Palestine, Para-Mallam said such allegations are not only baseless but capable of setting the nation on fire. He goes on to note that in the past, Abuja has been governed by Muslim FCT ministers who also at different times hosted Israeli government officials and investors in the Nigerian capital.

“If hosting Israeli envoys in Abuja was not a problem when done in the past by Muslim FCT ministers, why should it become an issue now with Governor Wike simply because he is a Christian? This is the kind of inflammatory religious insinuations we must avoid for national peace and unity. Such tactics won’t scare Christians from relating with Israel. There are many Arab nations who do business with Israel. ‘Nigerians cannot be more Catholic than the Pope,’ as the expression goes.

It is on record that the Israeli ambassador’s visit to the office of the FCT was on carried out on the 3rd of October, 2023. “Why connect such with the unfortunate war going on in Israel/Gaza? This was days before the war started and the visit was not a secret visit but well covered by the media . . . In truth, does a minister of the federal republic of Nigeria have the powers to engage in diplomatic negotiations involving international actors in a conflict situation?” He stated.

With Nigeria facing enormous economic, security and governance challenges, Para-Mallam stressed that respected faith leaders must avoid statements that marginalize or incite hatred against any Nigerians on religious or ethnic grounds.

Instead, the leadership guru said, they should be forces for unity, progress, stability and hope – using their platforms and influence to build bridges, calm tensions, and advance the shared interests of all Nigerians regardless of tribe or creed.

“That is the Nigeria we must keep working and praying to build together.” He said.

He concludes by appealing to all religious leaders to promote tolerance, respect diversity, and pursue national healing. Avoiding inflammatory rhetoric and uniting Nigerians across ethnic and religious lines is vital for the nation’s peace and prosperity. Nigeria will rise again from the ashes of social injustice and discriminatory religious tendencies to becoming the envy of other nations in peace Co-existence. I believe in Nigeria and our current leadership trajectory will change for the BEST.

BREAKING: Buhari approves postponement of 2023 census

The 2023 Population and Housing Census, which was initially slated for May 3–7, 2023, has been postponed with the approval of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (ret.), until a date to be decided by the incoming administration.

On Friday, April 28, 2023, in the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the President met with a few members of the Federal Executive Council and the Chairman of the National Population Commission, Nasir Isa-Kwarra, and his team

This information can be found in a press release that was issued on Saturday morning and is signed by Lai Mohammed, the minister of information and culture.

In making the decision to delay the census, the meeting reiterated the critical need for the conduct of a Population and Housing Census, 17 years after the last census, to collect current data that will drive the country’s developmental goals and improve the living standard of the Nigerian people,” according to the statement.

There have been requests for the census to be postponed from various quarters for a variety of reasons, including inadequate planning, a lack of funding, supervisors’ lack of preparedness for the exercise, credibility difficulties caused by the scheduling, and security concerns, among others.

Additionally, there have been demonstrations against the census in a number of locations, particularly in the Middle Belt. Samuel Ortom, the governor of Benue State, has been outspoken about the importance of putting insecurity before the population census count. Many other groups, including the Middle Belt Patriots, have also called for a postponement.

Niger Delta Congress visits victims of herdsmen attacks in Bayelsa, calls for action

The Niger Delta Congress (NDC) on Monday  (April 24th 2023) paid a condolence visit to the Zarama Community in Bayelsa State that was attacked by herdsmen sometime in the month of March this year leading to at least one death and injury of other community members.

The NDC delegation which was led by the Secretary General, Mr Kemedengiyefa Opia was received by the Paramount Ruler of the community, HRH Goodnews.

The Royal Highness of the community HRH. Goodnews gave a detailed account of what transpired on the day of that dastardly act. Diri Stanley a son to the late chief who was killed by the herdsmen also attested to the fact that there hasn’t been any kind of support from the Bayelsa State government so far in for the bereaved family made up of 10 children and the widowed wife. 

The NDC uses this opportunity to call on the Bayelsa State Government to support the family of the deceased and help alleviate their suffering brought about by the demise of their breadwinner.

Also present at the meeting were members of the Hunters Group and their leadership who have been at the forefront of protecting the community from the rampaging herdsmen. The group while restating their commitment and experiences in tackling the herdsmen challenge bemoaned the lack of support from the government, pointing to the fact that security agencies who were given government support were always nowhere to be found when the need arises. 

The NDC consequently pledged its support to the people of Zarama community in their quest to protect their land and people from the activities of herdsmen/terrorists.

Mudiaga Ogboru,

National Spokesperson, NDC

PDP G-5 Govs Not Supporting Tinubu – Jang

Sen. Jonah Jang, a former governor of Plateau State and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has said that the G5 PDP governors and their allies, including himself, do not endorse Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for president of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Jang continued by saying that Governor Simon Lalong, the director general of Tinubu’s campaign, was daydreaming when he claimed that the G-5 supported Tinubu.

According to a statement made in Jos by Jang’s media advisor Clinton Garuba, they have made it clear time and time again that they do not personally disagree with the PDP candidate Atiku Abubakar, but rather with the procedure that produced him and the structural imbalance that resulted.

The G-5, also known as the integrity group, disagreed with the PDP and withdrew support for its presidential candidate’s campaign, but this in no way implies that they are backing the APC’s presidential nominee, according to him.

“The attention of former Governor of Plateau State Senator Jonah David Jang has just been drawn to recent comments attributed to the Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon Simon Lalong at the flag-off of the APC campaign rally, held at Wase that the G5 PDP governors are supporting the APC presidential candidate.

“Only Lalong and his fellow dreamers think so and will stop at nothing to mislead the public in order to get favorable feedback for a bad product they so desperately want to sell.”

The comments, which aimed to criticize and paint the former governor of the state in a negative light as well as win favor with his chosen candidate and the APC, are described in the statement as nothing more than the final gasps of a dying horse.

Garuba noted that typically they would have dismissed the vituperations as the tantrums of a deeply dissatisfied individual who has assumed a difficult task of marketing a substandard product all in the quest to be relevant.

The former governor further said that his successor failed miserably in all areas, including basic infrastructure, healthcare, tourism, and education. He claimed that throughout his whole tenure as governor, the man did nothing to promote the welfare and wellbeing of his people.

Asake Still In Race – LP Campaign Council on Kaduna elections

Rumors that the Labour Party’s (LP) governorship candidate, Hon. Jonathan Asake, had withdrawn from the contest in Kaduna State have been refuted by the Asake/Bashir campaign organizations.

This is to call the attention of our party members, our teaming supporters in and out of Kaduna state, to disregard all lies and rumors peddled by PDP that Hon. Jonathan Asake, the gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party for Kaduna State, has stepped down from the race for Hon. Isa Ashiru Kudan, the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP for Kaduna State.

“Those who are spreading these rumours are political bandits of the PDP who are forced to face the hard fact that Asake is the choice of Kaduna state under a free and fair election come 11th March, 2023.

Despite the cruel and malicious rumors that have been spread to damage his well-earned reputation, Asake is very hot in the competition and is not looking back.

“We are aware of several organizations and clergy members who have broken their morals and callings in order to amass large sums of cash from their sponsors in order to sway voters’ opinions against Asake.

“They have become scare mongers who are driving fear and hate in the heart of some undiscerning minds that Asake is sponsored to divide the votes of the PDP so that the APC Muslim-Muslim ticket will be retained in Kaduna State.

Under a free and fair election, we don’t see where the APC will win the gubernatorial seat of Kaduna state after the destruction it had brought upon Kaduna State.

“And in any case, it was the indolent, cowardly and timid way the PDP played politics that gave grounds for the APC to do what it liked with the people, assets and fortune of Kaduna state. It is the same PDP that wasted the votes of the people of Kaduna state in 2019. It is the same characters that are parading the same candidate for the 2023 elections. Our people have no confidence that the PDP has the capacity to coast to victory or after victory, sustain the victory from being snatched by the APC from the courts.

“We have identified our lapses in the February 25th Presidential election and we have taken all necessary corrections to avoid the kind of votes robbery that the Labour Party suffered in Kaduna State. The APC and the PDP know from their hearts that Peter Obi and most of our candidates for the National Assembly elections won in Kaduna State, and we are going to get back our victory from the courts.

“We are therefore calling on our supporters not to be intimidated or be deceived by anyone or groups.

They should mobilise themselves and convince more electorate for a landslide victory in the gubernatorial race come 11th March, 2023”.

Benue declares Friday a work-free day for elections

The government of Benue State have declared Friday, February 24, 2023, a holiday.

State Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism Michael Inalegwu revealed this.

The Commissioner stated that the State Executive Council decided to proclaim the day a work-free day on Thursday.

The work-free day will allow State employees to travel to their various areas to cast their ballots in this Saturday’s presidential and national assembly elections, according to Inalegwu.

However, he asserted that specific industries, including the judiciary, security, banks, hospitals, and the fire service, were exempt from the work-free day and that workers in these fields should be paid to continue providing services to the general public.

Inalegwu added, “Council further urged Benue people to conduct themselves peacefully during the elections as they have done in previous ones.”

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….