Supporting Palestine While Denying Biafra Height Of Hypocrisy, Igbo Union Tells Tinubu

BY UGOCHUKWU ALARIBE

UMUAHIA (VANGUARD NIGERIA) – The Igbo National Union–Worldwide (INU-W) has accused the Federal Government of hypocrisy for supporting the recognition of an independent State of Palestine while allegedly suppressing the agitation for Biafra’s sovereignty within Nigeria.

The group was reacting to President Bola Tinubu’s call—delivered through Vice President Kashim Shettima—for the recognition of Palestine as an independent state during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80) held recently in New York, USA.

In a statement signed by its Administrative Secretary, Mazi Austin-Mary Ndukwu, INU-W said Nigeria’s position at the UN amounted to “the height of hypocrisy” and “a clear case of double standards,” given the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

“The most significant and symbolic item presented by Nigeria at the meeting was her tacit recognition of a Palestinian State,” the statement read.

“Therefore, the question being asked by the Igbo National Union–Worldwide is this: did Nigeria act because other nations did so, or did she suddenly recognize the importance of freedom for indigenous peoples? Or was it simply an individual decision by the Vice President in solidarity with his Muslim brothers?”

The group said Nigeria had no moral right to champion the freedom of indigenous peoples elsewhere while “hundreds of pro-Biafra agitators” were allegedly detained in correctional centres and police cells across the country.

“Nigeria must purge herself of such hypocrisy by releasing all prisoners of conscience—epitomized by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu—and save herself from international embarrassment. That is the irony of recognizing a Palestinian State while denying Biafra’s right to self-determination,” INU-W stated.

The organisation further cautioned against granting Africa, particularly Nigeria, a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, citing widespread insecurity and corruption across the continent.

“Nigeria, with the highest rate of insecurity, criminality, and corruption in almost all the 36 states and the FCT, lacks the moral justification and capacity to be admitted into the Security Council as a permanent member.

“Charity, they say, begins at home. Nigeria must first fix the insecurity ravaging her land, which has claimed countless lives and destroyed infrastructure, before seeking to play a global leadership role,” the group added.

West Africa’s Worrying Albatross: ISWAP’s Emergence As Epicentre Of The Islamic State’s Jihadism

BY MALIK SAMUEL,
VANGUARD NIGERIA

A new infographic released by ISIS’s Amaq Agency over the weekend paints a revealing picture of the group’s global operations during the first half of the year. The data, drawn from across ISIS’s various wilayat (provinces), confirms a trend that has been developing over the past few years: the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has become the most active and lethal of all ISIS affiliates. With 215 reported attacks and 734 casualties inflicted, ISWAP’s attacks in Nigeria alone accounted for nearly 35 percent of all ISIS operations globally, and approximately 23 percent of all deaths and injuries attributed to ISIS during this period.

In Cameroon, ISWAP carried out 18 attacks that resulted in 135 casualties, while in Niger, ISWAP and the Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP) were jointly responsible for 21 attacks that led to 233 casualties.

ISWAP’s emergence as the leading battlefield force within ISIS’s global network is not new or incidental. It reflects a calculated shift in ISIS’s operational geography and a strategic recalibration following the territorial collapse of the so-called caliphate in Iraq and Syria. While the central command in the Levant has weakened, West Africa’s Lake Chad region has become an epicenter of insurgent vitality. In ISWAP-controlled spaces, ISIS has found fertile ground not only to conduct military operations, but also to project relevance, assert ideological continuity, and re-establish itself as a transnational movement capable of adapting to local conditions while staying loyal to global jihadist ideals.

The Amaq data shows that ISWAP not only conducted the highest number of attacks but also inflicted the most casualties by a single affiliate, outpacing affiliates in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This sustained tempo of violence underscores ISWAP’s advanced operational capabilities, which include coordinated raids, ambushes, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and strategic cross-border attacks into Cameroon and Niger. Since February 2025, ISWAP has been waging a coordinated campaign known as “The Camp Inferno”, aimed at targeting military bases across the Lake Chad Basin, particularly in Nigeria. Over the past five months, the group has successfully overrun 17 Nigerian military bases in Borno and Yobe states, inflicting significant casualties on government forces, destroying critical military infrastructure, and seizing a substantial cache of weapons and equipment.

Unlike ISIS remnants in the Middle East, ISWAP operates in an expansive theatre with access to cross-border sanctuaries, expansive local funding sources, and a large pool of foot soldiers drawn from diverse ethnic and national backgrounds across the Sahel.

A comparative review of the infographics from ISIS’s Amaq Agency for the first halves of 2024 and 2025 shows that while ISIS’s global operational output has declined, ISWAP has sustained a high tempo of attacks and lethality. ISIS recorded 788 attacks and 3,749 casualties globally in the first half of 2024, compared to 620 attacks and 3,193 casualties in the same period in 2025. Despite this drop, ISWAP carried out at least 246 attacks and inflicted 758 casualties in 2024, and at least 233 attacks with 869 casualties in 2025. These figures, drawn from Nigeria and Cameroon, where ISWAP is the sole ISIS affiliate, suggest the group’s performance has remained steady and even more lethal over time.

ISWAP’s share of global ISIS activity has continued to rise, accounting for 38% of all ISIS attacks and 27% of casualties in the first half of 2025. While attacks in Niger were also reported, ISIS did not distinguish between those carried out by ISWAP or the Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP), making attribution difficult. This means ISWAP’s real numbers may be higher than reported. The group’s ability to retain its operational momentum amid pressure from national militaries underscores its entrenched capabilities, cross-border coordination, and access to local recruitment channels and funding streams. Its cross-border activity, especially in Nigeria, Niger and Cameroon, marks the Lake Chad Basin as a centre of gravity in ISIS’s current global structure.

ISWAP’s consistent performance makes it the most active and strategically significant ISIS affiliate globally. Its attacks are not only militarily disruptive but are also critical to ISIS’s propaganda apparatus, feeding the narrative of an enduring jihadist movement. The group’s success further reinforces its role as a model for other affiliates across the Sahel and highlights West Africa’s transformation into the epicentre of global jihadist activity. This shift has profound implications for regional stability and demands a sustained and coordinated international response.

ISWAP’s battlefield prominence enables ISIS to maintain the appearance of a global jihadist force, even as it suffers attrition elsewhere. Every ISWAP operation is amplified by ISIS media outlets to show that the caliphate’s military machine is still active and potent. These visuals and statistics are not merely retrospective records; they are propaganda assets, carefully curated to boost morale, attract foreign recruits, and secure the allegiance of splinter groups or dormant cells in other regions. Through ISWAP, ISIS manages to bridge its declining core in the Middle East with a dynamic periphery in Africa.

Regional insurgency, global implications

The implications of ISWAP’s leading role extend beyond ISIS’s internal balance of power. For Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, Chad, and the wider Lake Chad Basin, the group’s operational dominance represents an ongoing threat to national and regional stability. ISWAP’s attacks are no longer confined to military outposts; they increasingly target civilian infrastructure, disrupt local economies, and assert political authority in rural zones through taxation and shadow governance that portray it as the best alternative government. This sustained insurgency not only weakens state control, but also entrenches ISWAP’s legitimacy among vulnerable populations who see the group as a more reliable source of order or livelihood.

In the broader Sahelian context, ISWAP’s strength reinforces jihadist momentum across West Africa. Its successes over the years have served as a model for other ISIS affiliates, particularly in Mali, Burkina Faso, and parts of Niger, where governance vacuums and security fragmentation provide fertile ground for expansion. Already, JNIM and the ISSP have entrenched themselves at the primary purveyors of insecurity in the Sahel. Furthermore, ISWAP’s role in projecting ISIS globally means that military victories against ISWAP are not only of local importance, but of global strategic significance.

As the Amaq infographics reveal, ISWAP is not just a regional actor. It has become the spearhead of ISIS’s global narrative, its operational vanguard, and the most important contributor to its survival as a transnational insurgency. This may help explain the influx of foreign fighters into the region, particularly into Nigeria, from a range of countries including Syria, Chechnya, Morocco, Algeria, and others. This reality demands a recalibrated international response, one that recognises West Africa and the Sahel not as a peripheral theatre, but as a central front in the fight against global jihadism. The response must go beyond military efforts to include disrupting ISWAP’s financial networks, blocking cross-border movements and the influx of foreign fighters, and preventing the recruitment of new combatants, particularly young boys, into the group’s ranks.

NIGERIA: 14 Ex-Govs Fingered In N21 Trillion, $47.4 Billion Alleged Fraud In 15 years

VANGUARD

• 61 of 100 cases ongoing one and a half decades after

• Money almost equals FG’s 2023 budget of N21.83 trillion, Ways and Means debt of N22.7 trillion

•8 former Ministers/Special Advisers, 5 senators, others make list

•Money credited to women suspects: N8. 9 trillion, $20 billion; men: N7. 9 trillion, $17. 8 billion

• Trials of those charged should be pursued with vigor and efficiency – Goldstone, a former Justice of Constitutional Court of South Africa

By Kennedy Mbele

14 former governors, eight erstwhile Ministers and Special Advisers, and five senators are among 100 high-profile individuals fingered in alleged corruption cases involving N21. 63 trillion and $47.4 billion over the past 15 years.

73 other suspects were outside of the three categories.

N7. 9 trillion and $17. 8 billion of the alleged fraud involved men, N8.9 trillion and $20 billion involved women while N4.2 billion and $9. 6 billion involved corporate bodies, according to a report.

The alleged fraud (N21. 63 trillion) is almost equal to the 2023 budget of N21.83 trillion of the Federal Government and the Ways and Means debt of N22.7 trillion the Federal Government is owing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Reacting to the report, Justice Richard Goldstone (retd), a former Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa and a member of the Board of a non-governmental organization that pushes for the establishment of a permanent International Anti-Corruption Court, said it was important that the trials of those charged should be pursued with vigour and efficiency

The 77- page document released by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda, otherwise known as HEDA Resource Centre, also shows that of the 100 cases considered, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, handled 79, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences, ICPC, 13, SPIPRPP and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, one each while CCT handled none.

The years of documentation are between 2007 and 2022.

The document is entitled ‘A Compendium of 100 High Profile Corruption Cases in Nigeria’ and is dated November 22, 2022.

It is supported by MacArthur Foundation and is in the 6th edition.

63% of the corruption cases representing 63 cases concern fraud, 20 (20%), money laundering, 6 (6%), corruption, 5 (5%), misappropriation of funds, 4 (4%), embezzlement while 1 (1%) is bribery and forgery, each.

On the status of the cases, the largest number, 61, are said to be ongoing as of the date of publication (November 22, 2022), 10 pending, two dismissed, 11 sentenced, and property of one seized while two cases are stalled.

There were also 12 convicted cases out of which some were later discharged by higher courts.

One case is still being investigated.

On the cases that are either ongoing or pending, the document notes that those involving all 14 former governors are ongoing while nine are pending.

Also, 16 other government officials have their cases ongoing while 10 are pending.

On the amounts involved, the report indicates that 88 of the cases are below N100 billion each while four are between N100 billion and N200 billion each.

The report also notes a significant difference in the distribution of charges.

Most of the former governors are facing charges of fraud, money laundering and misappropriation of funds.

There was also a significant difference in the amounts involved.

For instance, while the 14 former governors and 36 other defendants were involved in less than N100 billion each, two former Ministers/ Special Advisers were involved in over N700 billion in alleged corruption cases, an amount the report described as staggering.

Similarly, of the 100 corruption cases considered, the highest year of case inception was 2022 with 24 % whereas 2017 recorded the lowest (7%).

It was also observed that there was no major difference between the amount involved in the cases and the status of the cases.

For instance, of the 100 cases with amounts below N100 billion examined, 36 are ongoing, while 20 are pending.

Nine have been dismissed, while eight defendants got sentenced.

However, four who were initially convicted were later discharged by a higher court.

Three of the cases went through plea bargaining, while five are still under investigation.

Motivation

The document established the motivation for the work in the Preface written by Olanrewaju Suraju who is the Chairman of, HEDA Governing Board.

Suraju said: “The motivation for this compendium in 2017 was derived from the major concern for the cascading morality in the society with assorted nauseating manifestations.

“It became a regular practice celebrating those notorious for corruption and financial crime offences in the country such that those accused are not only revered and celebrated and elevated by social and religious institutions, but societies also elect them into otherwise respectable offices”.

The HEDA Chair noted that the 2019 elections still saw the election of suspects in corruption and financial crimes as governors in some states, saying, “Obviously, the proceed of crime is used by suspected politically exposed persons to purchase immunity from prosecution and delay the trial to escape public attention and possible justice”.

Threats/harassment

He spoke of threats/harassment as well as accolades and intimidation in the course of compiling the cases.

His words: “For us at HEDA Resource Centre, researching, documenting and publishing this compendium has remained a remarkable achievement in the face of threats and harassment.

“We have received impressive and remarkable accolades for the unprecedented and bold move inherent in the publication and so are criticisms and threats from those affected by the audacity of this action.

“Our underlining objective, as stated from inception, was not to pass any verdict on any of the accused. Rather, this is to document and assist the public, the media, especially those with a knack for insightful backgrounding as well as researchers with information handy enough for easy reference purposes.

“Remarkable achievement of the compendium as we progress was the use by international law enforcement agencies in the United Kingdom and the United States as background for investigation into some corruption and illicit assets recovery cases for Nigeria”.

On why it should be 100 cases, Suraju said: “We are conscious of cases under the definition of corruption and financial crimes, but focuses on only 100 for the publication as promised since inception with substitution of some previously reported and decided cases with some latest cases”.

In the Forward to the compendium, Justice Richard Goldstone (retd), a member of the Board of a recently established no-governmental organization that pushes for the establishment of a permanent International Anti-Corruption Court, wrote: “One of the most important advantages of an International Anti-Corruption Court would be the pressure it would place on domestic authorities to investigate and prosecute grand corruption at home within a reasonable time”.

In that way, he further wrote, and that way only, would they be able to avoid the international court assuming jurisdiction.

On the 100 cases the compendium highlights, Goldstone, also a former Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, added: “The 100 prosecutions that are summarized in this useful report establish the intent of prosecution authorities in Nigeria to investigate and indict those against whom evidence of corruption has been amassed.

“It is equally important that the trials of those charged should be pursued with vigour and efficiency. This Report is likely to encourage that result. It is much to the credit of those who have collected and recorded this information”.

Why Canada Banned Nigerians, Other Foreigners From Buying Estate Property

Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

BY BIODUN BUSARI

Canadian government has banned non-Canadians from buying homes in the country following surged prices in the real estate market.

The North American country passed the law after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic but it took effect from Sunday, January 1, 2023.

Canada took this decision that will last only two years when some politicians believed that buyers were behind the skyrocketed prices jerking up the supply of homes as investments.

According to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal Party last year, the desirability of Canadian homes is attracting profiteers, wealthy corporations, and foreign investors.

In late December, Ottawa also explained that the prohibition would apply only to city dwellings and not to recreational properties such as summer cottages.

This temporary two-year measure was proposed by Trudeau during the 2021 election campaign when soaring prices put home ownership beyond the reach of many Canadians.

According to the campaign site, “This is leading to a real problem of underused and vacant housing, rampant speculation, and skyrocketing prices. Homes are for people, not investors.”

Following their 2021 election victory, the Liberals quietly introduced the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act.

Major markets such as Vancouver and Toronto have also introduced taxes on non-residents and empty homes, as per Associated Press report.

However, in the law, an exception has been made for the immigrants and permanent residents of Canada who are not citizens, as per reports from the country.

--------------VANGUARD

NIGERIA: Shutdown Of Broadcast Stations, Threat To Democracy —Editors

VANGUARD NIGERIA

Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle

The Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, has expressed concern over the shutdown of four broadcast stations by Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle and asked him to immediately unseal the media houses.

Stations sealed by the governor include NTA, Gamji Television, Alumna Television and Pride FM Station, all located in the state capital, Gusau.

Zamfara State government had on Saturday, shut the stations, for covering a rally held by the governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Dauda Lawan Dare.

The government claimed the rally was organised, despite a ban on campaigns by the state government over alleged security situation in the state.

But in a statement issued yesterday, and signed he NGE’s President, Mustapha Isah and the General Secretary, Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the umbrella body of all the editors in Nigeria described the action as illegal and a violation of the Nigeria constitution and other international instruments.

The guild stated that the only government agency charged with the constitutional mandate of regulating the broadcast stations or determining any infraction in the conduct of broadcasting industry was the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC.

‘’While the NGE doesn’t even wan’t to go into the illegality of the ban on political activities in that state, our primary concern here is the unlawful and unconstitutional action of the state governor against the affected stations for carrying out their constitutional and social obligations – of reporting events and keeping the citizens informed of political developments in the state.

‘’In fact, the shut stations would have been accused of unprofessional misconduct if they didn’t cover that rally. We are also encouraged by the fact that the regulatory agency of broadcasting, the NBC, has also condemned the unlawful action of Governor Bello Matawalle,’’ the NGE added.

Condemning the action of the governor in its entirety, the editors said his action was a serious threat to the democratic process and democracy, describing it as a precarious signal to what awaited the media, ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The NGE stated further: ‘’The media reserves the right to cover all events, whether or not they are banned. No state government reserves the right to shut down any media house, in spite of their perceived infractions.

‘’In this case, the Zamfara State governor should have written a petition to the NBC, if at all the affected stations committed any infraction, instead resorting to self-help.

‘’The Guild stands for press freedom and freedom of expression and will always speak out against any attempt to muzzle the media.’’

The editors explained that the human right most closely related to the media was undoubtedly the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

It noted that freedom of expression, as upheld in the constitution and human rights instruments, covered the right to receive or impart information.

Describing the media as ‘’oxygen of democracy’’, the NGE reiterated its earlier position that the media was not an opponent of any government; but a professional institution charged with the constitutional obligation of monitoring the activities of the government and holding it accountable to the citizens.

NIGERIA: The Limits Of Propaganda And Vote For Reality

BY GODSON MONEKE

The Special Conventions and presidential primaries of the two main political parties in Nigeria have come and gone. As expected, the front runners emerged victorious despite efforts by some anti- democratic forces to in influence different outcomes.

I particularly congratulate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for winning the presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, despite the wishes of some members of the establishments and against all odds. This hard-fought victory has confirmed beyond all doubts that Tinubu is a rugged politician and a dogged fighter.

He knows what he wants and works to achieve it, thus marking him out as a visionary politician who is always prepared for the job he seeks. In similar vein, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar emerged the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate against all odds.

Atiku has shown interest in becoming the president of Nigeria since the old Social Democratic Party, SDP, days in 1992. It was not until 1999 when he became the Vice President of Nigeria did he come within earshot of that position. He has sustained that political interest since then despite several attempts to blow him off course. Ironically, both Atiku and Tinubu belonged to the old PDM, a political movement founded by the late General Shehu Musa Ya’Adua. Following the unfortunate death of the General, Atiku became the leader of that political movement.

Thus, Atiku was in a higher pecking order than Tinubu in the PDM political movement. However, the political influence of Atiku in the Northern states, cannot be compared to the large influence Tinubu brought to bear in the South-West geopolitical zone, especially Lagos State that he holds in a vice-grip politically.

Lagos is the richest state in Nigeria and the near total control by Tinubu of its political affairs since 1999 has made him one of the most influential and wealthiest politicians in Nigeria today.

His victory at the APC presidential primaries and the way it was achieved is an attempt by him to extend his influence as a regional political leader to the national scene. Whether he will succeed in this will be determined by the outcome of the presidential election of 2023. Tinubu is the national leader of the ruling political party and that obviously gives him a head start in the presidential race.

As I said earlier in my previous write-ups, the 2023 presidential election is going to be a two-horse race between the ruling APC and the main opposition PDP. All other parties are fringe political parties. Only the APC and the PDP can boast of the huge cultural votes which are important for the victories of political parties at polls.

During the presidential primaries of a major political party what matters is the victory of an aspirant, and how he achieves victory is dependent on immanent political dynamics of the time. I, therefore, think that both Atiku and Tinubu should be celebrated for their emphatic victories in their respective political parties presidential primaries.

Their victories did not come easy, they defeated many co-aspirants to clinch the victories; it was not dropped on their laps, they worked very hard to achieve their victories.

In the course of their victories, they defeated many aspirants from the South-East who could not put up any strong fight for the ticket. They had all expected to be anointed and helped by a higher authority in undemocratic ways.

What manner of a contestant is he who cannot hold his own and always expect to be helped before he can achieve any victory? It is my position that the presidential aspirants from the Igbo nation in the two major political parties in Nigeria should not have indicated interests at all if they knew that they were not prepared for the ensuing contest.

To the best of my knowledge, the only two people who acquitted themselves creditably were Governor Nyesom Wike and former governor and minister, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. Incidentally, both are Igbos from the South-South geopolitical zone.

It is obvious that the much vaunted Nigerian president of Igbo extraction may be achieved through the Igbos from the two states in the South-South geopolitical zone.

My faith in the Igbos in the South-East is no longer as strong as it used to be because of recent developments. They are now perceived as noise makers and often too weak to compete against strong oppositions.

Playing on emotions at every turn is the antics of straw-men. Power is sweet and it is earned and taken, it is never given. In the interest of justice, fair play and equity, I had expected the APC to look in the direction of the Igbos for their presidential candidate. Dr Ogbonnaya Onu spoke to that point at the convention but it was too late as the minds of delegates were already made up by the time he spoke.

The APC had the duty to ensure justice for the Igbos, but their failure to do that showed insincerity on their part. The APC Northern Governors who insisted that the next presidential candidate must come from the South without any thought for the Igbos did not go the full hog as expected of honest leaders. They were patriotic but fell short of holding the bull by the horns.

This not withstanding, nothing justifies the shambolic performances of the presidential aspirants from the South-East geopolitical zone. You must not contest for an office if you know you are not serious about your aspirations and therefore expect it to be handed over to you by administrative fiat.

That is why I had so much admirations for Amaechi because he came out to me as the most serious, prepared and formidable Igbo aspirant on the platform of the ruling APC. But since the party threw the contest open to every part of Nigeria, I do not begrudge Tinubu’s victory. He fought like a strong man and earned his victory; it is thus well deserved.

With Tinubu’s victory, the easiest and earliest route to achieve a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction now is through the PDP. But the Igbos must engage other Nigerians and build the required network and consensus of political alliances. Those who believe that they can achieve it through Mr Peter Obi in the Labour Party, LP, are daydreaming and probably living in another planet.

I am a moralist but I don’t pander to emotions in taking decisions. I am realistic, pragmatic, rational and scientific in my decision-making processes. I have strategically looked at the scenarios and the earliest time for a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction is 2027 if Atiku wins and will serve only one term or 2031 if he wins and will serve the constitutionally allowed two terms. Resorting to protest votes by joining a fringe and electorally inconsequential political party is unhelpful.

For Igbos to make a headway in Nigerian politics they must operate from within the two dominant political parties. That is what the other ethnic groups are doing and Igbos cannot afford to be different.

The ongoing social media propaganda about the presidential candidate of the LP and former Governor of Anambra state amazes me in no small measure.

------------------VANGUARD

OWO CHURCH KILLING: A Stain On The Conscience Of Nigeria – Adebayo

VANGUARD

The Social Democratic Party, SDP, presidential aspirant Prince Adewole Adebayo, on Monday, said that the mass killing at St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, at the weekend is a stain on the conscience of the country and evidence of complacency on the Nigerian government even as he advised government to act now and take a decisive action against it.

Over 50 people were killed and several injured when unknown armed men stormed the church, detonated bombs and opened fire on the congregation at the same time.

The killers, four in number, were reported to have arrived the premises of the church around 11.30 am in Volkswagen Gulf vehicle, disguised into the church as worshippers and moved in with the members before detonated the bombs.

Reacting to the attack, Adebayo said: “It is with deepest sadness that I heard of the killings at the Catholic church in Owo, Ondo state. Wanton destruction of lives, peace and sanctity in the sanctuary of faith by evil forces is a stain on the conscience of Nigeria and final whistle against complacency. Government must act.”

NIGERIA: Bakare’s Satanic Verses On Balewa

Tunde Bakare

BY EMEKA OBASI

Tunde Bakare is a politician whose rallies do not go beyond his pulpit in Lagos. He is very ambitious and dreams of becoming president.

Politics is full of terminological inexactitudes so I am not shocked that he knows nothing about Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.Bakare is into everything, he switched from Islam to Christianity.

A lawyer turned preacher and activist; I would score him zero in history. This man may know not his past. Bakare, possibly does not care about the future, little wonder he wants to rewrite history.

Prime Minister Balewa, the ‘Golden Voice’ was not like today’s politicians, especially those whose campaigns are mounted in one church. A beacon of peace, Balewa was a gentleman, admired by many for his humility.

Balewa died in the January 1966 coup. How he died remains in the realm of controversy, but many have been made to believe that the Prime Minister was shot by Major Emmanuel Arinze Ifeajuna, an Igbo and Black Africa’s first Commonwealth gold winner.

Bakare set tongues wagging with an obnoxious claim that Balewa cursed the Igbo before he was assassinated. The neo politician added that the curse was to make sure no Igbo will ever rule Nigeria after wetting the Prime Minister with alcohol before shooting him.The devil indeed, is a liar.

Balewa was not killed by Ifeajuna. No one poured alcohol on the gentleman politician in January 1966. Someday, the mystery of Balewa’s death will be resolved. Maybe, there are secret files which have not been discovered.

What happened was that Ifeajuna led troops to Balewa’s official residence in Lagos. He arrested the Prime Minister quite alright, but did everything possible to avoid bloodshed even when he had cause to kill, within the premises.

On entering the house, there were five police guards and two officers. Kaftan Nangasu, one account describes him as a Chadian, was Balewa’s Aide de Camp (ADC). There was alternate ADC, Maxwell Orupabo, an Izon.

Nangasu put up a fight but Ifeajuna disarmed him. Nangasu’s little boy, hit a soldier. One of the police guards refused to surrender his rifle, he was dazed with a blow by another soldier. This same Ifeajuna would later shoot Brig. Zakari Maimalari and Lt. Col. Abogo Largema, his superiors, that same bloody night.

Nangasu’s account of Ifeajuna’s encounter with Balewa tells the story. Ifeajuna paid the Prime Minister full compliments and assured even Nangasu that Balewa was going to be taken without harm.

“Whilst going along with Alhaji (Balewa) the major (Ifeajuna) said to him, we know all the trouble going on in the country is not your fault”, Nangasu told the special branch.

Ifeajuna also ‘’straightened up, saluted and said, I come here with respect. I will take you with me.”

The Prime Minister was escorted to the major’s Mercedes Benz car and driven away. After shooting Maimalari and Largema, Balewa was moved to a military Landover while the Benz conveyed the bodies of the slain senior officers.

The coup failed and Ifeajuna fled to Ghana through Seme border. He was driven across by his friend, Chris Ifekandu Okigbo. The fate of the Prime Minister was unknown until his body was discovered around Coker Plantation, Ilogbo, on the Lagos-Abeokuta Highway on January 21, 1966.

Segun Osoba was a reporter with Daily Times. He rode his scooter to the site and saw what looked like a fresh body. There were neither bullet holes nor blood stains. It was Balewa, lifeless, but in a sitting position by a kola nut tree.

Times camera man, Saka Kasumu, took some shots and both ran back to Lagos. The films were developed and handed over to their Managing Director Alhaji Babatunde Jose. The photographs strangely, were never used and Osoba’s report was buried by stories that Balewa’s body was decomposed and had to be taken away to Bauchi through Kaduna for burial.

Ifeajuna confided in Okigbo that he did not shoot Balewa. The Prime Minister according to the soldier, died of asthma.

The coup plotters actually planned to take the Prime Minister to Calabar to hand over to jailed Opposition Leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Ifeajuna and Okigbo were Awoists and had attended University College, Ibadan. Both also taught at Fiditi Grammar School before Ifeajuna joined the Army in 1960. It was through Okigbo who later died as a Baifran major in 1967, that Chief Mathew Mbu heard the asthma version.Balewa so believed in Mbu, a Boki man from the Ogoja area.

His wife, an Igbo, Catherine Anigbo hailed from Eke in Udi. He wanted to know from Okigbo why Ifeajuna killed his boss. Mbu served in the Prime Minister’s office variously as Minister and Special Assistant.

Prof. Femi Aderibigbe who was close to Balewa said he was sure Balewa was not asthmatic. Late Prof. Emma Okocha was told by someone who knew, that Balewa was.

In the same vein, Osoba did not see blood stains on the Prime Minister’s body. That is the puzzle. Bakare just woke up from the wrong side of the bed to ignite ethnic tension.

He was a kid in 1966. I am not sure his law books taught him history. It is a bad dream for a man who should be serving holy communion to serve hurting concoction.

READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE

NIGERIA: Search For Peace: All Hands Must Be On Deck In S-East —Igbo Leaders

Laud Soludo’s truth, peace committee •I am still in shock since unknown gunmen killed securitymen close to my Ukpor country home —Mbazulike Amechi •Soludo’s committee okay, but Kanu’s release more effective —Anambra CAN •Soludo should take it easy —Ezeife •All sides must be listened to —Bishop Onuoha •Release of Nnamdi Kanu will help restore peace in South-East —Ohanaeze chieftain

Charles Chukwuma Soludo sworn in as Governor Anambra State

BY ANAYO OKOLI

ENUGU (VANGUARD) — There is yet no peace in the South-East. Killings, maiming, burning and destruction of property have continued unabated and the people are lamenting. In search of a lasting peace, Anambra State Government recently constituted a 15-member Truth, Justice & Peace Committee comprising eminent Southerners, true Igbo lovers going by their antecedents. The government has invited Biafran agitators to come for a roundtable dialogue to chart a way forward.

The government also promised to grant amnesty, train and rehabilitate criminal elements operating in the state and urged them to drop their arms and come out. Hopefully, the committee will be able to separate true pro-Biafra agitators and criminals using the agitation to operate, causing mayhem, engaging in killings, maiming, kidnapping, armed robbery, extortions, among others, in Igbo land.

A group of youths who snatch people’s cars and keep them in their hideouts waiting for buyers, demand illegal levies from the locals to be able to hold ceremonies like title-taking, marriage , burial and other events; collect daily, weekly and monthly tolls from poor traders in villages, can definitely not be agitating for Biafra.

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has consistently denied any involvement in all the criminal and illegal activities being perpetrated in its name.

“We will expose those behind the killings in the whole land of Biafra in no distant time. Those behind this barbarity are not IPOB members or ESN operatives. Everybody should be wise and vigilant. IPOB do not spill blood. Anybody staging an attack anywhere has nothing to do with IPOB. The insecurity and killing of our innocent citizens are unacceptable to IPOB worldwide and we must bring down those behind these devilish activities. We are urging the governors and other politicians to join hands with IPOB under Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to stop the unnecessary waste of lives in our region,” IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful said.

There is no doubt the genuine agitation has since been infiltrated and hijacked out of the control of IPOB by criminal elements. So the committee should work hard to separate the two so that Ndigbo will know who is who.

However, some people think that IPOB as a body, cannot completely exonerate itself from the criminalities that have taken over their project, hence the need for them to work and collaborate with the committee to clear their name in the process of restoring sanity to the South-East which is what Igbo people want as reflected in their in various views.

I am still in shock since unknown gunmen killed security men close to my home — Mbazulike Amechi

For foremost Igbo leader and First Republic Aviation Minister, Chief Mbazulike Amechi, the current spate of killings, arson and kidnappings in the South-East region is quite worrisome.

According to Amechi: “I am still in shock after the recent killing of two securitymen close to my Ukpor country home by unknown gunmen who set Nnewi South Local Government headquarters ablaze.”

Speaking in support of Governor Soludo’s peace effort, Amechi said: “I don’t need to advise the committee set up by Governor Soludo because he knows those he selected for the assignment.”

On Nnamdi Kanu’s case, the elder statesman declared that they are making serious effort to see that he is released. He disclosed that they met on Sunday “to articulate modalities in furtherance of our efforts to secure Kanu’s release unconditionally.”

Soludo’s committee okay, but Kanu’s release more effective —Anambra CAN

In their contribution, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Anambra State chapter, expressed support for Governor Soludo’s peace committee and noted, however, that the most effective way of ending the ugly trend is by releasing Kanu, the IPOB leader forthwith.

According to Anambra CAN Chairman, Venerable Joseph Nweke: “The sooner they release Kanu, the better for us but the longer the delay, the worse for our security system.

“The reason CAN attended the recent security summit convened by Governor Chukwuma Soludo is because the governor is talking about Kanu’s release. CAN in Anambra State has studied the situation and found out that the only language these unknown gunmen hear is release Kanu or heads will continue to roll and we don’t know exactly where they operate from,” Nweke said.

Soludo should take it easy —Ezeife

However, former Governor Chukwuemeka Ezeife, in his brief reaction to the development, advised Governor Soludo to take it easy with the manner he is handling the IPOB sit-at-home, insisting that he must handle it with utmost care.

Ezeife also insisted that the insecurity problem bedeviling Anambra State today has its root on Kanu’s detention which was why himself and other concerned Igbo elders took it upon themselves to consult with the Federal Government and demanded for his unconditional release.

Former Secretary to Abia State Government, Dr. Eme Okoro commended the Truth, Justice and Peace Committee inaugurated by Soludo but said that the challenge posed by the rising agitation among Igbo youths could not be tackled with only one single state approach.

Okoro said for the desired results to be achieved, there was need for strategic thinking, and the engagement of honest Igbo leaders.

According to him, governors have to do something fast to regain the confidence of Igbo youths which has been so destroyed through betrayals by many of those in power.

“We cannot solve the problem of agitators by a single state approach as Anambra wishes to do. It is much more strategic for honest Igbo leaders to do strategic thinking and planning to enable us reach a workable, realistic and cohesive agenda going forward.

“Many parading as Igbo leaders lack sincerity, focus, integrity and cannot, repeat, cannot command the respect of all and sundry. It is that kind of collective responsibility, agenda and strategic thinking that can propel South-East towards peace, growth and sustainable development,” Okoro said.

All sides must be listened to —Bishop Onuoha

In his view, Bishop Sunday Onuoha, harped on the need for the committee to give attention to every detail and be slow to arrive at a conclusion until it listened to all the sides.

The Co-chair, Interfaith Peace and Dialogue Forum, also emphasized the need to treat all persons appearing before the committee with utmost respect.

“There is always room for roundtable discussion. Everything should be at the table and there shouldn’t be no-go areas. No one should be treated with disrespect at the table of conversation.

“No one should rush to conclusions. Rooms must be given to ensure that there is no quick answer. Patience is the key. Humility is the watch word.”

Soludo’s move laudable—Ogbu Kalu

In his opinion, prominent monarch and traditional ruler of Abiriba Ancient Kingdom, Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu, Enachoken, said the move by Governor Soludo was laudable but expressed worry over trust deficit between the people and the government.

“This is a beautiful idea from a sound mind. But, the pitfall there is that assurances must be given for the safety of those who may want to dialogue with the government. Soludo may be genuine, but can we trust the government at the center? I am worried about this though it sounds very good.”

The Deputy Vice-President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Kingsley Dozie, commended the inauguration of the committee by Soludo and urged that the release of the IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu be also pursued vigorously, saying his release would facilitate the return of peace to Igbo land.

“The release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will go a long way in bringing peace to the South-East,” Dozie said.

However, Prince Richard Ozobu has said that Soludo cannot grant amnesty to bandits who kill, kidnap people and burn houses because banditry is a federal offence, stressing that the powers to grant such amnesty rests with the Federal Government.

“As a governor, does Prof. Chukwuma Soludo really have power to grant amnesty on such criminal acts? That’s the main question. Kidnapping and banditry are federal offences. What powers does he have to give amnesty? The Attorney-General of Anambra State ought to know what the laws say about granting amnesty, whether it is against the law.

“It is good to set up the committee to look into what happened and why it is happening, but such an amnesty ought to have covered the entire area affected by the carnage and with the partnership of the Federal Government. The problem cuts across borders, he isn’t even talking about the entire South-East states. This is the main issue there. To frontally tackle the problem, he should seek the partnership of the Federal Government. There is no way he can be talking about amnesty to criminals without bringing in the Federal Government. If Soludo is limiting the amnesty to Anambra, what about the offences committed by the same people outside the borders of Anambra?

In matters of law, a good Attorney-General should have referred this policy to the Constitution and find out whether he has the power to do that.

“Now, you want to surrender and you grant them amnesty within Anambra, what about the offences they committed across the border, whether he has powers to also grant them amnesty in offences committed in neighbouring states?

“The main issue is that the crime for which Soludo has proclaimed amnesty is a federal offence, the powers to grant amnesty doesn’t rest with him. What if he grants amnesty and the Federal Government chooses to prosecute those he has granted amnesty? We know that some of the criminals perpetrating these crimes may have taken to crime because of certain acts of politicians in power. I am not against granting amnesty but let it follow due process.

Ozobu urged the governor to look into the area of massive creation of jobs, skills acquisition and provision of soft loans to assist the youths of the state to be self-dependent.

“I would have preferred Soludo to reduce unemployment by looking into the area of mass provision of jobs and skills acquisition for Anambra people. He should also access funds to grant soft loans to young people. Soludo knows Anambra people are good in business.”

CONTRIBUTORS: By Anayo Okoli, Vincent Ujumadu, Nwabueze Okonkwo, Ugochukwu Alaribe, Chinonso Alozie, Ikechukwu Odu & Steve Oko

Nigeria In A Sorry State — Ex-Katsina Gov, Shehu Shema

Shehu Shema

BY OGALAH IBRAHIM

KATSINA, NIGERIA (VANGUARD) - Considering the ongoing local government election in Katsina State which began today, coupled with other problems bedevilling the country, a former Governor of the state, Barrister Ibrahim Shehu Shema has said that the country is in a sorry state, alleging monumental fraud in the exercise.

Shema expressed shock over alleged acts of illegality in the exercise, noting that he cannot understand why materials were reported having left the Central Bank of Nigeria premise in Katsina between 8 am – 10 am yesterday, Sunday and escorted to their various destinations in the 34 LGAs by party representatives could have been diverted supposedly by those in government, citing instances of places like Kankara, Bakori and a number of other places.

The former Governor described the Katsina Local Government election as a scam and a shame on APC administration at the state and central levels.

Shema who registered his displeasure over the conduct of the local government election in the state while speaking with a team of pressmen at his Dutsin-ma resident said:

“I am totally disappointed in the APC administration in Katsina State. Indeed in President Muhammadu Buhari’s state, it will be a shame if the Local Government election cannot be conducted correctly, freely, fairly, giving equal opportunity to all Nigerians and Katsina people.”

“In a lot of the polling units, I have discovered that, like in Mashi LGA, the returning officer is a card-carrying member of APC and on top of that they took ballot papers to the different units but without result sheets.

“They are holding the result sheet to return to government house to meet Aminu Bello Masari and his cohorts to fill these forms and tell Nigerians that election has been conducted.

“This is not an election. This is a sham. it’s a shame on APC nationwide and a shame internationally that they can’t hold a common local government election.

Shema recalled how “the same Aminu Bello Masari, dissolved a duly elected local government council of the PDP extraction under his administration before the supreme court of Nigeria declared the action as illegal, unconstitutional, null and avoid, compelling him to pay them their due entitlement for the time they were supposed to be in office.

“This kind of action should not go unpunished in this country.
Nigeria belongs to Nigerians. It doesn’t belong to any small group of people who think they can manipulate and mess around the life of this country,”
Shema said

For the country to make any meaningful progress, Shema said there must be a change from this kind of leadership:

In his words:

“Are we going to continue like this? How can democracy, rule of law, and our economy grow under this kind of activity that does not even respect the people of this country?

“I am hugely disappointed at the government of Aminu Bello Masari and those who are behind him to carry on with this unlimited illegality. It doesn’t make sense.

Nonetheless, concerning their next line of action on the April 11 local government election, the former Governor said: “our people are there and will insist on the election being conducted. They will insist on results being entered into the venue. That’s what the law says.

“The Chairman of the electoral commission has told Nigerians and Katsina people indeed that elections will be announced at each polling unit and wards for the Councillorship and the local government headquarters for the chairmanship.

“But that is not what is happening today. APC people are carrying result sheets, in someplace like Danmusa, I saw pictures of young boys brought from the bush supposedly by the secretary to the state government, Mustapha Inuwa. They are brought to come and thumbprint yesterday and announced the result in the Local Government Secretariat.

“So in essence, Nigeria is in a sorry state on top of the rising insecurity on a daily basis, hunger, poverty, despair and destructions happening to every institution in Nigeria that has been thriving. We are

Reacting to the allegations, the Secretary to the Katsina State Government, Dr Mustapha Inuwa, at a press briefing this evening at the state government house said such allegations are not new.
Apparently, he noted those making such accusations knew what they did while in government which accounts for why they are levelling such allegations.

In his words:

“As far as I am concerned, the state independent electoral commission (KTSIEC) did all they could do in terms of preparation to ensure that election materials and personnel were discharged early enough to reach to the destinations designed to do this election.

“However, what actually brought the delay is that the PDP organized thugs in most of these places to ensure that election materials from the local government headquarters towards do not reach these wards on time.

“We had to work with the security agencies to ensure that they were able to disperse these thugs brought into these local governments to ensure electoral materials and personnel move to the various polling units and so on.

“That’s what actually caused the delay in some places. Honestly, some places were not able to get something done until in the afternoon. That is why up to this time I am talking to you, the election is being held in some parts of the state in some of these local governments. But about an hour ago we heard that the election has been concluded in about 19 LGAs and their results came in.

“So we have done all we could by providing the necessary logistics to people concerned and I believe KTSIEC did the best it could to ensure everybody and every material is there on time.

“So, these people know they are failures because they know they collected money from Abuja in the name of contesting the election, so they are making noise so that those who gave them money will say yes, they have done something. We are used to it. They have been doing it so it is not something new.

“All the elections here in 2019 and 2015, it is the same technique, the same system they adopted. So it is not something new and you know the person here is a renowned liar, an internationally recognized liar. So when he makes all these sorts of allegations we are not surprised.”

Vanguard News Nigeria

NIGERIA: 2023: Any Igbo Man That Says IPOB’s Grievances Are Irrelevant Is An ‘Efulefu’ — Prof Benard

BY PETER OKUTU

ABAKILIKI, EBONYI (VANGUARD) - The Ebonyi State Governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Prof. Benard Ifeanyi Odoh, Thursday described any Igbo man or woman who pretends that the grievances of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB adherents were irrelevant as an “Efulefu” (foolish person).

Odoh who declared his intention to run for the position of the Governor of Ebonyi State in the 2023 Governorship election, during a press conference held in Abakaliki, added that “an avenue of dialogue must not just be created but remain open, genuine and altruistic until the case (raised by IPOB) is solved and closed.”

“To the leaders and followers of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), our strongly held view is that we will not shun them or cast them out into the wilderness.

“Any Igbo man or woman who pretends that the grievances of IPOB adherents are irrelevant or that Ebonyi is an isolated island unconcerned about those central issues is what Igbo people call efulefu or ohu. An avenue of dialogue must not just be created but remain open, genuine and altruistic until the case is solved and closed.”

The APGA Governorship aspirant who is not only a Professor of Geophysics but also, the former Secretary to the State Government, SSG, under the present administration, explained that his administration, through job and wealth creation intertwined with industrialization, would improve the living standard of Ebonyi people.

According to him, “Ebonyi State Civil Service has been on a lockdown for the past seven years. Hardworking staff have been denied their due promotions and privileges that accrue to their services. Pensioners and retirees who poured their energy and sweat into the service of our dear State are owed their benefits and made to undergo the worst of huddles to access what is rightfully theirs.

“This is totally unacceptable. Under my stewardship as your governor, regular and full payment of pensions and gratuities; regular payment of predictable-figure salaries, leave allowances and other entitlements such as monetised regular promotions and training allowances will be restored to the civil servants without negotiations or intimidation.”

“The Nigerian space has been turned crimson with the blood of innocent citizens, as insecurity has remained at the top of the many challenges that confront us as a country. Kidnapping, banditry and various acts of terror have become woven into the fabric of our daily lives. Here at home, virtually every community in Ebonyi State is grappling with one degree of violent crisis or another. What used to be the safest and most tranquil state in the country is now one of the most troubled and insecure.

“Poverty is at a previously unimaginable level. It is a tragic statistic that Nigeria overtook India as the poverty capital of the world a couple of years ago and here in Ebonyi, we are ranked as the third poorest state in the Nigerian federation.

“The healthcare system is still glittering in propaganda but actual healthcare delivery to suffering patients, whether in our rural communities or urban areas, remains a mirage.

“Our teachers at all levels languish in neglect and the pupils and students are paying a terrible price in ignorance and skills deprivation. Parents are left with a hopeless sense of despair when they watch the very pillars of their dreams crumble like a pillar of dust.

“Our rural communities, urban and semi-urban areas still languish in infrastructure deficits, lack of electricity, total lack of access to clean water (howsoever supplied or delivered) and the general absence of any form of modern development. It is indeed a pitiful state of affairs.

“A state that would otherwise be a breadbasket not just in terms of self-sufficiency but in terms of delivering sufficient produce to the entire southeast has seen its agricultural potentialities turned into a sickening instrument of propaganda and a vehicle of narrow-minded patronage.

“The chasm between the rich and the poor has grown so wide and so deep and shameful that our society is now practically divided between the haves and the beggars. Reducing the majority of a population to beggarly status is a shame to humanity and a mockery of God in Heaven who has endowed us with so much but which we have ruined with our ignorance, foolishness and wickedness.

“Youth unemployment has become immeasurable in our State. The yardstick to measure it no longer exists because, if graduates at all levels are achieving less than 10 per cent employment rate in all sectors, then statistics becomes useless. In the military, the principle which says that if you lose 10 per cent of your fighting force you can never win the war applies here. We have lost at least two generations of our youths to unemployment and desperation. It will require drastic, thoughtful and calculated measures to recover from this calamity. I believe that I am the man who can do

Hero Lager To Host Largest Gathering Of Igbos, PSquare, Illbliss To Perform

BY MOSES NOSIKE

Premium beer, Hero Lager, is set to host the largest gathering of Igbos in the world with the campaign ‘Nwanne Connect’.The campaign is in recognition of the Igbo people,their culture, and the celebration of brotherhood. Popularly called “Oh,Mpah”, Hero is a cultural brand mostly preferred by Easterners and those who appreciate quality beer.

Hero Lager is a product from the stables of International Breweries, a proud member of the world’s biggest brewer with more than 400 beer brands, AB InBev The beer brand aims to celebrate the Igbo legacy of brotherhood through its new campaign, Nwanne Connect, which translates to “brothers coming together” to achieve the largest gathering of Igbos. The campaign will rally all Igbos at home and abroad in unity as they aim to enter the Guinness World Records as the largest assembly of Igbos.

The event which is scheduled to hold at the Chuba Ikpeazu Memorial Stadium in the ancient commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State on April 22, 2022 is projected to attract over 30,000 Igbos home and abroad with masquerades such as and the mighty Ijele Nnukwu mmanwu and other big masquerades in Igbo landin attendance.

Speaking about the motive behind the campaign, Marketing Director, International Breweries Plc, Tolulope Adedeji, said, “Hero Lager is a brand known for celebrating the Igbo culture, promoting brotherhood, kinship, hard work and culture. The world knows the Igbos have the leading apprenticeship network and this could not have been possible without the love and unity the Igbos consistently demonstrate to one another. By showcasing the unique fashion, music, spirituality, art, and history of the Igbos, Nwanne Connect will be celebrating these sterling qualities that have been the foundation of the success of the ethnic group.”

Also Speaking about the Nwanne Connect campaign that forges love for one’s brother, Brand Manager, Dubem Orji, said, “Igbos never forget their home, family and people. Inspired to make their people and home proud, every Igbo man strives to be a Hero. Hero Lager, through Nwanne Connect, is keying into this massive energy of self-confidence and love for one’s brethren that Igbos have. Based on this love, organizing the largest assembly of Igbos is something that delights us seeing that the Igbos already have the unifying factors of love, support, and unity of purpose.

Nwanne Connect is riding on the heels of a successful Ahagiefula! May Your Name Never Be Forgotten campaign organized last year by Hero Lager.

-----------------VANGUARD

Southern Nigeria Presidency: A Case For The South-East Geopolitical Zone

BY HAKEEM FAWEHINMI

WITH less than a year to the 2023 general elections, the race for the presidential ticket of political parties is getting more intense. As political parties strategise towards holding their party primaries, the issue of which of the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria their presidential candidate will emerge from has been a subject of national discourse.

Equitable zoning of the presidency in the 2023 general elections by the two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is currently one of the most contentious issues in Nigeria today.

Although the concept of zoning electoral positions by political parties is not expressly captured in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended), it is in tandem with the Federal Character Principle as enshrined in its Third Schedule, as a way of promoting equity, justice and fair play and giving every constituent of the Nigerian society a sense of belonging. Zoning or power shift is a veritable instrument for protecting the equality of citizens’ rights and guarding against the marginalisation of the ethnic minorities.

It ensures societal harmony through the equitable devolution of power and allocation of resources. Power shift or rotational presidency has been a major cause of feud in the Nigerian polity since independence in 1960. It carries with it a strong moral force that can threaten the existence of Nigeria as a sovereign entity.

Rotational presidency is a pragmatic means of stabilising the Nigerian democracy and has been an ideological norm formally adopted by many political parties prior to Nigeria’s independence. Problems of cleavage along ethno-religious lines can only be addressed by this power sharing arrangement which although unlegislated upon, has been in prolonged usage and widely accepted by the people and commands the conscious obeisance by the majority of its citizens.

Of the 62 years post-independence Nigeria, the North has ruled for 37 years, mostly as military heads of state, and some political analysts believe this would have conferred some advantage on the region: as in the absence of parliamentary scrutiny, many critical national assets, establishments and appointments can be inequitably sited in this part of the country by military fiat.

In the current democratic dispensation, the North-West has produced two presidents from the same state, and aside from the Middle-Belt, the core North is homogenous for language and religion and can conveniently cohabit as single ethnic entity.

Southern Nigeria on the other hand, has two major ethnic groups: the Yoruba and Igbo that are clearly identifiable with little cultural inclinations. Since the advent of the Fourth Republic, apart from the South-East and North-Central, the other geopolitical zones of Nigeria have had a shot at the presidency.

The two major political parties, the APC and PDP have already zoned their party’s national chairmanship position to the North-Central and barring any ‘extenuating circumstance’ and from antecedents and ‘their body language’, would choose their presidential flag bearer from the South and the vice-president from the North-East.

Going against this arrangement no matter what expediency and zoning the office of the president to the North or micro-zoning it to a geopolitical bloc in the South that had already had a shot at it in the current republic, will make nonsense of the zoning principle and defeat the spirit of its intendment with dire consequences on the stability of the country.

Thus, contrary to arguments that there was no order of zoning, Nigeria has religiously adhered to this bipodal sharing of critical political offices as evidenced by the major political parties restricting their presidential tickets to a presidential candidate who is a Christian from the South with a Northern Muslim vice-presidential running mate in the 1999 election or vice versa since then, and mandatorily fielding gubernatorial candidates paired with a deputy from a different senatorial zone.

Proponents of the anti-zoning mantra argue that zoning has outlived its usefulness and has no place in the Nigerian Constitution. They hide under their perceived regional numerical dominance to posit that the president should be picked from any part of the country based on competence or merit.

This call by critics of rotational presidency is unpatriotic, sounds politically arrogant and devoid of statesmanship as no segment of Nigeria has a monopoly of talents and will breed regionalism and ‘ethnic hegemony’ since the section with the highest voter population will always produce ‘the best man for the job’.

Equity and fair play demands the status quo be maintained until the position of president alternates or rotates between all six geopolitical zones in Nigeria in full circle, before such proclamation can be made. Jettisoning zoning in the 2023 elections is tantamount to ‘changing the rules in the middle of a game’, and akin to the proverbial ‘elephant that breaks the pot after its turn to drink’.

Besides, events in the Nigeria’s political space have shown that no geopolitical zone despite its voting strength, can on its own meet the conditions precedent in the 2022 Electoral Act (as Amended) and score not less than 25 per cent of votes cast in at least two-thirds of states in the federation to win the presidential election, especially with a stiff opposition from three or more geopolitical zones.

Naysayers also argue that since the return to democracy in May 1999, by the end of the current regime, a Northerner would have occupied the office of the president for only 10 out of the 24 years, and that the North would have held power under the PDP government for just two and half years.

Therefore, to strike a balance, there is the need for the office of the president to remain in the North for additional four years, making 12 years back-to-back. This view is jaundiced, bereft of logical reasoning and has no historical basis.

The unfortunate demise of President Umaru Yar’Ardua in 2010 was an act of providence and Nigeria as an independent nation has been in existence for 38 years before 1999. Therefore, for the sake of the country’s current fragile democratic governance and in the interest of natural justice, there is the need to run a politics of inclusion and all political parties should as a matter of exigency zone their presidential ticket come 2023 to the South.

This resolution of the Southern Governors Forum has been re-echoed by some prominent Northern political leaders such as Governors Babagana Zulum and Nasir El-Rufai of Borno and Kaduna States respectively and some regional socio-political groups. The pros of zoning clearly outweigh its cons and, therefore, jettisoning it will be a dangerous precedent for the country’s nascent democracy and an affront on the collective will and peaceful coexistence of the people.

With the expected power shift to the South at the end of President Buhari’s statutory eight-year tenure, equity and national cohesion demands that the office of the president of Nigeria be ceded to the South-East. This is because, the South-East is the only geopolitical zone in the South that is yet to produce a president or vice-president since the return to civilian rule in 1999 and remains the most deprived of the presidency.

Therefore, in the eyes of equity it is imperative that all political parties rise above partisanship and regional sentiments and field presidential candidates from the South-East in the forthcoming election. This is within the tenets of democratic norms and ideals especially in a pluralistic society like ours. Egalitarianism cannot be fostered when a major component of society is nursing a feeling of discontentment.

Hence, the collective interest and sanctity of the Federal Republic should be of paramount concern over the political interest of a few individuals, groups or political party. A political arrangement like zoning must accommodate the emotions and sentiments of those it is intended to serve for if not to out leave its usefulness.

The clamour for a president of Nigeria of Igbo extraction has continued to attract the attention of political actors in the build-up to the elections. This has received measurable support from the apex Igbo socio-cultural group the Ohanaeze Ndigbo and other regional bodies such as the Arewa Consultative Forum, Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum, Afenifere and the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF.

The Igbo are indigenous to South-East Nigeria and aside the Hausa/Fulani and Yoruba are the third largest ethnic group, accounting for about 19 per cent of its population. An Igbo president will assuage the feeling of real or perceived marginalization among them, guarantee their full re-integration into the post-civil war Nigerian state and end their agitation for socio-economic and political emancipation, as happened to the militancy struggle in the South-South with the election of Dr Goodluck Jonathan as President in 2011. It will give the civil war veterans including former heads of state a sense of fulfilment, seeing their dream of a truly unified Nigeria which they have fought for, materialise in their lifetime.

Ndigbo have been blamed for being their own detractors and architect of their misfortune. Igbo political leaders including the South-East Governors have been accused of not showing enough commitment towards the actualisation of this regional agenda because of personal political interest and considerations.

This was exemplified in their irregular attendance to crucial meetings of the Southern Governors Forum where issues critical to Igbo survival and advancement such as Zoning of the 2023 Presidency, Anti-Open Grazing Law and Regional Security Outfits, were discussed, even when the meeting was hosted at their doorstep in Enugu.

The vacuum created by this lack of directional leadership is affecting the Igbo political struggle for self-determination and expressed in their “taking their destinies into their hands” in form of agitations for restructuring and struggles for outright secession.

Pundits have also argued that the South-East lack the voting strength to swing the pendulum in any direction in the political dynamic. This pessimistic view has made Ndigbo resign to second fiddle by playing the ‘spoiler role’ for political parties. They have been admonished for not being united, forming a common front and speaking with one voice.

Power they say, is not given but taken’ and in a multi-ethnic democracy like ours, the only way to win political power through the ballot is for the Ndigbo to close ranks, form an alliance and embark on constructive engagements with counterpart regional bodies through negotiations and persuasion in order to gain their confidence. They should remain politically active and consciously mobilize their electorate in order to boost their power of negotiation.

As political activities and permutations gather momentum ahead of 2023 election, most presidential hopefuls have commenced behind the scene consultations across the country. Others have deployed proxy groups and cronies to begin grassroot mobilisation, while others have openly declared their intentions to contest the highest office in the land.

Yet, their performance as politicians over the years and how they have fared in their respective parties is another issue to be considered in the zoning discourse. While we expect the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct a free, fair and credible election that will respect the aspiration of the Nigerian masses, there have been debates on key attributes the presidential candidates are expected to possess to make them suitably qualified to occupy the coveted office.

Nigeria at this precarious time needs a detribalised leader that will foster unity, put the interest of all Nigerians above sectional interest, fight endemic corruption frontally, tackle widespread insecurity pervading the land headlong and prosper the lives of its citizenry through economic emancipation and job creation.

A formidable contender from the South-East is the current Honourable Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr OgbonnayaOnu, who has been an indigene of 3 South-Eastern States (Imo, Abia and Ebonyi) at different times.

Dr Ogbonnaya Onu’s political career, like that of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar spans over 3 decades, and he is the most senior political office holder amongst all the aspirants currently jostling for the Office of President. He was elected the first civilian Governor of the old Abia State in 1991 and became the first Chairman, Conference of Nigerian Elected Governors.

He is 70years old, sound in mind and body and is one of the most educated aspirants. Dr Ogbonnaya Onu is a First Class honours graduate of Chemical Engineering from the University of Lagos, with a PhD from the reputable University of California, Berkeley, USA. He was the pioneer Head of Department of Chemical Engineering and Member of Senate and Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt before his foray into politics.

Dr Ogbonnaya Onu is a foundation member of the All People’s Party (APP) that metamorphosed into the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) for which as National Chairman in 2013 he carried the ANPP flag to the union with the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) to form the APC.

Dr Ogbonnaya Onu was the presidential flag bearer of the APP in 1999 but forfeited his presidential ticket to Chief OluFalae who contested under the AD/APP joint platform. This move was to assuage the feelings of the Yoruba in their yearning for the presidency due to the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election convincingly won by Chief MKOAbiola.

As National Chairman, most of ANPP’s presidential candidates were Northerners, and Dr OgbonnayaOnu stands out as one of the very few politicians pre-2015 that remained in the opposition despite its deprivations, because of his diligent and consistent nature. It is noteworthy that of the three major political parties that merged to form the APC, the ANPP stock appears to have been most short changed in the tripartite power sharing equation.

A multicultural society like Nigeria requires a nationalistic leader like Dr OgbonnayaOnu that can be entrusted with its unity and treasury and can provide a transformational leadership devoid of sentiments and rancour.

He has never had any brawl with the anti-corruption and security agencies, and this gives him the moral justification to fight corruption. Dr OgbonnayaOnu prefers meritocracy to nepotism as a way of earning the confidence of the people. He has demonstrable capacity to work with every Nigerian irrespective of religious or tribal persuasion and his political sagacity, requisite experience, managerial acumen and comportment will earn him the respect of the government and people.

The APCshould therefore put its best foot forward and adopt Dr OgbonnayaOnu as its consensus presidential standard bearer in its legitimate quest to retain power at the centre post-2023, as he is not only acceptable to the Ndigboand APC, but to all Nigerians due to his broad appeal for which the majority of voters will coalesce.

Those in support of a President of Nigeria from the South-East have harped on the need for Igbo Elders, the OhanaezeNdigbo and other Igbo socio-political groups and Opinion Leaders to make a clarion call to all Igbo political leaders, especially present and former Governors, Federal Ministers and Legislators, to synergize, pull resources together, build bridges across party lines and rally support from the various regional interest groups for Dr OgbonnayaOnu.

He has been projected as the ideal President for Nigeria come 2023 as he belongs to an endangered species of statesmen who can galvanize all facets of this country and provide the much needed modern day progressive leadership.

The election of Dr OgbonnayaOnu as President will pull Nigeria back from the brink and sustain its existence as an indivisible entity. This worthy course if left to slide can only be realised in the next 16 years with the sustenance of the current democracy. I rest my case!

Prof. Fawehinmi, is former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), University of Port Harcourt.

What Will Happen To Nigeria If Igbo Man Is Elected President – ABC Nwosu

VANGUARD INTERVIEW

ABC Nwosu

Igbo leader and one-time minister of health, Professor ABC Nwosu speaks on 2023 elections. Excerpts:

You have been silent for a long time. What happened?

I found that I am getting old and that I require medical attention, so I have spent a good deal of time outside the country on my medicals and I am fully back now to work with my colleague on the subject of nation building and presidency from the South East. I am glad to tell you that our determination to produce a Nigerian president from the South east zone is still on course.

So you think that the project is still realizable?

It is very realisable now than when we started. The reason is very simple because you can’t build any nation on injustice, unfairness and inequity. A nation must work for all its citizens. You can’t have a nation of different citizens when it is time to give to the nation the best you exclude certain citizens. Nigeria is now going through one of the most trying times of its history and nationhood and it needs all citizens to put hands on deck to pull Nigeria from the brink. It cannot be business as usual of dishing out patronages, collecting oil blocks, importing petrol and hoarding petrol-dollar outside the country. Something new and drastic has to happen this time and that strengthens me that considering equity and justice, it is the South East that has the best chance to produce the next Nigerian president.

Are the Igbo really united to pursue this presidency?

Ndgbo are more ready than any other group has been in Nigeria in the struggle for the presidency. First, you can feel it in the blood of every Igbo person that there is a glass ceiling stopping them from attaining certain political positions in their own God-given country. Ndigbo are being made to think that the civil war is not over and they really cannot be trusted in their own country by their fellow citizens. Throughout Igbo land especially among the youths, the feeling is palpable that when it comes to political positions, appointments and patronage Ndigbo are made to remain on the fringes as second class citizens. Consequently, the 2023 presidency has become for Ndigbo a sort of DNA test as to whether they are children of the same patent, Nigeria, with the other citizens.

So it appears the strongest reason that the South East zone is putting forward for their claim to the presidency is equity-based on zoning?

What stronger reason can there be in a plural society running a negotiated federation?. Nigeria is a negotiated federation by our founding fathers not from one group nor for one group. Our founding fathers had constitutional conferences in Nigeria and the United Kingdom, UK, before constitutions were drawn up for the federation and three regions.

Why are people behaving in Nigeria as if they were born yesterday and have decided to erase history as if Nigeria was founded by one group? The zoning was confirmed in 1995 in the Abacha Constitutional Conference which was set up by Decree and members to that conference were elected. Members included the leaders of Nigeria such as General Shehu Yar’adua, Senator Olusola Saraki, IGP Gambo, Professor Jibril Aminu, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Dee Sam Mbakwe, , Dr. Bode Olajumoke e.t.c.

A major decision reached by that conference which was set up by law and which had full constituent powers, that is the powers to make a new constitution, reached an agreement which stipulated that the presidency shall rotate between the North and the South.

The motion was moved by Dr. Alex Ekwueme, the Chairman was Justice Karibi Whyte and there was commotion in the International Conference Centre when the motion was moved. I was there as the Head of Igbo Secretariat to the Conference.

When the draft constitution that was to be promulgated into law was printed by the Federal Government printer it contained that provision namely that the presidency of Nigeria shall rotate between the North and the South. It also contained the provision for two Vice Presidents – one Vice President from the zone of Mr. President so that if the president died or was incapacitated, the Vice President from his zone will complete their tenure in hindsight we can see how there would have been no doctrine of necessity and Nigeria’s present conundrum(if that proposal was accommodated in the constitution).

We have started again. For people like me, I just wonder when a settled matter can become a settled matter. In 1967 some of us naively thought ABURI settled it. In 1995 we thought the Abacha Conference settled it. You can see why some of us are pushing that when agreements have been reached such as rotational presidency, they should be honoured. It is decent, it is honorable, it is the sure way to nation-building and in due time I will publish details of the agreement, who said what and who was present.

How do you react to the fear of other groups that the Igbo are more interested in Biafra than Nigeria?

Of course, that is wayo. Other Nigerians know that IPOB and MASSOB are reactions to marginalization of Ndigbo and no more, which is greatly hurting and upsetting to, especially the Igbo youths.

They think that their fathers have enjoyed the good things Nigeria offered and that they are not ready to fight for them. It is very troubling for them to see themselves stagnate while other Nigerians progress in civil service and armed forces e.t.c.

And the last straw is that they are not represented anywhere in the Security Council of their nation and nobody cares about this. For people who are about the most populous in Nigeria, this is really most troubling to our youths.

We are the most peripatetic group in Nigeria. We are found everywhere in Nigeria. Why have the others not refused to marry our daughters or for our sons to marry their daughters because we are Biafrans? This is just wayo to deprive us of what is our due. The civil war ended in 1970, I was a commissioned officer in the Biafran Army, same as most of us from late Ojo Maduekwe to others, why were they not afraid of us when we were Ministers in Nigeria? Why were they not afraid that Dr. Alex Ekwueme in 1979 when he became the Vice President will carry Nigeria to Biafra? T

If this is your view sir, why are there so many problems in the South East with IPOB and ESN?

The discontent is created by the intense marginalization of Ndigbo since 2015. So, it produced a reaction which the Igbo elites have been unable to check. Igbo youths argue that it is not just enough to be alive, they say that it is better for them to engage in all these activities like banditry and others elsewhere. They say they have reached a point of not knowing what else to do with life of intense marginalisation offered to them by Nigeria. The elites including me are convinced that once the entire marginalization is stopped, the problems will seize because the problems were not there before 2015.

But it appears that the South East has a strategy of threatening other groups that it is either the Presidency or Biafra rather than playing the politics well?

No. There is a proverb in Igbo that says that you can’t keep slapping a child and at the same time stopping that same child from crying because of the pain of the wound they are inflicting on him. The South East is engaging fellow Nigerians, pleading with them to look at its pains from the injustice that Nigeria has continued to mete out to the South East. It is a matter of seeing your neighbor crying, seeing your neighbor punished undeservedly or treated unfairly and showing concern or not showing concern. Ndigbo are saying that the answer shall not be blowing in the wind.

The answer must be in affirmative action, redressing the injustice. Nations are founded on justice .

What then is the strategy of the South East?

The strategy of the South East is to show Nigerians that Ndigbo who they consider to be their problem will turn out to be the solution to the present situation. Ndigbo know what it takes to pull Nigeria back from the brink and point it to the path of true development. Ndigbo know that a sack that is empty cannot stand upright, but a sack full of rice, beans or garri stands upright strong, and they (Ndigbo) expect those Nigerians discerning and understanding enough to appreciate this and let Nigeria fulfill its mission in the world.

Does the South East have likely candidates?

Definitely. Yes. Igbo aspirants shall be those that meet the criteria developed by Ndigbo. First, Ndigbo love competence, learning and challenge and will definitely not give support to an ignoramus who has no capacity or ability to develop quality instruments that will bring Nigeria out of the brink. Emphasis shall be on integrity, integrity, integrity not candidates who have questions to answer on their integrity and handling of public funds. A general consideration for Ndigbo is that in this coming election the youths shall constitute a large voting demography.