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  • Otti signs Abia electricity bill into law

    Otti signs Abia electricity bill into law

    UMUAHIA- Abia State Governor Alex Otti has signed into law, the Abia State Electricity Bill which empowers the State to regulate its electricity market.

    Speaking while assenting to the executive bill at the Governor’s country home, Umuehim Nvosi, in Isiala Ngwa South council area, Otti explained that with the law, the government has been vested with the capacity to implement the law, stressing that the state would soon set up Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority, ASERA.

    The Governor stated that the 64-page law would support the power initiatives of the government which will stand the test of time, and would also strengthen the plans of government to extend power to the remaining 8 council areas of the State which are not included under the Aba ring-fence arrangement with Geometric Power Limited covering 9 council areas.

    He said; “This is a document that will stand the test of time. It is a document that will protect the investment of everyone that wants to invest in Abia. It is also a document that speaks renewable energy.

    “The remaining 8 local government areas in the State that are not under the Aba ring-fence, we are working hard to bring them under the Umuahia ring-fence.

    “So, this legislation would support that initiative and we are very close to signing an MoU moving forward in that direction. It also would protect prospective investors in power generation.

    “In fact, our dream is that if we are able to provide all the required power for Abia, then we will be able to also wheel some power to other parts of the South East and South South regions to support them and earn some fees for doing that.

    “When we started to look at the electricity bill, I think that was towards the end of 2023, given that the law had already been passed at the national level by the former President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

    “It does appear that the arrangement was set up for Abia. The simple reason being that Abia State is probably the only State that has a ring fence area. I am not aware if there is any other State that has it.

    “Of course, there is embedded power left, right and centre, but Aba Power was the only independent, integrated power integrated because it is from generation through transmission to distribution.

    “I was engaging with Geometric Power the other time and they said with the capacity they have, they will be able to wheel power to Umuahia from the plant and maybe some other parts of the South East without necessarily incurring additional costs other than getting a turbine and putting it in place because all the other infrastructures are already in place.”

    He lauded the State House of Assembly for the speedy passage of the bill and the development partners for their input.

    “I want to thank the State House of Assembly for the passage of this bill that emanated from the executive, speedily but carefully.

    “I think I must put it on record that Abia State is lucky to have the 8th Assembly. It is an Assembly of people, who are exposed, well educated in various fields.”

    Presenting the bill to the Governor, the Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa said that Abia State is on the right path with the electricity bill.

    He described the bill as a milestone achievement, stressing that it is a big business investment for the State and that the State House of Assembly understands the Governor’s vision and is committed to ensuring that he actualises his vision for the state.

    Earlier, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr. Ikechukwu Monday, noted that the State leveraged the Electricity Act of 2023 which allows States to legislate on electricity to initiate the bill.

    He disclosed that the State considered what would work specifically in Abia State before coming up with the bill, adding that the bill provides for power generation mainstreaming, protection against vandalism, distribution and regulations.

    He further stated that the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority would soon be established and commended the Governor for realizing the vision of providing independent power for the State which is part of his election manifesto.

    He also thanked the Speaker and the development partners for their support.

    “This law is an offshoot of the Electricity Act 2023 which empowered States to form a Regulatory body to regulate and create an electricity market. This law as well will encourage local participation and local content.

    “We have made provisions in the law to encourage local participation.

    “May I use this medium and opportunity to thank His Excellency for the support he provided to my team and our partners to make sure that we realize this great milestone today.”

  • Rivers also needs “Lagos Treatment”

    Rivers also needs “Lagos Treatment”

    President Bola Tinubu is expected to bring his “magic touch” to fix the Rivers State political crisis just as he did in dousing the heat rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly.

    In the Lagos case, the president’s intervention was in favour of reinstating Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker while his opponent, Mojisola Meranda, reverts to her position as Deputy Speaker. Tinubu soothed frayed nerves in the two camps by inviting them to the State House in Abuja and the two sides came out of the meeting singing his praises, showing the crisis was apparently over.

    Following the Supreme Court verdict that recognised the Martin Amaewhule-led 27-member House of Assembly and the stoppage of federal allocations to Rivers State until the Court’s verdicts are fully implemented, the question arose as to how to proceed without worsening the situation.

    While Governor Siminalayi Fubara had pledged to implement the judgement to the letter and cooperate with the pro-Wike House of Assembly, the latter appears determined to double down on the advantage offered by the verdict. This is understandable because Governor Fubara had used his executive powers to sideline them since the crisis started about 16 months ago. They appear set to start impeachment proceedings against him.

    This situation is stoking ethnic sentiments that were largely under wraps in the state since the return of civil rule in 1999. Some pro-Fubara Ijaw groups have been breathing fire and brimstone if the governor is removed, a threat that Wike waved aside in a recent media briefing.

    We are worried over this unhealthy build-up. We strongly believe that the Supreme Court verdict, no matter how unpalatable it might seem to some, can be implemented without compromising the peace and development of Rivers State. This can only be achieved if all sides resist the temptation of riding rough-shod over the others to press home their seeming advantage.

    In this kind of situation, “might” may not be “right”. The two sides may not be in the mood to exercise diplomacy and implement the verdict through consensus. That was exactly the situation that the Lagos Assemblymen and women found themselves in until the president intervened in a fatherly manner.

    We call on him to adopt the same attitude towards the implementation of the Supreme Court verdict in Rivers State. We suggest the president holds private talks with Governor Fubara and Minister Wike and commits them to peace and hold them responsible in case of a breach of the peace.

    All court cases should be withdrawn, the impeachment threat against the Governor must be dropped, while the entire House of Assembly should reconvene under Amaewhule. Outstanding entitlements of the 27 lawmakers must be paid.

    No side should be allowed to push its luck too far. Everything must be done to preserve the peace.

  • IPOB rejects alleged blackmail over Monday sit-at-home, calls for Nnamdi Kanu’s release

    IPOB rejects alleged blackmail over Monday sit-at-home, calls for Nnamdi Kanu’s release

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused the Nigerian government and military of attempting to use the controversial Monday sit-at-home order as a means to discredit the movement.

    In a statement signed by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, the group reaffirmed its commitment to self-determination and called for the unconditional release of its detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

    IPOB claimed that security agencies had played a role in enforcing the sit-at-home despite the group’s official suspension of the order. The statement suggested that the government aimed to turn the Igbo population against IPOB by attributing economic disruptions to the movement.

    The group stated that its members and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) had been working to protect the South-East from external security threats. It also alleged that certain groups had been responsible for acts of violence in the region while falsely operating under IPOB’s name.

    “The Nigerian Army and Police have been patrolling rural communities on Mondays, and some youths have been arrested, which contributes to the enforcement of sit-at-home,” the statement read. “IPOB had suspended the order after its first successful compliance and has consistently condemned any form of violent enforcement.”

    The group further claimed that certain individuals had been recruited to commit crimes in the name of IPOB, but following recent arrests abroad, such activities had reportedly reduced.

    IPOB maintained that the only way to end the sit-at-home was through the release of Nnamdi Kanu and engagement in dialogue. It urged the Nigerian government to shift its focus toward resolving security challenges in other parts of the country rather than suppressing civil actions in the South-East.

    “If the Nigerian Army is truly committed to national security, they should also focus on addressing broader security challenges affecting other regions,” IPOB stated.

    The group urged the federal government and South-East governors to engage in meaningful discussions with the people rather than relying on forceful measures. IPOB reiterated that its movement is rooted in non-violence and called for the recognition of the concerns of the Igbo people.

    “The Nigerian government should engage in dialogue and consider peaceful solutions,” the statement added. “The release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will address many of the concerns leading to the sit-at-home.”

    The Monday sit-at-home protests were initially declared by IPOB in 2021 to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu. Although IPOB officially suspended the order, some groups continued to enforce it, leading to disruptions and security concerns in the region.

    While efforts have been made to restore normalcy, many businesses and residents in the South-East still observe the sit-at-home due to lingering concerns about safety.

    As the situation unfolds, attention remains on the government’s response to IPOB’s demands and efforts to stabilize the region.

  • Seyi Tinubu deserves some medals, not attacks – Balami

    Seyi Tinubu deserves some medals, not attacks – Balami

    The criticism by some individuals of the recent tour of the north by Seyi Tinubu has been termed needless and politically motivated by foremost All Progressives Congress chieftain and youths advocate, Comrade Isaac Balami.

    He said the call by Nigerians and Lagosians on Seyi Tinubu to take a shot at the Lagos State Governorship position may have motivated the sudden campaign of calumny.

    Addressing the media in Abuja on Monday, the former spokesperson of the Trade Union Congress, TUC and ex-national president of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers said he would have preferred to write Seyi Tinubu to express his gratitude to him for going far into the north with his usual humanitarian and selfless nature, but chose to rather express his feelings in the media so unaware and misled Nigerians could learn from it.

    According to Balami, rather than being attacked for being selfless, Seyi Tinubu should be awarded some medals for all he has done for the unity and progress of the country and for extending his humanitarian work to all parts of the country regardless of religion and political affiliations.

    While terming the criticism that greeted his recent visit to the north as needless and politically motivated, Balami said, “the haters of Nigeria know that what Seyi Tinubu is doing will amount to not just victory for himself, but victory for young people.”

    He said until Seyi Tinubu was approached by young people to run for the highest office in Lagos State, his patriotic acts never offended the sensibility of some haters.

    Balami said as he continues to reach out to none tribal youths and the less privileged, Mr Tinubu appears to be gearing towards winning a medal of peace and unity.

    He also said, Many Nigerians would want their children to be like Seyi Tinubu., saying, “Of course, who is that parent whose prayer is not to have a child who is dedicated to doing the will of God as against doing the will of men?

    “Nigerians should rather call on young politicians, local government administrators and other young entrepreneurs to emulate Seyi Tinubu by supporting individuals who are truly in need and not to discourage this young man.

    “Mr Seyi Tinubu had started this Iftar reach-outs 10-15 years ago when the father was not the nation’s president. Are some people saying he should quit because the father is the current president? What, therefore, is wrong should the son of the president reaches out to those in need or genuinely shares some moments with northern Muslims at their quiet and prayerful time?

    “The most ridiculous is the insinuation that his gesture was politically motivated. Even if Seyi is doing this for political reasons, what is wrong?

    “We know how children of presidents behave. Many won’t come down from their high horses, but Seyi has continued to do what most children of presidents have never done. He is down to earth. So what would Nigerians prefer, a Seyi who parties all around the world or a Seyi who is sensitive to the needs of his people? I’m sure some Nigerians will be happy to see the son of the president partying away in Dubai and all around the world. They will be happy because useful time and resources are being wasted on frivolities. Seyi may have disappointed some persons who have such expectations.

    “It’s perplexing that we love to trivialize serious issues in this country and until we stop our emotion from consuming the best part of us, we will continue to display high level of ignorance while taking a stance on issues.

    “Today, many prominent Nigerians have made it a culture to always reach out to either Christian’s and Muslims during their fasting period. As we speak, many top Nigerians have continued to tour the north in support of Muslims who are having quiet and prayerful moments. How is Seyi Tinubu’s tour of the north different?

    “Seyi, during the COVID-19 era shocked the world, with his NGO rendering unimaginable services and supports across the country. Has Seyi’s personality changed simply because his father is the current president?

    “I had recounted before how Seyi had out of his usual magnanimity released a huge amount of money for the treatment of an obidient youth who campaigned against his father. He has also supported individuals across party lines including youths from the PDP and APGA. It’s only a man with the large heart that can assist a “traducer.”

    Balami further said it would be unfair to Seyi Tinubu if people miss the statement he continues to make with his various humanitarian efforts, stating that in his detribalized mentality, he had engaged more none-tribal staff in his organization.

    “More than 50 percent of the staff in his organization are northerners,” Balami said.

    “In my own view and as stated earlier, Mr Seyi Tinubu deserves a medal and not a death sentence. My prayer is that God should give us ‘Seyis’ in our families.

    “My brother Seyi, do not get discouraged because your success, without doubt is for the good of Nigeria.

    “In local parlance, ‘na only tree wey dey produce ripe fruit, people dey stone to pluck.’ In no time, Nigerians will begin to see clearly the fruits in you.

    “People wanted you to take the place of God, but you are not God. You have your shortcoming too as human. But we are optimistic that you will be remembered only for the positive things you have done. Please continue to do what you can do as human and ignore completely any form of distractions,” the former National Deputy Campaign Manager for Obi/Datti said.

    Recall that Seyi Tinubu had recently taken a tour of the north in solidarity with northerners and Muslim communities in the spirit of Ramadan and empowering various individuals in the process.

  • ‘Drop merger talks’ – El-Rufai tells Atiku, Obi, Aregbesola to join SDP

    ‘Drop merger talks’ – El-Rufai tells Atiku, Obi, Aregbesola to join SDP

    Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    In a recent interview with BBC Hausa which went viral on Saturday, El-Rufai dismissed the idea of a merger, instead urging key opposition figures—including former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi—to join the SDP to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

    “My wishes and prayers are Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Rauf, all opposition leaders to come and join SDP, not to do a merger or to register a new political party,” he said.

    El-Rufai explained that he initially supported Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election because of the former Lagos governor’s accomplishments, hoping he would replicate similar success nationwide.

    “What pains me is that the government we supported and had confidence in would do well because we saw what Tinubu did in Lagos despite his challenges,” he said.

    “We all know about his issues in Chicago, but we thought if he could replicate his work in Lagos for Nigeria, let’s support him. However, he failed.”

    Addressing speculation about his presidential ambition in 2027, El-Rufai stated that the decision was not his to make but would depend on the party and the will of the people.

    “It is not for me to decide; it is the party and the people that will decide. Even when I was contesting for governor, it was people that met and convinced (Muhammadu) Buhari, and he called me and asked me to contest,” he said.

    El-Rufai resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) on March 10, citing a misalignment of values with the ruling party.

  • PDP, Okpebholo’s detractors are enemies of state – Mayaki

    PDP, Okpebholo’s detractors are enemies of state – Mayaki

    The faction of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to former Governor Godwin Obaseki has been identified as a group that does not want peace in Edo State and has been classified as the real enemy of the state.

    In a statement, former Chief Press Secretary to Obaseki, Mr. John Mayaki, said those who do not want the state to progress under Governor Monday Okpebholo’s leadership should be publicly declared as enemies of the state. He accused them of celebrating bad news and setbacks rather than supporting development.

    Mayaki, who commended Governor Okpebholo for his resilience and strong efforts in ensuring a smooth transition despite the obstacles left behind by the previous administration said, “The enemies of the state will fail, and the people will triumph.”

    He continued, “Thank God for Senator Monday Okpebholo and all he has been doing for the people of Edo State. I believe that despite every attempt to slow him down, God alone will give him the courage to continue.”

    Mayaki also assured the governor of God’s continuous guidance and protection as he works to deliver democratic dividends to the people of Edo State, despite deliberate distractions meant to impede his administration.

    “We, the good people of Edo state want peace, unity, and continued development. Anyone who thinks otherwise is the real enemy of the state,” he said.

  • How to lower fuel consumption of your car

    How to lower fuel consumption of your car

    When President Bola Tinubu announced an end to fuel subsidy at the inception of his regime in 2023, many motorists were jolted by the expected impact it would have on the cost of keeping their vehicles on the road.

    Many Nigerians were also concerned about the impact it would have on the cost of living, especially the prices of goods, services and transportation.
    And their fears were genuine; prices of goods went up astronomically and there were complaints of hardship all over the country.

    This led to a swift drop on the sales of big cars, especially Sport Utility Vehicles. Many Nigerians quickly parked these cars in their homes and some immediately put up theirs for sale while others quickly bought smaller cars that they presumed would consume less fuel. They forgot that the rainy season would not be fair to the roads and their new small sedans, especially the bumpers and underneath the cars.

    Those living in flood-prone areas like Lekki and some seasonally flooded areas in Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa states can attest to the advantages of SUVs over sedans from their expenses. With some of these expected challenges, it didn’t take long for the average Nigerian motorist to adjust and live with the negative impacts of the fuel subsidy removal.

    Though the challenge persists, coupled with the poor state of the roads across the country, it has been almost impossible for Nigerians to totally do away with their big cars and SUVs which are renowned for higher fuel consumption. It is the classical case of choosing between the devil and the deep blue sea.

    Today, Vanguard offers you some tips on how to ensure maximum fuel economy in your vehicles at a time like this. It is clear that by improving your car’s fuel economy, you’re helping to reduce the drain on your wallet. With some simple driving tips and habits, your fuel can take you further. A combination of good driving habits, and proper vehicle maintenance of your car is essential.

    The Tips

    *When driving, accelerate and brake gently, quick starts and stops waste fuel, but smooth driving boosts your kilometres per litre. Driving at slower speeds leads to better fuel efficiency.

    Reducing speed by 10-20 kph can help. Keep a steady speed, you may use your cruise control on motorways because when you drive at a consistent speed, you save fuel.

    •Watch the traffic ahead, it will help you predict what other drivers will do or intend to do. This helps you to avoid braking and speeding up.

    •Also avoid idling your engine for long periods even when it is stationary as it wastes fuel. Switch off the engine if you need to stop for more than a minute.

    •Also limit short journeys, and be aware that cold starts use more fuel.

    •As a motorist, ensure that your tyres are appropriately gauged. Soft tyres cause drag and waste fuel. Check pressures often and inflate correctly.

    Many drivers don’t know that proper inflation of their car tyres contributes significantly to the fuel economy. Under inflated tyres have a higher rolling resistance on the road. This means that your tyres generate more friction and rolling resistance and will increase fuel consumption.

    If your four tyres are underinflated by 10 psi, this could increase your fuel consumption by 10 per cent. Car manufactures always have the recommended tyre gauge inscribed on the drivers door frame. Gauge your tyre accordingly and reduce your fuel consumption.

    •Correct wheel alignment is vital. It reduces tyre wear and drag. This also saves fuel.

    •Many motorists carry all sorts of things in their boots which they hardly need and this adds to the weight of the car, this should be avoided. Note that every extra 50kg of load in your car increases fuel consumption by about two to three percent.

    Some used cars from abroad come with a heavy bar attached to the rear for pulling boats and other heavy objects from where they have been imported which is hardly needed in this part of the world. It is advised that you remove them to avoid unnecessary weight.

    Some people however believe that this serves as protection when another vehicle hits them from behind, unknown to them that they are paying more to fuel their cars. Lighten your load and remove extra weight from the car. Less weight means better fuel economy.

    •Also, reduce drag by removing roof racks as they increase wind resistance which wastes fuel.

    •Use your air-conditioning system. Driving with an air-conditioner has an advantage to fuel economy but most drivers think otherwise.

    Apart from keeping the interior of your car clear of dust and ensuring the safety of the driver from attacks, it also saves fuel. Driving with windows down at a speed faster than 80km/h causes a lot of wind resistance and more fuel consumption. It is more fuel efficient to drive with your air-conditioner on.

    •Maintain the right speed. Avoid over speeding and going slowly too.

    While both have safety consequences, they also have an impact on your fuel consumption. It has been established that on highways, your engine works hard to overcome wind resistance.

    This means that you will burn up to 15 per cent more fuel at 100km/h and 25 per cent more at 110km/h. On the other way round, if you drive at a speed slower than 50km/h your engine would drop to a lower gear thus using up more fuel. It is advised that driving between 50km/h and 90km/h gives optimal fuel efficiency.

    •Many people accelerate their cars as if they are running at Formula 1 Race thereby wasting their fuel unknowingly. Avoid revving your accelerator to a high revolution per minute (RPM). Your engine uses less fuel when it is revolving slower at a lower RPM.

    •It is also important to note that aggressive braking is not only a disadvantage to the brake pad but increases fuel consumption.

    Slamming on the brakes increases fuel consumption as the car needs to accelerate again. Give a reasonable distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. If you have been driven by a pilot before, you would understand what it means to drive with caution.

    They are very cautious of the vehicles in front of them and avoid them from afar. I am sure that if we take count of professionals who hardly get involved in traffic accidents, the pilot would take the number spot.

    •Avoid hard acceleration when moving your car from complete stop or climbing hills as it increases fuel consumption. Most people who drive vehicles with automatic transmission hardly know the advantage of one special feature in the car called cruise control.

    If you are driving an automatic car, you can make use of cruise control to keep your speed constant. But if you are driving a manual car, maintain a higher gear when appropriate. This ensures that your engine goes through less revolutions per minute, RPM and ensures less fuel consumption.

    •Driving in traffic causes higher fuel consumption. Stop-start traffic puts a lot of pressure on your engine and burns more fuel. Avoid peak traffic if possible. Turn off your engine when it is parked. As long as your engine is on, the fuel is burning. The choice is yours to keep the engine steaming when that car is not moving. It is your fuel that is burning which you can use to cover some kilometers.

    •Regular servicing with quality engine oil is key to the longevity of your engine. If your engine is poorly maintained, it will lead to sludge and corrosion build-up which will prevent the engine from working smoothly. Regular maintenance is key.

    •Follow your vehicle’s schedule, a healthy engine works better. A clean air filter lets the engine breathe freely. Good airflow improves fuel use. Use the right oil type to reduce friction and boost engine performance. When buying a new car, think about fuel efficiency. Pick a model that fits your needs. If your car has a fuel-saving mode, then use it.

  • Plot to impeach Fubara thickens as Ijaw groups respond to Wike’s threat

    Plot to impeach Fubara thickens as Ijaw groups respond to Wike’s threat

    The political camp of the Rivers state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara was again pushed into a deeper trench by the decision of the state House of Assembly to probe the alleged age falsification of the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Simeon Amadi.

    At its 135th legislative sitting, the House resolved to write to the Department of the State Service, DSS, to investigate the CJ following allegations against him by the Leader of the House, Hon Major Jack.

    The House agreed that falsification of age was a “serious offence” but the allegation must be confirmed and doing so, the CJ has to be thoroughly investigated to establish the authenticity of the allegation.

    Responding to this development, the Speaker, Rt. Hon Martins Amaewhule said by section 128 of the constitution, the House is empowered to investigate the allegation but quickly accused Governor Fubara of barring heads of ministries, departments and agencies from appearing before the House.

    Remember that Justice Amadi was screened to become the Chief Judge of the state about three years when Wike was a governor. Unconfirmed report has it that Amadi, who hails from the same Ikwerre ethnic nationality with Wike, turned down alleged N5 billion gratification and tastefully furnished houses in London and America to ditch the governor and clear the grounds for his eventual impeachment.

    Commenting on the CJ’s ordeal, Hon Ogbonna Nwuke, former House of Representatives member in the 7th National Assembly said the action of the Assembly members was just to intimidate the Chief Judge in order to get at the governor.

    “The process of impeaching the governor is not easy. That is why they are intimidating the loyalists of the governor just to create a state of emergency, at most”.

    Giving the quick succession at which events happened in the state in the course of the week barely few hours after the Minister of the federal capital territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike on Wednesday publicly declared that the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara could be impeached by the House of Assembly and “heaven will not fall”, it shows that there is more in the offing.

    The minister’s audacity came just a day after a crucial meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the delegation of the pan Niger Delta Elders Forum, PANDEF, in Abuja wherein the latter was asked to go back home and prevail on the embattled Governor to “obey the rule of law”, in other words, the Supreme Court judgment.

    Meanwhile, Wike’s impeachment threat to Fubara and his vituperations on the Ijaw ethnic nationality has since attracted the ire of the Supreme Egbesu Assembly, SEA, a religious deity of the Ijaws and other revered topnotch organizations such as the Ijaw national Congress, INC and its youth wing, Ijaw Youth Council, IYC.

    Recall that in the early years of militancy in the Niger Delta with Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states being the hotbed of the crisis, the Egbesu god was said to have been invoked to wade off the incursion of the federal troops into the flashpoints of the crisis.

    Leader of the Supreme Egbesu Assembly, SEA, an ancestral religious institution of the Ijaw people, Sergeant Werinipre Digifa, told Saturday Vanguard on phone that the Ijaw people would “shock” President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the appropriate time in the event that the Governor of Rivers state, Siminalayi Fubara is impeached.

    Digifa hit back at the President who he said lacks the capacity to tame Wike. “Tinubu should be held responsible for the recklessness and arrogance Wike is exhibiting against the Ijaw nation.

    “This is why I say that Nigeria is a banana republic. Somebody has turned the judiciary to his personal estate. He manipulates the judiciary the way he wants it just to suit his desire. If they impeach Fubara, we will not go into violence because Ijaw people don’t believe in violence. We will take everything in good faith. But we will shock them”.

    The head of the Egbesu Assembly added that ”we are keenly watching the ongoing political trend which is pure harassment and the intimidation of the Governor of Rivers state. We are listening to the insults, the unguarded utterances and the abuse that is being heaped on the Ijaw ethnic nationality by Hon Wike.

    ”The Niger Delta is a community and when controversies arise in a community, reasonable people don’t jump in to talk. There is an African adage which says ‘two mad people never behave madly at the same time.’
    “We are not sleeping, neither are we cowards. But note that we have always won our just battles and this will be no exception. This crass arrogance being displayed by Wike was avoidable”.

    Digifa expressed disappointment that President Tinubu has allowed the crisis to fester, saying ”I had earlier thought that he had the capacity to rule Nigeria as a president, but from the showings on ground, it is evident that we had a misplaced value on President Tinubu’s leadership capacity.”

    He warned President Tinubu that “by the time Wike finishes with you, the Yoruba nation would have incurred the anger of the Ijaw man. The spirits that have protected the Ijaw Nation over the years will bring the wrath on the Yoruba to teach them a lesson that could be worse than what has happened to those who attempted to humiliate us”.

    INC’s position on Wike’s bluster to oust Fubara from power is that people should look at issues from the broader perspective and not through the prism of sectarian sentiment.

    Professor Benjamin Okaba, President of INC, said Wike’s so called insult on Ijaws smacks off the smart game of giving it an ethnic coloration to get the sympathy of other ethnic groups and distract their attention from the sympathy they have for governor Fubara.

    “When the Ijaws led the struggle for the creation of Rivers state, where were Wike’s ancestors? He quipped. “You don’t flirt after a hyena. Wike will regret, mark my words, and become a political orphan. When an empire rises to its peak, another empire will rise. We are heading towards the Marxian synthesis as the political denouement is already unfolding ahead of 2027.

    “Wike’s bravado is clearly stimulated by nothing else but the tacit support and encouragement from the Presidency. Remove Wike from Power, he will automatically transform into an empty and most vulnerable entity in Nigerian political history”, he said.

    In its declaration after a zonal emergency meeting, the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Eastern Zone put the federal government on notice that it will stoutly resist every attempt by the planners to impeach Governor Fubara, “until he has served out his two tenures of eight years as his predecessors did, by any means necessary”.

    The Ijaw youths announced that the planners of the Governor’s impeachment, “if they do not desist from their evil plot, should be ready to bear the consequences of their actions in the event of the breakdown of law and order in the State”.

    Also, a statement from the Ijaw Matters viewpoint said the Ijaw Nation has been patient for too long, saying “our patience is not weakness. Nyesom Wike, in his ……arrogance, has crossed every line of decency and respect. His continued insults against the Ijaw people will not go unanswered”.

    It said it was a disgrace that a man who once begged for the support of Ijaw leaders and communities now dares to spit on the same people who made him. “We will not forget. We will not forgive. And when the time comes, Wike will beg, he will crawl before the Ijaw Nation seeking mercy, but he will find none”.

    The group vowed that “Wike will pay for every insult, every slight, and every word of disrespect. The day of reckoning is closer than he thinks”.

    We’re 4th largest ethnic group in Nigeria, INC tells Wike

    The Ijaw National Congress, INC has faulted the comment from minister of the federal capital territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike that the Ijaws were the minority of the minorities in the Niger Delta.

    INC said given Wike’s eight-year tenure as Governor of Rivers State, “we expected a more informed understanding of the state’s history”.

    The Ijaw group said that Wike’s assertion that the Ijaws were a minority of minorities betrays a lack of “intellectual depth. For the record, the Ijaws are the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria, with over 40 million people, and the oldest tribe in Nigeria, as documented in history. They are the largest ethnic group in Rivers State, with eight local government areas, and also not a minority in Delta”.

    A statement signed and released by Engr Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, National Publicity Secretary of INC in Port Harcourt on Friday said “we suspect that Wike’s comments were made under the influence of misinformation and otherwise. The Ijaws have consistently advocated for fairness and equity in the Niger Delta region and the South-South, and we will not be swayed by individual attempts to provoke us”.

    It said that Wike’s intention to create divisions between the Ijaws and other ethnic nationalities has failed, noting that the INC was aware of his plan to instigate crisis in the Niger Delta region, but “we will continue to maintain peace and stability”.

    The Ijaw group however called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to caution Wike and redirect his focus to his ministerial duties, assuring that the INC remains committed to preserving the harmony enjoyed by all in the Niger Delta region.

  • Rot In Judiciary: What I told Justice Kekere Ekun in a supermarket — Senator Sola Akinyede

    Rot In Judiciary: What I told Justice Kekere Ekun in a supermarket — Senator Sola Akinyede

    Former member of the Nigerian Constituent Assembly, Sola Akinyede, in this interview, discusses the rot in the judiciary

    Akinyede calls for the National Judicial Council, NJC, to be reconstituted, saying the NJC is abusing its powers. Excerpts:

    You are one of those who have been quite vocal about the absolute need for judicial reforms in Nigeria. Why?

    As a young lawyer, I remember when I finished studying law in England and my father wanted me to do a PhD. I said no. I had done a master’s. I wanted to come back to Nigeria because I knew there were a lot of opportunities. He was a lawyer and I joined him in his practice. By the time my son graduated from the United Kingdom also in 2006, he came here. I had forced him to come to Nigeria for his National Youth Service Corps, NYSC.

    He did. But when he got here, he said there was no way he could practice here. He is back in the UK. When I was a student in England, the first time I heard of Justice Udo Udoma, I knew about him because his son was a classmate in King’s College. But the first time I read his judgment was in a British university. His judgment was cited in the British textbooks. So that shows the extent of the international regard that Nigerian jurists had. Today, you can not say that.

    And I remember when Justice Dattijo Muhammad was making his valedictory statement, he alluded to that. The kind of decisions that the courts make, including the Supreme Court’s decision on Imo governorship election 2020, it is a decision that nobody can explain. And there are so many other decisions like that. Some of the decisions in respect of the primaries in 2023. Decisions like the Kano Emirate cases. A person who has been a lawyer for just two years knows that the Federal High Court has no jurisdiction in respect of chieftaincy matters.

    But the case went on. The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court knows that. The judge to whom the case was assigned knows that. The senior advocate of Nigeria filing the case knows that, but the case went on. There is no serious country in the world where that happens. If you file a case meant for the family division in the UK in the chancellery, the judge in the family division will automatically transfer the case to the correct division.

    But in Nigeria, the judiciary has allowed and enabled the elite to abuse the judicial process. A case that has nothing to do with Rivers State, where the events occurred in Lagos or Jos, will be filed in Port Harcourt. And then it will be filed in a court that has no jurisdiction at the Federal High Court. And that is a self-inflicted wound by the judiciary.

    Those are the things that you see. Then the other issue is the case of senior justices, or senior judicial officers setting up their children in the judiciary. 30, 40 years ago, that didn’t happen. For the senior judicial officers putting in their children; if the justices were like them when they were practicing, they would not have become senior justices.

    It is an abuse of the process. The reason this abuse is taking place is because of the structure of the two judicial bodies, the Federal Judicial Service Commission and also the National Judicial Council. Now, the Federal Judicial Service Commission is headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria. The duty or function of that body is to shortlist candidates for judicial positions and advise the NJC.

    The NJC is also headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria. So you have a situation whereby the Chief Justice of Nigeria goes to the Federal Judicial Service Commission, and then he shortlists candidates for judicial positions, and then after he has shortlisted those candidates, he takes that list himself back to the NJC and decides who to appoint and present to the president.

    That is what is happening. That is why senior judges are strutting with their children. In the FCT Federal High Court, eight out of 12 judges appointed were the children or relatives of senior judicial officers or ex-judicial officers. That is a statistical improbability.

    One of the key reforms that you propose is one that seeks to substantially whittle down the powers of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, powers which you and many other lawyers and key players in the justice sector say are simply too enormous…

    Absolutely. There are 23 members in the National Judicial Council. The Chief Justice of Nigeria appoints 19 out of 23 members. Out of those 23 members, 88 per cent, that is almost 90 per cent, are judicial or ex-judicial officers. So, when the Chief Justice of Nigeria has appointed about 88 per cent of the members, including the non-lawyers, and members of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, who will have the guts, when he brings the name of his son or his daughter, to challenge the CJN? That is why it is important that the NJC should be reconstituted.

    Is that what the bill you proposed contained?

    Yes. I left the Senate in 2011, so I no longer have the bill. I sent it in June. Although, when I was in the Senate, I had made some proposals in 2010, along those lines. I think nobody took them seriously. Obviously, things were not as bad as they were 14 years ago. I hope this time around, people will take these proposals seriously because the judiciary is in a state of decay.

    But some would argue that it is the politicians, the people that you find in places like the National Assembly, who are responsible for the rot and not so much as the powers of the Chief Justice in particular…

    It just shows us to the extent to which things have changed. During the time of the military, the judiciary resisted the military in spite of the fact that they had a barrel of a gun. Now, the judiciary has its hands and gloves with the politicians. I am sorry to say. It is a conspiracy of the judiciary, the high echelons of the judiciary, with the politicians. That is what is happening. And it is very, very sad. I sent it (the bill) to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review.

    They have been very busy on budget issues, so they haven’t had time for it. But I am following it up, and I hope that sooner or later, there will be a public hearing. I want to urge Nigerians to look at it because I believe that the son of a vulcanizer, the son of a labourer, a farmer, has a right to aspire to the highest judicial offices in Nigeria. It doesn’t have to be the son of a CJN. Nigerians are affected. They should get in touch with their senators and put pressure on them. Once the judiciary has decayed, as far as I am concerned, the country is finished.

    Most Nigerians don’t have any faith in any institution in this country…

    They should not give up. There will be changes and there could be changes. What needs to be done is for the leadership of the judiciary to attempt to give the people some confidence. I met the CJN about two, three years ago in the supermarket.

    You mean the current CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun?

    Yes, I met her. She has a fantastic pedigree from Lagos when she was practising upright and all that. I told her, my lord, I pray you become the next CJN of Nigeria. A lot of Nigerians, including myself, were disappointed with the judiciary including the Supreme Court.

    What was her response?

    She is a judge, so she did not say anything. They are always very reticent. I am sure they are hearing all these things. As I said on Justice Dattijo Muhammad, Nigerians need to go and read his valedictory speech. He pointed out all the issues. He pointed out all the issues around the judiciary, including bribing judges.

    If you have an appeal from the High Court, it takes about 17, 20 years for that appeal to be heard in the Supreme Court. About 17, 20 years. Why is that? As I said before, it is a self-inflicted wound, because of all these adjournments. Not just adjournments, but cases like the Kano Emirate case. The Kano Emirate case has taken 10 months for it to arrive at the Court of Appeal. It might still go to the Supreme Court. Maybe it will take another year.

    All that is going to be a waste of time, because the Supreme Court is going to come to the conclusion that the Federal High Court has no jurisdiction. But a two-year-old lawyer knows that. Why is the leadership of the judiciary not disciplining judges for that behaviour? Why are senior advocates who file these cases not being disciplined or fined? If you file a case like that, the court should say you are fined 25 million. It is an abuse of the process. That is why you have a lot of delays. Just before he retired, Justice Ariwoola complained that they were overwhelmed with cases and I tweeted that it was self-inflicted.

    In the rationale for the amendments that you propose, you allege that court officials and judges are often bribed by litigants to obtain favourable judgments. Can you cite examples?

    If anybody is going to pay a bribe, he is not going to call the media. As a lawyer, I have friends who are senior advocates who have told me that this happens. And Justice Dattijo, in his valedictory speech, mentioned it. It is something that everybody knows that happens. And my question is this. If the justices of the Supreme Court know that it takes 17 to 20 years for cases at the High Court to arrive at their desk, and then the case that was filed last year arrives at their desk, shouldn’t they be suspicious? Because the justices can know from the suit number of the case and the summary of the case when the case started. Everyone knows that millions change hands under the table to obviate the case.

    Do you think that the heads of the judiciary are unwilling or unable to confront this corruption, which is the reason that we continue to see bizarre judgments coming from them?

    Absolutely. Lawyers are conservative. I think that there is some unwillingness, a lack of political will to address the issue. As I said, Justice Dattijo Mohamed, who was second in command to Justice Ariwoola, mentioned it. And we all know. You ask any lawyer, they will tell you.

    You raised an interesting concept in your bill proposal, which you called fabricated immunity. Can you tell us about it?

    There were a couple of judges who were accused of corruption, watertight cases. But the Court of Appeal brought out a technicality and said that you cannot prosecute a judge, a judicial officer, without the concurrence of the NJC. There is nothing like that in the Constitution. There are no precedents on it. There is no law. Global best practice is non-existent. in fact, in the UK and the US, conviction for an offense is usually a reason why you now start those disciplinary proceedings. So the justices, the appellate courts, unfortunately, have invented this technical immunity for themselves. That is one of the amendments I have made, that you don’t need the concurrence of the NJC.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, and the police should not need the concurrence of the NJC before justices and judges can be prosecuted. If not, we are going to set a bad precedent, because, if you want to prosecute a police officer, you will need the concurrence of the Police Service Commission. If you want to prosecute a civil servant, you will need the concurrence of the Federal Civil Service Commission. It is a very bad precedent.

  • Anambra Police decry negative impact of sit-at-home

    Anambra Police decry negative impact of sit-at-home

    AWKA—The Police in Anambra State, on Wednesday, launched the ‘Police Safe School Initiative’, a proactive Police approach to ensure the safety and security of schools, students, teachers and staff, as the state’s Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, visited schools.

    The visits are also a direct reaction to sit-at-home declared every Monday by proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    Ikioye while visiting schools commended Ndi Anambra and residents alike on the improvement of social and economic activities on Mondays.

    He noted the negative impacts of the illegal Sit-At-Home order and how it has disrupted academic activities and stated that the Police and other security agencies have taken over the streets, especially on Mondays, to sustain safety in the State.

    The Commissioner who was accompanied by the Commissioner of Women Affairs, Hon. Ify Obinabo urged Ndi Anambra to go about their various businesses without fear of molestation.

    Among other things, the Police Safe School Initiative is a proactive approach that focuses on:

    Preventing Crimes: Identifying and preventing potential security threats in schools; Building Partnerships: Collaborating with school administrators, parents, and local communities to promote safety and security;

    Providing Support*: Offering support and resources to schools to enhance their security measures.

    The benefits according to a statement issued by the police spokesman, Ikenga Tochukwu, a Superintendent of Police, include: Improved Safety: Enhanced safety and security for students, teachers, and staff; Reduced Crime: Reduced incidents of crime and violence in schools; Increased Confidence: Increased confidence among students, parents and school staff and Better Learning Environment: A safer and more secure learning environment conducive to academic excellence.