OBJ/PDP Elders To Jonathan: Sack Tukur, Baraje; Hold New Convention

Afric-tv24 - Zamfara...

Afric TV24 -  Update

LAGOS — The Kawu Baraje and Bamanga Tukur factions of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP were last night poised for a long standoff, following apparent efforts by the Presidency to fight off proposals being articulated by the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo-led elders’ committee.

The elders committee which met at the weekend following meetings with the two factions, it was learnt, had made some proposals towards resolution of the crisis in the party. Among the recommendations were dissolution of the executives of the Tukur and Baraje-led factions of the party and the scheduling of a fresh convention for the election of a fresh and united executive.

DINNER: President Goodluck Jonathan flanked by Vice President Namadi Sambo (L) and the National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, while the Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih (R) watches during the Post-National Convention Dinner of the party at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

DINNER: President Goodluck Jonathan flanked by Vice President Namadi Sambo (L) and the National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, while the Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih (R) watches during the Post-National Convention Dinner of the party at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Under the arrangement it was learnt the office of National Chairman will be conceded to President Goodluck Jonathan; Deputy National Chairman conceded to either the Chairman, Board of Trustees, BoT, Chief Tony Anenih, or Governor Godswill Akpabio, Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum. Both Anenih and Akpabio are from the South-South where the office of Deputy National Chairman is zoned to.

Obasanjo favours Ladoja as National Secretary

The office of National Secretary and other offices zoned to the South-West it was learnt, would be conceded to President Obasanjo who, it was learnt, was already set to shove his new-found friend, Senator Rasheed Ladoja for the prime position.

Proposal for Amaechi’s return

 Under the proposals, the Adamawa and Rivers State executives of the party that were put at abeyance on account of the lingering crises in the party will be restored just as Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State who was suspended would be reinstated upon expiration of the 30-day period as provided by the constitution.

Meanwhile, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh has fended off insinuations of a role by the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC in the crisis in the party. Metuh, in a session with newsmen in Lagos, said the APC is too insignificant and minuscule to be a factor in what he described as an intra-party dispute. He also put in a robust defence of  Tukur’s leadership of the party, describing the National Chairman as the kind of elixir needed to manage the PDP at this time.

The Obasanjo panel included Anenih and former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

The report is yet to be presented to President Jonathan who is the leader of the party.

In proposing a fresh convention, sources disclosed that the Obasanjo panel was not unmindful of the financial implications of holding a new convention but as it was learnt, panellists were said to have affirmed that “money should not be a hindrance to doing the right thing.”

Jonathan 2015

The panel report did not touch on the sensitive matter of President Jonathan contesting another term in office. Vanguard learnt that the panel decided not to touch the issue because of both parties’ strong positions on it.

However, there were indications that President Jonathan may not acquiesce to the proposals as raised by the elders.

Presidency sources disclosed that dissolving the Tukur executive and going with most of the other recommendations would mean the Presidency losing its present advantages.

In an apparent effort to bolster its forces in the ensuing battle, it was learnt that three ad-hoc committees were constituted by the President before he travelled to Kenya last week to articulate possible solutions to the crisis.

The committees it was learnt include Legal, Political and Contact. The committees are now working on ways of quenching the crisis in the party and to contain the Baraje forces. Presidency sources disclosed that the committees are to propose their recommendations to the President tomorrow.

The President, it was learnt, was inclined towards a holistic solution of the crisis to restore order in the party without condoning indiscipline.

In that direction, the President it was understood, may not give in to the demands of some of the governors that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC be pulled out from investigating some states. Some of the seven governors aligned to the Baraje faction of the party were alleged to have bitterly complained of being harassed by the EFCC purely on political grounds.

We give no attention to APC

Meanwhile, the Chief Olisa Metuh has dismissed insinuations of the involvement of the APC in the unfolding crisis in the ruling party.

Metuh in an interview in Lagos said:

“The APC as currently constituted has no capacity, no power to have any influence whatsoever in the challenges in the party and they are of  no consequences whatsoever and we do not pay any attention to them. They have no power, no influence, no position, no capacity to influence anything that is happening in the party.

“The APC is insignificant and they are unimportant in the scheme of things. What is important to us as a party is to resolve with our brothers and to have a final resolution of this matter, to be in one accord and have unity with our brothers so that the PDP can continue to rule. But the role of APC is non-existent in this matter. They are unimportant, they are insignificant and of no effect and we do not pay attention to the APC as a body and the individuals therein. They are of no consequence whatsoever.”

Female Hairdresser Arrested For Children Trafficking - ENUGU

Afric-tv24 - Zamfara...

Afric TV24 -  Update

ENUGU — An Enugu-based female hairdresser, Ifeoma Obike, who allegedly combined her business with the illicit trade of baby factory, has been arrested by operatives of Anti Human Trafficking Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department of Enugu State Police Command.

Ifeoma, who claimed to be a native of Oguta in Imo State and a popular hairstylist in New Haven, Enugu, according to the police, allegedly tried to augment her earnings from her legitimate business by engaging in the “baby for sale” trade which had been thriving in many parts of the South-East for some time.

Ujunwa (middle), Ifeoma (2nd right) with the baby and suspected members of the syndicate

Ujunwa (middle), Ifeoma (2nd right) with the baby and suspected members of the syndicate

Ifeoma who claimed to have five children out of wedlock, however, denied being involved in child trafficking but she was found with a baby, which she claimed belonged to her sister in Lagos.

The police said she would be taken to Lagos to confirm her claim though the operatives doubted her because the baby was too tender to be cared for by any person other than her mother.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who announced the arrest of Ifeoma and three members of the syndicate, weekend, said the long arm of the law caught up with them last Thursday when men of the Anti Human Trafficking squad, acting on a tip off, swooped on them.

He said: “On September 5, 2013, the long arm of the law visited Ifeoma as the operatives of the Anti Human Trafficking Unit of the state Criminal and Investigation Department of the Enugu State police command, acting on information received that Ifeoma combines the newly discovered lucrative business of baby factory with the saloon business, arrested her and someone whom she identified as a would-be husband.

“The alleged fiancé, a patent medicine dealer and self-acclaimed doctor and the pregnant girl, who was on the verge of delivery, Ujunwa, were apprehended and are now being interrogated.”

He said Ifeoma had taken Ujunwa into custody to enable her deliver her baby from an unwanted pregnancy with the intention of taking the baby, adding that they had agreed that Ujunwa would upon delivery be settled with N100,000 to forfeit her baby.

My ordeal, by Ujunwa

Ujunwa, who narrated her ordeal to the police, said she was impregnated by someone and had wanted to abort the pregnancy.

Confused about what to do with the pregnancy, Ujunwa who hails from Ituku in Awgu Local Government Area of the state, went to a patent medicine dealer identified as Obinna of Obofia Awkunanaw but resides in New Haven Extension, Enugu, to abort it but was advised to keep the baby.

Before then, she had made attempts to get rid of the baby to no avail.

“Obinna, however, linked Ujunwa with Ifeoma who would take care of her pregnancy and later be given N100,000 after delivery to forfeit the baby which Ifeoma will at the appropriate time, sell to couples desirous of baby,” the police spokesman said.

According to him, Ujunwa further disclosed that while she was with Ifeoma, “the woman insisted that if her financial condition dwindles, that the initial agreed amount of N100,000 could be reduced to an amount that she can afford.

“One of the accomplices, a native of Ezeagu, who was also apprehended, denied being part of the syndicate. But he revealed that there was a certain time a pregnant girl was brought to him to be delivered of a baby, which he carried out and later the baby was released to someone identified as a sister to the girl and that he also issued a receipt for the hospital expenses incurred.”

On his part, Obike from Isiukwuato, Abia State, whom Ifeoma described as her fiancé, revealed that he was yet to marry Ifeoma even though they have five children, whose whereabouts could not be explained.

Obike, who claimed to be a businessman dealing on wears, however, declined to give further details about the baby found in possession of his alleged fiancée.

Amaraizu said that full investigations into the matter had already commenced with a view to ascertaining further details of the illicit activities of the syndicate.

17 Killed In B’Haram, Vigilance Group Clash

Afric-tv24 - Zamfara...

Afric TV24 -  Update

No fewer than 17 people were killed and 17 others injured when suspected Boko Haram sect members attacked some members of the civilian vigilance group in Benisheik village, near Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Saturday night.

The attack came barely 48 hours after the Nigeria military raided an Islamic insurgent camp and killed about 50 sect members in the North.

While the 12 vigilance group members were killed, five Boko Haram members lost their lives and four AK-47 rifles were also retrieved in the clash.

According to an operative of the Civilian Joint Task Force Vigilance Group, Zannah Fannami, the vigilance members were killed while repelling Boko Haram’s attack on the town.

The 27-year-old operative, with the Civilian Joint Task Force vigilante group, who is receiving treatment at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital for a bullet to his right thigh said, “We heard that they would be coming since Friday and had been keeping vigil all nights.

“Late Saturday night, when we least expected it, we heard a thunderous sound like that of a bomb coming from the direction of a soldiers’ post, then we decided to advance toward the sound and the Boko Haram gunmen, carrying sophisticated arms, opened fire on us, killing 12 of our members.”

The survivor explained that the vigilance group, which was formed to fight the Boko Haram insurgents,  killed five of the sect members and took possession of four of that AK-47 rifles.

Another injured Civilian-JTF operative, 32-year-old Muhammed Abuwar, blamed the military for the attack, saying the soldiers refused to shield them from the “expected” attack.

Borno State Government labour adviser, Garba Ngamdu, who also hails from Benisheik, said one of vigilance members had died in the hospital as doctors tried to remove bullets from his body.

He also confirmed the death of the five Boko Haram members at the hands of vigilance members with machetes and said their corpses were on the outskirts of the town.

PDP Crisis, Minor Disagreement – Jonathan

Afric-tv24 - Zamfara...

Afric TV24 -  Update

President Goodluck Jonathan has described the lingering crises within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party as a minor disagreement.

The President said this at a post-convention dinner held in honour of the newly elected members of the national executive committee of the party, in Abuja, on Sunday.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and seven serving governors on the party’s platform walked out of its mini-convention, in Abuja penultimate Saturday and announced a formation of a new faction.

Jonathan noted that what was happening was normal in every human organisation.

He accused the media of exaggerating recent happenings within the party.

“We are all adults and we all know that in all human institutions there must be some disagreements.

“There is no human institution that shouldn’t have any disagreement. In families, we disagree. So, what happened I believe is a minor disagreement we will be able to solve,” he said.

Jonathan noted that disagreements were normal within a family but that care should be taken to ensure that such disagreements were handled in a manner that cohesion would remain.

Rid Passport Offices Of Touts, CG Orders Officers

Afric-tv24 - Zamfara...

Afric TV24 -  Update

The Comptroller-General, Nigerian Immigration Service, Mr. David Parradang, has urged immigration officers to rid all passport offices of touts and shun corruption.

Parradang added that officers who had cases of indiscipline would not be promoted.

The CG stated this during his first visit to passport offices in Lagos on Friday.

Parradang, who became the CG in June 2013, visited the passport offices at FESTAC, Ikoyi, Alausa and Ikeja areas of the state.

While addressing his men, Parradang said touts must be expelled completely from the system.

He said, “We are not satisfied with what we hear about passport offices and airports. There are very few people that are spoiling this job. Try to be as transparent as possible. We are not running a secret society.

“Do not give our work to touts. Do not patronise touts.  I do not want to hear anything about touts. No form of extortion will be accepted. I will never entertain touts here.”

Parradang said he was going to transfer officers and men in the Ikoyi and FESTAC passport offices to create room for other officers to work in the departments, adding that the FESTAC passport office would be relocated because it was no longer conducive to provide service and security at its present location.

The CG promised to make the welfare and training of officers his top priority.

“Welfare is paramount on my agenda. It is primary to us. We do not only speak grammar we will actually take action. Government owes you salary and you owe government hard work. I will support anybody that wants to buy a house,” he said.

The Passport Control Officer, Alausa Passport Office,Mr. Joshua Ajisafe, complained that the new passport office depended solely on one generator saying it was grossly inadequate.

He therefore requested for another 150KVA generator to serve as a back up to the one being used.

Ajisafe further disclosed that within the last four months of the office being operational, 23,454 applications had been received out of which 21, 404 passports had been issued and a revenue of N205, 222, 500 accrued to government.

The PCO, Ikoyi Passport office, Mrs. Modupe Anyalechi, pleaded with the CG to offset its electricity bills of over N2.8m.

She said her office had about 4,000 unclaimed passports from July 27, 2007 to date. She also noted that from January 2 to date, about 89,750 had been processed.

Can Kicks As Borno Plans To Demolish Churches

Afric-tv24 - Zamfara...

Afric TV24 -  Update

The   Borno State Government has begun moves to demolish over 20 churches and schools built by them.

Our correspondent gathered on Sunday that the state government would embark on the demolition exercise any moment from now.

Sources hinted that the state government had already dispatched a notice to the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and owners of farmlands in the area intimating them of the plan to acquire the site for a 1000 housing units.

A leaflet from the office of the Borno State Ministry of Lands and Survey dated August 20 and signed by one Musa Ummate (O/C Land Administration) on behalf of the commissioner was obtained by journalists on Sunday in Abuja.

The leaflet is titled, ‘Notice of acquisition and assessment/valuation of structures on proposed site for 1000 Housing Units along Gubio Road Highway.’

It reads: “I am directed to refer to you farmers and holders of structures on the proposed site for caption matter above and regret to inform you that the Executive Governor has, on the power conferred on him by Section (2)b of the Land Use Act 1978, directed through high powered committee on Construction Ref. no: HPCC/2500/HE/S/TEC/1 to notify you of his intention to acquire your farm lands and assessment/valuation of the structures on the proposed site situated along Gubio Road, Maiduguri.

“The acquisition is necessary in view of requirements of the land acquisition by the state government for overriding public interest to construct a Housing Esate. The affected farmers and holders of structures are to take note and appear on site for the above exercise, please.”

But a CAN source said, “Over 20 churches and many schools will be affected. The parcels of land on which the churches were built were bought from farmers and have the authority and certificate of the District Head in Maiduguri popularly called Bulama. The land was not under the ministry when it was bought.”

When contacted, the General Secretary of CAN, Dr. Musa Asake, confirmed the development but called on the Borno State Government to have a rethink.

He said, “We have seen that eviction notice from the Borno State Government. We are all Nigerians and there are other places where the state government can develop. The areas being earmarked for demolition are already developed with churches and schools.

“We have enough problems at hand and we don’t want to add another one. Christians have suffered enough in Borno State. If the state government wants to destroy churches and build any housing estate, no Christian will see it as a sign of progress.”

Asake promised that CAN would take up the  matter with Borno State Government as soon as it was confirmed that the letter actually emanated from the government.

Several calls and text messages to the mobile phone of the Borno State Commissioner for Information,  Mr. Inuwa Bwala, as at 3:45 pm on Sunday for the state government’s reaction were not replied.

2015: PDP Elders’ Panel Divided Over Jonathan • Tukur Summons State chairmen To Abuja

Afric-tv24 - Zamfara...

Afric TV24 -  Update

The Peoples Democratic Party Elders’ Committee, headed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has started compiling a report of its meetings with the leaders of the two factions of the PDP in Abuja on Friday.

One of our correspondents gathered in Abuja on Sunday that one issue the committee would find a hard nut to crack is President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 ambition.

A very reliable source in one of the factions  told The Afric-tv24 on Sunday that while the elders were divided on  Jonathan’s reelection bid, the governors were also in disagreement on the fate of Tukur,  who would on Monday (today) meet with state chairmen of the PDP in Abuja.

Those at the  Friday  meeting, apart from Obasanjo, were  former chairmen of the PDP, Dr. Ahmadu Ali and Senator Barnabas Gemade, the Chairman of Board of Trustees of the party, Chief Tony Anenih   as well as former military President  Ibrahim Babangida.

Another ex-Chairman of the PDP, Solomon Lar and  a former BOT Chairman, Dr.  Alex Ekwueme,  were absent at the meeting as they were said to have travelled outside the country.

The National Chairman of the party, Dr. Bamanga Tukur  led some members of his National Working Committee to the meeting while    Alhaji Abubakar Baraje led the  National Secretary of the New PDP, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; the Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Sam Jaja, a former Governor of Gombe State, Sen. Danjuma Goje and an ex-Governor of Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki.

Also in the Baraje group were  governors  Sule Lamido (Jigawa),  Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers)  and Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto).

Governors, who came on the side of the Tukur-led PDP  included Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Idris Wada (Kogi), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Theordore Orji (Abia), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina) and Isa Yuguda (Bauchi).

The Afric-tv24 however gathered that during the meeting, two  members of the committee were in agreement that Jonathan should sacrifice his second term ambition while  two  disapproved.

The fifth committee member was   said not to be very committal to any of the positions canvassed by his colleagues.

Our source  said, “The committee is in a fix on whether  to recommend that President Jonathan should forget his second term or not

“Two  of the committee members or elders argued that the President would have done six years by 2015 and doing another four years would amount to third term. They are saying that the constitution stipulates that the President can only be in office for eight years and if he(Jonathan) gets another four years, he would have done 10 years, which to them amounts to third term.”

According to him, two others  were  of the opinion that the President should seek reelection  since the constitution was not against that.

He added that while the governors on the side of the Baraje-faction insisted on Tukur’s sacking,  others  argued that he should be allowed to continue to run the PDP.

It was however  learnt that the committee might recommend that those who formed the New PDP  should return to the party under the chairmanship of Tukur.

Tukur  is expected to meet today  with the 36 state chairmen of the party and their Federal Capital Territory  counterpart  over the crisis rocking the PDP.

 The notice of the meeting, which was sighted by one   of our correspondents in Abuja on Sunday evening, indicated that it would hold at the Wadata Plaza national secretariat of the party.

“The meeting is aimed at briefing you  (chairmen) on the recent happenings in our great party,” the notice added.

Investigations  indicated that Tukur  would use the opportunity of the meeting to solicit the support of the   chairmen, who are considered as field commanders for the party in their respective states.

At the end of the meeting, the state chairmen may be compelled to issue a statement pledging their loyalty to the Tukur-led faction.

Meanwhile, controversy has continued to surround the closure of the secretariat of the New PDP in Abuja  by the Federal Capital Territory Police Command.

The Tukur-led PDP, the Police and the Presidency defended the action but  the All Progressives Congress, the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties and three Senior Advocates of Nigeria denounced it.

The  National Publicity Secretary of the  PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh,  said the police acted based on the order of a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Metuh  argued   that in ordering that the parties in the dispute should  maintain the  status quo ante bellum, “the court clearly granted the request of the PDP that the group led by Alhaji  Baraje should not operate or be recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

He said, “For the avoidance of doubt, the position of the Federal High Court is clear. By ordering that the two parties maintain status quo ante bellum, the court has clearly ordered the Baraje group to stop all its activities, including operating a secretariat while it affirmed the leadership of the PDP under Alhaji   Tukur. The sealing off of the secretariat opened by the Baraje group under the name, colour and flag of the PDP is therefore in order and in line with the law.”

FCT  Police Command Public Relations Officer, Altienne Daniel,  said,”It is true that we deployed policemen to the Maitama office of the PDP and the Wadata Plaza headquarters of the party based on a court order which directed the parties to maintain the status quo.

“The police at the two offices did not prevent anyone from entering or leaving the offices, they were just there to prevent a breach of the peace and to enforce the order of the court.”

But the  CNPP  called on   Jonathan to order the Inspector- General of the Police to open the  shut secretariat of the New  PDP.

NPC May Not Take Fresh Census In Lagos

Afric-tv24 - Zamfara...

Afric TV24 -  Update

There are indications that the National Population Commission  may not  comply with the order  of the National  Census Tribunal that a fresh census be conducted  in 14 Local Government Areas in Lagos State.

Dependable sources in the Presidency told The Afric-tv24  on Friday that  the state would have to  wait till  2016 when another  nationwide census  would be carried out.

The source explained that for now, the nation lacked the basic benchmark  and requirements to conduct a census.

The Lagos State Government had through its Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye; his  Works and Infrastructure counterpart, Mr.  Obafemi Hamzat,  and the  Commissioner  for Information and Strategy, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba, asked the NPC to conduct a  fresh  census in  the 14 LGAs in line with the the NCT judgment.

Ipaye had stated that  since the tribunal nullified the figures released by the NPC, another headcount was very necessary in the  areas  considering the physical and economic projections of the government.

According to him, the 2006 census was conducted on the basis of 20 LGAs listed in the 1999 Constitution.

He had said, “In the final analysis, the official national census results for 14 old Local Government Councils (now 40 LGAs and LCDAs) in Lagos State have been nullified. This vindicates the resolve of the state government to base its physical and economic plans on a projected population of 17,553,924 in 2006 and over 21,000,000 currently. We now expect that the NPC will urgently announce plans for a recount as ordered by the tribunal.

“Most importantly, a shadow survey carried out by state officials during the exercise showed that Lagos State should have had a population of at least 17,553,924. A good number of residents from various communities within the state protested and, eventually, had petitions filed on their behalf when the census tribunal was established.”

But the  NPC said it had yet to get a copy of the tribunal judgment.

The  commission’s Chairman, Chief Festus Odimegwu, in an interview with one of our correspondents in Abuja,  said, “When a judgment is delivered, it usually takes a while before a Certified True Copy is given. “The tribunal has not served the NPC any paper  that the 2006 census exercise in Lagos State has been nullified.”

 When contacted, a  Presidency source  said, “To conduct a census is a major event and not something you just jump  into  because a  court said you should do so.

“The conditions required to conduct a proper census do not exist in Nigeria as we speak. Nobody can conduct a proper census because the conditions are not there.

“Before a census is conducted, it takes three years for the type of census we want to do and we have not even started the preparation.

“So,   the NPC cannot conduct any census anywhere because the conditions are not okay. Anything we do now will be like a  guesswork. When  the judgment is ready, the NPC will reply and educate the court on what is possible and what is not possible and I am sure they will understand.”

Another   source in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation said conducting a fresh census   in Lagos State would be  a misadventure.

He said, “To run a proper census is the biggest challenge of any nation like Nigeria. The only thing that is bigger than it is war.  To  wage war you need to simulate the entire country and in  census, it is exactly the same thing, except that it is on the peace line.

“So it is easy to say ‘conduct census’; but it is not practical to do  so because if we want to do it properly the way we are planning, it won’t be possible. The court is entitled to its judgment. But our duty as professionals is to educate the courts.

“So the whole country should wait until Nigeria conducts another census in 2016. If the nation wants an accurate census, the NPC will deliver it. But we need at least, three years preparation for that; once we deliver it, this country will be delivered from this darkness from people shooting golden arrows into darkness.”

But the Lagos State Government said on Saturday that the Federal Government and the NPC should not hide under any guise to disobey a court order.

The state argued that  since the Federal Government   had been proclaiming the rule of law,  it had no reason not to comply with the tribunal’s judgment.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy told our one of  correspondents in Lagos  that the tribunal’s verdict was a valid one and therefore  should not be disregarded for any reason whatsoever.

He said, “It is a dangerous trend that the Federal Government and the NPC want to start. If the people of Lagos State went to seek refuge in the judiciary and the verdict was that the census should be redone in some places, why would anyone want to look for ways not to implement the verdict?

“The Federal Government and the NPC made representation at the tribunal as well as Lagos State. So they know about the judgement. Nobody should say he had yet to hear of it or get a certified true copy of the judgment. The rule of law must be allowed to prevail. The census should  be retaken in the 14 LGs as ordered by the tribunal.”

When  one of our correspondents visited the Registry of the Census Tribunal in Abuja,  the secretary  was not available to speak on the matter.

But a top source, who did not wish to be named, said that the NPC  had  not officially applied for a copy of the judgment as required by the  rules guiding the tribunal.

According to him, the NPC initially made enquiries, stating its wish to collect the judgment  but  was informed that it had to send in a formal application.

 Meanwhile, a group, the Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo Youth Congress, has condemned the calls for  the sacking of the NPC chairman  by  Kwakwanso and the Arewa Consultative Forum.

The  Chairman of the congress, Chijioke  Onyekaonywu, in a joint statement  he signed with   a Chieftain of  Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Stanley Okeke , argued that “the nature and intent  for  the calls had  the capacity to create confusion and overheat the polity.

Onyekaonywu and Okeke said, “The need to preventa threat to our national security and avoid  descent into anarchy and mutual distrust, has necessitated our taking this stride to address the dangerous and reckless attack on the person of Chief  Odimegwu by the governor of Kano State.

“The statement credited to Odimegwu has nothing to warrant the call for his head by Kwakwanso. Even in his capacity as just a citizen of Nigeria, Odimegwu has a right to air his views. Odimegwu should be commended for being courageous enough to state the facts as they are.”

Protest Against Olu Of Warri Rages, Uduaghan Intervenes

Afric-tv24 - Zamfara...

Afric TV24 -  Update

The Delta State Governor, Dr.  Emmanuel Uduaghan,   has appealed to thousands of Itsekiri  protesting the bid by their  monarch to jettison their  traditional beliefs  to remain calm, saying he was already meeting with stakeholders   to resolve the matter.

Uduaghan, who arrived the palace at about 3.45pm on Sunday, was met by the surging protesters, who appealed to him to mediate in the crisis.

An online news portal, THE WILL, reported that the   governor, was   allowed into  the palace without  his security aides,  came out after about 15 minutes to address the protesters.

Urging  the protesters  to exercise restraint,  he  said he had discussed with   Atunwase II, the chiefs and the youth  over the issue and expressed  gratitude to the protesters for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner.

The palace of the Olu of Warri was barricaded for the third day by the protesters who erected canopies in the front gate.

Some women and youths also erected canopies by the side fence of the palace where they cooked and danced.

Itshekiri masquerades were also brought in to spice up  the protest as they banged   the gate of the palace while the protest lasted.

The protest was sparked off by the monarch’s decision to, among others,  abolish the ancient Itshekiri masquerades which are paraded during traditional festivals.

While the monarch was inside the palace as the scene was playing out, only a few chiefs, leaders and youth representatives were allowed to enter the palace by the protesters.

Several meetings were held by groups who adjourned and  reconvened after some hours. The groups were  said to have also met   with the monarch.

Atunwatse II  had few days ago declared in a document titled  “The New Order of Iwere Kingdom,” that the “Ogiame” title which had been in existence for over 500 years would cease to exist following the recent consecration of the kingdom to God.

“Ogiame” means “King of the River,” according to the history behind the Itsekiri throne.

The monarch, in the document, said he had renounced his allegiance to the “Umalokun” (goddess of the sea), land and sky as well as  the “Ogiame” title to which his ancestors had pledged allegiance to “Umalokun” and other deities.

Secretariat Closure: New PDP May Go To Court

Afric-tv24 - Zamfara...

Afric TV24 -  Update

The Abubakar Baraje faction of the Peoples Democratic Party has said that it may seek legal redress for the sealing-off of its secretariat in Abuja.

The Secretary of the faction, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, disclosed this in an interview with one of our correspondents in Osogbo on Sunday.

The police had on Saturday sealed off the secretariat of the New PDP at Plot 4, Oyi River Crescent, Maitama, Abuja.

Explaining the action the faction would take,  Oyinlola, said the party was exploring internal mechanisms to resolve the crisis which had polarised the PDP.

He, however, stated that the new PDP would be left with no option than to seek legal means of enforcing its right if the efforts failed.

He said, “We are exploring all means to resolve the matter; I mean internal mechanism of resolving the crisis but we will be left with no option than to seek a legal means to address it if all these efforts fail.”

Oyinlola had described the sealing off of the new secretariat as an undisguised impunity on the part of Alhaji Bamaga Tukur, who he claimed, had earlier dished out an imaginary court injunction to the media.

Also, the faction’s Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Sam Jaja, said that  members of the New PDP would soon meet to discuss the way forward, especially as it concerned the sealing-off  of its national secretariat.

The PDP chief, who spoke in a telephone interview with  one of our correspondents,  said, “There is nothing I can tell you now. We are going to meet very soon and a decision would be taken very soon.

“We have spoke through our Secretary, Olagunsoye Oyinlola and what he said about the sealing off of our national secretariat is the position of the New PDP.”

Meanwhile, legislators loyal to the Abubakar Baraje-led faction of the PDP  are due to meet  today (Monday).

One of our correspondents  gathered in Abuja on Sunday that leading figures among them had started arriving in Abuja for the meeting.

It was learnt that the agenda of the  meeting would include the threat by the Chairman of the old PDP, Dr.Bamanga Tukur, to recall the National Assembly members that were loyal to the Baraje faction.

It was also gathered that the lawmakers would  deliberate on the sealing-off of the secretariat of the New PDP in Abuja.

However, venue for the planned meeting is still being kept a closely guarded secret.

A source privy to the meeting said, “I cannot tell you the venue.” Asked why, he said, “If they can seal off our secretariat even before we start to use it, what do you think they will do if they know the venue of the meeting?”

It was further gathered that the meeting was aimed at preparing a response to the decision by security agencies to seal off their secretariat as well as their next move.

When contacted, a member of the group, who is also the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Information and Media, Mr. Zakari Mohammed, said the internal affairs of the PDP was the focus of its (the new PDP)  activities.

He said “For now, we are talking about the party nobody is talking about impeachment. The Parliament does do work like that, until you come back and sit down.

“The parliament is not a place where my views alone will count; it is about the majority views, such matters cannot be raised unless the Parliament is in session.

“You need to be guided; neither I nor any of my colleagues (in the new PDP) is talking about that.

“We are talking about our party here. The truth of the matter is that some funny characters have taken over our party now and there is a need for us to flush them out and return the party to the right path.

“Politics is about horse trading and interest is the major thing that will bring people together.”

Also speaking on the issue, Senator Danladi Sankara said, “There is no such thing (impeachment).

“Our concern is how to rescue our party from self destruction; we don’t have time for frivolities. We are still loyal members of the PDP.”

Meanwhile, there is confusion over the source of order withdrawing the security personnel attached to the factional chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Kawu Baraje and a member of the breakaway faction, former Kwara State governor, Bukola Saraki.

It was learnt that the order for the withdrawal of the policemen could only emanate from the Commissioner  in charge of the Special Protection Unit, the FCT Commissioner of Police of the command where the policemen might have been drawn and the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar.