The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has ‘revealed’ how he helped the standard bearer of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, to emerge as the presidential candidate of LP.
Sowore, while speaking on Monday at the memorial lecture held in honour of the late human rights lawyer and activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, in Lagos, said that the Labour Party ran into a problem in the course of choosing the candidacy of Obi, as there were calls that Obi should not be presented.
Sowore said he, alongside the Senior Advocate of Nigeria and activist, Femi Falana, rose to the occasion by taking legal steps to defend the LP.
“When the Labour Party ran into a problem. There was a member of the LP who insisted that the LP could not present the candidacy of Peter Obi. They had a legal problem. We went and obtain judgment in court; from the Court of Appeal, and handed it over to Falana to use it to defend the Labour Party, and by extension, Peter Obi’s candidacy. Yes! I’m just telling you that we’re in the business of saving people,” Sowore stated.
The pro-democracy campaigner also laid claims to how he purportedly rescued Obi from being impeached as a governor of Anambra State.
He said there were moves to “flush out Obi in Anambra State twice, Sahara Reporters saved the day. Falana on a daily basis will call me, saying: ‘I don’t know Peter Obi, but we should not allow this injustice to pass, nobody should be impeached,” saying that as of that time, “Obasanjo was impeaching everybody impeachable at that time in Nigeria. That was how Obi was able to complete two tenures. So when we speak, we know what we’re saying.”
“We are saying that we have been standing with the Nigerian people but we don’t have any sense of entitlement,” Sowore added.
The PUNCH reported that Sowore, alongside Falana, and a host of others stormed Lagos on Monday for the 13th memorial of Fawehinmi.
Sowore was returning to the state three years after he was arrested by the Department of State Service in 2019.
Chief Fawehinmi, until his death, was a Nigerian author, publisher, social critic, and politician. He is fondly remembered for his activism and defence of the common man in court pro bono.
Fwehinmi became a SAN in September 2001 and was awarded the Senior Advocate of Masses in Obafemi Awolowo University in 1988, among other international awards.
In the course of his activism, Fawehinmi was arrested and jailed serval times by successive governments under the military rule.
Others who were at the Monday programme included the Chairman, Centre for Anti-corruption and Open Leadership, Debo Adeniran; the General Secretary of the Federation of Informal Workers Organisation of Nigeria, Gbenga Komolafe and others.
The programme divided into three lectures was themed as follows: (1) A reflection of 23 years of electoral system and democracy in Nigeria; which way forward? (2) Fuel subsidy regime: Corruption in the oil industry and the way out. (3) Crisis in Nigeria educational system and indefinite strike action of the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
Chelsea Football Club have on Wednesday parted company with Head Coach Thomas Tuchel after last night’s defeat of the club in UEFA Champions league game.
Chelsea suffered a 1-0 defeat by Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday night in their first group stage Match.
This was revealed in a statement issued by the club on its website.
In the meantime, the Chelsea’s coaching staff will take charge of the team for training and “the preparation of our upcoming matches as the Club moves swiftly to appoint a new head coach.”
Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel started the season on a shaky note with a humiliating defeat by Leeds United in the English Premier League.
They currently occupy the 6th positions with 10 points after 6 games.
Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, the daughter of Nigerian nationalist and statesman, Obafemi Awolowo, has declared support for the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.
Awolowo-Dosunmu in a video she posted on social media, alleged there’s a plot to get rid of Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, if he wins the 2023 election.
She said this is the first time Nigerians doesn’t have to chose between PDP and APC. “We have a very good choice, which is Peter Obi and Yusuf Datti. There’s no way we can say can’t see this.
Making a case for Igbo Presidency, she asked the last time an Igbo man presided over Nigeria, adding that it should be their turn to lead the country.
She called on the Yorubas to eschew emotions, ethnicity and think about the future of Nigeria, stressing that there was a plot to get rid of Tinubu and install his running mate, Kashim Shettima as president.
Awolowo-Dosunmu claimed that the plot may be perfected immediately after the 2023 swearing-in.
She said those behind the plot would take advantage of Tinubu’s medical condition.
Awolowo-Dosunmu appealed to Yorubas to stop being sentimental and tribalist about the three major candidates contesting for the office of the presidency.
They are plotting against Tinubu; Yorubas should wake up. They are aware of Tinubu’s medical condition.
“All they are planning is, immediately after handing over and swearing-in, they are going to get rid of Tinubu and Sheetima will be your next president if you are not careful, that’s the plot!
“Yorubas have to wake up and not allow emotions to lead us.
The people that gave Tinubu that flag knows what they’re doing, it’s because they want Shettima to be President because Tinubu is sick.”
The Leader Of Good Governance Ministry,Chinedu Asuzu has thrown his weight behind Prof Soludo directive to Anambra State Menace Committee to strictly enforce Anti-Open Grazing effective this month . In a short message personally signed by GGM Leader and released to the press ,Comrade Chinedu said that Soludo is a 21 century Leader . The short message reads ” I am excited that Charlie Nwamgbafor has proven to be peoples’ Governor.He has made the entire Igbo Nation proud by ensuring that Open Grazing is stopped. Open Grazing belongs to 17th century and we are in 21st century. Globally, the practice is modern ranching which is to the advantage of herders ,farmers ,cattle and the host communities. In fact ,it is a win win situation. MACBAN Members are billionaires ,they should invest in cattle ranch and stop this entitlement mentality . There is an inherent cost to every business”
Comrade Chinedu Asuzu encouraged the entire south east Governors to borrow a leaf from Prof Soludo in enforcing anti open Grazing law to save and protect our farmlands.
No fewer than 11 state universities are not participating in the strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
Our correspondents reported on Monday that academic activities were going on in universities owned by Osun, Rivers, Delta, Borno, Anambra, Kwara and Akwa Ibom states as well as the three universities owned by Lagos State.
Also ahead of the National Universities Commission meeting with vice-chancellors and pro-chancellors of federal universities today (Tuesday), the Federal Government on Monday vowed to end the culture of strikes in tertiary institutions in the country.
But as the strike by ASUU entered its 204th day, lecturers in some state universities are not on strike.
Lecturers in two universities owned by Rivers State, Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt and the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, did not join the strike.
At the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, academic activities were going on as many of the students were writing examinations on Monday.
A final year student of Political Science, Master Ovum Amadi in an interview with The PUNCHsaid he was preparing for his examinations next week. He said, “Examinations have started. Those in 200-level have started.”
When contacted, a member of ASUU in the university, Dr Mandah Stanley, said the union in the institution was in court over some leadership issues.
The spokesman for the university, Dr. Ngozi Okiridu, said the institution had no reason to join the strike for two main reasons.
She said the university is a teacher training institution. He added, “Governor Nyesom Wike pays our salaries promptly every month. He has not failed to pay for one day.”
Our correspondent also observed that academic activities were in progress at Osun State University.
The Acting Chairperson of ASUU in the university, Dr Weinde Olaosebikan, said lecturers in the institution did not join the ongoing strike because the branch was suspended by the national leadership of ASUU.
Also, the Delta State University, Abraka, was in session despite the position of the ASUU branch in the university.
A student, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said the second semester exam was going on in the university.
But the ASUU Chairman DELSU chapter, Prof Godwin Demaki, said that his members were not among lecturers working.
He said, “DELSU has over 300 lecturers of which about 200 are full members of ASUU.
The remaining have yet to join the union and these are the one that are going to lecture halls to teach and they do it in disguise because when they see us trying to enforce the strike, they will run.”
The Technical University, Ibadan is not affected by the strike. The university which is owned by Oyo State Government is a fee paying varsity.
The Public Relations Officer for the Technical University, Mr Akeem Lasisi, when contacted told our correspondent that the university was not affected by incessant ASUU strike.
The Anambra State-owned Chukwuemeka Odumekwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, is also not affected by the strike.
The school’s Public Relations Officer, Dr Harrison Madubueze, who spoke to one of our correspondents on the telephone, on Monday, said the institution had never been part of the ASUU strike, not to talk of pulling out.
But the school’s ASUU branch chairman, Osita Chiaghanam, declined comment on the issue. A 200-level student of the Department of Social Sciences, Rebecca Uzor, said the students did not know if ASUU was on strike as they were not affected, saying that normal lectures had been going on at the institution without any disruption.
Normal lectures were going on at Kwara State University, Malete in the Moro Local Government Area of the state on Monday.
The PUNCH correspondent observed on Monday that KWASU students were taking their examination which began two weeks ago.
Efforts to reach the Chairman of KWASU branch of ASUU, Dr Salau Sheu on Monday did not yield result as he did not respond to calls to his phone number but he had earlier told the correspondent in an earlier interview that the lecturers in the institution did not join the strike because of a clause of the ASUU constitution which exempts new members from joining any industrial action until a stipulated period.
An ASUU member at Lagos State University, Ojo, Dr Gbenga Owolabi of the Department of Mass Communication, explained that LASU did not join the ongoing ASUU strike because the national body of the union did not recognise the current ASUU-LASU officials who were handpicked by the former vice-chancellor of LASU, Prof. Lanre Fagboun after he sacked the four executives of ASUU-LASU.
Also, academic activities were going on at the Lagos State University of Education, Otto/Ijanikin. A lecturer, who confided in The PUNCH, revealed that the school got its university status barely six months ago, saying they were on the verge of joining when the strike began.
Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education and Michael Otedola College of Primary Education, Epe were unified into Lagos State University of Education by the Lagos State Government.
A lecturer in the department of Mass Communication,Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, in Mkpat Enin local government area, who preferred not to be named told one of our correspondents that the institution joined the strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, but pulled out when it was rolled over in February, 2022..”
Corroborating the lecturer, a student of Mass Communication department of the University, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “Lectures have been going on in the university since the resumption of ASUU strike.”
However, the Secretary of AKSU-ASUU Mr. Joseph Mark declined to speak on phone, saying “Let’s speak on this some other time.”
The management of Kaduna State University on Monday warned the institution’s branch of ASUU to resume academic activities or face sanctions.
In a circular on Monday, signed by the university’s Registrar, Samuel Manshop, the university said it would invoke section 2(2) of the staff conditions of service if the lecturers failed the comply with the directives of resumption.
But a lecturer, who confided in The PUNCH, said “The KASU chapter of the ASUU did not actually pull out of the strike.“
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has said it is considering a number of options to bring an end to incessant strikes in tertiary institutions across the country.
This was made known in a document titled, “Industrial relations – Tertiary education,” which was prepared by the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu and made exclusively available to one of our correspondents in Abuja.
Lamenting, the minister noted that the government had invested a lot in the tertiary education sector.
“In spite of the well over N2tn sunk in infrastructural development in tertiary institutions across the country, all we have got are strikes, strikes, strikes and threats of strikes.
“Government is considering a number of options to put an end to incessant strikes in our tertiary institutions. All options are on the table.”
But unions in the institutions in separate interviews with our correspondents knocked the Federal Government for saying that a lot had been invested in the tertiary education sector. The unions also warned the Federal Government against proscribing the unions.
Speaking with one of our correspondents in Abuja, the vice-president of ASUU, Dr Christopher Piwuna said, “The statement coming from the government that they have invested over N2 trillion in education…, I want to let you know that the money is from TETFund. Nobody is saying TETFund is not doing enough. “
Also speaking with one of our correspondents, the general secretary of the College of Education Academic Staff Union, Dr Ahmed Lawan accused the government of not being sincere.
On his own, the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Anderson Ezeibe in an interview with The PUNCH cautioned the government against threatening the unions.
In a related development, the ASUU Chairman, University of Ibadan, Prof. Akinwole Ayoola, said on Monday asked Nigerians to disregard the claims of the Federal Government that it had met the demands of the union.
The union stated that all its chapters that started the over six-month-old strike were still part of the ongoing action and were resolute to get what public universities needed from government to survive and compete globally.
He said, “Nigerians should disregard the lies of the Federal Government. The Federal Government is far from meeting any of the union’s seven demands.
Leading American media corporation Cables News Network(CNN) has scheduled an interview with Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi for Tuesday by 5pm (Local time).
Obi, is on tour in the United States and Europe to meet with his supporters.
He has addressed and attended several town hall meetings during the tour.
The interview was initially slated for September 3 but Obi announced the change of date in a tweet last week.
He said: “My CNN interview initially scheduled for 3rd September with Zane Asher has been rescheduled to 6th September, 2022.”
The leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has appealed to Anambra Governor Chukwuma Soludo to temporarily suspend the ban on cattle movement on foot in the state, ANAMBRA PEOPLE reports.
The appeal was made on Monday by the Southeast leader of MACBAN, Alhaji Gidado Sidikki, in Awka, Anambra State.
He said the ban is too sudden and many of the cattle rearers have no other means of livelihood, arguing that the ban will have a negative effect on them and their livelihood.
Sidikki used the point that MACBAN members have been living peacefully in the state as part of the points to strengthen his appeal.
Speaking in a chat with The Nation, he said; “Majority of us (Fulanis), don’t know any other business more than rearing of cattles in this World.
“Some of us were born and bred in this rearing of cattle business here in Anambra state. We have no other place to go.
“The herders are aware that the state governor has flagged off massive tree planting exercise in the 181 communities as part of measures to control the spread of gully erosion in the state.
And as law abiding citizens, we have cautioned all our members and equally urged them to protect the trees in their various host communities.
Our members have remained committed to peaceful coexistence with their host communities in the State and the Southeast geopolitical zone at large.
“We therefore, call on concerned stakeholders including the media to help us beg the governor, if possible, to revisit his decision on the ban”.
The Law Against Cattle Movement
Naija News recalls the Anambra State Governor, prohibited the movement of cattle on foot in every part of the state about two weeks ago.
Soludo, who made that announcement while meeting with members of the Anambra State Cattle Menace Committee at the Government House, Awka, said the ban complied with the 2021 anti-open grazing law of the State.
He said the ban was in compliance with the 2021 anti-open grazing law of the State, adding that enforcement would begin from September, 2022.
According to him: “Now that we have a law banning open grazing, the law enforcement agents have been directed to implement it.
“Though the law has been in existence since almost one year ago, cattle rearers keep parading certain areas in the State in contravention to the law.”
The law against open grazing in Anambra was signed during the administration of former Governor Willie Obiano but was not enforced.
Obiano assented the Cattle and Other Livestock Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Bill of Anambra State in 2021.
It is the same law that Soludo has now shown his readiness to enforce.
Current happenings show that some powers that be and some candidates in the 2023 presidential elections are not finding it easy with the rising popularity and acceptability of Mr Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023.
This is a result of the many attacks on the Obi/Datti presidential campaign movement by candidates of other political parties and their faithful. Despite all these attacks, Peter Obi and his running mate continue to engage Nigerians with possible solutions that will take Nigeria out of its present state of quagmire. This is unlike other candidates whose antecedents are against the tides.
Amongst all the presidential candidates in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi is about the only candidate who is enjoying genuine goodwill from Nigerians who are disposed to donate their hard-earned incomes in support of the actualization of this project as against other candidates who enjoy mostly ill-motivated and ill-gotten financial support from either their partners in the looting of public purse or those who have plans to be rewarded with contracts if their candidates emerge victorious in the elections (God forbid!)
In the case of the genuine Nigerians supporting the Peter Obi/Datti movement with either their moral or hard earned financial capacities, their expectations are just for a better Nigeria where everyone will enjoy comfort of life like most of the western countries.
The support for the Obi/Datti movement ranges from Nigerians taking it upon themselves to sponsor their campaigns through the organization of rallies, matches, printing of posters, printing of flyers, printing banners/billboards, production of wears carrying images of Obi/Datti among other numerous support packages aimed at popularizing their campaign.
This development is not however going down well in the hearts of some agents of darkness who either do not want a Peter Obi/Datti presidency that will liberate Nigerians from the shackles of backwardness or are paving ways for their cronies who do not mean well for Nigeria to emerge as president so that looting and other ills in the governance of Nigeria will continue.
The recent statement by Nigeria’s attorney general and minister of justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has been perceived by Nigerians to be one of the many antics being put in place to cut down the support and chances of the Peter Obi/Datti victory.
According to Malami, “Any Nigerian who lives abroad, funding the campaign of Peter Obi shall be arrested. It is against our electoral laws.”
He said that one thing Nigerians based abroad failed to understand is that they cannot stay there and dictate to us how to govern
Nigeria, adding, “Someone will sit in the United States of America and be telling us what to do and what not to do as if we don’t know what we are doing in this country. If you violate the Electoral Law, you will face the penalty squarely and we will do everything within our powers to prosecute both you and the candidate you are funding his campaign.”
The attorney general said they had received a signal that some individuals, mostly Nigerians living abroad, have taken it upon themselves to fund the campaign of Obi.
What these individuals failed to understand is that Nigerian is a democratic nation governed by democratic rules and regulations. It is against the Electoral Law for those living abroad to sponsor any candidate in an election. Those involved should desist from such act or have us to contend with. We will resist it by all means. Such fund cannot enter Nigeria. Although we have put measures on ground to apprehend those who will get themselves involved in such an act,” Malami added.
Nigerians have taken to the social media to interrogate Malami’s stance. This is because he kept blind eye and locked brain when dollars were raining during APC and PDP convention vote-buyings. Nothing has equally been done to sponsors of Boko Haram and banditry that have made the hitherto peaceful Northern Nigeria a no-go area.
According to Abasienyene Asikpo poster, “Panicking is a sign of being intimidated. They have seen that the narrative has changed for good and they should know that, with or without funding, Nigerians will deliver Mr Peter Obi and his vice, come 2023, because an event whose time has come cannot be stopped by anyone!”
Egili Augustine wrote, “APC Convention held at Eagle Square was dollarized illigally and no one was arrested. [Malami] is aware of sponsors of Boko Haram at home and abroad but nothing has been done about it. Why is Malami chasing shadows? Allow Nigerians to decide their next president so long as he or she is a Nigerian and focus campaigning for your party. After all, in 2015 Buhari Campaigned against president Goodluck Jonathan to Chataram house in UK and nothing is said about it. Mr Peter Obi is a genuine Nigerian, why are you afraid? Nigerians are watching your anticidents.”
Wuyep Solomon posted, “Do same to sponsors of Boko haram both at home and abroad. During APC/ PDP primaries, dollars were shared to delegates, is that not against the electoral laws? Arrest them as well. The fear of Obi/ Datti is the beginning of wisdom.”
There have also been allegations that people from Niger Republic come to vote in Nigeria during general elections in favour of northern Nigeria interest but nothing had ever been done to stop it.
It is therefore pertinent to state that it is better to appreciate a beautiful idea who’s time has come to address the many ills confronting the growth of Nigeria than to be swallowed by Obiphobia. Nigeria cannot remain in the dark please. Nigerians living both at home and abroad have the rights to contribute their quota to whatever will make Nigeria be the best among equals and committee of nations.
Malami should not pose to be sectional at this trying times of Nigeria in his application of the law guiding the conduct of elections in the country. He cannot close his eyes to the illegal acts of some candidates violating electoral laws and then open his eyes against others because they do not share same cultural or political affiliations with him.
Emmanuel Jonathan, JP, writes from Alor-Agu, Igbo-Eze South LGA
Photos showing the deplorable condition of Amator Technical School, Umuoyoro in Osisioma Federal Constituency, Abia State, have surfaced on social media.
TrackaNG, a non-government organisation that enables people to collaborate and track capital projects in their community on Sunday, shared pictures of the technical school.
The platform said, “We visited the school and discovered that it is completely abandoned by #NG_AbiaState. A place that is supposed to offer students career guidance and also provide technical skills, has been overgrown by weeds.
“We call on Abia State Government to renovate, equip and provide staff for the school.”
1. Anambra has the highest number of senior advocates by states in Nigeria
2. Out of a total of five cardinals from Nigeria, Anambra has produced two and remains the only state with such number of cardinals in the country
3. Onitsha in Anambra has the highest number of storey buildings in Nigeria.
4. With two female serving senators at the upper chamber of the National Assembly, Anambra has the highest number of serving female senators in Nigeria
5. Anambra is among the few states in Nigeria with multiple cities
6. With about 68 active markets, Anambra has the highest number of markets in Nigeria
7. Regina Pacis girls secondary school in Onitsha is the first to win Technovation Competition in Silicon Valley from Nigeria
8. Anambra is the first to have a Female Governor in Nigeria
9. The renowned Dennis Memorial Grammar school Onitsha is the first grammar school in Igbo land
10. Dr Walter Eze is the first Nigerian Military doctor
11. Anambra has produced three senate presidents in the country namely; Nnamdi Azikiwe, Nwafor Orizu and Chuba Okadigbo
12. Igwe Kenneth Orizu of Nnewi is the longest serving Monarch in Nigeria
13. Anambra has produced 2 Former speaker of the house of representatives in Nigeria namely RT Hon Edwin Umezuoke and RT Hon Agunwa Aniekwe
14. Dr onyechi Ikpeazu from Anambra is the first lawyer in the country who succeeded in sacking a sitting governor
15. Joy Emordi is the first female senator in the South East
16. Senator Chuba Okadigbo and wife, Margery are the only couple in Igbo land who have served the country as senators
17. With over one billion barrels of crude oil and 30 trillion cubic feet of gas, Anambra is rated the 10th largest oil producing state in Nigeria
18. Father Iwene Tansi is the only Nigerian to be canonized
19. Anambra has more millionaires per capita than any place habited by the black man in the world
20. The longest Bridge in Anambra State is the Omambala bridge
21. The late Professor Dora Akunyili from Agulu in Anambra remains the most awarded Nigerian
22. Chimamanda Adiche is the most celebrated woman in Nigeria presently
23. Anambra has the highest number of bank branches in the Southeast and also Cash deposit
24. Anambra is the only state that has the highest number of private airline operators and private jet owners
25. Anambra is the first State in Nigeria if not in Africa where automobiles are locally produced by an indigenous entrepreneur
26. Anam in Anambra West has the highest number of old people in the state
27. With 33 villages, Awka town has the highest number of villages in the State
28. Anambra international cargo and passenger airport, Umueri, is a category 4F airport which means that any airplane can land on it. It has the second longest runway in Nigeria and the tallest control tower
29. Onitsha main market has more than five thousand millionaires with Emeka Offor phone plaza alone boasting of about one thousand of them
30. Christ the King College in Onitsha has produced three state Governors
31. Hon. Justice Ijem Onwuamaegbu is the first female Chief Judge in Anambra
