The Labour Party (LP) has suspended it’s National Youth Leader, Eragbe Anslem over allegations of misconduct.
The party has appointed Prince Kennedy, as it’s acting National Youth Leader.
A letter signed by LP National Chairman, Julius Abure and National Secretary, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, dated 18th October conveyed the suspension to Anslem saying:
“You may wish to recall that on the 14th of October, 2022. The National Working Committee of the party met and has among other matters deliberated on the allegations of misconducts labelled against you as the National Youth Leader of the Labour Party. A disciplinary committee was constituted to look into your matter and report to the National Chairman.”
“Consequently, the committee has submitted its reports to the National Chairman with its recommendations in accordance with the party’s constitution as Amended (2019).
Labour Party Suspends National Youth Leader
“In compliance with the party’s constitution, as Amended, (2019) and the committee’s recommendations, you are hereby suspended from your duties as the National Youth Leader of the Labour Party for a period of 6 (six) months, with effect from 18th October, 2022. The relevant organs of the party will within the period, meet to ratify the full recommendations of the disciplinary committee.
“You are advised to surrender all party’s documents and materials in your possession to the undersigned.
A separate letter addressed to Kennedy titled “Letter Of Appointment as Acting National Youth Leader of the Labour Party” read:
“Sequel to the suspension of the National Youth Leader, the National Chairman has approved your appointment as the Acting National Youth Leader of the Labour Party with immediate effect.”
Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, earlier today, Thursday, October 20, 2022 had an extensive interactive session with Ndi Anambra on Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) where the people had an opportunity to call in and ask the Governor questions in regards to the government activities
The MD of ABS, Mr Chido Obidiegwu who anchored the programme, in his intro revealed that Mr Governor promised to interact with ndi Anambra every four months so they can air their views, opinions, criticisms and suggestions. It’s in fulfillment of that promise that Governor Soludo is making a second appearance on the programme
Mr Chido throwing the floor open for questions asked Governor Soludo to tell ndi Anambra where the flood crisis emanated from and what extent he has intervened in finding solutions
Governor Soludo in response to the question said the flood is an annual occurrence but the one of this year is quite different because of higher levels of water tide experienced.
He said no state in Nigeria is experiencing the high level of erosion that exists in the state. 30% of erosion has taken over the Land and most of the roads are splitting into two.
“Seven LGA in the states have largely be submerged. Hundreds of thousands of homes, assets and farmlands are under water. Thousands of people are displaced. They ran from their homes to camps and families.
“Our major aim is to save lives. Those in camps, we want to ensure they feed, have access to medicines and solar for electricity. Once this water subsidizes, we will continue to tend to them because many will start life all over again.
“This is an annual occurrence so we will be fully prepared for that of next year. We shall provide modern speed boats to ease means of transportation for residents in the riverine areas.
“Boats and Canoes are no longer secured. There was an incidence of boat mishap that led to loss of lives.
“We have also commenced serious conversation with the Federal Government. Cameroun opening their dams and allowing these floods to cause destruction shall no longer be tolerated.
“Why is Nigeria no longer building dams? Cameroun built theirs in the 1980s and we didn’t do the same. We need to build up to four dams so when Cameroun open theirs, the flood won’t occur.
The Governor extended his gratitude to good spirited Ndi Anambra who have been donating to the displaced flood victims. He said a special account will be opened to help victims to start life afresh.
“We must prepare for the next flood. NEMA should have an office in Anambra because the state has annual flooding.
The Chairman NUJ Anambra Chapter, Dr Odogwu Emeka Odogwu asked when will works begin in all the roads already flagged off?
The Governor replied that a number of roads have been flagged off. He said; “This is October and the rains are falling. Asphalt is not good to be applied during rainy season.”
“We want to construct stone base roads with cement stabilization and moisture content. A quality never seen before!” Governor Soludo said
“By the end of next month, every local government must have one road construction. Some have already begun. From Okpoko (14km) is ongoing, Akpaka to Nsugbe and decongestion of 33.
“Any road we flagg off, I must go and inspect it. We inspected 13km of road at Awka from Okpuno to Isuaniocha and work will start soon.
“From ogidi to Ogbunike, there’s heavy water there which is already being tackled. From Amansea to Obefemmili, Amansea, Awa down to Ufuma Junction, Akpali to Ogbunka, IgboUkwu to Ikenga, Contracts have been awarded and we shall be flagging off the roads soon.
“We are going to Ekwusigo, Ihiala, Nnewi South, Osumenyi and Ezinifite, Aguata to Ayamelum. Work is ongoing at Nnobi; Inland doors, Umuoji Area.
“It’s a promise we are determined to keep. Road! Road!! Road!!! Work is ongoing at New Market Road, the entire roads at Fegge, I have toured there. It’s been 40 years ago construction work has been carried out there.
“I went to Owelle-aja Obosi. If it rains heavily, water level gets to their necks. I have seen these roads, I feel them and I see what people are going through on a daily basis. We are determined to fix them.
“As the dry season approaches, you will see heavy construction work ongoing.
“The timelines of these roads I awarded would be completed before my 1st year in office. From Mmiata, the road should be completed before March next year. The one of Amansea should be completed before February next year.
Many of the roads have timelines of 8 months, 1 year, 18 months. Our first construction cycle is October to March. The Second Construction cycle should see us constructing over 100km of roads by the end of next year.
Lady Ify Obi who is the Station Manager of Unizik FM asked the Governor questions on insecurity. She said when it was looking that the environment was getting calm, some hoodlums attacked Senator Ifeanyi Ubah’s convoy few months ago. She asked if the culprits have been arrested.
Governor SOLUDO said when he assumed office, the security situation in the state was very terrible with over 15 camps set up from which they operate.
“I was tough in my resolve to find a solution because light and darkness cannot cohabit together.
“Those criminals who attacked Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah, some of them have been arrested but full briefing in that regard shall be given in detail.
“The others who attacked vigilantes and military personnel, they can run but can’t hide. It’s only a question of time. Each day, we get closer in apprehending them.
“Anambra must be calm and secured! We are ready to help these criminals if they make up their mind to stop crime. We will help and empower them.
“Communities have lots of responsibilities to do. Any youth who attain quick wealth, interrogate and investigate him on how he accumulated such sudden wealth.
“Crime won’t vanish completely in 3 or 6 months. It will take time but we shall overcome!
“The days of these criminals are numbered because there is no place to hide.
Lady Ify Obi also asked the Governor to give assurance to Ndi Anambra who would be visiting the state during the festive period.
Governor Soludo maintained that Ndi Anambra employed him to secure lives and properties. He said as Government, he will do all he can to ensure the state is safe for Ndi Anambra during the festive period.
He urged Ndi Anambra if they hear or see something, they should say something. He said their assistance and cooperation will help the Government win the fight against crime in the state.
“We are encouraging communities to invigorate their local vigilantes to give us information. We make arrests any time of the day even at midnight. Give us information and we shall go pick them up.
Mr Jude Atupalizi, the Editor-in-Chief of Fides Newspaper asked the Governor on how far he has gone on taxation.
The Governor replied that oil money is dwindling. He recalled in his inaugural speech where he mentioned that the Government of advanced countries use taxes to work and solve public problems.
“Everyone must pay their fair share. Lagos generate over N50 billion in one month from the taxes the people pay.
“Of course, I’m conscious of tax incidence on the poor and making sure it’s not heavy on them. What Keke drivers pay now is less than 50% of what they pay before. The only difference is that they are asked to pay monthly.
“Unions collect illegal taxes from these Keke operators. They do this for a living and use it to enrich their pockets.
“We have disbanded these unions. If you want to belong in any union from henceforth, it will be on a voluntary basis.
“Keke operators are asked to pay N15000 in a month (N600 a day) compared to when they pay N1500 a day (N30000 monthly). We have removed this tax burden on them.
“We are also after Touts (Agberos) because they are no longer needed in the State. When I toured Onitsha, the people appreciated our efforts in driving them away.
“In our billboards, we write “Solution is here! Your tax money is at work.” My promise to Ndi Anambra is that they will get value for every Kobo they pay
“We recruited 5000 teachers and we must pay them monthly. We will pay pensioners who haven’t received their gratuities since 2018. This is at a time the receipts from oil have declined.
“With taxes, we can construct roads and solve other problems. When people pay their taxes, government provide services in an accountable manner.
“It’s difficult for a start but with time, people will begin to see the dividends of these taxes.
“Part of our revolution is to get rid of these billionaire tax merchants but they won’t leave easily without a fight. Majority of them instigated the Keke drivers protests that happened last month in the state.
“If everyone pays half of what they should, Anambra will be on course. Under my watch, Anambra will see the progress and value of their taxes.
“The conversation on tax and value is what we take serious but we want to lower the burden on the poor.
The MD of ABS, Chido Obidiegwu spok@e about the Governor closing revenue doors and organizing a public bid. He said it’s a way of demonstrating transparency.
Governor Soludo said the public bid opened his eyes to see the value of various government concessions. He said the top ten bidders are also included to winners of the bid Incase, they fail to pay to the government, the other top bidders are available to take charge of the concessions.
Mr Governor in his response to waste management in the State said it is impossible to clean Anambra from Awka.
“We can’t continue to tolerate dumps and heaps of refuse in the State. We can’t sit with an Agency in Awka and clean the whole state. We have to take it to the local government level.
“Waste management is local. We must develop a local mechanism we can monitor. House to House collection of Refuse and sweeping of streets is the next level we are targeting because we want Anambra to be the cleanest state.
“Cleaning up Anambra is our responsibility. It is not meant for Government alone. Those throwing dirts in the gutters and blocking drainages, including those who build houses and channel water flow to the streets, will have to stop.
“A whole lots of things lies on us. In keeping Anambra clean, everyone has his or her own responsibility.
PHONE CALLS
The first caller Chimezie Nwafor, an indigene of Agulu called from Abuja. He asked about insecurity and leadership tussles between President Generals and Traditional Rulers at the Community Levels.
Governor Soludo said his administration wants to democratize Government at the local government level. “In this particular system, there’s no room to recruit thugs to molest people. PGs, Igwes and Town Unions must have their code of conducts.”
The second caller, Chinedu Okafor from Awka appreciated the Governor and pleaded with him to build more roads in the State
The third caller, Ifeanyi from Awka pleaded with the Governor on more roads construction and elimination of Touts in Onitsha along Owerri road extorting money from people
Governor Soludo thanked Ifeanyi for the information. He assured the Enforcement team and police in that area will step up its activities and reiterated that this is the kind of information we need.
The fourth caller requested about implementation of law and order in the state. He asked about the Truth, Justice and Peace Committee set up and what impact they have made so far
The Governor revealed the committee have had two sittings since it was set up. He said spilling of blood can’t take us anywhere.
“The criminals we have apprehended, all of them are Igbos. It is Igbos doing harm against their own brothers. Some confessed openly on how many people they have killed.
“It is an abomination! Those in the forest are plain criminals. They have no other objective, moving around with dieties. Animals don’t kill their fellow breeds but we humans kill each other.
“Anyone who spills blood will also be killed alongside his generation. He who kills by the sword must die by the sword.”
The fifth caller, Chinedu an indigene of Aguleri called from Onitsha. He complained about thugs in Onitsha. He said Government Task force only operate in the Afternoon but at night, these Thugs come out and operate.
He also said there are others who call themselves the Solution Team at upper Iweka but frequently molest car owners.
He asked for a Special Team to be set-up that will implement law and order.
The sixth caller, Okechukwu from Awka asked about Keke operators in towns and villages who must pay the same amount of taxes as operators in cities.
He also said there’s population explosion in Awka and there’s need for road expansion
Governor Soludo said touting has become an industry. “Many of these youths have been involved in it for 15-20 years. Their operating hours and location at 33, Nsugbe, Aroma, we will be getting there and picking them.”
“We are not relenting. Agbero will have no space in Anambra. There’s a youth empowerment training programme that will begin.
“We will dualize our roads! There is road crises in our state and have declared a state of emergency on it subject to resource constraint.
“We will raise funds and temporary loans of which we haven’t gotten yet. But we have conserved what we have, paying contractors 50% upfront.
“And as we collect revenue, we should be able to pay back these loans. There are communities that don’t have even 1km tarred roads.
“The whole of Anambra budget can’t fix all the roads in Awka alone unfortunately. Phase one of the roads we are dealing with are roads that are very strategic that impact on a large number of people and address traffic challenges.
“The constructed roads should help decongest and ease traffic. We are intervening in places that will become game changers.
“In phase two, we will build bridges. I understand every village needs roads.
Ify asked about the law controlling burial ceremonies. She said Ndi Anambra are complaining the govt request they pay N100,000 before burials are conducted and this rumours has gone viral.
The Governor replied that Anambra has a funeral law passed by Anambra House of Assembly about 3 to 4 years ago and the law is meant to control extravagant expenditure people make when burying their dead.
“This law was not passed by me. This law covers burial billboards, fliers and brochures. The law says no more of these wasteful conducts.
“When the dead was alive, nothing was spent on him or her until they die. When they die, you spend a fortune on them.
“The point is, this is the law of ANambra state before I came in. Why it is talked about is because a law is a law and we abide by the rule of law. My government didnt introduce the law, It was passed by previous administration.
On response to questions raised on ABS Facebook Channel, criticizing the Governor on not appointing people with disability.
Soludo said the principal consideration in our appointment is what value are you bringing. We are not giving appointment to disabled persons for symbolic reasons.
“Special training centres are being built for people with inability in hearing. We are putting in resources where it matters. We will not measure inclusiveness by gesture. We stand with those with disabilities and shall empower them to be more useful citizens in the state
Replying “The coercing indigenous construction companies” as a Facebook user described it, Soludo said; “we are trying to get companies to be socially responsible in the environment they operate.”
“We will get the possibility of those who are sensitive to the local environment. The job content of every contract is very important because we will provide jobs to our youths.
“This govt is squeezing to the bare bones, value for money, doing more with less is our MANTRA. The contract guarantee on every roads we are delivering is 20 years
On response to NAPTIP, Soludo said it is a federal agency and they have their federal funding.
“You don’t come to a state to ask it for funding. If you come here, you should pay your bills. You should pay for your own accommodation, that’s your responsibility except it’s a project we agreed and collaborated together.
The Governor once again asked Ndi Anambra to send photos or phone numbers to pick up these thugs.
“We are very serious with these thugs marauding the streets. We are ready to retrain and empower them if they are willing to be useful members of the society.
“Every Agbero trying to extort money from the people is a thief and will be treated as such. We are not playing with this issue.
“0.01% of a group cannot define who we are because Anambra people are not lazy. We are hardworking and enterprising people. Anambra is a place for a people with honour and integrity,” he concluded.
Youths in their numbers on Thursday morning showed up with dummy coffins and bloodstained Nigerian flags at Lekki toll gate in Lagos State to commemorate the second-year memorial of the EndSARS protest shooting.
The procession passed through the Lekki Tollgate, the scene of the killings that took place on Tuesday, October 20, 2020.
Liz Truss has announced she is resigning as prime minister after just six weeks in the role.
There will be a leadership election within a week, Ms Truss said.
It comes after the chair of the 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady entered No 10 for a crisis meeting with the prime minister, followed by party chair Jake Berry.
Ms Truss’ brief stint as leader involved a mini-Budget that spooked the market, the sacking of her close ally and chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng, the resignation of home secretary Suella Braverman and chaos in Westminster around a confidence vote where there were allegations of senior Tories manhandling and bullying colleagues.
UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman resigns
UK inflation accelerates to 40-year high as food prices rise
Just yesterday she told PMQs she is a “fighter not a quitter.”
Conservative MP Simon Hoare said Liz Truss only had 12 hours to save her premiership while Lord David Frost, a former Brexit minister who backed Truss for PM, called for her to go in addition to more than a dozen MPs.
Charges members on effective service delivery to the people
Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo has charged members of Anambra Local Government Service Commission to reposition the sector where it ought to be.
He made this call while formally inaugurating them at the Government Lodge Amawbia.
Speaking to the members, Governor Soludo said, “You are called upon to join the Solution team, the disruptive team and breathe life into the local government service.
“We want to go back bottom up. The Local Government system has not been anywhere it’s supposed to be.”
Governor Soludo further said he was pleased to inaugurate an experienced, patriotic and knowledgeable team.
“We are looking at the Local Government to deliver effective service to the people.
“In terms of governmental structure, the Local Government is the representative in the grassroots.
“We need staff to deliver. The institution should be effective and efficient, need skills, tools, technology and leadership which is provided by the appointed Transition Committee Chairmen,” Soludo asserted.
“We can’t drive development to the State only from Awka alone and this is the reason why we have devolved responsibilities down to the local government.
“The Market and other institutions have a role to play. All the organs in the Local Government must work!”
“The JAAC committee have a limited technical job which is simply to manage joint domiciled accounts. That’s their important and technical responsibility.
“In matters of appointment, promotion, transfer; the entire system of the Local Government needs to work and that lies with you.
“We were careful to select people that are experienced and knowledgeable. That’s what we need; your knowledge, experience and love for Anambra.”
While warning staff who seem to forget they have to come to work daily, he asked “What services are you delivering to the people?”.
“We are determined to invigorate and delegate responsibilities to local government so they can be more responsible from waste management and a host of others.
“You can’t repeat the same thing and expect a different result. Quite a whole lot of things need to change including the finances.
We love Anambra but sometimes, the consciousness might not be there. You have a lot of work to do as a team and we are confident you shall deliver.
“The Local Government system will be designed the way it ought to be.
“Congratulations and commiserations, to manage in difficult times when resources are lean because of the weight of the job that awaits you.
“We encourage and empower you to have your own independent revenue so you can execute your own projects.
“God bless you as you serve Anambra State,” Soludo concluded.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Collins Nwabunwanne reiterated the Commission is in line with Governor Soludo’s vision as demonstrated in his manifesto.
Recalling a month ago when JAAC committee was inaugurated, he maintained the mandate was to make sure the Local Government is totally reformed which have already begun.
Mr Nwabunwanne lauded the Governor for selecting the right people as members of the Local Government Service Commission and giving youths the opportunity to serve of which he is a beneficiary.
The Commissioner said he anticipates a new local government with the level of experience each member of the Service Commission is bringing on board and assures to work together with them to ensure the sector is in a better position.
The Chairman of the Commission Chief Vin Ifeanyi Ezeaka in his speech thanked the Governor for considering them worthy of the task.
“We applied for this Job online and was screened accordingly so therefore, this is not a political favour,” the Chairman remarked.
“We understand your mantra for a new Anambra. We shall key into your vision to achieve desired results.
“The Local Government is in a rot but we shall strive to get it right.”
The Chairman promised Mr Governor to exceed his expectations.
Other members of the Commission include: Hon. Azubuike Okoye, Mr Edwin Uchenna Okafor, Prof (Mrs) Ngozi Christiana Ewuim, Mrs Anthonia Tabansi-Okoye
Personalities in attendance were the Speaker Anambra House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Okafor, Deputy Speaker Anambra House of Assembly, Hon. (Dr) Paschal Agbodike, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, Head of Service, Barrister (Mrs) Theodora Igwegbe, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Collins Nwabunwanne, Chief Protocol, Hon Chinedu Nwoye among others.
Nigeria’s former Minister of Power, Professor Bart Nnaji, has explained why he resigned his post as the Distinguished Professor of Industrial Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh in the United States and Director of e-Design of the United States National Science Foundation to lead a team of Nigerians to set up a 188-megawatt power plant in Aba and an electricity distribution company, also in Aba, Abia State.
Speaking at the 58th birthday of Abia State governor Okezie Ikpeazu this afternoon at the governor’s country home in Umuoboakwa, Obingwa Local Government Area, Professor Nnaji gave two reasons for the decision.
They are the experience he had when he purchased a large expanse of land in Emene to build a company to manufacture vehicle spare parts, including auto engines, only to discover that it couldn’t take off because of the poor electricity situation in the Southeast in particular and the country in general.
The second reason is the request from the then Nigerian Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, now the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and the then World Bank President, Dr James Wolfohnson, to build a power 50MW plant in Aba to assist both big and small manufacturers.
“They made the request in 2004 after visiting Aba and saw the enormous economic and technological potential of this city, the headquarters of indigenous technology in Nigeria”, explained the former minister, “but was being paralysed by poor electricity.
Both Dr Okonjo-Iweala and Dr Wolfohnson asked me to consider building this power plant because a team of Nigerian engineers I led had successfully built a 22MW emergency power plant in Abuja in 2001 to supply uninterrupted electricity to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation headquarters in Abuja, State House, Central Bank and the Abuja Business District.
“What they didn’t know is that I was already reflecting over how I could help ameliorate the terrible electricity situation in the Southeast.
“We can say without fear of contradiction that the request from Okonjo-Iweala and Wolfohnson was a divine intervention”.
Prof Nnaji said that the provision of basic infrastructure like electricity in the Southeast and elsewhere in Igboland would trigger the begining of a development miracle from which all Nigerians would benefit.
It is imperative, he stated, that the Igbo and all the people of the former Eastern Region regain the development momentum of the First Republic during which the government and people built the University of Nigeria, African Continental Bank, Nigeria Cement Company at Nkalagu in today’s Ebonyi State, the Nigersteel company, Nigergas, Hotel Presidential and many others which enabled the region to become the fastest developing place in the world in the mid-1960s.
The industrial engineering professor said that if he had located the Geometric Power plant in Ikeja Industrial Estate or Ilupeju Industrial Layout in Lagos State or in the Agbara Estate in Ogun State, he would have got faster return on investment, but Igboland “which is in dire need of such infrastructure would continue to suffer”.
He paid a glowing tribute to Nnewi people in Anambra State for resolving successfully to develop their homeland after the Nigerian civil war even without roads and electricity.
“The Nnewi initiative is an eloquent example of what the Igbo can do once they have the opportunity”, he said, asking other communities to feel challenged by Nnewi accomplishments.
Nnaji observed that rapid development of Eastern Nigeria would make it unnecessary for “millions of our people to leave for Lagos, Abuja or overseas in search of better living conditions.
“I, therefore, urge all Eastern investors to start thinking home. Charity starts at home”.
Other speakers at the Governor Ikpeazu 58th birthday colloquium include Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria who chaired it, former Senate President Adolph Wabara who is the acting chairman of the PDP board of Trustees, Darl Uzu, chief promoter of the Enyimba Economic City, veteran journalist Ray Ekpu and Ohaneze president George Obiozor who was represented by an Ohaneze leaderin Abia State.
Others are the president of the National Association of chambers of Agriculture, Commerce, Industry, Mining and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Ide John Udeagbala, and former Abia State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker Emeka Stanley as well as a host of traditional rulers.
Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has reiterated his readiness to bring peace to Nigeria and quicken the development of every part of the country. Obi said this while speaking to Northern Elders’ Forum at Arewa House, Kaduna on Monday.
On how he would achieve it and also while answering questions on why he is yet to condemn the Monday sit-at-home in the East, Obi said he would continue to condemn wrong doings in any part of the country and that he would not condone such in any guise. He said the overriding interest of Obi-Datti Presidency was to make Nigeria a better country, restore security and secure the future of the country through massive support for education.
However, Obi said that his tactics of fighting agitators would be different. Explaining, he said that he would consult, discuss and dialogue with them and find out the substance of their agitations. Insisting that even the most intractable problems in the world had been solved through dialogue, he said he would consider other options only after he had exhausted reason.
It would be recalled that that was exactly what he did when he became the Governor of Anambra State. Through dialogue, he was able to solve internal agitations within the state. In the case of NARTO (National Association of Road transport Organisation), he called them severally for dialogue but only used force when they proved impervious to reason,” Obi’s Media Office said in a statement on Tuesday.
The media office also clarified Obi’s recent statement on Eastern Security Network (ESN), explaining that he was actually commenting on Ebubeagu Security Network formed by the Governors of the South-East to tackle rising insecurity in the region.
Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Gumi has revealed what would make him vote for the Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi in 2023.
Gumi assured Obi of his vote if he can restructure Nigeria if elected president in 2023.
He spoke in Kaduna yesterday while playing host to the former Anambra State governor and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed.
Obi and his running mate were in Kaduna to attend an interactive session for presidential candidates organised by a joint committee of Arewa groups in the build up to the 2023 general elections.
However, Gumi commended Obi for visiting and briefing him about his plan for Nigeria.
According to Gumi: “As you come here (Kaduna) people will like to hear your views about restructuring Nigeria; Nigeria has been restructuring itself from independence to date. It was never static, but I want to know about views on restructuring so that I can write on my Facebook page `this is the presidential candidate who can do this for me; I will assure him of my vote’”.
Gumi also asked the LP presidential candidate how he intends to address the issues of agitations and poverty in the country.
“How are you going to deal with the issue of polarity and agitations across Nigeria? Every region is agitating because people are not happy, how are you going to make these people (agitators) happy under one table?
You talked more about the economy; the economy sometimes is more than the figures,” he added.
“It is an honour to return to the City of Kaduna and to participate in the Arewa Joint Committee Interactive Session, and rub minds on some fundamental issues germane to the future of Nigeria.
I thank the leadership and stakeholders of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation for their gracious invitation.
I wish to preface my remarks by setting out our mission and vision. We are all Nigerians. I am a Nigerian running for the Nigerian Presidency to serve every Nigerian. I continue to insist on a show of respect for every candidate, ethnicity, religion and person.
The mission and vision of the incoming Obi-Datti Administration is to give full expression to our democracy by moving our country from consumption to production; we shall achieve this by giving primacy to implementing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Our dear country today has become a shadow of itself. Indeed, there is evidence that Nigeria exhibits two known indices of a failed state; parlous economy and loss of territory and emergence of ungoverned spaces.
The purpose of politics and governance is to generate economic and social progress for the citizens in larger freedom. But the status quo is the reverse. This is more so here in the North, where poverty, unemployment and insecurity are the new normal.
The North has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world. It has highest number of school kidnappings in the world. The North also has the highest number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria.
The vast agricultural lands of the north – the so-called food basket of the nation stand desolate and abandoned. This situation is painful and needs to be fixed. Great nations are built through visionary policies, programmes and projects, anchored on the people.
This was always the hope and wishes for Nigeria by our founding fathers. Sadly, things changed. Our leaders became selfish, myopic and stopped listening and caring for the common man. Bad leadership, divisive rhetoric, and impunity became the norm.
Nigerians have suffered; they have lost jobs, and lost their farms and herds and their trust in our leaders. That narrative must change.
The Nigerian people want solutions to the many problems confronting them. After all economic prosperity for all is an all important aspect of a successful leadership, there is hope. We know this for sure. A new Nigeria is Possible.
But we must return to dreams of our founding fathers to create an egalitarian society. The Nigeria we seek will be a United and Secure Nigeria that symbolizes the spirit, letters, and exhorting ethos of our national anthem – “one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity” where “peace and justice shall reign.” As we seek to come to power in May 2023, we are aware of the daunting array of domestic and external challenges confronting our dear nation, and we are fully prepared to lead from the front.
We are cognizant of the domestic policy challenges that have accumulated over time; and that the lack of adequate public policy responses has made them worse, with a devastating impact on national unity, social cohesion, public trust in government, and economic performance.
We have a grasp of prevailing challenges.
Nigeria’s needs and unmet needs are very huge. Yet hunger, insecurity, poverty and deprivation know no tribe, religion or gender.
With all sense of urgency, we will, pursue aggressively policies programmes and projects to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of all the sectors of the Nigerian economy.
For the North we will do the following:
– a) We will offer immediate and decisive long-lasting and permanent-effect resolution of all security challenges in the North;
-b) Ensure that farmers return to all farmlands for the 2023 farming Season. We will make Nigeria’s arable land in the North her new oil and gold;
-c) As part of our Marshall Plan for Education, we will foster Federal intervention in education at all levels in the North and partnership with State Governments and international organizations in order to improve access to affordable and quality education at all levels;
-d) Ensure very adequate representation in government, equitable appointments especially in the Security and Economic Sectors;
-e) Incentivize the resuscitation of the moribund cotton and textile industries; and full exploration of the cattle economy value chain, notably the $75b global hide and skin economy. Nigeria’s share of the global industry is envisaged to generate over $1bn by 2025;
and finally,
-f) We will ensure very generous deployment and allocation of economic and social projects and infrastructure in the North – with keen attention to Roads, Energy, Power, and Dams- and Solar energy from Sunlight.
In closing, let me say this on record. I have come in peace to develop, to secure, and to unite, and I will do so with every commitment to the growth of Nigeria, as one great and united country.
We shall pay as much attention to the development of the North as to the development of all other parts of the country; but with much greater emphasis on the development of the Agricultural resources.
The North remains where the biggest ad sustainable wealth of this great Nation lies.
If elected President, I shall govern with the fear of God and with all good conscience and intent. The Constitution and the rule of law will always prevail.
I thank you for your kind attention.
May Almighty God bless you all and bless Nigeria”.
Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) owes Nigerians an explanation and an apology following rather controversial statements made by Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential Candidate of the party.
Atiku had on Sunday in Kaduna asserted that the north does not need a Yoruba or Igbo candidates.
“I know the whole of this country. I have built bridges across this country. I think what the average northerner needs is somebody who is from the north, who also understands the other parts of Nigeria, and who has been able to build bridges across the rest of the country.
This is what the northerner needs. He (the northerner) doesn’t need a Yoruba candidate or an Igbo candidate. This is what the northerner needs. I stand before you as a pan-Nigerian of northern origin,” Atiku opined.
In his reaction to the comments which have generated heated arguments across the country, Governor Wike said while he doubts the possibility of Atiku making such a sensational statement at this critical time of the Nation’s history, such posture would justify his fight for equity, justice and fairness in the PDP.
According to him, the party must urgently address the issue and appeal to Nigerians lest the people stop rallying behind the PDP and begin to see the party as one where justice and equity do not abound.
Governor Wike also challenged the National Chairman of the Party, Iyorchia Ayu on his defense of the corruption allegations he leveled against him and condemned as ridiculous, the recommendations of the party’s Board of Trustees on the crisis in the PDP.
In the past few days, a couple of events have been threatening the peace within Peoples Democratic Party. Most notable amongst the recent incidents were the defense of the National Chairman against the allegations of corruption by Govenor Wike, the recommendations of the Board of Trustees on the crisis over leadership positions and a the comment credited to the party’s Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar about the North not needing the Yoruba or Igbo candidates.
Wike had earlier said that the national leadership of the PDP needs to do the right thing, if the party must win the presidential election in 2023.
The right thing, Governor Wike insisted, is the resignation of Senator Iyorchia Ayu as PDP national chairman, in order for a southerner to occupy the seat within the principle of equity, fairness and justice.
He emphasised that any leader of a group who causes crisis within the group that he leads, truly lacks the requisite skills to navigate affairs of such group.
This is the time to show leadership skill on the part of those who are leaders of the party. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is the presidential candidate. He is the one who feels the pain.”
Governor Wike made reference to the party’s constitution that spells it out in Section 7 (3) (c) that that all political and elective positions must be zoned.
He wondered why it is now so difficult for Senator Ayu to respect the constitution or even keep to his promise and quit the office if a northern is elected as PDP standard bearer.
“We have not held the presidential primary before the national chairman of the party said if the presidential candidate emerges from his area, he will quit.”
Governor Wike also accused Senator Ayu of collecting one hundred million Naira, first from a certain governor to renovate the party’s democratic institution, and later went to PDP National Working Committee (NWC) to collect exact amount for the same purpose. Governor Wike dares Senator Ayu to deny it.
“In fact, let me also tell you, Ayu collected N100million naira from a governor that he was going to renovate our democratic institution and then he went back to the PDP NWC and took the same N100million naira for doing the same work.”
He further added, “What kind of system is that? I am telling you all these are facts. Let him (Ayu) say no first and I will tell you (those he collected money from).”
The Rivers State governor pointed to the importance of the mission of rescuing Nigeria expected of the PDP by Nigerians. But the mission, he said requires a leader with proven integrity to lead the party.
