Political structure in Nigeria is for sharing money not ideas. No political party in Nigeria has been able to organise political education on continuous basis.
In Anambra ,we have about 2.6 million registered voters but only about 256,000 voted in 2021 election.Prof Soludo became the Governor with only 112,000 votes.
In 2019 , about 30m Nigerians voted out of 81m registered voters.
Buhari became the President with about 16m votes .
The fact remains that Nigerians are not politically educated . That is why they don’t expect anything from people in government. That is why they collect N2000 to vote for the slave masters.
2023 will be different . Good Governance Ministry ( GGM ) is here to educate Nigerians on how to appraise and rate people asking us for votes .
The first to be considered is the person opinion on restructuring Nigeria. The present structure of Nigeria is not sustainable . We cannot build a 21st century society with our consumption driven system . Buhari has wasted our precious time and we cannot afford to make another mistake in 2023.
Ndubuisi Anaenugwu is an economist and Deputy Leader of Good Governance Ministry ( GGM )
Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has condemned the attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo state, where scores of worshippers were killed and injured.
This was contained in a press statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia.
According to Ohaneze Ndigbo, the attack “exposed the level of insecurity in the country and the inability of the Federal Government to rein in these agents of darkness on Nigeria”.
The group described the attack as an “unbridled Massacre on innocent worshippers” in the state thereby calling on security agencies to arrest and bring them to justice.
The statement read in part, “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide led by Ambassador Prof. George Obiozor condemns, in the strongest terms, this unbridled massacre of innocent worshippers in Ondo State and demands that the security agencies should smoke out these cowardly murderers wherever they may be and bring them to justice.
The massacre of these worshippers, whose only crime was gathering together to worship God is barbaric, savage, cowardly, unconscionable and indeed the worst sacrilegious dastardly affront on the body of Christ.
“Ohanaeze is worried at the lowest ebb and utter disregard for the sanctity of human life that has insidiously become the Nigerian character. More worrisome is the porosity of Nigerian borders that have become a freeway for all categories of persons into the country.
“Ohanaeze recalls that the Owo massacre is coming only one week after the abduction, by suspected Fulani herdsmen, of the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Grace, Dr. Samuel Uche and two other clergymen in Abia State, South East Nigeria.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo reiterates its persistent calls for the restructuring of the security architecture as a practical strategy for checking insecurity in the country.
“It is regrettable that today Nigerians can no longer walk or travel freely on account of the level of insecurity in the land. We hereby urge the Governors of Southern Nigeria to come together and strengthen their local vigilante groups especially the Amotekun and Ebubeagu in order to ensure safety of our people.
It is the Ohanaeze position that a vast federation such as Nigeria requires a multi-level security network to compliment the central security apparatus. Security becomes a collective responsibility only if there is a collective security consciousness.
The philosophy behind Ebubeagu is that every community has volunteers and representation in the local security outfit. The local terrain is better understood and navigated by the indigenous security operators; hence the need to domesticate security for effective services.
“It is believed that the ongoing attacks, banditry, kidnap, unknown gun men, herdsmen-farmers clashes, etc will sound a wake-up call on our governors to rise to the occasion. There is no gainsaying that the failure of any government begins with the inability to secure its citizens and property.
On behalf of the Igbo, Ohanaeze Ndigbo condoles with Owo community, the Leader of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and the entire people of Ondo State over this unprovoked gruesome massacre of innocent worshippers. We also condole with the many families of the deceased, the entire Catholic Church worldwide”.
The De Facto Customary Government of Biafra led by and under the Chancellorship of Mujaheed Dokubo-Asari,mourns the passing on of our gallant hero,one of the best of them all, General Alexander Madiebo.
General Madiebo was the former Chief of Army staff during the first Republic of Biafra between 1967-1970. His memory and that of the memories of other gallant heroes and heroines of Biafra who paid the ultimate price live on.
The De Facto Customary Government of Biafra on behalf of all Biafrans commiserates with his immediate family. May his soul rest in peace.
Signed:
Uche Okafor-Mefor
Head of Information and Communications,
On behalf of the De Facto Customary Government of Biafra
Few days after losing the Anambra Central senatorial ticket of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to a sitting House of Reps member; a former National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh has finally dumped the Party for the Labour Party (LP).
Chief Umeh, who joined the Labour Party on Tuesday, also picked the Senatorial ticket of the Party, where he emerged as an unopposed candidate of the party for Anambra Central senatorial zone, ahead of the 2023 general election.
Speaking after being the declared the flagbearer and returned as the winner of the primary election by the Returning Officer, Hon Pat Nky Obi; Senator Umeh appreciated the Labour Party for giving him the opportunity; while also appreciating the delegates for their massive support.
Chief Umeh, who is also a former Senator representing the Anambra Central Senatorial zone said: “At this point of our nation’s history, it is very important that I go to the Senate and represent our people. I have been there before and our people saw what I was able to do.”
He further revealed how and why he joined the Labour Party, and assured to team up with the presidential candidate of the Party, Mr. Peter Obi, to ensure that the part wins massively come 2023.
He said: “Labour Party will afford me the opportunity to reunite with my brother Peter Obi again. He called me last Saturday to commiserate with me on my loss of the APGA ticket, and asked me to join Labour Party and let’s team up and work together.
“I immediately resigned from my party on 30th and registered in Labour Party on 31st of May. I will put all my weight and ensure we win. I’m coming from a progressive party, and I have entered another progressive party.
“It has been my dream to have an Igbo man as president and Labour Party joined in that thought and elected an Igbo man as its candidate. I will follow him, campaign for him and make sure that all the candidate of the labour party wins.
“Obi and I have partnered before and we were able to do exploits in politics, and we will do even more exploits this time. This is a divine effort and we will win. We have consulted widely and many stakeholders have asked me to join hands with Peter Obi to contest this election.
“We have decided to put our differences apart and work not just for the good of Anambra but Igboland and Nigeria. He (Obi) is the man who can truly turn Nigeria from a consumption economy to a production economy. My brother Peter can also save for this country because I know what he can do.”
Anambra Insecurity: Soludo’s Fast Waning Focus And The Misadventure Of Stoking Fires Of Religious Crisis In Anambra
By Nze Ugo-Akpe Onwuka (Oyi)
I read with great shock and disappointment, a very dangerous news article credited to the Governor of Anambra State.
At the Sixth Synod of Anglican Diocese of Aguata, held at St James’ Church, Nanka, Orumba North Local Government Area on Sunday, 29th May, His Excellency, Chukwuma Soludo in his speech is reported to have implied that Igbo native traditionalists are responsible for the terrorism in Anambra State.
I didn’t want to believe these statements to be true until I read from credible news media that those were words from the Governor himself.
Your Excellency Sir, please, I would want to advise that you focus on governance and not degenerate to peddling religious sentiments which obviously are ultra vires.
In the Governor’s words, “it is time for Christians in the state unite to defend their faith in the face of evil, and quest to intimidate the people back to idolatry.”
It is sad and depressing that His Excellency failed to realize the dangerous potentials of such religiously discriminatory, divisive and misleading information coming from someone of his status and office.
Such unfortunate and unguarded statements credited to the Governor is capable of actually plunging the state into HATE-ATTACKS by Christians against traditionalists, and such would consume the state.
Your Excellency, it is instructive to point out to you that for the fact that Anambra state is dominated by Christians doesn’t mean others won’t be allowed to practice their faith.
It amounts to a direct breach of the constitution of the Federal Republic to which you swore to uphold to use such words as “Anambra is a Christian State and will not succumb to Idolatry”
Chapter 4 Section 38. (1) of the Nigerian constitution states that, “every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance.”
Therefore, His Excellency, Chukwuma Soludo must have been carried away in a moment of religious frenzy to make such unconstitutional statements, and would need to quickly reverse himself on this.
It is very highly unacceptable for the Governor who was voted for by Ndị Anambra to turn around and start singling out traditional worshippers and labeling them as IDOLATERS that must be dealt with.
Every well meaning Anambra citizen is very concerned about the current rising spate of violent crimes in the state, and for the Governor himself to be the one to skew the ugly situation to religious discrimination against those who practice their faith in the traditional way is very disappointing.
With the statement from the Governor to the Christians in Anambra, alleging that the upsurge in terror related attacks is to intimidate the people back into idolatry, he has inadvertently put traditional worshippers at the risk of sundry attacks by those who might want to take the laws into their hands and mete out what they would consider justice in defense of their faith.
His Excellency Chukwuma Soludo should deal with criminality the right way and not by such loose statements uncharacteristic of someone who is occupying such an exalted office.
It is important to let His Excellency know that it won’t be easy to douse the inferno of a religious crisis when we are still battling with the current raging violence in the state and the South East.
The Governor’s statement that “there has been a resurgence of traditionalists in the state recently, with many youths resorting to fetish practices that have long been abandoned by their forefathers” is a direct insult and condemnation of a people’s way of worship and an invidious discriminatory speech that must be retracted to give traditional worshippers a sense of safety in the State.
Governor Soludo is complicating issues with such haughty statements credited to him.
Calling our tradition idolatry is blasphemous and in very bad taste.
This is one of the most impetuous comments I have ever read from a leader in recent times.
One would expect that His Excellency Chukwuma Soludo should be focused on delivering on his electoral promises and how to get a handle on the burgeoning terrorism in Anambra State, rather than playing to the gallery with such divisive and inciting statements.
We shouldn’t be bothered by the religion of those who are behind the mayhem that has engulfed Anambra and Igbo land, as long as they are stopped.
Whether they are Igbo traditional worshippers or Christians, or Muslims, or belong to any other religion, just do your job and bring back the much desired peace in Anambra.
Such statements coming from a Governor underpins the level of religious intolerance exhibited against Igbo traditional worshippers, and the inherent risk they are faced with today.
While Christians are quick to raise alarm over religious extremities by Muslims, it’s very important to note that the Igbo traditional worship system have faced unmitigated terrorism from Christians for a very long time now, without any respite.
Holy places and sacred artifacts have been destroyed by Christians in the name of deliverance in several communities without anyone asking questions.
Arson, stigmatization and all forms of inhuman treatments, both bodily and psychological are visited upon Igbo traditional worshippers and yet, subsequent governments have not deemed it fit to step in and protect the rights of these people who are no less Ndị Anambra than those who are Christians.
It is 77 days since the administration of His Excellency Chukwuma Soludo took over office, and a couple of days to his first 100 days in office.
Ndị Anambra are really hoping for a better governance style, and such religious drift that could plunge Anambra into a religious war is very demotivating and very uninspiring.
At a time that Ndị Anambra are expecting to be greeted with commendable strides in the fight against the rising violence, such statements tend to give away the Governor as having lost focus and must be called to keep his eyes on the ball.
The Igbo traditional institution is sacred and as such must not be rubbished by the Governor by associating it with terrorism, nor should it be labeled as EVIL by him.
It would be recalled that during the Anambra 2021 Governorship debate held on November 1, 2021 in Awka, His Excellency Chukwuma Soludo stated that “the insecurity in the State is politically motivated”. He went further to state that “there are some persons who think that they will gain political advantage by creating a sense of fear and insecurity so that you would have voters’ suppression,”
His Excellency promised that if he is elected governor, “he would work out some harmonious agreement with the non-state actors as one of the ways of tackling insecurity in the state.”
It would be in the best interest of Ndị Anambra for the Governor to be dilligently focused on returning the state to safety as he promised during the Governorship campaign and not to continue along this path of labeling and stigmatizing traditional worshippers in the State.
Now that he has won the election, the Governor should be mindful that security matters should not be used for public relations and must therefore desist from making unmeasured statements.
Nze Ugo-Akpe Onwuka (Oyi) is the Chairman Nze Na Ọzọ Traditional Council, Ogbunike, Oyi Local Government Area, Anambra State.
Good Governance Ministry ,a political ministry has advised Prof Chukwuma Soludo to revolutionarize the education sector in the State. The current school curriculum was packaged by our colonial masters whose intention was self serving.
The Deputy Leader of GGM – Comrade Ndubuisi Anaenugwu told our Reporter that the current education system is obsolete and should be dumped for a modern way of learning in line with 21st century expectation. ” Go to Anambra State University at Igbariam ,you will feel sorry for the present generation of young people.
The school academic program was targeted to produce certificate tigers who cannot solve problems around them. The University has hectares of land that are not put to use . Why can’t the University run an integrated farm ,Zoo,and industrial estates that will put the abundant human resources to work instead of copy and paste education. Why can’t University students start building App to solve local problems? The same situation is in nursery ,primary and secondary education, school children are exposed to only theories that are not practical oriented .
There are millions of our population under the school age ,wasting productive age learning how to be good slaves instead of entrepreneurs. Prof Soludo can change all these if he wants a better society’ Anaenugwu concluded
A presidential aspirant and national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, said without him, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), would not have become the president in 2015.
Tinubu spoke at the Presidential Lodge in Abeokuta, the state capital, while addressing the APC delegates ahead of the party’s primary.
The national leader was accompanied to Ogun by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his Kano State counterpart, Umar Ganduje, and former Borno State governor, Kasim Shettima.
“You have not heard this from me before. This is the first place I am saying this,” Tinubu who addressed the delegates in Yoruba said.
Speaking on Buhari’s emergence, he said “If not for me that led the war front, Buhari won’t have emerged. He contested first, second and third times, but lost. He even said on television that he won’t contest again.
“But I went to his home in Katsina, I told him you would contest and win, but you won’t joke with the matters of the Yoruba.
“Since he has emerged I have not been appointed minister. I didn’t get nor request a contract. This time, it’s Yoruba turn and in Yorubaland, it’s my turn.”
“since the time we started with the Action Congress, Action Congress of Nigeria, and now the All Progressives Congress, I wanted to contest for president that time.
He added “This is me telling you between me and God Almighty, Buhari called me to be his Vice President. He said because the first time he contested, he picked (Chuba) Okadigbo, flamboyant, Catholic, but Nigerians didn’t vote for him.
The second time, he picked another Igbo, (Edwin) Ume-Ezeoke, Nigerians didn’t vote for him. And he said that even if he went to bring the Pope to run as his deputy, Nigerians won’t vote for him, but he said, ‘You, Bola Tinubu, you have six governors, you have never lost an election before, come and be my deputy”‘.
“He knew all the calculations then favoured us, that is why he wanted me as his deputy, but I told him to let us build the party first. And when we finished building the party after we brought in people from the PDP, (Bukola) Saraki now saw that those from the PDP would not get anything if Buhari, a Muslim, became the president and I, also a Muslim, became his deputy. He won’t get the Senate president because the Senate president cannot also be a Muslim; that was how they started the campaign of calumny against me.
“And I told them that I have a candidate that is a Christian that I could nominate so that the party would not break. That was how I nominated Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. I surrendered my right to him (Osinbajo).
“I was asked to submit three names, Yemi Cardozo, Wale Edun, and Yemi Osinbajo, but I told them if I submit three names, they would play a game, they might make it four and pick the fourth one. I gave them one name and that was Osinbajo.”
Speaking on why he is the best choice among other aspirants in the South-West, he said, “It is my time, I’m educated, I’m experienced. I have been serving people for a long time. Bring me the presidency, it is my turn.”
Good Governance Ministry(GGM) has called INEC Commissioner in Anambra State to pay attention to the ongoing voters registration exercise in various registration centres . Chinedu Asuzu who made the call from Onitsha when he visited one of the registration centres . According to Comrade Asuzu , INEC Officers have turned the Registration centers to another business centers where all manner of tricks were deplored to extort money from people in the name of facilitating the registration process. Comrade Asuzu further confirmed that the number of people visiting INEC registration centers has increased since certain Political parties elected their flagbearers.
”No doubt , there is high hopes in next year’s general election. All the stakeholders including Governors and political parties should work with INEC to ensure that everybody is registered before the deadline” Asuzu concluded.
However ,Chima Christian reported that while the citizens are willing to perform their patriotic duty as has been evidenced by the crowds in various registration centres reveals INEC’s unpreparedness to cater to Anambra’s voter registration demands.
There are just 22 registration centres, 44 data capturing devices and about 176 INEC staff deployed on CVR exercise in the whole of Anambra State. For context, Anambra has 326 political wards, 5,720 polling units and a 2020 population estimate of 6.3 million.
At the average time of 6 minutes per completed registration, and the number of man-hours available till the conclusion of this exercise, there is already a limit as to the number of eligible Anambra voters INEC can successfully process their registration requests.
Comrade Chima confirmed that compromised INEC staff now allegedly collect bribes from citizens to fast track their registrations. The alternative might be to spend the whole day at the centre without a guarantee of successful registration. This is frustrating.
Chima calls on INEC to immediately deploy at least 326 data capturing devices in Anambra State. These devices are to be deployed to the various INEC local government offices according to the number of wards in those LGAs.
For instance, Nnewi North LGA which has ten wards must have at least ten registration points inside the approved centre to cater for the huge population that daily besiege that registration centre.
In the wake of recent developments in Anambra, government must take all necessary precautions to ensure that INEC staff on CVR duty in Anambra and prospective Anambra voters who are now clustered in various registration centres are offered all necessary protection.
The coming general elections hold so much promise for Nigerians. Even as we encourage more and more eligible citizens to plan to vote for their preferred candidates, we invite every critical stakeholder to play their part to make the process seamless.
Government of Anambra State has declared a state of emergency on traffic hold-ups across the State.
The Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu stated this during the post-Anambra State Executive Council briefing held at the Government House, Awka.
Commissioner Nwosu stressed that the new road traffic management measures introduced was to ensure that Ndi Anambra do not spend more than twenty minutes in traffic.
The Commissioner who said that Anambra Traffic Management Agency was directed to deploy their officers in twenty most difficult areas in the state, pointed out that to aid effectiveness, Governor Soludo directed that ATMA should be trained by LASTMA, FRSC and Army, as well as recruit more people into the Agency, for increased capacity and efficiency.
Commissioner Nwosu noted that the State Fire Service will be restructured to become more responsive and effective, emphasizing that it will be decentralised and brought closer to the people, revealing that the era of using phone calls have been phased out, while the Anambra State emergency fire response application has been activated.
While stating that it was also approved that all the traffic lights will be serviced, he added that the Commissioner for Local government was directed to identify areas in the communities that can be used as bus stops.
According to the Commissioner, among other issues discussed at the meeting were adoption of the name; Anambra State Executive Council as against Executive Council, adoption of a policy to introduce urban agriculture to increase food production in Anambra State where every household deploy spaces in their domain to plant agricultural produce, transition from inorganic farming to regenerative agriculture to improve quality of agricultural products.
Other items discussed include the ongoing rehabilitation work on Anambra roads, revision of laws setting up government parastatals and agencies by the State Attorney General, approval for annual procurement of one million palm seedlings, five hundred coconut seedlings as a way of trying to relive the old M.I Okpara days when palm oil was the mainstay.
