Constitution Review: Comrade Zulu Ofoelue Makes History For Biafra
History was made yesterday being 26th May ,2021 in Enugu ,the venue of the senate committee on the review of the 1999 constitution as Comrade Zulu Ofoelue presented Customary Government of Biafra demand for devolution of power and returning Nigeria to Regional Government. The presentation was well received as the crowd that attended the Enugu sitting applauded Comrade Ofoelue for representing the interest of the majority of Ndigbo.
Comrade Zulu Ofoelue is a Director in Movement of Biafrans in Nigeria under the Customary Government of Biafra. During the presentation to the senate committee on the review of 1999 constitution which has in attendance the political heavyweights in the south east region including Senator Ike Ekweremmadu,Governors of Enugu ,Anambra ,Ebonyi ,Senators and others, Comrade Ofoelue told the gathering that Nigeria will collapse like many other failed Countries if power is not devolved to the regions urgently. He reminded the Senate Committee that history has beckoned on them to do the needful without further delay and without playing politics especially now that the security situation in the country has escalated to the high heavens as well as near collapse of the economy .The details of Customary Government of Biafra memorandum was earlier submitted to the Secretary of the Senate Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution.
The Chairman of the Customary Government of Biafra – Bar Emeka Emekesiri has this to say after the historical presentation ” This is how to speak to Authority! Our Director, Zulu Ofoelue made it clear to the world and National Assembly that he was representing Biafrans under the authority of the Customary Government and that his group took Nigeria Government to court over the right of self -determination for indigenous people .Barr Emekesiri assured Biafrans that the second phase of the project must be achieved .
Maureen Okafor writes for BVI Channel 1 online
BREAKING: Buhari Appoints New Chief of Army Staff
President Muhammadu Buhari has announced the appointment of new Chief of Army Staff.
The new person Major General Farouk Yahaya
His appointment follows the death of Attahiru Ibrahim who died in a plan crash.
Making the announcement, the defence Headquarters said the new man is the incumbent Theatre Commander of the Counter terrorism Counter Insurgency military outfit in the North East code named Operation HADIN KAI.
The statement reads:
“The Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Mohammadu Buhari has appointed Major General Farouk Yahaya as the new Chief of Army Staff.
” Prior to his appointment Major General Yahaya was the General Officer Commanding 1 Division of the Nigerian Army and the incumbent Theatre Commander of the Counter terrorism Counter Insurgency military outfit in the North East code named Operation HADIN KAI.”
Profile of new COAS, Major General Farouk Yahaya
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, appointed Major General Farouk Yahaya is the news Cheif of Army Staff. He takes over from Late Ibrahim Attahiru who died in a plane crash in Kaduna State alongside other 10 officers.
Yahaya is Regular Course 37 and hails from Zamfara state. He’s married with kids.
In 2019, Yahaya lead Operation CLEAN SWEEP that led the clearance operation to flush out bandits in Kuduru forest, Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Borno
Major-General Farouk Yahaya was the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Nigerian Army and handed over to Major General Usman Mohammed in April 2020.
In 2020 he was appointed the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD) in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Major General Yahaya took over from Major General Olusegun Adeniyi, who was redeployed to Nigerian Army Resource Centre as Senior Research Fellow.
Until his appointment, he’s the Theatre Commander of the Counter terrorism Counter Insurgency military outfit in the North East code named Operation HADIN KAI.
The Northern Elders Blames Buhari For Not Being In Charge
Statement by Northern Elders Forum on Escalating Threats to National Security, Unity and Integrity.
Northern Elders Forum(NEF) is convinced that it is time to respond to issues that threaten our collective security and the unity and integrity of the country.The Forum has held back on joining issues with persons and groups intent on provoking the type of crises that will escalate beyond control or mitigation by leaders who are collectively showing definite signs that they unwilling to steer the country away from the dangerous threats which are crippling it.
It is now clear that elected people sworn to protect the constitution and protect the unity and integrity of Nigeria have decided to surrender to deeply divisive or outrightly irredentist and secessionist tendencies and movements. In the South East, governors are yielding their political turf and mandates to secessionists, criminals and subversives who think they can exterminate federal presence and northerners from the region, and achieve dubious political goals related to 2023, or break away from the country.In the South West, elected leaders and pampered ethnic bullies are closing ranks to provide a front that apes the do-what-we-want-or-we-leave-the-country strategy of the marginalized leaders of the South East.Governors are building ethnic monsters and hiding behind them to whip up sentiments in a crude attempt to extract concessions no one is in a position to give or guarantee.The South South is squeezed between fear and uncertainty, and its leaders are gambling that they can benefit from further weakening the federal administration and the North if it rides along with the rest of the South.A plastic unity is being contrived to create the impression that the entire South is united behind shared grievances against the Presidency and Fulani herders and all northerners who are cast as fair game in responding to all of President Buhari’s multiple failures.A desperate but futile attempt is being made to split the North along lines that suit people who ignore its complexities and plurality when it is convenient to lump all Northerners and submit them to humiliation or attacks.
The NEF recognizes that most of these provocations feed from the widespread perception of a weak national leadership and a broken political process that has become captive of narrow political interests.For the record, the forum restates its support for a programmed transition that will eliminate open grazing and the establishment of productive, safe and sustainable options in managing our huge national asset in animal husbandry. This cannot be achieved with threats and harassment, but with commitment and collaboration involving all governments and stakeholders.It is in everyone’s interests to support an urgent national initiative that will engineer a safe and productive transition to the end of open grazing.In the meantime, the forum must warn those attacking and killing Fulani headers to stop.There are limits to every community’s tolerance, and the forum strongly advises that lines are respected in the manner we treat Nigerians who are vulnerable wherever they live.
The forum has always supported initiatives that improve the quality of inputs into how Nigerians can address the limitations in the manner the country is operated. It is unfortunate that the current efforts of the National Assembly to amend the constitution enjoys little or no confidence among Nigerians that they will address the fundamental challenges which need to be comprehensively addressed, although this can be redressed if our elected representatives recognize the historic opportunities they have to move this country beyond its strangulating challenges. The negative attitude of the Presidency towards engaging Nigerians to tap into ideas, grievances and goodwill of many citizens who mean well is ill-informed and, under our current circumstances, dangerous.So are postures that issue opportunistic ultimatums over convening national dialogue by the President.The forum supports a citizen-driven national dialogue and a campaign to get the government to accord its outcome the respect it deserves.The forum extends its hands to groups that genuinely believe that Nigerians should demand and design the type of country we want, and should not wait for people we elected to set the boundaries and conditions of our existence.
The forum restates that the North will not be cowed and stampeded into escorting political ambitions of politicians at the cost of its rights, security and dignity.It demands that President Buhari asserts the powers our constitution gives him to protect our territorial integrity and secure citizens, or accept that he is incapable of leading the nation through these unprecedented challenges. Attacks on lawful Fulani and other Northerners in the South must stop, and those who have killed them must be brought to book. The nation needs to know that Northerners in many parts of the South now live in heightened fear as they are profiled and harassed by elements in host communities who believe that there are no consequences for their actions. The forum demands an end to attacks on federal agents and facilities.Governors in the South must be unambiguous in their condemnation and resistance against these dangerous activities.They cannot continue to walk on both sides of the street.Northern governors should note that they are rapidly receding into irrelevance as desperate citizens chalk up their silence over multiple assaults in a country where they have equal rights to their security and dignity.
If our country is to survive its current difficulties and build a better nation, President Buhari must improve his levels of competence, awareness that the nation is sliding into disaster and sensitivity to the frustrations of Nigerians.Other political leaders who take advantage of the limitations of the President to light fires should know that they will get burnt in them.Overwhelming majority of Nigerians do not want war or an end to our union. We just want an end to insecurity, escalating cost of living and the hate and the fear which our leaders are triggering.The forum restates its readiness to engage any group of Nigerians in exploring productive paths to a better future.What it will not do is to watch as the North is damaged further by cynical southern politicians and adventurers who think the North is too weak to protect its own interests.
The forum once again condoles the nation and families of Lt-Gen I Attahiru and other military officers who died in active duty.May God bestow His Mercies on their souls.
Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed
Director, Publicity and Advocacy
Northern Elders Forum
Abuja
25-5-21
Constitution Review: Akeredolu Backs Return To 1963 Constitution
Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Wednesday, backed the call for the country to return to sthe use of the 1963 Constitution.
Governor Akeredolu spoke while declaring open the Zonal Public hearing of the review of the 1999 Constitution held at the Cultural and International Event Centre, Akure.
Akeredolu stated that the powers of the federal government must be trimmed down as it was the major friction in the country and politics of bitterness.
He warned that the current attempt at the Constitution amendment should be taken beyond the usual jamboree conceived and executed to arrive at predetermined result.
The Ondo Governor said the 1963 Constitution which reflected the Republican status of the country remained the best document for a country as heterogeneous as Nigeria.
He said it was the best practicable guide towards nationhood but was abolished by the military by imposing a unitary system on the country.
According to him, “The current exercise, therefore, must not toe the path of the previous attempts at tokenism. The basic law of any country must not be reduced to frivolities reflecting preferred whimsies. It must not be oppressive of the minorities. Its provisions must indeed give teeth to the primary purpose for which the government exists. No provision of the law must not be justiciable as Chapter Two of the current 1999 Constitution seeks to impress on us.
“All the agitations of the peoples of this country must be looked into with a view to improving the economic power of the average citizens. The best way possible is to allow each region to function in its areas of comparative advantage. The behemoth called the Federal Government must shed the excess weight unduly appropriated over time. It is the major cause of friction. It is the reason for the politics of bitterness. It explains why everyone wants the power at the centre. It promotes ethnic chauvinists and encourages mediocrity.
“The new law must view, critically, the current misnomer which sees the Federal Government appropriating humongous amounts for moribund agencies whose duties overlap with those of the states. The fiscal policy of the country must be restructured to encourage ingenuity and uncommon resourcefulness. The Federal Government should only coordinate and receive royalties. The current system is not sustainable. All of us are beginning to appreciate this fact.
“The current exercise will derive its legitimacy if taken to the people for revalidation. Nothing must be taken for granted. Everyone must be treated as an equal partner in this whole enterprise of nation-building.”
“No patriotic citizen can deny the fact that the country faces dire challenges at the moment which, in themselves, bear the necessary ingredients for redefinition, determination, growth and eventual development. The movement towards social integration must be steady and focused.”
Ondo Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has told youths he could not afford to lie to the electorates on his achievements and the actual situation of things under his administration. Akeredolu said promises by political opponents to reduce tuition fees in the state-owned tertiary institutions were meant to deceive the people. Akeredolu,…
Delta State Government on Wednesday said it had not received from the Federal Government the 4.2 million pounds returned by the United Kingdom. It said that although the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Ahmed Idris, had disclosed on Tuesday before the House of Representatives Committee on Recovered Assets, in Abuja, that the funds had been released to the state, the money had not arrived in its coffers.
The government, however, said in a statement by Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, in Asaba, that it was in contact with the Federal Government, especially the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, on the issue.
It expressed appreciation for the disposition of the Federal Government in releasing the funds to the state and assured that it would acknowledge receipt of the funds when it arrives. The government also assured the Federal Government and Deltans that the funds would, in tandem with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration’s hallmark, be judiciously deployed especially in the completion of projects it had earlier intimated the Presidency about.
We support constitution amendments that will enhance Nigeria’s unity, prosperity – Gov. Ugwuanyi
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has declared his administration’s support for amendments in the constitution of Nigeria that will enhance the nation’s unity and prosperity “in an environment where justice, fairness and equity shall prevail”.
Gov. Ugwuanyi made the declaration while declaring open the zonal public hearing of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, holding in Enugu, for Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi states.
The governor who harped on the importance of unity and prosperity in an atmosphere of justice, fairness and equity, therefore enjoined all relevant Institutions, Civil Society Organizations, Stakeholders and entire Enugu State citizenry to avail themselves the opportunity of the zonal public hearing to participate in the national conversation.
While welcoming and extending his greetings to the Senators present at the event, Gov. Ugwuanyi wished them “a very successful zonal public hearing on the proposed alteration of some of the provisions of 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.”
He further noted: “I particularly acknowledge the leader of the team and Senator representing Enugu West Senatorial District in the 9th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Distinguished Senator Prof. Ike Ekweremadu, CFR. I also recognize in a special way, Distinguished Senator Chuka Utazi who represents me and the people of Enugu North Senatorial District in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly.
“I extend my reverential greetings to other Distinguished Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who are here on this important national assignment, to wit: His Excellency, Senator Dr. Sam Ominyi Egwu representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District, Iyom, Senator Dr. (Mrs.) Uche Lilian Ekwunife, representing Anambra Central Senatorial District and Senator Joseph Obinna Ogba, representing Ebonyi Central Senatorial District.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the Deputy Senator of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege disclosed the Senate decided to adopt a bottom-up approach by first listening to Nigerians at the geo-political level before the National Public Hearing because of “the critical importance the Constitution Review Committee places on the subnational levels of governance in Nigeria.”
Also in the address, presented on his behalf by Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Senator Ome-Agege revealed that topical issues like Judicial and Electoral Reforms, Local Government Autonomy and devolution of powers are prominent in the agenda to be addressed in the constitutional amendments.
The Deputy President of the Senate, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Constitutional Review, stressed that “If we get those items through constitutional processes of alteration successfully then our Constitutional Democracy will be set on the right pedestal, and ultimately, Nigeria will take its pride of place among the enviable constitutional democracies in the world”.
The lawmaker pointed out that “this ongoing review provides a platform for the good people of Nigeria to express their opinions on the fundamental law that governs our lives through proposals that will lead to the highest good for the greatest number of our people”.
Stressing that the focus of the Committee is how to manage the review exercise in a fair, inclusive, credible and transparent manner in view of “diverse and differing views on the different themes of the exercise”, Senator Omo-Agege noted that they have already received a lot of memoranda on a broad range of issues and proposals.
“Fellow Nigerians, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I wish to assure you most sincerely, that the memoranda you have already submitted and those that may come forward arising from this hearing and all the deliberations and engagements that will come forth from them will be the lodestar of our work as a Committee”, he said.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues from Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi states, the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi assured the people of South East geo-political zone that the state legislature will first seek their opinions before adopting the outcome of the constitutional review by the National Assembly.
The Speaker who maintained that constitution alteration is a continuous exercise, commended the 9th National Assembly for taking up the task again, and thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi for providing the enabling atmosphere for the event.
Hon. Ubosi urged the Senate Committee to fast-track the process so that the aim of the exercise will be achieved before the end of the present administration.
In his vote of thanks, Senator Ekweremadu, also applauded Gov. Ugwuanyi, who he described as “Insurance Guru”, for his immense contributions towards the hosting of the zonal public hearing in Enugu.
“I want to thank you (Ugwuanyi) especially for making this possible and in putting this arrangement together, in putting South East together. In fact as far as the other Senators are concerned, we are sure that this is one of the best across the nation”, he declared.
Constitution Review: Ekweremadu Reveals How Nigeria Can Get A New Constitution
Former Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has revealed how the country can get a new Constitution.
Ekweremadu made the revelation while speaking to Journalists on the sideline at the Enugu Centre of the South East Zonal public hearing on the proposed alteration to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.
The Senator representing Enugu West Senatorial Zone said the only way to bring a new Constitution without calling for anarchy is to amend the existing Constitution as it has been done in some countries similar challenge.
“We have seen countries with a similar challenge, countries like Kenya, Brazil, etc., what they did was to amend the original Constitution to make a provision on how that Constitution can be amended. We did it the last time and it wasn’t assented to.”
Continuing, Sen Ekweremadu said the relevant sections of the Constitution has to be amended to accommodate burning issues in the country.
“The only way we can bring a new Constitution without creating anarchy is to amend Section 9 of the Constitution to create a provision on how to amend the Constitution itself especially the issue of referendum which I believe is where everyone is heading to.
“We have to amend this Constitution to reflect even how to bring a new Constitution. All these have to be spelt out in the amendment, whether we’re doing it today or tomorrow.”
He called on Nigerians to take advantage of the public hearing exercise to kick start the process so that at the appropriate time when the relevant sections of the constitution has been amended, we can have a conversation on having a new Constitution.
Ekweremadu also said having a new Constitution is pertinent because, currently, a lot amendments has been made to the Constitution which most Nigerians doesn’t know and this might lead to confusion.
“We have done a lot of amendments which most Nigerians don’t even know and there’s confusion already. When we do more, it gets to a point where we don’t even know which one is the original text and the one that has been amended.
Anambra 21: RE: ANAMBRA 2021: YOUTH POLITICAL APPOINTMENT MAY NOT BE PART OF MY AGENDA – SOLUDO
Cee Cee Soludo Media Office attention has been drawn to the above headline published by the Nigerian Trubune Newspaper, online medium, bordering on the statement allegedly made by Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo, on May 24, 2021 when he was hosted by the Njikoka, Anaocha and Dunukofia Federal Constituency led by Honourable Dozie Ferdinand Nwankwo, Member, Representing the Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives, at his Enugwu-Ukwu country home in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State
The Soludo Media Office considers the above headline misleading and a wrong representation of the statements made by Cee Cee Soludo at the event
For the avoidance of doubt and to keep the records straight, it has become necessary to issue this release to correct the wrong or erroneous impression the misleading headline would have created in the mindset of millions of youths and all Soludo supporters within Anambra State and beyond
However, the true version of what Cee Cee Soludo said at the event while speaking to thousands of jubilant youths and supporters who came to welcome him to the occasion, was to inspire and encourage them to imbibe the spirit of entrepreneurship which is more beneficial and dignifying in the long run than seeking employment in government parastatals which are limited
To further encourage and boost their confidence, Soludo promised to put in place an enabling environment that will help create one thousand youth millionaires every year who will in turn create employment opportunities for others if elected Governor of Anambra State by their support
Soludo hinged his statement on the philosophy of teaching the people how to fish rather than being fed with fish continually as the best economic sense for wealth creation and Industrial development of the state
As usual and most unfortunately, these innocuous statements were deliberately and maliciously ‘twisted’ and taken out of context for a misleading
headline by the Trubune online news blogger to deceive the general public by inferring a different statement which Soludo never made
Without a shadow of doubt, Cee Cee Soludo who had played the role of a father-figure, role model and mentor to a vast majority of Anambra youths and other youths across the federation, will nevertheless, continue to engage and inspire them to aim higher in life, just as he has always professed both in private and public engagements that the future belongs to the youths
Signed:
Cee Cee Soludo Media Office
Seun Kuti Shuns Sanwo-Olu at his Sister’s Birthday – Raises Middle Finger
Seun Kuti created a scene at the birthday party of his sister, Yeni Kuti, on Monday May 24, when he raised his two middle fingers and walked out on Lagos state Governor, Sanwo-Olu who came to felicitate with the daughter of Afrobeat Legend Fela Kuti on her 60th birthday,
Seun Kuti who is the pioneer of the Nigerian Resistance Movement, expressed his displeasure with Sanwo-Olu’s attendance by raising two middle fingers and walking out on the Lagos state Governor after he showed up to felicitate with his sister.