The Position of Ndi Igbo On Restructuring Nigeria

May 21, 2018

*RESTRUCTURING THE NIGERIAN FEDERATION:*

THE POSITION OF NDI IGBO.

Adopted at the Igbo Summit organized by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, 21st May, 2018, at Ekwueme Square, Awka

THE EKWUEME SQUARE DECLARATION 2018

Preamble

The Nigerian project is at a crossroads. It does not command universal acceptance at home and it is much diminished abroad. For some sections of the population, the promise of Nigeria: peace and unity, faith and progress are becoming broken dreams. The capacity and objectivity of the Nigerian state, its leadership, critical institutions and agencies are questioned by many. On the global stage, Nigeria is rapidly fading from any serious reckoning. It cannot secure and fend for its citizens at home; neither can it project power to protect its citizens abroad. Despite its abundant potential and promise, most Nigerians agree that Nigeria as currently structured and governed is not sustainable.

In the run up to Nigeria’s independence and after independence (in the 1960 and 1963 Constitutions), our founding fathers like The Rt. Hon. Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello and their compatriots from all the then Southern and Northern minority ethnic groups, negotiated and gave us truly federal constitutions which embodied the basic principles of federalism, namely, autonomy of the federating regions, fiscal federalism, devolution of powers, citizenship/indigeneship rights, etc. Under these constitutions, freely negotiated by the Nigerian people, there was a consensus that a truly federal structure was the best for a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-religious society such as Nigeria; to guarantee justice, fairness, equity, freedom, liberty as well as a balanced and competitive political and economic structure to give every citizen and section of the country a framework to maximize their God-given potential.

The present 1999 Constitution foisted by the military regime (falsely dubbed a federal constitution) unhinged all the structures of true federalism and bequeathed a de facto unitary system with concentration of powers and resources at the centre. With the choking unitary system and all its dysfunctionality for a diverse country, Nigeria has remained relatively unstable, oscillating unpredictably between the flickers of hope and despair.

Most Nigerians agree that this system cannot survive and endure for much longer. The genius, Albert Einstein, said that the definition of insanity is to repeat the same thing over and over and expect a different outcome. For several years, many organized groups, intellectuals, statesmen and women have persistently called for a re-examination of the structure of the federation, to make it work for all Nigerians. It started first as calls for a sovereign national conference. In recent times, the calls have become even more strident and desperate: the Yoruba nation has held a rally at Ibadan in September 2017 and published its agenda for restructuring Nigeria; the South-South geopolitical zone held its own summit in Yenagoa in March 2018 and endorsed its template for restructuring; the All Progressives Congress (APC) set up a Committee on restructuring and its recommendations are public knowledge; the 19 states of the former Northern Region have also set up their own committee on restructuring and its report is expected; the Middle Belt zone is scheduled to hold its own summit on restructuring, while several political parties have made ‘true federalism’ the centre piece of their manifestos for a better Nigeria. At no time in Nigeria’s recent history has there been broader support for restructuring the federation than now.

For the estimated 57 million Igbos scattered in all villages, towns and cities of Nigeria as well as around the world, the demand for a restructured Nigeria that guarantees security of life and property, freedom and liberty, equity, justice and development, has a unique significance. No other ethnic group has a greater stake in the Nigerian project than Ndi Igbo by virtue of tens of millions of Ndi Igbo who live and invest everywhere in Nigeria outside Igboland. But they are also victims at every turn: every now and again, threats to their lives and properties as well as brazen discrimination and marginalization in critical areas underscore their general treatment as unequal citizens of Nigeria. Consequently, there is a segment of Igbo society that has lost hope in the Nigerian dream; believes that Nigeria will never work for the Igbos and hence agitate for an exit from the union. But a preponderance of views among Igbos is that a restructured Nigeria that works for all remains the best option.

The Agenda presented here distils from accumulated years of work on the subject by successive regimes of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, various Igbo think-tanks especially the submissions of the Igbo Leaders of Thought for the 2014 National Conference; various Igbo positions for the 1994 Constitutional conference and 2005 and 2014 national conferences; the report of the Committee set up by South East Governors on the review of the 1999 Constitution; the report of the World Igbo Summit by the Igbo Renaissance Centre, Uturu; various submissions/reports by Aka Ikenga; Izu Umunna; Nzuko Umunna; the Igbo intelligentsia; the World Igbo Congress; reports of various meetings and conferences of Igbo stakeholders and leaders; etc. The Ohanaeze Planning and Strategy Committee and the Organizing Committee for the Summit on restructuring also embarked on town hall -style consultative meetings in Abuja, Lagos, and Enugu to collate inputs from major segments of Igbo society. Memoranda and inputs were also received from over 40 pan-Igbo groups, NGOs, and individuals. A draft was presented and debated at the National Executive Committee and the Imeobi of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

What is presented is a summary, and the issues remain work in progress. The position of Ndi Igbo is to seek a transformed Nigeria that works for every Nigerian citizen, a level playing field for all Nigerians to enjoy freedom, liberty, fairness, equity and justice to maximize their fullest potential. Ndi Igbo are uniquely positioned, by virtue of their huge stake in Nigeria, to join hands with every willing party to champion a pan-Nigeria agenda. We do not seek any preferential or differential treatment from Nigeria. Ndi Igbo want a Nigeria that works—to maximize their security, prosperity, and happiness. Igbos also want a Nigeria that allows every part of Nigeria the latitude and opportunity to develop at their own pace. We want a national conversation to create a new and better Nigeria for all Nigerians. The outline below seeks to achieve this objective..

Section 1: A New Constitution of Nigeria.

We demand a constitutional conference, backed by a law enacted by the National Assembly, where the people of Nigeria will agree on a new, truly federal Constitution. A Constituent Assembly should be constituted to agree on a new Constitution for a new Nigeria. Such a Constitution—the People’s Constitution– should be approved by the people of Nigeria through a referendum to give it legitimacy and validity. Thereafter, the National Assembly should repeal Act 24 of 1999 (of which the 1999 Constitution is only a Schedule), thereby effectively voiding the 1999 Constitution.

Section 2: Form of Government

a) The presidential system of government should continue to operate at the federal level, with a bicameral legislature. The Regions or States have to determine the type of government to operate at that level as enshrined in their respective constitutions (whether parliamentary or separate Executive and legislative organs). It would be desirable however for the same form of government be adopted at the regional levels for comparability and ease in transaction of government business in the federation.

b) The tenure of office of the President will be a single term of six years. There will be five Vice-Presidents, one from each of the geopolitical zones or regions except the region/zone of the president), and each also to serve for a fixed term of six years. Each of the Vice-Presidents will be assigned supervisory responsibility over two or more ministries such as Defence, Internal Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Finance, Infrastructure/Works, etc. This is to give every zone/region a sense of belonging and a strong voice in major decision making. The office of President will rotate among the six regions/zones of Nigeria.

c) The Governor and Deputy Governor of the Region/State should have a single term of six years only. The office of Governor will rotate among the senatorial districts, or among such other configurations as may be enshrined in the Constitution of a Region/State.

Section 3: Federating Units and Structure of the Nigerian State

a. Nigeria will remain a federation with the existing six geopolitical zones forming the federating units or six regions of the country. There will therefore be six regional governments, each comprising the current states within each zone and any other state(s) that may be created within the zone from time to time.

b. Each Region will have its own Constitution, for the good governance, peace and development of the region. Such Regional Constitutions have to clearly delineate levels of authority between the regional government and the component states (that is, defining powers that are exclusive to the Region and powers that are residual to the states). The Regional Constitutions will not be inconsistent with the Constitution of the federation, and will be invalidated to the extent of its inconsistency with the federal constitution.

c. If the national consensus is that the states as currently constituted remain the federating units, the existing six geopolitical zones will be enshrined in the constitution as the basis for sharing national political, economic and social amenities, offices and opportunities in an equitable manner among the zones.

d. In such a situation as in (c) above, Ndi Igbo demand that Nigeria give effect to the recommendation of the 2014 National Conference which states that “in the spirit of reconciliation, equity, fair play, and justice, there shall be created an additional state for the South East Zone; and all other requests for state creation shall be considered on merit”. One additional state in the South East should be the irreducible minimum.

e. But if States remain the basis for sharing resources and opportunities in Nigeria, Ndi Igbo demand an equal number of states per geopolitical zone or region.

f. Local Governments should be scrapped from the Constitution of the Federation. Local Government should be in the Exclusive list of the Regional/State Constitutions.

g. If States remain the federating units and some states wish to merge to be viable in the absence of distributable resources from the centre, they may do so provided that :

(i) A two-thirds majority of members of the Houses of Assembly of each of the affected states support the merger by a resolution, and;

(ii) A referendum is conducted in each of the states proposing to merge, and 60% of registered voters in the States who vote are required to approve the merger.

h. Any group of people or communities that wish to belong to a contiguous zone other than the zone in which they currently belong, may do so provided that 60% of registered voters who voted in the affected area approve the merger in a referendum.

Section 4: Equality of Regions or Geo-Political Zones

Whether the Regions or States become the federating units, and whether or not equal numbers of states are created in each zone, Ndi Igbo demand that equality of the six geopolitical zones should be enshrined in the Constitution. Politically, representation at the federal cabinet as well as the twin chambers of the federal legislature should be based on equality of zones/regions. Furthermore, sharing of revenues, distribution of infrastructure by the federal government, and federal character principle will be applied on the basis of equality of zones.

Section 5: Citizenship/Indigeneship Rights:

a) Nigerian citizenship is acquired through the criteria for citizenship as provided in the Nigerian Constitution.

b) The concept of State of Origin should be scrapped from the Constitution of the Federation, and replaced with State of Residence.

c) As an alternative to (b ) above, minimum residency and civic rights and responsibilities should include the following two conditions:

1) Any child born of Nigerian parents anywhere in Nigeria will acquire the indigeneship (residency) rights of the area at birth.

2) Similarly, any Nigerian citizen who has resided in any part of Nigeria and paid taxes there for a period of ten years can acquire the indigeneship (residency) rights of the area, except for the right to their traditional stool.

Section 6: Internal Security:

a) There should be a two or three-tier police structure with defined responsibilities as follows: a Police Force for the Federation and controlled by the Federal Government, and the Regional/State Constitutions to establish separate Police Forces for each region and each state.

b) The Police Force at every level will be headed by a non-partisan professional. The power to appointment and remove such a head of police will be vested in an independent body.

Section 7: Sharing of Financial Resources:Fiscal Federalism

a) Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution is a negation of the principle of federalism. It should be abrogated. In its place, a truly federal system that gives control of resources to the component units and replaces the current system of unconditional transfers with conditional transfers from the centre as follows:

b) The states will have control over all the natural resources within their territory. Fiscal federalism presupposes the revocation of the Land Use Act of 1978, the Solid Minerals Act, as well as the various Petroleum/Gas Acts and amendments since 1969. The right of ownership, control and exploitation of these and other assets should be returned to the states and/ or federating units.

c) The taxation powers of the various tiers of government should be reviewed to give the federating units greater flexibility and scope to generate revenue internally.

d) States within the federating units should collect and keep 50% of rents, royalties and profit taxes on minerals derived from their states; pay 20% to the regional government, and 30% to the federal government; provided that each tier of government will save at least 5% of the receipts from natural/mineral resources as Future Generation Fund.

e) The Federal Government should set aside 40% of revenue collected from the states/regions as a Distributable Pool Account (DPA). The balance of 60% plus 60% of its own independent revenues such as customs duties, federal VAT, federal income tax, etc. will be deployed to its diminished responsibilities. The sharing of DPA should be equitable and should replace the present unconditional revenue allocation to the states and local governments. Among other things, the DPA should be deployed to the following:

i) Emergency transfers from the DPA made only to distressed states/zones consequent upon natural and environmental emergencies, such as, floods, erosion, earthquakes, desert encroachment, man–made disasters – conflicts insurgency and war.

ii) Distributable Capital Account (DCA) – The balance in the DPA would serve as distributable capital (DCA) from which conditional grants are made to the federating units for capital projects only, on the basis of accountability subject to project- performance monitoring. The DCA would replace the current unconditional monthly allocation, and operate almost as matching grants.

f) The states within a region should collectively decide what percentage of their consolidated revenue they will allocate to the regional government for its operations provided that such contributions will not be less than 10 per cent of the respective states’ gross revenue.

Section 8: Merit and Federal Character Principle

a) Nigeria must maintain an appropriate balance between merit and affirmative action in the conduct of national and regional/state affairs, and the distribution of appointments, amenities, opportunities and privileges among constituent parts. For example, while 60% should be reserved for merit, 40% could be reserved to ensure federal character principle or affirmative action.

b) We recommend that the Federal Character Commission be replaced with Merit and Equal Opportunities Commission.

Section 9: Elections

a) Elections into the office of the President and federal legislature will be conducted by the electoral body of the Federal Government. Elections into regional/state offices will be conducted by electoral bodies set up by the regional/state Constitutions or laws.

b) It is believed that the current system of simple Plurality System (with a simple relative majority as winner) encourages minority governments and is considered out of date. We hereby propose a majoritarian system whereby a winner must score at least 50% of the votes cast to win an election.

c) Independent candidates serve as a form of protest to political parties and should be allowed in the electoral system provided that such candidates meet the minimum criteria to be on the ballot.

Section 10: Judiciary

a) Each federating unit will have its judicial system with courts of first instance, appellate court and Supreme courts to adjudicate on matters that are in the concurrent and residual lists as well as matters exclusively preserved for the federating units.

b) Where the states are the federating units, there will be state high courts, and zonal/regional court of appeal and zonal/regional Supreme Court on matters pertaining to the states and zones/regions.

c) It is the states or regional courts and their appellate courts that will have jurisdiction over electoral matters in their respective states or regions except matters pertaining to the presidential election or federal elections.

d) There shall also be the federal high court, federal appeal court and federal supreme court— to deal with matters on the exclusive list of the Constitution, as well as constitutional matters or conflicts between the federating units and the federal government.

ANNEX A: DEVOLUTION OF POWER:

a) The long list of items on the Exclusive List of the 1999 Constitution should be considerably reduced to the basics required of the central government in a federation including but not limited to: defence, immigration, currency and monetary policy, customs and excise, foreign affairs.

b) Under the 1999 Constitution, the Federal Government controls both the Exclusive and Concurrent lists in the Constitution because federal legislations on matters in the concurrent list supersede the state legislations. It is proposed that on matters on the concurrent legislative list, the Federal Government should be concerned with regulation to ensure minimum national standards, and leave the regions/states to be innovative and competitive in the design of their policies, programmes and regulations relating to such concurrent items.

c) Where conflicts arise between the federal and regional/state legislation with regard to matters on the concurrent list, such conflicts will be resolved through ‘mutual consent’.

Federal Exclusive Legislative List

Items

Accounts of the Government of the Federation and officers, courts and authorities thereof, including audit of those accounts.

Archives, other than the public records of the Governments of the Regions or States

Aviation standards

Bills of exchange and promissory notes.

Borrowing of monies outside Nigeria for the purposes of the Federal Government or of any Region, other than borrowing by the Government of a Region/state on the security of any funds or assets of that government held outside Nigeria or borrowing that is not the liability of the Federation

Borrowing of monies within Nigeria for the purposes of the Federal Government.

Currency, coinage and legal tender.

Customs and excise duties, including export duties.

Defence.

Deportation of persons who are not citizens of Nigeria.

Exchange control.

External affairs.

Extradition.

Prescription of minimum standards of education at all levels.

Immigration into and emigration from Nigeria.

Legal proceedings between the Government of the Federation and any other person or authority or between the Governments of Zones or States.

Prescription of standards with respect to maritime shipping and navigation, including:

Shipping and navigation of tidal water

Shipping and navigation on the River Niger and its effluents and on any such other inland waterway as may be declared by the National Assembly to be an international waterway or to be an inter-Regional waterway;

Lighthouse, lightships, beacons and other provisions for the safety of shipping and navigation;

Such ports as may be declared by the National Assembly to be Federal ports (including the constitution and powers of port authorities for federal ports), provided that where such ports belong to the regions/states, the declaration as a federal port willl be with the consent of the region/state.

Meteorology

Museums established by the Federal Government

Naval, military and air forces.

Nuclear energy.

Passports and visas.

Patent, trade mark, designs and merchandise marks.

Pensions, gratuities and other like benefits payable out of the Consolidated

Revenue Funds or any other public funds of the Federation or federal government?.

Posts, telegraphs and telephones, including post office savings banks.

Powers, privileges and immunities of each House of the National Assembly and its members.

The public debt of the Federal Government.

Public relations of the Federation.

The public service of the Federation, including the settlement of disputes between the Federation and officers in the public service of the Federation.

Tribunals of enquiry with respect to all or any of the matters mentioned in this list

Trunk roads, that is to say, the construction, alteration and maintenance of such roads as may be declared as federal trunk roads.

Water from such sources as may be declared by the National Assembly to be source affecting more than one territory.

Weights and measures.

Wireless, broadcasting and television other than broadcasting and television provided by the Government of Regions or States; allocation of wavelengths for wireless, broadcasting and television transmission.

The matters with respect to which the National Assembly is empowered to make laws by provisions of this Constitution.

Any matter that is incidental or supplementary:

To any matter mentioned elsewhere in this list; or

To the discharge by the Government of the Federation or any officer, court or authority of the Federation of any function conferred by this Constitution.

The Concurrent Legislative List

Items:

Antiquities.

Arms and ammunition.

Bankruptcy and insolvency.

Census.

Chemical Services, including analytical services.

Commercial and industrial monopolies, combines and trusts.

Control of capital issues.

Control of the voluntary movement of persons between territories.

Such drugs and poisons as may with the consent of the governments of the Zones or States be designated by the President by order.

Fingerprints, identification and criminal records.

Higher education, that is to say, institutions and other bodies offering courses or conducting examinations of a university, technological or of a professional character.

Incorporation, regulation and winding up of bodies corporate, other than cooperative societies, native authorities, local government authorities and bodies corporate established directly by any law enacted by the legislature of a Region or State.

Insurance other than insurance undertaken by the Government of a Zone or State but including any insurance undertaken by the Government of a Zone that extends beyond the units of that Zone.

Industrial Development

Labour, that is to say, conditions of labour, industrial relations, trade unions and welfare of labour.

The legal and medical professions and such other professional occupations as may with the consent of the governments of the Zones be designated by the President by order.

All marriages, customary, statutory.

National monuments, that is to say, such monuments in a Zone as may with the consent of the Government of that Zone be designated by the President by order as national monuments.

National parks, that is to say, the control of such areas in a Zone as may with the consent of the Government of that Zone be designated by the President by order as national parks.

Prisons and other institutions for the treatment of offenders.

Promotion of tourist traffic.

Railways, including ancillary transport and other services

Taxes on amounts paid or payable or the sale or purchase of commodities except: produce; hides and skins; motor spirit; automotive gas oil sold or purchased for use in road vehicles; AGO sold or purchased for other than industrial purposes.

The maintaining and securing of public safety and public order; the providing, maintaining and securing of such supplies and services as may be designated by the President by order as essential supplies and services.

Quarantine

Registration of business names.

Scientific and industrial research.

10.

Service and execution in a Zone of the civil and criminal processes, judgments, decrees, order and other decisions of any court of law outside Nigeria or any court of law in Nigeria other than the Supreme Court, the High Court of that Zone or State or any court of law established by the legislature of that Zone or State.

Statistics.

Traffic on Federal trunk road

Tribunals of enquiry with respect to all or any of the matters mentioned elsewhere in this list.

Trigonometrical, cadastral and topographical surveys.

Water; Energy; Electricity.

The matters with respect to which National Assembly is empowered to make provision

Any matter that is incidental or supplementary to any matter mentioned elsewhere in this list.

On Monday, May 21, 2018

OurMumuDon Movement Commences Voters Education in Anambra

bvichannel1

May 21, 2018

Nigeria’s popular maverick cum social activist, Charles Oputa (Charley Boy) with his over one thousand OurMumudondo members, last week thurday, 17th May ,2018, marched round major streets in Anambra State sensitizing the populace to register, obtain their permanent voters card and vote at 2019 general election.

The movement, BVI Channel 1 online learnt marched through the popular Aroma junction to Nnamdi Azikiwe University temporary site, Eke Awka market, Amawbia bypass, Umuokpu Awka, Enugwu-Ukwu, amongst other places, bearing its insignia and sharing fliers.At the popular eke awka market,CharleyBoy sat on the round about to draw the attention of market women who came out in large numbers to receive AreaFather.The Leader of OurMumuDondo Movement advised the market women to go for PVC and use the card to vote out all the wicked and visionless political leaders.He begged them not to sell their votes.

OurMumuDondo, it was further learnt, were joined by hundreds of volunteer commercial and private motorists, motorcyclists and keke operators causing heavy traffic gridlock along the roads and places passed.Areafather took over the road while thousands of ordinary people came behind him.

Sensitizing the masses as they march round the streets, Charley Boy advised the electorate to ensure that their votes count, while insisting that things can only change for best in the country when the eligible voters shun money politics, thuggery and other electoral offences.

He also enjoined the populace to hold their leaders accountable, while harping on the needs for both the young and the old to uphold morality.

On his part, the Anambra State Co-ordinator of Ourmumudondo, Mr Ndubuisi Anaenugwu explained that the movement comprises of angry and aggrieved citizens with interest to serve the people.

Anaenugwu assured the people that “We shall commence an aggressive campaign for the power of PVC and we shall insist on electing the best to represent us in government. Buying and selling of votes will be addressed with new strategy and approach. To those who believe in Biafra, there is nothing wrong with that, however, it is expected that various windows provided by the law should be explored.”

Speaking at a lecture held after the walk, Dr Dozie Ikedife, the former President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo represented by Anthony Anaebue, charged Anambra State to be at forefront of electoral education and good governance.

According to Ikedife, the root of mumu in every Igbo land is from Anambra state and an end to its “mumuness” amounts to good governance, accountability and equality to both the govern and the governed.

“The revolution is now. But the revolution we are talking about is to obtain our PVC and vote for good governance. On no account must you sale your vote for any reason. You must not boycott or shun any election thinking that the government and governance do not concern you. That is mumuness. You must note that the same government you don’t feel like voting in or voting out of power can still make policy which can make or mar that your business or whatever you paid more attention to,” he added.On her part,the Leader of South East Political Summit-Rita Anigbogu who was the guest speaker told that everyone present in the event that PVC is like a gun freely given to the people to fire bad politicians.

Also the Biafran War Veteran seized the occasion to plead with AreaFather to fight for their interest.According to the Leader of War Veterans-Brig Gen Onwuegbune ‘ Nigeria has not kept to the terms of surrender of 3Rs.We have not been rehabilitated since after the civil and we call upon the state and federal government to look into our plight and that has remained the major source of our anger’Onwuegbune concluded.CharleyBoy on his part promised to fight alongside the ordinary people on the street.

Finally ,the Anambra State Chapter of OurMumuDondo was inaugurated and charged to work .Ndubuisi Anaenugwu -The State Coordinator Of the Movement promised to lead the movement of the people in the state with all honesty and sincerity of purpose.

Maureen reporting for BVI Channel 1

BREAKING: Tanker drivers block Enugu-PH highway over police killing of member

Queen Madu

May 15, 2018

Vehicular movement in and out of Enugu, the Enugu state capital, from the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, has been blocked since the early hours of Tuesday.

This follows protests by tanker drivers over a policeman shooting and killing a fellow tanker driver at the Nenwe junction of the highway in Aninri Local Government Area of the state.

Confusion reigned as a multitude of commuters were left stranded as at the time of filling this report.

As of right now, there no Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officers on ground to manage the situation.

Details later

sun

OurMumuDondo Writes AGF To Designate Herdsmen Terrorist Organisation

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May 14, 2018

SECURING NIGERIA FROM TERROR: THE URGENT NEED TO INVOKE RELEVANT SECTIONS OF OUR LAWS FOR THE PROSCRIPTION AND DESIGNATION OF KILLER HERDSMEN A TERRORIST GROUP

We are extremely concerned that the survival of Nigeria is currently being threatened by the atrocities of killer herdsmen in the country. On a daily basis, innocent Nigerians are being slaughtered in different parts of the country. In 2018 alone, hundreds of innocent Nigerians have been cut down by this group, and hundreds of communities have been affected by its wanton destructions of human lives and properties, so much so that President Muhammadu Buhari had to publicly declare during his recent visits to the United Kingdom and the United States of America, that Nigeria is under the invasion of killer herdsmen from Libya. It is, however, instructive to admit for effective action and intervention that there cannot be infiltrations into the country by external forces without internal collaborators.

We consider the recent decision of the Federal Government that “all animal farmers must ranch their cattle and livestock for better productivity,” as a significant step, but one that is not sufficient alone to stop the killings and destructions because the country is already under the invasion of killer herdsmen who have penetrated every part and are in vast possessions of dangerous weapons with covert line of funding.

According to the Global Terrorism Index, these killer herdsmen are the deadliest in Nigeria; deadlier than Boko Haram, and at a point, was declared the fourth deadliest extremist group in the world. Available statistics show that more than 900 innocent lives have been lost so far in 2018 to the unprovoked, brutish attacks of killer herdsmen in the Middle-belt zone of the country, alone. Scores have also been massacred in other zones, thereby putting the country on the precipice. Please recall that thousands of Nigerians have died in the last five years as a result of killer herdsmen attacks and killings, causing serious economic and social dislocations to communities and tens of thousands of people.

The attacks by these killer herdsmen have affected innocent and peace-loving Nigerians in their thousands across the country, uprooted families, destroyed communities’ socio-economic activities and businesses, depriving them of their means of survival and the desecration of their cultural and ancestral heritage. These barbaric killings and mindless attacks undermine the laws of Nigeria and principles of the UN Charter concerning the protection of human life.

With utmost sense of concern and responsibility, we write on behalf of all the victims of these inhumane killings and all angry, frustrated, and oppressed Nigerians, demanding that the Federal Government takes an immediate step to invoke Section 2(1)(c) of the Terrorism Prevention Act (TPA) 2011, against the killer herdsmen, which provides in pertinent part that:

“(1) Where two or more persons associate for the purpose of or where an organization engages in — (a) Participating or collaborating in an act of terrorism; (b) promoting, encouraging or exhorting others to commit an act of terrorism; or (c) setting up or pursuing acts of terrorism, the judge in Chambers may on an application made by the Attorney General, National Security Adviser or Inspector General of Police on the approval of the President; declare any entity to be a proscribed organization and the notice should be published in official gazette.”

It is clearly stated in Chapter II section 14 (2)b of the 1999 constitution (as amended) that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. Unfortunately, the reverse has been the case so far. And the implication of government’s inability to nip this crisis in the bud is the potentiality of it snowballing into an uncontrollable chaotic whirlwind.

The proscription of these killer herdsmen and their designation as a terrorist group will give the Federal Government a greater leverage to seek better regional cooperation and international support to confront and address this menace concertedly. The fact that the Federal Government has banned open grazing of cattle, has provided a significant window for security agencies to identify these killer herdsmen so that they can go after them and also investigate their line of funding to unravel those who are secretly colluding with the group.

We are aware, that the Benue state government has in a judicial process, identified and alleged that a group known as Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, is responsible for the widespread killings and violence across 14 out of the 23 local councils in the state. This development has made it compelling for the government to quickly investigate the activities of the group in the interest of entrenching justice, safety, and peace in the state, and the entire country.

We would also like to bring to your attention that the 2019 general elections are scheduled to commence in about 281 days from now, and since the present administration’s focus is to enable a free, fair and credible election, it is crucial that all vestiges of violence are completely exterminated.

We, therefore, strongly urge your esteemed office, which is the highest custodian of law in the country, to immediately take firm action towards getting President Muhammadu Buhari to proscribe and designate the killer herdsmen a terrorist group in Nigeria. By doing so, we believe that the Federal Government will be one step farther in ending this deadly group, at the soonest time possible.

Whilst awaiting your prompt action on our earnest entreaty, please accept the assurances of our highest regard.

SIGNED:

Charles Oputa

FOR: OurMumuDonDo

Deji Adeyanju

FOR: Concerned Nigerians

Ariyo Dare Atoye

For: Coalition in Defence Of Nigerian Democracy

Bako Abdul Usman

For: Campaign For Democracy

Moses Paul

FOR: MAD Connect

CC: Mr. Mohammed Babagana Monguno

Office of the National Security Adviser

Mr. Ibrahim Idris

Office of the Inspector General of Police

Crocodile attacks, destroy lady’s arm a few days to wedding

Queen Madu

May 14, 2018

The woman who lost her arm in a terrifying crocodile attack days before her wedding has spoken of her ordeal.

Zanele Ndlovu was canoeing with then-fiance Jamie Fox on the Zambezi River on April 30 when a crocodile punctured their inflatable boat and pulled her into the water.

“I was just pushing and kicking and trying to fight the croc as much as I could,” said Zanele, 25, who was dragged under the water and bitten on her right arm and left hand.

“Eventually one of the tour guides managed to pull me out of the water and get me onto one of their canoes,” she added.

A guide then applied a tourniquet to her injured arm, which stemmed the bleeding while help was called.

Zanele was then airlifted to hospital in Zimbabwe’s second city of Bulawayo.
She responded so well to treatment that doctors gave the thumbs up for her wedding to go ahead as planned on May 5 – as long as it took place in their chapel.

“We didn’t see a reason to change our date so we went on with it,” said Zanele, who has been with husband Jamie, 27, from Orpington, Kent, for 18 months.

They plan to settle in Britain once Zanele has her visa – and a fully functioning prosthetic arm is also on their agenda.

punch

Rights Group Demands Reverse Of Removal Of Imo CP, Ezike

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May 12, 2018

The National Publicity Secretary Campaign for Democracy (CD) and Human Rights Defenders of Nigeria (HRDN have given federal government seven days ultimatum to reverse the transfer of Commissioner of Police in Imo state Mr. Chris Ezike or it will mobilize for protest in Southeast over the alleged punitive action against the CP for not joining issues with politicians in the last All Progressive Congress (APC) ward congress in the state.

In a joint press briefing by National Publicity Secretary of CD, Dede Uzor A. Uzor and the Public Relations Officer of HEDN, Mr. Charles Ejefonye alleged that the immediate transfer of the CP was politically motivated because he allegedly failed to yield to the directive the governor during the just concluded ward congress in the state.

According to Uzor and Ejefonye, “We heard of the removal of Commissioner of Police in Imo state Mr. Chris Ezike. He was allegedly removed on the instance of governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo over alleged the outcome of APC ward congress in the state which the governor allegedly expected the CP to play a particular role, may be his expectation was not perfected as planned and the governor went to Abuja on Sunday and came back on Monday and the CP was removed”.

“The ugliest aspect is that he is the only CP in Southeast zone. It is a big slap in Igbo people that no single Igbo man is CP in the zone, such actions should be reserved. If you narrow it down to Police Area command and other police positions, southeast doesn’t have up to two percent even in their own land. The posting and transfer of the police men is done well. Our position is very clear, that the deployment of the CP by government should be by politician but should be on merit and professionalism.”

“That the politicians should not have hand in posting of officers, that no single Igbo man is CP in Southeast now like Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Abia and now the only state, Imo state has been taken away from the state. So what they want from the Igbo people now the election is around the corner, does it mean that Igbo people is qualified to be the CP in their zone”.

“What is circumstances that led to his removal? That is the question we should ask, what led to his removal? Was it due to corruption, or is it because of unprofessionalism or because of gross misconduct or abuse of office? The answer is no. He was removed because refused to abide and obey the wishes of the governor which is detrimental to Imo state citizens.

“We are giving them seven days ultimatum to reserve the tail of northernization of southeast or massive protest in Southeast because it is a very big slap to Ndigbo. We are calling on Ohanaeze Ndigbo to wake up and condemn such criminal intimidation and CAN to come up to condemn the action of police leadership against the Ndigbo, enough is enough” the rights’ groups stated.

Anambra Gets New Police Spokesperson, Haruna Replaces Nkiruka Nwode

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May 12, 2018

Press Release: Change Of Posting:

This is to inform the general Public that SP Haruna Mohammed was appointed as the new Command Police Public Relations officer (PPRO) by the Commissioner of Police Anambra State Command, the officer took over from the former PPRO ASP Nkiruka Nwode and will henceforth spearhead all Police Public Relations activities of the Command including Press Briefings and Police Media Relations. He can be reached through GSM NO 08060970639.

Superintendent of Police Haruna Mohammed is a native of Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

He obtained his Bsc HONS in Sociology and Anthropology from University of Maiduguri and later Msc in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolutions at National Open University Lagos in 2013.

He joined Cadet ASP Course 22/2005 at Police Academy Kano on the 1st February, 2005. Since then, he occupied various positions in the Nigeria Police Force which included but not limited to

Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Tafawa Balewa Housing Estate Division, Bauchi, Community Policing Officer,

Officer in charge of Welfare, Police College Maiduguri,Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Bauchi State Command, and

Commander Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) Bauchi among others.

Until his appointment, he was in charge of Anambra State Police Public Complaint and Anti-Piracy unit (APPCAP).

He is a Member of the National Institute for Public Relations (NIPR) and Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP).

–

SP Haruna Mohammed Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Anambra State Police Command.

OBASANJO Spits Fire At ADC Press Conference

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May 12, 2018

MY TREATISE FOR FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY

AND DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Let me start by welcoming and commending the emergence of a renewed and reinvigorated African Democratic Congress, ADC, as a political party. Since the inception of Coalition for Nigeria Movement, CNM, many of the sixty-eight registered political parties had contacted and consulted with the Movement on coming together and working together. The leadership of the Movement, after detailed examination, wide consultation and bearing in mind the orientation, policies and direction of the Movement, have agreed to adopt ADC as its platform to work with others for bringing about desirable change in the Nigeria polity and governance. I congratulate the leadership of the Movement for their decision and their choice. The emergence of ADC is the beginning of hard work to continue to consolidate our democracy and to make development in all its ramifications real, relevant, accessible, popular and reaching out to all Nigerians wherever they may be.

Let me particularly thank and congratulate millions of Nigerians who harkened to my clarion call in my statement of January 23, 2018 that our anger against misgovernance, poor performance, condonation of misconduct, incompetence, destabilising nepotism, cluelessness, denial and scapegoatism, lack of understanding of dynamics of internal politics which have led to greater disunity, inequity, injustice, senseless killings and destruction, must not be like the anger of the cripple but a positive anger coordinated and directed to put an end to the era of impotence and for Nigerians to join hands to seek effective solution through coalition, cooperation and togetherness that will take Nigeria to where God has created it to be. You registered in millions for the Coalition of Nigeria Movement, CNM. Your actions, enthusiasm and commitment, with those of others and other organisations – political parties, civil societies, social and cultural organisations – have made possible the new dawn that the ADC will usher in.

With the emergence of ADC as a political party for the Movement and its associates and in line with my clear position which I have often repeated, the first phase of my job is done and I will not be a member of the Party but as I have always done since I quit partisan politics in 2014, I will keep alive and active on Nigerian and African issues and interests and I will be open to offering advice to any individual or organisation for the unity, development and progress of Nigeria and indeed of Africa. I will, of course, continue to exercise my right to freedom of speech where and when I consider necessary in the interest of Nigeria, Africa and humanity. The second phase will involve galvanisation of all like-minded forces for enthronement of new order in Nigeria.

In recommending the CNM to join the ADC, let me give you some points that are of interest. From the beginning, CNM is not a political party but a popular grassroots movement to stimulate the interest and participation of youth and women in particular in bringing about change in democratic dispensation, governance and development in Nigeria in such a way that power addicts will be forced to yield places for new entrants and participants in the power equation in the country. They will sanitise the system. With the ADC, embracing the policy of 30% youth of under 40 and 30% women in all organs of the Party, a significant paradigm shift has been brought about in the power equation. The ADC is a reformed and reinvigorated party, it will embrace all the features and policies which make CNM attractive and a source of hope and inspiration to millions at home and abroad.

The ADC welcomes associates, other parties, groups and civil society organisations such as cultural, township unions and social organisations and interests. No former political party, movement, social or cultural organisation should claim the sole ownership of the renewed ADC. In name, it is relatively old but in establishment, organisation, membership, policies, programmes, orientation and focus, it is new. If this is not understood, accepted by all and made the foundation and pillar of the political party, it will be starting on a very shaky foundation and it will soon fall. I will advise others to join this political party platform to usher in a new dawn for Nigeria, but I may not be able to advise anybody to join PDP or APC no matter what window-dressing reformation they may claim.

Although PDP would seem to have realised its mistakes of its immediate past of the last eight years or so, its present evolution would, by itself, not give confidence to well-meaning Nigerians who are interested in a new Nigeria in the hands of God that will have leadership, governance, development and values within our culture as its guiding principles with the attributes of honesty, integrity, patriotism, love, unity, industry, incorruptibility, good neighbourliness, faithfulness, trust, courage and love and fear of God held aloft. PDP offered apology without disciplining those who set Nigeria on a course of ruin and some of them are still holding leadership roles in their party. Nigerians may forgive, but Nigerians should never forget; otherwise they will be suffering from amnesia and the same ugliness may raise its head again.

APC, as a political party, is still gloating and revelling in its unrepentant misgovernance of Nigeria and taking Nigerians for fools. There is neither remorse nor appreciation of what they are doing wrong. It is all arrant arrogance and insult upon injury for Nigerians. Whatever the leadership may personally claim, most Nigerians know that they, Nigerians, are poorer today than when APC came in and Nigeria is more impoverished with our foreign loan jumping from $3.6 billion to over $18 billion to be paid by the present and future generations of Nigerians. The country is more divided than ever before because the leadership is playing the ethnic and religious game which is very unfortunate. And the country is more insecure and unsafe for everybody. It is a political party with two classes of membership.

Before I leave this point, it is pertinent to make the point that PDP and APC are not actually made of men and women who are totally evil. There are sprinkles of good men and women out there and among them. But as political parties and the government they led or they are leading in the last eleven years, they have failed and failure should neither be hoisted for embracement nor reinforced. What must be done is to take what is best from all to come together on a new alliance platform that will take us to the promised land. There must be basic and fundamental ground for change and for people to change. What is not desirable is to take the leprous hand of either PDP or APC as the instrument to clean Nigeria up. The clean fingers in either of them can and must be grafted to the clean hands of new entrants and participants to move up and move on and that is what I understand the reinvigorated party platform is all about – change, new order and progress.

The party, ADC, as I understand it, is neither based on the immediate past, condemnable records of PDP as a ruling party in Nigeria nor on the present disastrous and distabilising performance of APC. It is a new platform and a new page in our political history. Some of us must hold ourselves as watchmen and watchwomen for the nation without necessarily belonging to any political party as genuinely concerned and interested citizens and statesmen and stateswomen beyond the ambition of office and enticement of grandeur of position or fortune.

Nigerians must keep their eyes wide open, their ears quite attentive, their minds very clear, their hands very clean and must not remain dumb in the face of atrocities and impunities of the governors against the governed. Those who govern us at all levels must be made to realise that it is our collective rights and sovereignty that they hold in trust for us and to be used for the good of all of us and with all of us having interest and having a stake in how we are governed. It is our God-given right and we must not allow the abuse of it. In the past, we have laid back and we have been taken for a ride. How did we allow Nigeria to be run by K34 without a murmur? Of course, that was followed by the running of Nigeria by Ijaw nation with four women and now by kith and kin and we are still jubilant in the face of atrocities, insecurity, disasters and degradation politically, economically and socially.

When I was in school, tolerating what we have tolerated in the past twelve years with our tails within our legs like frightened dogs, we would be asking if we are collectively mesmerised and we needed to go to ‘aro’ for mental or psychological examination.

Some have asked cynically and skeptically if there would ever be change. I can understand their cynicism and skepticism. If we are doing the same thing and we expect a different result, we would be fooling ourselves. As I said earlier, I believe that what we are having is new with some paradigm shift in power equation involving youth and women. The grassroots involvement which CNM has advocated must be maintained consistently. Inclusiveness must take care of over 25 million Nigerians living with disability so that they can make meaningful contribution to societal discourse and development. They must be made part of popular participation. Elitism must be drastically reduced.

All the political parties that have emerged since the present dispensation in 1999 have been too elitist, and have gradually lost internal democracy, leaving room for corruption and dictatorship. The greatest lacuna in political party administration in Nigeria since the present dispensation is the ownership of the political party through regular contribution of the members of the party for the upkeep of the party. Worse still is what PDP has now accepted as part of its failure and disappointment of the nation which is looting government treasury to finance individual and party elections. Unfortunately, APC has followed suit. To curb corruption, primary elections should cease to be by delegates but by all card-carrying and financial members of the party within their constituencies. This will save lives as many people have died by being shepherded to a central location as delegates to vote at primaries. It also introduced corruption into the system. At one of the PDP primaries within the last eight years, one candidate distributed $10,000 per delegate, the one who distributed $15,000 per delegate won the primary. It was not necessarily on merit but certainly, dollar talked.

Concluding my point on corruption in politics particularly at the primary elections level, there must be strict control of campaign funding and transparent accounting by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of all funds contributed and all funds utilised by individuals and political parties for campaigns. I was shocked when an insider in the PDP told me that the amount of money the party used for 2015 elections would be in the neighbourhood of $3 billion. It was all directly or indirectly from the government treasury.

The change we expect to be forthcoming, realistic and effective, will have to come from all of us – citizens, political parties, executive, legislature, judiciary and electoral organisations. We must stop the blame game and must all realise that Nigeria will be as good as we all make it to be – a good, effective, efficient, performing, equitable, fair, just, peaceful, secure, prosperous, united, wholesome and God-fearing country. I stand on the platform that change is possible and human beings are agents of change and we have seen that in our country both for good and for ill. I remain positive and optimistic.

If we believe we can, we will. Political parties must do their own with a country-centered and value-laden philosophy, orientation and service. We should have one INEC for all elections at local government, State and national levels. We have all seen the ridiculous phenomena of local government elections conducted by States’ so-called INEC being always almost completely won by the ruling party in the State. We all know it is a sham. The National Assembly must rid itself of corruption; and it can do it. It must also make its remuneration relevant to Nigerian economic and social reality. It can also do it. Then it must make laws and amend the Constitution to have one INEC for all elections in the country, strict and scrupulous funding and accounting of all electoral campaigns and all elections. The INEC must be given power to supervise, control and regulate campaign funds and funds and contribution to political parties. The National Assembly must amend the Constitution to allow Nigerians in diaspora with current Nigerian passports to vote in all Nigerian elections at Nigerian Embassies abroad. The National Assembly should also legislate 30% youth of under 40 and 30% women into all organs of political parties and into all institutions of governments. It should be a great step forward.

The Executive which emerges on the platform of one political party must avoid ‘winners take all’ especially in utilising the best brains available in running the affairs of the country. While the government of the day must be run essentially by the political party that wins the election, there must be consultation and cooperation especially on national issues of unity, economy, security and foreign affairs. There must also be minimum acceptable national position on these issues and which will also allow members of other parties that are good enough to be utilised by the government without necessarily running a government of so-called national unity. Rather, all governments should be government of national common interest.

If we get the platform right, we will get the system right particularly in running the government which should be participatory and all-encompassing, not exclusive, discriminatory but talent-hungry and talent-targeting for the good of the country. Governance must not be myopic, restrictive and limited to circle of tribe, friends and blood relations but open-armed, transparent, open-minded, accommodating and seeking for the best wherever the best can be found to achieve the best for the country. We must all be guided and inspired by Nigerian Dream which must be inclusive, elevating and giving hope, great future and conquering spirit to all Nigerians.

In all situations, let us stand for good leadership, good governance, all-round development and enduring and authentic values within our culture. If we get it all right, our demography will be an asset and not a liability nor indeed a disaster. What is more, our democracy will move from strength to strength dynamically, inclusively, workingly, prosperously, equitably, communally and satisfactorily for all, by all and with all. When democracy goes symbiotically with development as they should, a happy, wholesome, united and inclusive society emerges which is secure, formidable, prosperous and respected within the comity of nations. That is God’s plan for Nigeria which Nigerians must make manifest. There is only one reason for where we are now, it is leadership failure.#

My points are borne out of my experience, learning, knowledge and interaction with others. Let us use these ideas as the basis for discussing and debating the course for advancing democracy and development on a sustainable trajectory for Nigeria founded on good leadership and good governance with welfare, well-being and progress of all.

Once again, I congratulate all members of Coalition for Nigeria Movement, all the political parties and civil society organisations that have adopted ADC as a political party platform to move Nigeria up and forward and I wish them success for now and the future. The eyes of the nation and the world are on you to show that with people and organisation of like mind, a real difference is possible and you will make it. I wish you well. But always remember that Nigeria belongs to you as it belongs to those in power. If you fail to use the potent weapon democracy offers you and that is your vote, then you have yourselves to blame. You can move on to the next stage in the democratic advance for change, unity, security, stability, good governance, prosperity and progress. So may it be for Nigeria.

President Olusegun Obasanjo

May 10, 2018

South East Political Summit-A New Political Order in the Making!!

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May 10, 2018

‘Reinventing the Political Consciousness of the South East’-Press Conference of the South East Political Summit (SEPS)

Gentlemen of the press, we heartily welcome you all to this world press conference. It has become auspicious and imperative for us at the platform of the South-East Political Summit(SEPS) to address you at this momentuous and critical period of our history.

Although the concept of ‘South-East’ was a grand design to break-up the Igbo nation, make us landlocked and deny us economic respiration from the sea, we use it here without forgetting that Ndigbo are in the Middle Belt as well as in the South-South.

Every search for solution begins with a single step and from a single spot. So we begin from the South-East. South-East is the heart of the habitation of Ndigbo, a global race that thas has been classified as one of the world’s 10 great tribes. We are disturbed by the state of this people that our late sister, Professor Catherine Acholonu, in her locus classicus, THEY LIVED BEFORE ADAM; PRE-HISTORY OF THE IGBOS, THE NEVER-BEEN-RULED, argues gave birth to all known world civilizations.

There is an enormous degree of burden placed on our shoulders to chart a new course for our people so that we can remove the curse caused by political lethargy and it’s attendant socio-economic downturn of our society.

There is a yawning vacuum that needs urgent attention, to be filled by alternative statesmen who have the interest of our people at heart, to rescue our political space from the doldrums of political somnabulism.

Why is the homeland of the first indigenous Governor General, President of Nigeria and the man who inspired nationalist agitations in Africa (the great Zik of Africa) in this sorry state?

What happened to a people that gave Nigeria her first indigeneous military general(Aguiyi-Ironsi)?

What is happening to education among the people that gave Nigeria her first indigeneous Vice-Chancellor (K.O.Dike), first indigeneous Ph.D(Adiele Afigbo) and the Father of African Literature (Chinualumuogu Achebe)? What is wrong with the economy of a people that produced Africa’s first millionaire and the man whose Rolls Royce was borrowed by Nigeria to drive Queen Elizabeth 2 during her on a state visit in February, 1956 (Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu)? What is now wrong with the people who gave the world the Father of the Internet (Philip Emeagwali)?

How can the place that was the fastest growing economy in the 1960s under M.I.Okpara be in such developmental quandary? Where are the Nwafor Orizus, Alvan Ikokus, K.O.Mbadiwes, Akanu Ibiams, Ofia Nwalis, Mbonu Ojikes, Z.C.Obis, Sam Mbakwes, C.C.Onohs, Oyibo Odinammadus, etc of South-East politics?

Why have we continually remained the underdogs despite having produced the Margaret Ekpos, the Dora Akunyilis, the Stella Oduas, the Okonjo-Iwealas, the Ndi Okereke-Onyiukes, the Chimamanda Adichies and the Onyeka Onwenus?

What has happened to the greatness foreseen by the Eze Kanu Ojis, Igwe Charles Abangwus, Igwe Edward Nnajis, Igwe John Nwodos, and other great royalties of our people?

These are the people who produced the first president of Liberia, and the current president of Gabon.

The apathy, cultural surrender and political ignorance that has ravaged our territory and reduced us to mere spectators in the political struggle of the past 20 years is the reason why we have decided to take the bulls by the proverbial horns. We have decided that it is time to sensitize, mobilize and conscientize our people to rise up and fully occupy our political space. We are not a political party. It is not just another political presure group! It is rather, a mass movement geared towards re-inventing political consciousness in the South-East.

Our goal is to ensure that democratic decision-making returns to our people. We desire that men and women of integrity, sincerity, honesty and sacrifice return to the political drivers’ seats again.

We are aware that pristine Igbo society operated the best democracy the world ever knew. In those days when the people gather under the big trees or the town squares to deliberate, families and clans, age grades and elders pick the best, the most-trusted and the virtuous to represent them. We are no longer going to have leaders who would tell the people they are supposed to serve that things are hard, yet they live in opulence and splendor. We are searching for leaders like Michael Okpara and Akanu Ibiam, whose estates, companies, hotels, outlandish houses we cannot see today among the people. They were selfless, they lived for the people.

Ndigbo need to be told that 33 years ago, in 1985 when Okpara died, his body was kept in the morgue so that a bungalow could be erected at his place before his burial. Although we should honour our leaders while they are alive, Okpara is an example of selfless service.

Compare this with the kleptomania of the current crop of leaders and you would agree with us that this re-invention of political consciousness is timely. We already have tens of thousands of members waiting in every village, every town and local government area in the South-East who share our goals and who are worried by the political ignorance exhibited by our people. They are determined to embark on this historical mission to free our people from this self-imposed bondage.

According to Lin Quan Yu, father of modern Singapore, ‘the basic principle for social transformation is a merit-based society’. We can no longer sacrifice merit on the altar of political parasitism, sychophancy and rapacious politicking. George Washington, the 1st President of the United States of America once said that ‘worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble’.

Our political class have borrowed trouble with their words, body language and action. They should be worried now that the people want to take back their power. However, they have an option;THEY EITHER REPENT AND JOIN THE SEPS TRAIN AS IT MOVES TO THE FREEDOM STATION OR RISK BEING RETIRED INGLORIOUSLY WITH THE PERMANENT VOTERS CARD (PVC), WHICH IS DEADLIER THAN AN AK 47!

South-East must be administered by those chosen by the people and not by anti-people politicians who play agency roles for forces outside our political space. Our State, Local Government and Ward coordinators are men and women who have waited for platforms such as ours.

They understand the urgency and the importance of the task at hand. Those who want to lead us must be people of proven integrity, men and women for who politics is not merchandise. Any party that fields a candidate that has credibility problem, or that has a past with can of worms would have itself to blame at the polls because we have resolved to take our destiny in our hands. We believe that sovereignty belongs to the people and our members would mobilize the people to take back power from the usurpers.

We call upon you all brothers and sisters to come with us.

You artisan, you trader, business man and woman, professional, captain of industry, religious leader, traditional institution, politician and student, we call upon you to be part of this great journey.

The die is cast. Welcome on board the electric train called South East Political Summit. See you at the freedom station where the train will finally stop!

Thank you and God bless you.

Signed,

Eberechukwu AnigboguDirector Anigbogu-Leader

ThankGod Ofoelue – Head of Media

Breaking: ADC is now Obasanjo Party!

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May 10, 2018

The leadership of a political pressure group founded by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Coalition for Nigerian Movement, CNM, Thursday, announced its fusion into African Democratic Congress, ADC. This is with a view to forming a formidable force to wrestle power from the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC in 2019 poll. Obasanjo formerly registering as a member of Coalition for Nigerian Movement .

It was resolved that with the understanding of like minded persons and organizations across the country, Nigeria will be rescued, and that the elections of 2018 and 2019 will be used to cure the curse and afflictions of failed leadership and perpetual underdevelopment A Co-Convener of CNM, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who made the pronouncement at a world press conference in Abuja, said with this development, the Coalition for Nigerian Movement, CNM, has ceased to exist, having formally collapsed into the political party. He said, the decision to move in to African Democratic Congress therefore, is an appreciation of the progressive essence of the party and its untainted existence on the terrain of our nation’s politics.

The former military administrator of Lagos state, who regretted the worsening state of things in the country, added, “We have said it before and we are stating it here again that the current state of despair and despondency in our dear country is an ill wind. “It is foreboding and can only lead to a conflagration. Between January when CNM was formed and now, can we say that the story of Nigeria has changed for the better? Have things not worsened at all levels? According to him, “I thank all of you for being here today. You will all recall that in January this year, the Coalition for Nigeria Movement, CNM, was formed by some of us across the country as a political platform to create a new generation of leaders for our country. “Between that time and today, a lot of grounds has been covered in achieving the set goals. One of such is what we are doing here today – the formal fusing of – our movement into the African Democratic Congress. “Beyond what we are doing here today, we put our countrymen and women, old and young, on notice that they should expect more from us; that they should expect deepened political engagements across platforms in the coming days and weeks.

In other words, this is just the first in a multi layered action plan to give back the country to its much deprived people. “As we stated in January during the launch of the CNM, we are taking on this task not minding the inconveniences and other expected and unexpected consequences of our efforts at reinventing the country. “We admit that structural inadequacies and failure of leadership have robbed our country of greatness. We also note that a future of greatness for Nigeria will only be birthed by a new generation of youthful leaders with fresh ideas and knowledge of what it takes to govern a 21 st century nation. “This gathering here today is a proof that the modest efforts at waking up the vast majority of our people to for once, take their destiny in their hands as demanded by the constitution are bearing fruits already. Our constitution guarantees all Nigerians their fundamental human rights, including freedom of association and the right to hold political views. “The decision to move in to African Democratic Congress therefore, is an appreciation of the progressive essence of the party and its untainted existence on the terrain of our nation’s politics. “While I on behalf of the leadership and the over three million members of the CNM congratulate ADC as the vehicle for national reinvention, I urge us to let us know that the task ahead is an arduous one that needs further strengthening of the forces of change. What I am saying is that we should be open to new engagements and alliances being forged and crystallizing across the country.” Oyinlola, who was also a former Osun state Governor stressed further that, “We should remain committed to the use of the tools of democracy to recreate a ·Nigeria that will truly serve all, irrespective of religion, tribe or socio ‘economic status. “We have said it before and we are stating it here again that the current state of despair and despondency in our dear country is an ill wind. “ It is foreboding and can only lead to a conflagration. Between January ‘when CNM was formed and now, can we say that the story of Nigeria has changed for the better? Have things not worsened at all levels? “Indeed, every one of us who has been in power before at whatever level may have a share of the blame for the state of the nation. That fact, however, will not disqualify us from being part of, and indeed, stand at the vanguard of finding a lasting solution to this problem. “Indeed, those who have seen it all but with the right perspective are better placed to bring in knowledgeable young men and women to come and reinvent the country for the challenges of the future. “ADC and other like- minded political parties should join other patriots in democratically building and enthroning a new set of youthful, knowledgeable and goal- oriented leadership for this country. We believe, therefore, that through right engagements and fundamental reordering of the affairs of our nation, our country will be out of the woods. Nigerians are a very resilient people.

They are great optimists. “They have invested so much trust and hope in our democratic infrastructure with very miserable returns, so far. As I stated during the launch of the CNM our country must not continue to be condemned to a four yearly ritual of voting without results. “To get positive results, therefore, we must get right the choice of leadership. But the apple does not fall far from its tree. Only credible, positive platforms can produce positive results. A tree conceived and nurtured in lies can only bear imaginary fruits. Every government has ideas and programmes – most times packaged in flowery prose. “The deficit in leadership is noticed at the point of implementation of the ideas and policies. ADC from its well enunciated policies and Programmes is well placed to make democracy work for the people. “ADC is properly placed to join other patriots in moving Nigerians in all the wards, the 774 local governments and the 36 states to join hands to make our country truly great. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, we have a job to do. “The destiny of Nigeria is not to remain forever in crisis and in the doldrums.

As the CNM takes this momentous step of coalescing into ADC as a vital step in building a national consensus to reconstruct the country, we assure all Nigerians with there support. “And the understanding of like minded persons and organizations across the country, Nigeria will be rescued. God willing the elections of 2018 and 2019 will be used to cure the curse and afflictions of failed leadership and perpetual underdevelopment.” In his remarks, the founding National Chairman of African Democratic Congress, ADC, Chief Ralphs Nwosu described the fusion as the dawn of great Nigeria project; Leading with the right ethical Compass. Chief Nwosu said, “Nation building could be a very daunting exercise. But with good and committed leaders, the journey could be much easier. I invite all Nigerians to have very deep reflection concerning our Nation Nigeria, and its lOO years of Nationhood.” According to him, “Today our great country with 200 million population is in a dysfunctional state. Our biggest resources in human capacity and diversity seem to be weighing us down and tearing us apart. “However, I do not want to dwell on our failings.

I want to assure you all that we the African Democratic Congress ADC working with Coalition [or Nigeria Movement CNlM, and many strategic coalition partners, involving a Rainbow coalition of Political parties, civil societies, labor and trade.” unions, and well-meaning eminent Nigerians are determined to reframe the narratives about Nigeria. “We have worked tirelessly to put this coalition together. Many important stakeholders helped to guide our party. I wish to specially mention President Obasanjo for his tireless support. His word “I am not perfect, but 1 enjoin you to join me in having deep passion and unshakable commitment for Nigeria”. “This will guide this new ADC always. The formal launch of our new ADC party will take place so. I wish to enjoin all of us to embrace our philosophy of role modelling leadership as a way to building the new Nigeria and a greater Africa. “In everything we do, to be successful, we must remain true to ourselves. Deep reflection helps leaders to clear their heads, clarify their path to be able to focus purposefully, for each party involved; we expect true and committed engagement to the Nigeria Project.” 2019:

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