THE EARTH LOST YOU BUT THE HEAVENS GAINED A PRECIOUS SOUL: A TRIBUTE TO THE EVERGREEN MEMORY OF AMARIS CHIMBUCHI (APRIL, 17 – AUGUST, 24 2019)

“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” -  Colossians 3:3-4

Dear Amaris: You ‘are’ our daughter in whom we ‘are’ well pleased. You would have turned a year older today 17th April, 2020. As your lovely parents, we would have rolled out drums to celebrate you with our all. Unfortunately,  you succumbed to the cold hands of death at a tender age of only four (4) months and six days.
Nothing seemed to have worked that day you unwillingly surrendered to the gnawing sting of death. We had fervently interceded on your behalf and begged God to intervene in the precarious situation and save you. Our supplication could not save you. The doctors could not either. We all helplessly watched while you struggled tirelessly to live and fulfil your destiny on earth. You indeed wanted to live. In our immortality, we had questioned why God “refused” to turn His gracious light of countenance upon an innocent dying child. At the end the worst happened, we lost you, the earth lost you but the heavens gained a precious soul. It was glory and hallelujah as the heavenly hosts welcomed you on arrival at the beautiful gate.
As mortals, our hearts bled profusely and tears flew freely. The pain and anguish of losing a JEWEL swells at the sight or mention of anything related to you. As people leave the grave yard in silence at the end of your internment; it dawned on me that you were no more. Our golden trophy was no more. My life seemed to have come to its crashing dead end as I sat haplessly beside your little grave in tears and unwilling to leave.
You were beautiful, smart and full of energy. Grand ma nicknamed you akwara foro otu. You were peaceful. You were intelligent. You were Daddy. At four months you knew Daddy. You knew Mummy, Peace, Grandma and others. We had bonded so well and had devised our own means of conversation.  As we pen this piece in pain and in evergreen memory of your short but fulfilled life, we could not but pause to reflect on the transient nature of man. Your passing on to eternal glory reinforced the stark reality of the saying that death is a necessary end. “Death, a necessary end, will come when it will come.” We had prayed and begged and cried to God to preserve you not knowing that the necessary end was indeed here. Today, we have come to realise that even in sorrow and death, God deserves our honour and praise. His might, power and glory cannot be taken away. Nothing happens without His knowledge and imprimatur. It was entirely His wish and will.
After nine years of waiting on the Lord in the wilderness of unfruitfulness, the Omnipotent God who gives freely without cost appeared in our family with a special gift. Our joy knew no bounds. Friends and relatives joined in their numbers to celebrate Gods manifest blessings, wonderful works, uncommon miracle and favour. The joy of celebrating this wonder of God disappeared so suddenly and quickly. Our long awaited testimony to the faithfulness and promises of God was cut short. The question was: God why? Your name was Amaris (Given by God) and Chimbuchi (God is God). Even in your death, God is not less. He gives; and continues to give, is still God and shall forever continue to be. In all situations and circumstances, we will give glory to God for His unfailing grace and faithfulness.
As we mourn your exit and ponder on the journey so far; we have taken solace in God’s word as exemplified in I Thess. 4:13-17, “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again; and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the LORD's word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the LORD, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the LORD himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the LORD in the air. And so we will be with the LORD forever.”
We end this our outpour of love to you with a rendition by Horatio Spafford and composed by Philip Bliss entitled “It Is Well With My Soul”:
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.
Refrain:
 It is well with my soul, It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!— My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live: If Jordan above me shall roll, No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait, The sky, not the grave, is our goal; Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord! Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll; The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, Even so, it is well with my soul.

Rest well Amaris


*With lots of love from Mummy and Daddy*

Exposed: Politicians, NNPC Staff 'Forged' Buhari's Signature to Sell $19m Crude Oil

More shocking revelations of looting. A member of the House of Reps, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, has alleged that certain politicians in connivance with some staff of NNPC, forged President Buhari’s signature in order to illegally sell crude oil from Nigeria worth $19 million in China.

He made the disclosure on Channels TV's Sunrise Daily programme.

Hon. Ehiozuwa, who chairs House ad-hoc committee on sale of crude oil to foreign destinations, added that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, was aware of the forged letter and that investigations were ongoing to prosecute the culprits.

He said that the level of corruption in the petroleum sector which has been uncovered by his committee requires firm political will, and a radical approach to fight it.

He said: “In this letter here, this is not President Buhari’s signature but it was forged by our people – by Nigerians who wanted to sell the crude in China worth about $19 million.

“I tell you the truth, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) is also aware. We are working day and night to also do what is needed to get it right because he (the AGF) is the custodian of the laws in the nation.

“So, I’m saying I must tell you that the corruption in this country didn’t just start yesterday. It is a cancer, and to cure cancer, you need a radical approach getting the radical approach in this case means you have to step on peoples’ toes, which might affect those that are probably close to you.

“What is important is ability to have that willingness to commit to the fight against corruption. Let’s give credit to Mr. President in the war against corruption. We must do our part as well."

Police invite Sahara Reporters Publisher, Sowore, Again

The Nigeria police on Monday again invited the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, to a meeting on Thursday with the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigations Department(SCID) in Lagos.

The invitation, which came as text message, did not disclose the purpose of the meeting. It merely invited Sowore and his colleagues to meet with the police authorities for an interview at 10a.m at the SCID headquarters in the Yaba area of Lagos.

According to PT, Sowore was on January 9 physically assaulted in Lagos by one Lekan Fatodu over a report by SR detailing how Mr. Fatodu was allegedly used as a front by Femi Fani-Kayode to corner public funds through the office of the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

When Sowore was brought before Fatai Owoseni, Lagos Police Commissioner, the police claimed a petition alleging criminal libel had been submitted by Mr. Fatodu against Sowore.

The following day when Sowore arrived at SCID, the police were more interested in “mediation”, asking Sowore to meet Mr. Fatodu to resolve their differences.

Sowore refused, saying the police had been dishonest in the handling of the case.

His attorney, Femi Falana, on January 12 issued a statement saying the allegations of threat to life, criminal libel and extortion stated in Mr. Fatodu’s petition were false.

A few days after Sowore’s release, a new dimension arose when a lawyer, Ugochukwu Osuagwu, issued a statement claiming Sowore was barred from leaving Nigeria over Mr. Fatodu’s petition.

Mr. Osuagwu is the same lawyer who, in January, addressed a petition to the police on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Yusuf Buratai, which led to the arrest of two Premium Times journalists a few days after Sowore was attacked and arrested in Lagos.

The continued police harassment of Sowore and other journalists has attracted condemnation by press freedom bodies across the globe.

Mr. Sowore told our reporters he plans to honour the invitation of the police on Thursday, an event which coincides with his birthday.

Police invite Sahara Reporters Publisher, Sowore, Again

The Nigeria police on Monday again invited the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, to a meeting on Thursday with the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigations Department(SCID) in Lagos.

The invitation, which came as text message, did not disclose the purpose of the meeting. It merely invited Sowore and his colleagues to meet with the police authorities for an interview at 10a.m at the SCID headquarters in the Yaba area of Lagos.

According to PT, Sowore was on January 9 physically assaulted in Lagos by one Lekan Fatodu over a report by SR detailing how Mr. Fatodu was allegedly used as a front by Femi Fani-Kayode to corner public funds through the office of the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

When Sowore was brought before Fatai Owoseni, Lagos Police Commissioner, the police claimed a petition alleging criminal libel had been submitted by Mr. Fatodu against Sowore.

The following day when Sowore arrived at SCID, the police were more interested in “mediation”, asking Sowore to meet Mr. Fatodu to resolve their differences.

Sowore refused, saying the police had been dishonest in the handling of the case.

His attorney, Femi Falana, on January 12 issued a statement saying the allegations of threat to life, criminal libel and extortion stated in Mr. Fatodu’s petition were false.

A few days after Sowore’s release, a new dimension arose when a lawyer, Ugochukwu Osuagwu, issued a statement claiming Sowore was barred from leaving Nigeria over Mr. Fatodu’s petition.

Mr. Osuagwu is the same lawyer who, in January, addressed a petition to the police on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Yusuf Buratai, which led to the arrest of two Premium Times journalists a few days after Sowore was attacked and arrested in Lagos.

The continued police harassment of Sowore and other journalists has attracted condemnation by press freedom bodies across the globe.

Mr. Sowore told our reporters he plans to honour the invitation of the police on Thursday, an event which coincides with his birthday.

Fashola disowns N2bn planted in Housing ministry budget

ABUJA— Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, yesterday, shocked the Senate with the denial of N2 billion allegedly voted for regional housing scheme by the Ministry of Finance. The money is part of the N64.991 billion budgetary proposals for the housing sector this year. Speaking, yesterday, in Abuja when he appeared before the Committee on Land, Housing and Urban Development, led by Senator Barnabas Gemade, APC Benue North East, to defend the 2017 budget, Fashola said the Ministry of Finance planted it in the 2017 budgetary profile of the Ministry of Housing as its own initiative, tagged “Regional Housing Scheme.” Fashola He was merely responding to the question raised by chairman of the committee, who requested to know how the ministry came about the regional housing scheme. Fashola said: “I know as much of it as you do because it is not our initiative.” Following the denial, Gemade ordered the committee clerk to write the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, to appear before it for explanation on what she knew about the N2 billion allocation which Fashola disowned. Fashola requested the committee to add N6 billion to the total budget estimate of the ministry as an appropriated vote for payment of the $11.9 million Nigeria was owing Shelter Afrik, a Housing Development and Financing Organisation which has membership in 44 African countries. He added that as one who currently chairs the governing board of the organization on the slot of Nigeria, indebted nations, as Nigeria, were set to be expelled from the organization by the end of this year if they refused to pay their dues to avoid total collapse of the development organization. In his presentation, Fashola said other votes in the N64.199 billion 2017 budgetary proposals of the Housing Ministry, aside the questionable N2 billion earmarked for regional housing scheme, were the National Housing Progromme, N41.89 billion; construction, completion and rehabilitation of federal secretariats, N5.379 billion; Zik Mausoleum and Prototype Housing Scheme, N1.325 billion and Projects and Programmes under PPP, N3.367 billion. Others are Cadastral URD and Lands, N3 billion; URD/Special Projects, N2.140 billion; payment of outstanding local debts, N1.2 billion; and Constituency Outreach Intervention Projects, N1.69 billion etc. The committee asked the Minister to forward a written request through the Ministries of Finance and Budget and National Planning. There was, however, disagreement between the two parties when the seemingly moribund status of the Federal Housing Authority, FHA, was raised.  

*vanguard

Udoedeghe was PDP agent in our party –APC

Akwa Ibom chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described  the former gubernatorial aspirant of the party, Senator John Akpanudoedeghe as the Peoples democratic Party (PDP) mole in the party.

APC recently expelled Udoedeghe citing his anti-party activities as reasons.

Reaffirming the expulsion during a press conference, the state chairman of the party, Amadu Attai in company with the secretary, Effiong Etok and other officials, said one of the anti-party activities of Udoedeghe carried out against APC was urging his supporters to work for the electoral victory of the PDP in the 2015 general election.

“We wish to categorically declare here that Akpanudoedeghe never contributed in any way towards the success of the APC in Akwa Ibom State both in the 2015 presidential and gubernatorial elections. Truth be told, he openly and boldly asked a motley of what remains of his supporters to work for the electoral victory of the PDP candidates in that general election.

“Akpanudoedeghe’s belligerence pointedly began when he lost the 2015 governorship primaries of our party to Obong Umana Okon Umana. Ever since, he has wilfully constituted himself into a cog in the wheel of the party’s progress, doing everything within his reach to ensure its failure.

“It is on record that when notified of the sundry harmful anti-party activities perpetrated by Akpanudoedeghe, the APC national leaders and stakeholders initiated various reconciliatory moves. And again, our dear senator, in his usual way, scorned the gestures outright,” Attai said. The party chairman said the summary expulsion of Akpanudoedeghe from APC was done in strict compliance with the provisions of the APC constitution, as amended since the process began at his Ward 6, Uyo, where he was earlier suspended.

“This was followed by a subsequent ratification and a recommendation for his total expulsion by the Uyo chapter executive. There is no doubt that these chain of events are concrete proofs of the snator’s total alienation and disconnect from his immediate Ward (Uyo Ward 6) and chapter.”

Reacting, Akpanudoedeghe described his purported expulsion from the party as sham, saying the state working committee had no power to expel him based on the party constitution.

“They do not have power to expel a ward chairman, not to talk about a Board of Trustees member. Let me tell you that they have no power, no authority to expel me from the party,” he said.

He alleged that those talking of his expulsion from the party were not APC members.

*The sun

Okorocha/Obiano feud: How two Igbo governors tore each other apart

AWKA- THE recent verbal war between the camps of Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and his Anambra State counterpart, Chief Willie Obiano, may ultimately form the basis for a united South East Governors’ Forum, going by the latest development. Media aides of both governors went out, all guns blazing recently, apparently to showcase their ability to defend their bosses well, by writing unprintable things. Surprisingly, both governors were not in the country at the time the media were awash with the attacks from both sides. While Okorocha was in South Africa, Obi was enjoying his vacation in the United States of America, USA, and it was after the dust settled that people realized that the two governors did not sanction the writings in the first place. Newly elected president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio cultural organization, Chief Nnia Nwodo, has taken it upon himself to resolve the matter as he realized that the altercation between the two governors was a merely distracting  the Igbo nation from what is important.

*vanguard

Buhari’s former aide joins APGA in Anambra

The Director of Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari during his presidential campaign in 2003, Chief Uche Ezechukwu has joined the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State.

Speaking shortly after he was registered in his country home of Amesi, Aguata Council area of the state, he said he was motivated to join APGA in order to assist in building a viable party for Ndigbo, which the party represents.

Ezechukwu, who was also media adviser to the late military head of  state, Gen. Sani Abacha, lamented that Igbo people have been grossly marginalised. He, therefore, asked them to forge a common front that would shoot them to the centre.

“As it stands in Nigeria today, people from different ethnic nationalities are going back to their cocoons. My philosophy centres on Igbo, that’s why I decided to join APGA to render service to Ndigbo. Our people are not getting a fair deal from Nigeria,” he lamented.

The Chairman of APGA in the council area, Mr Obiora Ezechukwu and the Anambra South Zonal Chairman, Chief Titus Anigbogu, who handed him APGA party materials, urged Ndi Anambra to re-elect Governor Willie Obiano for a second term to enable him consolidate on the gains the APGA-controlled government has brought to the state.

Meanwhile, a chieftain of the party in Amesi, Ikenna Ezeibenne, disclosed that he had kicked off a re-election campaign for Obiano with the branding of over 40 vehicles.

*The sun

Presidency, Senate to clash over Magu again

The Presidency and the Senate are set to clash again over the confirmation of acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, Daily Trust has gathered.

According to sources, some senators have vowed to reject the confirmation of Magu as substantive chairman of the anti-graft agency after the Presidency re-nominated him for confirmation.

Magu’s confirmation was rejected by the Senate in December 2016, after acting as EFCC chairman for over one year.

The Senate had rejected Magu’s confirmation citing allegations of corruption against him, contained in a Department of State Services (DSS) report.

Some senators, it was gathered, insist that the allegations in the DSS report have not been vacated and the investigation carried out by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami that cleared Magu has not been made public.

Sources who don’t not want to be mentioned, said resending Magu’s name would again pitch the Presidency against the Senate, noting that both President Buhari and acting President Yemi Osinbajo are determined to have Magu lead the anti-corruption campaign.

Other objectors to Magu’s confirmation may be a number of former state Governors and politicians now in the Senate, who were at one time interrogated by the EFCC for corruption.

Contacted, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi said the Senate would take a position on Magu after the consideration of the 2017 budget. 

Meanwhile, an anti corruption crusader, Rasheed Oyewumi has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to disqualify Senate President Bukola Saraki and other ranking senators from being part of the screening of  Magu. 

He said Senators Godswill Akpabio, Jonah Jang, Aliyu Wammakko, Stella Odua, Theodore Orji and Rabiu Kwankwaso cannot be fair if allowed to participate in the screening of Magu. 

Other are: Senators Ahmed Sani, Danjuma Goje, Joshua Dariye and Abdullahi Adamu. Also joined in the suit are the Clerk to the National Assembly, the Senate, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Magu. 

According to Oyewumi, Saraki and others are threatened by the leadership of Magu as EFCC chairman. 

He asked the court to determine whether the Senate President and other senators will not violate the provisions of Section 56, 172 of paragraphý 1 and 9 of the fifth schedule to the 1999 Constitution if they jointly or severally participate in or vote during the screening or deliberation on the nomination of Magu for the position of EFCC.

No date has been fixed for the hearing.

*Dailytrust

Ex-NNPC boss Yakubu forfeits N3bn to FG

A Federal High court sitting in Kano yesterday ordered that the $9.8 million and 74,000 pounds recovered from the former Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Andrew Yakubu, be forfeited to the federal government.

The court presided over by Justice Zainab Abubakar, gave the order while ruling on an ex parte application filed before it by Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Mr. Salisu Sani, counsel to the commission moved the application seeking an interim forfeiture of the recovered money to the federal government.

In her ruling, Justice Zainab held, “That the sum of $9,772,000 (Nine Million, Seven Hundred and Seventy Two Thousand United States Dollars) and £74,000 (Seventy Four Thousand Pound Sterling) which are now in the custody of the applicant (EFCC) are in the interim forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria”

The EFCC had last Friday announced the recovery of the  N3bn from the residence of the former NNPC boss located in Kaduna.

*Dailytrust

LETTER AUTHORISING ILLEGAL DEDUCTION OF 7.7 BILLION FROM TERMINAL BENEFIT OF EX-PHCN STAFF UNCOVERED

The confidential letter authorising the illegal deduction of the over 7.7 billion Naira otherwise known as 2% deducted from the Terminal Benefit (Severance Package) of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) staff nationwide and the untenable rationale behind it has been uncovered. Unsuspecting members of both unions were made to understand that investing their money and capacity building are keys to their overall development in the privatised power sector. The content was flimsy as it was absolutely ridiculous. 

In a letter dated March 15, 2013 exclusively obtained by thenewinsightng.blogspot.com, signed by Joe Ajaero and Bede Opara representing the National Union of Electricity Employees and Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies which was addressed to the former Managing Director Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), the two unions promised that they will invest part of the resources of members to acquire shares in the emergent companies form (sic) PHCN.

The letter reads in part, “our request for the deduction of 2% from our members entitlements is an industry wide decision taken to achieve our cardinal objectives by securing the services of resource persons and other consultants to develop and build capacity of our members: develop infrastructure for the unions to better perform their duties in a deregulated power sector; invest part of the resources of our members to acquire shares in the emergent companies form (sic) PHCN. It is worthy of note that our respective unions gave us the mandate to deduct between 2-5% from their entitlements but we opted for lower percentile which will have negligible impact on their entitlements.”

The unions also added without batting an eye lid that the deduction is to defray all costs associated with the negotiations with the federal government and improve the financial position of the associations. If the 2% deduction from the terminal benefit of the entire staff totaling over 7.7 billion Naira was recklessly spent to defray cost incurred during negotiation for the payment, one wonders what happened to the monthly dues deducted over the years by the unions. Were the check-off dues not big enough to take care of the so called negotiation? Both leadership of the two unions must be reminded that they are salary earners and employees of the members who make up the unions. Therefore, they only performed the duties they were paid for.

The reasons adduced by these two unions was in fact what encouraged the then  management of PHCN to approve their demand bearing in mind that the deduction at that time was meant to further the best interest of staff (ex-staff). When it has become obvious that the purpose of the deduction has been defeated and that over 99.9% of ex-PHCN staff whose monies were deducted as per the 2% are no longer in the employ of any company in the power sector, it is imperative to ask: What concerted effort did the unions make to ensure that the ex-staff who they intend to buy shares for in the emerging companies retained their jobs? Did the unions acquire the so called shares or built the capacity of members as they proposed three years after post-privatisation of the power sector? Is it possible that defraying cost associated with negotiation of payment of terminal benefits of staff has gulped over 7.7 billion Naira? If the unions were armed with the mandate to deduct, the onus lies on them to also properly account for the sum deducted? Finally, what is the status of the money at the moment? These questions beg for answers from the leadership of the two unions.

OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI

Sir, it is my pleasure to join millions of Nigerians in warmly wishing you a happy and prosperous New Year. We bless God who placed you on the throne and gave us the grace to see the beginning of another great year. It is heart-warming to congratulate you and indeed Nigerians on the successes recorded by your administration particularly in the fight against the insurgency which has plagued North-East and for routing Boko Haram from the dreaded Sambisa forest. The nation must not be carried away by this feat but should set out machineries for consolidation of grounds achieved. In one year seven months of your administration, the nation has witnessed tremendous progress in areas of anti-corruption, agriculture, restoration of sanity and decorum in the ways government and other businesses are done. Your government should be commended for raising the bar of transparency and putting the nation on the threshold of behavioural rectitude in both public and private sectors. However, after 19 months in the saddle as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, one is right to orate that the time is ripe for re-appraisal. It is certain that many who closely work with you will give it a new name and put up sycophantic defence to impress you and keep their jobs. Others who claim to love you more than the over 170 million Nigerians would definitely disagree with this view; imputing that it is too early in the day to put your government on the hot seat. Governments fail not for the ill-intentions of the leaders but for being unmindful of those whose stock-in-trade is to paint vivid pictures of popularity, acceptance, growth and development of men and infrastructure even though things are awfully horrible. Remember, only those who genuinely love you can pick the courage to tell you that your mouth stinks. In fact, the honest expectations of Nigerians could not be said to have been met by the promissory notes of your administration in 2016.
For over 19 months you have honoured those who made it happen during the elections. Now is the time for you to honour that poor widow and others like her who donated her mite of 1 million naira, time and energy to sell your candidature. The beginning of 2017 is the appropriate time to rejig your cabinet. More square pegs are required in square holes. A good number of your ministers are toddlers in public service engagements and are lost in the hay-sacks of the formulation of appropriate ministerial policies and programmes. Nigeria is a marriage of strange bed fellows overburdened by many irreconcilable differences in religions, cultures and traditions. In these differences and diversities lie our strength and unity. The nation must genuinely tap from these uniqueness and potentials as a way of moving the nation forward. There is visible hunger and poverty in the land. Civil servants are owed months of salaries especially in states. The cost of essential commodities and rate of unemployment is on the astronomical increase. The economy is prostrate. Your administration must readily take the bull by the horns in an attempt to restore the lost economic glory, provide succour and bridge the unemployment gap. The obvious crack in the unity of Nigeria is widening by the day. And your hard line stance on some burning national issues is not helping matters. There must be consensus-building, mutual respect of all ethnic, religious and cultural views to achieve the Nigeria of our dreams. Genuine reconciliatory approaches to healing the old wounds and pacifying those offended will go a long way to assuaging frayed and flayed nerves. Government’s penchant to disobeying court orders when it does not favour it should be discontinued.

Other issues which will define the strength and maturity of your administration in 2017 and beyond are the restiveness in the Niger-Delta, the secessionist demand of IPOB and the herdsmen-Fulani-communal clashes witnessed throughout the nation. Many had met their untimely deaths for pressing home their demands in peacefully demonstrations against government policies. The inalienable right to association and worship of individuals should be respected by government and security agencies for the desired peace of the nation. The rights of defenceless IPOB demonstrators and Shi’ite worshipers have been infringed upon. The political will and genuine intentions to address these agitations and wanton killings of human beings should top the agenda of your government in 2017. The recent wanton killings and destruction of properties in southern Kaduna by men suspected to be Fulani herdsmen like other ones in Enugu and Benue states has assumed a terrible dimension which demands urgent government attention and intervention. Most Nigerians are forced to believe that the loss or death of cattle means more to you than human lives lost in herdsmen-community clashes owing to the speed with which you personally attend to the welfare of cattle compared to your silent response to deaths of human beings. The nation deserves urgent political restructuring in the interest of stability and egalitarianism. The time for the entrenchment of true federalism is now. The bulk of constitutional responsibilities weighing the federal government down must be devolved. The way Nigeria practices its own form of “federalism” should reflect international best practices. Federalism has common defined constitutional and global approach. Therefore, what it means in in other climes should be reflected what Nigeria practices as well. 

Your administration has since inception dwelt extensively on the liabilities bequeathed to your government by past administrations especially the PDP which pilfered “all the state resources leaving an empty treasury.” Citizens were aware that the nation was notoriously robbed by those who were supposed to jealously guard the national till. But, how long should we look back at the mistakes of the past? According to the Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, His Lordship, Mathew Hassan Kukah, if you take delivery of a brand new Porsche or BMW car and it had a problem, you don’t look for the manufacturer, you look for a mechanic. Therefore, Nigerians look forward to visible solutions to their problems not bulk passing. The nation seems to be bored by the incessant blame game of non-performance of your administration placed at the foot of past administrations.  In 2008, President Obama took over from George Bush, jnr. at the time when America and the rest of the world faced global economic melt-down. He assembled a crack team of renowned experts who ensured America came out the doldrums. Today, your administration has no visible economic team to navigate the nation to safety. All our eggs are currently left in one basket of oil. At the time we had boom, the opportunity was wasted and now we have the bang, the nation went numb. The nation must commence immediate diversification from oil. Huge investment in agriculture which you have identified as a way out must be supported by stakeholders and all the tiers of government. 

Since my discerning adulthood years, celebrating the 2016 Christmas celebration was like passing a Carmel through the eye of a needle. Most states did not pay salaries while the cost of goods and services rose astronomically beyond the reach of the poor. Despite your genuine fatherly advice to Governors to pay salaries with the excess Paris Club refund, most of them did not heed your advice because they felt you over-stepped your constitutional boundary. A funny joke trending on the social media said that, “it is only in Nigeria you tell someone that you are suffering and the person replies “you never suffer reach me” as if suffering has become a competition.” Nigerians are a patient and industrious people who are ready to support the government and key into its policies and programmes but there should be a favourable policy direction. Your government will be judged by the life-transforming-programmes it initiated to better the lots of people not promises made, blames apportioned or reasons giving for non-performance. The political consciousness of Nigerians who chose between APC and PDP in 2015 is on the increase more than ever before. The much people expect from the government is supply of the fundamental needs of life. Therefore, there should be three-square meals daily on peoples’ tables, excellent health care facilities and services, employment opportunities, quality and affordable education, efficient transportation system, adequate shelter, efficient power supply and good drinking water. Finally, Sir, accept the assurances of my best regards.

Sunday Onyemaechi Eze, a Media and Communications Specialist is the publisher of thenewinsightng.blogspot.com. He wrote from Kaduna via sunnyeze02@yahoo.com and can be reached on 08060901201

Vehicle Importers Rush To Beat Jan 1 Ban Deadline

Activities at the Seme and Idi Iroko land borders are now at fever pitch as vehicle importers and auto dealers are rushing to clear their vehicles (new and used) from the borders in order to beat federal government’s December 31, 2016 deadline for the restriction of importation vehicles to the nation’s seaports.

The federal government had earlier in the month announced that from January 1, 2017, there will be no more importation of vehicles through the land borders.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) had indicated, in a press statement, that the ban is sequel to a presidential directive.

A visit by LEADERSHIP to the Seme and Idiroko borders in Lagos and Ogun states, respectively, showed increased activities at the border points as clearing agents and auto dealers were seen moving from one Customs office to the other to clear their vehicles from neighbouring Benin Republic before the deadline.

Speaking to our correspondent, an executive member of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Elder Timothy Ayokunle, said there had been an increase in the numbers of vehicles cleared at the borders since last week.

He told our correspondent that the figures had risen from 180 vehicles in a week to over 300 vehicles since last week.

Elder Ayokunle said: “Those who had already purchased or shipped their vehicles into Benin Republic are in a rush to bring them into the country in order to beat the federal government’s deadline.

“People are hurrying to bring in their vehicles, and I can confirm to you that, by last Friday before we went on vacation, auto dealers and importers were in a rush to clear their vehicles.

“For instance, at Idiroko where we do 20 to 30 vehicles in a day, about 45 to 50 vehicles are cleared in a day now. I may not be around today (Wednesday) but some importers have called me (to say) they need their cars by tomorrow (today) because of the deadline.”

Speaking to our correspondent, the chairman, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Seme Border Chapter, Chief Ekene Ajunwa, said there was a rush by importers to clear their vehicles at Seme.

“What we have presently is a little bit of rush from auto dealers who want to clear their vehicles to beat the federal government deadline,” he said.

Chief Ajuwa, however, wondered why the government would give a short notice for a policy that bans the importation of vehicles through the land borders.

“We have written to the government and complained that there is not enough notice. For instance, what would someone that had shipped vehicles before the policy came on board do? Will they return the vehicles abroad or sell them in Cotonou?” he queried.

Customs public relations officer, Seme Command, Taupyen Selchang, confirmed the last-minute rush by auto dealers and importers to clear their vehicles.

“There is rush because of the deadline of the federal government policy. Everyone is trying to meet with deadline. For instance, in a week, at times we used to do about 80 to 100 vehicles, but now we clear about 200 to 300 vehicles in a week.

“Also, most of the jobs that will be done today will be the clearance of vehicles. Because of the deadline, nobody wants to be caught on the other side of the policy.

“As a command we are strategising to meet up with the policy of the government. We don’t want to be caught unawares; we have fortified every nook and cranny of the border to ensure strict compliance of the policy,” he said.

Customs public relations officer, Idiroko border, Usman Abubakar confirmed the rush in clearing vehicles at the border.

“Yes, people are rushing to clear their vehicles at the Idiroko border because of the deadline,” Usman told our correspondent on phone.

APC not afraid of planned ‘mega party’ –Oyegun

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie Oyegun, yesterday, assured that despite the current temporary economic hardship in the country, Nigerians will be happy in the near future over the policy decision of the Buhari administration.

“Now we are pushing agriculture and most Nigerians are in the field. We are pushing extractive minerals which, of course, is virtually all over the country; a lot of Nigerians will be involved in that enterprise. We are pushing power generation and distribution because that will also energise the small and medium scale industry. So, we want an economy in which most Nigerians are participants; it is no longer oil which is highly technologically based.

“So, it is a different reality we are trying to build and establish. It involves sacrifices and hard work, but what is necessary today is that we are focused. What is real today is that the government of Buhari is passionate about seeing the thing to its logical conclusion. This nation must change, and the change is so fundamental. There is no question, at all, that a lot of people are going through temporary hardship, but the situation is such that tomorrow, everybody will be glad we pursued this line of development in spite of the problems we are facing currently,” he said.

Chief Oyagun, who spoke to newsmen in Benin City yesterday, also declared that the APC does not feel threatened at all with the much talked about formation of a “mega party” ahead of 2019 general elections, saying  those behind it should be encouraged so as to have a formidable opposition to the ruling APC.

He absolved the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar from the rumoured formation of a new party and said he had met with some of the leaders of the party, including the leadership of the National Assembly and the former vice-president.

“We are waiting for the arrival of Tinubu, so we can also meet with him and have meaningful discussion because he is a well respected leader of this party,” oyegun said.

“We don’t feel threatened at all, no mega party will survive the APC. I don’t know where the name mega party suddenly came from in the lexicon of politics in this country. When two people gather to have a meeting it is a mega meeting. We don’t feel threatened, we will, in fact, encourage a mega party, because with the gradual collapse of PDP, we want a party that can make us sit upright and be on our toes in terms of delivery of services to our people.

“A party that will make us feel challenged, that will make democracy real and offer the people a real choice. We are not threatened at all, we are focused on our mission made difficult by the current economic situation worldwide, which, of course, is compounded with the collapse of the oil market. We are reforming this country, reforming it ethically, morally and economically by building a fresh economic base which will no longer depend on an extractive industry which does not involve the people,” he added.
Dailysun

Creation of Biafran nation’ll end Igbo agitation— BIM

ABAKALIKI — BIAFRA Independent Movement, BIM, and the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, yesterday stated that the long standing agitation of the Igbo people will abruptly come to a logical end as soon as the Republic of Biafra is separated from the Nigerian nation.


Demonstrators wave flags and hold a sign reading “Freedom for Biafra” during a protest calling for the release of pro-Biafra leader Nnamdi Kanu, on September 23, 2016, in the Abidjan suburb of Treichville.
Near one hundred Biafran Nigerians protested on September 23 in Abidjan, calling for the release of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, according to an AFP photographer.
According to the group, there is no reason for anybody to talk about one Nigeria when President Muhammadu Buhari is only concerned about the Northern interest and the marginalization of Ndigbo in the country.

In a statement issued in Abakaliki, the leader of MASSOB (BIM), Ebonyi South zone, Mr. Sunday Ezaka, stressed that the only panacea to lasting peace and political stability of the nation is for the Federal Government to allow the sovereignty of the Biafra nation to come into existence.

The statement read in part: “The entire members of BIM/ Massob in Ebonyi South zone, Ebonyi State supports Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, the leader of MASSOB (BIM) and Chief MASSOB /BIM leader, S.O Chukwu, for their vision for the Igbo and Biafran nation. They have done marvelously well more than any other group in the country.

“Today, Biafra has come to be a reality and very soon, it will be open and clear to everybody. The only thing that will bring peace to Nigeria and Biafra is for the Federal Government to stop opposing the full existence of the Biafran nation.

“If Biafra stays on its own, it will help a lot. We have all the mineral resources and endowment that will help us develop and be independent for life. It will bring peace as Biafra will develop without bounds. The Federal Government is not helping matters and we blame them for the death of our members since the agitation began in the country.

“We sincerely thank the Ejele-Ndi Igbo, Eze Igbo Gburu Gburu, Chief Uwazuruike, for job well done for the Biafran people.”
Vanguard

   

APC urges FG to sanction Wike

PORT HARCOURT—All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State, has called on the Federal Government to sanction Governor Nyesom Wike for refusing to appear before a Police probe panel on violence that characterised the just concluded re-run elections in the state.
State Chairman of APC, Mr Dave Ikanya, in a statement by his media aide, also described as an affront on the Federal Government, the constitution of a similar probe panel by Governor Wike in the state.

He said: “This is a direct affront on federal powers and should be swiftly met with appropriate response by those whose authority he is challenging so as not to embolden others to follow his dangerous example.

“Wike has clearly crossed the line and should be put in his proper place by the Federal Government whose powers he is brazenly challenging. Wike’s sole purpose in setting up the kangaroo commission is to ridicule APC leaders and make nonsense of the efforts by the Police to probe and stop further killings in Rivers State.”

Meantime, the state government again dismissed the Police panel as a body set up with a predetermined end which is to indict Governor Wike, stressing that it has no confidence in it.

Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr Austin Tam-George, in a statement, yesterday, also lashed out at the APC for inciting the Police against the government of the state.

He said: “Rivers State branch of the APC is following a familiar and disgraceful path of inciting the Police and other security agencies against Rivers people. But we will never be intimidated.

“The Rivers State Government strongly believes that the IG’s panel was set up to procure a predetermined indictment of Governor Wike and other leaders in Rivers State. We have no confidence in the panel and will not participate in its proceedings.

“The Commission of Inquiry set up by the Rivers State Government will investigate and submit a report on the specific security breaches that occurred before, during and after the December 10 poll in the state.

“We believe that the commission’s report will form the best objective basis for action by the Rivers State Government.”
Vanguard

   

No provision for new minimum wage in 2017 budget

INDICATIONS have emerged that the clamour for upward review of new national minimum wage by organized labour, may be long in coming, as there is no provision for it in the Federal Government budget proposal now before the National Assembly.

Organised labour had since May 2016, sent a proposal for a N52, 000 monthly National Minimum Wage, NMW, to the government .

Last month, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, warned that there would be no guarantee of industrial peace in the new year should government fail to conclude the process of a new minimum wage as soon as possible, beginning with a the tripartite committee.

Reacting to the development, the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, said no provision for new minimum wage was a critical missing link in the 2017 budget proposal.

While applauding the over N7 trillion 2017 Federal Government budget focusing on reflating the economy through import substitution and patronage of made-in-Nigeria goods, the union called for immediate constitution of a tripartite committee by government to agree on a new minimum wage, after which a supplementary budget should be sent to the National Assembly for its implementation.

Speaking through its President and General Secretary, John Adaji and Issa Aremu, respectively,  NUTGTWN said: “Our union will support President Buhari to realise the vision of import substitution and jobs creation. We demand that the disbursement of this huge fund should help to revive local industry, reopen closed factories and should not be spent to finance frivolous imports and perpetuate unemployment.

“We commend the Nigerian Army for setting a good example with the purchase of made in Aba boots for the military.  We urge that this process is further strengthened through patronage of made-in-Nigeria uniforms and tarpaulin for military operations and the internally displaced peoples’ camps.

‘’We note also that the critical missing link in the 2017 budget is the provision for new minimum wage.  The government must make immediate provision for supplementary budget to address this concern. We, hereby, call for an urgent review of the National Minimum Wage. The  federal government should immediately constitute the tripartite committee for a review of the National Minimum Wage.”

Also speaking on the issue, General Secretary of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, said congress was not surprised over the development as there had been no agreement on a new minimum wage.

According to him, what is of urgent importance is for government to constitute a tripartite committee, comprising government, labour and private sector employers’ representatives, to negotiate and agree on a new National Minimum Wage, NMW.

He said: “It is not strange to us that there is no provision for a new minimum wage in the 2017 Federal Government budget because there is no agreement on it.

‘’What is urgent is for government to set up a tripartite committee to negotiate and agree on a new minimum wage immediately.

‘’Once this is done and agreement is reached and it is passed into law by the National Assembly, if the government thinks it cannot accommodate a new salary increase, it will send a supplementary budget to accommodate it. So, it is not surprising to us.”

Constitution amendment: President, govs to lose immunity

The Senate has commenced the process of amending section 308 of the 1999 Constitution which gives immunity to president, vice president, governors and deputy governors in the country.

A bill to that effect sponsored by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (LP, Delta) has been referred to the Senate Committee on Constitution amendment chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

Senate President Bukola Saraki had before the commencement of Christmas/New Year holiday said the constitution amendment would be passed early next year.

Specifically, the bill seen in the National Assembly journal proposed the substitution of subsection 308(2) that presently reads, “ the provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to civil proceedings against a person to whom this section applies in his official capacity or to civil or criminal proceedings in which such a person is only a nominal party” with a new section.

The proposed amendment reads, the provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to, (a) “ civil proceedings against a person to whom this section applies in his official capacity or to civil or criminal proceedings in which such a person is only a nominal party”

It (b) part reads, “criminal proceedings connected to, related to or arising from economic and financial crimes”.

Shedding more light on the bill, Omo-Agege said like in the US, the president and VP, governors and their deputies should only be immune from civil actions arising from their official actions while in office.

“They are not entitled to immunity from litigation for actions not germane to their work. For example a president or governor who buys a car for a child and refuses to pay can be taken to court while in office,” he said.

He added that: “also like in the US, there should be no immunity from criminal investigation or prosecution for crimes committed either before or while in office.

“Recall that Mr. Spiro Agnew while a sitting VP under President Nixon was tried and convicted for tax evasion while in office. Bill Clinton as a sitting president was hauled before a grand jury by Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr for perjury (lying under oath) while in office as president.

“Finally, Elliot Spitzer as a sitting governor of New York was tried and convicted for illicit solicitation of sex.”

He expressed optimism that if the amendment is passed, there will be sanity, transparency and accountability in the Executive Arm of government, especially “Treatment of our state resources which most of them currently treat as slush funds”.
Dailytrust

We have won the war against B/Haram – Army

The Nigerian Army yesterday said it has finally won the six-year-old war against Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast.

The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole Major General Leo Irabor declared this victory in Maiduguri in a press conference on Operation Rescue Final.

The military said it has captured the Sambisa forest, the last stronghold of the insurgents, killed and arrested dozens of them and rescued hundreds of civilians.

Irabor showed footage of military attacking Boko Haram locations, with air force Alpha jets giving them air support.

The aerial footage showed the insurgents fleeing their base on motorcycles and in some vehicles, but the theatre commander said the fighter jets avoided attacking them from the air because there were women and children among them.

He added however that the military was on their trail and that they would not escape.

Irabor said the military used minimal force and avoided bombarding locations with women and children in order to rescue them.

The insurgency began in 2009 during the administration of late President Umaru Musa Yarádua but escalated under former President Goodluck Jonathan. The military had been bogged down in the counter insurgency war in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

The Boko Haram insurgents took over 20,000sq kilometres of territory the three states at the height of the war.

Irabo said as a mark that the war has been won, two roads linking major towns in Borno state that were closed down for three years have been reopened. The roads are; Maiduguri-Gubio-Damasak road and the Maiduguri-Mungono-Baga road. Other major roads were opened several months ago.

Shekau’s Qur’an and flag

Major General Irabo said troops recovered a Qur’an and flag belonging to Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau during the operation to capture Sambisa. He disclosed that Shekau is on the run like many other leaders and members of the sect.

He said: “We believe that the Holy Book and the flag were abandoned by Abubakar Shekau while he escaped.

“The Book will be taken to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Burutai, for onward presentation to Mr President.

“We have also made a lot of arrests. Our troops in Damboa arrested about 15 Boko Haram members. We also arrested one Musa from Potiskum on Christmas day which was Dec.25.

“On Dec. 26 our troops also intercepted two Boko Haram suspects in Maiduguri.

“We, therefore, warn residents of the state to be wary of people coming to hide in and around their houses.

“We are also warning residents to report any suspected Boko Haram members hiding in their houses to the relevant security agencies and any failure to do that would tantamount to supporting and sympathising with the sect’s activities.”

1,240 suspects arrested

He said about 1,240 suspected Boko Haram members have been arrested by troops during mop-up operation inside the Sambisa forest.

Irabor said 413 of the suspects were adults; 323 were female adults; 251 male children, while 253 were female children.

He said: “We are interrogating them to know whether they are Boko Haram members, because there is no way somebody that is not their member would live inside Sambisa forest.

“We are still on the trail of the terrorists and I want to assure you that all escape routes have been blocked.

“Within this period, also, about 30 fleeing suspected Boko Haram members have surrendered to the Niger Multinational Troops on the shores of the Lake Chad and we learnt that they were taken to Difa in the Niger Republic.

“The suspects include; 24 male and 6 females.

“We would like to use this opportunity to encourage the terrorists to give up the fight because the window is still open,” the Theatre Commander said.

Military championship in Sambisa

The commander said the army will hold the 2017 Small Arms (NASA) championship in Sambisa to enhance its presence in the forest.

Irabor said other exercises such as military training and test of arms and equipment would also be conducted in the forest in order “to completely dominate the area’’.

“We would continue with our road construction in the area. As you can see, our troops are already providing motorable roads in the forest.

“The military are going to do a lot of things as part of its post-insurgency contribution to bring total normalcy and security to the North-East.

“Our troops have helped in mobilising the local people to facilitate the return of IDPs to Kala balge. But then, there is no access road to the town.

“For them to return, the road must be constructed. And that is why we are calling on well-meaning Nigerians to also contribute their quota and support the government.

“Other stakeholders are also expected to repair the roads,” Irabor said.

17 arrested with arms and ammunition in Kaduna State

The Police Joint Tactical Operation Squad attached to Operation Harmony has arrested 17 suspects in cases of arms dealing in different parts of Kaduna State.

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operation, Habila Joshak, who paraded the suspects in Kafanchan Police Area

Command after touring crisis-affected areas of Goska, Dangoma and Bakin Kogi in Jema’a local Government Area,  said that since the deployment of security personnel in the area, no report of crisis or gun attack had been recorded in southern Kaduna.

He said that he and his men were mandated by the IGP, Idris K. Ibrahim to ensure that peace was restored to the area and they were committed to the charge.

One of the suspects, a 48-year-old Nelson Kpok, told journalists that he was in the business of arms dealing for several years but denounced the business last year but he was now arrested after his name was mentioned by one of his old customers. Another suspect, Yakubu Dangana, said he possessed a gun only to defend himself after several attacks at his house by armed robbers.

The suspects were found with 13 AK47 sample and SMG Model 12 local guns, ammunition and N400,000 cash.
Dailytrust

MATTERS ARISING FROM ONDO GUBER POLL

The crisis which rocked the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo state would have torpedoed the rhythm of the just concluded governorship election. In spite of the fact that the PDP has rejected the outcome of the election and accused INEC of complicity, feelers from the field showed that it was an improvement on that of Edo. Olurotimi Akeredolu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) polled a total of 224, 842 votes and was declared the governor elect by the Chief Returning Officer Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali. The legal crisis which bedeviled the PDP before the election was a big challenge to political party discipline and strict adherence to the internally laid down rules and procedures. It was also a sad reminder of the desperate antics of politicians and an in-built deficiency in our constitutional and electoral processes. The people of Ondo were lucky to have a governor elect today because Eyitayo Jegede did not throw spanners into the wheels of that process by running to the court to at least demand for a minimum of seven days to enable him forward the names of his agents as required by the electoral law. It was within his right to seek such relief because getting an appellate court to quash the order of the Abuja High Court compelling INEC to replace his name with that of Jimoh Ibrahim two days before the election was a race against time. Therefore, the possibility of granting such order by a court of competent jurisdiction was certain and that would have changed the entire narratives. In fairness to him, many had called on INEC to postpone the election. However, INEC had argued that this prerogative was reserved only for the political platforms upon which candidates contest elections not the candidates themselves, claiming that PDP as a party has been campaigning despite the candidate involved. The commission went ahead with the election not minding the hues and cries.
Those who championed the deliberate attempt to thwart and circumvent due process of electioneering in that state have been shamed by the boldness of the Appeal and Supreme Courts. Depending on ones’ line of thought; we must all collectively agree that a lot needs to be done to strengthen the weak hands of our democratic structures and electoral processes. With the legal controversies behind the authentic candidate of the PDP, the role of the judiciary, politicians, INEC and the eventual conclusion of the elections, it is time to interrogate the matters arising thereof. It must be re-emphasised that the questionable impartiality of INEC in the governorship election could not fly while induced and undue pressure mounted on the commission from external quarters has called to question the independence of INEC in conducting free, transparent and credible elections.
In fact, the deliberate gagging of the electoral umpire or the willingness of the commission to succumb to the whims and caprices of political forces and the capitalisation of same to frustrate the smooth running of the electoral processes in the country by politicians using the security agencies or the judiciary as a tool for manipulation is a course of concern to well- meaning individuals. Before the 2011 general elections, the National Assembly removed the power of INEC to disqualify candidates and surrendered same to political parties which are the platform upon which candidates for elections are sponsored. The decision was premised on the fact that INEC has become purely political, overbearing and usurped the responsibilities of political parties by choosing the candidates to recorganise without recourse to the political parties’ processes which threw candidates up. The era of Maurice Iwu as the INEC chairman saw to the entrenchment of this impunity. The supposedly well-thought out move by the National Assembly to ostracise the evil hands of interference from the selection processes of candidates for elective positions and in the affairs of political parties is gradually eroded by the nature of frivolous reliefs the courts grant to candidates especially the type awarded Jimoh Ibrahim by an Abuja High Court presided over by Justice Okon Abang.
From the onset, it was a well-known fact that the Independent National Electoral Commission from the days of Maurice Iwu has failed to garner the required implicit confidence of Nigerians. Many thought that with the successes recorded by Prof Attahiru Jega, INEC will consciously build on the feats, deviate from the old tradition with the arrival of APC and Prof Yakub and ensure that the culture of impunity and taking advantage of the fraught electoral processes to perpetrate electoral evil become a thing of the past. Nigerians were aware that the culture of playing ostrich by INEC did not start from this administration; however, the failure of the commission to redeem its name is evident in the inconclusiveness of elections conducted since March, 2015 especially in Rivers state. Incidentally, INEC has chosen to point accusing fingers at others without keeping its house in order. It has chosen the court order to obey and the one to ignore. Some have also alleged that INEC has continually refused to heed to wise counsel.
The inauguration of the constitutional and electoral reforms committee headed by the former Senate President Ken Nnamani will, “review the electoral environment, laws and experiences from recent elections conducted in Nigeria and make recommendations to strengthen and achieve the conduct of free and fair elections in Nigeria.” The move gives credence to the need for a truly strong and independent INEC free from the shackles of deliberately planted constitutional and political land mines. The governorship election in Ondo has reduced the tally to the staggered election schedules before the 2019 general elections to Anambra and Ekiti states. Nigerians are of the view that the space of time will allow the Nnamani’s committee to come up with implementable recommendations that will aid smooth conduct of elections and remove all encumbrances in the constitutional provisions and laws relating to elections in Nigeria.

Sunday Onyemaechi Eze, a Media and Communications Specialist is the publisher of thenewinsightng.blogspot.com. He wrote from Kaduna via sunnyeze02@yahoo.com and can be reached on 08060901201