Sahara Reporters Latest News Sunday 16th December 2018

Sahara Reporters Latest News Sunday 16th December 2018

Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 16/12/18

target=_blank>Murray-Bruce’s Kinsmen Dump PDP

Kinsmen of Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, the Senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial district in the National Assembly, have announced their decision to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) over allegations of “poor representation and wrong choice of candidates” for the National Assembly election.
The kinsmen, under the Advance Democratic Congress (ADC), the group said although the party would present candidates for the Senatorial and State Assembly seat, the decision to support the candidature of the APC House of Representatives candidate, Honourable Israel Sunny-Goli, was based on his “genuine intention” for the Akassa people.
Speaking at the ADC Ogbokiri office, the Chairman of ADC in Alaska clan, Brass Constituency 2, Honourable Otaribara Daniel, as well as leaders and members of the party declared their support for Sunny-Goli.
According to Daniel, who spoke during the week in Ogbokiri community of Brass Local Government Area, during the commissioning of the campaign office for Sunny-Goli, said: “The goal is to deliver Israel Sunny-Goli of APC for House of Representatives. That is the agenda in Akassa Clan. No single vote for PDP; not even one vote”.
He continued: “We want to tell the powers that be that power belongs to the people, and in every territory there are territorial leaders. And indeed we have taken a decision and we believe this is the voice of the Akassa people”.
At the commissioning of the campaign office at Bekekiri community, where he also donated four motorbikes to the four wards in the clan, Sunny-Goli assured the people of “good representation and accessibility at all times”.

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target=_blank>Babangida Welcomes ‘Excellent Role Model’ Buhari To Club Of The Over 75

General Ibrahim Babandiga, a former Nigerian Military President, has welcomed President Muhammadu Buhari to the club of those aged above 75.
This was contained in a statement credited to Babangida, which congratulated Buhari on clocking 76 years old. Buhari will turn 76 on Monday.
According to the statement, Babangida lauded the President on his achievements, just as he urged him to take some time to “pause and reflect” on his journey so far.
In Babangida’s opinion, Buhari has been “an excellent role model to many young aspiring politicians and even to the not-so-young, because of the way and manner you have managed to sustain the survival of our country as an indivisible one nation albeit in the face of many daunting diversions”.
The statement continued: “You achieved great success in the fight against corruption, terrorism and other forms of insecurity in addition to getting our country out of economic recession.
“I wish to congratulate you for all the achievements you have recorded in your lifetime and particularly for your humility, deep sense of honesty and faith you have shown in the various aspects of governance, politics and democracy as our President.
”As we get over our mid-seventies, we can say with all sense of modesty that we should celebrate every birthday anniversary with prayers in order for us to thank Allah for all the blessings and the bounties He showered upon us. It is only fair that we pause and reflect in our own different ways on all the life’s challenges we face day by day and the positive strides we have been blessed to attain.
“A typical day in the life of a Nigerian President requires faith, poise, patience, tenacity, experience, strategic thinking and quality character for one to get through it. I join the first lady, Aisha and all your children and grandchildren in wishing you many happy returns of your birthday.
”Aisha’s loyalty and support, as the home front commander, is invigorating since by our age we require much comfort, care and affection at home. Welcome to our club of the over 75.”

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target=_blank>Buhari Describes Anti-Boko Haram War As ‘A Fight To The Finish’

President Muhammadu Buhari says the war against Boko Haram “is a fight to the finish”.
He stated this in his address at the extraordinary summit of heads of state and government of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and Benin, held in Abuja on Saturday.
He also lamented that the Boko Haram crisis had worsened the already bad situaftion in the Lake Chad region.
Noting that the “Lake Chad region has suffered decades of neglect and poor infrastructural development”, a condition which had been worsened by Boko Haram attacks, he called for cooperation from the leaders to tackle insurgency.
Stating that “the time has come for the evil of Boko Haram to be brought to a definitive end”, he urged the leaders to “remain resolute and committed in our collective efforts at attaining peace as well as eradicating terrorism and violent extremism from the sub-region”.
“The time has come for the evil of Boko Haram to be brought to a definitive end,” he said. “I am sure that this summit will take the right decisions in this regard. This is a fight to the finish. We must, and we will, by the grace of God, wipe out terrorism from our sub-region.”
FULL TEXT OF THE SPEECH
ADDRESS BY H.E. MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AT THE EXTRA-ORDINARY SUMMIT OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT OF THE LAKE CHAD BASIN COMMISSION AND BENIN
Protocol
1. It is my pleasure once again to welcome Your Excellencies, and thank you for your presence today in Abuja to yet another Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC).
2. Today’s Meeting is in continuation of our joint efforts to address the prevailing security challenges in our sub-region after our meeting on 29thNovember, 2018, in N’Djamena.
3. Your participation in today’s summit, in spite of your tight schedules, is a clear demonstration of the resolute commitment that we all attach to the fight against our common enemy, Boko Haram, and the restoration of durable peace and security to our sub-region.
4. Your Excellencies would recall that during our Summit in N’Djamena, the need to overhaul our current strategy and concept of operations in the fight against the Boko Haram Terrorists took the Centre Stage of our discussions.
5. This was necessitated by the resurgence of attacks, particularly on the military, and the abduction of civilians for ransom across our borders by Boko Haram with the support of international terrorists who have infiltrated our sub-region.
6. Our meeting today will consider the report of the Committee we set up during our last Summit on the way forward. I thank the Committee for meeting the deadline assigned to it and I hope that their recommendations will bring a new dynamism in the fight against Boko Haram and their international affiliates.
7. The Lake Chad region has suffered decades of neglect and poor infrastructural development, the Boko Haram crisis in the last eight (8) years has worsened its already bad situation. We must take cognizance of the fact that sustainable growth and development of the sub-region is dependent on the quick attainment of peace and stability in the area.
8. We must put an end to the crisis in the sub-region to enable meaningful development for its people. We must remain resolute and committed in our collective efforts at attaining peace as well as eradicating terrorism and violent extremism from the sub-region.
9. The time has come for the evil of Boko Haram to be brought to a definitive end. I am sure that this summit will take the right decisions in this regard. This is a fight to the finish. We must, and we will, by the grace of God, wipe out terrorism from our sub-region.
Your Excellencies
10. While executing the war against the Boko Haram terrorists, we must not be oblivious of the fact that military may not provide the desired results alone. There is the pressing need to pursue simultaneously both military and developmental approach to the challenges of the region.
11. We will work towards strengthening of Civil-Military Cooperation in the fragile areas of the region to accelerate the implementation of the Regional Stabilization Strategy.
12. Our military strategy must be complemented by the mobilization and deployment of adequate resources to ensure the reconstruction, rehabilitation and rebuilding of civil authority, as well as the provision of relief and succor for the affected. The Inter Basin Water Transfer project to recharge the disappearing Lake Chad would also go a long way in the restoration of sustainable peace and security to these areas.
13. I must now pay tribute to our gallant troops who remain focused and committed to the task of ensuring the safety and stability of the region. I urge you to remain steadfast in executing the war with the highest sense of honor, professionalism and patriotism.
14. To our esteemed partners and the larger international community, we appreciate your valuable support and contributions in helping with the resultant humanitarian crisis. We thank you for intelligence sharing and operations in our determination to defeat Boko Haram and its affiliates. We, however, solicit greater cooperation and additional assistance to the LCBC/MNJTF to completely end the menace of Boko Haram and eradicate it from the sub-region. Such an outcome would add to global peace and security.
Your Excellencies,
15. I trust we will hold fruitful deliberations as we seek a way forward in the fight against Boko Haram and other challenges in our neighbourhood.
I thank you for your kind attention.

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E2%80%99s-detention-forcebray-i-inegha target=_blank>DSS Overplay In Jones Abiri’s Detention By Forcebray I. Inegha

By default, the DSS had made Jones Abiri a National hero. The grand reception given him at the NUJ State Secretariat Yenagoa was a hero’s welcome, and an induction into the Niger Delta Hall of fame. The prize thereof, is for his wrongful incarceration for two years without trial for the Niger Delta struggle. The Ijaw Nation is grateful and appreciative of the role played by the National Human Right Commission (NHRC), the NUJ, CLO, and other international and National Civil Society groups that fought for the release of Chief Jones Abiri. The undignified silence of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), in this matter, is unfortunate, to say the least.
National security had become a euphemism for wrongful arrest and detention of citizens in Nigeria. In some cases, this is done through the holding charge syndrome. Nobody becomes a militant by words of mouth, or through GSM phone calls and text messages. Intellectual militants are activists with ideological mindsets. A phone call can only constitute an inchoate crime. The caller can be placed under surveillance or be invited for questioning, to prevent the committing of the crime. A crime constitute the guilty mind (mens rea), and the actual committing of the crime (actus reus) or the guilty act. A phone call would not constitute a crime at law.
Evidently, Jones Abiri had become a metaphor for victims of punitive pre-trial detention in Nigeria. He had become the nemesis for national security as an excuse for unlawful detention. President Mohammed Buhari opined at the opening of the 2018 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) annual general conference in Abuja that: “the rule of law must be subject to the supremacy of the nation’s security and national interest”. The president may be speaking with reference to the Supreme Court judgment, in the case of Dokubo Asari versus Federal Republic of Nigeria (2007) 12 NWLR (Pt. 1048) 331. This case was decided based on specific facts. This Judgment is not a blanket statement that authorizes unlawful detention without trial.
Ideally, National Security and rule of law are not expected to contradict one another. National Security and National Defence are synonymous. They are generic concepts relating to activities of National preparedness against enemies. National Security is about securing the values and ideals which set a Nation apart. The DSS cannot hide under the cover of National Security; if it lacks evidence to proving its case against a citizen.
Proof is the establishment of a fact by evidence. There would be no proof without evidence. There is difference between law and justice. There is difference between fact and fiction. Detention without trial for two years is great psychological torture. The Department of State Service (DSS) is a creation of the National Security Agencies Decree No. 19 of 1986. The DSS is a strategic intelligence agency that is obligated to act lawfully. Law enforcement becomes a game, if it lacks coherent strategy. It is wrong to arrest a suspect, and start fishing for evidence. This would amount to acting without rhyme and reason.
The American Law Institute define an arrest: “as the taking of another into the custody of the actor for the actual or purported purpose of bringing the other before a court or of otherwise securing the administration of the law”. Chief Jones Abiri, like every other Nigerian, is eminently entitled to his personal liberty as enshrined in section 35 (c) (4) (a) and (b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. Arrest and detention of a citizen, should not be done frivolously, but to bring an offender to justice. National Security is a social construct for National Defence and Safety. It should not be an excuse for institutional lawlessness.
Furthermore, National Security uses National Power to stabilize and strengthen the vital interest of a nation. Amaral Gurgel (1976) defined National Security, “as the guarantee given by the state to achieve or defend National Goals against hostilities and pressure”. Jones Abiri’s arrest and detention was either a byplot or a byplay. The characters in the whole episode appear to be wooden, and lacking the capacity for self correction. Chief Jones Abiri is 10.5 Million Naira richer for it. Punitive pre-trial detention is unacceptable and unlawful.
In a criminal investigation, the state pursuit is justice, not a victim. Two years of pre-trial imprisonment cannot be easily explained away by the DSS. The DSS was only clever by half, pleading National Security as a fact for the detention of Jones Abiri for two years without trial. The truth was that the DSS suffered fact-inference confusion, in the Jones Abiri’s case. Professional discretion cannot be equated with National Security. There is reasonable suspicion of power play in the Jones Abiri’s case. Once self interest is involved, opinions are not easily changed.
Thankfully, Chief Jones Abiri survived the lion’s den and can tell his story. He should take solace in the words of vermon law who said “experience is the worst teacher. It gives the test before presenting the lesson.” Also William Shakespeare said “the law had not been dead, though it had slept”. The law and justice were in favour of Jones Abiri.
William Pitt pointed out that “when laws end, tyranny begins”. Law Enforcement Agencies must act in good faith and responsibly too.
Authur J. Goldberg, United States supreme court justice said, “power not ruled by law, is a menace”. The DSS holds a public trust and is expected to act responsibly towards citizens. August Vollmer, a veteran law enforcement strategist advised that; lawenforcement officers; must have the Wisdom of Solomon, the courage of David, the patience of Job, and the kindness of the Good Samaritan. Professionals are respected for their competence and honesty. Public security has constitutive dimension. Citizens, reasonably expect a degree of protection as they go about their everyday lives. Yes! Crime and criminality have social costs. Cesare Lambroso, Italian criminologist said, “There is no solution to crime except punishment, incarceration, and deterrence”. But offenders must be punished with a sense of constitutional jurisprudence. Thomas Shaffer said, “Justice is the gift we give to one another, as we go about living under the law”. Criminal investigators need a lot of deductive skill of reasoning. Investigators start out with few facts and begin to build a theory of what occurred. As the theory develops, the investigators get a clearer picture of what evidence is needed and where it is likely to be found. This process cannot take long to accomplish. The DSS slept through the investigation of Jones Abiri’s case.
In conclusion, the cases of other Ijaw Sons who are detained endlessly without trial should be revisited by the National Human Right Commission. They should be charged to court or be released unconditionally. The leadership of the Ijaw Nation, the INC and IYC respectively, cannot continue to play the ostrich. The Ijaw National Congress and the Ijaw Youth Council, should compile the list of these Ijaw Sons in detention without trial, and forward a petition on their behalf, to the National Human Right Commission for comprehensive review of their cases. The Civil Society Organizations, especially the Civil Liberty Organization (CLO), should help bring off our Sons from endless detention without trial. DSS cells must not be the dovecotes for our sons.
Forcebray I. IneghaWriter/Public Affairs Analyst

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target=_blank>N5m Alleged Bribe: Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia Slumps In Court

Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia

A former judge of a federal high court, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumobogia, yesterday slumped in court.
Justice Ajumogobia, who did not betray any emotion on entering the court in the morning slumped in the court, a few minutes before the commencement of proceedings in the alleged graft suit preferred against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at an Ikeja High Court
It was gathered that the former judge was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance belonging to the Lagos State judiciary.
The development forced the trial judge, Justice Hakeem Oshodi, to adjourn court proceedings in the charge against her till January 26.
The adjournment was sequel to a request by her lead counsel, Mr. Robert Clarke, SAN.
As at last sitting, the court had fixed yesterday to hear the no case submission of Ajumogobia and Obla.
Ofili-Ajumogobia is standing trial alongside Obla (SAN) on a 31-count charge bordering on an alleged perversion of the course of justice, unlawful enrichment and forgery proffered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Oshodi, while fixing the date to hear the no case application, had ordered counsel to by the adjourned date, “tidy up” all applications to ensure that the court attends to them simultaneously, saving precious judicial time.
Earlier during proceedings, Mr Robert Clarke (SAN) defence counsel to Ajumogobia, had informed the court that he had filed a Motion on Notice dated October 23 challenging the jurisdiction and competency of the court to hear the case.
He, however, noted that he intended but was yet to file a no-case submission before the court.
Mr Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), Obla’s defence counsel, in his submission, informed the court that he had filed a no-case submission dated September 14 but was yet to receive a response from the EFCC.
Responding, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, the lead prosecuting counsel for the EFCC, admitted to receiving Adedipe’s no-case submission, but noted that he was waiting to receive a similar application from Clarke.
“I await the first defendant’s counsel to approach me because it is not tidy for me to respond to both applications separately,” Oyedepo said.
The anti-graft agency had alleged that Ofili-Ajumogobia illegally received a sum of $793,800 in several tranches from different sources between 2012 and 2015.
On his part, Obla (SAN) was alleged by the EFCC to have offered a sum of N5million as gratification to Ofili-Ajumogobia so as to pervert the course of justice.
The offences are contrary to Sections 64(1), 82(a) and 69(1) (a) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State No. 11, 2011
The National Judicial Council (NJC) had at its 87th meeting which was held on October 3, under the chairmanship of Justice Walter Onnoghen, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, recommended the dismissal of Ofili-Ajumogobia as a judge.
The recommendation for dismissal was on the strength of petitions filed to the NJC containing allegations of corruption against her by Mr Ibrahim Magu, the Acting Chairman of the EFCC.

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target=_blank>12 Soldiers To Face Court Martial In Southeast

Twelve soldiers serving under the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army (NA), Enugu, Enugu State would soon be arraigned before General Court Martial (GCM) that was setup by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Division, Major General Emmanuel Kabuk.
A release by the 82 Division Army spokesman (Deputy Director Public Relations), Col. Musa Sagir, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division Nigerian Army, (NA) Major General Emmanuel Kabuk had on Monday December 10, 2018 inaugurated a General Court Martial (GCM) to try erring personnel of the division. This, he said, was in line with the importance of discipline to the success or failure of any organization, particularly the military, – in peace or in war.
In his inaugural speech at the 82 Division Officers’ Mess, Abakpa Cantonment Enugu, Kabuk enjoined members of the GCM to adhere strictly to the rules of law and strict obedience to the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN) 1999 as amended.
He described discipline as the bedrock of the military profession. According to him, “the operational efficiency of any military force is a mix of sound administration and rigid disciplinary measures.
“Thus, disciplinary measures in the military to which court martial belong, are aimed at guaranteeing a highly disciplined and battle-ready army, which is in line with the Chief of Army Staff vision – “To have a professionally responsive Nigerian army in the discharge of its Constitutional roles”. In this vein, trials in the NA must be organized and administered in accordance with provisions of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN) as amended”, he added.
“The essence of the GCM, in addition to the dispensation of justice, is to send the right signal to the NA personnel that may fall into the temptation of violating extant rules and regulations, – that acts of indiscipline will be met with appropriate disciplinary action.”
He charged all the parties in the cases to avoid unnecessary techanicalities that would delay, the trials and in the process wastes alot of resources.
“Let me recall both Section 36 of the 1999 CFRN (as amended) and Section 122 of the Armed Forces Act, CAP A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 which emphasize that expeditious and speedy trials form the basis of which fair trial must rest”, the GOC stated.
Kabuk further reiterated the popular beliefs that justice delayed is justice denied.
Colonel Edwàrd Abore is the President of the GCM. He promised to administer justice in line with Armed Forces Act Cap A20 law of Federal and CFRN 1999 as amended. He made it clear that all the accused are entitled to legal representation of their choices.
Twelve soldiers will be appearing before the GCM on various charges.
Recall that in the military, offences that cannot be summarily tried are the ones that are referred for court martial as contained in Section 124, Sub Section 6 of the Armed Forces Act.

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E2%80%99s-allies-insist-they-were-cheated target=_blank>APC Peace Moves Fail in Ogun as Amosun’s Allies Insist They were Cheated

vGov Ibikunle Amosun

The fence-mending efforts of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) through its National Peace and Reconciliatory Committee (NPRC), constituted to bring back aggrieved members, following disputed primaries may have failed in its task in Ogun State.
The APC’s peace move in the South-west zone is championed by Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, as appointed chairman. Other members of the committee, include Mallam Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna State Governor), Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos State Governor), Senator Ken Nnamani, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, Dr. Dakuku Peterside and Senator Sieda Bugaje.
Having failed in their bid to have their preferred candidate as the standard bearer of the APC in their respective states, Governor Amosun and his Imo State counterpart, Governor Rochas Okorocha have openly challenged the decision of the party’s NWC to stand-down their candidates. Both men have instructed their followers to move out of the APC. In the case of Amosun, his supporters led by Hon. Adekunle Akinlade have embraced the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
Contacted on phone, Ogun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Dayo Adeneye who is one of the aggrieved supporters of Amosun against the leadership of the APC while pleading that he was in Kaduna and was not privy to what happened at the meeting said, however, the APC leadership could not sit in Abuja and determine what would happen in Ogun State. “I was one of those affected. After I won the primary, Oshiomhole gave the ticket to people who did not even contest. And you expect us to keep quiet.? Where is that done? Let us go to the people of Ogun State on another platform. Let the people be the ones to reject us. Not Oshiomhole, “ he said.
The first hint that the peace parley at Lagos State Government House, Marina, Lagos, last Wednesday, would be deadlocked was the absence of Amosun. He was represented by Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Suraj Adekunbi, and the State Chairman of the party, Chief Derin Adebiyi, Ogun Central chairman, Chief Yomi Ademefun and two others. The opposing team had Chief Segun Adesegun, Director General (DG), Dapo Abiodun Campaign Organisation and Sen Gbenga Kaka, representing the interest of the Dapo Abiodun camp.
During the meeting, it was learnt that the committee chairman, Shettima, admonished the aggrieved chieftains to emulate and borrow a leaf from Lagos State Governor, Ambode, who had exhibited exemplary sportsmanship, by accepting to jettison his re-election bid and lead Babajide Sanwo-Olu Governorship Campaign Organisation.
Besides, it was said the committee appealed to the representatives of the governor to shun acts capable of undermining the general interest of the party, in the wake the 2019 general elections. Also, it was said the aggrieved chieftains were cautioned to avoid engaging in anti-party activities.Not persuaded by the admonitions, Amosun’s emissaries expressed displeasure over the outcome of the primaries.
The party chairman, Adebiyi, it was said told the panel members that they were cheated, thus, describing the outcome of the primaries as daylight robbery.“We can’t do reconciliation where there is an injustice. It is Gov Ibikunle Amosun who has the party structure in the state. Dapo Abiodun has no structure at all. We were cheated”, Adebiyi reportedly said.
Adebiyi’s stand is no different from often repeated statement that a cabal in Lagos and the party’s National Secretariat was bent on directing the affairs of Ogun State, a development he has vowed to resist. Though Amosun won his ticket as a senatorial aspirant on the platform of the APC, his tacit support for the formation of Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) and subsequent movement of his aggrieved close aides to the new platform, belies his much vaunted allegiance to President Muhammadu Buhari.
A close aide of Abiodun said his principal may not want to jeopardise the on-going peace moves by saying something that may be misconstrued. He was hopeful that “the matter would be resolved, one way or another. This is politics. You keep knocking on every door. Major decisions, in politics, can be taken a few hours to the deciding moment. We are still open to discussions. But I can assure you that we will not surrender the mandate freely given to us by a majority of the members of the party in Ogun State. “
Countering the notion the notion that Abiodun was not popular across the state, he questioned the reasoning, “Is it a man who was handpicked that is more popular than one who had a majority of the party members queue behind him? They refuse to see the handwriting on the wall . Our people do not want imposition of candidates. We will keep our doors open, but if they insist on heading in another direction, we will meet them at the polls. “

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target=_blank>Army Lifts Suspension On UNICEF From North-East

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The Nigerian Army has announced a reversal of the decision to suspend the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) from the North-East.
In a statement issued on Friday night, the Military premised its rethink on intervention by well-meaning and concerned Nigerians.
The Army had accused the organisation of “sabotage” and slammed a three-month suspension on its activities in the North-East, which was announced earlier yesterday.
However, a statement announcing the reversal of the suspension, issued by Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu, Deputy Director Public Relations, Theatre Command, read: “Sequel to intervention by well-meaning and concerned Nigerians over the recent suspension of UNICEF operations in the North East theatre of operations, the Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE convened and held an emergency meeting with representatives of UNICEF this evening.
“During the meeting, the Theatre Command admonished the representatives of the organization to desist from activities inimical to Nigeria’s national security and capable of undermining the ongoing fight against terrorism and insurgency.
“The Command also urged UNICEF representatives to ensure they share information with relevant authorities whenever induction or training of new staff is being conducted in the theatre.
“Consequently, after extensive deliberations on the need to seek modalities to work harmoniously with the security agencies in the theatre of operation, the Theatre Command has henceforth lifted the three months suspension earlier imposed on UNICEF activities in North Eastern Nigeria.”

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E2%80%93-nwosu-governor%E2%80%99s-son-law target=_blank>Impunity In APC Made Me Join AA, Not Okorocha – Nwosu, Governor’s Son-In-Law

The governorship candidate of the Action Alliance in Imo State and son-in-law of Governor Rochas Okorocha, Uche Nwosu, tells CHIDIEBUBE OKEOMA about his defection to the AA from the All Progressives Congress
You recently defected to the Action Alliance party from the All Progressives Congress after failing to get the latter’s governorship ticket for your state. Was it your father-in-law, Governor Rochas Okorocha, that forced you to join the AA having lost out in the APC?
The governor did not force me to join the AA after the impunity meted out to me by the APC. Imo people asked me to join a new party. Forty-three political parties approached me and at the end of day, the AA was chosen because of its unique manifesto.
You have described the APC as a party with injustice, impunity and lack of respect for party’s constitution, some people will ask if you exhausted the party’s internal machinery for resolving differences or go to court to get justice?
We exhausted all the internal machinery; we also went to court. The whole issue was about Adams Oshiomhole (Chairman of the APC). We were in court to seek justice but Imo people insisted I go to another party so as to enable them to vote for me in the next governorship election.
What support do you think the governor can give you now as he cannot openly campaign for you since he is still in APC while you’re in AA?
Imo 2019 is beyond one person. It is beyond the governor; it is about Imo people. I draw my strength from the people of Imo State and not from the governor. The support I have been getting has been massive. My name is very popular on the streets.
So have you abandoned your manifesto to embrace that of your new party?
I am still going ahead with my manifesto and also incorporating the manifesto of the AA. To be candid, what we have in mind is what the AA has in mind and that include free education and carrying the masses along, which the party’s logo states clearly. The most important thing is that the masses should know that it’s their government. There will be nothing like intimidation or harassment of the masses by the ‘big men’. It is my manifesto and that of the AA. My new party believes in the masses and I believe in the masses. It is a perfect combination and that is what we will use to move Imo State forward.
There was a report that you were rejected by the leadership of AA, which said you had yet to even register as a member of the party and later there was speculation that you paid millions of naira to dislodge the governorship candidate of the AA and hijack the party leadership. How much did you pay?
First, let me take it from the angle of dislodging the candidate of the AA. You should confirm from the Independent National Electoral Commission, if the party submitted any name to it as its governorship candidate. No name was ever with INEC. My name is there and it is laughable to say I paid a huge amount of money to get the ticket. I did not pay a dime. The AA was one of the 43 political parties that approached me after the injustice Oshiomhole meted out to me in the APC. Even the AA party chairman has declared and stated clearly that nobody paid for the nomination fee.
What many people believe is that the governor is desperate for you to succeed him because he trusts you to cover his tracks after he leaves office as his son-in-law, and also that you are desperate to succeed him. Why are you desperate to succeed your father-in-law in office?
I am not desperate to succeed Governor Rochas Okorocha. I only want to continue from where he will stop. The governor has built 27 hospitals and they need to be upgraded; that I shall do once I am sworn in next year. If the governor has built roads in Imo State, especially the ones in the city, we must continue from there because government is a continuum. It does not also mean that I am not coming with my own projects and ideas. While the governor is leaving office, Imo people need to know what I am about to give to them. On education, we already have free education. Am I going to continue with the free education or would I terminate it? Those who are against my candidacy are the people who want to terminate the free education, which has helped millions of poor families in Imo. I must continue with the free education programme of the government up to university level because it has helped a lot of people in this state. The poor who could not pay their school fees can go to school. I have said that there will be free Internet in all schools. I will ensure that our secondary schools are equipped with computers and Internet facilities. The same thing will apply to the university, where students will be taught how not to depend on people. We should reintroduce mentorship into our school system. When I was in secondary school, we used to have mentorship classes and it should be reintroduced. There are many students in schools who have me as their role model; they need to hear me talk to them. People like Daniel Amokachi (a football legend) and Rochas Okorocha are our role models. On payment of salaries, they have been paid up to date and we will sustain it. We should bring back overwork allowances because some workers stay till 7pm; such workers need to be encouraged.
People say that Okorocha wants to be calling the shots after he leaves office and that is the reason why he is hell-bent on ensuring you succeed him. They say you will be a puppet governor.
I, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, will never be a puppet governor. Governor Okorocha is not imposing me on Imo people; rather, the people want me to be their next governor. The governor on his own cannot even stop Imo people from bringing me out now. Imo people brought me out and not the governor; the governor only has one vote. On Election Day, the governor will be in Ogboko to cast his vote. My votes are coming from Imo people and not from the governor. The governor cannot say ‘Nwosu, you cannot run’ and I can’t even say I will not run again. The issue of governorship is now beyond me. Imo people from all walks of life want me, so do not listen to such rumours. By the time Governor Okorocha will leave the government house, people will be the ones to beg him to visit the place. It will be hard for Governor Okorocha I know to control me; he is a very principled man. He will not even ask me to appoint anybody as commissioner.
You were quoted as saying that Okorocha would win a seat in the Senate for the AA. How would that happen when the governor has not even defected to the AA from the APC?
The governor is contesting for Imo West Senate District on the platform of the APC. The AA has no senatorial candidate in the zone (Imo West). We in the AA have resolved to support the governor to win the seat, the same way we are supporting Buhari to win in 2019.
People are saying that you are going to leave the AA should you become governor. How would you respond to that?
I am not an ungrateful person. I will not abandon the AA because it is a good political party. Ingratitude is the biggest problem of most of our politicians today. The AA is the platform that I am using to go into people’s houses, so why should I get the people’s mandate and dump the party that gave me the platform? That is not true. I am not going to do that; rather, I am going to bring all Imo people together. By the grace God, if I become the governor of Imo State, which I know I will be, the first thing I will do is to bring all Imo people together, whether they are rich, poor or in the middle class. I will be a governor for all. I must work with everybody; remember that everybody’s advice matters. If you are a governor, you should not choose who to work with or who not to work with, so I will carry everybody along. When I was the Commissioner of Lands and Chief of Staff, I was able to carry everybody along.
How true is the speculation that you plan to replace the AA party leadership in the state with your loyalists who defected with you from the APC?
There is no truth in that. People who are afraid of the massive popularity I am getting every day are the ones coming up with these lies that Imo people are not buying. They want a humble person like me. When you talk about political party, you are talking about human beings. No political party exists without human beings. The important things in a political party are the individuals. We are not dislodging anybody. We are working with all the members and supporters of the AA that we met there. They will remain in their positions because they have supported this party for years, so why would we dislodge them? The only thing we are doing is to give them support. Where we think they have not done well, we will tell them how to do it better. As far as I am concerned, they will remain the leaders of the party. I cannot hijack the party structure because I am a democrat.
Are you worried that APC leadership in Imo State has openly said that it will work for its governorship candidate and not for you, the governor’s son-in-law?
Hope Uzodinma is the governorship candidate of the APC in Imo State while I am the governorship candidate of the AA. The APC chairman needs to support his candidate while the AA chairman needs to support me. I am not scared.
Some concerned groups in Imo have raised concerns about INEC’s alleged partisanship. What do you think about it?
On the issue of 2019 elections, it is very clear that anybody who is thinking of rigging the elections is making a very big mistake because the youth will resist it. The mothers and the leaders of Imo State will resist it and INEC knows that it is not possible to rig election in Imo State and the chairman of INEC knows what is right and if by 2019 I am declared the governor of the state, nobody can change that. I am happy with what INEC has done so far.
Is it true that you are secretly working against President Muhammadu Buhari?
Whether they blackmail me or not, we have made up our minds to support Muhammadu Buhari. I cannot put my picture with Buhari’s picture on the streets and then be working against him. Who am I trying to deceive? Governor Okorocha and I have decided to vote for Buhari and no blackmail can stop it. The more they blackmail me, the more I get popular. In my ward and local government, President Buhari won in 2015. Between me and those blackmailing me in Abuja, we will know who is truly supporting Buhari. As far as we are concerned, nothing can change our support for the President. He has done well and deserves reelection.
Will it take you so long like it took Governor Okorocha to conduct local government elections?
I have respect for the constitution. We already have elected local government chairmen, and I must make sure they serve their three years’ tenure and once their tenure ends, we must conduct another election for both councillors and local government chairmen. There is no other option. I am an advocate of democracy; I believe in democracy and I do not believe in having transition committee chairmen. Okorocha is also an advocate of democracy. After the court cases, we conducted the election immediately. The main thing about democracy is giving the masses the freedom to look at things and take their own decisions. I agree with you that the local governments should be able to decide on their own on what they want. If local governments should have their funds, it will help them because as a governor, you cannot be at 27 local government areas at the same time. One thing that does not allow the local governments to function is mismanagement. But if the local governments can allow teachers and workers to get their salaries every month without delay, things will be fine.
Are you in support of President Buhari’s decision to decline assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill?
Yes, and it is because the reasons the President gave are clear. The general elections are less than three months away, what do you want INEC to do? When you look at it very well, you will agree with the President.

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Boko Haram: Cowardice Caused Death of Soldiers in Metele, Says New Theatre Commander

The new Theatre Commander of the Nigerian Army overseeing war efforts in the North-east tagged “Operation Lafiya Dole”, Major General Benson Akinruloye, declared yesterday that the army lost gallant soldiers and equipment to terrorists because of “unseriousness and cowardice” on the part of some soldiers.
The army said 39 soldiers fell when terrorists overran 157 Task Force Battalion, Metele, Borno State, last month but other sources within the theatre of war said over 100 soldiers were killed by the insurgents.
This is coming as Army Headquarters released another batch of postings and appointment of senior officers, including General Officers Commanding (GOCs) and brigade commanders.
Speaking while declaring open an orientation and induction cadre for commanders and staff officers at the Maimalari Cantonment Officers’ Mess, Maiduguri, Akinruloye expressed grief over the “cases of negligence, lackadaisical and cowardly attitudes of some personnel during Boko Haram terrorists offensive actions in the north-east,” adding that such “unprofessional and disgraceful habits led to the death of gallant colleagues while weapons and equipment were carted away by the adversary.”
General Akinroluyo, who said such “unwholesome attitudes must not be allowed to continue,” recalled the days when the Armed Forces of Nigeria received global accolade for combat efficiency outside the shores of Nigeria and urged the newly inducted officers to repeat those glorious battlefield successes in Nigeria.
The theatre commander reminded the incoming officers that their selection, posting and appointment into the operational theatre was premised on the confidence reposed in them by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai and therefore urged them to work hard to justify the confidence reposed in them.
He further noted that the cadre was the first of its kind in the theatre and that it was aimed to equip the officers with vital information that they would require in planning for effective command and administration in their respective posts.
While urging the officers to take the cadre course very seriously, the commander pointed out that the course for the newly inducted officers was designed to actualise the army chief’s vision to enhance professionalism in the Nigerian Army through training, seminars, management retreats and exercises.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army yesterday released another batch of posting and appointments of some of its senior officers. Those affected by the exercise include Major General AA Nani, who is to remain in Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans (AHQ DAPP) and appointed Chief of Policy and Plans (Army); Major General MM Mshelia, from Warrant Officers Academy (WOA), Jaji, to Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC) and appointed Commander.
Others include Major General G Oyefesobi, from NATRAC to Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and appointed Director Administration, while Major General AB Omozoje will move from DIA to AHQ DAPP and appointed Deputy Chief of Policy Plans (Army) and Director Staff Duties.
Similarly, Major General I Attahiru is to remain in Defence Headquarters (DHQ) and appointed Chief of Defence Logistics, Major General KO Ogundele, will move from Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), to Defence Space Administration and appointed Director Policy, Plans and Research, Major General EJ Enenche from Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) to DHQ and appointed Director Technical Support Services.

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