Buhari, Service Chiefs In Crucial Meeting In Aso rock

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday presided over a crucial meeting of the National Security Council.

The meeting was attended by Nigeria’s military chiefs as well as the Inspector General of Police, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

The meeting is the first such meeting presided over by the president since he returned to the country on Saturday after 103 days in London for medical treatment.

Details Later…

Buhari should return to London as soon as possible – APC chieftain, Udeogaranya

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Charles Udeogaranya, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to return to London as soon as possible to access better healthcare facilities pending his full recovery.

Commenting on Buhari’s nationwide broadcast, Udeogaranya said the speech was to tell doubting ‘Thomases’ that the President was not incapacitated.

 He told the media in Lagos: “For the umpteenth time, I am still pleading with Nigerians to give our president a free hand to run his government, regardless of location.

“This campaign of unnecessary close-marking on the person of the President is unhealthy for the country and for anyone within the age of Mr President.

​ “Left for me, I would advise President Buhari to return back to London as soon as possible, where he can have access to a better healthcare facility.

“All these voices that chanted return, return, return, would be the first to laugh at him, if any mishap befalls him, but God forbid, as his well-being is critically necessary to the nation.”

Biafra War Part 2 Loading: Charlyboy’ Protest Turns Into Ethnic Crisis As Hausas & Igbos Start Stoning Each Other At Wuse Market, Abuja

Self-acclaimed Area Father and entertainer, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy was attacked by thugs at the popular Wuse market in Abuja on Tuesday.

In a series of tweets by one of the leaders of the ‘ResumeOrResign’ group, Deji Adeyanju, some youths attacked them when they moved to the market in the course of their protest.

“We just went to Wuse market for mobilization against 100 days event tomorrow & a regular face at Unity Fountain brought thugs to attack us,” Deji wrote on Twitter.

“They attacked us with police on Tuesday. Tried to attack us at Unity Fountain with their government sponsored thugs. Today is Wuse Market.

“Charly Boy’s car was damaged by the thugs. This is a senseless government. #ResumeOrResign.
“There are wraps of money all over Unity Fountain shared by Pro-Buhari protesters. The government says it’s fighting corruption.”

The #ResumeOrResign protesters had started a campaign on Monday last week, demanding the return of the president who is away in the United Kingdom on a medical vacation.

Nnamdi Kanu, Biafra and Kate Henshaw’s False Premise by Fani Kayode

By Femi Fani-Kayode
In a short contribution titled “Biafra Without Our Consent?” which appears to have gone viral on social media, the celebtated and respected thespian Miss Kate Henshaw wrote as follows: “I think the current generation of ‘Biafrans’ are the most funny people I hve ever seen. How dare you sit in your home or offices and draw your Biafra map and include places like Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, etc as part of your empire? Did you consult them? Did you seek their opinions? You are forcing people to join a country whose commander in chief you have already anointed- Nnamdi Kanu; whose currency you have already decided- Biafra Pounds; whose official religion you have already adopted- Judaism; whose God you have already chosen- Chukwu Abiama? Do you not realize that you are doing to those people the same thing you accuse the British and Nigeria of doing to you? For carving my state into your ‘Biafra’ and renaming it without my permission and consultation, I have a moral duty to stand against you with everything I have. I am not standing against you because I do not want your freedom; I stand against you because I love mine too. I don’t stand against you because you don’t have a right to your country; I stand against you because I have the same right.
I stand against you because your map is an insult to me and my freedom to choose were I belong. Be warned!” Since she has not publicly denied it I assume that this beautiful and talented actress really is the author of these words. That being the case my response is as follows. Miss Henshaw and those that think like her are being disingenious and unduly hostile to Nnamdi Kanu and the concept and spirit of Biafra. She has made a point that appears to be valid but that point is based on a false premise. That premise is that the southern minorities would be compelled or obliged to be part of Biafra without their consent. This is false. It is not true. The truth is that each of the bordering ethnic nationalities, and even the Igbo themselves, must and will have their own referendum before going anywhere. It is entirely up to them what they do and where they go.
They cannot and will not be forced to go with Biafra if they choose not to do so. And neither can they be forced to remain in Nigeria if they choose to leave. Everything that is done must and will be based on the free and fair expression of the will of the people. That is the basic point that needs to be grasped and clearly understood. Miss Henshaw’s fear is therefore baseless. Yet we cannot leave it there. We must consider the wider issues that her concerns have raised. We must learn to be clear-headed and strategic in our thinking and actions. We must know what we wish to achieve and we must learn from history. The cost of petty bickering, division, undue rivalry, pettiness and age-old suspicions amongst the southern ethnic minorities and southerners generally is extreemly high. It has cost us virtually everything and it has stripped us naked and bare before our enemies and adversaries.
Someone is fighting for the freedom of his people and you lend your voice to rubbishing that person and that cause? That cannot be right and neither is it reasonable or fair.
The sooner that we southerners get it into our skulls that there must be unity between us the better. Without that unity we are nothing and we shall continue to fail and falter.
Yours truly has attacked and joined issues with the Igbo in a series of literary debates and articles in the past perhaps more than anyone else but now I know better.
Now I know that historical and intellectual debate is one thing and political expediency and pragmatism is another.
Now I know that we are fighting a collective cause and that we have a collective adversary and oppressor who seeks to destroy and devour us all. Now I know that when my Igbo or southern neighbour’s house is burning, even if we are barely on speaking terms, it is in my own interest to help him to put it out before that fire spreads to mine.
Now I know that the “handshake across the Niger” that the late and great Ikemba, Colonel Emeka Odimegwu-Ojukwu, the former Head of State of Biafra, once spoke about is the only way forward. Now I know that whether we like to admit it or not Igbo and Yoruba co-operation, understanding and unity is a fundamental pre-requisite to the freedom and emancipation of the entire south.
Now I know that the more I attack my Igbo brothers the more I weaken myself, my Yoruba people and the south generally from the incessant and relentless attacks, humiliation and indignities that we collectively receive from the ruling core Muslim Hausa-Fulani north. Now I know that what fuels and feeds northern hegemony and subjugation more than anything else are the petty rivalries and divisions between the southern ethnic nationalities.


And it has made us utterly powerless and hopelessly weak. The end-result is that we have all been turned into pliant and cowardly slaves. This has been the case since 1960 and it will continue into eternity if we don’t sit up, grow up and set aside our many mutual suspicions and differences.
The Biafrans are simply asking for their own country and for an affirmative referendum to give it legitimacy. No-one can be made to join Biafra against his or her will or by force. It appears to me that this is obvious. In any case did Miss Henshaw or her forefathers give their consent to becoming a Nigerian in 1914 when the amalglamation took place? Where is her sense of outrage about that? Did she warn the British or the north about that and did she promise to attempt to fight them because of it? Were we not all just herded into Nigeria like cattle at the time? Were those of us from the south not just lumped together with a north that the British described as our “poor husband” whilst we were described as their “rich wife?”
Have we not been raped, sodomised, cheated, battered and butchered by that poor husband ever since? Have we not been turned into second class citizens and slaves in our own country? Has Miss Henshaw protested about that and has she expressed her outrage and “warned” our collective oppressors as well? Does she not feel a sense of revulsion and outrage about that? Or is her outrage and warning reserved only for her fellow southerners? The people of Biafra are fighting for the self-determination of their own Igbo people and anyone or any other group that wishes to join them. Is that a crime? Would you seek to deny them that right and instead join sides with their oppressors and keep them in Nigeria by the usage of state-sponsored terror, guile, deceit and tyranny?
I do not accept the notion that the Biafrans seek to compel anyone or any group of people to leave Nigeria with them if they do not wish to do so. That would be unacceptable and it is not their intention. Unlike Nigeria, being part of or joining Biafra is not by compulsion but rather a matter of choice. And that choice can only be made in a free and fair referendum. If you do not wish to be part of Biafra and leave Nigeria then dont join them and instead stay in Lugard’s “happy” contraption. That is your right and your prerogative. Yet the truth is that with or without you the Biafrans will achieve their objectives and realise their dreams and aspirations as long as it is God’s will and the desire of the Igbo people.
Whatever you and your people choose to do, either to go with Biafra or stay in Nigeria, do not allow yourself to be used by the retrogressive core north, the primitive forces of oppression and the asinine peddlars of lies, ignorance and falsehood to destroy someone else’s yearning for freedom from oppression and aspiration for liberty.
I say this because such an aspiration, yearning and quest is not only noble and pure but also deeply courageous. It is an aspiration that we should mirror and admire and not attempt to rubbish or belittle. This is all the more so because it has been paid for by the blood and suffering of many that have been killed over the last 50 years for daring to voice it, including many young people and many children.
If Miss Henshaw’s Efik ethnic group had suffered just 10 per cent of what the Igbo have been subjected to since 1966 they would have agitated to leave Nigeria long ago or perhaps been driven into extinction by now. That is the bitter truth. Finally let me say this: whether anyone likes it or not Nnamdi Kanu symbolises the Biafran struggle today.
He has earned it by the suffering he has endured, by the immense courage that he has displayed and by the gargantuan risks that he has taken. He has energised his people and inspired and brought hope to millions of Igbo youth all over the world. He has given them back their pride and self-respect which is something that no other leader has managed to do since the end of the civil war.
This is a beautiful thing and I wonder why anyone that lays claim to being enlightened or educated would attempt to besmirch or denigrate him? Why try and demean him or discredit and belittle the views that he and his followers hold so dear? Whether anyone likes it or not the truth is that Nnamdi Kanu speaks for millions.

And many other ethnic nationalist groups in the south and Middle Belt have precisely the same aspirations and dreams of emancipation and freedom that he espouses, enunciates, epitomises and holds so dear. The challenge that they are faced with is that, unlike the Igbo, they have yet to produce a leader like Nnamdi Kanu that can unite and rally them together under one banner and lead them to the promised land.

BREAKING!!! EU Lawmakers Berate Buhari Over Human Rights Abuses; Move to Free Nnamdi Kanu

More than a dozen Members of the European Union Parliament has written a joint letter to the Office of the European Union Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, condemning the continuous illegal detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB), and two other Biafran activists, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawusi, by the Nigerian government led by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Family Writers had earlier reported a diplomatic meeting between IPOB leadership caucus and Ms Julie Ward, a member of the European Union Parliament representing North West of England, in November, about Nnamdi Kanu’s incarceration and the inhuman treatment being meted out on Biafrans in Nigeria. The Parliamentarian, however, promised that she “will not stop fighting” to ensure that justice prevails for Nnamdi Kanu and Biafrans in general.

Meanwhile, Julie Ward MEP is the brain behind the protest letter to the European Union High Commission, and which has placed the Nigeria seat of power in a state of unbelievable shock.
The letter was addressed to Ms. Federica Mogherini, the  European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Vice President of the European Union Commission, also decried the excessive use of force on “peaceful” Biafra activists by Nigeria’s security agencies, which has resulted in the extrajudicial killings of hundreds of activists, thousands have been subjected to various degrees of incarceration and inhuman treatments.
The EU parliamentarians stated in the letter that, “it is clear that the fundamental human rights of Kanu, Madubugwu and Nwawusi are grossly violated.”

The letter pointed out that, “on several occasions, The Nigerian security forces have used excessive force against pro-Biafran activists who have planned or attended peaceful protest marches.”
Going further, it noted that, “it is clear that the Nigerian authorities are not operating with respect to the Nigerian constitution or the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”
Conclusively, the letter in a five key demands, called for an urgent action from the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, urging it to, “advocate for the immediate and safe release of Nnamdi Kanu and co-defendants Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi,” and also  condemn in full terms, the tyrannical tendencies of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Department of State Services, DSS, as regards to the continuous incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu and co-defendants, despite court orders that had granted them unconditional release.
It also urged the EU High Commission to call for an uninfluenced investigations on the killings of hundreds of Biafra activists, and mount pressure on the Nigerian government to stop with immediate effect, the continuous clamp down on Biafrans, in accordance with international treaties on human rights, to which the government of Nigeria is signatory to.
A FULL VERSION OF THE LETTER READS BELOW:
JOINT LETTER FROM MEPS TO HR/VP MOGHERINI
Ms Federica Mogherini
High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
European External Action Service
1046 Brussels
Belgium
19th December 2016
Dear Ms Mogherini,
We write in regards to the unlawful detention of Nwannekaenyi “Nnamdi” Kenny Okwu Kanu, a dual British-Nigerian citizen and Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and the continued violence towards IPOB supporters as perpetrated by the Nigerian Government.
Since 14th October 2015, Kanu has been illegally imprisoned by the Federal Republic of Nigeria, despite being acquitted of all charges brought against him.
The authorities accused Kanu and his two co-defendants, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi, of trying to overthrow the Nigerian head of state by broadcasting secessionist propaganda on the underground media outlet Radio Biafra, which campaigns for the independence of Biafra from Nigeria.  Kanu, Madubugwu and Nwawuisi deny all charges brought against them.
On 19th October in Abuja, the Chief Magistrate, Honourable Shuaibu, discharged Kanu of all criminal charges including the allegation of managing and belonging to an unlawful society, criminal intimidation and of criminal conspiracy. Shuaibu granted Kanu bail, of which all the conditions were met, but the Department of State Services refused to release him.
The charges of criminal conspiracy, engaging in unlawful society and criminal intimidation were then withdrawn on 16th December 2015, but still Kanu, Madubugwu and Nwawuisi have not been released.

On 17th December 2015, Justice Adeniyi Ademola ordered the unconditional release of Kanu from the custody of the Department of State Security Services, but this was not enacted.
Kanu’s counsel have since appealed to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to help ensure his safe release, but to no avail.  A court case on 5th October 2016 was later adjourned to 8th November, which has now been amended to 9th February 2017, due to the Nigeria Department of State Services failure to bring Kanu to court. The Federal Government of Nigeria had previously warned the ECOWAS community court sitting in Abuja not to intervene in Kanu’s continued detention and trial.
It is clear that the fundamental human rights of Kanu, Madubugwu and Nwawuisi are being grossly violated. Human Rights Watch have reported of the violation of the defendants’ rights, including their right to a fair trial[1].

What is more, the Nigerian Government is also reportedly violating the human rights of Biafran activists. Scores of Biafrans are in detention for attempting to hold or participate in peaceful assemblies. On several occasions, security forces have used excessive force against pro-Biafran activists who have planned or attended peaceful protest marches[2]. Amnesty International has documented cases of arrest, enforced disappearance, torture and often killing of supporters and members of various pro-Biafran groups in the region[3]. Since August 2015, they estimate at least 150 Biafrans have been killed by Nigerian security forces. However, as no official investigations have been carried out, this figure is believed to be much higher[4].
The right to peaceful assembly and association, as well as the right of freedom of expression, is protected by the Nigerian constitution. International human rights standards also require that law enforcement officials must, as far as possible, apply nonviolent means. It is clear that the Nigerian authorities are not operating with respect to the Nigerian constitution or the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
On behalf of the European Union, especially in respect to the EU-Nigeria partnership, the Nigeria EU Joint Way Forward, the developments of the 6th Nigeria-EU ministerial dialogue and the fact that Nigeria is a recipient of EU aid, we call upon you to:
Advocate for the immediate and safe release of Nnamdi Kanu and co-defendants Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.
Challenge the actions of the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, and the Nigerian Department of State Services in regards to the detention of Kanu, Madubugwu and Nwawuisi.
Call for an impartial investigation into the arrest, enforced disappearance, torture and killing of supporters and members of various pro-Biafran groups.
Denounce the unacceptable violence against Biafran supporters by Nigerian security forces.
Do more to push the Nigerian government to safeguard human rights in Nigeria by calling for guarantees on the freedom of expression of all Nigerian citizens, including their right to protest without harm, and the termination of violence towards Biafrans.
We look forward to your positive response.
Yours sincerely,
Julie Ward MEP
Ana Gomes MEP
Bart Staes MEP
Beatriz Becerra MEP
Brando Benifei MEP
Catherine Stihler MEP
Ernest Urtasun MEP
Eva Joly MEP
Hilde Vautmans MEP
Jude Kirton-Darling MEP
Kati Piri MEP
Miapetra Kumpula-Natri MEP
Michèle Rivasi MEP
Nessa Childers MEP
Pascal Durand MEP
Philippe Lamberts MEP

[1] Human Rights Watch, ‘Nigeria Should Respect Protesters’ Rights’, 12 October 2016, https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/10/12/nigeria-should-respect-protesters-rights
[2] Amnesty International, ‘Nigeria: Killing of unarmed pro-Biafra supporters by military must be urgently investigated’, 10 June 2016, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2016/06/nigeria-killing-of-unarmed-pro-biafra-supporters-by-military-must-be-urgently-investigated/
[3] Amnesty International, ‘Nigeria: Crackdown on journalists and assault on protests shrinking civic space’, 28 September 2016, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2016/09/nigeria-crackdown-and-shrinking-civic-space/
[4] Amnesty International, ‘Nigeria: At least 150 peaceful pro-Biafra activists killed in chilling crackdown’, 24 November 2016, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2016/11/peaceful-pro-biafra-activists-killed-in-chilling-crackdown/

Trump formally elected U.S. President by Electoral College

he 538-membet Electoral College sealed Republican Donald Trump’s victory on Monday, formalising his Nov. 8 election and making him officially the 45th elected U.S. President.

The Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in the U.S. reports that Trump took to his twitter handle to break the news of his victory to his supporters.

Donald-trump

“We did it! Thank you to all of my great supporters, we just officially won the election (despite all of the distorted and inaccurate media),” Trump said.
“Today marks a historic electoral landslide victory in our nation’s democracy.
“I thank the American people for their overwhelming vote to elect me as their next President of the United States.

“This election represents a movement that millions of hard working men and women all across the country stood behind and made possible.
“With this historic step we can look forward to the bright future ahead.
“I will work hard to unite our country and be the President of all Americans,” Trump also said in a statement.
Vice President-elect Mike Pence also hailed Trump on Twitter as the results came in.
“Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump; officially elected President of the U.S. today by the Electoral College!”

Unofficial reports said Trump received 304 electoral votes to Hillary Clinton’s 224, with six electors said to have voted for other candidates, costing Trump two votes and Clinton four.

However, Hawaii’s electors are reportedly still set to meet later on Monday, with the state’s four votes expected to go to Hillary Clinton, who won the popular votes by almost three million.
NAN reports that the result will be officially announced on Jan. 6, 2017 in a special joint session of Congress.
Vice President Joe Biden, will open the electoral votes before a joint session of the new Congress, where they will be counted and certified.
NAN reports that in the U.S., the Vice President is the President of the Senate.
The Electoral College met in all the 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. on Monday.
NAN reports that afterwards, the president-elect will be communicated to officially to arrive at the Capitol Hill on Jan. 20 for his inauguration.
Under U.S. law, electors must formally vote for the president and vice-president before they can lead the country.
NAN recalls that Trump’s victory in various states in the  Nov. 8 election put him in line to get 306 of the 538 electoral college votes as against Clinton’s 232, according to projections.
NAN also reports that Clinton won the popular vote by almost three million votes.(NAN)

OMG!!! Raw Video of Russian Ambassador’s Assassination by Man Shouting “Allahu Akbar” (Graphic: Viewer Discretion)

The Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov was shot while attending the opening of an art gallery exhibition in the capitol. Watch the chilling video from the scene above. Karlov is in critical condition at a Turkish hospital.

The man, reported to be a police officer (or posing as one), fired at the ambassador and shouted “Allahu Akbar,” repeatedly.

Relations between Moscow and Ankara worsened in November 2015 after Turkey shot down a Russian fighter plane near the Syrian border, but have recently become warmer.

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A gunman opened fire on Russia’s ambassador to Turkey at a photo exhibition on Monday. The Russian foreign ministry confirmed he was shot, but did not immediately say anything about his condition.

The ambassador, Andrei Karlov, was several minutes into a speech at the embassy-sponsored exhibition in the capital, Ankara, when a man wearing a suit and tie shouted “Allahu Akbar” and fired at least eight shots, according to an AP photographer in the audience. The attacker also said some words in Russian and smashed several of the photos hung for the exhibition. There was panic as people ran for cover. NTV said three other people were wounded in the attack.

U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said U.S. officials were aware of reports about the shooting.
“We condemn this act of violence, whatever its source,” Kirby said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.”