Rivers judgment: PDP offers olive branch to APC

 – Rivers state PDP chairman, Mr Felix Obuah, told APC members that the door is opened for any of them to join the ruling party.
– Felix Obuah disclosed that Governor Nyesome Wike’s extension of hands of fellowship to the APC was borne out of open-mindedness and genuine love for all, irrespective of party affiliations.
– Rivers state chairman of the APC, Dr Davies Ikanya, disclosed that the party leadership received the Supreme Court judgment with mixed feelings.

Rivers APC says it will leave Wike to God after the Supreme Court upheld his victory

Following the Supreme Court judgment, which upheld the election of Governor Nyesome Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday, January 27, the state’s chapter of the party has offered olive branch to the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement issued by the state’s chairman of the PDP, Mr Felix Obuah, he told the opposition party members that the door is opened for any of them to come into the state’s ruling party.
The Tribune reports that Obuah advised APC members in the state to accept and take advantage of Governor Wike’s call and invitation for collective efforts to push the state forward, noting that the governor was magnanimous in victory.

According to him, Wike’s extension of hands of fellowship to the APC was borne out of open-mindedness and genuine love for all, irrespective of party affiliations.

The chairman pointed out that the governor had a burning desire to transform the Rivers state from its primitive base of hazardous politics to that, directed by sound, progressive and patriotic statesmen.
He urged the party’s ward chairmen in the state to take advantage of Wike’s hand of fellowship by accepting APC members that are willing to defect and move the state forward.

Reacting to PDP’s offer, the state chairman of the APC, Dr Davies Ikanya, in a statement, disclosed that the party’s leadership received the Supreme Court judgment with mixed feelings. He insisted that the election was marred with violence, but assured that the party would neither applaud nor condemn the judgment.
Ikanya pointed out that, it was the violence that marred the elections that made the two lower courts to order rerun elections for 22 state House of Assembly seats out of 32, the three senatorial seats and 12 out of 13 House of Representatives seats.

“Ordinarily, such large-scale annulment should have logically led to upholding the annulment of the governorship election as pronounced by the Tribunal and the Appeal Court.

“While we are neither applauding nor condemning the decision of the apex court, we can only give thanks and adoration to God Almighty whose wisdom surpasses that of man,” he said.

However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers state has alleged a plot by certain desperate politicians to eliminate its chairman, Bro Felix Obuah. This allegation was contained in a statement made by Obuah’s special adviser on media and publicity, Jerry Needam. The party alleged that the threat points to the direction of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

How ogogoro killed 2 people in Edo

– Two persons died after consuming locally brewed illicit gin, popularly called “ogogoro” in Ugieda, South Ibie, in Etsako West local government area of Edo state.
– The local ruler of the community, (Aidonigie of South Ibie), Alhaji Kelvin Danisi, disclosed that a ban would be placed on sales and consumption of the illicit gin.  
– The chairman of Etsako West local government council, Mr. Yesufu Busari, said the council would liaise with relevant stakeholders, especially dealers of the local gin, to enlighten the people on current happenings.

A display of various locally brewed gins

Months after several persons allegedly died in Ondo and Rivers states, after consuming locally brewed illicit gin, popularly called “ogogoro” two persons reportedly died on Tuesday, January 26 in Ugieda, South Ibie, in Etsako West local government area of Edo state, after consuming ogogoro.

Three other persons who also consumed the substance suspected to be contaminated, are said to be presently hospitalised and doctors are battling to save their lives.

Sources in the town had it that the five persons complained of unusual hotness and aches in their stomach after consuming the local dry gin.

An eye-witness, Mr Lukman Rilwan, who spoke to journalists on the incident, said: “After they have consumed the ogogoro, they began complaining of stomach ache. Unfortunately the two died while three are currently hospitalised at the hospital.”

Also commenting on the incident, the local ruler of the community, (Aidonigie of South Ibie), Alhaji Kelvin Danisi, disclosed that a ban would be placed on sales and consumption of the illicit gin.

“So we are doing everything to make sure that such things don’t happen again. I have already summoned a meeting of all those that are into sales of alcohol and we are going to place a ban on illicit gin,” the traditional ruler said.

 

Speaking in the same vein, the chairman of Etsako West local government council, Mr. Yesufu Busari, who also confirmed the incident, said he got report “that two people have died and three others are still critically ill at the hospital.”

Busari said the council would liaise with relevant stakeholders, especially dealers of the local gin, to educate and enlighten the people on current happenings. He appealed to people of the council to desist from consuming illicit gin.
 
Efforts to get comment from Edo state police command spokesman, DSP Abiodun Osifo, yielded no result as calls made to his cell phone went unanswered.

Ogogoro has caused more pains than relaxation for many as it would be recalled that a driver was few months ago arrested by police in Benin after he crushed his friend to death moments after they enjoyed locally distilled gin, popularly called “ogogoro.”

The incident happened on Monday, September 28 when the driver who worked for a private firm in the state visited his 80-year-old friend, Pa Eghobawaye, who was the oldest man in Nekpenekpen street, off First East Circular road in Edo.

Suicide bombers strike again in Cameroon

– Twin bombing kill four with a dozen wounded
– No group has claimed  immediate responsibility
– Boko Haram likely suspects 

Four people were killed and a dozen others were wounded when two suicide bombers set off twin bombing in the town of Kerawa, northern Cameroon on Thursday, January 28.

Reuters citing local officials reported that there was no immediate claim of responsibility but Boko Haram militants who have carried out strings of suicide bombings in northern Cameroon are blamed for the recent attacks.

Just three days ago four suicide bombers affiliated with the Boko Haram sect attacked a village in the country’s far north region on killing at least 25 people in one of the deadliest attacks the country has ever experienced.

Sequel to constant attacks by Boko Haram militants on both churches and mosques, Cameroonian Christians and Muslims have united to fight against what they call a common enemy.

Local vigilante groups also began assisting the government against increasing attacks by the sect, which has begun using female suicide bombers more often.
Boko Haram has been active in Cameroon for three years, looting, killing, and burning schools, markets and churches.

Meanwhile, the identity of one of the masterminds of the abduction of Chibok girls on April 14, 2014, will soon be made public subject to verification by the Nigerian Army.

Jarasu Shirawho, who is believed to be the sect leader around Damboa-Chibok-Askira axis of Borno state before he was apprehended last week in the state is believed to be one of the masterminds of the Chibok girls abduction.

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#BIAFRA : MORE PHOTOS FROM BRUSSLES EU PARLIAMENT HDQTRS PROTEST

#BIAFRA : MORE PHOTOS FROM BRUSSLES EU PARLIAMENT HDQTRS PROTEST

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#BIAFRA : IPOB FROM ACROSS EUROPE STORM BRUSSELS, THE EU PARLIAMENT IN PROTEST

Members of the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) from Germany, Russia, Italy, Spain, Austria, Ukraine, Ireland, England, Sweden, Kosovo, Switzerland, Finland, Greece, Hungary and other countries in Europe all assembled in Brussels the capital of Belgium (the headquarters of the European Union parliament) venue for the European Union summit to protest the illegal detention of the Leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. They also said they demand the unconditional release of Mr. Kanu who has been detained since October, 2015 by the Nigerian secret police.

It could be recalled that the Federal government of Nigeria through the DSS has charged Mazi Kanu to both Abuja Chief Magistrate Court and Federal High Courts on crimes bordering on belonging to an unlawful society, managing and coordinating the society and of recent for treasonable felony against the President of Nigeria from 2014 to date. The Justice of the Abuja High Court has unconditionally released Mazi Kanu, who the Nigeria secret police (DSS) has defied court orders to be released. He has since been held against court orders since 17th December, 2015.

Today, the IPOB in Europe assembled in Brussels, Belgium in-front of the European Union headquarters where it is expected that President Buhari of Nigeria will address the parliament. The members of the body are protesting the illegal detention of their leader, Mazi Kanu who they said has committed no offense. They are demanding the unconditional release of Mr Kanu and freedom for Biafra as an independent state.

Tompolo to appear before EFCC, Court

Tompolo to appear before EFCC, Court

 

*seeks for amicable settlement with Buhari

* begs FG for amicable settlement

 

Former militant leader and founder of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has said he would soon appear before the Federal High Court to answer case of fraud leveled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

 

The ex-warlord also dismissed as untrue that he has concluded plans to wage war against the federal government saying that he is committed helping the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to succeed.

 

Tompolo stated this in a statement issued by his media adviser and consultant, Mr. Paul Bebenimibo on Thursday while responding to an allegation by his colleague in the Niger Delta struggle, Mr. Africanus Ukparasia popularly referred General Africa from Bayelsa State that Tompolo was behind recent bombing of oil installation in the region.

 

A copy of the statement made available to The AUTHORITY, however did not indicate when he would appear before the court.

 

He prayed the Federal government for amicable settlement of the issue emphasizing that his resolute to keep the oath he avowed to when he unconditionally accepted amnesty during President Musa Yar’Adua’s regime.

 

The statement said, “As he has stated in several occasions, he will appear in court at the appropriate time as his lawyers are working towards that.”

 

“Tompolo has no reason to bomb pipelines because of EFCC case, he knows he is innocent”, it added

Tompolo stressed that, “Let it be known to Nigerians and the entire World that Tompolo will never wage war against the Federal Government as he has sworn in 2009 when he accepted the Presidential amnesty declared by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.”

 

It added, “He (Tompolo) has kept faith with Nigeria. He has promised to work with the present administration unconditionally, and he stands by that declaration.

 

“He was seriously troubled by the recent pipeline bombing incident, because he has provided security for these pipelines even when the government refused to pay him. And so, he could not have been the one to damage same pipelines.

 

“As regards acquisition of speed boats for war, it is the biggest lie of the year, as the military is also aware of the boats and pick-up vans he purchased in 2011 for the surveillance of oil facilities as he was working hand in hand with the military then.

 

“Tompolo is a man of peace and he is poised for the development of the coastal Niger Delta region. He prays that this matter be amicably resolved so that everyone will know that he always put his people above his person gains.”

 

He explained that he had earlier before the multiple attacks on oil installations in the region raised an alarm that some persons believed to be members of the All Progressives Congress from Bayelsa and Delta States plot to destroy national assets, especially oil pipelines in the Niger Delta as a result of the outcome of the 2015 governorship election of Bayelsa State.

 

The former militant leader further, And that they will do this and points accusing fingers at him, to further worsen his ordeal in the hands of the ruling APC Federal Government. And true to his fears, these set of APC chieftains that joined the party immediately after the presidential election of 2015,were the first people to accuse him of bombing the pipelines to divert public attention.

 

“These new APC members who the former chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande,described as parasites, also threatened to cause problem in the Niger Delta region if the pipeline surveillance contract in Delta State already awarded to Messers Ocean Marine Solution is not re-awarded to them.

 

“This is a clear testimony of their involvement in the bombing of the pipelines. Since then, we have all seen their roles in misleading the military and the general public.”

Dasuki releases images of sophisticated weapons acquired under Jonathan (PHOTOS)

Dasuki releases images of sophisticated weapons acquired under Jonathan (PHOTOS)


The immediate past National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), has spoken of how the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan facilitated the acquisition of hitherto elusive weaponry in the last one year and recovered many local governments that had been occupied by Boko Haram terrorists.
dasuki2Sambo, who has been a subject of media focus since his homes in Abuja and Sokoto were invaded by operatives of the Department of State Security Services (DSS) the same week he left office on the eve of Eid -Fitri 2015, named some of the deciding acquisitions to include Alpha jets, APCs, MRAP vehicles, advanced artillery pieces, assorted arms and ammunitions, highly sophisticated surveillance drones, T72 and carried out modification of F7 supersonic jet fighters.


dasuki4Dasuki told PRNigeria that “The armored tanks have comprehensive NBC protection system, just as we deployed Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles that we bought and could withstand improvised explosive device (IED) attacks and ambushes. The vehicles had protected our troops from the land mine threats.

dasuki3“We are glad that we also provided assorted Armoured Personnel Carriers to transport troops to the battlefield. They are armed for self-defence and to provide protection from attacks from shrapnel and small arms fire.

“All these were acquired in the last one year after years of frustration by Western powers who denied us of the equipment and sabotage our efforts to acquire same from other sources which are reasons for some delay in delivery.”

dasuki5According to him, some other arms already paid
for by the previous administration are due to be delivered soon. “It was unfortunate that some elements are frustrating the efforts as we even had to query some suppliers for delay in delivery of arms and ammunitions,” he added.

dasuki6The former NSA disclosed “we utilised some of these equipment to recover more than 22 local governments under Boko Haram terrorists and ensured that Shekau did not disrupt the 2015 election as he had threatened. Not only did we ensure that the elections were peaceful, Shekau has never spoken to threaten anyone again since then.”

Responding to critics of past administration on security issues, he said: “In attempt to rubbish individuals for whatever reasons, political or otherwise, we should be careful not to rubbish sensitive institutions and their personnel that might still be in active service.

dasuki7“It is unfortunate that some elements hide under the cover of anonymity in the media to rubbish some of the sacrifices we made. They should the take the courage to come out publicly by identifying themselves with their baseless allegations. ”