Kidnapping: Editor Recounts Close Shave in Lagos

Breaking News
Kidnapping: Editor Recounts Close Shave in Lagos
“Wow! What a close shave!” That was all a former Style Editor with The Compass Newspapers, Ronke Kehinde, could say after a narrow escape from suspected kidnappers in Ikeja, Lagos.
Drugged and driving almost unconsciously through Ikeja, with three assailants on her trail, Mrs Kehinde, the wife of newsmakersng.com publisher, Dipo Kehinde, got off the hook in what she described as a miraculous escape.
This is her story as presented in a Church testimony on Sunday:
It was like a scene from the movies, I was waylaid by strange men last Wednesday.
I was on my way home from the Computer village, Ikeja; driving towards the bridge, near Ikeja General Hospital. There was a holdup due to the traffic light under the bridge. Then, a lady appeared from the blues with flyers in her hand. She was by the passenger’s window, but her hands were already inside my car, holding the flyer to my face.
She said, “You can buy landed properties by paying in installment.”
A view of the flyer
I wasn’t actually interested, but I took the flyer because I wanted her to go so that I could drive. At this time the traffic light had turned green. I took the flyer from her and dropped it on the passenger seat beside me.
As soon as I moved, I noticed something strange. My eyes were peppery.  I immediately took the flyer and threw it on the floor of the car because I wasn’t sure if what I was feeling was as a result of the flyer, or maybe it was coming from the surrounding.
I took the roundabout turn, beside the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH); then I connected the flyover near Awolowo house. As I continued to drive, I was feeling so dizzy and uncomfortable. My face was peppery.
As I was getting close to Guinness, I noticed a light brown car following me. There were three men in the car. Anytime they get to my side, in the traffic, they will all look at me intensely.
It was at this point I realized that it was a set up. Although I was uncomfortable, I was conscious of my environment.  While driving I stuck my head outside the window, so I could get fresh breeze. I was choking.
Those guys were expecting to see an unconscious woman or one who is struggling to remain conscious. The lady that gave me the flyer must be working with them.
When they noticed that I was fully conscious because I was looking at them, they stopped following me.
When I got home and told my husband, he opened the same flyer, the effect of whatever it was laced with was still very potent. His eyes became peppery. He wrapped the flyer in a cellophane bag. He said that he would like to get someone to do a forensic analysis of the substance on it.
I’m sharing this so that all motorists will be aware and be careful. Kidnappers are using different techniques to get their victims.
When we shared this experience with some close friends, someone told us through a WhatsAppmessage that the flyer could have been soaked in a potent street drug called Burundanga (also known as Scopolamine), which criminals now use to incapacitate victims before attacking them.

EVERYTHING YOU WISH TO KNOW ABOUT THE IGBO RACE

Is Southeast and Igboland the same thing? 

Not at all. Southeast is only about 3/5th of Igboland. Igboland covers the whole of Southeast, parts of
Rivers, Delta, Benue,Edo and Akwa Ibom states.

Why were we taught in school that Igbo people are easterners?

It is both an unfortunate parroting by teachers and careless adoption by Igbo educated class. Igbo people come from Southern Nigeria and not Eastern Nigeria. It may be correct to say that the Igbo are found predominantly in eastern Nigeria. However, by saying that the Igbo are easterners, the implication is that the Igbo in western Nigeria, numbering about 2.5 million (Agbor, Ogwashi Ukwu, Ibuzo, Okpanam, Asaba, Orimili, Ndokwa, Anioma, etc) are not Igbos. The best known Igbo anthropologist Professor Mike Onwuejeogwu is from the western part of Nigeria, Chukwuma Nzeogwu, Dennis Osadebe, Okonkwo Adibe (the famous musician), Sony Odogwu, etc. are all from the western part of Nigeria. They are no less Igbo than those who live in the eastern part of Nigeria. The correct answer to your question is "the Igbo come from Southern Nigeria."

Why do some Igbo refer to themselves as "core Igbo?" 

That is clearly arrant nonsense. Nobody is core and others peripheral. All Igbo are the same. It is both arrogant, thoughtless and insensitive for anybody to regard others as marginal.

Is Igboland landlocked? 

Not at all! Igboland stretches from Igwe Ocha (Port Harcourt) to Agbor. The Atlantic ocean washes the shores of Igboland. Africa's second largest river - River Niger, traverses Igboland with one part of Igboland in the east and another part in the west of Nigeria. Uguta Lake has the potential of accommodating large ships and could be made a navigable port. If Igboland is landlocked, then all Nigeria is landlocked.

Is there oil in Igboland? 

Yes, indeed. There is a lot of oil in Imo State, Abia, Ebonyi, Rivers State and Delta States Igbo areas, and now in Anambra. Besides, Igboland has many other natural resources, including coal, limestone, etc.

Are the Igbo a nation or a tribe? 

The Igbo are a nation, and a very large one. There are many tribes in Igbo nation, just like you have many tribes within Israel.

Why do some Ikwerre people say they are not Igbo? 

First, it is not up to them to say what they are and what they are not. When God created them, He did not ask them who they wanted to be. He just created them Igbo. The only way you'll know who belongs to what ethnic group in Nigeria is the name and what language the name comes from. Anybody whose name is Amadi or Onyeri, or Eke, or Odili, Wanodi (Nwanodi), Adaeza, chibuike, uchenna does not need to tell you who he is. He is Igbo, his politics notwithstanding.

But they claim that their language is Ikwerre, not Igbo. 

That is politics. Ikwerre is a dialect of Igbo language. Just like an Ngwa man speaks Ngwa Igbo, Arochukwu speaks Arochukwu Igbo, etc.

Some people say that Igbo language is not complete, is it true? 

No language is complete. All languages borrow from each other. Igbo language is very rich. It has inexhaustible and rich linguistic features like idioms, proverbs, aphorisms, sayings, anecdotes, riddles, folklores, etc. Igbo language is one of the major languages of the world, being spoken by millions of people.

How many are the Igbo? 

The Igbo are very numerous. There is educated guess that if Nigeria's census is properly enumerated, the Igbo could easily be the largest ethnic group in the country. They may number up between 50-60 million. Everything right now, is speculation. Nobody knows the true stratification or ethnic populations in Nigeria. The Igbo are the only ethnic group found in large numbers everywhere in Nigeria, and foreign countries more than any other ethnic group in Africa.

Do the Igbo have a culture of their own? 

Yes, indeed. Igbo culture is perhaps, one of the richest and all-encompassing cultures in this world. Igbo culture always observes the temporal and the spiritual aspects of cosmology. The study of Igbo culture reveals that it is extremely deep and original.

Why do the Igbo call themselves Biafrans? 

Great question! Some people have the idea that Biafra originates from the Bight of Biafra. But that is wrong. There was the Kingdom of Biafra that ruled most of the ancient world about 50,000 years ago. Unfortunately, nobody talks about it, for whatever reason, I do not know. But, it is in the ancient maps of the world. 

Were the Igbo also taken into slavery during the slave trade? 

Yes! The Igbo slaves themselves gave account of their travails in slavery. Olauda Ekwuano an Igbo ex-slave who bought his freedom in Britain was the first slave to write about his experience in slavery. His book has become a classic. You ought to find it and read it. Also, other Igbos who were brought to America revolted and some walked back on water and were said to have returned to Africa. Several books have been written about them. One of such books is "Ibo Landing." It is available in bookstores like Barnes & Noble. In Haiti, the Igbo settled there and refused to be colonized by anybody. There are many places where the Igbo left their mark or their signature.

How did the Igbo know days and years?

The Igbo invented an accurate, if not the most accurate calendar called "Iguafo Igbo (Igbo Calendar)." In Igbo calendar, there are four market days - Eke, Afor, Nkwo, Orie that make one week. Four days make one week, seven weeks make one month, and thirteen months make one year. There are 28 days for each month, with the last month having 29 days. Each month starts the same day as the previous. Igbo calendar forms the perfect astronomical alignment with the cosmos, and regulates the seasons, agriculture, navigation, astrology, geography, mathematics, travel, etc.

Did the Igbo have their own alphabets? 

Yes, indeed. It is called "Nsibidi."

How about mathematics; did the Igbo know mathematics? 

Yes, indeed. There are such inventions as "Okwe" and "Mkpisi" which the Igbo used to resolve figures.

Did the Igbo know anything about banking? 

Yes. Igbo banking was more in the nature of Savings and Loans. The authentic Igbo savings and loans invention called "Isusu' in which contributions are pooled each week and one person, who has the need, collects, is still in practice. Igbo slaves took this invention to the Caribbean Islands where they still practise it and call it "Sue Sue."

Some people say that Igboland is too small for the Igbo, that they have no alternative than to live as Nigerians: is this true? 

False! Igboland is a large country. Do every Igbo need to stay and work in Igboland? No. Everywhere in the world, some will stay home while others venture abroad in search of opportunities. Igboland is large enough for the Igbo. And it is a very rich and hospitable part of the world. It has rich soil for agriculture, abundant rainfall, good sunshine, and table land in many parts. Its land space and population are more than that of over half of the present countries in the world.

Where did the Igbo come from?

That question is still being asked. There are very intriguing theories or histories now being studied. You may have heard of the Jewish angle, the Egypt angle, and the Origin of man angle. This twenty-first century, hopefully, will resolve the mystery.

Why do people say that the Igbo are not united? 

Those who say so, do so out of ignorance. The Igbo are famous for their unity. In the colonial period and the First Republic of Nigeria, the Igbo were always envied for their unity. Under Igbo Union, they accomplished many things. They were feared by others for this. Since after the war, the Igbo are gradually recovering and getting rid of the individualism they developed brought about by their war experience which enabled them to survive as a disinherited people. Now, there are vigorous efforts to reunite them and return them to their old glory which served them well in the past.

Some people say that the Igbo are susceptible to being bought by some other Nigerians, and that they "sell" the Igbo in the bargain; is this true? 

The same parroting and recycling of unfounded talk! When you hear such a talk, challenge the one who is mouthing it to give you evidence, or to cite an example of such an Igbo person. He is likely to say "what of Jim Nwobodo?" Tell him that the Igbo number about 40 million, if it would be fair for the action of one person to represent the integrity of the other 3.99.9 million. The truth is that an Igbo is like any other human being, when he sees where he can take advantage of a situation, he goes for it. It has nothing to do with "selling." Were we not told that fish clusters where the river was deepest or that the dog follows he who has crumbs? Not long ago in the history of Nigeria, other Nigerians were also running after the Igbo for crumbs because the Igbo were in position to call the shots. Things will not remain as they are today. In fact, things are changing fast.

Why are other Nigerians always persecuting the Igbo? 

I have always tried to know myself. I am one of those who believe that the Igbo are among the most peaceful people on earth. But, because of the fact that they are very hardworking, ambitious, and not afraid to live anywhere, or take up any task, they tend to be resented by their less ambitious and successful neighbors or hosts. When you confront a non-Igbo to say what specific offense the Igbo have committed against them, oftentimes they draw blank, or engage in fabrications, which they insist must stand for a fact. The Igbo believe in live-and-let-live. It is virtually impossible for any Igbo to rise against their guests or hosts. It has never happened in Nigeria, or elsewhere. It is an abomination in Igboland for a host to cause his guest harm. Instead, a guest is considered metaphysically and physically under the protection of the host. All Igbo deities forbid doing harm to a guest. The Igbo are accused of "loving money." I suppose the charge is based on the fact that they work hard and acquire money in the bargain. One would like to believe that the outcome of hardwork is good harvest and hopefully prosperity. If anybody takes offense at the prosperity of a hardworking person, then the Igbo or for that matter any other person or persons, have no apologies to render.

Do the Igbo have their own system of jurisprudence before the arrival of the white man? 

Yes! The Igbo had a system of resolving conflicts. The elders were presented with cases that could not be satisfactorily settled within the family or kindred. Matters where veracity must be ascertained, the Igbo resort to spirituality. Oath-taking is a matter left to the spirits to settle. Those who swear falsely were expected to be killed by the spirits within a given period. After the period, he is acquitted and he could celebrate with public merry-making. The Igbo did not have any prisons, but they could ostracise a culprit, exile him, or send him into slavery or to serve to a deity.

Why don't the Igbo teach these things you are telling me to their children?

In the pursuit of what they taught was the "new way" either from Europeans or o Christianity, the Igbo began to distance themselves from their heritage, and in the process became lost in the wilderness of a world they hardly understand. They have learned their lesson the hard way. The twenty-first century will lead them back home. 

credit. Biafraland.com

JOEL OBI STARS AS TORINO DEFEAT PESCARA.

 Joel Obi was on from the start and picked up an assist for Torino in their 5-3 win over Pescara in a Serie A game decided at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino.
Obi was dominant in the first half, setting up Andrea Belloti for Torino’s third goal of the game which handed them a healthy 3-0 lead going into the half time break.
However Obi’s injury enforced substitution in the first minute of time added on after the first 45 minutes proved costly as Pescara took advantage to score three goals in the second half.
Injuries have so far stopped the former Inter-Milan prospect from fulfilling his potentials, and this season alone he has suffered two injury setback since the start of the year.
The injuries are part of the reason why he lost his spot in the Nigeria national team and it could prove costly for him again under new manager Gernot Rohr.

Ekong benched as Onyekuru Nets Last-Minute goal.

Henry Onyekuru is back on the goal trail after scoring his first goal of 2017 in Eupen’s 1-0 win over Gent in a Belgian First Division clash at GHELAMCO-arena on Saturday.


The game against Gent was heading for a draw until Onyekuru stepped up to score the winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

Samuel Kalu, Anderson Esiti, Moses Simon were the other Nigerian players on parade while William Troost-Ekong sat on the bench through out the duration of the match.

Chelsea Loanee Abraham Fires Brace In Six-Goal Thriller

Chelsea loanee Tammy Abraham has now netted 18 goals for Bristol City in the Championship following his brace for Bristol City in their entertaining 3-3 draw with Derby County on Saturday.

The England U21 international put Bristol City 2-0 up after 27 minutes when The Rams failed to deal with a cross and he poked home from close range.

It became 3-0 11 minutes later as Abraham scored again from close range following a low left-wing cross.

Derby County claimed a share of the spoils thanks to a brace from Darren Bent and Thomas Ince’s strike, with Ikechi Anya providing the assist for the 76th minute goal.

After 31 rounds in the English second-tier, Tammy Abraham is the second highest goalscorer, two goals behind Newcastle United’s Dwight Gayle who has netted 20 times.

Breaking News
Tribunal upholds Uwajumogu's election as Senator representing Okigwe zone.

LYING LIE MOHAMMED
"This is not the time for preaching peace when the enemy is ready to destroy the world. To forgive Islamic terrorists is up to God but to send them to see God is my duty" - President Vladimer Putin.
Is there any sane person that disagrees with Putin? Evidently there are a few people in high places in Nigeria that do.

The greatest evil that plagues our land today are not the Boko Haram or the Fulani miliitias. The greatest evil are those so-called moderate Muslims and practising Christians who pretend that the terrorists don't exist, who turn a blind eye to their evil and who sit back silently and watch them.
Consider the foul-breathed, pamper-wearing lying Lai Mohammed, Buhari's Minister of Information. He falls squarly into that category.
The other day he claimed that the assertion that Muslims kill Christians in Nigeria "is a fallacy". This man is nothing but scum. He is filth. He is sick. He us an unrepentant and pernicious liar.
He is the lowest of the low and every day I pray that God punishes him for his callous heartlessness and continuos support for the terrorists.
It was the same lying Lie Mohammed that complained that it was wrong for the Jonathan government to have banned Boko Haram in 2013 when he was spokesman of the defunct ACN.
As a matter of fact I am reliably informed that it was that statement that endeared him to Buhari's heart. Buhari himself went on to say in that same year that "an attack on Boko Haram is an attack on the north".
As Minister of Information lying Lie Mohammed has NEVER condemned to Fulani militias that are slaughtering Christians all over the north. He has never condemned those that slaughtered in Southern Kaduna, Agatu, Taraba, Plateau, Enugu, Abia and elsewhere by the Fulani militias.
He has NEVER called for their arrest, he has NEVER consoled or visited the families or the communities that were attacked and ravaged and he has NEVER acknowledged that the Fulani militias are the greatest, most connected, most protected and most powerful terrorist organisation in Nigeria today.
The blood of ALL those Christians that have been butchered in the north over the last one year and seven months will haunt lying Lie until the day he dies.
He is evil. He is wicked. He is irresponsible and his lie that no Muslim has killed Christians in Nigeria will follow him into eternity".
(FEMI FANI-KAYODE, 9th February 2017).

Buhari sacks Army bodyguards in Aso Rock
ABUJA-President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered for the immediate removal of officers and men of the Nigerian Army and restore the officials of the Department of State Security Service, DSS, as his body guards. It was learnt that the order was given by President Buhari shortly before he proceeded on his annual vacation to London, United Kingdom, UK, on January 19. Xby DNSUnlocker The development followed a series of complaints by the Chief Security Officer, to the President, CSO Bashir Abubakar who was said to not have been comfortable with the soldiers protecting the president. It was gathered that the use of army officers as body guards to provide protection to the President started soon after President Buhari moved into his official residence at the presidential villa after being sworn in May 2015. But the development did not go down well with the DSS which maintained it was its duties to protect the president. It was further gathered there had been a running battle between the former Chief Security Officer (CSO) Abdulraman Mani and the Aide de Camp (ADC) to the President, Colonel Lawal Abubakar on which of the agencies would do the job. While Mani insisted on the operatives of DSS to protect the President, the ADC preferred soldiers to serve as body guards. The battle between the two aides led to the removal of the former CSO by President Buhari. Vanguard gathered that what informed the president’s decision to replace the DSS with soldiers was his experience in the hands of the DSS operative during his campaign. But a memo dated Friday, June 26th 2015 insisted that the DSS officials should disregard the ADC’s directives

Nyesom Wike and Mission ‘Impossible’

BY EDDIE IROH
Those who know me and my antecedents in public affairs can vouch for one thing: I am not a praise singer. They will also attest that I belong to only one political party – FRN: The Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is from this non-partisan standpoint that I have been able to look at Nigerian issues and affairs objectively and comment on them quite dispassionately over the years.
It is against this backdrop that I took my reporter’s notebook, a physician’s stethoscope, and a laboratory technician’s microscope to examine why so many people and institutions across the usually bitterly divided Nigerian political spectrum are pouring encomiums on Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State. And this is at a time when few governors can claim to be popular; most are unable to meet their constitutional and statutory obligations like paying workers’ salaries and contractors’ debts; indeed at a time when recession has taken a huge bite off the fabled national cake, and has become a ready excuse for explaining these failures, let alone have extra resources for infrastructure and other capital development projects.
First there is Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, the APC governor of Zamfara State, an unlikely admirer of a PDP rival in a Nigeria where political bitterness and rivalry are synonymous with enmity, doing the unthinkable. Yari who is also the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) crossed ethnic, zonal, geographical and party lines, indeed “crossed carpet”, to pay fulsome compliments to Wike. On a visit to Rivers State and after seeing things for himself Yari had this to say: “It is quite commendable that Governor Wike has managed to come up with some programmes for the betterment of the people of Rivers State.” Yari continued: “This is in spite of the economic crisis in our hands which we are all trying to manage.”
At other times in Nigeria’s often volatile political climate, Yari might have been suspended by his party or even expelled for what will be termed “anti-party activities”, for crossing into the camp of the “enemy” and even commending the achievements of a governor from an opposition political party! What sacrilege!
If Yari is a politician and may be accused, even if unfairly, of being diplomatic with his host, you cannot say the same about the gatekeepers of the Nigerian Fourth Estate. On an earlier occasion the Nigerian Guild of Editors, a body of top media chieftains, highlighted Wike’s accomplishments in the areas of not just economic development but most importantly security, without which any form of development in any society would be almost impossible. Indeed, kidnapping and armed robbery were rampant fare in pre-Wike Rivers State, such that Ms. Donu Kogbara, arguably the most famous journalist from the state, was kidnapped and held hostage for one week by an armed gang which also terrorised her 79-year-old mother.
In a communique issued by the guild at the end of their executive committee meeting in Port Harcourt the state capital, the NGE commended Wike for the steps he has taken to improve the state of security in Rivers. With the improved state of affairs, Port Harcourt, which those of us who grew up there fondly nicknamed Pitakwa, “The Garden City” has once again become a conference and retreat destination for various organisations like the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Rotary International.
Among the myriad bodies and groups that have praised Wike are the River State Elders Consultative Council and a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Austin Opara. Some may suggest that these are indigenes of the state and have vested interests. But when two national newspapers with disparate ideologies and editorial outlook unanimously but independently elected to honour Wike for his achievements then it is only fit and proper that we take note and raise the question of whether there are lessons that other state governors can learn and implement in their own situation for the betterment of their states in particular and Nigeria in general. For in an interdependent federation like Nigeria, where resources by and large depend on federal largesse, the country is as strong as its weakest link.
First, The Sun Media Group chose Wike as their Sun Man of the Year 2016. Then The Independent newspaper chose Wike as The Best Nigerian Governor in 2016, for defying the recession and breaking new grounds in infrastructure and human resources development in Rivers State. From the USA, Asia and other parts of the world, a coalition of Rivers State indigenes weighed in and joined the chorus of applause for Wike for fulfilling the legitimate expectations of his people, citing road and agricultural projects that have had direct impact on the populace.
The probing, begging question here is: what factors account for Wike’s success in an economic environment of reduced revenue intake and depressed national economic outlook? What accounts for the success of Rivers State when many other states in the federation are barely managing to keep body and soul together, to keep their heads above water even after federal bailout?
To be absolutely fair, it is important to note and to keep matters in perspective that Rivers State, as one of the half a dozen or so states that comprise the oil-rich Niger Delta region that accounts for 80 per cent of the Nigerian treasury. Thus Rivers, like other states in the region, receives a commensurate percentage of federal oil revenue following the principle of derivation. One can rightly also argue that even in a situation of falling oil prices and disruption of local production caused by militancy in the Niger Delta region, and consequently diminished federal oil revenue and allocation to the states, River State’s share is still much higher than those of the non-oil producing states.
But that is only half the story. Wike has proved that his state cannot live by revenue from crude oil alone. He has proved that there can conceivably be life after crude oil. Wike did what many Nigerian leaders rarely pay attention to – income tax collection and other forms of internal revenue generation. In less than two years in office he more than doubled the internally generated revenue of the state from N4 billion to N9 billion.
Of course one can have all the money in the world and still miss the boat. We know of some governors in the same Niger Delta who got massive oil revenue and ploughed it into their personal treasuries and invested it in choice properties abroad and personal luxuries. Still money alone cannot achieve development. The decisive factor in statecraft is the human element, in this case leadership. I believe this is where Nyesom Wike has considerable advantage.
Unlike many leaders in Nigeria over the years who found themselves in positions of power by some fluke of faith, or had power thrust upon them, Wike is no accidental public servant. As we would say in local journalistic parlance, Wike has paid his dues. The man is a living example of the value of apprenticeship in politics, something not quite common in Nigeria where hardly any Nigerian governor has allowed his deputy, a person who had under-studied him for eight years, to succeed him. Wike went about his political career via the grassroots of local government administration.
Yes, Wike is a lawyer which is more than enough qualification to propel him from his law chambers to bid for governorship of his state. But he chose the route of local government administration and eventually became chairman of his local government council in Obio Akpor for eight years, and rose to become President of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON). It was from here that his then political godfather, Rotimi Amaechi poached Wike, first as his chief of staff, and subsequently to mastermind his gubernatorial campaign in 2011. His successes in these endeavours catapulted him to the federal level, where he was a minister for four years.
Wike’s successes in these various positions afforded him priceless experience and valuable insights into the challenges of governance at the local, state and federal levels, and provided him the tools he brought with him to tackle similar challenges in Rivers State. By the time he made a bid for the governorship of the state in 2015, Wike was well equipped, ready, willing and able. Wike left us another lesson here, namely that in politics things do not just happen; people in power make them happen.
The final point to consider here in understanding the nationwide applause being accorded Wike is the political and legal hurdles that he has had to surmount even as he was tackling the challenges of statecraft in Rivers State. As often happens in Nigerian politics, the relationship between the two erstwhile political allies, Amaechi and Wike, deteriorated quite dramatically as they found themselves in two opposing political camps, the All Peoples Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), respectively.
In more tolerant political climes, the two erstwhile buddies could have separated their personal comradeship from heir political differences. But in the do-or-die political atmosphere of Nigeria, it was all out war and no holds were barred when Wike contested the governorship on the platform of the PDP which had ruled the state since 1999 even under Amaechi. Wike had faced a herculean task because Amaechi, now a chieftain of the APC, was under pressure to deliver his state to his new party. Wike’s eventual victory was challenged by the APC in court where his victory was reaffirmed. But the tension and the rancour did not disappear immediately. Irrespective, Wike has soldiered on to achieve the remarkable success for which he is being applauded and honoured by his peers as well as his subjects, and honoured by two media houses.

Late U.S. President John F Kennedy once defined courage as “grace under pressure”. Wike’s achievements in less than two years in the teeth of rival opposition, pressure and prejudice, seemed like mission impossible. But time has proved his record as a testament to remarkable personal ability and political courage. As Nigerians will say, his is an honour well deserved
Eddie Iroh is a former Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria

JUST BEFORE YOU JOIN THEM….
‘’A witch doctor who invoked a storm on his people cannot prevent his house from destruction’’.
Do you remember in 1999 when the South West held sway in Alliance for Democracy?
They were the opposition and they did it so well. They were not specifically marginalised from the centre neither were their people massacred at slightest provocation.
They remained in AD even when Bola Ige (south west) was appointed as the attorney general of the Federation under Obasanjo’s (south west) regime.
The dividend of opposition didn’t come forthwith. Patience, perseverance and strategy made it possible that the history of Nigeria cannot be written today without a mention of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu (APC Leader) and Yemi Osinbajo (Vice President).
Outside the purported mutual hatred that Igbo’s share with President Buhari, It would have been easier to market APC in south East if the only Governor from APC in the region had not turned Imo State to a joke.
Senator Ken Nnamani is one figure that commanded respect among not just his peers but all political watchers in Nigeria. He remained in the good book of the region’s ardent political followers till recently. At a time when the people who enthroned the present unprepared and mediocre government are apologising for their wrong judgement, our people are busy hustling and begging their way to a crumbling and dysfunctional edifice. The promise is that they will become Vice President, they will be handed over to.
Sen Ken Nnamani will become Vice President, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu will become Vice President, Dr Chris Ngige will become the Vice President and even the governor of Imo State that has failed woefully in managing the affairs of what use to be one of the vibrant States in Nigeria is dreaming of becoming the President of Nigeria.
Has Senator Ken Nnamani become impecunious just years after bequeathing the office of the number three position in Nigeria or is it a self-seeking act of miniature political relevance?
I leave the guess to you.
Orji Uzor Kalu’s political sins can be forgiven. We had miscalculated that every assumed big fish should be caught with a big bait yet we didn’t feign ignorance of the fact thanks for some years now, he has seen his political empire crumble like pack of cards. We have seen him descend from the gargantuan political height to the decumbent, bottommost and rock bottom political standing.
He cannot fathom the fact that he has been made irrelevant by his hitherto toddling political protégée. One can barely envy his rat racing as he tours from PDP, PPA to APC. As selfish as they always are, he needed to remain relevant .As we know once a Nigerian ventures into politics, he becomes a professional politician that finds it difficult to survive outside the cookie jar. They struggle like fish out of water even if it entails dining with the devil.
Before hunger pushes you to raise the broom and follow him, remember that a wise dog doesn’t follow a politically flat stomached person.
Orji’s move was for Orji, for his business and for EFCC to stop harassing him. Make your own move, if you must. Don’t follow the bandwagon of shameless porridge of yam seekers who parade themselves as Igbo leaders.
The moment I saw Ifeanyi Uba cry after the last presidential election, I was certain that things won’t remain the same. He was this close to cutting his political teeth, but for Jega.
The moment the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) failed to yield the expected dividend, Ifeanyi would become a journey man. Nobody would want to be the next victim of subsidy scam probe and the Prospect of contesting for Anambra State governorship electiom under APC platform is another mouthwatering consideration not minding that Andy Ubah was promised the same ticket.
History will be fair to Ifeanyi Ubah for setting up Ifeanyi Ubah FC that has mopped the youth of the street, generate employment and usher in entertainment in the city labeled ‘’light of the nation’’.
That being said, the new order will follow no one to a party that has failed to inspire confidence.
Andy Uba decamps to APC, becomes Ngige's boy 14 years after uniting with his younger brother to subvert the will of the people in making Ngige the governor of Anambra State.
Andy Uba certainly belongs to the old set of politicians who reigned during the gory political days in Anambra State. The Gestapo styled tactics that was deployed in Imo North Election, Rivers re-run and Edo state may have created room for his optimism as regards quest for power. The plot is, their conspiracy will spiral to ‘’igwe bu ike’’ that will sweep excellence out of Anambra state. God forbid!
Anambra State certainly cannot afford another bum trip to the land of egotistical godfatherism.
Imo state was once glowing in excellence, dictating the pace in leadership but the irony is, ‘’Imo started enthroning jokers when Anambra started dethroning hoodlums’’. Rest in Peace Cheif Sam Mbakwe.
Anambra cannot afford to retrogress to those dreary and desolate days of Mbadinuju/Emeka Offor, Chris Ngige/Chris and Andy Uba.
Jim Nwobodo long lost relevance when his then political protégée Dr Chimaroke Nnamani betray him. Opportunity to rediscover his expired political magic wand must have dragged him to the cross carpeting dance of shame. Don’t join him in this dance, it is not just about relevance but about being baptized in the mucky APC political water that washes the participant off Dasuki’s sin of incarceration.
Just before you join these egocentric bread and butter politicians, remember that they don’t contact you before the jump ship.
Say no to them and their lies.
Say no to self-appointed Igbo leaders who are lacking in rectitude and morality.
Take control of your destiny.
Peter Peton Ibezim.
Public Affairs Analyst.

Declare Osinbajo president now – Nigerians tell NASS

Nigerians have called on the National Assembly to declare Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo president of Nigeria.
Their call came following the Sunday’s announcement that President Buhari has decided to extend his vacation indefinitely in the UK.

The presidency in a statement on Sunday said Buhari would no longer return home today as he would stay back to undergo some tests.
Many Nigerians who spoke on Sunday asked the national assembly to declare Buhari incapacitated and install the acting President, Osonbajo the president.
A political observer, James Edeh blamed the presidency for refusing to disclose the true status of Buhari’s health.
‘I think it is high time the national Assembly declared Buhari unfit. They cannot continue to toy with over 160 million people. The truth is Buhari is no longer fit to rule this nation. Let them install as the new leader,’ he said.

Also speaking, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kaduna State, Jamil Seidu warned the presidency to stop playing hide and seek game with the President’s health.
He said, “Enough of this hide and seek game. Let them tell us whatever it is. We are tired of this drama. From every indication, Baba (Buhari) is no longer active to lead this country, let the Vice take over.”
Social and political analyst, Segun Adewale said Nigerians are tired of waiting for this president, saying that, “if the worst has happened, they should let us know. We are no longer happy with the development.”
Similarly, a quick look at the social media show that many Nigerians are venting their spleen over the extension of Buhari’s vacation.

Many social media users, who expressed their views asked the president to address the nation via a live broadcast to be sure he is still alive.