EFCC Arrests Nine Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Port Harcourt

Operatives of the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested seven suspected internet fraudsters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

They were arrested following actionable intelligence on their suspected involvement in internet-related offences.  

Items recovered from them include different brands of mobile devices, laptops, two cars and several incriminating documents in their possession.

They will soon be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

 

Source: EFCC 

Court Jails 20 Internet Fraudsters in Benin City

The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  on Wednesday and Thursday April 17 &18, 2024  secured the conviction and sentence of 20 internet fraudsters before Justices Efe Ikponmwonba and M. Itsueli of the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City.

The convicts are: Blessing Daniel, Kingsley Okoroafor, Amos Ohwofa, Eromosele Victory, Oba Nicholas Destiny, Lucky Osaro, Edema Emmanuel John, Obazee Precious, Akinyemi Seun, Ufumwen Victor, Enoch Ehigiator, Adurotimi Olakunle Justin, Oserei Clinton and Oserei Abraham.

Others are Obazee Gabriel, Richard Godfrey Obazee, Ricard Israel, Paul O. Endurance, Destiny Ajimi and Ejiwe Blessing Julius

They were jailed after pleading guilty to one-count separate charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence, possession of fraudulent documents upon arraignment by the Benin Zonal Command of the  EFCC.

The charge against Ajimi reads:

That you Destiny Ajimi (M) on or about 4th April, 2024 in Benin City, Edo State, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did have in your possession documents which you knew or ought to have known contain a false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 read together with 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act”.

The charge against Julius reads: “That you Ejiwe Blessing Julius(M) on or about 4th April, 2024 in Benin City, Edo State, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did have in your possession documents which you knew or ought to have known contain a false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 read together with 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act”.

All the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges when they were read to them in court, prompting the prosecution counsel, F. A. Jirbo. I.K Agwai and K.Y. Bello, to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as they have become remorseful for their actions.

 

Justice Ikponmwonba  on April 17, sentenced the trio of  Ohwofa,  Daniel and Julius to three years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) each while Akinyemi Seun bagged two years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000.  Justice Ituseli convicted the trio of Eromosele Victory, Obi Nicholas Destiny and Lucky Osaro to two years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 each while Kingsley Okarafor, Destiny Ajimi and Edema Emmanuel John bagged three years imprisonment or a  fine of N100,000.

On Thursday April 18, Justice Ikponmwonba convicted 10 of the defendants -  Precious, Victor,  Ehigiator,  Justin, Clinton,  Abraham, Gabriel, Obazee, Israel and Endurance to three years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 each.

The judges ordered the convicts to forfeit their phones, laptops,  balances in their various bank accounts and three vehicles - Mercedes-Benz, Lexus and a Toyota Camry being instruments and proceeds of crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria. All the convicts are to undertake in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth.

The convicts’ road to the prison began following their arrest by operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the Commission based on actionable intelligence regarding their involvement in computer- related fraud.

Source: EFCC 

EFCC Arrests Suspected Internet Fraudster in Port Harcourt

Operatives of the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested a  suspected internet fraudster, Ali Desmond Chinedum in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.  

 

He was arrested following credible intelligence on his suspected involvement in internet-related offences.

 

Items recovered from him include, one iPhone 11 Pro Max, One Redmi 12 Android mobile device, two  United States Navy identity cards with number: 100040041245 and 100010041159, one Mercedez Benz GLK and one HP Laptop computer device and charms.

 

He will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

 

Source: EFCC

EFCC Arraigns Fake Afghan Soldier for $1000 Internet Fraud in Port Harcourt

The Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, March 14, 2024 arraigned David Ikeaghichi before Justice S. D. Pam of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, Rivers State for impersonating an Afghanistan soldier and obtaining money under false pretence.

Ikeaghichi is facing trial on two-count charges, which run contrary to Section 1 (1)(a & b) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

Court Jails Five Internet Fraudsters in Benin City

Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has convicted and sentenced five internet fraudsters to various jail terms.

The convicts are Jacob Sunday, Olarenwaju Adewale, Emmanuel Tomiwa Ajayi, Adewale Elufadejin Festus and Seyi Olumeko.

Sunday and Adewale were jailed on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 while the trio of Ajayi, Festus and Olumeko were jailed on Thursday February 29, 2024.

They were jailed after pleading guilty to one-count separate charge bordering on possession of fraudulent documents upon arraignment by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The charge against Ajayi reads: "that you Emmanuel Tomiwa Ajayi (m) on or about 12th February, 2024 in Benin City, Edo State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did have in your possession documents which you knew or ought to have known contain a false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 6 and 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act.2006 and punishable under section 1(3)of same Act."

All the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges when they were read to them, prompting prosecution counsels, I.K Agwai, K. Y. Bello, A.A.Ibrahim to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as they have become remorseful for their actions.

 

Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Sunday, Adewale, Olumeko and Festus to three years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) each while Ajayi bagged three years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira).

The judge ordered that the convicts forfeit their phones, balances in their various bank accounts being proceeds of crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria. All the convicts are to undertake in writing to be of good behaviour afterwards.

The convicts’ road to the Correctional Centre began following their arrest by operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the Commission based on actionable intelligence regarding their involvement in fraudulent activities.

Source: EFCC 

TINUBU'S PRESIDENCY: WIKE AND WHAT SOUTH EAST APC LEADERS SHOULDN'T WAIT TO BE TOLD

By Sam Onwuemeodo

I have chosen to begin with  Nyesom Wike, the Rivers State Governor. And for obvious reasons.  

The previous week, the President-elect,  Senator Bola Tinubu was in Portharcourt,   Rivers State. He was there on the invitation of  Wike. He was invited  to commission projects. And he did.

 ln  doing that,  he was quoted to have said that,  he owed Wike  nothing.  And some people  began to celebrate that. Some people  believed that. They took Tinubu's comment to the bank. They went home with it. And l hasten  to say this.

 lf  there's one Nigerian Tinubu owes a lot, that's Wike.  Nyesom Wike.  Aside keeping his Party, PDP, and it's candidate,  Atiku Abubakar on their toes all through,  he delivered Rivers State to Tinubu and his APC.  I am talking about the INEC declared  results for Rivers . INEC's own results.  

Wike,  a pdp governor,  ensured that  APC or Tinubu  was declared winner  in his State. ln Wike's Rivers, Tinubu got 231, 591 votes. His own party,  PDP,  got 88, 468 votes and the Labour Party,  175, 071 votes. lf there's  one man who has a lot of claims to make in Tinubu's presidency,  that man is Wike. There is nothing he wants in BAT's government that he would not  get. Don't believe me.  But mark my words.  He destroyed PDP for Tinubu to navigate. So, paying Wike's Rivers,  the money spent on federal projects in the State would be one of the easiest things Tinubu would do as President. 

Unlike Wike , those who should be worried about the direction  Tinubu's  presidency will be going are the leaders of the APC in the South East. Already,  Tinubu's body language isn't encouraging.  I am not writing that they should believe me , but letting them know the fate that awaits them in BAT's Presidency. Like l said,  they should not wait to be told that Tinubu and his Presidency won't  have anything tangible  in store for them.

For Tinubu,  his Presidency  and his close associates , all the leaders of APC in the South East are OBIDIENTS. This is the mindset of Tinubu and his own emerging  cabal. lt's written all over them. And there seems to be  nothing anybody can do to help the situation. 

The only prayer point left for APC leaders in the South East is that , the election of Tinubu should be annulled or be  nullified by the Tribunal. But  if the Tribunal confirms or authenticates his election,  then, there is every reason to worry by APC leaders in the South East. Some of them, going to the Defence House and taking photographs with him, won't change anything. 

Tinubu didn't hide his disdain for the  South East. He began early enough to show that.  He first settled for a fellow Muslim as Vice- Presidential candidate, believing that Heaven wouldn't fall. And he was right. Heaven didn't fall. And he  did it,  knowing that the South East could be adjudged  the " soul" of Christianity in Nigeria. l am painting a picture. But see the major issues.

 At a time,  the discussion or the  debate in the APC was that, the South should produce  the Presidential candidate of the Party  and by extension , Muhammadu Buhari's successor,  Ahmed Lawan came on board with a bang. And who were in the forefront of the Lawan's project?. Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and His Excellency, Governor Hope Uzodinma. And they were overtly  serious about it. They bought Lawan's nomination forms and displayed them for all and sundry to see, on the screens of  national televisions.  l do not know who drafted each other into the Lawan venture. Whether Kalu drafted the lmo Governor or vice versa. 

lf there was a major threat to Tinubu's aspiration for the Presidential ticket of the APC,  it was that Ahmed  Lawan's entry. That man's case.  And our own people were the pilots. The architects. On the TV screens, the  Yobe State Governor,  Mala Buni,  Lawan's own governor was behind. At the back of Kalu and governor Uzodinma. l am still painting a picture. They didn't support Tinubu. They didn't support Rochas Okorocha or Ogbonnaya Onu or Emeka Nwajiuba or David Umahi. But Lawan from the North. Continue reading my lips correctly. 

Then,  the Concensus issue. Lawan was announced the consensus Presidential  candidate of the party by the Abdullahi Adamu led NWC . lf that had worked out  as planned,  Tinubu's ambition would have been submerged or destroyed at that point. His group fought back. l want you to grab something here. Something "ominous". Something not palatable  at all. Something "imirimious". Do you understand?

Then,  the Presidential  primary proper. The South East delegates voted for Lawan, from all indications.  And not Tinubu. Not Okorocha. Not Nwajiuba. Not Onu or Umahi. They went for the Yobe man, Lawan. After Yobe, you get Borno State. l had been there. That was in 2004. l had gone   for the Turbanning of Emir of Damaturu,  Alhaji Shehu Hashimi 11 lbn Umar El-kanemi. The rest became history. 

Ahmed  Lawan for presidency project was the biggest threat  Tinubu's ambition had, before the INEC conducted election. Buhari's cabal also led Nwajiuba  to go to  court , asking that Tinubu should be disqualified and announce him APC candidate. Buhari's deceitful cabal. 

For the February 25, 2023 Presidential election, the leaders of APC in the South East were helpless. Nigerians,  including the South East people,  opted or settled for Peter Obi of the Labour Party. But Tinubu and his  already existing  cabal won't look at it from  that perspective.  They seem to have made up their minds. For them, APC leaders in the zone were all Obidients or  "lPOB".

 ln Anambra, for instance,  APC ( Tinubu), had 5, 111 votes. PDP (Atiku), 9,036 votes. Labour party ( Obi), 584, 621 votes.  ln Ebonyi, APC, 42, 402 votes.  PDP,  13, 503 votes. Labour party, 259, 738 votes. ln Enugu State,  APC, 4, 772 votes.  PDP,  15, 749 votes. Labour Party, 428,640 votes.  ln Abia, APC,  8, 914, PDP,  22, 676 and Labour Party,  327, 095. ln lmo , APC,  66, 406 votes,  PDP,  30, 234 votes and the Labour party,  360, 495 votes. Don't forget. These're Mahmood Yakubu's INEC  declared results. 

Looking  at these figures, one would be forced to agree or believe that the issue is not what anybody thinks should be Tinubu's right actions,  but what will be the case with regard to South East APC leaders in Tinubu's presidency. 

That is the problem with Orji Uzor Kalu and Osita lzunaso's aspirations for the position of  Senate president. Otherwise,  having denied the South East the position of President most patriotic Nigerians had believed should be their turn , and having also denied them  the office of Vice president, the most appropriate thing to do now is to concede the office of  Senate  president to them. But for the reasons l had earlier mentioned,  that has become a tall dream. They would never live to see that happen.

They have gone to South South. Akwa lbom State in Particular. And their choice is Godswill Akpabio. At the primary,  he withdrew for Tinubu. ln the election,  APC had 160, 620 votes.  More than what Tinubu got in the whole of South East. That's the politics behind their choice of Akpabio. They won't tell you this. 

For the South East and APC leaders in the zone in Particular, they should not expect much from Tinubu and his Presidency. No great expectations. Like I had intoned , the politics has begun.  And only those with foresight or " four-sights" would understand better . Would be able to read the handwriting on the wall and interpret it.  MENE,  MENE,  TEKEL,  URPHARSIN. 

There is already a gang up. While the lmo Governor was at "war" with Joe Ajaero of the Nigeria Labour Congress,  NLC, in lmo , the kano State Governor of APC extraction, Alhaji  Ganduje, was rolling out red carpets in kano for the same Ajaero. The same period. And he  gave him the Chieftaincy Title of Sarkin Yakin, meaning,  Workers' warrior. 

Even when Tinubu might  not remember some of these incidents,  those who have his ears would always remind  him of all these. And there is no  difference between him and Buhari in terms of being easy prey in the hands of wicked cabal. Even,  Tinubu's  own cabal  may be worst than Buhari's own cabal.  The signs are everywhere.  l hope you're reading  between the lines. There is " fire in the Soweto". 

This whole thing is also a wake-up call for Governor Uzodinma,  especially in his bid for second tenure . Yes, APC governor.  The  worst opposition to his second term  bid may not come from within,  but from  "without". Outside.  Don't say l told you. Do not quote me. Do not quote Sam. Onwuemeodo. Caveat emptor.  Disclaimer.  l am only guessing. lmagining things.  Which can't be located or situated.  . On your "marks". Ready....go!!!. The expected heat may be imported. External heat. Perhaps,  from the barbeach or zuma rock. Do you understand? 

The Lagos State Government had, on Wednesday, May 10, 2023,   arraigned Eze Ndigbo in Ajao Estate Lagos, Fredrick Nwajagu, on terrorism charges.  And he has been remanded in prison custody. The man was quoted to have said that, if the attacks on the lgbos and their properties in Lagos continue,  he might invite IPOB. That was a conditional statement. He didn't invite IPOB.  But he's  already in prison. And  those who attacked,  killed and maimed lgbos during the elections in Lagos  walked away free and still walking freely . l am still painting a picture. What to expect from BAT's Presidency. 

The Chief of Army Staff , Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya on Friday ,  May 5,  2023, had had reason or reasons to threaten to crack down on  potential threats to Tinubu's inauguration on May 29.

ln doing that,  Gen. Yahaya warned the  "lndigenous People of Biafra , IPOB,  Eastern Security Network, ESN  and other fringe groups not to test the will of the military ". He specifically mentioned IPOB and ESN and described similar groups in other parts of the country as " fringe groups". Are you following?. What to expect. 

Even when  l have never read where IPOB had threatened to frustrate or prevent the inauguration of Tinubu as President on May 29. The man singled out IPOB and ESN, and  left other related groups in other parts of the country. 

That's the nature of the on-going blackmail against the South East and the people of the area. There is nothing to show or believe that Tinubu's presidency would be different from that of " Bubu", with regard to the fate of the South East. 

With the prevailing circumstances and  for Tinubu's presidency,  APC leaders in the South East or the South East people in general,   are all Obidients. Or,  IPOB. Depending on which of the words they would prefer to use at any given time. That's their mindset. That's their belief. Nobody should wait to be told all these. 

Orji Uzor Kalu had thought that,  talking against Obi's Presidential bid  or the corporate aspiration of the South East people to produce the President of the Country this time, would make them to bring him in or take him into confidence or forget his role in the Lawan for President venture.  But he has seen that, that's not the case. They are also  holding him in contempt. He has seen that the sound of bitter kola in the mouth does not reflect the taste. At all. At all, at all.

The only consolation is that,  if the South East people survived Buhari's eight years of negligence and gross disregard,  they would also survive Tinubu and whatever he comes up with. Necessity has always  remained the mother of invention. The earlier this situation is understood,  the better. 

Nevertheless,  we shall continue to clap for Jesus. And there is nothing anybody can do about it.

#EDOSTATE: The Violence Is Spreading And Must Be Stopped Now!

PRESS RELEASE:

*DEMOCRACY IS UNDER THREAT IN EDO STATE- LP.  *

The attention of the Edo State Labour Party has been drawn to the series of  attacks on Labour Party candidates, party faithfuls and  the Obidient movement in the state. Our candidates campaign billboards, posters  and banners are been destroyed by people who claimed it is directives given them from above. 

For example, our candidate for Oredo Federal  Constituency, Engr. Esosa  Iyawe billboards along Airport road, Akenzuwa road,  Ekenwan road and environs duly paid for were pulled down by the Oredo Local Government Council and warned the billboard agent not to hang any Labour party content on them. The billboard agent who said his business is been threatened if he does otherwise only agreed to make a refund to our candidate. In Esan Central, our House of Assembly Candidate, Hon. Oses   Emmanuel Eromosele billboards he constructed by himself in strategic locations were all removed and taken away by the Head of  service of the Council. When he was contacted he said,  it was directive from above. Another giant size billboard of our presidential and other candidates sponsored by Edo Diaspora women for Peter Obi erected around Ibiwe, ring road, Oredo LGA was also pulled down by the council.

 In ward 7 Ugbekun, Ikpoba Okah LGA, Labour party office  was invaded by thugs suspected to be hired by PDP removed all Labour party items, including sign  post, party flags,  banners of our presidential candidate  and posters of Labour part candidates. They forcefully  hoisted PDP  flag and pest posters and banners of PDP candidates in the place.

 Our members who were chased out of the premises said, the hoodlums openly boasted that they are going to make sure they drive Labour  party  out of the state as directed. 

Most worrisome is the fact that we were earlier denied the use of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium  for rally to host our presidential candidate  Mr Peter Obi and his running mate Datti Yusuf.

It is Worthy of note that these are happening after HE, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has some time ago openly declared during the inauguration of his factional state PDP presidential campaign council. "That those who call themselves obedient in the state will soon run out of steam" 

We are worried as a party if this abrasiveness and hostile nature towards our candidates and members is what they have planned by saying we will soon go of steam?

As a party we have

 observed that the unfolding events in the State is a direct attack on democracy to deny the people from making free choices. 

 Labour Party is a party widely accepted by the people as the only credible alternative platform to take them out of the present hardship inflicted on them by both the APC at the Federal and  PDP at state level. 

We are social democrats who believes that it is still possible to conduct the affairs of party politics on identifiable ideology of progressive issues based  campaign. We are therefore calling on all well meaning Nigerians, Edolites and the security agents to please call the PDP led government in the state to order not to  truncate democracy but a peaceful atmosphere to allow the people freely make their informed decisions to elect who leads them. 

Comr. Sam Oroupa

Publicity Secretary

Labour Party, 

Edo State.

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PRESS RELEASE : Edo North senatorial candidate Comrade (Engr.) Eragbe Anslem pledges free education and youth involvement in government 2023

November 9, 2022, By Ihegazie Chidinma

In a Stakeholders Meeting with Comrade Eragbe Anslem, the Edo North Senatorial Candidate and National Youth Leader of Labour Party (LP), at the Banquet Hall of Merit House, Plot 22 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama District Abuja FCT on Tuesday 8th November, 2022.

The meeting featured details and highlights of strategies enumerated by comrade Eragbe Anslem who also unveiled the Director General for the Edo-North 2023 Senatorial campaign organization, *Professor Festus A Uwakhemen* .

The high point of the occasion witnessed the Unveiling of the funding raising dynamics for the Edo-North Senatorial campaigns and the 2023 election victory Strategies when he stated:

(1): That as the Edo North 2023 Senatorial Candidate and National Youth Leader of Labour Party (LP), he pledged free, qualitative and compulsory education for the people of Edo North Senatorial District and Youth involvement in government 2023-2027 through legislative functions during his first tenure in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

(2): Eragbe cited how he led the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Research institutions in Nigeria, ASURI, under a partnership to secure Foreign Direct Investment, FDI in the sum of a hundred and fifty billion Euro (€150 Billion Euro) for Research Institution Funding as loan for rejigging of the National Research & Economic Redirection of Nigeria for the next 30 years with marginal interest rates repayment and moratorium since 2021.

(3): The Labour Party National Youth Leader and Senatorial Candidate also gave a detailed insight about the political configuration of Edo North Senatorial District that included:

(a): Seven Local Government Areas that consist of:

(i): Akoko Edo LGA

(ii): Etsako East LGA

(iii): Etsako Central LGA

(iv): Etsako West LGA

(v): Owan East LGA

(vi): Owan West LGA 

(b): That Edo North Senatorial District has sixty four (64) political wards.

(c): Edo-North senatorial district consists of Seven hundred and sixty (760) polling units and gave a vivid strategy in line with his deployment schemes for the Labour Party national mobilization 2023 stating that Nigeria consists of:

(a): 176,846 polling units

(b): 8,815 political wards

(c): 774 LGAs

(d): 36 States and FCT

(e): Six Geopolitical Zones consisting:

(I):  North East 

(Ii): North Central

(iii): North West

(iv): South East

(v): South South

(vi): South West

(d): The Edo-North senatorial district campaign structures announced was made up of Prof. Festus A. Uwakhemen as the Director-General, DG of the Comrade Eragbe Anslem 2023 Edo-North Senatorial District Campaign Organisation, #CEA2023-SDCO with six(6) deputy director generals.

(e): Three (3) out of the six(6) Deputy Director General, DDG for the Edo-North Senatorial District Campaign Organization were also unveiled and included:

(i): The Deputy Director General for Etsako Central LGA,*Chief Austin Aliu.* 

(ii): The Deputy Director General, DDG for Etsako West LGA,*Prince Mike Inaboya* .

(iii): The Deputy Director General, DDG for Orwan East LGA,*Comrade Omokhogie Jegede* .

(iv): *Comrade Uloko Kadiri* was appointed as the Edo North Senatorial Leader to oversee the Advisory Board of the Edo-North Senatorial campaign committee structure on behalf of Comrade Eragbe Anslem.

(f): The Deputy Director Generals, DDGs for  Akoko Edo LGAs, Etsako East LGA & Orwan West LGA are to be announced during the Edo North Senatorial District Stakeholders Meeting in Auchi, Etsako West LGA subsequently, Eragbe said.

(4): Comrade Eragbe stated that he is at home as resident of the FCT for 32 years now and gave among other reasons why he adopted Abuja for his inaugural stakeholders meeting, as charity they say, begins at home, and that the recognition of reality is beginning of wisdom. 

(5): Eragbe was emphatic that Edo North senatorial district sons and daughters are  critical stakeholders in the FCT when he drew stakeholders attention to the fact that his senatorial election project is their project and that of other Nigerians who are critical stakeholders committed to the OBI-DATTI 2023 election who must be part and parcel of the entire package to mobilize their people across the one hundred and nine (109) Senatorial District, 774 LGAs, 36 states and the FCT.

(6): Eragbe welcomed the leadership of all the Support Groups present  on the occasion of the stakeholders meeting and those who couldn't make it to Abuja and explained to them in detail, the concept of the Labour Party National Mobilization Strategy that deploys a website with six(6) portals and the Labour Party-NG Mobile Application for the 2023 general elections.

(7): Eragbe emphasized that these ICT solutions were designed and developed by the office of the National Youth Leader of Labour Party (LP) for the national mobilization of a minimum forty Seven (47,000,000) million eligible voters for the presidential election mandate and votes delivery 2023 that included:

(a): National Mobilization website: https://www.labourpartynationalmobilization.org.ng for support groups and membership registration which will be synchronized with the Labour Party-NG Mobile Application.

(b): Registration of Support Groups and Issuance of registration acknowledgement and Certificates with four (4) unique identification number systems, with over 3,500 registered Support Groups.

(c): Registration of Nigerians with and without PVC and Issuance of Membership Cards with four (4) - six (6) unique ID numbers for the determination of votes delivery to include:

(i): _Presidential Election

(National I.D)

(ii): _Governorship Election

(State I.D)

(iii): _Senatorial, 

(iv): MHR, 

(v): State Assembly

(State I.D)

(vi):_Ward I.D

(vii):_Polling Unit I.D

(viii):_VIN I.D

(d): Registration of Diaspora Nigerians with and without PVC and Support Groups with issuance of feedback as Membership Card and Support Group Registration Acknowledgement and Certificate.

(e): Registration & Accreditation of Polling Unit Agents for results Collation using the thirty (30) Man  Polling Unit Agents and Canvasers structure across the 176,846 polling units in Nigeria to deploy 5,305,380 polling units Mobilization forces for the 2023 general elections

(f) Eragbe opined that with a minimum mobilization factor of three(3) the Labour Party National Mobilization website will be populated with eligible voters in monthly ratios of:

(i): 15,916,140 eligible voters at the end of November, 2022

(ii): 31,832,280 eligible voters at the end of December, 2022.

(iii): 47,748,420 eligible voters at the end of January, 2023

(g): Situation Room for Election Results Collation and display Window.

(h): Deployment of the Labour Party NG-APP Mobile Application and Control Room for Security, Sensitization, Monitoring and Polling Units National Mobilization activities 2023.

7: Eragbe unveiled the program theme: "Repositioning the Sociopolitical and Economic Landscape of Edo-North Senatorial District 2023-2027 by Legislating from consumption to production".

8: Speaking with some journalists on Tuesday in Abuja during a stakeholders meeting in a Media Parley and Press Conference, the Labour Party (LP) Edo North 2023 senatorial candidate thanked the stakeholders for the opportunity given him to acquaint them with his legislative proposals as bills for an Act to engage enabling legislation 2023 that included:

(a): Human capacity development,

(b): industrialization of Edo North Senatorial District,

(c): Provision of Potable water supply,

(d): Improved Educational system with Rebate Fee and Free Education,

(e): Improved Healthcare Delivery System, 

(f): Infrastructural Development and Models,

(g): Power: Generation, Transmission & Distribution Systems,

(h): Job creation and opportunities,

(I): Economic Diversification with Strategic options,

(j): Investments & Revenue generation for the individuals, wards, LGAs with Edo-North Senatorial District,

(k): Minerals exploration and exploitation,

(l): Agricultural Mechanization, value chain addition and processes,

(m): Housing Development and Delivery with mortgage repayments,

(n): ICT development, Innovations, Research and Training,

(o): Sport, Entertainment & Engagements,

(p): Pension and Gratuity payments for pensioners and the aged,

(q): Political Reforms

etc.

(9): Eragbe disclosed how he had partnered with the Eureka CIRPS, UK through their African representative for human capacity development and job creation for the first batch of five million (5,000,000) Nigerians 2022-2023 through entrepreneurial and MSMEs skill acquisition programs that will be replicated annually from 2023-2027..

(10): Eragbe who was a former Student Union First Executive President of Ahmadu Bello University Students Union Government, ABUSUG, ABU, Zaria 2002-2004 said, that the task at hand today is to Rescue Nigeria from successively failed administrations since 1999 till date, noting that the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi has made it clear why we need to move Nigeria from consumption to production.

(11): During the media parley, Eragbe canvassed reasons why the Youth of Edo North Senatorial District preferred him to Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomole the former Edo State Govenor and Senator Francis Alimikhena the incumbent Senator Representing Edo North Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

(12): Eragbe noted that though, both men were his father, but that they have also contributed their quota which he appreciated and also respected, but, that they are now old and should voluntarily retire to enable Young Nigerians to begin the process of rebuilding the nation.

(13): Else, Eragbe noted that the old brigade will be retired at the polls in 2023 by the youth who desperately want to take back their country with their creative ingenuity and energies to offer purposeful leadership. Eragbe promised that this new kind of leadership will be provided by himself to Edo North people in particular, while Nigeria in general will enjoy same with Peter Obi as the President 2023.

(14): On the state of the failed economy, Eragbe said that “We need to change the failed revenue sharing formula to production formula, and noting that the era of sharing the national cake is over”. There is no more cake to share, and necessitating the urgency with which we must begin to bake new cakes rather.

(15): Accordingly, Eragbe said that Nigeria is about the most endowed nation on the surface of the planet earth in terms of human resources and natural endowments saying that Nigerians should not have any business with poverty.

(16): Eragbe noted that though, Nigeria has been dubbed the poverty capital of the world as a result of maladministration and lack of effective leadership. The lack of enduring character and the very poor managerial capabilities and capacity of leaders in Nigeria have contributed to the myriad of the socioeconomic and political woes we have found in Nigeria today since 1960.

(17): On this premise, Eragbe said that the Nigeria Labour movement: NLC & TUC and their trade unions came together in very strong terms with eight (8) other political parties to form the Third (3rd) Force which adopted the Labour Party (LP) as the alternative political party to rescue Nigeria and Nigerians 2023 and beyond. 

(18): Eragbe therefore said that the Labour party will ensure that education should be free, fair and qualitative and also ensure that we do away with strike actions in our tertiary institutions while health care services and political systems would be stabilized with economic diversification and job creation for the teeming youths.

(19): The high point of the stakeholders meeting culminated in a five hundred million naira (N500,000,000) fund raising program that was unveiled by the Director General of the Comrade Eragbe Anslem 2023 Senatorial Campaign Organization, Professor Festus A. Uwakhemen.

(20): Professor Festus A. Uwakhemen requested 2,000 stakeholders to contribute N250,000 each to realize the five hundred million naira sum needed to prosecute the Edo-North Senatorial election 2023.

(21): The Director General in his acceptance speech earlier, highlighted the qualities that sets Eragbe apart as a visionary leader who possesses the requisite experience and political capital and capacity to deliver on the legislative exigencies that will impact Edo North Senatorial District positively 2023, while also citing age and depth of understanding of national issues as some of the rare qualities possed by the young senatorial candidate of Edo North senatorial district.

(22): Eragbe noted that Mr Peter Obi was billed to come to Edo State on 11th November, 2022 and urged the good people of the state and particularly Edo North Senatorial District to come out en-mass to welcome the incoming president 2023.

(23): The meeting witnessed participants from different walks of life including the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, Support Groups Leaders, Labour Party Youth Leaders and opinion moulders.

Thank you and God bless you

God be our helper

*COMRADE ERAGBE ANSLEM* 

Edo-North Senatorial Candidate

&

National Youth Leader

Labour Party (LP)

+234(0)8037009181

Circumstances of Dr Mailafia's Death: Press Statement by MBF

 MIDDLE BELT FORUM

Press Statement 

The death of the former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital Gwagwalada, Abuja,  this morning came to us as a great shock. As someone who relentlessly participated in the activities of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), his untimely death has dealt  a deadly blow on ethnic nationalities of not only the Middle Belt but the country at large.

Arising from various enquiries from Nigerians over the circumstances of his death, the Forum wishes to state as follows: That Dr Mailafia arrived Abuja last Sunday September 12, 2021 from Akure and was received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport by his wife.

On arrival at home, the wife noticed he was not in the best of health conditions and seemed to be suffering from malaria. After three days of treatment without signs of improvement, he went to the CBN Hospital on Friday September 17, 2021 where he was shabily treated. It took the intervention of a senior medic who immediately placed him on oxygen and admitted him.

Dr Mailafia's was later given the option of choosing three hospitals: Gwagwalada Hospital, National Hospital and EHA Clinics. The wife opted for the third choice. On arrival at the EHA Clinics, the wife was subjected to yet another moment of anxiety as it took a direct order from the top management of the hospital to accept him.

After few hours of treatment, the EHA Clinics told the wife that it was expedient to transfer the former CBN Deputy Governor to Gwagwalada as the clinic was not fully equipped to handle the case.

The wife opposed the decision and insisted that she was opposed to the idea of taking her husband to Gwagwalada. Mailafia's wife only succumbed when the consultant assured her that nothing bad will happen to her husband. 

Yesterday, Saturday September 18, 2021, Dr Obadiah was transfered to Gwagwalada. on arrival, the name of the doctor that was billed to attend to Dr Mailafia was not on duty. Even when an attempt was made by foreign health consultants to save the situation, the doctor on duty got angry and said he was not obligated to listen to any foreign consultants that had been brought into the matter with the sole purpose of ensuring nothing  goes wrong.

Wife of the former CBN Deputy Governor was asked to pay the sum of N600'000 as deposit even when it was a referral case, with accruing medical bill to be settled by the CBN. At a point, Dr Mailafia complained over his breathing problems and pleaded with the doctors to place him in a ventilator. The doctors flatly refused.

Even after the doctors declared Dr. Mailafia dead, foreign consultants who were brought into the matter through Dr Mailafia's son that is  living abroad, had directed a family member who is a medical professional, with the wife of the CBN Deputy Governor, to mount pressure on the chest of Dr.  Mailafia for  resuscitation and thereafter place him on a life support.

The doctors in Gwagwalada refused all entreaties by the family members of Dr Mailafia to follow the advice of the foreign consultants, insisting that they have already pronounced him dead. Even when the wife could feel the pulse of her husband, the doctor flatly declared there was nothing they could do since they had already pronounced him dead.

While the above narration sums up the circumstances under which Dr Mailafia died,  we still  await the result of the actual cause of his death. As a nationalist and patriot that he was, Dr. Mailafia  was completely dedicated to the emancipation of ethnic nationalities from the clutches of oppression. The economist was never afraid to speak truth to power just as he remained committed to the enthronement of justice and equity to all citizens across ethnic and religious  divides.

In the twilight of his life, this consummate technocrat and global scholar of repute beamed his searchlight on the raging insecurity ravaging our country. He expressed regrets over government's incapacity to rein in the activities of insurgents and criminal groups terrorising the nation.

As a former presidential candidate in the 2019 poll, Dr Mailafia sought to deploy politics to bring about the dream he had for his country. Even after he lost the election, he never let down the bar in demanding for a fair treatment for all Nigerians.

The Forum recalls his patriotic zeal in standing up for truth and justice. He was never a letdown in being at the forefront of  showing the way for national greatness as he was willing to lay down his life for Nigeria.

The Forum is inspired by his altruistic disposition and contributions to national development. We remain proud of his footprints on the political, economic and social sands of our nation. 

In this period of grief, we extend our sympathy to his immediate family members and pray to the Almighty God to grant each and everyone of them the fortitude to bear the pain of this irreparable loss.

The death of Dr Mailafia today represents a dark day for not only only the Middle Belt but also for all citizens  who yearn for a new dawn for justice in Nigeria. 

Signed:

DR ISUWA DOGO

(National Publicity Secretary)

Sunday September 19, 2021)

Herdsmen kill Omoyele Sowore's Immediate Younger brother Olajide Sowore in Okada, Edo state

Felix Olajide Sowore

Herdsmen have killed immediate younger brother of the AAC national chairman and presidential candidate in the 2019 general elections Omoyele Sowore near Okada, Edo state.

Sowore confirmed that his immediate younger brother Felix Olajide Sowore was killed by herdsmen while on his way from Igbinedion University in Edo state where he is studying Pharmacy.

His statement:

I have VERY SAD NEWS!

My immediate younger brother, Olajide Sowore was today shot and killed near Okada in Edo state by reportedly herdsmen /kidnappers on his way from Igbinedion University in Edo sate where he is studying Pharmacy.

They snuffed out the life yet another real human being! 

Rest In Power, “Dr. Mamiye!” 

This act in itself will not delay their day of justice. 

I traveled widely with you and our father as a little kid. You were the most loved robust kid I ever first knew. You, Mr. magnet had no enemy! 

You, Mr. Sunshine Foundation who made everyone happy. 

You, the boy who snuck out his older ones to parties, taking all the blames when our disciplinarian father found out. 

You, the guy who was an out-of-the-box thinker who decided school wasn’t for you and created you own genre of music and then turned around to go to school after you almost turned 50! 

You lived your life so that everyone could be alright but now assassinated by everything that’s not alright! 

 

Saddest day yet!

Two Internet Fraudsters Bag Three Years in Port Harcourt

Justice A.T. Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has convicted and sentenced Morgan Innocent Chinda (aka Richard Johnson Adams) and Joshua Pina to three years imprisonment, for internet-related offences.


They were jailed recently after pleading “guilty" to one- count separate charges bordering on impersonation and Internet fraud, upon their arraignment by the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The lone charge reads Chinda: "That you Morgan Innocent Chinda (aka. Richard Johnson Adams) sometime in 2021, at Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court fraudulently impersonated one Richard Johnson Adams, an American citizen and pilot working with American Airways with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (IV) of the same Act".

The charge against Joshua Pina reads: "That you Joshua Pina (aka Berry Williams) sometime in 2021, on or about 28th June 2021 at Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court fraudulently impersonated one Berry Williams with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (IV) of the same Act"

In view of the pleas of the defendants, prosecution counsel, N.A. Dodo prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

Justice Mohammed found them guilty as charged and consequently convicted and sentenced Chinda to two years imprisonment with an option of fine of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N 250,000), and Pina to one-year imprisonment, with an option of fine of Fifty Thousand Naira ( N50,000).

The judge ordered that the items recovered from the convicts at the point of arrest: iPhone 6S, iPhone 6 and Qukitel C 19 be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

By EFCC

NIGERIA: States Govt, Not FG Should Collect VAT, Related Taxes, Court Rules

In a landmark ruling, the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has declared that the Rivers State Government and not the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), an agency of the federal government, should collect Valued Added Tax (VAT) and Personal Income Tax (PIT) in the state.

Presided over by Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam, the court also issued an order of perpetual injunction restraining the FIRS and the Attorney General of the federation, both first and second defendants in the suit, from collecting, demanding, threatening and intimidating residents of Rivers State to pay to FIRS, personnel income tax and Value Added Tax.

Justice Pam made the assertion while delivering judgement in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/149/2020, filed by the Attorney General for Rivers State (plaintiff), against the Federal Inland Revenue Service (first defendant) and the Attorney General of the Federation (second defendant).

The Court, which granted all the eleven reliefs sought by the Rivers State Government, stated that there was no constitutional basis for the FIRS to demand for and collect VAT, Withholding Tax, Education Tax and Technology levy in Rivers State or any other State of the Federation, being that the constitutional powers and competence of the federal government was limited to taxation of incomes, profits and capital gains, which did not include VAT or any other species of sales, or levy other than those specifically mentioned in items 58 and 59 of the Exclusive Legislative List of the Constitution.

The judge dismissed the preliminary objections filed by the defendants that the Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the suit and that the case should be transferred to Court of Appeal for interpretation.

Justice Pam, who also dismissed objection raised by the defendants that the National Assembly ought to have been made a party in the suit, declared that the issues of taxes raised by the state government were issues of law that the court was constitutionally empowered to entertain

He declared that after a diligent review of the issues raised by both the plaintiff and the defendants, the plaintiff has proven beyond doubt that it was entitled to all the eleven reliefs it sought in the suit.

The court agreed with the Rivers State Government that it was the State and not FIRS that was constitutionally entitled to impose taxes enforceable or collectable in its territory of the nature of consumption or sales tax, VAT, education and other taxes or levies, other than the taxes and duties specifically reserved for the federal government by items 58 and 59 of Part 1 of the Second Schedule of the 1999 constitution as amended.

Also, the court declared that the defendants were not constitutionally entitled to charge or impose levies, charges or rates (under any guise or by whatever name called) on the residents of Rivers State and indeed any state of the federation.

Among the reliefs sought by the Rivers State Government, was a declaration that the constitutional power of the federal government to impose taxes and duties was only limited to the items listed in items 58 and 59 of Part 1 of the second schedule of the 1999 constitution as amended.

The Rivers State Government had also urged the court to declare that, by virtue of the provisions of items 7 and 8 of the Part II (Concurrent Legislative List) of the Second Schedule of the constitution, the power of the federal government to delegate the collection of taxes can only be exercised by the State government or other authority of the state and no other person.

The State government had further asked the court to declare that all statutory provisions made or purportedly made in the exercise of the legislative powers of the federal government, which contained provisions that were inconsistent with or in excess of the powers to impose tax and duties, as prescribed by items 58 and 59 of the Part I of the Second Schedule of the 1999 constitution, or inconsistent with the power to delegate the duty of collection of taxes, as contained in items 7 and 8 of Part II of the Second Schedule of the Constitution, were unconstitutional, null and void.

Lead counsel for the Rivers State Government, Donald Chika Denwigwe (SAN), who spoke to journalists after the court session, explained that the case was all about the interpretation of the constitution as regards the authority of the government at the state and federal levels to collect certain revenue particularly, VAT.

“So, during the determination of the matter, some issues of law were thrown up like, whether or not the case should be referred to the Court of Appeal for the determination of some issues.

“The court noted that the application is like asking the Federal High Court to transfer the entire case to the Court of Appeal. In which case, if the court so decides, there will be nothing left to refer back to the Federal High Court as required by the constitution.”

According to Denwigwe, the court refused that prayer and decided that the case was in its proper place before the Federal High Court and to determine it.

Donald Chika Denwigwe, SAN, lead counsel to Government of Rivers State and Ken C.O. Njemanze, SAN, briefing journalists after the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on Monday declared FIRS collection of Value Added Tax in Rivers State unconstitutional.

On the implication of the judgement, Denwigwe said it was now, unlawful for such taxes as VAT in Rivers State to be collected by any agency of the federal government.

“In a summary, it is a determination that it is wrong for the federal government to be collecting taxes, which are constitutionally reserved for the state governments to collect. The implication of the judgement is that the government (federal and state) as an authority under the constitution, should be advised by the judgement, that it is the duty of all government authorities to comply with and obey the law so long as the court has interpreted it and said what that law is.

U“So, in other words, the issue of Value Added Tax (VAT) in the territory of Rivers State and Personal Income Tax should be reserved for the government of Rivers State.”

Counsel to FIRS, O.C. Eyibo said he would study the judgment and advise his client.

By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt.

Edo College abuse video: Govt suspends Principal, House Master

...to prosecute abusers with Child Rights Law_*

The Edo State Government has watched with disdain the disturbing viral social media video of abuse by students of Edo College, Benin City, the Edo State capital. 

The State Ministry of Education on enquiry discovered that the incident took place at the college premises and involved Senior Secondary School (SSS) students of Akenzua Hall of residence, who are writing their National Examinations Council (NECO) final examination.

The disturbing video exposed the incompetence of the management of the school authority and the delinquent behaviour of the students who carried out the abusive action. 

On account of the above, government has taken the following actions:

1. The Principal of Edo College, Mr. Peter Edomwonyi, has been instructed to proceed on suspension effective immediately. He is to hand over all property and assets of the school in his possession to the next most senior Vice Principal of the school. He is to remain on suspension until the investigation of the incident is concluded and government provides further directive on the matter.

2. The House Master for Akenzua Hall of Residence, Mr. Oamen Stanley, has also been suspended indefinitely, with immediate effect.

3. All the students involved in the abusive behaviour have been handed over to the Ministry of Justice for investigation and prosecution in accordance with the Child Rights Law.

4. The Edo State Ministry of Health is reaching out to the victims to ascertain the state of their health and provide the necessary support.

The Edo State Government is committed to maintaining a school environment that is safe for children and offers apologies to the victims of the abuse, their parents and members of the public. 

Osarodion Ogie Esq.

Secretary to Edo State Government

SENATOR ABARIBE ON BIAFRA, KANU AND NIGERIA

ABARIBE

Enyinnaya Abaribe, the brilliant and brave senator who signed the bail for Nnamdi Kanu's release delivered perhaps the most perceptive and wisest speech on Igbos and Nigeria last week in Mississippi, US. Every Igbo who cares about the present and the future of our people should read it. It's a bit long but the effort is worth it. Please see below:

"What I will say here today may come as a surprise to many of you. For those that I will rub the wrong way, I apologize in advance.

However, "NDIGBO si na owu onye nke mmadu na ghu ya ahu na agbata ukwu". If I fail to say the truth about the existential challenges that we face today in our country Nigeria, and how we believe we should face them, then I would not be true to myself and to you who sent me to represent you in the red chamber.

From the Past to Today.

1970

We can situate our position today following the end of the civil war in 1970. Igbo's in 1970 were impoverished having lost an estimated 3 Million Igbo souls in the war, with a ruined and destroyed landscape and infrastructure. Every Igbo man/woman with savings in the banks before the outbreak of hostilities were pauperized as the military government decreed that one would only get 20 pounds notwithstanding the amount you had. The indigenization decree was passed in 1972 and no Igbo could participate since all had been reduced to penury.

2017

Today the Igbo have the largest pool of educated Nigerians. In 2007, Imo State had more subscribers to the JAMB UTME exams than the 19 Northern States put together. In 2017, 56% of of NYSC members are from the South East. Our feat in education means that we now have the army to win the war of competition in a market driven economy. Since 1999, the south east states have been the best in all exams.

The largest group of direct domestic investors in Nigeria are from the south east. Igbo investments in property in Abuja alone probably has more than any other ethnic group. We are the most travelled in Nigeria. In all parts of Nigeria after the indigenous population, Igbo's are the next largest group. We are the largest propertied class of all ethnic groups in Nigeria and despite all this confusion, we have grown the most economically since the inception of the current democracy in Nigeria. We have the richest and largest pool of Nigeria diaspora population.

Taking an example of Lagos state, Ndigbo form a large proportion of the economy of the state. We created the following from nothing;

Computer Village in Ikeja. Ladipo Spare Parts market. Alaba Electronic Market. Balogun Int'l Market.

Balogun (Trade Fair) International Market. Aspamda market in Festac.

Orile Market for house fittings & appliances etc.

All second hand clothing markets in Lagos. About 4 markets. The combined turnover daily of these markets run into billions daily. Lagos state benefits by collecting taxes and now its economy contributes 56% of all VAT collected in Nigeria. Above scenario is replicated in most big cities in Nigeria. Go to Kano, Port Harcourt, Benin City, Kaduna, Sokoto, not to talk of Abuja. Ndigbo are very large players in the economy of all parts of Nigeria. I will return to this.

The ALLURE of BIAFRA

So the question is, given all the advantages that we as Ndigbo have in Nigeria, why the clamour by our youths and others for a separate state of Biafra?

The present agitation in the South East for a sovereign state of Biafra seems very tempting under the prevailing circumstance given the manifest sectional approach to governance at the center. To some especially the youth and the disadvantaged it is the way to go and when viewed critically you cannot help but to agree with the agitators. Of a truth there is an obvious feeling of alienation within the Nigerian state today. But has this always been the case? Apart from the civil war and the pernicious policies of the military regimes, we have not fared badly during civil rule until presently.

Given that following the civil war, there seemed to have been a glass ceiling in certain professions in Nigeria where it looked as if Igbo should not aspire to. In the police, military etc. But we can posit this as the lingering effects of the war where the victor in a war finds it very difficult to fully integrate the other party they fought with into all areas. In the US for example, I understand that it took a very long time for someone from the southern part of the US several decades after the civil war which they lost to break the stranglehold of the north for the presidency of the US. (Correct me if I'm wrong).

But come to think of it, Dr Alex Ekwueme became the Vice President of Nigeria barely 9 years after the civil war. The glass ceiling was on its way to being broken! The military interregnum from 1993 led by the same Muhammadu Buhari put a hold on this. In the US, Germany, Japan and other climes deliberate policies were used by governments to build stronger ties among groups and opposing tendencies. This helped to forge a bond within their nations. Nigeria seemed to think that a policy of benign neglect will resolve our problems. Of course it didn't and that's why we are seeing a resurgence of separatist agitation going on all over the country.

Fast forward to the civil rule era starting from 1999. Nobody would accuse Presidents Obasanjo, late Yar'adua, or Jonathan of what seemed like sectionalism as state policy. A look at the pattern of appointments by President Obasanjo evinced the fact of an all inclusive government from all parts of the country. Same as President Yar'adua. President Jonathan took it a step further by appointing the first Igbo chief of army staff, first Igbo secretary to the federal government, coordinating minister for the economy etc. In fact, one of the criticisms we face today in Nigeria is to explain why should this agitation for separation be under President Buhari when it was not done under the previous administration? However, that criticism is not true. Recall that under President Obasanjo and Yar'adua there was Massob which was managed much better than today.

However, you will recall that when this government came into place, President Buhari went to the US where he made a most unfortunate statement that was widely condemned at that time. He reportedly said that he doesn't need to bother about the 5% that didn't vote for him but will rather concern himself with the 97% that voted for him. I had at the time the statement was made raised concern that such declaration from an elected President sounds discriminatory and may create the impression that our elected President Buhari is sending a message to those who didn't vote for him that he will be partial in his decision making. Unfortunately, it seems also that the people who are in and around the president didn't advise him properly. 

They left him to make appointments and take decisions that gave the impression that there are some parts of the country that are not supposed to be part of Nigeria. Little wonder that our youths feeling left out and not having anything to give them hope in Nigeria, started believing that a separate country would be better. But I say it is NOT. I will come to this later.

I recall that in November of 2016, after seeing how things were going, the South East caucus of the Senate sought for and got an appointment with the President Buhari. Our discussion centered on the south East perception of not being part of this administration thereby giving rise to our people feeling disconnected from the government. We pointed out that it should be a cause for concern if a major part of the country is not represented in the security architecture of the country in addition to other critical sectors from the inception of the administration. We were promised that our concerns would be looked into. Sadly, this was not done till today.

Our country Nigeria is supposed to be for inclusion; for making sure that everyone makes his or her input into its affairs. Allowing such fairness and equity to prevail in a plural society like ours will make us a bigger and better nation. Today that is not the case. Either as a deliberate act as it seems or a willful omission geared towards achieving a pre-determined goal, Ndigbo have been pushed to the fringes of the Nigerian Union in so many ways by the present government. The unfortunate scenario is enough for one to ask the hypothetical question....why am I here?

WHAT ALTERNATIVES

As much as the music of separatism stirs the soul, one must ask the question; Is relapsing into a sovereign state of Biafra the optimum option or is it a restructuring of the state such that all the federating units would have greater autonomy in the mould of a near quasi self determination the better option? When these two options are posed; a sovereign state of Biafra or restructured Nigeria, the position of most Nigerians as of today is for the latter.

Apart from the problem of even determining the boundaries of the state of Biafra and the multifarious and multifaceted problems a simplistic solution such as Biafra poses, perhaps it makes more sense for those who have tasted war to be a little more discerning when matters affecting their race comes up in Nigeria. Nigerians have been known to come together to use the Igbo head to break coconuts (apologies to late Abiola). Despite the problems that befell the Yoruba race following the annulment of the June 12 elections, they didn't seek to break out out of Nigeria despite some of them calling for an Oduduwa country. They simply used the sympathies of other Nigerians to create an economic haven for themselves which has led to massive relocation of industries by all Nigerians to Lagos and Ogun States. They also got the Presidency of Nigeria.

Our brothers from the Niger Delta have not sought to go away either. They also got the Presidency of Nigeria. However we seem to be in the unfortunate position of seeming to drag the Niger Delta into a Biafra unwanted by them. The agitation for Biafra and how it was being prosecuted by IPOB has rather elicited hate and disdain for our people from other ethnic groups notwithstanding that they may have been nursing such tendencies. The agitation as championed by IPOB somehow gave muscle to traditional traducers of Ndigbo to spew out hate and envious vituperations. This was exemplified by the October 1st quit notice given to Igbos to leave the North by the so-called Arewa youths which persons are yet to be arrested for hate speech and breaching the law. They claimed to be responding to our own hate speeches etc.

Indeed, other people seem to want to see us fall into the trap for them to use us to solve their own problems with Nigeria. That notwithstanding, we as political leaders from the South East were unequivocal in asserting that that the rights of Ndigbo to peaceful and democratic engagements must be respected. On this score we made it clear that no amount of threat will cow Ndigbo from consistently demanding for an equitable, fair and just society within the Nigerian State. We also cautioned our youths on their vituperative calls and employed the Igbo concept of "bu uzo chu fuo Ufu, tutu ta wa Okuko uta"! This of course was misunderstood by other Nigerians as support rather than constructive engagement.

WHY NOT BIAFRA?

We believe that the best way to go given our situation today is to look before we leap. We must not be pushed to abandon our huge contribution to the modern Nigerian state. As we pointed out in the beginning of this paper, Ndigbo have been the single ethnic group that have welded the country Nigeria together given our way of life as sojourners everywhere in Nigeria, West Africa, Africa and the world. I dare say that we make up to 50% or more of Nigerians in the US. The question is why would we look to confine ourselves to a small landlocked entity when we have the whole of Nigeria to cavort in?

I have deliberately left out of this discussion the practical impossibility of even getting our brothers from the Niger Delta to go with us in this quest. Not to talk of the Idoma or the Kogi that we insist are part of us.

One thing seems to elude our people when these questions are posed. We look at the determination of the present government to treat us dismissively and feel that it is well nigh an impossible task to get our wish for a just society but we fail to look at the historical evidence before us.

When the 97% vs 5% controversy erupted, I told our people that my people the Ngwa says that "Ohu afor abughi ndu ebighi ebi". Governments come and go. PDP government lost election and quit the stage for this APC government. Who says they cannot also lose? Why are we then acting as if it's the end of the world? The maximum any government can stay is two term totaling 8years. "Obughi ndu ebighi ebi"!

Restructuring is an idea whose time has come and it will happen.

Biafra should be a last option, only after every other avenue to realize a restructured Nigeria where every component part is allowed a measure of autonomy and self determination fails. Let me state here that if the dominant views in Nigeria is for restructuring, then that should be the minimum that Ndigbo should demand, so that every component part of this country can substantially harness its resources and develop at its own pace.

Do not forget that the breached Aburi accord was about restructuring and today this call has garnered overwhelming momentum even from quarters that hitherto opposed it. Just recently former President Ibrahim Babangida, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and lately Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and a host of others have joined the fray. Restructuring has become a singsong which we must explore vigorously. Even the ruling APC has set up a committee led by Governor el-Rufai to bring about a considered view on it. Forget the fact that it was part of their manifesto. The fact is that the discussion is on, as it should be.

I recall that in August, the Igbo political elite, Ohaneze, Governors, National Assembly Caucus met in Enugu and affirmed that the terms of our marriage in Nigeria is stifling to everybody and therefore we must have another look at it. That position has not changed but has in fact been reinforced by the agreement by other parts of Nigeria that it is time to look at the matter as evidenced by the South West Political Summit where they endorsed restructuring back to the 1963 constitution.

To me the strident calls by IPOB for a referendum should be seen as a legitimate demand to compel the state to see the urgency of having a second look at our marriage, with the ultimate aim of enthroning equity and fairness, where our people will no longer be treated as second class citizens in Nigeria. Though the methods may be misconstrued, the true colour of the agitation would have come out had there been a concerted effort at dialogue. The agitations gives fillip to the Igbo idiom..."Ma Opara emeghi nkpotu, agaghi ilughi ya Nwanyi ".

Our people are saying this union is stifling us, and we are making a lot of noise so we can find a solution.

The solution I think can be found in a restructured Nigeria. The beauty of it is that while we can enjoy near wholesale autonomy, our people as itinerant business people could have an unrestrained space in a larger market provided by a united Nigeria.

We should not be swayed by what we think is the attraction of an exclusive opportunity to be provided by a sovereign Biafra. No. That would box us into a tiny corner which has its own challenges which would prove overwhelming as time goes on. This is a topic for another day.

DIASPORA IGBOS AND US.

One of the problems those of us who attempt to show a direction to our people at home is the near universal disdain that some of our brother Ndigbo in Diaspora have for our leaders and elected representatives at home. Nowhere is it more apposite than in this matter of Biafra agitation. While some of our brothers/sisters here in the comfort of their homes seems to urge our youths through their utterances and actions to use unconstitutional means and disparage other ethnic groups that which actions seems to alienate us from our neighbors and the Nigerian State, we the leaders at home have been been left with the task of intervening in such a manner to dissuade the government from deploying the coercive instruments of state against the agitators. The aim was to stop bloodshed and waste of human lives. We have lost enough from the civil war. Those egging our youths on from here do not seem to appreciate this fact.

Most distressing is the labeling of those who disagree with their positions as "cowards, saboteurs, Hausa slaves etc". This tends to discourage those who genuinely strive to lead our people through a very distressing period in our history as a nation.

Nnia Nwodo as President of Ohaneze has been vilified for taking a stand for restructuring in Nigeria for Ndigbo, a position agreed by all of us in the earlier summit I referenced. Governors come in for bashing everyday. As for us legislators, we have been called all sorts of names such as 'legislooters' etc.

Yet, when it came to taking a stand at ground zero, to bail Kanu; to reject the Federal Government ascribing Terrorism to IPOB, we are the people doing so and we never hesitated to say that agitation in every clime is constitutional. We take the bullets from other ethnic groups and the government for standing firm and demanding that Nigerians should be left to talk to each other about the best way forward without preconditions. We would use this opportunity plead with our internet warriors who stay here in their comfort zone here that our Igbo say, "ma Opara nzuzu adighi nwuo, Opara ma izu aga beghi ibichi ezi".

SOME FINAL THOUGHTS

Why are we not Investing at Home.

Lack of Infrastructure. 

Should we continue to blame the Federal Government for the dilapidated infrastructures in Ala Igbo? What of our home governments in Igbo States? Sam Mbakwe of blessed memory did not wait for the Federal Government before undertaking massive rebuilding of old IMO State. We think that we have not given our best to our people with the little we got. 

Insecurity. 

Nowhere have we hurt ourselves and investment in Ala Igbo than in the insecurity pervading all parts of our homeland. Of course the latest imbroglio in Abia especially in Aba and Umuahia has worsened matters. We run the risk of undoing all the efforts made in promoting 'made in Aba' that we had embarked on as a catalyst for growth in Ala Igbo. Industries have relocated from Ala Igbo to other parts of Nigeria especially Lagos and Ogun States because of the very serious insecurity such as kidnappining and armed robbery faced by those who invest at home. We cannot be looking for investors and yet make our place not conducive to investment. 

Unemployment 

Unemployment is the single biggest problem we have in Ala Igbo today. Before this time due to our domestic investments and industry, this was not a very big problem but due to the dis-investment going on today in Ala Igbo today we are faced with a existential problem in our hand. Diaspora Igbo's have to assist us to also invest at home despite the problems and reduce the unemployment in Ala Igbo. Once we get Ala Igbo right the frustrations that fuel the agitation in ala Igbo will be dampened. What we have playing out in the world today is a knowledge economy. Oil is going out of fashion. As I pointed out earlier, we are poised through our educational exploits in Nigeria to dominate the economy of tomorrow. Why would we turn a blind eye to this emerging scenario? 

In ending let me quote what the great son of Igbo land, the great Zik of Africa said about himself: 

"Despite the mythic heights to which he was raised, Azikiwe was nothing if not pragmatic, a realist, always conscious of his limits and ever eager to extract all that was possible from that limited horizon". May we be guided by such humble thoughts as we seek a better Nigeria for us all. What we should look for is a BIAFRA of the MIND like some have suggested in order to play our role in the emerging Nigeria that will come...