Antigraft War: FG Should Follow Due Process - CAN

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) held its first quarter meeting on January 30, 2018 at its National Headquarters, Abuja and resolved on some national issues as follows;

1. The Christian Association of Nigeria acknowledged the efforts of the Federal Government, military and other security agencies in fighting insurgency and all criminal activities in the country including kidnapping and armed robbery among others.
The Association however observes that the present efforts of the government in providing security is not yielding the needed results as wanton killings have continued, especially in some States in the northern part of the country. Boko Haram appeared to have resurrected again, decimating communities in Borno and Yobe States in particular, not sparing soldiers. This resurgence of insecurity in the Northeast portends danger for the forthcoming general elections if efforts at curtailing it are not increased. Many voters  might be disenfranchised from voting.

2. The Association commends President Muhammadu Buhari for the continuous reassurance that all will be done by the government to make the forthcoming general elections free, fair and credible. We at the same time implore Mr. President to make sure that all these promises are transformed into reality through concrete efforts that would prevent violence and other electoral malpractices.

3. The Association calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police and other security agents not to make themselves available to be used for rigging or any form of electoral malpractice by the politicians. No voter or election observer must be intimidated or harassed throughout the period of the election. We equally urge politicians to run away from vote buying while the electorates should not allow anybody to buy their votes. If you sell your vote, you sell your future.
4. We reaffirm our support for all efforts of government geared towards stamping out corruption from our country. We however caution that efforts geared towards stamping out corruption from Nigeria must follow due process of the law while the independence of each arm of government for peace and harmony in the society must be well maintained. Wisdom and caution should be applied by those in government and other Nigerians in all that we do so that our actions and speeches might not set our nation on fire at this crucial period of election.
5. We urge all Nigerians to continue praying fervently for peaceful and credible elections in our country and to walk circumspectly. The Lord who answers prayer will hear our cries and lead Nigeria to a more glorious future in the name of Jesus.
Signed
Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, Special Assistant (Media & Communications) to the CAN President, His Eminence, Dr Samson Olasupo A. Ayokunle.
31 January, 2019

EPL Unbelievable Results on Wed & Tue

EPL With Unbelievable Results!

Wednesday 30th January

Bournemouth4  - 0 Chelsea

Southampton1- 1Crystal Palace

Liverpool1-  1Leicester City

Tottenham Hotspur2-1Watford

Tuesday 29th January

Arsenal2  - 1Cardiff City
Fulham4 - 2Brighton and Hove Albion
Huddersfield Town0 - 1Everton
Wolverhampton Wanderers3 - 0West Ham United
Manchester United2 - 2Burnley
Newcastle United2 - 1Manchester City

ONNOGHEN: Buhati Should Respect the Rule of Law - Catholics

*CATHOLIC ACTION: PRESS STATEMENT*

*SUSPENSION OF CHIEF JUSTICE WALTER ONNOGHEN, GCON*

Saturday 26 January, 2019.

Catholic Action Nigeria is part of the global movement in the Catholic Church known as CATHOLIC ACTION.

Catholic Action Nigeria is a movement of the Lay Faithful that promotes knowledge of Catholic doctrine, and the Church’s social teachings. It promotes leadership values and good governance. Our responsibility is to deepen the formation of the lay faithful from a value-based Christian perspective, and to create a platform for Nigerians (Catholics and Non-Catholics) with special focus on the young people to be adequately moulded into active political players guided by the teachings of the Church and her Gospel values, pursuant to the development and economic growth of our nation.

Catholic Action Nigeria  expresses shock at the dramatic suspension of the CJN Samuel Nkanu Walter Onnoghen, GCON  by President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.

Catholic Action Nigeria will never condone any breach of the law by any person or institution including the CJN. However, Catholic Action Nigeria urges restraint and compliance with the rule of law at all times.

Catholic Action Nigeria appreciates the several words of caution both from local and international communities on the need for the executive arm of government to be guided strictly by the rule of law.

The public outcry by the leadership of the National Assembly is hereby acknowledged, However, given the strategic position and powers vested on the Assembly, this is not enough. Catholic Action Nigeria hereby calls on the National Assembly to rise up to their statutory function.

Catholic Action Nigeria from the foregoing notes the impending potential dangers that this conflict portends to the disruption of the 2019 general elections, our democracy, national unity, national security, and hereby states the following:

i) That the President respects the rule of law and reverses his actions immediately.

ii) That the acting CJN Justice Tanko Muhammed CON respects the NJC and cease to act in such capacity but rather work in tandem with the NJC to save the Judiciary from this executive intimidation and lawlessness.

iii) That all judicial officers especially of superior courts and the NBA to rise up in defence of the judiciary by refusing to acknowledge the authority of the acting CJN and insist that the President reverses himself in this ill-advised venture and follow due process of law in resolving the matter.

iv) As this is largely a constitutional matter, we urge the suspended CJN to seek judicial interpretation and challenge his suspension in the court.

v) The National Assembly should take immediate drastic actions to remedy the situation.

vi) We urge all Nigerians to rise up in one accord  to condemn this executive lawlessness and constitutional breach.

vii) Nigerians are however, advised not to embark on any form of violence as an expression of displeasure, as that will fuel anarchy which is counter to our aspirations for a truly one Nigeria.

Signed:


*Peter I. Agbontaen, KSJI*
Governor, Board of Trustees
Catholic Action Nigeria

*Joseph Adom Kyaagba, mni, KSM*
1st Vice Chairman, Council of Patrons
Catholic Action Nigeria

Exclusive: Why Onnoghen Was Removed

EXLUSIVE: The sin of Justice Onnoghen according to a reliable source is he allegedly "rejected the list of judges presented to him as the chairman and members of the Election Tribunals." He reportedly told the Presidency that he would rather compile his own. And that was why he MUST GO. According to the source, "It was the same list that the acting CJN used at the weekend. When pressed further for a proof the source reminded us that the list contains some dead and retired judges "which was the usual style of the Buhari Presidency."

CJN: Lawyers Boycott Courts Nationwide for Two Days

ONNOGHEN: LAWYERS NATIONWIDE TO BOYCOTT THE COURTS FOR TWO DAYS
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has resolved that all its members should boycott the courts nationwide for two days (Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 January 2019) to protest the "constitutional infractions in the suspension of Walter Onnoghen as Chief Justice of Nigeria".
The body reached the decision on Monday at an emergency meeting of its National Executive Committee (NEC) held at the NBA Auditorium, NBA House, Plot 1101 Muhamadu Buhari Way, Cadastral Zone A00 Central Area, Abuja.
Attendance at the NEC meeting was limited only to Statutory NEC members, who are national officers, past presidents, past general secretaries, branch chairmen, branch secretaries, branch NEC representatives and chairmen and secretaries of sections.
As all Nigerian lawyers are automatic members of the NBA, the resolution means all lawyers anywhere in the country will be absent in court for two days.
President Muhammadu Buhari suspended Onnoghen as the CJN on Friday and swore in Tanko Mohammed in acting capacity, leading to widespread condemnation both from home and abroad.

Why Jutice Tanko's Appointment Cannot Stand - Senior Advocate

Why the Appointment of justice Tanko Cannot Stand - SAN
"Justice Ibrahim Tanko, sworn in as acting CJN today, was a member of NJC when this 2018 decision was made. ..*

 The National Judicial Council had, at its 85th meeting held on March 14, 2018, sanctioned Justice Orji by forcing him to go on a compulsory retirement for allowing himself to be sworn in as the Acting Chief Judge of Abia State without being recommended by the council.

Both the suspension of Onnoghen and swearing-in of Muhammed in acting capacity by the President followed the same pattern of how Justice Theresa Uzokwe was suspended by the Abia State House of Assembly and Justice Orji subsequently sworn in as acting Chief Judge of the state by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

While earlier placing Justice Orji on suspension in January 2018, the NJC said in a statement, “The suspension of the Chief Judge of Abia State (Justice Theresa Uzokwe) by the State House of Assembly without a prior recommendation by the National Judicial Council violates the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Consequently, the subsequent act of appointing and swearing-in of Hon. Mr. Justice Obisike Orji as the Acting Chief Judge is invalid for being unconstitutional.

“Furthermore, the conduct of Hon. Mr. Justice Obisike Orji in presenting himself to be sworn in raises potential questions of misconduct that Council is now looking into.

“Council therefore resolved to query and suspend the Hon. Mr. Justice Obisike Orji pending the outcome of its investigation.”

Later in March 2018, following further investigations by its panel, the NJC said, “Hon. Mr. Justice Obisike Oji was earlier queried by the council for allowing himself to be sworn in as acting Chief Judge, and thereby colluding in, and aiding an unconstitutional process.

“His reply was unsatisfactory and the council recommended his compulsory retirement.”

The NJC, also at the same meeting held on March 14, 2018, found Justice Uzokwe culpable and recommended her compulsory retirement.

The NJC also directed the third most senior judge in the judiciary of the state to step in as the Acting Chief Judge pending the conclusion of investigations of allegations of acts of misconduct levelled against Justices Uzokwe and Orji.
Lucius Nwosu, SAN

Southern Leaders of Thoughts Reject Onnoghen' Sack

Constitutional Crisis As Buhari Illegally Suspends CJN
The attention of Southern and Middle Belt Leaders has been drawn to a coup against Constitutional Democracy in Nigeria  by President Muhammadu Buhari by the Suspension of CJN Walter Onoghen this evening and swearing in a replacement.
This is a constitutional crisis foisted by desperation and morbid desire to foist rule of thumb.

We have checked through the constitution and the President has no power to unilaterally suspend the CJN.
Section 292 of the amended 1999 Constitution is clear that the President can only remove the CJN with 2/3 of Senate resolution.
To us what has been done is  resort to self-help after the Court of Appeal issued an order stopping the trial of the CJN by the CCT presided over by a man answering charges in court over corruption  allegations but still in office.
The latest action is a clear suspension of the constitution and enthronement of full blown dictatorship .
We reject the illegal suspension and demand its immediate reversal.
The suspension is null and void and of no effect whatever .
An emergency meeting of the Forum holds shortly on this total aberration.
We call on all  Nigerians to wake up to the reality that our democracy is now under threat and use all constitutional means to defend it.
We must not surrender to this authoritarian rule .

Chief E K Clark
South South

Chief Ayo Adebanjo
South  West

Chief John Nwodo
South East

Dr Pogu Bitrus
Midddle Belt

ONNOGHEN' SUSPENSION, A COUP AGAINST DEMOCRACY - Saraki

Onoghen’s Suspension, a Coup Against Democracy, Says Saraki

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has described the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Walter Onoghen by President Muhammadu Buhari, as a coup against democracy and a deliberate attempt to endanger our hard-won democracy.

Saraki, in a statement personally  signed by him stated that the suspension was another act of desperation by President Buhari. He noted that by the suspension of the CJN, Buhari has acted outside the provision of the constitution, has exercised the powers which he does not have and that this action amounted to gross misconduct.

“This is an action aimed at undermtining the nation’s judiciary, subverting the constitution, intimidating judges of all the courts of record, and creating uncertainty in the electoral process, thereby laying the  foundation for influencing the outcome of litigations that might arise from next month’s elections.

“There are already the general belief that this hasty action was taken to pre-empt the already scheduled inauguration of election petition tribunals by Hon. Justice Onoghen and to destroy national institutions that are perceived to be unco-operative in his bid to manipulate the electoral process leading to next month’s general elections.

“By unilaterally suspending the CJN without following the provision of the constitution, President Buhari has taken an action which amounted to gross misconduct. He has simply sent a dangerous signal to the entire world  that Nigeria is no longer a democratic nation and that we have returned to the old, jaded era of military dictatorship .

“Our constitution makes no provision for suspension of the nation’s highest judicial officer. The constitution provides a clear process for removal of the CJN and specify the roles of the three arms of government, beginning from the National Judicial Council (NJC), the National Assembly and lastly, the Presidency, have different roles to play in that process. There is no condition under which the President can usurp the powers of other arms of government. I do not know where the President and his advisers got this idea of suspending the CJN on the so-called order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal  but this is novel, disingenuous and alien to our laws.

“The President and his team must have seen this so-called suspension as a short-cut to getting Hon. Justice Onnoghen out of the way since the appellate court has eventually stopped the CCT from continuing with the trial of the CJN. It is strange that President Buhari is claiming to be taking orders from a Tribunal which has been ordered by a superior court to halt all actions on the trial.

“With this action, President Buhari has initiated a process the consequence of which nobody can predict. They have precipitated a constitutional crisis.

“At this point, all democratic institutions in the country, the international community and democrats across the world should rise against this blatant act of impunity. We should jointly condemn this retrogressive, uncivilized and despotic measure”, Saraki stated.

He however called on President Buhari to immediately reverse this decision and allow the due process of law to take its natural course in determining the guilt or otherwise as well as the suitability of Hon. Justice Onnoghen to continue as the head of the nation’s judiciary.

Signed

Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON
President of the Senate

Onnoghen' Suspension, A Judicial Coup - CUPP

Emergency Press Release
25th Jan 2019

Onnoghen's suspension: A judicial coup - CUPP

..Buhari has finally overthrown constitutional governance

..Onnoghen remains CJN and Nigerians will continue to recognise him as such.

..Move aimed at stopping the swearing in of members of the 2019 general election petition tribunal.

..We have been vindicated on our earlier alarm that Buhari wants to appoint  pro APC CJN to help use the judiciary to affirm APC candidates in the 2019 pre and post election litigation

..lawyers , judges, judicial staffs must shut down the courts now.
...activists and lovers of democracy must troop out and fight with their last blood till this coup against democracy is  neutralised.
...NBA should call out all lawyers now

Opposition political parties view the removal of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, by President Muhammadu Buhari as a judicial coup that must be resisted by all lovers of democracy.

Buhari has finally overthrown constitutional governance. This factionalisation of the judiciary will not stand.

As far as the law of the land is concerned, Onnoghen remains the CJN. We will not recognise any other person who may be occupying that office illegally. Justice Tanko Muhammed us an usurper. The NJC must sack him. Lawyers must ignore him as long as he remains on that seat.

The CJN can be removed from office either if he has been convicted or if under section 291 and 292 of the constitution, the Senate affirms a request by the President to remove him by two-third majority vote. Buhari have dared  Nigerians.The filled a charge at CCT with a hurriedly put petition we kept quiet , they  filled a motion to remove him from the tribunal but the Appeal court restrained them and just few hours to the inauguration of the supreme court election panel that will hear pre and post 2019 election , the emperor crushed the constitution and overthrow the leadership of the supreme court and appointed his stooge.

Onnoghen's illegal removal was aimed at stopping the swearing in of members of the 2019 general election petition tribunal.

We have been vindicated on our earlier alarm that Buhari wants to appoint pro-APC CJN to help use the judiciary to affirm APC candidates in the 2019 pre and post election litigation.

We hereby call on lawyers, judges and judicial staffs to downtool immediately. This is the last battle and it must be won. The NBA should immediately call out all lawyers. All courts must be shut now while nationwide protest against this impunity should also commence.

The CJN must remain in office and disregard this announcement as the President has no power to suspend him.

The Senate should reconvene now and start impeachment process against the President for acting against the provision of the Constitution he swore to uphold.

Buhari has shown with this development that he is the most cruel and barbaric President Nigeria ever had.

A man who rode to power on the basis of respect for the rule law and fundamental principles of democracy has chosen to play to the gallery of dictatorship to right elections. Let see how it goes.

But we know that this is going to be the beginning of democracy in Nigeria. The democratic institutions will fight back. Trust me it is the beginning of democracy in Nigeria. Out of adversity comes strength.

Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere
CUPP spokesperson

Breaking: The CCT's Order Used To Sack Justice Onnoghen

Revealed: CCT’s Order Used by Buhari to suspend CJN Onnoghen

The Code of Conduct Tribunal has granted an Interim Order in favour of the Federal Government and subsequently used by President Muhammadu Buhari to suspend Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC).

PRNigeria reliably gathered that the Tribunal was allegedly put under pressure to entertain a Motion Exparte brought before it by the Government against Onnoghen a day before the Court of Appeal issued an order barring the Tribunal from taking further action on the Asset Declaration Charges brought against the now suspended CJN

A Copy of the Motion Exparte obtained by PRNigeria exclusively was dated January 23, 2019 but was slated for hearing next Monday before the dramatic turn of event by the Federal Government against Justice Onnoghen.

The Motion Exparte read in parts: “An Interim Order of the Honourable Tribunal directing the Defendant/Respondent to step aside as the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the Chairman of the National Judicial Council over an allegation of the Contravening the provisions of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act CAP C15 Laws of the Federation 2004 pending the determination of the Motion on Notice dated 10th Day of January 2019.

“An Interim Order of the Honourable Tribunal directing the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to take all necessary measure to swear the most Senior Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman National Judicial Council in order to prevent a vacuum in the judicial arm of government pending the determination of the motion on Notice.

“And for such further order(s) as this Honourable Tribunal may deem fit to make in the circumstances of this case.”

The ruling of the Tribunal also read in part: “It is hereby ordered as follows: That the defendant/respondent shall step aside as the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman National Judicial Council over allegation of Contravening the provisions of the code of Conducts and Tribunal Act CAP C15 Laws of the Federation 2004 pending the determination of the Motion on notice dated 10th January 2019.

“That the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall take all necessary measure to swear in the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman National Judicial Council in order to prevent a vacuum in the judicial arm of government pending the determination of the motion on notice.

“This matter is hereby adjourned to the 28 Day of January 2019 for Hearing.

“Issued at Abuja under the Hand and Seal of the Honorable Chairman and Member of this Honourable Tribunal this 23th Day of January 2019 By Hon Danladi Y. Umar, Hon. Chairman, and Mrs. Julie A. Anabor Hon Member II”

By PRNigeria

Onnighen: OPPOSITION CANDIDATE, ATIKU, SPITS FIRE!

The Purported Suspension of CJN Onnoghen is an Act of Dictatorship Taken too Far.

Abuja, Nigeria, 25 Jan 2019: The purported suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria by President Muhammadu Buhari, is an anti democratic act which I reject in its entirely and call on Justice Onnoghen and the judiciary to resist with every legal and constitutional means that they can muster.

This brazen dictatorial act is the latest action in the ongoing rape of our nation’s hard earned democracy by those who dined with anti democratic forces, and is symptomatic of the increasing desperation that President Buhari and the cabal pulling the strings have as February 16, 2019 draws near.

The fact that the unlawful suspension of Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen was announced just as it became public knowledge that the CJN was constituting the election petition tribunals is not lost on discerning Nigerians and the international community. This act of desperation is geared towards affecting the outcome of the 2019 Presidential elections. Indeed, it is not just the CJN that has been "suspended", it is the Nigerian Constitution that has been infracted and, in effect, suspended, under the guise of the suspension of the CJN.

The case involving the legality or otherwise of the charges against Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen is in court, as it should be. So far, the judiciary has ruled in Justice Onnoghen’s favour. So, why not allow the court to adjudicate on the matter? What is the pressing urgency?

I want to seize this opportunity to call for unity amongst the judiciary. Do not let the Muhammadu Buhari administration divide you. Do not let this government turn you against yourselves. The judiciary is the last hope of the common man and the defender of our democracy.

I also urge the international community to follow the commendable example of the United States and the United Kingdom by intervening to make those involved in this undemocratic act know that their actions will have consequences. Strong consequences.

And to the Nigerian electorate, I call on you to save your beloved country from dictatorship by voting against President Muhammadu Buhari’s desperate war against the judiciary. Our country is falling apart under the leadership of President Buhari and it is time to stand up for democracy.

Signed:

Atiku Abubakar

Waziri Adamawa

Presidential Candidate of PDP & Vice President of Nigeria, 1999-2007.

TETFUND: An Evidence of Corruption in Buhari's Presidency - PDP

January 23, 2019

Press Statement

Sacked TETFUND Secretary’s Confession Confirms Corruption in Buhari’s Presidency

The PDP Presidential Campaign Organization (PPCO) says the confession by the sacked Executive Director of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Dr. Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, that he was fired for refusing to give N200 million, as kick-back, to the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, has further exposed the seething corruption in the Buhari Presidency.

PPCO says the revelation did not come to many Nigerians as a surprise and has further vindicated the PDP’s position that the Buhari Presidency is inherently corrupt and thrives on concealments, deception, beguilement, propaganda and lies.

The PPCO had always alerted Nigerians that President Muhammadu Buhari presides over a sanctuary of treasury looters who, as ministers, Presidential advisers, heads of special Presidential committees, APC leaders and members of President Buhari’s Campaign Council fritter our national resources with reckless abandon under Mr. President’s official cover.

We invite Nigerians to note that the Buhari Presidency has not given any reasons for Bichi’s removal. It has not also offered any form of explanation to the huge allegation bordering on corruption against a cabinet minister; a development, which betrays a collusion at very high level.

This is especially given the series of corruption entanglement around the Presidency, including the allegations that officials of the Buhari Presidency took N500 million as bribe to reduce the fine imposed on a telecommunication company from N1.03 trillion to N330 billion.

Nigerians have not forgotten the case of the former aide of the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, Mr. Baba Inna, who was arrested in September last year for allegedly receiving N2.5 billion from politicians, businessmen and women on behalf of the First Lady.

This is in addition to the case of Mrs. Amina Mohammed, who while being paraded by the Department of State Services (DSS), last year stated in public that persons close to President Buhari were involved in serial looting under the official cover of the Buhari Presidency.

Moreover, we hope this is not one of the conduits through which funds siphoned to finance the alleged involvement of some individuals said to be close to the Buhari Presidency in the N1.032 trillion alleged corrupt acquisitions in 9Mobile and Keystone Bank PLC.

The PPCO therefore calls on President Buhari to end his sanctimonious posturing as Nigerians are already aware that he leads a parade of corrupt and inept leadership that has taken the fortunes of our nation to the abyss.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
Director, Media & Publicity
PDP Presidential Campaign Organization

We Do Not Hate El-Rufai But... Southern Kaduna

Southern Kaduna Peoples' Union.

Press Release

22/01/2019

Southern Kaduna People Do not Hate el-rufai

The Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir Ahmad  El- Rufai was widely seen and heard on Channels TV on 18 February, 2018 alleging that 67 percent of  Christian voters in Southern Kaduna would not vote for him even if he nominates the Pope as his running mate.


Despite our measured and steadfast resolve to ignore this issue, considering the emotional reaction that the interview generated, it has, however,  become imperative to speak and correct the deliberate misinformation, negative  stereotyping and the generalization that was devoid of logic or fact.


What is the reality? The fact is that Christians in Southern Kaduna do not hate Governor el-Rufai, but we abhor his deliberate policy aimed at reducing our people into political  nothingness. With the general elections approaching, the governor has been peddling this falsehood at several events. We declare emphatically  the fact that our people and members, who include both Christians and Muslims, do not hate any politician on account of their religion. The governor's assertions are merely the figments of his imaginations and should be ignored.


The deliberate falsehood manufactured by the governor is punctured by the fact that Christians in Southern Kaduna have been voting Muslims as governors for a long time since the creation of the State. The governors include Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa, Alhaji Dabo Lere, Alhaji Mohammed Makarfi, Arch. Mohammed Namadi Sambo and the governor himself. Christians in Kaduna have voted, not on religious basis, but on competence and merit; and Governor el- Rufai was a direct beneficiary of that in 2015 when Christians voted for him.


If Christians in Southern Kaduna voted for him in 2015, against the then sitting governor, Alhaji Ramalan Yero, a fellow Muslim, why is he now alleging that Christians would not vote for him? What did he do now that he is alleging being rejected by Christians? Why is he suddenly bringing in the issue of religion with the election just around the corner?  Is he guilty of something that is haunting him? Is he running away from something when nobody is pursuing him? How did the governor arrive at the 67 percent figure of Christians that he alleged would not vote for him? What is the Governor really planning?


It is most disheartening that a governor of a multi-religious and multi- ethnic state like Kaduna  would resort to religious sentiments for seeking re-election when competency and merit should be the basis. Southern Kaduna and indeed the entire State will vote a democratic Governor that will unite and provide astute leadership to our beleaguered  State. Christians and Muslims in Kaduna State are committed in doing just that. We shall not allow any form of bigotry to divide us.


Our advice to Malam el-Rufai is for him to be a governor to all. He should stand for all, speak for all and protect all. He should be the one dousing tension and rallying all for unity, instead of unnecessarily heating up the political atmosphere in the state.

Thank you.

Signed: Mr Yakubu Kuzamani.

National Public Relation Officer, SOKAPU

OBASANJO: Fani-Kayode Fires Back at the Presidency

"Anyone that says OBJ needs to see a doctor and that he should "get well soon" is deluded. It is not OBJ that stumbles whenever he mounts the podium. It is not OBJ that dribbles when he talks. It is not OBJ that cannot control his bowels. It is not OBJ that needs to be spoonfed"- Femi Fani-Kayode, 21st January 2019.

25 Things Obasanjo Said About Buhari, Osinbajo and INEC

25 Things Obasanjo Said About Buhari, Osinbajo And INEC Today. ON INEC

1. “Democracy becomes a sham if elections are carried out by people who should be impartial and neutral umpires, but who show no integrity...”

2. “The transmission and collation of results are subject to interference, manipulation and meddling. If the INEC’s favourite political party wins with all the above infractions, the result will be conclusively declared and if not, there will be a ‘rerun’.”

3. “The track record of the present INEC is fairly sordid and all men and women of goodwill and believers in democracy must be prepared for the worst from INEC and their encouragers...”

4. “Amina Zakari has become too controversial a figure to be able to give assurance of free, fair and credible election for INEC.”

5. “A judge does not sit in judgement over a case once he or she becomes a cause for controversy... Madam Amina Zakari should, in honour, stay out and not be seen as a source of contamination of the election.”

6. “Amina Zakari is not the only Commissioner that can be in the Collation Centre. Let the INEC Chairman act boldly and impartially and prove his absolute neutrality and responsiveness...”

ON BUHARI

7. “Some men of God would hold President Buhari to his word on free, fair, credible and peaceful elections. I am a realist... I am not persuaded by a track record of hollow words, impunity, insensitivity and ‘I-couldn’t-care-less’ attitude.”

8. “It is no use, at this juncture, to keep lamenting about the failure, incompetence, divisiveness, nepotism, encouragement and condonation of corruption by Buhari administration...”

10. “President Buhari and his hatchet men in the coming election think that the judiciary must be primed in their favour. Hence, the Chief Justice of Nigeria... has been harassed and prosecuted...”

11. “President Buhari and his people believe no stone should be left unturned to rig Buhari in. It seems to be a ploy to intimidate the judiciary as a whole in preparation for all election cases that will go before them.”

12. “Buhari has succeeded in deceiving us the first time and we will be fools to allow ourselves to be deceived the second time.”

13. “Even when figures, facts and statistics are made clear to Buhari, he keeps repeating what is untrue, either because he cannot understand or for mischief purposes and that places him on the level of a pathological liar.”

14. “[Buhari] believes he can get away with impunity and deceit as he seems to have done on many occasions in the past.”

15. “Bola Tinubu’s statement about Muhammadu Buhari in 2003 is fairly prophetic, “Muhammadu Buhari is an agent of destabilisation, ethnic bigot and religious fanatic who, if given the chance, would ensure the disintegration of the country. His ethnocentrism would jeopardise Nigeria’s national unity.””

16. “Buhari’s watch can be likened to what we witnessed under Gen. Sani Abacha in many ways. When Abacha decided that he must install himself as Nigerian President by all means and at all costs, he went for broke and surrounded himself with hatchet men who on his order and in his interest and at high costs to Nigeria and Nigerians maimed, tortured and killed for Abacha.”

17. “...we have heard of how Buhari and his party are going about his own self-succession project. They have started recruiting collation officers who are already awarding results based on their projects to actualise the perpetuation agenda...”

18. Buhari’s “henchmen are working round the clock in cahoots with security and election officials to perfect their plan by computing results right from the ward to local government, state and national levels to allot him what will look like a landslide victory irrespective of the true situation...”

19. “The current plan is to drape the pre-determined results with a toga of credibility. It is also planned that violence of unimaginable proportion will be unleashed in high voting population areas across the country to  precipitate re-run elections and where [Buhari] will be returned duly elected after concentration of security…”

20. “Buhari’s scheme bears eloquent testimony to this road similar to Abacha whom he has praised to high heavens and as an arch-supporter and beneficiary from Abacha, he has seen nothing wrong done by him. “

21. “It is clear from all indications that Buhari is putting into practice the lessons he learned from Abacha. Buhari has intimidated and harassed the private sector, attacked the National Assembly and now unconstitutionally and recklessly attacked and intimidated the Judiciary to cow them to submission.”

ON OSINBAJO

22. “Osinbajo must have gone for, “if you can’t beat them, join them”. A great pity indeed and which makes people ask the questions, “Any hope?”

23. “Osinbajo has shown the human weakness and proved the saying that the corruption of the best is the worst form of corruption.”

24. “What is the connection between taking the number of PVC of the ‘traders’ and the forthcoming election? There is something sinister about it, and Professor Osinbajo, of all people, should know that.”

ON DEMOCRACY

25. “This is a time for vigilance to fight to safeguard our votes and defend our democracy. The price of liberty and sustenance of our democracy is eternal vigilance and  appropriate reaction to ward off iniquities… We must all be ready to pay that price and not relying on hollow words of callousness. The derailment of Nigerian democracy will be a monumental disaster comparable to the disaster of the Nigerian first military coup…Nigeria must not be allowed to slip off the democratic path nor go into anarchy and ruin. No individual nor group has monopoly of violence or gangsterism…”

WHY BUHARI SHUNED THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE - Fani-Kayode

"I missed the Presidential debate because of my busy schedule"- President Muhammadu Buhari.

"Not true. You missed the Presidential debate because you are weak and cowardly and because you are no longer in control of your mental and physical faculties.

You missed the Presidential debate because you have lost your mind and memory and you cannot take ten steps without stumbling or falling.

You missed the Presidential debate because the organisers wouldn't allow your Vice President to stand next to you on the podium and help you to answer the questions.

You missed the Presidential debate because you are a shadow of your former self and because you are now a pitiful sight.

You missed the Presidential debate because you look blankly and vacantly into the air when you are asked simple questions and you drawl and drool spittle from both sides of your mouth when you attempt to answer them.

You missed the Presidential debate because you are utterly deluded, you are out of touch with reality, you are completely senile and you are suffering from an advanced and irretrievable stage of dementia.

You missed the Presidential debate because you don't know where you are, you don't know what you do, you don't know where you live, you don't know what date it is, you don't know which party you are in, you don't know which office you hold, you don't know which position you are contesting for and you don't know which country you are leading.

You missed the Presidential debate because you are suffering God's judgement for your wicked and cruel ways.

You missed the Presidential debate because your handlers know that you are not fit to be President and they didn't want you to display your vegetative state and degenerated condition in full glare of the Nigerian people.

You missed the Presidential debate because you have no respect for yourself and no respect for the Nigerian people.

You missed the Presidential debate because you couldn't give a damn!

It is for these reasons that you missed the Presidential debate and not because you have a busy schedule" - Femi Fani-Kayode, 20th Jan. 2019.

Atiku Insists On Debating With Buhari - PDP

January 19, 2019

Press Statement

Atiku Insists On Debating With President Buhari

The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar was at the venue of the Presidential debate only to discover that President Muhammadu Buhari, for whom he cut short his trip to the United States of America to meet in a debate, had refused to show.

Atiku Abubakar insists on debating directly with President Buhari and is still ready to meet him anywhere and any time for the debate.

Atiku Abubakar states; “I cut short my trip to the United States and returned to Nigeria because I know that majority of Nigerians want to listen to me at the debate.

“However, I have come to the venue of the debate, I have waited until the beginning of the debate and I cannot find the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Muhammadu Buhari, for whom I have returned from my trip to debate.

“I insist that I will debate President Buhari any day, any time and anywhere, including the Aso Rock Villa”, Atiku Abubakar stated.

The PDP Presidential Campaign Organization (PPCO) however, described as sad that an elected President and a Commander-in-Chief is shying away from a debate at the time Nigerians expect him to give account of his stewardship in office.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
Director, Media & Publicity
PDP Presidential Campaign Organization
Official Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Nigeria

Presidential Debate: I Refused To Participate Because Buhari Is Absent - Atiku

We came here for a Presidential debate, not a candidacy debate, and I, Atiku Abubakar can not challenge or question an administration where the man at the helm of the affairs of the nation is not present to defend himself or his policies. After all you cannot shave a man's head in his absence. I do not believe in attacking a man who is NOT here to defend himself. As a leader and former vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, let me first apologise to all Nigerians, my fellow candidates and the moderator for the the APC Presidential Candidates absence in this debate. His non-appearance is a slight on ALL of us and our democracy.

Secondly, with all due respect to my fellow candidates, Fela Durotoye, Oby Ezekwesili,  Kingsley Moghalu and to the moderator Mark Sugar and with apologies to all Nigerians here and at home expecting an interesting debate, I regret that I will not be able to go on with this debate due to President Buhari's absence.

I however challenge President Buhari to choose a date and time for a debate where he will be present and I will be there, hopefully with the other candidates as well.

Thank you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Atiku Abubakar

PHB: PDP dares Buhari Over Threats to Arrest Atiku

January 18, 2019

Press Conference

Trumped-Up Allegation: PDP Dares Buhari Over Threats to Arrest Atiku

The Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organization (PPCO) describes as laughable, President Muhammadu Buhari’s heinous plot to frame the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, out of fear that he is already coasting to victory in the February 16 Presidential election.

While we understand that President Buhari and his dysfunctional All Progressives Congress (APC) are jittery over Atiku Abubakar’s soaring popularity ahead of the elections, it is reprehensible that Mr. President will descend abysmally low to fabricate outright lies and falsehood in a bid to discredit a more qualified and acceptable Presidential candidate.

The PPCO makes bold to state that Atiku Abubakar has nothing to do with the alleged issues leading to the collapse of Bank PHB, but an honest and hard working Nigerian who has no skeleton of any sort in his cupboard, unlike President Buhari, who is now entangled in series of corruption allegations.

For emphasis, even the Chairman of President Buhari’s Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay, had since told the world that the Buhari Presidency has searched everywhere and could not find anything incriminating on Atiku Abubakar.

The world already knows that this attempt to mudsling our Presidential candidate is coming out of President Buhari’s frustration over Atiku Abubakar’s successful outing in the United States, for which the Buhari Presidency has gone into full hallucination.

This is in addition to their frenzied face-saving effort to divert public attention from President Buhari’s humiliating appearances in the respective rallies and Television shows he has had.

The PPCO however, counsels President Buhari and the APC to note that Nigerians can see through their lies, fabrications and frustration and that their scheme against Atiku Abubakar is already dead on arrival.

If anything, the PPCO will want President Buhari to open the books and provide explanation for the N9 trillion stolen under his watch as Minister of Petroleum Resources as detailed in the leaked NNPC memo.

President Buhari should as well, allow an open inquest into the alleged involvement of his relations in the N1.032 trillion alleged corrupt acquisitions in 9Mobile and Keystone Bank PLC.

Finally, the PPCO states that the PDP Presidential candidate, our great party and indeed all Nigerians, who have already reached a national consensus to vote-in Atiku Abubakar as the next President of our country, will not be distracted by this unfounded allegation by the rejected President Buhari and his handlers.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
Director, Media & Publicity
PDP Presidential Campaign Organization

Don't Arrest Fani - Kayode, Odumakin - Group Warns EFCC

Re: THREAT BY EFCC TO DETAIN AND PROSECUTE CHIEF FEMI FANI-KAYODE AND MR. YINKA ODUMAKIN,  AND THE FREEZING OF BANK ACCOUNTS OF CJN,  HON. JUSTICE WALTER ONNOGHEN, BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

(1). The  Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) is  a responsible organisation, made of prominent statesmen of Nigeria that have served, and still serving and contributing immensely to  our great country, Nigeria.

(2). The information and statement about  the siege on the neighborhood of the CJN originated from the CJN's residence, while this body was in a meeting at Abuja.  We could not have manufactured such a statement if the alarm was not raised from the  house of the CJN. It is therefore, not a fake news. This body only acted prompted to forestall any ontoward incidence of arrest or embarrassment on the person of the CIN.

(3). We strongly advise the EFCC not to do anything, by way of carrying out its threat of arrest and detention of former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and  Mr. Yinka Odumakin, on account of this statement which has attracted denials. Arrests and detention of Chief Femi Fani-Kayode  and Mr. Yinka Odumakin on account of this incident can only exacerbate the already tensed situation in the polity.

(4). We want to further caution that any attempt to intimidate and harrass any of our members concerning this issue or in any other guise would  be stoutly resisted.

(5). SECONDLY, We have also been reliably  informed thàt the Federal Attorney-General & Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, has directed the freezing of Bank Accounts  of the CJN, Hon. Justice Walter Samuel Onnoghen, vide a letter dated 14, January, 2019, titled: "Re: Request for Freezing of Bank Accounts subject to Investigation and Prosecution pursuant to Presidential Executive Order No. 6 of 5th July 2018, on the Preservation of Assets connected with Corruption".

(6). We want to state that this inglorious exercise of freezing of accounts belonging to the CJN when the matter pertaining thereto,  being embarked upon by the Hon. Attorney-General is completely unnecessary, and a further deliberate attempt to harrass and embarrass the  high Office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

(7). How do we reconcile the action of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, with  the statement of  Vice President Yemi Osinbajo that, the President was not aware of the action of the CCT until Saturday evening, 12th January, 2019. when it was mentioned to him?
(8). The President, according to  Vice President Osinbajo, could not have done anything to stop the prosecution of the CJN, by the Federal Attorney-General, who did not, as the Chief Legal Adviser to the Government, of the action he was going to take against the CJN. This is condemnable, considering the status of the CJN, who is the head of the third arm of government.
(9). Mr. Vice President went on to defend the ominous silence of Mr. President on  the trial of the CJN, under the guise of the need for non interference of the operations of anti graft institutions in the discharge of their duties.

(9). We respectful  appeal to Mr. President  to direct the Attorney-General to stop the prosecution of the CJN in CCT, request then to follow the due process, because no one is above the law of the land.



SINGED:

Dr. Alfred MULADE.

For: SMLF.

Get Ready To Defend Your Country - PDP tells Nigerians

January 15, 2019

Press Conference

Fascism: Get Ready To Defend Your Country, PDP Charges Nigerians

Gentlemen of the press, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today, makes a clarion call to all Nigerians to brace up for the February 16, 2019 Presidential election as the only way to defend and save our nation from the fascism being plotted by the Muhammadu Buhari Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Nigerians are already aware that the APC and the Buhari Presidency are not serious with campaigns ahead of the Presidential elections. They know that the APC and its candidate, President Buhari are seeking ways to enmesh the election in crisis, stalemate the electoral process and pave the way for rigging and actualization of plots to perpetuate President Buhari in office.

With the prevailing state of our polity; the flagrant violation of our constitution, continuous attacks on institutions of democracy and principle of separation of powers, consistent abuse of human rights, erosion of personal freedom, uninhibited extra-judicial killings, illegal detention, attack on peaceful protesters, clampdown on the media and vocal members of the Civil Society, as well as the unleashing of brutality on innocent citizens, that have characterized the Buhari Presidency; it is manifestly clear that our nation is on a rapid descent into fascism, which we must all resist with our votes.

The PPCO urges all compatriots to note that any vote for APC is an endorsement of fascism and allowing President Buhari another tenure will be a pathway to full totalitarianism, where citizens would be treated as vassals in a conquered territory.

Today, our freedom and personal liberty as a people are under threat. Our rights as constitutionally guaranteed as citizens are about to be completely taken away. Our last lines of defence as a free people; our legislature and our judiciary are also under siege.

We are all witnesses to the unrelenting assault on the institution of the judiciary and the courts by the Buhari Presidency and the APC. This siege on the Judiciary has now come to a climax with the widely condemned attempt by the Buhari Presidency and the APC to forcefully remove the Chief Justice of the Nigeria, (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen.

In spite of widespread condemnation, President Buhari and the APC have refused to show remorse. If anything, they have carried on as if Nigerians are already a conquered people.

This ignoble act is with the view to replace Justice Onnoghen with a pliable CJN that will execute the plot to annex the court and use them to curtail freedom of expression and to silence opposition members as well as perceived opponents of the Buhari administration ahead of the February election.

Such attempt at annexations is to subject judicial officers under the control of the Attorney General to determine and even write judgments on political and human rights cases and cover atrocities of anti-democratic forces.

The world can recall how the Buhari Presidency, in a widely condemned ‘sting operation’ in 2016, used the Directorate of State Services (DSS) to hound and round up sitting Supreme Court and High Court judges in Nigeria.

Since that ‘sting operation’, our judiciary Nigeria has remained under siege with the agents of the Buhari Presidency and the APC directly interfering in cases and trying to direct the rulings of courts.

Nigerians and the world can recall also how agents of the Buhari Presidency and the APC, last year, besieged and attempted to forcefully remove the elected leadership of the National Assembly; the symbol of our democracy.

Nigerians will also recall how the APC and the Buhari Presidency used apparatus of state powers to seal the legislative complex, unleashed thugs to invade the Senate chamber, disrupted legislative proceedings and forcefully carted away the mace, the emblem of the sovereignty and authority of the people.

In our slide into fascism, Nigerians are daily falling victims of extreme torture, illegal detention, extra-judicial and arbitrary killings, forceful crackdown on peaceful protesters and mass burial by unrestrained agents of the state, as detailed in the 2017/2018 Amnesty International (AI) Human Rights Report.

In the same vein, there have been concerted efforts by the government to gag the media leading to the manhandling of journalists and invasion of media houses over reports considered unfavorable to government.

Furthermore, Nigerians can recall how the Buhari Presidency attempted to inject crisis into the electoral process with the delay in the presentation of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) election budget and the refusal by President Buhari to sign the amendments to the Electoral Act which eliminates openings for rigging.

This is in addition to the widely condemned foisting of Mrs. Amina Zakari, President Buhari’s relation by marriage, as head of the collation of results of the Presidential poll as well as plot to use the Police as suppressive tool to intimidate voters and assist APC agents to unleash violence and manipulate the process, for which President Buhari is bent on retaining the overtly partisan Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris even when his tenure had expired.

This administration has turned out to be the most vicious in the history of our nation. Nigerians and the world must therefore rise in condemnation of this dangerous drift towards, Hitler’s Germany, Mussolini’s Italy, Idi Amin’s Uganda, Charles Taylor’s Liberia and Than Shwe’s Burma.

Perhaps, President Buhari has forgotten that Nigeria is a democratic state, and needs to be reminded that as a people, we have chosen democracy as a form of government with the personal freedom, liberty and rule of law that it guarantees. Nigerians will never accept any kind of draconian rule and dictatorial tendencies.

We therefore charge all Nigerians; all victims of injustice and brutality of the Buhari Presidency; all victims of the mindless killings encouraged by the insensitivity of the Buhari Presidency; all those impoverished by the corruption and incompetence of the Buhari administration and all lovers of democracy in Nigeria to get ready to defend our nation and save her from fascism by voting out President Buhari on February 16, 2019.

The February Presidential election is therefore a referendum for our freedom. We make a clarion call on Nigerians to vote in defence of our nation. We must vote in defence of our rights and lives as free citizens; we must vote in defence of rule of law and resistance of repressive forces and political bandits seeking to foist a fascist regime on our nation.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
Director, Media & Publicity
PDP Presidential Campaign Organization

PDP Sets Agenda for the New IG Adam

January 14, 2019

Press Statement

PDP Sets Agenda for Acting IGP Adamu Mohammed
… Describes Idris Ibrahim’s Tenure as Shameful

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) charges the acting Inspector General of Police, Adamu Mohammed, to immediately commence the re-engineering of the Nigeria Police to restore professionalism and adherence to rules of engagement in the Force.

This is just as the party berates the outgoing Inspector General, Ibrahim Idris, for a shameful and partisan tenure, which destroyed professionalism in the police and compromised the lives and security of Nigerians, adding that he must be held accountable for all the atrocities he committed while in office.

Ibrahim Idris will be remembered as the only IGP in our political history, who surrendered the responsibilities of his exalted office to the whims and caprices of politicians who share courtesies with the Buhari Presidency.

He defied the need to secure troubled areas and watched carelessly while an integral part of our nation was engulfed in bloody clashes.

Idris will also be remembered as that Police Officer, who had a penchant for framing innocent Nigerians with ridiculous allegations. Throughout his inglorious tenure, he functioned as the commander of the militant wing of the APC, just to retain his office and remain in power.

The PDP therefore urges the new Police boss to learn a lesson from the shameful end of Idris as IGP by immediately setting up the process of re-orientating and insulating the Force from partisan politics, while subjecting it to the tenets of democracy and the rule of law.

The PDP urges the police chief to avoid the pitfalls of the last IGP, who has gone down in history as the most corrupt, devious and reckless police officer to hold the post of the IGP in Nigeria.

The party further advices the new police boss to remove all templates of election rigging contained in the hand-over note that will be presented to him by Idris Ibrahim.

The new IGP must also urgently take steps to address the bastardization of promotion in the Police under the last IGP, where officers due for promotion were denied and only those endorsed by a cabal or who have enough money to buy their way through were promoted. This is in addition to immediately setting up a process that guarantee proper welfare of officers and men of the Nigeria police.

He must note that the whole world is watching him and we urge him not to fail the nation, which he owes his allegiance.

Now that Idris Ibrahim has gone the way of leaders disgraced out of office, the PDP counsels all enemies of democracy, including President Buhari’s compromised relation in INEC, Mrs. Amina Zakari, to take heed of the disgrace and infamy that await them at the end of their tenures.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
Director, Media & Publicity
PDP Presidential Campaign Organization

PDP Names Technical Advisers To Atiku, Saraki

*January 14, 2019*

*Press Statement*

*PDP Appoints Technical Advisers To Presidential Candidate*

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has named Technical Advisers to its Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

They are;

His Excellency, Mallam Sule Lamido
His Excellency, Senator Ahmed Makarfi
His Excellency, Hon. Yakubu Dogara
His Excellency, Senator Ike Ekweremmadu

The PDP also named Mallam Sule Lamido as the Chairman of Elder’s Council for the campaign.

Meanwhile, Alhaji Kawu Baraje has been appointed as Technical Adviser to the Director General of the Campaign, Senator Bukola Saraki, while Dr. Doyin Okupe is named the Media Adviser to the Director General.

Signed:

*Kola Ologbondiyan*
*Director, Media & Publicity*
*PDP Presidential Campaign Organization*

#LetsGetNigeriaWorkingAgain

FANI-KAYODE: THE ONNOGHEN CONUNDRUM; WHO HAS BEWITCHED NIGERIA ?

Femi Fani-Kayode:  THE ONNOGHEN CONUNDRUM: WHO HAS BEWITCHED NIGERIA?

Permit me to begin this contribution with a few comparisons. Consider the following.

Mr. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was elected President of Ghana in 2016.

His father Edward Akuffo-Addo, was one of Ghana's "big six" nationalists and elderstatesmen who led and fought for Ghana's independence from the British in 1957. He was a former Chief Justice of Ghana and a former ceremonial President of Ghana. He dedicated his life to the liberation and service of Ghana.

Again consider this. Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta was elected President of Kenya in 2013 and again in  2017.

His father, Jomo Kenyatta, was the much loved and reverred first President of Kenya and leader of Kenya's famous "Mau Mau" movement. He led an armed struggle against the British colonial masters and fought for and won Kenya's independence from colonial rule in 1963.

Finally consider this. Mr. Felix Thishiekedi- has just been elected President of the Congo DRC.

His father, Etienne Thishiekedi, was former Prime Minister of the Congo and one of the most courageous, respected and formidable opposition leaders in Congo's colonial and post-colonial history. He fought gallantly against French and Belgian colonial rule and later the brutal and corrupt dictatorship of the neo-colonial stooge and brutal dictator, Mobutu Sese Seko. He dedicated his life to the liberation and service of the Congo.

Nana Akuffo Addo and Uhuru Kenyatta are doing very well as President of their respective countries. They both preside over the affairs of nations where the rule of law is respected, institutions work, human rights are respected and, most importantly, where there is a healthy respect for the principle of separation of powers between the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary.

I have no doubt that Felix Thishiekedi will do equally well for the Congo and, over a period of time, establish the same ethos of democratic values and good governance in the Congo.

Sadly in Nigeria the story is very different. Consider the following. General Muhammadu Buhari, as he then was, led a mutiny against his Commander-in-Chief and toppled a democratically-elected government which was led by President Shehu Shagari, one of those that fought for Nigeria's independence, a former Minister of Education in the First Republic, a great nationalialst, a humble and gentle patriot and a much-loved elder statesman in 1983.

Buhari put Nigeria under his cruel yoke and bondage and was military Head of State for two gruelling and evil years, till 1985 when he himself was toppled in another military coup d'etat by his own Chief of Army Staff, General Ibrahim Babangida. He was elected President of Nigeria in 2015 and he is seeking a second mandate next month.

His father, Hardo Adamu, was a nomadic duck-seller from Niger Republic and later a "dogari" (bodyguard) in the Emir of Daura's palace.

Other than that we know little about Buhari's background, heritage, lineage and upbringing. What we do know however is that his tyrannical and abysmal record as President speaks for itself.

It has been an eloquent testimony to carnage, nepotism, misoginy, corruption, bigotry, strife, sectarianism, division, wickedness, evil, incompetence and the abuse of power.

If anyone has any doubts about this they should ponder on the following.

Prince Deji Adeyanju, a leading voice of the opposition and a well-known human rights activist, is in custody and is being framed with murder.

Senator Dino Melaye, a leading member of the opposition PDP and a Senator of the Federal Republic, is in custody and is being framed with attempted murder.

Dr. Doyin Okupe, a leading opposition figure and a former spokesman to President Goodluck Jonathan is in custody and is being framed with corruption.

Colonel Sambo Dasuki, a leading opppsition figure and the former National Security Advisor to President Goodluck Jonathan, is in custody and is being framed with corruption.

Sheik Ibrahim El Zak Zaky, a leading opposition figure and the leader of Nigeria's Shiite Muslim community, is in custody and is being framed with murder.

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, a leading opposition figure and the leader of IPOB, is driven into self-imposed exile and is being framed with treason.

Is this the way to silence all dissenting voices and the opposition? Is that the way to run a democracy?

What about Air Chief Marshall Badeh another leading opposition figure who was President Goodluck Jonathan's Chief of Defence Staff, who was murdered in the most suspicious and mysterious circumstances and whose Air Force security men either refused or failed to defend and protect him during the attack?

 Many believe that the state had a hand in his assassination and this is quite plausible given the circumstances of his murder and the fact that many things just don't add up.

One is constrained to ask: is that the way to deal with the opposition in any civilised society?

The latest atrocity is that the Federal Government has directed the Chief Justice of the Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen GCON, to vacate his office immediately.

They have also declared their intention to arraign him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal on what I have no doubt will be spurious, bogus and baseless criminal charges on monday.

Worse still, one Dennis Aghanya, the author of the petition against Onnoghen was Buhari's former Media Aide and the former National Publicity Secretary of Buhari's former political party the CPC.

He is the Executive Secretary of the group that wrote the petition against the Chief Justice of Nigeria!

All this in a brazen attempt to intimidate and control the Judiciary before the February 16th presidential election. We are now officially Africa's biggest and most hopeless basket case and a Banana Republic where one man can thwart the will of almost 200 million people.

Yet the truth is that if the legal profession had spoken with one voice, especially the NBA and NJC leadership, in October 2016 after the DSS's illegal invasion of Judges homes and trials, like yours truly did, we would not have got to this stage.

When agents of the state went after courageous, independent-minded, upright and forthright Judges like Justice Niyi Ademola, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta and so many others and sought to destroy their lives and careers with unproven and baseless criminal charges simply because they refused to bend to their will and be manipulated by them, few of their colleagues on the Bench or members of the Bar expressed outrage. Clearly the chickens are now coming home to roost and, outside of those that have been intimidated or compromised, none of them are safe.

In this context the words of Mr. Dele Okenla, a legal practitioner, are incisive and insightful. He said,

"First they came for Justice Adeniyi Ademola, because he dared to give order that Dasuki Sambo their arch-enemy be given bail. Then they came for Paul Usoro (SAN) the NBA President because he seems to be closer to PDP than to APC. Now they have come for the jugular, the Chief Justice of Nigeria himself, the head of a parallel, separate and independent arm of government. These people have no conscience, no inhibitions and no limits. The Judiciary is the last hope of the common man and when they have finished with us, they will surely come for you. As sure as the sun rises in the East and sets in the West, they will come for you the common man. It is just a matter of time".

That is the bitter truth yet sadly few are listening.

Even the traditional media has been thoroughly intimidated and has lost the courage to stand firm, speak out or even publish the articles and comments of those that are prepared to damn the consequences and speak the bitter truth to power. The television networks are even worse.

In view of the situation that we have found ourselves in I urge my compatriots to ponder on the following long and hard.

Now that CJN Onnoghen has been ordered to step down please take note that in Nigeria today the Presidency, the Federal Government, the National Assembly, the Judiciary, Security Agencies, Military, Intelligence Agencies, INEC and even the leading opposition party are all in the hands of northern Muslims. The implications are startling and obvious and the consequences will be dire.

Given that, I advise the CJN to ignore this monstrous,  self-serving, unlawful and unconstitutional directive and refuse to vacate his office.

I also urge him not to submit himself to the jurisdiction of any criminal court or the Code of Conduct Tribunal without proper reference to and a recommendation for prosecution from the National Judicial Council.

Anything short of that will be a capitulation to tyranny, injustice, lawlessness, anarchy and servitude and it would result in dangerous and far-reaching consequences for the unity of our country.

Every southern leader worth his or her salt, regardless of party affiliation, ought to ponder on this matter. It is either Nigeria belongs to us all or let there be no Nigeria.

It is either we have a real democracy with a clear delineation and separation of powers between the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary or let the whole system and country go to blazes.

We are not interested in being slaves and we refuse to accept the yoke and bondage of dictatorship.

Chief E.K. Clark, one of the most revered and respected voices of the south and an elderstatesman of our nation, spoke our collective minds very well when he said,

“They just want to harass him (Onnoghen) and molest him simply because they want somebody that will be pliable after they have rigged the elections, to appoint tribunal chairmen and members for them to consolidate their rigging. That is all what they are looking for.  But I want to warn that this country belongs to all of us. If some people think that they own this country, let them have it and others will have their own country. You cannot treat some people as if they are slaves or second-class citizens in this country. We will never allow it! Not at this time! he harassment is becoming too much!"

Let us hope that those that are hell bent on holding on to power at all costs and enslaving and subjugating our people are listening. For their own sake I hope that that they refrain from treading the dangerous path that they have chosen to take before it is too late because I see dark and thunderous clouds lying ahead.

Sadly I also see what Prophet T.B. Joshua has described as a "stop-over" and "an interruption in our democratic process" unfolding if we are not careful and if we allow this anarchy, chaos, lawlessness and impunity to prevail. As he rightly said, we must pray hard to prevent such a calamity from befalling us.

When one compares Nigeria's fortunes over the last three years and six months with that of Ghana, Kenya and now the Congo DRC one is constrained to ask the following questions.

What happened to us? How did we get to where we are? How did a man like Buhari become President of the largest, most educated, most respected and most powerful country in black Africa? Is our problem spiritual or is it self-inflicted?

Who took us to the dark forest and unleashed this plague of bloodthirsty demons and devouring locusts upon us? Who brought our nation to her knees and turned her from being the giant of Africa to the dwarf of the confinement? Who has bewitched Nigeria?

Can someone please ask Prophet TB Joshua, Bishop David Oyedepo, Pastor Enoch Adeboye,  Bishop David Abioye, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, Pastor Paul Enenche, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, Pastor El Buba, Pastor John Kennedy, Apostle Johnson Suleman, Dr. B.O. Ezekiel and all the other great men of God in our country to answer these profound questions?

As they say, the first step to sollving a problem is to identify its source. May God deliver Nigeria.

2019 Election Should Be Free, Fair and Credible - TEKAN tells Buhari

COMMUNIQUE OF THE FELLOWSHIP OF CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN NIGERIA: KNOWN IN HAUSA AS “TARAYYAR EKKLESIYOYIN KRISTI A NIJERIYA” (TEKAN) 64TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HELD AT THE EKKLESIYAR YAN’UWA A NIJERIYA (EYN) HEADQUARTERS, KWARHI, HONG LGA, ADAMAWA STATE FROM 8TH -13TH JANUARY, 2019.
1. PREAMBLE:
The Fellowship of Churches of Christ in Nigeria otherwise known as TEKAN, is a fellowship that has been in existence for over 64 years and has about 30 million members cutting across 15 denominational churches with traceable evangelical ancestry, theological affinity and Christian belief. The churches are:
1) Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)
2) Nongo u Kristu u i Ser u sha Tar (NKST)
3) Christian Reformed Church- Nigeria (CRC-N)
4) Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa A Nijeriya (EYN)
5) Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN)
6) Reformed Church of Christ for Nations (RCCN)
7) United Methodist Church in Nigeria (UMCN)
8) Evangelical Reformed Church of Christ (ERCC)
9) Mambila Baptist Convention- Nigeria (MBC-N)
10) Evangelical Church of Christ in Nigeria (ECCN)
11) United Church of Christ in Nations (UCCN-HEKAN)
12) Nigeria Reformed Church (NRC)
13) All Nations Christian Assembly (ANCA)
14) United Missionary Church of Africa (UMCA)
15) Christian Evangelical Fellowship of Nigeria (CEFN)
2. ATTENDANCE: The Assembly had in attendance the President of TEKAN; Rev. Dr. Caleb Solomon Ahima, all the TEKAN Executive Council Members, Members of the Board of Trustees, Advisers, Presidents and General Secretaries of Member Churches, delegates and other invited dignitaries.
3. THEME OF THE ASSEMBLY: The Assembly was held under the Theme: “Church: God’s Light in Darkness” (Matthew 5:14-16). The Assembly makes a commitment to be light in the midst of prevailing darkness that has engulfed the nation and reemphasizes the fact that as Christians we are called upon to emulate the life of Jesus Christ and shine the light in all our endeavors.
The Assembly, in addition to glorious worship services and admonitions on the need for sacrificial love and relationship, resolves to pursue and stand for the truth, equity, fair play and the course of the gospel in all circumstances.
4. CONDOLENCES: The Assembly expresses heartfelt condolences to TEKAN Member Churches who lost their beloved ones after the last General Assembly and all those directly and indirectly affected by the horrific acts of the marauding Fulani herdsmen and Boko Haram terrorists in parts of Nigeria particularly Borno, Zamfara, Benue, Adamawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Plateau and Nasarawa States among others.
5. ON ENVIRONMENT: The Assembly notes with concern the high level of environmental degradation occasioned by gully erosions, oil spillages, desertification and its impact on the society and economy of the nation and calls on Government, well-meaning Nigerians and Member-Churches to take drastic measures to redress the anomaly and also clothe the earth of its current nakedness by ensuring that they plant trees annually.
6. ON SECURITY:
  i) The Assembly acknowledges the effort of the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari in reducing the activities of the insurgents and reclaiming some of the Local Government Areas in the North East Nigeria which were hitherto under the control of the terrorists. At the same time the Assembly calls on the Government to do more to stop the persisted activities of the terrorists, ensure the return of the displaced persons to their homes and provide the communities with needed relief measures and financial support to rebuild their destroyed homes and worship places.
ii)The Assembly condemns strongly the unabated kidnappings and killings of Nigerians particularly that of late Agwom Adara in Kaduna State; His Royal Highness Dr Maiwada Galadima JP, the gruesome murder of the former Chief of Defense Staff, Chief Air Marshal Alex Badeh, Major General Jibril Alkali, the soldiers and other security officers in the field and is concerned that if leaders and security experts can be cheaply killed, then ordinary Nigerians are surely not safe, if the international community led by the United Nations will not come to the help of the country.
iii)The Assembly is deeply saddened by the continuous killings and destruction of property of her numerous members and innocent Nigerians around the country by Fulani herdsmen and persons masquerading as Boko Haram, kidnappers and “unknown gunmen” and wonders why the Government has not done enough to stop the menace despite the outcry by the affected and well-meaning Nigerians.  The Assembly calls on the Federal Government to fully assume its constitutional responsibility and immediately address the issues.
vi) The Assembly is dissatisfied that despite several calls and agitations from well-meaning Nigerians and organizations, particularly TEKAN, to President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the true reflection of Federal Character in the appointments and operations of the security apparatus in the nation, he   has remained indifferent. The Assembly believes that the unbalanced appointments are largely responsible for the interminable state of insecurity in the country and reiterates that the appointment of security chiefs should adequately reflect the Federal Character urgently as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.  
v) The Assembly is deeply pained that the Federal Government is yet to secure the release of Miss Leah Sharibu who is still in captivity because of her faith in Jesus and Chibok School Girls in Boko Haram custody despite repeated promises by President Muhamadu Buhari to ensure their release.
7. PROSECUTION OF PERPETRATORS AND HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES:
i) While the Assembly demands a concrete action on the prosecution of the perpetrators of attacks on the communities, the Assembly rejects the situation where the victims are turned into perpetrators as seen in some cases in Kaduna, Benue and Plateau States.
ii) The Assembly calls on the Federal and State Governments to give premium attention to the protection and defense of the fundamental rights of citizens which is the fulcrum upon which genuine democracy is built. It urges the Federal Government to respect the independence of the Judiciary and also ensure the immediate release of detainees who have been granted bail like Shiite leader Elzakzaki, Retired Col. Sambo Dasuki and many others in continuous detention.
8. ON STATE OF THE ECONOMY:
i)While the Assembly appreciates the efforts by the Government to provide food to the nation through improved agricultural mechanization and creating jobs to the youth through the N-Power, the Assembly is concerned at the deplorable state of the nation’s economy and encourages government to step up the said activities and also provide credit facilities and enabling environment for young Nigerians without barrier who have the potentials and are willing to go into businesses to excel in their chosen careers.
ON GENDER EQUALITY: The Assembly strongly calls on Civil Society, Nigerians and all constituted authorities to fight against gender discrimination/dichotomy that has placed women at disadvantage in terms of training, job selections and descriptions due to cultural and social constraints to ensure self-enhancement, self-emancipation and self-reliance of all citizens without border.
9.  ON 2019 GENERAL ELECTIONS:
i) Mindful of the forth-coming General Elections in the country and the challenges associated with it, the Assembly calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to honor his commitment to conduct free, fair and credible elections.
ii)The Assembly also urges the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain impartial, transparent, and ensure that the wishes of the people are respected in all the elections.
iii) The Assembly demands that the security agencies be professional in discharging their statutory duties and not to be partisan or seen to be partisan.
iv) The Assembly calls on political parties, candidates and supporters to conduct themselves themselves in a manner that will guarantee peaceful coexistence of the country even after the elections by avoiding inflammatory statements or undertaking activities that are inimical to peace.
v)The Assembly calls on the youths to reject being used for any form of violence and other behaviors capable of destroying their dreams and ambitions for the future.
vi) The Assembly is sad that vote buying and selling is becoming the order of the day and calls on Nigerians to avoid vote selling and buying in whatever form and encourages INEC and security agents to ensure the prosecution of those found wanting.
vii) The Assembly urges her members and other Nigerians to participate actively in the election processes and also turnout en-masse to vote for the candidates of their choice and protect their votes to ensure that leaders that will bring sanity and sanctity to the nation are elected to power.
10. PRAYERS: The Assembly calls on Christians and all well-meaning Nigerians to be more committed to prayers for the forth-coming general elections and peaceful coexistence of all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, region and religion. Consequently, the Assembly has declared 30th January, 2019 for fasting and prayers for the nation by all her members.
11. CONCLUSION: The Assembly appreciates the Almighty God for successful deliberations and admonishes her Member-churches to continue to be committed to the worship of God, propagation of the gospel, peace-loving and shine the light of Jesus Christ in spite of the level of persecution and provocations in the environment they reside in.

Rev. Dr. Caleb Solomon Ahima, fictn,fica
TEKAN President

Rev. Moses  Jatau Ebuga
TEKAN General Secretary

Ignore CCT Summon - South-South Governor tells CJN

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE MEETING OF THE SOUTH SOUTH GOVERNORS’ FORUM HELD IN ABUJA ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2019.



An emergency meeting of the governors of the states of the South South geopolitical zone, held at the Bayelsa State Governor’s Lodge, Abuja on Sunday, January 13, 2019.

The meeting, called at the instance of the Governor of Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, who is also Chairman of the South South Governors Forum, was attended by the Governors of Cross River State, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Delta States.

The meeting deliberated on the recent happenings at the Supreme Court involving the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Walter Onnoghen and resolved that the action against him constitutes a setback to the gains of the nation’s democratic experience of 20 years.

We note that under Section 158(1) of the 1999 Constitution, the National Judicial Council, has ample powers to deal exhaustively with matters pertaining to allegations of misconduct and discipline of Judicial officers. Specifically, the NJC has the powers and clear procedures for investigating allegations, and recommending appropriate sanctions or disciplinary measures against judicial officials as a matter of first instance before any further steps.

The judicial pronouncements ina   `                  the cases of FGN Vs Justice Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court (January 9, 2018) and Justice Ngajinwa Vs FGN 2017 at the CCT have given validation to the express provisions of the constitution on this issue.

We note that the attempt to drag the CJN to the CCT is also a grave and dangerous escalation of the assault on institutions of state including the National Assembly and the judiciary

We believe that the President, Muhammadu Buhari has a constitutional responsibility and huge moral obligation to defend our democracy.

Therefore, we consider this step, which is directly aimed at humiliating the nation’s highest judicial officer and a prominent son of the region, as totally unacceptable as it is reflective of the South South story of endless marginalization and intimidation. The unceremonious removal of former Acting Director General of the Department of State Service, Mathew Seiyefa and his replacement is still very fresh.

We note that the unfortunate action against the CJN further reinforces the perception that the Buhari administration has no regard for the sentiments of Nigerians, in particular the people of Niger Delta, and the rule of law

It is a fact that this administration has a penchant for flagrant disobedience of and disregard for legitimate and valid court orders.

We expect President Buhari to know that democracy cannot survive without respect for the constitution, strict adherence to the rule of law, and separation of powers as enshrined in the constitution.

We strongly believe that the regrettable development at the Supreme Court at this critical time, when preparations for the general elections are wobbling (with serious concern about INEC and security agencies) is capable of causing avoidable anxiety, tension and possible breakdown of law and order in the country.

We note further that the action undermines confidence not only in the judiciary but also the electoral process that has already commenced, in view of the pivotal role that the judiciary plays in the process of electoral adjudication.

We affirm President Buhari should know that the continuous assault on critical institutions of state is a defining feature of a dictatorship, and that the President is obliged to live up to his word that he is a born-again democrat, as he assured Nigerians in 2015.

Based on the foregoing, we hereby call on the President:
1) To condemn without any equivocation, this assault on the CJN and the judiciary especially coming after similar assaults on the National Assembly, to save the country from this embarrassment and global contempt.






2) We call on the CJN to ignore this so-called Court summon from the CCB and the provocative call for his resignation in some quarters.

While we are not opposed to a genuine fight against corruption, such an action must always be anchored on the rule of law.

We also decry the massive buildup of arms by APC leaders and members across the Niger Delta with the intent to cause mayhem and a general breakdown of law and order during the elections.

Dated this day January 13, 2019

Signed



The Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, Governor of Bayelsa State



HE Nyesom Wike, Governor of Rivers State



HE, Sen.  Prof.  Ben Ayade, Governort of Cross River State



HE Udom Emmanuel, Governor of Akwa Ibom State



HE Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State.

2) We call on the CJN to ignore this so-called Court sum

Your Move Againstvthe Chief Justice Is Unlawful - Adegboruwa

THE CHARGES AGAINST THE CJN ARE ILLEGAL

On January 13, 2019, the nation was informed of a pending six count charge against the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Walter Onnoghen, before the Code of Conduct Tribunal. It is expected that the CJN will be arraigned on Monday January 14, 2019. The basis of the charge is alleged failure by the CJN to declare his assets.

1. By section 36 (4) of the 1999 Constitution, a citizen who is charged with a criminal offense must be taken to the appropriate forum with the requisite jurisdiction to try the offense, be it a court of law, a tribunal or such other quasi judicial organ.

2. By section 153 (1) (i) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution, the National Judicial Council (NJC) was established for the Federation of Nigeria.

3. By Paragraph 20 (b) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution, the NJC shall “exercise disciplinary control over” all judicial officers, including the CJN.

4. The NJC being a quasi judicial organ established by the Constitution, it is the appropriate forum to first raise any matter against any judicial officer, including the CJN. Thus, the NJC has exclusive jurisdiction over all judicial officers, including the CJN.

5. By the decision of the Court of Appeal in the case of Nganjiwa v Federal Republic of Nigeria, no criminal charge can be laid against a judicial officer, including the CJN, in any court of law, without first filing such complaint before the NJC.

6. The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) are both part and parcel of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and are bound by the decision of the Court of Appeal in NGANJIWA V FRN.

7. Under and by virtue of section 287 (2) of the 1999 Constitution, “the decisions of the Court of Appeal shall be enforced in any part of the Federation by all authorities and persons and by courts with subordinate jurisdiction to that of the Court of Appeal.

8. The Code of Conduct Bureau and Code of Conduct Tribunal are both subordinate entities to the Court of Appeal and they are bound to enforce, apply and obey the decision of the Court of Appeal in Nganjiwa v FRN.

9. From the foregoing, the criminal charges filed against the CJN before the Code of Conduct Tribunal are illegal, ultra vires, unconstitutional, null and void and should either be withdrawn forthwith by the Code of Conduct Bureau, discontinued by the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation by filing a nolle proseque or struck out by the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

10. Under and by virtue of section 36 (5) of the 1999 Constitution, “every person (including the CJN) who is charged with a criminal offense shall be presumed to be innocent until the contrary is proved”.

11. The CJN cannot by virtue of these illegal charges alone, be asked to vacate his office. The Senate President and his Deputy both faced their criminal trials recently and they both participated in and presided over the affairs of the Senate.

12. Whereas no citizen is above the law to be arraigned or charged for any criminal offence, however, the CJN must be accorded his full constitutional rights as guaranteed by the Constitution.

13. In the course of this present administration, judicial officers have been on trial, legislative officers have been on trial, lawyers and many others have been on trial, for one alleged offence or the other, but no member of the Executive arm has been so tried, notwithstanding the myriad of complaints and allegations against them.

14. I therefore appeal for transparency and uniform application of standards, in the prosecution drive of the administration.

15. As we approach the 2019 general elections, I appeal for calm from all and I urge the Executive arm of government to demonstrate unlimited respect for the due process of law always, in order not to heat up the polity unduly, given the current state of affairs of our dear country.

God bless Nigeria.

Ebun-olu Adegboruwa, Esq.
Lekki, Lagos.
13/01/20

Don't Vacate Your Office - Fani-Kayode tells Onnoghen

"Ponder on this long and hard. Now that CJN Onnoghen has been ordered to step down please take note that in Nigeria today the the Presidency, the Federal Government, the National Assembly, the Judiciary, Security Agencies, Military, Intelligence Agencies, INEC and even the leading opposition party are all in the hands of northern Muslims.

I advise the CJN to ignore this monstrous,  self-serving, unlawful and unconstitutional directive and refuse to vacate his office.

Anything short of that  will be a capitulation to tyranny, injustice and servitude and it would result in dangerous and far reaching consequences for the unity of our country.

When the South/South governors meet on this issue they should ponder on this. It is either Nigeria belongs to us all or let there be no Nigeria.

It is either we have a real democracy with a clear delination and separation of powers between the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary or let the whole system and country go to blazes.

We are not interested in being slaves and we refuse to accept the yoke and bondage of dictatorship".

Femi Fani-Kayode, 12th October, 2018

61 Parties Reject INEC 2019 Election Guideline

Breaking news
HAPPENING NOW.

61 Political Parties rejects INEC 2019 draft Election Guidelines .

...Political parties clash with INEC over 8 obnoxious clauses inserted into the election guidelines that will ruin the 2019 elections.

...Political parties demand retention of 2011 and 2015 separate accreditation time and separate voting time to help forstall rigging with the presence of voters at the polling unit instead of INEC 2019 simultaneous accreditation and voting.

....Political parties demands announcement of accreditation figures by 12noon on election day and recorded in a signed form and given to party agents before voting starts to forstall doctoring of election figures during collation.

...Political parties demand stoppage of PVC collection 10 days  to election and disclosure of the total number of PVC collected on polling unit basis to political parties.

...Political parties rejects the clauses in the guideline which allows unduly accredited voters to vote especially the clause that allows voters with PVC whose name is not in the register of voters to vote.

..Political parties demands transparency in collation and transmission of results with accredited representatives of Election observers and political parties monitoring.

...Political parties rejects the creation or usage of secret polling units called voting point settlement and demand full list and location of such units.

...Political parties demand INEC meets with party chairmen before final release of  the Election guidelines.

...Political Parties demands the redeployment of Amina Zakari as head of collation centre and replacement with Federal Commissioner incharge of Operation, Prof. Okechukwu Ibeanu to ensure credibility and balancing.

...Political Parties rejects the use of former Youth corpers and staff of federal govt agencies as Adhoc Staff

...Parties threatens to pass vote of no confidence on INEC chairman if he goes ahead to release the contentious guideline on Monday without further consultation with Political Parties Chairmen.

The signed resolution and petition to the INEC chairman and his Federal commissioners by the 61 Political Parties (majority of Nigeria 91 Political parties) has just been submitted to INEC leadership at the Hqrs few Minutes ago after emergency meeting of the Country's party leaders.

How INEC reacts will determine the fate of the 2019 election which seems to be heading to major crisis.

Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere
National Chairman of the Action Peoples Party (APP) and the Publicity Secretary of IPAC (the inter party advisory council).

We Have No DG in Northeast - PDP faults Buhari

Press Statement:

PDP DENIES REPORTED DEFECTION OF ATIKU’S CAMPAIGN DG TO APC

* Mocks Buhari For Peddling Fake News

January 12, 2019 - The Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organization (PPCO) has denied, as an outright lie, claims by President Muhammadu Buhari, in a tweet, that a purported Director General in the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign for the North East has decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The PPCO says it is unfortunate that, in the desperation to deceive Nigerians and create an impression that he is recovering from his diminished popularity, President Buhari would descend to sponsoring fake news in the social media.

For the avoidance of doubt, our Campaign Organization does not have a Director General in the North East as claimed in the malicious tweet. Our Campaign structure only has Zonal Coordinators and our Zonal Coordinator in the North East is Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe state.

Moreover, Senator Saidu Kumo, who President Buhari is celebrating, as having dumped the Atiku Abubakar campaign to join his re-election bid, has never had anything to do with our Presidential campaign and has never been assigned any role, as nobody with corruption case is allowed any role in our campaign structure.

Nigerians can now see how President Buhari, and APC who claim to be fighting corruption is embracing and celebrating persons with corruption cases and luring such persons to join President Buhari’s self succession bid with the promise to discharge their cases that are pending in court.

The PPCO therefore urges Nigerians to disregard the claims by the Buhari Presidency and henceforth not rely on, but always thoroughly examine all information coming from the Buhari Campaign Organization as they have proven to be purveyors of fake news.

Finally, the PPCO assures all Nigerians, particularly our supporters in the North East that our Presidential Campaign structure is completely intact and rallying with Nigerians in their national consensus to vote in Atiku Abubakar as the next President of Nigeria.

No amount of fabrications by the Buhari Presidency can change this reality.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
Director, Media & Publicity
PDP Presidential Campaign Organization

Buhari Can't Force Onnoghen Out of Office - Atiku

PRESS RELEASE

A Clarion Call In Defence Of Our Constitution

Abuja, Nigeria, 12 Jan 2019: I have received the news of the sudden charges about to be filed against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, with apprehension and suspicion especially as such a move against the head of an arm of our government is coming so close to an election in preparation of which the Buhari administration has shown growing desperation.

My suspicions are further exacerbated by the fact that the Buhari government is pressuring an independent and self governing arm of government with the aim of getting CJN Walter Onnoghen to resign or be pushed aside.

I stand on the side of the rule of law and believe that a person is innocent until proven guilty.

If Justice Walter Onnoghen is guilty of the charges about to be preferred against him, let his guilt be determined by a competent court of law and not by the Buhari administration. The executive cannot usurp the role of the judiciary. Nigeria is still a democracy and not a fascist dictatorship as President Buhari may wish.

Any attempt to force Justice Walter Onnoghen to vacate his office, 4 weeks to an election for which the unpopular Buhari administration has shown every intention to manipulate, is a move pregnant with negative meaning.

I see no reason whatsoever for the ongoing pressure by the Buhari government to force Justice Walter Onnoghen to vacate office when he has not been convicted for any offence.

I therefore call on the President to respect the principle of separation of powers and abide by the rule of law on this matter and stop any interference or pressure on Justice Walter Onnoghen or the judiciary and allow the law and the constitution take its full course.

~ Atiku Abubakar