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Gov Wike’s presidential campaign posters surface in Abuja
Presidential campaign posters bearing the name and pictures of the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, have surfaced in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Wike, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, is serving his second and final term of four years as the governor of the South-South state.
Our correspondent sighted the posters that are in two different types in Abuja on Monday morning.
They were posted in strategic locations on the popular Herbert Macaulay Way in the Central Business District of the FCT.
Some were seen pasted on the fence of a building that served as the Buhari/Osinbajo Presidential Campaign Office in 2015 and 2019.
Some others were seen posted close to the headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and also opposite the Nigeria Defence College popularly called War College.
According to the inscriptions on the posters titled “Rescue Nigeria 2023,” they were produced by the National President of Rescue Nigeria Movement, Jingiri Bala Mato.
The posters which bear the logo of PDP read, “Rescue Nigeria from insecurity, poverty, bandit killing. Support Chief Barr Nyesom Wike for President, Federal Republic of Nigeria 2023.”
Our correspondent noticed that the governor’s first name, Nyesom, was wrongly spelt as “Nyemsom” in the two different posters.
One of the posters bears the picture of the governor in the traditional South-South wear with a bowler hat to match, while he was dressed in a Northern outfit with a cap to match in the second poster.
There has been speculation that Wike may be considering a joint presidential ticket with his Sokoto State counterpart, Aminu Tambuwal, for the 2023 election.
Tambuwal, who is also serving his second and final term as the governor of the Northern state on the platform of the PDP was one of those invited by Wike to inaugurate some projects in his state recently.
He contested for the PDP’s presidential ticket for the 2019 general election and lost to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Tambuwal enjoyed Wike’s support for that primary election held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.
Wike had also last week pledged a donation of N500m to victims of the market fire in Sokoto State.
The pledge attracted criticism to the governor from opposition political parties and others.
January 25, 2021
CSO Knocks Yahaya Bello Over Wheelbarrow Empowerment
As groups continue to rally support for Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to vie for the exalted seat of the presidency in 2023, a civil society group, Guardians of Democracy and Development (GDD) has warned Nigerians to be retrospect about such a choice saying his antecedence as governor fell short of expectations.
The CSO in a statement signed by its convener, Danesi Momoh Prince particularly frowned at the recent distribution of wheelbarrow and shovels to the youth in the state by the governor describing the action as not only archaic but an insult on the sensibility of the people.
Consequently, the group urged Nigerians to be thorough in assessing people who aspire for public office rather than basing their decisions on mundane issues such as age, religion and tribe amongst others.
According to the CSO, Nigeria has attained a height it can no longer afford mediocre leadership explaining that the social and infrastructural deficit requires someone who is scientific in his reasoning and approach to governance.
“Majority of Nigerians are not satisfied with the state of affairs in the country and this shortfall is in all spheres of the nation’s life. What this entails is that we have not taken seriously the processes of selecting our leaders. This is why as CSO, we have taken it upon ourselves to mobilise Nigerians to get involved in the leadership selection process.
“One of the ways of doing this is to speak against those who are eminently not qualified to occupy leadership positions. A governor who still sees wheelbarrow and shovels as empowerment implements certainly has nothing desirable to offer than returning the country to the stone age era.
“At a time many state governors in the country are setting up highly technical institutions or sponsoring youths abroad for ICT related courses such as software engineering, animation, video editing and graphics amongst others and the beneficiaries of such overseas training are not only empowered, but also train and empower others, we have a governor who still promotes wheelbarrow pushing contrary to to building a modern economy.
“Kogi state is an agrarian state quite alright, but other state governors are empowering their youth elsewhere with grants and modern farm implements to venture into large scale mechanised farming not wheel barrows. Such a way of thinking does not speak well of somebody who wants to be president of a country in the 21st century.
“Recall too that it took Yahaya Bello for forever to settle staff salaries when he resumed office despite grants made available by the federal government to that effect. That singular act made Kogi state a laughing stock in the country. Governor Bello has gone a step further to redicule the state again with another ridiculous programme of youth empowerment. A man who is insensitive to the plight of the people, who has reduced Kogi youths to people only fit for wheel barrow pushing and manual labour can’t make a good president,’ the group added.
“While we acknowledge the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari, we make bold to say Nigeria deserves someone who will do better not one who is oblivious of the fact that machines have taken over strenuous jobs hitherto done manually”.
January 25, 2021
Nnamdi Kanu releases names of 62 prominent Nigerians responsible for Nigeria’s current woes
Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has released a list of 62 prominent Nigerians to be blamed for the current state of the nation.
He made the claim in a post on his Facebook page.
“Let us not forget former US President Barrack Obama and former UK Prime Minister David Cameron and all members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God,” Kanu’s Facebook post read.
According to him, those people take the full responsibility of what Nigeria has turned into today, owing to the roles they played in kicking out former President Goodluck Jonathan and installing President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.
Top on Kanu’s 62-man list are: Former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili; former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Publisher of SaharaReporters, Omoyele Sowore; Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka of the Adoration Ministries, Enugu, and former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The IPOB leader said that those whose villages, cities, or town are currently under siege by Fulani herdsmen should hold these people responsible.
His list also has the likes of Fela Durotoye, Donald Duke, Professor Charles Soludo, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Pastor Sunday Adelaja, Professor Yemi Osibanjo, Professor Tam David West, Professor Wole Soyinka, Rev. Chris Okotie, Professor Pat Utomi and Nasir El-Rufai.
Others in his list include, Dino Melaye, former Senator, Lai Mohammed, Rochas Okorocha, Rotimi Amaechi, Adams Oshiomhole, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Aminu Tambuwal, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Raji Fashola, Dr. Chris Ngige, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Ibikunle Amosun, Rauf Aregbesola, Kayode Fayemi, Sanusi Lamido, Deacon Femi Adesina, Pastor E.A Adeboye, Pastor W.F Kumuyi, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Kenny Ogungbe, Dato Adeneye, Magnus Abbey, and former Rivers State governorship aspirant, Dakuku Peterside.
Also in the list are Nigerian musician, 9ice, Kenny St. Ogungbe Brown, Tunde Disu, John Momoh, Maupe Ogun, Chamberlain Usoh, Suleiman Aleide, Monday Onyekachi Ubani, Iffy Ubani, Labourous Osuoma, Citizen Useni Jones (Radio continental 102.3FM), Joe Igbokwe, Dele Momodu, Abike Dabiri,
Professor Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, Muazu, Emeka Ojukwu Jnr., Timpre Silva etc., Victor Umeh, Wasiu Ayinde (Kwam 1), T.Y Danjuma, Lauretta Onochie and actor, Jide Kosoko.https://b12938937bc75f171d691d3ab5bc2cec.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html
Continuing, Kanu said, “These people went to school [they claim they are educated], many if them are professors. Some claimed to have direct access to God. Some are gifted with ‘prophesies.’
“They read history. They understood international relations. They understood how societies work or so we thought.
“They were more than 20 years old in 1983 when Buhari shot himself to power. They saw Buhari destroy the economy in 1983. They saw the role Buhari played in Abacha’s government.
“They read all the threats of violence by Buhari against the nation. They saw Buhari harass Lam Adesina the Oyo State Governor due to Fulani herdsmen conflicts with locals in Oyo State.
“They saw Buhari lead the sharia protest that claimed the lives of innocent Nigerians in 2001.
“They saw Buhari and his minions open the gate of hell on innocent Nigerians when he lost the presidential election in 2011.
“If Buhari was not speaking and defending his Fulani heritage he would be fighting to defend his religious heritage.
“Never for once did he defend Nigeria or gave interview on how to rebuild the economy, education, power, health, etc.
“They saw everything this man did. They knew him too well to miss the little details of his violent life.
“But they were united in hatred.
“Hatred for Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. One among the few Nigeria leaders that actually wanted Nigeria to work.
“Hatred became a unifying force to push forward a false narrative. They exploited his humility. They exploited his kindness.They exploited his humanity
“They danced and made merry in Ojota. They ate, drank and danced away the destiny of a nation.
“Saints Tinubu, Amaechi, Fashola etc led the chorus against ‘corrupt’ Goodluck Jonathan.
“Tinubu a private jet owner and owner of Lagos, Amaechi a private jet owner and funder of Buhari campaign, Atiku a University owner paid with his civil service allowance etc wanted ‘corrupt’ Goodluck Jonathan out.
“But the people did not see the moral paradox because you see – hate is a unifying factor.
“They mobilised thugs to stone a sitting President.They harassed his family wherever they went. Because they are from the hated minority who must NOT be king.
“For Kings must come from the Fulani lineage. Jonathan is Ijaw. Ijaws should not be Kings. Jonathan must not loot also. For looters must come from enablers of evil.
“These are intellectuals. Amongst whom are Pastors and Prophets. Wisdom failed. Prophesies failed.
“WAEC issued a fake WAEC attestation to Buhari. It is possible many Nigerian ‘intellectuals’ are working with fake certificates.”
Fulani herdsmen have on many occasions been accused of causing crisis in their host communities in the country.
For instance, following the high rate of criminalities which come in form of kidnappings, raping of women and killings allegedly committed by the herdsmen hiding in forests across Ondo State, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu had recently given herdsmen a seven-day ultimatum to vacate the areas.
Also a Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho had issued ultimatum to Fulani in Igangan, a town in Ibarapa North Local Government of Oyo State.
He vowed that Fulani herdsmen must be chased out of Yoruba land.
And a week later, he made good his threat when he and his supporters stormed the area, insisting that the Fulani must leave the town
January 25, 2021
FG executing 43 road projects within tertiary institutions nationwide, says Fashola
The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has stated that his ministry was currently executing 43 road projects within tertiary institutions across the country with a view to enhancing the learning environment.
Mrs Boade Akinola, the Director of Press and Public Relations in the ministry, in a statement to newsmen, on Sunday, quoted the minister as saying this while handing over a 2km internal road project, rehabilitated and reconstructed by his ministry at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State.
The Minister, who was represented at the event by the Federal Controller of Works, in Benue State, Mr Charles Oke, stressed that it was not debatable that the quality of education would be impacted by the quality of infrastructure and learning environment.
“Those who doubt it should simply listen to some of the feedback from students in the schools, where this type of intervention had taken place,” the minister added.
Fashola said that the students were expressing renewed enthusiasm on attending classes because some defective roads had been restored to good condition, adding that besides impacting on the condition of learning in the schools, the intervention project had also created jobs for Nigerians.
He also explained that the infrastructure gap in the country was steadily being bridged by a gradual process of repairs, renewal and reconstruction of major highways, which had now reached the schools.
Fashola urged the university management to take ownership and ensure that the road asset was properly utilized and maintained , assuring that the Federal Government would do more to the development of its institutions.
The Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Prof. Anande Kimbir, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and the Minister of Works and Housing, for the road intervention project, which was coming less than two months after a 8.25MW Solar Hybrid Power Plant was commissioned in the School.
January 25, 2021
The FG is portraying itself as the defender of herders – Falana
Senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana has alleged that the federal government is portraying itself as the “defender of herders” in the country.
Featuring on Television Continental (TVC) programme “The Platform”, the lawyer stated that the forestry reserve law requires compulsory registration for those who want to carry out operations in states.
Falana said;
“There is nothing strange whether you are talking of Benue or Ekiti state or whatever. The federal government has come in to defend herders, whether anti-grazing law or whatever. At the same time, the federal government does not defend the poor, the beggars, the destitute and others who are forcefully arrested and deported to their states of origin.
“The federal government does not bother because they belong to the flotsam and jetsam of the society. So, that is why people are wondering.
“The federal government is portraying itself as the defender of herders and it is not very good.”
The human rights activist who further stated that Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s directive for herdsmen to leave forest reserves in Ondo state should not have generated controversy, added that the state’s chapter of Miyetti Allah should have met with the governor and registered its members so that they can continue their business in the state.
Falana added;
“That shouldn’t have attracted any controversy. What one would have expected the Miyetti Allah group in Ondo state to do is to ensure that all their members are registered; no more no less.
“I think that the federal government and the Ondo state government should ensure that this matter does not get out of hand, once the impression is being given that the state government is deporting herders.
“While the federal government portraying itself as the defender of herders is not very good, the federal government must defend all Nigerians, and at the same time also ensure that the laws of the country are complied with.”
January 25, 2021
APC membership registration process begins Monday
The process for the membership registration, update and revalidation exercise of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) kick starts on Monday with the constitution of the State Registration Committees for the exercise.
The National Membership Registration Schedule/timetable released for the exercise by the party showed the seven-man committee per state will be inaugurated on Wednesday, January 27th while the train-the-trainers workshop is billed for the same date at the National Secretariat of the party.
Distribution of registration materials, electronic gadgets and consumables to all designated registration centers nationwide will be carried out between Thursday 28th January and Monday 1st February.
The timetable further showed the registration exercise proper is billed for Tuesday 2nd February to 16th February 2021 while sorted registered details at Ward registration centers will be forwarded to LGAs and the State Secretariat on the 17th February 2021.
Phase II of the nationwide membership registration, update and revalidation is slated for 21st to 26th February for Consideration of all appeals/complaints.

Display of membership register at all party wards/local government offices and forwarding of all completed forms to the National Secretariat will be carried out between 27th February and March 1st, 2021
The National Registration Committee led by Niger Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello will be submitting final reports for the consideration of the party’s Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) between 2nd and 8th March 2021.
January 24, 2021
Nigerian Lands Don’t Belong To Herdsmen, APC Chief Replies Miyetti Allah
the notice to quit given to herdsmen in Ogun and Oyo states, a former All Progressives Congress presidential aspirant, Adamu Garba, has said that lands in Nigeria, including forests belong to some entities and that cows should graze with proper authorisation.
The National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Abdullahi Bodejo, had declared that nobody has the power to remove Fulani herdsmen from forests in Ondo State.
Bodejo had stated this in an interview with The Sun, noting that all lands in the country belonged to the Fulani and only the Fulani herdsmen could tackle the bandits wreaking havoc in the country.
But according to Garba in a post on his Facebook page, the lands indeed have valid owners.
He said, “I’m a Fulani man, but I can tell you that it doesn’t make sense for cows to be roaming the streets in 2021. Cows should be ranched on a land acquired or rented by the ranchers.
“By law, land can only be used through rent or purchase. Government should step forward and clear this out. I believe, to reconcile the raging herders crisis is to open proper communication where each knows the laws of the land.
“All lands in Nigeria, including forests, belong to some entities — Federal Government, state governments, local governments, companies or individuals. Thus no land can be used without proper authorisation.
“The problem of the Fulani herders is a betrayal from the city Fulani people, whom, after moving to cities, acquiring wealth and power, forgot to carry the village brothers along, leaving them in a desperate situation. The rich Fulani people must come together and get ranching lands.
“Land issue is as old as humanity; no state power can give land to anyone where the land has being identified with owners for generations, without purchasing or renting.
“The rich Fulani people must come together and assist our fellow brothers to get ranching lands or forests for grazing.”
January 24, 2021
Herdsmen quit notice: Don’t threaten Yoruba with civil war – Afenifere warns Arewa
The Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has condemned the warning issued by the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, against Southwest governors over the quit notice to Fulani herdsmen in the region.
ACF had warned the Southwest governors to stop the attacks on Fulani herdsmen, which it said could lead to another civil war.
The threat followed a quit notice issued to Fulani herdsmen by Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho.
Igboho vowed not to allow Fulani herdsmen in the whole of Southwest.
Against this backdrop, the Presidency had ordered the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu to arrest Igboho.
However, Afenifere spokesman, Yinka Odumakin warned that ACF should not threaten the Yoruba nation with war.
According to Odumakin: “We must make it clear to them that they cannot threaten us with a war at this stage as we will not provoke war but never are we going to run for anybody on our land.
“We are miffed that a body like ACF that has never shown any remorse over the killing of our people can open their mouths anyhow now because there are consequences for the irresponsible actions of their people.
“We do not want a repeat of the 1966 event but if there are people plotting such event again, the rain will be over their heads.”
January 24, 2021
Buhari Is A ‘Disappointment’ To Nigerians – Attahiru Jega, Former INEC Chairman
The immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Attahiru Jega, has described the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari as disappointing, saying many Nigerians are worried about the direction it is taking the country.
Jega said, “Unfortunately, he (Buhari) has disappointed so many people. He still has time to correct things if he has the capacity to do that. But frankly, his government has been very disappointing. Many people wish him well but are worried about the direction the country is taking.
“Governance has been very poor at the federal level and many of the states, that is why we are seeing challenges everywhere; whether it is insurgency, banditry, armed robbery or other things.”
The former INEC Chairman further stated that the accumulated misgivings by sections of the citizens led to frustrations, which “find expression in these demands for restructuring.” He also described Nigerian politicians as greedy, selfish and reckless.
He said, “We have a lot to do; and the first thing to do is to get it right by securing the mindset of our politicians from selfishness, greed and reckless banditry. Actually, many of them are also bandits, not just those who stand by the roadside with AK-47.
“To steal recklessly from government’s coffers and turn hundreds, if not millions of people into poverty, deny children the opportunity to go to school because they have stolen the money that would have gone into education or was supposed to buy arms and ammunition for the military, to the extent that they can no longer fight banditry, that is banditry itself.”
January 24, 2021
Seven Killed, Many Injured As NURTW Leadership clashes in Ebonyi
At least seven persons have been killed while many were seriously injured as members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers clashed in Effin, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Though details of what led to the clash were still sketchy at the time of filing this report, a source in the community said the clash is an escalation of a leadership crisis in the union.
The source said the faction of the union from Effin clashed with the faction from Ezza Effium over sharing formula for the revenue generated from the park.
He said the clashes spiked into the community leading to casualties on both sides.
Houses, cars and other properties were also torched as the crisis spilled over into the community.
There was pandemonium in the community as the crisis escalated with many deserting the community to neighbouring communities.
Also, health workers and staff of the National Population Commission who were on assignment in the area were cut in the crossfire.
Following the incident, Ebonyi State Government announced a ban on activities of the Union in Effuim Motor Park in Ohaukwu Local Government Area.
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Conflict Resolution in the state, Mr. Stanley Okoro Emegha, announced the ban in Abakaliki, yesterday.
Emegha said the clashes engulfed the entire Effuim and Ezza Effusion communities because the Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers in the area allowed politicians to meddle into the affairs of the union.
He said that Ohaukwu Local Government authorities would be mandated to take over the park where the incident emanated from.
“It was not something that happened on the grounds of IPOB, neither was it a politically related matter; it was a national transport union case dragging the leadership of a motor park.
“It has been a matter I handled earlier before this time directing that National Union of Road Transport Workers is an organisation recognised by the federal government but has no right in our motor park because we discovered that what they were doing was not in tandem with the peace effort of the state government”, he said
The commissioner said all government personnel on special national assignments in the community, who were trapped by the crisis, had been rescued while the area was calm, following the deployment of security men.
“All the people trapped in the area, not only health personnel, but also staff of the National Population Commission, were safely evacuated. My office deployed security and vehicles on the directive of the governor and all of them were rescued. No scratch on them and the place is calm now.”
Emegha said when he contacted the State Chairman of the union, he claimed to be out of the state and wondered why he should be absent from the state when his union was in crisis.
He warned that the government would bring to book all the politicians, whether serving in the government or in the opposition party, who played a role in sparking up the crisis.
Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Aliyu Garba, said over nine persons were critically injured and receiving treatment at the hospital.
He said some suspects had also been arrested while investigation continues into the matter.
“Actually, it was my first litmus, but like I told you, normalcy has been restored; we have lots of them that have been arrested and investigations are ongoing.”
Aliyu, who visited the scene, said normalcy had been restored as police operatives and personnel from sister agencies have been moved into the community.
It was also gathered that Governor David Umahi dispatched the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kelechi Igwe, who visited the area to calm the situation.
January 24, 2021