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WITH Prof. Moses Tedheke’S death Nigeria lost a great thinker and patriot says, Omo-Agege
Urhobo people and the entire federation lost a great academic gem and self-effacing patriot with the death of Professor Moses Tedheke, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has said.
Tedheke, civil war veteran and Professor at the Nigerian Defence Academy’s Department of Political Science and Defence Studies, passed away on Monday evening.
The Deputy President of the Senate noted that the late Professor was one of the true intellectual giants produced by Urhoboland and whose thoughts and ideas impacted many across the Federation.
“Professor Moses Tedekhe, known as ‘Mwalimu’ (Teacher) by students and lecturers at NDA’s Department of Political Science and Defence Studies was a radical activist whose former students have been serving the nation in various arms of the Nigerian military.
“He was an Army veteran (1968 – 1978) who joined NDA as Assistant Lecturer on October 1, 1987 as Assistant Lecturer and became Head of Department from April 1989 to September 1989.
“He always had a thirst for knowledge even long before and after his B.Sc. in Political Administrative Studies from University of Port Harcourt(1982), M.Sc. in Political Economy and Development Studies from University of Jos (1985) and a PhD Political Science (War Studies) from ABU Zaria (2008).
“While he specialised in Political Economy and War Studies, Professor Tedekhe was lecturing courses such as Threat Analysis, International Economic Relations, Terrorism Insurgency and Management as well as International Peacekeeping.
“His diverse scholarly publications in these and other areas robustly attest to the sound quality of a mind nurtured in Urhoboland and infused with an abundance of patriotic fervour which were always on display in the course of working with people from all parts of the federation over several decades.
“May God Almighty grant the soul of this great Nigerian eternal rest and strengthen members of his family to bear this irreparable loss,” he stated.
December 22, 2020
INEC presents certificate of return to Cross Rivers senator-elect Agom
Jarigbe Agom has been issued a certificate of return by the Independent National Electoral Commission as the Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District.
The short ceremony took place at the Abuja INEC Headquarters.
Recall that INEC had earlier issued a Certificate of Return to Stephen Odey after the December 5 by-election.
Both Jarigbe and Odey were contesting the Peoples Democratic Party ticket before the election. But an appeal court suit No. CV/77/2020 brought about the issuance of Certificate of Return to Jarigbe.
The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal had declared Jarigbe as the duly nominated candidate of the PDP and the rightful winner of the election against Odey who was earlier declared winner by INEC and sworn in by the Senate.
The court further ordered INEC to immediately issue a Certificate of Return to Jarigbe and withdraw the one earlier issued to Odey.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, who presented the certificate to Senator Jarigbe Agom on behalf of the commission, said as a law abiding institution, INEC has no choice but to comply with the court order.
December 22, 2020
2023: Southwest politicians launch 2023 presidential campaign for Tinubu
Some politicians of the Southwest states have launched the ‘Bola Tinubu for President’ campaign for the 2023 election.
They include former senators and House of Representative members.
They started the campaign with visits to the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji and Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111 last Monday. They conveyed their agenda to the leading monarchs.
Chaired by former Senator Dayo Adeyeye from Ekiti State, the group christened Southwest Agenda (SWAGA), said members came together to actualise the agenda for the Southwest to produce the next president in 2023. Other members of the group include Senator Adesoji Akanbi (Vice Chairman), Bosun Oladele (Secretary), Rotimi Makinde, Otunba Abayomi Ogunnusi. Mrs. Kafilat Ogbara, Oyetunde Ojo, Deji Jakande and Ifedayo Abegunde (aka Abena).
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Tinubu is the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He championed the formation of the party and the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari as the presidential candidate in 2014.
Adeyeye told the two monarchs that SWAGA was aimed at ensuring that an electable political leader from the Southwest is supported to succeed Buhari in 2023. He pointed out that Tinubu possesses all the qualities and experience needed to lead Nigeria as the next president. Besides, Adeyeye revealed that there was an agreement among APC leaders during the 2015 election that presidential power will rotate to the South after Buhari’s eight-year tenure.
His words: “We are here for politics. Politics has started. We Yoruba believe that it is our right to produce the next president. It has been an agreement that presidential power will rotate from the North to the South. May God preserve President Buhari. After his tenure, power will shift to the South. Yoruba will be part of the contest. We want the best candidate to emerge as the presidential candidate. As the media adviser to Abiola, I know what Yoruba want. Except a thorough-bred Yoruba person becomes president, we can’t get it. We saw that we have a very capable hand in Asiwaju Tinubu. He is so capable. I’ve tried a bit in Nigerian politics. No one has a bigger political stature than Tinubu in Nigeria today. He has not told us he would contest. We as true Yoruba sons and daughters just decided to embark on this to ensure that we push forward a good candidate. He is sellable all over Nigeria.
“We are having our inaugural meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) in Ibadan. Ibadan is the political headquarters of Yoruba. All Yorubas are represented in Ibadan. Hence, we chose Ibadan. As Yoruba children, we have come to seek your blessings for the meeting and the agenda.”
He said they will continue to consult elders and traditional rulers in the land. Responding, Oba Adetunji commended members of the group for taking the bold step to advance the interest of Yoruba. He said it is not out of place for people to press for their rights in Nigeria.
The monarch said Yoruba played key roles in the struggle for Nigeria’s independence and development, stressing that they deserve top roles in government, particularly those eminently qualified citizens of Yoruba extraction.
As a traditional ruler, Adetunji said his door is open to all political parties. He assured them of open arms, stressing that they were free to visit him at any time. He blessed their agenda thereafter.
At Alaafin’s palace, Adeyeye told Oba Adeyemi that all regions want the presidential slot but having had an agreement, written or unwritten, there should be no alteration.
He said: “We have a joker that others don’t have. That is Asiwaju. He has no peer in Nigeria today. That’s why we are confident that Yoruba will produce the next president. Tinubu is not only qualified, he offered good governance in Lagos. Prior to that, he was an active member of NADECO. After Abiola, the next eminently qualified candidate we have is Tinubu.”
Expressing belief in the group’s mission, Oba Adeyemi recalled the leading roles which Yoruba people have been playing in Nigeria’s development. He said it was right for Yoruba to aspire to be president, adding that it is a noble cause for all Yoruba to consider.
The monarch said for Nigeria to progress, the country must practise true federalism. He said: “We must have true federalism. If we don’t run true federalism, it will be difficult to move forward. Yoruba has been at the forefront of exploits and development efforts of Nigeria but there has been no sincerity in Nigerian politics.
“We need a leader who understands Nigeria very well and able to offer purposeful leadership.
I think your agenda is well thought out. I believe in your mission. In this journey, don’t entertain any fear no matter the situation. You will attain your goal.”
December 21, 2020
Ameachi-led APC faction warns Abbot-Ogbobula over lawlessness in party
A faction of the All Progressive Party led by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Ameachi, has issued a warning to the Abbot-Ogbobua-led faction to desist from its alleged act of lawlessness.
This came hours after the faction of the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress led by Isaac Abbot-Ogbobula suspended three prominent politicians.
Spokesman for the Amaechi-led faction, Chief Ogbonna Nwuke, said this in a statement, in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
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Recall that the Abbot-Ogbobula led committee had also recommended the trio of Senator Magnus Abe, former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the State, Wogu Boms and a former member of the House of Representatives, Igo Aguma for expulsion over what it termed anti-party activities.
Nwuke said, “We laud the leaders of our party right from the grassroots to the State level for seizing the opportunity to cut off the necks of hydra-headed snakes that have been spewing poison and hurting our members.
“Let it be known that the APC will no longer tolerate acts of indiscipline and destabilization. From now on, we will cleanse the Augean stable. The will of the National Secretariat of our great Party must be respected.”
December 21, 2020
Nigerian Army reveals measures taken to rescue Kankara school boys
The Nigerian Army has revealed some measures they undertook to carry out the rescue operation of the 344 boys kidnapped from their school in Kankara, Katsina State, on Dec. 11.
It disclosed that while kinetic and non-kinetic approaches were used to ensure all the boys were rescued unhurt, there was resistance from the abductors who laid ambush against the troops.
Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, and retired Maj.-Gen. Ahmed Jibrin, former Director, Military Intelligence, gave the accounts on Saturday when they featured on a special edition of the Nigeria Television Authority programme, “Good Morning Nigeria.”
Jibrin is currently the Special Adviser, Technical, to the Minister of Defence, retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi.
Jibrin said following the abduction of the boys, the minister led a delegation, including the Service Chiefs and National Security Adviser, to Katsina and Kankara.
He said the minister gave the rules of engagement directing the troops to ensure the abducted boys were rescued without casualties and within the shortest time possible.
“Following the directive, the troop closed in on the abductors from four different fronts, including the reinforcement that was made from other divisions to ensure that the entire location was sealed off.
“The bandits were all under siege and they were fully aware of that, feeling the impacts of the presence of the troops both from the air and on the ground.
“When they approached the location where the boys were held, the troops encountered some pockets of opposition which they cleared and moved deeper into the forest.
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“Although, there was no casualty on the part of the boys, a lot of the bandits were neutralised because in the attempt by the military to move forward, they laid ambush in two places along the way.
“In-fact, in the second place where they laid ambush, there was serious resistance because they were hiding and occupied the road.
“They delayed the movement of the troop for some hours before they were neutralised,’’ he said.
Jibrin said while the troops were on the field, negotiations were ongoing at another level of the rescue efforts.
He said the troop could not completely demobilise the bandits because of possible collateral damage as the abducted boys were used as human shield.
On the claim by the Boko Haram terrorists that they were responsible for the abduction, Jibrin said the group was only seeking cheap relevance.
“Shekau does not have the reach to carry out the abduction because a lot is being done to stop them in the North-East.
“He is just taking the advantage of what happened to get publicity locally and internationally, it is clear that the abduction was done by bandits
“All their efforts when they were trying to reach out to the bandits, which they did, were monitored,’’ he said.
On his part, Enenche said the rescue mission, like any other one, was a delicate operation because if it was not carried out very professionally, the tide could turn negatively.
“This is an operation where you do not rely on your capacity on platforms and mechanical weapons but your ability to effectively carry out the mission with unarmed combat.
“This means you have to silence your enemies and take your objective away without firing a shot.
“It is very delicate in the sense that if you do not manage the operation well, the children who are in between you and the enemies will now become the victims.
“When they become the victims, the people outside there will attribute it to failure on the part of your security forces,’’ he said.
He said the special troops deployed on the mission were on the spot and could not have blinked their eyes for even one hour all through the days of the mission
Enenche said the information provided locally were also very encouraging while the support they got from all the stakeholders was of assistance.
“There was no conspiracy of silence. All that we needed were provided even from the locals and before you know it we were able to locate the place.
“All the kinetic and non-kinetic blockade were all effectively monitored.
“This is to the extent that even when they were going to leave their enclave to make bulk purchases from the market, we got information,” he said.
Enenche said a lot was done during the rescue mission to ensure that there was no trigger happy incident as well as fright release from the bandits against the school boys.
December 19, 2020
Kankara: We disappointed naysayers, FG reacts to allegations of fake students abduction
The Federal Government has described as senseless the claim in certain quarters that the abduction of some students from a boarding school in Kankara, Katsina State, and their release was stage-managed.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, dismissed the claim on Saturday when he featured on a special edition of the Nigeria Television Authority programme, “Good Morning Nigeria’’
Recall that on Feb. 19, 2018, 110 schoolgirls were abducted from Government Girls Science Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe.
When the government secured the release of 104 of the schoolgirls and two other children in March 21, 2018, certain groups, including the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, had also alleged that it was stage-managed to score cheap political point.
Reacting to the claim, the minister said it does not make sense for any administration to stage-manage abduction of students or any of its citizens.
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“What precisely does government want to achieve? Is it to prove the deficiency of the military or what.
“In the case of Dapchi, we had all kinds of bizarre theories.
“You have to be in government to know how many sleepless nights the president, ministers and head of security outfits spent until the matter is resolved,’’ he said.
Mohammed said many people were disappointed that the Kankara abduction was resolved so fast just like that of Dapchi.
He said: “Many naysayers would have loved the incident to linger and become the igniting rod for their attacks
“Otherwise, how do we describe the spurious organisation like the Bring Back Our Boys that emerged within a few days of the capture of the students.
“Within a few days of the abduction, the so called organisation had moved to Katsina.
“When you have a situation like this, naysayers who are bent at bringing down the government, will come up with all kinds of theories that do not make sense.
“Dapchi abduction was in 2018, how come two years down the lane, nobody has come out to tell us how it was stage-managed?”
The minister admonished politicians and other interest groups to stop politicising and commercialising issues of security and national tragedy.
“In times of crisis and tragedy people normally come together to address the issue.
“It is not a time to politicise and even trade or commercialise the misery and tragedy of a nation.
“We can have our differences but when it comes to issues of security, we should come together and fight it,’’ he said.
Mohammed noted that it was disappointing that days after the Kankara boys were abducted, some political groups had come to Abuja distributing vests and placing banners all over the streets.
He stressed that times of national crisis such as kidnapping of children should not be used to denigrate the military, adding that people should rather come together to proffer solutions. (NAN)
December 19, 2020
APC will surmount current challenges – Lawan

Tom Okpe, Abuja

Senate President Ahmed Lawan has said the challenges bedevilling the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would be surmounted.

Lawan gave the assurance at the 2020 Annual Conference of the APC Press Corps held on Friday, in Abuja, with the theme: “Contestation, a Veritable Process in Deepening Democratic Norms, Values and Culture: The APC Story.”

The Senate President who was represented by his Special Adviser on Media, Ola Awuniyi admitted there were challenges in the party, but said leaders were not distracted or overwhelmed by those challenges.

“The APC story is a story that is founded on fostering understanding amongst a divergent interest. It is the story of creativity and ingenuity in the management of difference.
The APC story is a pacy story of brilliance in the administration of a plural system.

“It is a story that hallmarks how well democracy should flourish, for its adaptive capacity, and its potential as a lesson, and the possibilities it bears for the future.

“The APC story understands the workings of democracy, through its aggregation of variegated interests, and how it has managed the interests.

“Though there are challenges, these challenges are not always insurmountable. They are like the storm in the tea cup. They will always blow away, given our continued resolve to remain the vehicle for the emancipation of Nigeria. We have come a long way and will not be distracted.

“What we require is to be painstaking and the need to be positive about our efforts, the sacrifices of leaders, and the patience of the followers.

“While the leaders have a constitutional role, the followers also have to be vigilant. A conscientious interplay of the two will eventually result into a rewarding outcome, considering that patriotism and nationalism would emerge therefrom,” he said.
December 19, 2020
Lai Mohammed assures Nigerians no school children will be kidnap again
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Friday promised that Federal Government will make sure there would be no future occurrence of kidnapping of school children.
At a press conference on Friday, Mohammed, however, said every country and government would experience insecurity at one point or another.
He explained that the students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State, who were released by their abductors on Thursday evening will undergo necessary medical tests before they are released to their families.
“We also wish to thank the governments of Katsina and Zamfara states and indeed all Nigerians and friends of Nigeria.
“Let me be clear: What happened in Kankara – and in Chibok and Dapchi before it – is totally unacceptable. Our children should not have to go to school in trepidation.
“The Federal Government is doing everything possible to secure all our schools, and indeed all Nigerians. And we will not relent until all Nigerians can go to bed at night with their two eyes closed.”
The minister said the release of the school boys was a testament to the importance that the administration attaches to the security and safety of all Nigerians.
“What stands any government out is the manner it responds to such challenges.
Kankara school boys marked the second of its kind under this administration, coming after the unfortunate abduction of 110 schoolgirls in Dapchi, Yobe State, in February 2018.
“Just like the good news from Kankara, all but one of the kidnapped school girls in Dapchi were rescued unharmed. And in 2014, 276 school girls were abducted by terrorists in Chibok, Borno State, out of which 112 remain in captivity after this administration rescued over 100 of the school girls.
Mohammed noted that on the two occasions, government had moved with speed and determination and the results attest to this.
“Each time this has happened, we have always accepted responsibility, rather than being in denial,” he added.
Mohammed promised to continue to make efforts that will secure release of remaining students in captivity including Leah Sharibu and Chibok girl
December 18, 2020
PDP Reps, call for Buhari’s impeachment
Doris Ferdinand
The House of Representatives’ caucus of the People’s Democratic Party PDP has promised to seek judicial answers to the statement made by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, that the National Assembly lacks power to invite the President over security matters.
The Caucus argued that the AGF erred in law, as his statement “implies that the president who was elected under the provisions of the constitution which he swore to uphold is above the law”.
PDP spokes person in the House of Representatives, Rep Kingsley Chinda stated this while briefing news media at the national assembly complex, said in a presidential system of government and constitutional democracy, the National Assembly of legislature is the only arm of government entitled to classified information because of their Constitutional role, it is only in Nigeria that Mr. President prefers to liaise with his appointees instead of those elected by Nigerians to represent their interests.
The Caucus also reiterated its earlier call on Nigerians to urge their representatives in the National Assembly, to commence impeachment moves against President Muhammadu Buhari over the lingering insecurity in the country.
The Caucus however lamented that in less than 24 hours to the scheduled address over such weighty matters that involves lives of Nigerian citizens in the hands of bandits,he choose to stayed away for the fear of being embarrassed by PDP members,adding that Mr. President administration and the APC as a party continue to pretend as if they do not realise they are already an embarrassment to Nigeria and her citizens hence need not fear further embarrassment from imaginary sources.
December 17, 2020
APC vows to take over Anambra in 2021
The Anambra State chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has vowed to take over governance as residents of the state prepare to cast their votes in the 2021 governorship election.
The vow was made on Wednesday by Basil Ejidike, the State caretaker committee chairman of the APC, who revealed that the National Caretaker Committee headed by Governor Mai Mala Buni has initiated measures to strengthen the party in the state.
According to Ejidike who was speaking during the inauguration of other members of the party’s caretaker committee at the APC Secretariat in Awka, the state capital, the main objective, moving forward, is to reposition the party to win Anambra election come 2021.
He said, “As new leaders of the APC, our duty is to ensure successful running of the party at grassroots in order to maintain its strength in the state.
“We must take the party down to the grassroots and make the people feel the impact of the party and assume ownership of the party.
“The National Caretaker Committee of the APC headed by Governor Mai Mala Buni has initiated measures to strengthen the party and we must continue to give him support in order to reposition the party for greatness.
“Our office is for a period of six months as stipulated by the National Executive Committee of the party. There is more work to do; our main objective is to reposition the party and win Anambra election come 2021,” Ejidike added.
December 17, 2020