Adamawa PDP Primaries: Governor Held Us Hostage – Panel

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Adamawa PDP Primaries: Governor Held Us Hostage – Panel

— Dec 3, 2014 | 4 Comments

Adamawa State governor James Nggilari has come under fire over his alleged role in manipulating results of Adamawa Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) state assembly primaries.

The chairman of the PDP electoral panel for the state, Ambassador Tim Ihemadu, has already sent a petition to the national leadership of the party alleging that members of the panel were held hostage by political thugs aided by close associates of the governor, including the suspended chairman of the party, Chief Joel Madaki.

In effect, the electoral panel for the primaries has disassociated itself from the elections, while declaring the results invalid; but some members of the state chapter of the party have declared the election hitch-free and credible, saying they accompanied the electoral panel with the results from the state to the PDP national secretariat in Abuja to forestall alleged plans to alter the authentic results.

Nonetheless, Ambassador Ihemadu disclosed in the petition to the national headquarters of the party that the panel members were forced to sign already computed results from all the local governments of the state.

They alleged that the whole exercise was fraught with irregularities, adding that they were constantly threatened, abused, harassed and even physically molested in the full glare of security operatives and held under house arrest from the day of their arrival in the state on Saturday to Monday when they departed the state by thugs suspected to be working for the suspended chairman of the party Chief Madaki, the suspended PDP state secretary Barr A. T. Shehu and the organising secretary of the party in the state.

‎According to the petition addressed to the PDP national chairman, Dr Adamu Mu’azu, and signed by Ihemadu and the panel’s secretary, Mrs. Victoria Nyam-Isha, “all the results were collated by the governor’s agents; we were ordered to sign the result sheets.”

He further said that they were escorted to the airport by security agents and officials of the state government, adding, “We boarded a chartered plan escorted by security agents and some government officials to Abuja.”

The committee, in its petition, stated: “We dissociate ourselves from the state Assembly election that purportedly took place in Adamawa State and disown the entire results purported produced by that exercise and pray the party to take note or do same.

“The so called election was conducted in an aspirant’s premises using a delegate list not known to the national secretariat of our party and supervised by a chairman and secretary under suspension by the party. This illegality should also be noted and addressed.

“The election committee was completely isolated from the so-called process and the materials used were obtained under duress and by threats to our lives and safety by thugs and high government officials alike.”

Meanwhile, the state organising secretary of the party, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, who led the escort team that accompanied the Ihemadu-led panel to Abuja, affirmed to newsmen that there were plots to alter the results.

‎He said, “it is true that some people are trying to doctor the results of the election of the House of Assembly primaries of Adamawa State and they were even coming to Abuja with fake result sheets. They can’t succeed.

“We escorted the result sheets to the national secretariat to avoid any form of manipulation and the collating officers have certified that the results we came in with are authentic,” he said.

“They have accepted the results and, right now, we are waiting for the photocopy of the report because we are taking it back to the people of Adamawa so that they will be sure of what we did.

“Adamawa people know the kind of people we are fighting with; they are the ones that tampered with the delegate list and they are the same people that wrote names of the candidates from 25 House of Assembly constituencies that we have in the state and they brought it to the national secretariat but it was rejected. Those who tampered with the delegate list are the ones who came with the fake results.”

The stakeholders pleaded with the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party not to allow anybody to tamper with the authentic results they brought to Abuja in the interest of the party in the state.

“We have followed the process of submission and we are very sure that the same process is applicable in all the states,” they declared. “We are satisfied that the real results are escorted to Abuja here and we are praying that the NWC go with what the committee submitted. If they truly need the success of PDP in Adamawa State, let them allow the will of the people to prevail.”

11 APC Lagos governorship aspirants want direct primary

Meanwhile, about 11 APC governorship aspirants have written to the national leadership of the party, insisting on the adoption of direct primary to pick the party’s governorship candidate for the 2015 election. They have, therefore, rejected the indirect primary being mulled by the party.

In a letter to the party’s national chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and other members of the National Working Committee, the governorship contenders averred that the indirect primary was at variance with the electoral act.

The aspirants who signed the letter include Dr Leke Pitan, Dr Femi Hamzat, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Hon Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Dr Tola Kasali, Mr Tokunbo Wahab and Mr Olasupo Shasore among others.

They pointed out that the party’s constitution states that the local governments shall be defined as listed in the 1999 Nigerian Constitution which, for Lagos State, is listed as 20 local governments.

They expressed concern that the conceived indirect primaries (as presently constituted) could lead to agitation, tension and litigation and may even ultimately deprive the party from presenting a valid candidate for the general election in February 2015.

To avert imminent crisis in the party, they recommended that the party leadership immediately review the scheduled indirect primaries scheduled to commence December 2 and particularly on December 4, 2014 – with a view to its suspension.

“Our party should seek special consideration to conduct direct primaries rather than the indirect delegate-based primaries and/or commence consensus building exercise amongst all aspirants in order to effect a smooth affirmation of candidates. We believe that both direct primaries and consensus building can be concluded within the INEC timetable,” they wrote.

Primaries: Senate, Reps extend recess till December 16

In order to allow lawmakers to go back to their states to prepare and participate in National Assembly primaries, the Senate and the House of Representatives have gone on break till December 16, 2014.

While the Senate made its announcement at the end of yesterday’s plenary, the House of Representatives announced its break through its clerk, Mohammed Sani-Omolori.

The statement by Omolori said the extension was to allow House members participate in the forthcoming primaries of their political parties.

The House was originally scheduled to reconvene today, December 3, after it went on break on October 28.

Part of the notice of postponement reads: “The Leadership of the House of Representatives took note of the adjustment in the calendar of the political parties and took the decision for the postponement to allow members of the House to participate in the forthcoming primaries of their political parties.”

Judge Withdraws From Suit Seeking Tambuwal’s Ouster

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Judge Withdraws From Suit Seeking Tambuwal’s Ouster

By Kunle Olasanmi Abuja

— Dec 3, 2014 | 4 Comments

Justice Evoh Chukwu of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has withdrawn from a suit instituted by a House of Representatives member, Hon. Abiodun Akinlade, seeking to compel the speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal to vacate his seat following his defection in October from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The plaintiff is seeking for an order of the court declaring that Tambuwal’s deputy, Emeka Ihedioha, should take over the speakership upon the vacation of the speaker.

The matter was assigned to Justice Chukwu.

When the matter came up yesterday, Justice Chukwu announced his withdrawal from the suit on ground that a petition has been written against him.

Tambuwal had written a petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC) dated November 30 challenging the assignment of the case to Chukwu.

He therefore requested the judge to be disqualified from sitting over the suit because of likelihood of bias that could prevent him from getting justice.

Tambuwal said in the petition, “My attention has been drawn to the above suit, which has been assigned to Court 8, presided over by Justice E. S.J. Chukwu, and we wish to make the following observations.

“Sometime in 2013, the said presiding judge, Justice E.S.J. Chukwu presided over the case of Peoples Democratic Party and 12 ORS VS. INEC & 4 ORS, wherein he made a judicial pronouncement, which has been interpreted by some, to the effect that there was no division in Peoples Democratic Party.

“The above decision of Justice Chukwu was heavily relied upon and cited severally in the case of Peoples Democratic Party, House of Representatives; the speaker of the House of Representatives & 52 ORS, suit No. FHC/ ABJ/CS/4/2014.

“Consequently, Justice A.F.A Ademola, relying on the said judgement of his brother Justice Chukwu, even though the said suit before him had nothing to do with defection, ruled that there was no division within the Peoples Democratic Party.

“And as such, the defendants in that case, who are members of the House of Representatives, who have similar cases as mine, currently pending in the Federal High Court Abuja, were not protected by proviso to Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution. He rested his decision on that earlier judgement of Justice Chukwu aforementioned.

“The said judgement of Justice A.F.A Ademola, is subject of four pending appeals at the Court of Appeal, Abuja Judicial Division.”

“My Lord, similar suits were variously instituted by various parties and are pending before the Federal High Court No. 7, presided over by Justice A.R Mohammed and are at various stages of proceeding pending before Court 7, presided over by Justice A.R Mohammed.”

Tambuwal further stated that he did not have confidence that Justice Chukwu will be able to dispense justice in the case as he had earlier “made a pronouncement on similar issues, in similar cases, decided by him, clearly shows that he has an iron cast judicial position or opinion in respect of suit no. FHC/ABJ/ CS/871/2014 concerning me sir which has just been assigned to him.”

The speaker begged Justice Auta to re assign the suit to “a neutral judge who has not made any judicial pronouncement on the issue or made public his own opinion on the issue at hand.”

2015: APC Screens Nda-Isaiah, Buhari, Atiku, Kwankwaso, Okorocha

2015: APC Screens Nda-Isaiah, Buhari, Atiku, Kwankwaso, Okorocha

— Dec 3, 2014 | 6 Comments

The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday screened its five presidential aspirants in Abuja in a bid to give them a level playing field. Only one candidate is expected to emerge as the party’s flag bearer for the 2015 presidential poll.

The five aspirants are former head of state, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, his Imo State counterpart, Rochas Okorocha and founder, LEADERSHIP Group, Mr Sam Nda-Isaiah.

Speaking before the commencement of the exercise, the chairman, presidential screening committee of the APC, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, stated that the party was optimistic that it would produce a presidential candidate who believes in the change Nigerians desire.

Onu, who spoke while addressing journalists shortly before the exercise began, also disclosed that the aspirants must satisfy all the requirements of the constitution of the party, the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2010.

“It is only those we deem qualified that will emerge successful at the end of the exercise. By tomorrow, we will present certificate to those who scaled through the exercise,” Onu said.The panel later screened all the aspirants.

We’re hopeful of becoming candidates – Buhari, Atiku

Meanwhile, Buhari and Atiku have expressed optimism that they would emerge victorious after the screening .

Addressing journalists shortly after he was screened yesterday, Buhari said: “We have been going round to ask for understanding and support for the exercise. I think we are reduced to five now of those who are contesting to get this ticket from our party to contest against the incumbent next year, my impression is good, my morale is high.”

On the choice of venue for the primary which seems to have been generating issues, Buhari said, the committee responsible for the convention should consult with the National Working Committee (NWC) and tell the aspirants where to go.

Speaking on the screening process, Buhari said, “It went on well. They are all concerned about the situation of the country especially unemployment and insecurity problems, there is no Nigerian who is not aware of these two problems which is a topical issue on daily basis.”

Meanwhile Atiku has said that the donation of money to some of the state chapter of the party he has visited, was allowed under the electoral Act.

Atiku said, “I am a party man, I can donate to the party, it is allowed under the electoral Act.”

Speaking on the programmes and the manifesto of the party, he said the manifesto he unveiled recently, did not contradict that of his party, but was rather based on it.

On the choice of venue for the presidential primary, Atiku said it was the party which had the responsibility to decide that.

On his preparedness for the race, Atiku asked, “Is there anybody more prepared than I am if I may ask? I think I have been on the campaign train for nearly two months now and I have factually visited all the states of this country, I think I am set to go.”

I want to change the country for the better - Nda-Isaiah

Speaking on why he is in the race, Nda-Isaiah said his mission if elected was to change the course of history of Nigeria.

Nda-Isaiah spoke at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja while speaking with journalists shortly after he completed the screening exercise for the presidential primaries holding in Benin on 10 December, 2014.

He said: “I want to be president to change the course of history of this country. I did not leave what I was doing which I was enjoying to come and get harassed simple because I want to feel good about it. I don’t believe that a president should come and tell us that he paid salaries or build roads or build boreholes. If you look at the issues that have changed the course of history of nations in this world, you will realize that big ideas changed the course of their history. It is not just coming to sit down and follow the normal course of events.”

The pharmacist/publisher turned politician lamented the disunity in the polity and vowed to address it if elected.

“I have always said that when we take over in this country, we intend to unite the country as quickly as possible. Not the kind of unity you hear slogan about on television, but doing deliberate things to unite this country.

“Nigeria is too divided to be called a nation and that is because we cannot develop with these quarrelsome people. If you see people like this, it is because that is how the leaders want them to be which means that if is the leaders that are causing it.”

On how to effect the change if elected, the originator of “Big Ideas” said the coming of the APC government would not have any sacred cow if elected.

He said, “First, if you want to hint people, there must be justice and fairness. All crimes must be punished, no matter how long it takes, no matter who commits them. There are so many murder cases we are told have been closed. No. We have to start running this country properly.

“Even though the word unity sound small, it is big. The unity of this country is one that you don’t even need a budget to achieve. All you need is sincerity and as President, you must really mean to do it.”

Nda-Isaiah also said an APC government would create a soccer economy .

According to him, “ There is no reason why we should not have the biggest power station in Africa because it is not impossible. This country built Abuja and Lagos when oil was selling for five dollar. What Babangida called oil boom was $25 per barrel. We have the capacity to do it if we want to.

“Under our government, we are going to be very harsh on corruption. The only way to punish corruption is by being harsh because we have enough laws to punish corruption. The chief fighter of corruption is not the EFCC or ICPC chairman, but the President himself. From your body language, people will decide whether to be corrupt or not?”

Boko Haram Captures Lassa Town In Borno

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Boko Haram Captures Lassa Town In Borno

— Dec 3, 2014 | 4 Comments

The Boko Haram sect Sunday night took over Lassa town in Askira/Uba local government council, Borno State, leaving many persons dead and many worship and residential houses burnt down.

The attack, according to reports from Lassa, was resisted by the villagers who engaged the attackers with locally made rifles, bows and arrows. The insurgents who were said to have come with all sorts of modern weapons were said to have overpowered the locals after a brief exchange of fire.

As it is now, Boko Haram is fully in charge in Lassa town and has declared the town a caliphate.

 Soldiers kill 70 insurgents in Konduga

Meanwhile, the Nigerian soldiers yesterday killed more than 70 Boko Haram militants following an attack the insurgents launched yesterday night on Konduga town, in Borno State.

LEADERSHIP reports that the militants started their attack at about 8:30pm but they were met by stiff resistance by a battalion of soldiers stationed in the town who foiled the invasion after hours of gun battle, killing over 70 of the invaders in the process.

A military officer who does not want his name mentioned in this report because it was not his job to speak with Journalists, said: “The insurgents came at about 8:30pm yesterday to attack the town, but our men on ground effectively tackled them.

“Nobody can tell you the exact number of the insurgents killed, but we have over 70 that we counted around the town, not to talk of those that may have been killed in the bushes.”

Boko Haram terrorists had since September made repeated attempts to capture Konduga, with the hope of using the town as a launch pad for a major assault on Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

LEADRSHIP recalls that soldiers in the town had killed at least 650 members of terror group, during the attacks of 11th, 13th and 18th September, this year during which Bashir Mohammed, who had appeared in videos claiming to be Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, was killed. 

Female suicide bomber arrested near Maiduguri market

A teenage girl dressed in full hijab that hid an improvised explosive wrapped around her body was yesterday arrested by operatives of the Civilian JTF as she headed towards Maiduguri market where two female suicide bombers had bombed traders the previous day, security sources and witnesses said.

This happened as soldiers and operatives of the Vigilante Group were piling corpses of Boko Haram gunmen killed during an aborted attack on Konduga, a town located 35km West of Maiduguri.

Muhammed Abbas, an official of the Nigeria Vigilante Group in Maiduguri, told LEADERSHIP on phone that a young girl dressed in full hijab was intercepted by vigilante youths on stop-and-check duty at the Post Office area and was discovered to have some wired device under her garment.

“It was like a joke when she was stopped by the Civilian JTF operatives, who asked her to lift her Hijab a bit. When she reluctantly did, they saw the IED tied around her abdomen.

Everyone thought the device would explode, but it didn’t, and this made us suspect that either the IEDs they usually use are either remote controlled or timed,” said Abbas

LEADERSHIP learnt that the girl was handed over to soldiers at the Sector 4 deployment near the market.

Boko Haram kills 33 policemen, 6 soldiers in Yobe

It has been disclosed that 33 policemen and six soldiers lost their lives to Boko Haram insurgents following the militants’ failed takeover of Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.

The management of General Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital in Damaturu told the Hausa service of the BBC that their dead bodies were brought to the hospital yesterday.

The hospital also confirmed that two young doctors were among those killed in the attack.

“The victims identified as Dr. Hassan Lawan and Dr. Mansur Babale were killed in their quarters on Gujba Road. They were reported to have been killed at close range. Both Hassan and Mansur were graduates from the University of Maiduguri, and had graduated less than four years ago,” the management said.

A resident who pleaded anonymity told the agency that dozens were killed during the gun battle between the security operatives and the militants.

 135 killed in Boko Haram failed attack in Damaturu

- JTF

No fewer than 135 persons, mostly Boko Haram members, were killed in Damaturu when Nigerian soldiers repelled a massive attack on the town by the insurgents on Monday.

Sources from the JTF, Yobe State Command, said many militants were killed and several others arrested as troops battled the invaders.

The command also said a 48-hour curfew was imposed after consultations with the military to allow for a house-to-house search.

One of the residents told to our correspondent that the militants had invaded the Yobe capital in a convoy of more than 20 vehicles.

Before the invasion was contained, the militants had burned down the Police Area Command Office and one of the mobile police bases along Gujba road. But soldiers, the source said, fought back courageously and pursued the militants to a bush at Gulani during which more than 100 sect members died, along with dozens of others, including soldiers, policemen and civilians.

 Senate commends armed forces for repelling Yobe attack

The Senate has commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for countering the insurgents’ attack on Yobe State on Monday, and for stopping them from capturing the Government House in Damaturu, Yobe State.

This was sequel to a point of personal explanation raised by Sen. Ahmed Lawan (Yobe North) on the attack on Damaturu by Boko Haram.

The senator said though the insurgents succeeded in killing people and causing injuries to others, the armed forces showed gallantry and proved that what is needed to win the war against the insurgents is the will and not a pronouncement of state of emergency.

 Nyanya Bombing: Oguche’s arraignment was impromtu – FG

The federal government, yesterday, said that the case against the alleged mastermind of Nyanya bombing, Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, was discontinued because his arraignment was impromptu

The coordinator of the National Information Centre (NIC), Mr Mike Omeri, who stated this while addressing journalists alongside the spokespersons of the various security agencies, in Abuja, said Oguche’s arraigned at the Federal High in Abuja was to fulfil conditions placed by the Sudanese authorities for his extradition from Sudan to Nigeria.

According to him, investigation was still ongoing on Ogwuche’s involvement in the April 14 Nyanya bomb explosion,.

Cameroon recruiting 20,000 troops to fight Boko Haram

Cameroonian authorities have said that they are recruiting 20,000 more defence and security forces to fight Boko Haram following reports that the terrorist group is recruiting young Cameroonians to join the group.

A northern Cameroon native, Sen. Haman Paul, told the Voice of America (VOA) that the militants were recruiting young Cameroonians to fight for the creation of an Islamist caliphate in northern Nigeria.

“That was something that we witnessed in Maroua (in Northern Cameroon). People told us actually that they found people in town that were not actually people that they were used to,” Sen. Paul said.

Advising the country’s government, Sen. Paul said that “if one part of the country is in a very delicate situation, it is better you manage prevention instead of consequences.”

Cameroon’s Minister of Territorial Administration, Rene Emmanuel Sadi, said the threat posed by Boko Haram has led many people from the border areas in the far north to flee.

He said northern Cameroon is the hardest hit as many schools have remained closed and people are abandoning their farms and cattle for safety.

“Boko Haram has paralysed trade between Cameroon and Nigeria that has supplied 80 percent of foodstuff and basic necessities to northern Cameroon since the two countries gained independence more than 5 decades ago,” Sadi said.

“Adding to the woes of the economy of northern Cameroon is the fact that Nigerian fuel, which is widely used, is no longer available. Business transactions and commercial activity have been completely halted by Boko Haram.”

Ebola: Fashola Gives N50m to First Consultants Hospital

Ebola: Fashola Gives N50m to First Consultants Hospital

03 Dec 2014

Governor Babatunde Fashola

Survivors, bereaved families get N2m each
Busayo Adekoya

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, on Tuesday presented the sum of N76 million to First Consultants Hospital, survivors, as well as relatives of those killed by Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the state.

First Consultants, the hospital where the late Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyer, who imported the Ebola virus into Nigeria was treated, received N50 million.

The governor also gave N2 million each to 13 people, including the survivors and relatives of people who were claimed by the deadly virus.

Fashola who was represented by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris,  at the presentation of the cheques to the beneficiaries, announced that the amount the state government gave to the beneficiaries was a token when compared to their sacrifices in saving Nigeria from deeper disaster occasioned by the Ebola outbreak.
He emphasised that no amount of money was enough to compensate the hospital, survivors and those infected by the disease that could not make it to share in Nigeria’s testimony as an Ebola-free country.

According to him, Lagos gave a larger portion of the N76 million to First Consultant, explaining that the hospital bore the brunt of the Ebola saga, and consequently, has not been able to recover from it.

He pointed out that the amount would help to get the hospital back to business.
The governor pleaded with Nigerians to stop stigmatising the survivors, rather, to always support and celebrate them as heroes, calling on other donors to contribute their own quota in honouring those courageous Nigerians.

According to Fashola, “Though we overcame the disease, some of the survivors are still being stigmatised probably the people don’t understand what the disease is all about. We need to show that these survivors, including those that died are heroes and heroines of this containment activity. The efforts put in by all to contain ebola in Nigeria has been acknowledged worldwide.  So, what we are doing today is a gesture of our support by government to show that we care and appreciate what they did, and we will not forget them.”

He further tasked all Nigerians to remain vigilant, especially as EVD is still present in some West African countries.

Responding on behalf of the recipients, the Medical Director of First Consultants, Dr Benjamin Ohiaeri, commended Fashola for the donation and his prompt intervention in containing the virus.

He recalled that the governor was out of Nigeria when the virus was brought to Lagos by Sawyer but had to terminate his trip in order to arrest the disease.

He said such response was significant and showed responsible leadership and patriotism.

Ohiaeri recollected and frowned on how Sawyer brought the dreaded disease to Nigeria, describing him as a liar and rude foreigner.

“We are grateful to Lagos Government for this kind gesture. In all, we must thank God that  Sawyer came to First Consultants, and that we had the presence of the personnel that were able to resist him, despite his pressure to leave. We also thank the federal government and Nigerians abroad for their contribution in containing the disease. But we must not allow this to happen again because there is no ‘big man’ in Ebola,” he warned.

BoI Pledges More Investment as Vehicle Importation Dips by 20%

BoI Pledges More Investment as Vehicle Importation Dips by 20%

03 Dec 2014

Managing Director of BoI, Mr. Rasheed Adejare Olaoluwa

Crusoe Osagie 

The nation's industrial development finance institution, Bank of Industry (BoI), has stated that it is fully convinced about the feasibility of automobile manufacturing in Nigeria and is ready to inject more funds to boost the industry.

The bank said it was impressed with Nigeria's determination to join the league of industrialised  nations like Germany, Britain, United States, China, Japan with the unveiling of the first ever truly made-in-Nigeria cars by the Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) Company Ltd, in Nnewi, Anambra State.

The Managing Director of BoI, Mr. Rasheed Adejare Olaoluwa, said having seen the progress made by the Innoson Group in automobile manufacturing, "we are prepared to work with other serious-minded automobile manufacturers and provide financing opportunities which they can take advantage of".

Unveiling the IVM Fox hatchback and the IVM Umu saloon cars at Innoson’s Plant in Nnewi, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, noted that the recent Auto Policy of the federal government, which he said had dramatically reduced the volume of imported cars by 20 per cent since its introduction, made the feat possible.

“This is another milestone under President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who insisted on positioning industrialisation and value addition at the forefront of his administration’s developmental policies and I commend Innoson for making significant investments to show that he supports our industrial policies,” he said.

He pointed out that President Jonathan had implemented policies that would diversify the country’s economy and sources of government revenue, given the fact that Nigeria has the raw materials to support industrialisation and so far the policies are yielding the desired results.
Commenting on the local content analysis done on the IVM brand vehicles by the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), which disclosed that the vehicles were made up of about 70 per cent locally-sourced contents, the minister pointed out that there was no country in the world that could boast of 100 per cent local content.

“Some OEMs do only 30 per cent but today we are all here making history in Nnewi, the Japan of Africa, where we have successfully produced 70 per cent local component cars which is one of the highest and when you talk about affordability, Innoson is the cheapest,” he said.
Aganga added that other global brands like Nissan and Peugeot were driving partnerships and capacity expansion in the country’s auto sector.

“As we talk of the fall of oil price, it has become critical that we cannot continue to import what we can produce here in Nigeria. We spend about $6 billion annually importing cars. However since the introduction of this policy, we have experienced a 20 per cent drop in imported cars and have exceeded expectations in a very short period,” he said.

According to Aganga, those who initially opposed the Auto Policy have decided to go into production.

“Without the political will of the president, we would have had a policy reversal with the amount of pressure that was mounted on us to drop it and we would not have been here unveiling these today,” he said.

He commended Innocent Chukwuma, the Chief Executive Officer of the Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd, for possessing a can-do spirit, which has propelled the company to dizzying heights of industrial success.

“Our industries deserve infrastructural and financial support to reach their objectives and for Innoson those two critical support components came from the administration of the former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi and the Bank of Industry (BoI),” he said.

Aganga pledged federal government’s continued patronage of locally manufactured products, stressing that in passing the Auto Policy it was established that government would only buy made-in-Nigeria cars and provide the needed support for industries to excel and compete globally.

“We plan to open three auto component cluster parks in the countryand we need the governor of Anambra State (Willie Obiano) to sign an MoU and give us a piece of land and the C of O here in Nnewi and we would establish one of the three cluster parks here,” he said.

Making his remarks, Olaoluwa expressed the delight of the development bank in witnessing the historic event.

“In Nigeria today, there are many companies that are into the assembly of cars but today for the first time, we are actually manufacturing cars. The Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) is beginning to bear fruits in the key areas of competitive and comparative advantages, where we can drive growth and development in the economy," Olaoluwa said.

He noted that Innoson is an exemplary customer of the bank, adding that this was the beginning of more good things to come from the Bank’s partnership with the company.

Also, President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Ademola Olorunfemi, disclosed that a few years ago when the body paid a visit to the vehicle plant, they were given an IVM bus to carry out a product analysis on it.

  “We did observe that being an effort in the right direction, more needed to be done to introduce more local content into it and more.

"Today, within two years Innoson has improved on all our recommendations and increased the vehicles' local content up to 70 per cent which is not less than what is obtainable elsewhere in the world,” he said.

He said the Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd had been granted permit by NSE to use its seal, while the CEO, Chukwuma, would be inducted into the NSE hall of fame, making him the 19th person in over 60 years of the body’s existence to be so highly honoured.

  He urged President Jonathan to muster all the political will at his disposal to mandate the use of only made-in-Nigeria cars by all MDAs.
Representing the Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, his Deputy Nkem Okeke commended the Innoson group for its developmental strides, value addition and job creation.

“It is not only through trade that a nation can develop, but through the conversion of our local raw materials into finished products. Therefore we will continue to support Innoson and other well-meaning industrialists,” he said.

Okeke stressed that the only way a company like Innoson can develop is when the nation buys the products of local manufacturers.

“I thank BoI and I hope that what they have done for Innoson will be extended to other industries from this state in our quest to provide jobs for our citizens,” he said.

In his remarks, Chairman of the occasion and National President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Frank Jacobs, noted that the feat of achieving the production of made-in-Nigeria cars was attained despite the challenging business environment which manufacturers are facing in the country.

“It is a testimony that the federal government’s Auto Policy is working. The automobile industry bill has not yet been passed by the National Assembly and we are all expecting that it will be done soon enough,” he said.

Ajimobi, CJN, NBA President Condemn Ekiti Impeachment, Political Violence

Ajimobi, CJN, NBA President Condemn Ekiti Impeachment, Political Violence

03 Dec 2014

Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi

• Prisons officials yet to re-arrest over 100 escaped inmates
Olakitan Victor in Ado Ekiti 


Eminent personalities including the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, and the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Austin Alege (SAN), on Tuesday condemned the spate of impeachment of speakers in Nigeria by minority legislators, saying it was a bad omen for the sustenance of the nation’s democracy.

The condemnation is coming as strong indication emerged yesterday that the Federal Prisons in Ado Ekiti, was yet to re-arrest over 100 inmates who  escaped during the Sunday attack.

THISDAY also learnt from informed sources   that the protracted power outage in the city also helped the assailants  to have a field day during the attack on the prison.

The eminent personalities, who spoke at the 60th anniversary of the Ibadan Bar, particularly frowned on the recent impeachment of the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr. Adewale Omirin, by  just a few members of the House.

The CJN, who was represented by a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Ogwuta Nwali, described such developments as nothing, but an affront on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which political office holders had sworn to protect in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The NBA president, on his own, expressed dissatisfaction with the police invasion of the National Assembly and the locking of the members of the House of Representatives, stressing that such an act was an unnecessary interference in the activities of the legislative arm of government, even as he condemned the scaling of fence by the federal lawmakers.

Meanwhile, Governor Ajimobi has said that there is the need for all players on the political scene to abide by the rules of the game in the interest of Nigeria and the generality of the people, particularly as the 2015 elections draw near, stating that all organs of government should play their roles within the bounds of law and constitutional principles.

As a demonstration of playing by the rules, he condemned the use of military personnel in the conduct of elections, saying this was unknown in the history of democratic governance all over the world and should, therefore, no longer be tolerated in the country.

“As a governor who swore to an oath of allegiance to uphold the constitution of our land and as a law-abiding citizen of this country, I bear a responsibility to respect the law and the constitution, as well as to express my displeasure whenever the law or the constitution is being violated. This is a duty that every citizen of this country must not shy away from, if we want this democracy to endure and thrive,’’ he said.

The governor said those legal practitioners, more than other professionals, must appreciate the dangers inherent in an environment where the constitution was being infringed upon and that the Ibadan Bar, being the conscience of other branches in the country, should take the lead.

Ajimobi, while stating that his administration operates an open-door policy, called on the Bar to always make its constructive advice available to his government so that Oyo State could be moved forward.

They all paid tribute to the Ibadan Bar for being the first in the country and for its landmark achievements in the development of the Bar in Nigeria.

“The Ibadan Bar has come a long way with unparalled achievements in the advocacy of respect for human rights, good governance and corruption-free society. It is against this background that I wish to state that this Bar cannot afford to keep aloof in the face of numerous challenges currently bedevilling our nation.

“Loss of human lives and property on a daily basis as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency must not elude the attention of this Bar. Rape on democracy and democratic norms is an issue that the Ibadan Bar must lead the pack to speak against in the polity. To my mind, this is another opportunity for the Ibadan Bar to lend its voice in the support of democracy and rule of law,’’ Ajimobi said.

It was gathered that the prison, built inside the bush along Ado-Afao road had been in perpetual darkness in the last three months, which a source said must have accounted for the non-recognition of the gunmen from afar off.

Some gunmen, numbering about 60 and suspected to be Islamic insurgents, had on Sunday night attacked the prison in Ekiti, killing one official and freed many inmates.

The assailants, who brandished dangerous weapons and shot sporadically for over two hours, also killed 20 sniffer dogs tied in front of the prison.

Worried by the challenge posed by the non-re-arrest of the escaped inmates during the attack, the source said the prison Comptroller, Mr. Kehinde Fadipe, had sought the help of the State Police Command in declaring those yet to be apprehended wanted.

However, it was gathered that the Comptroller has deployed his men to the streets of Ado Ekiti and suburbs and arrest are being made as at the time of filing this report.

However, the state police command revealed yesterday that 67 out of escaped inmates during the attack on the prison, particularly the notorious ones facing armed robbery and murder charges, had been re-arrested.

Speaking to journalists in Ado Ekiti, the Command’s spokesman, Mr. Victor Babayemi, said they were presently being detained at the Police headquarters.

Soyinka Faults US Assistance to Nigeria over Boko Haram

Soyinka Faults US Assistance to Nigeria over Boko Haram

03 Dec 2014

Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka

• Berates Jonathan’s administration  • Okupe: Nobel Laureate playing the ostrich on President

Ojo Maduekwe 

Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, has taken a swipe at the United States of America over its half-hearted gesture in assisting Nigeria to prosecute the war against terrorism, stressing that the US government should stop giving excuses over its attitude to Nigeria.

Briefing newsmen on Tuesday in Lagos, Soyinka in his speech titled: "King Nebuchadnezzar—The Reign of Impunity," called on the US to stop giving excuses over its refusal to sell cobra helicopters to Nigeria, stating that the excuses were baseless.

Soyinka's comments are coming on the heels of a recent interview with a national daily granted by former military ruler, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, who also accused the United States government of not being friendly to Nigeria.

According to Soyinka, "I want to appeal to the Americans to please stop laughing at us. They should stop ridiculing this nation. The government claimed that it asked for cobra helicopters.

"The government of Jonathan asked for little weapons to destroy the enemies. We are in a situation of destroy or to be destroyed. They asked for the weapons even for self defence, I think the Americans should not boast of what they have done to supply assistance to vulnerable affected households.

"All are laudable and nobody is in disagreement with them. These are necessities. But this is not the response I expect to the situation of war. This nation is at war. And this nation is asking for certain forms of assistance.

"Please United States of America, could you please overlook the arithmetical deficiency of governance and stop giving an excuse to this government for failing to protect us. Please just say that you will not supply arms to Nigeria and leave it at that.

"Don’t say that you sent other things, that is not the issue at this critical time in Nigeria.''

Soyinka, who also came hard on President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration  condemned his governance style   over recent political happenings in the country, lamenting that governance had degenerated to a level where a uniformed officer can act above the law, citing the instance where governors of other states were barred from entering Ekiti State by policemen during the recent governorship election.

"The people must decide whether to submit or to resist. We may be no count plebeians in the sight of the new born patricians of Aso Rock and their apologists but must we revert to the Abacharian status of glorified slaves? Of course it is up to any people to decide. The praetorian guards have been let loose to teach the rabble their place. The recent choice of a new leader for the guard was clearly no accident, and this hitherto enforcer has wasted no time in inaugurating a season of brutish power.

When a people's elected emissaries are disenfranchised, cast out like vagrants and resort to scaling fences to engage in their designated functions, the people get the message.

“The latest action of the supposed guardians of the law against the nation's law givers is an unambiguous declaration of war on the people," he said.

He condemned the shutting down of the National Assembly on November 20, pointing out that the Inspector General of Police Mr. Suleiman Abba breached the law by barring lawmakers from entering their workplace.
Soyinka believes that the lawmakers who scaled the fence deserve applause and not condemnation as they helped to foil a coup.

He said it was unfortunate that Jonathan could order policemen to prevent lawmakers from entering the National Assembly on the same day that they were to meet to discuss the extension of emergency rule in the North-east.

He, however, commended the lawmakers for scaling the gate.

He said: “The act of scaling gates and walls to fulfil their duty by the people must be set down as their finest hour. They must be applauded, not derided. If shame belongs anywhere, it belongs to the Inspector General of Police and his lavish adherence to illegal and unconstitutional instructions- to undermine a democratic structure, and one- to make matters worse-convoked in response to an emergency of dire concern.

''What sticks to this policeman is worse than shame, it is infamy. Such a public servant deserves to be publicly pilloried, tried and meted a punishment that is appropriate to treasonable acts. To demand less is to reduce ourselves below the status of free citizens of a free nation.

''For this latest outrage, one in an escalating series of impunity, the buck stops yet again at the presidency, and that incumbent, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, continues to surprise us in ways that a very few could have conjectured. Peaking at his own personalised example where he set the law of simple arithmetic on its head. I refer to the split in Governors' Forum and his formal recognition of the minority will in a straightforward peer election, democracy has been rendered meaningless where it should be most fervently exemplified.

''Nothing is more unworthy of leadership than to degrade a system by which one attains fulfilment, and this is what the nation has witnessed time and time again in various parts of the nation.

"The recent affront against the legislative chamber being only the most blatant and unconscionable. We know of course that this is not the first of its kind in the nation's history, but precedents are not binding. Each leader selects his or her own model for emulation or avoidance and that choice is certain indication of the true nature of such a leader

''These, to state the obvious are not ordinary times. The menace of Boko Haram hangs over the corporate entity called a nation and over every individual, citizen or mere bird of passage. The cliché heating up the polity may grate the ear drums with its banality but I think that we have a right to demand of a leader not to stoke up the furnace in which events have cast its citizens. Every day records new violation of our humanity. The atrocious targeting of the great mosque of Kano has rendered any lingering doubt of impending national imposition an invitation for collective suicide, preferably through piecemeal dismemberment.

''The shambles that punctuated a presidential campaign visit at the Obafemi Awolowo University a few days ago merely underline the total alienation of President Jonathan from the reality that has engulfed the nation. Yes, political campaigns are part and parcel of the bloodline of the democratic process. We know they never stop. However. That a national leader should go campaigning on the platform of ethnic support at a time when priorities dictate a united national engagement for survival, is a grotesque undertaking that was tragically rebuked in the massacre of worshippers and desecration of the Kano mosques, almost simultaneously with the alienated gathering of selected crowned heads and journeymen at the OAU campus, a macabre echo of Balthazar's feast.

''I shall not insist that the biblical figure of Nebuchadnezzar is uniquely apt for the pivotal figure of the democratic history in the making at this moment. For one thing, Nebu was a nation builder and a warrior. One could argue even more convincingly for the figure of Balthazar, his successor, or indeed Emperor Nero as reference point. You all remember him – the emperor who took to fiddling while Rome was burning.

“However you should easily recall why I opted for King Nebu – the figure that currently sits on the top of our political pile himself evoked it, albeit in a context that virtuously disclaimed any similarities, even tendencies.

"Perhaps he meant it at the time when he claimed: ‘I am no Nebuchadnezzar.’ Perhaps not. One judges leaders on acts however, not pronouncements, which are often as reliable as electoral promises.”

But in a swift response last night, the Presidency said Prof. Soyinka was only playing the ostrich by accusing President Jonathan of being worse than King Nebuchadnezzar.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, said this in a text message sent to THISDAY.

Okupe said it was saddening that the Nobel Laureate also failed to reprimand Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, who he described as the “national champion of impunity and official reckless”.

While saying Soyinka was wrong in his judgment of the Jonathan administration, the presidential aide described the present administration as the most liberal in the history of the nation.

He said: “Our eminent Prof also sadly plays the ostrich as he failed to reprimand Governor Amaechi who is the national champion of impunity and official recklessness.

“The administration of President Goodluck Jonathan proves itself as the most liberal, keeping faith with adherence to rule of law and tolerance.”

Soyinka Faults US Assistance to Nigeria over Boko Haram

Soyinka Faults US Assistance to Nigeria over Boko Haram

03 Dec 2014

Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka

• Berates Jonathan’s administration  • Okupe: Nobel Laureate playing the ostrich on President

Ojo Maduekwe 

Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, has taken a swipe at the United States of America over its half-hearted gesture in assisting Nigeria to prosecute the war against terrorism, stressing that the US government should stop giving excuses over its attitude to Nigeria.

Briefing newsmen on Tuesday in Lagos, Soyinka in his speech titled: "King Nebuchadnezzar—The Reign of Impunity," called on the US to stop giving excuses over its refusal to sell cobra helicopters to Nigeria, stating that the excuses were baseless.

Soyinka's comments are coming on the heels of a recent interview with a national daily granted by former military ruler, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, who also accused the United States government of not being friendly to Nigeria.

According to Soyinka, "I want to appeal to the Americans to please stop laughing at us. They should stop ridiculing this nation. The government claimed that it asked for cobra helicopters.

"The government of Jonathan asked for little weapons to destroy the enemies. We are in a situation of destroy or to be destroyed. They asked for the weapons even for self defence, I think the Americans should not boast of what they have done to supply assistance to vulnerable affected households.

"All are laudable and nobody is in disagreement with them. These are necessities. But this is not the response I expect to the situation of war. This nation is at war. And this nation is asking for certain forms of assistance.

"Please United States of America, could you please overlook the arithmetical deficiency of governance and stop giving an excuse to this government for failing to protect us. Please just say that you will not supply arms to Nigeria and leave it at that.

"Don’t say that you sent other things, that is not the issue at this critical time in Nigeria.''

Soyinka, who also came hard on President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration  condemned his governance style   over recent political happenings in the country, lamenting that governance had degenerated to a level where a uniformed officer can act above the law, citing the instance where governors of other states were barred from entering Ekiti State by policemen during the recent governorship election.

"The people must decide whether to submit or to resist. We may be no count plebeians in the sight of the new born patricians of Aso Rock and their apologists but must we revert to the Abacharian status of glorified slaves? Of course it is up to any people to decide. The praetorian guards have been let loose to teach the rabble their place. The recent choice of a new leader for the guard was clearly no accident, and this hitherto enforcer has wasted no time in inaugurating a season of brutish power.

When a people's elected emissaries are disenfranchised, cast out like vagrants and resort to scaling fences to engage in their designated functions, the people get the message.

“The latest action of the supposed guardians of the law against the nation's law givers is an unambiguous declaration of war on the people," he said.

He condemned the shutting down of the National Assembly on November 20, pointing out that the Inspector General of Police Mr. Suleiman Abba breached the law by barring lawmakers from entering their workplace.
Soyinka believes that the lawmakers who scaled the fence deserve applause and not condemnation as they helped to foil a coup.

He said it was unfortunate that Jonathan could order policemen to prevent lawmakers from entering the National Assembly on the same day that they were to meet to discuss the extension of emergency rule in the North-east.

He, however, commended the lawmakers for scaling the gate.

He said: “The act of scaling gates and walls to fulfil their duty by the people must be set down as their finest hour. They must be applauded, not derided. If shame belongs anywhere, it belongs to the Inspector General of Police and his lavish adherence to illegal and unconstitutional instructions- to undermine a democratic structure, and one- to make matters worse-convoked in response to an emergency of dire concern.

''What sticks to this policeman is worse than shame, it is infamy. Such a public servant deserves to be publicly pilloried, tried and meted a punishment that is appropriate to treasonable acts. To demand less is to reduce ourselves below the status of free citizens of a free nation.

''For this latest outrage, one in an escalating series of impunity, the buck stops yet again at the presidency, and that incumbent, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, continues to surprise us in ways that a very few could have conjectured. Peaking at his own personalised example where he set the law of simple arithmetic on its head. I refer to the split in Governors' Forum and his formal recognition of the minority will in a straightforward peer election, democracy has been rendered meaningless where it should be most fervently exemplified.

''Nothing is more unworthy of leadership than to degrade a system by which one attains fulfilment, and this is what the nation has witnessed time and time again in various parts of the nation.

"The recent affront against the legislative chamber being only the most blatant and unconscionable. We know of course that this is not the first of its kind in the nation's history, but precedents are not binding. Each leader selects his or her own model for emulation or avoidance and that choice is certain indication of the true nature of such a leader

''These, to state the obvious are not ordinary times. The menace of Boko Haram hangs over the corporate entity called a nation and over every individual, citizen or mere bird of passage. The cliché heating up the polity may grate the ear drums with its banality but I think that we have a right to demand of a leader not to stoke up the furnace in which events have cast its citizens. Every day records new violation of our humanity. The atrocious targeting of the great mosque of Kano has rendered any lingering doubt of impending national imposition an invitation for collective suicide, preferably through piecemeal dismemberment.

''The shambles that punctuated a presidential campaign visit at the Obafemi Awolowo University a few days ago merely underline the total alienation of President Jonathan from the reality that has engulfed the nation. Yes, political campaigns are part and parcel of the bloodline of the democratic process. We know they never stop. However. That a national leader should go campaigning on the platform of ethnic support at a time when priorities dictate a united national engagement for survival, is a grotesque undertaking that was tragically rebuked in the massacre of worshippers and desecration of the Kano mosques, almost simultaneously with the alienated gathering of selected crowned heads and journeymen at the OAU campus, a macabre echo of Balthazar's feast.

''I shall not insist that the biblical figure of Nebuchadnezzar is uniquely apt for the pivotal figure of the democratic history in the making at this moment. For one thing, Nebu was a nation builder and a warrior. One could argue even more convincingly for the figure of Balthazar, his successor, or indeed Emperor Nero as reference point. You all remember him – the emperor who took to fiddling while Rome was burning.

“However you should easily recall why I opted for King Nebu – the figure that currently sits on the top of our political pile himself evoked it, albeit in a context that virtuously disclaimed any similarities, even tendencies.

"Perhaps he meant it at the time when he claimed: ‘I am no Nebuchadnezzar.’ Perhaps not. One judges leaders on acts however, not pronouncements, which are often as reliable as electoral promises.”

But in a swift response last night, the Presidency said Prof. Soyinka was only playing the ostrich by accusing President Jonathan of being worse than King Nebuchadnezzar.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, said this in a text message sent to THISDAY.

Okupe said it was saddening that the Nobel Laureate also failed to reprimand Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, who he described as the “national champion of impunity and official reckless”.

While saying Soyinka was wrong in his judgment of the Jonathan administration, the presidential aide described the present administration as the most liberal in the history of the nation.

He said: “Our eminent Prof also sadly plays the ostrich as he failed to reprimand Governor Amaechi who is the national champion of impunity and official recklessness.

“The administration of President Goodluck Jonathan proves itself as the most liberal, keeping faith with adherence to rule of law and tolerance.”

PDP Overrules Elechi Over State Assembly Primaries In Ebonyi

PDP Overrules Elechi Over State Assembly Primaries In Ebonyi

By Chibuzo Ukaibe

— Dec 2, 2014 | 10 Comments

The backlash from last Saturday’s State House of Assembly primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State spiralled yesterday as the national leadership of the PDP overruled the governor, Martin Elechi, over the conduct of the primaries.

The party however setup a three-man reconciliation committee made up of Governors Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom state, Theodore Orji of Abia state and Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state to meet Elechi over the situation.

As a fallout of seething tussle for control of the state party structure, Elechi had on Saturday declared that the PDP primaries did not hold in the state.

A statement by Chief Press Secretary to the Ebonyi State Governor, Dr. Onyekachi Eni, the government disclosed that the national leadership of the PDP had in response to certain developments in the party in four states decided to postpone the primary election to a later date.

The government said that despite the party’s positions some disgruntled politicians in the state have continued “the deliberate acts of misinformation and falsehood” to blackmail the party and sow the seed of discord.

However a section of the party loyal to former governor, Sam Egwu, said there were primaries in the state.

But the national leadership of PDP in a statement signed by the national publicity secretary, Olisa Metuh, said it has since received the result of the primaries in Abuja.

The party said “in response to enquires raised by a false media report, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wishes to announce to the general public that the Ebonyi State House of Assembly Primaries was successfully conducted last Saturday, November 29, 2014.

“The NWC states that the result of the exercise has since been received at the national secretariat of the PDP in Abuja.

“The national leadership urges members of the party, especially in Ebonyi state to totally disregard any other report as incorrect.

“However, a special three-man reconciliation committee has been set by the NWC to reconcile all major stakeholders in the state to achieve the desired unity before the general elections. The committee includes Governors Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom state, Theodore Orji of Abia state and Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state.”