Ekweremadu Taught English In Wandsworth Prison’

Former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, started giving back to society while waiting to be charged for “facilitating and arranging travel with the aim of exploiting “a 21-year old”, a former inmate, Mr. X, has told The Guardian. 

He described him as a “simple and nice man.” The Nigerian-born X, however, said he had never heard of the Senator before both met at the His Majesty’s Prison. 

Ekweremadu, who was sentenced with his wife, Beatrice, and Dr. Obinna Obeta at the Old Bailey last week Friday, got support from people he had helped in the past, the former prisoner disclosed. 

Speaking with The Guardian inside the Caffè Nero shop opposite Courtroom 1, where the Senator was slammed with over nine years jail term on the day of the sentencing, X said he was at Wandsworth Prison when Ekweremadu was brought there in June last year, after he and his wife were arrested on arrival at Heathrow Airport on June 21.

“He was always having a lot of letters,” he said. Asked if the letters were written by the Senator and how he came about them, the former inmate replied with a “no,” adding, “People were writing him from Nigeria.

Those he had helped before.”

X, who has regained his freedom since late September, after a Southwark Crown Court jury pronounced a “not guilty” verdict on him, also said the Senator read the Bible a lot and prayed during his time Wandsworth. 

Giving a glowing reference for the former deputy senate president, X disclosed that, “he was lecturing. He was teaching a lot of Eastern Europeans English.”

Ekweremadu was later moved to Belmarsh before his trial started at the Old Bailey on January 31.

https://guardian.ng/news/ekweremadu-taught-english-in-wandsworth-prison/

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North Roars: Grant Us Leadership Of NASS Or We’ll Withdraw Support For APC, Govt

North roars on APC: Grant us leadership of NASS or we’ll withdraw support for party, govt

North roars on APC: Grant us leadership of NASS or we’ll withdraw support for party, govt
•Says demand not negotiable as north is not in control of Executive, judiciary

Hundreds of Northerners who converged on the Arewa House Kaduna on Friday, have threatened to withdraw support for the government and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) unless the North was given the leadership of the National Assembly and other ministerial appointments.

The Northerners attended a one day round table on Nation Building and Democracy with the theme, ’The imperative of participation, equity and equitable development of Northern Nigeria', powered by the Democratic Research Institute (DRI).

“In the communique signed by Prof.Tukur Muhammad- Baba, Chairman of the Communique Committee and Dr.Benjamin Izra Dikki, Secretary, the Northerners emphasized that because the North was not in control of both the Executive and the Judiciary arms of government, their demand was non-negotiable..”

“In a table that was contained in the communique that showed the percentage of votes across the 6 geo- political zones, the Northwest zone gave a total vote of 2,652235,the North Central 1,742,993 while the North East gave 1,185,458. The total contributions of the North was 63.5%.”

The communique indicated that the South-west gave 25.7%, the South-south 9.10 while the South-east delivered 1.45% of the votes for the ruling APC.

The communique reads:

“Based on the contributions of the North in the just concluded General Elections, as evidenced in the table above, the round table, which drew participants from all the nineteen Northern states, concluded that the progress, transformation and development of the region are hinged on its stake in government, particularly access to political, economic incentives and opportunities and therefore resolves as follows:”

“Demand the leadership of the National Assembly in consonance with the provisions of section 14 and sub-sections (1), (2) and (3) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. This is necessary because the North is not in control of both the Executive and the Judiciary arms of government. This demand is non negotiable.”

“The North also demands fair share of ministerial and other appointments. Such appointments should take cognisance of competence, integrity and track record, otherwise, the region is left with no option than to de-invest its support for the government and the party in subsequent elections.”

Earlier in a welcome address delivered by Prof.Al-Mustapha Ussiju Medanar, he said
the central objective of the Roundtable discussion was to highlight and deepen the conversations around the roles and the place of the Northern region in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and fostering nation-building through key players and partners of the region, among others.

He said: “For me, it is a privilege to be a participant of this preparation for an all-inclusive recognition of the place of northern Nigeria in the Nigeria calculations and the veritable focus on the equitable development of northern Nigeria.”

“The theme of today’s discussion, “Nation Building and Democracy: The Imperative of Participation, Equity and Equitable Development of Northern Nigeria” is key to addressing the socio-political challenges that face the contiguous northern region of Nigeria.”

“The central objective of this Roundtable discussion is to highlight and deepen the conversations around the roles and the place of the Northern region in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and fostering nation-building through key players and partners of the region, among others. “

“I must state emphatically that the northern region of the country, constituting the North-West, North Central and the North-Eastern states, respectively, is a uniquely indispensable part of the nation, Nigeria. The region consists of approximately 68.67% of the population of Nigeria; it is the sole sustenance of the country agriculturally, and remains by providence, the major contributor to the political evolvement of the country from independence.”

“The northern region has effectively engaged its diverse endowment in population and various capacities to benefit the nation, in all ways possible; having been a pillar of strength on many fronts for the country.”

“It is indeed my great honour to welcome all of you; the Panelists, Discussants and selected representatives across the States of northern Nigeria. I am confident and sure that we will have a very vibrant discussion and tailored solution for an equitable development of our dear region.”

“The decision to hold this Roundtable was a response to the current political situation in the country and the preparation for the promulgation of the 10th National Assembly, particularly its leadership. The need to avoid the crisis of misrepresentation of our people and region in the distribution of rewards for political participation in the 2023 general elections, most especially the presidential election and to accept a common ground to hold all political office holders responsible for the job they are expected to carry out in the incoming administration.”

“We must have it at the back of our minds as we go into the subject of our discussion that our region contributes more than any other, as a major stakeholder in the current political dispensations including the victories of the ruling party at the polls, and as such, the region would rightly deserve and ask for commensurate rewards from the spoil of the war fought.”

“Democracy is an investment; vote is an investment. In a democratic politics, the party with the highest votes takes it all. Our region is well aware of this, and we have invested robustly in the incoming administration. The size of our votes and the consistency of our participation across the region in what we stand for is our testament. Figures do not lie; of the 8,794,726 million votes that gave the president-elect victory at the poll, 5,200,589 million representing approximately 60 percent came from our region. And for every elected Senators and HOR members from the platform the ruling party that won election, the margin of difference in their votes and that of the president-elect from each constituency is minimal; an indication of total commitment to the total cause of the party, unlike some other regions.”

“The North knows its problems and challenges; and that is the reason why we made so much political investment as a means to get the solutions we desire for our region and our people.”

“Our region is beclouded by non-ending insecurity. From North-East to North Central and splitting to the North-West, the consequences of insecurity in all its ramification has left trails of poverty, death and displacements of people from their homes and survival.”

“The poverty figure of the country placed our region as the most hit; with about 65 percent of the population of poor Nigerians living in our region. We are mostly referred to in the academic parlance as the least educationally developed region of the country. Unemployment is at the highest in the region as well.”

“At the back of all our discussion today would be the plight of our common region in the larger Nigeria entity. We must therefore take a stand of what must be done to return affirmative and commensurate dividends for our all-inclusive participation and investment in the Nigeria democracy and political business. We must take a decision as a region that has an equity that is well above 60 percent of the shared equity of the Nigeria business.”

“As part of the plans for an intrinsic discussion, we would be having sectorial pre-discussions on various topical issues with regard to the northern region after which we will break into discussion syndicates. The panelists would arise from the syndicate meetings to make a submission of the consensus agreements from the syndicate meetings which would form the crux of the final Position paper, which is the stand of the roundtable. “

“Here today, we will commence a process that will continue to strengthen the reach and take of our region without jeopardising that of others in the Nigeria entity; taking what equates to our input.” “Today, I want to hear your ideas, and frankly too. Your ideas about how to drive inclusive, equitable development of our region, because that is something that we all owe our people and what our positions have placed on us to do.”

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/05/north-roars-on-apc-grant-us-leadership-of-nass-or-well-withdraw-support-for-party-govt/

I Will Become President One Day - Peter Obi

The Labour Party presidential candidate during February 25 presidential election, Peter Obi, on Friday, said he ‘must be” Nigeria’s president.

While expressing optimism to clinch the number one seat in the country, he clarified that he was not in a hurry to achieve the dream.

Obi, who is a former Anambra State governor, stated this during the unveiling of the book, ‘Peter Obi: many voices, one perspective’ in Anambra[/b] State.

“Anyone who thinks I am on a transit is wasting his time. Let me tell you, I must be the president of this country. I am sure of that. If it is not today, it must be tomorrow.

“Other people who want to be, should come and tell us what they want to do, and how to do it. This is my country, I don’t have dual citizenship. If anyone thinks I am going to run away from Nigeria, they are lying.

“I have three engagements in Anambra and Lagos today. I will be speaking in Lagos tonight. We will not leave Nigeria. I am not in a hurry to become the president, but I know it must happen,” Obi said.

The former governor said he was more concerned about the process that brings leaders to office, and not who the leader is.

Obi added that he was not struggling to free Nigeria from bad leadership for the elites alone, but for every Nigerian.

He said, “For three years I was in court in Anambra to reclaim my mandate, just to challenge the process. Many people tried to discourage me, but I said even if the entire four years tenure elapsed for us to prove a point and correct the process, I will be fulfilled.

“My argument is that, let’s do what is right. I always tell everyone that I will not give people money to do the wrong thing. I have been the chairman of a committee; TETFUND committee, and Prof. Yakubu Mahmud was my member. We know ourselves, but when he became INEC chairman, I have never met him. I told him, you are an umpire, just do what is right.

“If you have the chance to do the right thing, and you insist on perpetuating anarchy, then, it will consume everybody one day. I insist that we must do the right thing.

“I was at an event yesterday in Abuja, and it was World Food Organisation. I listened to report that stated that Nigeria will face intense hunger in years to come. It is Nigeria that will face hunger, not Peter Obi.

“The report listed Borno, Adamawa and Yobe as the states that will be worse hit, but those three states put together are five times larger in land mass of Israel, yet Egypt exports food, but Nigeria cannot feed itself.”

Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion and traditional ruler of Onitsha, Obi Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, in his speech expressed hope that Obi will reclaim his presidential mandate.

Achebe said, “I was still a new traditional ruler many years ago, when I was invited to a meeting where some monarchs were trying to settle a matter between the then Anambra governor Chris Ngige and Obi over the governorship tussle.

“I was a new traditional ruler, so I was just listening to the conversations. Obi did not attend the meeting, but his representative said Obi sent a message that he is more interested about knowing the truth, and ensuring that the process is credible next time, and that he was not willing to back down, even if it meant remaining in court even after the tenure.

“It took him three years, but he was later restored. His representative then said, Obi only wants the truth to be known, and even if it happened after the expiration of his tenure. Also, when he was impeached, he told everyone that he would return, and he returned.

“Later, there was an election, and Andy Uba replaced Obi. He called me again and said that these people want to spoil our country. I had also heard that the judgment was to be delivered the next day, and that it may be against Peter. He (Obi) called me and he said he was confident that he would return as governor. I am saying this because this is a man I know very well. Someone called him man of the moment, but I choose to say that he is a man of destiny.”

https://punchng.com/i-must-be-president-of-nigeria-peter-obi/

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Suleman Babayero Isa Now A US Soldier

IF YOU CAN RECALL WHERE 46-YEAR-OLD AMERICAN MOM LOCATES 26-YEAR-OLD LOVER IN KANO FOŔ MARRIAGE, THE GUY IS NOW A SOLDIER IN AMERICA AFTER THEY HAVE RELOCATED...

Sulieman who married an American woman he met on Instagram sometimes in 2020 has joined the US army.

Previous thread https://www.nairaland.com/5637396/jeanine-delsky-kano-marry-sulaiman

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Osinbajo Commissions The 14,444 HA Kano River Irrigation Scheme

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN commissions the 14,444HA Kano River Irrigation Scheme in Bunkure LGA, Kano State.

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Nigerians Will Appreciate Buhari Later — Adesina

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, has disclosed that Nigerians will appreciate the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), after he leaves office on May 29, 2023.

He said beyond those who seek to rewrite history and remember his (Buhari’s) regime for all the wrong reasons, his principal would be remembered for many achievements by fair Nigerians.

Adesina disclosed this in his weekly article titled ‘NG-CARES: HOW BUHARI QUIETLY ATTENDS TO NEEDS OF NIGERIANS’, where he reeled out some of the achievements of the President.

He argued that Buhari has the interest of Nigerians at heart and worked assiduously for the betterment of the country with his “care and kindness to Nigerians”.

According to him, history will adequately record the many ways in which President Buhari has quietly cared for Nigerians.

“Some revisionists are busy, trying to obfuscate issues and obliterate the achievements of the Buhari administration. But truth is like cork in water. The more you press it down, the more it stays afloat.

“After he retires to his native Daura, in Katsina State, we will always be glad that the honest man was here. I mean those who are fair-minded, but who happen to number in scores of millions,’ he wrote.

Adesina added, “The judgement of history is usually the most enduring, and as President Muhammadu Buhari weighs anchor in less than three weeks, posterity will be impartial, and, therefore, kind to him.

“One signpost of the administration is its care and kindness to Nigerians. Quietly. Without fuss. No adulation or self-aggrandisement.”

On some of Buhari’s interventions, Adesina wrote, “These welfarist interventions give a window into the kind soul of the President, a man some people have not bothered to discern, dissect and decipher.

“They just deliberately stay in the trenches of the past, soused and marooned in apocryphal beliefs: oh, he ruled with an iron fist as military leader. He herded people into jail. He imprisoned journalists through Decree 4. He also had Decree 2, which gave him power to detain anyone indefinitely.

“No human face. He’s a Fulani, and therefore, a herdsman, who supports his people to attack farmers. Religious bigot, who does not recognize any other faith. True? False. And I should know. Why? Because I’ve worked with him closely for eight years, and I can say I know the man Muhammadu Buhari, apart from the myth and the deliberate misconceptions.”

https://punchng.com/nigerians-will-appreciate-buhari-later-adesina/

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Abure Remains National Chairman - Labour Party

The FCT State High Court under his Lordship, Justice Hamza Muazu today said he will go ahead to hear the motion by the group loyal to the suspended Deputy National Chairman, Lamidi Apapa against some of our leaders including the National Chairman, Julius Abure and three others.

In his Lordship ruling, he said that he will go ahead to hear the substantive matter. The matter has been adjourned to Friday, May 19 for further deliberation. Today’s sitting is not for judgement as Apapa’s group is peddling in their usual way of misinforming Nigerians but purely for the purpose of determining the jurisdiction of the court.

However, we have appealed the ruling immediately because we know we will not get justice from the court.

Meanwhile, Barrister Julius Abure remains the National Chairman of the Party pending the final determination of the matter.

Sign:

Obiora Ifoh
Ag. National Publicity Secretary

https://labourparty.com.ng/ignore-the-fake-news-by-apapa-group-abure-still-national-chairman/

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