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Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa

Major-Gen Muhammadu Buhari (Retd) is eminently qualified to contest the presidential election in 2019.

The controversy over the qualification of Gen Buhari to contest the 2019 presidential election is needless.

By section 131, of the 1999 Constitution, a person is qualified for election to the office of President if:

A. He is a citizen of Nigeria

B. He has attained the age of forty years.

C. He is a member of a political party and he is sponsored by that political party; and

D. He has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.

In my humble view, Gen Buhari has met all the above requirements.

Under and by virtue of section 318 (1) of the Constitution:

“School Certificate or its equivalent” means-

a. a Secondary School Certificate or its equivalent, or Grade II Teacher’s Certificate, the City and Guilds Certificate; or

b. education up to Secondary School Certificate level; or

c. Primary Six School Leaving Certificate or its equivalent and-

i. service in the public or private sector in the Federation in any capacity acceptable to the Independent National Electoral Commission for a minimum of ten years, and

ii. attendance at courses and training in such institutions as may be acceptable to the Independent National Electoral Commission for periods totaling up to a minimum of one year, and

iii. the ability to read, write, understand and communicate in the English language to the satisfaction of the Independent National Electoral Commission, and

d. any other qualification acceptable by the Independent National Electoral Commission.”

The farmers of the Constitution imposed these conditions upon Nigerians and we have to accept them and live with them until we can change them.

Anybody who can read, write and communicate in English, who has attended military courses, who has served in the public service of the Federation or even in the Army, is eminently qualified to aspire to be elected as President of Nigeria.

That is why I have kept referring to the President as Maj-Gen in this statement, to show that he’s qualified, even by virtue of his military rank alone.

So, it is only a moral burden, for the President, if he claimed to have attended any secondary school, to produce the certificate of that school, to the satisfaction of Nigerians, but that has nothing to do with his legal right to contest the election as President.

The debate is thus unnecessary. Let’s move on to other issues. 

God bless Nigeria.

Ebun-olu Adegboruwa, Esq.,

Lekki, Lagos.
27/10/2018

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At least five followers of Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky have been killed on Saturday in a clash with the men of Nigerian Army in Zuba in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The Shi’ites were in a procession from Suleja in Niger State to Abuja for the three-day mass march, tagged: ‘Arbaeen Symbolic Trek’, scheduled to begin on Sunday.

It was gathered that when members of the sect approached a military checkpoint near Zuma motor park, the soldiers on duty refused to allow them to pass.

However, the directive did not go down well with the group and they insisted they would pass through the road.

Findings revealed that the Shi’ites later resorted to hurling stones at the soldiers, which led to pandemonium, as the soldiers were alleged to have opened fire on them, leading to the death of five people.

When SaharaReporters visited Zuba, the angry mob had been dispersed, but there was still palpable tension in the area. An eyewitness said about five members of the group were shot dead during the commotion.

The group had addressed a press conference on Saturday on the three-day march, which will commence on Sunday and end on October 30.

The group had appealed to the residents of Abuja and its environs not to panic during the march, as more than one million followers of Sheik El-Zakzaky were expected at the protest.

Efforts to get the reaction from the spokesman of Nigerian Army, Brigadier General J.T.E. Chukwu, on the incident were unsuccessful, as calls to his phone did not go through.

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Leaders of Buhari Youth Organisation (BYO) have praised the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The group also referred to Buhari as a "man of integrity", symbolising how "God has helped Nigeria".

This was the position at the group's Third Annual Independence Youth Pep Talk Programme, organised in partnership with the National Committee of Buhari Support Groups (NCBSG), held in Lagos.

According to NAN, the event featured the presence of hundreds of young Buhari’s supporters, and was tagged: 'Change Mantra: Before, Now and the Future (Account of the Current Government).

In his address, Senator Abu Ibrahim, Chairman, Board of Trustees, NCBSG, who was represented by Chief Abiodun Ajiboye, the National Secretary of NCBSG, said the objective of the event was to create awareness about the achievements of Buhari’s government.

He said: “There is no doubt that the gigantic achievements of this administration have been under-reported and as such, efforts have to be made to sound it clear into the ears of those who never want our success story. It has become more important today than ever to focus on the achievements of this administration since the only question people ask is 'what are the achievements of this government'?

“In fairness to those in opposition and those asking such questions, politics is a game of self appraisal. After all, if you do not blow your trumpet, no one will blow it for you. If the ability to protect lives and property is not an achievement, then what is an achievement? The ability to look at corruption in the face and confront it is indeed a new beginning.

“It is the beginning of a new Nigeria that will lead the country into prosperity. Buhari deserves to be re-elected in 2019 and will be re-elected."

Abdulwaheed Odunuga, Coordinator of BYO, Lagos State, noted that the media had the responsibility of informing the public about the achievements of government.

Also, National President of BYO, Mallam Yusuf Nalado, highlighted the achievements of the present administration, stating that "I urge you to remain focus and resolute as 2019 elections approach. Our youths should not be deceived with money. Nigerian youth should be focused and reject money bags who might want to use them. They should not yield to the temptation of vote buyers.

“God has helped Nigeria by giving us somebody like President Buhari, who is a man of integrity and ho will not loot the treasury. We have to make sure we support him."

Ife Adebayo, Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, who was the keynote speaker, also spoke on the achievements of the present administration.

In her address, Chief Yetunde Babajide, South-West Woman Leader, National Committee of Buhari Support Group (BSG), said the president had brought positive changes to the country.

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Leaders of Buhari Youth Organisation (BYO) have praised the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The group also referred to Buhari as a "man of integrity", symbolising how "God has helped Nigeria".

This was the position at the group's Third Annual Independence Youth Pep Talk Programme, organised in partnership with the National Committee of Buhari Support Groups (NCBSG), held in Lagos.

According to NAN, the event featured the presence of hundreds of young Buhari’s supporters, and was tagged: 'Change Mantra: Before, Now and the Future (Account of the Current Government).

In his address, Senator Abu Ibrahim, Chairman, Board of Trustees, NCBSG, who was represented by Chief Abiodun Ajiboye, the National Secretary of NCBSG, said the objective of the event was to create awareness about the achievements of Buhari’s government.

He said: “There is no doubt that the gigantic achievements of this administration have been under-reported and as such, efforts have to be made to sound it clear into the ears of those who never want our success story. It has become more important today than ever to focus on the achievements of this administration since the only question people ask is 'what are the achievements of this government'?

“In fairness to those in opposition and those asking such questions, politics is a game of self appraisal. After all, if you do not blow your trumpet, no one will blow it for you. If the ability to protect lives and property is not an achievement, then what is an achievement? The ability to look at corruption in the face and confront it is indeed a new beginning.

“It is the beginning of a new Nigeria that will lead the country into prosperity. Buhari deserves to be re-elected in 2019 and will be re-elected."

Abdulwaheed Odunuga, Coordinator of BYO, Lagos State, noted that the media had the responsibility of informing the public about the achievements of government.

Also, National President of BYO, Mallam Yusuf Nalado, highlighted the achievements of the present administration, stating that "I urge you to remain focus and resolute as 2019 elections approach. Our youths should not be deceived with money. Nigerian youth should be focused and reject money bags who might want to use them. They should not yield to the temptation of vote buyers.

“God has helped Nigeria by giving us somebody like President Buhari, who is a man of integrity and ho will not loot the treasury. We have to make sure we support him."

Ife Adebayo, Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, who was the keynote speaker, also spoke on the achievements of the present administration.

In her address, Chief Yetunde Babajide, South-West Woman Leader, National Committee of Buhari Support Group (BSG), said the president had brought positive changes to the country.

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The South-West Zone of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on Atiku Abubakar, the party’s presidential candidate, to give more key positions to the zone if he emerges as President.

Dr Eddy Olefeso, South-West Vice-Chairman of the party, stated this on Friday in Lagos at a meeting of key PDP members across the six states in the zone.

According to NAN, the meeting, which lasted hours, was attended by Chief Olabode George, a former PDP Deputy National Chairman; Chief Yemi Akinwonmi, the current Deputy National Chairman (South), and a former National Vice Chairman of the party, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo.

Also present were former Minister of State for Defence, Mrs Sola Obada; a former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Alhaja Makanjuola Badru; and a member of the National Assembly, Sentaor Abiodun Olujimi.

Mr Seyi Makinde and Ladi Adebutu, both PDP governorship candidates in Oyo and Ogun states, respectively, as well as a former governorship aspirant in Osun State, Chief Akin Ogunbiyi were also at the meeting.

Olafeso commended Atiku's promise of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) position to the zone, but noted that the zone deserved more key political and government positions.

Olafeso said for Atiku to give the zone a sense of belonging and compensate “for the years of abandonment”, he should also zone key positions of the Chief of Staff to the President and Àttorney-General of the Federation to the South-West.

He said: “We have been denied for too long. In 2011, the country under the control of our party zoned the position of the Speaker of the House of Representatives to the zone and it was taken away.

“And from 2011 to 2015, we were left just like that and the reverberating effect of that abandonment is the reason why we are still having the hangover of neglect till today.

“Now we are here again, the party is working with a zone with 14 million votes, the second largest in the country. We refuse and we will not accept where we finish the job in the next election and for one reason or the other, we will not be considered.

“We don’t have to wait till after the election before we say what we want. We want to let the party and our candidate know that certain positions are strategic to governance and we want them.

“Yes, the SGF is great, but there is nothing wrong with having the Chief of Staff and Attorney-General on top of it to compensate us for the denials of the past, so that all of us can work as a united front. We will continue to fight for it; we will speak with a loud voice. We give so much, so the zone deserves a lot."

He congratulated Atiku on his emergence as the presidential candidate, and noted that the zone was pleased with the choice of Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, as his running mate.

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The South-West Zone of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on Atiku Abubakar, the party’s presidential candidate, to give more key positions to the zone if he emerges as President.

Dr Eddy Olefeso, South-West Vice-Chairman of the party, stated this on Friday in Lagos at a meeting of key PDP members across the six states in the zone.

According to NAN, the meeting, which lasted hours, was attended by Chief Olabode George, a former PDP Deputy National Chairman; Chief Yemi Akinwonmi, the current Deputy National Chairman (South), and a former National Vice Chairman of the party, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo.

Also present were former Minister of State for Defence, Mrs Sola Obada; a former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Alhaja Makanjuola Badru; and a member of the National Assembly, Sentaor Abiodun Olujimi.

Mr Seyi Makinde and Ladi Adebutu, both PDP governorship candidates in Oyo and Ogun states, respectively, as well as a former governorship aspirant in Osun State, Chief Akin Ogunbiyi were also at the meeting.

Olafeso commended Atiku's promise of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) position to the zone, but noted that the zone deserved more key political and government positions.

Olafeso said for Atiku to give the zone a sense of belonging and compensate “for the years of abandonment”, he should also zone key positions of the Chief of Staff to the President and Àttorney-General of the Federation to the South-West.

He said: “We have been denied for too long. In 2011, the country under the control of our party zoned the position of the Speaker of the House of Representatives to the zone and it was taken away.

“And from 2011 to 2015, we were left just like that and the reverberating effect of that abandonment is the reason why we are still having the hangover of neglect till today.

“Now we are here again, the party is working with a zone with 14 million votes, the second largest in the country. We refuse and we will not accept where we finish the job in the next election and for one reason or the other, we will not be considered.

“We don’t have to wait till after the election before we say what we want. We want to let the party and our candidate know that certain positions are strategic to governance and we want them.

“Yes, the SGF is great, but there is nothing wrong with having the Chief of Staff and Attorney-General on top of it to compensate us for the denials of the past, so that all of us can work as a united front. We will continue to fight for it; we will speak with a loud voice. We give so much, so the zone deserves a lot."

He congratulated Atiku on his emergence as the presidential candidate, and noted that the zone was pleased with the choice of Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, as his running mate.

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A political group, Operation Deliver Your Unit (ODYU), says President Muhammadu Buhari will defeat Atiku Abubakar, an Adamawa indigene and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State.

The group vowed to work for Buhari's victory on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 general election.

ODYU, believed to have been founded by the Crown Prince of Yola Emirate and Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Mohammed Barkindo, has strategically constituted supporters in all the 2,609 polling units in the state.

Barkindo's support for Buhari is also aimed at challenging the ambition of Atiku, who is also the Wazirin Adamawa (number two man in the Adamawa Emirate).

Speaking at a gathering, Barkindo, more popularly known as 'Kauran Adamawa', said: "Buhari's victory has been sealed. Ours is to await the sharing of booties of a conquest," alluding to political appointments in the new government.

Ahmed Lawan, Organising Secretary of the party in the state, tasked delegates to see Buhari as an indigene of Adamawa State.

"I hear people argue that the PDP presidential candidate is of Adamawa origin, but I make bold to say that President Buhari is more; he's one of us by virtue of marital affinity.

"This being the case, and coupled with the President's surpassing feat, we in Adamawa, will rather go with our dear sister and her husband. Conclusively, let me state unequivocally clear that Buhari will defeat Atiku in Adamawa State like never before."

Aisha Buhari, wife of the President, was commended at the sitting, as speakers took turns to eulogise her for her outspoken stance on burning national issues.

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A political group, Operation Deliver Your Unit (ODYU), says President Muhammadu Buhari will defeat Atiku Abubakar, an Adamawa indigene and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State.

The group vowed to work for Buhari's victory on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 general election.

ODYU, believed to have been founded by the Crown Prince of Yola Emirate and Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Mohammed Barkindo, has strategically constituted supporters in all the 2,609 polling units in the state.

Barkindo's support for Buhari is also aimed at challenging the ambition of Atiku, who is also the Wazirin Adamawa (number two man in the Adamawa Emirate).

Speaking at a gathering, Barkindo, more popularly known as 'Kauran Adamawa', said: "Buhari's victory has been sealed. Ours is to await the sharing of booties of a conquest," alluding to political appointments in the new government.

Ahmed Lawan, Organising Secretary of the party in the state, tasked delegates to see Buhari as an indigene of Adamawa State.

"I hear people argue that the PDP presidential candidate is of Adamawa origin, but I make bold to say that President Buhari is more; he's one of us by virtue of marital affinity.

"This being the case, and coupled with the President's surpassing feat, we in Adamawa, will rather go with our dear sister and her husband. Conclusively, let me state unequivocally clear that Buhari will defeat Atiku in Adamawa State like never before."

Aisha Buhari, wife of the President, was commended at the sitting, as speakers took turns to eulogise her for her outspoken stance on burning national issues.

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Shi'ite Leader, Sheik Sidi Munir Sokoto (middle) addressing a press conference in Abuja

More than one million followers of Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky will converge on Abuja on Sunday, October 20, 2018 to embark on the Arbaeen Symbolic Trek to mark the tragic day that Yazid bn Mu'awiyyah killed Imam Hussain Ibn Ali and his family.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Saturday, a leader of the movement, Sheikh Sidi Munir Sokoto, said the trek will commence on Sunday and will last for three days. He noted that the trek will be also feature the 'Free Zakzaky' protest.

Sokoto explained that followers of the movement will come different states across the country, and appealed to residents of Abuja, Niger, Nasarawa and its environs not to panic during the march.

"During the trek, millions of followers of Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky will march en masse to Abuja. Although the trek will concurrently go with Free Zakzaky protest, we are appealing to the residents of concerned areas not to panic," he stated.

He also spoke on the "atrocity" committed against the group by the Nigerian Army in 2015.

His words: "The public should recall the grave atrocities committed by the Nigerian Army during the December 2015 Zaria massacre, where hundreds of children have been orphaned; many husbands and wives widowed, and scores of Sheikh Zakzaky's disciples are still languishing in prisons.

"I want to use use this opportunity to inform the tyrant Buhari and Nigerian government that the demand of the millions of followers of Sheikh Zakzaky that will trek to Abuja is the immediate and unconditional release of Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his wife, and the demand is non-negotiable."

He said arrangement has been put in place for the free flow of vehicular and human movement within and outside the city, just as he called on the Police to do their jobs within the confines of the law.

When asked if the group has the permission of the Nigerian Police to conduct the march, he said the Police is aware of the religious exercise.

He called onnresidents to go about their normal business. The rally is expected to come to an end on Tuesday, October 30, 2018.

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Shi'ite Leader, Sheik Sidi Munir Sokoto (middle) addressing a press conference in Abuja

More than one million followers of Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky will converge on Abuja on Sunday, October 20, 2018 to embark on the Arbaeen Symbolic Trek to mark the tragic day that Yazid bn Mu'awiyyah killed Imam Hussain Ibn Ali and his family.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Saturday, a leader of the movement, Sheikh Sidi Munir Sokoto, said the trek will commence on Sunday and will last for three days. He noted that the trek will be also feature the 'Free Zakzaky' protest.

Sokoto explained that followers of the movement will come different states across the country, and appealed to residents of Abuja, Niger, Nasarawa and its environs not to panic during the march.

"During the trek, millions of followers of Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky will march en masse to Abuja. Although the trek will concurrently go with Free Zakzaky protest, we are appealing to the residents of concerned areas not to panic," he stated.

He also spoke on the "atrocity" committed against the group by the Nigerian Army in 2015.

His words: "The public should recall the grave atrocities committed by the Nigerian Army during the December 2015 Zaria massacre, where hundreds of children have been orphaned; many husbands and wives widowed, and scores of Sheikh Zakzaky's disciples are still languishing in prisons.

"I want to use use this opportunity to inform the tyrant Buhari and Nigerian government that the demand of the millions of followers of Sheikh Zakzaky that will trek to Abuja is the immediate and unconditional release of Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his wife, and the demand is non-negotiable."

He said arrangement has been put in place for the free flow of vehicular and human movement within and outside the city, just as he called on the Police to do their jobs within the confines of the law.

When asked if the group has the permission of the Nigerian Police to conduct the march, he said the Police is aware of the religious exercise.

He called onnresidents to go about their normal business. The rally is expected to come to an end on Tuesday, October 30, 2018.

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The Kaduna State Government has relaxed the 24-Hour curfew in parts of the state.

This was contained in a statement by Samuel Aruwan, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor (Media and Publicity) on Saturday after a meeting of a select committee of the Kaduna State Security Council.

According to the statement, residents of Kachia are free to go about their business till 5pm on Saturday. There is also freedom of movement daily from 6am to 5pm on Sunday, October 28, 2018.

32 people have been arrested in connection with violence in the state.

The statement read: "The Security Council noted with gratitude the exemplary conduct of the people of Kachia who have remained peaceful while mourning the loss of a much revered monarch. In recognition of this positive contribution to harmony, the Security Council has directed that the curfew in Kachia be relaxed immediately, today, Saturday, 27th October 2018.

"Residents of Kachia are free to go about their legitimate business from now till 5pm today. From tomorrow, Sunday, 28th October 2018, Kachia residents are also free to move from 6am till 5pm daily.

"Within the curfew areas, security agencies thwarted attempts to destroy places of worship in Kawo and Hanyin Banki. It was also reported that one person was killed in Kasuwan Magani and another arrested with a weapon overnight.

"The Police reported that 32 persons have been arrested since yesterday for involvement in the disturbances. These persons will be investigated and prosecuted."

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The Kaduna State Government has relaxed the 24-Hour curfew in parts of the state.

This was contained in a statement by Samuel Aruwan, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor (Media and Publicity) on Saturday after a meeting of a select committee of the Kaduna State Security Council.

According to the statement, residents of Kachia are free to go about their business till 5pm on Saturday. There is also freedom of movement daily from 6am to 5pm on Sunday, October 28, 2018.

32 people have been arrested in connection with violence in the state.

The statement read: "The Security Council noted with gratitude the exemplary conduct of the people of Kachia who have remained peaceful while mourning the loss of a much revered monarch. In recognition of this positive contribution to harmony, the Security Council has directed that the curfew in Kachia be relaxed immediately, today, Saturday, 27th October 2018.

"Residents of Kachia are free to go about their legitimate business from now till 5pm today. From tomorrow, Sunday, 28th October 2018, Kachia residents are also free to move from 6am till 5pm daily.

"Within the curfew areas, security agencies thwarted attempts to destroy places of worship in Kawo and Hanyin Banki. It was also reported that one person was killed in Kasuwan Magani and another arrested with a weapon overnight.

"The Police reported that 32 persons have been arrested since yesterday for involvement in the disturbances. These persons will be investigated and prosecuted."

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Aida-Nath Ogwuche NAN

Aida-Nath Ogwuche, a female aspirant for Ogbadibo Constituency in Zone C for the Benue State House of Assembly on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has narrated how she was stripped naked during the primary election in her state.

Ogwuche, who spoke to NAN, said the election was marred by irregularities.

She accused her opponents of using thugs to intimidate and harrass her as well as her supporters during the September 29 election, alleging that they carried out the action because she is female.

Her words: “Before we went into the stadium where the primary election took place, my agent, my coordinators and some key persons in my campaign team were threatened.

“Some thugs were looking for my agent Adolowu Lawani, while a few of them walked straight to the vice-chairman of my ward and the women leader and told them that they will chop off their fingers if they voted for me; they were threatened right there outside the stadium when they were on the queue.

“The thugs went as far as warning my campaign coordinator; I was standing with him but they never knew I was the lady aspirant. They even mentioned the name of the leader of their group, and said that he sent them to warn him, and at this point I began to fear for my life and everything.

“When we went inside, we discovered that the delegate list had been changed. The list that was used was not the original list sent from Abuja which they used for the governorship.

“Also, when it was the turn of Ogbadibo delegates cast their votes, I heard the leader of the party in the local government, Chris Adabba Abba, saying he was going to stand as the agent of my opponent and that everyone should not vote by themselves but hand the ballot to him to write on behalf of all. At this point, I sensed the process had been hijacked, because, as our leader, he has undue influence on the delegates.

“To make good his plans, he (Abba) stood as the agent of my opponent and was snatching ballot papers from delegates to write the name of the aspirant who is his cousin. And when my agent (Lawani) raised observation and confronted him, he threatened to slap him, and the whole situation became chaotic and the electoral officers threatened to suspend the process.

“I saw a large crowd gather against my agent and I got closer, I saw some boys hitting him and before I knew it, they pounced on me; they beat me up mercilessly, tore my clothes and stripped me naked in public right there in the stadium. They also punched my eyes and pulled my hair.

“This was what I faced. All these bullying, harassment and intimidation, just because some people feel more entitled to hold this position than myself. This is unacceptable. I’m calling on all authorities out there and good Nigerians to look into this situation. This cannot continue to go on; the ill-treatment against female folk must stop and this is where it stops."

However, Hon. Idoko Ojo, alias Ojotu, Chairman of Aiodo Ward 1, where Ogwuche comes from, held a different view on the conduct of the primary.

He said: “On that fateful day, our party delegates voted peacefully and there was no form of violence, harassment or intimidation.

“Our people respect the zoning arrangements existing in our constituency a lot; that was why some of us advised Aida to wait till it gets to the turn of our own district to go to the House of Assembly, but she refused. She kept thinking that she could do magic to win but the reality was that she lost out."

He also alleged he was being threatened by suspected cultists, who he claimed were sent by the aspirant to recover the money she gave to delegates during the primary election.

“I got a phone call by an unknown caller and I asked to know the identity of the person. But he told me not to bother about his name. He asked me if I was ‘Ojotu’ and I said yes. He said he was directed to arrange all the money that Aida gave to me and send back to him.”

According to Ojo, when he insisted on putting Aida on a conference call, the caller refused and instead asked that he be given time to call Aida and get back to him.

He continued: “He called me back after about 30 minutes to inform that Aida was angry that I didn’t vote for her despite coming from her ward. I told him that this is politics and in our place we respect zoning. And since it was not our turn, we cannot support her.

“I advised her before the election to retrace her steps, work for the party and wait for the turn of our people and that by the law of natural justice, we will reciprocate by supporting her but all these advise fell on deaf ears."

Also speaking on the matter, Lawrence Oko, Chairman of Owukpa Ehaje Ward 2, in a telephone interview with NAN vowed to take legal action against Ogwuche if she continued to accuse party leaders in the area.

He said: “I am compelled to say that the zoning arrangement did not favour her constituency, because the incumbent legislator is from her ward, so, it greatly affected her chances in the election.

“She polled 52 votes, while Peter Enemari who was eventually declared the winner, garnered 79 votes. There was no form of protests, crisis, disputes or violence over the outcome and that was why we were shocked when she complained about the outcome of the election at the PDP National Secretariat and was also going to the media to tarnish the image of our party.

“She massively doled out cash to lure some of the delegates to vote for her and I believe that was where her problem started because she tried to collect the money back from those whom she felt disappointed her.”

He, however, noted that efforts had been made to resolve the issue with Ogwuche family members.

Also, PDP Woman Leader in Ogbadibo Local Government Area, Hon. Eloyi Onekele, dismissed Ogwuche’s claim.

She said: “How can she claim that a fake delegate list was used for the election, whereas it was the same delegate list that was used for governorship, Senate and House of Representatives primary elections.

“It is also good for our party leaders and indeed, the general public to know that both the Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly primaries were held at the same venue, same time and concurrently for six out of the nine Local Government Areas that make up Zone C. So, there is no basis for anybody to believe Ogwuche’s allegation that a fake delegate list was used for the election."

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Aida-Nath Ogwuche NAN

Aida-Nath Ogwuche, a female aspirant for Ogbadibo Constituency in Zone C for the Benue State House of Assembly on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has narrated how she was stripped naked during the primary election in her state.

Ogwuche, who spoke to NAN, said the election was marred by irregularities.

She accused her opponents of using thugs to intimidate and harrass her as well as her supporters during the September 29 election, alleging that they carried out the action because she is female.

Her words: “Before we went into the stadium where the primary election took place, my agent, my coordinators and some key persons in my campaign team were threatened.

“Some thugs were looking for my agent Adolowu Lawani, while a few of them walked straight to the vice-chairman of my ward and the women leader and told them that they will chop off their fingers if they voted for me; they were threatened right there outside the stadium when they were on the queue.

“The thugs went as far as warning my campaign coordinator; I was standing with him but they never knew I was the lady aspirant. They even mentioned the name of the leader of their group, and said that he sent them to warn him, and at this point I began to fear for my life and everything.

“When we went inside, we discovered that the delegate list had been changed. The list that was used was not the original list sent from Abuja which they used for the governorship.

“Also, when it was the turn of Ogbadibo delegates cast their votes, I heard the leader of the party in the local government, Chris Adabba Abba, saying he was going to stand as the agent of my opponent and that everyone should not vote by themselves but hand the ballot to him to write on behalf of all. At this point, I sensed the process had been hijacked, because, as our leader, he has undue influence on the delegates.

“To make good his plans, he (Abba) stood as the agent of my opponent and was snatching ballot papers from delegates to write the name of the aspirant who is his cousin. And when my agent (Lawani) raised observation and confronted him, he threatened to slap him, and the whole situation became chaotic and the electoral officers threatened to suspend the process.

“I saw a large crowd gather against my agent and I got closer, I saw some boys hitting him and before I knew it, they pounced on me; they beat me up mercilessly, tore my clothes and stripped me naked in public right there in the stadium. They also punched my eyes and pulled my hair.

“This was what I faced. All these bullying, harassment and intimidation, just because some people feel more entitled to hold this position than myself. This is unacceptable. I’m calling on all authorities out there and good Nigerians to look into this situation. This cannot continue to go on; the ill-treatment against female folk must stop and this is where it stops."

However, Hon. Idoko Ojo, alias Ojotu, Chairman of Aiodo Ward 1, where Ogwuche comes from, held a different view on the conduct of the primary.

He said: “On that fateful day, our party delegates voted peacefully and there was no form of violence, harassment or intimidation.

“Our people respect the zoning arrangements existing in our constituency a lot; that was why some of us advised Aida to wait till it gets to the turn of our own district to go to the House of Assembly, but she refused. She kept thinking that she could do magic to win but the reality was that she lost out."

He also alleged he was being threatened by suspected cultists, who he claimed were sent by the aspirant to recover the money she gave to delegates during the primary election.

“I got a phone call by an unknown caller and I asked to know the identity of the person. But he told me not to bother about his name. He asked me if I was ‘Ojotu’ and I said yes. He said he was directed to arrange all the money that Aida gave to me and send back to him.”

According to Ojo, when he insisted on putting Aida on a conference call, the caller refused and instead asked that he be given time to call Aida and get back to him.

He continued: “He called me back after about 30 minutes to inform that Aida was angry that I didn’t vote for her despite coming from her ward. I told him that this is politics and in our place we respect zoning. And since it was not our turn, we cannot support her.

“I advised her before the election to retrace her steps, work for the party and wait for the turn of our people and that by the law of natural justice, we will reciprocate by supporting her but all these advise fell on deaf ears."

Also speaking on the matter, Lawrence Oko, Chairman of Owukpa Ehaje Ward 2, in a telephone interview with NAN vowed to take legal action against Ogwuche if she continued to accuse party leaders in the area.

He said: “I am compelled to say that the zoning arrangement did not favour her constituency, because the incumbent legislator is from her ward, so, it greatly affected her chances in the election.

“She polled 52 votes, while Peter Enemari who was eventually declared the winner, garnered 79 votes. There was no form of protests, crisis, disputes or violence over the outcome and that was why we were shocked when she complained about the outcome of the election at the PDP National Secretariat and was also going to the media to tarnish the image of our party.

“She massively doled out cash to lure some of the delegates to vote for her and I believe that was where her problem started because she tried to collect the money back from those whom she felt disappointed her.”

He, however, noted that efforts had been made to resolve the issue with Ogwuche family members.

Also, PDP Woman Leader in Ogbadibo Local Government Area, Hon. Eloyi Onekele, dismissed Ogwuche’s claim.

She said: “How can she claim that a fake delegate list was used for the election, whereas it was the same delegate list that was used for governorship, Senate and House of Representatives primary elections.

“It is also good for our party leaders and indeed, the general public to know that both the Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly primaries were held at the same venue, same time and concurrently for six out of the nine Local Government Areas that make up Zone C. So, there is no basis for anybody to believe Ogwuche’s allegation that a fake delegate list was used for the election."

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Aida-Nath Ogwuche NAN

Aida-Nath Ogwuche, a female aspirant for Ogbadibo Constituency in Zone C for the Benue State House of Assembly on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has narrated how she was stripped naked during the primary election in her state.

Ogwuche, who spoke to NAN, said the election was marred by irregularities.

She accused her opponents of using thugs to intimidate and harrass her as well as her supporters during the September 29 election, alleging that they carried out the action because she is female.

Her words: “Before we went into the stadium where the primary election took place, my agent, my coordinators and some key persons in my campaign team were threatened.

“Some thugs were looking for my agent Adolowu Lawani, while a few of them walked straight to the vice-chairman of my ward and the women leader and told them that they will chop off their fingers if they voted for me; they were threatened right there outside the stadium when they were on the queue.

“The thugs went as far as warning my campaign coordinator; I was standing with him but they never knew I was the lady aspirant. They even mentioned the name of the leader of their group, and said that he sent them to warn him, and at this point I began to fear for my life and everything.

“When we went inside, we discovered that the delegate list had been changed. The list that was used was not the original list sent from Abuja which they used for the governorship.

“Also, when it was the turn of Ogbadibo delegates cast their votes, I heard the leader of the party in the local government, Chris Adabba Abba, saying he was going to stand as the agent of my opponent and that everyone should not vote by themselves but hand the ballot to him to write on behalf of all. At this point, I sensed the process had been hijacked, because, as our leader, he has undue influence on the delegates.

“To make good his plans, he (Abba) stood as the agent of my opponent and was snatching ballot papers from delegates to write the name of the aspirant who is his cousin. And when my agent (Lawani) raised observation and confronted him, he threatened to slap him, and the whole situation became chaotic and the electoral officers threatened to suspend the process.

“I saw a large crowd gather against my agent and I got closer, I saw some boys hitting him and before I knew it, they pounced on me; they beat me up mercilessly, tore my clothes and stripped me naked in public right there in the stadium. They also punched my eyes and pulled my hair.

“This was what I faced. All these bullying, harassment and intimidation, just because some people feel more entitled to hold this position than myself. This is unacceptable. I’m calling on all authorities out there and good Nigerians to look into this situation. This cannot continue to go on; the ill-treatment against female folk must stop and this is where it stops."

However, Hon. Idoko Ojo, alias Ojotu, Chairman of Aiodo Ward 1, where Ogwuche comes from, held a different view on the conduct of the primary.

He said: “On that fateful day, our party delegates voted peacefully and there was no form of violence, harassment or intimidation.

“Our people respect the zoning arrangements existing in our constituency a lot; that was why some of us advised Aida to wait till it gets to the turn of our own district to go to the House of Assembly, but she refused. She kept thinking that she could do magic to win but the reality was that she lost out."

He also alleged he was being threatened by suspected cultists, who he claimed were sent by the aspirant to recover the money she gave to delegates during the primary election.

“I got a phone call by an unknown caller and I asked to know the identity of the person. But he told me not to bother about his name. He asked me if I was ‘Ojotu’ and I said yes. He said he was directed to arrange all the money that Aida gave to me and send back to him.”

According to Ojo, when he insisted on putting Aida on a conference call, the caller refused and instead asked that he be given time to call Aida and get back to him.

He continued: “He called me back after about 30 minutes to inform that Aida was angry that I didn’t vote for her despite coming from her ward. I told him that this is politics and in our place we respect zoning. And since it was not our turn, we cannot support her.

“I advised her before the election to retrace her steps, work for the party and wait for the turn of our people and that by the law of natural justice, we will reciprocate by supporting her but all these advise fell on deaf ears."

Also speaking on the matter, Lawrence Oko, Chairman of Owukpa Ehaje Ward 2, in a telephone interview with NAN vowed to take legal action against Ogwuche if she continued to accuse party leaders in the area.

He said: “I am compelled to say that the zoning arrangement did not favour her constituency, because the incumbent legislator is from her ward, so, it greatly affected her chances in the election.

“She polled 52 votes, while Peter Enemari who was eventually declared the winner, garnered 79 votes. There was no form of protests, crisis, disputes or violence over the outcome and that was why we were shocked when she complained about the outcome of the election at the PDP National Secretariat and was also going to the media to tarnish the image of our party.

“She massively doled out cash to lure some of the delegates to vote for her and I believe that was where her problem started because she tried to collect the money back from those whom she felt disappointed her.”

He, however, noted that efforts had been made to resolve the issue with Ogwuche family members.

Also, PDP Woman Leader in Ogbadibo Local Government Area, Hon. Eloyi Onekele, dismissed Ogwuche’s claim.

She said: “How can she claim that a fake delegate list was used for the election, whereas it was the same delegate list that was used for governorship, Senate and House of Representatives primary elections.

“It is also good for our party leaders and indeed, the general public to know that both the Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly primaries were held at the same venue, same time and concurrently for six out of the nine Local Government Areas that make up Zone C. So, there is no basis for anybody to believe Ogwuche’s allegation that a fake delegate list was used for the election."

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Professor Yemi Osinbajo (GCON)
Vice President,
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Abuja,
Nigeria

Your Excellency Sir,

Re: How Religious, Political Leaders Stall Fight Against Corruption

Sir, at the Nigerian Economic Summit plenary on corruption and rule of law earlier in the week, you claimed that political and religious leaders always beg you whenever you  want to sack a public officer ‘guilty’ of corruption.

This is a serious issue.

Once pronounced guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, doesn’t sack come automatically? Are you confessing to been complicit in entrenching and deodorising corrupt elements?
Anyway, that’s beside the point and I shall be very brief and concise.

Sir, sometime in the month of May 2017, Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was to be investigated by the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission for alleged misappropriation of N6 billion of the Kano Emirate Council, your name popped out of a national newspaper that you, alongside other notable APC leaders begged Governor Ganduje and the Kano State House of Assembly to halt the aforementioned probe.

Sir, you are a religious leader and the Vice President of Nigeria, how come your name was mentioned by Ganduje?

Were you therefore referring to yourself sir?

Why will a religious leader quash a probe involving N6 billion and come out to accuse others of the same offence?

I would end my lines here.

Yours faithfully,
Ettu Mohammed

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Time, grand old mischievous master, has played its trick on us again. The wheel of day-day routine has turned full circle giving us cause to cheer and celebrate our own ‘Fisayo  Soyombo.

Therefore, drum roll, bring out the maracas, sound the bugle for the assemblage of army of accomplished journalists scattered across the country, unfurl the red carpet, all for ‘Fisayo Soyombo, who is a year older today.

Mr Fisayo has paid his dues in journalism. He started from scratch and rose through the ranks of journalism. The trajectory of his journalistic career can be traced from his days as a stringer at The Guardian Nigeria, to his years at Harpostrope Limited, The Jobmag, The Will and The Flair as news editor. He moved to the Cable and ICIR to serve as Editor.

He is a leader worth his salt. The managing editor of SaharaReporters radiates a kind of affectionate warmth in which everyone around him will love to bask in because it puts them at ease.He radiates a kind of affectionate warmth in which everyone around him will love to bask in, because it puts them at ease. He is neither bossy nor dictatorial. He is a wonderful motivator; every task well executed gets a ‘thank you’ from him and every request is politely made. However, you will be seriously mistaken to think he is lax, for he does not condone indolence and all manner of perfunctoriness. He abhors halfhearted approaches to work. No wonder he is a firm believer in the Biblical dictum ‘enshrined’ in Ecclesiastes 9: 10 — “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might”.  He has called himself a perfectionist a number of times and he, indeed, is. Not that he has hit the mark, but his gaze is unwaveringly fastened on it; he knows what it looks like and strives for it.

A journalist of 14 years — or thereabouts — standing and multiple award winner. A visit to the internet will bear this claim out. Thank God the world, courtesy of the internet, has been reduced, literally, to the size of a fist. Just input his name to the google bar and the sheer number of awards and journalistic exploits to his credit that will pop up will take your breath away. Almost every year, his name makes it to the list of young journalists or media practitioners making waves in Nigeria and even Africa at large. On the strength of his achievement in his chosen career, he is already on the launch pad of immortality; he has carved a niche for himself. And when you remember he is not 40 yet, you cannot but doff your hat. Yet, he has refused to rest on his laurels or let his achievements go to his head.

He is an epitome of humility. What manner of man will, every morning, while resuming to work make the news room, the habitat of his subordinates, his first port of call to say hi before heading for his office to settle down to the day’s work? An ardent Liverpool fan, he doesn’t consider it demeaning to taunt a subordinate who is a fan of another club about their last night’s woeful performance or be made the butt of playful and decent ridicule over Liverpool’s costly loss. He is not averse to banters with his subordinates too. Who does that except a man who marches to the beat of his own drum? This is a pleasant but unconventional leadership style, especially in a generation that erroneously defines being a boss as looking down your nose at your subordinates and turning them into a doormat with which you wipe your soiled soles. Mr ‘Fisayo is a different kettle of fish; he is a sensitive and solicitous manager and not a slave driver. But he does not suffer fools gladly; he knows when to put his foot down. The ability to strike a balance between assertiveness and fellow feeling is a reflection of his maturity.

‘Fisayo is a workaholic. He is one of the few people blessed with boundless, vital, responsive and irrepressible energy. His passion for journalism borders on obsession. Consumed with the passion for the profession, he has refused to use the intercom in his office. When there is a piece of news to break, he covers the distance separating his office and the newsroom in his accustomed purposeful stride, opens the door to the newsroom to announce, with a tone of urgency in his voice, 'Breaking!'. How he has managed to do this consistently for many years without buckling under the strain of the arduous task is beyond me.

Though Journalism is the profession ‘Fisayo is enamoured of, Investigative Journalism is his province. This is a branch of journalism that demands unerring meticulousness and abhors dithering. And nothing reflects this better than the way he couches his prose. His style relies more on the careful use of the apt words rather than on barrages of hit-and-miss verbiage. His style reminds you of the old veterans in the field; it is a blend of Ray Ekpu’s crispness and Dan Agbese’s choppiness. A prose as beautiful and delicious as the mind that churns it out. We call him a fantastic writer for want of a better description.

Happy birthday, Mr ‘Fisayo. May the Divine guide you in everything that has to do with choice. May you never choose amiss. May the magnitude of your success confound your detractors, may they be left in the slip-stream of your greatness. The wine of life is full-bodied, may you not be tempted to take a gulp and take a hasty exit; may you drink the wine of life to the dregs. May you live life to the lees. Once gain, happy birth day my boss. Do have a blast.

Kolawole Ojebisi can be reached via lordlarry2013@gmail.com

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