18042021 - Ex-Gov Aliyu Lied, not all northern govs worked against Jonathan in 2015

More documents

Recommendations

Info

PAGE 4—SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 18, 2021 Agitators for Yoruba self-determination led by Prof. Banji Akintoye during their protest in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, yesterday. Photo: Dare Fasube By Adeola Badru Hundreds of agitators under the aegis of ‘Ilana Omo Oodua,’ yesterday, occupied the streets of Ibadan, Oyo State capital, seeking self-determination for the Yoruba nation. The group, in a peaceful rally against what they described as the prevailing injustice and biases in the country, insisted that there was no going back on their demand for the creation of the Oduduwa Republic. They gave the “two tiers of government” 120 days within which to address contentious issues in the country. The protesters, which comprised various Yoruba groups, converged in front of the ancient Mapo Hall, under the leadership of Prof. Banji Akintoye. Scores of security personnel were stationed at strategic points around the venue to prevent hoodlums from hijacking the peaceful rally Ṫhe rally, which was billed to start around 9am, could not hold until about two hours later, due to the presence of the heavily armed security personnel who prevented protesters from gaining entrance into the Mapo Hall venue of the event. Undeterred, the protesters later converged in front of Mapo Hall where they declared that the Yoruba nation has had enough of the burdens of the marriage of inconvenience in the country. According to some of the protesters, the agitation for sovereignty followed the From left: (Front Row): North-West Regional Education Officer, Sterling Bank PLC, Linda Okafor (2nd left); North-West Regional Manager, Sterling Bank PLC, Ibrahim Salihi; Director Dutse Commercial Secondary School, Malam Abdulmumini Jibrin; North-West Regional Business Executive, Umar Baba in a group picture with other members of staff of the bank and staff of Dutse Commercial Secondary School in Takur during the Global Money Week event held in Dutse, Jigawa State. SELF-DETERMINATION: Yoruba agitators storm Ibadan, warn against 2023 polls … want issues addressed in 120 days •We are in support of struggle - YCE nited Nigeria Airline Uhas airlifted more than 25,000 passengers within two months of commencing flight operations after getting clearance from the civil aviation regulator, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA. The Chairman, United Nigeria Airline, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, who spoke with Aviation reporters in Lagos, said: “We are hoping to in- claims that the Nigerian Constitution had not been effective in the smooth running of the country’s affairs. Among others, they listed alleged ethnic imbalance, lop-sided appointments into public offices, insensitivity of the present leadership of the country to the increasing waves of banditry, kidnapping, raping and killing of the people of the South-West region, as part of their grievances. The protesters also said that they had lost faith and confidence in the country’s leadership and the electoral process, declaring that conducting the 2023 elections would amount to nothing but an exercise in futility. Elections One of the notable leaders at the rally, Bashorun Kunle Adesokan, noted that it was time for the Yoruba race to have a country of its own.. He said: “Yoruba have suffered enough. We are not in support of the 2023 elections. We are telling the politicians not to contest. They After months of expec tation, the Bayelsa State-owned airport, yesterday, finally got the nod of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to commence commercial flight operations. The NCAA Director General, Dr. Nuhu Musa, presented the regulatory body’s approval letter to an elated Governor Douye Diri in Government House, Yenagoa, after the team should not contest in order not to waste their money, because we will not allow the Yoruba to participate in the elections.” During a press conference shortly after the rally in his house at New Bodija, Ibadan, Akintoye said, having allotted 120 days to the two tiers of government in Nigeria for consultations and engagements with the issues raised by the NINAS Constitutional Force Majeure Proclamation of December 16,2020, the group has declared a 120-day period of consultations commencing April 17,2021, with the Peoples of the Alliance Territories with dedicated sessions for various segments of the Nigerian and the international community. The Chairman of the Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-determination (NNAS), whose address was read by Otunba Shade Olukoya, Treasurer, Ilana Omo Oodua and Chairman ,Steering Committee of NINAS, said: “NINAS offers the framework for activating this de facto governance imperative which begins with providing clear directions to our traumatised peoples and relating to the international community on their behalf. “NINAS knows and hereby alerts the Peoples of the Alliance Territories, that the mad rush of the caliphate and its agents across Nigeria, to drag Nigeria to another round of national elections under the 1999 Constitution, informed by the Caliphate ‘s desperation to somehow resuscitate that Constitution in the sense that if, instead of taking down the 1999 Constitution forthwith (which is well now with the Constitutional force majeure),we (the Alliance) go for Elections under that Constitution, we will invariably give a fresh lease of life to that Constitution whereas if we pressing on as we are already doing right now, by rejecting further any national elections (2023 in particular) under the 1999 Constitution, that Constitution will be dismantled, decommissioned and jetitioned inside the first half of 2021, paving the way immediately for transitioning, referendums and emergence of successor-constitutional arrangements. “Having allotted a total of 120 days to the two tiers of government in Nigeria for consultations and engagements with the issues raised by the NINAS Constitutional Force Majeure Proclamation of December 16,2020. .NINAS hereby declares a 120-day period of consultations commencing April 17,2021, with the Peoples of the Alliance Territories with dedicated sessions for various segments of the Nigerian Society, the diplomatic community and the international community.. “Let it be known that upon the completion of this first final round of consultations, mid-August 2021, should the demands of the Constitutional force majeure (CFM) remain unaddressed , NINAS shall proceed most expeditiously with the Activation of Reconsideration of Allegiance to the repudiated 1999 Constitution and commence processes of the orderly interment of that Constitution within the context of the self-determination imperative for the Constituent Nationalities Components of Nigeria.” The group berated a former presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati, for describing self-determination campaign as treason. ‘Worthwhile cause’ In the same vein, the Secretary-General of the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), Dr. Kunle Olajide, described the self-determination struggle as a worthwhile cause. In an interview with Sunday Vanguard, Olajide said the struggle is a legitimate NCAA approves commercial flight operations at Bayelsa Airport completed the mandatory inspection of the airport and its facilities. Musa said the airport met all airspace standards By Marie-Therese Nanlong Vice-Chancellor of Tthe University of Jos, Professor Sebastian Maim- United Nigeria Airline airlifts 25,000 passengers s within 2 months crease our air fleet very soon. We are looking at the next couple of months, 2-3 months. A lot of plans are already on the way. We have been happy so far with the responses we have been getting from the market.” He also said the medium term plan of the airline is to consolidate on the domestic operations while planning the expansion into the West African sub-region. and is one hundred per cent ready for daytime flight operations. The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. UniJos VC tasks would-be successor on staf aff f welfare, security On the choice of aircraft type, Embraer ERJ145, he said it was the best for the airline and convenient to build routes and give passengers the quality service they deserve. Dr. Okonkwo said: “We did a thorough and due diligence before we embraced Embraer. The fuel saving capacity is an advantage, the passenger load which is 50 is an advantage.” ako, has tasked his wouldbe successor to brace up to the challenges of running the institution transparently, improve on the security and welfare of staff and students as well as improve on ICT and physical development in the institution. The tenure of Maimako will end in a few weeks and 18 aspirants have shown interest to succeed him. However, the list was trimmed to 13 candidates comprising of 12 males and one female, from within and outside the institution. He gave the charge on Thursday at an interactive session with candidates vying for the position of the VC organized by the institution’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU in collaboration with the institution’s Advancement Office to hear the plans the candidates have for the institution, its workforce and students. Represented by the Director, non-NUC programmes, Professor John Adeyongo, the outgoing VC urged the successful candidate to ensure that “training, the security and welfare of staff and students, physical development, ICT improvement, among others have to be looked into.” He reminded them that IPPIS does not capture contract staff hence the need to generate funds to pay them because they are very useful to the system. one, adding that the Yoruba have the right to demand self-determination. “We have no objection at all for our people justifiably asking for self-determination, as long as they they promised us as they have done, that they are going to get it without bloodshed. So, YCE has nothing against them”, he stated. “In fact, YCE is very unhappy with the state of the Nigeria nation, especially in the last five or six years. This administration has done a lot of damage. We have nothing against selfdetermination if we can have it without bloodshed. It is a legitimate right for Ilan Omo Oodua to demand Yoruba nation, so far they have promised us there will be no violence or bloodshed, because the country has been badly managed in the last five to six years. The situation has been polarised. Nobody really knows whether the President himself wants the country together or wants it to disintegrate. He has not addressed us to reassure us. So people asking for self - determination have every right to ask for it. “As elders, what we are emphasing is we do not want any violent dismantling of this republic. It is better for all of us to be together, but if it is going to be one superior ethnic group against the other, then we better go ablaze”. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the NCAA DG as saying that the approval was sequel to the report of the agency’s inspection team, which prior to the visit had certified that out of 29 gaps, the airport was able to close 26. Musa noted that other requirements were nonsafety related and that work was already in progress to achieve night flight operations. He said the agency had to limit flight operations to daytime as the runway lights were being installed, noting that once completed, full approval would be granted. Responding, Diri, who was full of joy, expressed appreciation to God for making the long-awaited day possible. Diri said issuing of the operational licence was a winding journey that began from the administration of his immediate past predecessor to when he assumed duty over a year ago.
SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 18, 2021, PAGE 5 Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi left), with the General Overseer, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor E.A. Adeboye, during the cleric’s visit to the Government House, Ado-Ekiti, yesterday. 2015: 5: Babangida Aliyu lied, not all northern govs s worked ed against t Jonathan—Ex-Gov Jang By Nnamdi Ojiego claim that all the 19 Tnorthern governors worked against former President Goodluck Jonathan during the 2015 presidential election, has been dismissed by a former governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang. A former governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, had said northern governors under the auspices of Northern Governors Forum, NGF, agreed to deliberately work against the second term bid of Jonathan. He said the decision was informed by what he described as Jonathan’s failure to honour an agreement he had with them in 2011. Aliyu explained that northern governors felt betrayed by Jonathan’s decision to run for a second term after agreeing not to contest in 2015. He added that the governors consequently resolved to ensure he didn’t return to power. Party According to him, “following the sudden passage of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua on May 5, 2010, the leadership of the then governing Peoples Democratic Party along with the state governors under the flagship of the party had series of meetings on the presidency and the future of our great party. “All the governors in the north under the PDP supported the then Vice-President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to complete the remaining years of Yar’Adua’s tenure and to contest the next presidential election as a sole candidate of our great party. However, midway, President Goodluck Jonathan insisted to run for the office in 2015 against the grain of our earlier agreement. “Since this was against the grain of our earlier agreement in the party, and which we the governors in the north felt the north would have been shortchanged if Jonathan had succeeded, we rose stoutly to insist on the agreement we all had. On that premise, we opposed Jonathan. But all along, Goodluck Jonathan had enjoyed every support from the governors in the north and the entire region.” The former Niger State governor is currently having a running battle with his state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He was earlier suspended by the party for allegedly engaging in anti-party activities. Aliyu was particularly accused of working against the PDP in 2015. It was while defending himself that he claimed the decision to work against Jonathan was collective. Lied By Peter Duru, Makurdi A family of four and three others were yesterday shot dead by suspected militia at Mbamondu community, Makurdi Modern Market Council Ward in Makurdi Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue State. The attackers also inflicted serious injuries on five others three out of which were said to be in critical conditions. An indigence of the community and the state Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals, Mr. Bernard Unenge, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard, explained that the attack was unprovoked. According to him, he got a call that his people were being attacked by suspected herdsmen militia and had to call on security operatives stationed around Adaka community who arrived after the killings. But reacting to the allegation by Aliyu, Jang, a member of the PDP, accused his former colleague of lying, saying he wasn’t a party to the alleged agreement. Jang said he believed Jonathan was better equipped to govern the country than President Muhammadu Buhari at the time. In a statement by his spokesman, Clinton Garuba, he said there was no basis for him not to have supported Jonathan, especially when the contest was against Buhari. The statement titled: Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu Lied, reads: “For the avoidance of doubt, despite the perceived shortcomings of President Goodluck Jonathan, Senator Jonah believed that Jonathan was better equipped to rule Nigeria at the time, especially when his opponent was General Buhari. “Jang did not hide his By Harris Emanuel uslim leaders, under Mthe aegis of South- South/South-East Muslim stakeholders, have accused some governors in the two geopolitical zones of sidelining them in the scheme of things despite their contribution to the economic growth of the zones. They said they have been marginalized in government patronage in terms of appointments and that their schools were completely bereft of teaching apparatus. These are contained in the The bride, Chinonye Valerie, flanked by her parents, family friends and relations at Maria Assumpta Cathedral Owerri after her wedding to Mr. Nnamdi Emelumba. On her far right is Prince Okey-Joe Onuakalusi followed by DIG Val Ntomchukwu (rtd), on her immediate left is Chief Inno Eloka, Chairman Clarion Shipping (WA) Ltd, next are her parents, Barr. & Lady Okwy Ejezie KSJI followed by Barr. K. O. P. Odidika, a chieftain of Aka Ikenga Lagos. conviction concerning Buhari’s inabilities to resolve the nation’s challenges and sensitivities of the issues at the moment. Unfortunately, Buhari won and we are all witnesses to the tales of woes. “Senator Jang is not one who speaks from both sides of his mouth, rather he speaks and supports only what he believes, little wonder Plateau was won by President Jonathan in the 2015 general election. It was largely due to the hard work of the then governor. “For emphasis sake, there was no basis for Dr. Jang not to have supported Dr. Jonathan especially when the contest was against General Buhari.” Recall that Jonathan lost to Buhari who won 54 percent of the votes on March 29, 2015. He was the first incumbent to lose an election since democracy returned to Nigeria in 1999. Suspected herdsmen kill family of four our, , three others s in Benue “It is heartrending and tragic because my people did not incite or provoke the attack. They came into my village, started shooting sporadically and when people were running out of their houses to flee for safety they shot and butchered them like animals”, the commissioner said, further stating that four of the people comprised of a father (70), his son and three grandchildren. In another development in the area, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS, reportedly neutralized five members of the militia and injured some during an exchange of fire. The militia were said to retreating from the Benue and Nasarawa border. According to a security source who spoke on condition of anonymity, troops of OPWS, backed by aerial support, chased the attackers as they retreated towards neighboring Nasarawa State. Benue State Police Command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Catherine Anene, who confirmed the attack, said a team of police officers had been deployed to the area to forestall further breakdown of law and order. Muslim leaders s accuse S/South, S/ East t governor vernors s of marginalization resolutions of an enlarged meeting held in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State Capital, signed by HRH, Eze Sheikh Abdul Fatah Emetumah and others. The leaders, however, commended the efforts of the Sultan of Sokoto in ensuring peace within the Islamic community and the nation at large. Meanwhile, they condemned, in strong terms, all acts of disunity among Muslims in the S/South and S/East and called on religious leaders to use their pulpits to preach peace and unity, instead of hate speeches. Mr. Lawrence Inyang and his wife, Loveth, during their traditional marriage ceremony held at Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State. Coca-Cola out with ‘Cash-4-Trash’ ash’ Initiative By Princewill Ekwujuru oca-Cola Nigeria has kicked off its Cash-4-Trash ini Ctiative for the advancement of Waste Management in Africa (W.A.S.T.E Africa) and Mental and Environmental Development Initiative for Children (MEDIC) at Badore Jetty, Lagos. Cash-4-Trash is a recycling scheme designed to empower communities while ensuring cleaner environments. This initiative will also be executed by leveraging cutting edge technology using the Pakam app, through which recyclers will request pick-up of plastic waste collected. With the continuous funding of recycling initiatives in Nigeria and smart waste collection, Coca-Cola continues to work towards its goal of building a world without waste. This development follows the official launch ceremony which was held in August 2020 where the philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company, Coca Cola Foundation partnered with W.A.S.T.E AFRICA to launch its novel “Cash 4 trash” initiative in 5 communities across Abuja, FCT. The initiative is targeted at promoting a waste-free world through waste recovery, recycling, and economic development. In her remarks, Director of Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability, Coca Cola Nigeria, Nwamaka Onyemelukwe said: “A greener environment remains a priority area for Coca-Cola as evidenced by the numerous initiatives launched and supported by The Coca-Cola Foundation. Uber drivers s begin strik trike in Lagos tomorrow By Bose Adelaja ard time appears to be awaiting commuters in La Hgos as over 20,000 E-Hailing drivers popularly known as Uber proposes to embark on an indefinite strike across the state beginning from tomorrow over poor service condition by their coordinating body identifies as Uber Nigeria and Bolt Nigeria. Speaking under the ages of Professional E-Hailing Drivers and Private Owners Association (PEDPA), the National President of the association, Comrade Idris Sonuga lamented that they had recorded over 15 deaths and no fewer than 20 of the members were missing while some are suffering permanent disabilities owing to injuries sustained at work, situations which he said the coordinating bodies never paid attention to.
Page 2 and 3: PAGE 2—SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 18,
Page 6 and 7: PAGE 6 —SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 18
Page 8 and 9: PAGE 8—SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 18,
Page 10 and 11: PAGE 10—SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 18
Page 12 and 13: PAGE 12 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL
Page 16 and 17: PAGE 16— SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 1
Page 20 and 21: PAGE 20—SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 18
Page 22 and 23: PAGE 22—SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 18
Page 30 and 31: PAGE 30 —SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 1
Page 32: SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 18, 2021 SEE

18042021 - Ex-Gov Aliyu Lied, not all northern govs worked against Jonathan in 2015

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?