Has the APC stepped into a booby trap at its Convention?
It was a shocking abrupt and complete reversal of the advertised and evident position when actual voting did not take place in many instances, despite ballot boxes being lined up and properly marked for commencement of the voting procedure, which was announced many times by comperes at Eagle Square, Abuja, while emphasizing how the over 7000 delegates at the much-anticipated 2022 national convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would vote. The order of the day (or night) was obvious to all in attendance, as the voting area was clearly marked out and cordoned off with clear signage indicating where delegates from various states were expected to cast ballots for their preferred candidates in the APC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) election.
“The election of members of a political party’s executive committee or other governing body, including the election to fill a vacant position in any of the aforesaid bodies, shall be conducted in a democratic manner, allowing all members of the party or duly elected delegates to vote in support of a candidate of their choice,” says Section 82(3) of the Electoral Law.
President Muhammadu Buhari arrived more than six hours after his scheduled arrival time of 3:15 p.m. when the convention officially began. Political analysts attributed this to the time and effort required to reach an agreement on all of the posts up for grabs at the convention. However, many dissenting voices managed to rise above the Governor of Jigawa State, Abubakar Badaru’s flat monotone, as he affirmed the election of candidates through a voice vote, beginning with the office of the APC’s National Chairman, which is now occupied by Senator Abdullahi Adamu, a former governor of Nasarawa State.
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Although Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule fought hard for the APC national chairmanship to return to his home state, he chose his predecessor, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, who was an early starter in the contest. Adamu was completely absent from the scene. His newfound enthusiasm looked to be part of a well-coordinated strategy by a faction of the nation to impose an agenda in order to keep power. In the fourth quarter of last year, he was appointed to lead the APC’s National Reconciliation Committee. Unlike other candidates for the position, Adamu had the benefit of not having to spend his own money on that job, which was paid by the APC’s National Secretariat. He was marketing himself as he went throughout the nation on that assignment. When he finally made his intentions public, he was able to establish the required relationships, allowing him to identify himself as a “bridge builder.”
Adamu, in stark contrast to the persona he professes to embody, is not recognized for forging bonds across countries, cultures, or faiths, or for assisting in the improvement of communications. Rather, around the time he was charged with reuniting disgruntled APC members, Adamu, who represented Nasarawa West in the Senate until his recent election as APC National Chairman, demonstrated blatant antagonism to the country’s southern region. He famously said that the Southern region’s expectation that the presidency will be assigned to them in 2023 was wishful thinking.
President Buhari, who was instrumental in Adamu’s emergence through coercion, which is being coloured as respect for Mr. President, has been accused by the opposition of promoting a Northern agenda. He may have perfected a plan to have a Northerner succeed him, whether from the APC or the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Buhari also stepped in and appointed Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni as Chairman of the party’s Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) for a six-month period, which was extended to 18 months—a period snatched from a Southerner, Adams Oshiomhole—and allowed to run until the Southerner’s term was effectively over.
It didn’t matter how many people rejected the CECPC since it was a contraption that was not recognized under the APC’s laws. They were browbeaten into dropping their lawsuit against the party in court.
While it might be argued that the APC is taking a different path, it is widely assumed that the governing party is following in the footsteps of the major opposition, the PDP, by appointing its National Chairman from the North Central. The APC’s next move to further its great Northern agenda is to open up its presidential election to candidates from all regions of the nation. If the party is unable to field a northern presidential candidate, it will accept a northern PDP presidential candidate, especially if the opposition presidential candidate is Alhaji Atiku Abubakar or Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State.
Disagreeing with this assumption, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, a constitutional lawyer based in Abuja, a campaigner for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to become President in 2023, stated the party is “very wary about every aspect of the Electoral Act 2022.”
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“For the governing party, dread of every provision of the Act is the beginning of wisdom; I have the luxury of knowing that an Adhoc compliance team was put up to monitor all of their actions and omissions before to and during the convention.” Political appointees, for example, were denied the right to vote, and some were even removed from official positions. Some people in Ondo State and other states, for example, were told to leave their positions. Those who ran for office had to provide an acknowledgment of their resignation letter stating that they were no longer a political appointee. To be honest, I feel justified as I slate the party’s leadership for upholding the rule of law.”
“On the subject of consensus, all the positions were properly contended for since there are votes and resolution even when there is no opposition,” Ajulo said, “Those who withdrew were requested to come with a fully signed letter of withdrawal and or come to the podium for open declaration.” It’s going to be a better day, and it’s a positive sign for democracy.”
He was apparently unaware of other scenarios, like as the one in which Adie Ferdinand Atsu, a Cross River State competitor, denounced Barrister Alphonsus Eba Ogar “and his irresponsible statements concerning my resignation from the run for Deputy National Welfare Secretary.” He didn’t speak on my behalf or with my permission.”
Barrister (Mrs.) Helen Boco Effiom also said that she did not withdraw her candidacy for any candidate. “We’ve come to have his Grace vote for us.” Please dismiss any rumors that are circulating.”
“Without the aspirants’ permission.” In APC Cross River State, this is just another new low. The mindset of “they don’t matter” has grown out of control. Our Chairman couldn’t even convene a meeting with all those who purchased forms to peacefully align CRS viewpoints, as many other states did. Right, he thought he could simply stroll in and play a clever one. “It doesn’t operate that that; this is democracy,” exclaimed another vehement APC national convention delegate from Cross River State.
Badaru, the Jigawa governor tasked with announcing the results of the convention’s competitions, merely read from a piece of paper in his palm, each time stating, “Those in favor say ‘ayes,’ and without waiting for a response, proclaimed his decision, “the ayes have it!”
The whole APC national convention was broadcast live on television, giving enough proof for anybody who wishes to challenge it in court.
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Mr. Tonye Princewill, an APC leader from Rivers State, feels that democracy was not repressed, but rather fostered, during the conference. “Time will tell whether this is a booby trap or not,” he says. My impression is that the APC is a law-abiding party, and that we will not run into brick walls as the PDP leadership did while they were in office. Consensus is a legally recognized alternative, and the methods that lead to it are well-established. The post of National Vice Chairman South was voted for when Magnus Abe’s man refused to resign, and Worgu Boms was brutally defeated.”
What God’ll do to Putin, President Zelensky over continuing crisis between Russia and Ukraine – Primate Ayodele
Primate Elijah Ayodele, the leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has said that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not cease the conflict in Ukraine.
Putin will not end the conflict until God arrests him, according to Primate Ayodele.
He said that Putin will continue to agitate the globe with the ongoing conflict, which has lasted more than a month.
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The pastor made the remarks at a church service yesterday, according to Oluwatosin Osho, his Media Aide.
Ayodele also warned that the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, would be targeted for assassination.
He did say, however, that Zelensky will be saved by God and that he should not give up.
“Putin will not step down; he will continue to cause havoc in the globe until he is apprehended by God.”
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“An effort will be made to assassinate Ukraine’s president, but God will defend him; he must not yield.” Ukraine will have an influence on Putin, causing him to be perplexed,” Primate Ayodele said.
The conflict in Ukraine has been going on for nearly a month.
Father demands justice for his son, who was allegedly killed by soldiers
David Adekunle, an estate agent in Ilesa, has expressed his sorrow over the loss of his son, Yinka Adekunle, who died at the Nigerian Army Infantry Battalion Barracks, Ibodi, Ilesa.
Adekunle has previously said that his car dealer son had been tortured to death by battalion troops.
“My 37-year-old only son, Yinka, was having a good time at a beer parlor with his two buddies when a heated altercation broke out between them and two soldiers in mufti,” he said.
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“The troops allegedly summoned a colleague, who arrived and captured one of them, while Yinka and the other managed to flee the scene, leaving his car.”
“My son then phoned the troops, who allegedly requested him to come to their barracks in Ibodi with 50,000 naira to bail his automobile.”
“On arriving to the barracks, on my son’s offer to come and bail him out,” Adekunle recounted. The troops at the entrance directed me to go visit him at the Ayeso police station. I was sent to the Wesley guild hospital from the police station.”
Adekunle, who said he was startled to find his son’s motionless corpse on a mortuary slab, further called on the military to examine the circumstances surrounding the heinous crime and prosecute those responsible for the extrajudicial assassination.
He requested that the barracks’ commanding officer be held accountable for the horrible act.
He said that his son’s buddy, who was reportedly tortured in the same way, is presently in critical condition at an unidentified hospital’s emergency unit.
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Lieutenant Tobi Adedapo, the Commanding Officer of the Infantry Barracks, refuted the claim, calling it “unfounded and untrue.”
N544m contract fraud charges against ex-SGF, Babachir Lawal unnecessary – EFCC witness admits in court
In the ongoing trial of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Dr Babachir Lawal, a witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confessed that the purported N544 million contract fraud accusations against the defendant were completely unjustified.
Dare Folarin, a witness, told a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja that the accusations against Lawal should have been dismissed as soon as the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) certified that a contract award to Rholavision Engineering Company had been approved.
He stated that the Bureau of Public Procurement, which approved the deal that led to the defendant’s indictment, never suggested that the transaction be investigated by the EFCC.
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The witness testified during cross-examination by Chief Akin Olujimi SAN that the anti-graft agency should not have gone any further after the BPP verified providing sanction to the contract under the emergency procurement process to save the people of the North East.
Folarin, an EFCC operative, admitted, like other witnesses in the trial, that Babachir Lawal was not a member of the Ministerial Tenders Board established by President Muhammadu Buhari as part of the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE), and that his role as SGF was to formulate policy and be notified of the board’s report.
The witness, on the other hand, stated that he did not recall Babachir Lawal telling him that he had never suggested any business to PINE for contract award.
He also told the court that he had no recollection of being told by the defendant that he stopped working for Rholavision Engineering Company as soon as he was appointed as SGF.
The EFCC witness further testified that he did not recall Lawal telling him throughout the inquiry that he was unaware of any contract award to Rholavision Company and that he (defendant) learned of the contract award during the Senate ad-hoc probe.
“I am aware that over the course of the inquiry, the Bureau of Public Procurement BPP confessed to have provided permission for the contract award because to the PINE Ministerial Tenders Board’s lack of protest to the proposal.”
The witness said, “I am also aware that the BPP did not recommend an inquiry to the EFCC on the alleged abuse of office and procurement violation.”
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Meanwhile, Justice Charles Agbaza has scheduled a hearing on the case for March 31 and April 1, 2022.
Yahaya Bello: All Concerns Have Been Addressed at APC Convention
Yahaya Bello, the governor of Kogi State, has said that all reservations over the result of the recently ended All Progressives Congress (APC) convention have been suitably handled.
On Monday, Governor Bello claimed this while appearing as a guest on a talk show.
All schisms and discontents inside the governing party have been smoothed out, according to Bello, who also said that the APC remains unified under President Muhammadu Buhari’s leadership. According to him, the convention’s decision has put an end to all agitations before to the gathering.
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“You would have witnessed a rancorous convention if the agitations or worries had not been placed to rest, or even addressed,” Bello remarked.
“There are a lot of worries, agitations, and expectations, which is to be anticipated from a major party like ours; after all, we now have over 41 million people with their PVC as members of our great party, and this is a party to beat.”
“Such concerns will always be expected, but you can see how we conducted ourselves at the convention, very joyfully; elaborately we conducted the convention, and everybody, those who needed to step down in the interest of the party in respect for our leader – President Muhammadu Buhari – stepped down, and we had a very successful convention by the special grace of God.”
The governor also said that the APC is stronger than it has ever been, owing to the leadership that was chosen over the weekend.
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Senator Abdullahi Adamu, the new APC Chairman, was praised by him as a parent, with the necessary experience and understanding to effectively handle the operations of the governing party as another election year approaches.
Terrorists attack Niger villages, killing number of villagers, kidnap priest and others
Terrorists stormed various communities in Munya Local Government Area of Niger State between Sunday afternoon and early Monday morning, killing an unknown number of residents.
The terrorists also seized a Catholic priest, Rev. Leo Raphael Ozigi, and several clerics who were returning to Minna after a Sunday service in one of the settlements when they were ambushed by the militants.
This is despite the fact that the terrorists have apparently established a camp in Kuchi town.
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The bandits are said to have raided Chibani, Injita, Tsohon Kabula Jesso, Gini, and Gunu.
According to the evidence, the shooters rode on more than 50 motorbikes, all of which were equipped with sophisticated weapons.
It was later discovered that they had barricaded the bridge connecting the local government area with Shiroro Local Government, from whence they operated.
The Catholic priest and several priests ran into the shooters when they were on the bridge, which led to their kidnapping.
The terrorists traveled to Chibane, where they set up camp and conducted assaults on the neighborhoods, according to information obtained from the bridge.
According to an eyewitness, they smashed through many doors, robbed food barns and businesses, and made off with various products.
He said that, despite the presence of a military and other security installations at Sarkinpawa, the local government’s headquarters, there was no counter-offensive against the terrorists.
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Mr. James Jagaba, the Secretary of Munya Local Government, confirmed the event in a telephone conversation on Monday, adding the terrorists had been working undisturbed for many hours and “even now they are still there.”
“No one can tell you how many people have already been slain or abducted.” Jagaba remarked, “All I know is that there are casualties.”
When reached, Mr. Emmanuel Umar, the Commissioner for Local Government and Internal Security, acknowledged the occurrence and said a statement will be released shortly.
Rev. Mathias Echioda, the state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, verified the kidnapping of the Catholic priest and others.
Tension In Imo Community As Unknown Gunmen Attack Police Station, Injure Two Officers
Unidentified gunmen stormed the Otoko Divisional Police Headquarters in the Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State on Monday morning, injuring two policemen.
On the Owerri – Umuahia Express Road, the police Divisional Headquarters is located.
According to villagers, the onslaught began at 3 a.m. and continued for many hours.
They went on to say that the shooters were repulsed and that they were unable to gain entrance to the police station’s premises.
The police officers who were hurt were brought to an unnamed hospital for treatment.
The attack is the most recent in a series of terror attacks in Imo state.
Residents have been targeted by gunmen in recent months, who have spared no security personnel.
Osinbajo meets Obasanjo in Ogun
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo met in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, on Monday.
According to reports, Osinbajo traveled to Ogun State for a high-level meeting hosted by the African Dialogue Coalition (CoDA).
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On Monday and Tuesday, the conversation titled “West Africa: Rising To The Challenge Of Consolidating Democratic Governance” would take place at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta.
Osinbajo’s helicopter arrived on the grounds of the OOPL at precisely 10:24 a.m.
Osinbajo was subsequently met by Obasanjo as they headed to the site prepared for the meeting, escorted by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and others.