Wait For Court To Decide On Nnamdi Kanu, Buhari Tells South East Leaders

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May 7, 2022

Domestic Airlines Set Date To Shutdown Operations

Nigerian airline operators have issued a notice that with effect from Monday, 9th May, they will shut down their operations due to the high cost of aviation fuel which has hit 700 naira per litre.

A statement issued and signed by all the airline operators yesterday advised the traveling public who intend to fly to make alternative arrangements to avoid being stranded at the country’s airports.

The statement read : ”It is with a great sense of responsibility and patriotism that the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have carried on deploying and subsidizing their services to our highly esteemed Nigerian flying public in the last four months despite the steady and astronomical hike in the price of JetA1 and other operating costs.”

“Overtime, aviation fuel price (JetA1) has risen from N190 per litre to N700 currently. No airline in the world can absorb this kind of sudden shock from such an astronomical rise over a short period. While aviation fuel worldwide is said to cost about 40% of an airline’s operating cost globally, the present hike has shut up Nigeria’s operating cost to about 95%. “.

” In the face of this, airlines have engaged the Federal Government, the National Assembly, NNPC and Oil Marketers with the view to bringing the cost of JetA1 down which has currently made the unit cost per seat for a one hour flight in Nigeria today to an average of N120,000. The latter cannot be fully passed to passengers who are already experiencing a lot of difficulties.”

“While AON appreciates the efforts of the current government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure air transport in Nigeria grows, unfortunately, the cost of aviation fuel has continued to rise unabated thereby creating huge pressure on the sustainability of operations and financial viability of the airlines. This is unsustainable and

the airlines can no longer absorb the pressure.”

“To this end therefore, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) hereby wishes to regrettably inform the general public that member airlines will discontinue operations nationwide with effect from Monday May 9, 2022 until further notice.”

“AON uses this medium to humbly state that we regret any inconveniences this very difficult decision might cause and

appeal to travelers to kindly reconsider their travel itinerary and make alternative arrangements”, Alhaji Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, President, AON advised.

Akpabio Vows To Tackle Pipeline Vandalisation, Oil Crimes If Elected President

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May 7, 2022

Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, has stated how he wishes to address the lingering issue of oil-related crimes in the Niger-Delta states including oil bunkering, illegal oil refining and vandalisation of pipelines.

The former two-term governor of Akwa Ibom State and immediate past Senate Minority Leader, stated this while speaking on his presidential ambition on Arise News on Friday, two days after declaring to join the 2023 presidential race at Ikot Ekpene Stadium in Akwa Ibom.

Akpabio who announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling APC three years ago, said his wealth of experience in the Niger Delta region as well as minister of the region’s affairs had sufficiently made him to be acquainted with the challenges of the oil-rich region and how to tackle oil-related crimes.

He said, “It’s always a question of what do we do to develop minorities of Nigeria, particularly the Niger-Delta region, and of course particularly the South-South region, where so much wealth is coming out but so little development was seen. And so people took to arms and struggled. A lot of developmental agencies failed because of one thing: corruption.

“So after sensitization, I would get the youth meaningfully employed. Because once you can get the youth meaningfully employed and then give them hope that their future is secure, I think they would stop all these things.”

Also speaking on zoning presidency, the minister said it would be better if the current status quo of zoning the position between the South and North was maintained.

He said, “The way we’re handling it is fantastic; we have the North and the South, let’s just keep it that way. If you want to dissect it, people will say let’s go smaller, let’s go to ethnic groups.

“I want to use an example with Adamawa State. To my knowledge, Adamawa has about 87 ethnic groups, so by the time you try to go down and down to micro zone, eventually it would come down to ‘let it be by ethnic group.’

So it’s better we keep it as North and South.”

2023: Buhari’s Body Language Supports Candidate From South, But Region Divided – Gov. Umahi

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May 7, 2022

2023: Buhari’s Body Language Supports Candidate From South, But Region Divided – Gov. Umahi

Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi says President Muhammadu Buhari’s body language supports candidate from the South, but the region is divided.

The governor, who received the President in Ebonyi on Friday, disclosed this during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today monitored by ABN TV.

He said, “We cannot be honest by half. When zoning doesn’t exclude people from contesting. It’s been happening. There is no political face that is not zoning in this country. And the body language of the Mr President is well disposed toward the presidency shifting to the south.

“But when the south cannot handle it on the basis of equity, fairness and justice, then we should continue to suggest that we shouldn’t blackmail the north; we should deceive ourselves. This thing should be thrown open because if there is no zoning, then you have no right to continue to agitate that the north cannot contest.

“We cannot be used to drag presidency to the south and then we are shortchanged. So we should be part of such agitation if such fairness and equity cannot be ascribed to us. That is the position of most leaders in the South-East.

“I’m not asking that people from the South-West should not run; it is their constitutional right. But I want to say that we have worked together, the southern governors said look presidency should rotate to the south, but on the basis of equity, fairness, and justice we had the South-East in mind since the South-East never tested it.

“Now it has become clear that the platform upon which we collectively asked the north to concede the presidency to the south is no longer the same platform upon which the realities are based; then it’s fair and just that we should be able to allow anybody in the country to run.”

IPOB Not On List Of Terrorist Groups – UK

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May 6, 2022

IPOB Not On List Of Terrorist Groups - UK

The United Kingdom (UK) has clarified that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is not a proscribed organisation in the UK.

The British government described the reports in some sections of the media (not The Nation) as “inaccurate reporting”.

Several media reports had claimed the United Kingdom barred IPOB, the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and other Biafran groups from participating in its asylum programme.

But a statement by the British High Commission Abuja on Friday said this wasn’t the case.

It reads: “We are aware of inaccurate reporting circulating in the media and online that the UK Government has added the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to the UK’s list of terrorist groups or organisations banned under UK law. These reports are untrue. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is not a proscribed organisation in the UK.

“The inaccurate reporting relates to the 13 April 2022 publication by the UK Government of a revised Country Policy and Information note (CPIN) on separatist groups in SE Nigeria, including the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). CPINs provide country of origin information (COl) and analysis of COI for use by UK Government decision-makers handling particular types of protection and human rights claims.

“All asylum and human rights claims made in the UK are considered on their individual facts in accordance with our obligations under the UN Refugee Convention and European Convention on Human Rights, taking into account relevant background country information and case law.

“The CPIN on separatist groups in the South East, including the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), provides a general assessment of risks faced by individuals belonging to those groups. These assessments are based on an analysis of publicly available country information obtained from a wide range of reliable sources including media outlets; UK and other governments; local, national and international organisations; and non-government organisations.

“This CPIN also acknowledges that the Nigerian government has proscribed IPOB as a terrorist organisation, some members of IPOB have reportedly used violence against the state and members of the public, and advises that persons who have committed human rights abuses must not be granted protection.

“The document is publicly available on our UK Government website, Gov.UK at www.gov.uk/government/publications/nigeria-country-policy-and-information-notes”

Mascot Uzor Kalu Pays Courtesy Visit to Former Delta Governor James Ibori (Photos)

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May 6, 2022

Mascot Uzor Kalu Pays Courtesy Visit to Former Delta Governor James Ibori (Photos)

Leader of the Action Peoples Party in Abia State and former Chief of Staff to Abia State government , Hon Mascot Uzor Kalu on Friday Paid a courtesy visit to the former Governor of Delta state , His Excellency Chief James Ibori.

A reliable source said the visit is in connection with the gubernatorial ambition of the former Chief of staff who recently decamped from All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Action Peoples Party.

Mascot has been in disagreement with his elder brother, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu over his decampment to the new party in Abia , APP

Chief Mascot Uzor Kalu in a statement signed by his aide, Rev Okey Umezie noted that Kalu and Mascot were relating well as siblings.

He said, “Today, we read the statement by the Chief Whip of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Orji Uzor Kalu where he reacted to the launching of the Action Peoples Party, APP.

“While we acknowledge his position as the father of Abia politics, it is pertinent we address some of the issues he raised in his statement.

“Chief Mascot Uzor Kalu alongside other Abia APC leaders visited Distinguished Senator Orji Uzor Kalu at his Igbere home during the last Christmas Holiday with a cow and drinks to inform him of their decision to quit the APC.

“While we acknowledge the role played by Senator Kalu and other leaders of the party to persuade Chief Mascot Uzor Kalu and others from defecting, Chief Mascot Uzor Kalu has the right to take decision on his political future since the APC refused to acknowledge his sacrifices for the party.

“It is also imperative to inform Senator Orji Uzor Kalu that since Chief Mascot Uzor Kalu had during the Christmas Holiday informed him of his decision to leave the APC, there was no need informing him again about the launching of Action Peoples Party, APP.

“Chief Mascot Uzor Kalu and others who launched APP in Abia State have no issues or whatever with Distinguished Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. He remains our leader even though we are not in the same political party.

“It is important to let Abians know that APP is a party for all and for the good of Abians. We are not in APP for fight anyone but to rescue Abians from bad governance. Senator Orji Kalu and his brother Mascot are not the first siblings to be in different political parties. The Honorable Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uche Ogah and his brother, Amobi are in different political parties with one running for Governor, with the other running for Isikwuato/Umunneochi house of representatives seat.

“In Kwara, Bukola Saraki is in PDP aspiring to be President and his sister, Gbemi Saraki is in APC as a Federal Minister. Therefore, Mascot is not the first to have a different political ideology from his brother.

“APP is coming to rescue Abians in 2023. It is important we support them to succeed. It is a party of equity, justice and fairness.”

Speaking on zoning, Umezia said APP has zoned their governoship ticket to Abia North Senatorial district, Deputy to Umunneato axis of Abia Central and Speaker to Ukwa blog in Abia South.

He noted that the party has a working document on the zoning of Abia State governoship for next 20 years.

Commissioner Says Tinubu Has Endorsed Sanwo-Olu For Second Term

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May 6, 2022

The National Leader of All Progressive Congress, Bola Tinubu, has endorsed Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for a second term in office.

The Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, made this known on Friday.

This followed speculations that Sanwo-Olu may be denied a second term in office.

“LET’S GO: Asiwaju endorsing Governor Sanwo-Olu for another term at an APC stakeholder meeting today. Thank you all for all your loving thoughts,” he posted.

UK Uncovers Fresh $23.4m Abacha Loot

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May 6, 2022

The National Crime Agency (NCA) in the UK says it has recovered $23,439,724.98 loot believed to have been siphoned out of Nigeria in the 1990s by the associates and family of former Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

According to a communique issued by the agency on Thursday, the funds formed part of a larger pool of monies identified by the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ) as having been misappropriated by Abacha and his allies.

The NCA revealed that the funds have now been transferred to the Home Office for onward transmission to the USDOJ.

It also pursued nearly seven years of protracted litigation and international negotiation to obtain the recovery order, to enforce the U.S. forfeiture order relating to the recovered monies.

Asset Denial Senior Manager at the NCA, Billy Beattie, assured of the agency’s fight against money laundering activities within the UK.

“The NCA is committed to ensuring that the UK is not a safe haven for criminals to launder their proceeds of crime, and the civil recovery of assets is a powerful weapon in this fight,” Beatie stated.

“We work closely with the UK and international partners to tackle the threat posed by corruption, which disproportionately impacts the poorest and most vulnerable members of society.

“We are committed to ensuring that those who perpetrate corruption do not benefit from their actions.”

The NCA case is ongoing with further monies having been identified by the USDOJ as having also been misappropriated by Abacha and his associates.

Since Abacha’s death in 1998, recovered monies have principally been stashed away in four major countries: Switzerland, Jersey Island in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Liechtenstein, reports said.

During the General Abdulsalami Abubakar era in 1999, $750million was recovered while $1.2 billion was recovered in 2002; $149 million repatriated from Jersey Island, UK in 2003; $500 million recovered in 2004 from Switzerland, and another $458 million recovered in 2005 from Switzerland, all under former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration also saw the recovery of $1 billion in 2012 and $380 million in 2015 respectively, both tranches from Switzerland.

Similarly, Liechtenstein and the United States repatriated the sum of $227 million and $48 million respectively in 2014 during Jonathan’s administration.

IPOB: Buhari Has Approved Political Solution – Gov. Umahi

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May 6, 2022

IPOB: Buhari Has Approved Political Solution – Gov. Umahi

Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State says President Muhammadu Buhari has agreed to a political solution to the threat the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) pose to the South East region in particular and the nation in general.

He said this while speaking at a meeting the President had with South East leaders during his two-day State visit to Ebonyi.

The governor said President Buhari would be remembered as a man who did not use the plight of the people of the South East to play politics but came to their rescue severally.

He urged Southern leaders to work towards finding a political solution in resolving some challenging issues, warning that the region is at ‘‘crossroads.’’

‘‘On this issue of a political solution, I have never believed in IPOB’s method of operation, I disagree with them but we have gotten ourselves to a very terrible and pitiable solution.

‘‘Some of us warned that we will get to this situation and some were playing politics with it. Mr. President, we are at crossroads. I have been to you and I have begged you for a political solution. Surprisingly and graciously you granted that. You said our people should initiate that and at the forefront is Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer.”

The Governor, therefore, urged the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo to meet with elder statesman, Mbazuluike Amaechi, the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), South East, the Chairman of South East Traditional Rulers Council, Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer and few others to initiate the political solution.

On the 2023 elections, the Governor said he believed in the demand for the presidency to be zoned to the South East region on the basis of fairness, equity, justice and morality.

Umahi, who is also a presidential aspirant, commended some leaders from outside the region for expressing their support for the next president of Nigeria to emerge from the South East.

The Chairman of South East Traditional Rulers, Eze Charles Mkpuma and CAN Chairman, South East, Very Rev. Fr. Abraham Nwali, also spoke in favour of President of Nigeria of South East extraction come 2023.

The leaders, while expressing support for a united Nigeria, appealed to the President to grant pardon and release the IPOB leader, urging other agitators to cease all forms of hostilities.

Buhari, while speaking at the meeting held in Abakiliki, promised that the Federal Government would deploy its strength to protect innocent and hardworking Nigerians from terrorists and those causing break down of law and order in the South East region.

The President, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the region, reiterating his directive to security agencies to ‘‘flush out’’ those perpetrating violence in the land.

‘‘I must register my deep and grave concern with regards to the deteriorating state of security affairs in this region.

‘‘In the last 48 hours, I have been informed of the latest in the round of brutal actions carried out by gun-wielding terrorists, who prey on innocent and hardworking citizens, unfortunately, these barbaric acts were visited upon those who have committed their lives to protect their fellow citizens,’’ he said.

Buhari paid tribute to members of the Nigerian armed forces who recently lost their lives in the region.

The President, while responding to appeals by traditional, religious and political leaders in the region for the release of the detained leader of the outlawed IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, said: ‘‘I have listened carefully to the various appeals from the elders to the traditional leaders regarding a wide range of options, and as I have said previously this matter remains in the full purview of the courts where it will be properly adjudicated.”

Buhari Has Agreed To Political Solution Over IPOB Agitation — Umahi

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May 6, 2022