Delta South: Nesiama picks Nomination Forms, visits Kwankwaso in Abuja

Delta South: Nesiama picks Nomination Forms, visits Kwankwaso in Abuja

Oyinbi Onduku 

FCT____The Commodore of Hope and the super candidate for the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP), Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama (Rtd), has picked his Expression of lnterest and Nomination Forms to contest for the Seat of Delta South Senatorial District in the National Assembly come 2023.

As part of his wider consultation for the forthcoming primaries, the foremost NNPP candidate for Delta South Senatorial District and 'The Commodore of Hope' also gets the nod from the party National Leader and the former Governor of Kano State as well as a Senator, His Excellency, Engr (Sen) Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, at his Abuja residence in a solidarity visit shortly after collection of his party Nomination Forms at the party National Secretariat, Abuja.

Addressing the party leader on Friday 13th May, 2022 in Abuja, Nesiama said he has come to pay a courtesy visit in order to tell him of his intention to serve the good people of Delta South Senatorial District in the National Assembly through the Prestigious NNPP.

According to him, said:" l have come to pledge my unwavering loyality to the leadership of our great party. I have a clarion call from my people at the grassroot to represent them at the Senate. It is not my power neither by my might, but by the special grace of God with the support and backing of my people, our party will emerge victorious in the forthcoming 2023 general elections across the country. I want to say a very big thank you sir for giving me the previlege in this noble platform to exercise my rights to vote and be voted for, " Cdre Nesiama stated.

In his reaction, the National Leader of NNPP who happens to be his former boss, distinguished senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, thanked The Commodore of Hope and his team for the honour and respect accorded on him, noting that he will do all his best to create the enabling atmosphere for him to succeed his Senatorial ambition. The National Leader encouraged him to reach out to all relevant stakeholders of the party at the grassroot. He assured him of his support always, highlighting the successful time they had  while at the Ministry of Defence. Senator Kwankwaso also used the medium to call on all NNPP party members across the country to register with INEC to collect their PVCs ahead, adding that it is their votes on the ballot papers that will count to ensure victory at the polls come 2023 general elections.

However, Commodore Omatseye Nesiama has assured the ljaws, lsokos, ltsekiris, and Urhobos in Delta South Senatorial District that he is coming with his Hope Restoration Movement (HRM) in order to restore the peoples hope through Accountable Representation, Community, Youths and Women Development, Functional Constituency Engagement/Feedback and many more, stressing that he will not disappoint them when given the mandate.

Meanwhile, it will interest you to note that Cdre Nesiama has full ancestral links to the 4 major ethnicities; Itsekiri, Ijaws, Isokos and the Urhobos, which make up the Senatorial District and the people are happy to have him come out. He is a great asset to NNPP winning the Senatorial Seat in Delta State.

He had an illustrious military career in the Nigeria navy spanning over three decades ( 1984- 2016). He was a member of the 5th Regular Combatant Course.

His key achievements during his military career include, leading the initial ECOMOG landing operation, which provided required intelligence that enabled the ECOMOG forces take-over the strategic Liberian Port of Buchanan from the Charles Taylor rebel forces in April 1993.

He served as Chief Security Officer and Aide de Camp (ADC) to then Navy Captain Temi Ejoor (Rtd) as Military Administrator of Enugu and Abia states respectively. In later years, he also served under Senator Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his General Staff Officer 1 Navy while the latter was Minister of Defence.

Just-ln: EFCC writes INEC, demands APC, PDP, other aspirants’ bank details over Nomination Forms

Just-ln: EFCC writes INEC, demands APC, PDP, other aspirants’ bank details over Nomination Forms

Abuja_____The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has launched a discreet investigation into the finances of the 18 political parties in the country and their presidential aspirants.

This followed the humongous fees paid for expression of interest and nomination forms by aspirants vying for various elective offices in the parties.

The anti-graft agency has, therefore, asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to furnish it with the bank accounts and other financial details of the political parties.

It also asked the managing directors of Access Bank and Polaris Bank to provide the details of the 14 accounts operated by the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party and another organisation believed to be connected to the opposition party.

While the ruling APC sold its presidential forms for N100m, the main opposition party pegged its forms at N40m.In addition, the APC governorship aspirants paid N50m, while persons who declared for the Senate, House of Representatives and state Houses of Assembly paid N20m, N10m and N2m, respectively for their nomination and expression of interest forms.

On the other hand, the PDP sold its governorship forms for N21m; Senate, N3.5m; House of Representatives, N2.5m; and state Houses of Assembly, N600,000.

While the other parties charged lesser amounts for their forms, the exorbitant nomination fees charged by the two dominant parties angered many Nigerians with Transparency International describing the development as a form of money laundering.

The EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, last week hinted on a Channels Television’s programme, Politics Today, that the commission would monitor campaign finances, including the legitimacy of the funds used to purchase nomination forms ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Bawa said the commission would be working with INEC and other election-related organisations to track the sources of the money spent on the purchase of nomination forms.

He noted, “When it comes to the issue of monitoring election funds as well as candidates’ funds that has to do with the work of INEC in this regard. But, of course, we are working hand in glove with INEC and other related agencies in that field to ensure that we follow the money.

“We want to know the source, whether it is legitimate or illegitimate, because that is what concerns us.”

Findings by Saturday PUNCH, however, indicated that the agency had begun a forensic investigation and tracking of the finances of the political organisations and interest groups.

The EFCC, in a letter to the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, dated May 9, 2022, signed by its Director of Operations, Michael Wetkas, on behalf of the chairman, demanded a list of all political parties, their designated bank accounts and any other information that could aid its investigation.

The letter, with reference number CB.3383/EFCC/HOPS/HQ/VOL.1/28, titled, ‘Investigation activities’, read, “The commission is conducting an inquiry in which the need to obtain certain information from your commission is imperative. In view of the foregoing, you are requested to kindly avail the following information: list of all registered political parties; list of designated accounts submitted by the political parties to your commission; any other information that may assist the commission in its investigation.

“This request is made pursuant to sections 38(1) and (2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004. While thanking you immensely for your continuous cooperation and collaboration, please accept the assurances of the chairman’s esteemed regards.”

The EFCC in another letter, also signed by the Head of Operations, informed the managing directors of Access Bank and Polaris Bank in Abuja that it was investigating 14 accounts of the two dominant parties.

According to the letters, the investigation involves accounts 0692988080, 0035644896 and 0044183689 in Access Bank belonging to the APC; an account with number 0054586830 owned by the National Secretariat of the PDP, and three other accounts by Umbrella Trust Limited – 0076600091, 0066988655 and 0068595990.

In Polaris Bank, one of the accounts belongs to the APC (1771444115), while two are operated by the PDP – 1140060876 and 1770319690 – and four by the ‘PDP Fund Raising Dinner’ – 1771643176, 177647521, 177164514 and 1771647507.

Wetkas wrote, “The commission is investigating a case in which the above-mentioned account names and numbers featured.

“In view of the above, you are kindly requested to forward the certified true copies of the following: Account opening packages/mandate cards; statement of account from January 2021 to date (hard and soft copies). The soft copy should be copied to excel format and forwarded to cagomuo@effc.gov.ng.”

The letter also requested the certificate of identification pursuant to Section 84(4) of the Evidence Act, 2011. (The certifying officer should include his full name, designation, signature and date on each page). The commission also requested the banks to furnish it with any other relevant information that could assist the investigation.

Support groups may be probed for money laundering

Saturday PUNCH also gathered that the probe might also extend to the various support groups, which bought nomination forms for aspirants.

Our correspondent learnt that the EFCC was working on signals that the interest groups were being used to carry out money laundering activities.

For instance, a group known as the Association of Fulani-Almajiri, which is a northern group comprising nomadic pastoralists and Almajiri communities, on Monday obtained the N100m APC presidential forms for former President Goodluck Jonathan.

INEC says 1.4m online registration invalid

The group said it paid the exorbitant price of the forms with funds raised from the sale of cows to ensure that Jonathan, whom it described as the best President for Nigeria, returns to Aso Rock in 2023.

Similarly, three interest groups, the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Emefiele Support Group and Friends of Godwin, purchased the presidential nomination forms for the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele.

Also, a coalition of 28 groups, including the Youth Arise Movement, Nigerians in Diaspora, One Nigeria Group, Prudent Youth Association of Nigeria, as well as women groups and farmers reportedly procured the APC presidential forms for the President of the African Development Bank, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, last Saturday in Abuja.

Similarly, the Tinubu Support Organisation procured the N100m forms for a national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. The leadership of the South-West Agenda for Asiwaju led the groups that picked the forms for Tinubu, who was at the time in Saudi Arabia for the lesser hajj.

The Director-General, TSO, Aminu Suleiman, said the groups paid for the forms because they were sure that Tinubu would win. “I, Hon. Aminu Suleiman would like to officially state that I have signed a cheque to the tune of 100 million naira for the purchase of nomination and expression of interest forms for our leader @officialABAT. God bless,” he tweeted.

No fewer than 28 aspirants bought the APC presidential forms, which closed on Friday.

The trend of groups purchasing forms for aspirants did not start this year. In 2018, the Nigeria Consolidation Ambassadors Network purchased the N45m presidential form of the APC for the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), when he was gunning for a second term.

In the PDP, no fewer than 17 aspirants purchased the party’s N40m forms, two of whom were screened out.

They are governors Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State; Nyesom Wike of Rivers State; Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State; and Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State; investment banker and economist, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen; and a former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi.

Others are a former Senate President, Pius Anyim; ex-President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Sam Ohuabunwa; a United States-based medical doctor, Nwachukwu Anakwenze; the Publisher of Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu; former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Cosmos Ndukwe; Charles Ugwu and Chikwendu Kalu.

Also in the race are former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar; a former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; a former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, and the only female presidential aspirant in the party, Teriela Oliver.

When asked to respond to the ongoing probe, the spokesman for the APC, Felix Morka, said he was in a meeting and promised to speak later. He had yet to respond to a text message sent to him on the issue as of the time of filing this report.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, declined comment, saying he was not aware of the EFCC investigation. “I’m not aware of it and I don’t want to comment on it,” he said on the telephone on Friday.

Tracking of campaign finances not a witch-hunt, says REC

The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, Prof Abdulganiyu Raji, has said tracking the campaign finances of political parties by the commission is not a witch-hunt against any individual or group.

Speaking in Osogbo on Friday during a sensitisation workshop for political parties on campaign finance tracking ahead of the governorship election on July 16, Raji stated, “One of the mandates of INEC, apart from the conduct of elections, is to track the finances of political parties with a view to knowing how good they are faring as far as their finances are concerned, in addition to being able to assist them in planning their activities.

“Tracking the finances of political parties is not a witch-hunt. It is for better understanding of the financial activities of the parties. What we do is to track the campaign finances (inflow and outflow) and report to the appropriate quarters in INEC.”

The REC said the commission had earlier organised a similar training for some of its senior staff members in the state, adding, “Today, we are not tracking the finances of these political parties; we are actually taking them through the processes and procedures, and all the necessary techniques that they will need to track their own finances.

“While they are doing it on their own, we will also be doing our own independently. We at INEC submit our reports to the appropriate quarters, but for political parties, in addition to submitting their reports to us, they will also be able to use them for planning their activities. I believe that if they pay attention at the workshop, it will be of benefit to them.”

Raji added that the workshop was usually organised for political parties and candidates before every election

#Punch

Just-ln: 2023 Presidency, APC Aspirants Resolve To Step Down For Jonathan

Just-ln: 2023 Presidency, APC Aspirants Resolve To Step Down For Jonathan

 

Abuja_____ Following the 2023 Presidency, information reaching our new desk has it that APC aspirants have resolved to step down for Jonathan.

A reliable source in Asorock reported the deal on the table for former President Goodluck Jonathan to run for President in 2023 under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

It was learnt that some Northern decision-makers have already promised the former President the APC Presidential ticket without having to go through the arduous primaries process.

Even though Jonathan hadn’t made up his mind at the time, the offer was on the table for him to consider, as high-ranking members of the APC considered it as the best way to end Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ambition.

In response to demonstrators who recently invaded his Abuja office and demanded that he run for President in 2023, Goodluck Jonathan stated he was still consulting and had not made up his mind.

It was also learnt that key figures in the All Progressives Congress, including some influential Northern governors, are doing everything they can to ensure Jonathan’s name appears on the party’s ballot during the next election, including allegedly sponsoring the above-mentioned protest and allegedly buying his Presidential nomination and expression of interest form days ago.

This medium has also learned that party leaders, including some northern governors, have already reached out to other members of the National Working Committee to ensure Jonathan’s adoption as the consensus candidate, and this topic dominated the conversation when Jonathan paid a visit to APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu in Abuja on Monday night.

The Governors have also begun reaching out to some of the contestants to withdraw from the race to enable a smooth sail for Jonathan; so far, we learnt that the moves are already yielding results.

Jonathan has changed the game amid outrage

With Jonathan in the picture, some other contenders have expressed outrage, claiming that the plan would be unjust if it followed through.

For fear of the backlash and opposition he could face from already existing members of the party if he runs on the APC ticket, Jonathan is said to have asked for an open endorsement from President Muhammadu Buhari, which would provide him with a smooth ride through the process.

As of the time of filing this report, 9news Nigeria cannot confirm whether Jonathan’s demands will be met, but a source at the meeting said, “The former president would not be available for the screening because he won’t be in the country for two weeks because he is going to Dakar, Senegal for the ‘Dialogue on sustaining democratic principles in the ECOWAS sub-region organized by the West African Elders Forum.”

Only a few days ago, the Nomadic Herders and Almajiris obtained the APC N100 million nomination form for the former President.

Jonathan, however, denounced the organization in a statement issued by his spokesman, Ikechukwu Eze, claiming he did not authorize any organization to get the form on his behalf.

It remains to be seen where the build-up to 2023 will take us, but there are certainly more intrigues in the works.

Late mama Powder Goes home tomorrow Friday for burial at Ogbe-ljoh

Late mama Powder Goes home tomorrow Friday for burial at Ogbe-ljoh

........ As Chief. Sylvester invite friends, well wishers to join him burry his mother

Francis Tayor

Warri___ The families of Pamughan Odosili of Tuopuloware in Liotiebiri Quarters, and the Binghan Ekeniwei Edenbor of Eziware in Perebiri Quarters, both of Ogbe-ljoh Warri Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, has announced the call to glory and date for the final burial rites of their dearly beloved mother, Late Mama Ruth Powder Odosili Tiebebedigha, who slept in the Lord  early this year.

In a statement released on Wednesday 11th May, 2022, at Ogbe-ljoh Community and jointly signed by Mr. Smart Donokoromor for the children, and Elder Monday Ebiboh for the family, noted that the one day burial rites will take place tomorrow Friday 13th May, 2022 at Ogbe-ljoh Community in Warri South-West LGA, Delta State.

According to the BURIAL ARRANGEMENT:

Friday 13th May, 2022:

8: AM_ Body leaves General Hospital Mortuary Warri, via Miller Waterside NPA to her home town Ogbe-ljoh, Warri South-West LGA, Delta State.

9:AM_ Lying in state in her father's compound Liotiebiri Quarters, Ogbe-ljoh.

10:AM_ Funeral Service/interment at Eziware in Perebiri Quarters, Ogbe-ljoh.

12:NOON_ Entertainment of Guests at the same venue.

Music to be supply by King Allen Alabor.

Late mama Ruth died at the ripeful age of 93 years. She was survived by brother, 7 Children, 40 Grand Children, 18 Great Grand Children, son in-laws, daughter in-laws and many relatives too numerous to mention. 

However, Chief. Sylvester Tiebebedigha had use this medium to specially invite his fellow Chiefs, friends and well wishers to join him tomorrow Friday 13th May, 2022 at Ogbe-ljoh Warri Kingdom, in order to give his beloved mother a befitting final burial rites, the statement added.

Delta South: Gen. Clark Throws Weight Behind Ayodele For Senate

Delta South: Gen. Clark Throws Weight Behind Ayodele For Senate

 

....... Consults delegates to vote for him

Francis Tayor

 

Warri_____ Foremost Niger Delta ex-agitator and Member of the Delta State Waterways and land Security Committee, Gen. Clark Kaduna has thrown his weight behind Sir Ayodele Oghogho Othihiwa, for Senate Delta South Senatorial District ahead of the forthcoming Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Primaries in the state.

In a statement made at Sylva Link Hotels in Udu on Wednesday, during a consultative meeting with statutory Ad-hoc delegates from Burutu and Bomadi Local Government Areas, noted that he is supporting and canvassing for Ayodele because of his humanitarian services to the needy in the society over the years as well as his excellent antecedents as an astute Economist/professional accountant who is tested and trusted by the people in the grassroot.

Gen. Clark stated that Sir Ayodele Oghogho is the only man capable to give Delta South the needed effective representation come 2023, adding that over the years Ayodele has proven himself worthy as a good leader by transforming the lives of many across the senatorial district, using his Sir Ayodele Oghogho Othihiwa Foundation. 

In his words, he said:

" Sir Ayodele Oghogho Othihiwa who hails from Owodokpopko Community in lgbide kingdom, lsoko South Local Government Area of Delta State is a patriotic Nigerian and Delta State based on his numerous contributions in nation building. He is an Economist, professional Account and Philanthropist with high repute. With his Sir Ayodele Oghogho Othihiwa Foundation established in 2010, he has empowered many in the society including youths, women and the aged across Delta South Senatorial District and beyond. His philanthropic gesture has endeared him to the heart of the people in Delta South and beyond. He has contributed immensely in improving the nations dwindling economiy at the presidency. While in Delta state, he was made the Chairman on the occasion of lsoko Economic Summit whose event the executive governor of the state, His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa confirmed his unprecedented performance and antecedents, thereby telling the good people of Delta South Senatorial District how lucky they are to have Sir Ayodele. The astute politician once contested for House of Representative in 2019 against the inccubent Rep, Hon. Leo Ugo but lost at the primaries. Now that Sen. James Manager has progress to Governorship race, the right man to take over the Senate is Sir Ayodele  Othihiwa. He has the experience and sense of maturity to protect and promote the interest of the ljaw, ltsekiri, Urhobo and the lsokos at the red chambers when given the mandate," Gen. Clark stated.

However, Clark had called on His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State to give special waiver to Oghogho Ayodele as a project for all In Delta South. 

He particularly called on all former Ijaw warlords to give their blessings to Ayodele, adding that he is a man with impeccable character that can be trusted by the people.

He emphasized that the Ijaws should be more comfortable with the Isokos in Delta South, adding that a chance to Ayodele will make sense in providing a purposeful representation in Delta South. 

Meanwhile, the civilian security expert had called on His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa to avoid another round of Warri crises by not allowing an Isoko son like Ayodele to represent Delta South come 2023, stating that the Ijaws, particularly the former warlords in Delta State have decided that the position be given to Ayodele for a better representation. 

Speaking further, Clark had called on all Ijaw delegates to vote for sir Ayodele Othihiwa in the forthcoming PDP primaries ahead of the general elections, the statement added.

How Chidinma Killed Super TV CEO, Usifo Ataga – Witness Testifies in Court

How Chidinma Killed Super TV CEO, Usifo Ataga – Witness Testifies in Court

DSP Olusegun Bamidele, a police officer with the homicide department of the State Criminal Investigating Department (SCID) Yaba, has revealed more details on his testimony on the ongoing murder case of the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Usifo Ataga.

Continuing his testimony at the Lagos High Court on Tuesday, May 10, Bamidele while answering questions from the Lagos State’s Deputy Director of Public Prosecution, Adenike Oluwafemi, said investigations revealed where the late Usifo Ataga and Chidinma might have met before arriving at the crime scene.

Bamidele told the court;

”While I was investigating into the background, I and a friend of the deceased went to Angel Villa Hotel in Lekki. The owner of the hotel was approached and the story was related to him. Luckily the hotel had a CCTV which revealed the presence of the deceased and Chidinma at the hotel.

“After we tracked her to her home in Alagomeji and brought her to the DCP’s office, she was asked about her relationship with the deceased.

“She denied initially and this prompted us to deploy the CCTV. She then agreed that she is the Chidinma Adaora Ojukwu we were looking for.

“We then took her in the company of her foster father, one Onoh Ojukwu back to the house in Alagomeji where we initially arrested her. We conducted a search of the house in their presence”.

The officer said the search uncovered a maroon-colored cloth that the suspect wore on the fateful day the late Usifo Ataga was murdered.

“The cloth was stained with blood. Then Onoh Ojukwu shouted: “Chidinma, you have killed me, you have done something wrong outside. Chidinma was also crying.

“We also recovered the black/blue long-sleeved gown she wore when she left the apartment in Lekki. This further established that she has something to do with the deceased.

“We recovered Access bank statements of the deceased, we recovered a UBA bank statement with the name Mary Johnson, an ID card with Chidinma’s picture but which carried the name Mary Johnson, an international passport with her picture, a Uniport certificate with Chidinma’s name boldly written on it, her phone and some other documents I can’t recollect. We then went back to the office.”

He testified to the Court that at the office, he provided Chidinma with some food, malt drink and water, after which he started to question her and record her statement.

“She said she knew the deceased, that they met at a hangout in Victoria Island. The deceased was introduced to her by her friend’s boyfriend. She mentioned the friend as Fiyin and the boyfriend as Tony. She said the relationship started in February and after a while, they developed sexual relations.

“I remember she mentioned a date, 12th June, 2021. She received a call from the deceased that they needed to see and go out. Based on the request, she sourced for the apartment.

“She confessed that shortly after her arrival at the apartment, on the 13th, the deceased drove in, in his Range Rover. On his arrival, she said they were both hungry and drove out to eat and returned to the apartment, watched film, conversed leading up to sex. They also engaged in smoking. On the 14th, they did the same thing.

“She said she initially came in with the loud smoke. That’s the name she called it. After they finished it, they needed more. She recollected that she made a call to the second defendant, Quadri who helped her source for the loud and another drug called Rophynol. She also mentioned that the items were brought in through a despatch rider to the apartment.”

“She described Adedapo Quadri as someone introduced to her by a friend. That Dapo supplied the drugs to her. The IPO asked her about the potency of the drugs. She responded that a tablet is enough to knock out whoever uses it while loud is a cigarette light smoke.

“She said on the 15th, after engaging in smoking, the deceased asked for more sex, which she denied him. The deceased went to the chair to relax and she thought he was no more interested in sex, only for him to return to the bed to ask for more sex. She said she pushed him away, which resulted in him knocking her head against a stool that had a glass.

“Having sustained injury on the head and knees, there was a struggle between them and she said she managed to lay hands on a kitchen knife with which she stabbed the deceased on the neck twice. She confessed that she stabbed him severally without counting and the deceased eventually fell to the floor in the room”.

The police officer also narrated to the court, Chidinma’s statement on how she met the second defendant, Adedapo Quadri.

“When we interacted with the first defendant, she mentioned the second defendant, Quadri and how they met. On the premise of this, we carried out a search on the call logs of the 1st defendant since she said she doesn’t know his house or address. The call log showed regular calls between both of them,” he said

According to Bamidele, Chidinma said;

“They spoke on phone twice on the 15th June 2021. On the 17th, there was a conversation between both of them for about 3 times. On 18th, there was conversation twice.

“On 21st of June, it is also established that they called each other and this prompted the tracking team to swing into action. Eventually he was tracked to Surulere in Lagos, arrested and brought to the office.

“During interactions with him, he confessed that he knows the Ist defendant who was introduced to him by one of his friends called Sam. The same Sam had earlier told Chidinma that Adedapo Quadri is capable and can assist her to prepare any documents she needs.

“Quadri also mentioned that Sam gave him Chidinma’s phone number after which he called Chidinma and they agreed on where to meet. He confirmed that they met at Sabo & another time at Alagomeji area.

“During their interactions, he agreed to the request of Chidinma to assist her with preparing certain documents. The documents he assisted her to procure are drivers license, an identity card, UBA statement of accounts, Access bank statement of accounts and a passport.

“The UBA statement of account carried the name Mary Johnson while the Access bank statement has Michael Usifo Ataga’s name on it.

2023 Presidency: Jonathan makes U-turn on APC ticket

2023 Presidency: Jonathan makes U-turn on APC ticket 

…Ex-president’s supporters buckle, move to complete nomination form before deadline

…Jonathan meets with Fulani community for two hours, considers demand to run

…APC begins aspirants’ screening Friday, rakes in N2.63 bn from presidential forms

…Mixed reaction greets Jonathan’s defection to APC

…We can’t stop Jonathan; such isn’t new to politicians-ACF

…APC may find it difficult to campaign with Jonathan as its candidate—Umahi

…Defection of ex President Jonathan to APC unfortunate – MBF

 

Abuja_____ AFTER two hours of meeting with leaders and members of Fulani community, who procured the N100 million presidential nomination forms for him, former President Goodluck Jonathan, is considering running on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress, Vanguard learned, authoritatively last night.

The former president reportedly met with the Fulani pastoralists between 11p.m on Monday and 1a.m on Tuesday to sort out issues regarding their purchase of the presidential nomination forms without his consent, a development, which made him to reject the offer and denounce those involved in the action.

“We wish to categorically state that Dr. Jonathan was not aware of this bid and did not authorise it,” Jonathan had said in a statement by his media aid, Ikechukwu Eze.

However, it was learned that at the meeting with the Fulani community in Abuja, the leader of the team that procured the form for him, Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi, apologised to the former president and pleaded with him to pardon their indiscretion and accept the offer to run.

The pastoralists are reported to have told Jonathan that they bought the form for him as a demonstration of their appreciation for the N60 billion investments he made for the Almajiris during his tenure in the form of schools and investment opportunities.

A source at the meeting pointed out that after listening to the Fulani community, Jonathan reluctantly accepted their plea to consider running for the APC ticket as suggested by them and promised to give them a feedback as soon as possible but did not however, give a specific date.

The former president also asked the Fulani community never to embark on any political assignment on his behalf without first clearing with him given his position in Nigeria and the international community.

Jonathan is said to have also told the Fulani delegation that he was uncomfortable to hear about the purchase of the nomination form for him just like any other person, an action, which he considered insulting to his status as a former president of Nigeria.

Vanguard learned that majority of the inner caucus of the former president’s loyalists, who had vehemently opposed his running on the APC platform, had gradually withdrawn their opposition to the idea and had given him the nod to go ahead.

As a result, some of the key loyalists are reported to have joined with the Fulani community in completing the APC presidential nomination form for Jonathan so as to meet the deadline for the return of the document to the party secretariat in Abuja.

“I can tell you that Jonathan’s loyalists cut across party lines and majority of them have really been encouraging him to run. That is why some of them are helping with the completion of the nomination form for the former president,” a reliable source said.

“The Fulani Group of 10 led by Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi said they purchased the form out of the gladness of their hearts as a way of paying back former president Jonathan for being kind to them while in office.

“The Fulani community recalled that Jonathan built hundreds of Almajiri schools during his tenure and also allocated the pastoralists cattle seed funds,” the source said.

It will be recalled that Jonathan had on Monday rejected the nomination form presented to him by the Fulani community and upbraided them for insulting him with their action.

He, however, later met with the National Chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, in a move seen as an acceptance of the offer to run for the ticket of the party, if given the chance.

On a day that the APC scheduled the screening of aspirants to begin on Friday after raking in N2.63 bn from sale of presidential nomination forms, former President Jonathan’s moves elicited mixed reactions in the polity.

We’re not surprised — ACF

The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has said that it cannot stop former President Jonathan from moving to another political party as doing so is not new to politicians.

Shuaibu Lili, the officer in charge of ACF’s information and Protocol, told Vanguard: “Nigerians know what former Goodluck was, therefore, the ACF cannot stop him from moving from one party to another. This is not a new thing among politicians and it is his right to make his choice.”

Defection of ex President Jonathan to APC unfortunate — MBF

The Middle Belt Forum, MBF, described as unfortunate the purported defection of former President Jonathan to the APC.

The Forum noted that by his action, Jonathan would lose the goodwill he enjoys among Nigerians, who regard him as a reference point for good governance in the country.

MBF National Treasurer, Chief Ben Akaakar, said: “It is unfortunate that he is joining the people that have destroyed the legacies that he left for Nigerians as President of the country. He should know that if he actually defects to the APC, he will never be a reference point for good governance in the country anymore especially with the lack-luster performance of the ruling APC.

“So, his defection will be a disappointment for Nigerians, who have been lamenting the maladministration of the APC and demanding that the party return the country to the pre-2015 era.”

APC may find it difficult to campaign with Jonathan  as its candidate —Umahi

Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. Dave Umahi, said that the APC might find it difficult to campaign with Jonathan as its presidential candidate.

Governor Umahi also said that those who obtained the APC forms for the former president could be mischievous people, whose intentions were to embarrass him. 

However, Umahi said that the success story of his emergence as Ebonyi State governor in 2015 could not have been possible without President Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan.

Governor Umahi, who met with President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja to present him a “Thank you” letter from South-East leaders following his recent visit to Ebonyi, told State House correspondents that it would be another wonder of the world to have President Jonathan in the race for the presidential ticket of the APC.

He said even though there have been denials regarding the former President’s rumoured move to the APC, if he eventually joins the ruling party it would be a material for Guinness Book of Records. 

The Governor wondered how the APC would reconcile its policies and promises with those of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, under which Jonathan was President. 

“The reason is that if you go and see the campaign programmes of APC and you now ask President Jonathan to come and run, I don’t know what will be our campaign promises and what will be the stories we’ll be telling Nigerians. 

“I believe strongly that he was not aware of the forms and I want to believe that people that are mischievous would have bought the forms to embarrass him. But from what I read, he has quickly distanced himself from that. But like I said, if that is not the case, then the Guinness Book of Records is not totally filled up.” 

Speaking further,,he said: “Jonathan is my father and God used him and his wife to make me governor of Ebonyi State and so, anybody who has done anything for me, I’ve always remained very grateful to such person and I will continue to be very grateful to him, and the wife for being available and being my destiny helper, to achieve that feat.”

Jonathan has diminished himself —  Adebanjo

In his reaction, leader of the Pan-Yoruba Socio-Political organization, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, said he was disappointed that the former President did not come out early to refute the claims of his presidential ambition, adding that Jonathan has diminished himself.

His words: : “It is better for him to deny but the fact that he has taken such a long time to deny does not give any credit to him. As far as I am concerned, he has diminished himself by toying with the idea in the first place. He should have told the northerners that he was not going to be a party to their politics. He should be knowledgeable enough to know that all the tricks of the northerners are to deny the South. He should know. I am disappointed.

“Anyway, it was better he rejected the offer because if he had not, his reputation would have gone down.”

Insinuations of Jonathan’s defection, insulting —PANDEF

On its part, the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, said that reports of Jonathan defecting to the APC, and getting the presidential nomination form from a group are insulting.

National Publicity Secretary of PANDEF, Hon Ken Robinson, noted that Jonathan has not indicated interest to run, and has all it takes to get the form for himself if he has interest.

He said: “We see it as one of those political machinations that some political interest groups are deploying for their own interest. It is obvious that if former president Jonathan runs for office and wins he will spend four years in office and that will be to the advantage of some persons.

“As PANDEF has said before, the former president has not told us that he is interested in running for the office, so our attitude will be to wait until party primaries are concluded and then we will see the choices that are presented to us by the two major parties and we evaluate them and take a position.

“Don’t forget that PANDEF, Afenifere, Middle Belt Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo are insisting that power shifts to the South in the interest of Nigeria and anything contrary will affect the unity of Nigeria.

“We agree with the position of the former president media team, that the action was insulting. If the former president wants to run for the office he does not need a group of almajiri or rice farmers or whatsoever to go and buy form for him to be able to run. If he wants to run he has prominent Nigerians, especially from Southern Nigeria.”

North’ll be more comfortable with S-South in 2023- CNG

Meanwhile, the Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG, has said that the North would be comfortable with a President of South-South extraction in 2023.

Spokesperson of the Coalition, Suleiman Abdul-Azeez, told Vanguard that although the defection of former President Jonathan to APC has not been confirmed, “Yet, I think all the same, you never see smoke without fire. If it does happen eventually, it could be the saving grace. The reality is that the APC may lack the moral correctness to retain power in the North beyond these first eight years of Buhari. If power must shift to the South, the North would be more comfortable with the South-South. It is a more friendly space for the North,” he said.

According to the CNG, “Jonathan is by far the most qualified from the South-South among all those that have indicated interest. The problem would be the burden the APC would have to carry having so severely ‘de-campaigned’ Jonathan just less than eight years ago.”

“Unless they first apologize to him and to Nigerians generally and admit they judged his administration against the standards of fair judgment, they would only end up embarrassing themselves in the marketplace.”

“Besides it would be really difficult for the APC to convince the Northern voter to accept Jonathan after they bloodied him in 2014. And there is the concern that he may return with a grudge against the North and may not be as fair as would be expected. But taking away all unhealthy possibilities, Jonathan could provide a soothing relief to this current regional tensions being stocked by separatist forces.”

APC begins aspirants’ screening Friday, rakes in N2.63 bn from presidential forms

Meanwhile, the APC, yesterday, ended its sale of nomination and expression of interest forms, with no fewer than 25 aspirants jostling for its presidential ticket.

Although, the directorate of organization was still computing the figures of aspirants including those who picked forms in their states as of press time, Vanguard gathered that there are no fewer than 105 governorship aspirants, nearly a thousand National Assembly aspirants and more than 1,500 aspirants for states Houses of Assembly.

A revised timetable issued the National Organizing Secretary, Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu, fixed the last day for submission of completed forms and accompanying documents is now set for tomorrow, May 11, 2022. 

“Also, Congresses to elect Local Government Area (LGA), State and National Delegates will now be held from Thursday,  May 12 to Saturday, May 14, 2022”.

27 presidential aspirants

1. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

2. Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello

3. Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi

4. Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba

5. Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Dr. Kayode Fayemi

6. Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio

7. Madam Uju Kennedy – N30m

8. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

9. Former House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole

10. Former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun

11. Former National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole

12. Former Governor of Zamfara State, Ahmed Sani

13. Jigawa State Governor, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar

14. Labour and Employment Minister, Senator Chris Ngige

15. Senator Rochas Okorocha

16. Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade

17. Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi

18. Mr Tein Jack-Rich

19. CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele 

20. Science and Technology Minister, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu

21. Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva

22. Former President Goodluck Jonathan

23. Dr Akinwumi Adesina

24. Senator Robert Ajayi Borroffice

25. Pastor Tunde Bakare

26. Pastor Nicholas Felix Nwagbo

27. Senator Ken Nnamani

Total = N2.630billion

Why APC should cede presidency to South-West —Sanwo-Olu

Submitting his forms on Tuesday at the International Conference Centre, ICC, Abuja, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urged stakeholders to cede the APC presidential ticket to the South-West.

On why the recent meeting of some South-West APC leaders with some presidential aspirants from the zone did not result into a consensus arrangement, the governor said; “That is unfair for you to say we did not arrive at a consensus. You should have asked what the objective was. Did we achieve the objective of that meeting? The answer is yes. We needed to have ourselves in the room, lock up ourselves and have frank conversations, which were exactly what we did. Are we going to have further conversation with the leadership? Yes, I believe so. So, we are not fed up, we were sincere with ourselves and we hope that in future engagements, all the aspirations we have in our region will come to pass”.

When asked about zoning, Sanwo-Olu said the South-West deserves the presidential ticket.

“I think we believe so and I think that is what is fair, that is what is just, but it is really about Nigeria. There are aspirations everywhere and there are so many qualified people but for equity and fairness we have in our country, I think it is just morally fair that it goes to that part and South-West is top-notch on that. We believe that our positions from those meetings are still very valid and everybody must consider”, he stated.

Blueprint Publisher submits forms

Chairman, Blueprint Newspapers Limited and frontline gubernatorial aspirant of the APC in Niger state, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi has said he would work from his first hour in office as Governor to achieve his agenda of a greater Niger State if given the mandate to fly the flag of his party in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

Malagi, who addressed journalists after submitting his nomination and expression of interest forms yesterday in Abuja said his roadmap for the development of Niger State will build on the solid foundation that already exists in the state.

He said Niger State is by far one of the frontline states in Nigeria, given its abundant human and natural resources and promised to unleash the capacity of the people of the state to propel the state to an enviable position in the comity of states in Nigeria. 

“Our path to the development of Niger State is clear and unambiguous. I will work from my first hour in office as the Governor of Niger State to unleash potentials of our people; men, women, youth, educated and uneducated, farmers and artisans, traders and everyone else living in all parts of the state to be the best they can be under a stable and secure environment.”

Malagi, a media entrepreneur and consummate public relations practitioner is a top contender in the forthcoming governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress in Niger State. 

Adamu Garba withdraws from race over high cost of forms, withdrawal form

Ahead of the Presidential primaries of the APC, a presidential aspirant, Adamu Garba, has withdrawn from the race, saying he was no longer obtaining the expression of interest and nomination forms because of what he described as the over – financialised and commercialised nature of the party.

Garba said he was also withdrawing from the race because of the attachment of a Letter of Voluntary withdrawal on page 18 of the nomination form.

Addressing Journalists, in Abuja, Garba warned that if the APC failed to check and correct its actions, which started from the period of the contest for the position of National Chairman to the sale of forms for the Presidential ticket and other positions, the party is heading for doom. 

Garba said, “I call this conference to notify Nigerians and my supporters all over the country that after high-level deliberation with our internal campaign team, we have concluded that we will not be obtaining the expression of interest and nomination form for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the platform of the APC. 

“Our team has determined the following:

Our generation should not set an example as part of the people that supported the ‘financialization/commercialization’ of our political space, especially the public office, considering the high cost of the nomination forms – the highest in the world. We believe this action is capable of over-financializing our political space, institutionalizing vote-buying, encouraging corruption, and complete obliteration of the youth and the poor from participation. 

“We further discovered that even if we went ahead to obtain the form, the party has foreclosed the plan for primary election because of the presence of the request for a Letter of Voluntary withdrawal on page 18 of the nomination form.  I cannot, in all honesty, rally funds from my supporters in the hope that we will be having a primary election, then sign a post-dated letter of voluntary withdrawal from the contest. 

“The party, from its convention to this moment, has taken several steps that may likely dent our democratic credentials as we venture into the third decade of our uninterrupted democracy. These steps, if not changed, could reverse the gains we made over time and return us back to centrist, sycophantic, patronage-driven unitary systems, a situation we have to avoid at all costs in the interest of the future of Nigeria.