Sunday 21 October 2018
Kanu’s appearance and my apology to the Nigerian Army
By Charles Mbani
Wonders, as they say, shall never end in Nigeria. I am so ashamed of myself. So much so that I feel like disappearing from the surface of the earth upon watching the video of the “almighty Nnamdi Kanu” of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) praying in Jerusalem for misleading our people and absconding with his ill-gotten wealth. These are indeed lessons to be learned when we wipe up unnecessary sentiments in the polity. And also a reminder to us as a people that we should take our time to study the motives and actions of individuals masquerading themselves as religious and ethnic champions.
The Nnamdi Kanu’s case was quite an unfortunate episode when one realized how he deceived many people into believing he is the messiah they have been waiting for. He became a nuisance, and he is still one, and he gave out himself, not only as an ethnic champion, but he also arrogated himself a spiritual role in the lives of some members of the unsuspecting public.
In truth, I was one of those that fell for his gimmick. I recall that I rose stoutly in his defense when it was speculated that he had either been killed or whisked away by the Nigeria Army when it launched Operation Python Dance to curtail the excesses of armed groups and other vices in South East Nigeria. But little did I know that the so-called progenitor of the now proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had perfected plans and indeed fled the country. So many questions are begging for answers in my head. And one of them is why he choose the dishonorable path of running away and leaving the people he was leading to their fate?
I am also hurt that his cowardly act left our people in sorrow and pains. He used them to enrich himself and family, and when the time came for him to stand for his people, he fled. What a shame. At this point, it would suffice to state that I indeed owe the Chief of Army Staff, and by extension the Nigeria Army an unreserved apology for my unwarranted and unverified vent of ignorance when it was speculated that Nnamdi Kanu had been whisked away. I also believe that other social commentators that also fell victim of Nnamdi Kanu gimmick and labeled the Nigeria Army in derogatory terms should also tender their unreserved apologies. Why this is necessary, you might want to ask.
It is essential because once upon a time, a certain man named Nnamdi Kanu instigated a national crisis that threatened the continued existence of Nigeria. He sought and received financial gratification from individuals, groups, and even countries that were against the progress of Nigeria. And only for him to flee. And that in itself caused a national crisis when various groups started a campaign of defamation against the Nigerian Army. I recall that the President General of Afaraukwu, his autonomous community, Chief Ikechukwu Nwabueze, revealed the community’s resolve to sue the Federal Government if they fail to produce their son, Nnamdi Kanu. If this is not the height of deceit and mischief, I do not know what to call it. I do hope he is ready to pay any sum that will be required by the Federal Government as compensation for blackmail.
It didn’t end there, a team of IPOB lawyers, led by Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja praying for an order directing the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, to produce Kanu in court. Because, Kanu was last seen after soldiers invaded the IPOB leaders house in Afara-ukwu Ibeku, Umuahia Abia State, “on a murderous raid, where life and mortar bullets were fired on an unarmed and defenseless populace, leaving 28 persons dead and abducting many”. If this is not the height of deceit, then what else is it?
Also worrisome was the fact that the hypocrisy of IPOB was taken too far and it came with consequences, such that would affect the sincerity of purpose on the people of the South East in the marginalization debate in the future.
I say this because even with the knowledge of the promoters of IPOB that their leader had fled, they still went ahead to issue a statement indicating that the federal government may have killed Nnamdi Kanu. The statement at the time read that “IPOB and its leadership worldwide under the command and leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu wish to bring to the notice of the whole world that the whereabouts of our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and parents are still unknown to humanity since the attack in his compound last week. IPOB have been searching for our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and parents nowhere to be found since last week; we are challenging the Nigerian army and police to produce our leader Mazi Nnamdi since it is a prerogative right for him to make statement inform his confidants and teeming members all over the world about his condition.” This was the height of hypocrisy
I now wonder what the next line of action would be for IPOB and its promoters since their leader had resurfaced in Jerusalem instead of one of the detention camps of the Nigeria Army. Would they bury their heads in shame? Would they issue an unreserved apology to their unsuspecting followers whom they had deceived into believing in a cause that had turned out to be a scam? All of these are questions that must be answered if we are sincere with our selves.
Those that also stood as surety for him also lied under oath that the Nigerian Army had Nnamdi Kanu in its custody. They have committed perjury, and the law must take its cause in my opinion. There is also a new dimension to the whole saga with the fact that he was sighted in Israel after committing crimes against the state in Nigeria. What does that tell us? Does it explain the claims by regional neighbors that Israel trains, arms, and backs terrorists? This is a topic for another day.
With the unfolding drama, it is now evident that the agitation by IPOB was just a smokescreen to exploit his people. There was no iota of truth in all of his public posturing other than the fact that he saw an avenue to enrich himself and he took advantage of it. I am sure those South East leaders and elders under the umbrella of Ohaneze Ndigbo, that fell victim for his gimmick would be hiding their faces as it stands. But even as they do that, I think they should apologize to the Nigerian government, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Nigeria Army for the ignorant campaign of calumny it launched.
Mbani is a public affairs commentator and President of the South East Renewal Group [SERG].
Source:
https://www.thenigerian.news/2018/10/20/kanus-appearance-and-my-apology-to-the-nigerian-army/
On Senator Shehu Sani
*Dr Nura Alkali writes:*
Senator Shehu Sani's experience is a lesson on how not to play politics. Those eyeing political office may please note that:
1. Governance is always a team work.
Sani contravened this rule to fight his State Governor on every front. So much that he denied his own state a $350 million (N126 billion) World Bank loan needed to rehabilitate dilapidated schools and fund other public projects.
2. With leadership comes responsibility. Shehu
Sani's status as a Senator made him a leader, yet he chose to promote anarchy by identifying with the likes of Sheikh Zakzaky and John Dan Fulani whose activities threatened security and peaceful co-existence.
3. Society mistrusts conceited politicians
Shehu Sani was conceited in his so-called activism. While he blamed the FGN for farmer-herder conflicts in Benue State, it was Gov. El-Rufai he blamed for communal conflicts in Kaduna State - which he called "genocide", apparently to curry favour with certain groups.
4. Politics demands loyalty to party.
Shehu Sani fought not only his Governor but also the Federal Executive. He defended Sen Saraki at his corruption trial and rebelled against APC on every policy in a gang-up with PDP Senators. He even opposed PMB standing for re-election.
5. Politics is not student unionism.
Shehu Sani was always on social media writing his parables when he should be on the ground building a political base in his constituency. Unlike Student Union Governments, politicians always seek reelection. Shehu Sani ignored that fact and lost the APC primaries.
Senator Shehu Sani's experience is a lesson on how not to play politics. Those eyeing political office may please note that:
1. Governance is always a team work.
Sani contravened this rule to fight his State Governor on every front. So much that he denied his own state a $350 million (N126 billion) World Bank loan needed to rehabilitate dilapidated schools and fund other public projects.
2. With leadership comes responsibility. Shehu
Sani's status as a Senator made him a leader, yet he chose to promote anarchy by identifying with the likes of Sheikh Zakzaky and John Dan Fulani whose activities threatened security and peaceful co-existence.
3. Society mistrusts conceited politicians
Shehu Sani was conceited in his so-called activism. While he blamed the FGN for farmer-herder conflicts in Benue State, it was Gov. El-Rufai he blamed for communal conflicts in Kaduna State - which he called "genocide", apparently to curry favour with certain groups.
4. Politics demands loyalty to party.
Shehu Sani fought not only his Governor but also the Federal Executive. He defended Sen Saraki at his corruption trial and rebelled against APC on every policy in a gang-up with PDP Senators. He even opposed PMB standing for re-election.
5. Politics is not student unionism.
Shehu Sani was always on social media writing his parables when he should be on the ground building a political base in his constituency. Unlike Student Union Governments, politicians always seek reelection. Shehu Sani ignored that fact and lost the APC primaries.
Federal Polytechnic Nekede No.1 in Nigeria: NBTE
By Philip Yatai/Kaduna
The Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri in Imo is the best polytechnic in Nigeria, according to the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
The Executive Secretary of the Board, Dr Masa’udu Kazaure made this known in Kaduna on Thursday, at the end of the Second Regular Meeting of the NBTE Governing Board. The meeting was chaired by Prof. Modupe Adelabu.
Kazaure explained that the polytechnic emerged the best after scoring 85.08 per cent in the assessment of 112 federal, state and private polytechnics in the country, in the pilot ranking of Nigerian polytechnics.
He said that the exercise covered 2015/2016 and 206/2017 academic sessions.
He said that the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun came second with 73.08 per cent, while Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna State came third with 72.31 per cent.
(Also read Taraba State Polytechnic the worst
Other polytechnics in the top 10 included The Polytechnic Ibadan, Oyo State, ranked fourth with 67.69 per cent; Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger, fifth, 65.38 per cent; and Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo, sixth, with 63.85 per cent.
Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, Enugu State, seventh, with 62.31 per cent. Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Ondo State and Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos State were ranked eighth with 60.77 per cent.
Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra was ranked 11th with 60.00 per cent and Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Kogi, occupied the 12th position with 59.23 per cent.
The NBTE boss also said that when disaggregated by ownership, the Federal Polytechnic Nekede also emerged the best Federal Polytechnic in the country followed by Federal Polytechnic Ilaro and Kaduna Polytechnic.
“The Polytechnic Ibadan, IMT and Rufus Giwa polytechnics were the highest ranked among state polytechnics, while Lagos City Polytechnic is the highest ranked private polytechnic and the 16th in the country.
“Dorben Polytechnic and Heritage Polytechnic were the second and third best private polytechnic in the country.
Kazaure explained that the polytechnics were ranked based on total number of programmes with full accreditation in the last two years and percentage of programmes with full accreditation.
“Other criteria include proportion of academic staff showing the right mix, that is, chief lecturer and principal lecturer down to assistant lecturer; and ability of institution to introduce programme in new and emerging fields.
“They were equally assessed based on capacity building of staff both within and outside Nigeria, teaching quality, including staff /student ratio and ratio of full-time to part-time staff.
“Other areas are availability of current Campus Master Plan, Strategic Plan, and Academic Brief; percentage of academic staff with relevant higher qualification and professional registration; and 70:30
technology-non-technology enrolment ratio.
technology-non-technology enrolment ratio.
“Another consideration was the incorporation of entrepreneurship education into the institute’s curriculum and fully established Entrepreneurship Development Centre,” he said.
He said other issues discussed by the board borders on quality assurance, accreditation, resource inspection visits and proliferation of illegal technical and health institutions in the country.
He said that 191 out of the 239 programmes in 41 polytechnics visited for accreditation between June and September 2018 were granted full accreditation while 48 got interim accreditation.
He also said that 117 programmes were scrutinised for resource inspection within the same period and 94 programmes were granted interim accreditation to commence operation, while 23 were denied.
“Four proposed private polytechnics were also visited for approval and licensing within the period under review and only one was recommended while three were asked to remedy some identified deficiencies.
“The governing board also approved a memorandum of understanding with Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria to reduce the burden of duplication of quality assurance visitation and accreditation activities.
“The board also agreed to hold meetings with relevant stakeholders to put an end to proliferation of illegal technical institutions and unapproved private health institutions operating in the county.
“The board particularly commended the effort of the Kaduna State Commissioner for Health, Dr Paul Dogo for expressing concern to the board on illegal health institutions operating in the state,” he said.
Kazaure added that the board equally frowned at the conversion of colleges of agriculture to polytechnics by some state governments and agreed to take necessary actions to put a stop to the development.
The full rankings:
President Buhari and the Economy.
This is a clear pointer to the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari has shrewdly and ably managed the national economy well in spite of the monumental challenges and problems he inherited on assumption of office in 2015 . Please read the report below thus:” Nigeria moves 10 places up in global competitiveness index
Africa’s biggest economy has moved up by ten places ranking 115th position globally from its previous 125th position, according to the latest Global Competitiveness 4.0 2018 Report of the World Economic Forum (WEF) released today.
According to the WEF annual report that analyzed 140 countries, Nigeria scored 47.6 out of a total score of 100. The new Global Competitiveness Index 4.0 which measures national competitiveness, defined it as the set of institutions, policies and factors that determine the level of productively of a nation.
The report looked at 98 indicators across 140 countries to determine the overall ranking and to signify how close an economy is to the ideal state or “frontier” of competitiveness.
The indicators which were then organized into 12 pillars are health, skills, financial system, infrastructure, institutions, ICT adoption, macroeconomic stability, product market, labour market, ,market size, business dynamism and innovation capacity.
Nigeria scored 42 in the institution indicator, 42 in infrastructure, 26 in ICT adoption, 56 in macroeconomic stability, 51 in health and 40 in skills.
In addition, it scored 52, 59, 44, 71, 55 and 31 in product market, labour market, financial system, market size , business dynamism and innovation capacity respectively.
The WEF ,this year used a new methodology to fully capture the new emerging dynamics of what fuels the global economy, which means including some other indicators that were not included before, such as diversity, workers rights, re-skilling, and press freedom.
The new index sheds light on an emerging set of drivers of productivity and long-term growth in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It provides a much-needed compass for policy-makers and other stakeholders to help shape economic strategies and monitor progress.
BUNMI BAILEY
Tags: Nigeria Economy
https://www.businessdayonline.com/business-economy/article/nigeria-moves-10-places-global-competitiveness-index/
Africa’s biggest economy has moved up by ten places ranking 115th position globally from its previous 125th position, according to the latest Global Competitiveness 4.0 2018 Report of the World Economic Forum (WEF) released today.
According to the WEF annual report that analyzed 140 countries, Nigeria scored 47.6 out of a total score of 100. The new Global Competitiveness Index 4.0 which measures national competitiveness, defined it as the set of institutions, policies and factors that determine the level of productively of a nation.
The report looked at 98 indicators across 140 countries to determine the overall ranking and to signify how close an economy is to the ideal state or “frontier” of competitiveness.
The indicators which were then organized into 12 pillars are health, skills, financial system, infrastructure, institutions, ICT adoption, macroeconomic stability, product market, labour market, ,market size, business dynamism and innovation capacity.
Nigeria scored 42 in the institution indicator, 42 in infrastructure, 26 in ICT adoption, 56 in macroeconomic stability, 51 in health and 40 in skills.
In addition, it scored 52, 59, 44, 71, 55 and 31 in product market, labour market, financial system, market size , business dynamism and innovation capacity respectively.
The WEF ,this year used a new methodology to fully capture the new emerging dynamics of what fuels the global economy, which means including some other indicators that were not included before, such as diversity, workers rights, re-skilling, and press freedom.
The new index sheds light on an emerging set of drivers of productivity and long-term growth in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It provides a much-needed compass for policy-makers and other stakeholders to help shape economic strategies and monitor progress.
BUNMI BAILEY
Tags: Nigeria Economy
https://www.businessdayonline.com/business-economy/article/nigeria-moves-10-places-global-competitiveness-index/
Saturday 20 October 2018
2019: International media query emergence of Atiku
International media organisations have queried the emergence of the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar over alleged questionable source of his wealth. Former Nigerian vice-President Atiku Abubakar This development occurred in London during a three day engagements of the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, with major media networks and think tanks. Giving a wrap up of the engagements on Saturday in London, the minister said the media houses he visited raised questions as to why Atiku could emerged as presidential candidate, considering the anti corruption stance of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. Newsmen report the minister, engaged with media organisations including Reuters, Aljazeera, the Economists, AP, New African, African Business and African Review Magazines. The minister said: “One curious issue that kept occurring was that anytime I spoke about how we have waged war against corruption, the journalists kept asking me a question. “They asked me: How can you claim to have succeeded in waging war against corruption, when one of the major contestants in the 2019 general elections is actually a man with stupendous wealth but cannot explain the source of his wealth?. “That baffled me a lot, because it mean that we are still being perceived as a country where corruption thrives. “It was difficult for me to explain to them that yes, we are fighting corruption but these are the same people who have put this country where we are today and who are also trying to come back to power. The minister assured the media organisations that “this will however define the task of choice for Nigerians. “The choice for Nigerians today is either they go back to the corrupt past where our commonwealth was shared by a few elites or move forward and continue with this new trajectory where the national resources are used for the benefit of all Nigerians. “I explained to them that the 2019 elections have been defined, and the choice have been made easy. “We are sure that Nigerians will choose rightly”. NAN reports that the minister during the visit also delivered lecture in Chatham House, a UK based Royal Institute of International Affairs on the topic, “Nigeria’s National Unity: Towards Participation and Shared Values” FG woos UK bitumen investors, promises job security Mohammed also engaged with foreign and Commonwealth Office, All Party Parliamentary Group and Royal African Society, a body founded in 1990 to promote relations between the UK and Africa. On his general assessment of the trip, the minister said that it was exciting and fruitful. “We set out from home to engage the major media networks and the major think tanks and stakeholders here. “The Chatham House platform gave me the opportunity to explain the role of my Ministry in enhancing national unity, participation and share values. “We have in attendance many stakeholders, including the High Commissioners of Nigeria and that of Cyprus to the UK and many people in the diaspora.,” He said the parliamentary visits afforded him the opportunity to explain issues on Boko Haram, the abducted girls and those who were executed. The minister said he gave insight and government position on farmers/herdsmen clashes, the role of the media and the efforts of the government in revamping the economy. “At every occasion, we were able to bring to fore the good narratives on the country and what the government had achieved in the last three and half years. “The kennel of the visit is that we were able to tell the whole world that we do not need to do anything extra because we have delivered on all our promises and Nigerians are quite happy and satisfy with the government,” he said. Mohammed said the government was aware of conspiracy by disgruntled elements to bring down the Administration at all cost. “This government has actually adversely affected the fortunes of many people who were simply parasite, people who sucked the blood of the nation doing nothing. “These are people who amassed unexplained wealth just by being agents or consultants to none existence projects. “We are not surprised by the kind of bitterness and hatred such people has for the government, but they will not succeed,” he said. The minister stressed that the administration will never be distracted in its policy of zero tolerance for corruption to move the nation forward. NAN
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/10/2019-international-media-query-emergence-of-atiku-over-suspicious-source-of-wealth/
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/10/2019-international-media-query-emergence-of-atiku-over-suspicious-source-of-wealth/
ON PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI'S ADMINISTRATION.
"Even though I still believe they used the mole called Saraki to frustrate his efforts at NASS, making sure we got budgets approved half way into the year and always delaying his requests.
May I add too that almost 1 year off the saddle as he got poisoned to die also contributed...
I believe his next 4 years will be much remarkable".
- *Genevieve Mbama*
May I add too that almost 1 year off the saddle as he got poisoned to die also contributed...
I believe his next 4 years will be much remarkable".
- *Genevieve Mbama*
Major Crisis In PDP.
A major crisis appears to be brewing in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of next year’s presidential election.
The party still appears divided over the choice of its running mate. The party is currently going through hard times as several stakeholders are not happy with the emergence of Peter Obi as the Vice-presidential Candidate of the party.
This much was confirmed by the Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi, who also doubles as Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, who confirmed that South-East leaders were not consulted before the emergence of Obi.
“Nobody is against Peter Obi, because he is my friend, competent and you must have seen our pictures together on the social media. We must take decisions against the marginalisation of Ebonyi people because if we have to vote, we must be treated with equity.
“Two names of the nominees came from Anambra, two from Abia and one from Enugu, but none came from Ebonyi and Imo.
“What is wrong with somebody from Ebonyi and Imo? If you must know, one of the reasons an Ebonyi man is against regions in the country is the fear of further marginalization.
“If Atiku just picked his running mate without people from other regions seeing the list and making choices, there could have been no complaints. I am talking about the South-East people and if six people can come from other regions and take decisions, there must be somebody from the South-East zone.
“There is nothing like the South-East governors’ stand on the matter; but we are only saying that when decisions are taken and people from other regions are invited, those from the South-East must be invited,” Umahi said.
The man at the centre of the fresh crisis, which insiders say was capable of eroding all the gains the party may have recorded so far in its march towards 2019 is the deputy president of the senate, Ike Ekweremadu.
Former vice president and PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, returned to the party, himself and Ekweremadu had been meeting over 2019.
It was the leaks from one of such meetings that made some of the party leaders at the time to allege that Ekweremadu was scheming to hand over the party to Atiku. But that at every of such meetings, even when Atiku was said to have out rightly offered the deputy senate president the vice presidency slot, Ekweremadu would always insist that he was more interested in what the South-East stand to gain as a bloc from his presidency.
“It was a collective decision we took to back Atiku for a number of reasons. One, we had wanted to meet with the South-south to take a common position on that. But one leader, in particular, treated us as if we didn’t matter. So, when Ekweremadu called us, we met and weighed the options before us based on the offers made by each of the aspirants.
“One of the offers that fascinated us most, which is restructuring, was made by Atiku. Then the other was his desire to do just one term so as to enable the South-East field a presidential candidate in 2023. We saw that as a good counter to our opponents, the APC in the South-East, who have been canvassing that a Buhari’s second term was the surest way to Igbo presidency in 2023.
“Now, after the primary, we expected Atiku to come back to us, so we can tidy up the details of our understanding, and move on from there. But that did not happen. The next thing we heard was that announcement of a running mate without recourse to us. Nobody is against Peter Obi’s choice, not even Ekweremadu, who has been asking us to take it easy. But that is not how to go about it, unless Atiku thinks himself and Obi can go it alone in the South-East,” one of the party leaders said.
Insisting that the deputy president of the senate was not fairly treated, one of the party leaders from the South-East further said “No, look at the way they treated Ekweremadu. When all of them left, Ekweremadu remained to fight for the survival of this party. How many of them would have resisted the temptation not to defect in the face of the intimidation, harassment, prosecution and persecution meted out on him? As a person, he had nothing to lose if he had defected then. In fact, he had everything to gain. He probably would have been the senate president because he was offered the slot.
“Then, when you people now return, you feel that people, who have held this party to survive, do not matter again simply because you got a presidential ticket. Also, even Saraki knows that if DSP had not been loyal, they would have gotten at him (Saraki) long ago. All the trials Ekweremadu was put through were all because of Saraki. But when it was the turn of Saraki to be there for him, he failed him. And as we speak, how many days is this after the primary? Atiku is yet to call DSP.
“You don’t treat a man who has been taking bullets on you people’s behalf like that. Well, I wish them and PDP well, but they should know that action begets reaction and they will pay the price for this mistreatment of people, who have laboured for the party at the toughest time. And if Ekweremadu leaves, we will hold these people responsible” one of the leaders from the South-East told Saturday Sun.
Ekweremadu’s Camp Reacts
When contacted, Ekweremadu’s spokesman, Mr. Uche Anichukwu pleaded not to be dragged into the matter. He was however quick to add: “I think the South-East leaders have vented their feelings and there is no ill will towards the person of Peter Obi. The deputy president of the senate is more concerned about the collective interest of the South-East going forward.
“You know the deputy president of the senate is one man, who does not always want to rock the boat. But he is a courageous leader too. At the fullest of time, I am sure he will speak up. But you know, he is one man whose political trajectory is directed by God. He is not a desperate person and acts in the collective interest. As for whether he was used and dumped as you said some party leaders allege, he is the only person in a position to say so,” Anichukwu added.
The party still appears divided over the choice of its running mate. The party is currently going through hard times as several stakeholders are not happy with the emergence of Peter Obi as the Vice-presidential Candidate of the party.
This much was confirmed by the Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi, who also doubles as Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, who confirmed that South-East leaders were not consulted before the emergence of Obi.
“Nobody is against Peter Obi, because he is my friend, competent and you must have seen our pictures together on the social media. We must take decisions against the marginalisation of Ebonyi people because if we have to vote, we must be treated with equity.
“Two names of the nominees came from Anambra, two from Abia and one from Enugu, but none came from Ebonyi and Imo.
“What is wrong with somebody from Ebonyi and Imo? If you must know, one of the reasons an Ebonyi man is against regions in the country is the fear of further marginalization.
“If Atiku just picked his running mate without people from other regions seeing the list and making choices, there could have been no complaints. I am talking about the South-East people and if six people can come from other regions and take decisions, there must be somebody from the South-East zone.
“There is nothing like the South-East governors’ stand on the matter; but we are only saying that when decisions are taken and people from other regions are invited, those from the South-East must be invited,” Umahi said.
The man at the centre of the fresh crisis, which insiders say was capable of eroding all the gains the party may have recorded so far in its march towards 2019 is the deputy president of the senate, Ike Ekweremadu.
Former vice president and PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, returned to the party, himself and Ekweremadu had been meeting over 2019.
It was the leaks from one of such meetings that made some of the party leaders at the time to allege that Ekweremadu was scheming to hand over the party to Atiku. But that at every of such meetings, even when Atiku was said to have out rightly offered the deputy senate president the vice presidency slot, Ekweremadu would always insist that he was more interested in what the South-East stand to gain as a bloc from his presidency.
“It was a collective decision we took to back Atiku for a number of reasons. One, we had wanted to meet with the South-south to take a common position on that. But one leader, in particular, treated us as if we didn’t matter. So, when Ekweremadu called us, we met and weighed the options before us based on the offers made by each of the aspirants.
“One of the offers that fascinated us most, which is restructuring, was made by Atiku. Then the other was his desire to do just one term so as to enable the South-East field a presidential candidate in 2023. We saw that as a good counter to our opponents, the APC in the South-East, who have been canvassing that a Buhari’s second term was the surest way to Igbo presidency in 2023.
“Now, after the primary, we expected Atiku to come back to us, so we can tidy up the details of our understanding, and move on from there. But that did not happen. The next thing we heard was that announcement of a running mate without recourse to us. Nobody is against Peter Obi’s choice, not even Ekweremadu, who has been asking us to take it easy. But that is not how to go about it, unless Atiku thinks himself and Obi can go it alone in the South-East,” one of the party leaders said.
Insisting that the deputy president of the senate was not fairly treated, one of the party leaders from the South-East further said “No, look at the way they treated Ekweremadu. When all of them left, Ekweremadu remained to fight for the survival of this party. How many of them would have resisted the temptation not to defect in the face of the intimidation, harassment, prosecution and persecution meted out on him? As a person, he had nothing to lose if he had defected then. In fact, he had everything to gain. He probably would have been the senate president because he was offered the slot.
“Then, when you people now return, you feel that people, who have held this party to survive, do not matter again simply because you got a presidential ticket. Also, even Saraki knows that if DSP had not been loyal, they would have gotten at him (Saraki) long ago. All the trials Ekweremadu was put through were all because of Saraki. But when it was the turn of Saraki to be there for him, he failed him. And as we speak, how many days is this after the primary? Atiku is yet to call DSP.
“You don’t treat a man who has been taking bullets on you people’s behalf like that. Well, I wish them and PDP well, but they should know that action begets reaction and they will pay the price for this mistreatment of people, who have laboured for the party at the toughest time. And if Ekweremadu leaves, we will hold these people responsible” one of the leaders from the South-East told Saturday Sun.
Ekweremadu’s Camp Reacts
When contacted, Ekweremadu’s spokesman, Mr. Uche Anichukwu pleaded not to be dragged into the matter. He was however quick to add: “I think the South-East leaders have vented their feelings and there is no ill will towards the person of Peter Obi. The deputy president of the senate is more concerned about the collective interest of the South-East going forward.
“You know the deputy president of the senate is one man, who does not always want to rock the boat. But he is a courageous leader too. At the fullest of time, I am sure he will speak up. But you know, he is one man whose political trajectory is directed by God. He is not a desperate person and acts in the collective interest. As for whether he was used and dumped as you said some party leaders allege, he is the only person in a position to say so,” Anichukwu added.
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