"Our Stand On Reported Plots Against May 29 Handover, Plans By Outgoing Government Officials To Flee Before Takeover," CMG

 

The Coalition of Northern Groups is, as usual, worried by the growing uncertainties created by certain destabilizing forces in the country surrounding the May 2029 transition to a new administration elected through the democratic poll processes of February 2023. 

We note that these concerns have been variously hinted at by the nation’s apex security organ, the Directorate of State Services (DSS), the Military high command and the Nigeria Police Force without visible proactive measures put in place to nip them. 

CNG is also worried about reports that some top officials of the outgoing administration are planning to leave the country ahead of the handover, obviously in a bid to cover-up their serial misconduct in office and to avoid being called to account. 

We are especially worried by reports that Godwin Emefiele who has held one of the most important offices in the country as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria throughout all the years of Nigeria's economic and financial turmoil, is among those planning to flee abroad.

OBSERVATIONS

The CNG observes that just recently, precisely on Monday, May 15, 2023, the Nigeria Police headquarters confirmed that plots to scuttle the May 29th official inauguration of the new administration of the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and governors at the state level are real. 

We observe that earlier, on May 4 2023, the nation's Military High Command also alerted on plans to scuttle the May 29 handover and warned the plotters to shelve the idea. 

It specifically said its officers are on standby to forestall any unwanted happening in the country before, during and after the transition. 

We observe also that two weeks earlier, the Defence Headquarters had raised the same alarm that some individuals are plotting with foreign collaborators to disrupt the May 29 inauguration and vowed to track them down. 

We observe that much earlier, the Department of State Services (DSS) had confirmed a clandestine plot by some politicians to derail the handover and install an interim government in Nigeria. 

The CNG has observed also that allegations are growing strong of Emefiele’s planned study leave abroad, presumably to escape Nigeria before the inauguration and avoid questions around alleged terrorism financing, other economic and financial misdemeanors and the introduction of the currency redesign policy in a bid to create obstacles for Tinubu during the presidential campaign which ended up in mass national suffering and confusion. 

We also note some state governors represented by Mohammed Matawalle of Zamfara State have raised the alarm that the the alarm that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Chairman plans an unjust isolated probe of only outgoing governors while excluding the Federal Government functionaries and even the Presidency. 

We also observe that the EFCC boss is making this vow without mention of scrutinizing the EFCC itself were recent reports made an embarrassing revelation of officers fighting to the point of death over recovered items in Sokoto.

OUR STAND 

It is in view of these and other potential national threats and likely impediments to the smooth takeoff of the incoming administration, that the CNG declares the following definite positions:

ON PLOT AGAINST HANDOVER

1. To strongly repudiate, in all ramifications, any attempt by any individual or group, to bring about any situation that could lead to scuttling or in anyway postponing the scheduled handover of leadership to the new duly elected federal administration of Bola Tinubu and state governors on May 29. 

2. To demand from the DSS urgent proactive action to checkmate the maneuvers of the perpetrators of the evil scheme and, most importantly, to trace and expose the extent of the plot, arrest and prosecute not only the executors of the plot, but its sponsors and all individuals or groups in anyway linked to it. 

3. To invite the DSS to note that Nigerians would not be disposed to accepting situations deliberately caused by vested personal interests, under whatever guise, that potentially threaten destruction and collective mayhem, or bring about greater conflicts that could lead to mass killings and suffering of innocent people. 

4. To demand that anybody or group found remotely involved with the financing, direct execution or concealing information on this sinister and diabolic scheme, be treated appropriately as a treasonable felon and enemy of the state and fellow citizens. 

5. To hold it ridiculous and insane for people with dubious political interests should want to disrupt an otherwise peaceful and orderly democratic process even while candidates and parties directly involved with the process have opted for the path of honour by seeking redress in the court of law. 

6. We repeat here, that on no account should Nigerians be expected to accept a replication of the unfolding deadly conflicts across African countries incited by powerful foreign interests. 

ON FLEEING PLANS BY OFFICIALS 

We demand that security agencies in the country including all the anti-graft agencies work in synergy and ensure that all critical office holders in the outgoing administration such as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele did not sneak out of the country before May 29th.

We demand that when the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari bows out of office all key office holders must be asked to clear themselves of all pending corruption and other allegations against them. 

We insist, in particular, that the CBN governor must be made to give an account of his tenure to the incoming administration.

We demand that if any study leave has been approved for Emefiele or any other suspected official, it should be canceled in the interest of peaceful transfer of power, accountability and good governance. 

ON EFCC 

We reject the purported plan to limit the searchlight to only outgoing state governors and demand demand that the EFCC Chairman carries out a wholistic probe by extending the beam on the Presidency, Federal Government ministries, parastatals and cabinet members of the outgoing administration. 

We also demand a thorough search into allegations against the EFCC itself as well as the disabling volume of debt amassed for the country by the outgoing administration. Thank you!

Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, 

CNG Spokesperson.

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NASS Leadership: More Protests Trail APC Zoning Formula

The controversy trailing the All Progressives Congress (APC) zoning formula for the position of presiding officers of the 10th National Assembly is yet to abate, as youths drawn from the North Central have said the region would not settle for anything less. 

The youths, under the aegis of the North Central Youths Stakeholders Forum and North Central Youths Stakeholders Forum and the Middle Belt Forum, specifically said the region would only accept the Senate Presidency and Speakership of the House of Representatives. 

In a statement, the Leader of the NCYSF, Mohammed A Mohammed, said the groups were behind the decision reached at the recent meeting held by governors of the region and National Assembly members-elect, not to accept the decision of the party.

Mohammed contended that the APC zoning arrangement was a deliberate attempt to undermine the contributions of the North-Central to the survival of the party and its victory at the February 25th general elections and subsequent polls. 

He said: “We find it unbecoming that other regions that performed abysmally at the polls are given preference in zoning arrangement of the APC NWC while relegating the North Central which contributed optimally to the victory of the APC and its Presidential Candidate would be literally denied any principal position in the coming National Assembly.

“It is all the more insulting that even to consider the North Central for the third position in the legislative houses is subject of debate and speculation.

“In the light of this, we wish to invite the intervention of all stakeholders in the APC to impress on the NWC of the party and all those behind this agenda to rescind, withdraw, review and reverse this unpopular decision and in the alternative, allow the elected federal legislators to form their leadership.”

He called on the President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to stand on the side of truth and justice by supporting the North Central.

“We call on the incoming President to do all he could to reclaim his statesmanship by supporting what clearly is the popular will of the people against those who want to subvert it.

It does not gladden anyone to think that the relegation of the North Central after the central role it played in the emergence of the coming administration in spite of all the odds, is calculated to diminish the rising political relevance of the region.

“For the avoidance of doubt therefore, and for those who have ears to hear, the North Central would never settle for any other position lower than the Senate Presidency and Speakership of the House of Representatives,” he said.

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Nigeria Peace Corps: Ooni Donates 100 Hectares Of Land For Training School

 

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has donated 100 hectares of land to the Nigeria Peace Corps (NPC) for the construction of South-West Zonal Training School.

The monarch made this known at his palace during a familiarisation visit by the Corp’s Commandant General of NPC, Dr. Mustapha Abubakar, in Ife, Osun State.

According to him, the land is situated along Ilesa road, Abayagani, Ile-Ife.

He said that the role of Nigeria Peace Corps nationwide could not be overemphasised, particularly with the trend of kidnapping, banditry and other insecurity threats.

He said that the corps must continue to demonstrate commitment aimed at making the society safe and peaceful for citizens to live and stay.

The monarch further said that his love for the corps warranted the need for the gift to enable them to position their training ground for the southwest Zone.

The monarch further said that his love for the corps warranted the need for the gift to enable them to position their training ground for the southwest zone .

Ogunwusi who applauded the corps for making him grand patron promised not to let them down in all areas where his attention is needed.

"According to him, he has decided to station the training school in Ife due to the tireless efforts and contribution of Osun citizens in the service of humanity, especially to the growth of the corps."

He also said that 700 officers across southwest were expected for passing-out -parade in the state.

He said the visit was also to strengthen the ties with Ooni as the source of yorubaland and major stakeholder in the history of Nigeria, especially in the areas of security.

Responding the Comandant General Nigeria peace corps Dr. Mustapha Abubakar who appreciated the Osun Govenor, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, whom he described him as a lover of peace thanked him for his interest in supporting the corps in achieving its set mandate.

High points of the visit was the conferment of award of excellent to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi as the Grand Patron of the Nigerian peace corps for his contributions to the upliftment of Nigerian youths, among others.

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Davido Spent $60k On Teeth Whitening - Odumodublvck Reveals

 

Tochukwu Ojogwu, alias Odumodublvck, a Nigerian singer, has voiced his dismay at Davido's exorbitant expenditure on teeth whitening.

Odumodublvck claims that Davido shelled out a whopping $60,000 to have his teeth whitened and made to look more appealing.

Odumodublvck asserted that the DMW boss revealed it to him through a video conversation. He explained that Davido initially laughed it off when he inquired about the source of his pearly white teeth, but ultimately he answered.

“Davido’s teeth is 60k USD. How I take know? I see am for rell life. I say, ‘Guy, why your teeth white like this?” Him say, “Hahaha. R video call me. I say guy: “Guy why your teeth white like this?” E say: “60k nigga!," he said.

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“My boyfriend used to have oral sex with me while I’m on my period” – Monalisa Stephen (Video)

 

Monalisa Stephen, a Nigerian actress, has gone viral after revealing that her boyfriend used to have oral sex with her while she was on her period.

Monalisa previously made headlines when she accused influencer Caramel Plugg of "misleading" women who choose to support their men while dating.

Monalisa shared an experience on media personality Nedu's podcast that got social media buzzing. Her boyfriend, she claims, used to have oral sex with her during her period.

The other guests on the show looked surprised, while Monalisa nodded in agreement. She admitted that it was strange at first.

She went on to say that in order for a man to please his woman, he must love every aspect of her.

Watch video below:

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Nigeria: Unity And Identity By Prince Adewole Adebayo

 

The essence of unification is for someone who has spent 69 years in Awka to speak Igbo, blend with Igbo culture and his children and grandchildren be as normal as any other Awka indigene not to have mini enclaves of their foreign ethnicities in their new home. 

We cannot be a cluster of tribal ghettos refusing to blend like water and oil. My community is an admixture of diverse backgrounds such as Nupe, Bini, Igala, Oyos (Yorubas as originally called) , Ife, Brazilian returnees, American mercenaries who came to fight Kiriji war, Ebiras, Ijebu, Agatus, but each had given up where they came from and become the Ondo Kingdom. Ekwuemes Igala (Idokos) who left Ondo due to a dispute over refusal to accept the rulership of we Oyo princes when we arrived circa 1500, moved back to Idoko near Idah and from there established a farm settlement (Oko) now in Oko, Anambra State have since blended with their Igbo hosts and cannot be denied their Igbo identity and culture. Ekwueme which was a nickname for the honesty and integrity of the Igala man has overtaken his original Idoko name. The notion of being born in Lagos and insisting on Anambra, Ondo, Enugu, Imo, Rivers, Kano etc as State of Origin in all your documents and returning home for all milestones such as wedding, funeral Christmas etc punctures any claim of equal citizenship with those who have only Lagos as their home. 

People who refer to Obama and the American presidency should not forget that Obama speaks American, lives American and doesn’t return to Kenya routinely for life milestones. Everything about him is American. The USA has people from all parts of the world. The melting process creates one American identity based on long term residence without looking back to former homelands. 

This is where Nigeria needs to head to. A situation where ethnic enclaves in Lagos vote en bloc and in one direction in elections is not assimilation. It is the opposite of it. There should be no Igbo vote in Lagos, Kano etc. And there should be no Yoruba votes in Enugu or Kaduna. Neither should there be Hausa votes in Apapa or Owerri or Port Harcourt. I was sad when my governorship candidates said he was looking for Igala votes in Delta. I asked if they tend to vote in one direction. The answer was yes! Sad. 

A situation whereby Igbo or Hausa or Yoruba factory workers in Lagos vote the same way as their ethnic brethren who are factory owners in Lagos. Why should an Igbo tenant or homeless vote alongside an Igbo landowner or estate developer in an election in which housing and welfare should be in focus? What interests should they have in common? What is the interest of a Yoruba Okada rider in common with a Yoruba politician who denied him livelihood without a replacement? 

I have paid attention to the present squabbles which are a rehash of ethno-sensitivities of the 1950s to 1960s culminating in the creation of Lagos State. It is like a spell cast on Nigerians that history must not only repeat itself but the bad parts of history must repeat themselves in more regularity. The good and sweet parts rarely repeat themselves. 

If anyone wants to be a Lagosian, they need to be Lagosian. And old identities passed away. I am not Lagosian. I lived there for 22 years. Hundreds of my family members are now Lagosians. How do I know? It is because they don’t return to Ondo. They come once in years when someone is to be buried or married to spend one night and vamoose back to Lagos. Many of my blood are buried at Atan and other cemeteries in Lagos despite all entreaties to be brought to Ondo. As my grandfather lamented over the remains of her beloved niece: Abegbe ti gbe s’Eko. Abegbe is lost to Lagos. Abegbe has great grandchildren now. Ondo is a faint memory if at all, lost way back in the family tree. That is how to be a Lagosian. 

For me, I am an economic operator in Lagos. I go to do business wherever there is business to do, just as I am an economic operator in Aba and Kano and wherever value can be exchanged. I lived many years in New York but I am not a New Yorker. When law practice took me to Sydney and Melbourne in Australia, I did my job. I remain an Ondo man. I am not Australian. 

I think that we must raise issues of common concerns to our electorates so that they may ponder over them and identify their interests and mobilise support for measures and solutions they believe in. And when issues of poverty, insecurity, poor infrastructure, human development etc are raised, people of the same ethnicity won’t agree across the board. There will be no ethnic block votes to squabble over. Voters will gravitate towards where their shoes pinch them. They will scratch where the itching is. 

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Kwara 2023: SDP Presidential Candidate Canvasses Support for Hakeem Lawal

 

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) Presidential Candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo has urged Kwarans to vote Hakeem Lawal and other Party’s House of Assembly candidates during March 11 elections.

Prince Adewole Adebayo made this call on Monday while addressing journalists after a meeting with SDP leaders and supporters in Ilorin.

He said SDP is in the race to win elections, “not only in Kwara state, but across the country”.

According him the party is out to make a difference to enable Nigerians differentiate between black and white.

Prince Adebayo urged party members to remain United and work hard towards attaining victory in the coming governorship and state Assembly elections.

He noted that the nation may not move forward until all stakeholders recognize the need to fight poverty and insecurity.

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SDP’s Adebayo Poses Five Vital Questions Over March 11 Polls

The candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the just concluded February 25, 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has posed five questions begging for answers ahead of the March 11 governorship and state legislative elections.

He raised the questions in a two page tweets at the weekend.

He maintained that he has observed what he described as the “remorseful tone” of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “over inglorious commissions and omissions of Feb 25 elections”, but insisted that the only redemption for the commission “is clean, clear March 11 elections.”

Prince Adebayo insisted that nothing less than transparent elections was required from INEC forthcoming state elections.

“I have taken note of remorseful tone of @inecnigeria over inglorious commissions and omissions of Feb 25 elections. Redemption is clean, clear March 11 elections. Nothing less! The big question is, will @OfficialAPCNg @OfficialPDPNig @NgLabour @OfficialNNPPng etc stop cheating?

“Also, (2) will voters still sell votes for money or barter for foodstuffs, cloths, soaps, ‘maggi’ etc? (3) Will security operatives be fully loyal to the law and Country? (4) Will the media expose frauds and infractions conscientiously? (5) Will observers be neutral and ethical?”, Prince Adewole Adebayo asked.

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Why I won’t challenge Tinubu’s victory – SDP’s Adebayo

 

Prince Adewole Adebayo, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party(SDP) has explained why he did not challenge the outcome of the just concluded presidential election in court.

The Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi and his People Democratic Party counterpart, Atiku Abubakar, on Thursday in separate world press conferences revealed their intention to challenge INEC’s declaration of the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the winner of the February 25.

But the SDP candidate, Adebayo who spoke during a programme on ARISE TV said though he had evidence of being robbed at the poll, he didn’t win the election.

Adebayo also said he congratulated Tinubu and accepted him as the President-elect in obedience to the Constitution.

“My position is that Bola Ahmed Tinubu wrongly or rightly has been declared the President-elect, we who ran, who have followers, my followers are angry with me that I did that but that is leadership because the duty is to stabilise the situation and then the law will take its cause.”

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SDP stands by election outcome, sets agenda for Tinubu

 

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has called on the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, to unite the county through a government of national unity and fast-track a process of national reconciliation.

The party also submitted that notwithstanding the obvious challenges that were associated with the election and the concerns expressed by aggrieved stakeholders, the party stood by the outcome of the electoral process.

The National Chairman of the party, Shehu Gabam, disclosed this on Thursday at a press briefing held at the party’s headquarters in Abuja while congratulating Tinubu for winning the keenly contested presidential election. He also lauded the party’s presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, for his impressive outing in the election.

He said, “We call on the President-elect to take deliberate practical steps in uniting the country, to bring the country together through a government of national unity; to fix our obvious national cracks, address the failings, heal the land and fast-track the process of national reconciliation.

“The SDP heartily congratulates all Nigerians for the peaceful and successful presidential and national assembly elections that took place on Saturday, February 25, 2023, and Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress Candidate for winning the keenly contested presidential election.”

While commending the Independent National Electoral Commission, under the leadership of Mahmood Yakubu, for pulling through in the face of all odds, the party also saluted the good show of the runners-up and all the presidential candidates in the election, for putting themselves forward to serve the country, and for making the contest to be very competitive.

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