APC CRISIS: Tinubu gains upper hand

APC CRISIS: Tinubu gains upper hand

.NWC to be dissolved next week .Party to set up Caretaker Committee .Oyegun meets Buhari, pledges support to Tinubu

AMID claims by the National Leader of All Progressives Congress ,APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu that the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun is frustrating his peace-making efforts, investigations by Saturday Vanguard revealed that his endeavours are yielding positive results to the admiration of key party stakeholders.


APC Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu

It was particularly learnt that his fence-mending roles have so far resulted in some viable options that could lead to reconciliation and confidence building in APC. 

Party sources told Saturday Vanguard that in the discharge of his duties as a trouble-shooter, Tinubu has deployed sound judgment, wisdom, and far-sightedness to the extent that many now regard him as the person, who holds the key to the party’s future. Party sources said that Tinubu had gained upper hand in what appeared to be a tussle between him and leadership of the National Working Committee. 
And the outcome of the meeting President Buhari had with Oyegun yesterday, we gathered, pointed to the fact that Tinubu was holding sway. The sources further revealed that plans have been concluded to dissolve the party’s National Working Committee ,NWC, anytime next week in order to constitute a Caretaker Committee. It was further learnt that the planned dissolution of the Oyegun-led NWC is expected to take place in Abuja. While it was not specifically stated if the decision to dissolve the NWC is as a result of Tinubu’s peace-making efforts, it was gathered that the aim is to position loyalists of President Muhammadu Buhari at the helm of affairs. The move for a Caretaker Committee which confirmed a report by Saturday Vanguard a few weeks ago about a similar plan is aimed towards having an assemblage of men, who will be absolutely committed in working for Buhari’s re-election. If eventually constituted, it was learnt that the Caretaker Committee would organise the party’s National Convention which is expected to hold in June upon the expiration of the tenure of the current NWC. Meanwhile, Chief Odigie-Oyegun has replied the 7-page letter written him by Tinubu in which the latter excoriated him for being disinterested in the peace-building efforts he is leading in the party. 

The acknowledgement letter came after President Muhammadu Buhari met with Chief Odigie-Oyegun on Friday afternoon at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Though the details of their meeting were not immediately available to the public, Saturday Vanguard gathered that it was not unconnected with the dusts raised by Mr Tinubu’s letter and the need to get the party chairman to soft-pedal in his response rather than responding tit for tat. In his reply which was obtained by Saturday Vanguard, Odigie-Oyegun simply assured the former Lagos governor of his “fullest support”, but refrained from joining issues with him or embarking on a point by point response. “I thank you for your letter dated February 21, 2018, for your prayers and good wishes for my health. I wish you the same and pray that our good God keeps you strong and grants you His peace.
 Let me once again formally congratulate you on the peace making assignment Mr President has entrusted you with. It is most challenging but I believe you will ultimately justify the confidence reposed in you by Mr President. In this, you have my fullest support. “Be assured, dear Asiwaju, of my highest regards now and always”, he concluded. The letter dated 23rd February 2018 was copied to the President, Vice President, Senate President and the Speaker, House of Representatives. President Buhari had days ago appointed Mr Tinubu to mediate in the various crises afflicting the ruling party both at the national level and in the states. Tinubu had in his own letter dated February 21 alleged that Chief Odigie-Oyegun had been taking unilateral decisions regarding the crisis in the party in Kogi, Kaduna and Adamawa states. Titled, ‘Actions and Conduct Weakening the Party from Within’, Tinubu said, “those who were entrusted with positions of high responsibility within the party seemed unable to handle the success given them. Little attention was tendered the principles upon which this party was formed and pursuant to which it was presented to the public as an alternative to the cynical politics of the PDP”. Tinubu said since the election, there had been reports of lack of fairness and openness, leading to crisis in the states, while “there have been allegations of self-induced crisis resulting from merchandising of internal processes.” Tinubu recalled how he had recently visited the Chief Odigie-Oyegun led National Working Committee NWC and extracted commitments from them to support the processes of reconciliation. “Unfortunately, the spirit of understanding and of cooperative undertaking to revive the party seems not to have lived beyond the temporal confines of that meeting. I assure anyone who cares to know that this positive spirit of cooperation did not meet its demise at my hands…Disappointment greeted me when I discovered out that you had swiftly acted in contravention of the spirit of our discussions. Instead of being a bulwark of support as promised, you positioned yourself in active opposition to the goal of resuscitating the progressive and democratic nature of the APC. As a party, we have strived to be the best, present hope for the nation. Yet, your goal appears to be something of a lesser pedigree”. According to Tinubu, Oyegun had mentioned the APC in Kogi, Kaduna, Adamawa and Kano states as chapters deserving critical attention due to the peculiar nature of their crisis, and accused the national chairman of rushing to Kogi last weekend to “unilaterally inaugurate a new slate of state officials, parallel to the officials already heading the state chapter of the party”. “It is my understanding that your dissolution of the duly-constituted state executives and the hurried naming of the above-mentioned caretaker group was not approved by the NWC. You had let this situation fester for months on end. Only when I was appointed to help resolve internal disputes and when you realized I might focus early on Kogi, did you stir from your indifference and inaction”. He said Oyegun’s inaction led to the festering crisis in other states, saying the chairman also failed to avail him of the status reports on the affected state chapters as earlier promised.

Amaechi and Abe: Too much turbulence for Tinubu in Rivers

Amaechi and Abe: Too much turbulence for Tinubu in Rivers 


Amaechi-Tinubu-Abe 

The festering feud between Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi and Senator Magnus Abe in Rivers State is one assignment that would definitely stress the imaginations of the All Progressives Congress, APC trouble-shooter, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

The unfolding drama in the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, is not entirely new. Ahead of the 2015 elections, Senator Magnus Abe was said to have buckled to the supremacy of the outgoing governor, Rotimi Amaechi albeit grudgingly when Dr. Dakuku Peterside was chosen as the governorship candidate.

The disaffection created by that situation was believed to have, in part, deepened the setbacks which resulted in the failure of the party to win the governorship contest. Ahead of the 2019 governorship contest, Abe’s body language suggests that he is not prepared to acquiesce  to Amaechi’s superiority this time. Amaechi’s kinsmen cling to Abe Abe apparently took his case to Amaechi’s backyard when he got some of the former governor’s kinsmen to endorse him earlier this month. A clan of the pro-Abe supporters, grouped as Rivers East APC Stakeholders, made up of party stalwarts from Ameachi’s Ikwerre enclave, on February 6th in Port Harcourt, endorsed Abe as the “overwhelming choice” of the district for the 2019 governorship ticket. Present at the occasion were some leading party stalwarts who had in the past, strongly identified with Amaechi. Among them were the member representing Ikwerre Emuohua Federal Constituency, Chidi Wihioka, Allwell Onyesoh, Adokiye Oruwan. Also present were Tony Okocaha, Amaechi’s former Chief of Staff, Golden Chioma, former lawmaker and Chibuiko Akarolo, former Mayor of Port Harcourt City among others. “We have endorsed Abe to contest the 2019 gubernatorial election under the APC. It is our conviction that Abe is most qualified to contest and salvage our state from the rudderless voyage it is on. Rivers people and all men of goodwill should support this cause,” Amaechi’s kinsmen declared in a communiqué. Amplifying reasons for their preference for Abe, Akarolo said: “You cannot deliberately undermine your best student to field a far less qualified one to represent you in a game of wits, school debate or academic contest. We tried it in 2015, where did it land us?” I will never support Abe, Amaechi stokes the conflict Penultimate weekend, Amaechi ended the mind game of silence, stoking the raging conflict, apparently having had it with the speculations. “No fight in the APC. I am not in any way stopping Abe from running for the governorship, but what I know is that I will not support him. Abe is daring me, an Ikwerre son. He is abusing me everyday. I will ensure I use Ikwerre vote on him,” he exploded at a meeting in Port Harcourt with another set of Ikwerre APC Chiefs and Elders’ Forum, IACEF. He also stressed that his opposition to Abe was on the need to rotate the governorship between the upland and riverine sections of the state. “When we finish with riverine, if Ogoni shows interest, we will support them. I am not saying that Ogoni people do not have qualified persons. At the moment, we have not chosen a candidate, only God will decide who will become the next governor.” Abe and promoters of his candidacy continue to fault Amaechi’s preference for rotational governorship, fondly tagged Upland/Riverine dichotomy, as an insincere and indefensible conspiracy at changing the goal post in the middle of the game if only to displace Abe. Those who cling to this view note that if Amaechi defied this sentiment when he, an Ikwerre Uplander took over from Governor Peter Odili, also from the Upland, that he shouldn’t be whipping up the same sentiment. Added to the argument is the pain that Ogoni as a major Rivers ethnic block, has never been allowed to enjoy the governorship. Yet, another argument is the claim that Amaechi had, in 2015, accused Ogoni of late indication of interest in the governorship with a promise to support them come 2019 should they make early declaration of intent. However, Darlington Nwauju, an APC member strongly defended Amaechi saying the former governor never said the things alluded to him. “I challenge anyone to come up with proof of how and when Amaechi made such promise. The Transport Minister is a man known for his tenacity. He wouldn’t eat his words. If he agrees to fight for a cause, he supports you till the end,” Nwauju noted. Saraki, Ikanya, even Wike caution In the midst of the tension, key stakeholders have called for caution. Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who led colleagues to Abe’s election thanksgiving earlier this month, pressed for peace. “We want all APC members in Rivers to call for peace and reconciliation. What is wrong is wrong. We want peace to reign in Rivers and the chapter of the party,” Saraki said. In a vote of confidence in Abe, Saraki further said, “The presence of Senators from across the country as well as other dignitaries at the reception shows that Abe is a very humble person. Abe worked very hard for the party. If not for Magnus Abe, somebody will not be in the cabinet today. You are a very loyal and courageous person.” State chairman of the party, Davies Ikanya who was present at the occasion, said, “Candidates will emerge from the congresses of the party at the proper time. All adoptions and endorsements before the congress are illegal and amount to nothing. The party is not involved in those.” At the thanksgiving, a most unlikely advisor was Governor Nyesom Wike who cautioned that the state politics was like a wrestling contest that those who rush in before the real fireworks start may lose steam to sustain the fight in the middle of the game. “The state should be first to be considered at all times. The interest of the state is paramount. When we come together, all we should preach is how Rivers should be the number one state in the country. When the time for wrestling comes, we will wrestle. I am urging you to hold on, when it is set we will come out,” he charged stakeholders. Abe’s options Abe has yet to respond to Amaechi’s public declaration not to support his governorship ambition, but those who know him are sure he would respond. “You know he hasn’t declared for governorship, but it’s a very predictable possibility. Abe will say his mind at the appropriate time, which won’t be long from now”, a chieftain of the Rivers APC told Vanguard. Given Amaechi’s influence in the APC and vehement rejection of an Abe ticket, except a miracle happens or some other factors intervene, Abe and his supporters know the balance of power for the APC governorship ticket rests majorly on Amaechi. Knowing that Abe is not also given to giving up easily on a cause he believes in, there are suspicions that in his recent sizzling closeness with Wike, he may have worked a Plan B – to decamp and pull his support base to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) should he be edged out again for the APC governorship ticket. Abe has strongly insisted that he would not leave the APC he cofounded to bring change in the polity. However, not many, especially among mainstream Rivers APC, believe him. An APC chieftain said, “Abe is a wise man, but this calculation could consume him. We know his game plan. He already made up his mind to join Wike in the calculation that he retains his Senate seat and waits on Wike’s magnanimity to get the governorship ticket in 2023. “Wike would be happy for it to better his chances for a second term next year, but he certainly can’t be trusted to support even Abe’s retention of his Senate seat in the PDP or APC. He is going to be the ultimate loser.” Head or tail, the odds of divisions rocking the Rivers APC seem to be proving a booster to Wike’s quest for an unassailable second term. Added to the dismal performance of the APC-led Federal Government, the cracks in Rivers APC have become a reference point for the governor’s new found role as an advocate of political tolerance. No crack in Rivers APC, we are politicking — Pro APC group However, with the conflict and its negative consequences glaring to unbiased watchers, the Free Rivers Development Initiative, tilted to Amaechi’s interest in the APC maintains that there are no cracks in the party President-General of the group, Sampson Ngerebara, said: “Whether you are a leader or not, you have a divine right to have choice. Amaechi, yes, is the leader of Rivers APC, but he has just one vote at the primaries. How many persons will emerge as party candidate? Just one. So assuming you have three, four, five persons contesting the primary, will Amaechi vote for all?

Herdsmen-Farmers Crisis: FG To Gazette Grazing Routes Nationwide

Buhari

Abuja – After seven hours of brainstorming, the Council of State meeting summoned by President Muhammadu Buhari came to a resolution to officially gazette all grazing rThe Council of State meeting also unbundled the security challenges facing the country and resolved that it was three pronged. Their first observation was that besides the farmers/herders clashes, armed bandits were also hiding under the guise of the crisis to create havoc.

“On the security situation in the country, we received a very long brief from the National Security Adviser, ranging from farmers/herdsmen clashes, Boko Haram, militancy in the Niger Delta, kidnapping and cattle rustling”.

The decision was arrived at as a means of quelling some of the security challenges in parts of the country, especially incidents that trailed the farmers-herdsmen clashes in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa states recently.

Besides gazetting the routes, government would also provide resources for special grazing reserves where states would voluntarily make lands available

He said after deliberations, a lot of suggestions came forward. According to him, “farmers/herdsmen clashes were discussed thoroughly and they learnt that it takes three dimensions. First is the real farmers/herdsmen clashes, where the normal herdsman moves around with his cattle and gets into a farmers land and eats up his crops.

“In some situations it’s pure banditry. Some of the pastoralists that are not herders, attack, steal and kidnap and that has to be defined as such.

“Some of them rustle cattle and move into the deep forests. And because of the thickness of the forests response are usually very difficult. That was also discussed today and solutions were proffered on how to get deep into the forests, to check those bandits that hide and continue to commit havoc.

“Third aspect usually classified as farmers/herdsmen clashes is also the settlers and indigenes clashes like in the Southern Kaduna. Some migrant farmers or herders stay in an environment for a very long time and when you have such clashes, they are also classified as farmers/herdsmen clashes.

“So we understand and acknowledge these three aspects and all have different approaches in solving the whole problem. And from the discussions today, a lot has been done, solutions have been proffered and the government believes solution is near.

“The minister of agriculture also presented a position on how to resolve the first part of the farmers/herdsmen clashes, that is the actual migrating herdsmen that pass through towns and farms, eats up crops in the farms and create a lot of problems.

“He proffered a lot of solutions ranging from those states that have already designated cattle routes, grazing reserves and activating the grazing reserves to ensure the farmers and herdsmen live in harmony”.

The meeting which had in attendance, three former Heads of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar including governors making up the federation also resolved to pump in $1 billion dollars into the diversification programme of the country as a means of further reflating the economy.

Majority of the funds are expected to be distributed around agricultural schemes, with set out conditions which beneficiaries are expected to meet before accessing the funds.

Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, who briefed State House correspondents of the development, however, kept mum on how the funds will be sourced.

He said after assessment of existing intervention of N200 million in the agricultural sector and the impact it has had on the economy, it was agreed that the funds be shored up a bit.

Amosun said part of the diversification plans was to ensure that agricultural products are grown all year round, while measures would be put in place to curtail waste.

The meeting which is the third in the series under the Buhari administration also received briefs on the forthcoming general elections in 2019 from chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, but kept mum on areas of deliberation.

On the attack which rocked Dapchi community in Yobe State, Jigawa State governor, Abubakar Badaru, said the council resolved to beef up security around the school to forestall a reoccurrence of the attacks.

Also in attendance at the meeting were former Chief Justices of Nigeria, Mohammed Uwais, Idris Kutigi, Alfa Belgore and Aloma Muktar.

Former Presidents Shehu Shagari and Goodluck Jonathan as well as former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, including former Head of Interim National Government, Ernest Shonekan were conspicuously absent.

The meeting, which started at 11:05a.m, also had in attendance Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

The governors in attendance are those of Sokoto, Delta, Adamawa, Imo, Benue, Lagos, Nasarawa, Abia, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kebbi, Plateau, Kano, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Ekiti, Kogi, Zamfara, Osun, Ogun, Niger, Ebonyi and Ekiti.

The deputy governors of Bayelsa and Enugu were also in attendance.

Leadership Crisis: Artiste managers back call for probe of COSON

Leadership Crisis: Artiste managers back call for probe of COSON




Following the leadership crisis rocking the Copyright Society of Nigeria,COSON, the Association of Music Artiste Managers of Nigeria,AMAMN, has backed the call for an audit of the society, saying it will restore confidence between the two bodies.

In a statement titled, “COSON and The New Dance”, AMAMN said nothing but a probe of the leadership of COSON would satisfy its members. This development is coming as the Nigerian Copyright Commission,NCC, is said to have annulled the return of Okoroji as Chairman of the society.

Okoroji was returned as COSON chairman at an extraordinary general meeting held on December 19, 2017, days after Efe Omorogbe was installed by the board of COSON. According to AMAMN, the association, on  a fact-finding mission, met on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 with Chief Tony Okoroji and his team. A week later, it met with Efe Omorogbe and Mr. Joel Ajayi on ways to resolve the ongoing crisis. It says, “Despite the fact that Mr. Efe Omorogbe is not only a bona fide member, but a founding member of our association, we decided to adhere to the principles of “Audi Alterem Partem” (let the other side be heard as well) and give both sides a chance to present the facts as they see it.” The association therefore implores both parties to comply with the position of the Nigerian Copyrights Commission (NCC) in the matter.” “The regulator has finally spoken and we are grateful.  We implore all parties to please adhere to the ruling of the NCC and allow the proposed probe and forensic audit that the NCC has asked to be carried out.” “As a body, we have resolved to follow this situation to a legal and logical conclusion and ask all artiste managers, to join in this agitation. We don’t get paid if our clients don’t get paid; let us therefore secure the rights and livelihood of our clients.”

#BBNaija: I disgraced my mother,fans, cries out Kbrule

#BBNaija: I disgraced my mother,fans, cries out Kbrule


Kbrule and Khloe

Big Brother Naija 2018 ex-housemate, Kbrule, who was disqualified alongside Khloe on the show last Sunday, has revealed that he cannot date Khloe. He also said that he’s sad to  have disgraced his mother and his fans. Speaking during a question and answer session organized by Payporte for evicted housemates on Instagram, Kbrule said  he’s quite angry with himself and he believed he should have done better on the show if only he had taken the caution and behaved himself while on the Big Brother Naija show.

“I am angrier with myself for disgracing my mother letting her and my fans down. I want nothing more than to make it up” he said after a fan told him she was mad at him . When asked if he was going to go on with dating Khloe, he said “Hahaha Nah” and when further asked how he felt when Khloe kept insulting him in the house, he replied: “This poor broken lady is acting out of insecurity take it easy on her” Kbrule was then asked about the housemate that he would love to see evicted from the show and he responded saying:”I think Cee-C should leave.”

INNOSON: Lending support to Nigeria’s first automaker

Founder and chairman of Nigeria’s automobile company, Innoson Motors, Innocent Chukwuma

FOR  many decades, manufacturing of automobiles seemed to many Africans  a mystery which only the Whiteman could understand. The excitement that usually accompanies the sight of a new car imported from overseas was in most cases exhilarating and wondrous. With the arrival of INNOSON Vehicles Manufacturing plant on the scene, all the myth surrounding the invisibility of automobile manufacturing was shattered.

The credit goes to Chief Innocent Chukwuma whose ingenuity, hard work and enterprise have placed Nigeria on the global map of vehicles manufacturing countries. Today, Nigeria ranks among the countries that can boast as a manufacturer of full-range of locally -made vehicles at the INNOSON vehicles manufacturing plant in Nnewi, Anambra State. The company was able to achieve the rare feat following the single – minded resolve of Chief Chukwuma to  brace the challenge and prove that a black man can indeed achieve, if not surpass the white man in the area of automobile manufacturing. Since the company was established, thousands of vehicles ranging from cars, sport utility vehicles, garbage trucks and military vehicles have been rolled out from the factory in Nnewi, Anambra state. This has also resulted in the creation of about ten thousand jobs for Nigerians. Additionally, the INNOSON Kiara Academy, a subsidiary of the INNOSON GROUP has been serving as a centre for capacity – building, skills acquisition and on-the job training for many Nigerians, including the ex-militants from the Niger Delta. In fact, it can be said that INNOSON has been in the forefront of answering the clarion call of the federal government on the private sector to play their part in solving the perennial unemployment problem in the country. It is therefore mind-boggling that despite the efforts of the INNOSON group to lift Nigeria to an enviable height as an automobile manufacturing country, as well as alleviate the problem of unemployment in Nigeria, some detractors are bent on thwarting their noble efforts. The deliberate attempt by some vested interests and importers of foreign made vehicles to sabotage INNOSON’s patriotic efforts must never be allowed to succeed. Government must rise to the occasion and ensure that the INNOSON brand is supported to enable the company continue to fly the Nigeria flag among the automobile manufacturing countries in the world. The shenanigans of a few vested interests to smear the image of the company and its founder Chief Innocent Chukwuma must be condemned. As a country in dire need of industrialisation and economic growth, entrepreneurs like Chief Chukwuma remain an invaluable asset that ought to be the focal point of different federal and states governments’ incentives, as this would encourage other enterprising Nigerians to help grow the country’s economy by investing their money locally. A situation where local manufacturers are victimised or hounded by security agents at the behest of some vested interests will only result to capital flight as investors usually factor the inherent risks prevailing in any given economy before setting up their multi-billion naira investments. It is therefore worthy of commendation that INNOSON was able to brave it, and repose confidence in the Nigerian economy, hence his multi-billion dollars investment in automobile manufacturing and other sectors of the Nigerian economy. The point must be made that countries that are notable in automobile manufacturing such USA, Germany, Great Britain, France, Sweden had at one time or the other formulated investment-friendly policies which enabled the automobile manufacturers to thrive. Without such policies the tendency is that the companies can outsource their production to other countries that provide an enabling environment for their businesses. For example, in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorists attack on America, the George W. Bush administration offered financial grants to companies like FORD and General Motors, GM, to encourage them to remain in business and provide more job opportunities for Americans. It is therefore expected that the federal government in its desire to support Nigerian businesses to create jobs that deliberate efforts are made to encourage companies like INNOSON to continue in their patriotic endeavours of promoting Nigeria as an investment-friendly country. Government ought to put in place investment-friendly measures like tax relief, duty-free importation of raw materials and other protectionist measures to guarantee their expansion and unhindered production.

Smuggling: Customs, Police Disagree Over Killing Of Man, 25, In Katsina

Katsina – Unidentified officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), yesterday ‘shot dead’ one Amiru Abdul’aziz, 25, of Daddara Village of Jibia Local Government Area of the State, while pursuing suspected rice smugglers in the village.

But, Theophilus Duniya, spokesman for Katsina Customs Command told our correspondent that he has no official report on the incident.

However, Gambo Isah, Katsina police spokesman said the Customs officers that allegedly shot dead Amire were said to be from the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigeria Customs

His words: “The officers allegedly impounded the vehicle that conveyed the smuggled bags of rice and took it to Kaduna and the police have written to Customs office in Katsina, asking it to produce the officers that killed the deceased”.

However, Mallam Bello, a relative of the deceased told our correspondent that their brother was ‘shot’ around 6: 20 pm, on Tuesday while coming out of his shop by some Customs officers and, who were on the trail of rice smugglers and he was confirmed dead when rushed to Katsina General Hospital.

“I was shocked when I received the news of his dead. He has a wife with two children who will take care of his family now”, he said.

Bello, who spoke with our correspondent amidst tears lamented that the tragedy has taken away the bread winner of the family and called on the relevant authorities to investigate the incident and ensure justice is done, alleging that some trigger happy Customs officers have been killing innocent persons in the village in the past.