Oyegun to Buhari, APC: Address agitations for restructuring, secession

Former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief John Oyegun, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the ruling party to quickly address the agitations for restructuring and even those calling for separation.

The former Edo state governor said APC as the government of the federation, “must not give the impression that only military governments can fundamentally tamper with the basic structure of this nation.”

 Speaking at the public presentation of a book titled “APC’s Litmus Tests” written by the director general of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGD) Mallam Salihu Moh. Lukman, Oyegun said the earlier those agitations are addressed show the responsiveness of the APC government.

“We are in charge today, a progressive government, a progressive regime and I think it is proper that we show to the nation that when the people want some degree of change we should be responsive to it, we should address it. Compromises have to be made, there’s no question about that. The report itself is not final. It still has to go through the litmus test of compromises. The ideas of people from different parts of the country will be different up to the extent they want to go with the proposals in the document, but it is necessary. It is vital that it is in fact, mandatory in the interest of the survival of our nation, that these issues be addressed. We cannot continue to allow the subject to become something that threatens our nation at any turn. 

“So, the earlier we address it, the earlier we show that as a party we are responsive to the feelings of the people, the desires of the people and the wants of the people. It becomes easier then to diffuse the kind of stresses that the nation is passing through today. Look at what is happening. Well, it is recommended there should be State Police. Today we are having all sorts of organizations cropping out with all sorts of names, we haven’t defined their operational status, we haven’t defined their relativity properly with the establish security agents and the rest. But sitting down together we can work out so that we know the relativities between the existing structures and the existing institutions.”

On the need to rebuild the APC from bottom to the top approach, Chief Oyegun warned against bending the party’s rules.

“You can stretch the rule. Never break it. Secondly, it is very fundamental that in all we do, the ranks-and-file members of the party and of parties generally, are able to see that even when they lose, they have been treated fairly, they have been treated decently because what I observed, I was made the Chairman of the reconciliation group in the South-south and in every single case, you have a situation where during elections, the civil war within the party alone, makes it impossible to think of it. Why is it civil war? Civil war because critical stakeholders in the party see that they have not been fairly, justly treated.”

For the chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Kebbi state governor, Atiku Bagudu, said the APC is awared that there are fundamental challenges to be addressed and it will not shy away from acknowledging them and providing transparent leadership.

Bagudu said: “The party is not shy to acknowledge that our constitution is not perfect and again under John Oyegun, the El-Rufai  Committee on True Federalism was created to look at those issues that we should do better about. APC believe is let us amend constitution because society is dynamic not because somebody has been wronged and cheated. If that is the basis for correction, then the agitation will never stop but if it’s based on let us make it better, I believe the proposal which have been submitted to the National Assembly will help to produce amended Constitution that will meet most of the aspirations.

In her goodwill message, the mother of day and a former Nigerian envoy, Fatima Balla Abubakar, who said APC’s popularity can be attributed, significantly, to President Muhammadu Buhari, called on the government to quickly address the growing social unrest for the party to regain confidence.

“As the party in power which also has control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, the APC must redouble its efforts to regain public confidence and trust which have been eroded in these deeply trying times. We cannot regain public confidence in our party as well as the government if we do not seriously address the growing social unrest due to growing mistrust between citizens main|y induced by poverty, lack ofjobs and livelihood. It is only when trust is rebuilt that we can restore peace. 

“As a government in power, APC needs to start thinking and doing things differently so that it can begin to deploy more people oriented policies to boost socio-economic growth and development and to provide more relief to the people. 

“The present situation in the country calls for more robust intellectual and policy oriented discussions and engagements by our party. We must engage with a spirit of transparency and inclusiveness. We must create a big tent where different views and positions are discussed without bitterness.”

While appreciating the APC government for his opportunity to serve, the author of the book, Salihu Moh. Lukman, said APC leaders have been working to address some of the foundational issues of democracy and that the book “is a contribution to support initiatives of our leaders. All leaders and members of APC are therefore invited to engage challenges facing the party, government and the nation with every confidence and belief in the capacity of Nigerians to support every patriotic and nationalistic initiative. We much never allow the loud noise of selfish political entrepreneurs to hoodwink Nigerians into believing that our party and governments produced by our party have failed. 

“It will be a mockery of our political history to allow any narrative in the public space, which suggest that comparative to previous administrations since 1999, APC controlled administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari has failed. Like President Muhammadu Buhari himself has acknowledged, there are no doubt challenges facing the country, but no administration since 1999 has succeeded in completing projects, whether initiated by previous or current governments. 

“Just on Thursday, June 10, 2021, President Buhari commissioned the Lagos – Ibadan railway, a project started and completed by his administration. And because leaders of PDP are shameless, they had the temerity to make a public statement calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to ‘stop taking credit for projects not initiated by him.’ May be they also want President Buhari and APC to acquire all their scandalous records, which include abandoning the construction of the PDP National Secretariat after mobilizing billions on Naira.”

Eriksen unlikely to play football again, cardiologist says

Christian Eriksen is lucky to be alive but unlikely to play again after suffering an apparent cardiac arrest at the Euro 2020 tournament, according to a sports cardiologist.

In dramatic scenes in Copenhagen, the 29-year-old midfielder dropped to the ground at the Parken Stadium soon before half-time in Denmark’s match against Finland.

He was treated on the pitch before being taken to hospital.

The first-round match was suspended with players from both sides in clear distress before resuming some two hours later after Eriksen was said to be in a stable condition.

Finland won 1-0.

Professor Sanjay Sharma, professor of sports cardiology at London’s St George’s University, said football bodies and medical practitioners were likely to be “very strict” about allowing Eriksen to play again.

Sharma, who worked with Eriksen at Tottenham Spurs, said: “Clearly something went terribly wrong. But they managed to get him back. The question is what happened? And why did it happen?”

“This guy had normal tests all the way up to 2019. So, how do you explain this cardiac arrest?” asked Sharma.

Sharma, who chairs the FA’s expert cardiac consensus group, said there were multiple reasons a cardiac arrest could have happened, such as high temperatures or an unidentified condition.

But he said reports after the match that Eriksen who is now with Italian side Inter Milan was awake in hospital were “a very good sign.”

“I’m very pleased. The fact he’s stable and awake, his outlook is going to be very good.

“I don’t know whether he’ll ever play football again. Without putting it too bluntly, he died today, albeit for a few minutes, but he did die. And would the medical professional allow him to die again? The answer is no.”

He added: “The good news is he will live, the bad news is he was coming to the end of his career. So, would he play another professional football game? That I can’t say. In the UK, he wouldn’t play. We’d be very strict about it.”

Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand struggled to hold back the tears during his post-match press conference.

He revealed his side had the choice of finishing the Group B opener on the night or returning on Sunday.

“It was more unmanageable to have to restart tomorrow (Sunday). It was more unmanageable than going back out now and getting it all put behind us,” he said.

“I could not be more proud of this team, who take good care of each other.

“There are players in there who are completely finished emotionally. Players who on another day could not play this match. They are supporting each other. It was a traumatic experience.”

After Eriksen collapsed, his team-mates formed a shield around the 29-year-old while he received treatment and fans from both sets of countries chanted the name of the midfielder.

The football world has united to send messages of support to Eriksen and his family.

Sabrina Kvist Jensen, with whom Eriksen has two children, was consoled on the sideline by other Denmark players and team officials while the midfielder received treatment.

England, who get their Euro 2020 campaign under way Sunday against Croatia, had been due to hold a press conference on Saturday evening with captain Harry Kane alongside manager Gareth Southgate.

But the Football Association confirmed the media briefing had been cancelled.

Kane, who spent eight seasons with Eriksen at Tottenham, writing on Twitter: “Chris. I’m sending all my love to you and your family. Stay strong, mate.”

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge tweeted: “Encouraging news about Christian Eriksen, we are all thinking about him and his family.

“Well done to the medical team and (English referee) Anthony Taylor for their calm and swift action. W.”

Later in the evening, the Dane’s Inter Milan team-mate Romelu Lukaku dedicated his first goal in Belgium’s 3-0 win over Russia to Eriksen by saying into the pitchside cameras: “Chris, I love you.”

He later told beIN SPORTS: “It was difficult to play because my mind was with my team-mate. I hope he is healthy and I dedicate this performance to him. I cried a lot because I was scared, obviously.”

Meanwhile, the BBC has apologised following complaints that it continued to broadcast while Eriksen received emergency treatment.

“We apologise to anyone who was upset by the images broadcast,” the broadcaster said in a statement.

“In-stadium coverage is controlled by UEFA as the host broadcaster, and as soon as the match was suspended, we took our coverage off air as quickly as possible.”

Former Tottenham striker Gary Lineker, who anchored the BBC’s studio coverage of the match, said: “In 25 years of doing this job, that was the most difficult, distressing and emotional broadcast I’ve ever been involved with.”

Lineker thanked his colleagues Alex Scott, Cesc Fabregas and Micah Richards, who were with him for their “professionalism, warmth and empathy.”

Of the host broadcaster’s coverage, Lineker said: “They should have stayed on a wide of the stadium. Apologies.”

Former Tottenham player and manager Glenn Hoddle, who suffered a cardiac arrest while working at the BT Sport studios in 2018, tweeted: “Thank God Christian is ok. And to those who did the CPR, it’s simple, you saved his life as I know so well.”

Fabrice Muamba, the former Bolton midfielder who collapsed after suffering a cardiac arrest during a televised FA Cup game in 2012, tweeted “Please God” following the incident.(dpa/NAN)

Southeast leaders reaffirm commitment to one united Nigeria, demand equal treatment

Leaders of the southeast geopolitical zone, have said the people are not disposed to the call for secession from Nigeria.

The leaders hinted that no other tribe has demonstrated belief and commitment to the unity of the country more than the southeast.

The Southeast leaders spoke through the Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, and Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi after their meeting with representatives of the Federal Government held at the Government House, Enugu.
In a release made available by Onyebuchi Ememanka, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, the acclaimed southeast leaders, reaffirmed their commitment to the sustenance of a united Nigeria where there is justice, equity and equality of all Nigerians.

They explained that what the people of the South East are demanding is a country where there is equal treatment of all citizens and that those calling for the secession of the South East do not speak for the people.

They also restated their position on the total ban on open grazing of cattle as a panacea to the menace of herdsmen in the region, saying that all the states of the South East have laws banning open grazing and that these laws must be respected.

The leaders also condemned the unjustified attacks on security formations in the region.

The Southeast leaders further assured that they will hold another meeting later in June after which they will meet with the President.
Earlier in his speech, the leader of the Federal Government delegation and Minister of Defence, General Bashir Magashi (Rtd) assured the people of the South-East that the federal government will painstakingly look into their concerns, especially in the area of marginalization and come up with action plans to deal with it.

Magashi said the federal government is in agreement with the ban on open grazing of cattle and assured that a follow-up meeting between the President and the leaders of the South East will take place soon to iron out all the issues.

I Denied My Husband Sex After Our Pastor Started Sleeping With Me In His Office

A REVEREND of a Pentecostal church in Chelston, Zambia, has been dragged to court on allegations of adultery and fathering a child with his church member’s wife.

According to Zambia Observer, Ruth Musonda, 23, wife of Omedi Musonda, 38, told the Boma Local Court that she started a steamy relationship with Douglas Mulongoti, 58, in June 2019.

She told the court that she and her husband were being accommodated at the church when they just came from Mpika.

“Reverend Mulongoti proposed love to me and we started sleeping together. All the sexual encounters were done in his office at the church. I was denying my husband sex during the times I was sleeping with him,” Ruth said.

She said when she got pregnant, she informed reverend Mulongoti, who accepted responsibility.

Omedi told the court that he knew about his wife’s affair with Reverend Mulongoti through a phone conversation.

He told the court that Reverend Mulongoti also admitted having an affair with Ruth and begged Omedi to keep the issue a secret.

“Reverend Mulongoti convinced me to accept money from him as a way of apologising. I demanded K35,500 which he promised to pay. But later he changed his mind saying he did not commit adultery with my wife,” Omedi said.

BREAKING: Army, Gunmen Clash In Abia Communities

 

There is ongoing heavy gun battle between soldiers of 14 Brigade, Army Headquarters, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s Barracks, Ohafia and unknown gunmen in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State.

Information gathered has it that the fierce exchange of gunfire between the gunmen and soldiers has caused an exodus of residents and indigenes of Elu, Amangwu, Ebem and Amaekpu, Ohafia LGA from their respective communities to neighbouring villages in order to avoid being caught up in the crossfire.

Unconfirmed reports have it that six soldiers and a member of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) have been reportedly killed in the melee.

There is ongoing heavy gun battle between soldiers of 14 Brigade, Army Headquarters, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s Barracks, Ohafia and unknown gunmen in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State.

Information gathered has it that the fierce exchange of gunfire between the gunmen and soldiers has caused an exodus of residents and indigenes of Elu, Amangwu, Ebem and Amaekpu, Ohafia LGA from their respective communities to neighbouring villages in order to avoid being caught up in the crossfire.

Unconfirmed reports have it that six soldiers and a member of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) have been reportedly killed in the melee.

The villagers are calling on Senator Orji Kalu, Senate Chief Whip and others State and National Assembly members to come to their aides.

A source who spoke on the condition of anonymity stated that many male youths in the community who feared being innocently whisked away by soldiers and other security agents have left their homes in the village for another place of safety in the state.

“We learnt that some boys believed to be members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) came to the popular Ebem 

motor park and started shooting and later left.

“Soldiers from 14 Brigade Ohafia whose command headquarters is located in the area later came and went after them.

“We learnt that the unknown gunmen killed six soldiers and since that time, it is hell on earth. There have been sporadic gunshots from all corners.

“We have suffered all manner of intimidation from soldiers. Some of our kinsmen have relocated to Uzuakoli, Umuahia, Aba and anywhere they think that is safer for them. We are in the village but our right to movement is determined by soldiers.

“Marriages ceremonies billed to take place any time soon have been shifted indefinitely. We learnt that at Elu, soldiers went to the market and started pursuing people.

“A lot of houses have been burnt at Amangwu Ohafia community. They said that members of ESN were using the houses as their hideout; that I can’t validate. You need to call anyone from Amangwu to validate such claims. But what I can tell you right now is that Ohafia is on fire,” said the source.

Army spokesman, Capt Dauda Illiya could not take calls placed to his mobile line, while the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Geoffrey Ogbonna could not confirm the report.

According to Ogbonna, he is yet to be informed of such development in Ohafia LGA.

Twitter ban: Malami makes u-turn, says FG won’t prosecute violators

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has now made a u-turn, insisting the Federal Government will not prosecute Nigerians using Twitter.

Instead, it will go after those who are helping Nigerians circumvent the ban on the micro-blogging sit

Malami had purportedly directed the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), to begin the process of prosecuting those still tweeting

However, the AGF has now told Vanguard, that Nigerians have a right to tweet from anywhere in the worl

He said: “It is within their guaranteed fundamental right to tweet from anywhere in the world. Nigeria, being a democratic nation, cannot stop its citizens from exercising their rights of freedom of expression

“But our position on Twitter is clear: Anyone, whether individual or corporate institution that enables Twitter to circumvent the ban the Federal Government of Nigeria placed on the company, will be prosecuted

Malami also added that at no time did the government threaten to arrest any religious leader over the use of Twitter

Most users have employed the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to continue tweeting, after telecom companies in the country blocked the site 

How fiancé killed NSCDC officer for ritual, offered N5m to silence me... How fiancé killed NSCDC officer for ritual, offered N5m to silence me –Herbalist

A native doctor, Rafiu Afolabi, has narrated how Christopher Akpan, the fiancé of an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Josephine Onche, allegedly killed the woman for money ritual.

Afolabi, a 67-year-old man from Saki, Oyo State, said after killing Onche, Akpan offered him N5m to silence him but said he was only given N50,000.

Afolabi narrated the story after operatives of the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria Police Force recently arrested him and Akpan for alleged murder.

Onche’s family on December 20, 2019, declared the 45-year-old missing after going to the market to buy some items for her wedding.

About 18 months later, her remains were found on May 27, 2021 in a shallow grave near Otukpo, Obi Local Government Area of Benue State.

The police said it was a case of conspiracy and abduction, stating that investigations revealed that Onche’s last communication took place in Afolabi’s house in Adum, Obi Local Government Area of Benue.

City Round learnt that the native doctor relocated to his hometown in Oyo State a few days after Onche went missing.

Afolabi said he met Akpan when he went to Onche’s house sometime in 2019 to give her some concoctions to avoid late pregnancy after her marriage to Akpan

The native doctor said the deceased first visited him in 2019 to get concoctions that would make her business prosperous.

Afolabi said, “In 2019, the late Josephine came to my shrine in company with one man. She sold mortar and pestle and needed my help so that the business would flourish. I collected N14,000 for the job and asked her to return in three days.

“When she returned, she told me of her plans to get married. She asked me to prepare medicine for her so that she would get pregnant quickly.

“I took the medicine to her house, and it was there that I met her fiancé. On December 19, 2019, at about 6.30 pm, I saw her and her fiancé in Otukpo.

“He (Akpan) later came to my shrine and said that he wanted to use her (Josephine) for money ritual. He said he would give me N5m for me to be silent. At about 10 pm on a later day, we met inside a forest with Josephine. I never knew Akpan had a gun with him. He brought out a cloth, spread it on the ground, and asked her to kneel down for prayers. Before I could understand what was going on, he shot her on the head. He quickly grabbed a calabash and poured some of the blood gushing out from her head into the calabash. I ran home, got a hoe and we dug a shallow grave and buried her.

“When we left the forest, I asked him to bring the N5m that he promised and he promised to give me after eight days. He came to my house later that night and gave me only N50,000. He asked me to be patient to collect the balance.”

However, Akpan, a 57-year-old father of five from Akwa Ibom State, denied killing the NSCDC officer, saying he loved her very much.

He said, “On December 17, 2019, she visited me in Akwa Ibom State and left on December 19, 2019. On December 23, 2019, her elder brother called me and told me that Josephine was missing. I panicked but her brother told me to calm down. I wanted to visit the family, but they said I should hold on a bit. I was later arrested and I have kept telling them that I am innocent. Before my arrest, I went to the motor park where Josephine boarded a bus in Akwa Ibom State and I saw her name on the manifest. She even used my name as her next of kin.

“I was surprised when the police came and arrested me. The next thing I saw was a man who introduced himself as Afolabi and said I contracted him to use Josephine for a money ritual. On May 27, 2021, the police took me into a forest where Afolabi claimed that we buried my late fiancée. In my life, I have not entered such a thick forest, and now someone is insisting that I came this far to bury Josephine who I loved so much.”

Meanwhile, Akpan said he had met Afolabi once in 2017 and not in 2019. I had visited my fiancée and helped her to drop off a bag of charcoal at Afolabi’s house. That was the first and last time that I met him,” he said.

Igangan massacre: If you can’t protect us, Igboho, others can – Mailafia warns Buhari

 

A former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Obadiah Mailafia has blamed the recent attack which took place in Igangan on the failure of state security.

Mailafia, a former Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) made this disclosure while addressing journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Our correspondent recalls that about twenty people were killed during an attack on the people of Igangan in Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State by suspected Fulani herdsmen who invaded the town between Saturday evening and Sunday morning.

Mailafia while speaking with journalists said the incident resulted from the failure of state security.

He maintained that the incident occurred due to the failure of both the federal and state government security apparatus.

He added that the people of the State do not deserve the current security challenges they are experiencing.

Mailafia, while speaking further, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to visit Igangan and commiserate with the victims of the incident.

“This carnage in Igangan is a failure of state security. You need to come to see the people of Oyo State and commiserate with them on the failure of our Federal and State to protect its citizens.

“We, therefore, find it truly reprehensible that this kind of situation can be tolerated.

“We are very angry and heart-broken on what happened in Igangan and we condemn it.

“Mr. President, you are the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Nigerian people voted for you. One of the first Directive Principles of the Nigerian constitution is that the state shall guarantee the security and welfare of her citizens.

“So, Mr. President, I appeal for you to visit this state. The people of this state are very peaceful and enlightened. They don’t deserve what is happening to them.

“And if you don’t do it, the youth will take over. Sunday Igboho and his team are waiting. Where the government cannot come to their help, they will help themselves. The choice is yours Mr. President.

Biafra: Afenifere slams Buhari for saying Igbo is ‘a dot in circle of Nigerian map’

 

Afenifere, the apex socio-cultural organisation in the South West, has berated President Muhammadu Buhari for his recent comment against the Igbo nation.

Afenifere noted that ”the President takes delight in ridiculing the Ndigbo which he used IPOB to represent.”

Buhari had during an interview with Arise TV on Thursday said that the, ‘”IPOB is just like a dot in a circle. Even if they want to exit, they will have no access to anywhere.

“And the way they are spread all over the country, having businesses and property, I don’t think IPOB knows what they are talking about.

“In any case, we say we’ll talk to them in the language that they understand. We’ll organise the police and the military to pursue them.”

President Buhari’s statement, according to analysts, showed clearly that the President does not understand that Igbo Ethnic bloc is different from the secessionist group known as the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

A statement signed by its Secretary General, Chief Sola Ebiseni in Akure, Afenifere noted that to Buhari, “the Igbo and their territory is just a dot in a circle of the map of Nigeria, which even if they secede could exit to nowhere since the elders and youths of the South-South had assured him of not being part of the secessionist agenda.

“He couldn’t have been reacting to the IPOB but the Igbos whom he said had businesses everywhere.

“His utterances were very unpresidential and in the mode of common expressions with some unidentifiable northern organisations.”

Buhari had during the interview also vowed that IPOB, and other groups in the region will be dealt with by the military and the police.

He said the IPOB will be treated in the language they understand and there will be a difference in a few weeks.

The President maintained his stance on sending the military to the region to combat the secessionists despite the group denying having anything to do with recent attacks on government assets.

Earlier this month, Twitter had deleted President Buhari’s tweet containing some offensive comments many people believe were war threat against the people of the South East region.

IPOB have nowhere to go, we will send military after them – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as a dot in a circle that has nowhere to go.

Buhari stated this on Thursday, during an interview with Arise TV.

According to the president, people from the South East have too much investment in Nigeria. He also threatened to send the Military and Police after them.

He said, “That IPOB is just like a dot in a circle. Even if they want to exit, they will have no access to anywhere.

“And the way they are spread all over the country, having businesses and property, I don’t think IPOB knows what they are talking about.

“In any case, we say we’ll talk to them in the language that they understand. We’ll organise the police and the military to pursue them.”

Buhari also claimed he has been assured by, “the elderly people” and “the youths” from the South-South region, that they have no intention of seceding.

He insisted that IPOB will not have “access to anywhere” even if they eventually secede from the country.