Labour Party National Transition Committee Hails Edo On Abure's Suspension From Party

 ...Says Abure's Tenure Ended 2023 and was Suspended as Ordinary Member, not Chairman! 

 

.....Calls on FCT Police to Protect Edo Faithfuls in Abuja on Peaceful Mission 

The National Transition Committee (NTC) of Labour Party, the highest public engagement body of the party headed by a former chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Statesman Omar Abdulwaheed, has hailed the suspension of Barr. Julius Abure from the Labour Party by the ward executive council of his home ward and state. 

Delivering the commendation today in Abuja through the chairman of the NTC's sub-committee on Media and Publicity, Comrade Tony Akeni, Omar Abdulwaheed said the courageous action led by Abure's ward chairman, Mr. Thompson Ehiguese, and his ward officers, which has been corroborated and consolidated by the state executive council of the state Labour Party under Mr. Kelly Ogbaloi deserves, nothing but applause. 

"As a law-abiding party and process respecting committee," Omar said, "we have been waiting for the documents of the suspension action before putting a statement out. The National Transition Committee received them today and our legal experts have thoroughly analysed them. The infractions adduced in the document of suspension correspond with solid evidences of Abure's incredible combinations of gross administrative, financial and anti-party misconduct already long in our possession."

"Having done that due diligence," the Labour veteran continued, "I wish to assure you that our party in Edo state have done a splendid and legally impeccable job of Abure's suspension, and could even have gone farther!"  

Speaking through Comrade Akeni, Omar said: "From a plethora of evidence before us, the Abure we all now know is a walking mountain of anti-party contraventions against both our party's constitution and the laws of Nigeria. Like a burst abscess, the suspension comes as a huge relief to the body of our party both in Edo state and nationwide."

Omar further said, "Let me make a further necessary clarification on the action that just took place a few days ago in Edo state. Please, note this very well. Julius Abure was not suspended from our party as national chairman of the party but as an ordinary member of the party. 

"This is because by the Justice Gabriel Kolawole consent judgement of March 20, 2018 and by the mediation terms of a sequel irrefutable agreement signed on the 27th of June 2022 between the suspended former national chairman, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the incontestable owners and landlord of Labour Party, an agreement whose terms and documents were witnessed and are in co-custody of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Abure's chairmanship tenure and his entire National Working Committee (NWC) comprehensively terminated since the 27th of June, 2023. 

"The documents of that judgement and its legal ramifications are in the public domain for every sincere Labour Party member, public researcher and legal pundit to examine for themselves," the NTC chairman, Omar Abdulwaheed, stated.

Following the above clarification, the veteran labour statesman informed journalists of the nation that the transition committee has received information that Edo state Labour Party members, supporters and Obidients are visiting Abuja soon to present documents of their suspension actions served on Abure to our party's national headquarters and to buttress their grievances to national law enforcement authorities in the country's capital. 

Omar asked the Nigeria police, DSS and other law enforcement authorities to give maximum protection to the peaceful outings of the Edo Labour Party stakeholders while they are in Abuja, and not reverse the case where moneybag crime suspects like Abure are protected and because of corrupt inducements are supported to turn the police against the actual victims of their crimes.

Fielding questions from journalists, Comrade Tony Akeni, chairman of the NTC's sub-committee on Media and Publicity, threw light on the grievances of the Edo Labour Party suspension action on Abure.

"To be double sure of the facts before our NTC," Akeni said, "I spoke last night (Saturday May 25th) with the secretary of our party in Edo state, Comrade Fred Akhere. You need armour plates to protect your ears from the shocking escapades of Abure's financial craftmanship revealed by Akhere."

According to Comrade Akeni, Akhere told him: "Abure received over #460million from the sales of governorship forms alone within less than two months earlier this year. As the state secretary of the party I am in a position to know, so I'm not guessing. This is besides unofficial sums running to much more from aspirants falling over themselves to ingratiate themselves to Abure in the run-up to the governorship primary. 

"Abure and his co-fraudsters of the national exco drew similar cash rain in the Ondo state governorship primary of our party. I can tell you that Labour Party's chance in Ondo is completely doomed because in agreement among themselves they set up a candidate there they know can never win but is put up for trading with the APC governor in Ondo as Abure is doing with Obaseki here in Edo state.

"During the period spanning the general elections of 2023," Akhere continued, "literally billions of naira from Edo and other states of the country flowed into Abure's pockets from aspirants, candidates, enthusiastic donors and goodwill supporters of our party. We have clear information on how much our presidential candidate Peter Obi sent to Edo state for the presidential election alone of February 25, 2023. Abure gave to Edo state exco only #5million throughout the period to work for Peter Obi's presidential election. Yes, you heard me right: exactly #5million! 

"We of the state exco had to scramble from pillar to post to make the difference as the nation's hub of the Obidient movement. Yet when you come to our state secretariat, you will not see a sign of such huge funding inflow to our party by way of physical and amenity improvement," Akhere lamented, beside himself with rage. 

"Today," the state secretary Akhere continued, "the same Abure and our state's PDP governor, Godwin Obaseki, are hiding behind one finger exchanging billions of naira to sell out and sabotage the absolutely certain victory of our party's candidate, Barr. Olumide Akpata, in the forthcoming governorship election. Abure is so wicked that the devil has to be his student."

Confirming the squalid state of the Edo state secretariat of Labour Party, Comrade Tony Akeni said: "It is dingy, stripped of civilization and so repugnant it looks like a native doctor's shrine. It licks in every place like a sponge during rainy seasons when I visited last," the publicity head said.

Call for State of Emergency in Rivers State: A Plea for Restoration and Unity

 Written By Wabiye Dikio Idoniboyeobu (ANIPR)

 

As a citizen of Rivers State who left in 2015, I have watched from afar with growing concern as my beloved home has descended into a state of disarray and division. It is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of urgency that I call upon the President of Nigeria to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State. This drastic measure is necessary to address the severe and persistent issues that have plagued the state since 2015, and to pave the way for a brighter and more unified future.

 

Since 2015, Rivers State has been fractured into two highly toxic factions. This division has not only polarized the citizenry but has also severely hampered governance and equitable development. The once vibrant and progressive state is now mired in a climate of animosity and dysfunction, where unconstitutional actions have often dictated governance. This is a stark departure from the principles of democracy and the rule of law, which should be the bedrock of our society.

 

The suspension of four lawmakers loyal to the Governor during plenary, the subsequent demolition of the Assembly, and the defection of other assembly members loyal to the Minister of the FCT have set the state on a roller coaster of confusion. There is a clear breakdown in legislative order. These actions seem to have rendered the state without a functioning assembly, plunging it further into a state of anarchy. Without a legislative body to provide checks and balances, the state is effectively without the necessary framework to ensure accountable governance.

 

The current trajectory of Rivers State is alarming. The state's descent into lawlessness and instability not only threatens the well-being of its citizens but also undermines the potential for any meaningful development. The toxic political climate has created an environment where progress is stifled, and the needs of the people are overshadowed by the relentless power struggles.

 

Despite this bleak picture, there is a silent majority in Rivers State that remains apolitical and committed to the state's progress. These individuals, who strive for development and prosperity, are stymied by the pervasive toxicity that has gripped the state. Their voices are drowned out by the cacophony of political infighting, leaving them powerless to effect the change that Rivers State so desperately needs.

 

In light of these circumstances, I implore the President to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State. This intervention is critical to restore order, ensure the rule of law, and create an environment conducive to development and unity. A state of emergency would provide the framework to reset the state's governance, allowing for the establishment of a functioning assembly and the implementation of constitutional actions.

 

The people of Rivers State deserve a government that works for them, not against them. They deserve a state where development is spread equitably, and where governance is guided by the principles of democracy and the rule of law. By declaring a state of emergency, the President can help to restore sanity, promote development, and ultimately, heal the divisions that have torn Rivers State apart.

 

It is time for bold and decisive action. The future of Rivers State hangs in the balance, and only through a concerted effort to address these deep-rooted issues can we hope to reclaim the state's lost glory. Let us come together to support this call for a state of emergency, for the sake of our beloved Rivers State and its people.

 

Wabiye Dikio Idoniboyeobu (ANIPR) is CEO/Chief Media at BAF Media and (A proud son of Rivers State)

MOSOP Rejects Geoplex Drillteq Limited

 *****Says Company Ploting To Kill Ogoni People

 

****Condemns Activities of Select Chiefs

 

The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has registered its displeasure against the activities of Geoplex Drillteq Limited, a company touted by select Ogoni chiefs for the purpose of resuming oil production in Ogoni despite an overwhelming opposition from the Ogoni people.

 

MOSOP a statement signed by its President, Mr Fegalo Nsuke said, “We have received very credible information of a planned meeting of this group of chiefs with representatives of Geoplex Drillteq Limited on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at the Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Bori, Ogoni to endorse the company (Geoplex) for the same purpose of resuming oil production in Ogoni.”

 

Excerpt of the statement: “MOSOP dissociates itself from the said meeting of May 25, 2024 at Bori, which seeks to endorse Geoplex and state our unequivocal rejection of Geoplex Drillteq Limited for whatever purpose that has to do with resuming oil and gas production in Ogoni on the grounds that the conduct of the company is outrightly repressive and brutish and tending towards the genocidal methods of Shell.

 

“We reiterate that MOSOP led the struggle against Shell and the position of MOSOP on the issue of oil production in Ogoni should be taken very seriously. We reject the violent prone approach of Geoplex and some Ogoni chiefs and maintain our commitment to a genuine broad-based engagement which addresses legitimate demands and concerns of the Ogoni people.

“MOSOP wants to state that in the past four years, we have extensively consulted with different groups including women, youths, professionals, chiefs and leaders of thought and so on, and on September 27, 2020, the Central Committee of MOSOP recommended the operationalization of a development blueprint captioned, the Ogoni Development Authority as an acceptable pathway for a peaceful resumption of oil production in Ogoni. The gains of these engagements should not be allowed to waste.

 

“MOSOP’s minimal demand calls for a fair proportion of Ogoni resources to be set aside for Ogoni development through the operationalization of an Ogoni Development Authority.

 

“MOSOP considers it absurd and unacceptable that while an option for a peaceful negotiation and a mutually beneficial settlement is already available, Geoplex Drillteq in connivance with some chiefs will undertake a path that generates so much tension and poses a clear threat to the peace of our society.

“MOSOP therefore declare that any statements, decisions, declarations made at the meeting of chiefs on Saturday, May 25, 2024 in Bori are not acceptable to us and will not be binding on the Ogoni people.

“While we use this opportunity to alert the general public and all our allies around the world of the threat posed by Geoplex and its Shell-styled approach to force itself on the Ogoni people by conniving with some select chiefs, we note that this unilateral action by some select chiefs is not acceptable to MOSOP.

“MOSOP therefore calls on our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to initiate a genuine dialogue to facilitate a peaceful and mutually beneficial engagement which would lead to a peaceful settlement for the good of all parties and our country.”

Natufe to Tinubu: It makes no sense to concentrate Nigeria’s import-export business in Lagos seaports

.......Says Sapele seaport completely abandoned, Calabar, Koko, Port Harcourt, and Warri seaports left to rot, and severely underutilized

 

 .......Describes performance of Okpe politicians as poor

 

 .......Tells Oborevwori, Dafinone, other Delta top government officials what to do

 

 

President General of Okpe Union, Prof Igho Natufe has expressed concern about the concentration of seaports in Lagos.

 

 

“From the perspective of the Okpe Nation and the Niger Delta region, the concentration of seaports around Lagos grants overwhelming power to the Yoruba and the entire South West region of Nigeria.”

 

 

Natufe spoke at the 94th anniversary of the Okpe Union in Lagos.

 

 

“It is baffling that imports from Asian countries are directed to Lagos ports, when Calabar, Port Harcourt, Sapele, and Warri seaports are closer to Asia than Lagos. This phenomenon clearly demonstrates an over-balance of power problematic which we need to address in Nigeria, if restructuring is to be taken seriously.”

 

 

He charged President Bola Tinubu to revive Sapele, Calabar, Koko, Port Harcourt, and Warri ports.

 

 

“Sapele seaport, a natural seaport, which was second to Lagos before the military coup of January 15, 1966, has been completely abandoned, while Calabar, Koko, Port Harcourt, and Warri seaports have been left to rot, and severely underutilized.”

 

 

 

He lamented the concentration of seaports in the South-West geo-political zone.

 

 

 

‘’While political leaders of the Yoruba Nation have used their access to power to monopolize the concentration of seaports in their region, it must be stressed that this monopoly has caused a grave disequilibrium in access to power on the distribution of seaports in the Niger Delta region, including the Sapele seaport. It makes no sense to concentrate Nigeria’s import-export business in only the Lagos seaports.

 

 

The renowned scholar, activist and author described the performance of Okpe politicians as poor.

 

 

“It must be acknowledged that, since the establishment of Delta State in 1991, Okpe political leaders have performed very poorly in attracting businesses to Okpe Nation. Their access to power has not led to infrastructural development in Okpe Nation, compared for example, the achievements of Isoko political leaders in Isoko Nation. In fact, the Isoko Nation has debunked the argument that you need a governor of your ethnic nationality to develop your region. The Isoko political and traditional leaders conscientiously utilize their access to power to benefit their constituencies while, sadly, their Okpe counterparts are primarily concerned about their respective pockets.”

 

 

He listed the plans of the Okpe Union towards repositioning the Okpe Nation.

 

 

“Okpe Union shall continue its advocacy of investments in Okpe Nation, including reaching out to the Delta State Government on this important subject. We shall intensify our lobbying of both the Federal and State governments to ensure the revival of Sapele seaport and the attraction of industries to Okpe Nation. We shall utilize the extensive experience of Okpe nationals, especially those in the Diaspora, to identify prospective investors to invest in Okpe Nation, under the framework of a public-private partnership (PPP).”

 

 

To address the worrisome situation in Delta State, Natufe urged Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to improve the infrastructural deficits in Delta State, especially in Okpe Nation, make the environment attractive to foreign and domestic investors.

 

 

An environment where an investor has to provide electricity, water, and good roads is hardly conducive for economic growth and development’’.

 

 

He underscored that Okpe Union must continue to instil positive change in Okpe Nation, by liaising with other Okpe organizations on the strategies for development.

 

 

The former university don also spoke on banditry, terrorism and kidnapping. 

 

 

The fragility of the Nigerian state is aggravated by the insecurity in the country. We call on the federal government to take immediate actions to evacuate Fulani herdsmen, bandits and terrorists from the territories of the indigenous ethnic nationalities across Nigeria. While we advocate for the unity of Nigeria, we strongly believe that the unity can only be strengthened if it is anchored on the principles of justice, fairness and equity, serving the interests of the indigenous ethnic nationalities in the country.”

 

 

He mentioned other ways of addressing the country’s challenges.

 

 

“We are facing an existential crisis in Nigeria. A resolution of this crisis requires inputs from all indigenous ethnic nationalities at a round table conference, if the National Assembly proves incapable of producing a renewed federalism of the 1963 variant. If not properly handled, the current crisis can lead to unwanted confrontations between ethnic nationalities with severe consequences for Nigeria. It is on record that the Hausas have given the Fulanis an ultimatum to vacate their territories.”

 

 

Natufe also expressed the commitment of the Okpe Nation to work with other ethnic nationalities in restructuring the Nigerian edifice to guarantee the safety of all indigenous ethnic nationalities, on the basis of justice, fairness and equity.

 

 

“We, Okpe, have no secessionist intentions. But, we recognize that the Nigerian edifice is cracked and haemorrhaging. We are committed to working with other ethnic nationalities in restructuring the Nigerian edifice to guarantee the safety of all indigenous ethnic nationalities, on the basis of justice, fairness and equity, where our rights are recognized and protected under a renewed federal constitution. However, if by omission or commission, the Nigerian edifice disintegrates, we pray it is via the velvet model of Czechoslovakia and not via the Yugoslav variant.”

MOSOP Condemns Misrepresentation of Ogoni People at the Presidency, Says It's A Slight

The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) says its attention has been drawn to media reports of a State House meeting held on Wednesday,  May 15, 2024 between Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and some persons claiming to represent the Ogoni people.

The said meeting, according to a statement made available to journalists, news publishers and editors by Fegalo Nsuke, President of MOSOP was “facilitated by a key player in the oil.and gas industry in collaboration with some government-paid chiefs of Ogoni extraction is a slight on the Ogoni people in particular, and a denigration of the struggles of the entire Niger Delta people. MOSOP strongly condemns the misrepresentation of the Ogoni people at the meeting and unequivocally dissociates itself from the meeting.”

Text of the statement reads: “The meeting which was motivated by greed aimed at misrepresenting the situation on ground to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a listening president who has shown remarkable commitment in finding a lasting solution to the critical national issues and is counted upon for a fair and just solution to the Ogoni problem.

“MOSOP wants to emphatically state that these are people without any knowledge about how Shell left Ogoni; or what drives the Ogoni struggle. Also, they are completely ignorant of the painstaking efforts made by MOSOP at the village and community levels to sensitize our people on the need to revisit the oil production issue after decades of battling with selfish and divisive forces.

“The audacity to misrepresent facts on a sensitive issue like oil resumption in Ogoni is an act of economic sabotage, considering the progress so far made in resolving the Ogoni issue once and for all. That is why MOSOP sees the meeting as a failed attempt to make the Federal Government lose the Ogoni People's confidence.

“Even though the said meeting was intended to frustrate the gains of MOSOP's campaigns and community sensitization to permanently address the problems in Ogoni, MOSOP remains committed to its development goals and will continue to work with relevant stakeholders, especially the Federal Government to achieve them.

“MOSOP's main objective is to achieve a peaceful settlement of this protracted conflict and to bring Ogoni on the path of growth and development. But we insist on a genuine, broad-based and transparent negotiation process that considers the interest of all parties for a mutually beneficial compromise.

“The progress recorded so far in convincing the Ogoni people to embrace the idea of development through the resumption of oil production in our area had been well thought of and anchored on mutual benefits.

“It is our wish that the gains of our community sensitization and reorientation efforts should not be destroyed by pecuniary interests of private businesses who think that 4,000 lives lost in the Ogoni struggle can be for their own benefits. God forbid.

“We therefore emphatically state as follows:

1. The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) led the struggle of the Ogoni people against the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nig. Ltd (SPDC) and eventually forced Shell's exit from Ogoni. As a critical interest group, we note that the position of MOSOP should be taken into consideration on issues of Ogoni oil to achieve a mutually beneficial agreement in the interest of all parties.

2. MOSOP dissociates itself from the misrepresentation at the said meeting with Mr President on Wednesday, 15th May, 2024 as the chiefs did not have our mandate to engage.

3. MOSOP remains committed to pursuing its goals as the only mandated voice of the Ogoni people as expressed in the Ogoni Bill of Rights wherein it states: "Now therefore, we mandate the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) to make representations on behalf of the nationality..."

4. MOSOP demands a fair and just treatment of the Ogoni people through the operationalization of the Ogoni Development Authority (ODA) proposed to the government as an acceptable pathway to the resolution of the Ogoni problem.

5. The Ogoni people (MOSOP) lost an estimated 4,000 lives in our struggle against Shell and Abacha. We maintain that those sacrifices made the Ogoni oil available for which people are scrambling today. We therefore insist that as critical stakeholders, our position as a matter of necessity be considered in any decisions relating to the resumption of oil production in Ogoni.

6. MOSOP notes that it has taken us over five years of community sensitization and reorientation towards our proposed development programme to win the support of the Ogoni people. We will urge the Nigerian authorities not to allow a few selfish business people to flagrantly jettison our collective gains.

“We therefore urge the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu to initiate a broad-based genuine process of negotiations to facilitate a peaceful settlement and reach an acceptable compromise.

 

“To this end, MOSOP calls on Mr President to appoint a negotiator with credibility and national clout to promote a broad-based engagement with the Ogoni people and facilitate a peaceful resolution.

“MOSOP further pledges to cooperate with the process and hopes to see a speedy resolution of all issues affecting the Ogoni people.

 

“We pledge our allegiance to our country and our president.”