The South-East Political Summit (SEPS) has called on Ndigbo not to boycott the 2019 general elections in order for them to occupy political space meant for them in the country.

The Leader of the group, Mrs Eberechukwu Anigbogu, said this on Thursday while addressing news conference in Enugu.

Anigbogu said that the apathy, cultural surrender and political ignorance that had ravaged Igbo land in the past 20 years had reduced Ndigbo to mere spectators in the political struggle in the country.

We have decided that it is time to sensitise and mobilise our people to rise up and fully occupy our political space.

We are not a political party. It is not another just political pressure group. It is rather, a mass movement, geared towards re-inventing political consciousness in the South-East, she said.

According to her, there is an enormous degree of burden placed on the shoulders of SEPS members to chart a new course for Ndigbo.

She recalled that pristine Igbo society operated the best democracy the world ever knew, stressing that in those days, people gathered under town squares to deliberate.

Anigbogu noted that at such meeting, families, clans, age grades and elders picked the most trusted and virtuous to represent them.

Source: NAN

Senator Babafemi Ojudu, an adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on political matters, has quit the Ekiti state governorship race.

Ojudu was one of the 33 aspirants in the aborted All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary on Saturday, May 5.

At a press conference in Ado-Ekiti today, he said he has decided to withdraw from the election because he does not want to be part of a mess, an election that has a predetermined end, skewed to favour just one aspirant.

The APC has rescheduled the election for Saturday.

Ojudus statement:

Dear Compatriots,

I know some of you are in shock that we are withdrawing from the race.

I know many of you are surprised that we didnt have a chance to debate our options as we have done on most issues since this journey began.

A lot was and is still in play. In due course, you will hear and understand the full story.

I came into this race to help in rescuing our state from poverty and years of poor administration. I did not come into this race to walk on the blood of others to become governor. I will never allow people to be maimed or killed just for a personal ambition. I am not desperate to be governor. I am desperate to rescue Ekiti people.

I am walking away from the race but I am not walking away from serving the people. If they will not allow Law and order to reign, we will let them hear the voice of the people.

We know where we are going, theyve just made us take a detour. Please ignore the rumors out there. Very soon we will decide on our new course.

Thank you for all your support. But the journey continues. The real fight has just started. Ekiti will be rescued.

In an earlier statement, he said:

From what has happened since May 5 to date, it goes without saying that this is an unfair contest where the National Working committee chairman has clearly demonstrated that he does not care what happens to our dear party now and in the nearest future. We saw a chairman who has conspired with one of the aspirants in the race to unleash mayhem on others, wreak havoc and violence on ordinary citizens and exposed the state to great embarrassment on national television. We saw an aspirant so unpopular to the extent that delegates called him unprintable names at the voting arena now being imposed on our people, not minding if this means we lose this state forever.

We do not believe in engaging in an unfair contest and I am not ready to step on blood to get to power. As I have reiterated at different times in the course of the campaign, this was never about me. It was not about an ambition but a mission to give a new lease of life to Ekiti State and the people. It was about safeguarding the future of our children, our grandchildren, great-grandchildren and even generations yet unborn. There is no doubt that we all love this land, that everyone of you had best hopes and aspiration for this beautiful state we call ours and that above all, this state should wear a new look, be adorned with a new reputation and have a new image of itself.

All my life, I have fought injustice and sought the good of the whole. Therefore, this injustice perpetrated against Ekiti people by the NWC Chairman cannot be allowed to stand. This is why the fight will continue, not as an aspirant but as a party reformer. As a leader and party chieftain, I will inspire a new generation of leaders of young professionals, businessmen and technocrats to re-enter our politics and change this state. Only then can we have men and women of honour who will take Ekiti out of the wilderness and restore her to her pride of place.

At the national level, I will continue to support Mr. President in ensuring party reforms. I will work hard to ensure that never again is our party thrown to desperate men who feed on monetary inducements and undermine their own party. This movement continues but I would be stepping down immediately as a governorship aspirant to focus on this new mission.

Source: NAN

Mr Dayo Adeyeye, a governorship aspirant in the just concluded Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary, says he is defecting to another party in order to realise his ambition of providing rapid development in the state.

Adeyeye, who polled 771 votes out of the 1,986 cast during the primary, made this known on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti.

The former Minister of State for Works said he would announce his new platform in the next 40 hours, stressing that no fewer than five parties had offered him their platforms to contest the July 14 governorship election in the state.

The former PDP spokesman made the announcement shortly after consulting with his supporters on the next line of action as a result of his loss of the primary election to the states Deputy Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka.

He alleged that the victory of Olusola- Eleka at the primary was merely to extend the tenure of Gov. Ayo Fayose.

Adeyeye alleged that asking the delegates to wear uniform ( aso ebi) was a ploy by the incumbent governor to impose his deputy as the PDP governorship candidate.

He also pointed out that the pattern of voting at the venue of the primary based on local government areas instilled fear in many delegates that they were being monitored.

I am leaving the party because the party can change but your state cannot change, the party can change, your hometown cannot change.

I cant be part of enslavement, I cant be part of corruption, I cant be part of those keeping our people in poverty but spend billions of naira on chartered flights to Abuja every year and will be riding okada (commercial motorcycle) at home.

Our party leaders in Abuja were surprised at my performance at the primary despite the intimidation but I told them that I can change party, party may go into extinction but Ekiti will remain, he said.

He argued that it would not make sense that Ekiti be ruined due to party affiliation.

I will not, because of party affiliation, allow Ekiti to be destroyed. That is why we will take decision today on where we are going.

Since Tuesday, civil servants, teachers, local government workers have become sad. Ekiti has been enveloped in mourning.

What is paramount in my mind is to liberate Ekiti. Today, we will not reveal where we are going yet, but we are no longer where we were before , he said

Source: NAN

Donald Trump on Thursday revealed that his historic summit with Kim Jong Un will take place in Singapore on June 12.

It would be the first-ever between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader.

The location and date of the landmark meeting were announced in a presidential tweet just hours after Trump welcomed to the United States three American prisoners released by Pyongyang.

We will both try to make it a very special moment for World Peace! Trump wrote.

The talks, which are expected to last one day, are set to focus on North Koreas rapidly advancing nuclear and ballistic weapons programs.

I think it will be a big success, Trump said as he boarded Air Force One, on his way to a political rally in Indiana.

US officials said the release of Americans Kim Hak-song, Tony Kim and Kim Dong-chul removed a major obstacle to the summit, providing Trump with some tangible evidence that his twin-track policy of engagement and maximum pressure was working.

Were not under any illusions about who these people are. We know who we are dealing with here, said Victoria Coates, of the National Security Council.

But we got, up front, our people home.

The United States and North Korea are technically still at war a stop-gap armistice ended the brutal three-year Korean war in 1953 and around 30,000 American troops remain in neighboring South Korea, which the US supported in the conflict.

Singapore will provide a neutral backdrop for the summit, avoiding some of the security and political challenges associated with a meeting in the Demilitarized Zone that separates North and South Korea.

The Southeast Asia city state has long acted as a bridge between the United States and China, with successive prime ministers offering Oval Office occupants their cherished geopolitical counsel.

When Trump and Kim do sit down a month from now, the two relatively untested leaders will be presented with a puzzle that has stymied seasoned diplomats for decades.

A series of US administrations have sent envoys, both official and unofficial, to Pyongyang in the hope of stopping North Koreas provocative nuclear weapons program.

Former presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter visited after leaving office, multiple rounds of non-proliferation talks have taken place, and a deal was even signed in 1994.

Despite the optimism of that moment, all efforts to limit North Koreas nuclear program have, to date, failed. And more than two decades and multiple provocative weapons tests after the last accord, the threat from Pyongyang has only grown.

The country is now believed to be on the cusp of developing an intercontinental ballistic missile that could deliver a nuclear warhead to the US mainland.

Trump has vowed that he will not let that happen and has demanded that North Korea give up its nukes.

Source: NAN

Former members of the People’s Democratic Party in the ruling All Progressives Congress,APC, appear to be spoiling for a fight as they issued a seven-day ultimatum, asking the party to address their complaints of marginalization.

Their letter which was addressed to the National chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, was signed by by Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, former National Chairman of the former PDP bloc and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the group’s former National Secretary.

Both signatories are known to be lukewarm to the alliance put together in 2014, with Oyinlola openly rejecting a board appointment and teaming up with Olusegun Obasanjo’s national coalition movement and Baraje being accused by APC members in Kwara state of being anti-Buhari.

With the tone of the letter, the political bloc may just be preparing the ground
to break away.

The group accused the ruling APC of marginalising its members in cabinet positions, board appointments and working to block the emergence of Yakubu Dogara and Bukola Saraki as speaker and senate president in 2015.

The group also listed five other sins committed against them by the APC, among them the lack of consultation of their members in decision making and the harassment of their members, which was not substantiated.

They thus gave Chief John Oyegun, seven days to respond and arrange a meeting.

“Given the constraining factor of available time and in the interest of our great Party, it is strongly advised that the said urgent meeting be held not later than Seven (7) days from the date of the receipt of this letter,” the letter read.

Here is the text of the letter:

TEXT OF THE LETTER

The National Chairman

All Progressives Congress (APC)

National Headquarters

Abuja.

REQUEST FOR REDRESSING OF GRIEVANCES OF THE FORMER NEW PDP BLOCK WITHIN THE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC)

We the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who moved over from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to form the APC before the 2015 General Elections in Nigeria are desirous of strengthening our party especially now that new party Congresses have commenced and the Convention and another round of General Elections are imminent. Obviously, this cannot be achieved without addressing fundamental issues which we wish to raise in this letter.

We therefore wish, with due respect, to re-state our expectation then and now that the APC we all laboured to build would be one united, inclusive, cohesive and progressive party devoid of divisions, factions, cleavages and tendencies. We envisioned a political party promoting equal rights for all Nigerians and ensuring rapid and even development across the country. Of course there is no gainsaying the fact that the lofty ideals enumerated above cannot be attained without ensuring justice for party faithfuls and citizens.

2. Kindly indulge us to offer a brief reminder of the history of events that led to the victory of the APC in the 2015 General Elections and the presidential election in particular. It is an undeniable historical fact that the movement of the former New PDP block to form the APC contributed immensely to the victory of the APC in the elections. The former new PDP included five sitting Governors of Sokoto, Kano, Kwara, Adamawa and Rivers States and former Governors of Kebbi, Gombe, Osun, former Vice President of Nigeria, former acting National Chairman of PDP, sitting Speaker of the House of Representatives, many serving members of the National Assembly and many renowned politicians and PDP Elders. It was a watershed moment in Nigeria’s political History.

3. Most of these leaders not only DELIVERED their States to the APC at the elections, some of the Governors were also assigned specific responsibilities to ensure that other States were also delivered to the APC in the 2015 elections. The then Governor of Sokoto took charge of Kebbi and the then Governor of Kano State took responsibility for Kano, Kaduna and Jigawa States just to mention a few examples. There were also unprecedented efforts by many stakeholders such as Senator Bukola Saraki, in concert with others, to DELIVER the entire North Central to the APC.

4. These efforts, contributions and sacrifice were made in spite of the fact that the presidential ticket was taken by the erstwhile Congress for Progressive Change, (CPC) and the Action Congress of Nigeria, (ACN) blocks of the party. It is a matter for grave concern that His Excellency, Mr President, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has never publicly acknowledged our efforts in the face of clear evidence that the total number of votes scored by the APC in States where leaders and members of the then NEW PDP block held sway made the difference.

5. The stubborn facts are as follows: In Kano State APC scored 1,903,999 in 2015, and in Kwara 302,146. In Sokoto State it scored 671,926, and 374,701 in Adamawa. In Kebbi State, APC had 567,883 votes and 885,988 in Jigawa. It was the same story in Gombe (459,898), Kogi (264,851), and Benue (373,961) votes. These represented significant additions to the APC victory column. Indeed, the influence, activities, momentum and ripple effect generated by the former New PDP block was significant in the victory of APC in the entire elections in the whole country.

6. At this stage we would chronicle a few grievances which if addressed will lead to a harmonious APC where justice, equity, fairness and peace will reign and enable APC avoid rancour, reinvigorate the pace of national development and face the 2019 General Elections as one united party.

7. Our grievances include:

(a) In the constitution of the Federal Executive Council, (FEC) the New PDP block was generally sidelined as virtually no position was conceded to it. The only member of FEC that belonged to former New PDP block comes from a State that contributed virtually no vote to the APC in the 2015 presidential elections.

(b) There has been no significant patronage and appointments to executive positions in various government agencies such as Chief Executives and Executive Directors of government agencies and parastatals as members of our block of the party continue to helplessly watch as these positions are shared by the erstwhile CPC, ACN, ANPP and even APGA blocks of the party and those who have no party at all.

(c) In appointments into boards of various government agencies, very few former New PDP members were patronised. These are however not commensurate with our contributions to the growth and victory of the party.

(d) When members of the former New PDP block showed interest in running for the offices of President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives, they were subjected to a vicious and relentless political opposition as if they were not legitimate members of the APC family.

(e) During the party primaries preparatory to the 2015 General Elections, most of the promises made to sitting members of the National Assembly, who belonged to the former new PDP in terms of a level playing field were reneged upon or observed more in breach.

(f) There has been general lack of consultation, non recognition and even persecution of former New PDP members and leaders by the party and government. For example, some of our leaders are denied the security cover necessary to visit their constituencies even though they are elected representatives of the people in a government they sacrificed so much for.

(g) Harassment, intimidation and persecution of former New PDP leaders by the government, is still an ongoing affair. We do not want to overstate the obvious by cataloguing names of former new PDP stalwarts that are targets of this political pogrom.

(h) There is inadequate reflection of programme and policy contributions of members of the former New PDP block in the running of the government.

8. Our belief is that it does not augur well for our party if a section of it feels that it is being treated as outcasts and meddlesome interlopers in the party they rightly belong with the legitimate expectation to be treated with justice both in the running of the party and the government.

9. Arising from the issues outlined above, among others, we request for an urgent meeting with the Leader of the party, and the Party Executive leadership to find lasting solutions to the issues raised so as to prepare the party as a fighting force to deliver more pungently on its manifesto and face the 2019 General Elections with even greater commitment. The meeting will also enable us to work out modalities to ensure a level playing field for all in the Congresses and Convention of the APC.

10. Given the constraining factor of available time and in the interest of our great Party, it is strongly advised that the said urgent meeting be held not later than Seven (7) days from the date of the receipt of this letter.

11. In conclusion, we the members of the former New PDP block of the APC wish to reiterate that this letter is written patriotically with the best of intentions and the good of our party, the APC, and is issued to alert the leadership of the APC and in particular, the leader of our party, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who only recently indicated his intention to seek a second term as President, of grievances that exist within the party with a view to ensuring justice for all members of the APC family regardless of the blocks they came from prior to the formation of the APC.

For and on behalf of the former New PDP Block of APC:

Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje (CON), former National Chairman (nPDP)

Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former National Secretary (nPDP)

Source: NAN

The Plateau Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has called for the “immediate release” of former Plateau governor Jonah Jang from Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) custody.

Jang, who represents Plateau North in the senate, was invited by the EFCC on Monday over alleged misappropriation of some monies when he governed the north-central state between 2007 and 2015.

The senator had, since then, been in the custody of the anti-graft agency.

Chief Damishi Sango, the PDP Chairman in Plateau, who addressed a press conference on Jang’s detention, described it as “unconstitutional”.

Sango argued that the refusal of the commission to grant bail to the elder statesman was “a gross violation of his fundamental human rights”.

“We consider the continued detention of Sen. Jang by the EFCC as unconstitutional, unlawful and gross violation of his fundamental human rights.

“It is very shocking and unbelievable that a sitting senator and elder statesman is being denied bail, access to his lawyers, family and even his medication. This is quite unfortunate

“We have appealed to party supporters and family members to remain calm and shall continue to ensure that they remain so, but we want the EFCC to, as a matter of urgency, release Sen Jang,” Sango stated.

The chairman alleged that Jang’s continued detention was “part of an orchestrated plan to clamp down on the opposition”, saying that Jang was entitled to bail on self recognition since he was a serving senator.

“Jang is a former governor and a serving senator; there is no way he will jump bail,” he said.

Sango, however, said that the PDP would continue to serve as a viable opposition and ensure a voice for the voiceless “no matter what happens”.

Source: NAN

There are indications that the leadership of the National Assembly has backed the candidacy of former Governor of Edo, Adams Oshiomhole, as he declares his bid for the national chairmanship of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja on Thursday.

Oshiomhole told newsmen in Benin on Wednesday that President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara, would join top members of the party at his declaration.

He also said that Imo Governor, Rochas Okorocha, would lead governors elected on the party’s platform to the declaration which would hold at TRANSCORP Hilton.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the former governor is favoured to replace outgoing chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun after he received the endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Oshiomhole said he was joining the chairmanship race to contribute to the growth of the party.

According to him, it is true that I intend to make my ambition known to our party members and Nigerians.

“I strongly believe that with the experience I have gathered in my public life, having served as President of NLC, governor of Edo, I have what it takes to take our dear party, the ruling party, to the next level.”

Source: NAN

Students and their teacher were left confused after a Cornell University New York, senior Letitia Chai, delivered her honours thesis after stripping down to her bra and underwear in the class to protest against oppressive beliefs and discrimination.

At least two dozen of the students also undressed in solidarity.

Chai removed all her clothes except for her undergarments during her Acting in Public presentation Saturday as a demonstration against her professor, Rebekah Maggor, who questioned her attire during her talk about refugee relocation.

When I got up to start, my professor said: Is that really what you would wear?

Your shorts are too short.

Chai, who said she was filled with rage and disbelief after the incident, took to her Facebook to write about the confrontation.

She recalled wearing a long-sleeve blue button-down shirt and denim cut-offs, which she alleges her professor told her was inviting the male gaze away from the content of my presentation and onto my body.

An international male student agreed with the professor.

Chai said Maggor tried to justify her question by explaining she was addressing her from the point of view of a concerned mother, to which Chai replied, that her mom is a Feminist, Gender, Sexuality Studies professor who wouldve been proud of her for her outfit.

In the classsyllabus, students dress is one of the course requirements.

For your performances, dress appropriately for the persona you will present, the syllabus reads, For example, how would you dress for a specific job interview?

How would you dress when introducing a famous speaker at a particular conference? How would you dress to give a speech at a protest rally?

The students in the class, while still supporting Chai, wrote ajoint letterdefending the professors comments, but nevertheless the faculty will undergo training in diversity, equity, and inclusion as a result of the exchange, according to an email Chaiposted onMonday.

Maggor and Chai refused to comment further on the issue.

Source: NAN

The Nigeria police have spurned the resolution of the senate, describing it as deliberate blackmail, witch-hunting, unfortunate and mischievous; and vowed not to be intimidated.

Police see the Senates resolution declaring the Inspector-General of Police ( I-G), Mr Ibrahim Idris, as enemy of democracy as a deliberate attempt to blackmail him.

The force noted that the I-G and the Nigeria Police Force would not be deterred by blackmail from any individual or group no matter how highly placed from the enforcement of Law and Order.

The Nigeria Police Force, therefore, owes no apology to any individual or groups in its effort to ensure preservation of law and order and supremacy of the law of the land, Police Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Jimoh Moshood said on Wednesday.

Moshood implored the public to disregard and discountenance the resolution of the Senate on the I-G.

The Nigeria Police Force as a law abiding organization will continue to hold the Senate of Federal Republic of Nigeria in high esteem but wishes to impress on the Senate not to harbour criminal elements among its fold or condone criminality.

The Force will not be intimidated by any individual, groups or institution, constituent or otherwise to abdicate from its constitutional responsibilities of protection of lives and property, he said.

The senate at plenary on Wednesday, declared the Idris as enemy of democracy and unfit to hold any public office within and outside the country for failing to honour its invitation thrice.

The senate had refused the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in-charge of operations and other senior police officers to represent the I-G when he was invited on April 26.

Moshood, in a statement in Abuja, explained that under the provisions of the Police Act and Regulations, the I-G could delegate a Deputy or Assistant Inspector-General of Police to represent him in an official capacity at any function.

He explained that Idris sent representatives because he was on an official assignment with the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria to Bauchi on same date.

The delegated Officers went with a brief of the Inspector-General of Police on the matter to the senate but the Senate refused to listen to the Officers.

He said that again on May 2, the senate refused to accord some senior officers delegated to represent the I-G when he was on an official duty to Birnin-Gwari area of Kaduna state.

The spokesman said that the I-G on May 8, sent a letter to the President of the Senate explaining why he would not be appearing before the Senate on May 9.

This he said was due to legal restraint as a result of pending cases before the courts filed by Sen. Dino Melaye against the I-G and the Nigeria Police Force.

It is pertinent that the Force informs the members of the Public that other reasons for which the Senate has summoned the Inspector-General of Police is official and not personal.

The action of the Senate in its resolution against the I-G today is a deliberate blackmail, witch-hunting with mischievous motives to hand-twist the I- G to pervert the end of Justice.

The Nigeria Police Force is the first defender of democracy and all democratic institutions in Nigeria and will continue to do so.

It is factual and verifiable that Sen. Dino Melaye was discharged and certified fit to stand trial by the National Hospital, Abuja before he was arraigned in Chief Magistrate Courts in Wuse, Abuja and Lokoja, he said.

Source: NAN

The Congo and World Health Organisation (WHO) have hit the outbreak of Ebola with quick response to contain the deadly disease.

I think with this rapid response we will be able to contain it, WHO emergencies director for Africa, Ibrahima Soce Fall, told the Media on Wednesday.

Very clearly the U.N. agency learned its lesson from the crisis, he added.

Ebola is endemic to Congo, a vast country whose eastern Ebola river gave the deadly virus its name when it was discovered there in the 1970s.

This is the ninth time Ebola has been recorded in Congo and comes less than a year after the last outbreak killed four people.

At least 17 people have died around the village near the northwestern town of Bikoro where the virus was detected this week, health officials said.

WHO is conducting an investigation to see how many people may have come in contact with the infected .

The organisation is prepared to use a new experimental vaccine if needed, said Fall.

Six months after an Ebola outbreak was confirmed in West Africa in March 2014, the World Health Organisation declared an international emergency and called for help.

The disease went on to ravage three countries and kill over 11,000 people.

On Tuesday, Democratic Republic of Congo confirmed two cases of the viral disease.

That same day, WHO helicoptered in a team of experts to the scene and released one million dollars in funding.

The agency was criticised for its slow response to the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone, which was the largest in history.

In the past we didnt have this emergency system.

Its completely different, Fall said, adding that this response was also faster than that in Congo last year.

The cases were first reported on May 3, and medical teams supported by WHO and medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) went to take samples two days later.

That seems to me to be about as fast as you can reasonably expect, said Jimmy Whitworth, a specialist in epidemiology and public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Whitworth said the situation was worrying, but Congo may be better prepared to detect and manage Ebola than other countries since it has had more experience.

If people exposed to the disease are identified and quarantined rapidly, it can likely be contained in an isolated area, he added.

Bikoro lies not far from the banks of the Congo River, an essential waterway for transport and commerce.

It runs past capital Kinshasa and Brazzaville, capital of neighbouring Congo Republic. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN