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Tag: HE PETER OBI

  • Peter Obi and a buffoon called Monday Okpebholo

    By

    UGO ONUOHA

    Who is a buffoon? I will not put my thumb on the scale so that I will not inject my personal bias and anger in the definition of a buffoon. I will simply ask Meta AI. Please AI who is a buffoon? “A buffoon is a person who behaves in a silly, foolish, or absurd way, often causing amusement or annoyance. The term can imply someone who: acts foolishly or absurdly; makes a spectacle of themselves; lacks seriousness or judgment; [and/or] engages in clownish or ridiculous behaviour”. AI elaborates by saying that “In modern usage, ‘buffoon’ can be used to describe someone who is seen as ridiculous, incompetent, or silly, often in a way that’s entertaining or annoying”. It went on to illustrate: “He’s such a buffoon on social media, always posting ridiculous videos”. Which one of these descriptions does not fit the governor of Edo state, Monday Okpebholo? He is silly. He acts foolishly. He is absurd in conduct and utterance. He causes amusement and annoyance at the same time. He makes a spectacle of himself. He never appears to be a serious person. Indications are that he is a dullard.

    Okpebholo lacks good judgment. He’s ridiculous. He is clownish. So far, there is no evidence that he will be a competent governor of an otherwise sophisticated state like Edo. His nomination as the ruling party’s [All Progressives Congress, APC’s] governorship candidate in the last election in Edo state came as a shock to those who knew his antecedents. His stomping for the office was absurd and a depressing spectacle to behold. He struggled to articulate his promises to the electorate. His grasp of the English language was challenged, and sadly continues to be challenged even as a governor. There was no evidence either that he was grounded in his mother tongue.

    Even if he was, how many of the native languages would he have spoken during the campaigns given the diverse languages of the state. Using Nigeria’s special English or pigeon [pidgin English] also appeared a bridge too far for him to cross. He was a disaster as a nominee for a high office. He was a greater disaster as a candidate. And now, daily he is unravelling as a governor. In spite of being a former senator of the federal republic, Monday Okpebholo is neither literate in spoken words nor in written figures. Do you want evidence? Search for videos where he spoke.

    Okpebholo will only be caught dead addressing any audience extempore. Wherever and whenever he does be ready to squirm and to hold your breath for the duration of the exercise. Thankfully, they are all usually short video clips. He is no better with a written speech. He is sure to mangle the words and end up being incomprehensible. Some months ago, Okpebholo could not pronounce the sum total of the 2025 budget of Edo state during its presentation to the house of assembly. He was the presenter. Before the APC, budget presentation was a serious business. At least, there used to be a veneer of seriousness.  Until it stopped being so when the lawmakers in our national assembly started heralding the presentation of Nigeria’s national budgets with the rendering of ‘On your mandate…’, the partisan political song of Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria’s president. In Edo the budget figure that was beyond the pay grade of Okpebholo was the same he is supposed to superintend its implementation.

    Pray, how do you implement what you cannot figure [pun fully intended] out. He tried three times and he failed three times. His subsequent failures were worse than the previous ones. That was how bad he was. And that’s how bad he still is. Okpebholo typifies the typical Nigerian ruler at all levels. The bar is extremely low, encourages fawning, cronyism, and hypocrisy. And we still keep wondering how our country and its sub-nationals keep moving forward in reverse gear. We keep wondering how our country has remained the poverty capital of the world. We keep wondering how and why about 75% or 161 million of our compatriots are today not sure of where their next meal will come from. Why do we wonder with a plethora of the type of Okpebholo in leadership [rulership really] positions, in the driver’s seat across board.

    Before his accession to the Edo state Governor’s Mansion, Okpebholo was a senator. In that role he was not much known for his contributions at plenary or sponsorship of bills or strong advocacy for his constituents and senatorial district. There’s no evidence, but he was probably adept in joining other senators in padding the budget for his personal benefit or for the good of his district. That may have partly accounted for his promotion to be the chief executive of Edo state, a state that had been governed by politically sagacious personages including John Odigie-Oyegun, a former chairman of the APC; an academic and the first First Class graduate of law in 1975 of the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor [the first Nigerian law student to achieve this feat]; a stormy petrel labour leader, Adams Oshiomhole, who was also chairman of the APC, and now a vibrant senator; as well as a well educated Lucky Igbinedion, one of the sons of the billionaire Esama of Bini Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion. Like his fellow party man elsewhere, Okpebholo’s academic career is muddled in controversies, with his political detractors attributing even his marginal success to association with the notorious miracle centre. Miracle or magic centres are special but illegal examination centres designed for those who must be assisted to cheat to pass the joint admissions and matriculation board [JAMB] examination, a prerequisite for admission to tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Even then, his alleged school certificate which was posted online presumably by his political enemies read like a glorification of the ‘D’ poor grade.

    There’s no doubt that Governor Okpebholo passed through the senate but the senate, the upper chamber of the national assembly, obviously did not pass through him. Or how else would he have said what has been attributed to him last week? A trending video showed Okpebholo warning a citizen of Nigeria not to step his feet into Edo state without first getting his [Okpebholo’s] prior approval. In other words, he declared a fellow citizen who was a governor of another state long before the upstart Okpebholo dreamt of being assisted to the governorship a persona non-grata in Edo state. Okpebholo’s order beggars belief. It’s obvious that our country is headed in the wrong direction as highlighted last week by the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, but it is still arguable that it has sunk this very low where a former senator who is a sitting governor does not know the laws of the land.

    In the video under reference which had yet to be debunked as a forgery as at the weekend, Okpebholo reportedly said: “This message is for the man who claims he has no ‘shishi’ [mimicking Peter Obi who always says he does not give money for frivolities or as bribe during the 2023 presidential campaign]. There’s a new sheriff in town. He cannot just come into Edo without informing me. His security will not be guaranteed. If anything happens to him here, he will have himself to blame. I’m not joking. He came the other day and gave out N15 million. A man who claims to have no money, where did he get that from? After he left, there was unrest in Benin, and three people lost their lives. That’s why I’m saying this: tell Obi not to step into Edo without informing me first”.

    Every other thing in the habit of a man can be cured, but for stupidity there’s no remedy. However, for our readers and other discerning citizens, we will try to deconstruct the stupidity in the warning from Okpebholo. Obi is a well-heeled man financially and this governor who manifests illiteracy at every turn knows that much. Obi, a former governor of Anambra state, has never told anybody that he is a poor man. He fully explained his slogan of not having ‘shishi’ to the effect that his wealth goes into productive causes, and helping people across Nigeria who are genuinely in need, not to indulge people’s frivolities or bribe delegates at political party primaries or voters during elections. And he has lived by that principle by giving to schools in virtually all geopolitical zones of the country, financially supporting internally displaced persons who appear to have been forgotten by our governments, providing for victims of disasters for example in Haiti and recently in Mokwa in Niger state, and generally helping those in need.

    It was a sign of stupidity for Okpebholo to demand that Obi explained the source of the N15 million he gave to a group while he visited Benin recently. Obi does not owe him how he uses his hard earned money. A more sensible governor would have opted to report Obi to the economic and financial crimes commission for money laundering. Apparently, Okpebholo’s stupidity has yet to degenerate to that level. If as the Edo governor claimed, that some persons died the last time Obi visited the state, the proper thing Okpebholo would have done would be to report the incident to the police stating that he reasonably believed that the deaths were caused by Obi. Former governor Obi no longer enjoys any immunity and the police will have no problems probing him and pressing charges in court if a primer facia case is established. The weird idea of Peter Obi applying to, and getting prior approval from Okpebholo whenever he intends to visit or pass through Edo state is bunkum. Okpebholo may be a former lawmaker, but he is as empty as they come. Those in the kindergarten know that freedom of movement is a foundational part of the laws of Nigeria.

    If another person threatened Obi’s life as governor Okpebholo clearly did in his recent outburst, it would have been necessary to call on Nigerians to take judicial notice of his warning and plot to harm Obi, the man who has turned out to be the main issue in Nigeria’s politics and governance. To do so over the comments of a partisan illiterate will be a waste of time. Another viral video from this same bungling man illustrates the stark illiteracy or hypocrisy or both of the man. In the latest video he could be heard telling a crowd in the state that but for the money that President Tinubu has been giving to him, that he would not have been able to govern the state. And to provide the people needed infrastructure. Apparently the governor thinks that the president is doing him a favour by Edo state getting its statutory allocation from the federation account. To Okpebholo, Tinubu is a generous and kind man who gives his state money from his [Tinubu’s] personal wallet. Or the president is so good that he does not seize the monies due Edo state. Okpebholo’s tomfoolery speaks to the damning leadership selection process in Nigeria. He is a tragedy. Unfortunately he’s not alone.

    Ugo Onuoha, a Veteran Journalist, was the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Champion Newspapers Limited.

  • Poster Boy Alabi, Police and criminal enterprise

    Poster Boy Alabi, Police and criminal enterprise

    By: UGO ONUOHA

    THE Nigerian Police exhibits the features of a criminal enterprise. Every such business or group shows characteristics which enables it to operate effectively often without being caught by the law. In broad terms every criminal enterprise has organisational structure, hierarchy, chain of command, and division of labour. It also engages in illicit activities, generates revenue, usually dark money, extortion, money laundering, and it exploits vulnerabilities of individuals, businesses and institutions. A typical underworld business maintains secrecy on what it does, uses deception to distract, and has mastery of code of silence.

    Firms or institutions that are into shady dealings do not hesitate to deploy violence and intimidation or the threats thereof to maintain control and discipline. They are also usually nimble so as to quickly adapt to changing circumstances, laws, and law enforcement strategies. Criminal enterprises are adept at bribing and corrupting everything in their way, infiltrating legitimate institutions either to launder money or to gather intelligence. As may be needed they apply influence peddling to shape policy or decision – making. Any country that has a sizable number of criminal enterprises operating within its borders is damned. And any society that is grappling with state agencies that have turned into rogue or criminal enterprises is doomed. Sadly, Nigeria falls into this later category.

    Almost all strata of  enterprise Nigeria is a criminal set up. The executive arms of  government at all levels are studies in perfidy and all that they should not be. Across the Nigerian state and at the centre, the legislatures do not exist in reality as co-equal branches of the government. They are tied to the apron strings of the governors in the states and the president in Abuja, respectively. The judiciary is no better. The Supreme Court is leprous. It’s the same spectacle down to the lowest rung of courts. Justices and judges and magistrates now publicly cavort with, and receive favours from politicians, armed robbers and con artists better known as 419ners. A former chief justice of Nigeria enjoyed lavish banquet dates with notorious politicians while he was the CJN. In fact he once publicly and unabashedly promoted and supported the fractionalisation of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). While still the CJN he gave thumbs up to five PDP governors that worked to sabotage their party to benefit his kinsman who was a candidate in the then upcoming 2023 presidential election.

    The current CJN, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun appears not to be overly concerned about how she’s perceived by the public. On October 21, 2024, she was loud in Abuja in the company of one of the loudest and controversial politician who is the federal capital territory minister, Nysome Wike, during the sod-turning ceremony for the construction of some housing units for judges in the territory. Until recently, that was not a common sight. Judges were virtually hermits in Nigeria in the past. In spite of themselves, judges studiously avoided such outings and sundry social gatherings even those organised by family members and acquaintances simply to avoid the perception of bias in their judicial functions. Not any more. Judges now frequently attend public social functions including owambe parties as a badge of honour, and status conferor. The other arm of the federal government, the national assembly (NASS) also reflects its leadership. It was in the public domain that the Senate president, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who is presently bersmiched with allegations of sexual harassment by his colleague, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, was dogged by allegations of fraud and potential trial in court before he was ‘head-hunted’ for the senate presidency. Until recently Nigerians didn’t know that the senate ethics committee is led by a man reported to be a fugitive from the law in the United States of America.

    So, Nigeria’s senate is headed by a man with so much baggage to contend with. The judiciary by a woman who is alleged to be on a no-visa list of a super power, and who has no qualms in being found in the midst of a loquacious and controversial politician. For the headship of the executive branch, the compelling narrative will be the one offered prior to the 2023 election by a dyed-in-the-wool critic of presidential candidate, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Reno Omokri. He wrote on twitter on March 28, 2021 that: “The 2023 packaging of Bola Tinubu, a man of: Questionable name, Questionable wealth, Questionable education status, Questionable age, Questionable state of origin, Questionable US record, Questionable parentage, Questionable sobriety, Questionable religion, and Questionable hygiene”. Reno (Rent) Omokri has since become a turncoat which is legitimate. Only a dead person does not change his or her mind. Reno’s may be like Saul’s on the Damascus highway. And Reno’s reward may soon be handsome if the rumour mills are to be believed. Mr. Reno Omokri could soon become His Excellency, Ambassador Reno Omokri, Nigeria’s ambassador or high commissioner to wherever… Don’t worry about the message we could be passing to our children about rewarding scoundrels, turncoats and scammers. And people who do not really believe in anything.

    If Nigeria is in a bad shape it’s because “mmiri siri n’isi gbaruo” or the stream was muddied from the fountainhead. As the Good Book says if the foundation be faulty, what can the righteous do? Every state institution has turned rogue. The armed forces whose generals steal monies voted for the foot soldiers, and the rank and file who are moles for Boko Haram militants and other terrorists. The judges who brazenly pervert justice and of whom the poet, Niyi Osundare, asked where he would keep their bribe money for them. Operatives of the directorate of state services (DSS) and other security agencies who pick up government critics on the whims but are incapable of locating and apprehending terrorists and bandits who regularly flaunt ransom monies on the social media. The Customs officers who allow goods into the country through our entry ports, and then go to the highways to mount roadblocks to seize the same wares or extort their owners. Customs even takes it further – they raid markets, shopping malls and vehicle arcades to impound ‘contrabands’ or legitimate imports with alleged duty underpayments. Such seized goods are rarely accounted for.

    Perhaps, at the top of Nigeria’s rogue institutions is the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). It takes a hardened criminal agency and brigandage to do what the police have been trying to do after they were caught in their framing, detention, and attempt to prosecute a minor for armed robbery. Quadri Alabi was the Poster Boy of Peter Obi presidential campaign in 2023. The picture of his pose in front of the campaign convoy of Obi in Lagos captured the imagination of the country, nay the world. For doing that Alabi’s world was turned upside down. Earlier this year, some street urchins connived with the rogue police in Amukoko area of Lagos to put Alabi, 17 years, in jail. It took a whistleblower months to expose the crime by the police. But the police have a handful in activist and lawyer, Inibehe Effiong. After springing Alabi from our criminal justice system, Effiong gave it to the police last week. He wrote: “Our attention has been drawn to a false and provocative statement issued by the Lagos state Police Command in which the Command unsuccessfully attempted to mislead the public on the fabricated case they initiated against Quadri Alabi. The statement is not only laughable, it is ridiculous. It is embarrassing to see the police spread disinformation and fake news about an innocent Nigerian child.

    “Nigerians will note that in our previous statements, we disclosed that our client was abducted by two ‘Area Boys’ named Lege and Baba Waris while he was on his way home from work and dumped at Amukoko Divisional Police Station. These same Area Boys and their cohorts have been harassing our client since 2023 in their effort to extort “their share” of the donations made to him after he stood in front of the convoy of Mr. Peter Obi. In its statement, the police claimed that Quadri was arrested in connection with street fighting. They also claimed that some properties were damaged, and that some persons were also robbed. According to the police, Quadri was identified by some people in the community and by the victims. First, we wish to restate that Quadri is not 18 years old as mischievously parroted by the police. He is 17 as contained in his birth certificate and attested to by his mother. He was born on the 29th day of September, 2007. Second, Quadri was not involved in street fighting and did not rob anyone, he also did not damage anyone’s property. Third, there was no time that our client was identified by any victim of the alleged crime. The police should tell the public when and where the identification was done and the method used. How was Quadri identified by the alleged victims when no identification parade was conducted as required by law, given the alleged offences were said to have been committed at about 10pm?

    “Fourth, the police in their statement said that our client was arrested, but they failed to state who exactly arrested him and the place he was arrested. Their silence on these key points is quite revealing. Sixth, the so-called casemates of Quadri are adults who are not known to him. The police failed to disclose the relationship or connection between Quadri and the four adults who were remanded along with him. We should also state for the records that the police had detained Quadri for about a week in the police cell before unlawfully taking him before a magistrate for remand. It is the law that once the permissible constitutional limit for detaining a suspect has passed, a subsequent order of remand cannot cure the infringement. It is preposterous…that the Lagos State Police Command rather than exude remorse, has chosen the ignoble path of doubling down on its act of perfidy, shamelessness, lawlessness, and utter contempt for justice and the truth”.

    The police have been caught, they should stop digging. They will be better served if they use their time to prepare to meet Alabi in court through his counsel Inibehe, and to prepare to contest the demand in tens of millions of Naira in compensation. In the meantime Nigerians should be alarmed at the deterioration of their police. How many Quadri Alabis have the police wasted using the country’s criminal justice system? How many?

    Ugo Onuoha, Veteran Journalist, was Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Champion Newspapers Limited

  • Peter Obi Visits Babangida in Minna

    Peter Obi Visits Babangida in Minna

    In a broad consultative effort prior to his likely second attempt at the presidential race, former Anambra Governor Peter Oi has visited General Ibrahim Babangida at his hilltop home in Minna, Niger State.

    Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, made the trip to Minna, Niger State, yesterday, January 2, 2024. 

    READ ALSO: Deaths and Blood Rituals for Bulaba Balablu Christmas

    The visit provided Obi with an opportunity to exchange views on national matters and extend New Year wishes to the former military president. 

    Obi shared images of the visit on his X account, acknowledging Babangida’s continued influence and the valuable insights he offers during their conversations.

  • LP Launches Membership Online Registration App, Sets Congress Timetable

    LP Launches Membership Online Registration App, Sets Congress Timetable

    The Labour Party has unveiled an online membership registration app as part of its push to surpass 20 million members before the 2027 elections.

     The app, designed for both new sign-ups and membership revalidation, is part of the party’s plan to expand its base ahead of upcoming congresses.

    LP National Executive Council (NEC) held a virtual meeting on Saturday to discuss these plans, including the announcement of the congress timetable.

     Membership revalidation begins immediately, with a deadline set for January 31, 2025. 

    The app is expected to update the ward registers in preparation for the ward congresses, scheduled to begin between February and March 2025.

    At the ward level, there will be 17 positions up for election, including chairman, vice chairman, and secretary.

    READ ALSO: TINUBU ARRIVES BRASIL FOR G20 SUMMIT

     Local Government congresses are set to take place between April and May 2025, with 21 positions contested, while state congresses will be held between June and July 2025, offering 29 positions.

    The NEC also approved the restructuring of the Directorate of Mobilization and Integration, commending the directorate’s success under the leadership of Dr. Marcel Ngogbehei.

     Additionally, a new Directorate of International and Diaspora Affairs has been established to manage the growing number of party members abroad. This new directorate will also explore ways for the diaspora to participate in local congresses.

    The meeting also led to the formation of several committees, including the Electoral Reform Committee, tasked with addressing electoral challenges faced by the party in the 2023 elections.

     The committee, led by Hon. Benedict Etanabene, will submit its report within eight weeks. 

    The Political Education Committee, headed by Rt. Hon. Ativie Elizabeth, will focus on reorienting the public and preparing citizens for active political engagement.

    PLEASE READ: NEF APPOINTS DR. AMINU ANAS DIRECTOR,PLANNING AND PROGRAMMES

  • Kwankwaso Under Attack Over Visit To Alex Otti 

    Kwankwaso Under Attack Over Visit To Alex Otti 

    The internal rift within the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has intensified following a recent visit by its former presidential candidate, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to Abia State Governor, Alex Otti.

     The party’s National Working Committee (NWC) convened an emergency meeting in Lagos to address what it termed a controversial move amid ongoing legal and leadership battles.  

    Kwankwaso’s November 9 visit coincided with a ruling by an Abia State High Court, which directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transfer NNPP’s administration to its Board of Trustees, chaired by Dr. Boniface Aniebonam.

     The NWC viewed this meeting as an attempt to exploit the legal development for personal advantage.  

    The party’s leadership has been embroiled in a crisis, resulting in the expulsion of Kwankwaso, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, and other members of the Kwankwasiya group.

     The NWC dismissed their claims to any leadership roles within the NNPP, labeling such assertions as baseless and aimed at disrupting the party’s unity.  

    Governor Otti was advised to distance himself from NNPP’s internal disputes to avoid potential political fallout ahead of the 2027 elections. 

    The NWC also alleged that Kwankwaso had been a destabilizing force since joining the party, accusing him of trying to take control of its structures for personal benefit.  

  • Call for new presidential jet for VP Shettima, “Insensitive” – Peter Obi

    Call for new presidential jet for VP Shettima, “Insensitive” – Peter Obi

    Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has criticized a call for a new jet for Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, calling it “insensitive” amidst the country’s economic struggles.

    The former Anambra state governor stated that Nigeria’s challenges, such as extreme poverty, unreliable power grid, and failing businesses, should be the priority of the country’s leaders and not luxury.

    He urged leaders to focus on essential trips and prioritize selfless service to uplift Nigeria’s development and welfare.

    “We are today among one of the eleven worst-governed African nations in the last 10 years.

    “We are also among the 20 most hungry nations in the world, with our people facing worsening mass poverty, extreme hunger and starvation.

    “Our nation remains the poverty capital of the world, with our per capita income crashing further from $1700 in 2023 to $1109 this year. Are these not the issues that should be prioritized by committed leaders?” Obi queried.

    Using Indonesia as an example, Obi stated: “It was not until 2014 that Indonesia, with sustainable economic growth of over 6% annually for the past 10 years, adding about 50% to both her GDP and GDP per capita, decide to buy a Presidential jet, used by both the President and Vice President.

    “The Vice President travels mostly in the country’s national airline, Garuda Indonesia. And since we have recently undeservedly bought one, it should be used on essential, inevitable trips of the President and Vice President.

    “I appeal to the President, Vice President, and our public office holders that our present precarious situation calls only for minimal and highly contributory inevitable travels.

    “It is time to sit down and find solutions to our litany of challenges for the wellbeing of the people and the development of our country. Nigeria will rise again if the leadership can commit to selfless service.”

  • Court Orders INEC To Recognize Julius Abure As Labour Party Chairman

    Court Orders INEC To Recognize Julius Abure As Labour Party Chairman

    The Federal High Court in Abuja has officially recognized Julius Abure as the legitimate Chairman of the Labour Party.

     This decision, delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite, reinforces the leadership structure established during the party’s national convention in Nnewi in March 2024.

     The court’s directive mandates that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) accept Abure’s chairmanship, contradicting its previous assertion that his leadership lacked legal validity. 

    INEC had contended that the Labour Party’s convention breached the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act, claiming that proper legal protocols were not followed. 

    The current decision of the court however, further conflicts the relationship between Mr. Abure and His Excellency Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 national election.

    Further developments are anticipated.