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Since Onnoghen Isn’t A Trader, What’s He Doing With Accounts In Pounds, Dollars, Euros? Oshiomhole Asks

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All Progressives Congress National Chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, has said that since the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, is not a trader, he shouldn’t be maintaining bank accounts denominated in foreign currencies such as pound sterling, dollars and euros.

He warned that Nigeria is no longer a colony to any super power or answerable to the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union on how the country runs its internal affairs as a sovereign nation.

He argued that much as Nigeria welcomed friendships and suggestions from outsiders, they were not binding, adding that Nigeria would also not succumb to pressure to offend its internal laws.

The APC national chairman was reacting to the reservations expressed by the UK, the US governments and the EU over the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Oshiomhole spoke on Monday night in Abuja shortly after a meeting between Buhari and APC senators ended at the Presidential Villa.

Speaking with State House correspondents, Oshiomhole noted, “The thing is that Nigeria is not a colony. I think we all have to be careful. We must defend the sovereignty of our country.

“We welcome collaboration, we welcome peer review, we can compare notes, we welcome people who are interested in sharing experiences with us whenever the need arises, whether it is capacity building, or making useful suggestions on how we can continue to improve on our electoral process.

“Those are very valuable contributions that we appreciate. But Nigeria is not a colony. We will not accept any foreign interference in the internal affairs of Nigeria.

“Judges have been dismissed in the United States when they are found guilty of corruption.

“The Western world cannot, on the one hand, when it suits them, describe Nigeria as fantastically corrupt and when a corrupt judicial officer is being charged, people want to interfere.

“What anybody can insist on is, ‘Is anybody being framed?’ ‘Is the suspended CJN guilty of the allegations made against him?’ ‘Or is it something being cooked out from nowhere?’”

Oshiomhole argued further that Onnoghen admitted to have committed the alleged infractions he was accused of by the Code of Conduct Bureau.

He added, “Now, if a Chief Justice of the Federation admits that he has breached the law, if a CJN admits that he has several foreign domiciliary accounts, even though he also admits that by nature of his office, he is not a trader, what is he doing with accounts in British Pounds, US Dollars and in Euros and to the extent of forgetting that he has those accounts?

“If he has such memory failure about the size of his number of accounts as to fail to declare them, you and I know that not even ignorance is an excuse in law. So, where are we being hypocritical?

“And at a certain level of responsibility, it’s not even about legal technicalities. It’s about the moral weight, the moral burden you carry.

“So, nobody should make us feel as though we are at the mercy of any other country.

“The future of Nigeria is in the hands of Nigerians and our laws clear. Our laws are meant to be obeyed.

“If Nigerians thought that anybody other than the president and the vice president or a governor and deputy governor have immunity, it should have been so written into the constitution.

“I don’t understand what the noise is about. Some people say even if it is true, is this the proper timing? What is the best timing to prosecute a crime? Should we suspend criminal justice pending elections?

“Then, some people say you know, because of the very unique role or rather, very delicate role the judiciary has to play in settling elections issues, that is the more reason that people are worried about the timing.

“My question is, given that important role of the judiciary in times like this, is that the reason why you should allow a judge who has professed for breaching laws of the land, is that the reason to allow him to preside, to adjudicate over issues that have to do with fairness and justice?”

Recall that in a statement last week after Onnoghen’s suspension, the Embassy of the US had said that the US “deeply concerned by the impact of the executive branch’s decision to suspend and replace the Chief Justice and head of the judicial branch without the support of the legislative branch on the eve of national and state elections.”

The UK and the EU expressed similar concerns.

Oshiomhole also spoke on the purpose of the late-night meeting, saying, “The Secretary to the Government of Federation, Boss Mustapha, senatorial candidates of the APC, serving senators were led by the Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan, to the meeting.

“Basically, the meeting was for the President to meet with the caucus of the Senate and the APC senatorial candidates.

“The whole idea is for the President to have a direct interaction with the senators and the senatorial candidates of the APC. So, that they will work hard and ensure that on the basis of one-man, one-vote, the outcome of the 2019 elections will be in our favour.”

 

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Politics

Hon. Zubair Feeds 300 Widows in Olorunda LCDA

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Hon. Zubair Feeds 300 Widows in Olorunda LCDA

…as APC Apex leader, Dr. Ajose, LGA Chairman, Alhaja Adeshina Others applaud her exemplary virtue and kind-hearted role in the LCDA 

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

It was another colourful and well attended political gathering yesterday at the prestigious Ola-Oki School of Health Auditorium, Ibereko Olorunda LCDA in Lagos state as the former Supervisor for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Nurat Olayinka-Zubair hosted over 300 widows and aged in the LCDA as she presented them food items and cash gifts to cushion the current economic hardship as part of efforts to celebrate her political associates and mark her birthday anniversary.

Report has it that, this is the seventh edition of its kind since she assumed office as Supervisor for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation before and during the era of the present Council Chairman Honourable SAMOLA. 

In her welcoming address to the mammoth crowd, Zubair acknowledged each leader and guest with utmost respect adding that their support, advice, mentorship and prayers have made her to continue steering.

According to her, “I have invited you all here today to come and thank God for what he has done in my life, because this is a time and avenue to appreciate God and to continue to demonstrate the covenant I made with God even before I got appointment that I will continue to feed and support the widows and aged.”

Our correspondent gathered that over 300 widows and aged across the 5 wards in Olorunda LCDA received food items such as rice, garri, salt, tomato paste and cash from the celebrant.

Political gladiators and leaders of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) who attended the gathering applauded Zubair for her kindness, support and love for the party as they all expressed their promise to support her candidature during the forthcoming local government poll.

According to the representative of the Badagry APC Apex Leader, Dr. Sunny Ajose, who was ably represented by the Badagry Central Party Chairman, Alhaji Gafar Meyon, said this is commendable from a former office holder who is not currently serving. He added that what he witnessed here today will be reported to the party and leaders of the APC as he call on other political officer holders in Olorunda LCDA to emulate Zubair leadership style.

The second speaker at the gathering who spoke about Zubair’s unique and leadership style was Alhaja M.l Adeshina. In her words, she said, “I am a living witness to what zubair has been doing in Olorunda since the inception of its first edition up to this seventh edition, claiming that the empowerment program had brought succour to many homes and we need to support the program because this is coming from a woman.”

Also Speaking at the event, Alhaja Princess Kikilemo Pesu Ladipo said Zubair’s humility and generosity is second to none and this good act will take her to places because God will never undermine her intention.

On his own side, Hon. Ashade Joseph said what the celebrant did was purely human as he personally donated the sum of 20,000 Twenty Thousand Naira to support the good initiative and kind gesture of Hon. Zubair.

it will be correct to say, Zubair, a former supervisor for WAPA in the LCDA who work rigorously towards the success of the party during the last Presidential and Governorship poll in state is now vying for the ticket of the number one seat of OLORUNDA LCDA come 2025.

Highpoint of the event was the cutting of the birthday cake and presentation of the packed food stuffs to the widows. 

Special Guest at the event where senior staff of the Lagos state Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr, Ayo Afuwape; Olori Aholu Agano, The First Ajara Agamathen Kingdom, Dr. Chief Mrs. Busola Onilogbo Odedina, Senior lecturer from the Lagos State University, (LASU) Dr. Mrs. Fatimoh Abass, current Supervisor for WAPA in Olorunda, Hon. Chief Mrs. Taibat Abisoye and The LGA Woman leader of Olorunda LCDA, Mrs Esther Asade and other Wards Woman leaders.

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Politics

Wike and his T-Pain Collaborators playing politics with the suffering of Nigerians

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Wike and his T-Pain Collaborators playing politics with the suffering of Nigerians

…Atiku preoccupied with genuine issues affecting Nigerians

Our attention has been drawn to the recent remarks made by Mr. Nyesom Wike, which can only be described as another of his theatrical outbursts. Ordinarily, we would not respond, but we recognize that silence might be misinterpreted.

However, we remain calm, knowing that Nigerians are well acquainted with his antics, a lingering symptom of the bitterness he harbours from his defeat to the Waziri Adamawa at the 2022 party presidential primaries.

Mr. Wike’s comments are nothing more than a string of inanities, lacking substance and driven by personal grievances. If he truly believes Nigerians are content with the current state of affairs under the government he serves, it reveals a deeper truth: his priorities lie not with the people but with himself. This self-absorption is evident in his preoccupation with domestic affairs in Rivers rather than his ministerial responsibilities.

While he may seek to divert attention with his baseless rants, we remain focused on the genuine issues affecting Nigerians. It is clear that Mr. Wike is more concerned with self-interest than addressing the real challenges faced by the nation. In contrast, our commitment remains unwavering, centred on the welfare and progress of the people.

Mr. Wike appears to delight in conjuring fantasies, indulging in his imagination, and paying for live TV coverage to launch tirades against whomever he pleases. However, we shall not descend into the gutters where he feels at home. Instead, we prefer to rise above, maintaining our dignity while others revel in the mud.

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Atiku felicitates with Gowon at 90

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Atiku felicitates with Gowon at 90

DAN DENT

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Former Vice President of Nigeria and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar has described Nigeria’s former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon as a refined and uncontroversial public figure with unwavering commitment to national unity and integrity.

In a statement on the occasion of Gowon’s 90th birthday anniversary on Friday, the former Vice President joins Nigerians and others to celebrate this great statesman who had demonstrated leadership acumen, finesse and sagacity in handling the Nigerian civil war.

According to Atiku, “healing the wounds of the civil war through national reconciliation was one of General Gowon’s greatest and indelible achievements.”

He explained that the introduction of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is a shining example of Gowon’s commitment to national integration by encouraging our youths from different cultural backgrounds to interact with other people outside their own ethnic zones.

“Happily, the NYSC has gone a long way to encourage intermarriages, thereby breaking down the barriers of cultural, ethnic and religious prejudices,” Atiku added.

The former Vice President also recalled that the impact of General Gowon’s national development plan in building infrastructure to boost economic development is still visible on the ground.

Similarly, Gowon was instrumental in the founding of one of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has helped in forging socioeconomic economic and political integration in the sub region.

He further praised Gowon’s humility and integrity, saying that his modesty and simplicity are some of the remarkable virtues for which he is widely respected.

He prays to the Almighty God to continue to bless him with a longer life and good health in the service of humanity.

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