Author Archives: All African News Network

… Insists VP was quoted out of Context

As tension is stirred up over the choice of the President of 10th Senate, Senator Shehu Sani has backed Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima on the appeal for the senators to elect a Christian to occupy the highly coveted seat against the position of Northern Elders Forum that either Islam or Christianity, should not be a deciding factor in who leads the Senate.

The northern elders had knocked Vice President Kashim Shettima for saying, “under the current dispensation, the worst incompetent Southern Christian is better than the most puritanical Northern Muslim for the Presidency of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

But in a reaction on the matter, Senator Shehu Sani via his Twitter handle explained :I watched the video clip, where the VP Shetima spoke about the comparative suitability and competence of a Northern Muslim and Southern Christian.

“My understanding is that he spoke within the context of their effort to balance the religious scale with regards to who becomes the Senate President. He is evidently making a case for a Christian Senate President in view of the lopsided religious configuration.

“With a Muslim President and VP and a Muslim Speaker and CJN,the ruling party’s only opportunity to score a balance is the Senate Presidency.If they lost this,definitely the accusation against them will be a proven case.

According to the Human Rights Activist, It was very clear that Shettima made a statement of appeal. Adding, “I viewed him as making a case for Akpabio as the only possible option left for APC to clear the air over the issue of alleged Islamization Agenda.”

He said a situation where, “The President is a Muslim;the Vice President is a Muslim , the Speaker is a Muslim, the Chief Justice of Nigeria is a Muslim is capable of creating more disharmony and certainly the reason Shettima said, the worst Southern Christian is better that a Northern Muslim as far position of Senate is concerned.”

He however said the Northern Elders must have quoted Vice President Shettima out of context. Noting ,” I didn’t see where Shettima said a Christian Senate President is better than any Northern Muslim candidate in the race.”

Shehu Sani, who said ,”Professor Ango Abdullahi as the leader the Northern Elders Forum(NEF) and Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed are respected elder statesmen, whose contributions remained invaluable on issues of National discourse and development, noted , “But on matter of the election of President of the 10th Senate ,I want our elders to see reasons for fairness, equity and justice.

” If a Christian is denied the seat of Senate President, it will only corroborate the claims of alleged Islamization Agenda.”

He therefore, urged the the 109 senators to consider a Christian to emerge as the President of the 10th Senate to avoid undue political friction and tension.

*Urges massive support for Akpabio for religious harmony in govt

A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Hon. Yekini Nabena, has said recent development in the polity ahead of Tuesday’s election of presiding officers of the 10th National Assembly has further given credence into why the South-south geo-political zone should produce the next Senate President.

Nabena was reacting to the intervention by President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima on Sunday evening that led to the withdrawal from the race two major contenders for the position of Speaker in the 10th Assembly.

At the said meeting, Hon. Muktar Betara Aliyu from the North-east and Hon. Yusuf Gagdi from the North-central, stepped down from the race for the Speakership of the 10th Assembly and endorsed the preferred candidate of the party from the North-west, Hon. Tajuddeen Abbas for the position.

In a statement released Monday in Abuja, Nabena said it has become clearer that the North can not have both the Vice President, the Speaker, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and the Senate President at the same time.

According to the Bayelsa born politician, the issue of Muslim-Muslim ticket of the President and the Vice President is another genuine factor that should be considered and rally support for the only candidate from the South-south, Senator Godshill Akpabio as the next Senate President because Nigeria is a secular state.

The APC chieftain said: “For the sake of equity, justice and fairness, I will appeal to all the Senators-elect to rally round Akpabio to emerge the next President.

“This has become necessary because the two major contenders in the race for the position of Speaker have withdrawn and declared their support for Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, which means that the road is almost clear for the emergence of another Muslim from the North as number four citizen.

“Therefore, there is need for religious balancing in government and for the fact that only South-south will be left out of equation if the position of Senate President elude the region, hence the more reason Senators-elect should rally support for Senator Godshill Akpabio as the next Senate President.

” As it stands today, the South-west has produced the President, the North-east has the Vice President, the North-west is about to produce the Speaker, (Note that the three of them are Muslims), the North-central has the SGF and the South-east to produce the Deputy Speaker. So, where is the South-south?,” he queried.

The APC chieftain also begged the North “to forgive Senator Akpabio if he has done anything wrong in the past for the sake of national unity and religion harmony by allowing the former Akwa Ibom Governor to emerge the next Senate President.”

By: Juliet Alkali Tanimu

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has called for the immediate arrest of the former miniister of Aviation and for him to be thoroughly investigated on the role he played in the Nigeria Air Scandal.

A statement issued by the National President of AYCF, Alhaji Yerima Shettima said that Nigeria is not a banana Republic where anything goes, stressing that the likes of Hon. Sirika and his cohorts should not be let go of the embarrassment caused Nigeria as a nation.

Shettima recalled that the recent revelation by the interim Managing Direvtor of the so called “Nigerian Airline” Captain Dapo Olumide, when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Aviation, where he disclosed that the Nigeria Aircraft used for unveiling of the Nigeria Air was rented from Ethiopian Airline was a slap on Nigerian faces, hence perpetrators should not be allowed to go Scott free.

He observed that rather than the former aviation minister going round media houses giving unsatisfactory explanations, the EFCC should wade into the matter urgently by arrestimg him for proper questioning and prosecution.

” President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has already started demonstrating that it is no longer going to be business as usual in Nigeria, he should also go a step further by given an immediate order to the anti graft agency to bring Former minister of aviation, Hadi Sirika to book to serve as deterrent to others going forward.
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“The action of Hadi Sirika amounts to deception and breach of trust that should not go un-punished, He must be made to face the law, particularly in the face of absolute disregard to the rule of law and entire justice system by proceeding on the unveiling against the order of a competent court of law.

“This national embarrassment and waste of resources incurred on the country would have been averted if he had listened to advices, yet Hadi Sirika went ahead knowing it was a charade, to deceive Nigerians and allegedly pocket billions to himself”.

AYCF President said, in the event that the EFCC fail to yield to this national call and do the needful with immediate effect, the forum would be left with no option but to take legal action against the former Minister untill he is made to pay for the embarrasment he has caused the country.

” We will also mobilize CSOs, activists, NGOs, Students and others to take to the streets across the country until he is brought to book. But we hope we will not be pushed to the wall to take such action, enough of this embarrassment, we must get it right in Nigeria “.

ENDS

El Rufai ‘s Video:Chairman of Kaduna Peace Commission Resigns

Following the viral video of former governor Kaduna State, Nasir El Rufai in which he was seen justifying the Muslim Muslim Ticket and vowing that it would continue for the next twenty years, reactions from the Christian community in the state are beginning to come in droves .

In reaction to the viral video, Apostle Dr. Emmanuel Nuhu Kure, a prominent Christian cleric and the co-chairman of Kaduna Peace Commission has tendered his resignation as the co-chair of Kaduna Peace Commission as well as resigning as a member of the commision .

In a letter to the Commission and personally sent to Oweleke TV Correspondent, the Senior cleric stated

“It is clear that we were set-up to serve a diversionary interest and that we were not meant to succeed.

“I cannot in good conscience serve in a committee that will promote the disharmony, and the further disintegration of our great nation.

” More so, it is clear that this explains why he arbitrarily proscribed the Atyap Development Association to send warning to the other associations in Southern Kaduna that the same fate awaits them if they try to bring the plight of Southern Kaduna people to the rest of the world.

The Kaduna Peace Commission was set up to promote ethnic, religion and cultural unity in a badly polarised state and so far, it has done a perfect job helping to unite the fractured state .

The resignation of Kure at this particular time would only help to enhance the climate of religious and tribal distrust occasioned El Rufai’s viral vidoe.

Nuhu Kure’s Letter of Resignation

8 June, 2023

The Executive Vice Chairman/CEO
Kaduna State Peace Commission

No. 43 Tafawa Balewa Way Ungwar Rimi, Kaduna.

Dear Sir,

LETTER OF RESIGNATION AS CO-CHAIR & MEMBER HOUSE
OF KADUNA FAMILY – KADUNA STATE PEACE COMMISSION

In the backdrop of the viral video statement credited to His Excellency, the now defunct Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai (which he is yet to openly deny) in which he openly thanked one religion over the other and explained why his government discriminated against one side and his wish that the Muslim-Muslim ticket and religion be entrenched as the sole ruler over Nigeria, which is contrary to my belief and the fairness that my faith teaches me and that, I think, the Peace Commission stands for.

I hereby tender my resignation as both Co-Chair and Member of this laudable Committee because it is clear that we were set-up to serve a diversionary interest and that we were not meant to succeed.

This may explain why the governor never executed any of our suggestions from our several parleys with him.

I cannot in good conscience serve in a committee that will promote the disharmony, and the further disintegration of our great nation. More so, it is clear that this explains why he arbitrarily proscribed the Atyap Development Association to send warning to the other associations in Southern Kaduna that the same fate awaits them if they try to bring the plight of Southern Kaduna people to the rest of the world.

My prayer is that the current government will do things to heal the wounds that this grave statement has brought to Southern Kaduna people and its inappropriate message to all Christians in Nigeria.

I also pray that the Federal Gdvernment will find a way of discountenancing his views in other to maintain peace and mutual trust between the religions in the country.
I thank the Peace Commission for the opportunity to serve and to get to know closely the wonderful Muslim leaders with whom I served in this great committee.

I will always have respect for them and the wonderful job we set out to do, and the sacrifice we all made to try to bring peace, and assure the people of the integrity of government to which I regret today to announce following the speech of His Excellency, that we have been taken fora ride.

l am available to serve in any capacity that will promote sincere peace in any future proper platform with sincere intentions.

I commend the maturity and hard work of the leadership of the Peace Commission from the Chairman, to the Vice Chairman and all the Secretariat staff in their sincere work for peace.

I will continue to be the bridge of peace between Muslims and Christians in Southern Kaduna and the whole nation and be available to serve in any capacity that will forge the unity of Nigeria. May God raise for us leaders who will truly help us find true peace.

God bless you all and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Yours Sincerely,
Apostle Dr. Emmanuel Nuhu Kure

CC: The Chairman, Kaduna State Peace Commission

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Timi Frank, on Sunday, called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to urgently arrest and prosecute heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs of the Federal Government under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, known to have abused their offices through corrupt tendencies.

Frank in a statement in Abuja in reaction to the suspension and arrest of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, by the DSS, said other heads of critical government agencies known to have serially abused their offices and allegedly stole the common wealth of the people must be brought to book.

He listed the CEO’s to include the Directors General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Bashir Jamo, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello Koko, Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari and the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Muhammad Nami.

Others are the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, immediate past Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika and ex-Minister of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq.

Frank, who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, insisted that failure to arrest and prosecute these suspects known to have used their offices for selfish gain would show that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is only out to witch-hunt Emefiele now under DSS custody.

He added that without moving against the powerful cabal, the Tinubu’s administration would have lent credence to insinuations that it is only up against Christian political office holders as recently alluded to by the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-rufai.

Frank also called on the Tinubu’s administration to include beneficiaries of corruption proceeds from the affected MDAs in its list of suspects to be arrested and prosecuted.

According to him, “Those who illegally benefited from illegal allocation of oil blocks and marginal oil fields championed by the NNPCL and the CBN’s Money Redesign Policy must be fished out and prosecuted.

“The execution of the National Social Investment Programme by Hajiya Farouk leaves a lot of questions to be answered. This is the time for Nigerians to know what really happened and how much was used to feed school pupils at home during COVID.

“The recent deception by Sirika who chattered an Ethiopian Airline Aircraft to deceive Nigerians that Nigeria Air has materialized must also be probed. Personal Assistant to ex-President Buhari, Tunde Sabiu must not be left out.”

A staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Abedemi Joseph on Friday told the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) that they were instructed by INEC, their employer, not to give copies of election results to political party agents who declined to sign the results.

The witness made the revelation why testifying in a petition filed by a former Vice President of Nigeria and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar against the election of President Bola Tinubu.

Led in evidence-in-chief by the petitioners’ lead counsel, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, Joseph prayed the court to adopt her witness statement on oath as her evidence in the petition against the victory of Tinubu.

Joseph, who was a presiding officer in Niger state during the February 25 presidential elections, told the court that she was satisfied with the process as instructed.

She, however, said that they had instructions not to give out results of the election to party agents who did not sign the result sheet.

Also testifying, a presiding agent in Edo state during the election told the court that she tried in vain to upload the presidential election results to the INEC server.

While another subpoena witness from Kogi state, Grace Ajagbonna also affirmed the peaceful conduct of the election she said she was not happy that she could not upload the presidential election as instructed.

Ajagbonna, responding to INEC counsel as to whether she was happy with the conduct of the election and her work as presiding officer, said, “I was not happy that I was unable to transmit the result to the server.”

However, INEC, represented by Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN; APC, represented by Lateef Fagbemi, SAN and other respondents objected to the use of statements made on oath by the subpoenaed witnesses to be tendered at PEPC in aid of Atiku’s petition.

Atiku’s lawyer, Chris Uche urged the court to discountance their objections and grant their request.

The five-man panel headed by Justice, Haruna Tsammani reserved ruling on the applications.

Meanwhile, the Court has adjourned further hearing to June 10.

Maxwell Idi

The Congress of Idoma Journalists Worldwide has congratulated the former Governor of Benue state and Lawmaker, Sen. George Akume following his recent appointment as the Secretary To the Government of the Federation (SGF) by president Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement signed by the group’s General Secretary Comrade Mike Odeh Akatu on Thursday in Abuja, the apex body of media practitioners said that it was greatly delighted by the development and wanted to be among the first few organisations to congratulate their own.

COIJ noted that President Tinubu without doubt have seen the need to carry everybody along, adding that his appointments so far is commendable and nothing would undermine his government if he can continue in that light.

The body also urged Akume to use his position to attract investments, employment opportunities in all stratas and ensure enabling environment that would allow economic development in Benue State

Part of the statement reads: “While we as a body felicitate with you on your appointment as the SGF, we wish to urge you to use your position to attract business and employment opportunities to our dear state.

“Furthermore, you should consider it as urgent priority in making sure that the incessant killings, kidnappings and cases of farmers/ herders clashes are reduced to the barest minimum.”

Similarly, the pen guys thanked President Bola Tinubu for deeming it worthy to have a Benue son among the top echelon of the government, while urging Tinubu to consider more credible, worthy sons and daughters of Benue State into his cabinet.

It added that, “We as a group can not thank the President enough but we are also asking him to appoint more Tivs, Idomas and Igedes and other tribes in Benue state into his cabinet.

By Matthew Denis

A popular group South-South Stakeholders Forum (SSSF) has commended the visit by South South Community Abuja to Senator Abdullazeez Yari yesterday.

In a communique signed by the Coordinator, Comrade (Engr) Japhet Ogbueri and the secretary, Hon Victor Nse Udoh made available to NewsDirect on Thursday.

Recalled that Senator Yari is one of the top Senatorial aspirants for the position of the Senate President for the 10th National Assembly.

The statement reads “we were inundated with the news that South-South Community in FCT through their solidarity visit endorsed the candidacy of Distinguished Senator Abdullazeez Yari, The former Governor of Zamfara State and our interest was gingered forthwith.

“As responsible and democratically minded organization, we reached out to Chief Mike Okiro, IGP retired and Hon (Dr) Cairo Ojougboh to enquire why the leadership of the group shifted Political allegiance and support for South-South Zone against the North West Zone that has already produced the Vice President. After hearing from leadership of South-South Community in FCT in view of the said visitation, we came to the following conclusions.

“That the group was formally invited and they graciously accepted the invitation in good fate since no law or regulation prevents such act of goodwill in political circles.

“That the group is not part of the voting process in the Red Chamber, as such the visit does not in any way impede on or prevent our own Son, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State from clinching the Senate President position in the incoming 10th National Assembly of it is will of Almighty God, and such visitation cannot be said to be entirely against the interest of South-South Zone when critically examined.

“That both Chief Mike Okiro and Hon (Dr) Cairo Ojougboh are both prominent and respected statesmen in South-South Zone who have professionally and politically cut a hitch for themselves and the visit having been done in good fate is still a plus to the interest of the Zone, as the saying goes, nobody knows tomorrow.

” That as a geopolitical Zone, we cannot put all our eggs in one basket as far as politics is concern, even as we are totally at liberty to throw our support and endorsement to any candidate who has the interest of the Zone at heart.”

It further added that in summation, we are using this media statement to vociferously affirm and validate the South-South Community visit to Senator Abdullazeez Yari as political alignment done in good time and in good fate, we rather commend than condemn the leadership of the group.

“For future reference purposes and as proper means of formal introduction, South-South Stakeholders Forum (SSSF) is a formidable Sociopolitical pressure group with over Two hundred thousand members drawn across the 123 LGAs that make up the coastal States of South-South geopolitical Zone of Nigeria, which includes Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.

“As enlightened politically conscious and economically active organization, we are mindful of the fact that in this 4th Republic, South- South is the only geopolitical Zone that has not taken a shot at the Senate Presidency and we are equally in support of our eminently qualified son who is also in the race to occupy the seat in the 10th National Assembly.”

The decision of the former Vice President of Nigeria, Abubakar Atiku to bring subpoenaed witnesses into the hearing of his petition on Wednesday, unsettled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) who jointly stood their grounds that the witnesses must not be allowed to testify until June 8.

Following the concern of the PEPC on Tuesday that Atiku and the PDP were turning out their exhibits in piecemeal, their lawyer, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, SAN complained that INEC was frustrating their litigation against Tinubu and the APC despite having paid Six Million Naira (N6,000,000) in fees to the electoral body. They consequently applied for and were granted the order to subpoena witnesses at the court’s resumed hearing.

At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, Atiku, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the disputed February 25 presidential election had called his first subpoenaed witness at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPEC) to tender some sensitive documents but the move was vehemently opposed by INEC and Tinubu.

INEC, Tinubu and APC through their individual lawyers objected to the taking of the evidence of the witness who was said to be an Adhoc staff of INEC.

Lead counsel to the PDP, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, after the admittance of exhibits from 10 local governments in Kogi State, called in one of his listed witnesses who gave evidence on how INEC failed to transmit results in real time “as promised”.

Shortly after the end of cross examination of the witness, Hon. Ndubuisi Nwobu from Anambra State, Uche informed the court that the petitioners have three subpoenaed witnesses and went to call the first one, an Adhoc staff of INEC.

However, immediately the witness entered the witness box and barely before he could take his oath, counsel to INEC, Mr Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN, rose in objection to the hearing of the evidence of the witness.

He informed the court that he was only served this morning with the statement of the witness and, as such, would have to study the statement in order to do a thorough cross examination.

His position was shared by Tinubu’s lawyer, Chief Akin Olujimi, SAN and APC’s lawyer, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who added that he was only served barely 20 minutes ago with the statement and has not seen what it contains.

Responding, Uche argued that with a subpoenaed witness, they were not supposed to front-load his statement to the respondents, adding that there was nothing strange in the statement of the witness to warrant an adjournment.

Uche pleaded with the court to take at least one of the subpoenaed witnesses so as to judiciously make use of the time allotted it because the adjournment would eat into their allotted time.

Presiding Justice of the Court, Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani, while trying to be considerate, proposed standing down trial for 30 minutes to enable respondents to look at the documents and thereby cross examine the first subpoenaed witness.

INEC, however insisted that the witness cannot be talking and should not be taken because the witness “is said to be an Adhoc staff of the Commission” and as such he would have to go and look at INEC’s records to enable him confirm the status of the witness and prepare adequately.

Following the respondents’ insistence, Uche urged the court to adjourn till tomorrow for the calling of the three subpoenaed witnesses.

Earlier in his evidence, Nwobu told the Court that the election went smoothly in most polling units he visited, including where he cast his vote, but “magic started happening” at the Ward Collation Centres.

According to him, results of the election were entered into the forms EC8A at the polling units but were not transmitted real time into the IReV because of the failure of the BVAS machines.

He told the panel that, but for his intervention, some staff of INEC would have been attacked due to their inability to upload results in real time.

“There was no real-time transmission of results as we were promised by INEC,” he said.

Meanwhile, further hearing into the petition has been shifted till June 8.

…Says we only recognize Hon.Abubakar as our IMC Nat’l Chair

The Interim Management Committee (IMC) National Chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) Hon. Abubakar U. Abdullahi has reacted to the newspaper in publication over claims what he termed erroneous claim that the Interim Management Committee is unknown.

According to Hon. Abubakar, the Interim Management Committee exist and has continued to oversee the affairs of the association pending the election of substantive officers.

In a letter written to Daily Trust Editor to clear the air over the erroneous publication, ALGON body said ,…” our current National Chairman of the IMC, is Hon. Abdullahi U. Abubakar, chairman representing Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory took over from Hon. Abdullahi S. Maje, a former chairman of Suleja local government area in Niger State.

“Let me reiterate that the Interim Management Committee was set up by the General Assembly in 2019 in furtherance to conducting elections of substantive leadership into the association, this feat which Alabi and Ategbero led BOT has continued to challenge in the judiciary space. Please note that the matter between the IMC and Alabi led faction is before a court of competent jurisdiction, brings me to wonder the claim made in the publication by Ategbero refuting any knowledge of the IMC.”

…Read full text of Letter:

The Editor News
Daily Trust Newspapers

THE IMC EXISTS, ALABI FALSELY PARADING AS ALGON PRESIDENT; ATEGBERO LED BOT SELECTIVELY BLIND

I write on behalf of the Interim Management Committee of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON to react to a recent newspaper publication signed by the Hon. Ategbero led Board of Trustees on behalf of the Hon. Kolade Alabi led faction of the association.

It is well within the news and the full glare of the public, the constant crisis besieging the association as a result of battle for supremacy for the past few years, this rejoinder is the IMC’s mode of clarification on the allegation made by the BOT, stating that the Interim Management Committee is unknown.

First let me reiterate that the Interim Management Committee exist and has continued to oversee the affairs of the association pending the election of substantive officers, our current National Chairman of the IMC, is Hon. Abdullahi U. Abubakar, chairman representing Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory took over from Hon. Abdullahi S. Maje, a former chairman of Suleja local government area in Niger State.

It is imperative to note that our activities overtime, has been clear for all to see especially as it bothers on eradicating the usurpers, lawbreakers who hijacked the leadership of our association and held it hostage for over 5 years.

Alabi has continued in flagrant violation of subsisting court order restraining him and his cronies from parading as leadership of ALGON, carryout activities in that same vein through the backing of Hon. Odunayo Ategbero led BOT. the former is not a member of any of the 774 constitutionally recognized local government areas, and according to the constitution, a person who is just a local council development area chairman, cannot be president of the association.

Infact these persons, deceitfully gained the position they currently occupy.
We have overtime, casted a vote of no confidence on the Hon. Ategbero led board of trustees, we are not surprised that they have allowed themselves to be puppet in the hands of Alabi and co.

Ategbero led BOT, has continued to thread the path of sabotaging the IMC simply for their selfish interest of enriching the pockets. Their actions show total disregard for the constitutions that binds the association, their nonchalance in creating a solution that would end the crisis, has shown that they are core beneficiaries of it. They have proven to being BOT of propaganda, biasness and greed against the IMC.

The Interim Management Committee is saddled with the sole responsibility of savaging and restoring the association to its glory, we do not want to be seen bantering words in the media spaces, with humans who do not have anything to loose.

Let me reiterate that the Interim Management Committee was set up by the General Assembly in 2019 in furtherance to conducting elections of substantive leadership into the association, this feat which Alabi and Ategbero led BOT has continued to challenge in the judiciary space. Please note that the matter between the IMC and Alabi led faction is before a court of competent jurisdiction, brings me to wonder the claim made in the publication by Ategbero refuting any knowledge of the IMC.

It is also in the news, anti-graft agencies of the criminal offences carried out by Hon. Kolade Alabi, one is the 5.2 billion naira funds belonging to the 774 LGAs purportedly diverted by the former, Mrs Binta and perhaps the Ategbero led BOT who by their actions, have shown that they may be aware of the process. As a committee, we have ensured that the public are aware of the issues surrounding the association, the trustees of any association, holds the authority and responsibility to ensure the fulfilment of an association’s mandate, rather than that, the BOT has drifted and sabotage the associations from carrying out and achieving the mandate.

Finally, let me reiterate that against unsubstantial letter written and signed by the Ategbero led faction, the Interim Management Committee exists and was never ever nullified or dissolved, we shall in due time inaugurate an electoral committee to conduct elections for credible leadership for the association as instructed by the General Assembly (Please note that we shall be transparent and all activities will be captured by the media), Alabi led faction and the BOT is bent on misrepresenting court judgement to massage their ego and divert public attention from their criminal activities in the association and lastly, the IMC, is very open to the media for further questioning or inquiry.

Thank You.
Signed: Hon. Mohammed I. Abubakar

The Secretary General, IMC