I Belong To Everybody And I Belong To Nobody – Buhari

No Paying Off Of Old Scores, Past Is Prologue  •Relocates Military Command Centre To Maiduguri  • Ends Niger Delta Amnesty Programme December.

taking the oath of allegiance

President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to be president of all Nigerians and had no scores to settle with anyone.   Buhari made the declaration on Friday while taking the oath of office and allegiance at the Eagle Square, Abuja to become Nigeria’s fourth democratically elected President, in this Four Republic.

The oath of allegiance was performed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) before a large crowd of Nigerians, African Heads of State, and his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan.

Noting that he took his oath with the Holy Book, Buhari assured Nigerians that he would serve as President of all Nigerians.

“I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody. A few people have privately voiced fears that on coming back to office I shall go after them. These fears are groundless. There will be no paying off old scores. The past is prologue,” he declared.

As his immediate priorities, he also pledged to strengthen the war against insurgency in Nigeria, tackle persistent fuel scarcity; tackle corruption and provide jobs for the youth.

The most pressing of them all, he said, was Boko Haram, and he acknowledged that although progress has been made in recent weeks by the security forces, “victory cannot be achieved by basing the Command and Control Centre in Abuja. The command centre will be relocated to Maiduguri and remain until Boko Haram is completely subdued.

“But we cannot claim to have defeated Boko Haram without rescuing the Chibok girls and all other innocent persons held hostage by insurgents. This government will do all it can to rescue them alive.”

Buhari promised to continue to invest in the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme but sought for the support of the leaders and people of the region to cooperate with government’s plan to streamline the projects for better effectiveness.

The new President further pledged not to interfere with the operations of the two other arms of government -Judiciary and Legislature – and assured Nigerians of reasonable and accepted control over functions of states and local governments.

He charged lawmakers to quicken the process of lawmaking and attending to important bills, and for the judiciary to do same in matters concerning corruption cases.

According to him; “the judicial system needs reform to cleanse itself from its immediate past. The country now expects the judiciary to act with dispatch on all cases especially on corruption, serious financial crimes or abuse of office. It is only when the three arms act constitutionally that government will be enabled to serve the country optimally and avoid the confusion all too often bedeviling governance today.”

“Elsewhere, relations between Abuja and the States have to be clarified if we are to serve the country better. Constitutionally there are limits to powers of each of the three tiers of government but that should not mean the Federal Government should fold its arms and close its eyes to what is going on in the states and local governments. Not least the operations of the Local Government Joint Account.”

“While the Federal Government cannot interfere in the details of its operations it will ensure that the gross corruption at the local level is checked. As far as the constitution allows me I will try to ensure that there is responsible and accountable governance at all levels of government in the country.”

He thanked his predecessor, Jonathan for acting in a statesmanlike manner in the aftermath of the presidential elections, saying that such conduct showed it was possible for Nigeria to show the world that despite the perceived tension in the land the people can remain united and capable of doing what is right for the nation.

“Together we co-operated to surprise the world that had come to expect only the worst from Nigeria. I hope this act of graciously accepting defeat by the outgoing President will become the standard of political conduct in the country”, he added.

Immediately after taking the oath of office, jubilant youths numbering over ten thousand on Friday, defiled heavy security blockade mounted by a combined team of the Nigerian Police,the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC)the Federal Road Safety Commission(FRSC) and a detachment of military personnel to celebrate the new President .

They chanted solidarity songs,”Say Baba,say Buhari”, While a good number of them carried brooms and danced to musical tunes from northern musicians.

Prior to the inauguration proper, all routes leading to the Eagle Square were cordoned-off with only security officials and VIP dignitaries allowed to drive close to the venue.

Access roads to the Eagle Square had been restricted from the previous day. As early as6am on inauguration day, as visitors had begun to converge within the vicinity of the Square, which had of course, been already heavily secured by various arms of the nation’s security agencies.

MY APPEAL TO OUR NEW PRESIDENT, MOHAMMADU BUHARI.

portrait of Buhari

By Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu.

I pledged our new President, Mohammadu Buhari to make positive policies toward migration issues that will encourage our Nigerian professionals work and stay in the country.

From my experience as a Nigerian in Diaspora and an investigative journalist, what I know that bothers me is the issue of professional Nigerians in abroad contributing greatly towards the growth of Europe, Asia and America to the detriment of my country, Nigeria.

Nigeria as the most populous country on the continent and most populous black nation in the World grapples with a wide range of migration issues, from internal migration to massive intra and inter-regional/continental migration. As you know, there are more PhD holders from Nigerian origin in Europe, Asia or in America than in Nigeria - There are more Nigerian Doctors, Nurses and Engineers in Europe, Asia and in America than in Nigeria. So, let’s the new government of Nigeria know that it is the system ( flaws in security system, corruption, electricity, selfish bureaucracy in government`s institutions, etc ) in Nigeria previously that encouraged massive migration for a better working packages and living.

Thank you President Buhari.

Anchored by Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu.
Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu is a trained journalist from the AIU (USA), resides in Spain; a blogger and special correspondent; news media international.
Twitter: @princekelly75
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President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday received the hand over notes from the outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja.

THE PRESIDENT-ELECT PERUSING THE HANDOVER NOTES AS PRESENTED BY PRESIDENT JONATHAN

BOTH PRESIDENTS DURING DURING PRESIDENTIAL VILA TOUR

The President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, arrived Aso Rock accompanied by aides and some members of the All Progressive Congress

The presentation was done inside the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, shortly after Jonathan conducted Buhari round the seat of power. Vice President Namadi Sambo had also similarly conducted the Vice President-elect, Yemi Osinbajo, round his wing of the villa.

He presented an executive summary of his hand over notes and a copy of the National Conference report to Buhari in the presence of All Progressives Congress chiefs who witnessed the event.

The outgoing President, who spoke after the presentation, said his administration had done its best for the country.

On his part, the President-elect said he would not make an official statement until after studying the handover notes. He commended Jonathan for conceding defeat in the March 28 presidential election.

Meanwhile, everything seemed to be set for the inauguration as the President-elect Muhammadu Buhari who travelled to the United Kingdom last Friday returned to Nigeria early this morning in company of some of his aides ahead of his inauguration as President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria on Friday.

We gathered that Buhari and some of his aides arrived for the tour of the Presidential Villa at exactly 11:00 am scheduled time and was holding a meeting with the outgoing President his office preparatory to the commencement of the tour as at the time of filing in this story.

The tour is expected to be followed by inauguration dinner to be attended by the President elect, members of the diplomatic corps, the outgoing President and members of his cabinet among others later this evening.

The inauguration is gradually bringing life back to Abuja where social economic activities have been at very low ebb for some weeks now as a result of persistent scarcity of petroleum products.

Already, the Eagle Square venue of the inauguration has been a beehive of activities with the military perfecting their parades and other preparations for the various activities they will be engaged in during the inauguration.

Nigeria flags have been mounted on electricity polls in the capital city to signify the momentous occasion which will be attended by over 50 world leaders.
John Kerry, the United States Secretary of State who is leading the delegation from his country is expected to arrive in Abuja with members of his delegation.

President Barack Obama has last week released the list of the White House delegation which included Nigerian, basket ball star, Hakeem Olajuwon.
Other members of the presidential delegation include Hon. James F. Entwistle, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Department of State, Hon Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Department of State, and General David M. Rodriguez, Commander, U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) Others are Hon. Grant T. Harris, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs, National Security Council. Reports indicated that the US delegation is expected to arrive at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja in the afternoon.

Also expected at the inauguration is President Alpha Condé of Guinea who is already in Nigeria, while Chinese President Xi Jumping’s Special Envoy, Agriculture Minister Han Changfu, will lead the delegation from China to attend the inauguration as announced by the Asian Foreign ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying, on Tuesday.

President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe is also expected to arrive in Abuja for the inauguration today.

Chairman of the Media and Publicity Sub-Committee of the Presidential Inauguration Planning Committee, Chief Edem Duke, had revealed that over 50
Presidents and Heads of Government are expected in Abuja for the inauguration. Solomon Arase, the Inspector General of Police on Wednesday ordered his men to deploy tight security at the Eagle Square, hotels, key and vulnerable places within the capital city ahead of the inauguration.

In the same vein, the Police Chief also directed that Tactical Operation Points be mounted on all roads leading into and out of the FCT in a statement issued on his behalf in Abuja yesterday by the Force Spokesman, Emmanuel Ojukwu. On its part, the Federal Road Safety Corps said it has deployed 23,000 personnel to designated routes during the swearing-in.

According to the Commission, over 150 patrol vehicles, 15 ambulances, 35 motorbikes and seven towing trucks have been deployed to designated routes of Abuja as part of measures to ensure seamless traffic flow in Abuja during the inauguration ceremony.

FRSC added that it has also strengthened its collaboration with other security agencies along the Gwagwalada, Nyanya, Zuba, Lugbe and Kubwa corridor through routine patrols and rescue services in addition to traffic control on major intersections of the city.

Etsako West Local Government Area : Oshiomhole swears-in, suspends new LG chairman.

Oshiomhole

Reports By Esan People News Crew.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has sworn in Mr. Alhassan Mohammed as Chairman, Etsako West Local Government Area and immediately suspended him for two months.

The new Chairman was sworn-in, following the death, last Friday, of the former Chairman of the Local Government, Alhaji Hassan Kadiri.

The Governor directed the new Vice Chairman of the Local Government, Mr. Busari Yusuf, to act as the interim Chairman pending the findings of a panel of inquiry to investigate the allegations against the new Chairman.

Speaking today Tuesday 26 May 2015, at the swearing-in ceremony, the Governor said: “I have just performed the task of swearing in the Vice Chairman of Etsako West Local Government as the substantive Chairman of the Local Government following the death of the Chairman, Alhaji Hassan Kadiri who passed away last week Friday.

“This afternoon I have performed a task with mixed feelings. On the one hand, I had the privilege of having to swear in a Chairman and on the other hand I am pained by the loss of someone who worked so hard for this party and who believed so much in his community but what made me even more sad is the fact that there were controversies as to what happened the very day that Hassan passed away.

“Some disgruntled elements whether they were masquerading as student union government officials or they were just touts and thugs, were hired by some persons to organize a protest that was almost turning violent such that they had to bring in the police and even the army to intervene to restore peace in the local government.”

Oshiomhole continued, “I am informed that the purpose of this protest was that Hassan on his sick bed should be relieved of his duties as Chairman so that the Vice Chairman could take over his job. I do not think human beings should play God. Today, I am hale and hearty and I thank God for being here to be able to sign what I have to sign, this is not by my strength, it is only by the grace of God. What will become of me in the next one hour I cannot say, I can only pray that I remain strong and healthy and I guess my story is the story of every human being.

“So for me, it is absolutely unacceptable that anyone will be so desperate as to instigate another to protest against a man that is bedridden and admitted in the hospital fighting for his life. Our jobs are worthless without life and all of us we have our dates to depart this planet earth. So, for anyone to organize protest against someone who is bedridden that he should be forced out of office so that another person will get promotion is unethical, and absolutely unacceptable and to publicly organize protest against the sick making unprintable statements, disturbing the public peace and mobilizing people to do things that are capable of leading to riots with the possibility of even death, that, for me, is the height of irresponsibility and I do not think any civilized government will condone that.”

The Governor said, “Therefore in exercise of the powers vested in me as the Governor of Edo State under the Local Government Amended Acts, where there are weighty allegations against Local Government Officers, I have powers to carry out a thorough investigation on those allegations because we know for a fact that to allege does not necessarily mean to prove. Allegations must be proven before any further actions.

“I do not have all the facts as to whom and who are responsible for these protests but I know there was a protest that could have easily destabilized the entire local government with serious implications for community relations. However who is behind it, though we know the characters that were on the street, at least some of them, we do not know the characters behind those who were on the street. As our people say, for every bat that is dancing on the road, there is someone beating the drum in the bush nearby. It is those drummers that we now must go for.

“The name of the former Vice Chairman who is now the Chairman has been mentioned by several persons as being responsible for financing and instigating students who are supposed to be on vacation and who are on vacation to come back like a general purpose vehicle to carry out those protests in order to force the resignation or the removal of the Chairman that was bedridden.

“As a matter of conscience, therefore, I have decided that these allegations have to be investigated and under the Local Government Amendment Acts, while these investigations are going on, the Chairman has to be suspended. I have served him his suspension letter, he stands suspended with immediate effect and I will be announcing a Commission of Inquiry that we investigate all the issues that led to that protest. Until then, depending on the findings of the Committee, the Vice Chairman that has just been sworn in will act as the Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Area in accordance with the Local Government Amended Act”.

Appealing to the people to maintain calm and ensure peace in the local government, Oshiomhole said, “I want to appeal to our people, let no one do anything to undermine the peace and stability of Etsako West Local Government. If anybody does anything that leads to any crisis, be assured that I have the political will to get the police not only to arrest but to thoroughly investigate and the person will be diligently prosecuted and if convicted he will go to prison in accordance with the laws of Edo State.

“This government will not submit to political sentiments. We must respect people even on their sick bed and anyone who seeks to profit from the misfortune of others does not have my backing. So I want to appeal to all concerned to maintain the peace, we have an open mind, we will select men and women of integrity as members of the Administrative Panel and their report, when forwarded to me, will be submitted to the State House of Assembly which has the responsibility to go through it together with my recommendations and they will decide the way to have this matter finally settled.

“This will last for a period of about two months in accordance with the provisions of the law. In our culture and religion, when you have lost someone known to us, we don’t celebrate, we don’t presume, it is a moment for sober reflection, it is a moment to remind us that all of us all candidates but we do not know when our moment will come and he who laughs today might be the one to cry tomorrow, so let nobody jubilate nor should we also go rioting because someone has passed on.

“I have acted in good faith and I believe that our people in Etsako West should not doubt my sincerity of purpose. I have a duty to maintain peace in every part of the state and this action is meant to show that this government will not reward those who wish ill for others. We should be our brother’s keepers”, Oshiomhole stressed.

 

ESAN PEOPLE, CHIEF TONY ANENIH AND EDO STATE GOVERNMENT.

Buhari

By Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu, Director, Media & Publicity, APC Nigeria, Spain Chapter.

The head of a camel would eventually pass through the eye of a needle for any Edo central`s candidate to be able to convince the Benins and the Edo North people to concede the governorship seat to Edo Central (Esanland) on the basis of  justice and fair play. Tell the prophet or prophetess that he/she lied to you politically anchored upon the Nigeria`s political perspective!

It should be cleared to the Esan people (Edo central) that the leadership of the APC would like to zone the governor seat to Edo South Senatorial district, though political analysts are yet to deduce from the body language of the governor who succeeds him. It is obvious that only Governor Oshiomhle and he alone can determine the next governor from the array of aspirants scrambling for the seat. No two ways about it.

The 2016 governorship election is going to be direct fight between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Interestingly, with the victory of the APC in the 2015 polls and the massive defections that have confronted the PDP in Edo state plus the alignment and re-alignment of famous politicians and party big wigs who where hitherto in the other side of political divide, and their supporters engaging in what could be regarded as political re-alignment under the APC platform; joined with  the APC in the state to win majority of the state House of Assembly seats in the just concluded general elections make the party the preferred platform for aspirants who want to succeed Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole because the battle can best be viewed at the favored direction of APC`s candidate securing enough supports and votes at the poll results  of  Edo state governorship election, 2016. 

For Edo central to gain, we must lobby or ask for the seat of a deputy governor that will be best positioned as a credible governorship candidate after the tenure of his principal. Without doubt in my mind, the deputy governor will do his or her best to bring development to Esan land just as our deputy governor today, Odubu who is commitment to the development of his local government in particular and attracted a number of road projects, pipe borne water, electrification projects and the construction of the Ogan/ Ugo/Orhomikhe /Urghonigbe 57 kilometer stretch of road to his people.  This must be our concern now or never as Esan people must know that the era of playing politics blindly or non-digital is over, we cannot afford to play the role of opposition to any ruling government at this modern day Nigerian politics, as the political wind blows, we must follow in order to gain unlike the era of late Prof. Alli and Jakande, when and where opposition to the ruling party gained. We must have concrete plans to project and position ourselves accurately.

We should remember our icon in politics in Nigeria, Chief Tony Anenih, founding member of PDP just resigned from active politics and his enormous roles he played in the party for the past 16 years both in the human and political development in Esan land and Nigeria in general must be emulated by any person or persons that will ever rise to such height in Nigeria politics. Ironically, some major clan or clans in Esan land must desist from the myopic reasoning that they only can produce a very better person for Esan development; any clan should be allowed enough playing fields politically for any rising Esan person or persons into the State and Nigeria politics. Saul was known to be at longer head with Christians but later turned to Paul and a leading member of the Christian family.

2016 governorship election turns out to be a joker card for edo central inhabitants and must be handled maturely. It is now or never as where two elephants fight, the ground suffers.

CHIEF TONY ANENIH RESIGNS AS PDP BoT CHAIRMAN.

The National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said it has received the resignation of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the party, Tony Anenih.

In accepting the resignation, the NWC noted the outstanding contributions of Mr. Anenih in the party over the years especially in his capacity as the Board of Trustees Chairman.

“As one of the founding fathers of the PDP, the NWC appreciates Chief Anenih’s guiding role in the party in the last 16 years and wish him well in his future endeavours,” the party said late Wednesday.

The party in a statement by its national secretary, Wale Oladipo, also said “consequent upon the resignation, the Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Senator Walid Jibrin holds forth pending the election of a new BoT Chairman”.

The party said Mr. Anenih resigned “on personal grounds”.

The PDP has been hit by a wave of crisis since losing the recent national elections.

Its national chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, resigned earlier on Wednesday.

EDO CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICT & ITS APC`S GOVERNORSHIP FRONT RUNNERS 2016. Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor & Barrister Kenneth Imansuagbon (The Riceman).

A Review by Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu

“A leader is one who knows the way, shows the way, and goes the way; where and when you board your flight never really matter, a successful landing at destination counts…Kelly Udebhulu (2015).”

Before  General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the presidential election in Nigeria, at the March 28th 2015 Presidential poll, these great sons of Esan land have been at their respective private lives, became APC loyalists which arose calculations across the country of their predicted defections to APC anytime. Today, these great personalities defected and their ambitions to rule and put in their best towards the development of Edo state remain firm and strong.

Though we have capable minds from Esan land who are in APC today, like minds as Chief (Dr) Francis Inegbeniki, Mr Joe Okojie, Mr Victor Eboigbe, Hon. Thomas Okosun, and host of others, these two personalities below have in the past, shown interests and still illuminate such ambitions to become the next Edo state governor after the incumbent Governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole.

Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor:

Born on Friday, October 5, 1951 in Iruekpen in the present day Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State to Mr. Abraham A. Osunbor, a retired teacher and politician and Dame Felicia E. Osunbor, a retired teacher.

On May 29, 2007, PDP produced Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor as the governor of Edo state. He served as the Civilian Governor of the state from May 29, 2007 to November 11, 2008 after the court nullified his election. On March 2008, the Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal declared that Prof. Osubor’s election was invalid, and asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw his certificate and declared Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole of the Action Congress (AC) Party the winner. On November 11, 2008, a Federal Appeal Court sitting in Benin City upheld the ruling of the state’s election petitions tribunal, declaring Oshiomhole to be the governor of Edo state. The decision was based on several voting irregularities.

Former Governor Oserheimen Osunbor, Professor of Law and the immediate past governor of Edo State, is a major pillar of the PDP in Edo Central Senatorial district before his defection with his teeming supporters to APC on Tuesday, March 7, 2015.

His defection to APC did not come to many as a shock owing to the fact that despite he was the National Chairman of the Nigeria Law Review Commission under the Jonathan’s administration because many felt he had overstayed in the PDP over alleged illegality that characterized the conduct of the PDP governorship primaries at Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia’s stadium in 2012 where he lost. More often than not, Osunbor prior to his defection had stayed away from activities of the PDP, an indication that his days with the party were numbered. 

Osunbor, who is from Edo Central senatorial district is touted to contest the 2016 governorship election, may have capitalized on the agitation from the people of the zone that it is their turn to produce the next governor for the state. Part of the agitation was that Osunbor only served for 18 months in office between 2007 – 2008, when the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal declared Osunbor election invalid. 

The former governor had in a previous encounter disclosed that he had been under pressure from friends and associates to contest the 2016 governorship election. He was received into the APC by governor Oshiomhole. Oshiomhole, while welcoming Osunbor into the APC family stated, “I will be working with a respected Professor of Law like you and many of you supporters. We thank God for what he has used us to achieve. I appeal to our people to vote for our APC House of Assembly candidates because they will help me to develop our state rapidly and with the APC government at the top, the sky is our limit”.

Barrister Kenneth Imansuagbon (The Riceman).

Kenneth Imansuangbon is a man of many parts. A lawyer, politician, busi­nessman, philanthro­pist and the chairman, of Abu­ja-based Pace Setters Group of Schools. Born on May 4, 1966, into a humble background in the rustic Ewohimi community in Edo State, he rose to fame by dint of diligence, transparency and open-mindedness.

He began his educational pur­suit at the St. John’s Catholic School Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State and proceeded to Ago-Iwoye Second­ary School, also in Ogun State. Though he passed out in flying col­ours in 1981, owing to poverty, the young Imansuangbon had to take to menial job as a technical assistant with the Federal Capital Develop­ment Authority (FCDA) Abuja. He worked with some great expatriates who spotted his exceptional bril­liance and talent and advised him strongly to return to school. Ken did not dismiss that idea with a wave of the hand. While at FCDA, he gained admission to study law at the University of Ife (Obafemi Awolowo University) Ile-Ife.

After a stint as a lawyer during which he established Imansuang­bon and Co. Company, a legal firm of which he is a principal partner, he veered into education when he set up Pace Setter Schools. As Chairman of the Schools/Academy with more than three campuses in Abuja and one in the US, Imansu­angbon has for years now offered scholarships to children of mili­tary/police and other security of­ficers who lost their lives in active service.

In quest to promote grassroots sports and youth education, Iman­suangbon has annually organised sports and essay writing competi­tion for secondary schools across the country.In continuation of his philan­thropic gestures, Imansuangbon has for seven consecutive years shared bags of rice on the streets of Edo State every Christmas, a ges­ture which has endeared him to the people and earned him the alias, “Rice Man.

In spite of his contribution to the educational sector in the country, the educationist turned politician threw his hart into the governorship ace way back in 2007 on the platform of the Action Congress (AC), alongside Hon. Charles Idahosa, and Matthew Atama, as the front liners. He left the party in anger and went to the PDP when he lost the AC ticket to Oshiomhole. It was learnt that Imansuagbon, a major financier of the party played a critical role in what has today metamorphosed into APC. In 2012, he again contested for the governorship ticket on the PDP platform in a party primary that as reportedly skewed by party leaders in favor of Major General Charles Airhiavbere.

Before now, Imansuagbon, can be said to be a member of the APC. He was said to have left the PDP in December 2014, over what he attributed to lack of justice, equity and fairness by leaders of the party. He was reported to have predicted a revolution which would sweep the PDP out of power in the 2015 general elections, a prediction that has come past.

The governorship hopeful, who also hails from Edo Central senatorial district, is confident of clinching the APC governorship ticket come 2016, recently revealed to the press why he jumped the PDP sinking ship to work for the APC, in an interview. 

He said, “if you observed, by the time Mr. President visited Benin I was not at the stadium, I was conspicuously absent. In December, I granted an interview where I said I foresaw a revolution in Nigeria.

And what that means was change and I predicted that Jonathan was going to lose the election. So, when Jonathan visited Edo I had resigned my membership of the PDP.

“In PDP, what made them lose the election basically was because there was lack of fairness, equity and justice within the party and even in Edo State majorly. You saw the primaries of 2012, if it was free and fair I would have won the primaries and of course the story today would have been different”.

“I supported Buhari at the general election, thought I was out of the country. My coming to the APC was not about the party but about the honesty of Buhari, I am a Nigerian and what influences me is my love for my country. I saw that Buhari will represent the interest of the Nigeria people better, so I supported him. Even, though I was outside the country then. I asked my people to vote for APC and that was what happened. I supported APC with money tactics and logistics and we delivered APC. I am happy to tell you that I delivered APC against the tyranny of a few”, he declared.

He also expressed confidence that despite he is from Edo central senatorial district, the people of Afemai in Edo North and the Bini’s of Edo South would support his governorship ambition come 2016.

Edo State Flourishes as Buhari, Tinubu, Gowon, others Enter for Oshiomhole’s re- marriage

From left, Saraki, Mr Fortes, Buhari, Oshiomhole, Lara, Mrs Fortes

It was a gathering of who is who in the country at the wedding ceremony of the Governor of Edo state, Comrade Adams Eric Oshiomhole, at his home town in Iyamho, Etsako West Local Government Council of Edo state Firday as Oshiomhole declared his joy remarrying again after the demise of his wife, Clara, five years ago.

In his interview with journalists, Oshiomhole who noted that both PDP and APC leaders attended the wedding, said it shows that despite political differences Nigerians ‎remains one.

He described his wife as very” understanding, caring and loving lady and also expressed joy with his family for the support given to him to remarry.

“This is something that one is happy about. One is also happy that I have friends across all political divide; the occasion reminds me that across all divides we have friends and well wishers.

“She is very humble, she appreciates the nature of my job and life and, that it is, one comes back home late. Some times 3am, she understands my weaknesses; she is more or less the mother of the house, the one that has accepted to be the mother of my children.

“I am happy that all my children are at home with ‎her and accept her as their mother even though she is lot mold enough to be their mother. She has accepted to fill that gap” he said.

Reacting to speculations on where the wife is from, Oshiomhole said, ” I have seen a lot of publications, some saying that she is Philipino, Dutch and several others, but she is from Cape Verde. And that is part of West Africa. And I hope that ought to rest the debate of where she is from”.

Chairman of the occasion, Gen. Gowon, commended Oshiomhole for his decision to take a new wife and expressed optimism that more blessings will come to his life.

He urged the wife, Lara Fortes who is from Cape Verde to be obedient and continue to show love to the husband and prayed that God Almighty will strengthen them with long life and prosperity.

‎Speaking also, Aisha Buhari described Oshiomhole’s wife as beautiful adding ” but for you to marry a Nigerian you need to cook Edikaikong, Eguisi, and our Nigerian foods. God bless the marriage and we know as First lady you have a big task and God will guide and protect the family”.

President Elect, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, his wife Aisha, Vice President Elect, Professor Yemi Osibanjo, Speaker of the House of Reps, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, Cross Rivers State Governor, Liyel Imoke, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta state, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Dr Samuel Ogbemudia, Peter Obi,former head of state, Gen. Yakubu Godwin, Alike Dangote, Captain Hosa Okunbor, Femi Otedola, Chief Tom Ikimi, Gen. Charles Airiavbere, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, Olusola Saraki, Minority Whip of the House of Reps, Samson Osagie, Pally Iriase and many other members of the National Assembly.

Others are National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, National Leader of the APC, asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Governor Rauf Arigbesola‎, Niyi Adebayo, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, representative of Crown Prince of Benin, Jim Ovia, President of the NLC, Ayuba Wahab, Gen Tunde Ogbeha, Dr Samuel Ogbemudia, former Governor of Edo state, Prof Osarhiemen Osunbor, former Governor of Anambra State, Dr Peter Obi, Senator Daisy Danjuma, Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Governor Elect of Kaduna state, Mallam ElRufai.

Members of the Edo state Executive Council was led by the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Pius Odubu, Chief Judge of Edo state, elected members of the state and National Assemblies and many others.

WHO IS SOLOMON EHIGIATOR ARASE, FDC., NPM.,THE NEW INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE IN NIGERIA? Landmark Professional Achievements/Assignments Years.

A Review By Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu.

"There is a myth, perhaps a common one that the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) is not your friend”

Putting this in mind, am here to introduce an officer of the Nigerian Police Force that is different, well-spoken, a lover of Nigeria, a believer of rule of law, a policeman per excellence. His name is Mr. Solomon Ehigiator Arase, Acting Inspector General of Police by rank (IGP).

As presidential sack of Suleiman Abba was announced, Mr. Solomon Arase takes his place as the new Inspector-General of Police. Before his latest appointment, Mr. Arase was head of the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department.

Majority describe him as "a gentleman, terrific policeman."

Mr. Arase, 59, was born on June 21, 1956. He hails from Oredo Local Government Area of Edo state.

He enlisted into the Nigerian Police on December 1, 1981 after graduating from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1980, with a degree in Political Science.

 He has in his academic kitty the LL.B degree of the University of Benin. He studied further, bagging LL.M from the Lagos State University, where he specialised in Corporate Management and Finance Law. He was not done yet as he also got a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from University of Ibadan. He is a distinguished Fellow of Nigeria Defence College, (fdc). He has also been the recipient of the National Police Medal (NPM).

Landmark Professional Achievements/Assignments

Year:

• He served at the United Nations Mission in Namibia and is a Fellow of the Nigerian Defence College.
• He was once the former Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom, and also headed Federal Intelligence Bureau (FIB). 
• Establishment of a Nigeria Police Intelligence School in Enugu and commencement of construction of Force Intelligence Institute in Share, Kwara State to train strategic intelligence managers and mid-level/junior intelligence operatives. This is a landmark achievement as it represents the first time in the nearly 100 years history of the Nigeria Police Force that institutions dedicated exclusively to the training of intelligence officers of the Force established in Nigeria (2013).
• Re-organisation, re-focusing, development of technical intelligence operational platform, and facilitation of inter-agency intelligence sharing framework leading to the restoration of the lost primacy of the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Bureau and advancement of the concept and practice of intelligence-led policing as a tool towards internal security management, and policing within the dictates of rule of law (2012 – date).
• Enhancement of operational efficiency, introduction of innovative anti-crime strategies, motivation of personnel, and inter-agency coordination as Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command leading to drastic reduction in high level crimes including kidnappings and armed robberies which were associated with the Akwa Ibom State prior to his deployment to the State(2011-2012)
• Restoration of professional excellence and high investigative, documentation and prosecution standards in State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Lagos State Police Command as the Deputy Commissioner of Police/Head of the Department. Won several awards/commendation letter from Attorney-General of Lagos State for these initiatives(2009-2010).
• Member, Nigeria Police Committee on Review of the Nigerian Constitution/Police Act (2009).
• Principal Staff Officer to Three Successive Inspectors-General of Police (Between 2002 and 2008 – Serving IGPs Tafa Balogun, Sunday Ehindero, and Mike Okiro)2002-2008.
• Member, Failed Bank Inquiry (FBI)(1998-2000).
• In 2006 he served as the Secretary to the Presidential Committee on Nigeria Police Reform and was a member of Nigeria Police Committee on Review of the Nigerian Constitution/Police Act.

Policing Vision.

Initiatives towards preventing abuse of pre-trial detention, comprehensive re-organization of the investigation and prosecution departments of the Force. This will entail the professionalization of the Prosecution Units of the Force with emphasis on recruitment and deployment of qualified lawyers to take full responsibility for prosecution of all criminal cases investigated by the Nigeria Police Force.

Publications:

• Arase, S.E (ed), ‘National Security : Intelligence and Community Partnership Approach’, Abuja: Panaf Press, (2013).
• Arase, S.E (ed), ‘Nigeria Police Force, The Journey So Far’, Abuja: Panaf Press, (2013).
• Arase, S.E (ed), ‘Monograph on Criminal Investigation’, Abuja: Panaf Press, (2010).
• Arase, S.E and Iwuofor, I.P.O. (eds), ‘Policing Nigeria in the 21st Century’, Ibadan: Spectrum Books Ltd (2007).

 Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu is a trained journalist from the AIU (USA), resides in Spain; a blogger and special correspondent to some news media internationally.

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