Prof Rufa’i Alkali Congratulates New National Chairman of APC

…Lauds Party for Smooth Leadership Transition

Former Political Adviser to former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Prof Rufai’s Ahmed Alkali has congratulated the new national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda.

In a congratulatory message made available to Journalists in Abuja, Prof Alkali applauded the APC for the rancour-free transition of power that saw the emergence of the new National Chairman.

According to Prof Alkali, “the well thought out selection and the smooth process of his appointment by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of our great party clearly shows that the APC has come of age.

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He added that some opposition political parties were taken unawares by the smooth process that saw the emergence of APC new National Chairman and that is a clear indication that the ruling party is a step ahead of other political parties in the country.

Part of the statement read: “I wish to convey my special congratulations to Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda on his well deserved appointment as the National Chairman of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“His well thought out selection and the smooth process of his appointment by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of our great party clearly shows that the APC has come of age.

“From their initial reactions, it appears some members of the opposition were taken unawares.

“This is how it should be. A ruling party should always be steps ahead.

“We wish Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda success in the challenges that lie ahead.”

…Lauds Party for Smooth Leadership Transition

Former Political Adviser to former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Prof Rufai’s Ahmed Alkali has congratulated the new national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda.

In a congratulatory message made available to Journalists in Abuja, Prof Alkali applauded the APC for the rancour-free transition of power that saw the emergence of the new National Chairman.

According to Prof Alkali, “the well thought out selection and the smooth process of his appointment by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of our great party clearly shows that the APC has come of age.”

He added that some opposition political parties were taken unawares by the smooth process that saw the emergence of APC new National Chairman and that is a clear indication that the ruling party is a step ahead of other political parties in the country.

Part of the statement read: “I wish to convey my special congratulations to Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda on his well deserved appointment as the National Chairman of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“His well thought out selection and the smooth process of his appointment by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of our great party clearly shows that the APC has come of age.

“From their initial reactions, it appears some members of the opposition were taken unawares.

“This is how it should be. A ruling party should always be steps ahead.

“We wish Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda success in the challenges that lie ahead.”

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State on Digital Economy and Technical Assistant on New Media to former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Philip Obin, has described the recent public outburst by Senate President Godswill Akpabio is not only unfortunate, but also unprecedentedly inciteful.

Obin said in his social media handle that such utterances, coming from the nation’s number three citizen, carry the dangerous potential of igniting tension—even outright violence—between two sister states, Cross River and Akwa Ibom. “This is reckless and deeply disappointing.”For historical context, Cross River State is one of Nigeria’s oldest federating units, created in 1967 (originally as South-Eastern State) and renamed Cross River in 1976. “Akwa Ibom State, on the other hand, was carved out of Cross River State on September 23, 1987, by the Ibrahim Babangida-led military government. “As such, Akwa Ibom is not only our geographical neighbour but also our “younger sister” in both administrative and historical terms.”It is ironic, then, that Cross River—a state that gave birth to Akwa Ibom—has suffered the loss of 76 offshore oil wells to this younger sibling under highly controversial circumstances. “These oil wells were once a vital source of revenue and development for Cross River, contributing significantly to its federal allocations before their loss. Since the 2012 Supreme Court ruling, Cross River’s allocation dropped by over 40%, plunging the state deeper into economic hardship.”In spite of the economic hardship caused by the loss of the 76 oil wells—an act many still believe was politically engineered to Cross River’s disadvantage—our people have chosen the path of peace. “Cross River has demonstrated maturity, restraint, and exceptional neighbourliness towards Akwa Ibom. “We have maintained friendship and extended the hand of brotherhood, even while pursuing justice through peaceful and legal means.”This is why it is deeply troubling to see both the Akwa Ibom State Government and the Senate President engage in coordinated attempts to silence any conversation around redress, using the Supreme Court ruling as a final seal to shut down dialogue. But justice is not always only a legal conclusion—it is also a moral one.”Yes, the court ruled in 2012, but the pain and sense of injustice remain fresh among Cross Riverians. The fact that we lost our maritime boundary due to a federal action (the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroon) does not justify the further economic punishment of our people. “A political solution remains the most honourable and sustainable path forward—one that acknowledges the complexity of the situation and respects the sacrifices of Cross River.”Let it be clear: calls for a review or political settlement are not acts of provocation; they are calls for equity. “Rather than dismiss these legitimate concerns with arrogance, leaders—especially at the national level—should promote dialogue and healing, not division and threats.”The hate and condescension in Senator Akpabio’s utterances will not intimidate us. They will only strengthen our resolve. “The people of Cross River may be peaceful, but we are not weak. We demand justice, and we will continue to pursue it—peacefully, lawfully, and fearlessly.”

… Give Governor Nwifuru 48 Hours Ultimatum

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

Following a reported Court order ordering the interim forfeiture of alleged one billion naira (N1 billion) diverted by the Secretary to the Ebonyi State Government (SSG), Prof Grace Umezuruike, a governance and accountability platform, the Association of Ebonyi Indigenes Socio-Cultural in the Diaspora (AEISCID) on Tuesday demanded immediate sack of the state SSG by Governor Francis Nwifuru.

The Ebonyi group also condemned the state government’s posture the reported case.

At the weekend, an Uyo Division of the Federal High Court had ordered interim forfeiture of over N1 billion allegedly diverted by the Secretary to the Ebonyi State Government (SSG), Grace Umezurike, and her aide, Ngene Nwanna Onyeabor.

The judge, Maureen Onyetenu, granted the forfeiture order on 8 July, according to a court document obtained by a prominent online newspaper.

The court order followed an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Reacting to the development, the Diaspora group wondered how such humongous corrupt practice happened in a state like “Ebonyi where abject poverty walk on the streets stark naked and it took a conscious social critic, Nwoba Chika Nwoba to petition the anti-graft agency before it acted and froze the said accounts with an order to conduct discreet investigations into the matter is not for us a very big issue.”

In a statement signed Tuesday by AEISCID President (Worldwide), Ambassador Pascal Oluchukwu, asked Governor Nwifuru to immediately drop his SSG within 48 hours for a thorough, discreet and unhindered probe by the anti-graft agency.

According to the group, cases of corruption has been more prevalent in the current leadership of the state under Governor Nwifuru- “arguably more than all the past administrations since the return of democracy combined.

“We ask: What else does the Governor who claims to be a lawyer need to understand that once a prima facie case has been established leading to the freezing of the said accounts by the anti-graft agency for a possible forfeiture of the diverted funds to the Federal Government, the SSG should have been asked to step aside immediately?

“This is a common ethical and standard practice that is well in accordance with the principles of transparency, accountability and probity in governance which would ensure that all allegations are substantiated without let or hindrance using the privileges and rights of powerful office she occupies and connections of some powerful people in government.

“We are thoroughly ashamed of the disposition of the State government towards this grave allegation that has very severe and negative consequences for the State and Ebonyians home and in the diaspora.

” This is why we ask Governor Nwifuru to immediately drop his SSG within 48 hours for a thorough, discreet and unhindered probe by the anti-graft agency. We further admonish the government to show cause by entering to be joined as a party in the suit before the Federal High Court so that in any event the loot is proven to be that of the State, the government can easily reclaim the funds and deploy same for the benefit of the common masses.

“Already, apart from the pervasive poverty biting the common Ebonyians that one could literally cut through with a knife, there are many projects started by this administration which are yet to receive the needed attention obviously due to the same grand-scale corruption that has been the order of the day that the said money can effectively be ploughed back into.”

The group, however, called on the EFCC to widen its nets to help Ebonyi people recover loots allegedly diverted by contractors within the last two years of the present administration and the past eight years of Umahi-led administration.

“AEISCID would like the EFCC officials and the people alleged to be involved in this heinous financial crime which has gone on in our dear State for over a decade to know that our eyes are consistently on them and we would follow through this matter till all the funds are not only recovered but those responsible for the alleged diversions are consequently brought to book.

“We are fully aware of the fact that Ebonyi cannot breathe because former Governor Umahi is still holding the State by the neck and his successor strongly by the balls.

“This is not only about Nwifuru’s government and its appointees who have allegedly been amassing wealth from the public coffers. It is certainly about a people and their collective destiny to save their State from shame and eventual doom!”