Politics
FG Plotting To Disrupt 2019 Elections – Expert … Says Military Hierarchy Benefitting From Boko Haram
A security expert and retired Army Colonel, Chinedu Ohunda has alleged that the military hierarchy are benefiting from the Boko Haram insurgency, adding that there was a plot by the federal government for the 2019 general elections not to hold because of their failure to perform in all areas.
Ohunda stated this during a live Radio programme while reacting to the latest Global Terrorism Index (GTI) which ranked Nigeria as third most terrorized nation worldwide, monitored by the Tide in Port Harcourt.
He questioned the federal government’s claim of releasing one billion dollars to fight insurgency in the North East, saying, “Our bases are being routed, overrun by this same insurgents and you say you have released one billion dollars.
“Where is the money? This is translated to N365 billion which means one billion naira is being spent on a daily basis. And you are telling me to keep quiet. I will not keep quiet at my age and level, at my status, I will not keep quiet.
“When I speak I try make Nigerians know what is really happening because the government, the military are economical with the true. They do not want to tell people what is happening because they are using the Boko Haram war as a monetary venture running into billions of dollars.
“It has been alleged by the United Nations, by Sahara Reports, by Amnesty International that the government is paying huge sums of money to Boko Haram to release the so called Chibok girls, to release the Dapchi girls and so on.
“It is an allegation by some of these international organizations. If they are paying money why will they not tell Nigerians that they are paying money? Anytime they pay money that is when this people (Boko Haram) will restructure, come back with new equipment, come back with fully loaded with equipment and so to rout our troops.
“So why are they lying to Nigerians. Whatever they are saying, are they truthful with what they telling Nigerians? These things happen both in Liberia and Seraleone and Bakkasi where I fought wars,” he said.
The security expert however said if they are applying dialogue, that option should be exhausted, saying, “Not all wars are won by the barrel of the gun. So whatever the case is let Nigerians know what is happening.
“Look at the Srilanka case, look at the Afghanistan case, when a government tells you they have won, they have defeated the insurgents, you have defeated the terrorists and at the end of the day you are not arming your men which you have translate one billion dollars to purchase weapons, missiles and equipment and nothing is happening.
Asked how the insurgency connects with next years’ general election, he said, “Let me tell you something. It is plot by the present government not to hold elections because in the coming days and so many areas in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno may not have the chance of carrying out elections and that is just the truth,” Ohunda alleged.
He further said there were other problems “that are accruing that will make this election not to hold because they have made a clandestine plan not to hold an election because they have failed in all ramifications.
“But let us watch out for how the insurgency will rise or slow down because the men on the ground are under strength, they (the troops) do not have equipment, their equipment are obsolete,” he stated, noting that the troops must be properly equipped to contain the dreaded sect members and boost the morale of the soldiers.
“It is not a conventional warfare. Let them (the federal government) purchase the right equipment. Invest in intelligence. Let them also make sure that the moral of the troops are raised. They should pay them their allowances as at when due. Because their morale is so dampened. It is so low that they cannot not fight any war.
“The army should be proactive, not being reactive. They should carry the war to Boko Haram. It is not just sitting down and wait for Boko Haram to attack you. Most times the cooperation between the Army and the Air Force is not been coordinated. There must be synergy,” he said.
The security expert further said that calls by stakeholders to change the security chiefs have met deaf ears, adding that there was a lack of cooperation between the Army and the Air Force, making it difficult to tackle the sect.
According to him, “Then there has been calls by international organizations, by stakeholders in Nigeria to change those in power. That is essentially those at the higher ranking in the military. Because there is no synergy, no cooperation, no collaboration between the army and the air force, the army and the Navy to see how they can forestall the situation,” he said.
Ohunda however expressed happiness that Federal Government has directed both service chiefs to go to Borno together. “That is the chief of army staff and the chief of air staff. There is a deliberate plan not to support each other,” Ohunda alleges.
By: Dennis Naku
Politics
Kwankwaso Agrees To Rejoin APC, Gives Terms, Conditions
The former two-term governor went down memory lane to recall how they founded the APC but were used and dumped.
In his words, “…those calling on us to join APC, we have agreed to join the APC but on clear agreement that protects and respects the interest of my party, NNPP and my political movement, Kwankwasiyya. No state where you go that you don’t have NNPP and Kwankwasiyya. We have gubernatorial candidates, senatorial candidates and others.
“We are ready to join APC under strong conditions and promises. We will not allow anyone to use us and later dump us.
“We were among the founding fathers of the APC and endured significant persecution from various security agencies while challenging the previous administration.
“Yet when the party assumed power, we received no recognition or appreciation for our sacrifices, simply because we didn’t originate from their original faction.
“We are not in a hurry to leave the NNPP; we are enjoying and have peace of mind. But if some want a political alliance that would not disappoint us like in the past, we are open to an alliance. Even if it is the PDP that realised their mistakes, let’s enter an agreement that will be made public,” Sen. Kwankwaso stated.
Politics
I Would Have Gotten Third Term If I Wanted – Obasanjo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has dismissed long-standing claims that he once sought to extend his tenure in office, insisting he never pursued a third term.
Speaking at the Democracy Dialogue organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Accra, Ghana, Chief Obasanjo said there is no Nigerian, living or dead, who can truthfully claim he solicited support for a third term agenda.
“I’m not a fool. If I wanted a third term, I know how to go about it. And there is no Nigerian, dead or alive, that would say I called him and told him I wanted a third term,” the former president declared.
Chief Obasanjo argued that he had proven his ability to secure difficult national goals, citing Nigeria’s debt relief during his administration as a much greater challenge than any third term ambition.
“I keep telling them that if I could get debt relief, which was more difficult than getting a third term, then if I wanted a third term, I would have got it too,” he said.
He further cautioned against leaders who overstay in power, stressing that the belief in one’s indispensability is a “sin against God.”
On his part, former President Goodluck Jonathan said any leader who failed to perform would be voted out of office if proper elections were conducted.
Describing electoral manipulation as one of the biggest threats to democracy in Africa, he said unless stakeholders come together to rethink and reform democracy, it may collapse in Africa.
He added that leaders must commit to the kind of democracy that guarantees a great future for the children where their voices matter.
He said: “Democracy in Africa continent is going through a period of strain and risk collapse unless stakeholders came together to rethink and reform it. Electoral manipulation remains one of the biggest threats in Africa.
“We in Africa must begin to look at our democracy and rethink it in a way that works well for us and our people. One of the problems is our electoral system. People manipulate the process to remain in power by all means.
“If we had proper elections, a leader who fails to perform would be voted out. But in our case, people use the system to perpetuate themselves even when the people don’t want them.
“Our people want to enjoy their freedoms. They want their votes to count during elections. They want equitable representation and inclusivity. They want good education. Our people want security. They want access to good healthcare. They want jobs. They want dignity. When leaders fail to meet these basic needs, the people become disillusioned.”
The dialogue was also attended by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto diocese of Catholic Church among others who all stressed that democracy in Africa must go beyond elections to include accountability, service, and discipline.
Politics
Rivers Assembly Resumes Sitting After Six-Month Suspension

The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday resumed plenary session after a six-month state of emergency imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu elapsed on Wednesday midnight.
President Bola Tinubu had lifted the emergency rule on September 17, with the Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly asked to resume duties on September 18.
The plenary was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, at the conference hall located within the legislative quarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The conference hall has served as the lawmakers’ temporary chamber since their official chamber at the assembly complex on Moscow Road was torched and later pulled down by the state government.
The outgone sole administrator of the state, Ibok-Ete Ibas, could not complete the reconstruction of the assembly complex as promised.
Recall that on March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political standoff between Fubara and members of the House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
He subsequently suspended the governor, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and lawmakers for six months and installed a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), to manage the state’s affairs.
The decision sparked widespread controversy, with critics accusing the president of breaching the Constitution.
However, others hailed the move as a necessary and pragmatic step.
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Rivers Assembly Resumes Sitting After Six-Month Suspension