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National Confab: Why We Back Obasanjo -Ohanaeze, Afenifere, YCE
Ohanaeze, Igbo influential group; Afenifere, Yoruba socio-political group; and Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) say they support former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s call for national dialogue to resolve insecurity and some other challenges facing Nigeria. Obasanjo had, in an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, last Monday, raised the idea of the dialogue.
The former President had said: “In all these issues of mobilisation for national unity, stability, security, cooperation, development, growth and progress, there is no consensus.
“Like in the issue of security, government should open up discussion, debate and dialogue as part of consultation at different levels and the outcome of such deliberations should be collated to form inputs into a national conference to come up with the solution that will effectively deal with the issues and lead to rapid development, growth and progress which will give us a wholesome society and enhanced living standard and livelihood in an inclusive and shared society.
It will be a national programme. “We need unity of purpose and nationally accepted strategic roadmap that will not change with whims and caprices of any government. It must be owned by the citizens, people’s policy and strategy implemented by the government no matter its colour and leaning.
“Some of the groups that I will suggest to be contacted are: traditional rulers, past heads of service (no matter how competent or incompetent they have been and how much they have contributed to the mess we are in), past heads of para-military organisations, private sector, civil society, community leaders particularly in the most affected areas, present and past governors, present and past local government leaders, religious leaders, past Heads of State, past intelligence chiefs, past Heads of Civil Service and relevant current and retired diplomats, members of opposition and any groups that may be deemed relevant.” Ohanaeze Ndigbo said it aligned with Obasanjo’s position.
According to the group, it indeed raised the same issue of insecurity as the former President did last weekend when it reacted to the killing of the daughter of the Afenifere leader, Pa Ruben Fasoranti, Mrs. Funke Olakunrin. It recalled that it advocated an emergency security summit over the problem, warning that failure to convene the discourse on the way out of Nigeria’s insecurity quagmire will still spell doom for the country.
Media Adviser to the President General of the apex Igbo group, Chief Emeka Attama, said, at the weekend: “Ohanaeze’s reaction is that this (Obasanjo’s letter) is in tandem with the views canvassed by its President General in a recent statement – a strident call for the convening of a national discourse on the way forward on the present security debacle. “This is the only step that can assuage the current situation.
It requires urgent action. We endorse his position absolutely. The sooner the better as things are really getting out of hand. Delay could spell doom for the country.” Another Igbo group, Ala-Igbo Development Foundation, ADF, supported the call for national conference at this juncture to look at fundamental issues bedevilling the country.
Spokesperson for ADF, Abia Onyike, said his group’s position was that it is either the proposed national conference sets agenda for the restructuring of the country or determines its division for the ethnic nationalities to go their separate ways. Onyike said, “ADF position is that we need to go back to restructure Nigeria into a federation or in the alternative the ethnic nationalities disintegrate either to form unions which is what is likely to happen. “Obasanjo called for a National Conference but the Senate is talking about security summit which cannot achieve anything because of the inherent problems of the 1999 Constitution.
“We are calling for a National Conference that will return powers to the autonomous nationalities and regions. The call for state police formations does not make meaning because of what exists now as the security architecture.” Spokesperson for Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, in the group’s reaction to the Obasanjo suggestion, said, “Afenifere believes in dialogue in all situations.
Our understanding of the summit Obasanjo is suggesting is not a National Conference but an assemblage of leaders to proffer solutions to the insecurity in the land. “The decisions they arrive at should then be tabled before a congress of representatives of all interest groups and social forces in Nigeria for discussions.
For and Against the All Progressives Congress (4)(Opens in a new browser tab) “All these should not be more than three days. We accept the recommendation as a veritable platform to steer Nigeria from the apparent anarchy that stares it in the face.
“It is the most patriotic suggestion for Nigeria in crisis”. For his part, the President of YCE, Col Dansaaki Agbede (ret.), advised Obasanjo to liaise with other stakeholders in the South-West and stop acting as a lone ranger.
Though he said his group is not opposed to organising another National Conference, Agbede felt rather uncomfortable with non-implementation of the recommendations of the previous conferences, especially the one organised during the time of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
He believed the insecurity challenge stalking the nation cannot be resolved without combined efforts. “Obasanjo should use his elderly statesmanship to bring all Yoruba groups and leaders together.
Walking alone has limited advantages”, the YCE leader said. “We can only resolve the issue with collective efforts. YCE has been saying it since February that we in the South-West should brace up, face the onslaught and do the needful. “
On the call for the convocation of another conference, what happened to the previous conferences we had? “It all amounts to wasting our resources. Billions of naira was spent on the conference conducted by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Why not bring the recommendations out and let’s start from there? “So, it is not organising another conference that is the matter, what will happen to its recommendations? Will they see the light of the day? Will they not end up like population census? I have no objection to it but it must involve all groups.
“I only wonder why we talk of another conference now when nothing has been done concerning the previous ones. If the caliphate is against it, it will fizzle away. “Obasanjo should slow down and facilitate unity forum or platform for all Yoruba so that we can speak with one voice. “He should identify young groups which are around 34. How do you solve security issue with all these groups working at cross purposes?”
Lending his voice to the discourse, the Executive Director, Centre for Human Rights and Ethics in Development, Comrade Mashood Erubami, disagreed with Obasanjo, saying, “I don’t agree with him, we don’t need a new conference but the Federal Government and states should hold security meetings to discuss stability and how we can live together peacefully.
“It is not a kind of jamboree conference that Obasanjo is calling for. It should include labour unions, civil societies and the recommendations should be implemented within eight months”.
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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.
The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.
CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.
The students, led by Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.
According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.
The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.
Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.
He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.
Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.
The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.
He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.
CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.
He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.
Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.
The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.
The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.
According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.
The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.
Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.
He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.
CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.
News
College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates For 2027 Polls
The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.
International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.
Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.
He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.
Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.
He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.
“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.
Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.
Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.
He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.
According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.
Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.
The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.
Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.
By: John Bibor
News
Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.
Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.
The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.
He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.
Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.
On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.
The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.
Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.
On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.
He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.
The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.
Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.
By; King Onunwor
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