Category Archives: News

I received, paid $3m into Aisha Achimugu’s company’s account – EFCC’s witness

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Mr Trinity Usman, an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s witness on Friday, told the Federal High Court in Abuja that he received and transferred three million dollars into Mrs Aisha Achimugu’s company account.

Usman, the 2nd prosecution witness (PW-2), told Justice Emeka Nwite while being led in evidence by the EFCC’s lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN.

The PW-2, a Bureau De Change (BDC) operator, spoke in the ongoing trial of Halima Buba, Managing Director of SunTrust Bank, and her co-defendant, Innocent Mbagwu, the Executive Director/Chief Compliance Officer of the bank.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the duo are being prosecuted on money laundering offences to the tune of $12 million.

In a six-count charge, they were alleged to have aided high-value cash transactions without routing them through a financial institution.

The offence is said to be contrary to Section 21(a), 2(1), and 9(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the same Act.

The defendants were, on June 13, arraigned by the anti-graft agency.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the counts, and admitted to a N100 million bail with one surety, each in like sum.

At the resumed trial, the witness said he was in court to tell what he knew about the transactions he did with Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Ltd, owned by Achimugu.

Usman, who said he was a businessman and general contractor, said he was also into agro allied and oil business.

He said he carried out the businesses with companies or registered names.

He said his companies include Triple A and Tee Service Venture, T.M. Agro Allied Farm, Triple A and D Oil and Gas Ltd, Triple A and Tee BDC Ltd, among others.

“Sometimes in April 2025, one Suleiman Ciroma contacted me that he has transaction that he needed 3 million US dollars to (be transfered to) Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Ltd.

“In that particular time, I have the money being in my Triple A and Tee Oil and Gas Nig Ltd account.

“After we agreed with him, Suleiman Ciroma gave me the dollar payment in cash.

“I paid him the dollars into Oceangate Engineering Oil and Gas Ltd account,” he said.

He said the payment was made in April 2025

“Can you remember the exact date you made the payment?” Iheanacho asked.

Read Also: How $12m was swapped in 10 days in SunTrust Bank -EFCC witness

“I made the transfer in four tranches but I cannot remember the exact day,” the witness responded.

However, when the lawyer asked the witness if he knew Buba and Mbagwu, he said he did not know them.

“Take a look at the dock and tell the court if you know the defendants,” Iheanacho asked and the witness simply said, “No.”

Usman told the court that he did the transactions with Triple A and Tee Oil Nig Ltd.

“It was from there I transfered the dollars into Oceangate Engineering Oil and Gas Ltd,” he said.

But when Iheanacho asked the PW-2 if his BDC company, Triple A and Tee BDC Ltd, featured in the transaction, counsel for the 1st defendant (Buba), Johnson Usman, SAN, raised an objection.

The senior lawyer argued that Iheanacho’s question was a ploy to give the witness tips on what to say and the judge directed him to rephrase the question.

The witness said that the licence of Triple A and Tee BDC Ltd, as at the time of the transactions, had been suspended.

He said the cash transactions from Ciroma were made through his staff.

He mentioned the names of the staff as Abdulkadir Mohammed and Kabir Haruna.

The BDC operator also said that he equally did a naira to dollar transaction with Ciroma.

“The naira was transfered into Triple A and Tee Service Venture Ltd Bank account.

“The naira also was converted into dollars and I sent the equivalent into Oceangate account,” he said.

However, during cross-examination by Buba’s counsel, Usman SAN, the witness was asked to confirm to court that Triple A and Tee BDC Ltd had been in operations till date and he responded in affirmative.

“After they suspended our licence, we proposed Triple A and Tee BDC Ltd to CBN last year and we have an approval in principle with CBN,” the witness responded.

“Ciroma Suleiman contacted you in these transactions because he knows you as BDC operator?” the lawyer asked and the PW-2 responded in affirmative.

When Usman asked the witness that it was on the basis of that knowledge that the PW-2 sent his staff to collect the dollars from Ciroma, Iheanacho too objected to the question.

The witness admitted that he did not tell the defendants before the transactions that his BDC license was suspended at any time.

He said his oil company account was used for the transactions because it was the account he had available dollars.

‘The choice of using your oil and gas company account to transfer the dollars to Oceangate was your own decision,” the lawyer asked and the witness responded in affirmative.

Counsel to the 2nd defendant (Mbagwu), M.S. Ibrahim, SAN, asked the witness if he made any profit from the transactions and he responded in affirmative.

“Did you tell the defendants whom you have never seeing or know before that you were going to make inflow payment from your oil and gas company’s account?” Ibrahim asked and the PW-2 said, “No.”

After the cross-examination, the witness was discharged and Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until Dec. 10 and Dec. 11 for continuation of trial.

Earlier on Thursday during the cross-examination of Suleiman Ciroma, the owner of Funnacle BDC Ltd and the PW-I by Usman SAN, the witness said the reason Achimugu requested for the transfer of the money was that if she had deposited the money in cash in the bank, she would not be able to transfer same.

Ciroma said Trimizi Usman and Hassan Dantani, upon their representatives collecting the money, in turn, transferred the dollars equivalent “less their charges into a designated account provided by Aisha Achimugu.”

He agreed with Usman’s question that in forex transaction, a transfer can only be made from an account where the money came by way of inflow and not by cash deposit.

When the lawyer asked Ciroma that Achimugu needed the dollar transfer to purchase her two oil blocks, the PW-1 responded in affirmative.

The witness told the court that he is a member of BDC Traders Association Wuse Zone 4 in Abuja.

He said that was why when he made his statements to EFCC on April 14, April 11 and May 7, the executive members of the association were with him at the time.

Ciroma, who agreed that he was duly cautioned before writing the extra-judicial statements, admitted that there was no part he informed the defendants, particularly Buba, that his BDC licence had expired.

Also while being cross-examined by Ibrahim, who appeared for the 2nd defendant, Ciroma agreed that he had never seen Mbagwu physically before.

He also admitted that he had never produced any text or Whatsapp message between him and Mbagwu before the court before.

(NAN)

Police arrest four armed robbery suspects in Lagos

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The Police command in Lagos State has arrested four armed robbery suspects who have been terrorising motorists across Lagos and neighbouring states.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on Friday in Lagos.

Adebisi said the suspects were apprehended at their hideout in the Igando area during a major operation against violent crimes.

She noted that the gang, aged between 34 and 46, was arrested during intelligence-led operations by the command’s Tactical Squads between 1 a.m. on Wednesday and 3 a.m. on Friday.

During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to robbing several vehicle owners at gunpoint and were linked to multiple operations in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Edo states.

Items recovered included one pump-action shotgun, a Beretta pistol, 48 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 46 live cartridges, a cutlass, assorted charms, and four stolen vehicles.

The vehicles comprised a Toyota Sienna, two Lexus ES350s, and a Toyota Corolla, according to Adebisi.

Read Also: Police extend tinted glass permit enforcement to October 2

She said preliminary investigations showed the gang posed as passengers, then attacked unsuspecting drivers mid-transit to steal their vehicles and valuables at gunpoint.

Adebisi added that the suspects were arrested following weeks of coordinated surveillance and intelligence gathering across several states.

Efforts, she said, were ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang still at large.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, commended the Tactical Squads for their professionalism during the operation.

Jimoh reassured Lagos residents of the command’s determination to dismantle criminal networks and ensure public safety.

He also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and urged citizens to provide timely information to support security operations.

(NAN) 

BREAKING: Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa resigns from PDP

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Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

His Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, confirmed the governor’s exit.

Diri, who announced this on Wednesday at the Executive Council Chamber in the Bayelsa State Government House, did not state the political party he will be moving to.

The governor said he left the opposition party for “very obvious reasons.”

Read Also: Eradiri sets agenda for Diri’s defection to APC 

“Today, I have formally resigned my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party for very obvious reasons.

“I am grateful to all my friends and supporters who have stood by us and with us, and I want to thank all of you. Together, we will continue to build a strong, virile Bayelsa State and a strong and virile country by extension.”

His decision was backed by 23 members of the House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ngobere.

Diri’s defection came 24 hours after his Enugu State counterpart, Peter Mbah, dumped the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

As of the time of filing this report, Governor Diri has not yet declared his next move.

Google, World Bank partner to develop AI infrastructure for emerging markets

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Google and the World Bank Group have announced a new partnership aimed at accelerating digital transformation across emerging markets.

The collaboration, unveiled on Wednesday, focuses on deploying Open Network Stacks, which act like digital infrastructure to help citizens access vital services.

In a statement, the organisations said the alliance seeks to “unlock inclusive growth and empower communities by making digital public infrastructure accessible, interoperable, and AI-enabled.”

Read Also: Google unveils two Gemini’s new AI-powered features

“By combining Google Cloud’s AI technology, including its Gemini models, with the World Bank Group’s development expertise, the initiative helps governments quickly create interoperable networks for critical sectors like agriculture, healthcare and skilling.

“Citizens can interact with these AI-powered services in over 40 languages, even on simple devices.

“The collaboration builds on a successful pro bono pilot in Uttar Pradesh in India that helped thousands of smallholder farmers increase profitability.

“To foster a sustainable and open ecosystem, Google.org is providing funding to the new nonprofit Networks for Humanity (NFH), to build universal digital infrastructure (Beckn open network and Finternet asset tokenization), establish regional innovation labs and pilot social impact applications globally.”

Tinubu congratulates EFCC Chairman Olukoyede on birthday

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended warm felicitations to the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, on his birthday, describing him as a courageous and reform-driven public servant committed to cleansing Nigeria of corruption and financial crimes.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President praised Olukoyede’s professionalism and steadfast dedication to strengthening the EFCC’s mandate of combating economic and financial offences.

President Tinubu noted that since his appointment, Olukoyede has shown exceptional zeal and integrity in implementing key reforms that enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in governance.

Read Also: Tinubu appoints Rinsola Abiola as CLTC DG

The President particularly commended the EFCC boss for setting up a special task force on currency offences to address naira abuse and the dollarisation of the economy, as well as for developing a strategic framework to tackle cybercrime and economic sabotage.

According to Tinubu, these initiatives have helped restore public confidence in the EFCC and align with his administration’s commitment to economic stability and institutional renewal under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

While celebrating Olukoyede’s achievements, the President prayed for God’s continued guidance, strength, and wisdom for the EFCC chairman as he leads Nigeria’s foremost anti-graft agency.

“President Tinubu prays that Almighty God will guard and guide the EFCC chairman and bless his determination to free Nigeria from the economic ills that have tied us down for ages,” the statement added.

Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd prays court to void its deregistration by CAC

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Malabu Oil & Gas Limited has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to make an order declaring its deregistration by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as null and void.

The oil and gas company, which is said to be jointly owned by Mohammed, son of former Head of State, Late Gen. Sani Abacha, and others, had been enmeshed in boardroom crisis.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Malabu, in the originating summons marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2137/2025, had sued CAC as sole defendant for allegedly deregistering it over alleged failure to file its annual returns.

The company, in a fresh suit filed by its lawyer, Reuben Atabo, SAN, prayed the court to make an order restoring its name to the register of companies in the country pursuant to Section 692(6) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), 2020.

Atabo equally sought “an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the defendant (CAC) from further deregistering and/or striking off the name of the plaintiff from its register.”

He sought a declaration that having regard to the fact that the affairs, management and control of the plaintiff are subjudice and currently being contested in different courts, “it is improper in law for the defendant to purport to strike off plaintiff’s name from the register of companies in Nigeria pursuant to the provisions of Section 692(3) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020.”

The senior lawyer listed the various cases to include matters in suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/51/2010 in which CAC was a party before Justice Gabriel Kolawole, suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/14/2017, suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/816/14, charge no: CR/151/2020 and charge no: FHC/ABJ/CR/268/2016.

Abacha, in the affidavit he personally deposed to, said he was one of the subscribers to the Memorandum and Article of Association of the company at the time of incorporation, as well as one of its present and subsisting directors.

He said he had the consent of the Board of Directors of the company to depose to the affidavit.

He said that sometime in 1998, he along with two persons incorporated the Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd with the CAC and was issued with RC NO: 334442.

According to him, at the time of incorporation in April 1998, myself, Kweku Amafagha, and Hassan Hindu, Wakili Adamawa, are the original directors and shareholders of the plaintiff.

“That upon incorporation, the company applied to the Federal Government of Nigeria through the then Department of Petroleum Resources for allocation of Oil Block.

“That upon duc consideration, Oil Processing License 245 otherwise known as OPL245 was granted to the company by the then Minister of Petroleum Resources on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

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“That sometime in September 1999, during the administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the security agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria arrested and detained me for a period of about three years, i.e September 1999 to September 2002 after which I was released from custody.

“That during the period of my incarceration, certain alterations were made at the company’s registry of the defendant wherein my shareholding and directorship were altered without my consent and approval,” he said.

Mohammed said between 2005 and 2011, he instructed his lawyer, Atabo, to write to CAC on those purported alterations of shareholding as well as directorship.

He said upon the failure by the CAC to rectify those alterations, he commenced an action at the Abuja Federal High Court before Justice Kolawole who has been elevated to Appeal Court in suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/51/2010.

He said in the midst of different cases filed in courts, the CAC neither informed Malabu that the caveat it placed on its file which prevented the filing of annual returns had been lifted nor did the defendant publish in any national daily newspaper, a notice that it would strike off or de-register the company before the purported strike off.

Mohammed said he was duly informed by his lawyer that the action of the CAC was in contradiction with Section 692(3) of CAMA, 2020.

“That the purported de-registration or striking off of the name of the plaintiff by the defendant from the companies register, is unlawful, illegal, null and void,” he said.

“That the refusal of the reliefs being sought for in this suit, would occasion a grave prejudice to the plaintiff.

“That the defendant will not be prejudiced by the grant of the reliefs being sought by the plaintiff,” Mohammed averred.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the matter as at the time of filing the report.

(NAN)

Borno leads as INEC online pre-registration hits 7.4m

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 The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has recorded a total of 7,415,760 online pre-registration in the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) with Borno taking the lead with 783,546 registrants.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commission released the data in its regular update on the exercise.

NAN reports that the exercise began on Aug. 18 nationwide.

The update also revealed that as at Oct. 12, a total of 1,502,733 Nigerians have successfully completed both online and physical Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) within the seventh week of the exercise.

For the online pre-registrations, out of the 7,415,760 total registration 3,877,330 representing 52.28 per cent were female, 3,538,430 representing 47.72 per cent were male.

Of the total online pre-registrants 5,095,056 were youths between the age of 18 and 34; while 1,873,848 were students and 168,680 were Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).

In terms of state by state registration, while Borno is leading with 783,546, followed by Osun with 632,751, Lagos with 590,341, Kebbi with 557,778, and Kaduna with 471,375 registrants.

Read Also: Absence of INEC witnesses stall proceedings at Edo governorship tribunal

For the completed registration for week seven from Oct. 6 to Oct. 10, the update revealed that from the 1,502,733 registrants, 878,715 completed their registration form pre-online and 674,018 were from physical registration.

The data also shows that form the completed registration female account for 828,563 registrants representing 55.14 per cent, while male account for 674,170 representing 44.86 per cent of the completed registration.

In terms of occupation, students accounted for 507,097, representing 33.74 per cent, followed by business owners with 279,384 at 18.59 per cent and house wives at 223,903 representing 14.90 per cent.

The statistics also show that 21,244 PWDs, constituting 1.41 per cent of the total, were successfully registered during the week.

Also for the week seven indicates that Lagos State recorded the highest number of completed registrations with 78,128, followed by Kano State with 82,703, and Oyo with 43,165.

INEC reminded the public that all forms of registration, both online pre-registration and physical, remain suspended in Anambra until after the Governorship Election scheduled for Nov. 8.

(NAN)

Top 10 countries that offer Nigerians easy Schengen visa

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In recent years, more Nigerians have been looking beyond the country’s borders — to study, work, or explore new horizons. Yet, one of the biggest challenges remains navigating the complex and sometimes intimidating visa application process.

From endless paperwork to unclear requirements and fear of rejection, applying for a visa can be discouraging. However, some Schengen countries have developed more transparent, applicant-friendly systems, making it easier for Nigerians with complete and genuine documentation to secure approval.

Here are 10 Schengen countries known for offering Nigerians relatively easy visa access:

1. Germany

Why it’s easier: Germany has clear visa procedures and maintains one of the lowest rejection rates for well-documented applications.

Popular visa types: Student Visa, Job Seeker Visa, Work Visa.

Bonus: Most public universities offer tuition-free or low-cost education for international students.

2. France

Why it’s easier: France enjoys strong diplomatic and educational relations with Nigeria and offers scholarship schemes like the Eiffel Excellence Programme.

Popular visa types: Student Visa, Short-Stay (Tourist), Long-Stay Visa.

Bonus: Nigerian students can work part-time while studying in France.

3. Poland

Why it’s easier: Poland’s visa process is direct and affordable, with increasing demand for skilled professionals and students.

Popular visa types: Student Visa, Work Visa.

Bonus: The growing Nigerian community helps improve cultural understanding at consular offices.

4. Finland

Why it’s easier: Finland attracts global talent through simplified visa systems and active recruitment in education and technology.

Popular visa types: Study Permit, Residence Permit for Work.

Bonus: Skilled workers in engineering and ICT are in high demand.

Read Also: Seven Asian countries Nigerians can visit without visa

5. Sweden

Why it’s easier: Sweden’s visa and residence application systems are transparent, efficient, and friendly to international students.

Popular visa types: Student Visa, Residence Permit for Work.

Bonus: Many Swedish universities teach entirely in English.

6. Hungary

Why it’s easier: Hungary’s popular Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship has made it a top destination for Nigerian students.

Popular visa types: Study Visa, Tourist Visa.

Bonus: Affordable tuition and low cost of living make it a preferred choice for students on a budget.

7. Lithuania

Why it’s easier: Lithuania has simplified visa procedures for students and entrepreneurs, with relatively fast processing times.

Popular visa types: Study Visa, Business Visa.

Bonus: The country is welcoming to small business owners and start-up founders.

8. Czech Republic

Why it’s easier: The Czech Republic offers quality, affordable education and maintains a low visa rejection rate for credible applicants.

Popular visa types: Study Visa, Business Visa.

Bonus: English-taught programs are widely available in major universities.

9. Estonia

Why it’s easier: Estonia promotes digital migration and offers unique visa categories, such as the Digital Nomad Visa.

Popular visa types: Digital Nomad Visa, Student Visa.

Bonus: The country’s tech-driven ecosystem attracts IT professionals and freelancers.

10. Norway

Why it’s easier: Though not a full EU member, Norway is part of the Schengen Zone and maintains fair visa procedures for Nigerians.

Popular visa types: Student Visa, Work Visa, Tourist Visa.

Bonus: Many universities offer tuition-free programs, and skilled workers are in high demand in engineering, healthcare, and energy sectors.

Shettima, Akpabio, Abbas, others storm Enugu as Mbah, others, set to join APC

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Enugu State’s capital city is agog as all is now set for Gov. Peter Mbah and his political appointees to join the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Tuesday.

Mr Uche Anichukwu, the Senior Special Assistant to Mbah on External Relations, stated this in a statement on Tuesday in Enugu.

According to him, to receive Mbah into the party are the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima; President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio and Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Tajudeen Abbas.

Others are the APC National Working Committee (NUC) led by the National Chairman of the party, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, governors as well as ministers, federal lawmakers and appointees, among others.

Anichukwu quoted various critical segments of the state as well as Ohanaeze Ndigbo to have thrown their weight behind Mbah’s decision to move into the APC.

He said that the former Chairman of the party in the state, Mr Augustine Nnamani maintained that PDP had itself to blame for precipitating the mass exodus from the party in Enugu State.

The chairman said that the party “mistreated and betrayed the people of the South East” and Gov. Mbah by its failure to recognise Udeh-Okoye as the National Secretary in line with established tradition in the party.

“The PDP chose a few people in Abuja over and above the South East. Mbah has exited as spelt out in their region’s communique in May to leave the party if its choice was not respected,” he added.

He regretted that the crisis in the PDP and injustice to the region had cost the party one of the best performing governors presently in Nigeria and reduced the PDP from controlling the five South East states to losing everything.

Read Also: Why our party rejected Adeleke’s alleged defection plans, by Osun APC

The governors aide added that Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Enugu State Chapter, equally applauded Mbah, “for taking the bold step of joining the ruling APC”.

According to him, this decision is both thoughtful and timely, considering the compelling need to attract more federal government projects to Enugu State.

He said the statement signed by Ohanaeze’s Vice President General representing Enugu State, Prof. Fred Eze and the National Treasurer, Dr. Peter Aneke, the apex Igbo socio-cultural body, reiterated its commitment for the zoning arrangement in the state.

“We remain committed to upholding the long-standing zoning tradition for the office of the Governor, in the spirit of equity, fairness, and justice in Enugu State,” the statement read.

Anichukwu also quoted the Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Samuel Asadu, saying that Mbah had earned national acclaim and the trust of the people by his “trailblazing performance and grassroots-oriented development in the last 26 months.

“Therefore, the traditional rulers and people of Enugu State have absolute trust in his judgement. We wish him the best as he chats this new political course because it is rooted in the good of Enugu State. it is all about the people.

“The Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Enugu State chapter, Mr Okechukwu Edeh, expressed the readiness of the people to move in the direction of the governor.

“As we have said earlier, Gov. Peter Mbah is the political party Enugu State knows today. Besides, we believe that this is a wise decision.

“When it was stated earlier that we would chart a new political course when our voices no longer counted in the other political party,” ALGON chairman stated.

(NAN) 

Eradiri sets agenda for Diri’s defection to APC 

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Mr. Udengs Eradiri, a former President of Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), has welcomed the plan by Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Eradiri, who is also a chieftain of the APC in Bayelsa, appealed to Diri to first call a stakeholders’ meeting and use his influence and position as a governor to resolve the internal crisis rocking the APC in the state.

The former Commissioner for Youths and later Environment in Bayelsa, asked Diri to unite the camps of former Governor Timipre Sylva and the Minister of State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri.

Eradiri, who spoke on the development on Monday advised Diri against succumbing to any pressure to sideline Sylva, the pioneer leader of the APC in Bayelsa, positing that leaving out the former governor in the ongoing negotiations would be counterproductive.

He said Diri was expected to bring his peaceful demeanour to the APC and to manage the differences in the party the same way he worked amicably with all the interests in the PDP.

Addressing the governor, Eradiri said: ” I will commend you , the way you managed the PDP in Bayelsa. The PDP was stable until the recent conflicts that we had in Rivers that led to some of the divisions we have seen. You came in as governor and managed all the interests until you took over the structures.

“I believe that your coming to APC is to come and also manage this emotion to the point where we will have one strong party because the day you join the APC you become the leader by the Constitution of the party.

“Former Governor Sylva has contributed immensely to the development of APC. All those people throwing stones at Sylva today were not there when Sylva was toiling and building this party. We were in the PDP and we fought him to ensure that we had our way. But that strengthen the APC we have in the state today.

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“Heineken Lokpobiri became minister and he allowed these people to push him around and he wants to assert leadership. It won’t work. There must be seeming respect for the man who had toiled and suffered for the foundation of this party. Sylva has supported a lot of people including the Minister. You can’t just push him aside.

“We expect that you bring that your peaceful demeanour to come and override these interests and lead it as a peaceful house. Bayelsa has a lot of benefits to derive from the APC if we are a strong united family.

“We don’t want a situation when you come in and these individuals will begin to push you on one side to undermine Sylva and others,.who hold the structure of the party. I am appealing to you to call a stakeholders’ meeting, engage Sylva, the Minister and bring this party together before your formal defection”.

Eradiri further insisted that with strong leadership from the governor, Bayelsa would benefit immensely from the looming defection.

He recalled that he once advised the governor, his predecessors, Senator Seriake Dickson and other Ijaw leaders to move to the ruling party to enable the state to attract the necessary development.

Eradiri said with Diri concluding his plans to defect to the APC, Bayelsa would have global exposure required to attract investors.

He said: “What are the things we are going to benefit from this APC? It is the capacity that you dispense as a leader that will guarantee the activities for the betterment of your people. If you are in the APC, you must be up and doing.

“You were in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and you were holding meetings at the sideline with investors. The implication of being an APC man is that when you leave, those investors you have spoken to will call your country or the Presidency if you are not aligned they will take that investment to the state that is APC.

“If you are in the ruling party, they will secure the investments for you. The beauty of working with the party in power is that you are also seated on the table of discuss. The President is going abroad for engagements our governor will also be there without any fear or favour. In the sidelines he can be marketing the state and because you are always with the President, there is this confidence in the investments or transactions.

“When leaders sit down to discuss Nigeria you will have Bayelsans and Ijaw Nation seated on the table. I saw the meeting of APC leaders and there was no Ijaw on that table. We are the fourth largest ethnic nationality and that is why I have been critical about the kind of decisions and actions we take so that it doesn’t boomerang to affect us negatively.

“We must conduct ourselves in such a way that we are part and parcel of decision-making. We cannot be contributing to all the resources and we are not on the table of decision-making. I want to welcome you to the APC and we are ready to support you to

succeed”.

 (NAN)