US-based Nigerian celebrates soldiers with touching poem

A Nigerian based in the United States of America, Mark Bolaji, has written a poem in honour of the Nigerian Armed Forces with particular emphasis on the sacrifices of the Army in the fight against Boko Haram.

The poem titled “Gallant Nigerian Army; Our petals of daffodils” echoed the sacrifices of the gallant troops on the frontlines.

Mr Bolaji recalled the havoc-wrecking era where Boko Haram enjoyed a seamless ride in the NorthEast but thanked the gallant troops for finally ensuring “salvation came banging hard and hard”.

“As soldiers clad in vexation and armoury, gallant soldiers reclaimed Nigerian territories,” he added while describing the manner victory arrived.

The Houston Texas-based poet cheekily described the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai as “Shagaban Shoja,”who climbed atop the Limankara Hills in bold and blustery affront” to lead the assault on insurgents.

Read full poem below:

Darkness reigned, anguish and agonies,

Were crowned kings,

In the famed land of the El Kanemis,

The kingdom of ancient warriors,

And of reverence!

Deaths, and blood and destructions; mid-night

Arsons punctured the serenity of the land of promise,

As spirit of forebearers, armor bearers and multitudes alike,

Voyaged into the swamps and mesh of the hinterland,

In depressing searching for water to quench their thirst,

Food to fill empty bellies and starving souls,

Wrecked souls, begged for succor on bended kneels.

The Shekau boys visited the Northeast lands,

Oh yes! The Boko Haram demons,

Brutal campaigns of annihilation,

In satanic service of paymasters in foreign lands,

Bowing to bizarre and opaque doctrines of extremism,

With slavish and unconscionable condour,

Energized by might of swords, guns and bombs,

Caused devastating atrocities and ruinations.

In the fury of unrestrained bloodletting,

Wailing children, broke hearts of dying mothers,

Aged adults squirmed in dark tunnels and gulags,

Of Haram captors, slaving and laboring in resigned fate,

Only reminiscent of the slave trade of yore.

Survivors sought asylum in familiar and strange lands,

Starved to the marrow and slaughtered,

Like animals laid on the slaughterers slap,

As Al Barnewi armed gangs, nourished freely,

By alien paymasters, in distant lands,

From the greens and oils of the Lake Chad,

Feasted and feasted on human blood,

With sacrilegious impunity on souls and blood of kins.

Fractured social and economic lives,

Spared no foe or enemy,

All were united in grief and sorrows,

Despaired over deaths, abductions and bloodbaths;

The fisherman, crop farmer, cattle rearer,

Or student, traders and kings all soaked in misery.

Northeast forlorn enclaves, communities, villages,

Yearned for familiar faces and shadows,

As Gwoza, Bama, Mongonu and others,

Played host to unwanted hegemonic landlords,

In darkened chambers,

As extremists of the swords, regaled in undulating ambience;

Insurgents made burnfires and carnivals,

Celebrating demoniac victory,

Over children, women and the aged.

Confusion reigned, ennui amplified,

Aso Rock shuddered, and Nigerians bemoaned,

Lonely chirruping birds hovered on deserted lands,

Domestic animals’ foraged,

Empty homesteads, in vein search for Amina’s grains chaff.

But at last, salvation came banging hard and hard!

On the manacled doors of Northeast,

As soldiers clad in vexation and armoury,

Thrusted poisonous arrows and guns at terrorists,

Dispossessed many, grabbed their evil arsenals,

In weeks and months of fierce combats,

Compelling dozens of insurgents,

To forcefully transit their cursed souls into graves,

Gallant Soldiers reclaimed Nigerian territories,

Occupied by the ragtag Armies of the evil sect.

Caged Al Barnewi beckoned to his Iranian masters,

ISWAP arrived on menacingly,

On war chariots, with machine guns and bombs,

But suffered humiliating repression and defeat,

In Tens and thousands of numbers.

Fearful remnants of insurgents,

Reclined into the obscure fortified mazes,

Of the swampy Lake Chad Basin, gasping for breath,

Licking wounds of a mission unfulfilled and doomed.

Yesterday, a dove hovered on the skies,

Flapping its exciting wings in inviting radiance,

On Gwoza, Madagali, Pulka and Bama,

As “Shagaban Shoja,” Gen. Buratai,

Climbed atop the Limankara Hills,

In bold and blustery affront and assault on insurgents,

Signaling IDPs to repossess their liberated ancestral lands,

As Royal fathers walked in majestic royalty,

From palaces, to soldiers in the frontlines,

In hearty appreciation of gallant Nigerian troops.

Expectedly, scared residues of terrorists,

Recoiled and recoiled and recoiled,

At the sight of Buratai and troops,

On mountain Limankara,

Into the remotely innermost chambers of rugged Lake Chad,

A mission soldiers would have easily cracked,

With a final “kill,” and lightning speed, with handy Army helicopters.

But sadly, Army airspace approval is still,

Enmeshed and ensnared by boardroom politics;

Though, there is a season for everything;

Its time would certainly come soon!

We keep vigil on the pearly gates,

Awaiting this gracious day,’

Of soldiers’ final onslaught on terrorists,

In the land of the famous El Kanemis!

NDDC Investigation: Group threathens to expose fake contractors

A group on the platform of South-south Emerging Leaders Forum (SELF) has expressed support for the presidential directive that a forensic audit be carried out at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), adding that the recently inaugurated audit and document committee to verify projects and contracts awarded by the commission is a commendable step.

The group, however, threatened to exposed those it described as “enemies of the South-south region, who have siphoned monies meant for projects and development in the zone,” saying “all the former NDDC Managing Directors and fake contractors should be brought to book.”

The group commended Comrade Timi Frank for a recent media report credited to him on the need to rally support for the current leadership of NDDC under its acting Managing Director Dr Joi Nunieh, to achieve President Muhammadu Buhari’s objective of fixing the developmental decay in the region through the NDDC.

In a statement signed by its coordinator Barrister Preye Wilson, and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, the group, comprises of various professionals in their own right, said it “will move against all the political leaders in the region who are making efforts to frustrate the current leadership of the NDDC led by Dr Joi Nunieh, to achieve it mandate.”

While assuring that it will sensitize the youths, women and children on the need to expose corruption activities and corrupt elements that have held the NDDC hostage over the years, SELF threatened “to stage a protest against the National Assembly if the budget for the commission is not approved and released as soon as possible.”

It also called on the Senate President Ahmed Lawan to sound a note of warning to Senators from the zone not to use their offices in sabotaging the efforts of the current NDDC’s leadership as directed by President Buhari.

The group said: “We must commend President Muhammadu Buhari for the appointment of Dr Joi Nunieh, as the acting Managing Director of NDDC. We believe in her capacity to deliver and we strongly have the feeling that she will do justice to the assignment given to her. We only request that Mr. President should give the current leadership of NDDC all the necessary backing to sanitize the commission.

“We also call on the Niger Delta Minister Godswill Akpabio, to work hand in hand with Dr Joi Nunieh to achieve the mandate of the commission.

“On our party, it is high time we professionals and enlightened souls in the Niger Delta region stop sitting by the fence. We will henceforth speak out against malaise holding our region hostage and support those with good intention for the region.

“We have water in abundance but nothing to drink, we have resources to develop our region but we lack good roads, good hospitals while our qualified youths are without commensurable jobs.

“Agitations by our fore-fathers led to the establishment of the NDDC mainly to develop our region but some enemies of this region have turned the commission to a conduit pipe where money meant for the development of the region are being shared in the name of fake contracts.

“We have compiled the names of these individuals and groups (contractors), including some former MDs of the NDDC and we may make it public in due course if they fail to cooperate with the verification and audit committee led by Dr Cairo Ojougboh as Chairman and henceforth stay away from the commission,” the group stated.

It, however called on the committee to carry out the assignment without fair or favour, adding that the panel too will not be pardoned if it compromised.

The group also called on other civil society groups, human rights activists and vocal individuals to join “the cause of rescuing Niger Delta from the hands of it few enemies by stand up and speak up against the selfish interest of the few.”

Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Troops write PMB, assures of victory over Boko Haram

…..appreciates COAS, Buratai’s role in leading counter-insurgency war

In commemoration of the 2020 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, some troops in the frontlines has penned an emotional letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, assuring him of victory over the already decimated Boko Haram terrorists.

In the mail signed by Adamu Abubakar and Moses Adebanjo (Staff Sergeant and Master Sergeant respectively), the soldiers said they are motivated by the president’s “undisguised passion, zeal and honest commitment to liberate Nigeria from the manacles of Boko Haram insurgency and its latter-day variant of Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP)”.

The troops in the frontlines were full of praises for the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), describing him as the “conqueror of terrorists” for leading the counter-insurgency crusade by himself.

The constant visits of Gen. Buratai to troops especially at special festivities, according to the soldiers, “massages their ego and strengthens our resolve to coast home with victory against terrorists”.

The group added that the COAS has relentlessly ensured that terrorists in whatever guise have been correspondingly dissolved by forces of the Nigerian state.

Unlike in time past, the troops revealed that the Nigerian Army has been transformed into a responsible and responsive military force, with sparkling shadows of global best practices and adequately armed with modern warfare instruments.

The troops, however, prayed for sustained efforts and upward review of their welfare package in order to fight the insurgents more ferociously.

The gallant soldiers, therefore, assured the president and Nigerians that the end is in sight for the Islamic sect as more than ever, they committed to ending the war.

Read full letter below:

We thank God Almighty for His infinite mercies that have transited us into Year 2020 gracefully. We specially felicitate and wish our President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR an exciting and prosperous New Year.

Similarly, we identify with Mr. President on the unique occasion of the celebration of the Year 2020-Armed Forces Remembrance Day, which solemnity is embedded in the commemoration of our fallen heroes and heroines.

May the federation of Nigeria find peace and security for the ultimate price these gallant military personnel paid for our liberation; may their families find endless favours from Almighty God and may their souls be granted pardon and eternal rest.

Your Excellency, we are soldier of the Nigerian Army who have served our country for over 15 years and are currently at the frontlines in Nigeria’s Northeast. We were in the Army, when Boko Haram insurgency sprouted in 2009. And we have been actively involved in quenching the conflagrations of terrorists on Nigeria at different times and locations under various leaderships of the country till this moment.

But we are voicing out our feelings for the first time in this open letter. We dare say, we are motivated by your undisguised passion, zeal and honest commitment to liberate Nigeria from the manacles of Boko Haram insurgency and its latter-day variant of Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP).

We and millions of other Nigerians have observed over the years that you have provided purposeful and rewarding democratic leadership, not only to Nigerians; but has dispensed same to the Nigerian military, especially the Nigerian Army, which you anointed and mandated to terminate the reign of Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria. We accepted the assignment with pride.

Under your leadership as the Commander-In-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, insurgency has not sustained or developed its famed intractable horns or migrated from bad to worse. Your leadership has proved to Nigerians and the world that with the right political will and commitment, terrorism will be repressed and finally defeated in Nigeria.

Through our interactions with our colleagues on the frontlines, we are impressed by their unanimously confessed, and evidently positive testimonies of veneration, motivation and inspiration of our troops by Mr. President through the COAS and leader of the counter-insurgency operations, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai, whom we fete as the conqueror of terrorists.

We shall be repeating the obvious, which probably must have come to your notice earlier through public testimonies. But permit us to emphasize that Mr. President’s unprecedented commitment to the welfare of Military personnel, especially Nigerian troops in the trenches and the replication of same by the COAS; the fraternal and indiscriminate inclination of Gen. Buratai in constant communion with troops have been the most potent weapons and tonic of troops in the voracious conquest of Boko Haram insurgents and the ISWAP elements.

And bolstered by you, the Army Chief has relentlessly ensured that terrorists in whatever guise who tormented Nigerians and dragged us into the Hobbesian levels of agonies, mindless violence, gruesome deaths, abductions, displacements of whole populations and destructions in connivance with non-state actors have been correspondingly dissolved by forces of the Nigerian state. Full sanity is being restored in our nation.

Furthermore, Your Excellency, Sir, your worthy vision of transforming the Nigerian Army into a responsible and responsive military force, with sparkling shadows of global best practices have seen to reforms and innovations which have elevated the performance status and rating of the Army as its endearing legacies.

The continuous acquisition of modern warfare instruments for the Army and the development of Army’s human resources base in science and technology are certitudes of reactivation of the collapsed foundation for a perfect Army in the nearest future, which only clairvoyants can sight or discern.

Our plea is that these efforts should be sustained and troops can be better equipped, in order to fight the insurgents more ferociously. We plead that whatever the country can do to help the Army with the necessary technologies in the meantime and for future use, should be done to speedily railroad the end of counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria.

Consequently Sir, we seize this unique privilege of interaction with you on the occasion of the Year 2020 Armed Forces Day to implore you to combine your military experiences and the prevailing circumstances to critically examine and consider the proposal/request by the Nigerian Army for an independent Army Aviation Wing. It is festooned on the premise that it would fasten the final termination of Boko Haram/ISWAP in Nigeria.

We passionately plead and may it be your considered opinion that the FGN under your direction should not hesitate to withhold any arsenal necessary to end terrorism in Nigeria. We need Army’s operation of its air power, to eliminate lacunas or delays in counter-insurgency operations when the need arises.

Sir, it may please you to note that this kind of technology is also used by the Armies of Asian tiger countries, in battling similar national security threats like terrorism. Nigerian Army requires its independent drones and weapons in the trenches that can be deployed at night at short notice, effortlessly and effectively.

With your kind support and foresight, the COAS, Gen. Buratai has laid a solid foundation for the Army’s airwing. The establishment of the Nigerian Army Aviation School and the Nigerian Army University, Biu (NAUB) are the COAS’s foresighted answers to the question of manpower that may arise for an Army air unit.

Therefore, we are always excited anytime your message of encouragement reaches us on the battlefield through the COAS. It is for us, messages of strength and inspiration which have always spurred troops to go the extra-mile in this unique assignment.

We are glad to inform you that your kind disposition and affection for us have been emulated and applied by the COAS.

The constant visits of Gen. Buratai to troops especially at special festivities such as Sallah and yuletide seasons massages our ego and strengthens our resolve to coast home with victory against terrorists.

Each time, we sight the COAS in midst of troops, we feel quite confident and convinced that troops are strongly and effervescently remembered by the Commander-In-Chief of Nigeria. And this simple, but worthy gesture unconsciously drags us into a stimulation to want to do more for Nigeria.

Your Excellency Sir, may we at the behest of troops thank you for the assurance that troops welfare will be further reviewed upwards again in Year 2020 as a source of morale boosting. We are not oblivious of the other special packages you have unveiled for troops and their families which are of immense benefits to them back home and relieved much burdens for us in the frontlines.

Our children now attend best Army schools in virtually all barracks, which are refurbished or renovated and equipped to taste with leaning materials by your administration. Our posterity has accessed this quality education at virtually no cost on our incomes. The multiple economic empowerment initiatives for spouses of Army personnel is another breathtaking burden you have lifted off our shoulders. We thank you tremendously.

May we assure you and Nigerians that troops of the Nigerian Army are in a hurry to return home from the warfront, but have vowed that until the terrorism war is totally won. We are confident to present the golden medal of defeat of Boko Haram insurgents and ISWAP elements to you in the nearest future.

My Commander-In-Chief, I have known you to be a listening leader for decades, right from your days as the Military Administrator of the defunct North Eastern State.

And by your open mindedness, there is no doubt that you will listen to everyone in the frontlines who has a message or suggestion to make to improve the Army. It is because you have remained an indisputable key component in the struggle for the liberation of Nigeria from terrorism, insurgencies and insurrections, as we are merely your foot soldiers.

We assure you by the prophetic voice of our colleagues that like others before us, we have chosen the patriotic duty to serve our country even at the cost of our lives. And so, in spite of our collective follies, artificial setbacks and difficulties, we are not undeterred and resolute to present to you the trophy of conquest of enemies of Nigeria.

Finally, Sir, we wish you a happy Armed Forces Day celebration; ditto for the esteemed members of the Nigerian Armed Forces; their families and the good people of Nigeria.

Wike and the integrity question

By Kenneth Esele

Perforated wisdom is man’s greatest foe right medieval times. In Nigeria, dearth of personal scruples and the commensurate eclipse of moral etiquettes have cast many into damning hell with selves. Most leaders in Nigeria today, only define virtues and values from their narrowed prisms of what is beneficial no matter how weird or even thrusted to them by the devil.

Nigerians have had to bear this burden for ages. And the trend seems to be worsening each passing day. It is reason for the commonplace and boldface reeling of lies, falsehoods and concocted “truths” even in sacred places. The proclivity to freely churn out unconscionable lies by supposed leaders is persuasively heartbroken. It is worse with some politicians or the clan of leaders bestriding the land today.

Even in church, the unrestrained proclivity to deceit, lies and mindless hoot of empty pride and integrity haunts some leaders like the putrefying smell of rotten meat. Only in Nigeria, do some clergymen and prophets fake miracles and feign spiritual powers they do not possess.

Some Nigerian politicians have “strong rooms, or shrines” which house earthly deities in the fortress of Government Houses they retreat in supplication every day before retirement to bed. But in public glare, they grasshop from one church to another in pious haughtiness and artificialized portrait of saints. But to the clairvoyants, of course, they are saints and apostle of darkness. It reflects in their thoughts, words and actions.

In this clime, it’s extremely difficult to find leaders who accurately fit into the description of upright, selfless, conscionable, honest and truthful men and women with proven emblems of integrity. That they are scarce does not presuppose their total absence. But the subsisting and insurmountable problem is that such personalities of honour and integrity are very few in this clime.

And certainly, Rivers state Gov. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike is the least option in this illumination of integrity. His records of political and public life in his home state of Rivers reeks with resentful odour and filth, the type that trails the credentials of ex-convicts. In Kenya, the great people of Masai have a proverb which says; “The night has ears.” But Wike is oblivious of this reality.

But before smuggling himself into national political limelight under the Jonathan Presidency, Gov. Wike had the reputation of a dreary and scary kingpin of armed political thug for various political masters in his home state. It was his license to prominence and ascension to leadership.

Its inexplicable, but some Nigerians believe in adorning persons with crooked backgrounds. It is Gov. Wike’s incontrovertible badge in public. He could be a saint in shrines before his earthly gods, but a valiant and an evil one in public estimation.

It was therefore, baffling where Gov. Wike got the moral strength and a conscience which bespeaks of integrity to the extent of scolding the institution of the Nigerian Military and directly, the venerated Nigerian Army in such profane diction in a church, directly or vicariously guilty, with blood stained hands.

The Ambede people of theDemocratic Republic of the Congo warned in an adage that “If you carry the egg basket do not dance.” Apparently, Gov. Wike has ignored this wisdom. So consistently, the Governor haughtily brandishes his piteously deprived integrity.

Gov. Wike mouthed on Sunday, January 12, 2019 at the Inter-denominational Church Service to mark Year 2020 this Armed Forces Day Celebration at the Saint Peter’s Anglican Church, Rumuepirikom, Port Harcourt that “It is unfortunate that the military has lost its integrity because of some unprofessional personnel. Nobody is afraid of the military because of their unprofessional conduct. Those who come to rig election or kill Rivers people, Heaven will never remember them.”

Incredible! Assuming Nigeria is not a country of polluted values, characters like Gov. Wike have no business near the corridors of power. Now for the same man to unconscionably poohpooh the professionalism and integrity of uniformed men and the Army or its leadership smacks of the proverbial pot calling the kettle black.

While delving into detailed antecedents of Gov. Wike’s pathetic past is wasteful and needless, a rewind of one or two incidents would really hint of the concealed persona in Gov. Wike. In 2015, during Wike’s permutations to grab power, he allegedly sponsored silent elimination of opponents in the state. Gov. Wike violently hijacked the 2014 PDP governorship primary in River state and crowned himself the party’s flagbearer for the 2015 guber polls.

This undemocratic act generated multi-layered controversies and crisis in the state. The then sitting President Goodluck Jonathan summoned a meeting with all the 15 rival aspirants’ to Wike, party stakeholders and chieftains at Lagacy House, Abuja, the headquarters of his 2015 Campaign Organization. Gov. Wike stunned Abuja residents when he stormed the venue of the meeting with armed thugs before the arrival of Dr. Jonathan. The seated guests were mercilessly tortured and scattered.

Wike’s struggle to grab power at all cost in 2015, orchestrated the violence and killings in 11 out of the 23 LGAs in the state. At least 19 persons were killed in Rivers state as revealed by the Prof. Chidi Odinkalu-led Rivers Commission of Inquiry set up by the then outgoing Governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi.

The report ranked Rivers topmost in electoral violence and killings. The same scenario played out during the National and State Assembly rerun elections in the state, with Gov. Wike now as substantive Governor. And exasperated Odinkalu remarked, “It also shows how and why Rivers State and Nigeria must end impunity for political violence.” It was a tacit reference to Wike’s barbaric actions.

The Commission of Inquiry probed a total of 275 different violations centered on killings, injuries to persons, arsons and destructions. And from the suspected 236 alleged perpetrators identified in the course of testimonies, 120 named perpetrators were Gov. Wike’s staunch political thugs/supporters.

The same scenario repeated during the 2019 general elections in Rivers state, where Gov. Wike was desperately seeking for reelection. A short dossier of that elections indicated that a soldier and five other persons were killed; several others injured in the instigated violence that trailed the Presidential and National Assembly elections at Abonnema, headquarters of Akuku Toru LGA of Rivers state.

A chieftain of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Chairman of Andoni LGA , Chief Mowan Etete, was killed alongside his elder brother and cousin in Asarama by suspected thugs of Gov. Wike; just as APC’s state Publicity Secretary, also Chris Finebone disclosed the cold blooded murder of the party’s ex-officio, Ignatius who was shot dead at Ajakaja Andoni by suspected thugs.

These are some of the many odd deals Gov. So, the Army or the APC could have masterminded the murder of their members? Wike and his supporters used every violent arsenal to either compromise or thwart the 2019 electoral process in the state. Security agents arrested top officials of Wike’s government and loyalists in possession of illegal and sensitive INEC electoral materials, as they were ferrying to secret places for massive thumbprinting.

That Gov. Wike’s mandate both in 2015 and 2019 have been confirmed by the courts based on Nigeria’s defective laws and justice system does not vitiate the fact that Gov. Wike is a serial election rigger or fraudster, who is savouring a mandate soaked in blood of the innocent. Where such a leader got the impetus to shout or feign integrity is the greatest tragedy of the democratic cum leadership experience in Nigeria.

Everyone is imagining what persuasions’ compelled Gov. Wike to mouth integrity crafted to mock the Nigerian Army. When did the word lose its genuine meaning to levels where dishonorable leaders like Gov. Wike plays basketful ball in its court? That’s why an African proverb says, “Birds sing not because they have answers but because they have songs.” Wike’s grandstanding is rooted in this African crack wisdom.

Like the Gambians say, “If your only tool is a hammer, you will see every problem as a nail.” Gov. Wike’s main problem in life is barren integrity and he feels every other person or institution suffers from his deformed morality and disfigured conscience.

What else does anybody expects from Wike who is perpetually at war with himself; at war with antigraft agencies and physically fights security agents, including the DSS? His deviation into the recent attack on the reputation of the Nigerian Army is a belated effort to salvage his battered image. It has failed and would continue to fail, unless he embarks on genuine self- reformation and internal cleansing.

And it is not something achieved by trick or such childish antics. The Ethiopians say, “You cannot build a house for last year’s summer,” and it will take Gov. Wike’s genuine efforts to erase his polluted past.

Cheryl Hugheswarns that “The truly scary thing about undiscovered lies is that they have a greater capacity to diminish us than exposed ones. They erode our strength, our self-esteem, our very foundation.” Sadly, Gov. Wike has found himself on such limiting humiliations in spite of his rise to leadership because his lies and hypocrisy are exposed. It’s an understandable nightmare for him of some sort!

But the Nigerian Army is consoled by the words of American novelist Frederick Douglass who said, “I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence.” The Nigerian Army prefers to be true to itself, uphold its stainless integrity because like Stephen Covey; “Moral authority comes from following universal and timeless principles like honesty, integrity, treating people with respect.”

If Gov. Wike’s antagonism to these virtues is what he terms integrity, then the Nigerian Army should stay miles away from Wike’s brand of integrity. It only exists in Wike’s thinking faculties and vocabulary.

Esele is a public affairs commentator and wrote this piece from Badagry, Lagos.

Imo: APC governors welcome Uzodinma, laud Supreme Court ruling

Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the platform Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) has welcomed the Imo state governor-elect, Hope Uzordinma, into their fold, assuring their full support for his administration.

In a statement signed Wednesday in Abuja by the chairman of the forum and the Kebbi state governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the governors affirmed their “commitment to work in synergy with all our APC controlled states and the federal government guided by our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, to strengthen the capacities of our progressive states to create jobs, stimulate economic activity, reduce inequality and diminish poverty in Nigeria.”

The governors while rejoicing with President Muhammadu Bunari, the party and the leaders of the APC, said: “We welcome you to the fold of Progressive Governors as you take over the mantle of leadership in Imo state.

“We congratulates His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma on his victory at the Supreme Court, which affirmed his victory in the March 9, 2019 Governorship election in Imo state.

“We rejoice with you and the people of Imo state, and all lovers of democracy and justice in Nigeria in this rightly deserved victory that restored your stolen mandate.

“We in particular wish to commend your doggedness, resilience, commitment to the rule of law and abiding faith in the judiciary that culminated into this ultimate victory. It is victory at last for us all.”

Boko Haram/ISWAP attacks: CALSER mourns Nigerien troops, insists on UN sanctions against France, others

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights (CALSER) has grieved with the government and people of Niger Republic over the death of its troops, calling for sanctions against France and other alleged sponsors of terrorism in Africa.

The group made this known at a candlelight procession held at the Unity Fountain, Abuja, on Tuesday night in honour of the slain Nigerien soldiers.

The Niger government declared a three-day of national mourning after 89 soldiers were killed in an attack on a military base on Thursday.

Heavily armed militants invaded an army outpost in Chinagodrar in the country’s west, near the border of Mali, prompting the country’s president Mahamadou Issoufou to axe its Army Chief.

In a sober march, CALSER mourned with the Francophone nation and further raised the alarm about foreign entities backing Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists on the continent.

CALSER’s convener Princess Ajibola, in her statement, blamed the United Nations for seemingly not doing enough to stop the subversive activities of countries that are sponsoring terrorists to destabilize Nigeria and the rest of Africa.

Ajobola singled out France, which routinely have been fingered to be behind terrorism in Africa, especially owing to the Lake Chad resources.

The group, therefore, called on the European nation and others “ eager to drown West Africa in blood to heed lest they take the larger ember of the fire they are stoking to their bosom”.

The group of Nigerians further besieged on the United Nations “ to remove their heads from the sand and stop playing the proverbial ostrich”.

In a situation where the UN doesn’t take any action, CALSER advised authorities in Niger to bring the harshest repercussions yet upon the terrorists.

Read full statement below:

Lovers of humanity,
Permit us to begin this address by inviting us all to join in the observance of a moment of silence for the troops of Niger Republic who died in an operation against terrorists and over 100 persons from an attack on humanity. As we observe this moment of silence, let us also have in our thoughts the fallen heroes on our side of the border, Nigeria. Not to be left out are the innocent people that these depraved terrorists have targeted each time they are faced with the reality that the military of sovereign states shall always triumph over terrorists.

May God grant eternal rest to the departed gallant ones and give their relations the fortitude to bear the loss. As we stand with the people of Niger Republic as that nation marks a 3-day national mourning, let us be united in one prayers that evil no matter how long it takes can never overcome light.

The Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) may think they have done their worst through the attack on the troops leading to such casualty on the government side, but one is reassured that the soldiers inflicted an equally high casualty on the terrorists by killing 77 of them. All the lovers of humanity, those who abhor human suffering and the diminishing of the value of human live through acts of terrorism, see the attack as the continuation of the culture of cowardice for which the terrorists are well known. It is the strongest confirmation yet that the terrorists and their sponsors are scared stiff of the multinational alliance that has placed their ranks in disarray.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights (CALSER) sees the attack as the latest proof yet that there are foreign entities that have continued to support Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists with not just logistics, medications, food and weapons but have increased their support to make the straggling remnants of the terrorists to be needlessly deadly. We fear that the foreign interests have now added training and supply of intelligence to the terrorists, which led these troops having to pay the supreme price.

For this we place the blame squarely on the United Nations for not doing enough to stop the subversive activities of countries that are sponsoring terrorists to destabilize Nigeria and the rest of Africa even now that they have lost control of the demons they created, which has resulted in countries other than Nigeria being attacked on such a massive scale. We call on the decision makers in the United Nations to remove their heads from the sand and stop playing the proverbial ostrich. The problem that geo-strategic interests of certain countries have created in the Lake Chad Basin has grown from being Nigeria’s headache to be a West African regional nightmare. It is a matter of time before it becomes the death knell of the world and humanity in general if the United Nations continues to be a slave to the political correctness that has prevented it from intervening being decisive in coordinating world action against terrorism in the region.

We call on those that are eager to drown West Africa in blood to heed lest they take the larger ember of the fire they are stoking to their bosom. Of particular note is France whose activities in the Lake Chad Basin have been geared towards ensuring ascendancy for the terrorists. That country has persistently been linked to the terrorists’ weapon acquisition and other material support that they enjoy. There have been instances where France has passed funds to the terrorists under the guise of paying ransom for its abducted nationals in clear violation of the position of respectable nations that do not negotiate with terrorists.

France sees nothing wrong with terrorist financing neither does it have qualms about the logistics it provided being used to kill the troops of a sovereign nation that happens to be its former colony.

In the face of the deliberate arms wringing and purposeful inaction on the part of the United Nations, we urge the authorities in Niger to bring the harshest repercussions yet upon the terrorists. They should be taught the lesson they have refused to learn that their being sociopath does not in any way lessen the value of the life of humans particularly those that have volunteered themselves in the service of their nation.

They should be dealt with in a way that they will refuse to lend themselves as merchant of death for immoral foreign interests.

The Republic of Niger should have also learnt it lessons now that allowing the terrorists to find safe haven in its territory after successive attacks on Nigeria is both a threat and danger to not only Nigeriens but the rest of Africa. The Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists are akin to wild animal, at best feral species, that cannot be treated as domestic breeds. The death they dealt to others must now be visited on them with an intensity that will reassure the civilian population that they will be safe from the terrorists. Also, the gallant troops that died should not be allowed to have died in vain.

CALSER appeals to the Nigerian Military to prepare a befitting reception for the terrorists that will soon be attempting to escape the consequences of their indiscretion in killing the Nigerien troops. Any terrorist attempting to escape from Niger should be made to realize the mistake of their way as such murderers should arrive into hails of bullets. We must not allow them to have one hour of rest before being dispatched to the great beyond to answer for the sins they have committed against humanity.

Group cautions Gov Wike over attempt to demonize the Nigerian Army

Following scathing remarks in the build up to the 2020 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, the Niger- Delta Change Ambassadors Forum (NDCAF) has warned Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State to desist from any further attempt to demonise the Nigerian Army.

The South-South based group gave this reprimand at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday to address what it described as “the unholy dance on the grave of Nigerian fallen heroes by Governor Wike”.

During a church service on Sunday to mark this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day, the governor downplayed the contributions of the gallant troops, especially at the last polls.

However, the Niger-Delta Change Ambassadors advised public office holders such as the Governor Wike, to desist from statements that are capable of causing disaffection in the polity.

In a statement signed by President, Comrade Asamowei Ebiakpo, the group believes Wike’s comment is a attempt to cause an unholy distraction in the fight against terrorism and other militant groups in Nigeria.

According to them, the governor is still pained by the Army’s resolute stance and timely intervention at the last general elections in Rivers state, without which the state would have erupted in violence.

The Niger- Delta Change Ambassadors Forum, therefore, advised Mr Wike to show respect for apolitical institutions such as the Nigerian Army, whose constitutional mandate requires that the territorial integrity of the country is preserved at all times.

The group added that the timing of his utterances is an indication that Mr Wike is ungrateful for the sacrifices of the gallant troops and he is indeed dancing on the graves of Nigeria’s fallen heroes .

Read full statement below:

I welcome you all to this important gathering that was occasioned by the remark by the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, labeling the Nigerian Army as an organization without integrity.

This press conference is necessary to put issues in proper perspective and to advise public office holders such as the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, to desist from statements that are capable of causing disaffection in the polity.

The Niger-Delta Change Ambassadors Forum is alarmed that a governor of a state that is meant to rise above board in national issues, has decided to condescend to an unenviable height in an attempt to score cheap political points.

We wish to state that Governor Nyesom Wike’s statement on the Nigerian Army lacking integrity is not just of poor taste, but also an attempt to cause an unholy distraction in the fight against terrorism and other militant groups in Nigeria.

Governor Nyesom Wike must admit that his major grouse with the Nigerian Army is its resolute stance and timely intervention in the 2019 general elections in Rivers state, without which the state would have erupted in violence due to the planned activities of his political thugs that were mobilized to wreak havoc on innocent and unarmed citizens in the state.

This undeniable fact is mainly responsible for the bulk of the uncomplimentary remarks on the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army during and after the general elections of 2019 by Governor Nyesom Wike.

The Niger Delta Change Ambassadors Forum wishes to state that while it is within the constitutional provisions of the Governor to comment on national issues, it is also sacrosanct that he realizes that he ought to be guided by decorum, first as a citizen of Nigerian that is bounded by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and secondly as the Governor of a State in Nigeria.

A situation where caution is thrown into the wind is unacceptable and calls for concern from all well-meaning Nigerians that are desirous of the continued growth and development of the country.

Governor Nyesom Wike must at all times show respect for apolitical institutions such as the Nigerian Army, whose constitutional mandate requires that the territorial integrity of Nigeria is preserved at all times.

Governor Nyesom Wike must be reminded that he is also bonded by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to be circumspect in his public conduct at all times and all situations in the overall interest of the country.

To choose such an auspicious occasion as the Armed Forces Remembrance Day to vent his frustrations and his ill manners is a display of Governor Nyesom Wike’s ingratitude to the sacrifices of our fallen heroes who gave their lives for the unity of our great country.

We wish to state that this is indeed an exhibition of the deep hatred that Governor Nyesom Wike has had for the Nigerian Army from time immemorial due to his aggressive and despicable brand of politics.

The Niger Delta Change Ambassadors Forum is tempted to state that the numerous atrocities of Governor Nyesom Wike might be the driving force behind its irrationality in his public conduct in recent times. Most probably, the blood of innocent Rivers people that he sacrificed in the actualization of his political ambition is haunting him and would continue to haunt him until he desists from such despicable behaviors.

The Niger Delta Change Ambassadors Forum wishes to state that Governor Nyesom Wike’s statement against the Nigerian Army is indeed dancing on the graves of Nigeria’s fallen heroes.

We wish to, at this point, encourage members of the general public to always view with a pinch of salt statements emanating from Governor Nyesom Wike and his cronies for lacking in merit and still not in the national interest, but selfish interest.

Fish out fake NDDC contractors, Frank tasks audit panel

A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Timi Frank, has commended efforts by the current leadership of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to audit and document projects and contracts awarded by the commission.

Frank said in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, that there is need for all true sons and daughters of the region to fully support such move because it is about the development of their long suffering region.

Reacting to the inauguration of a 50-member committee by the commission in the Niger Delta states to verify all claims by so called contractors, the outspoken activist said he “will mobilise all lovers of development in the region to support the exercise, name those who are causing Niger Deltans pain and depriving them of the expected development for so long.

“For the development of my region, we will no longer keep quite. People must do the right thing, if you know you don’t have any business with NDDC, please stay away and don’t turn the commission to a conduit pipe where money meant for the development of the region are being shared,” Frank said

While expressing support for the current leadership of the NDDC led by Dr Joi Nunieh, the Bayelsa born activist urged the Minister of the Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio, to ensure that the directive for the forensic audit is carry out to the later.

“The ordinary people of this region can not continue to suffer, living without portable water to drink, lack of good roads, many qualified youths are without commensurable jobs while the region’s resources are being used to develop other regions. It is high time we name and shame those who are holding us down in the Niger Delta.

“I know the current Managing Director of NDDC means well. She has the capacity to do the right thing but I also urge her to carry out her assignment without fear or favour,” Timi Frank stated.

The former APC chieftain called on leaders and elders of the region, the civil society groups and individuals to rise up and buy into the efforts to sanitize “massive corruption that has held the commission down for so long and liberate the region from the shackles of underdevelopment.”

He also called on the committee led by Dr Cairo Ojougboh as Chairman, Dr Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua Deputy Chairman and Mrs Iyingi Numbere as Secretary not to compromise the assignment, adding that all eyes will be on them.

“The Cairo Ojougboh committee must be fair, just and shun partisanship. Niger Deltan leaders and youths will note this particular exercise as part of history, therefore the committee must do the right thing.

“I also call on the Niger Delta Minister, Goodswill Akpabio to use his uncommon skills to work hand in hand with the leadership of NDDC under its current Managing Director, Dr Joi Nunieh, to achieve the purpose for which the commission was established.

“I call on the serving Governors of the region and the National Assembly members, especially the Senators to drop their personal interest and ego, bearing in mind the long suffering of our people. Instead of waging unnecessary war that will further deprive the region more development, I urge them to cooperate with the leadership of the NDDC for the exercise to be a success,” Frank stated.

Armed Forces Remembrance: Group defends Army alleges Wike would have spilled more blood

The Good Governance Advocacy Centre (GGAC) has suggested that there would have been massive blood bath in Rivers State during the last elections if not for the presence of the military.

The group believes Governor Nyesom Wike would have had a filled day and spilled more blood had the gallant troops not been on ground in the oil-rich state.

GGAC made this assertion at a press conference on Monday in Abuja in reaction to the governor’s utterances ahead of this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

Mr Wike, at a church service on Sunday, accused the military of “unprofessional” conduct during the last polls and proceeded to urge Nigerians not to throng out to celebrate the 2020 Armed Forces Day.

However in a statement signed by convener, Comrade John Odusote, the Good Governance Advocacy Centre rubbished the governor who they claim hired political thugs to rig the ballot, leading to bloodshed.

According to Mr Odusote, more blood would have been spilled if not for the brave and uncompromising Nigerian Army personnel on ground during the exercise.

The fact that Mr Wike made such utterances in a church, the group believes, is an indication that he is troubled by the innocent souls he destroyed or wasted to acquire political power.

The GGAC, therefore, described his call on Nigerians to snub the sacrifices of “noble and selfless men and women as well as the fallen heroes and heroines of the Nigerian Military” as “ absolutely hollow and meaningless noise”.

Read full statement below:

Compliments of the season, as the Good Governance Advocacy Centre (GGAC) a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) and active crusaders for public progress and good governance in Nigeria. We also wish you a blissful year freed from the sickening entanglements of the preceding years.

GGAC has observed that Nigerians have kicked-started the week-long activities for the 2020-Armed Forces Remembrance Day throughout the federation since last week with Friday Prayers in mosques and inter-denominational church services. The activities would round-up this week, with the customary laying of writ on the tomb of the unknown soldier, a proud and reflectively solemn national event in all ramifications.

However, in a deliberate, premeditated, absurd actions and incoherently reckless utterances, Rivers state Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike in his characteristic manner of farcical grandstanding, erraticism and empty ego attempted to discolour the shine and reverence of this patriotic and solemn national culture of commemorating our fallen heroes and heroines and also, celebrating those still in active service in protecting and defending the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our dear country, Nigeria.

We viewed with angst and dismay, a speech last Sunday, January 12, 2019 during an Inter-denominational Church Service to mark this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration at the Saint Peter’s Anglican Church, Rumuepirikom, Port Harcourt, which went viral on both traditional media and social media platforms, credited to Gov. Wike, in which the Governor ignored his shameful moral baggage and undemocratic conduct by unconscionably questioning the professionalism of uniformed men and by extension, members of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

After profusely acknowledging the Nigerian Military in curbing the threatening armed criminal activities of kidnappers, cultists, insurgents and armed robbers in the country generally, Gov. Wike in his usual senseless arrogance proceeded to urge Nigerians not to throng out to celebrate the 2020 Armed Forces Day, alleging involvement of the military in electoral heist in the 2019 general elections.

We wish to state unequivocally that no Nigerian Governor or leader anywhere has indulged in such bizarre conduct and utterances like Gov. Wike consistently demonstrates in his contorted piousness and deceptions of some gullible Nigerians.

Gov. Wike so shamelessly mouthed on the internationally revered Nigerian Military that; “It is unfortunate that the military has lost its integrity because of some unprofessional personnel. Nobody is afraid of the military because of their unprofessional conduct. Those who come to rig election or kill Rivers people, Heaven will never remember them.”

There is no modicum of doubt that Gov. Wike is sustainably haunted by the innocent blood of his kit and kin he massively murdered in cold blood to ascend the leadership of the state in 2015, beginning with his party- the PDP’s primary elections to the actual governorship ballot. And the records are clear and in public domain for all Nigerians to verify.

We are aghast with Gov. Wike’s recent outbursts concerning the 2019 general elections in River state, wherein he accused the Nigerian Military of complicity in rigging the ballot. But the reverse is the case. It is a known and indisputable fact that Gov. Wike drafted top appointees of his Government including commissioners and hired political thugs to rig the ballot for him and the PDP.

Wike and his goons would have spilled more blood had the Nigerian Army personnel on Election Duty shirked from their responsibility of protecting the electoral process and the sanctity of the ballot box. And indeed, that was the experience, anywhere his hired merchants of death through election rigging escaped the eagle eyes of security agents. They killed massively.

GGAC emphasizes that it was the Nigerian Army which actively frustrated the multi-layered plots of Gov. Wike and his armed brigades with their vigilance in River state. Each time there is an election in Rivers state, Wike persistently turns the state into a theatre of war, blood and sorrows. It has earned the state the unenviable epaulet of “Rivers of Blood,” by the Nigerian media.

With the latest utterances’, it’s clear that Gov. Wike is not only haunted by the blood of the innocent, but tormented by spirits of his slain brothers and sisters in the state, which he viciously gunned down in the demonic quest to grab state power at all cost.

Perhaps, Gov. Wike is demented to a fault; if not outright and calculative executive mischief. Or else, we wonder how Gov. Wike would have forgotten so soon the incidents during the 2019 general elections. The Governor personally or through his close aides made covert and public attempts to bribe and influence soldiers on Election Duty, which the apolitical, neutral, unbiased and professional officers rejected severally?

Could Gov. Wike in truth tell or deny to Nigerians that in the days preceding the February 23, 2019, Presidential and National Assembly elections and even on the day of elections, his henchmen were not arrested in different parts of Rivers state in possession of unapproved electoral materials?

Can Wike hold his head in high esteem as a leader and refute the standing fact that troops deployed to safeguard INEC sensitive materials at CBN branch Port Harcourt, on election eve and that these covert operators did not attempt to bribe and induce the soldiers?

Were his hatchet men, comprising Major A.P. Ubah and some policers namely, DSP Oyoku Ifelle (Camp Commandant, Rivers State Government House), Sergeant Akanu Garba , Inspector Hyacinth Oboi and Sergeant Nketan Chucks, not arrested by a team of the Nigerian Army, 6 Division Headquarters over attempts by Gov. Wike’s proxies and cronies to bribe them to release sensitive electoral materials to electoral undertakers?

After investigations, the suspects who approached the soldiers on duty in a Range Rover belonging to the DSP, ostensibly led by the Camp Commandant Rivers State Government House, the suspects had various incriminating items in their possession such as the sum of N2.25million; INEC 2019 electoral tags and customized Rivers State Government House brown envelopes. And the sum of N500,000 (five hundred thousand) was also found in the Toyota vehicle of Major A.P. Ubah and just like, the multiple other confessions aligned to the actions of a coordinated syndicate assigned to rig the elections?

Furthermore, and in good conscience, Can Gov. Wike disclaim that on Saturday, February, 23rd 2019, a member of Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Opokri Wanaka, in company of Dr. Reason Onya Williams, Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development paid unscheduled visit to troops camp at Akinima and sought to see the Commander of the troops at the location? And and upon meeting him, offered the officer some amount of money, but it was rejected? What was the experience of the troops at Mbiama Bridge, when a white Hilux vehicle with Rivers State Government Reg No. L02-03 RV RIVERS and eight occupants was halted for a search?

The soldiers discovered to their consternation a carton and two bundles of INEC 2019 presidential election ballot papers in the vehicle. Later investigations disclosed that none of the six occupants were neither INEC permanent nor adhoc staff or even security agents. What does Gov. Wike want Nigerians to believe? Is it that State Assembly member, Hon. Okpokri Wanaka, his commissioner, Dr. Onya Williams, Gov.Wike and others were both organizers and participants in the elections?

When has it become lawful for serving state governors to usurp the functions of INEC to deploy staff in an election as demonstrated by Gov. Wike severally? Why was it expedient for Wike to put a call to the officer who arrested Okpokri and his team of election riggers?

But in his usual bullying style and grandstanding on his senseless and defence of dubious actions, Gov. Wike was miffed and barked, claiming, it was wrong for security agents to parade state government officials who were on election duty. By implication, it confirmed the grandeur rigging Wike and his team unleashed on the 2019 general elections in the state. Why was Wike’s commissioner found in possession of electoral materials? The later denials were belated attempts to save his face, which had already been rubbed with mud and his integrity impugned.

Angrily, he claimed, “The army cannot be a judge in their matter. You cannot parade officials on legal electoral duties. You cannot change the narrative. They have violated all known laws.” But the question is that were the Wike’s arrested aides’ part of INEC staff in an election they assigned themselves the unlawful job of secretly ferrying materials to some destinations without INEC staff or approval? This is the reasoning of a power-drunk and someone who rode to power with a known reputation of a political thug, who believes everything must work in his favour by hook or crook.

The unholy invasion of the electoral process in 2019 by Gov. Wike, evident in incidents of bribes and violence to influence the outcome, spared no one. Nigerians can testify how a group by the identity, “UK Matters Most,” led by the convener, Mr. James Moore, stormed #10 Downing Street, Buckingham Palace as well as the Westminster Parliament all in London, in protests demanding that the Prime Minister must initiate action over allegations that Gov. Wike bribed British consular officials.

The group accused Gov. Wike of bribing consulate staff in British High Commission office, Abuja concerned with election duty with the sum of $1 million to prepare, twist and stamp a false and misleading information on conduct of the polls in Rivers state. Gov. Wike may wish, but cannot erase these glaring evidences of complicity in destroying the sanity of the electoral process in Nigeria.

Nigerians must know that Gov. Wike is a dangerous character and his pursuit of power at all cost is strewn with satanic machinations perpetually. So, blood and arsons or whoever it affects does not prick Wike’s conscience, insofar as the end justifies the means, the Machiavellian style.

A Governor with such rotten records of electoral heist, killings and bloodletting in his quest for power cannot under normal circumstances, be bold enough to attempt to ridicule an institution like the Nigerian military; particularly, the Nigerian Army and its leadership of corrupting an electoral process. Rather the military, saved and rescued the system from the devilish machinations and destructions’ of power broods like Gov. Wike and his cahoots.

Therefore, the public proclamation of Gov. Wike during the 2020-Armed Forces Day in a Port Harcourt church and on sacred altars of God Almighty is indication that the Governor is troubled by the innocent souls he destroyed or wasted to acquire political power in the presence of God Himself. It is sacrilegious enough.

And calling on Nigerians not to celebrate these noble and selfless men and women as well as the fallen heroes and heroines of the Nigerian Military is absolutely hollow and meaningless noise. We know, Nigerians have consigned to the trashcan. Nigeria’s democracy must be saved from sinister political hawks and power monks like Gov. Wike.

It unfortunate that Gov. Wike doesn’t even know when it is time to play politics and a time for governance. As a man enjoying a repeated stolen mandate gotten with the blood of Rivers people, he should savour the crooked victory quietly rather than playing the ostrich.

The only way Gov. Wike can assuage the pains of Rivers people is to concentrate on delivering good governance to the people. But the resort to hurling meaningless and useless darts, in the hope of defraying the spirits of innocent souls haunting him is no panacea to it. It only demonstrates that the relentless spirits of Wike’s victims are driving him to an irrecoverable madness.

Gov. Wike may wish to retreat into his shell and ponder deeply; genuinely atone for his sins and beg forgiveness from the people for his violent crimes against his own people before the day of reckoning hits him hard. Its pointless seeking sensational escape by blaming the Nigerian Military through such reckless utterances. Clinging to his current disposition now is one sure step to his final perdition.

Thank you all for your audience.

Integrity according to Wike’s dictionary

By David Onmeje

Wonders shall indeed never end in Nigeria. We are in a clime where careless statements are issued without minding the consequences of such statements on the psychological and physical state of the people. In this case, a situation where a governor of a state is as careless as the average meat seller in the market speaks volumes of the calibre of persons that occupy public offices in Nigeria.

As a start, I do not think Governor Nyesom Wike is eminently qualified to speak on issues surrounding integrity. I say this because history is replete with acts of his that are unheard of in terms of morality, respect for human dignity, respect for the rule of law, respect for the people, and as well as respect for the constituted authorities in the country. For Nyesom Wike, it has been a life of absolute disregard for societal norms and values.

The recent statement credited to Nyesom Wike stating that the Nigerian Army has lost its integrity is, in my opinion made in poor taste and meant for mischief purposes. Unsurprisingly, I could not come to terms with his posturing given the fact that the occasion where he made those scathing remarks was at a church service marking the 2020 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration.

His utterances were definitely not in line with the aim of the day, and I can bet that the presiding pastors would have felt ashamed that the governor had turned their auditorium into a campaign arena to get back at those whom he perceives as political opponents. And for strange reasons, the Nigerian Army is one of those Governor Nyesom Wike has chosen to disparage for inexplicable reasons.

I must add that if all governors in Nigeria carry on like the governor of Rivers state, then Nigeria can be conveniently labeled a banana republic because he represents all that should not be in governance. My curiosity with Wike’s bias against the Nigerian Army took me to the conduct of the 2019 gubernatorial elections in River state where he roundly and unintelligently accused the then General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Rivers of all sorts of crime just because the GOC refused his bidding during the elections.

This much was discovered when the GOC went public to state that indeed Governor Nyesom Wike made overtures to him in an attempt to compromise the integrity of the electoral process. Having failed in this regard, a heavily funded slander campaign was launched against the Nigerian Army in a puerile attempt at painting the organization as lacking in integrity, while in truth, the one lacking in integrity is the governor who is known as a serial election fraudster from his days as the chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Areas of Rivers State.

I must add that I am still at a loss as to why Governor Nyesom Wike is so bent on dragging the reputation of the Nigerian Army in the mud. It would have made some sense if the accuser in question is a man of integrity himself. But a situation where the word integrity has no meaning in his dictionary leaves more to be imagined. For governor Wike, life is war. He is at war with virtually everything, including the way he speaks, as evident in his recent diatribe against the Nigerian Army.

I am tempted to state that Governor Nyesom Wike might be experiencing some form of internal disorders that is known to just a few people around him, hence his erratic behaviors. Little wonder why he is at war with himself? Little wonder why he is at war with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), little wonder why his approach to issues is laced with erratic misadventures.

Let me state this in unequivocal terms that this recent attempt by Governor Nyesom Wike at painting the Nigerian Army in bad light is yet, another failed attempt in his book of catastrophe, where the Nigerian Army occupies virtually all the chapters for refusing to do his bidding in compromising the integrity of the general elections in Rivers state.

Just maybe to Governor Nyesom Wike, integrity is about saying what is untrue in order to mislead the members of the unsuspecting general public. Integrity is also when morals are sacrificed at the altar of selfish and personal aggrandizement. Integrity is when a dog is given a bad name to hang it. All of these are tenets of integrity according to the dictionary of Governor Nyesom Wike.

I would also like to use this medium to advise Governor Nyesom Wike on the need for him to urgently retrace his steps in his campaign of slander against the Nigerian Army. This is on the heels that it is common knowledge that his grouse with the Nigerian Army stems from the insistence of its commanders to be on the side of truth and national interest.

Governor Nyesom Wike must retrace his steps and desist from insulting our sensibilities with his diatribe against the Nigerian Army. Unless he wants to pretend he is not aware of the fact that the Nigerian Army is actively engaged in operations around the country simultaneously. Therefore, this distraction is highly unnecessary and should be discontinued in the interest of peace and tranquility. The Nigerian Army does not fit into Governor Nyesom Wike’s definition of integrity. And it would be in their best interest to stay away from Wike’s integrity mantra.

Onmeje wrote this article from the United Kingdom.