Nigeria risks bankruptcy under Buhari – Obasanjo

A former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, has said that Nigeria’s current debt situation is closer to the prevalent situation in the 70’s and 80’s that led the country and the African continent as a whole into unservicable debts.

Mr Obasanjo said this on Friday in Lagos at the first edition of the Nigerian Story organised by the ‘Why I Am Alive’ campaign.

He said Nigeria risks bankruptcy with its penchant for loans under the current administration and the amount used in servicing the loans.

He said he feels it is his “duty and responsibility as a citizen to enrich public discourse with insights and perspectives on topical national issues.”

According to Mr Obasanjo, unlike the situation in the past, however, the current “creditors are less tolerant of our limitations and inadequacies.”

He also said that although it might not be totally wrong to take loans to finance growth and development, such decisions ought to come “with a high degree of discipline, responsibility and foresight”, stating that the Nigerian government is “notoriously deficient in serious and adequate discipline and most often lack competence and consistency.”

As an example, he sighted the Lagos light rail project and other projects that seem to have been abandoned by government despite securing loans to execute them.

Speaking further on the burgeoning debt portfolio, Mr Obasanjo said Nigeria is already borrowing to service existing loans.

“As at 2015, total external debt was about $10.32billion. In four years, our external debt grew to N24,947 trillion or $81.274 billion. To service this current level of indebtedness, we must commit at least 50 per cent of our foreign earnings, such a situation tells about an impending bankruptcy because no entity can survive while devoting 50 per cent of its revenue to debt servicing.”

“In 2018, total debt servicing cost took over 60 per cent of government revenue. As if this is not bad enough, we are currently seeking to add another $29.6 billion loan to our already overburdened debt portfolio. ”

“Our current budget, out of which we are spending 25 per cent to service debt is not our total earnings, a lot of it is also borrowing. We are borrowing to service what we have borrowed and yet we are borrowing more.”

President Muhammadu Buhari resent a request to the National Assembly for $29.6 billion loan. A similar request had been rejected by the 8th Senate under Bukola Saraki.

The current Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has, however, indicated that the new request would be approved.

Mr Obasanjo, on Friday, said whoever argues that Nigeria is under-borrowing is an obvious enemy of Nigeria.

The former president said that the situation will get worse “when oil and gas that we rely on no longer command premium demand as in the past” stating that ” this is when the real impact of these debts we are piling will start to bite.”

He predicted that by then, Nigeria “may never secure another debt relief.”

Mr Obasanjo urged Nigerians to speak up with one voice against indiscriminate accumulation of debt.

“For once, all Nigerians need to rise up and shout in one voice and call on the National Assembly to rise up to its core duty and responsibility and save our children and grandchildren and great grandchildren from being mirred in debt.”

He also warned that if the current direction of things is not improved, the country may become the poorest in the world.

“The forecasts now are scary. At the present rate, Nigeria’s population by 2050 will be well over 400 million and Lagos alone will be over 40 million. If we continue as we are going now and as we have gone start and stop in the past, we will be one of the most wretched of the world and maybe the most wretched in Africa.”

Mr Obasanjo also expressed sadness at the fact that barely 15 years after he toiled hard to get debt relief for the country, Nigeria is already once again battling with a huge debt profile, stating that the development is both “painful and retrogressive.”

Man climbing moving plane arrested at Lagos airport

There was pandemonium at the airside of the Lagos airport on Friday as a yet-to-be-identified man mounted a moving Air Peace plane.

The man was later arrested by security operatives who were notified by the pilot of a private jet coming behind the Air Peace plane.

Airport sources could not immediately ascertain the reason for the man’s action.

Air Peace, however, said the man was a stowaway who thought the plane was heading overseas.

The airline in a statement said the suspect was being held by the industry regulator for further investigation.

The Air Peace statement read in part, “This morning, at exactly 9:10 at the MMA1 Lagos, an Owerri – bound Air Peace aircraft was taxing towards the threshold for take-off, when a man, in his twenties, emerged from the bush along the runway and tried to gain access into the aircraft through the wheel-well.

“There was a private jet behind the aircraft. The pilot-in-command of the private jet informed the Air Peace pilot-in-command that a young man obviously in his twenties, was trying to force his way into the aircraft.

“The security wing of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria was alerted and the man was accosted and whisked away. He is currently in the regulator’s custody. When interrogated on why he took the action, the man stated that he thought the aircraft was headed overseas.”

The General Manager, Public Affairs, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Henrieta Yakubu, did not pick her calls.

However, the Police Public Relations Officer, Airport Command, Mr. Joseph Alabi, said the command was still investigating the incident.

He promised to get back to our correspondent.

The incident happened barely six months after a madman found his way to the Lagos airport and climbed a Port Harcourt-bound Azman Airlines plane.  The mentally ill man was later identified as Usman Adamu from Republic of Niger.

The Police said the Nigerien could not speak or understand English Language.

The authorities said then that investigation was still ongoing to ascertain how Adamu gained access to the heavily restricted area at the airport.

According to a video shot by one of the Port Harcourt-bound passengers, Adamu was seen entering the fuselage of the aircraft with hand luggage and also climbing one of its wings.

He was later apprehended by Aviation Security Personnel of FAAN and taken to its detention facility before the case was transferred to the Police for further investigation.

Following the development, FAAN placed on indefinite suspension, the Aviation Security Unit heads who were on duty when the incident occurred.

Yakubu had in a statement said the agency viewed the breach as a serious security concern.

She said FAAN had begun an investigation to ascertain the remote and immediate causes of the incident to forestall future occurrence.

The agency has yet to make public the report of its investigation.

Minimum Wage: Governors rush to meet deadline

Barely two days to the deadline given by the Nigeria Organised Labour to states to conclude negotiations on the implementation of the N30,000 new National Minimum Wage, some state governors have started a last-minute rush to meet the cut-off date of the labour union.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had in a communiqué issued at the end of its meeting with the state council chairmen last week said it would not be able to guarantee industrial peace and harmony in states that failed to conclude negotiations and began payment of the new minimum wage by December 31, 2019.

In the communiqué, which was jointly signed by the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba; General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja; and the National Chairperson of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (Trade Union side), Simon Anchaver; the NLC said states that had yet to commence negotiation might experience industrial disharmony from January if the governors refuse to do the needful.

As of the said date, the NLC noted that while states like Kaduna, Lagos, Kebbi and Adamawa had begun payment, some others like Kano, Abia and about nine others had constituted negotiating committees. Others like Rivers, Ogun, Delta, Plateau, Gombe and about 14 others had yet to set up a negotiating committees.

The new minimum wage Act was signed into law on April 18, 2019, by President Muhammadu Buhari.

However, while Cross River, Taraba, and Ondo states have set up committees to negotiate with the unions before the deadline, Oyo, Gombe and Imo states have not shown commitment to meet up with the deadline.

Also, Benue, Enugu, Bayelsa and Ebonyi states have ruled out the possibility of meeting up with the deadline.

Kwara State

In Kwara State, Mr Rafiu Ajakaye, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, said the governor had shown commitment to meeting the deadline by constituting the minimum wage 15-member committee earlier to work out the modalities for the implementation of the new minimum wage.

Also, a member of the implementation committee and state Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr Kolawole Olumoh, last week, said: “We have commenced negotiations with the state government and Insha Allah, we are going to meet the deadline. Though some states, including Kwara, have paid the December salaries of their workers, since we have commenced negotiations in our case, I’m sure we are going to meet the deadline.”

Delta State

In Delta State, the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Fidelis Tilije, promised that the committee would conclude seating on the matter by Tuesday (December 31).

He said, “We have been meeting and already negotiating with labour. I’m so sure by Monday or Tuesday, we must have resolved completely, and should be able to come up with the final agreed minimum wage pay for Delta State.”

Also, the state Secretary of NLC, Mr Innocent Ofoeyeadi, said, “We are engaged in dialogue with the committee of the state government and they would have to pay the new minimum wage this December. But because of the issues of figures in the proposal, it will not reflect until we resolve them.”

Edo State

In Edo State, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, said the state government had already set up a committee on the implementation of the salary scale.

Meanwhile, the NLC chairman in the state, Mr Sunny Osayande, said there was no cause for alarm, adding that they were praying for the governor to be able to implement the new scale in December.

He added, “The governor is working seriously I must confess to you even though he is not talking. By the grace of God, Edo will meet the December 31 deadline with the work ongoing right now in the state. We have met him already and he has assured us.

“He said they should work out how much is involved and we discovered that what we are going to add to it is going to be very minimal, so there is no cause for alarm,” he said.

Katsina State

In Katsina State, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour and Productivity, Mallam Tanimu Saulawa, said the state was optimistic about the fruitful outcome of its current negotiation with the state chapter of the NLC before the December 31 deadline.

Saulawa said, “The deadline has not come. We are still discussing with the workers. We do not envisage any problem over the minimum wage issue. Do not forget that His Excellency is workers’ friendly and he does not joke with issues concerning workers.

“We have a committee that is discussing with the workers and anything can happen between now and the end of December. But I am sure that by the grace of God, everything will be positive.”

The state chairman of the NLC, Mr Hussaini Hamisu, also said he was hopeful of a fruitful outcome on the current negotiation between labour and the government.

“We are going to conclude the negotiations before the deadline. We hope that the whole thing will be fruitful,” he added.

Ogun State

Also, the Ogun State NLC Chairman, Emmanuel Bankole, said negotiation was ongoing with the state government, adding that the state would meet up with the deadline.

When asked if labour would extend the December 31 deadline for negotiation to be concluded due to the delay in constituting the committee, Bankole said it might not be necessary.

“Negotiation is in progress; we just left the committee now, it is ongoing and we are hopeful that we can still conclude it by December 31,” he added.

Borno State

In Borno State, the chairman of NLC, Mr Bulama Abiso, also expressed hope that negotiations would be concluded before the deadline.

“We are negotiating and very much hopeful of the fruitful outcome. Therefore, the issue of starting an industrial action does not arise for now,” he added.

Osun State

In Osun State, the Chairman of the Joint Negotiation Council, Bayo Adejumo, said the December 31 deadline could still be met.

He added, “Osun State government has shown willingness. They recently requested for names of labour negotiating team and we have submitted that. I believe they are also putting together their team. Before the end of the month, negotiation will commence and I believe the negotiation will not take a long time.”

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, Ismail Omipidan, could not be reached and the text messages sent to him were not responded to as of press time.

Enugu State

Also in Enugu, the state chairman of Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, Mr Chukwuma Igbokwe, said the December 31 deadline was just a template but that they would conclude negotiation before January 31, 2020.

The Commissioner for Information, Chidi Aroh, neither answered his calls nor responded to a text message sent to his mobile phone.

Taraba State

In Taraba, the state Chairman of NLC, Mr Peter Gambo, said the organised labour was worried over the delay by the state government in setting up the negotiation team.

But, the Special Assistant to Governor Darius Ishaku on Media and Publicity, Mr Bala Dan-Abu, said the government was not opposed to the negotiation. He said the committee would soon be constituted.

Imo State

In Imo State, the Secretary to the State Government, Uche Onyeagocha, said the governor would inaugurate the joint negotiation committee before the December 31 deadline.

Ondo State

In Ondo State, chairman of NLC, Mr Sunday Adeleye, said a meeting had been scheduled for Monday, adding that if the meeting was deadlocked again, the unions would make their next line of action known.

The Head of Service, Mr Dare Aragbaiye, who is the leader of the government team, could not be reached on Friday.

Cross River State

In Cross River State, the Vice-Chairman of NLC, Mr Lawrence Achuta, said, “We have not held any meeting on that. Hopefully, before the end of the year, we may likely have a state executive council meeting after which we will decide. So, we are just hoping that perhaps before that December 31 something positive will come up.”

The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Ben Ayade, Mr Christian Ita, however, said, “I’m not sure there is an issue to it because if there was an issue to it, you will see labour agitating.”

Bayelsa State

In Bayelsa State, the NLC chairman, Mr John Ndiomu, said the organised labour would take it up with the government if at the end of January 2020 the new scale was not implemented. “By January 2020, if they (the state government) don’t pay, we will make small trouble with them,” Ndiomu said.

Ebonyi State

In Ebonyi State, the NLC chairman, Mr Nwafor, said the state government’s claim that it had negotiated the minimum wage with workers was a lie.

“Of course, we are not aware of the negotiations and don’t know the people that it (government) signed the agreement with.

“So, if after looking at what they had done and it’s right, we will adopt it; but if it’s wrong, we will join others and embark on the imminent strike.”

Oyo State

Meanwhile, in Oyo State, the NLC Chairman, Mr Bayo Titilola-Sodo, said he would not speculate on whether Oyo State workers would embark on strike or not by December 31 if the state government did not start the implementation. He, however, said the union would liaise with the national body when the right was right.

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr Taiwo Adisa, said: “The governor had made it clear that we are going to get the matter resolved and the labour has keyed into that because of the sincerity of purpose and transparency they have found in this government.”

Gombe State

In Gombe State, the Secretary of NLC, Shuaibu Chiroma, said negotiations would commence on December 30 (Monday), adding that final decisions would be taken on Tuesday.

But the Special Adviser to the Gombe State Governor on Public Communications and Strategy, Dr Anas Kubalu, said, “The government has inserted the minimum wage and consequential adjustment to the issue of salary in the 2020 budget.”

Speaking on the development, the Secretary-General of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Musa-Lawal Ozigi, said any governor that fails to implement or show commitment before the Tuesday deadline would be deemed to have declared war against labour.

Ozigi added that the organised labour would decide on how to handle recalcitrant state governors who fail to implement the new wage at the end of the December 31 deadline.

“Most states are working hard. Let us see how they go. The deadline does not mean that if it expires, we will take action immediately. It simply means that the grace period is over, and anything can happen thereafter.

“In other words, when you give a deadline or an ultimatum, once it expires, it does not mean you will take action immediately.

“It simply means that the grace period given to the government is over. From that moment, you will not be held for any action.

“On the minimum wage, we are also watching. I can assure you that by the end of this week, if any state governor has not done anything relating to the minimum wage, he has only declared war against labour and we know what to do.

“We are listening to every state to know exactly what is happening so that it will give us the opportunity to prepare for the worst case ahead.

“We know most states have started, especially in the north and south. But by Tuesday, we would have been able to gather our data to know the next line of action.”

He added that even if some states have set up their committee to ensure that within one week they finish, that means they also have that Tuesday (deadline) in mind.

The secretary-general also urged any state governor who cannot pay the new minimum wage to quit, saying it was too late for state governors to use

The secretary-general also urged any state governor who cannot pay the new minimum wage to quit, saying it was too late for state governors to use the call for a review for revenue sharing formula as an excuse not to pay the new minimum wage.

“Any governor that feels he can use that (revenue formula) as an excuse to pay is calling for labour action.

“We do not want to pre-empt anybody, but we have told them very clearly it is either you do what is right or stay out of power and let somebody who can do it come there, and we have not changed the position.

“Any governor that is not prepared to pay minimum wage has no business in government.

“That is the basic principle on which we stand, and from Tuesday, you will see reaction.

“But I can assure you it will not be immediate because we need to go back to our people (labour leaders) to decide what kind of plan we are going to use to deal with that kind of governor.”

Enough is Enough (EiE) Action against Buhari on N37bn NASS renovation

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), BudgIT, Enough is Enough (EiE) and 583 concerned Nigerians have filed a lawsuit asking the Federal High Court, Abuja to stop President Muhammadu Buhari and Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning from releasing N37 billion allocated for the renovation of the National Assembly complex to the Federal Capital Development Agency and the National Assembly.

The groups are also seeking a court order to stop the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and the Federal Capital Development Agency from demanding or collecting the N37 billion earmarked for the renovation of the National Assembly complex until an impact assessment of the spending on critical sectors and access to public goods and services, is carried out.

In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1633/2019 filed last week at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the plaintiffs argued: “The National Assembly complex should be a safe and conducive environment for those who work there. But spending ₦37 billion to renovate the place is not commensurate with the constitutional commitments to public services and goods; decreasing public revenues and increasing level of debts as well as the poor economic and social realities in the country.”

The plaintiffs also argued: “Spending N37 billion to renovate the National Assembly complex is self-serving, wrongful, illegal and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds, as it means less money for educating millions of out-of-school Nigerian children, providing access to clean water and healthcare to Nigerians including the elderly, or repairing the country’s roads and bridges.”

The 583 concerned Nigerians who joined the suit as co-plaintiffs include: Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) co-convener Aisha Yesufu; Nigerian singer and actor Banky Wellington; Mrs Ayo Obe; Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, and Fisayo Soyombo.

The suit, filed by Kolawole Oluwadare and Opeyemi Owolabi, read in part: “The defendants are public officers who have sworn the constitutional oaths of office to perform their respective duties in the interest of Nigerian citizens. The refusal of President Buhari to object to the Budget/Appropriation Bill containing a huge N37 billion on renovation of the National Assembly complex is a gross violation of the constitution and existing laws in Nigeria.

“The National Assembly complex was reportedly constructed at the cost of $35.18 Million USD in 1999 and ₦40.2 Billion Naira was budgeted in December 2013 for the construction of phase III of the National Assembly Complex and renovation of the first and second phases of the complex.

“The 2020 Budget is in deficit of ₦2.175 Trillion with anticipated revenue at ₦8.42 Trillion Naira and proposed expenditure of ₦10.594 Trillion.

“The present-day economic reality in Nigeria includes chronic poverty amongst a high percentage of citizens and the inability of many state governments to pay salaries of workers and pensions. Unless the reliefs sought are granted, the Defendants will take benefit of the allocated N37 billion at the expense of many Nigerians living in poverty.

“The crux of the Plaintiffs’ argument is better expressed in the question: Why should the nation spend so much on a building when there are other important areas of national infrastructure that can be developed in order to affect a greater number of citizens?”

The plaintiffs want the court to determine: “Whether N37 billion proposed, voted and allocated for renovation of the National Assembly Complex in the 2020 Nigerian National Budget via Appropriation Act 2019 by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Buhari is not in breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers [Fifth Schedule Part 1] of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended] and Oath of a Member of the National Assembly.”

We will turn Lagos to technology hub – LASRIC

The Lagos State Science Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC) is ready to actualise the dream of the state government to turn Lagos to a technology hub as quickly as possible.

The leader of the 16-member council, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday that the group would spring into action not later than the first week of February next year by conducting a training for about 30 participants on hololens.

The hololens is a virtual reality headset with transparent lenses for augmented reality experience.

He said: “Before now, the council had focused on the research aspect only, but now the focus will shift to not just research but innovation and other skills development,” Ogundipe said.

“We are going to kick start by organising a train-the-trainers workshop with Microsoft toward the last week of January or first week in February.

“We will be having participants drawn from the Lagos State University (LASU), the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTEC), the University of Lagos and the Ministry of Science and Technology.

“We shall also be citing our centres in these three institutions of higher learning with the aim of developing skills for the young ones.”

He said that boot camps would also be organised.

According to him, emphasis will be placed on training of pupils and students at both the primary and secondary school levels respectively.

Army Impounds 85 Bags Of Smuggled Rice

The Nigerian Army has intercepted 85 bags of smuggled rice in a compound in Abor-Uwani community in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi.

The raid was part of the ongoing “Exercise Atilogwu Udo 1’’.

The News Agency of Nigeria said Aliyu Yusuf, Deputy Director, Public Relations of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, disclosed this on Saturday.

Yusuf said that the smuggled bags of rice, each weighing 50kg, were intercepted on December 19 through intelligence received by troops of Sector 6 (Abakaliki) of the exercise.

He said, “Troops on patrol following a tip-off from the Department of State Services raided a compound where a Mercedes Benz truck loaded with 85 bags of suspected smuggled foreign rice was packed.

“This was in Abor-Uwani community in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

“The suspects – Mr Bartholomew Obioha Nwankwo, 49, and Mr Nkama Agu, 57, – both from Unwana community in Afikpo North LGA were arrested in connection with the smuggled rice.’’

The army spokesperson added that the suspects, the truck, and the bags of rice had been handed over to the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Internal Affairs for further action.

Yusuf said that in a related development, troops in Sector 6 in conjunction with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency recently raided the hideout of suspected drug dealers in Abakaliki town.

He said, “Five suspects were arrested while items recovered in the area included suspected wraps of Indian Hemp, Tramadol, and cocaine among other things."

He added that a brown Mercedes Benz car with registration number Ebonyi NAC 399 AA was seized.

“Suspects and exhibits have been handed over to the relevant security agency for further action,’’ he said.

Saraki dares Kwara Governor, Abdulrazaq "Enough is enough, you have crossed the line"

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has claimed that Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, is out for vengeance against his family.

Saraki stated this on Saturday, while reacting to the governor’s decision to revoke a land occupied by his family in Ilorin, the state capital.

In a statement on Friday, Abdulrazaq’s Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaiye, claimed the land was originally meant for government secretariat and parking space of a clinic. 

But in a statement he personally signed, Saraki who once governed the state, insisted the land was duly allocated and a Right of Occupancy title issued on it.

“It should be noted that the excuse given by Abdulrazaq in his revocation order holds no water since it is clear that this is the height of his vengeance against my father, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki and I.

“This action is clearly a manifestation of vengeance … in his narrow-mindedness, he believes his victory at the polls is an empowerment, entitlement and enablement to settle scores, provoke and pursue inter-family rivalry. They expected development and fulfillment of promises.

“Seven months down the line, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has shown that its cardinal Programme is to wage war against my late father and I. He has demonstrated that his only competence and astuteness is in the area of viciously assailing the late Oloye Saraki and I. Definitely, he is a man with no sense of history. Enough is enough. Now, he has crossed the line.

“Perhaps, I should let it be known that if Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq thinks he is taking all these actions to get at me, he is only deceiving himself. There is no basis for competition between us. Our paths cannot cross because the status that he is struggling to attain, Almighty Allah has given it to me many years before now.

“With all his subterranean and open moves against my family, person and property, I remain unmoved.

“However, his open antagonism against my late father and his legacies is unwarranted and will not be tolerated. He has definitely gone beyond bounds as he cannot be allowed to ride roughshod on the deceased. In this war against my late father, he will not win,” the statement read.

Dasuki speaks on Buhari’s ‘revenge’ against him, reveals who is behind his ordeals

Nigeria’s former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, has insisted he holds no grudge against President Muhammadu Buhari.

Dasuki stated this while speaking during a radio interview with the Voice of America, Hausa Service.

He was released on Tuesday evening, after four years in detention of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Dasuki was arrested in 2015 over allegations of abuse of office and money laundering. But despite several court orders granting him bail, the government refused to release him.

Asked if he felt his detention was revenge for the role he played in the 1985 coup which removed the Buhari regime, Dasuki said: “I am not aware of this. What I know is that God designed this to happen.

“Nothing more. I have no problem with anybody. I am more than that. I can’t engage in a feud with anyone.

“There is no call to be made to the government. You know everything that happened to one in life is designed by God. Ignorance and lack of understanding can make one to suffer himself… Anything that God destined it to be, it will be. You said I spent four years in detention, it is over and today. Only God knows everything that will happen tomorrow.

“What is important is for everybody to be fair. Everybody who is a Muslim and who go to the mosque knows that what the Imam preaches every day is to harp on the need for people to be fair and honest. There is a reason for this and we need to listen.”

Ex-President Jonathan's home attack, a national shame, says Gov Ortom

Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom has described the attack on the country residence of former President Goodluck Jonathan in Otuoke, Bayelsa state by unknown gunmen as a national shame. 

In a statement sent to journalists by his spokesman, Terver Akase, on Wednesday, December 25, Governor Ortom condemned the attack and wondered why armed men would want to harm a peace-loving man and former president of the country. He posed that if Dr Jonathan could be attacked in such a manner, what becomes of vulnerable Nigerians.

Governor Ortom is concerned about the attack on Ex-President Jonathan's home. Photo credit: Benue State Govt Source: Depositphotos 

He described the attack as unfortunate and urged security operatives to bring the culprits to justice. 

He also called on security agencies to intensify surveillance in all parts of the country to guarantee the safety of lives and property. 

The governor joined other Nigerians in praising God for sparing the life of former president during the attack. 

Similarly, Delta state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has condemned in strong terms the attack on former President Goodluck Jonathan at his Otuoke home in Bayelsa state.

In a statement by his spokesman, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Tuesday, December 24 in Asaba, the governor said the incident was disturbing and unwarranted. He said it was more condemnable because the former president was a peace-loving man who always preached peaceful political engagements.