Tag: Ohanaeze

Sanwo-olu, police to be held responsible over threats on Igbos in Lagos – Ohanaeze

Ahead of the forthcoming socio-cultural organization, the Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has reacted angrily to the fresh threat against the Igbo in Lagos state.

Recall that MC Oluomo, in a trending video was seen threatening that any Igbo who would not vote for the All Progressives Congress, APC, should sit at home. He went further to tell the party’s supporters that they know what to do if they discover they are losing in any area. The threat has been attracting wild condemnations from across the country.

In a statement made available to journalists on Friday, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike said it was inexplicable that neither the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu nor the Nigeria police has made a single comment over the open threat.

Okwu said Ohanaeze was enraged that Ndigbo had continued to be an endangered species in Lagos State, yet the country prides itself as one Nigeria.

He said, “We are alarmed over the latest threat by an official of the Lagos State Government, MC Oluomo, who has invoked genocide against the Igbo in Lagos should they fail to vote for Sanwo-Olu.

“This is indeed a threat too many and we are not going to let it slide. The silence of the authorities including Governor Sanwo-Olu and the police show that they are giving tacit support to the political thugs who are maiming Ndigbo and burning down their properties in Lagos State.

“However, we want to sound this note of warning, we want to draw the attention of the international community that should any single Igbo man or woman be killed in Lagos State, either tomorrow or after the election, the governor should be held responsible as the Chief Security Officer of the state.

“The police hierarchy, who have not only refused to arrest MC Oluomo but have maintained silence, will also take responsibility for any ugly fate that befalls our people.”

Okwu called on Ndigbo in Lagos not to be intimated but to “come all out and vote for candidate of your choice; be ready to defend and protect yourselves. Your vote is your right and nobody should stop you from using it effectively tomorrow against enemies of peace.”

March 17, 2023
Goodluck Jonathan mourns Ohanaeze President-General, Obiozor

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, has expressed sadness over the passing of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof. George Obiozor, describing his death as a huge loss to the nation.

Jonathan, in a condolence message he personally signed on Thursday in Abuja, described the former Nigerian ambassador to the U.S. as a great patriot, an accomplished diplomat and foremost nationalist.

Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo had announced the death of Obiozor on his Instagram handle on Wednesday.

The ex-president who commiserated with the Obiozor family, the government and people of Imo as well as the Ndigbo in general, recounted the deceased’s contributions to the growth and development of the nation.

“Prof. Obiozor was a great patriot whose love for the nation and his people knew no bounds in his selfless service towards the unity and development of our country.

“He was an accomplished diplomat, globally acclaimed scholar and prolific author with a reputation for charming intellectualism and boisterous engagements in international relations and academic research.

“He was a foremost nationalist and Igbo leader who continued to make remarkable impact even in retirement,’’ he said.

Jonathan further said that while serving as the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Obiozor robustly deployed his wisdom, knowledge and experience in the last two years to advance the cause of Ndigbo and enhance national integration.

He added that Obiozor left enduring legacies and would be missed by his family and friends as well as the diplomatic, academic and cultural communities across the world.

December 29, 2022
BREAKING: Ohanaeze President-General, Obiozor is dead

President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, George Obiozor is dead. Obiozor died on December 26th, according to a high-ranking Ohanaeze official.

The chieftain, who requested anonymity, revealed that Obiozor died of heart disease.

He did, however, state that the apex Igbo body would not announce Obiozor’s death until his family made the announcement.

“The man is dead but it’s not in our tradition to announce such death even when we have such information, we allow the family members to make such an announcement.

“He died on Monday of heart-related disease. I’m not specific about where he died but he travelled abroad and returned to Lagos.

“I was called in the early hours of December 26th that he died in the early hours,” the source said.

There have been reports and speculations that Obiozor was dead.

Amid these speculations, the family is yet to officially announce Obiozor’s death.

December 28, 2022
Afenifere, Arewa, Ohanaeze back support for Obasanjo’s image to be on new notes

The Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, Arewa Consultative Forum and Ohanaeze Indigbo, respectively, gave their backings to the proposition of the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate in 2023, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to have the image of Nigeria’s former president Olusegun Obasanjo on one of the the newly designed naira notes.

Recall that Atiku via his Twitter page praised the former president for the role he played in restoring peace in Ethiopia after the two-year-long crisis.

The Waziri of Adamawa added that the Owu politician deserves a Nobel Prize for peace for that feat in Ethiopia.

Ethiopian government has been at loggerheads with a Secessionist movement government in the country known as Tigray People’s Liberation since November 9 2020.

However, Obasanjo, ex-Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, and a former Deputy President of South Africa, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka intervened and the crisis ended on Wednesday November 2nd, 2022.

Adamawa born politician, Atiku has been full of praises for the achievement recorded by his former principal in intervening in the subject matter.

His tweet reads, “I celebrate the extraordinary prowess of His Excellency, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, in bringing peace to Ethiopia. I am not surprised. I know my boss. He did the same thing in Liberia and São Tomé and Príncipe during our time in office.

“If for nothing else, he is most deserving of a Nobel Peace Prize, and I will nominate him when entries are open for nominations. Africa is blessed to have a statesman of such impeccable democratic credentials as Chief Obasanjo, a man whose image ought to be on the redesigned naira note, to inspire future generations of Nigerians to sacrifice for their nation and continent.”

Reacting to Atiku’s proposition, the National Secretary-General of Afenifere, Chief Sola Ebiseni, said he agreed with the former vice-president that Obasanjo deserved to have his image on the naira note for his contributions and place in country’s history.

He said, “The naira notes that are to be redesigned already have pictures of some personalities who are part of our history but Obasanjo is well deserving of any honour that Nigeria considers necessary for him. As a matter of fact, no one has been more part of Nigeria’s history as Olusegun Obasanjo, so a place of honour should be reserved for him. When you look round Nigeria so far, no monument of much importance has been dedicated to his personality. I have looked round, no airport, no university, no stadium.”

Similarly, the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, said, “Chief Olusegun Obasanjo deserves national recognition on the Nigerian currency. He is a moral edifice who governed the country with an appreciable level of equity, fairness and ethnic sensibility. The governance structures across Nigeria are dotted by his accomplishments. Obasanjo remains the conscience of not just the nation but the entire Africa.”

On his part, the Secretary-General, ACF, Murtala Aliyu, said Obasanjo’s roles as an international figure stood him out.

He said, “Looking at the history of the country, whether you like him or not, you cannot dismiss him when talking about the development of this country. From the roles he played during the civil war, as military head of state and handing over power to the civilian government and then during his time as civilian president and even being an international figure. There is nothing stopping a country like Nigeria from honouring Obasanjo.”

In the same vein, the National President of the Middle Belt Forum, Dr Bitrus Pogu, said, “Former President Obasanjo did well during his time of administering this country as a military and civilian leader of the country. He started serious infrastructure development in the country as well as Operation Feed the Nation. Also during his time he was able to negotiate our foreign debt downwards.

“Also in the aspect of economy, remember that when he came in, one barrel (of crude oil) was selling for the lowest ever experienced in the history of the country. He was able to grow the economy and handed over a robust economy to Yar’Adua. I think so far he has done well. And up till now he still behaves like a statesman in all his dealings. He deserves to be honoured. I believe that if that honour is given to him, I am in support. That will encourage others to do the right things and they will be honoured too when they leave public office.”

Also lending his voice to the idea, the National Publicity Secretary of pan-Niger Delta Forum, Ken Robinson, said, “Former President Olusegun Obasanjo definitely deserves to have his image on one of the notes of the nation’s currency. It is very right. We will also say that elder statesmen who have consistently, from the 60s to date, promote the unity, stability and oneness of Nigeria should also be honoured in terms of being put on the naira note; (and this includes) someone like chief Edwin Clark.”

November 6, 2022
Ohanaeze mourn elder statesman, Mbazulike Amaechi

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has described late Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, elder statesman and nationalist as “a quintessential titan, icon and trail blazer”.

Amaechi, a first Republic Minister of Aviation, popularly known as ‘The Boy Is Good’, died on Tuesday at his country home, Ukpo at the age of 93.

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation made the eulogies in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Alex Ogbonnia and made available to newsmen in Owerri on Tuesday.

Ogbonnia said Amaechi, a former parliamentarian, mortgaged the bloom of his youth to fight for Nigeria’s independence in spite of several arrests and detentions by the colonial authorities.

“This is a tribute to a rare courage, uncompromising principle, sacrifice, stoic heroism, patriotic dispositions and extra-ordinary faith in the struggle for Nigerian independence.

“These attributes earned Amaechi the Member of the Parliament at a very young age of 29, parliamentary Secretary and subsequently the Minister of Aviation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the First Republic,” he said.

He extolled Amaechi ‘s eloquence and his efforts, both in youth and at old age, despite his failing health, to proffer solutions to challenges of national and continental and global concern.

“Amaechi’s voice waxed eloquent to the universal advocacy that it is the turn of the South-East to produce a president in Nigeria.

“Earlier, in 1963, when the obnoxious Apartheid regime in South Africa was at its peak, in agreement with Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the freedom fighter, Dr. Nelson Mandela, escaped South Africa and the home of Chief Amaechi, in Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area, Anambra, was his shelter.

“Mandela stayed in Ukpor for about six months. It was on departure from Lagos in 1963 that the Apartheid regime traced him and arrested him on arrival at Johannesburg,” he recalled.

He prayed for a peaceful repose of Amaechi and of all patriotic Nigerians who contributed their quota to her independence.

“Our President-General, Prof. George Obiozor, is deeply pained over this irreparable loss; but adds that the life of Amaechi is a veritable lesson in uprightness, selflessness and heroism.

“Amaechi now joins Mandela, Azikiwe, Osita Agwuna, Nduka Eze, Mokwugo Okoye, Raji Abdallah, Ikenna Nzimiro, Anthony Enahoro, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, Aminu Kano and other Saints Triumphant who have gained freedom from the world’s provenance, full of corruption, injustice, inexplicable oddities and vicious circles.

“On behalf of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and indeed all the Igbo sons and daughters, we pray that the Almighty will grant the soul of Chief Mbazulike Amaechi an eternal rest in his bosom,” he said.

November 2, 2022
Ohanaeze rubbishes Miyetti Allah’s grazing reserve demands in Southeast

The Igbo socio cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has spoken against the resolutions of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore asking for the establishment of grazing reserves in the Southeast of Nigeria.

Ohanaeze noted that the grazing reserves being asked for by the Miyetti Allah is a plan that would threaten the collective peace and security in the country.

The Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said the demand was “unreasonable, unrealistic and hallucinations of daydreamers.”

A statement by Isiguzoro said the Fulani group should respect the ban on open grazing and cattle routes by the Southern governors.

Isiguzoro said: “Cattle rearing and businesses all over the world remain an individual enterprise and private business like other people who are in businesses of garments, mechanics and food vendors, the use of threats of violence to give conditions for peace shows that the Fulani organizations indirectly indicted themselves for being responsible for the crisis associated with farmers and herders across the country.

“Ndigbo has responded that the perceived demands for 415 grazing reserves across the country have sinister and wicked motives aimed at fuelling the disintegration of the country and land grabbing against the indigenous people is a threat to National Security and Peace, there are no grazing routes and lands for grazing reserves in the southeast, the Southeast Governors ban on the conveyance of cattle by foot is still effective in the southeast, and Miyetti Allah should abide by the decisions of Ndigbo not to accede lands for grazing reserves”.

On the demands for the Ministry of Nomadic Affairs with a mandate to broaden educational opportunities and address the pastoral challenges.

In his reaction, Isiguzoro noted that the president in his capacity would decide on that.

He said “It’s at the prerogative of the President to do so, but there’s no need for irrational duplications of Ministries, the Ministry of Education and humanitarian affairs are headed by Northerners, if there are challenges with Miyetti Allah, they should seek the help of the two Northern ministers, for now, there’s no reason why there should be a Ministry of Nomadic Affairs or attempts to coax Federal Government to create one.”

November 1, 2022
Ohanaeze hails Court of Appeal judgment on Nnamdi Kanu

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has noted that it received the release of Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, with great excitement, jubilation, and consummate relief, saying history vindicates just.

Ohanaeze added that the judgment of the Court of Appeal on Thursday quashing terrorism charges against Kanu elicit great excitement and a big relief.

This was contained in a statement issued in reaction to Kanu’s release by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia on Thursday and it’s titled: ‘Nnamdi Kanu – History vindicates the just’, expressed optimism that whatever he may have lost in persecution will be maximized by the eternal rewards in heroism.

The statement reads in part: “In several drinking parlours across the country, people of various categories were seen popping champagne, clinking glasses, and dancing, signaling the end of an era in the history of the Igbo and Nigeria.”

Ohanaeze said the world had watched with keen interest the trial of Nnamdi Kanu and it was therefore self-evident that the judgment was a major boost to the image of Nigeria among the comity of nations.

“This is a plus to the Nigerian democracy and a sign that brighter days lie ahead. What occurred today is a sign of bright light at the end of the tunnel,” the statement said.

Ogbonnia noted that Ambassador George Obiozor-led Ohanaeze had maintained that Nnamdi Kanu is a phenomenon that expresses the injustice, orchestrated alienation, and inequity against the Igbo.

“On the other hand, all the oppressed groups in Nigeria are symbolized in Nnamdi Kanu. Nnamdi Kanu, therefore, symbolizes the Igbo collective unconscious.

“Obiozor has repeatedly reminded the Federal Government that the incarceration of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is an ill wind that blows nobody any good,” he said.

He said that the fate of Nnamdi Kanu had caused tremendous apprehensions, including the Monday sit-at-home, its enforcements by gunmen, the roadblocks on the major roads in all parts of Igbo land, and, ultimately, the monumental loss of goods, especially in the South-East of Nigeria. This explains why the landmark judgment by the Appeal Court Justices has reverberated across the country and beyond with jubilation galore.

Part of the statement also reads, “Barrack Obama, the former President of the USA had lamented that the bane of Nigeria and other Third World countries is the lack of strong institutions. He bemoaned the manipulation of the State institutions such as the judiciary, Electoral Management Bodies, etc.

“In an ideal democracy, structures, such as the Electoral Management Body (EMB), in our case INEC, should stand above the government. In our bizarre democracy, there is no distinction between the EMB and the government because the members of INEC are recruited by the same government. At any rate, this day in history will always be remembered with immense passion.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo salutes the courage and uprightness of the Court of Appeal justices for this landmark judgment. We want to use this opportunity to commend the indefatigability, steadfastness, and commitment of all the legal luminaries that sacrificed their intellect and resources in defense of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the pursuit of justice.

“There are several courageous Nigerians, the social prophets and cosmic agents, who spoke out against the incarceration of Kanu. The fourth estate of the realm and civil society have shown tremendous support throughout the struggle.

“The Diaspora Igbo whose spirit remained indomitable. We salute their courage and solidarity. We are certain that whatever Nnamdi Kanu may have lost in persecution will be maximized by the eternal rewards of heroism.

“Our joy knows no bounds. This is because the South-East of Nigeria used to be the most peaceful geopolitical zone in the country. But, since April 2021 when the Owerri Correctional Centre was overwhelmed by unknown gunmen and over 1800 prison inmates discharged, the South-East has not known peace.

“Today, it is Eureka! A glorious day; a day of peace re-found; a day of peace profound; a day of rebirth and indeed a day that injects grassroots impetus and momentum into the Igbo renaissance. Above all, it is a remarkable day that clears the coast for the irreversible contagious Nigerian movement for 2023. We are happy that today, history has vindicated the just.”

October 14, 2022
18 govs are behind the scenes for Peter Obi – Ohaneze

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has said about 18 sitting governors are behind the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi.

This was revealed in a statement made available on Wednesday by the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro.

Ohanaeze, while hailing the courage and the determination of Nigerians who are trooping out in the different parts of the country in support of Peter Obi, urged that the momentum be sustained.

“This is a movement to take back Nigeria from the days of locusts, greedy and selfish politicians.

“It is a movement to rescue the country from adversity, economic slump, ASUU strike, insecurity and corruption.

“Nigerians have demonstrated readiness to take back their country through the ballot box and it behoves on the INEC to make the votes count,” he said.

The Ohanaeze scribe while reviewing the ‘Obidients’ rally held across the country, stated that “the PDP’s Atiku Abubakar and others are startled by the soaring popularity of the Labour Party’s Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, especially after the Obidients’ Independence Day rallies across the country cutting across ethnicity and religious lines. The mammoth crowd took the different cities of the country by storm.

“As we speak, about 18 Governors from the North and the South, cutting across party lines, are behind the scenes putting up structures for Obi to win the 2023 election. In addition, some former Presidents and elder statesmen are in support of Obi’s candidature.

“They are all convinced that Obi has something different from all the other candidates.

“We are glad that for the first time in the recent past, Nigerians are united in the dethronement of misgovernance in Aso Rock. They are determined to make a political change through the ballot box with a third force presidency.

“This is the first time we are seeing such a strong political movement in Nigeria that is not being sponsored by politicians, rather the masses own the project.

“You have seen the mass movement across the country and beyond; you have seen even children, the persons with special needs, the aged, everyone is part of this movement.”

He reiterated his call on the INEC not to truncate the will of the people.

October 5, 2022
South East, North Central not favoured to win presidency – Iwuanyanwu

Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Chairman of the Ohanaeze Council of Elders says limiting the zoning of the country’s presidency to North and South is not in the interest of all Nigerians.

Iwuanyanwu made the assertion at a meeting organised to inaugurate the council’s Finance and Development Committee on Sunday in Abuja.

He said if the zoning principle must be observed, it should be across the country’s six geo-political zones. He said this would give every Nigerian opportunity to aspire for the presidency.

The 57-man committee of eminent Igbo business men, inaugurated by Prof. George Obiozor, the President Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, was to proffer ways of financing and developing economic activities in Igbo land.

According to Iwuanyanwu, the South-East and North-Central especially, is not favoured to win the presidency going by the current North, South zoning arrangement.

“If you want to zone, we have six geo-political zones in the country, zone it along the geo-political zones. If you know you want to zone.

“You say you are zoning it to the North and South. If you zone the presidency to the North, there is no way somebody from North-Central will get it, unless there is a mutual cooperation from the North-West. which is very big.

“And if you zone it to the South, even if a zone in the South has been president several times, by this zoning arrangement, it doesn’t stop them from contesting; which is not exactly what zoning is all about,” he said.

He explained that zoning was to ensure fairness, equity and justice, and to see that the position “goes round”, adding that limiting it to North and South was against the interest of other Nigerians.

While noting that the North had more Local Government Areas, Iwuanyanwu said eastern states had fewer.

“Political power is derived from the party and from delegates, and if you look at recent elections, we have fewer local government areas and for you to penetrate to get other places, you have to have money.

“We were not there when local governments were created, it was created by the military, now they say when it comes to South, the South should go and agree and this is not fair,” he said.

Earlier, Obiozor, President Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, said the meeting was also to give effect to matters of immense importance and relevance to Nigerians of Igbo extraction.

He implored Nigerians of Igbo extraction to stop lamenting, adding that they should critically harness the potential and resources in the region to their advantage.

“We have all it takes to deliver succor, development and a better and sustainable society for millions of our people and indeed Nigeria.

“In this wise, our focus will be on economic activities that will engage our youths through employment opportunities and acquisition of skills.

“This should be in line with our known entrepreneurship models, harnessing of potential in the agriculture value chain through processing, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) which are the comer stones of Aslan economics.

“I am conscious of the fact that the tasks we have set for ourselves will not be easy to achieve, but I am happy in the knowledge that they are doable and that we are on the right historical path,” Obiozor said.

He said that the meeting demonstrated the determined efforts of Nigerians of Igbo extraction to tell their stories in a more positive light.

He said membership of the newly inagurated committee would be expanded as the need arose to enrich its ideas and mode of operation.

He said other committees would also be established to handle critical sectors that impacted on the people generally.

He commended Iwuanyanwu for his sterling contributions towards the growth of Ohanaeze Nidigbo Worldwide as a body and the Igbo nation, and Nigerians in all segments of human endeavour.

He also thanked all those who worked closely with Iwuanyanwu to ensure the success that had been achieved.

Members of the committee include Amb. Okey Emuche, (Secretary), Prof. Charles Nwaekeaku, Sen. Orji Uzo Kalu, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezife, Sen. Chief Chris Ngige, Chief Jim Nwobodo and Dr Okweslieze Nwodo.

Others are Chimaroke Nnamani, Dr Obiora Okonkwo, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, Chief Ogbonna Onu, Chief Martin Elechi, Sen. Sam Egwu, Sen. Pius Anyim, Chief Achike Udenwa, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, Dr Peter Odili, Chief Chibuike Amaechi and Chief Celestine Omehia.

Chief Ned Nwoko, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iwuala, Tony Elumelu, Sen. Ken Nnamani, Prof. Barth Nnaji, Sen. Joy Emodi, Chief Mrs Stella Okoli, Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, Prof. Maurice iwu are also members of the committee among others.

September 19, 2022
Northern Reps hold Gbajabiamila hostage over acidic Water Resources Bill

There are speculations that the ‘acidic’Water Resources Bill allegedly disguised in RUGA will pass second reading as northern Reps plot to impeach Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila if he fails ‘to play ball’ by looking the other way this week.

TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports multiple sources privy to this development declared that though in the outlook it will appear as if Speaker Gbajabiamila is against it but the bait of impeachment will make him bend over to pass the contentious Bill seen by most southerners as RUGA fly.

A source privy to this development told TNG that ” it’s all a grand deception to give the impression that the speaker is against it but in reality he is not against it.

Another source said the progenitor of the Bill allegedly has ulterior motive as he has invested interests and the fact that it’s RUGA which was initially designed by the Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to allow easy access to water by herdsmen and have settlements in all nooks and crannies of Nigeria.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s representation of the bill which was first introduced in the 8th Assembly in 2017 and reintroduced in 2020 in the 9th Assembly and roundly rejected by South-South leaders, Afenifere, Ohanaeze and Middle Belt Forum is causing hair-raising amongst critical stakeholders in Nigeria.

Recall that on June 29, 2022, the House of Representatives passed the bill for first reading in what can be described as an ambush of Southern lawmakers, many of whom are still unsettled following their inability to secure their party ticket and were absent at the sitting.

An APC House Reps member from Nassarawa State who was also privy to the plot, but spoke to under the condition of anonymity for fear of been victimized by the presidency, said the strong opposition to the reintroduction of the bill to the house will not stop its passage as plans to get it passed this time around has been concluded.

The source added that the plot to get the bill passed in the 9th Assembly has the blessing of Mr President and the leadership of the National Assembly and that unlike in the last attempt when the Speaker of the House of Reps played a stabilizing role leading to the defeat of the bill, this time around the threat of impeachment is hanging on him if he fails to play along.

“The plot to pass the Bill was hatched here in Nigeria but was concluded at Mecca during recent Haji. Part of the plot is to impeach the Speaker of the House of Reps, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, whom they believe didn’t do much to ensure the bill was passed during the 8th Assembly even when he knows the President is interested in the bill.

“Now that they have the Speaker’s buy-in, they wanted the bill to be passed for the second reading this past week, but many Southern lawmakers were around and with the support from Northern Christian lawmakers, the sponsor and the leadership of the House failed to bring the bill on Tuesday, Wednesday and last week Thursday.

“The National Assembly would have gone on vacation, but they are waiting for most of the Southern lawmakers who have made summer travelling arrangements to travel out of the country, then they will strike.

“They will observe this week, if they can’t pass it because of the large number of the Southern and Northern Christian lawmakers at the chamber, the Speaker of the House will be made to convoke an emergency sitting of the House, after the House might have been adjourned for vacation.

“The source added that the Clark of the House has prepared ‘addendum’ to enable the House to be reconvened and sit even at night or weekend to consider, pass the controversial bill with or without Southern members in attendant.

“My fear is that if Southern Nigerians fail to rise to the occasion, the bill will pass through as certain interests in the Presidency and core North are bent on passing the bill and have mobilized huge resources to get it done.

“For me, this is a fight for the soul of Nigeria, because if this bill passes through the second reading, then it’s finished and the crisis that it will trigger in the country can best be imagined. This is how they passed 3% for Host Community Fund in the PIA, as against the 5% we collectively agreed.”

The bill, which was initially introduced and rejected during the 8th Assembly, following public outcry, is believed by many to be Rural Grazing Area (RUGA) regulation in disguise and according to our source has the backing of the presidency.

The Bill as introduced in the previous assembly and present 9th National Assembly seeks to empower the Federal Government to control all water resources in the country such as rivers, streams, lakes and underground water streams, lakes and underground water in all parts of the country.

The First Introduction of the Bill:
President Muhammadu Buhari had in 2017 presented the controversial bill to the eighth National Assembly. The proposed law seeks to transfer the control of water resources from the states to the federal government.

The bill was titled: ‘A Bill for An Act to Establish a Regulatory Framework for the Water Resources Sector in Nigeria, Provide for the Equitable and Sustainable Redevelopment, Management, Use and Conservation of Nigeria’s Surface Water and Groundwater Resources and for Related Matter.’

It partly reads: “This Act repeals the Water Resources Act, Cap W2 LFN 2004; River Basin Development Act Cap R9 LFN 2004; Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (Establishment) Act, Cap N110A, LFN 2004; National Water Resources Institute Act Cap N83 LFN 2004; and establishes the National Council on Water Resources, Nigeria Water Resources Regulatory Commission, River Basin Development Authorities, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, and the National Water Resources Institute.”

It would also be recalled that in September 2020, following the raging controversies, debate on the bill succeeded in pitting Southern lawmakers against their Northern counterparts and efforts by the Northern lawmakers to save the bill proved abortive as arguments by the members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opponents of the bill forced the Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, to order its withdrawal and reintroduction.

Those championing the bill are the Bill sponsor and Chairman of the Committee on Water Resources, Hon. Sada Soli and the Chairman Committee on rules and business, Hon. Hassan Fulata.

It was also gathered that as at the time the bill was passed for the first reading in the House, no member of the House has seen or had a copy of the Bill, except those behind it, and this according to our source prompted the Speaker to direct that every lawmaker gets the copy of the bill to study ahead of the second reading debate, this directive has not been carried out.

July 26, 2022