Eparliamentng

04/09/2024

At 31, Mazi Ogbonnaya Mark Okoro has successfully engraved his name on the planet of world renown iconoclastic intellectuals. A pathfinder and an unrepentant pursuer of excellence. Born on June 26, 1993 in Okposi, a town known for the entrepreneurial

23/08/2024

Meet Nigeria’s historically tallest Presidential Spokesman Ajuri Ngelale

23/08/2024

Official Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Nigeria governors finally back Fubara. Dump Wike at Forum Meeting in Taraba.

Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have thrown their weight behind Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State in his

23/08/2024

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu: the Nwanza Story, Gov Alex Otti and Ndigbo; Time to Take Caution is Now

The Nwanza story is an Igbo adage about Nwanza, the proud little bird, which after a heavy meal, decided to challenge his chi (god) to a wrestling match!
That immortal saying in Igbo cultural cosmogony has been the standard advice against pride and all forms of its intoxication that always lead to the unraveling of anyone who fails to heed.

The recent ego trip and infantile vituperations against the Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti, by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu; who become loquaciously boastful of his rank as the 6th citizen, hence the 6th most important person in Nigeria’s political firmament is very shameful and smacks of the Nwanza story.
Hon. Kalu is the lackey greenhorn that arrived the National Assembly six years ago, and six years later became the 6th “most important” politician in Nigeria. What a feat!
Indeed, he is a lucky youngman, but then how lucky can one become to the point of discarding history and the rich lessons of HISTORY?

For starters, our younger brother must be awakened to the reality of his situation and the larger realities of his people, the Igbo people of Nigeria. He must be reminded that Ndigbo have never been strangers to the leadership of the Nigerian National Assembly.
In fact, at the dawn of Independence, the iconic Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe became the first Nigerian indigenous President of the Senate. After him was Prince Nwafor Orizu who was the President of the Senate up until 1966.
At the return of Democracy in 1979, Rt. Hon. Edwin Umezoke emerged SPEAKER of the House of Representatives until the military coup of 1983.
Again after the then recurrent military interregnums, at the dawn of the current democratic experience in 1999; NdiIgbo once again rose to the occasion as Sen. Evan Enwerem, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, Sen Adolphus Wabara, Sen. Ken Nnamani and Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim all at different times served as the President of the Senate and Chairmen of the National Assembly.
In the same breath, Hon. Chibudom Nwuche and Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha both served as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives; with Ihedioha ending the 2011-2015 tenure as Speaker of the House.

These great men all conducted themselves with decorum, respect for elders and regard to process; in the full knowledge of the solemnity of their positions as people holding forte for Ndigbo and Nigeria. More so, as democrats who derive their powers and position from the collectivism of the peoples’ will.
It is, therefore, shocking that with this rich history at his disposal, Hon. Benjamin Kalu has been prancing around, trampling on the collective intelligence of Ndigbo just because he is today the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Hon. Kalu’s attacks on the Labour Party (LP), my party, the party that Nigerians especially his own people have come to embrace as the viable alternative is not just unfortunate, but a pathway to perdition and political hara-kiri.
Hon. Kalu needs not be reminded that Dr. Alex Otti, a distinguished Nigerian, banker, economic expert and development strategist towers well above his boastful and exuberant despondency.
Dr. Alex Otti has over time learnt the ropes of the Nigerian leadership trajectory and remains an unrepentant believer in both the power of the people and the power in the people.
Today he has become a shining example of the Peter Obi philosophy of “A New Nigeria” through his breakthrough governance in Abia State; a shining example the difference good governance can make in a society.

For over two decades, Abia State had tottered on the brink; cascading towards the abyss of nothingness in governance and public service. However, in barely one year and half, the difference is clear as hopes have been reawakened in Abia State and the people are already self-mobilising for the progress ahead with Dr. Alex Otti.
Dr. Otti has come to work in Abia, the evidence is clear to even the blind; even as it is morning yet on creation day!
More so, Deputy Speaker Kalu should already know that Nigerians are wiser now and can no longer be railroaded to the Golgotha by political threats or deceitful cajoling. Accordingly, Abia, the God’s Own State, cannot be a reward for brigandage and political tokenism.

Like has been pointed out in other fora, President Bola Tinubu, as he promised during the runup to the 2023 general elections, has continued from where former President Mohammadu Buhari stopped-nay the marginalization and oppression of the Igbo people; the only difference is that Ndigbo are now being openly given quit notices in parts of Nigeria. Thankfully, the resilient spirit of Ndigbo subsists and will continue to subsist.
Deputy Speaker Kalu should use the instrumentality of his “6th most important personality” to get his peers at the top echelon of Nigeria’s ruling class to instead of glossing over the issuing threats to Ndigbo, rather declare an emergency on hunger, darkness, insecurity and starvation that are devastating all Nigerians.
As already noted, Ndigbo are unapologetic in their political choices or the political party to support, especially with their past and present experiences with the All Progressives Congress (APC). Neither the eight years of Buhari, nor the current Tinubu presidency can change that. The take-it-by-force and run-with-it concept of 2023, and now being championed by Ben Kalu, will no longer work in Igboland.

For the avoidance of doubt, Deputy Speaker Kalu has the undeniable right to aspire to the highest office in Abia State in 2027, but he has to campaign and convince the people to elect him to that exalted office.
Attacking Governor Alex Otti, or threatening Igbo people with a forceful reward for President Tinubu is definitely not be the way to go.
My dear younger brother, Hon. Benjamin Kalu should enjoy his sudden political windfall and unforeseen economic largesse in peace and tranquility. He should, at best, represent his people of Bende Federal Constituency; and if he chooses, the larger legitimate interests of Ndigbo.
One thing he must not do is to imagine that he can threaten Ndigbo into political submission. It won’t work, it has never worked; not on Ndigbo.

Finally, Benjamin Kalu is encouraged to remain abreast of the Nwanza fable.

Rep. Linus Okorie,FCA
(House of Reps:2011-2019 & 2023/2024 LP Senatorial Candidate, Ebonyi South)

23/08/2024

Who Wants Joe Ajaero Silenced or Is This The Return of Police State?

The Wikipedia describes “a police state as a state whose government institutions exercise an extreme level of control over civil society and liberties. There is typically little or no distinction between the law and the exercise of political power by the executive, and the deployment of internal security and police forces play a heightened role in governance”.
It further states the “a police state is a characteristic of authoritarian, totalitarian or illiberal regimes (contrary to a liberal democratic regime). Such governments are typically one-party states, but a police state may emerge in a democracy”

Another authority defined a police state as “a totalitarian state controlled by a political police force that secretly supervises the citizens' activities”.

During the recent national hunger protest, complaints of police brutality leading to alleged fatalities were rampant. It was so much so that Amnesty International issued a state statement indicating that 13 persons were killed in the first day of the nationwide protests, and calling for a probe.

Other notable individuals and organizations had also raised concerns about the same allegations indicting the Nigeria police of extreme force against unarmed protesters. One of such organizations was the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led by Comrade Joe Ajaero. This also included the Presidential Candidates of the PDP and LP in the 2023 Presidential elections; Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi respectively.

It is noteworthy that the NLC had since July 2024 been facing pressures over the nationwide protest that eventually took place in the month in August. In statement signed by the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero on Wednesday, the Congress advised the federal government and the sub-national governments “to listen to the cries of the hungry Nigerian people, and address the economic crisis.”

Prior to this time, and arising from bourgeoning leadership crisis in the Labour Party (LP), which the NLC is the legally recognized institutional promoter; the Congress had convened an expansive stakeholders meeting in April 2024 to midwife a National Transition Committee (NTC) to manage the affairs of the LP in a post-Abure era, given that the tenure of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) was set to expire on July 9, 2024.

Beginning from that date, and given the intransigence of the Abure team on sitting tight, events suggestive of coordinated blackmail and assaults on the NLC and its leadership crept in from several seen and unseen sources. They were, obviously, all targeted at frustrating the noble efforts of the LP-NTC to birth a formidable LP; as the viable alternative political platform for the majority of yearning Nigerians.

First, the police was innocuously used to frustrate the LP-NTC’s effort to takeover the National Secretariat of the LP, as its rightful operational hub on July 13, 2024. This was later explained away as a sincere effort to ensure peace and avert a breakdown of law and order; even though the police team bias against the LP-NTC was all too clear during the event.

Then on July 7, 2024, security agents conducted a night raid on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja.
According to the NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah, the operatives burst into the building at about 8.30 pm and arrested the security guards, forcing them to hand over keys to the offices on the second floor.

The police which later took responsibility for the operation, said it was aimed at uncovering incriminating documents that could help build a case against an international “subversive” figure considered a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
This explanation was promptly rejected by the NLC and the Congress went ahead to demand the prompt release of its arrested members and seized documents.

Curiously on August 13, 2024; Abayomi Arabambi, the National Publicity Secretary of the defunct Abure NWC; which tenure expired on July 9, 2024 released a rancorous press statement that amongst other things accused the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and the LP-NTC of PLANNING TO USE LABOUR PARTY FOR INSURRECTION AND DESTABILIZATION OF NIGERIAN DEMOCRACY, LABELING THEM SECURITY THREATS. They provided no evidence to back up the wild allegations.

Following quickly from the unexplained raid of the NLC secretariat, the allegation by Arabambi was seen as a kite being flown by the unseen conspirators clearly intent on blackmailing and intimidating the NLC and its leadership into abandoning the charted course to a new and vibrant LP. But no one could fathom that the police would fall for the naked bait.

This is why the sudden and unexplained police letter dated August 19, 2024 to Joe Ajaero inviting him “for questioning over alleged criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime in which he was mentioned” is not only curious; but suspect. Who wants Joe Ajaero silenced is the question now?

It is also on record that Joe Ajaero was in November 2023, during a protest in Owerri, allegedly singled out for “brutish and degrading” by the police accompanied by thugs. In a joint press release then, the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) said that "police accompanied by thugs inflicted heavy injuries and blows to his [Mr Ajaero's] head and body, kicking him in the process while dragging him on the ground". NLC spokesman Benson Upah also alleged that police continued to assault Mr Ajaero after taking him away, causing injuries that shut his right eye.

He was later released and immediately went to receive medical treatment for facial injuries.

For a man whose public profile is so well known and who cannot suddenly disappear from circulation, even if he wanted to; the abruptness with which the police wants him to appear within 24 hours to answer to such high crimes without prior accusations, rankles the brain. This also calls to question if citizens rights to fair hearing guaranteed under section 36 of the 1999 constitution (as amended) still means anything to our securty agencies; especially the Police.

It is, therefore, heartwarming that Femi Falana, SAN has offered his revered self and services in defense of citizen Joe Ajaero. He has rightfully requested a shift in date and more importantly particulars-“nature and detail of the criminal allegations of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime leveled against him”.

It is hoped that the police authorities will allow this due process to operate, and abide by it, in accordance with the laws of the land.
But the more important concern is what happens to the millions of ordinary Nigerians who do not have access to and capacity for the representation of a Femi Falana, as Joe Ajaero now has? How many have suffered indignities and other negative consequences for “fly by the night” allegations wrapped around their necks for reasons that may never be explained? How many more shall suffer same?

Above all, this calls for great concern and raises the question: Who Wants Joe Ajaero Silenced or Is This The Return of Police State?

Rep. Linus Okorie,FCA

23/08/2024

29/07/2024

The government of the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Canada have issued fresh security alerts to their citizens in Nigeria ahead of the planned protests across Nigeria scheduled to commence on Thursday, August 1, 2

20/07/2024

Tinubu Planning My Arrest With Protest Accusation-Peter Obi Says.

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Mr Peter Obi, on Saturday, July 24, 2024 said that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led presidency is working assiduously to heap the blame of all the problems, real and imagined created by their insensitivity and lavish lifestyle on him in order to silence him.

Obi, who was also former governor of Anambra State also said that notable challenges of the Tinubu-led administration which are a consequence of their actions and inactions like fuel subsidy fallouts, growing poverty in the land, inflation, nepotism and unresolved historical conflicts among others are being blamed on him by the same government that created the problems.

These were contained in a statement by the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), in which he specifically noted what it described as the “wild, wicked and baseless allegations by one of the spokespersons in the Presidency, Bayo Onanuga accusing Peter Obi of being the mastermind of a planned protest in the country, adding that Obi should be held responsible for any mayhem that may occur in the protest.

The POMR pointedly said that it has it on good and reliable authority that the unsubstantiated allegations by Onanuga and others against Peter Obi are being orchestrated in order to arrest Obi, limit his freedom and association and stop his propagation for good governance which the Tinubu-led government find injurious to their lavish lifestyle.

The statement signed by Yunusa Tanko, spokesman of POMR, stressed that the Labour Party presidential candidate by his mien in and out of political office, has not in any way shown or been associated with violence even in the most obvious provocations.

POMR also said that it is aware that multiple attack dogs have been hired and strategically deployed to ensure that Peter Obi does not enjoy the ear of the Nigerian populace who are keen on hearing his voice on issues.

In the words of Tanko; “These spin doctors and hirelings, to justify their pay, indulge in all kinds of falsehood ostensibly to distract Obi and confuse Nigerians who already see Obi as suiting balm in the current turbulent political and economic environment”.

The POMR noted that Peter Obi has always shown, even during the electioneering that he is issue-driven as he carries on without calling anybody’s name.

It specifically said that the spin doctors and hired writers have tried to curiously link all the problems real and imagined created by the insensitivity and lavish lifestyle the Tinubu-led administration, to Obi.

According to POMR; “Notable challenges of the administration which are a consequence of their actions and inactions like fuel subsidy fallouts, growing poverty in the land, inflation, nepotism and unresolved historical conflicts among others they blame all on Obi”.

POMR therefore urged Nigerians to ignore the Presidency’s cheap blackmail as Obi and the Obidient family all over the country and in the diaspora remain resolute in their search for a new Nigeria that is POssible and would not be cowed or be made to lose focus.

20/07/2024

The progressive recovery and rebuilding of Labour Party Nigeria as the vehicle for the People is on.
Join 30 Million Nigerians to Make Mr. Peter Obi President in 2027. Join .
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19/07/2024

Yes.
It’s been such a long time you haven’t heard from me. Thanks for looking out for me. That situation will change soon. .

07/03/2024

After a well deserved absence of approximately a month from this space, I shall be back from March 9; incidentally my DAY. Lots have happened, I’ll try to bring us up to speed; gradually. Thank you all.

04/02/2024

Thank You . Though RIGGED out, we are not DEFEATED. Your solidarity and insuppressible support keeps the VISION alive. I am eternally indebted to; and shall never turn my back on, you.