Tag: Ekweremadu

‘I Defeated Him, Smart Adeyemi Is My Political Wife’ – The Week In Quotes

 

This what was said and who said what in the public sphere within the course of the passing week.

 

  1. Be prepared for mother of all strikes
Members of the national leadership of NASU and SSANU at a press conference in Abuja on August 22, 2019. Inset: SSANU’s National Vice President (North), Mr Solomon Alfa.

University workers in the country under the umbrella of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) warn the Federal Government to brace up for an indefinite nationwide strike.

2. I want to assure you that Smart Adeyemi is my political wife; I defeated him in 2015, I defeated him in 2019 and any day any time, he is my political wife.

Kogi West: Smart Adeyemi Is 'My Political Wife' – Melaye

Senator Dino Melaye says he is not disturbed about being sacked as lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District, insists he has defeated his chief opponent, Senator Smart Adeyemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

3. Slavery still thrives today, we must eliminate it.

President Muhammadu Buhari calls on Nigerians and Africans to eliminate all forms of slavery and its existence for the modern age.

4. The Embassy has requested a thorough investigation of this attack with a view to identifying the perpetrators and bringing them swiftly to justice in accordance with German law.

Court Refuses To Order Ekweremadu's Arrest

The Nigerian Embassy in Germany says those who attacked former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu will be prosecuted under German law.

5. The solution to our problem lies with us.

President Muhammadu Buhari challenges ministers-designate to live up to the tasks ahead of them.

6. If you want to advise somebody and you are truly sincere about it and you are not out for cheap publicity, you do it in whispers.

Academic, social commentator and politician, Dr Junaid Mohammed faults the controversial letters published by former President Olusegun Obasanjo regarding the state of the nation.

7. Let me reiterate here that this administration places much premium on education at all levels, as it is the bedrock of society’s progress, and the way to overcome poverty.

President Buhari believes quality education is very important to the development of every nation, says it is the way people can be lifted out of poverty.

8. It’s not the time for cynicism in the country. It’s not the time for scepticism. If you want to be cynical or sceptical, you have a right for it but it wouldn’t do you good nor will it do the country well.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, says Nigeria needs to be re-positioned rather than being unnecessarily criticised.

9. We must remain accountable to the people we serve.

FG Is More Than Mindful About Wave Of Killings – SGF

The Secretary-General of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha urges Ministers-Designate in President Muhammadu Buhari second term cabinet to remain accountable to the Nigerian citizens.

10. Let me talk as a Nigerian. Those who were there before, to me personally, I didn’t see any impact in their performance.

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, says he didn’t feel the impact of the returning ministers in Buhari’s first term.

Attack On Ekweremadu Is An Abomination, Ndi-Igbo In Germany Apologises

 

The Ndi-Igbo Germany, (NIG), an umbrella body of Igbo people living in Germany, are apologising to the former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, for the attack on him by members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in Nuremberg, Germany, over the weekend.

The group said that any embarrassment to a leading light of Ndigbo like Ekweremadu was an embarrassment to the entire Igbo race and Nigeria, vowing to ensure that the law runs its full course.

The body said the event was part of its efforts to encourage foreign investment and industrialisation of Igboland, noting that it “provided a forum for Igbo people in Diaspora to network and to engage German business community with interest in investments and development in Igboland in particular and Nigeria in general”.

READ ALSO: Those Who Attacked Ekweremadu Shall Be Tried Under German Law – Embassy

In a statement on Monday signed by their leader, Engr. Ogechukwu Nsofor, the group said: “We, Ndi-Igbo Germany (N.I.G) the umbrella/apex union of all Igbo unions operating in the Federal Republic of Germany are shocked and dismayed by the unprovoked, unwarranted and senseless attack leashed on Senator Dr. Ike Ekweremadu in Nuremberg, Germany.

“Ndi-Igbo Germany, wish to offer our unequivocal apology to our special guest of honour, Senator Ike Ekweremadu – former Deputy Senate President – for the unfortunate treatment misdirected at him by members of Indigenous Peoples Of Biafra (IPOB) in Germany during the occasion of our 2nd Annual Igbo Cultural Festival and Convention 2019.

“It must be emphasised that Senator Dr. Ike Ekweremadu had nothing personal to gain in attending our cultural day. Rather the Igbo residents here in Germany lost an opportunity to tap into his reservoir of knowledge.

“No words can describe our shock, our consternation, and our sadness at this inexcusable, shameful and senseless attack. We apologise from the depths of our hearts that you had to experience such a horrible thing here in our midst. This is not how we are here. Please do not hold this incident against the 99 percent law abiding Umu-Igbo in Germany.

“Our apologies go to Ohaneze Ndi Igbo and to all well-meaning Igbo-Diasporan groups and associations both at home and abroad for this disgrace.

“We sincerely apologize to the National Assembly and indeed to our entire country for such an unwarranted assault on Senator Dr. Ike Ekweremadu by the IPOB members in Germany.

“Let this event be a rallying call to all Umu Igbo at home and worldwide to always seek unity rather than primitively turning against ourselves in senseless violence which will make neutral and friendly global nations turn away from us.

“Ndi-Igbo Germany (N.I.G) condenm in strongest terms this action by the members of IPOB in Germany against Senator Dr. Ike Ikweremadu. Ndi-Igbo Germany distances herself from any group that encourages violence, directly or indirectly.

“It is not acceptable that an Igbo man or woman would come to the occasion of an ancient Igbo traditional event like Iri-ji and not only cause commotion, but also physically attack an invited guest, a fellow Igbo brother from home and a senior Igbo elder statesman in the person of Senator Dr. Ike Ekweremadu. This is an abomination in Igbo land. And in a foreign land! Is this what we have come to in our united struggle, Ndi Igbo? A house divided against itself cannot stand.

“This single action will cost IPOB in Germany more than 70% of her hitherto sympathisers. What IPOB Germany thought in their inept, diminutive, and megalomaniac mindset as a humiliation of Senator Ekweremadu is in reality a humiliation of the Igbo race in a foreign Land.

Finally, and on a serious note: Ndi-Igbo Germany abhors all kinds of violence. We are committed to working and cooperating with our host country Germany and with her constituted authorities.

“Ndi–Igbo Germany will let the full weight of the law take its course. As we all work together towards the redemption of Ala Igbo, let no one think that he or she has more claim to Igbo nation than the other”.

Those Who Attacked Ekweremadu Shall Be Tried Under German Law – Embassy

Court Refuses To Order Ekweremadu's Arrest

 

The Nigerian Embassy in Germany has said that those who attacked former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu will be prosecuted under German law.

In a statement on Monday, the embassy assured Nigerians that those who assaulted the lawmaker will be prosecuted in a bid to curb future attacks of this nature.

“The Embassy of Nigeria, Berlin, Germany wishes to react to viral videos of a vicious physical attack on the immediate past Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate and serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ike Ekweremadu, by some members an illegal and terrorist entity named Indigenous Peoples of Biafra ( POB) in Nuremberg on 17th August 2019.

“The attack happened at an event organised by Nigerians in Germany under the auspices of a socio-cultural organisation known as Ndigbo Germany, a registered entity in the Federal Republic of Germany.

“Invitations were extended to Nigerian dignitaries, including the Distinguished Senator and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany, His Excellency Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.

“The Nigerian Ambassador also honoured the invitation but arrived at the venue shortly after the incident.

“The organisers reportedly requested for police protection to ensure public order during the event but were told that the threat level was minimal and did not require the stationing of any personnel at the venue before the incident.

“The Embassy has requested a thorough investigation of this attack with a view to identifying the perpetrators and bringing them swiftly to justice in accordance with German law.

“This would deter future acts of violence against officials of the Nigerian Government on German soil particularly against the backdrop of threats by the proscribed IPOB to carry out similar attacks on more Nigerian dignitaries, especially those from the South-Eastern part of the country,” the statement read.

READ ALSO: Attack On Ekweremadu: We All Have A Responsibility To Rise Against Evil – APC

The Attack On Ekweremadu Cannot Be Justified Under Any Guise – PDP

 

 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned in its entirety, the attack on former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremmadu, by some Nigerians in Germany, at the weekend.

The PDP in a statement on Sunday noted that the former Deputy Senate President was attending the 2nd Igbo Annual Festival in Germany where he was duly scheduled as a speaker and special guest of honour when he was attacked.

READ ALSO: Ekweremadu’s Attack: Senate President Asks German Authorities To Identify Culprits

The party insisted that the attack on Senator Ekweremadu was uncalled for, unprovoked and cannot be justified under any guise whatsoever. The PDP added that such assault on a leader is completely unacceptable and does not portray our nation in a proper light.

The PDP charged the Nigerian Ambassador to Germany as well as the German government to take appropriate decisive action on the matter.

The party also urged the Federal Government, particularly, the National Assembly, to take an urgent comprehensive step to address issues leading to acts of resentment and agitations by Nigerians within and outside the country.

‘An Assault On Igbos And Nigerians’, Fayose Condemns Ekweremadu’s Attack

Ayodele Fayose

 

The former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has condemned the attack on former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) at an event in Germany. 

Mr Fayose described the incident as an assault against the Igbos and Nigerians in general.

He said the “Attackers of Ekweremadu, a defender of democracy who symbolises courage & decency, are miscreants who don’t deserve a place in a civilised society”.

READ ALSO: Attack On Ekweremadu ‘An Embarrassment To The Country’, Says Dabiri-Erewa

The former governor took to his Twitter handle to express his dissatisfaction over the incident which occurred on Saturday.

He added, “It is an assault against the Igbos and Nigerians in general.

“To me, those “Igbo touts” demonstrated that pigs have no value for gold”.

Mr Ekweremadu who is also a serving Senator was attacked at the 2nd Annual Igbo Cultural Festival at which he was a speaker/special guest of honour in Nuremberg.

A video of the incident uploaded by IPOB on its Facebook page and by some other persons at the scene have gone viral.

Attack On Ekweremadu ‘An Embarrassment To The Country’, Says Dabiri-Erewa

 

The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has condemned “in its entirety”, the attack on the former deputy senate president, Senator in Germany.

Her statement, late on Saturday, follows the emergence of a viral video of an attack on the 57-year-old who is a serving Senator.

Dabiri-Erewa said the Senator was attending the 2nd Annual Igbo Cultural Festival in Nuremberg as a speaker/special guest of honour when he was reportedly beaten up.

“The incident is an embarrassment to the country,” she said.

READ ALSO: IPOB Members Attack Ekweremadu In Germany

Stating that reliable sources have said some of those who carried out the attack have been apprehended, Dabiri-Erewa demanded action.

“We call on the German government and law enforcement agencies to ensure that there are consequences for their actions,” she said.

“It is also shamefully pathetic that an event which was nobly put together by the Ndi-Igbo community in Germany, whose members make up the majority of Nigerians living in Germany, to amongst other things provide a forum for the Diasporans and various stakeholders to network and to facilitate a better cooperation between German and Nigerian businesses, ended up in such a disgraceful manner.”

She called on Nigerians to be of good behavior wherever they find themselves because such incidents tarnish the image of the country.

VIDEO: IPOB Members Attack Ekweremadu In Germany

Former Deputy Senate President and serving Senator Ike Ekweramadu has been attacked by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra at an event in Germany.

Senator Ekweremadu was attacked at the 2nd Annual Igbo Cultural Festival at which he was a speaker/special guest of honour in Nuremberg when he was attacked.

A video of the incident uploaded by IPOB on its Facebook page and by some other persons at the scene have gone viral.

READ ALSO: Attack On Ekweremadu ‘An Embarrassment” To Nigeria, Says Dabiri-Erewa

In the video, a rowdy group of people was seen angrily throwing objects at a man said to be the Senator as he walked away from them.

Amid shouts of ‘bring him out’, the man was later pulled out through the crowd gathered at the entrance of a building before being dragged from the angry crowd into a vehicle and driven away.

The attack has drawn condemnation with the Chairman of the Nigerians In Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, labelling it an embarrassment to the nation.

She urged Nigerians to be of good behaviour everywhere and called on the German authorities to ensure that there are consequences for those responsible for the attack.

Zamfara Killings: Senators Demand Action As Ekweremadu Calls For State Of Emergency

Senate Confirms North-East Development Commission Chairman, Members
A file photo of the Senate during plenary at the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly in Abuja on December 18, 2018. Photo: [email protected]

 

Senators are demanding an end to the Zamfara killings as the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has called for the declaration of a State of Emergency.

A lawmaker, Senator Kabiru Marafa, during plenary on Wednesday asked the Federal Government to step up its efforts in solving the crisis in the state.

He presented a motion calling for its intervention, a situation where he said many lives have been lost and properties destroyed.

READ ALSO: Senate Passes Police Trust Fund Bill, Three Others

The Senator has on several occasion, drawn the attention of lawmakers to the killings in Zamfara state.

He has therefore asked for a Presidential Initiative in Zamfara with a ten-year life span to cater to the needs of displaced persons in the state.

Mr. Ekweremadu also called for the introduction of state police within the country’s security architecture.

He said the insecurity in the state has reached the point where the State of Emergency should be declared in Zamfara, to help stabilise the state.

Ekweremadu Wins Enugu West Senatorial Seat

Court Refuses To Order Ekweremadu's Arrest
(File) Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu

 

Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Candidate and Deputy Senate President has won the seat for Enugu West Senatorial District.

Ekweremadu joined the Senate in 2003, making his victory on Saturday, the fifth time in which the lawmaker will be heading back as a member of the Upper House.

Ekweremadu polled 86,088 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mrs. Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who scored 15,187 votes.

LIVE:  SENATORS, REPS EMERGE AS NIGERIANS AWAIT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS

The Returning Officer, Prof Douglas Nwagbo of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) announced the results in Awgu on Sunday.

In reaction to the development, the Deputy Senate president said he was humbled by the result.

 

Polls Shift: Ekweremadu Alleges Result Sheets Missing In Enugu West

Court Refuses To Order Ekweremadu's Arrest
(File) Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu

 

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has raised the alarm over the missing Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) result sheets for Enugu West Senatorial District.

In a statement, media aide to Senator Ekweremadu explained that the Deputy Senate President made this disclosure during a town hall meeting at Oji, the headquarters of Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State.

According to the statement, it was part of the meetings the Senator organised in his senatorial district to sensitise the people on the need to participate in the rescheduled dates for the general elections.

READ ALSO: PDP To Hold Emergency Meeting Tomorrow

“Some people intended the Saturday elections for evil, but all things work together for good unto those that love God, those who repose their absolute trust in Him,” the Senator said, adding that he had brought it to the notice of the INEC authorities.

“Don’t forget that some people had earlier boasted how they would overrun us by isolating the state for a staggered election. You must also have read the reports that Enugu State was one of the states that didn’t receive any materials or materials were incomplete.

“They ensured that the result sheets for the entire Enugu West Senatorial District were missing or not delivered. I have lodged the complaint with the INEC authorities, but the result sheets are still missing as I speak.He asked Nigerians to be vigilant.

“Don’t despair. Don’t allow your spirits to be broken. We have come very far in this struggle and we are now at a point of no retreat, no surrender,” he said.

Embrace Virtues Of Christ, Ekweremadu Tells Nigerians

Killings: Nigeria Applying The Wrong Solution To Security Problems – Ekweremadu
(File) Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu

 

The Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has asked Nigerians to embrace the virtues of Jesus Christ during the Christmas season.

He called for the virtues of love, fairness, selfless service to reflect on Nigeria as the country prepares for the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

Ekweremadu stated this on Monday in his goodwill message to Nigerians at Christmas.

“I believe that embracing the christlike virtues of love, peace, fairness, and selfless service to fatherland is key to eschewing the desperation and pursuit of narrow interests that fuel vote-buying, intimidation, and other electoral manipulations that in turn trigger electoral violence”.

He stated that the National Assembly had amended the constitution to quicken the dispensation of justice in pre-election disputes, noting that the forthcoming general election is critical for the survival and deepening of democracy in Nigeria.

“Slow pace of justice delivery has been an incentive for ills. Therefore, just as we amended the Constitution in 2010 to prescribe a timeframe for the conclusion of election petitions, the current National Assembly has further amended Section 285 of the Constitution to set timeframes for the conclusion of pre-election disputes such as issues arising from primary elections.

“The President has also assented to this particular amendment to make it part of our Constitution.

“Going forward, every pre-election matter must be filed not later than 14 days from the date of the occurrence of the event, decision or action complained of in the suit.

“Judgement shall be delivered within 180 days of institution of the suit

“An appeal from a pre-election matter shall be heard and disposed within 60 days.

“That way, every aggrieved person should be rest assured that they don’t have to wait forever again to get justice. Every wrong done before or during elections will now be remedied speedily”.

The Deputy President of the Senate wished Nigerians a Merry Christmas, urging them to pray for the country.

Ekweremadu Projects ‘A President Of Igbo Extraction’ In 2023   

Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has projected that in 2023, “A president of an Igbo extraction” is imminent.

In an interview on Channels Television’s Roadmap 2019, Ekweremadu said that the presidency of Nigeria is dependent on the mood of the nation.

Speaking on the role of the southeast in the Nigerian political landscape, he noted that “no one part of Nigeria can decide to take the presidency and succeed in taking it”.

Ekweremadu said that the presidency of Nigeria is dependent on the mood of the nation.

READ ALSO: PDP Congratulates Buhari At 76, Tasks Him On Rule Of Law

Taking a walk down memory lane, the lawmaker said that in 1999 when Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was elected into power, “the mood of the nation was for a southern president from the western part of Nigeria”

Adding that when Obasanjo was to leave in 2007, the mood of the nation shifted to the north, hence the emergence of late Ex-President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua .

He further noted that in 2015, Goodluck Jonathan would have been re-elected but the mood of the nation at the time was still for a president from the north.

According to the lawmaker, this was the major reason why President Muhammadu Buhari won his election into office.

Having established the role of ‘moods’ in Nigerian polity, Ekweremadu projected that the mood of the nation would be “a product of Igbo extraction” in 2023.

Speaking on the performance of the legislature, Ekweremadu who said that Nigeria’s legislative arm of government is mostly misunderstood because the public doesn’t really know too much about it noted that the nations needs institutional memories.

He said so much money is spent on training parliamentarians but most of those trained are often kicked out of the parliament before they can impact the nation with the skills and knowledge acquired.

The Deputy Senate President also talked about other pressing issues including security challenges.

Labeling the recent attempt on his residence as unfortunate, the lawmaker said the incident is one that raises questions regarding the security of the ordinary citizens of the country.

He charged the authorities to ensure that every Nigerian is well protected and hoped that the police will get to the root of the attempt on him and his family.