Politics

Flashback: How Ikenga Ugochinyere almost fraudulently scuttled APC registration in 2013

Published

3 months ago

August 14, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Flashback: How Ikenga Ugochinyere almost fraudulently scuttled APC registration in 2013

By Kumbi Aderibigbe

Sahara Weekly Reports That For many Nigerians watching the unfolding drama around the dissolution of the Special Investigative Committee set to probe the face-off between billionaire businessman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and his refinery on one side, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA ) on the other, the involvement of House of Representatives members, Ikenga Ugochinyere, brings back distasteful memory of a time gone by.

Representative Ugochinyere is presently, Chairman of the House Committee on Midstream and Downstream. He was also the chairman of the Special Investigative Committee just disbanded by Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House.

Set up by the House following recrimination and counter recrimination between Dangote and NNPCL and NMDPRA, the Committee was expected to impartially investigate the matter and make its findings known to the House for appropriate action.

At issue were Dangote’s allegations that the NNPCL and it’s partners, the International Oil Companies (IOCs)operating in Nigeria, were refusing to supply his refinery crude for refining, and that the NNPCL had opened a blending plant in Malta for crude refinement.

He also accused the NMDPRA of indiscriminately issuing import licences to marketers to import petroleum products into the country. Denying the allegation against it, the NMDPRA responded by accusing Dangote Refinery of producing diesel with sulphur content well above internationally specified standard.

These were the issues Ugochinyere and his colleagues in the Committee were expected to address but unfortunately, things took a different turn. Contrary to the expectations of the leadership of the House and millions of Nigerians who had become worried over the likely impact of the clash of key players in the Nigerian oil sector on supply of petroleum products in the country, Ugochinyere saw in the committee, a vehicle for promoting his narrow personal interest. He turned the committee into a one-man show, sidelining other members of the committee and writing press statements and addressing press conferences without their knowledge and involvement. The height of his perfidy was his unilaterally absolving Dangote Refinery of wrongdoing and calling for the sack of Mallam Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, and Engr. Farouk Ahmed, Authority Chief Executive Officer of NMDPRA, even before the committee had commenced investigation into the matter.

The disbanding of the investigative committee by Speaker Abbas has assuaged the anger of Nigerians even though Ugochinyere’s conduct has left many nonplussed.

Those shocked or surprised by the lawmaker’s antics can be forgiven because they know very little about his antecedents. To keen watchers of the Nigerian political scene, his behaviour is consistent with his character.

Eleven years ago, not very many Nigerians knew him or had heard of him but he was suddenly catapulted to national prominence in 2013 when leading opposition political parties seeking an end to the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) hegemony rallied to form a mega party.

They settled for the name, All Progressives Congress with the acronym, APC. As they crossed the t’s and dotted the i’s of the alliance before seeking formal registration with Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a group with the same acronym (APC) but with the name, All Peoples Congress, immediately submitted a request for registration as a political party. The move by this group pitted them against the larger body of opposition political parties who claimed to have first come up with the APC acronym. They would also later apply to INEC for registration as a political party.

As the disagreement between the two groups raged, INEC after due consideration of the evidence before it, registered the All Progressives Congress as a party while declining to do the same for the All Peoples Congress. In denying the latter registration, INEC said it breached Section 222 (a) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended.

INEC’s Director, of Public Affairs, Emmanuel Umenger explained that the commission had conveyed it’s decision to the group:

“The Commission has written to this political association and had stated in very clear terms that they are in breach of section 222 (a) of the constitution with the additional explanations stated in the letter.

The Commission also observed that the submission made on form PA 1 does not contain the addresses of the national officers of the political association as stipulated and it means this association has the responsibility to prove, because these are the things the commission has observed and the law says if you do not meet any of these requirements you will not be registered as a political party.

“The commission has gone ahead to explain in its letter I have on my table. The letter we have sent today was duly signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Abdulahi Kaugama and it is self explanatory, the letter is dated 21, 2013 which was signed and collected by one Michael Ogani of APC”, Umenger said at the time.

The letter as later made avaliable to the public and signed by the INEC’s Secretary, Alhaji Abdulahi Kaugama reads in part:

“Your application for registration as a political party dated 28th February, 2013 refers. The Commission has observed that your association is in breach of Section 222 (a) of the Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) which stipulates as follows: “No association by whatever name called shall function as a political party unless; the names and addresses of its national officers are registered with the Independent National Electoral Commission;.

A close observation of your submitted form PA 1 established that it does not contain the addresses of your national officers as stipulated in the provisions above. Consequently, the commission shall not register the proposed African Peoples Congress (APC) as a political party.”

The party accused INEC of conspiring with the registered APC to deny it acceptance but the electoral body insisted it acted within the purview of the law. It would emerge later that Ugochinyere was one of the key figures floating the All Peoples Congress as a means of preventing the All Progressives Congress’ emergence as a political party at a time Nigerians were seeking a genuine alternative to the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to which he belonged.

A young lawyer, Mr. Chinedu Samuel Nwokorie, a 2011 graduate of the Nigerian Law School in Bwari, Abuja, blew the lid off Ugochinyere’s caper with his revelation in a newspaper interview that he was hired by Ugochinyere to scuttle the registration bid of the now ruling APC. Nwokorie told Nigerians in that interview:

“Ugochinyere Ikenga approached me sometime in February 2013 to put in an application for the registration of a political party by name African Peoples Congress,” Nwokorie said, expressing regrets and denying that he was a politician of any sort.

“He paid me an initial sum of N30,000 and later added another N50,000 and a Samsung Galaxy phone after I had filed the papers, with a promise that he was going to settle me after the party must have been registered.

“I filed the application in the honest belief that it was just another political party because even the application I entered at INEC only bears the name African Peoples Congress. The acronym APC was not included in the application.

“So there was no way I could have visualize, whether or not there was an ulterior motive in the registration of that political party. I was, however, surprised to see my name all over the newspapers, including the sample of the application letter I wrote to INEC.

“I wish to let Nigerians know that I am not a politician in anyway whatsoever. I regret the issues at hand and the dimension the entire thing is taking.”

The young lawyer who studied law in Cameroun before going to law school in Abuja added that each time he developed cold feet on the issue, Ugochinyere was always on hand to egg him on. He said:

“He keeps telling me not to worry, that I should be a man and that he would handle the matter. He also said that the real owners of the party would soon be revealed to Nigerians.

“Once again, I want to tell Nigerians that I just took a brief as a young lawyer and it ended there. I don’t know the sponsors of the party. The only person I know is Ugochinyere Ikenga, who gave me the brief.

“I got to know Ikenga through a friend. I thought it wise to come out and tell Nigerians the entire story because I keep receiving calls all-day through. My major concern now is my letter head, which is in the custody of INEC.

From the evidence above, it is clear that Ugochinyere has a history of involvement in dubious enterprises and of manipulating people to achieve his aim. After collecting what must be a handsome pay cheque from his sponsors to scuttle the APC’S registration plan, he shamelessly and unconscionably recruited a young and aspiring lawyer and paid him peanuts to put his fledgling career on the line.

For those in doubt of Ugochinyere’s status as a hatchet and gun for hire, a March 16, 2013 report in Premium Times, a leading online news platform in Nigeria, lends credence to his ability to take on hatchet jobs. The report titled, “PDP disowns hatchet man, Ikenga; says ACN behind “APC” name crisis for attention”, noted:

“Multiple media investigations have exposed Mr. Ikenga, a card-carrying member of the PDP, as the individual behind the formation of African Peoples Congress, APC, a rival controversial group seeking to be registered as a political party under the acronym “APC” already adopted by a merger of four opposition parties.

“The effort is suspected to be aimed at thwarting the new coalition, namely Action Congress of Nigeria, Congress for Progressive Change, All Nigeria Peoples Party and All Progressive Grand Alliance, seeking to form the All Progressives Congress.

“A figure well known to similar underhanded deals at the behest of the ruling party, Mr. Ikenga’s scheme this time, to launch the new party, has struck off intense crisis between the opposition parties and the PDP, accused of backing him.

“In a statement on Saturday, the PDP denied the allegation, a refutation it has repeatedly made. The party said Mr. Ikenga’s past, which saw him also lead a campaign against the current chairman of the party, Bamanga Tukur, had rendered him an “estranged fellow” who cannot be an agent of the party.

“To the best of our knowledge, no member of the PDP is involved in the formation of any other political organization, neither are we interested in the activities of any other Party,” the party said in a statement signed by spokesperson, Olisa Metuh.

“The alleged involvement of one Ugochinyere Imo Ikenga in the formation of the other APC has no bearing whatsoever on us. From our findings, Mr. Ikenga’s recent activities, including his unsavoury attacks and illicit campaign for the dissolution of the the Bamanga Tukur led National Working Committee makes him an estranged fellow and therefore can never be an agent of the PDP in anyway.”

Eleven years down the line, he has perfected the art of manipulation and honed his predilection for scheming into an art. Men like Ugochinyere are a menace to society and must be stopped. It is good the investigative committee he turned into a cash cow has been disbanded. It is just a start. Speaker Abbas must go a step further to remove him as head of the Committee on Midstream and Downstream for if he doesn’t, it will only be a matter of time before he makes his next move.

Politics

Tinubu set to name envoys as ministry posts consular officers

Published

24 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Tinubu set to name envoys as ministry posts consular officers

Consular officers deployed to embassies in Spain, Malaysia, Brazil, others, concerns raised over state of country’s missions abroad

The Federal Government has begun deploying consular officers to diplomatic missions worldwide before the anticipated release of the ambassadorial list.

This move comes 14 months after 83 ambassadors were recalled in September 2023. Following President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration, a reassessment of foreign policy led to the recall of the 83 ambassadors; both career and non-career from their posts in September 2023, but the subsequent appointment of replacements has yet to take place.

The envoys were instructed to return to Nigeria by October 31, 2023, marking a shift in diplomatic strategy and suggesting that the government was looking to realign its foreign engagements to better serve national interests.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, had said the ambassadors served at the President’s behest in their host nations and that it was the President’s “prerogative to send or recall them from any country.”

Tuggar added that it was part of a strategy to realign Nigeria’s foreign engagements.

The recall was done but it left a diplomatic void as no replacements have been announced ever since.

However, the delay in appointing successors has raised concerns.

In April 2024, the government appointed 12 consuls-general and five chargés d’affaires to represent Nigeria in 14 countries, but these interim measures fell short of filling the leadership vacuum in key missions.

Consuls-general and chargés d’affaires can handle routine administrative duties and oversee the day-to-day operations of an embassy, but they do not possess the authority or diplomatic weight to engage at the highest levels, such as with heads of state or critical international negotiations.

On May 28, the foreign affairs minister acknowledged the situation, citing a lack of funds as the primary reason for the delay in appointing new ambassadors.

A few days later, former Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Amb. Eche Abu-Ode, said any new ambassadorial appointments would depend on budget allocations.

“I guess the funds may be included in the supplementary budget, but for now, there is no clear way forward without funds,” Abu-Ode stated.

The prolonged absence of ambassadors echoes similar delays during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, where ambassadorial appointments took up to 20 months.

Some diplomats fear Nigeria’s international partners may interpret this prolonged inaction as a sign of instability or disinterest in global affairs.

This perception, according to them, can be damaging, particularly for a country that relies on foreign investments and international partnerships to fuel its economic growth.

A senior official in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the issue, voiced concerns over the lack of communication and direction from the government.

“There is silence on the issue. Nobody knows what’s going on,” the official stated.

Diplomats and foreign policy experts also warned that Nigeria’s absence from the international stage could have long-term consequences for its reputation.

However, speaking to The PUNCH on Wednesday, a senior government official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the ongoing deployment of consular officers to missions abroad.

“They are deploying them to our various missions and embassies abroad. Some are going to Malaysia and Spain while others will go to Brazil where the President participated in the G20 Summit,” the official said.

According to another source, some officers have already reported to their new posts, while others are scheduled to assume their roles later this month.

“Yes, some of us left last week. Others even left the last two weeks. But I’m going later this month. They have brought new hands from the Ministry (of Foreign Affairs) to replace us here [at the State House] because we are being posted out of the country,” the official revealed.

Another source from the Presidency said, “I was posted because I was due for posting.”

Many within Nigeria’s diplomatic community are calling for immediate reforms to address the country’s diplomatic challenges.

A retired Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, had voiced his concerns over the prolonged absence of ambassadors.

“That diplomatic missions are without substantive heads for a short period is widely acceptable. But their absence over a year leaves so much to be desired, especially against the backdrop of the Ministry’s funding challenges,” he said.

Similarly, a retired Consul to Cameroon and Delegate to the World Expo and Economic Development Centre in Paris, Amb. Rasheed Akinkuolie, echoed the need for reform.

“It is not the best option not to have resident ambassadors at a post. Chargés d’affaires may not be able to relate with host governments at the highest level, which includes heads of state. A chargé d’affaires can generally only relate with foreign ministries and other officials,” Akinkuolie explained.

He also expressed concern that host governments might question why Nigeria has not replaced its recalled ambassadors, potentially seeing the prolonged absence as a sign of instability.

Akinkuolie noted that diplomatic missions should be funded from dedicated dollar accounts at the Central Bank of Nigeria to ensure steady financial support for operations abroad.

He also stressed the need for a more streamlined process in deploying ambassadors, urging the government to prioritise ambassadorial appointments and ensure that the foreign missions are properly funded and staffed.

“Diplomatic missions should be funded from a dollar account, dedicated for the purpose at the CBN while running the ministry at home should be in the local currency,” the retired diplomat noted.

The People’s Democratic Party said the failure of President Tinubu to appoint ambassadors 13 months after the former envoys were recalled shows ‘’the ineptitude and indifference of the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government.’’

In an interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday, PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, described the situation as unfortunate and stressed that it should be a concern for all Nigerians.

He stated “Well, every time one has to comment on Tinubu’s performance as President or as Chief Administrator of this country, one is forced to do so with a melancholic feeling of despair.

‘’It is not about Tinubu anymore or about me criticizing him; it’s about the system that his ineffectiveness has created for Nigeria and Nigerians.

“The truth is, a man who cannot even appoint a single spokesperson and needs three spokespersons—no one needs to tell you that the man is clueless and has nothing to offer Nigerians. That’s why he needs more than one, two, or three people to explain to Nigerians what he’s doing or what he’s about to do.

“That he cannot even appoint ambassadors speaks volumes. The current situation regarding the ambassadorial appointments tells you the level of ineptitude and indifference he has brought into government in this 21st century.

“It is critical, given the role that these ambassadors play in their respective countries, their importance to the lives of Nigerians abroad, and the diplomatic status of Nigeria globally.”

Osadolor alleged that those surrounding the President may have isolated him from reality.

The opposition party youth leader stated, “It is unfortunate, and it’s something that all Nigerians should be concerned about. This President has shown time and again that his trust is complicated, and he is not addressing the issues around him.

“I can tell you for free, the President may not even be aware that ambassadors have not yet been appointed to these embassies and foreign missions. I can tell you for free—he may not even know because he is clueless about what’s happening around him.

“The people around him have boxed him into a cocoon. The man lives in a world of his own, isolated from what’s happening around him. If his life were connected to the realities around him, I’m sure he would have made efforts to address it.”

The National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, lamented that the current administration came into power without a clear vision of its foreign policy.

Ifoh said this explained why the government has been unable to appoint envoys from the numerous qualified Nigerians.

He said, “The implication is that a consul or consul-general cannot meet with foreign ministers of any nation. It takes an ambassador to present the position of a country to his country of residence.

“To even think this government touts itself as one going around seeking foreign investments. In as much as we have not seen any, this is a big low for Nigeria.

“Now the question we want to ask is this: Is there a paucity of personalities, career diplomats or even politicians that this government can send to foreign nations?”

He added, “Everything about this government is politics. Nobody is even saying you should appoint a Labour Party member. Just go ahead and appoint your party members to man these foreign missions. We think that the President should wake up to his responsibilities.”

Politics

Group calls for zoning of Edo Central Senate ticket to Ewohimi, Esan South-East

Published

1 day ago

November 20, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Group calls for zoning of Edo Central Senate ticket to Ewohimi, Esan South-East

A group of concerned Edo State indigenes have called on the leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) and governor Monday Okpebholo to zone the vacant Edo Central senatorial seat to Ewohimi, Esan South-East.

The group under the aegis of Concerned Esan People’s Coalition (CEPC) stated that considering the immense efforts that were put in place during the APC governorship primaries to ensure that Senator Okpebholo emerged the party’s flagbearer, it is only logical to compensate Ewohimi people with the senatorial ticket.

The convener, Jude Osariemen stated that “it is unfortunate that those who did not love Esan people or support Senator Okpebholo during the primaries now want to snatch the senatorial slot.”

Osariemen noted that “there is no moral justification to represent the good people of Edo Central at the Senate. They should stop campaigning for the seat of Senate in the upcoming bye election for hating the Esan agenda.”

He also opined that “There should be public debate for those aspiring to defend themselves on what transpired during APC primary that produced Gov. Monday Okpebholo if this allegation is false.”

Politics

Governor Alex Otti Uncovers Real ‘Sponsors’ Behind Gunmen Attacks

Published

2 days ago

November 20, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Governor Alex Otti Uncovers Real ‘Sponsors’ Behind Gunmen Attacks

The Abia state governor Alex Otti has unveiled those behind the frequent gunmen attacks in the state.
“The sole agenda is to cause disaffection and distract the government from its focus on the development of the state,” Otti said.

Governor Alex Otti accuses opposition politicians, with external support, of sponsoring violence in Abia State.

Attacks, including the killing of soldiers and police, aim to destabilize the government and distract from its development agenda

Otti promises a “counter-offensive” to eradicate criminal activities and maintain peace in the state

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has accused opposition politicians, in collaboration with external parties, of being behind the recent wave of insecurity in the state.

The governor’s statement comes amid rising gunmen attacks and violence in the region, which has raised concerns among residents and security officials alike.

Legit.ng reported that on Wednesday, 13, November two Nigerian soldiers were killed at a checkpoint on the Umuahia-Owerri Road in Ekeneobizi, Umuahia South Local Government Area.

Another attack occurred on Sunday, November 16, when gunmen killed a police officer during an assault on the convoy of a Nigerian lawmaker.

While the Nigerian government has accused the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of orchestrating the violence, IPOB has denied any involvement.

Governor Otti says politicians responsible for attacks
In a statement released on Monday, November 18, by his media aide, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Governor Otti revealed that his administration has uncovered that opposition politicians in the state, rather than IPOB, are responsible for sponsoring the attacks.

He explained that the violence started in late May and has continued to escalate as part of a strategy to disrupt his administration’s focus on development.

“The sole agenda is to cause disaffection and distract the government from its focus on the development of the state,” Otti said.

He further added that the opposition’s efforts to fabricate lies against the government had failed, and now, they were resorting to violence.

We will smoke them out, Governor Otti vows
Governor Otti vowed that his administration would not allow any group or individual to destabilize the peace in Abia State.

He stated that a “counter-offensive” was being launched to eliminate the terror structures set up by criminals.

“It needs to be understood that the government will not sit idly by and watch any person or group of persons unleash violence on innocent and peace-loving citizens of the state,” he asserted.

Previously, Legit.ng reported that police authorities in Abia state have confirmed the killing of Inspector Bala Mohammed, one of the security officials assigned to Ginger Onwusibe, a member of the house of representatives representing the Nsiala-Ngwa North/South constituency.

Mohammed was alongside his colleague, Inspector Dunna Jatau, when he was attacked by some gunmen.