News

IZE-IYAMU: A Witch Hunt Turned Smear Campaign

Published

5 years ago

January 7, 2020

By Nosa Omorodion

Suddenly, although not unexpected, the political vampires are at it again in the sustained campaign to tarnish the image of the Reverend Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, with the concocted case of financial corruption. And like it has come to be, the circumstantial allegation of liability in the alleged misuse of a federal government fund for the prosecution of the President Goodluck Jonathan 2015 reelection campaign is the blackmail tool.

Ize-Iyamu’s involvement with the money in question (N700m), was in his capacity as the Edo State Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign. On the eve of the 2015 presidential election, he along with the State PDP Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih and other persons signed as recipients of the election fund from the PDP National Secretariat, on behalf of the state chapter of the party. They subsequently, as directed, distributed the money among relevant local government officials and others for election purposes such as payment of party agents on polling duties and other related activities.

Despite the transparency of the transaction, the EFCC says that the accused, including Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu are liable to financial offences, having taken delivery of money from a questionable source, and for distributing same without using the bank accounts of the designated recipients.

It is important to note that the charges do not include Ize-Iyamu taking the money for his personal use. The origin and the handling of the money are actually the issues and not taking money for personal aggrandizement.

However, as it was in 2016, in the run up to the Edo State Governorship Election in which Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu was the PDP Governorship Candidate against APC’s Mr. Godwin Obaseki, so it is now that Ize-Iyamu has crossed over to the APC and perceived to be a threat to the chance of the incumbent governor getting the APC Governorship Ticket to contest in the general election.

While the supporters of the Governor are enraged over the threat Ize-Iyamu allegedly poses, they are joined in mutual vendetta by the agents of the PDP from which Ize-Iyamu recently decamped to the APC. Pursuant to executing their vendetta, they have resorted to using the Ize-Iyamu’s EFCC trial over the distribution of election money as if it portrayed a conviction. Ordinarily, the manner in which the fund in question was received and distributed is a normal practice by all political parties until the EFCC decided to make an issue of it, four years ago.

Since 2016, prior to the Edo State Governorship Election, the case has not been decided. It has rather become a sort of handy report for maligning Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu anytime his opponents want to attack his credibility. fact, it has disingenuously been promoted as evidence of Ize-Iyamu’s corruption. The peculiar nature of the allegation is deliberately obfuscated so it would look like a case carried over from when Ize-Iyamu was a high official of Edo State Government between 1999 and 2007.

In the light of this, it is therefore pertinent to state that Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has never been indicted, prosecuted or convicted of corruption for the eight years he served Edo State Government. Nevertheless, like most government officials, he has had to live with the stigma of being corrupt. This has been particularly so, given that he was a very influential member of the indicted Lucky Igbinedion administration. Some of his critics have tried to justify their perception of Ize-Iyamu’s alleged corruptibility on the ground of his being a man of great means.

However, it is fallacious to use his manifest acquisitions as indicators of involvement in financial impropriety while he held public office. That he took public office did not mean he lacked the capacity to grow his wealth or had stopped growing it with legitimate earnings. Definitely, among public officials are persons with the innate ability to grow wealth with legitimate earnings through investment in diverse businesses. Among such persons is Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who from his earnings while in public office, including fringe benefits and goodwill, grew and continues to grow his assets. It is instructive to note that prior to becoming a Chief of Staff to Governor in 1999, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu had engaged in sundry businesses that included, contracts and buying and selling. He continues to do these to date in addition to real estate business.

Without equivocation, I want to say that Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s characterization as a corrupt man by his opponents, with particular reference to the unrested EFCC case, is without basis in law and morality. He has only been a victim of a witch-hunt turned smear campaign.

Pursuant to understanding Ize-Iyamu’s peculiar circumstance, it is relevant to look at the dictionary meanings of these terms “witch-hunt” and “smear campaign”. According to Collins Dictionary, witch-hunt is “an attempt to find and punish a particular group of people who are being blamed for something, often simply because of their opinions and not because they have actually done anything wrong”.

If one may ask, what is Ize-Iyamu’s wrongdoing in taking delivery and signing for election money, along with others, on the instruction from their party’s national secretariat? How could Ize-Iyamu and others have known that the money sent to them was from a forbidden source, if really it was, when there was no accompanying document that indicated such?

It is obvious that some elements of the new administration, not necessarily President Buhari, had wanted to quickly score a political point having rode on to power with the promise of jailing all looters of public fund. On this basis and in haste, the campaign funds for prosecuting the election by the party that was in power prior to the election looked like a fine proposition. Thus, Ize-Iyamu and many other chief actors across the nation became the scapegoats. That is not to say that there could not having been genuine instances of misappropriation by election funds by some handlers. However, the money received in Edo State was transparently and judiciously distributed by Ize-Iyamu and company. Nevertheless, his traducers would however want the public to perceive it otherwise.

Smear campaign, according to Collins Dictionary, is “a deliberate attack on somebody, by spreading an untrue and unpleasant rumour about them, or by making an accusation intended to damage their reputation”. That is exactly what Ize-Iyamu’s opponents, who are against his realizing his chance of becoming governor of Edo State have set out to do. They have even taken upon themselves the unofficial role of mouthpiece of the EFCC, advertising court dates for a case that will in the end amount to little or nothing.

Meanwhile, it should be noted that when this EFCC witch-hunt turned smear campaign first surfaced in 2016 as a ploy to frustrate Ize-Iyamu from winning the governorship election, it succeeded to the extent that some gullible electorate bought the lie. However, it could be said to have largely failed because it did not deny Ize-Iyamu of his overwhelming popularity among Edo people. As a demonstration of the confidence reposed in him, the electorate voted massively for Ize-Iyamu despite the shenanigans which saw his rival, Godwin Obaseki of the ruling party defeating him with a relatively small margin of approximately 50,000 votes. At any rate, it is popularly believed, even among Obaseki supporters, that Obaseki did not defeat Ize-Iyamu in the 2016 governorship election by the actual votes cast at the polls. Obaseki is believed to have won on the strength of massive compromise by electoral officials as well as unfair legal and judicial technicalities.

In spite of the above true narrative, the promoters of Governor Obaseki’s second term agenda and their allies in the PDP, are unrelenting in continuing with the distorted smear campaign. The sole objective, this time around, is to create a ground for forestalling the nomination of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as the governorship candidate of the APC of which he is believed to be interested in although he is yet to declare his interest.

Finally, it must be emphasized that Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s record of public service to Edo State Government for eight years remains unblemished. It is without a mention of any form of official misconduct, including financial impropriety. Those that were found culpable have been investigated and duly convicted. Ize-Iyamu is not one of them. And against the backdrop of the facts of the lingering EFCC election funds trial, it is clear that the case will not end up denting the unimpeachable character of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. However, pursuant to realizing the wickedness of their vain imagination, his devious opponents would rather want to hold up a misleading picture with the intention of deceiving as many as possible.

News

Why Bauchi’s Future Rests with Speaker Abubakar Suleiman

Published

2 hours ago

June 19, 2025

Editor

By Isa Danbala

As the political landscape in Bauchi State begins to realign ahead of the 2027 governorship race, one name is commanding growing support across party lines, youth groups, and civil society is that of Rt. Hon. Dr. Abubakar Y. Suleiman, the seasoned Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly.

With increasing calls for him to declare his ambition, it is becoming evident that Suleiman represents the most credible, tested, and people-focused option to take over from Governor Bala Mohammed and lead Bauchi into a new era of inclusive development and political stability.

On June 18, 2025, the Bauchi State Coalition of Youth and Civil Society Groups, under the Dangaladiman Ningi Vanguard, formally urged Speaker Suleiman to step forward and contest the 2027 gubernatorial elections. Their message, delivered at a press conference in Bauchi, was clear and resonant: “This is not just a political endorsement,” they said, “it is a call to service.” And few public servants in Bauchi today better exemplify a life of service, humility, and performance than Abubakar Suleiman.

Suleiman’s credentials speak for themselves. A lawmaker with a deep understanding of governance, he has served three consecutive terms as Speaker an unprecedented achievement in Bauchi’s legislative history.

Under his leadership, the Assembly has emerged as a model of efficiency, discipline, and people-centered lawmaking. While others campaign with promises, Suleiman has a portfolio filled with results bills passed, institutions strengthened, and lives impacted. He has proved that leadership is not about noise but about steady, measurable progress.

Beyond the Assembly floor, Suleiman’s human development initiatives are widely acknowledged. In many rural communities, his presence is felt through classroom construction, educational materials for school children, medical outreach programs, food relief efforts, and vocational training for youths.

These interventions have not only improved lives but shown the Speaker’s grasp of what governance means at the grassroots level. He is not just a politician he is a servant leader who understands the needs of the people and responds to them directly.

Another compelling reason why Suleiman is best positioned as the ideal successor to Governor Bala Mohammed is his unwavering loyalty and capacity for cooperation. As Speaker, he has built and sustained a productive relationship with the executive arm of government, ensuring that the state’s development agenda proceeds without needless friction.

His ability to mediate, harmonize and prioritize the public good over personal ambition has earned him wide respect, both within his party and across the broader political spectrum. This loyalty has never been about personal gain—it has been about continuity, stability, and ensuring that the wheels of progress keep turning.

In contrast, many of the other aspirants lining up for the 2027 race are either disconnected from the realities on the ground or lack the political temperament to sustain harmony in governance.

While some may have impressive federal titles, they lack Suleiman’s deep local roots and first-hand understanding of the challenges facing Bauchi communities. Others have spent more time in Abuja than in Bauchi, speaking more to elite concerns than to the daily struggles of farmers, artisans, and students. Speaker Suleiman, on the other hand, has never left the side of his people.

Even within the APC, a party blessed with high-profile aspirants like Dr. Ali Pate, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, and Senator Shehu Buba, Suleiman’s profile is not just competitive it is superior in many key areas. He brings to the table not only legislative experience but also political tact, grassroots acceptability, and a proven ability to unite divergent interests. He does not divide—he builds bridges. And in a state as politically dynamic as Bauchi, that quality is indispensable.

The same can’t be said of the PDP field, where names like Senator Abdul Ningi, the current Commissioner of Finance, and other technocrats have been mentioned. While many of them have solid records, none possess Suleiman’s unique combination of experience, humility, and direct impact. None have his unmatched tenure as Speaker, or his widespread support among the youth and civil society.

Moreover, Suleiman’s political strength lies not just in the number of supporters he has but in the nature of that support. The call for him to contest is coming not from political jobbers or godfathers, but from ordinary people: community leaders, young professionals, market women, and non-governmental actors who see in him a leader they can trust. They believe that the same man who stood with them in quiet seasons of need can be trusted to govern them with fairness, vision, and courage.

The argument about zoning is another issue that Suleiman’s candidacy intelligently addresses. Coming from Ningi in Bauchi Central, he stands in a strategic position to bridge the recurring agitation between Bauchi North and Bauchi South. He is acceptable across the zones and has no history of divisive politics. In a state where unity is the foundation for progress, Suleiman is that neutral voice that all sides can rally around.

As 2027 approaches, the decision before the people of Bauchi is not merely about electing a new governor it is about choosing the direction of the state’s future. Will Bauchi continue on the path of meaningful development, stability, and inclusive governance, or will it retreat into the uncertainties of experimental leadership? With Speaker Abubakar Suleiman, the path is clear. His experience is deep, his temperament calm, his record solid, and his compassion genuine.

The call has been made. The people are ready. The moment is now. All that remains is for the man himself Rt. Hon. Dr. Abubakar Y. Suleiman to answer the call.

If he does, Bauchi may be set for a smooth, impactful, and people-focused transition that will deepen development and restore confidence in leadership. And history, as always, will remember those who stood up when the people called.

Isa Danbala, write from Abuja

News

Ghanaians Protest, Decry ‘State-sponsored’ Harassment In Abuja

Published

3 hours ago

June 19, 2025

Editor

Hundreds of Ghanaian investors and community members on Wednesday besieged the Nigerian High Commission in Abuja, demanding redress over what they described as “systematic harassment, intimidation, and violation of our fundamental rights” by the Nigeria Police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

“Our businesses are being hounded at every turn,” one of the lead developers of the River Park Estate project in Abuja, Kojo Mensah, said.

The investors claimed that their fundamental rights were being violated, alleging arbitrary arrests, repeated police invitations, and intimidation by both the police and the EFCC.

“We’ve been arrested arbitrarily, summoned without cause, and subjected to endless interrogations, yet the very complaints we cooperated to resolve back in 2012 remain buried in some dusty file,” he said.

Carrying banners that read, “Hands Off Ghanaian Investors!” and “Tinubu, Mahama: Intervene Now!”, the demonstrators called for the immediate removal of Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, whom they accused of targeted attacks on Ghanaian businesses operating in Nigeria.

“We demand that President Bola Tinubu and President John Mahama use every diplomatic channel to stop this injustice,” the investors said.

The protest follows the filing of a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, in which Jonah Capital and its co-plaintiffs named IGP Egbetokun, the Nigeria Police, and the EFCC as defendants.

They are seeking a perpetual injunction restraining both agencies “from any further interference in the River Park Estate matter,” immediate disclosure of the long-delayed Special Investigation Panel report, and the sum of N200m in damages for alleged breaches of their constitutional rights.

The suit, according to the plaintiffs, is not only to seek redress but also to safeguard the integrity of foreign investments in Nigeria and discourage what they describe as state-sponsored intimidation of legitimate investors.

In their amended writ, the plaintiffs alleged that although the SIP concluded its probe and reported to the IG, those findings had never been furnished to the investors despite repeated formal requests.

“Instead,” the suit contends, “a senior officer in the IG’s Monitoring Unit has unilaterally reopened the investigation, purportedly to undermine the SIP’s clear exoneration of our companies.”

News

Pastor Enenche Rejects N30m Donation From Kebbi Governor

Published

3 hours ago

June 19, 2025

Editor

The Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr Paul Enenche, has rejected a N30 million donation offered by the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, during a crusade organised by the church in the state.

The gesture occurred at the Kebbi Healing and Deliverance Crusade, where a representative of the governor, Kebbi’s Commissioner for Social Duties, Zayyanu Umar Aliero, announced the cash gift on behalf of the governor.

Aliero told the gathering that the N30m was approved as a donation to the crusade’s organising committee and was available in cash.

Aliero said, “Our Governor, His Excellency Dr Nasir Idris, a faithful Governor and also a Comrade Governor, who you all know is the only Comrade Governor in this country. He has therefore graciously approved the donation of the sum of 30 million naira to this gathering.

“That is to the organising committee. His Excellency has approved the donation of a sum of 30 million naira to the organising committee, which you know that whenever His Excellency makes a donation, he doesn’t leave without bringing that donation in cash. So before I leave this stage, I want to present that sum of 30 million naira in cash.”

However, Enenche declined the offer, taking to the stage to urge that the money be redirected to charitable causes.

“If there is anything like orphanage, if there is anything like that, at your discretion, please apply this amount of money to it. No. It will not be received,” the senior pastor said.

Speaking later, Enenche explained the church’s stance, emphasising that public funds should be used solely for public causes.

“We are one of those who believe that government money should be used for government projects and government things should be used for government things; and church money should be used for church things, not mixed together.

“That is what we did that is what we do. As small as the Glory Dome is right there, government money is not in it. From land to the building to everything,” he said.

He added that the body of Christ should “trust God for supernatural supplies.”

He suggested that the donation be handed over to a government-approved religious body instead, such as the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board or the Christian Association of Nigeria.

“This is so that we can retain our dignity as a body of Christ; retain our dignity as a church, and say what we need to say when we need to say it. And be able to say what we need to say when we need to say it,” he said.

Aliero, speaking after the rejection, acknowledged Enenche’s position.

“They don’t accept it because whatever he is doing, he is doing it for the sake of God. We really appreciate and we really thank him for what he is doing in our state,” he said.