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

FULL LIST: Those Supporting, Against Aug 1 Nationwide Protest

Published

5 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Editor

photo file copy:

It is no longer news that some Nigerians are planning to march against economic hardship under the ‘EndBadGovernance’ protest from August 1 to 10.

The demonstration, which is gaining traction on social media, has been scheduled to be held across all states of the Federation as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

However, its organisers have remained largely anonymous as no group has come forward to take responsibility.

The August 1 protest comes on the heels of similar demonstrations in Kenya, from which experts say Nigerians may have drawn inspiration.

Kenyan youths staged massive protests for weeks, forcing President William Ruto’s government to backtrack on tax hikes.

Organisers used social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to mobilise millions of young Kenyans for protests — a similar strategy deployed on Nigerian social media space.

In October 2020, Nigeria experienced massive protests nationwide when thousands of young people demonstrated against police brutality.

As the hunger protest movement gains momentum, with thousands of youths set to take action, national and state authorities have warned the organisers to tread softly.

Meanwhile, human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong has revealed that participants in the planned nationwide protest would receive free legal representation if arrested and/or charged to court in Lagos State.

Citing the loss of life and property that characterised the #EndSARS protest in the country, many stakeholders, CSOs, bodies and others have pleaded with the organisers to shelve their plan, adding that the issues raised by them were already being addressed.

In the same vein, leaders from the southern and northern parts of the country have also joined the government to oppose the protest.

State governors have also cautioned against the protest, saying it is potentially dangerous.

As part of moves to placate aggrieved citizens, the President sent a bill to raise the minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 to the National Assembly this week. Both chambers of the legislature speedily passed the bill on Tuesday, awaiting the President’s assent.

So far, here is a list of those who are against, or supporting the planned protest as complied by The Nation

AGAINST

Executive Director, Citizens for Development and Education, Ibrahim Waiya

Controversial singer Portable

Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN)

Enugu Innovative Youths

Orji Kalu

Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution

Northern Ethnic Youth Group Assembly

Kebbi State Government

Lagos State House of Assembly

SDP’s Adewole Adebayo

Citizens for Development and Education (CDE), Ambassador Ibrahim Waiya

Arewa Concerned Citizens Forum

Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU)

Confederation of All Progressives Congress (APC) Support Groups (CASG)

Arewa Youth Assembly

South-East Governors’ Forum

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike

Femi Fani-Kayode

Members of the House of Representatives agreed to donate 50 per cent of their salaries for a period of six months.

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun

Coalition of Concerned Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Kaduna state

Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC)

Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Uche Nwosu

National Council of Traditional Rulers

Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi

National Association of Nigerian Students in Lagos

Self-Reliance for Physically Challenged Traders of Nigeria

Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo)

Rising Up for a United Nigeria (RUN) and Coalition of Civil Society Groups for National Stability and Cohesion

Actor Lege Miami

Door-to-door Youth and Women Initiative for Good Governance

Reno Omokri

Middle Belt Forum, MBF, Kaduna State chapter

Executive Director, Business Development of the Nigerian-Export Import Bank (NEXIM) , Hon Stella Okotete

National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)

Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)

170 members of the House of Representatives under the aegis of the “New Dawn Caucus – 10th Assembly”

Jama’atu Nasril Islam

Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II

SUPPORTING
Atiku Abubakar

The leadership of the Social Democratic Party led by National Chairman, Shehu Gabam

All Workers Convergence (AWC) led by Comrade Andrew Emelieze

Ayo Adebanjo-led faction of Afenifere

Lagos State Chapter of the Active Citizens Group Nigeria led by the group’s state coordinator, Adamma Ukpabi

Omoyele Sowore

Amnesty International

UNDECIDED
National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) directed its 104 affiliate organizations to remain on standby.

NATION

News

Religious Leaders Harp On Tolerance At Grassroots Sensitisation Programme In Benin

Published

7 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Editor

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

The need for religious tolerance in Nigeria took the centre stage in Benin on Friday at a Grassroots Sensitisation Programme on survey report on Freedom of Religion and Belief (FORB) in Nigeria.

The programme, themed
MECHANISM TO MONITOR FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND BELIEF IN NIGERIA, was implemented by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC); the Kukah Center (1KC) and Nasrul-lahi-l-Fathiu
Society (NASFAT), while King Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz International Center for
Interreligious and Intercultura Dialogue (KAICIID) provided the fund.

In her opening remarks, Project Coordinator, FORB, Hajia Halimat Oyedele, said the project aimed at increasing the level of coexistence and the opportunity for peace in the country, and also addressing the existing structural limitations.

She added that the project also aims at the “promoting changes to existing policies in order to ensure existing laws and mechanisms promote social cohesion and the respect of Freedom of Religion and Belief.”

She continued: “In addition, to prevent possible future violations, the project will also focus on spreading a culture of respect of difference through targeted awareness raising activities on Interreligious Dialogue (1RD) and the respect of Freedom of Religion and Belief.

“This will increase the level of tolerance of the population and, hence, the possibility for peaceful coexistence between communities.”

On his part, keynote speaker, Barrister Nurudeen Asunogie, while stating that all the major religions in Nigeria preache justice, stressed: “Religion preaches justice. You can’t take everything because you think you are the majority. You can’t take everything just because you think you have the opportunity. Let it go round because the one who doesn’t get would create a situation where you have no peace. Everything you do must be on the wheel of ethics.”

Also speaking, Mr. Joseph Atang, Country Expert Representative, KAICIID, while emphasising on the need for freedom of religion in Nigeria, warned that disrespect for individuals’ religious beliefs would result in conflict as currently experience in the country.

“Some persons faith is disrespected so it becomes a source of conflict. Every human loves respect. Every human loves honour. Every human wants to have source of of belonging. Where you don’t have all these, you are angry and it could lead conflict,” he added.

Also lending his voice, Dr. Adesoye Mustapha, South-South Coordinator, NASFAT, while stating that religion is being used as a weapon at the grassroots by people in authority, however, noted that such religious intolerance experience among the masses is not obtainable among the politicians.

In his goodwill message, the Chief Imam of Benin, Alhaji Abdulfatai Enabulele, who stated that God is one and that there’s no need for the religious strive in the country, appealed to religious leaders in the country to be more accommodating.

Also in his goodwill message, Humphrey Iriabe, Director of Evangelism & Inter-faith of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Edo State branch, noted: “We must see ourselves as the children of Abraham. Religious leaders need to educate their people that we are one. We are all human created by one God.”

News

Act Fast On Oil Spill Rocking Forcados Area, CSOs Task FG, Delta Govt

Published

9 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Editor

Environmental groups have called on the government at all levels to be proactive towards issues concerning environmental pollution and oil spills.

Their call followed a massive oil pollution ravaging Forcados area which has affected the Okuntu community coastline and other neighboring communities in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

According to reports by the community, the oil spill was caused by a fire incident which happened on a Floating Production Storage and Offloading Facility owned by Brittina-U Nigeria Limited, at Ajakpa Field, OML 90.

Okuntu community which is in Ogulagha kingdom is close to Ibabebe (Isiayegbene) and Odimodi (Beniboye) communities, all along the Forcados area, who are also affected by the pollution, a statement issued by Elvira Jordan,
Communications Consultant to the groups said.

Speaking on the issue, Executive Director of Community Development Advocacy Foundation (CODAF), BENIN Richard, faulted the Federal and Delta State governments for Environment on their failure to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the incident or issue a statement regarding this environmental disaster in Okuntu.

According to him, the people of Odimodi(Beniboye ), Okuntu and Ogulagha communities and the ecosystem are under assault, and it is imperative that the authorities take immediate action to address this situation.

He urged the Commissioner for Environment to visit the affected area promptly, providing hope and reassurance to the affected communities.

“We demand a comprehensive assessment, prompt cleanup, and adequate compensation for those affected. The government must take responsibility for ensuring the well-being of its citizens and the protection of the environment.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and advocate for justice and relief for the people of Odimodi (Beniboye), Okuntu, Ogulagha and adjoining communities.” He said.

Lending his voice on the issue, the Executive Director of Environmental Defenders Network, Chima Williams, lamented that the neglect of the local communities in relation to environmental pollution has become one too many in the Niger Delta.

He further laments that such neglect by the relevant agencies has driven communities in the Niger Delta into deep levels of poverty, as the people rely on their environment for survival.

Williams also called on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to immediately swing into action, and to compel the polluting company to clean up the polluted environment around Okuntu and other communities.

A fisherwoman from one the communities, Baby Oziye, lamented that the pollution has caused hunger in their community, adding that several people are now hospitalized after drinking their water, following the pollution caused by the spill.

She added that the fisher folk are unable to carry out their fishing activities, causing hunger among the people.

Another community member, Akin Ayigo who also spoke on the issue lamented that after the fire incident and pollution, neither the company nor the government has done anything about the issue.

He added that fishing boats are afraid to go close to the polluted area due to the high level of chemical concentration in the area.

He called on the relevant agencies to swiftly swing into action.

On his part, the chairman of Okuntu community, Mofort Mebilaje stated that fire broke out on the 18th of July 2024 from a facility owned by Brittina-U Nigeria, which caused crude oil and other chemicals to drift ashore, polluting the coastline of Okuntu and other communities.

He revealed that the people of the community are unable to carry out their fishing and farming activities which has crumbled the economy of the community, pushing the people into hunger and starvation.

He added that the community had tried to escalate the issue to the company without any response.

Mofort called on the federal and state governments to intervene on the issue and prevail on the company to constitute a Joint Investigation Visit to the community to determine the level of pollution and to send relief materials to the community.