By Matthew Mahmood
Chidi Lloyd (middle) facing trial
The 'Battle' of Okrika (2010) is 'fresh' in the mind of the 'combatants', Mrs Patience Jonathan of Aso Rock Presidential Villa and Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State. Recently, some Bishops visited Amaechi in order to settle his rift with Mrs Jonathan. It must be emphasized that Mrs Jonathan recently told the Bishops why she disagreed with Amaechi in her hometown Okrika.
After he welcomed the clergy men, Amaechi strongly denounced the allegation that he pushed his wife Mrs Judith Amaechi during his disagreement with Mrs Jonathan while Mrs Amaechi played the role of a peacemaker or mediator. He also explained what led to the disagreement in the first place.
Amaechi said his perceived misunderstanding with the First Lady arose out of his desire to provide an environment conducive for learning for the children of Okrika; the home town of Mrs. Jonathan, adding that he had enormous respect for both President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife.
—Punch
Meanwhile, a pro-Amaechi legislator, Rivers State House of Assembly majority leader Chidi Lloyd was arrested by the police for his involvement in the Assembly fracas of July 9. YouTube video clips showed him hitting Michael Chinda with the mace and Chinda is currently hospitalized in a British hospital. Lloyd was slapped and battered by the police to the extent that he cannot walk without limping at the moment. He was blindfolded and is in police custody without bail. He is currently facing trial 'on a 6 count charge of conspiracy to murder, attempted murder and malicious damage'.
According to the Senate findings and recommendations on the Rivers State crisis, Rivers State House of Assembly member and Mrs Jonathan devotee, Evans Bapakaye Bipi assaulted two of his colleagues. Is Bipi above the law even after claiming that the keys to the Rivers State House of Assembly are with him? Why did the Inspector General of Police refuse to call for Bipi’s arrest like that of Chidi Lloyd? Is it not because Bipi was fighting on behalf of his ‘Jesus Christ on Earth’ aka Mrs Jonathan and the Police IG was appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan? The IG may be ‘protecting' his job. According to Bipi, Mrs Jonathan is his mother and Jesus… Below are some of the Senate ‘findings and observations’.
27. That Hon. Evans Bipi brought thugs to the Chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
28. That the security personnel were insufficiently proactive in preventing and addressing the crisis at the Rivers State House of Assembly and the operational planning and response to the crisis was also deficient.
29. The crowd further forced their way into the chambers and interrupted the sitting of the House, and majority of the Honourable members had to run out of the Chambers for their safety.
30. The Honourable Speaker, Rt. Hon. Amachree and Hon. Chidi Llyod were assaulted by Hon. Evans Bipi which precipitated the crisis.
31. That Hon. Chidi Llyod used the mace; which is the symbol of authority to brutalise Hon. Michael Chinda.
—Leadership Newspaper
Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola
Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) of Lagos State is a senior advocate. Is it possible to be a Nigerian and be deported in Nigeria? We found the allegation that Lagos State Government (LSG) deported 70 Igbo people to Anambra State disturbing. However, Lagos is not the only state that allegedly deported Nigerians in Nigeria. It has happened other times.
Fashola cannot really stop the alleged deportees from returning to Lagos therefore most of them could be back in Lagos already since there is no border between the Eastern states and Lagos, is there? This type of ‘deportation’ is laughable although it is a serious matter. However, LSA has denied the allegation.
Fashola said that Anambra State Government (ASG) refused to respond as it did on lesser issues. Hehehe! Who was telling lies? According to LSG, only 14 Anambraians were deported. ASG claimed that 70 people were deported. ASG should ask LSG: what offences did the ‘deportees’ commit? Joke: No Lagos passport, visa to Lagos or work permit? Of course, Lagos passport does not exist. Governor Fashola, we dey beg sir! Leave these ‘deportees’ alone ooo because we don’t want to start firing 'fresh' salvos against LSG.
On the other hand, some Igbo speaking states actually ‘deported’ some Nigerians and nothing was done about it therefore it would not be fair for us to start ‘attacking’ Fashola on deportation issues. In 2011, Abia State 'deported' non indigenous workers. 'Enugu State had in 1991 expelled all Igbo “non-indigenes” in its employment as soon as the state was created from the old Anambra State'. The National Assembly should have stopped the deportation of Nigerians in Nigeria years ago because it does not make sense unless we want to 'say' that Lagos is a country instead of a city. In fact, Lagos can become a small country. No offence!
Recently, the British High Commission in Nigeria made it mandatory for Nigerians to start paying £3,000 bond before travelling to the UK. It was part of a topic on Focus Nigeria (OHTV) yesterday where Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the UK Dr Dalhatu Sarki Tafida explained properly for the first time that the £3,000 bond was only for first time travellers to the UK. A lot of Nigerians are unaware of this fact. A commentator was of the opinion that the bond was meant to ensure that some Nigerian travellers do not overstay in the UK otherwise they could lose their money or bond.
A vocal commentator, Mr Dele Owolowo whom some callers mistakenly called Mr Awolowo said that Nigerians in the Diaspora have not done enough to help themselves. The author and political analyst asked if Nigerians in the Diaspora have built research institutes. He explained that the growth rate of Nigeria is at 6% which is low therefore Nigeria is not developing like China or India. No wonder countries like South Africa could afford to treat Nigeria as it likes on diplomatic issues.
Governor Fashola Dismisses Story His Government Deported 70 Anambrarians
Deportation: ‘We’re not ruling out court action on behalf of victims’
Obi to Jonathan: Lagos Promoting Anarchy with Deportation of Igbos
Deportation: CNPP cautions Obi against inflammatory statements
A few weeks ago, Big Brother Africa 2011 winner Karen Igbo appeared on The Magazine Show (BEN TV). She talked about her upcoming Reality TV Show and her relationship with people. She said that she tried to force herself on people that did not like her, and it did not work. It is actually better not to force yourself on haters since haters will continue to assassinate your character because you cannot force people to like you.
Anyway, today is friendship day. What kind of friend are you? Are you a ‘backbiter’ or ‘nose poker’; loyal friend or deadly friend? Deep down, you know the truth.
The worse type of friends could be ‘monitor-friends’ who are monitoring your life for your enemies. If you try to break up with them, they are likely to resist you dumping them for good because they need to monitor you. To keep such friends is by choice, not by force. On the other hand, some people do not keep new friends for reasons better known to them.
