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Protesters Rally For Release Of Kwara Ex-Governor

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Angry demonstrators have besieged the Ilorin Zonal Command office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), demanding the release of former Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed.

The ex-governor is being held by the anti-graft agency for his alleged role in diverting more than N10 billion.

As of Wednesday, February 21, Ahmed’s detention at the EFCC Ilorin office entered its third day, fueling tensions and drawing public attention to the situation.

The morning protest concluded around 12:23 pm following an address by EFCC official Micheal Nzekwe.

The ex-governor had earlier expressed concern over not having access to his medical doctors and personal cooks.

These remarks were conveyed in a statement released in Ilorin on Tuesday night by Ahmed’s spokesman, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, and shared with journalists.

He accuses the EFCC of unjustly prolonging his detention despite meeting all bail conditions.

The EFCC, in response, reveals plans to bring charges against the former governor before a Federal High Court in Ilorin for an alleged diversion of over N10 billion.

Recall that Ahmed faced questioning at the Ilorin Command Office on Monday concerning allegations of financial misconduct during his tenure.

The commission found that funds belonging to the state were misappropriated during both Ahmed’s and Saraki’s administrations, where Ahmed served as the Commissioner for Finance.

Ahmed assumed the finance role in Kwara after Saraki became governor in 2003.

Additionally, he held positions such as treasurer of the Forum of Commissioners of Finance in Nigeria and Chairman of the Budget Formulation Committee and Economic Team in Kwara State.

In the lead-up to the 2011 general elections, Ahmed successfully contested and won the primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Having secured the Kwara governorship seat in 2011 and a subsequent re-election, Abdulfatah Ahmed succeeded Saraki.

Saraki, after completing two terms as governor, won the election to represent Kwara Central senatorial district in the National Assembly.

Ahmed’s gubernatorial tenure concluded in 2019, and he was succeeded by the current governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who emerged victorious under the All Progressives Congress (APC) banner.

In 2021, Abdulfatah Ahmed faced questioning by EFCC operatives at their Abuja headquarters in Jabi. The inquiry centered around an alleged misappropriation of N9 billion from the coffers of the Kwara State government.

The confirmation of Ahmed’s visit to the EFCC office was provided by his Chief Press Secretary.

Oba said “Dr Ahmed’s visit to the EFCC is procedural and routine. He was invited and he honoured them as he’s always done. He’s always ready to respond to any query or question regarding his tenure as a governor of the state.

So, there’s nothing unusual about the invitation and his honouring the anti-graft agency.”

 

 

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Simon Ekpa’s Arrest Will Restore Peace In South East, Says Enugu Gov’t

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The Enugu State Government has commended the Republic of Finland for the arrest of Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based leader of the proscribed separatist group, Autopilots.

Ekpa has been accused of orchestrating violence and chaos in Nigeria’s South East region.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, the government described Ekpa as a “common criminal, con man, and terrorist” who has exploited the Igbo people while claiming to represent their interests.

RELATED NEWS: Finnish Police Arrest Simon Ekpa Over Terror-Related Allegations

“The Enugu State Government welcomes the arrest of the Finland-based terrorist, Simon Ekpa,” the statement read.

“His arrest and trial will no doubt go a long way in strengthening peace, security, and stability in all parts of the South East.”

The state government accused Ekpa of sponsoring violent activities that have resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of property, and disruption of the region’s economic activities.

It stated that Ekpa’s actions were driven by personal greed and not genuine concern for the Igbo people.

Onyia said, “Ekpa is a murderer and fraudster who delights in killing his people and living large off their misery.

“He thrives on manipulating, exploiting, and extorting the people on the pretext of fighting for their interest and for the restoration of Biafra.”

The government emphasized its readiness to provide evidence of Ekpa’s alleged crimes to support his prosecution, whether in Finland or Nigeria.

“This arrest is in line with the demand of the Governor Peter Mbah Administration, which has repeatedly made it known that Ekpa is a megalomaniac, common criminal, murderer, and fraudster who takes joy in feeding fat on the manipulated emotions of Ndigbo and inflicting misery on the South East region,” the statement added.

The government further criticized Ekpa for fostering a climate of fear and insecurity that has harmed the entrepreneurial spirit and economic growth of the Igbo people.

“Ekpa has for long, and unfortunately from Finland, made a living by creating a siege climate and mentality in the South East, destroying lives, property, and the Igbo trademark of entrepreneurship and hard work,” Onyia said.

The Enugu State Government expressed optimism that Ekpa’s arrest would mark a turning point in the quest for peace and stability in the South East, urging residents to remain vigilant and supportive of ongoing efforts to restore normalcy in the region.

 

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JUST IN: COP29 Proposes $250bn Annual Climate Finance Target For Developing Nations

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The COP29 presidency has unveiled an ambitious climate finance plan, calling on developed nations to provide $250 billion annually to developing countries by 2035.

The proposal, part of a broader initiative to mobilize $1.3 trillion from public and private sources each year, seeks to address the mounting challenges posed by climate change.

The five-page draft text, released on Friday, emphasizes the need for developed nations to lead the charge in financing climate action.

RELATED NEWS: COP29: Climate Summit Faces Deadlock Over Vague Funding Proposals For Vulnerable Nations

According to the document, this financial commitment is seen as a critical step toward combating the climate crisis and fostering sustainable development globally.

“In this context, it is decided to set a goal in extension of the goal referred to in paragraph 53 of decision 1/CP.21, with developed country Parties taking the lead, to USD 250 billion per year by 2035 for developing country Parties for climate action,” the draft states.

The announcement follows the release of an earlier 10-page draft on Thursday, which drew significant criticism from Global South delegations.

Many expressed frustration that the document lacked clear financial commitments from wealthier nations, falling short of expectations to support adaptation and mitigation efforts.

“There is a clear need to address the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, especially given the diverse circumstances shaping national priorities,” a negotiator from a developing country delegation remarked.

The updated proposal aims to address some of these concerns by outlining more specific targets. However, skepticism remains among some negotiators, who feel the revisions still fail to adequately address their demands.

Meanwhile, developed countries have raised their own reservations about the proposed plan.

A European negotiator, speaking to Reuters, described the $250 billion annual target as unrealistic and criticized the lack of measures to expand the pool of contributing countries.

“No one is comfortable with the number because it’s high, and there’s almost nothing on broadening the contributor base,” the negotiator said.

The mixed reactions underscore the persistent divide between developed and developing nations in climate negotiations.

While the draft text aims to reconcile these differences, the gap between expectations and commitments remains a significant hurdle.

 

 

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Moghalu Prescribes Good Governance As Panacea To Ethnic Agitation

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The President of the African School of Governance, Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu has admonished state actors against resorting to brutal force in the bid to muscle out separatist agitators.

In the aftermath of Mazi Simon Ekpa, the Finland based Biafran nationalist agitator being caught in legal web and the Nigerian government moving swiftly to seek his repatriation, the former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has cautioned that ‘We either fix our problems, or our problems will eventually “fix” us. No alternative to a renegotiated union.’

ALSO READ: Finnish Police Arrest Simon Ekpa Over Terror-Related Allegations

The political economist, while expressing his hope in Nigeria, made it clear that “hope is not a strategy”.

He bared his mind in a series of posts on his verified handle on micro-blogging site, X on Friday.

Moghalu wrote, “Despite sustained contemporary difficulties, I am hopeful about Nigeria. But hope is not a strategy. We need to improve state capacity for effective governance.

“We either fix our problems, or our problems will eventually “fix” us. No alternative to a renegotiated union.

“We must learn to be honest with ourselves and address the root causes of our problems. Why ignore them, when the problem is actually quite solvable? The problem with continuing with this approach is that when the danger crystallizes, those who thought they were benefiting from

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