The second coming of Presh

When news broke that one of Nigeria’s favourite music Duo KC Presh parted ways in mid-2011 after a partnership of over 12 years, fans and critics thought that was the end of the rising career of the segemenge crooners. A year later one half of the duo KCee made return to mainstream music with hits after hits like Limpopo, Pull Over, and Okpete, and the big question on the lips of everyone was, 

Where is Presh?

With a thunderous response, Precious John who is famously known as Presh resurfaced to mainstream Nigerian music in 2014, and it’s been a journey of consistency and quality. The first news was his new mouth-watering deal with Eric Manny records, owned by top Igbo billionaire, Okwudili Umenyiora, owner of Dilly Motors and then the Akwa –Ibom state born entertainer officially dropped his first come back song which he titled ‘Olegelege’. While fans and pundits were still warming up to the new song, Presh jeted out to South Africa where he went to shoot a multi-million naira video for his new love song titled ‘International Lady’. The video was shot by ace cinematographer Sesan Ogunro at choice locations in South Africa, and since it’s release, it’s been receiving rave reviews online as well as enjoying massive airplay on radio. 

For those who don’t know, Presh is a multi-award winning artiste, he came into limelight when they won the much coveted Star Quest prize in 2002, Channel O Award winner in 2008, he’s a Kora Award nominee and has won countess awards within the Nigerian music industry.

Little wonder his new smash hit tune ‘I no go lie’ featuring pop Diva Tiwa Savage is the current buzzing sound and talk of the industry. In this new melodic tune, Presh deliverers a sweet chorus and perfectly blended verses that affirms his talent as a singer and songwriter of international repute. The Sesan Ogunro directed video for ‘I no go lie’ features the two artistes in flashy scenes with an easy to understand story line.

By all standards, the second coming of Presh is surely living up to expectations as he keeps upping the standards with every song  he drops, and he doesn’t seem to slowing down any time soon. Word has it that Presh Hit the studio with African No.1 artist “OBO” himself to dish out another hit.

 The question is, what is Presh and Ericmany Entertainment up to?. It seems Presh has really come to take back his place as an A list Artist he has always been during their time as KC PRESH. When he started many of us thought it was a joke but Presh seems to be making a come back. Let's keep our fingers crossed as we anticipate another hit from the Presh & Davido collaboration, produced by the Serial Hit Maker Shizzi.

Supreme Court reinstates impeached Taraba Deputy governor

Former Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Sanni Danladi, who was impeached by the state House of Assembly in October 2012 under questionable circumstances has been reinstated as the new governor of the state by the Supreme court of Nigeria. Alhaji Danladi served as the deputy governor of the state under Dambaba Suntai who is now very ill. 

Delivering its judgement today, the Supreme Court led by Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, ruled that the impeachment panel set up by the House of Assembly to investigate all the allegations leveled against Danladi did not give him fair hearing as he was not given any opportunity to speak for himself during any of the panels proceedings. 

The panel also failed to honor a court injunction secured by the deputy governor challenging its composition.

The Supreme court held that there seemed to be conspiracy between both the Taraba State High Court and the impeachment panel. The court ruled that be immediately reinstated as Governor

Delta EPZ project crisis: Tompolo denies any involvement, blames Uduaghan, Keyamo

Ex-militant Ekpemupolo, (alias Tompolo) has denied any involvement in the $16 billion Export Processing Zone (EPZ) project crisis rocking Delta State. In a bid to clear himself of any wrong doing, Tompolo released a statement today where he accused the current Delta state governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan and his predecessor, Jame Ibori of trying to use the project to collect the land belonging to his people, the Ijaws of Gbaramatu kingdom.

He also accused human rights lawyer, Festus Keyamo of being used to blackmail his person. See the long statement after the cut...



RE: DELTA EPZ AND MATTERS ARISING
MY TAKE IS ON JUSTICE, EQUITY AND FAIRNESS
So much has been said about the $16 Billion Export Processing Zone (EPZ) which is meant to galvanize Nigeria’s economic growth through adequate gas processing and supply, using our dear Delta State as the hub. For one, I am happy as a Deltan that this laudable project is being planned and nurtured in my time, especially on the heels of our fight for the need by government to industrialize and enhance our economic well-being in the oil-rich Niger Delta Region.

Nonetheless, I am not persuaded by the nebulous and loudly-echoed ‘economic and industrial gains’ slogan being orchestrated by some forces hiding under the EPZ Project to re-launch a back-door move for the acquisition of lands belonging to the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State. In this regard, I stand on the side of my people as I have always done, to ensure that the voice of reason was raised and heard by the powers that be. As a peace-loving Kingdom, the people of Gbaramatu had used all civil and legal means to ensure that justice was done by the federal government by not going ahead with the planned ground-breaking ceremony in the face of clear injustice, unfairness and inequity.

As a result, many insinuations and perverted comments have been made by both interested and rented parties to the effect that ethnic colourations have been brought to the fore by linking the justifiable postponement of the ground-breaking to President Goodluck Jonathan’s ‘soft-spot’ for the Ijaws of Gbaramatu Kingdom.

It should be noted however, that the struggle of the people Gbaramatu Kingdom for both political and economic rights pre-dates the Jonathan Presidency. History is replete with courses of events as far as the struggle of the oppressed people of Gbaramatu Kingdom is concerned. It is no longer news to all that our Itsekiri neighbours, using all advantages of being in government and power since the time of former governor, Chief James Ibori(whose mother is Itsekiri) as well as the incumbent governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan(also an Itsekiri) who both as commissioner and later Secretary to State Government under Ibori, cannot insulate himself from the calculated attempt by the government-backed Itsekiri’s attempts to enslave Gbaramatu Kingdom.

It should therefore be placed on record that if the belief of the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom in their just and fair struggle saw them through thick and thin since the time of Ibori till date, the same spirit still lives on; and such does not need the ‘soft spot’ of a Nigerian President of Ijaw extraction to take the people to their rightful place. It was (still) this belief in a just and fair struggle that in spite of glaring attempts by both Ibori (then) and Uduaughan (now) to exterminate the Gbaramatu Kingdom to the advantage of their kinsmen, I made conscious efforts to respect the institution they represent. In essence, I refrained from abusing their persons as some Itsekiri leaders have mindlessly done in the case of the postponement of the ground-breaking ceremony by the President.

Perhaps, it is unfortunate to note that all those Itsekiri leaders, especially Pa J.O. Ayomike who betrayed uncontrollable and misplaced sentiments by abusing the person of the president and calling for his resignation would have achieved better things and indeed, much development would have come to their impoverished Itsekiri villages if such energy was deployed to ginger their son, who is now governor, to bring development to their areas. The Ayomikes of this world should rather be expressing worry and bury their heads in shame that the over 12 years of their sons in government and power in Delta State are more of curses than blessings to their people. The case of those vilifying President Jonathan is that of bottled-up anger and transferred aggression ordinarily targeted at those who looked the other way in the face of the sufferings of their people to a man who tried to do justice by listening to all sides of an issue.     
  
What Does Festus Keyamo Want?
This question has become imperative in view of the rented roles the Lagos-based Lawyer has played in the last couple of weeks in the affairs of the state especially as they relate to the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State. Before now, I had seen Keyamo as a young promising lawyer whose passion to fight oppression was unquenchable. I see him as a brother and friend because there is still time for him to stratify rented and commercialized struggle from passionate human and civil rights crusade.

As a matter of fact, Keyamo’s continuous linkage with me to purported attempts close crime is unacceptable to me. At best, Keyamo knows too well that those whose flair for injustice I fight against, those who have been severally linked to murders in Delta State who today are his latter-day friends, are not men of conscience. As a human rights lawyer (as claimed by Keyamo), his efforts to unearth the killers of Onokpite Ogbe were applauded by many, including me. I was even tempted to disbelieve others when accusations of ‘unpalatable practices’ trailed Keyamo’s sudden u-turn to abandon the Onokpite’s case. But today, I have no reason to disbelieve such against the backdrop of Keyamo’s role in the orchestrated EPZ Crisis. In the face of Keyamo’s sudden u-turn in character, it is absurd to ask him if would have not have done what I did on behalf of my people should he find himself in my shoes. I therefore find very curious Keyamo’s attempt to demonize me especially when it is obvious that since I willingly embraced the Federal Government Amnesty offer, I have selflessly, at high risks too, contributed to the enhancement of peace and security in the entire Niger-Delta Region. I will therefore urge Keyamo to be on the side of truth and justice rather than being on the side of injustice because conscience is an open wound, only the truth can heal it.

Conclusion:    
My appeal to all men of conscience is to ensure that justice and fairness are made the cornerstone of human existence. Where these do not exist, it will be difficult for society to make progress. The case of the plight of the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta is clear and unambiguous. The precepts for injustice and ingredients of inequality are daily being planted by those who find themselves in positions of authority and influence, especially in Delta State.

It should therefore be known that those who deliberately drag the name of President Jonathan into this blackmail game are doing this to perpetuate injustice. This is the crux of the matter. But little do they know that the struggle has been an age-long one, predating the president’s ascendancy to office and through the will of God, my people have been forging ahead. In the same vein, the struggle might also post-date President Jonathan unless the issues of injustice that have continually set the Gbaramatu and Itsekiri ethnic nationalities against each are permanently resolved. The Gabramatu people cannot be intimidated by any resort to blackmail, using ethnic cards. Similarly, I will not succumb to any cheap blackmail aimed at weakening my resolve to fight for my people because this is a matter of conscience and posterity. I shall not waiver even in the face of threat and intimidation of all sorts until justice is done.

Thanks and God bless,
SIGNED:
HIGH CHIEF GOVERNMENT EKPEMUPOLO

Boko Haram kills 45

No fewer than 45 people were killed by Boko Haram members in an attack on Azaya Kura village in the Mafa local government area of Borno state on Wednesday November 19th.

According to residents of the village who fled to Maiduguri the state capital for safety, the sect members arrived their village at about 12noon on motorcycles, shooting anyone in sight

“So far, 45 men have been killed and there are others that died in the bushes as a result of bleeding from bullet wounds,” said one resident

Confirming the attack, the caretaker of Mafa Local Government area, Shettima Lawan described it as wicked and appealed to the federal government to act fast in helping them

"How can some people be so wicked to kill innocent people, 45 people at once without any confrontation? There is no compulsion in religion and I am still searching for the motive behind mass killing and destruction by some people under the guise of entrenching certain religion. I wish to appeal to the Federal Government to take urgent steps and rescue our people from imminent extinction.” he said

Lol. These our leaders eh! From jumping the fence to now trading words. I don't know exactly what's going on between these two governors - Ayo Fayose of Ekiti state and Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State. Yesterday Governor Oshiomole blasted Governor Fayose saying;

"If the Ekiti Governor is too lazy to read and too politically illiterate to know what is happening in Edo State House of Assembly, we expected his psychedelic media aides to simply shut their loud mouths rather than behave like capering neophytes."

Biko what is capering neophytes? Anyway, governor Fayose has replied Oshiomhole via his Special Assistant on New Media. See the press statement after the cut...



Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has told the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole to keep his mouth shut and stop meddling in Ekiti State issues.

The governor said Oshiomhole lacked moral rights to comment on happenings in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, having locked up the Edo State House of Assembly for over six months.

A statement issued by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka read; "It is unfortunate that we are in a country where people who should naturally bury their heads in shame still speak.

"Aides of a supposed Comrade Governor, who look a hapless widow in the eyes and told her to "go and die" ought to know that they lack moral rights to speak in a saner clime.

"However, because we are in a Nigeria where anything goes, aides of a governor like Adams Oshiomhole, who relocated the sittings of his State House of Assembly to his bedroom in the Edo State Government House can open their oppressive mouths and defend the indefensible.

"Is it proper for a State House of Assembly to sit in the Government House? Should a State House of Assembly complex be put under locks and keys for six months? And can actions taken in the sitting of a House of Assembly held inside the Edo State Government House be said to have stamp of legality?

"Here we are with a supposed progressive Comrade Governor perpetuating ilegalities in Edo State with lawmakers of his party, APC sitting exclusively in the Government House where he resides with his wife and children, and instead of his aides to remove the timber in their boss' eyes, they are getting concerned with the toothpicks in another person eyes.

"The reality is that whether the APC lawmakers are 15 or 5, the lawmakers cannot sit anywhere else apart from the State House of Assembly. Or are they saying that the National Assembly can also relocate to Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos?

"It is our advise that Governor Adams Oshiomhole should solve the problems in the Edo State House of Assembly and stop meddling in the Ekiti State affairs because on June 21, 2014, the people elected their governor in person of Peter Ayodele Fayose, and millions of APC evil machinations cannot stop him from governing Ekiti State for four years."

Lawmaker takes a break after scaling fence

Hon. Kawu Sumaila pictured right taking a break after jumping the fence at the Assembly ground yesterday and charging around during yesterday's commotion at the House Chamber. He later took off his suit to rest, looking quite exhausted.

See the full text of Oshiomhole's statement that got Fayose mad

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, Governor Adams Oshiomhole said;

“We find it utterly laughable and as the height of political childishness for the Ekiti State Governor to hide behind his media aides and seek to drag the name of the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, into his crude gangster tactics which he has re-introduced into Ekiti politics less than two months after assuming office.

“If the Ekiti Governor is too lazy to read and too politically illiterate to know what is happening in Edo State House of Assembly, we expected his psychedelic media aides to simply shut their loud mouths rather than behave like capering neophytes." Continue..

“For the purpose of education, the Ekiti Governor and his media aides should be informed that there is no crisis in Edo State House of Assembly. Fifteen members of the 24-member Assembly are members of the All Progressives Congress, while nine are members of the opposition PDP. Of the nine PDP members, three are on suspension while the seat of one member has been declared vacant. So, effectively, the PDP has five members in the Edo State House of Assembly.

“Even a kindergarten knows that 15 is greater than 5. So if five PDP members decide to sit with three suspended members and another whose seat was declared vacant in a chamber which is undergoing renovation, then we can at best regard that as the height of crass legislative irresponsibility".

“It is ridiculous to even contemplate that the Ekiti Governor and his media aides do not know that 15 is greater than five! For sure, they seem engrossed with their stomach infrastructure mantra, such a dubious contraption which can only be contrived by an ideologically clueless and gluttonous administration".

“But for the kind of democracy we practice in Nigeria, where the PDP promotes and condones all manners of illegalities, inanities and shenanigans which have become the second nature of that party, Ayodele Fayose would have been cooling off his heels in gaol rather than brandishing the appellation of being a Governor.

“We are thoroughly ashamed that Ekiti, hitherto known as the fountain of knowledge, is being reduced to a mindless bubble by a man running her affairs without a discernible direction like a drowning man clutching desperately at flotsam.

“We advise Fayose to restrict his gung-ho area boy tactics to Ekiti state and stop dropping the name of Governor Adams Oshiomhole to shore up his jaded image. Governance comes with decorum, respect and responsibility. If Ekiti people with all their avowed sophistication and intellectuality have elected to present a political rascal as their number one citizen, so be it; but they must understand that there is a huge difference between character and infamy"