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How I slept in my car with my children after soldiers locked me out – Enugu housewife
For Ogechi Emmanuel, nothing could be worse that the ordeal she has been through in the last 24 hours including virtually sleeping in her car with three of her children and remaining in the same clothes since Wednesday, after she was thrown out by soldiers of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army.
Narrating her ordeal, she told Whirlwindnews.com that she has been prevented from even having a change of clothes by officers at the command, who she ran to on Thursday morning to plead for mercy to open her apartment for her, while her children had not had real food, but relying on snacks, adding that they went to school in the same clothes they came back with on Wednesday.
She said that the military officers handling her case, who simply sent her away after long hours of pleading for mercy, told her that the only condition for allowing her access into the apartment, was if she was ready to evacuate her properties, warning that even at that she only had a grace of seven days after which they would be thrown out into the street.
Pleading for the authorities to come to an aid, the highly distraught mother of three, who also disclosed that she lived alone in the compound, as her husband, a businessman in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, was not home to share the ordeal, argued that even if those the military men were after committed any offence, there was no way she should be made to suffer.
Hear her: “I’ve been outside with my children since yesterday. I slept in the car with them and I have not been allowed to enter the house since they locked it up. I have been in their office since morning without any positive result. Please, plead with them to come and open my house. We have not eaten any proper food. My children did not also have a change of clothes. They went to school in the same clothes they came back with yesterday.
“They said the only condition they will give to me for unlocking the door is that when they do so, they would supervise me packing out my property. They even said this would happen during the seven-day grace period and after that they will throw my things out. Else, they said I will never have access to that place again. Even to allow me go and collect my clothes and those of my children was denied
“My husband is a businessman. He is in Uyo. He is not here to share in this ordeal. Please let people plead with them to come and open the door. To lock somebody out since yesterday is too much for a woman with children. I didn’t go to my business today. I sell tailoring materials. I have no hope again. Please help me.”
The distressed mother, is a major victim in the current crossfire between Nana Ogbodo, a businessman and politician in Enugu State and the Nigerian Army, over the ownership of a piece of land carved out of property in question situates behind No.7, Abakaliki Lane, GRA, Enugu, which both are laying claims.
In a petition, Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), early in the week, appealed to the Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru, to intervene in the saga, alleging that the army authorities at the 82 Division, in defiance to the letter from the office of the Chief of Army Staff that the matter was under investigation by his office, decided to take the law into their hands by supplanting the law.
Giving summary details of the case, the group’s petition, signed by Olu Omotayo, President stated narrated how the piece of land was given to him by Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, former governor of the state, to compensate him for his property that was illegally demolished in 2004 by the administration of Chimaroke Nnamani former governor between 1999 and 2007.
Part of the statement read: “In the quest to uphold justice by the former governor of Enugu State Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, vis a vis the Suit No. E/925/2005, filed by citizen Nana Ogbodo, at the State High Court in 2005, his administration gave a COMPENSATORY PLOT of land for the unlawful demolition of Ogbodo’s home by the past administration.
“The property is situated behind No.7, Abakaliki Lane, GRA, Enugu. The property was duly registered and Certificate of Occupancy duly granted to the beneficiary by the state government in January 2022. Mr. Ogbodo, fenced the property round and built a bungalow apartment on the property. The said apartment currently has a tenant occupying it.”
“Trouble he said started on May 1, 2023, when some military officers from the 82 Division of the Nigeria Army visited the property and said the property belongs to the Army that it was among the properties they were holding in trust for the state government, and consequently directed that the landlord should furnish the Nigerian Army 82 Division, with all the documents relating to his ownership of the property.
“Mr. Ogbodo, in response vide a letter dated 1st May 2023, duly furnished the General Officer Commanding (GOC), with all his title documents including the Certificate of Occupancy duly issued by the government. Thereafter, there was no further response to the letter by the military authorities until February 2024, when 82 Division of the Nigerian Army directed occupant of the property to vacate within 7 days.
“Immediately, sequel to the vacation notice, Mr Ogbodo, visited the 82, Division of the Nigerian Army and met the then Garrison Commander and showed him all his documents including the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), but the Army authorities only claimed that the property belong to it without showing any document of ownership.
“On that occasion one of the officers told him that the property was one of the properties captured by the army during the civil war. Mr. Ogbodo thereafter got a lawyer to serve the Chief of Army Staff a “Pre Action Notice” informing the army authorities of his intention to file an action against it in the court of law. The office of the Chief of Army Staff in response vide a letter dated 26 March 2024, stated that it has commenced investigation into the matter and will revert back on its’ findings.
“Regrettably, it was surprising that in a clear act of insubordination, one Major H.Y. Shehu, wrote on behalf of the GOC 82, Division of the Nigerian Army , vide a letter dated 30th April 2024, directed Mrs. Roseline Okoye the tenant on the property to vacate the property within 7 days.
“The hallmark of democracy is the observance of the Rule of Law by the citizenry and all the institutions in the polity, noting that the Army in its’ civil transactions and relationship are bound by the law of the land. The fact that while the office of the Chief of Army Staff is still looking into a matter, an officer of the rank of a Major is threatening to throw out the lawful occupant of the property. This is a grave act of lawlessness and insubordination.
“It should be noted that by virtue of the Land Use Act, the Governor is vested with the sole authority over all state land and not by conquest. The only way the military can claim ownership of the property is to show documentary evidence and not rely on the ridiculous claim of the property being among the ones captured by the Army duringthey the Civil war which took place over 50 years ago.
“We urge you to in the interest of justice and Rule of Law directs the army authorities particularly the GOC 82 Division, to allow the conclusion of the due process initiated by the Chief of Army Staff and also submit to the jurisdiction of the court of competent jurisdiction which is now seized of the matter.”
But in defence, the army dismissed the petition, insisting that the property in question belonged to them and therefore, there was no question of forceful or unlawful acquisition, adding that one Colonel Emeka Ugwuoke, one of their officers, who was allocated the building had to be forcefully removed from it in April 2023 to underscore its ownership.
Signed by Onyema Nwachukwu, a Brigadier General and Director, Army Public Relations, said in a statement on Thursday: “The Nigerian Army (NA) has been notified of a viral petition written by the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN) alleging that 82 Division of the NA is threatening to forcefully and unlawfully take over a property situated at Plot 30, Abakaliki Road, Enugu, which includes No. 7 Abakaliki Lane in the Government Residential Area (GRA) of Enugu State.
“The NA wishes to state that the petition, which also posits that 82 Division, in defiance to a letter from the Office of the Chief of Army Staff decided to take the law into its hand and supplant the rule of law, is completely unfounded and intended to tarnish the ongoing efforts of the NA to restore peace and tranquility in the South East Region.
It is therefore necessary to set the record straight in order not to mislead the public. The said property is the NA property that was last occupied by Col Emeka Ugwuoke Rtd during his service. The senior officer who was allocated the quarter during his service was removed therefrom by the NA in April 2023, when he tried to convert the quarter to his private property after his retirement. Surprisingly, it is on one corner of the property from where the NA ejected the retired senior officer that the trespassers invaded.
“The NA is a disciplined institution that respects human rights and the rule of law. We urge the public to disregard the narrative that suggests the NA is acting unlawfully or without respect for due process. The NA’s position is that the property remains under its ownership, until proven otherwise through appropriate legal channels, and any claims to the contrary are based on misinformation.
“Consequently the NA calls for a thorough investigation and due process to resolve the matter, and it stands ready to present its evidence of ownership to the competent authorities. We also wish to reaffirm our commitment to the rule of law and the proper resolution of this dispute in accordance with Nigerian legal standards and provisions.”
Nothing short of a return to the drawing board to include the zone in some of the critical development projects, from which they had been excluded by President Bola Tinubu, would assuage the feelings of governors from Nigeria’s North East, who are currently in anguish over the development.
Rising from the 10th meeting of the North East Governors Forum (NEGF), in Bauchi, Bauchi State, on Saturday, the body bemoaned what it called the neglect of the region in the distribution of Federal Government’s capital projects, stating that the area had suffered immense neglect over the years.
Citing road and railway, as part of the arears they had been sidelined, the governors particularly named the economic corridors linking the area to other parts of the country, adding that despite the cries over the years, this situation had remained unresolved, with the people suffering the consequences.
Lamenting that the exclusion of the zone from the National Infrastructure Plan for the transition from PMS to Compressed Gas, the governors, said: “The Roads from Enugu to Maiduguri is in deplorable State and the railway from Enugu up to Maiduguri has been destroyed. This is a major route for regional trade and very important for integration, peace building and improving national unity.
“The Forum is calling on the Federal Government to look into the situation and consider the reconstruction of these basic infrastructure along Enugu-Maiduguri Economic Corridor and inclusion of NE in all National Development Plans and initiatives. Forum regrets the blackout experienced by the our over the lack of electricity experienced over the last one month and the nonchalant attitude exhibited by the TCN in addressing this issue of National importance for the security and development of the country.
“Forum is watching keenly the commitment made by TCN to restore power to all the state of the region by the 27th May, 2024; accordingly, the Forum urged the Federal Government to direct TCN to take immediate action. The Forum has resolved in the short term, to set up a solar power plant that can generate a minimum 10 Megawatts per State.
“The Forum notes with deep concern that the Northeast, is the only region in Nigeria that has one transmission line supplying six states with a land mass of nearly 300Km square and population of over 35 million. This has made the region the most vulnerable and most disadvantaged for industrial development and economic growth with over 70% of its population below 35 years of age.
“The Forum therefore calls on the Minister of Power and indeed the Federal Government as a matter of urgency to implement the extension of the 330KV transmission line from Makurdi – Gassol – Jalingo linking to Adamawa – Gombe – Bauchi and the extension of the 330KV line from Kano- Bauchi- Yobe, linking to Borno.
“The Forum resolved to maximise the existing hydropower generated in Kashimbilla and Dadin Kowa dam which the region has not been benefitting from because of the Ministry of Power has failed to extend the 330KV line of Makurdi Gassol- Jalingo line. Forum notes that climate change and environmental degradation remains a reality in the region.
“The Forum appreciates the various states for the policies they are putting in place to reclaim the environment. It called for a more sustained and coordinated regional onslaught to reverse the speed of desertification in the region.
“The Forum also charges the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) to be consultative in its dealings, operation and project prioritisation. It calls on the NEDC to work with the States in the region for Energy Development to unlock the energy potentials of the region and lessen the energy paucity burden of the people.”
Nigeria is witnessing too much injustice and dishonesty that must be fought with everything by all good men in the country, Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the February 25, 2023 election has said.
Atiku, who claimed that he was still very much around and would always join in the battle to rid the nation of these vices, told BBC Hausa Service, on Friday, that it was for this reason that he had been meeting with people of like minds, including Peter Obi, his Labour Party (LP) counterpart and former running mate in the 2019 election.
Atiku, who had attempted the presidential race in Nigeria a record six times, told his host that he would not mind supporting Obi in the coming 2027 presidential election, acknowledging that there was a high-level discussion not only on creating a fresh working political alliance, but that he might be supporting the former Governor of Anambra State to emerge Nigerian President in 2027.
But the former VP, between 1999 and 2007, who said he was not retiring yet from partisan politics and would actually remain in it for as long as his strength would carry him, left a caveat to support his old ally – the PDP, must zone the presidency specifically to the South East for that to happen
His words: “This is to anybody that thinks there is going to be a misunderstanding between me and Obi, let me assure you that not even a small issue is going to happen between us. Also we are going to be behind anybody that will be chosen to represent us in the forthcoming elections.
“I have made it clear in my previous speeches that if our parties are going to merge to agree on a candidate from the south-east, as long as he is qualified, we will allow it. At this moment we are meeting and making arrangements to unite the party and take it to a more promising point.
“If there is anybody thinking we would be moving backwards, keeping quiet to the dishonesty and injustice happening to the people of Nigeria, then I think he is daydreaming because I am still very much active in political activities.”
Here is the full interview:
You had a meeting with Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last general elections. What was the reason for the meeting?
It’s just a normal friendly meeting that we often had, particularly we in the opposition parties. Such meetings are healthy for Nigeria’s democracy and for the country’s interest.
People are saying the meeting was to form a merger or alliance between your party, PDP, and Labour Party. Is that possible?
Yes, it’s very much possible. We can merge to achieve a common goal. So, it’s possible and nothing can stop it if we so wish to achieve that.
But the choice of presidential candidate might frustrate the effort?
That’s not true. That challenge will not arise. I can tell you that the choice of who will fly the flag of the party won’t arise.
Why do you think so?
I don’t think so, I know so. Believe me, the challenge will not arise. Or are you expecting it to arise? Just believe me that it won’t arise.
What if it’s required that both you and Peter Obi drop your ambition and support someone else? Will you and others support that?
I have said repeatedly and I even said it before the 2023 general elections that if PDP decides to zone the presidential ticket to the South or South-East specifically, I won’t contest it. As long as it’s the decision of the party, I will abide by it. But I contested the 2023 presidential ticket because it was thrown open to all members of the party.
So if Peter Obi, being from the South-East, is the choice, will you support him?
If the party decides that it’s the turn of the South-East and Peter Obi is chosen, I won’t hesitate to support him.
How is the merger talk going?
We are still discussing the issue, and in the right time we would make our position known.
When will you conclude the discussion?
I can’t disclose that for now because it’s not yet the right time to do that.
After the 2023 elections you were expected to be quiet and observe, but you are still playing the opposition?
Yes, we can’t keep quiet and watch things go wrong. People are suffering and we are committed to making Nigeria a better place. It means you are not tired of politics of Nigeria? Not at all. I am still in active politics in Nigeria, at least, as long as God permits.
People are expecting you to give space to younger ones considering your age.
My age doesn’t stop the young ones from testing their fate. Everybody, irrespective of age, is allowed to aspire to be anybody in the society, politically or otherwise.
So, there’s the possibility of you contesting 2027 elections?
But that would depend on the decision of my party. I can’t make any categorical statement on that. It’s the duty of the party to decide on the way to go in the next election.
But your interest is still there?
Until that time comes. Let’s just wait and see how it will turn out.
People are interpreting your recent meetings with various people as watering the ground for the next election.
It must not be interpreted like that. I must not be eyeing elections to have meetings with political friends and associates. Currently, we are practicing democracy in this country which we fought for with our blood.
Many people lost their lives in the struggle. As a result, we would continue to ensure that democracy is strengthened in the country. We can’t watch from the sidelines as things are getting bad.
President Bola Tinubu killed the economy of Nigeria from the first minutes of his inauguration with his sudden announcement declaring the removal of subsidy on the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has said.
The former helmsman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who stressed that the raft of hurriedly and poorly thought-out policies implemented by the President, practically plunged Nigeria into economic ruins, added that the collapse started immediately by that pronouncement, which observers said was not contained in his inaugural address on May 29, 2023.
“The abrupt and shocking announcement of fuel subsidy removal by Tinubu on the day of inauguration is having a devastating ripple effect on the economy which Nigerians are now grappling with,” during his appearance on Daily Politics a programme on Trust TV, on Saturday, adding that the move was an aberration, especially when he was yet to form a cabinet.
The pronouncement, generated a cost push inflation due to the hike in transportation which is basically the engine of business for both the rich and common man in Nigeria, the former SGF, said, adding that the non-existence of the cabinet and the Federal Executive Council (FEC), worsened the situation, as there was no structure to address the consequences of such a harsh policy.
Hear him: “I can only repeat what I said before. I’ve spoken on this before. First of all, I did say one time you came into government on the day you were inaugurated, After swearing in you embark on the first major policies that are very impactful on the lives of the society. It is like a cowboy, or macho man removing subsidy. At that time, he didn’t have a minister of planning, that should plan the outcome, the consequences to take care.
“You don’t have a minister of finance who will calculate the impact of this society. You did not even have the federal executive council that will approve that, you have nothing. As at that time, nobody to advise, nobody to break out ‘what ifs’ So immediately after that inauguration, Nigeria collapsed. It is like a balloon. Nigeria fell down. It deflated completely. Immediately transportation (fare) tripled.
“That week! I used to buy animal feed for my cows from Zaria, I used to pay N270,000 per truck. Immediately that week, I couldn’t buy anymore, because transportation alone was going to cost me N1 million,” he explained from his personal experience as a farmer. I couldn’t afford it because the cost of fuel just jumped up. Everything. Last week I bought some equipment for my farm. I wanted to transport it from Kano, they were asking me to pay N3 million to transport three tractors and only to be put in a trailer. One trailer carrying three tractors!. Everything has gone up. So that policy alone crashed everything.”
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