Igbo Corner

Nigerians in UK write gov’t, demand sanctions on individuals, families over electoral fraud

Published

2 years ago

April 10, 2023

Nigerians living in the United Kingdom have written their host government, asking it to impose sanctions on individuals and families responsible for electoral fraud perpetrated in Nigeria during the 2023 general elections.

A copy of the letter, obtained by News Band, entitled “United Kingdom Should Condemn Electoral Fraud in Nigeria and Impose Sanctions on Individuals and Families“, was addressed to high-ranking officials of the government.

The writers bitterly complained of large quantities of PVCs illegally dumped in bushes, drains, holes, and bins in Anambra, Rivers, Lagos, etc., underaged children accredited and allowed to vote, blocking the uploading and transmission of presidential election results using compromised BVAS, using hoodlums armed with weapons in Rivers, Lagos, Edo, Kogi, others to disdrupt process on the election day, discriminatory ethnic profiling against Igbos, large-scale mutilation, manufacturing, and falsification of election results, et al.

The letter sought, amongst other things, the condemnation of electoral fraud and violence that marred the elections, creating of awareness on the possible implications of civil unrest or outbreak of war in Nigeria, need for both the UK Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary to make greater efforts to protect the integrity of democracy in Nigeria and not to recognise or accept the outcome of a fraudulent presidential election announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) but to sanction all politicians, government officials and families involved in the electoral fraud, and to pressure the Nigerian Judiciary, National Assembly, and Executive to uphold the principles of democracy, ensure justice, and defend the Nigerian Constitution and Electoral Act 2022.

The letter reads in full:

“I am writing this letter as a British Nigerian to highlight my grave concerns on the large-scale electoral fraud that took place in Nigeria on 25 February 2023 and the way one of the presidential candidates was horridly declared as winner.

Prior to that election, Nigerians were hopeful that their votes would count on the back of reassurance given by the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari. Similarly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made widely publicised reassuring statements in both the mainstream media and in the Chatham House UK that a technology called Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) will be deployed for the 2023 General Elections in Nigeria for the collation, recording, uploading, and the transmission of polling unit level results in real-time.

However, in conducting the Presidential and National Assembly Elections on February 25, 2023, INEC jettisoned electoral best practice processes and violated the Electoral Act 2022, regulations, and the Nigerian Constitution.

Despite all the assurance and reassurance, INEC failed to uphold due process, electoral laws, and regulations. Some of the large-scale irregularities orchestrated by the electoral commission include:

Very late arrival of INEC officials at many polling units.
Exclusion of opposition party logo, especially those of the Labour Party, from the election ballot papers used in several states in the southern geopolitical zones, for example, Lagos State. In some case the party logo of New Nigerian People’s Party appeared deliberated blurred, not easily identifiable on the ballot papers.
Large quantities of PVCs illegally dumped in bushes, drains, holes, and bins across several states (like Anambra, Rivers, Lagos) before the election.
After the election, several election result booklets were discovered in bushes, and this was reported by the media.
Underaged children were accredited and allowed to vote in some states in the northern geopolitical zones’ contrary to the provisions of the law.
Deliberate violation of procedures by election officials who failed or refused to upload and electronically transmit polling unit level results in real-time.
Using compromised BVAS that were apparently programmed to block the uploading and transmission of presidential election results in real-time.
On the election day, hoodlums armed with weapons freely roamed over parts of Rivers, Lagos, Edo, Kogi and several other states, engaging in daylight snatching, attack on innocent people, and destruction of election materials in several polling units.
Armed brutes taking over several polling units in parts of the south-west and south-south, though this appeared more rampant in Lagos and Rivers State, to intimidate both the voters and election officials, destroy election materials, and cause injury on people.
Discriminatory ethnic profiling was at play and people of a particular tribe were warned in several polling units in Lagos State to stay away from participation in the general election or face dire consequence.
Large-scale mutilation, manufacturing, and falsification of election results in a manner that is unimaginable and unprecedented in Nigeria’s history. This is well documented by the media.
Inadequate security at several polling units given how miscreants easily overpowered security personnel and stole or destroyed election materials.
Some rogue security agents and compromised election officials by openly colluding with anti-social elements to create confusion, cause a breach of the peace, and violate the integrity of the ballot.

Given the large-scale electoral fraud, the international election observers have collectively and emphatically condemned the general election. Some describing it as “chaotic” and not meeting the minimum standard for a free, fair, and credible election in a democratic country.

It may interest you to note how the media, independent election observers, diplomats, civil society organisations, and other notable institutions have described the February 25, 2023, poll.

“Elections held on schedule, but lack of transparency and operational failures reduced trust in the process and challenged the right to vote.” (EU Election Observation Mission Nigeria, 27th February 2023).
It was a “chaotic” election. (The Guardian, 1st March 2023).
“It is clear that the electoral process as a whole on 25 February failed to meet Nigerians’ expectations.” (US Ambassador in Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, 5th March 2023).
The election “fell well short of Nigerian citizens’ reasonable expectations,” the former President of Malawi, Joyce Banda, who led a team of independent election observers, said.
The INEC “performance and controversies over these results mean that the electoral reforms and lessons declared to have been learned were not fully applied” with the commission failing 2to adhere to its own statements and guidelines, which derive from its laws.” (Chatham House, 1st March 2023).

Nigeria is a member of Commonwealth of Nations and has strong ties with the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union. 230,842,743 (2023 est.) is the Nigeria population. Nigeria is a major oil producer in the world and tops the list of oil producers in Africa. These facts underscore the strategic importance of that country.

The result of the presidential election held on February 25, 2023, which was announced by INEC is now a matter before the Nigerian Judiciary because several presidential candidates and political parties that feel cheated in the process have filed election petitions. However, going by the previous election related matters/judgements, endemic corruption, and the lack of judicial independence in Nigeria, most Nigerians do not have much confidence in the judiciary. As of this moment, the electoral commission, INEC, has deliberately delayed or refused to comply with the Court of Appeal order granted on March 3 that the candidates of Labour Party (LP) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) be granted access to inspect all the sensitive materials the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deployed for the conduct of the presidential election.

The Nigerian people whose hopes were high are now on edge following this disappointing outcome of the general election. The situation in that country is precarious now. If the wishes of the great number of Nigeria populace is subverted and suppressed, war could break out in that country, and if it does, the effect of that would be felt in the UK and in other parts of the Western World and beyond. It may suffice to say that ignoring these issues, especially the recent monumental electoral fraud, could lead to civil unrest and further destabilisation in this already fragile country.

The UK would certainly have to deal with more refugees and asylum seekers in the event of a major crisis like war. The financial cost would be massive on the British taxpayers. So, it is in the UKs interest to take a firm stand and use diplomatic processes to apply pressure on the INEC chairman and the Nigerian Government to respect court orders. The UK should insist that the Nigerian Judiciary correctly interprets/applies the laws of the land by upholding justice no matter the parties involved.

As a firm believer in democratic principles, I am deeply appalled at the ways in which INEC had conducted the election held on February 25, 2023. I am therefore appealing that your office:

Condemn electoral fraud and violence that marred the election held on 25 February 2023.
Share my concerns in the UK Parliament during plenary sessions to raise the awareness of the British populace on the possible implications of civil unrest or outbreak of war in Nigeria given the current tension in that country.
Urge both the UK Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary to make greater efforts to protect the integrity of democracy in Nigeria.
Insist that it would be improper for the UK Government to recognise or accept the outcome of a fraudulent presidential election announced by INEC.
Urge the UK Government to sanction all politicians, government officials and families involved in electoral fraud in Nigeria.
Insist that the Nigerian Judiciary, the National Assembly, and the Executive uphold the principles of democracy, ensure justice, and defend the Nigerian Constitution and Electoral Act 2022.

—

©Copyright 2023 News Band

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Analysis

Nigeria is radicalizing the Igbo, one injustice at a time ~ by Abolaji Rasaq

Published

3 months ago

May 21, 2025

kevin 'Jakpor

There’s something about persecution that does two things to a people: it either breaks them, or it makes them beasts of survival.

For centuries the Jews… they were hunted, hated, and humiliated by empires. But they didn’t vanish.

They evolved. They adapted. And today, the Jews are arguably the most powerful tribe in the world economically, intellectually, and politically. Ruthless when necessary.

They are unapologetic about their survival. Now, look at the Igbo. A tribe known for industry, resilience, and brilliance.

A people who just want to live, do business, and thrive. But Nigeria doesn’t want that. Nigeria wants control.

Nigeria wants submission. And the one thing the Igbo have never known how to do is bow. And that’s the real issue.

So what does Nigeria do? It sidelines them. Isolates them. Provokes them. Bombs their villages under the guise of security.

Locks up their agitators. Shuts down their businesses. Mocks their pain. Ignores their history. Prevent them from voting. Play politics with their education. Sponsored bigotry on them.

And then Nigeria pretends to be surprised that there’s growing radicalization in the East?

Let me be clear: The Igbo didn’t start this fire. Nigeria did.

And history, the very same history we keep refusing to learn from, has shown us that when you keep pushing a tribe that knows how to survive, they evolve into something stronger, something unstoppable.

It’s happened before. With the Jews. Europe tried to exterminate them. Instead, they became the backbone of global finance, media, tech, and diplomacy.

You don’t touch a Jew today without consequences. You don’t push them to the wall and expect them to stay quiet.

Now Nigeria is doing the same to the Igbo, pushing, prodding, provoking.

But here’s the warning: when you push an animal to the wall, it doesn’t stay calm. It fights back. It bites. And this time, when it bites, don’t act shocked.

But this isn’t just about the Igbo solely. Nigeria has perfected the art of creating monsters, then acting surprised when they bite.

The Niger Delta? Radicalized. The region was exploited for oil, polluted beyond repair, and ignored until their youths picked up arms.

The Fulani terrorists? Radicalized. Left behind by the same government that claimed to represent them, now manipulated by religion and resentment.

The Almajiri? Radicalized. Abandoned by an elite that used their poverty as a vote bank and then left them to rot.

The Agbero? Radicalized. Uneducated, weaponized, and unleashed as tools of political chaos.

Even the middle class is slowly being radicalized, not with guns, but with hopelessness. That, too, is a ticking time bomb.

A nation cannot continue to marginalize its most brilliant tribe and expect peace.

The Igbo are not docile. They are not quiet. They are not forgetful. They are survivors, and survivors don’t beg for space forever. At some point, they take it.

The Igbo didn’t set out to be radicals. They were made into one by a country that won’t stop seeing their confidence as a threat.

You can’t keep pretending unity means silence. You can’t keep preaching peace while planting injustice.

The Igbo are not asking for too much, they just want to live, build, and grow.

But if you insist on turning their dignity into defiance, their enterprise into enmity, and their survival into sedition, then you are creating a monster.

And if history has taught us anything, it’s this: when a persecuted people decide that survival is no longer enough, when they decide to stop running and start resisting, they don’t just fight back. They win.

Nigeria must understand this: you cannot keep pushing people into a corner and expect submission.

When you back a lion into a wall, don’t expect it to purr. It will roar. It will claw. It will tear through anything standing between it and freedom.

So here’s the final warning, for those who still care to listen: Nigeria is radicalizing the Igbo.

But worse, Nigeria is radicalizing everyone. And it won’t end well.

When the fire spreads, when the rebellion multiplies, when the beast we created begins to fight back, don’t act shocked; no tribe will be left untouched.

Don’t pretend it wasn’t preventable. We all made it happen. You don’t corner a lion and expect peace.

Abolaji Rasaq is a public affairs analyst.

Post Views: 41

Igbo Corner

Crisis hits Nnewi over Uruagu PG election, as BoT members protest, resign

Published

4 months ago

May 9, 2025

kevin 'Jakpor

Palpable crisis is brewing in Nnewi over the election of the President General of Uruagu Community in the industrial town of Anambra State, with a business mogul and owner of Organiser Plc., Chief Innocent Okoli, accused of upsetting the apple cart.

The crisis has led to protests and resignation of members of the Board of Trustees (BoT).

One of the resignation letters sighted by News Band was from a legal practitioner, J. N. Obi, Esq.

Barrister Obi, until his resignation served as the Secretary of the Executive Committee and member, Uruagu Board of Trustees.

Tendering his resignation letter, Obi cited brazen violation of the Constitution of Uruagu Nnewi Community Development Union.

The letter was referenced OB/03 /296/2025, dated May 8, 2025, and addressed to His Highness. Obi A. C. Obi (Ogidi IV).

In the letter entitled “Letter of resignation as member, Board of Trustees (B.O. T) Uruagu Nnewi. Obi announced his resignation based on the following reasons:

Article 8. 9 (a) of the Constitution of Uruagu Nnewi Community Development Union. 2022 (As Amended) states and I quote:
“The Board shall “Ensure the observance of this Constitution”.
Article 14.4 of the Constitution of Uruagu Nnewi Community Development Union 2022 (As Amended) states and I quote:
“Each ward shall submit a list of the Electors In writing to the Secretary General of the Union, one month before any election.
“The submission of the list of the Electors shall be done by the Ward Chairman In consultation with the Ward’s Obi.”
“The election sought to be conducted on Saturday, 10th day of May 2025, did not comply with the above provisious as it was on the Union’s general meeting of the I3th day of April 2025 that the expiration of the tenure of the Executives was announced.”

The legal pratictioner, however, noted that the election to be held on May 10 will not be up to one month.

He, therefore, resigned his membership of B. 0. T for failure to abide by the above provisions of the Constitution as stated above.

On his part, the former President General of Uruagu Nnewi, Chief Ambassador Charles Nwonye, decried series of illegalities in the proposed election championed by Chief Okoli.

He recalled the efforts of past and present stakeholders to ensure that Uruagu Nnewi Community Development Union is recognised as a legal and responsible entity in the state.

He, however, speaking in a voice note obtained by Diaspora Digital Media (DDM), regretted:

“It’s very, very unfortunate that those counsels that instituted Uruagu Development Union are no longer alive.

“They were the ones who were known for speaking out the truth. But at the same time, we will not all keep quiet.

“I, hereby, wish to bring the following to the attention of all Uruagu indigenes, scattered all over Nigeria and in the diaspora that four years ago, a similar thing happened.

“Uruagu Nnewi Constitution was also flagrantly violated four years ago.

“At the end, a lot of stakeholders asked the former Executive Committee to resign and leave en masse.

“The Constitution, however, allowed them to recontest.

“The Executive Committee then honourably resigned and no one of us recontested, ushering in a new Executive Committee.

“They argued that following the election, the Constitution will be amended to correct all the flaws and ensure no such flagrant abused repeats itself.

“They went for the election and what happened there was the same illegality we’re talking about.

“Some of our youths went and connived with mischief makers, disrupted the election and declared the present Executive Committee members winners.

“The youths stood by them in their misguided thoughts that the Executive Committee members enjoy special gains in the office.

“They disrupted the election and ensured that the present crop of Executive Committee members was ushered in.

“The election was heavily flawed and rigged in favour of Eloka Ike and Innocent Okoli, but we let go and left peacefully.

“The new Executive Committee promised to preside for only four years and leave, but we are currently seeing the same illegalities.

“I dare ask: Should Uruagu be known only for illegalities? I thought Ndi Uruagu are smart people?

“I have observed that there are certain individuals who are hell-bent on ensuring that the Uruagu leadership fails.

“They seem bent on destroying all our efforts, acting as agents of chaos and destruction.

“How can one man gather a bunch of Umuezeagu indigenes and take them to the court, claiming that they sued the union to court?

“They deceived the High Court and got a frivolous injunction against Uruagu people, all in the name of election!

“When I got this information, I knew that something was wrong.

“How can someone, after serving a tenure fraught with irregularities, fight his way to a second tenure against the people’s wish?

“I want to make it clear to all the delegates in the so-called election that it will not be possible to make an illegality legal.

“Anyone who casts a vote in that sham election is an agent provocateur, as well as a villain.

“Let it be on record that I denounced the so-called election founded on illegality and fraud and all participants, be it a delegate or participant in any manner is an enemy of the people.”

Chief Okoli and other responsible people of Nnewi leadership could not be reached for comment at the moment of this publication.

More details will follow…

Post Views: 36

Celebrity/Entertainment

Late Mbaise monarch—Eze Nwabueze Ugorji to be buried May 22, 2025

Published

5 months ago

March 14, 2025

kevin 'Jakpor

The remains of HRH Eze Stephen Nwabueze Ugorji, Orji Ukwu 1 of Lorji Nwekeukwu Autonomous Community in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, will be laid to rest on Thursday, May 22, 2025.

The late Eze Ugorji will be buried in his palace at Orji Ukwu Estate, Lorji, following a Catholic funeral Mass at St. Andrews Catholic Church, Lorji.

News Band was informed that His Excellency the Catholic Bishop of Ahiara Diocese, Bishop Okezuo Nwobi, has been invited to officiate at the ceremony.

Bishop Nwobi, it was learnt, has also accepted the family’s invitation to officiate at the funeral rites of the late grand traditional ruler.

This information was provided to members of the press in Owerri by the Opara Eze (First Son of the Eze), former Commissioner for Homeland Security and Vigilante Affairs, Dr. Ugorji Okechukwu Ugorji.

His Lordship Bishop Okezuo Nwobi, the Catholic Bishop of Ahiara Diocese (Mbaise) and Eze Nwabueze Ugorji’s First Son, Dr. Ugorji Okechukwu Ugorji

“The family is grateful to His Lordship for granting us a rare request to officiate at a funeral on a Thursday,” Dr. Ugorji said.

“Our father will feel honored and appreciated because he was not just a devoted Catholic, he shouldered the building of the St. Andrews Catholic Church at Lorji until his death,” the former commissioner added.

Post Views: 44

Igbo Corner

EXCLUSIVE: Ngozi Orabueze dissolves Biafra Govt In Exile as Simon Ekpa may spend longer time in prison

Published

6 months ago

February 13, 2025

kevin 'Jakpor

Dr. Ngozi Orabueze has abruptly dissolved the Biafra Government In Exile following secret information that his former boss, Simon Ekpa may not be coming out from Finnish detention in a hurry.

News Band reported that Mrs. Orabueze, a former Chief of Staff to Mr Simon Ekpa, the self-acclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra Government In Exile, toppled his principal after he was thrown into prison for promoting violent agitation and terrorism in the Southeast of Nigeria.

Ekpa’s trial is scheduled to start in May 2025.

Ngozi, a former chairperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Atlanta, United States in a statement on Wednesday, announced the dissolution of Biafra Government In Exile.

She said all assets of the Biafra Republic Government In Exile and it’s affiliates shall be transferred to the secretary of the State of the United States of Biafra.

Orabueze also directed all officers of the former exile government to report to their counterpart with the United States of Biafra for reassignment.

The statement reads, “It is resolved that the Biafra Republic Government In Exile (BRGIE) is hereby dissolved as it’s reason for the existence has been superceded by the November 29, 2024 Declaration of the restoration of the Independent United States of Biafra

“All assets of the Biafra Republic Government In Exile and it’s affiliates(BRGIE corporation ID: D237527271) shall be transferred to the secretary of the State of the United States of Biafra.

“All officers of the former exile government shall report to their counterpart with the United States of Biafra for reassignment. All activities of the Biafra Republic Government In Exile shall cease as of February 15, 2025”.

Meanwhile, an insider source in the movement reliably told News Band that Ngozi decided to dissolve BRGIE after receiving intel that Simon Ekpa might spend longer time in prison.

The source also revealed that the Nigerian government is doing everything within it’s power to nail Simon Ekpa for all his atrocious acts in the SouthEast region.

So, the only way to keep the agitation going in the absence of Ekpa is to dissolve BRGIE.

“Yes, Ngozi Orabueze dissolved the Biafra Republic Government In Exile so as to be fully in charge of the assets belonging to the movement. With the way the Nigerian government is going about the case of Simon Ekpa, he may spend longer time in prison”, the source said.

Moreover, before now, Orabueze has been at war with some arrowheads of the separatist movement who refused to acknowledge her authority.

This however, has led to series of fights, accusation and counter accusations among the agitators.

Post Views: 31

Igbo Corner

A tribute to Mrs. Roseline Udu Eze

Published

7 months ago

January 29, 2025

kevin 'Jakpor

We celebrate the life of Mrs. Roseline Udu Eze, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and pillar of strength.

Her unwavering love, kindness, and selflessness left an indelible mark on all who knew her.

Though we mourn her passing, we take solace in the legacy she leaves behind and the cherished memories we hold. Rest peacefully in the arms of the Lord, dear Roseline.

You will forever be missed.

May her soul rest in perfect peace.

Amen.

Post Views: 34