"Give Us Ekiti State Or Forget 2011" South-west PDP To Nigerian President.

The south-western arm of Nigeria's ruling Peoples' Democratic Party(PDP) have issued a secret strongly worded warning to the Nigerian President, Mr. Umaru Yar'Adua to deliever Ekiti State to the party or forget a second term in office come 2011. The President is known to be nursing second term ambition.

This warning chidi opara reports learnt authoritatively was conveyed to the President through Mr. Isiaka Adeleke, a PDP member of the senate, Nigeria's upper legislature, from one of the south-western states. Mr. Adeleke is also the Senate committee chairman on Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC).

The President, according to one of our Presidency contacts, is disposed to allowing the will of the electorate to prevail in Ekiti State, despite pressures by PDP topshots in the zone. This disposition, another Presidency contact revealed to us was as a result of a "disturbing security report" on the President's desk, hinting at a possible break down of law and order in the south-west if the Ekiti re-run election is not concluded with transparency. The re-run is presently deadlocked.

"Mr. President viewed the warning from our people in the south-west as a very disturbing development", a trusted high level PDP national secretariate contact whispered to chidi opara reports in Abuja.

In the light of this warning, the President, we learnt further have commenced consultations with PDP leaders in the zone to find a way out of the Ekiti situation. We however, have it on good authority that at the time of preparing this report, PDP topnotchers in the south-west are insisting on the President delievering the state to the party or there will be no second term support from the zone for the President in 2011.

chidi opara reports is privy to unconfirmed information that declaration of state of emergency in Ekiti state as a way out of this dilemma is being seriously considered.

EKITI IMPASSE: YAR’ADUA SHOULD STOP THIS ‘JUNE 12’ NOW!(News Release By Afenifere Renewal Group)

Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) is compelled to once again call on President Umar Yar’Adua to make a positive intervention in Ekiti State to avert the imminent danger in the State which the attempt to subvert the will of the electorate in Ekiti State can only bring to pass.

We have been reliably informed that the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, leadership of the country at both the executive and legislative levels are plotting to make the electoral body at the national level to thwart the will of electorate as evidenced in Professor Maurice Iwu’s statement that the controversial ‘votes’ in Ido Osi Local Government Area have been accepted.

As we write, the position of the Constitution is that it is only Mrs. Ayoka Adebayo, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, who can accept and announce results. She has refused to compromise her integrity. Now, we do not know her whereabouts. We do not know whether she is in detention. She could have been killed. Now, for Iwu to go ahead and get another Commissioner to announce the results will be interpreted as foul play.

We call on the executive and the legislature to realize that it is their duty to either save democracy or perish it.

As at today, from the eleven valid LG results in Ekiti via the Appeal Court and Saturday’s elections, Dr. Kayode is leading with 11,555 votes and has satisfied the constitutional requirements to be declared as the winner.

Any attempt to use cooked-up results in Ido Osi to invalidate the mandate of eleven LGAs is an invitation to anarchy, which has wider implications beyond Ekiti State .

We call on President Yar’Adua to emulate former President John Kuffuor of Ghana who, faced with this kind of situation in December 2008, put the country above party and saved Ghana from political crises.

We can stop this ‘June 12’ if the PDP leadership of Nigeria behaves with a sense of history at this point in time.


‘Yinka Odumakin
National Publicity Secretary
Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG)

Nigeria's Faces Of Liberty Seekers

Professor Wole Soyinka, a Poet and Playwright have been in the fore of canvassing for liberty for Nigerians over the years.


Mr. Nuhu Ribadu is a former Executive Chairman of Nigeria's Economic And Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC).


Mr. Femi Falana is a prominent Nigerian human rights Lawyer and President of West African Bar Association.

These prominent faces will be amongst those that will gather in London on May 29th, 2009 to seek liberty for the subjugated citizens of Nigeria in an event organized by the Nigerian Liberty Forum(NLF), led by Dr. Kayode Ogundamisi.

Nigeria's Ruling Party Set To Win Ekiti State Re-Run Election

Nigeria's ruling party, the People's Democratic Party(PDP) is set to win the upcoming Ekiti State re-run election on saturday, 25th April 2009.

Reports from chidi opara reports' network members in the state indicate a slim victory for the PDP candidate, Mr. Segun Oni against the main opposition candidate, Mr. Kayode Fayemi of the Action Congress party(AC).

The Court of Appeal recently nullified the election of Mr. Oni and ordered a re-run, following a case brought to the court by Mr. Fayemi. The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC)consequently scheduled a re-run election in ten local government areas of the state for April 25th, 2009. The Court of Appeal is the final arbiter in governorship election matters in Nigeria.

Our information has it that although the AC which have seasoned grassroots politicians like Bisi Akande and Bola Tinubu in its fold appear to be more popular than PDP at the grassroots, the PDP however, have more financial resources at its command, a more potent factor in electoral victory in Nigeria.

Our investigation also revealed that the ousted governor, sensing that the case may result in nullification of his election and consequently, a re-run, had hurriedly scheduled the local government election which the AC boycotted. This boycott afforded PDP the opportunity of sweeping all but one of the local government areas. These local government area chairmen are presently deploying financial resources to ensure victory for PDP.

We also discovered that the acting governor, a PDP member is deploying state financial resources to the advantage of his party. At the time of preparing this report, members of the State Executive Council, have been given unspecified amounts of money to go and ensure victory for the ruling party in their areas. We have however, not been able to confirm the actual amounts.

Although the atmosphere in the state is tense, security contacts in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, however, assured chidi opara reports that the re-run election will not pose serious security challenges.

ALL SET FOR OKOROJI’S BIG BOOK LAUNCH(News Release)

Final arrangements are now being made for the much talked about ‘Red Carpet’ launch of Chief Tony Okoroji’s book, Copyright, Neighbouring Rights & the New Millionaires, which holds in Lagos next Tuesday, April 28, 2009. The event which takes place at the main auditorium of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Victoria Island, Lagos is expected to attract the crème of the society and stars from far and near. The organizers of the event have said that they want to use the launch to kick start a major national discussion on Nigeria’s intellectual property landscape.

Chairman of the event will be computer whiz kid and Chairman of Zinox Technologies, Chief Leo–Stan Ekeh. The co-chair will be the Group CEO of UBA Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu. Mr. Elumelu’s expected key note address on the financing of Intellectual Property projects in a changing Nigerian economy is highly awaited. Also expected to speak at the event is the Director- General of the National Film & Video Censors Board, Mr. Emeka Mba. Arriving Nigeria from Oslo on Monday for the show is Mr. Saemund Fiskvik, a member of the Board of, NORCODE, the Norwegian Copyright Development Association which is a key supporter of the launch. Mr. Fiskvik will also be speaking at the Red Carpet Launch.

Among the high profile personalities that will grace the “Red Carpet” launch is the Head of the traditional institution in the entire South Eastern geo political zone of Nigeria, His Royal Highness, Eze (Dr.) C.I. Ilomuanya. Eze Ilomouanya is both the Chairman of the Imo State Council of Ndieze and South Eastern States Council of Traditional Rulers. The royal farther will be leading other personalities from Imo State as they walk the red carpet at the NIIA venue to honour one of their own. Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, the princess of Bakassi and a life-long supporter of Chief Okoroji is expected to appear in her regal best as she has done in the past at every event that has the imprimatur of Tony Okoroji. She will be the Mother of the Day. Nigeria’s who is who in showbizness are right now dry-cleaning their best attires ready for Tuesday’s red carpet. The leading lights in intellectual Property Law in Nigeria such as Dr Bankole Sodipo, President Intellectual Property Law Association of Nigeria (IPLAN), Professor Egerton Uvieghara, first Chairman of the NCC and Mr. Moses Ekpo, former Director- General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission have all confirmed their presence at the big event.

One of the stars expected to provide what has been described as cutting edge entertainment for the choice audience at the event is London based Nigerian singer, Dizzy K. Falola, who also arrives Lagos on Monday for the show. This special home coming for one of the idols of Nigerian pop music of the eighties and early nineties is to honour the man who discovered him and launched him on the road to stardom.

In several studios around Lagos, feverish activities are going on as pre-production efforts take shape for the book launch of a special kind. In the tradition that Chief Tony Okoroji has established over time, the arrangements for the event are very detailed. Even lovers of football who are attending the Red Carpet launch have been assured that they do not need to rush home under any circumstance. The Chelsea/ Barcelona Champions league semi final match which holds later that evening will be transmitted in living colour on a giant screen at the venue, courtesy of Entertainment Network Konsult (ENK) which is providing the intricate technical requirements for the show, such as audio, lights, multimedia and effects.

Following the launch, a special cocktail party will be held at the foyer of the NIIA. All invited guests to the event have been advised to dress smartly for the special red carpet protocols.

Anyone may ask, why this frenzy about a book launch? This is no ordinary book launch. As President of PMAN, Chief Tony Okoroji led the vanguard for the birth of the Nigerian Copyright Law. Leveraging his immense writing and speaking skills, he co–ordinated rallies and demonstrations across the country and forced the Babangida administration to promulgate the Copyright Act, the lifeblood of the Nigerian creative community. Chief Okoroji has served on the committees that drafted both the Nigerian Copyright Law and its first amendment and was also in the forefront of the efforts that led to the establishment of the body now known as the Nigerian Copyright Commission. He was instrumental to the setting up of both the Nigerian Association of Recording Industries (NARI) and Performing & Mechanical Rights Society (PMRS), the copyright collective management organization. Chief Tony Okoroji is presently Chairman of PMRS. Chief Okoroji has also participated actively in the efforts to reform the laws and management of other parts of Intellectual Property such as Patents, Trademarks and Industrial Designs. Tony Okoroji brought glamour and panache to revolutionize the organization of showbiz events in Nigeria when in 1989 he was dropped from the roof of the main bowl of the National Theatre in Lagos and he went ahead to announce the institution of the annual Nigerian Music Awards. That changed the face of Nigeria’s showbiz forever.

Tony Okoroji’s Copyright, Neighbouring Rights & the New Millionaires establishes a link between a good intellectual property regime and the new knowledge economy with its integration with Information Technology and the Internet, a synergy that is creating enormous wealth around the globe. The book does an unprecedented analysis of the Nigerian copyright and neighbouring right regimes, using free flowing language and easy to relate illustrations to create an invaluable tool for every practitioner in the creative community and every student of intellectual property. The book also gives an insight into the formation of PMAN and PMRS and the challenges of running such complex organizations. The book has been given very high marks by experts around the world.

Mr. Jude Arijaje of Minuteman Press of Philadelphia arrives Nigeria from the USA this weekend with print fresh copies of the book that is guaranteed to make waves.


UCHE ONUNKWO
For: The Committee of Friends of Chief Tony Okoroji

Nigeria's Central Bank Governor Likely To Loose Job

Indications have emerged that the governor of Central Bank Of Nigeria(CBN), Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo may not return to his post next month when his tenure will expire, chidi opara reports can now report. The CBN governor is presently on a renewable five-year-tenure that expires in May 2009.

The main obstacle to the renewal of the CBN governor's tenure is the North(Northern Nigeria), whose influential politicians and traditional rulers, we gathered have constituted themselves into a secret lobby group to bring pressure to bear on the President not to renew the tenure of the Professor of Economics.

Checks by chidi opara reports revealed that the grouse of this influential lobby group is what it sees as Soludo's anti-North monetary and other economic inputs into the policies of the immediate past administration of rtd. general Olusegun Obasanjo and the present administration of Mr. Umaru Yar'Adua. These inputs the group believe, rendered the North almost economically comatose. "After Soludo's banking consolidation, how many banks did the North end up with?, just two", an aide of one of the political leaders of the North complained to one of our network members in Kano. The CBN under the leadership of Chukwuma Soludo successfully carried out a banking consolidation exercise which saw the industry players pruned down to twenty-five banks.

Another major reason why the CBN governor's tenure may not be renewed is the proposed re-denomination of the Nation's currency, which contacts close to the CBN topshot informed chidi opara reports that the Anambra state born renowned economist is still passionate about and determined to push through if permitted by the Presidency. The re-denomination programme was suspended on the order of the President. This currency re-denomiation if carried out, is expected to considerably check the thriving business of illegal foreign currency dealers, whose principals are believed to be powerful persons from the North. "They have been given the highest position in Customs, so let them forget the CBN", an influential Northern politician was heard telling another at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport Kano.

The articulate CBN governor is however not resting, chidi opara reports have confirmed information that Professor Soludo have recently stepped up lobby for the renewal of his tenure through the apex Igbo socio-cultural body, Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, his influential Northern friends like Mr. Aliko Dangote and some influential officials of World Bank and International Monetary Fund(IMF). Soludo had acted as consultant to these bodies prior to his becoming CBN governor.

Nigeria Terror Alert: USA Embassy Leaked "Padded" Intelligence To Police

The recent terror alert by the Embassy of the United States Of America(USA)in Nigeria to its citizens may have been informed by economic considerations, chidi opara reports have learnt. Because of the hostilities in the middle east, the USA and its Allies rely heavily on oil and gas from Nigeria to power their gigantic industrial economies.

Contacts in the USA embassy in Abuja informed us that the diplomatic mission and its home government have not been comfortable with the activities of an Islamic sect, the Shitte movement, led by Mr. Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, a Kaduna State born Islamic cleric based in Zaria, whom the USA believe is being funded by radical governments in the middle east. "We do not want instability in any other region in Nigeria, as this would compound the situation in the Niger Delta, thereby causing more disruptions in petroleum production activities", a USA embassy contact confided in chidi opara reports. Checks in high profile security and diplomatic circles in Abuja revealed that the current terror alert may have been planned by secret service case officers in the embassy on the instruction of the State department to instigate the Nigerian government to move against Mr. El-Zakzaky. The process, according to these insiders started with the leakage of an Intelligence which we learnt was heavily "padded", from the embassy to the Kaduna state command of the Nigerian police. This leaked Intelligence allegedly detailed the shitte movement leader's link with the Al-Queda and other terror networks. "It was on the basis of this Intelligence that we prepared our security reports", a high level police contact whispered to us in Kaduna. We also have verified information that the USA and its allies through their embassies have commenced diplomatic pressures on the Nigerian government to outlaw Mr. El-Zakyzaky's movement and consequently detain its leader.

The shitte movement started as a students group in the 1970s at Ahmadu Bello university(ABU) Zaria with Mr. El-Zakyzaky as its first secretary-general. In 1979, he became one of its Vice-presidents. By 1990, the body had metamorphosed into a strong radical Islamic movement with links to the Islamic Republic of Iran and other Islamic fundamentalist regimes in the middle east, with El-Zakyzaky as its leader.

Attempts by chidi opara reports to infiltrate the movement have not been successful so far, unconfirmed information at our disposal however, revealed planned fall back strategies by the movement to contain any onslaughts by the Nigerian security agencies.

Nigeria's Ruling Party's Proposal Divides Militant Groups

chidi opara reports' contacts inside the camps of militant groups in the creeks of Niger Delta region have informed of split in the ranks of these groups claiming to fight for the emancipation of the oil and gas rich region. The region is known to have been neglected over the years by successive Nigerian governments.

The Administration of Mr. Umaru Yar'Adua having exhausted most military and legal means known to it in dealing with the problem, we were informed, decided through its political party, the Peoples' Democratic Party(PDP) apparachik, to compromise the militants.

chidi opara reports learnt authoritatively that the PDP through the Vice-President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, a Niger Deltan Ijaw, first approached some prominent Ijaw leaders to broker an understanding between the militants and the Nigerian government.

We learnt further that when approached by these Ijaw leaders, some militant groups, who are apparently battle weary embraced the proposal, but the main groups who are affiliated to the Movement For The Emancipation Of Niger Delta(MEND), who despite the depletion in its fighters and equipments due to constant raids by the Joint Taskforce On Security(JTF), still retains considerable fighting powess, did not initially embrace the proposal, but later made a volte face as a ploy to gather more information on the proposal. "We decided to play along with them just to know exactly what they were up to", a MEND insider revealed to chidi opara reports in a telephone chat. Another contact inside one of the the minor militant camps at Dolce island in Rivers State however, countered that, "they were fully with us in the negotiations but backed out when their demand for the unconditional release of Henry Okah was not given immediate attention". Mr. Henry Okah, MEND's leader is facing charges of treason, etc in a federal high court in Nigeria. We can now also report that most of the minor militant groups have accepted the PDP proposal.

MEND had in an online news release last week, sent to chidi opara reports and other news outfits, alleged that "some representatives of Peoples' Democratic Party(PDP) in a secret meeting with commanders of the Movement For The Emancipation Of Niger Delta today friday April 10th, 2009 proposed a robust monetary and amnesty incentive if the group promises to assist the party in securing the 2011 gubernatorial election in the Niger Delta region". MEND said further that it rejected the proposal which it labelled "evil agenda by PDP and its cohorts".

Nigeria's Wild Wild West May Go Wild Again

Investigations by chidi opara reports have revealed that Nigeria's South Western region known in the 1960s as wild wild west may erupt into violence again following efforts by progressive and conservative elements to take over governments in two strategic states of the region, Ekiti and Osun states.

The Court of Appeal acting as the final arbiter in election matters had recently nullified the election of Mr. Segun Oni, former governor of Ekiti state and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and ordered a re-run. Mr. Oni's major opponent is Mr. Kayode Fayemi of the Action Congress Party(AC). The appellate court also ordered re-trial of the Osun State case, which the opposition hope will result into nullification and consequently, a re-run.

Our network members in both states report that the conservative elements who are operating under the banner of PDP have perfected plans to use both lawful and unlawful means to take power in both states. These conservatives whose commander is a retired top naval officer are not leaving anything to chance. They, we learnt further have sucessfully mobilized money through a young businessman with huge interest in Insurance and another who is into downstream petroleum products marketing. Financial contribution is still being expected from another young downstream petroleum products marketer, who is also a relation of a former governor
of one of the south western states. Part of this money, chidi opara reports reliably gathered would be used to compromise security agents during the Ekiti re-run election of April 25th, 2009.

"My brother, these people are desperate, their loss in Ondo state have made them more desperate", a contact in Osogbo volunteered to one of our network members on condition of annoynmity, apparently for fear of physical attack.

The progressives led by a former governor in the region and a stalwart of AC, who recently celebrated his birthday anniversary with fanfare, are not resting.
Our investigations revealed that they are relying on financial contributions from the governments of Edo, Lagos and Ondo states. The governors of Imo, Anambra and Abia states have also pledged some amounts. "Our interest is to see the PDP dislodged from most states", a highly placed official of Abia state government informed chidi opara reports in Umuahia.

The progrssives are also relying on the goodwill it enjoys within the populace. "our fall back is to mobilize the people for mass action if the Ekiti election is rigged again", an AC insider informed us in Lagos. Progressives are also using their contacts within the vocal radical members of Nigerians In Diaspora Organization(NIDO) and Afenifere Renewal Group(ARG) to sensitize the International community on the need for the Nigerian Presidency to ensure a free and fair election re-run in Ekiti state, through the Internet. This campaign is being co-ordinated by a United States Of America(USA) based Professor and a well known ARG chieftain based in Nigeria.

A senior security contact in the Presidency however informed chidi opara reports that, "we are watching the two states with keen interest".

Former President Of Performing Musicians Of Nigeria To Launch Book On Copyright

A former President of Performing Musicians Association Of Nigeria(PMAN), Mr. Tony Okoroji, who ruled the music scene in the late 1980s and early 1990s with chartbursters is set to launch a book on copyright.

A news release titled "Okoroji's Book Launch To Be An Intellectual Property Summit" by the Musician's committee of friends, made available to chidi opara reports reads:

"The forth coming red carpet launch of Chief Tony Okoroji’s ground breaking book, Copyright, Neighbouring Rights & the New Millionaires is being planned as an important summit of the various interests in Intellectual Property in Nigeria. The friends of Chief Okoroji who are organizing the launch are presently engaged in a major rally of the stars of music, theatre, movies, literature, broadcasting, publishing, the media and the leading lights in law, the judiciary and Nigeria’s academia. Friends of the intellectual property community and important business and political figures with interest in intellectual development, are also expected at the Class ‘A’ event. The purpose is to use the occasion to kick start a robust national dialogue leading to the reform of the Intellectual Property landscape in the country.

The Committee of Friends of Chief Tony Okoroji which is responsible for the red carpet launch has said that one of the best ways to honour this dogged fighter for the rights of Nigeria’s creators is to give strong support to the promotion of intellectual property rights in Nigeria to which Okoroji has dedicated a significant part of his life. It is well known that Chief Okoroji as President of PMAN led the vanguard for the birth of the Nigerian Copyright Law. Employing his tremendous writing and speaking skills, he organized several rallies and demonstrations across the country which forced the hands of the military government to promulgate this most important piece of legislation for the Nigerian creative community. Chief Okoroji who served in the committees that drafted both the Nigerian Copyright Law and its first amendment was also in the forefront of the efforts that led to the establishment of what is today known as the Nigerian Copyright Commission. He was instrumental to the setting up of both the Nigerian Association of Recording Industries (NARI) and Performing & Mechanical Rights Society (PMRS) of which he is presently the chairman. Chief Okoroji has also participated actively in the efforts to reform the laws and management of other parts of Intellectual Property such as Patents, Trademarks and Industrial Designs.

Tony Okoroji’s Copyright, Neighbouring Rights & the New Millionaires establishes a link between a sound intellectual property regime and the new knowledge economy with its integration with Information Technology and the Internet that is creating enormous wealth around the globe. The book does an unprecedented analysis of the Nigerian copyright and neighbouring right regimes, using free flowing language and easy to relate illustrations to create an invaluable tool for every practitioner in the creative community and every student of intellectual property. The book which has been given very high marks by experts around the world will be launched by an all star audience at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island Lagos on Tuesday, April 28, 2009. The organizers are assuring all guests that the event will feature cutting edge entertainment and the state of the art organization for which Tony Okoroji, the prime mover of Nigeria’s most celebrated events, is famous.

Among the various groups supporting the red carpet launch are Minuteman Press of Philadelphia USA which is printing the book and the Norwegian Copyright Development Association (NORCODE)".


UCHE ONUNKWO
For: The Committee of Friends of Chief Tony Okoroji