Mujahid Asari Dokubo, former militant commander and head of the Biafra Customary Government (BCG), has described the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as a criminal. In a video he released on social media, Dokubo accused Kanu of using the “Biafran struggle” as a business venture. He alleged that Kanu has been diverting funds meant for the Biafran cause. “They are now telling us India, Russia etc. This is how they audit accounts. This is what Biafra will look like under the criminal Nnamdi Kanu.” “They claim that they brought money to Cotonou to give to me — N20 million. We are waiting for them to bring the evidence. They came to Cotonou to meet with me and I hosted them. They did not bring a dime. “How is that an audited account? Why do Igbo people allow you, a conman, to be conning them? Igbos, you have to rise. He wants to destroy Onyeama. He wants to destroy Ekweremadu. He wants to destroy everybody and the Igbo people are keeping quiet. “Biafra is your business now, you have no other avenue for gainful income. It is a pity how Igbo people have fallen for this evil, but your time is up. “I am out for you. And I will get you. I just asked that our people be allowed to vote and you sent your dogs. I’ve broken their teeth. “Nnamdi Kanu, I’m not in your category but for this, I will surely bring you down. I will destroy this evil empire that is working as a hindrance to the restoration of Biafra.” Kanu is yet to react to the allegations made by Dokubo. The Niger Delta former militant commander is not the first to level allegations against the IPOB leader. Ralph Uwazuruike, leader of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), has repeatedly described Kanu as a fraud.

Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Ignatius Kaigama, on Sunday warned the Federal Government not to suppress the voice of citizens and youths on the streets. The cleric said this in a message delivered during the dedication of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Nyanya, Abuja. Kaigama said: “The seed of Christian faith that started in Nigeria, like a mustard seed, continues to grow despite some subtle anti-Christian policies or strategies, unfavourable social, economic and political atmosphere. “It is our prayer that Nigeria will mature beyond the polarisation based on religion and tribe, so as to be a shining light of social integration for Africa. “As we celebrated Democracy Day yesterday (Saturday), we saw agitated youths on the streets clamouring for positive change. “Suppressing their voice or scaring them away is not a solution, but responding positively and creatively to those reasonable demands of theirs. “It worries me so much that we over-rely on oil as the primary source of our national revenue, and this constitutes the major source of our quarrel about injustice and marginalisation. “Let us, however, remember that there will be less demand for oil in the future and some countries are preparing to use electric vehicles or energy sources like solar and wind, a technological transformation that will render oil redundant. “It is advisable that we focus more systematically on farming and animal husbandry; stop the needless hostility between farmers and herders, and rather invest heavily in modernising these sectors which can help to reduce the number of unemployed youths on the streets. “We implore fellow Nigerians to truly rededicate ourselves to God, show respect to one another, identify with the poor, and practise genuine forgiveness and reconciliation. “Unemployed youths must not allow the healthy seeds in them to die. Keep dreaming positively and back it up by doing even petty jobs that will give you the dignity to eat from the labour of your hands. God will reward your patience.”

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and constitutional lawyer, Mike Ozekhome on Saturday wondered why the National Assembly was wary of ideas like ‘referendum’ and ‘a people’s constitution’. He made the remark while appearing on a Channels Television Democracy Day special programme. Many Nigerians have called for a referendum to decide the future of the nation. However, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has said the ongoing constitutional review being undertaken by the National Assembly will be enough to align the 1999 constitution with people’s expectation, a notion rejected by critics like Ozekhome. “In trying to restructure this behemoth, this elephantine, this very unwieldy, unitary federation, which passes for a federal system of government, how do we go about it? That has always been the question. And I have never underrated the role of the National Assembly. But the National Assembly itself, on the other hand, does not seem to understand what it ought to do,” Mr Ozhekhome said on Saturday. “I took on frontally the Deputy Senate President, Senator Omo-Agege on this issue penultimate Friday at the International Conference Centre, where I explained on a blow-by-blow account how to bring about what we call a people’s constitution, after a referendum. “These are words that these people are afraid of. I don’t know whey they are afraid of a referendum or a people’s constitution. It was done in Eritrea, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Singapore, Morocco. “These people, even with a government in power, were able to start a new document called the people’s constitution, which was subjected to the people in a referendum.”

The Katsina State governor, Aminu Bello Masari, has reaffirmed his support towards restructuring the country, saying it is the only way states would have financial independence and live in accordance with their income. Masari, who said this on the sideline of the 2021 Democracy Day, however, said whatever measure would be taken towards restructuring must ensure that the centre is not weakened. “Restructuring, devolution or whatever name you call it; I am 100 per cent in support of it because Katsina State is not poor, and no state is poor. But this has to go with many things. He said the unification of certain institutions was doing more harm to the country, saying states and their workers should earn within their revenue base. When asked about his political ambition beyond 2023, Masari said he had no intention of vying for any elective office, adding that having served as the Speaker of the House of Reps, he had no intention of going back to the National Assembly. The governor said he would be retiring to his farm.