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By: Mike Odeh James

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum(AYCF) has advised that outgoing Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi should be supported to emerge as Senate President in the spirit of national stability cohesion under incoming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The group, in a statement signed by its National President, Alhaji Yerima Shettima Wednesday evening, insisted that “in this national healing moment, the Southeast should be given the opportunity to take a shot at the Senate Presidency, this time around”.

“Our true position is that the Southeast needs to have a stronger sense of belonging, in the Nigerian project, by being actively involved in democratic governance. We want the mistakes of past government to serve as a lesson in democratic governance for the incoming administration.

“It is on record that Umahi is the most-perforing governor in the history of the Southeast. He has the reputation of being a gentleman per excellence. He has demonstrated these sterling qualities throughout his sojourn as a governor. This makes his candidature for the Senate quite suitable. We have no doubt in his ability to give the 10th Senate a good sense of direction. It is time to show full recognition to the leadership qualities of integrity and accountability, and these are some of the strongest attributes of governor Umahi”, the statement noted.

AYCF urged all the relevant stakeholders in the current dispensation, to rally round the Southeast for Senate Presidency, “in the spirit of forgiveness, national unity, cohesion and ending the culture of rubber stamp legislature”.

The AYCF further advised that the incoming administration should see their electoral victory as a golden opportunity to turn around Nigeria’s fortunes by allowing for the emergence of responsible leadership at all levels “and especially that of the Senate”.

AYCF, in the statement, also called on the President elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to “strive to put a legacy in place of a very suitable leadership, especially for the Senate”.

The group warned that “a very good sense of justice in the emergence of National Assembly leaders is to ensure that a nationalist, accountable Nigerian leads the Senate”.

By : John Monday

Ahead of the next Federal cabinet to be constituted by the President elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, representatives of youth groups from across the federation have called on the President elect to consider the National President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), Alhaji Yerima Shettima as one of his cabinet member .

The youth groups said the call has become imperative considering the role Shettima had continued to play in stabilising youth activities, promoting peace and social justice over the years, not only in the North but in all the geopolitical zones of Nigeria .

While congratulating Tinubu for emerging victorious in the Presidential election and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), the youth groups who were represented by Samuel Garry, Ahmed Mohammed Rufai and Christiana Nicholas under the umbrella of Nigeria Youth for Peace and Social Justice Forum (NYPSJF), said they found it expedient to bring Alh. Yerima Shettima to the fore and expose his salient but noble attributes to the world, so that it would attract the attention of the President elect who had emphasised on competence and youth inclusiveness in his cabinet and not mediocrity in appointments.

“Although we do not sought for Yerima Shettima’s consent before clamouring for him to be appointed as Minister in his forthcoming cabinet to represent the youths, we felt it behoves on us to search for a youth leader with impeccable credentials and who enjoys a lot of goodwill from across the divides, to be part of the in coming administration ,” they said.

The youth groups representatives, in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday, recalled that for over a decade, Yerima Shettima was not only a galvanising factor for youth activism with direct impact on youth development and education; protection of human rights and from abuse, but had continously supported hundreds of youths, religion and tribe not withstanding in their quest for self development through education and trade.

” Yerima Shettima as the Minister would bring the desired unity in an important segment of the Nigerian population. He is well known in the promotion of political activities that encourages talents of youths in their path ways to professionalism in different endeavours .

” His offices and residences in Lagos, Kaduna and Abuja were always behives of activities where the youths and even the elderly,irrespective of religion, tribe or creed gathered to be counselled and assisted to be responsible, productive and respectable members of the larger society.

” Before, during and after the general elections ; Alhaji Yerima Shettima and his organisation had not relented in his youth crusades for peace; a fact that even the youth wings of other sociocultural organisations from the Southeast,Southwest and South South could attest to, haven hosted them on different peace and youth development missions in the North.

“Although not known to be aligned with any major political camp,Yerima Shettima as the Minister would undoubtedly ,further rally support for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of future elections, because he had proven to be a commanding voice in the region; who the youths earnestly listen to for guidance and subsequent action as was exemplified in different occasions in the recent past,

” Yerima Shettima’s activism dated back to days of military dictatorship where he and many others joined the struggle for liberation to the point of being arrested yet he never gave up the struggle, it is for these and many more we belief very strongly that he would be veritable tool that will stabilize the youths in this country” they said.

ENDS

Lagos, Nigeria- 3rd May 2023: itel, Africa’s foremost mobile technology brand and maker of smartphones, accessories, and electrical appliances has partnered with Airtel, FrontRow Sports and Entertainment Limited, and UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency) to foster peace and unity among Nigerians using sports. Recognizing sports, especially football, as a great unifier of people across the world, itel aligned with a host of partners to bring sports to their doorsteps while also pushing its latest P-series smartphone, the itel P40.

Held at the Campos Memorial Mini Stadium, Lagos Island, Lagos, on May 2nd, 2023, the itel Play For Power sports event was a beehive of activities. There were power challenges, press-up challenges, races between the teachers of the secondary schools present at the event, and mini-engagement games for the students as well to test their power and durability.

Everyone who participated were rewarded with gifts including the newly released itel P40 smartphone, routers and portable wi-fis from Airtel, branded shirts, face caps, itel accessories, school bags, and lots more.

There was also a football competition between four football teams. The football teams included the combined itel-Airtel team, Right FC, NMA Football Club, and the UNHCR Refugee Team. These teams played in knockout sessions, with Right FC and the NMA Football Club heading to the finals. Right FC emerged as the winner with a cash prize of 200,000 naira as reward with gold medals and a cup for members of the team. The NMA Football Club and the other teams were also given gifts to thank them for their fair play. The joy and happiness experienced by the participants and audience were priceless.

Speaking at the event, Oke Umurhohwo, itel’s Marketing Manager for West Africa said, ‘We are using the itel Play For Power activity as an event to promote peace and unity among Nigerians. While it is also a celebratory event for the newly launched itel P40, a powerful smartphone that lasts 3 days with one charge, we want everyone to know that we are an organisation which believes in giving back to society as much as we can, when we can. This is a dual event- it is a partnership with FrontRow Sports and the UNHCR Office to play for peace and it is also a partnership with Airtel to play for power. Everyone present at the event have shown us truly that a peaceful coexistence is possible through the power of sports.’

Adedamola Garuba, Head of Strategy at FrontRow Sports also said, ‘As part of the organizers for the Play for Power event with itel and Airtel, we wanted to find a way to use football to advocate for peace and power. People need to see that in peace there is also power. This made it a perfect partnership with itel who coincidentally have launched the itel P40, a very strong and reliable smartphone at the same time.’

Top dignitaries from partnering brands including Veeki Chen, Country Manager for itel; Oluwafemi Oshinlaja, Acting Chief Commercial Officer for Airtel; Oladapo Ajayi, Chief Officer at Plug Sports; Abisoye Adebayo, CEO of BOMART Integrated Services and COO Gasland Nigeria Limited; Lanre Vigo, Chief Executive at Plug Sports, and many more were present at the event to support and cheer on the initiative which many lauded as the sports event of the year.

For more information on itel and Airtel’s products and services, please visit https://www.itel-mobile.com/ng/ and https://www.airtel.com.ng.

A coalition of civil society organisations Nigeria Civil Society Advocacy Group (NiCAG) have called on the President- Elect, Bola Tinubu to give his total and unalloyed support for Senator Godswill Akpabio to emerge as the Senate President in the 10th National Assembly .

The group through its Spokesman Pastor Shedrach Oka explained that the incoming President would definitely need the support of the Senate for him to implement his policies .

“Oka noted that
“Only Senator Akpabio has that charisma, zeal and zest to galvanise the rest of Senators to support the incoming President .

“Do not forget, that the 10th National Assembly is very diversed and in the upper House, the APC do not have an absolute majority to push through with the policies of the incoming administration, as such,a strong willed, tactical and dolomitic Senator is needed to Marshall the progressives and others at the upper House to give the needed impetus

The group further stressed that in the interest of unity, equity and inclusiveness, Godswill Akpabio who is from the South South geopolitical zone should become the next Senate President .

“If you take a look at the Presidency, Asiwaju Ahmad Bola Tinubu is from the South West, he is the President, Shettima is from the North East, he is the Vice President, apart from region, religion is also a factor that can not be overlooked .

“The emergence of Akpabio from the South South would go along way to assuage the feelings of the Christians and the South South and it would therefore bring about the much needed unity and inclusivity that the administration so needs.

Pastor Oka also harped on the fact that Senator Akpabio has been a very loyal member of the All Progressive Congress even as he had continued to support the outgoing President in the senate .
He added that , for the incoming President to have a hitch free and loyal members at the National Assembly, it behooves on the APC and Tinubu to support Chief Akpabio, he added

A prominent support group of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Concerned APC Members Forum, has endorsed the candidacy of Senator Barau I. Jibrin for the position of Deputy Senate President in the 10th National Assembly leadership.

The APC chieftains said it will communicate the decision to the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the national chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu through an official letter on Monday morning.

Addressing a press conference  on Saturday in Abuja, national convener of the forum, Comrade Okpokwu Ogenyi, demanded adherence to the Federal Character principle, adding that every geo-political zone should be given a sense of belonging.

The APC forum noted that the South-west and North-east have since produced President-elect and Vice – President respectively, the group urged the APC National Working Committee and the Progressives Governors Forum to consider zoning of President of the Senate and Deputy Senate President to the South-south and North-west.

Ogenyi said both zones contributed massive votes to the victory of the ruling party in the last February election and should be adequately rewarded.

The forum further maintained that the duo of Senator Godswill Akpabio, ( Akwa-Ibom North West) and Senator Barau Jibrin, ( Kano North) being ranking Senators from both zones should be considered for the exalted seats.

He said: “We believe that the party’s role in the National Assembly Leadership is to ensure the emergence of a competent senator who has distinguished himself over the years, devoid of religious and tribal sentiment, a pan-Nigerian who has been tested and trusted, proven worthy of integrity, character and prudent management.

“As believers in the Nigerian project, our appeal to the party is to consider the federal character in the zoning of the 10th senate leadership bearing in mind, competence and credibility with an understanding that Nigeria is a circular state with multi-faith and six geo-political zones.

“We wish to remind you the leadership of our party that, the President-elect is from the South West, and the Vice President-elect is from the North East, as such, the Senate President should be zoned to the South-South and the Deputy Senate President to the North West while the speaker of the House of Representatives and deputy should be accommodated by the other zones in view of competence and credibility of Honourable members.

“The President-elect needs highly competent senators with vast knowledge of legislative business to complement him in delivering dividends of democracy to Nigerians. To this end, we have gone ahead in shopping for highly competent, ranking Senators who shall work assiduously with the President-elect and members of the National Assembly to ensure stability and prudent financial appropriation and law-making for the overall interest of the country as the President and Deputy President of the 10th Senate.

“Although, we have watched with keen interest, the agitations from the various geo-political zones clamouring to produce the Senate President. We have also studied their request and concluded that APC as a national party should consider federal character considering the six geo-political zones and the circular nature of the country for even distribution of key government positions.

“We are aware that zoning is not done in a vacuum, so we highly recommend H.E Senator Godswill Akpabio for the position of Senate President and Senator Barau I. Jibrin as Deputy Senate President respectively. This will go a long way in building the confidence of APC members across the country in preparation for the future of our great party, the APC.

“It is pertinent to note that, in the South, South-South contributed the second highest votes after South-West which houses the President-elect. The North-West gave the party the highest votes in the North with Kano state consistently giving APC the highest vote per state in every election since the formation of the APC.

“More so, our submission is based on their legislative experience, prudent financial management, fair disposition towards national peace and unity, care for the less privileged, competence, reward for hard work, electoral value, and diplomatic relations.

“In the National Assembly, Senator Akpabio is the most ranking senator from the South-South under the platform of the APC while Senator Barau I. Jibrin is the most ranking senator from the North West.

“We sincerely appeal to the National Chairman of our great Party, H.E. Sen Abdullahi Adamu CON, and his National Working Committee members to zone the Senate Presidency seat to the South-South and the Deputy Senate President to the North West, preferably micro-zoned to Akwa Ibom State and Deputy Senate President to Kano State to pave way for the most ranking Senators, Godswill Akpabio and Barau I. Jibrin to emerge as the Senate President and Deputy Senate President of the 10th Senate respectively.

“We unequivocally call on the President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Progressives Governor’s Forum (PGF) and the State chairmen of our party to implement a government of National competence by supporting the zoning of the Senate Presidency to the South-South and Deputy to the North West.

“To this end, this organisation is publicly making this appeal to our leaders while official letters will be sent to our party’s National Chairman and the President-elect respectively in this regard.

We shall continue to advocate for good governance in promoting the ideology of our great party, APC. ”

*Ask Tinubu To Retain Isa Jere as CG

The Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Isa Jere has been commended for the good instituting reforms that are yielding positive results through out the country .

The National Coordinator of Concern Civil Society  Organisations and the National Secretary, Comrade Mada Ibrahim and Okpani Mike Odeh James made the commendation in a chat with media men in Kaduna .

According to Comrade Mada Ibrahim, NIS under Isa Jere has been able to curb the influx of foreigners into Nigeria during election season and this have greatly reduced to the cases of illegal aliens participating in the country’s election .

“If you recall before the election,Isa Jere gave his commandants marching orders to weed out illegal aliens and prevent them from participating in the polls .

“That order resulted in the  arrest of foreigners in Zaria, Kaduna, Akwa Ibom and Ogun  with huge number of PVCs. We also are aware of how many others with the country’s PVCs were apprehended by The Service  

“The result is what we saw during the election, zero reports of foreigners participating in our electoral process in 2023 . 

Mada went on to commend the men and women of Nigerian Immigration Service for civil and orderly conduct during the elections proper .

During the Presidential and Gubernatorial elections, reports we got showed that men and women of the Nigerian Immigration Service were very civil, diplomatic and were at the best  

These of humanity have endeared them to the hearts and minds of many Nigerians and we are saying thank you to them and their boss 

Apart from helping to conduct an election that is free from the intervention of illegal aliens, Isa Jere was also commended by the group for initiating several other reforms such the  establishment of a  Digital electronic passport portal which prevents time wasting and extortion of Nigerians seeking to obtain or renew the passport .

According to the group’s National Secretary, Okpani Mike Odeh James, 

“Jere has been able to restore discipline and hard work within the Service as men and women of NCIS are more dedicated to the jobs

staff of the Service have been retrained or maximum efficiency under Isa Jere .

Okpani Mike further added that for the good of the Service and the country, 

“we are calling on the incoming administration to allow Isa Jere continue with the reforms that he has initiated .

We asking  Bola Tinubu to add at least four more years to Jere’s tenure

… Urge Opponents to Support Him to Deliver Dividends of Democracy

The Management of Abuja based business empire, Nisah Group of Companies today  joined other Nigerians to congratulate Former Federal Capital Territory Minister and Bauchi Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed for a landslide victory during the concluded Guber Elections in the State.

The Management said it is surprised when the news filtered that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the end of the keenly contested election declared him the winner of the March 18  governorship election in Bauchi State, north-east Nigeria.

Recalled that Bauchi State ,Governor Bala Mohammed was re-elected for another tenure of four years against the wishes of political kingmakers in the state.

In a congratulatory Message signed by the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Nisah Group, Hajiya Ummi Ahmed, Governor Bala Mohammed victory at the polls is certainly  a major pointer that politics today is tilting towards meritocracy and not god-fatherism.

“We view your victory as a victory for all the Bauchi people irrespective of political affiliation as it shows that the hand of  Allah is truly on you and dear state.” It stated.

….Read full Message ….

   Congratulatory Message 

The Management of Nisah Group of Companies heartily congratulates former Federal Capital Territory Minister, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed on a worthy and well deserved re-election bid for a second term of office.

We were not surprised when the news filtered that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the end of the keenly contested election declared him the winner of the March 18  governorship election in Bauchi State, north-east Nigeria.

We view your victory as a victory for all the Bauchi people irrespective of political affiliation as it shows that the hand of  Allah is truly on you and dear state.

As you prepare to take another oath of office come May 29, 2023, we pray that your renowned doggedness, resilience; brilliance and sound leadership prowess serve as a catalyst to take Bauchi State to higher level of sustained progress and development . 

Undoubetedly,Your emergence is a major pointer that politics today is tilting towards meritocracy and not god-fatherism.

You contested the election against several qualified fellow candidates whom equally have the best interest of the State at heart in offering up themselves for service, but the people spoke in loud voice and gave you their mandate apparently because you served them well . 

The task ahead is enormous, but the fact that you have goodwill from across board should make the task a bit easy for you and we hope that you will use this goodwill to make the good people of Bauchi State proud of you, especially the women and Youths.

At this point ,we urge the good people of Bauchi; stakeholders and other candidates who vied against the Governor to concede defeat and join hands together and work to ensure the his campaign promises are implemented.

Once again, Congratulations Your Excellency sir as we acknowledge  your tenacity, steadfastness and consistent courage to always deliver Dividends of democracy to the people.

The work starts now!!!

It’s time to write your name in gold again.

Nisah Group of Companies is proud to be associated with you .

Signed:

Haj. Ummi Ahmed

Founder /CEO

Nisah Group of Companies,Abuja

*Says Tinubu unfit to rule Nigeria

The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has said that he has been able to run for the office of the President of Nigeria since 1993 without any controversy because unlike his main rival and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Tinubu, he is unencumbered by drugs and identity scandals.

These revelations are contained in Atiku’s response to Tinubu’s and APC’s reply to his petition challenging the process and the outcome of the February 25 presidential election.

Besides, Atiku said that his own identity, comprising age, state of origin, and educational qualifications, have never been in dispute like those of Tinubu.

In his response to Tinubu’s reply to his petition, Atiku insisted that Tinubu is constitutionally disabled from contesting for the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Amongst others, Atiku alleged that Tinubu is unfit to lead Nigeria having been indicted for drug related offences in the United States of America (USA) and made to forfeit a sum of $460,000 as a compromise agreement.

In the response filed by his lead counsel, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, the PDP presidential candidate justified why the declaration of Tinubu as President-elect cannot stand, adding that against the law, “Tinubu holds dual citizenship of Nigeria and Guinea, having voluntarily acquired the citizenship of the Republic of Guinea”.

Similarly, Atiku accused Tinubu of not disclosing facts of his constitutional qualifications in his Form EC9 submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), contrary to the provisions of the law.

The petitioner while admitting that Tinubu may be a “Titan and a Maestro”, he however said that the “President-elect is certainly not a titan and maestro in national stature but in controversies such as age, state of origin, identity, educational qualifications represented by certificates obtained from universities and colleges”.

Apparently reacting to Tinubu’s response in which he described Atiku as a serial election loser, the former Vice President said that Tinubu is a giant in forfeiture, drug related offences and failure to disclose dual nationality to INEC.

“The comparison of the second respondent (Tinubu) with the first petitioner ( Atiku) who had attained the eminent position of Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for eight years is totally unfounded”, he said.

Justifying his request for the annulment of the declaration of Tinubu as President-elect, Atiku said that Tinubu and APC never won the majority of the lawful votes cast in the February 25 presidential election.

Amongst others, the PDP presidential candidate maintained that Tinubu failed part of the constitutional requirements, having failed to secure 25% of the votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, as constitutionally required.

He insisted that the return of Tinubu as the winner of the 2023 presidential election is undue, unlawful, and invalid because Tinubu did not meet the constitutional requirements as to qualification.

Rather than addressing the issues raised against him and the disputed election, Atiku said that Tinubu deliberately chose not to answer points of substance in the petition and opted for extraneous facts, contradictory, evasive, speculative and vague assertions.

In reaction to another issue raised against Atiku’s petition, the former Vice President claimed that his petition did not in any way constitute a gross abuse of any court process, adding that the originating summons of February 28, 2023, filed at the Supreme Court by Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta , Edo, and Sokoto states have since been discontinued.

At any rate, Atiku said that parties in the suit of the six PDP controlled states are not the same in his own petition and therefore prayed the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal to discountenance the objections and the averments raised against the petition by Tinubu and grant him all the reliefs sought in the petition.

Media Adviser to Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Paul Ibe said that the only thing common between Atiku and Tinubu is the year 1993.

He said while it was the year that Atiku started his presidential campaign run, it was also the same year that Tinubu fell to the US justice system over his indictment and conviction for drug trafficking and money laundering for which he forfeited a whopping sum of $460,000.

Meanwhile, J K Gadzama, SAN, has ceded the headship of the Atiku legal team of the PEPT to Chief Chris Uche, SAN.

Filings by the Atiku legal team responding to Tinubu’s and APC’s reply to Atiku’s petition were signed by Chris Uche, SAN.

Additionally, Atiku’s legal team has filed an application for pre-trial hearing notice pursuant to paragraph 18(1) and (2) of the First Schedule of the Electoral Act 2022.

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has called on the National Assembly, Nigeria Police Force and Department of State Services, among others, to urgently commence investigation of the immediate past Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva over alleged certificate forgery and identity theft.

Sylva who is a former Governor of Bayelsa State, recently emerged the gubernatorial candidate of the APC in Bayelsa State.

Frank made these request in a petition he addressed through his solicitors to the Senate President, Speaker, House of Representatives, Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the DSS, among others, on the matter.

In the petition, dated March 31, 2023, and signed by the Principal Partner of Graylaw Practice LP, Edward Omaga Esq., Frank urged the National Assembly to summon Sylva and officials from his alma maters in Nigeria and Switzerland to explain the inconsistencies in the identity of the politician.

According to the petitioner, Sylva’s primary school certificate carried his name as Anagha Timipere as evident in documents the ex-Minister filed before a court in the United States as part of an ongoing defamation suit brought by his lawyers.

He said Anagha Timipere was different from Marlin Anagha Timipre, which is the name on Sylva’s WAEC certificate.

He claimed that the ex-petroleum minister had also obtained his bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Port-Harcourt, with the certificate bearing Anagha Timipre Marlin.

He insisted that this clearly contradicted Sylva’s 2011 doctoral degree certificate in International Relations from Ubis University, Switzerland, with the name Chief Timipre Sylva.

He further claimed that Sylva neither participated in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme nor did he obtain an exemption certificate as required by law.

The petition reads in part: “Obviously, the certificates mentioned above have visible anomalies and do not depict the true identity of CHIEF TIMPRE SYLVA. It is confusing as to who CHIEF TIMIPRE SYLVA is; who ANAGHA TIMIPRE MARLIN is; who MARLIN ANAGHA TIMIPRE is and who ANAGHA TIMIPERE is.

“There is no evidence anywhere showing that CHIEF TIMPRE SYLVA ever changed his name from ANAGHA TIMIPRE MARLIN to TIMIPRE SYLVA in 1986 after he purportedly graduated from University of Port Harcourt,” stated the petition.

“Investigation by our client reveals that there is also no record that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources has National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Discharge or Exemption Certificate, as the case may be, either in the name of ANAGHA TIMIPRE MARLIN or TIMIPRE SYLVA.”

The obvious discrepancies in the documents caused the petitioner to insist that Sylva may have forged his academic certificates or had them stolen from a third party, “an offence that violates Section 438 of the Criminal Code Act and carries a 14-year prison sentence.”

He urged both chambers of the National Assembly to summon the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), and State Security Services (SSS) officials for their roles in screening and approving Sylva’s ministerial appointment as well as his successful governorship bid in 2007.

He claimed that after learning that his identity inconsistencies could imperil his governorship quest, Sylva filed processes to change his name to Timipre Sylva in an official Government Gazette of May 12, 2022.

He said before seeking to change his name in an official gazette, Sylva had already served as Bayelsa State governor between 2007 and 2012 and also Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, among other top-level state and federal positions.

Additionally, the petitioner prayed the National Assembly to summon Sylva and officials from all the academic institutions that issued him certificates to confirm the actual identity of who they awarded the academic certificates.

The institutions include Ajeromi Central School in Apapa, Lagos, West African Examination Council (WAEC), University of Port-Harcourt and Ubis University, Switzerland.

He urged the Nigerian Immigration Service, through the National Assembly, to seize Sylva’s International Passport to prevent him from fleeing the country and seeking refuge in Western nations like U.S., Dubai, Canada, etc.

In another petition to the Governor of Bayelsa State and Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Frank who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East, called on the State Government to urgently commence investigation to unravel the authenticity of certificates and true identity of Sylva.

He called on the state to derecognise Sylva as former Governor of the State if found to have either forged his certificates or altered his identity.