METRO

In 1999, This Nigerian Senate President was Removed Over Whether His Name was Evan or Evans

Published

3 months ago

July 1, 2024

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Evan Enwerem

One should expect almost anything in the political scene of Nigeria. But should one expect the removal of a Nigerian Senate President from office because of his name? Yes, because it happened back in 1999, to Evan Enwerem Senator Evan Enwerem was removed as the first president of the Senate in Nigeria’s fourth republic because an investigating committee wasn’t sure whether his real name was Evan or Evans…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

Evan Enwerem’s case became the first major political scandal of President Olusegun Obasanjo’s civilian regime in 1999. As at then, the country had just ended military rule and had Obasanjo (who was once a military ruler) serving as president of the country.

Enwerem was elected to the Nigerian Senate in 1999 to represent the Imo-East Senatorial Zone. On the 3rd of June, 1999, Enwerem beat his chief rival, Senator Chuba Okadigbo, for the Senate presidency.

President Olusegun Obasanjo backed Enwerem for President of the Senate against Okadigbo and with the support of Obasanjo’s allies in the governing parties, plus support from two Nigerian opposition parties, Enwerem easily defeated Okadigbo with 66 votes to Okadigbo’s 43 votes.

However, Evan Enwerem did not know that his victory would not last long as he only reigned for five months before being kicked out of office over his name which he described simply as a typographical error.

But some analysts were not surprised by his removal because he emerged as Senate president under some controversial circumstances.

How The Removal of Evan Enwerem Happened

From 1980 to 1983, Evans Enwerem served as the chairman of the Nigerian Airports Authority (NAA) before getting elected as the governor of Imo State in the 1990s when the then head of state, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, lifted the ban on political activity in Nigeria.

At the commencement of the fourth republic by Obasanjo in June 1999, Enwerem was elected to the Nigerian Senate as a senator representing Imo East in 1999.

But he wanted more than that, so he began moves to grab the lead seat in the Senate (Senate president). Running against a stronger opponent, Chuba Okadigbo, for the Senate president seat began his woes and that of the Senate.

Okadigbo, from Anambra State, who had served as Political Adviser to President Shehu Shagari in the second republic, was the popular choice for the senate president position.

Ahead of the inauguration of the Senate in 1999, Okadigbo, in a quiet campaign, visited almost every senator-elect to appeal for support for his aim to be Senate president. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Having an “overwhelming majority” of the Senators of the dominant Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Okadigbo was confident of winning, but days before the contest, reports said Obasanjo began a campaign against him, using two opposition parties and a few senators from the governing PDP.

On election day in June 1999, Enwerem defeated Okadigbo by 66 votes to 43 votes. He became Senate president against the desire of the majority of his party members in the PDP.

“That election was to signpost the instability that was to characterize the Senate and nay, National Assembly for the eight years Obasanjo served as President,” according to the Vanguard.

Enwerem during his time as Senate president did not hide his allegiance to Obasanjo and soon question marks were raised on his qualification to continue to hold the post.

It started with a publication from a Lagos-based magazine, TELL. In its August 1999 edition, it alleged that Enwerem had altered his personal records and name. Later accused of corruption, a Senate committee was set up to investigate Enwerem.

During this period, there was a long debate over whether his name was Evan or Evans with allies of Okadigbo maintaining that he had intentionally falsified his name and age “for a dubious gain”.

Enwerem claimed that it was a spelling error, nevertheless, on November 18, 1999, he was removed from office. His removal occurred on the day he followed Obasanjo and his entourage to the airport to see the president off on a foreign trip. In Enwerem’s absence, reports said Okadigbo’s allies mobilized signatures to remove him from office as Senate president.

He was, however, allowed to remain in the Senate as an ordinary member representing Imo East till the end of his tenure in 2003.

Okadigbo, who replaced Enwerem as Senate president, was loved at first but it didn’t take long for him to also be accused of corruption. In 2000, he was impeached but remained in the Senate as the senator representing Anambra North.

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METRO

Farmer Who Killed Women & Use Their Remain As Feed For Animals In Tear During Court Hearing, See Why

Published

12 hours ago

October 3, 2024

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The bail application for three men accused of the brutal murders of Maria Makgato 47, and Lucia Ndlovu 34, has been postponed as the defense seeks access to a key statement from the farm owner. The three accused remain in custody while awaiting further legal proceedings after the hearing was delayed by the Polokwane Regional Court on Tuesday…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

The men are facing charges of murder after the bodies of Makgato and Ndlovu were allegedly thrown into a pigsty at a farm near Mankweng, Limpopo. The disturbing nature of the case has captured national attention with both local communities and the families of the victims seeking justice.

The bail hearing was postponed after the defense filed an appeal to access the statement of the farmer who owns the property where the alleged crime occurred. According to defense attorneys, this statement could provide critical information that may affect their clients’ legal strategy in applying for bail.

The farmer statement is a pivotal piece of evidence in understanding the events leading up to the deaths of the victims said the defense team. We believe it will play a crucial role in ensuring a fair trial and in determining whether our clients should be granted bail.

The prosecution however is expected to oppose the bail application citing the serious nature of the charges and concerns that the accused may flee or interfere with the investigation. They also pointed to the gruesome details of the murders, where the bodies were allegedly disposed of in a pigsty, which they argue reflects the extreme cruelty of the crime. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Community members and the victims families have expressed outrage over the bail application calling for the accused to remain behind bars. Outside the courtroom a small group of protestors gathered holding signs demanding justice for Makgato and Ndlovu. We want to see justice served for the families of these women. Their deaths have shocked us all said one protester outside the Polokwane courthouse.

The court has yet to announce a new date for the bail hearing, but the legal teams will return to court once the farmer statement is provided. Meanwhile the accused will remain in custody pending further proceedings.

The case has heightened public awareness about violence in rural areas particularly on farms, and has sparked calls for better safety measures in such isolated environments. Both law enforcement and local authorities are under pressure to resolve the case and bring closure to the grieving families.

As the investigation continues attention will focus on the outcome of the bail application and whether the defense access to the farmer statement will change the course of the case.

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

METRO

WOMAN Walks 20 Miles To Work On Foot, Cop Follows And Uncovers Terrible Secret

Published

14 hours ago

October 3, 2024

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Mandy Jean Beasley, a 40-year-old mother of two, lived in Chicago, Illinois, and worked as a waitress. However, her life took an unexpected turn in the first quarter of 2021 when her company laid off several employees, including her.

This left her in a precarious financial situation as she had to dip into her savings to support her children. She embarked on a challenging job search, but despite her efforts, she struggled to find suitable employment.

After months of searching, she finally found a job opportunity that matched her skills and qualifications. However, there were significant obstacles to overcome. The job paid less than her previous one, and the company’s offices were located 10 miles from her home…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

With no extra money for commuting expenses and a pile of debts from nearly a year of unemployment, Mandy faced a tough decision.

To make ends meet, Mandy chose to walk to and from work, a daily journey of 10 miles each way. Although it was initially a challenging endeavor, she soon adapted to the routine and found solace in her daily walks. However, one gloomy Tuesday morning, everything changed. It was raining, and she noticed a police officer trailing her.

Sergeant Scott Bass from the Nash County Sheriff’s Office had been following her, concerned about her safety and well-being due to the challenging weather conditions. Despite her initial distrust of the police, Sergeant Bass stopped his cruiser and asked her to get into the vehicle, concerned for her safety. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Mandy was nervous and couldn’t understand why the officer had asked her into his car. Her past experiences with the police had left her wary, but she complied. As she sat in the cruiser, she couldn’t shake her fears about the unknown. Her life had been marked by run-ins with the police, often for reasons beyond her control, and she couldn’t help but wonder how this situation would unfold.

While Mandy trembled with anxiety, Sergeant Bass continued to drive her through the rain without explaining his intentions. She was tormented by the uncertainty and wondered why this was happening on a day when being late for work was not an option. She felt the weight of the situation and questioned why it had to be her.

However, as the journey continued, Sergeant Bass’s intentions became clear. He felt a deep sense of responsibility to help people like Mandy, who were working hard to make ends meet. He decided to offer her a daily ride to work when the weather was inclement, alleviating her long walks in harsh conditions.

Over time, Mandy’s perception of the police changed, as she realized that Sergeant Bass genuinely cared about her well-being and wanted to help. He went above and beyond by providing her with a brand new bicycle to make her daily commute more manageable.

This act of kindness not only changed Mandy’s perception but also touched the hearts of the community, who were proud to have such a generous member of law enforcement in their midst. Sergeant Bass’s compassion and support had a profound impact on Mandy’s life, enabling her to continue working and providing for her children.

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

METRO

Did An Angel Save Girl From Dying In Hospital?

Published

14 hours ago

October 3, 2024

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Losing a child can be a devastating event, no matter what age.It is, however, universally agreed upon that it is worse when the child is lost at such a young age.

Sadly, this sort of early death is expected for some families, due to the circumstances that their child is involved in.

Despite the advancement of modern medicine, there are still plenty of children who suffer from severe health problems from either a young age or even from birth. These children are often predicted to not survive very long…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

In a way, their passing can be considered them finally having rest and relief from their life, which has been an uphill battle all the way.

Most of these children and their families, however, find themselves with plenty to live for.

They fight, they strive, and they try to use everything at their disposal to push forward and see another day.

Alas, this is a war, and sometimes, the inevitable happens.

In the case of North Carolinian Chelsea Banton, she wasn’t expected to see her third day.

A premature baby born five weeks early, Chelsea had a major problem – she had to deal with excessive fluids creating pressure against her brain.

The doctors gave her at most 36 hours to live.

However, the baby girl would defy all odds, and would live to grow up.

Her life, however, did not get any easier after that first major hurdle.

The girl would spend the following 14 years of her short life fighting against one health problem after another.

Infections, life-threatening viruses, fluid retention, shunt revisions, hydrocephalus – you named it, she suffered it at some point.

In the fall of 2008, Chelsea was struck by yet another round of advanced pneumonia, which had developed from a bad cold she caught. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

This latest bout of illness seemed to be the last one she could handle – the girl was forced to stay in the hospital for seven weeks, completely dependant on life support.

It was at this point that Colleen Banton, her mother, was forced to make a heartbreaking decision.

In the interest of not prolonging her daughter’s suffering, she opted to keep the ventilator off the next time her daughter was strong enough to breathe on her own.

It was essentially plugging the plug for the girl – by this point, Colleen had decided that should her daughter’s time had come, then there was no use in delaying the inevitable.

While praying with friends and family who had come out to support this mother, Colleen was suddenly called over to a nearby monitor by the pediatrician nurse.

There, her attention was directed to the bright light that had appeared in front of the door to the pediatrician unit.