The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

  • Gunmen kill policeman, burn patrol vans in Nsukka

    Gunmen kill policeman, burn patrol vans in Nsukka

    Gunmen on Friday in Nsukka, Enugu State, killed a policeman and set ablaze patrol vehicles in two different police check points in the area.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the policeman was killed in Umanu junction in Nsukka while the police patrol vehicle was set ablaze along Ibeagwa-Ani road in the area.

    An eyewitness in Umanu junction who pleaded anonymity told NAN in Nsukka on Friday that around 6.20 am, residents started hearing sporadic gun shots in the area.

    “I quickly rushed to my doors to ensure that all of them are well locked.

    “I switched off all electric lights in my house and told my wife and children to keep quiet because I thought it was armed robbers,” he said.

    He said after some minutes the gun shots stopped he saw people rushing to the junction and I joined them only to see a lifeless policeman on the ground.

    “They said the policeman was killed during gun duel between police team on check point and the gunmen,” he said.

    A trader, who was an eyewitness at the Ibeagwa-Ani Road incident where police van was set ablaze said that he was in a commercial bus going to Nkwo Ibeagwa-Ani Market when they sighted police van on fire with five armed men who masked their faces watching the vehicle.

    “Our driver quickly reversed and drove to a safer distance where we watched until the gunmen zoomed off shooting sporadically.”

    “When we reached the scene of the incident the van has already burnt to ashes, we stopped like other road users for some minutes and continue our journey,” he said.

    When contacted, Mr Daniel Ndukwe, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Enugu State, confirmed the incident.

    “Yes, there was an attack on Police Operatives in Nsukka today. But the details are still sketchy. I will communicate you once I get details, please,” Ndukwe said.

  • I didn’t betray south – Okowa 

    I didn’t betray south – Okowa 

    Delta Governor and Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has said that he did not betray southern Nigeria by accepting to be Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s running mate.

    He said that contrary to claims and remarks in certain quarters, on his emergence as Vice presidential candidate of his party, he belonged to a political party that agreed to throw the presidential ticket open as the best way to rescue the nation.

    Okowa, who spoke on Arise Television on Friday night, said he would not join issues with any group on the issue, especially the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) “because they are leaders I hold in high esteem”.

    According to him, I want to respect our leaders; I always do and I believe that they have their opinions and they are well-meaning leaders so I am not going to join issues with them.

    He explained that the important thing was that he belonged to a political party and was part of the decisions of the party, including agreement of its leadership that the best part to rescue the nation was to throw the presidential ticket race open.

    The vice-presidential candidate said “having agreed to that and also submitted myself to be a politician in the Peoples Democratic Party, I am ruled by the polices of the party as they are.

    “And, since we have all agreed that we wanted to throw the presidential candidacy open and Atiku Abubakar emerged, the onus is on us to support him.

    “We are not expecting that he would be the candidate from the North and also have a vice presidential candidate from the North. That would be leading to further division.”

    He added that as a party craving to rebuild the nation, taking the right decisions that would foster unity of the nation was very important to the PDP.

    Read Also: How Southeast governors frustrated Igbo president, by Ohanaeze chief 

    “We are talking about rebuilding this nation and our unity. So, to a very large extent, we have to take the right decisions, and having submitted myself to be a member of the PDP, I would have to submit myself to the decisions of the party and that is what has happened.

    “That does not mean disrespect to the views of those leaders. They are leaders that I respect so much. But under this condition, they have to understand that I have committed myself to the PDP.

    “I am a politician. If I am not, it may be different. So, I will have to play along to the collective decisions of the party and I want to appeal to them that they need to actually look at the issue as it is and be very cautious about the stands that we take.

    “Every statement we make, even while it is important that we make our decisions, it is important that we also realise that the unity of this nation is important and we need to move forward from wherever we are at the moment,” Okowa said.

    On adding strength to the presidential ticket of the PDP, he said that he was acceptable to the structures of the party across the nation having been in the party since inception and grown through political ranks.

    “I am somebody who is a team-player which is very important for us, and we have various experiences in various elections before now.

    “Though I am a governor, I have grown through the political ranks and I have played very critical roles in the party at some point in time.

    “I believe that a combination of all these will enable me to assist the presidential candidate of the party and the rest of the party leadership to be able to put up the right strategy for us to win the elections,” he explained.

    Okowa said that he had a very clear understanding of what the issues in the polity were and how to navigate through them.

    According to him, I have a very clear understanding of the issues that have been put forth by our candidate and in terms of governance, I have been privileged to have started my politics at the grassroots.

    “My being in the Senate exposed me to national politics and issues of national development and I have been relating well with my colleagues as a governor in the last seven years, discussing what is best for Nigeria.

    “All of these exposures are a huge advantage, understanding grassroots and national politics and I think that will obviously enable me to add strength to the ticket,” he stated.

    On unifying the party, Okowa said that he had started reaching out to his colleagues and other leaders of the party and that he was encouraged by the response so far.

  • ‘Ignore ‘fraudulent’ delegate lists from C’River’

    ‘Ignore ‘fraudulent’ delegate lists from C’River’

    A group has asked the National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to ignore a purported ‘fraudulent’ list of the national delegates sent by the Cross Rivers State Working Committee.

    The group, which claimed to be the APC stakeholders and authentic national delegates elected on May 17, also asked the Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led NWC to follow its constitution and guidelines relating to the national delegate lists submitted to the party.

    In a statement by Chief Francis Ekpenyong, on behalf of Cross Rivers Authentic Adhoc National Delegates, in Abuja, they said they were the original people who paid for nomination forms, participated in the process and emerged as national delegates of their respective Local Government Areas.

    “The attention of members and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Cross River State Chapter has been drawn to the fraudulent, meddlesome interference and day-light theft of the mandate of members of the party in the state who were elected National delegates in the just concluded National delegates election of 17th May 2022.

    “As members and stakeholders, we are very concern and write to state that the party should follow its Constitution and guidelines as it relates to the National delegate lists submitted to the party. That the only valid and recognized list of elected National delegates is that of the one conducted on the 17 day of May 2022, which does not include the names of the State Working Committee Members of the party.

    Read Also: Cash and carry delegates

    “That the purported National delegate lists suggesting a parallel exercise and carrying the names of the State Working Committee Members such as Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba under Yala Local Government Area, Barr. Mensah Offiong Bassey under Calabar South Local Government Area, Lion Okara Ekawu under Bekwarra Local Government Area, Engr. (Dr.) Thomas Uko Aruku under Ogoja Local Government Area, Erasmus Ekpang under Boki Local Government Area, Hon. Prince Titi Ndifon under Akamkpa Local Government Area, should therefore be ignored and/or disregarded as being forged as the original national delegate lists was altered and/or falsified.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, we hereby state clearly that Governor Ayade, Rt. Hon. Legor Idagbor, Barr. Alphonus Ogar Eba, Sen. Stephen Adi Odey, Engr. (Dr.) Thomas Uko Aruku just but a few did not take part in the National delegate election and they are not delegates from their respective Local Government Areas of Cross River State.

    “We make bold to say that the so called National delegate lists presented to the party by the State Working Committee Members of the party was based on a poorly scripted skit comedy shot by the State Chairman of the party and his co-conspirators.

    “That the action and inactions of the State Working Committee Members of our dear party have the tendency of compromising the process and to deprive the elected National delegates of their rights as delegates to participate in the nomination of the presidential candidate of their own choice.

    “That they have no right to alter the delegate lists without following due process and the party Constitutions.”

    While appealing to the NWC to do the right thing, Ekpenyong urged the national stakeholders to act fast and follow the already existing delegate lists sent to the National Secretary dated the 17″ day of May, 2022 being the date the National delegate election took place at various 18 Local Government Areas of Cross River State.

  • Ijaw groups ask FG to halt issuance of marginal oil field licences

    Ijaw groups ask FG to halt issuance of marginal oil field licences

    A coalition of Ijaw interest groups has called on the Federal Government to abide by the ruling of the Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, which granted an injunction restraining it from taking further action on the award of marginal oil licences pending the conclusion of the suit before it.

    A concerned High Chief Philip Brown Agu and two others on behalf of themselves and Ijaw ethnic nationality had in a suit no: FHC/YNG/CS/81/2020 dated November 11, 2020, prayed the Federal High Court to, among other things, restrain the Minister of Petroleum Resources and the Federal Government from giving out/approving licences in respect of marginal fields listed pending the hearing and determination of the case.

    The presiding judge, Hon Justice Isa H. Dashen, ruling on the matter, ordered the defendant to restrain “from giving out/approving licences in respect of marginal fields listed pending the hearing and determination of this suit.”

    In a quick reaction, a letter signed by the Secretary of the Ijaw Elders Forum (IEF) Pastor Efiye Bribena on behalf of the coalition groups, therefore, urged the parties involved to abide by the ruling of the court. “It is our expectation that all citizens and corporate organisations abide by this ruling,” it stated.

  • Omo-Agege releases manifesto for Delta development

    Omo-Agege releases manifesto for Delta development

    Deputy Senate President and the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) governorship aspirant in Delta State, Ovie Omo-Agege has unfolded his plan to Build A New Delta (BAND).

    According to a statement he personally signed, Omo-Agege said his agenda for the state, known as the EDGE, contains an array of development plans, touching critical areas of governance.

    “EDGE encapsulates Employment and Empowerment, Good Governance, Development and Enduring Peace and Security. It is a product of profound thought based on my practical experience both in the Executive and Legislative arms of government.

    “Having served as Secretary to the Delta state government, and as senator, and now as Deputy Senate President, I am privileged to have a panoramic view of the issues of governance,” he said.

    He added: “It is these experiences I am bringing to bear on my plans for Delta state. Yes, governance is tough, but it is not all rocket science. So we are going to engage with vigour on all fronts, and build a brand new Delta.”

    Senator Omo-Agege said he is motivated by a desire to arrest receding hope among Deltans and build a state where the people’s future is brighter than their past.

    “I will address our scary unemployment rate by prioritizing public investment in agriculture and tech-driven entrepreneurship. My plan as stated in our manifesto will change the business ecosystem of the state and create an investment friendly charter that makes access to funds and infrastructure a natural way of life.”

    According to him: “Human capital development, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, housing and other labour intensive interventions are at the core of our agenda. We shall establish a Delta State Employment, Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Programme (DEEP), and facilitate the establishment of cluster industries in each of the 25 LGAs of our state.

    “ We will deliberately create an enabling environment for industries and manufacturing. Establish technology hubs,
    set up small business loan guarantee schemes, promote skills acquisition and set up a Career Development Centre for Deltans.

    “ As part of our plans to promote ease of doing business, we’ll undertake institutional and process reviews, remove red tape and bureaucratic bottle necks, improve infrastructure, re-engineer our peace and security strategies, while establishing a one stop repository of business knowledge and information.”

    He added:” We will guarantee the rights of women and invest their unique energy to drive social and economic development in the state. We will initiate a youth development program that moves them away from the hopelessness of today, connect them to creative endeavors and generate energies for honourable work.”

    “While making aggressive investment in modern infrastructure capable of opening up the total economic energies of our people, we will lift the state out of a mono-economic dependency by launching diversification into tech and business incubation.”

    In its entirety, he said, our agenda is to build a compassionate state that guarantees support for the vulnerable among us, and ensures that our people live in peace and security, free from harassment, intimidation and militancy.”

  • Anambra traders reject proposed relocation

    Anambra traders reject proposed relocation

    About 5,000 traders dealing in medicine at the Ogbogwu International Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, have rejected proposed plans to relocate them to Oba community as directed by the Federal Government.

    The dealers, under the auspices of Exclusive International Pharmaceutical Centre Nigeria Limited, Bridgehead Onitsha, said they preferred Oze, Nkwele Ezunaka/Azu Ogbunike in Oyi Local Government Area, as the most suitable site for the proposed Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC).

    They appealed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to allow them move to Oze Nkwele Ezunaka instead of Oba which, according to them, is being projected by ‘certain individuals with ulterior motives despite its numerous challenges’.

    A letter by their legal representative, Anugu Offor explained that the government had earlier approved the Ogbunike centre as the most ideal in view of its size and topography.

    The letter reads: “Oba centre has been riddled with so many encumbrances, ranging from litigation, ownership claims and counter claims, financial indebtedness and environmental challenges which its promoters carefully concealed and suppressed from the benefiting public.

    “Beside, there is serious dispute over the Oba land bordering on claims by the original indigenous communities over unlawful expropriation of the land by the government without compensation. Again is the subsequent grant of lease of the said land by the government to a private developer, which led to litigation between owners of the Oba land and government and the private developer.

    “While work has begun at the Ogbunike site within a short space of receiving government approval, there’s no evidence of any construction or physical development on the Oba land since 2016 when the decision was made by market’s past regime.

    “Majority of the Ogbogwu traders opposed to the choice of Oba have staged several protests and letters to the Registrar, Pharmacist Council of Nigeria, and several market authorities and Office of the Commissioner for Trade, Commence, Market and Wealth creation.”

    The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria had proposed establishment of a Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC) for sales and distribution of drug materials in Nigeria following the Federal Government’s policy to ensure healthy environment for sales and distribution of drugs and pharmaceutical products, and to close all open markets for sale and distribution of drugs.

  • Peter Obi laments killings in Southeast

    Peter Obi laments killings in Southeast

    Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has expressed worries about the security challenges in the Southeast.

    The presidential hopeful, in a series of tweets yesterday, said: “I am disturbed by the increasing horrific killings in southeastern Nigeria, especially the recent beheading of a lawmaker and the callous murder of a pregnant woman and her four children in Anambra State. “These violent and abhorrent killings are damnable and unacceptable! Our communities are crumbling before us, and our humanity is being diminished. I send my deepest condolences to families of the deceased and urge all stakeholders, including affected communities, security agencies, traditional rulers and government at all levels, to work collectively to restore the peace that once reigned.

    “Families of the deceased deserve justice, and that can only be served when perpetrators of these wicked acts are arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law. I indeed count on our security agencies to deliver on this and other aspects of the rule of law.

    “Nothing can be achieved with festering insecurity. Diametric security remains the bedrock of peaceful nations and thriving democracies. As we advance, proactive security will be crucial in regaining control of our communities.”

     

  • ‘Emenike a bonafide member of APC’

    ‘Emenike a bonafide member of APC’

    AN Abia State High Court in Umunneochi has affirmed governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ikechi Emenike, a bonafide member of the party.

    Emenike, Ejike Olekanma and Ikenna Anyalewechi had filed a suit to challenge a purported suspension, allegedly instigated by the Chairman, Donatus Nwankpa, during the leadership crisis.

    The three asked the court for the nullification of the said ‘suspension’. Joined as defendants in the suit were APC, then Caretaker Chairman Mai Mala Buni (for himself and members of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee), and Wilson Utaegbulam.

    Justice Benson Anya, in a November 4, 2021 judgment, held that Emenike, who was then Secretary of APC Contact and Strategy Committee, ‘is an authentic and bonafide member of APC’.

    The court held that the defendants had admitted that the claimants are authentic members of the APC having failed to file a counter affidavit to challenge the deposition contained in the 22-paragraph affidavit and four exhibits filed by the claimants.

    Justice Anya added: “This is because facts admitted need no further proof. I am convinced that the defendants were duly served the originating summons filed on October 20, 2021, yet they could not counter the claimants’ depositions, but rather filed a written address in response to the originating summons.

    “In the light of the foregoing, the claimants reliefs are granted as prayed and judgment is entered in favour of the claimants.”

    However, no order was made as to cost against the defendants.

     

  • EEDC sues activist over protest

    EEDC sues activist over protest

    Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has sued a rights activist in Anambra State, Osita Obi, for protesting epileptic power supply, estimated billing and non-supply of prepaid meters to consumers.

    In a N100 million suit before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court 2, Awka, EEDC said it was claiming the amount from the defendant as general damages.

    EDDC is also asking the court to declare as unlawful, agitation and calls by the defendant that it should provide pre-paid meters and stop estimated billings of customers and the business community.

    It said that ‘under the Electric Power Sector Reform Act number 6 of 2005, and the regulations of any complainant bordering on non-provision of pre-paid metres, excess charges and estimated bills amounted to unlawful interference with and disruption of the plaintiff’s business’.

    When the matter came up for hearing yesterday, Obi’s lawyer, Martin Obi, said the court had no jurisdiction to hear the matter because EEDC, being a private firm, is outside the purview of the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court as stipulated in Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    He said: “The plaintiff is not a Federal Government agency, the first defendant and other defendants are not Federal Government agencies. Unlike the State High Court which is a court of unlimited jurisdiction, the Federal High Court is a special court with limited but exclusive jurisdiction clearly specified under Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    The defendant’s lawyer also put a counter claim demanding N3 million compensation for his client. “We humbly submit that the defendant/applicant is entitled to a cost of defending the substantive suit all the way from Federal High Court Abuja down to Enugu and now down to Awka…”

    Justice Dimgba, who adjourned the matter till June 22, said the court will hear the case on its merit and give a composite ruling thereafter.

  • Mbaka: one of my sons will be Enugu governor in 2023

    Mbaka: one of my sons will be Enugu governor in 2023

    Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu State, Fr. Ejike Mbaka, has said one of his ‘children’ will be the governor of Enugu State in 2023.

    The cleric spoke yesterday when the former Minister of Power, Prof. Bart Nnaji, worshipped at the Ministry. He said he is praying for ‘God to give Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi the wisdom, grace, and favour to select a man after God’s own heart’.

    Fr. Mbaka vowed to lead a revolution to chase out anyone who would become governor and work against the people.

    He said: “We are welcoming my son, Prof. Bart Nnaji; he is one of the governorship aspirants in Enugu, and he has come to be with us. He is a great son of Wawa, a great man in the land of Umuode, a power generator. It will be well with you. My prayer for you is that the will of God be done.

    “One of my children will become the Governor after Gburugburu (Governor Ugwuanyi). We are also praying for Gburugburu so that God will give him the wisdom, grace, favour to select a man after God’s own heart. That is my prayer for him in Jesus name.”

    The cleric, who described Governor Ugwuanyi as a complete man of peace, hailed the people for assisting him in making Enugu more habitable.

    “The person of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is in tandem with peace. There may not be too much flyovers in Enugu, but there is peace. By midnight you see the people of Enugu walking on the streets fearlessly. The white men that came here the other day assessed it, and I thank God for the good people that supported the governor to achieve it. The youths of Enugu, it shall be well with you.

    “So, that is why I am praying for Gburugburu so that he will not make a mistake, because one single mistake will put people in trouble. None of the politicians who are aspiring to be governor will expose his inner will. What you see are people who are not real. None of them is saying things from their heart, but we are waiting. Whoever they bring, we will work for the people. If he wants peace, we will give him peace, if he wants to toy with the poor, we will chase him out of the seat.

    “But we are praying so that God will give us someone who is sane, a tested and trusted personality, a competent hand, a father, a lover, an industrialist, a visionary, a godly person, a down to earth humble personality. We need a compassionate, empathic and sympathetic personality; someone with a good heart and a good person…”