Category: South East

\\Students of tertiary institutions in Edo State yesterday took to the Lagos-Benin highway to protest the protracted strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). They asked lecturers to return to work and continue negotiations with the Federal Government.

The protest caused a gridlock, forcing motorists to take alternative routes.

The students came from University of Benin (UNIBEN), Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma and Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, singing solidarity songs and bearing placards bearing various inscriptions. They vowed to continue with the protest at Ring Road, Benin, daily until their demands are met.

National Vice President (Special Duties) of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Idiahi Thomas, said the innocent students should not be made to suffer the face-off between the Federal Government and ASUU.

He said: “Our leaders have bastardised Nigeria’s education. Nigerian students are at home while government officials are busy purchasing expression of interest and nomination forms for N100 million, an amount presidents of other countries cannot earn constitutionally throughout their tenure.

“If the Federal Government does not want us to remain here (protest venue), the top officials know what to do. A course of four/five years now takes seven years or more to complete. Postgraduate students, who are supposed to spend 18 months, are spending three years, while many of them get frustrated and abandon their programmes.”

Students’ union leader from AAU Abumere Joseph lamented that students are tired of staying at home in the last three months, while the Students’ Union Government (SUG) President of UNIBEN, Foster Amadin, insisted that the strike was suffocating the dreams of Nigerian students.

Human rights activist Kola Edokpayi, who joined the protest, said the Federal Government does not respect the wishes of Nigerians. He wondered why ASUU would be on strike while the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, insensitively bought presidential expression of interest and nomination form of N100 million.

Protesters, suspected to be members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday stormed the party’s secretariat in Umuahia over the conduct of the three-man delegate election.

The protesters accused the Chairman, Asiforo Okere, of trying to impose a governorship candidate on the party.

They carried placards with inscriptions like ‘No due process, no delegate election’; ‘Asiforo, are you are working for the opposition or our PD?’; ‘PDP is a shadow of itself under Asiforo’, among others.

They called on the party to allow a level playing field for all aspirants, stressing that any attempt to impose a candidate will spend doom for it in the election.

Protest leader Comrade O’Brien Iro asked to know when the delegates forms were sold, and why the party decided to conduct the election yesterday.

The protesters warned that the PDP risked losing the state if nothing was done to conduct a credible delegates’ election.

Iro added: “Asiforo is doing everything possible to manipulate the delegates’ election for his candidate to emerge the governorship candidate. PDP should forget about Abia if there is no free and fair delegates’ election. Nobody owns the party. There must be free and fair delegates election or PDP will lose Abia in 2023.”

But Okere, who lauded the protesters for their peaceful disposition, said the delegates’ forms were sold by the party’s national secretariat and so state played no part in it. He urged the protesters to work towards ensuring the party wins all positions in the 2023 elections.

Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has insisted that all political appointees must obey the Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act and turn in their resignation on or before 12 noon today.

Such letters should be submitted to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.

The governor’s directive was contained in a statement yesterday by his media aide, Christian Ita. It is coming after some appointees have indicated interest in various positions. Secretary to the State Government Mrs. Tina Banku, and Chief of Staff to the governor, Martins Orim, have also resigned.

Banku is seeking to represent Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives while Orim wants to represent the northern senatorial district. Both are of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

About eight commissioners have indicated interest in various positions and have reportedly resigned.

They are Dane Osim Asu (Commissioner for Works, contesting for House of Reps); Okon Owuna (Agric – contesting for senate); Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr. (Finance, contesting for governor); Eric Anderson (Culture and Tourism, contesting for House of Representatives); and John Ofem Inyang (contesting for senate).

Others are Peter Egba (Commerce and Industries, contesting for House of Reps); and George Oben Etchi (Social Housing, contesting for governor).

As President Muhammadu Buhari visits Ebonyi State today, Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has demanded for the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu, as well as a president of Igbo extraction

Kanu is leader of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). He was arrested last year and charged to court for terrorism and treasonable felony, allegations he has continued to deny.

He remains in detention.

MASSOB Leader Comrade Uchenna Madu enumerated the group’s demand in a statement yesterday. He noted that MASSOB is not against the President’s visit, but Kanu’s release will douse tension in the region.

The statement reads: “MASSOB reminds Mr President that only the release of the IPOB leader, Kanu, will douse tension in the zone as well as restore peaceful atmosphere to the entire country.

“MASSOB also reminds President Buhari that the continuous detention of Kanu will only worsen the security challenges facing the country, it will also continue to affect the economy negatively.”

Madu also said a president of Igbo extraction to succeed Buhari will help to diffuse already bottled anger which is fuelling agitations across the region.

“MASSOB will not be against the visit of President Buhari to Ebonyi State. We are making these two major demands as part of our own contribution to peace as being clamoured by well meaning citizens.

“MASSOB asks President Buhari to facilitate and ensure that one of the many Southeast presidential aspirants succeeds him in 2023 to help the country diffuse many bottled anger which has fuelled agitations,” he added.

Foundation Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State, under the auspices of APC Legacy Members, have insisted that Speaker of the House of Assembly, Francis Nwifuru, and 15 sacked lawmakers, are not registered members of the party.

Group leader Alhaji Haroun Ajah, who addressed reporters in Abakaliki, said Nwifuru and the 15 lawmakers deposed on oath that they are not APC members and they have not defected to the APC.

Ajah also alleged of ongoing attempts by Governor David Umahi to smuggle their names into the membership register after purchasing expression of interest and nominations forms for them.

According to him, expression of interest and nomination forms were purchased for the lawmakers on April 26, 2022.

“But, while filling the forms, it was discovered that the lawmakers were not properly registered as members of APC,” he said.

Ajah further noted that plans to make them candidates when they are not registered members would be enough reason for the court to invalidate APC’s future electoral victories, as was the case in Zamfara State in 2019.

He added: “For a better understanding of this attempt to perfect an irregular process, it should be noted that after the Federal High Court sacked the 16 members of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, they filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal.

“In the affidavit of facts sworn to by the lawmakers, they denied membership of APC in one breadth and, in another, agreed they defected from PDP.”

Ajah pleaded with the national leadership to use the Ebonyi situation to show that APC is not the heaven for irresponsible politicians. He said the foundation members have been trying to make the governor see reasons and imbibe democratic ethos in running the party, ‘but Governor Umahi has continued to shun entreaties to follow the path of civility and fairness’.

Pioneer State Chairman Ben Nwobashi called for direct primaries, insisting that only direct primaries will save the party from imposition.

But the State Chairman, Stanley Emegha, dismissed the allegation, saying there is no truth in the statement.

“I will not react to statements credited to people who are bent on destroying the party, but the party will not be distracted by such statements,” he added.

Stakeholders in Abia North have called for the implementation of the agreement they entered with elders and traditional rulers of Ukwa Ngwa land to support power shift to Abia North in 2023.

This is coming on the heels of rising agitation over which zone to produce the next governor of.

According to them, elders and traditional rulers of Ukwa Ngwa met with Abia North on March 5, 2019, at Uturu, in Isuikwuato council, where they pleaded with them to support Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s re-election in 2019, while Abia North will be supported to produce Ikpeazu’s successor in 2023.

These issues came to the fore when Deputy Governor and governorship aspirant, Ude Oko Chukwu, addressed delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Umunneochi, Isuikwuato and Bende Councils.

Former Commissioner for Housing, James Okpara, explained that no Ukwa Ngwa elder or monarch has denied the agreement, and so urged them to ensure the agreement to rotate power to Abia North is implemented in 2023.

He hinted that one of the Ukwa Ngwa elders, Dr. Gershon Amuta, acknowledged that there was an agreement between Ukwa Ngwa and Abia North.

He added: “A meeting held on March 5, 2019. The elders of Ukwa Ngwa met us at the residence of Prof. Gregory Ibe in Uturu, Isuikwuato council. They came with drinks and kolanuts, pleading with the elders of Abia North to support the re-election of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in 2019, while they will reciprocate by supporting power shift to Abia North in 2023.

“We ate and drank together, and reached agreement. In Igbo land, when you have a meeting of such nature, you have entered into a covenant. Ukwa Ngwa elders present in that meeting include Dr. Emmanuel Adaelu; Senator Adolphus Wabara; Chief Allen Nwachukwu; Chief Theo Nkire; Dr. Gershon Amuta; G.I. Akara; Alozie Agbara; Barr. Chiji Nkaru and others.

“Those from Abia North were Senator Emma Nwaka; Chief Ukpai Agwu Ukpai; Chief Mba Ukariwo; Prof. S.O. Igwe; Prof Ihechukwu Madubuike; Ndidi Okereke; Paul Mba; Donatus Okorie; Chief Jerry Kalu, K.K. Owen; Prof. Greg Ibe and others.

“There were also monarchs from the two sides, and of the people who made the agreement, only Chief Allen Nwachukwu; Chief Ukpai Agwu Ukpai, and one other have died. Others are alive; nobody from Ukwa Ngwa has denied the agreement.

“In fact, Dr. Gershon Amuta recently acknowledged that there was an agreement. So, we are pleading with our Ukwa Ngwa brothers to honour the agreement and support power shift to Abia North.”

Former state PDP Chairman Chief Ndidi Okereke, Obinna Ekekwe and Chief Jerry Kalu, described the deputy governor as a man of sterling qualities who is needed to rebuild the state, and promised they are behind him.

Ebonyi State has rewarded a former Corps member, Abraham Owutoshi, with N300,000 for distinguishing himself during his service year.

Owutoshi, who served under the NYSC 2020 Batch B Stream 1, is a graduate of Mathematics from the University of Abuja.

Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Charles Akpuenika, while making the presentation on behalf of Governor David Umahi, said the Nasarawa-born Owutoshi impacted positively on the community where he served.

Akpuenika, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ben Okike, said Owutoshi would also receive a state award for distinguishing.

He said: “I congratulate the awardee on behalf of the state government for an outstanding performance which should be emulated by other Corps members. The awardee conducted Mathematics quiz competitions and awarded 10 winners free Joint Admission and Matriculation Examination Board (JAMB) and West African Examination Council (WAEC) examination registration forms. He also offered free WAEC registration forms to the 10 last-placed contestants.

“The government believes in the mantra of reward for hard work, and will continue to motivate individuals who contribute to the well-being of its people.”

State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Mrs. Mercy Bamai applauded Owutoshi for heeding the call of community development service.

Bamai noted that Owutoshi installed seven solar-powered street lights at Udemezue St., Okpaugwu, Abakaliki, and converted an abandoned mono-water borehole to an electric-induced facility.

She added: “He also installed two overhead water tanks for the people, among other initiatives. Impacting the tenets of the community service started from the orientation camp and we are always happy to see its fruits. We are glad that you made the NYSC proud and urge you to continue being its good ambassador.”

Owutoshi thanked the state for the award, and the NYSC for offering the springboard to contribute his quota to the good of the society.

An aspirant for Delta Central senatorial district, Chief Ede Dafinone, has described himself as the most qualified candidate for Delta Central.

Dafinone, who is contesting on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said he is the best person to defeat any aspirant the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will present.

The aspirant met members of the Delta Central APC executive in Sapele Local Government Area, saying he is also asking for support to deliver Senator Ovie Omo-Agege as governor in 2023.

He said: “The more advice we receive is the surer you have for a successful mission. I am not saying I am perfect, but I present myself as someone qualified to run, qualified to represent and most importantly somebody qualified to defeat the PDP.

“I am not only asking for your support for me to win the Senate seat, but to also deliver Senator Omo-Agege as governor because what he has done in seven years is outstanding. A governor can do a thousand times what a senator can do for us. I ask for your support actualising my own vision.”

APC Chairman in Delta Central Chief Paulinus Akpeki said the executive has decided to deliver Omo-Agege and all its candidates in Delta State.

“We are happy you recognised us. You did not say you want to step on your father’s shoes, but said you want to improve on his achievements, and we will support you for that,” he said.

Dafinone and his entourage also visited Sapele and Ethiope West Local Government delegates to seek their support, insisting that all delegates and supporters should get their PVCs ready ahead of the elections.

APC Chairman of Ethiope West Comrade Amugoro Efe said: “You are the kind of person we need for this position, and we are ready to work, but you need to give us some support in the area of security.

His Sapele counterpart, Friday Erubasa, said all Sapele delegates are behind Dafinone.

Leaders of markert associations in Anambra State are fighting to return to office.

Governor Charles Soludo dissolved the market executives in a bid to allow democratic elections.

The leaders were accused of trying to upturn the policy by ‘bribing their way with money in Ghana-Must-Go bags and brown envelopes which have been flying at different political quarters in the Government House and top security formations’.

But a group of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), comprising International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety); Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) and Coalition of Human Rights and Democracy Organizations (SBCHROs), are supporting the government’s decision.

The group, in a statement, alleged that the sacked market leaders resorted to making the state ungovernable since their attempts to bribe their way back to offices were rebuffed by the government.

The statement, signed by Emeka Umeagbalasi (Intersociety); Comrade Aloysius Attah (CLO) and Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme (SBCHROs), reads: “Available information also have it that it was when the Ghana-must-go bags and brown envelopes failed to do their biddings, some of the affected traders turned around and threatened the government with a shutdown.

“We advise affected market leaders to prepare their handover notes. No amount of nocturnal meetings and bribery can coerce the government to recant its stance.

“We, therefore, boldly praise Governor Charles Soludo, and throw our full support behind his informed, timely, correct and popular decision. The Governor also wisely acted on our letters of July and October 2021 and Jan 2022 as we have been at the forefront of campaigns for democratisation and sanitisation of Anambra Markets in the last five years.

“We advice that no single market and its imposed or ‘unopposed leaders’ should be spared, and, the caretaker committees, when put in place, must not exceed six months or one year before elections are conducted.

“The sacked and ‘unopposed leaders’ (chairmen) in the affected markets shall be ineligible in the fresh credible elections, likewise those in charge of the new ‘transition caretaker committees’, except if they properly resign six or three months to their new market election.”

It also warned all the supervising ministries or departments, or agencies and their heads to resist the virus of ‘Ghana-Must-Go and brown envelopes’ which have become the trademark of Anambra market leaders.