The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

  • Omo-Agege, solution to PDP misrule in Delta – Group

    Omo-Agege, solution to PDP misrule in Delta – Group

    The Grass Roots Marshall (GRM) in Delta State has re-affirmed its support for the governorship ambition of Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege.

    The political support group said Omo-Agege is the only solution to the myriad of problems created in the last 24 years by the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

    Speaking at Ughelli during the inauguration of the group, national coordinator, Ejogbamu Johnson Okoro insisted that Omo-Agege remained the only politician who can wrestle power from the behemoth PDP in Delta state.

    Okoro hinged his conviction on what he claimed the numbers of employment and assistance he offered Deltans across the board without tribal sentiment.

    He said Deltans have been yearning for a man who can liberate the state from the hands of PDP’s maladministration hence they decided to queue behind Omo-Agege as the only solution to Delta’s woes.

    Patron of the group Tony Onyokoko said the group cut across the three senatorial districts of the state with a view to embarking on a campaign for the Deputy Senate President, stating that they have seen him as the only messiah that can rescue power from PDP.

    Chairman of the ceremony Dafe Avbovbo, who was represented by George Anigboro, commended the coordinator for the foresight in keying into the Omo-Agege governorship vision for the state, appealing to all members of the group to work hard to actualise their dream.

    Responding, Omo-Agege, represented by Ambrose Oyovwe, lauded the group for their dream and vision and urged them to double efforts towards winning the state.

     

  • Police kill suspected IPOB/ESN member in Imo

    Police kill suspected IPOB/ESN member in Imo

    Imo State Police Command tactical teams have allegedly shot dead a member of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) at Umuchoke in Ehime Mbano LGA of Imo State.

    The IPOB member, who was identified as Uchenna Chukwu (34) of Umunakanu in Ehime Mbano LGA of the state, was killed on Wednesday 6th, October when the operatives stormed his shop at about 4.30 pm.

    In a statement yesterday, the command’s spokesman, CSP Michael Abattam explained that one of the members of the gang on sighting the police operatives attempted chopping off the head of one police operative but was overpowered, disarmed and the cutlass recovered from him.

    Read Also: VIDEO: This is not IPOB or ESN, Actor Chiwetalu Agu protests arrest

    “On sighting the police operatives he raised alarm alerting other members of his gang, picked a cutlass and rushed at one of the police operatives attempted chopping off his head but was overpowered, disarmed and the cutlass recovered from him.

    “While this was on, the already alerted members who came in their number to rescue him, engaged the police operatives in a gun duel but were overwhelmed by the superior firing power of the police and in the process, one of them was neutralised while others escaped with bullet wounds into hiding.”

    Items recovered from the deceased, he said include one locally made double barrel pistol with two expended cartridges, two live cartridges and the charms he tied round his waist to fortify himself against police bullet.

    He said that the police operatives were working in synergy with other security agencies to arrest the other members of the group especially those that escaped with bullets injuries.

  • Appeal Court throws out APC’s suit against PDP

    Appeal Court throws out APC’s suit against PDP

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Asaba has thrown out a suit filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) seeking to sack all 25 local government councils’ chairmen and councilors in Delta State.

    The APC had challenged the election of the council officials on the grounds that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) did not conduct valid primaries for its choice of candidates in the March 6, 2021 local government council election in the state.

    The APC also alleged that DSIEC colluded with PDP without observing the provisions of the DSIEC Law, 2017.

    In a judgment delivered, yesterday, a three-man panel of the court affirmed the August 28 decision of the High Court in Ughelli which dismissed APC’s suit for lacking in merit.

    Delivering the unanimous judgment of the court, Justice Joseph Ekanem presiding, affirmed the judgment of Justice A. A. Onojovwo of Ughelli High Court 1 which had earlier ruled that APC lacked the locus standi to challenge the primary election of PDP which is an internal affair of the party.

    Read Also: Al-Makura declares for APC national chairman

    The court in its judgment agreed with PDP’s counsel, Bernard Odior and held that the APC’s appeal was unmeritorious.

    In particular, the Court of Appeal also agreed with the trial court that the PDP held valid primaries of its candidates in the March 6, 2021 local government council election in the state.

    The Court held that APC is a total stranger to PDP and as such it cannot dabble into the primary election of PDP which is an internal affairs of the PDP.

    That Section 285 (14) of the Construction of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) cited by APC did not apply to Delta State Local Government election.

    That the Zamfara State case of APC vs Marafa cannot apply to this case and that by the provision of Section 98(8) of Delta State Independent Electoral Commission Law, 2017, it is only aspirant who participated in a primary election of a political party that has the locus standi to challenge the primary election.

  • One injured as police repel attack on Enugu station

    Operatives of the Enugu State Police command on Friday repelled what could have been a bloody attack on Aguobu Owa police station in Ezeagu Local Government Area of the sate

    According to village sources, the attack was repelled by officers on duty who put up appreciable resistance.

    One of the sources told our correspondent said the gunmen stormed the station at about 9am in a black Toyota car but met stiff resistance from the officers on ground.

    The source disclosed that in the course of the exchange of gunfire, a police officer sustained a bullet wound and quickly rushed to a hospital where, he was receiving treatment.

    “The guys numbering about five came around 9am. They were driven in a car that looked like Toyota Corolla or Camry.

    Read Also: Police parade 20 suspects in Benue

    “It was exactly about 9.03 am that we started hearing heavy gunshots. We thought it was the usual victory gunshots until the sound continued. Few minutes later, they drove away but the policemen in the station continued shooting.

    “It was around 9.48 am that the policemen drove one of their colleagues out. We later learned that he sustained injuries. But they did well,” a source said.

    A police source also disclosed that many of the attackers escaped with serious gunshot wounds.

    Confirming the incident, the command’s spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe said: “Full-scale investigation has commenced to fish out the yet-to-be identified hoodlums, who operated in a black-coloured Corolla car.

    “They attempted to attack Ezeagu Police Division in the morning hours of today, 08/10/2021, but were resisted by Police Operatives on duty.”

  • Three persons feared dead during clash in Imo community

    Three persons feared dead during clash in Imo community

    Residents of Izombe, an oil-bearing community in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State on Friday fled their community following violent confrontations between the indigenes and security operatives in charge of sensitive installations in the area.

    Three persons were feared dead. The identity of those killed was yet to be ascertained as police said they are still investigating the incident.

    Investigation by The Nation revealed that trouble began when the security personnel in the area allegedly confronted and shot an oil thief adjacent to oil facility in the community.

    It was further gathered that the violence which spread like a harmattan fire across the community was said to have infuriated the indigenes who quickly mobilised themselves for reprisal attack.

    Read Also: One Kwara poly student killed in alleged rival cult clash

    In the cross fire that ensued, it was gathered that three lost their lives while a number of residential houses including the palace of the traditional ruler of the community and valuable properties worth millions of Naira were razed by the irate indigenes.

    As at the time of filling this report, the once busy commercial community has become a ghost town as residents have all fled and gone into hiding in the neighbouring communities for fear of possible attack by aggrieved security personnel.

    A retired civil servant and one of the prominent indigenes of the community who pleaded not to be mentioned in a telephone chat with our correspondent in Owerri described the incident as unfortunate adding that all indigenes of the area has gone into hiding in order not to be arrested or attacked.

    He said: “My friend it is terrible, everybody had gone into hiding including myself and I cannot give you details now until normalcy returns.”

    When contacted the Police Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command CSP Michael Abattam, said that he is aware of the incident but pleaded to be given enough time for details.

  • Okowa hails Nigerian WMA president-elect

    Delta Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated Dr. Osahon Enabulele on his emergence as President-Elect of World Medical Association (WMA).

    A Consultant Surgeon and Associate Professor at University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Enabulele is President of Commonwealth Medical Association (CMA). He was elected WMA President on Thursday after about one week of voting by participating medical associations.

    With his election, Enabulele becomes the first Nigerian and West African physician to be elected President of the World medical body since it was established in 1947.

    Read Also: Okowa reiterates call for national dialogue, true federalism

    Okowa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, yesterday in Asaba, commended Enabulele for the feat of becoming the first Nigerian and first West African to be elected President of WMA.

    He urged the president-elect of WMA to bring his wealth of experience to bear on his new task, and wished him well in the new assignment.

    Felicitating with Enabulele on behalf of the government and people of Delta, the governor said “I am delighted to note that you have once again made Nigeria proud by emerging as the first Nigerian and West African to lead doctors all over the world as president of the noble and critical professional body.”

  • Communities reject Fed Govt’s $120m agro-industrial project

    Communities reject Fed Govt’s $120m agro-industrial project

    By Chris, Njoku, Owerri

    Communities in Oguta South region of Imo State, comprising Agwa, Ejemekwuru, Akabor, Umuofor and Izombe have rejected the establishment of a proposed ultra-modern agricultural project, estimated at 120 million US dollars, in their areas by the Federal Government.

    The oil producing communities, through their spokespersons, denounced the project as a Trojan horse and a veiled plot to appropriate their rich agric-ancestral land, which they said was their only means of livelihood.

    They said the project should be taken to another community.

    Chanting solidarity songs and carrying fresh palm fronds and placards with inscriptions such as: “Our land is for crop farming and residential purpose”, “Agwa people say no to RUGA livestock farming”, Ohaom people say no to their offer, we don’t need it”, No land for agricultural development”, “Akabor people say no to RUGA livestock farming or cattle rearing and “No vacant land for agro and allied farm project”, the aggrieved indigenes, including women, rejected pleadings by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid Njoku, who later addressed them  at the Community Primary School field, Ejemekwuru.

    Njoku, who represented Governor Hope Uzodimma, attributed the opposition trailing the proposed project to the activities “of those who do not mean well for the people.”

    He said: “This project is a Special Agro-industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ), which was keenly competed for by the 36 states of the federation, with Imo as one of the states selected.”

    Njoku said the project being executed by the Federal Government, in collaboration with the African Development Bank, upon completion would inter-alia produce poultry, pig, maize, soya beans and animal feeds.

    This, he said, would integrate the multi-billion Naira gas project and the Adapalm Nig. Ltd already in existence.

    The deputy governor said that the project had nothing to do with the controversial Rural Grazing Area (RUGA), adding that anybody linking it with the RUGA was only being mischievous.

    “It is meant to bring efficiency, wealth and job creation and modernity and it is in the interest of Imo State and not in the interest of those who do not mean well for you. Upon completion, you will rise up and thank Governor Uzodimma for a job well done,” he said.

    Insisting that the project would go on despite the rejection, he said in the Land Use Act, the government had absolute right to site projects on any land for the interest of the people.

    He promised that the government would compensate the original land owners. “There is a process of acquiring land. That process we shall follow to compensate the owners of the land,” the deputy governor said.

     

  • APC berates Obiano for placing campaign above governors’ security meeting

    By Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

    The Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised Governor Willie Obiano for placing campaign for his successor above the security meeting by the five governors of the Southeast states in Enugu.

    The party said the governor’s absence at the meeting suggested a “fresh idea about what the other sources of the violence we are shamefully seeing in Anambra State could be”.

    In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Okelo Madukaife, APC reminded Obiano that he is the father of the state while he presides over the affairs of the state.

    The statement reads: “Yesterday (Tuesday), Governor Willie Obiano led the campaign trail of his party to Anambra East and Anambra West local government areas, as reported. He also held a meeting of ward chairmen of his party.

    “The focus here is not what he would have told two local governments, including his own …while refusing to conduct local government elections to make them accountable to themselves. It is also not to ask what he will tell a shadow of ward structures in a party he has raped through autocracy.

    “The focus here is that the governor and his party can campaign when the other 17 political parties in the state cannot and his conscience allowed him, on a day Southeast governors were meeting to address the security situation in the geopolitical zone.

    “Do Governor Obiano, his Agulerised cabinet and his party realise what it means to be the father of a state and what it does not? It is beginning to give fresh ideas about what the other sources of the violence we are shamefully seeing in Anambra State could be.

    “Obiano has refused a unilateral solution of the superlative security snarl in his state, while also rejecting a multilateral solution provided by the aegis of Southeast Governors’ Forum in which meeting yesterday Anambra State was not represented.

    “Even if Obiano chooses to pick quarrels with his deputy for religious reasons, he ought to have sent someone he is not quarreling with or made an attempt to attend himself.

    “To reject both and be the governor of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) alone is a fundamental error of judgment which a future APC state government will not fall for.

    “We urge Governor Obiano to manage to get over the weight the office of the governor has placed on his troubled shoulders as six months ahead is not six years.”

  • Okunbo: Court restrains Asemota from participating in funeral

    By Bisi Olaniyi, Benin

    An Edo State High Court of Justice (Civil Division), Number 12, Benin, presided over Justice by V. O. A. Oviawe, yesterday restrained Mrs. Edamwen Evelyn Asemota from participating in this week’s funeral of the late billionaire philanthropist, Captain Idahosa Okunbo, and also from parading herself as his widow.

    The suit, with reference number: B/887/2021, was filed by Mrs. Nosa Igiehon Okunbo, with an exparte application heard by the presiding judge.

    Okunbo, popularly known as Captain Hosa, an indigene of Benin, who was born on January 7, 1958, passed on in a London hospital at 63 on August 8, after battling pancreatic cancer, with his body flown into the Edo State  capital yesterday, for burial this weekend.

    The motion was moved by the lead counsel to the claimant/applicant, Mr. R. O. Isenalumhe, who appeared with A. O. Akintomide.

    The claimant/applicant also sought an order of interim injunction, restraining the defendant from doing anything that would disrupt the burial from October 5, pending the determination of the motion on notice.

    The parties were absent in court, while the case was adjourned till October 21  for hearing of the motion on notice.

    Justice Oviawe consequently held as follows: “I have carefully considered this application, which is brought exparte. I have seen the affidavit of urgency and the affidavit in support of the motion, together with the exhibits attached. I have also given consideration to the written address containing the submission of counsel and the legal authority relied upon.

    “I am satisfied that there is an urgency shown in this application, such as can warrant the granting of the prayer contained in the motion paper, without the neccesity of hearing the respondent. At any rate, there is an undertaking as required from the authorities, to pay damages, in the event that the order sought herein, should not have been granted.

    “Upon the whole and in the particular consideration of the affidavit in support of the application, I shall proceed to grant the application in the following terms: an order of interim injunction is hereby granted, restraining the defendant/respondent from parading or holding out herself as a widow of the late Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo and from doing anything that will disrupt the burial, scheduled to begin on October 5, 2021, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”

     

  • ‘Southsouth governors’ decisions critical ’

    By Elo Edremoda, Warri

    The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has said the resolutions reached by the Southsouth governors in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday are “critical to the security, safety and well-being of the people.”

    In a statement by its National Chairman, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, the group hailed the governors, saying they have “demonstrated that they are in tune with the feelings and aspirations of their people.”

    The statement urged the governors to strengthen the BRACED Commission in order to fast track the economic integration and development of the geopolitical zone.

    PANDEF called on other stakeholders of the geo-political zone, irrespective of political affiliations, to join hands to move the region forward.

    “PANDEF is particularly delighted at the governors’ decision to establish South-South Security Architecture, like other zones in the country, to complement the nation’s security agencies in the zone.

    “The fact is that given the degenerating security situation in the country, the whole of the Niger Delta region, particularly the South-South zone, is under existential threat.

    “PANDEF also lauds the governors’ resolve to join the VAT lawsuit at the Supreme Court, in solidarity with Rivers State on the position that Value Added Tax (VAT) should be collected by states.

    “PANDEF similarly heralds the governors’ positions on the Petroleum Industry Act, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) forensic audit report and their call on the President to uphold the law establishing the NDDC by appropriately constituting its board.

    “It is quite pleasing that the governors re-echoed the call for the relocation of headquarters of international oil companies, and even Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) subsidiaries, to the Niger Delta.

    “It is baffling that the Federal Government has remained indifferent to this just demand of the Niger Delta people, thus denying the region plausible benefits, while, the paradoxical realities, arising from the industry, remain glaring in the region.

    “PANDEF is happy with the cohesion and cordiality among governors, but notes that similar cooperation is needed with other political leaders of the zone, irrespective of party differences, in the overall interest of the zone,” the statement said.