Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has declared war against journalists in Edo, with his insistence on demolishing the Press Centre of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), built in the early 70s by the late Military Governor of the defunct Mid-West/Bendel State, Brig.-Gen. Samuel Ogbemudia.

The press centre, built on an expanse of land donated to NUJ, Edo state council by the then King Akenzua of Benin, is at No. 1, Gabriel Igbinedion Road, beside the mansion of the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, in the Government Reservation Area (GRA), Benin.

NUJ press centre in Benin is strategic, as it is the venue for daily distribution of local, regional, national and international newspapers and magazines to vendors and distributors.

The press centre of Edo NUJ also houses the befitting offices of correspondents’ chapel of the union, lawyers and other professionals.

It was gathered yesterday in Benin that Obaseki wanted to use Edo NUJ’s land to build Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA), to house the stolen artifacts being returned to Benin from Europe, to rival the Edo Royal Museum, being built by Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, to house the same artifacts.

The Edo royal museum is located opposite the palace of the first-class monarch (Oba of Benin), with major stakeholders in the state and beyond supporting the initiative, which is backed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

It was also learnt that expatriates that would handle the EMOWAA project at NUJ’s press centre were on Thursday at the site for inspection, and they were accompanied by fully-armed policemen, with the demolition likely to commence this weekend.

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The Functioning Director of Lands, Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS), Mrs. Lydia Igbinigie, earlier wrote to Edo Chairman of NUJ, Festus Alenkhe, on the land matter, while the Managing Director of EDOGIS, Mrs. Osaro Aihie, who was appointed by Obaseki about three months ago, later called Alenkhe on the same matter.

Edo Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie, a lawyer, met in his office yesterday morning with some stakeholders on the NUJ’s land matter, with a member of the executive of the state’s NUJ (name withheld) quoting the SSG as stating that he was not aware of the land tussle and demolition bid, but promised to get the details.

Efforts were later made to speak with Edo SSG, but his MTN line was not available, at press time.

Edo Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, through the telephone, stated that Obaseki’s government was working on moat’s right of way in Benin and its environs, while he declined further comment on the NUJ’s land matter and planned demolition of the befitting secretariat.

Edo chairman of NUJ, who lost his mother some days ago, when contacted through the phone, declined to comment on the matter.

The President of NUJ, Chris Isiguzo, when contacted for his reaction, through the phone from Owerri, Imo State, at 4:53 p.m. yesterday, said: “Please, ask Edo State Chairman of NUJ. I earlier told Festus Alenkhe what to do.”

Alenkhe, at 5:03 p.m., through the phone, said: “Mr. President (of NUJ) directed Edo State Council’s leadership of NUJ to resist the forcible takeover of the land.”

Edo chairman of NUJ also added that the directive of Isiguzo would be strictly adhered to.

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Imo State has said over 300,000 permanent voter cards (PVCs) are yet to be uncollected in the 27 local governments of the state.

The Public Relations Officer, Dr. Chinenye Chijioke-Osuji, made this known yesterday in a statement she issued in Owerri.

She urged people to pick their PVCs, to enable them vote in the coming general election.

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The commission appealed to the citizens to take advantage of the ongoing display of the preliminary register of voters to cross check the register and put in their claims and objections where necessary, saying this would enable INEC to come up with a clean register for the elections.

“INEC in Imo State craves the indulgence of the citizens, please, as this is a civic responsibility we owe ourselves,” the statement said.

Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly called petrol, now sells for between N240 and N250 per litre in Awka, Anambra State capital, and its environs.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who monitored the situation in Awka yesterday, reports that the NNPC mega station in the town was closed to customers for lack of products.

NAN also reports that most private outlets had products, but were selling above the regulated price of between N180 and N190.

Mr. Jones Ani, a motorist, said the arbitrary increase in the pump price of petrol was an additional burden on citizens, which should be addressed.

He said it was no longer pleasurable to use private cars due to the huge cost of maintenance.

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He urged the Federal Government, through the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), to protect customers.

A commuter bus operator, who simply identified himself as Emeka, said the increase had been built into fares, with additional N50 on former fares for every intra-city drop.

He said increase in the price of petrol was affecting their business and also affecting prices of other goods and services.

Mr. Chinedu Anyaso, chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), said the prevailing pump price was a reflection of what was going on at the private depots where they procured products.

Efforts to get reaction from NMDPRA were not successful, as Mr. Victor Orjiakor, operations controller in Anambra office, did not take his call or respond to text message sent to him.

All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State has said its political misfortunes are caused by moles allegedly planted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to prevent the party from taking over power in 2023.

The party was reacting to the Federal High Court and Appeal Court judgments, which sacked Akan Udofia as its governorship candidate and Senator Godswill Akpabio as its candidate for Akwa Ibom Northwest Senatorial District.

In a statement issued yesterday and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. OtoAbasi Udo, APC said those who instituted actions against Udofia and Akpabio were moles and were acting the scripts of their paymasters.

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“Aggrieved aspirants, who went to court to challenge the outcome of the primary election, are free to pursue the line of their action, but at the same time, they have the burden of conscience to discharge whether their actions are in the overall interest of the party.

“Judgments are to be respected even when they appear to be merchandised. As is the instant case, we must respect same even with its odious nature.

“In the circumstance, we appeal to our members and supporters to remain calm and jettison the machinations and shenanigans of the planted moles in our party doing the biddings of our opposition,” the statement said.

The party said Udofia was nominated as the governorship candidate, having polled 1,237 votes.

Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has promised to ensure that operative of the Department of State Security (DSS), who reportedly attacked and attempted to kill the Director General of Abia State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council, Chinedum Elechi, in Umuahia, is brought to book.

Addressing reporters after visiting the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Umuahia, where Elechi is on admission, Dr. Ikpeazu thanked God for sparing the life of the former Abia Deputy Speaker, despite the degree of injury he sustained in the attack.

He said it was unfortunate that someone, whose duties it was to protect, could use a machete to slash the head and skin of his fellow human being, as well as destroy his car for no justifiable reason.

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The governor said he would make sure the assailant and people of such character were not allowed to stay among sane people.

Ikpeazu, who thanked the management and workers of the Federal Government facility that were on ground to provide medical care for the former lawmaker, expressed happiness that the victim was in a stable condition, hoping that he would recover quickly.

Elechi thanked God and the people who saved his life.

He appreciated Governor Ikpeazu for coming to identify with him and thanked the management of FMC for their assistance in saving his life.

The Chief Medical Director of the FMC, Prof. Azubuike Onyebuchi, who was on ground during the visit of the governor, informed him that surgery had successfully been performed on the victim.

The National Population Commission (NPC) in Anambra State has assured people of its preparedness to deliver the most credible and acceptable population and housing census in the state next year.

Federal Commissioner representing the state in the commission Chidi Ezeoke said this yesterday at a capacity building workshop on the 2023 population and housing census, in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA).

He described as reassuring, outcome of preparatory activities for the exercise.

Ezeoke said the strategic partnership with relevant agencies, including NOA, would form a platform for census architecture to stand to reach out to the people.

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He said: “The purpose of the NPC/NOA collaboration is to enhance the sensitisation and mobilisation of people and residents of the state for the successful conduct of the exercise.

“The partnership will focus on two main areas, namely to build the NOA functionary capacity towards a deeper understanding of the census methodology, as well as field sensitisation activities, including street campaign and community advocacy.

“The collaboration with the NOA is also designed to complement the advocacy and publicity activities being carried out by the commission at the national and state levels towards implementation of the census.”

The state Director, NOA, Mr. Charles Nwogu, said his agency had always collaborated with the NPC towards delivering on its mandate, promising increased aggressive advocacy ahead of the coming census.

State Director NPC Dr. Joachim Ulasi said the commission decided to synergise with the NOA as experts in mass mobilisation and advocacy, hoping that the synergy would yield results.

“We’re going to strategise on how to reach out to the 21 local governments, instead of the initial planned road show. I believe the former will yield more fruits in view of its wider reach,” he added.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned indefinitely further proceedings in the trial of self- acclaimed leader of the secessionist group, Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Kanu was arraigned at the court on the terrorism charge brought against him by the Federal Government.

He was being tried on the charge before the October 13 judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which faulted the manner he was brought back from Kenya by government agents, and proceeded to discharge him, a decision the Federal Government has appealed.

Kanu has also appealed some portions of the judgment by filing a cross-appeal and proceeded to file another appeal against the Appeal Court’s October 28 ruling staying the execution of the October 13 judgment.

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Yesterday, lawyers to the prosecution and defence told the Federal High Court about the pending appeals at the Supreme Court filed by both sides, following which Justice Binta Nyako elected to adjourn indefinitely pending the outcome of the appeals.

At the mention of the case, lead prosecuting lawyer Mohammed Abubakar told the court that Kanu refused to be brought to court from the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) in protest of his claim that the Federal Government failed to obey the judgment freeing him.

Kanu’s lead lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), did not dispute Abubakar ‘s position on why his client was not in court.

Ozekhome later urged the court to stay further proceedings pending the outcome of the appeals filed by both the prosecution and defence before the Supreme Court, a request Abubakar did not object.

Ozekhome subsequently noted that his client was not yet served with a copy of the amended charge recently filed by the prosecution.

He claimed that the defence legal team only heard about the filing of an amended charge on social media.

Ruling, Justice Nyako said the case would be adjourned sine die pending the outcome of the appeals before the Supreme Court.