Our Reporter

All the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) executives in 20 wards of Nnewi South Local Government of Anambra State have defected to the Labour Party (LP).

They were received by LP’s gubernatorial candidate in the November 6, 2021 poll Mr. Obiora Agbasimalo at Ezinifite in Nnewi South Local Government.

The defectors were led by their chairman Chief Alphonsus Ofoke.

They said they decided to identify with LP because of the sterling qualities of the governorship candidate, who has exhibited humility and clear vision on how to move Anambra State forward.

Agbasimalo congratulated them for taking a wise decision and assured them the LP is home to all.

He added they would all work together to win Anambra for LP and position it as the best State to do business and live in Nigeria.

By Chris Njoku, Owerri

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State yesterday said it has no disagreement with former governor of the state Emeka Ihedioha over making purported U-turn on the re-arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The party said in a statement made available to The Nation by its state Publicity Secretary, Ogubundu Nwadike that Emeka Ihedioha has never had any relationship or dealings with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

It said there was no betrayal of Nnamdi Kanu by Emeka Ihedioha, and thus there is no fallout with Emeka Ihedioha by Imo PDP over a U-turn on Kanu’s re-arrest.

The statement reads: “The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State has been drawn to a vexatious propaganda and blackmail article written by faceless authors, with the senseless title of “Imo PDP Falls Out With Emeka Ihedioha Over U-turn On Nnamdi Kanu’s Re-arrest.”

As a very responsible party, we hereby denounce the article and urge members of the public to disregard the clearly provocative propaganda and blackmail in the state.

Because of the protracted insensitivity in the handling of the issues and affairs of  IPOB by the APC regime, PDP has deliberately refused to join issues on the lingering altercations between the APC and the IPOB and their leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“However, the decision by the APC to now involve the Party in the debacle can only be a diversionary distraction designed by the APC to divert the attention of the masses, albeit temporarily, from focusing on the streak of failure of the APC.

“Imo PDP is very much aware that its leader in Imo State, His Excellency, Emeka Ihedioha, has never had any relationship or dealings with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Talking about Ihedioha betraying Kanu is, therefore, irresponsible propaganda and blackmail that failed on arrival. That makes insensible and meaningless the warped thought of “Imo PDP falls out with Emeka Ihedioha over U-turn on Nnamdi Kanu re-arrest”. There can’t be a U-turn when there was never a drive out.”

The party reemphasised that Ihedioha never had any interest in Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his IPOB, neither did he speak with anybody anywhere concerning Kanu in any ramification, adding that  there was no betrayal of Nnamdi Kanu by Emeka Ihedioha, and thus there is no fallout with Emeka Ihedioha by Imo PDP over a U-turn on Kanu’s re-arrest.

“Our Party concludes that such trite propaganda and blackmail is a waste of scarce resources of the idle minds that concocted such fictitious stories that are simply sourced from the figments of the malarial imagination of the lousy authors and their paymasters.

This party hereby reiterates its recognition, regard, and respect for Emeka Ihedioha, CON as Leader par excellence of our great party in Imo State. There is no faceoff between him and the Party at all levels. Rather, his leadership of the Party has been so rewarding and progressive, reinforcing the recovered, reformed, rebranded and repositioned PDP. Therefore, let all propagandists and blackmailers and their paymasters beware, steer clear and desist from their useless assignment that does the state more harm than good.”

By Chris Njoku, Owerri

Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ohaji/Egbema, Imo State, Rev. Chidi Collins Oparaojiaku has urged Governor Hope Uzodimma to compel traditional rulers of the 700 autonomous communities in the state to henceforth reside in their various domains or to vacate their stool.

He noted that once any traditional ruler stays in his community, he would ensure peace and harmony of the environment. But if he runs to a safer environment, peace would remain elusive.

“The office of those who refuse to take up residence in their communities should be advertised for willing people who are ready to take up the challenge,” he stated.

He lamented that while no sitting state governor ever stays outside his state, about 90 per cent of the monarchs in the state take up residence in other people’s localities from where they lord themselves over their people.

He warned that insecurity would continue unabated as long as the monarchs who are the custodians of their communities are allowed to take up residence in Owerri, Abuja, Port Harcourt USA, UK and Europe.

“They come home, cause troubles and then run out to hide somewhere safe for them.”

The Prelate stated this in his presidential address at the Session of the 4th Synod of the diocese which had the theme “Mission as Never before Fundamentals: Epitomising and Gospelising our Mandate” (Luke 5) held at the Anglican Church of the Redeemer Orduga Umuokanne Parish.

Bishop Oparaojiaku, who denounced the security challenges in the state, the spate of extra-judicial killings, destruction of government facilities and deluge of military and police roadblocks argued that one of the best ways to curb insecurity from local government areas is to make the village heads or Ezes and President-Generals of various communities responsible for any crime that happened in their localities.

By Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

A Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Obimma Emmanuel, (aka Ebube Muonso) has said the final outcome of the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State would experience a sharp deviation from the expected outcome.

He said the outcome of the polls would spring surprises to many in view of the political party and individual that would emerge as the governor.

In a chat with reporters yesterday, Emmanuel, who is the Spiritual Director of the Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry, Uke, said he got the revelation from God which he described as undisputable.

He regretted the internal crisis rocking virtually all the major political parties, which, according to him, would end up enriching the lawyers and the court.

He said: “The Holy Ghost is saying that the outcome of 2021 election will be a surprise to the generality of Anambra people and all those interested in the politics of the state.”

By Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

Environmentalists have advocated an end to frequent oil leaks reported at Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) oil fields in Tein community, Biseni, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The environmentalists, under the auspices of Environment Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), made the call yesterday in its field report signed by Head of Field Operations of the group, Mr Alagoa Morris.

The group regretted that several spill incidents which occurred within the Biseni/Asamabiri cluster were yet to be remediated.

The spills are connected to a 14-inch pipeline that evacuates crude oil from the impacted oilfields to NAOC’s facility at Obiobio in Rivers State.

ERA/FoEN noted that the oil company allegedly acted unilaterally as the statutory agencies such as National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Ministry of Environment were not invited to witness the fixing of the pipeline.

The group claimed that the Tein people in Biseni who are predominantly fishermen and farmers had been adversely impacted by several oil spills caused by equipment failure over the years without any remedy.

The report indicated: “The operators, Agip, should ensure that they carry the regulators along. That is why we are here today. When we heard that they were coming with Swamp Buggy again, we felt we should follow up on what is happening to the environment.

“We want to join voices with the people, the families and others that Agip should do the needful by coming to ensure that the environment that was polluted by their own crude oil is properly cleaned up.

“Possible remediation should be carried out. That is what we are demanding, a sustainable environment for our people that is what we need.”

Also, a community leader, Chief David Obuma, said overtimes, the clan has suffered a lot of damage from oil companies as they never did any perfect job in their environment.

Obuma stated: “Here, when we hear of any spillage, they will say it is sabotage. Does it mean that the oil cannot be cleaned?

“They always term any oil spill sabotage, meaning somebody must have burst the pipes. Who is the person with no name? So, we are worried.

“Last year around March, there was a spillage in 14 inches pipe beginning from the cluster to Obiobio, in Ahoada, Rivers State.  Before the people realised, they came with excavators, without even letting the community leaders and chiefs know that such a thing had happened.

“They covered it up till today. We have written several letters to Agip and they have not done anything. Throughout last year, oil was circulating everywhere in the area.

“They have not even come up with any programme. They kept saying it was economic sabotage; that somebody must have tampered with it.

However, when contacted, Media Relations official at Eni, the Italian parent company to NAOC,  Cioni Marililia, declined comment. He, however, promised to respond soon.

By Bassey Anthony, Uyo

The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) in Akwa Ibom State has asked the Senate not to clear Ms Lauratta Onochie as Commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

State Chairman of the CLO Otuekong Franklyn Isong, at a briefing yesterday said Onochie’s nomination breached the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

Onochie, who is currently serving as the Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on New Media was nominated by the President as INEC Commissioner in October 2020.

The appointment had triggered outrage among Nigerians with many individuals and groups calling for the rejection of the nominee who has openly declared membership for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

She had also campaigned for President Buhari in 2015 and the CLO is of the view that if her nomination is confirmed by the Senate, it will mar future elections and cast doubts on the independence of the INEC.

The CLO asserted that Ms Onochie, being a card-carrying member of the APC, is not qualified for such appointment as stated in relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

The pro-democracy organisation observed that Section 156 (1) (a) and Third Schedule, Part 1, Item F, Paragraph 14 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) outrightly disqualified any person in partisan politics and card-carrying member of a political party from being appointed into INEC as an electoral umpire.

By Bassey Anthony, Uyo

Residents of Ikpa Road and its environs in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have cried out over threats to their lives and property due to the collapsed section of the community road.

The road, which connects Uyo City Polytechnic, a private institution in the state is said to have collapsed on Wednesday from encroachment of deep gully erosion.

This has posed serious threats to thousands of lives and property in the area as vehicles and tricycles (Keke Napep) conveying students, and villagers alike can no longer pass for fear of sinking into the ravine.

A source who spoke in confidence said since the road collapsed last week, students of the Uyo City Polytechnic and motorists have been having difficulties crossing over.

He said: “It’s very stressful now for residents of this village. Vehicles and Keke Napep carrying students and others have to stop for the occupants to trek to the other side to board another vehicle.”

Another resident, who identified himself as Emmanuel Okon called on the state government to save lives and property by intervening on the road without delay.

“We are calling on the state government to save us from this looming disaster. It needs urgent attention because if it rains two or three times again, the buildings will collapse,” he said.

The Commissioner for Environment and Solid Minerals Mr. Charles Udoh has issued a threat notice with the erection of caution barriers around the vicinity.

Udoh, in a statement made available to our correspondent yesterday explained that the caution barriers were to prevent human and vehicular traffic from falling into the ravine.

“Recall that a few months ago, the Ministry of Environment and Solid Minerals had erected caution barriers to prevent human or vehicular traffic from falling into the gully.

“This was to allow for site evaluation survey, development of engineering drawings as well as Bill of Engineering Measurements and Evaluation to guide the restoration works. These processes are currently ongoing.

“In the interim, members of the public are advised to avoid the vicinity, while motorists should use alternative routes.

“Residents, citizens and businesses in the affected neighbourhoods are advised to remain vigilant and evacuate the vicinity for now,” he said.

By Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

Stakeholders of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Anambra State under the auspices of APC Media Frontier have appealed to aggrieved aspirants in the just-concluded governorship primary election to accept Senator Andy Uba as the duly elected candidate of the party.

The group also called on other party faithful to rally support for the party candidate to wrestle power from the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the November 6 election.

Addressing reporters yesterday in Awka, the state capital, the state Coordinator of the group Ikemba Iyke-Oliobi stressed the impossibility of the party’s flagbearer to win the election without the maximum support of all.

He said: “The primary election has come and gone and Senator Andy Uba has emerged as the party’s flagbearer. It is time for all members to accept his candidature and work together for the victory of the party.

“Every stakeholder must embrace the reconciliatory efforts being championed by the party with the aim of focusing on the long-term survival of the party in the state.

Admitting that the outcome of the exercise did go down well with a few of the aspirants and supporters, with irregularities and non-voting in some places, Oliobi maintained that APC must manage the fallout of the election with care, maturity and humility.

He also regretted that the lingering controversy was threatening the life and chance of APC in the governorship election.

“It is instructive to note that the deadline by Independent Electoral Commission for the conduct all governorship primaries in Anambra State has since lapsed, by midnight of July 1, 2021, while the date for publishing of candidates of political parties by INEC is on July 16, 2021.

“This invariably means that the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Anambra State as it stands remains Senator Emmanuel Andy Uba as announced by the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun led-primary election committee,” he stressed.

The National Chairman of the third phase the Presidential Amnesty Programme in  Niger Delta, (PAPND),  General Onoriode Diyo and other leaders have applauded the Chief Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Col. Diko Dixion Milland over conducive environment in Niger Delta region.

Diyo and other leaders, who made this commendation during a meeting held in Delta State, commended the interim coordinator, Col. Dikio Milland for a job well-done in the Niger Delta region, noting that “his administration has proven that he knows the pains of his people and the teaming youths of the Niger Delta region.”

According to the PAPND, with Dikio Milland, “the Niger Delta is in a safe hand and they will enjoy more peaceful and enabling environment.”

Diyo and leaders reiterated that they were ready to welcome him to any of the states of the Niger Delta region because his visit always brings good ideas on how the Niger Delta region can move forward to the next level.

The group also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing the right people to manage the Presidential Amnesty Programme in the Niger Delta region.