By Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has urged the political class to shun politics of hate in the interest of the state’s development.

He spoke on Tuesday at the Government House in Yenagoa when he received defectors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Young Democratic Party (YDP).

Diri said the only way they could benefit from the state’s creation is to unite for development.

The defectors were former Ambassador to Venezuela Senator Felix Oboro, former members of the House of Representatives – Bolous Indiamaowei, Mike Epengule and Graham Ipigansi, who are leaving the APC.

A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, said the time had come for the people to spread love rather than acrimony in the interest of progress.

Read Also; Seven APM lawmakers defect to APC in Ogun

He noted that rejoining the PDP was a journey back home for the defectors, and he urged the PDP to restore their rights and privileges after their formal defection.

The statement reads: “There is no reason to hate ourselves when we should love. This is the time to bring back brotherly love. We all craved the creation of Bayelsa State while we were in Rivers State. I do not think we wanted to create a Bayelsa where we hate ourselves and under-develop the state.

“Now we have a state and we have become so divided and factional, all in the name of political party. You and I were brothers and sisters before APC and PDP. Let us join hands to develop Bayelsa.”

PDP Chairman Solomon Agwanana said members of the opposition parties were in the Government House to interact with the governor preparatory to their formal defection on February 14.

Oboro, on behalf of the defectors, said they were impressed with the performance of the Diri administration, hence their decision to support it.

He lauded the governor for matching words with action, saying they were ready to mobilise their supporters to formally join the PDP.

A member of the Young Democratic Party (YDP), Elvis Donkemezuo, said his party was impressed with Governor Diri’s leadership style, which has put the state on the fast lane of development.

By Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

The Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate, Church of Nigeria, Rev Henry Ndukuba, has warned that Nigeria was fast becoming a land of tears and blood, which could be likened to Somalia.

The cleric, who worried over the increasing insecurity and instability across the country, was addressing the Standing Committee meeting of the Church of Nigeria at the All Saints Cathedral in Onitsha, Anambra State.

Read Also; Insecurity: we’ve failed in our obligation, says Speaker

He said: “The Federal Government must declare a state of emergency on insecurity for six months to mop-up illegal arms. The government must implement a very stringent gun control policy for Nigeria. A situation where a herdsman carries an AK-47 and moves freely in civilian communities must not be tolerated.

“The spate of destruction of church buildings in some parts of this country by some government agencies is disturbing. In some parts of the north, Christians are not given land to build churches. We stand with all our churches going through the pain of confiscation or destruction of property in some parts of this country.”

Ndukuba, however, hailed efforts of some states to check attacks by armed herders, and banditry. He added: “Nigeria is a federating nation; each state must make laws and implement policies that can protect lives and property.”

By Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

Traders at the G.U.O Plaza, Niger Street phone market in Onitsha, Anambra State, on Wednesday marched against incessant police harassment, extortion and intimidation.

Business activities were grounded for hours as the protesters, mostly phone dealers, proceeded to the Fegge Police Division, chanting songs to register their displeasure.

The protesters alleged outright infringement of their rights by policemen who ‘have been milking us dry with fictitious allegations’.

Read Also; NIN: Rights group alleges extortion in Onitsha

Chief Security Officer of the market Basil Udekwe accused policemen from Fegge Police division of turning their business premises into their office extension where they wilfully arrest traders for allegedly buying and selling of stolen phones.

He said: “The policemen who engage in the unholy act bring people who just accuse any trader on sight and they take the trader into detention. The trader has to bail himself with money.

“One of our members, popularly known as Emeka Nnewi, is presently in detention for allegedly buying stolen phones. Some of them have parted with between N200,000 to N500,000 in the past before regaining their freedom, unknown to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO).”

A lawyer, Margaret Iwuchukwu, who mediated for the traders, urged the police to address the challenge. According to her, the traders have become restive which could trigger another #EndSARS protest.

The Divisional Crime Officer of Fegge Division, Stephen Odok, who received the protesters traders on behalf of the DPO, Rabiu Garba, promised that their petition would be handled professionally.

By Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

A Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator Anyim Pius Ayim has denied boycotting the Southeast zonal meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The meeting held in Enugu State on Monday.

Anyim was reacting to reports which said he boycotted the meeting which was convened to discuss the Anambra State governorship election. He described the reports as the handiwork of mischief makers.

He said: “I was very early to the meeting, and was very conspicuous. I participated in every stage of the meeting. I was even the last to leave because I was interacting with some party, stakeholders, including the governor of Enugu State. The meeting was not even a caucus or leaders meeting, it was purely for Anambra election.

Read Also: Anyim’s presidential posters flood Ebonyi, social media

“There are no issues of leadership, principally because the natural zonal headquarters is in Enugu, and the governor was the host. For his effective coordination of Anambra election and other matters that he has been doing so well, we formally named him Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi the zonal leader.

“It is out of mere terrible desperation that anybody can lie to this extent. For anyone to say I was absent at a meeting I officiated from beginning to the end, participated prominently, is pure desperation. And may God forgive the person.”

Anyim also denied having rifts with the zonal Caretaker Committee Chairman, Ali Odefa.

“There is no feud between me and Odefa. He even followed me home. We have been here together. So, how can there be any feud between us, for what?”

By Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have raised the alarm over alleged threats to life of its members by suspected Nigerian security agents.

It said while some of its members have been marked for elimination, others were being haunted by security personnel.

A statement by the Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, added that the threat had compelled many to flee to other countries, while others were being trailed for arrest and torture.

The statement reads: “Lives of IPOB members are in danger in Nigeria. Our members have been marked for elimination, and are being haunted by the Nigerian security agents.

Read Also: IPOB to Gumi: Stop comparing us with terrorists

“Some of our members escape to other countries, while others are being trailed for arrest and torture. Even those who fled are passing through trauma and emotional stress as they are prevented from visiting home.

“Till today, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies are still trailing our Media Supervisor in Rivers State, Madam Obiageli Mboma, who fled Nigeria since 2016.

“This Biafran activist could not attend her mother’s burial for fear of arrest. Madam Oby’s fate is common among thousands of other Biafran agitators who have become fugitives in their ancestral lands because wicked security agencies in Nigeria have placed them on their wanted list.

“Our members are facing serious persecution in Nigeria. Security agents keep trailing and haunting them. Some of them are languishing in various detention facilities across the country without trial. Instead of fighting terrorists, bandits, killer herdsmen, Boko Haram and ISWAP that are about taking over Nigeria the government is only busy haunting down peaceful Biafran agitators.

“Our members are in serious danger in Nigeria. We appeal for global assistance so that the government will not succeed in its evil agenda to decimate Biafra activists. We are peaceful people seeking the restoration of our beloved Biafran Republic. Our only crime to the Nigeria State is that we demand self determination which is our fundamental right.”

Our Reporter

Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has urged the new Head of Service, Mrs. Geraldine Akpet-Ekanem, to flush out ghost workers from the system.

He spoke on Tuesday when he swore in Akpet-Ekanem.

Ayade said: “Today is special because the Head of Administration of the government and bureaucracy is being made substantive. She is disciplined, highly professional, has distinguished herself and has been an outstanding example of what a decent woman should be.

Read Also; Borno saves N420m from ghost workers  

“As Head of Service, one of the greatest challenges before you is to fish out ghost workers. I implore you to use your professional and educational background as a trained lawyer to check manipulation of our payroll system. You have a big challenge. Imprests are not being retired by ministries. Personnel audit, which should be quarterly, is not being done.

“You have my support to discipline, you have my support to transfer and promote. Whatever power is vested in me, I pass to you so that nobody will come back and say either the governor or the head of service is witch hunting them. I have set your terms of reference clear.”

Akpet-Ekanem thanked the governor for the appointment, saying: “The governor is gender-friendly for believing in me. He is indeed a leader of conscience and a man with a good heart. I have heard your charge, and I pledge to do all within my capacity to leave a positive mark in the civil service.”

By Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

Delta State has opened the High Court Complex in Asaba, which was rebuilt after it was burnt during the #EndSARS protests in 2020.

Chief Justice Marshall Umukoro, who unveiled the complex, said court processes would resume on February 15.

Umukoro described the governor’s intervention as timely because dispensation of justice was delayed for some months after the building was burnt.

Read Also; Sokoto fire: Fed Govt to assist rebuild market

He said: “On October 22, 2020, some hoodlums invaded the High Court Complex in Asaba and burnt it. We thank God for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who within 48 hours visited the court complex to see things for himself. He supported us morally and financially to rebuild this complex.

“The contract was awarded on November 20, 2020. We thank God we are here today; this is true restoration as you can see for yourself. We are happy and we thank the governor for this milestone. We also appreciate the media for giving us full coverage.

“After the vandalism, we were constrained to relocate our four judges to our buildings in Ibusa. But on February 15, Courts 2, 3, 4 and 5 will relocate back here.”

Justice Umukoro cautioned youths to refrain from destroying public buildings as monies spent in rebuilding the court complex could have been used to develop other infrastructure.

By Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

Two hundred and twenty-five Army lieutenants have begun promotion examination in Asaba, General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Maj.- Gen. Ibrahim Jallo has said.

Gen. Jallo said the 63 Brigade of the Army in Asaba will host the Lieutenant to Captain Promotion examination from February 8-12.

He said plans have been perfected to ensure comfort of the participating officers, including arrangements for escort to and from the examination.

Read Also: Army to rotate troops battling insurgency, says COAS

The GOC represented by the Commander of 63 Brigade, Brig.-Gen Abdulrahaman Idris, praised the Lieutenants, and urged them to be of good behaviour throughout the process.

The Examination President, Maj.-Gen. Benson Akinroluyo, urged residents of Asaba and environs not to panic due to the sizable number of personnel in the area. He hailed the people for their hospitality.

He said: “The 63 Brigade Commander has notified the community that a sizable number of military will be here; the government and everybody is are aware.

“The main examination is to test them on the deployment and employment of at least a mechanised company. Their tactics and deployment and administration of men, at least up to a company level.”

By Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Anambra State governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator Andy Uba has promised to surpass his 2017 campaign if the party gives him the ticket.

He said on Tuesday that his amazing campaigns in 2017 gave him overwhelming victory in the election. The record, according to him, has not been equalled by any candidate till date. He added that APC campaign for the November 6 election would be taken to another level

The Senator, who represented Anambra South, said: “I will not engage in name-calling, and will not spend time sulking, but I will discuss issues with voters in the 326 wards, communities and local government areas that I will personally visit.”

Uba promised to use his experience, work with party members and the people to reclaim and reactivate God’s master plan for Ndi Anambra.

Read Also; Anambra 2021: Will APC be fourth time Lucky?

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant, Obiora Okonkwo, said his party has not zoned the governorship ticket to any area. He also debunked reports that he had been disqualified from the race, describing it as false and misleading. ‘I’m still in the race and very strong,’ he said.

Okonkwo, who addressed reporters at Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area, said: “There are some elements in PDP being sponsored to make such publication that PDP is zoning the governorship position, but that is not true.

“We know who their sponsors are, and if they don’t desist, we will reveal their identity. Those people are afraid of me, so they want PDP to field a weak candidate, to make it easy for it to lose the election.

“I am still in the race and strongly too. A candidate can only emerge through a free and fair primary, and not through propaganda and falsehood. This is a new PDP and there is no room for such behaviour.”