The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • Delta community issues ultimatum to NEPL for construction of Abura flow station

    Delta community issues ultimatum to NEPL for construction of Abura flow station

    Emadadja community in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State has issued a 21-day ultimatum to NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL) to commence construction of the flow station at Abura or prepare to vacate the area.

    The decision was communicated in a letter to the Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) by Ambassador Festus Oshemughen and Comrade Christopher Origbo, the President General and Secretary General of Emadadja community, respectively.

    It reads: “It has been a long time since oil operations began in Emadadja Community. 

    “Throughout this period, the oil extracted here has been routed to Otu-Jeremi in Ughelli South LGA. 

    “Despite numerous efforts to establish a proposed flow station to assess production capacity over the years, these attempts have proven unsuccessful, leading to concerns that our benefits are being undermined. 

    “After much discussion, it was agreed that the flow station should be built as soon as possible; however, we have seen no progress to date.”

    The letter added:  “In light of these concerns, a community assembly meeting was convened, attended by all Executive Committee members, youth, women, and elders. 

    “Key issues contributing to the delay in constructing the flow station were discussed, and we found them deeply troubling.”

    The community expressed frustration on “the hardship and underdevelopment faced by our residents amidst abundant resources. 

    “We have concluded that former NPDC, now NEPL, and their partners show little interest in the community’s development and the welfare of its people. 

    “Thus, we have resolved to give a 21-day ultimatum for immediate mobilization to the site for the construction of the flow station. 

    “We also demand the completion of all MoU projects that were agreed upon before the implementation of the PIA, as well as completion of the drilling processes for Wells 13 and 14, which have been abandoned.”

    Read Also: Court declares Delta community ‘autonomous’

    It also called on NNPC to urgently direct NEPL to revoke any contracts with the company currently engaged for the construction of the OML 65 flow station and ensure the proper management of the field.

    The community representatives voiced their concerns regarding a joint venture partnership in London on August 3, 2022, stating that it holds no interest in developing phase 1 of the approved OML 65 project. 

    It rejected any further operations from these companies in their community.

    “This position must be taken seriously, or we cannot guarantee the security and safety of OML 65 oil exploration on our land,” they warned.

    Copies of the letter have also been forwarded to Delta Governor; the Commanding Officer of 63 Brigade in Asaba, Delta Commissioner of Police; the Managing Director of NEPL; Chairman of Udu LGA, and other relevant authorities.

  • Edo poll: INEC grants Ighodalo, PDP access to inspect election materials

    Edo poll: INEC grants Ighodalo, PDP access to inspect election materials

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has agreed to allow Dr. Asue Ighodalo and his legal team to inspect the election materials and Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices used in the disputed Edo State governorship election.

    The decision came after public protests by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and mounting legal pressure from Ighodalo’s team, who are challenging the election results, alleging manipulation by the ruling party.

    INEC had reportedly denied Ighodalo’s request to inspect the BVAS machines used in the September 21 governorship election, despite a court order. 

    However, in a letter dated October 8, 2024, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State, Dr. Anugbom Onuoha, denied accusations that the commission had blocked access to the election materials. 

    He reiterated INEC’s commitment to transparency and stated that the inspection will take place on October 9, 2024, at 10:00 AM at INEC’s Edo State headquarters.

    The development was viewed by the PDP members as a significant victory for Ighodalo, who has consistently called for full disclosure to restore confidence in the electoral process. 

    The inspection will allow Ighodalo’s legal team to gather evidence they believe will expose irregularities and bolster their case before the election petition tribunal. 

    It was gathered that with only 48 hours remaining before the deadline to file their election petition, it is hoped that the PDP will have sufficient time to review the materials and submit their case.

    Reacting to the news, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemin, State Chairman of the PDP, hailed the development as “a win for democracy and the rule of law.” 

    He also thanked the people of Edo State for their unwavering support during the protests. 

    “I want to thank all those who came out to protest in support of Ighodalo’s quest to reclaim his stolen mandate,” Aziegbemin said.

    Read Also: Court asks INEC to recognise Abure as LP chair

    While expressing dissatisfaction with the role of the police and INEC in the election, Aziegbemin remained confident in the judiciary, asserting that the courts would uphold the will of Edo voters. 

    “I have lost faith in the Police and INEC, who I believe colluded with the APC to steal the election, but I have absolute confidence in the Judiciary. They will do right by the people of Edo State.”

    Although INEC’s decision has eased some tensions, it remains unclear if the PDP will call off its protests. 

    Aziegbemin emphasized the party’s commitment to continue highlighting what they perceive as illegal actions by the APC, INEC, and the Nigerian Police

    “We are a proud and enlightened people,” Aziegbemin declared. “We have always chosen our leaders here in Edo, and I can assure you that we will send these unqualified pretenders back to where they came from”, he said. 

  • Centre condemns Rivers Gov over council poll

    Centre condemns Rivers Gov over council poll

    The Centre for Truth and Justice (CTJ) has condemned the recent Local Government elections in Rivers State.

    The group alleged that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s actions undermined the democratic process, violating every principle that Nigeria stands for.

    Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Executive Director Obinna Francis, said the elections were conducted without transparency, accountability, or legitimacy, and were instead a coronation of Governor Fubara’s puppets.

    Francis also highlighted Governor Fubara’s disregard for the law, including his unilateral suspension of members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and installation of a three-man committee to function as the state assembly.

    The CTJ further criticised Fubara’s use of proxy parties to advance his political agenda and the involvement of RSIEC in the illegitimate process.

    “We condemn in totality the charade, mockery, and the total abuse of our democratic process by the purported conduct of Local Government (LG) elections in Rivers State,” Francis said.

    “What transpired in Rivers State is a travesty of democracy, an affront to the will of the people, and a direct assault on the rule of law. The so-called election that took place within the confines of the Government House is not only an illegal act but also a violation of every democratic principle that this nation stands for.

    “Moreover, the actions of Governor Fubara are a dangerous precedent that threatens the very fabric of our democracy. Nigerians can now understand clearly that Governor Fubara is ready to destroy whatever is left of our democracy if he is not urgently called to order.

    “Evidently, one of the most alarming aspects of Governor Fubara’s tenure has been his unilateral suspension of members of the Rivers State House of Assembly using kangaroo court orders. In defiance of legislative autonomy and the separation of powers, Governor Fubara has installed a three-man committee to function as the state assembly.

    “This illegal structure is a mockery of the democratic process, and we must all ask ourselves what kind of state operates without a legitimate legislature. The answer is clear: a dictatorship. Furthermore, Governor Fubara’s disregard for the law extends to the recent conduct of a sham LG election in Rivers State.

    “The election, which was conducted within the Government House, is an embarrassment to the state and the nation as a whole. This process lacked transparency, accountability, and legitimacy. There were no observers, no genuine electoral oversight, and no opportunity for the people of Rivers State to make their voices heard. Instead, it was a coronation, not an election—a process aimed at installing Governor Fubara’s puppets in key positions of power across the state.

    “It is pertinent to mention that a judgment from a Federal High Court in Abuja had already restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing voters’ registers to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

    “Yet, in typical fashion, Governor Fubara obtained a questionable court order to override this judgment, demonstrating his utter contempt for the judiciary and the rule of law. Hence, the involvement of RSIEC in this illegitimate process raises serious concerns about the impartiality and independence of the electoral body.

    “Rather than upholding the sanctity of the electoral process, RSIEC has become a tool in Governor Fubara’s hands to manipulate elections and install his loyalists in office. This flagrant abuse of power must be addressed if we are to preserve the integrity of future elections in Rivers State and Nigeria at large.

    “Additionally, Governor Fubara’s manipulation of the election process extended to the use of proxy parties to advance his political agenda. The so-called Action Peoples Party (APP), a relatively unknown political entity, conveniently “won” 22 out of 23 chairmanship seats in the Rivers State LG elections.

    “This result, which defies all logic and understanding, is the culmination of a highly orchestrated and manipulated electoral process aimed at securing Governor Fubara’s dominance over local government structures in the state.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Protest, explosion rock Rivers councils as clashes mar chairmen’s assumption

    “It is therefore heartbreaking that despite all these glaring irregularities, the state government and RSIEC have boldly declared the election to be smooth, safe, free, fair, credible, transparent, and violence-free.

    “Evidently, Governor Fubara’s actions are not those of a democratic leader but of an autocrat intent on consolidating power at the expense of the people’s will. Democracy is our collective asset, and its growth and progress are dependent on a government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and pursuing the interests of peace and justice at all times.”

    The group called on relevant authorities, including the National Assembly, judiciary and international community, to intervene and restore the rule of law in Rivers State.

    The CTJ urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and defend democracy, emphasizing that the actions of Governor Fubara threaten the democratic progress made as a nation.

  • NPHCDA moves to revitalise Southeast cold chain store, PHCs

    NPHCDA moves to revitalise Southeast cold chain store, PHCs

    The Executive Director, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, (NPHCDA) Dr. Muyi Aina, has promised to revitalise its Cold Chain Store in the Southeast Zone for the preservation of vaccines and other related items.

    Dr. Aina, who made the promise weekend while inspecting some of the Agency’s facilities in the Southeast zonal office, including the cold and dry stores, in Enugu, lamented the poor state of the cold store.

    He said: “I came to Enugu to do a number of things. One is to engage with our critical stakeholders in the primary health care programme that we do.

    “I’m here also to look at the some of the facilities that we have in the Southeast zonal office as well as the cold and dry stores.

    “I looked at our cold store here and am not exactly very happy with what I saw. I think there are a few gaps in the functionality that need to be addressed as a matter of urgency”.

    Also speaking during a visit to Governor Peter Mbah at the Government House, Enugu, executive director commended the transformation of primary healthcare in Enugu State by the Governor Peter Mbah Administration, saying the state was well ahead in repositioning that layer of the healthcare system.

    “Enugu people are happy with you. The Federal Government is happy with you too for a number of reasons. When we came up, we said we want to revitalise our primary healthcare centres across the country. You got ahead of us. The news we are getting is extremely encouraging and that is one of the reasons why this is the first stop. This is my first visit to any state.

    “You have gone ahead of us to commence the construction of 260 new health facilities. That is no mean feat. You have not just talked about it, you have actually completed some. You have awarded contracts for all. It is indeed a great honour and privilege to be here today given all of these strides.

    “Beyond what I have just said, you have also focused on health workers, which is another big thing. You know that there is a shortage of health workers in the health sector broadly, but also in the primary healthcare system specifically. You are recruiting health workers of different cadres. You should be congratulated for this.

    “We are also aware and we want to thank you because you are one governor, who is prompt to his counterpart-funding responsibility when there is funding needed for health activities and for health campaigns. I have never had to call you to plead to release funding,” he stated.

    Dr. Aina said given the strides, the FG was going to support the state with N254m to help revitialise existing facilities to complement the new ones being constructed by the Governor Mbah Administration.

    “Encouraged by all of these strides you are making, I would like to also tell you that Enugu State will benefit from the ongoing revitalisation of PHCs. We have completed the assessment of 253 facilities here and from what we found, there are quite a bit of gaps and we also stepped up.

    “About 162 of them have the number of skilled birth attendants that you need to fully operate. Also, some of them need staff accommodation. We are going to support you.

    “The sum of N254million has already been earmarked as part of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund that you will use to revitalise some of these facilities. We have over twenty that we will also be revitalising for the state to support your efforts.”

    He added that the agency was ready to collaborate with the state in the area of training of manpower and replacement of obsolete cold chain infrastructure, among others.

    Governor Mbah welcomed the support, noting that FG’s effort to reposition the health system was in sync with his administration’s priorities.

    “We identified primary healthcare as one of those critical subsectors that we need to address. When we went out there to campaign in our various communities, there was hardly anyone that did not raise the issue of access to healthcare facility.

    Read Also: NPHCDA aids Hajj Pilgrims with essential drugs

    “We saw that with the state of the infrastructure we have and we are working on improving them. But we also saw the need to build brand new facilities. We are doing 260 Level 2 PHCs. But we are also more intrested in the equipment or facilities. In each Type 2 PHC we are doing currently also has a staff quarters to ensure a round the clock access to healthcare in these villages and rural areas. It was critical to us.

    “But we know that 260 will not cut it for us. So, that is why the announcement you made here about the FG working with us to revamp some of the existing PHCs that may be reviveable excites us so much.”

    The governor said the government was recruiting 2,200 health workers to address the deficits in the healthcare space in the state.

    “Even though what you may notice is our recruitment of 450 health workers, but the approval is actually 2,200. We did the analysis and the data we saw on pregnant women that have no access to healthcare personnel at delivery was scary. We knew we needed to ramp up very quickly,” Governor Mbah stated.

  • CJP denies calling for ex-Gov Bello’s arrest

    CJP denies calling for ex-Gov Bello’s arrest

    The Center for Justice and Peace (CJP) has disassociated itself from a statement calling for the arrest of former Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello.

    In a briefing in Abuja, the Director General of the Center, Dr. Stephen Okparaibe categorically denied authorizing the statement.

    Okparaibe expressed dismay at the attempt by politicians to compromise the organisation’s principles.

    He described the individuals as paid agents bent on causing confusion and disrepute to democratic institutions.

    “We are shocked that desperate politicians would sponsor criminals to impersonate our organization and release malicious statements.

    “This blatant attempt to undermine our integrity and independence will not be tolerated.

    “We are perturbed that some section of the media would grant audience to these unknown faces to impersonate and release a statement on behalf of the group,” Okparaibe said.

    CJP emphasised its commitment to justice, peace, and adherence to the rule of law, and reaffirmed its independence and non-partisanship.

    The group, comprised mostly of lawyers, underscored its dedication to promoting Nigeria’s democratic values.

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    According to Okparaibe, the impostors’ statement contradicts its core values, as it would not call for the arrest of someone who voluntarily surrendered to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    “If the EFCC, which declared Mr. Bello wanted, had him for over four hours and refused to arrest and prosecute him, how could we?” he queried.

    CJP condemned the derogatory statements made against the judiciary and urged relevant authorities to take action against the impostors for impersonation.

    The group warned that Nigeria’s progress would be hindered if individuals are allowed to masquerade as activists, causing confusion and disrepute to democratic institutions.

    CJP also called on the National Security Adviser, Department of State Security Service, Inspector General of Police, and other relevant agencies to investigate and prosecute the impostors.

    The group reaffirmed its commitment to allowing the judicial process to run its course, rather than taking sides in the EFCC-Yahaya Bello matter.

    “We don’t want to be dragged into this issue. Let the court decide,” Okparaibe stated.

  • Youths seek exemplary leadership to reduce hardship

    Youths seek exemplary leadership to reduce hardship

    Some youths have urged political leaders in the country to offer exemplary leadership to reduce anger and hunger across the nation.

    The youths, led by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Aprilcentaur Network, Abuah Martins, said there is frustration in the country because of leadership issue and unfulfilled dreams.

    Speaking in Ibadan at a media chat as part of preparations for the launch of an anthology entitled: “All the colours of madness” co-authored by Yusuf Eslah Sibraim, Miss Odion-Osigwe Emike, Miss George Vanessa, Oreoluwa Asala, Oyinda Depo Oyedokun and Ekpenisi Nwajesu, the Publisher, Emotion Press, Folarin Olaniyi admitted that though many youths engage in social vices but several have proved their mettle in the area of technology.

    He clarified that even though theme of the book was “anger”, it was not an incitement against the authorities but a reawakening call to Nigerian leaders to initiate good policies that would bring succour to millions of suffering youths

    He said: “I think the political landscape of Nigeria can be set to be egalitarian in the sense that the older generation keep putting themselves in the system. The youths are doing well in technology and other sectors of the economy. That is why I personally chose the publishing job because of my interest in education. I have different opinions of how we can express our anger and that makes our writing.”

    One of the writers, Vanessa George, said: ” Sometimes anger may be from disappointment after praying, hoping and everything comes down crashing before your eyes, disappointment and anger can stem from there particularly as Nigerians we are faced with so many disappointments and call it different name like frustration.”

    Odion-Osigwe Emike said: “I particularly love this project because it was a conversation that I don’t know that so many people will have opinions on, everybody makes us angry from government, to our parents, lack of jobs, and so many others.

    “It seems like generational anger with no solution, so when they told us that we should write around it ,I started thinking about how anger was being forced on us. 

    “It is a normal thing we do everyday, that just allowing us to be angry, there is no harm in being angry, but when anger is not expressed, it has effect on not just your life but in your community. It will lead to bad government and toxic practice, during our last protest, some people were not angry enough.

    “Looking at the leaders in power, I don’t have any hope in this country but for the leaders that will potentially rise up, I have hope in them.”

  • Tinubu’s rumoured cabinet reshuffle ray of hope for Nigeria – Pharm Klinsmann

    Tinubu’s rumoured cabinet reshuffle ray of hope for Nigeria – Pharm Klinsmann

    Stockholm-based pharmacist and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, Pharmacist Chinedu Ikeagwuonwu Klinsmann, has described the rumoured cabinet reshuffle by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a welcome development that could herald a much-needed turning point for Nigeria.

    In a statement, he acknowledged that Nigerians were facing significant economic hardship due to President Tinubu’s bold economic policies, including the unification of the exchange rate (or floating of the Naira) and the total removal of the fuel subsidy.

    However, he expressed confidence in the President’s leadership, citing his ability to assemble effective teams, a trait that was clearly demonstrated during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007.

    According to Klinsmann, the challenges Nigerians are facing may be attributed to either President Tinubu is unaware of the full extent of the people’s suffering or he is fully aware but convinced that the harsh policies will yield positive results in the shortest possible time.

    He argued given Tinubu’s vast experience as a champion of democracy and his reputation for good governance, it is more likely that the President carefully considered the impact of these policies, and put adequate measures in place to cushion the adverse effects on the citizenry, before implementing them, particularly the removal of the fuel subsidy.

    “For a man of President Tinubu’s experience and pedigree—being a champion of democracy and an architect of good governance—I am inclined to believe that he must have carefully weighed the pros and cons of these policies before implementation. The fuel subsidy removal, for instance, was a decision that many past administrations failed to make, even though it was clear that the subsidy system was unsustainable and riddled with corruption,” Klinsmann stated.

    Klinsmann was of the view that President Tinubu had the courage to act where others hesitated and given his much-acclaimed talent for identifying the right people for the right roles, one can only assume that he made these decisions with the best interests of Nigerians at heart.

    The APC chieftain emphasised that if President Tinubu was confident in the soundness of his policies but the outcomes have fallen short of expectations, then the problem likely lies with the drivers of these policies. In this case, a cabinet reshuffle would present an opportunity to correct any lapses in execution.

    He recalled that midway into President Tinubu’s first year in office Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, had advised that it was too early to assess the administration, urging Nigerians to give the government up to one year to “make up” for lost grounds.

    Klinsmann expressed belief that Soyinka’s confidence in Tinubu’s leadership mirrored his own, and that if the cabinet reshuffle rumours are true, it could be a sign that senior citizens like Soyinka have conveyed their assessments to the President, prompting him to restructure his cabinet in a bid to bring on board more capable hands to drive his transformational agenda.

    “Such a reshuffle would further demonstrate that the President is not only open to constructive criticism but also committed to course-correcting when necessary for the good of the nation,” Klinsmann argued.

    He highlighted that one of President Tinubu’s greatest strengths is his ability to assemble the right team.

    Read Also: Shettima returns to Nigeria after successful UNGA in New York

    This, he said, was evident in his Lagos State cabinet, where many appointees, though not indigenes of Lagos, were selected based on their expertise and his personal knowledge of their capabilities.

    However, with the Presidency, he argued, it is a different challenge altogether. While Nigerians expected Tinubu to pick the best hands as usual, the formation of his current cabinet was influenced by political interests.

    Klinsmann noted that the pressures of winning a presidential election often come with political bargaining, leading some godfathers to push for the nomination of their loyalists, many of whom may not have been the most competent for their roles.

    As Tinubu considers reconstituting his cabinet, Klinsmann urged him to cast his net wider this time around and resist the pressure from political godfathers to appoint incompetent individuals.

    He recommended that if the President wishes to honour APC Governors in his reappointment process, he could request each Governor to submit three or four ministerial nominees and select the most qualified candidate from each list, ensuring competence remains the top priority.

    Klinsmann expressed optimism about the rumored reshuffle, describing it as a “ray of hope” for Nigerians. He reiterated his confidence in President Tinubu’s leadership and his ability to bring Nigeria back on the path to economic stability and prosperity by assembling the right team to deliver on his vision.

  • Ogui Nike communities beg Gov Mbah to stop ESHDC alleged encroachment at Aguowor

    Ogui Nike communities beg Gov Mbah to stop ESHDC alleged encroachment at Aguowor

    The Ogui Nike and Umunevo Ogui Nike Communities of Enugu North local government have pleaded with Governor Peter Mbah to cancel the purported acquisition of their land at Agwowor for sale to the public by the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation (ESHDC).

    Enugu township Communities said that they do not have any other land, even to bury their dead, because they have give all their land for the development of the Eastern Nigeria capital city.

    The Ogui Nike communities said that they were more worried because the State Government agency despite its knowledge that the disputed land is a subject of litigation in the Enugu State high Court, went ahead to encroach on the land.

    In an open letter to Governor Mbah titled “Take over of our communal Land by Enugu State Housing Development Corporation,” the federated Communities through the President General of Ogui Nike, Ifesinachi Alum and the Vice President General of Umunevo Ogui Nike Community, Onyinye Nwankwoani, said: “We are the representatives of the people of Ogui Nike and Umunevo Ogui Nike Communities both of Enugu North Local Government Area of Enugu State.

    “We had on two previous occasions written Your Excellency on the above subject matter, the first letter was received by your office on the 5th of August, 2024 while the 2nd letter was received on the 13th of September, 2024.

    “Since both letters have not gotten the required attention, coupled with the fact that the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation are currently defacing the subject matter and selling same to the unsuspecting members of the public, we decided to use this medium, taking into cognizance, that, Your Excellency, may not have seen the earlier letters.

    “While we acknowledge the good work which Your Excellency is doing all over the state, you have also shown us good faith when you flagged off the construction of Enugu Township roads on our Aguowor land, and true to your word, the road was completed and commissioned in record time with street lights. However, we must inform Your Excellency of the actions of certain government agencies capable of tarnishing the image of this administration.

    “The immediate past administration led by Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi forcefully took over our land known as Aguowor Land which has from time immemorial, been the communal land of the people of Ogui Nike and Umunevo Ogui Nike. We have over the years exercised various acts of ownership and possession over the said land. We have made three registered layouts over the area, namely; Owor River Layout, Premier Layout and Premier Layout Extension, with a very large area of land still not parcellated.

    “It is on record that Ogui Nike and Umunevo Ogui Nike, more than any other community, have contributed its vast land to and for the development of Enugu capital, to wit, Ogui Township, Asata, Part of Uwani, Part of G.R.A, Coal Camp, Independence Layout, and Part of Independence Layout Phase 2.

    “Upon the said forceful take over of our land by the immediate past administration and the demolition of our houses, we filed suit number E/555/21 between PAUL ANIKE & ORS V GOVERNOR OF ENUGU STATE & ORS, upon service of the suit on the immediate past administration, they stayed all actions concerning the land.

    “But to our uttermost chagrin, the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation, irrespective of the fact, that this administration is led by Lawyers, brazenly entered and started selling to the public, for as much as, N55,000,000.00 (Fifty Five Million) Naira and named it COAL CITY EASTERN EXTENSION ESTATE ALLIANCE, ENUGU, irrespective of the pending suit over the subject matter.

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    “The action of the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation negates the concept of Rule of Law and is capable of ridiculing everything your administration stands for and also constitutes a mockery of the Judiciary.

    “We do not question the powers of a State Governor to acquire land but the acquisition should be in line with the law and done for overriding public interest. Finally, our people having lost more than 80% of our communal land to successive governments’ acquisitions, no longer have land anywhere to erect our houses or to even bury our dead.

    “We therefore, as your people who are proud of what you have achieved within just 15 months in office, request that you cancel the purported acquisition in the interest of justice, or in the alternative, direct the government agencies involved to stay all actions pending the conclusion of the suit.”

  • Imo LG poll: Election didn’t hold in Aboh Mbaise, APGA’s Amuchie alleges

    Imo LG poll: Election didn’t hold in Aboh Mbaise, APGA’s Amuchie alleges

    The standard-bearer of the All Progressive People Alliance (APGA) Peter Otuechere Amuchie, has reacted to the just-concluded Imo local government election.

    The Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) had hinted elections may not hold in Onuimo, Okigwe and Orsu local government areas due to insecurity.

    Reacting to the conduct of Saturday’s poll, the APGA chairmanship candidate alleged no election was conducted in Aboh Mbaise local government area.

    Amuchie said: “There was no election in Aboh Mbaise, as far as Aboh People are concerned.”

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    Continuing, he explained that neither election material nor any ad-hoc officer of ISIEC was spotted in any of the polling units across the local government.

    “As at 8:00am, up till 8pm on Saturday, the 21st day of September 2024, no election material was spotted in any of the polling units in Aboh Mbaise.

    “No Ad-hoc officer was on ground, no list of Ad hoc officers was published. We went round the polling units in Aboh Mbaise and couldn’t spot any electoral officer or materials.

    “This is a display of shame, negligence to the rule of law and the people, undemocratic, a slap on the face of Mbaise stakeholders and Imo state at large. We, as the people, must stand up against tyranny and uphold democracy,” Amuchie stated.

  • Re: Of formidable Eagle and paper tiger, a reply to Aminu

    Re: Of formidable Eagle and paper tiger, a reply to Aminu

    By Shahada Umar

    The article by one Nasir Aminu entitled: “A Formidable Eagle or a Paper Tiger,” exposes the dangers of a single narrative. But it’s obvious, from the start, that it was deliberate. I have seen many such tainted pieces; smarter ones even try to disguise their motives from the beginning. But not this one.

    In the article, the fellow, supposedly a teacher in Economics and Finance with an interest in ethics, had one agenda: to feed the dangerous narrative that the leadership of certain institutions in the country is the prerogative of one section. Nonsense! 

    Invoking the nostalgia of the Nuhu Ribadu days and the current trial of former governor Yahaya Bello were among the convenient distractions.

    But he didn’t need to hide in plain sight. His scandalous attempt to stretch a weak narrative betrayed his sinister motive. 

    It is not the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, who has invited the drama in former Governor Yahaya Bello’s case. I thought Aminu should know that. The governor, in a desperate attempt to avoid accountability at all costs by manipulating public perception, is responsible. I’m sorry for the Kogi people.

    The incident of September 18, which Aminu pretends to be the basis of his article – and not his jaundiced view – was one of the series of well-scripted shenanigans executed by Bello, without shame and possibly with the collusion of fifth columnists, to undermine the former Governor’s trial. 

    He has been charged, since April, with 19 counts of financial misconduct, including conspiring to divert public funds for personal gain. If he had any respect for the people of Kogi who elected him, he would have long submitted himself to court to answer these grave charges.

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    The EFCC, I believe, is determined to follow through with Bello’s trial. It does not need to be Aminu’s or anyone else’s tiger to do its job. The commission has recovered over N150 billion and secured over 2000 convictions in the last year. It cannot progress if it cherry-picks from Aminu, whose ethnic agenda and intention to instigate resentment in the commission are apparent but whose vested interests we don’t yet know.

    It is shocking that a teacher who should have called out Bello’s disgraceful conduct at the premises of the EFCC is using the disgusting drama to advance his ethnic agenda at the commission and stir trouble within.

    Alhaji Shahada Umar, Northern Region Coordinator of the GLOBAL PEACE MOVEMENT INTERNATIONAL (UK), writes from Kaduna State