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Tag: Abia youths

  • IPOB condemns alleged indiscriminate arrest of Abia youths

    IPOB condemns alleged indiscriminate arrest of Abia youths

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has condemned the indiscriminate arrest of youths in Abia State, alleging that it is part of an ethnic cleansing agenda against the Igbo people.

    According to IPOB, the Nigerian Army has abducted hundreds of innocent civilians in Abia State, claiming they are searching for IPOB and ESN operatives.

    IPOB in a statement on Saturday by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, denied any involvement in the attack and murder of soldiers at Obikabia Military checkpoint on May 30th.

    Instead, they claimed that the incident was a false flag operation carried out by the Nigerian Army in collaboration with some kidnappers.

    Read Also: Appeal Court rejects Kanu’s move to challenge IPOB’s proscription

    The group has called on the Nigerian Army and the Abia State governor to release all illegally abducted citizens and to investigate the incident thoroughly.

     IPOB also urged Igbo leaders to protect their youths and not allow political correctness to lead to their massacre.

    “We condemn the indiscriminate arrest and detention of our youths,” said Powerful, IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary.

     “We demand their immediate release and an end to the ethnic cleansing agenda against our people.”

  • Abia youths seek REC’s redeployment

    The Oganihu Youths of Abia State have asked Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to redeploy the Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Dr. Joseph Valentine Iloh.

    They accused Iloh of compromising his position, and working for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    A statement yesterday by the Chairman and Secretary, Ndudim Elekwachi and Okezie Johnson, urged Prof. Yakubu to redeploy workers of the commission who would supervise election in the state.

    They said: “If not for the postponement, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would have rigged the election. About 90 per cent of names for Returning Officers and ad hoc workers was submitted by PDP.

    “A former Commissioner for Finance was chosen to work as Collation or Returning Officer. As if that is not enough, a governor’s aide was allegedly fingered as the one who wrote the results of both the presidential and National Assembly elections from the three senatorial zones a day before the postponed election.

    “His foot soldier was caught around the Methodist Church area in Umuahia with several other documents in his bag, including the letter head of the Office of the Governor, and already prepared results sheets with INEC letter head paper.

    “He blamed the written results on his boss, and he has been handed over to the DSS for proper investigation and prosecution. It is also believed that the DSS will arrest his principal.”

    The youths said they have lost confidence in INEC’s ability to conduct credible polls in Abia State; they promised to resist the election if INEC does not correct the anomalies.

  • Abia youths protest results

    Youths in Abia State have marched on the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    They protested the results of the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    The youth, under the aegis of Abia Youths, alleged that there were irregularities during the elections.

    Their leader, Dr. Johnson Gabriel, said the results of many wards and constituencies were written on papers, while in some cases, wrong result sheets were used.

    He said INEC customised  result sheets for the election, “but to our surprise, the result sheets of the 2011 election were brought for this election and where this year’s result sheets were available, the wrong ones for the wards were brought.”

    The youth leader urged INEC to release the result of Abia North, to avoid problems.

    The placards read: “Stop sharing our results,” “INEC release our results”, “No more delays in the release of the results of Abia North”, “Let peace reign in the state”, among others.

     

     

  • Gospel artistes thrill Abia youths

    Gospel artistes thrill Abia youths

    Renowned gospel artist, Buchi performing on stageAfter the success of the first edition in Aba, youths in Abia State could hardly wait for the second mega-praise fiesta. So when it was staged in Umuahia, the capital, they lapped it all up.

    By 10pm, the Ceramics Ground venue along Umuahia-Aba Road was already filled up by youths from different parts of the state including some from nearby Akwa Ibom and Imo states. They came to come hear their star gospel artists glorify God and minister to their souls through songs.

    From upcoming artistes to star singers such as Buchi, Samsung, Frank Edward, Voice of the Cross, Uzochi Njoku were all handy to set the environment on a higher spiritual atmosphere as the audience who were already familiar with the gospel artists’ tracks sang along with them as they performed on stage.

    The organisers of the event said it was aimed at reawakening in Abians especially the youths, the consciousness of drawing nearer to God, after whom the state was   named.

    They were also optimistic that at a time when elections were by the corner and the youths expected to be actively involved in the process and some vulnerable in the hands of politicians, there was need to expose them to the ways of God in order to consciencitise them against manipulations.

    Some of the youths who spoke to our correspondent could not hide their joy, stressing that the programme had not only provided them the opportunity to meet their role models, but also served to boost their spirituality and faith.

    They suggested that the programme should be an annual or bi-annual evenA section of youths at the Mega Praise Night.t, hoping that future events of sort would help to encourage the youths and the entire Abians the opportunity to draw closer to God at all times.

    The chairman organising committee, Mr. Oracle Nwala, a lawyer, expressing his happiness over the turnout of people despite the short notice on the change in venue, said the event was a success and that the objective of the programme was realised.

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA Dr. Otti who made a special appearance at the event got a thunderous ovation from the crowd when he promised that he was going to sustain the event when elected the governor of the state and pointed out that Abia state whose named was originated from the Bible needed to function as Gods people.

    Otti while enumerating his programmes for the state which he would execute after his swearing-in on May 29 further used the opportunity to reinstate his commitment to the people of the state with the promise to give the state a facelift and turning around the economic fortunes of the state.

     

  • Abia youths to hold prayer summit

    The National Youth Wing of the Abia State Town Unions Association (ASTUA) will hold a prayer summit on September 20 at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

    This was disclosed by the President of association, Prince Ikenna. I. James.

    He said the youths are presenting the state and Governor T.A. Orji before God and also interceding for the people of the state for overall success, noting that the governor represents the life and image of the state.

    He said the summit will first hold in Lagos and later in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.

    Ikenna, who said that the general election of the association will hold in October, said the only elected officers of the association at the moment are the president and the vice president.