Police nab suspected killer of APC chieftain Gulak, others in Imo

Police authorities in Imo State say they have arrested one of the suspected killers of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ahmed Gulak.

The Public Relations Officer of the Imo state Police Command, Mike Abattam, disclosed this while briefing journalists on Monday in Owerri, the state capital.

The suspect identified as Anosike Chimobi from Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area (LGA) of the state was apprehended one year after Gulak’s death.

Gulak, a former aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, was murdered by a group of armed men on May 30, 2021, during a visit to Imo State.

He was reportedly trailed from his hotel room to the spot where he was killed around Umueze Obiangwu in Ngor-Okpala LGA, close to the Sam Mbakwe Airport Road in Owerri.

Parading the suspects alongside others, Abattam said Chimobi had been on the trail of the command since the killing of Gulak last year.

He stated that the suspect escaped during a gun battle between police personnel and his gang members at Aboh Mbaise shortly after the murder of the APC chieftain where five of the suspects were killed.

Chimobi, who also spoke with reporters, claimed to be a commercial bus driver and not a member of the criminal gang.

He said Gulak’s killers approached him to convey them in his vehicle and he attempted to resist, but later gave in after they threatened to kill him.

The suspect admitted that he drove the criminals to the spot and blocked Gulak’s vehicle which was on its way to the airport.

According to him, they shot the APC chieftain after he resisted the demand by the gunmen that he should come down from the vehicle.

Chimobi explained that the assailants later ran into a team of security operatives who shot repeatedly at the other vehicle conveying them until it somersaulted and caught fire.

The command’s spokesman said that the police have also arrested other suspected criminals who have been terrorising communities in Imo.

He explained that among those paraded were members of the gang who burnt the home of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Professor George Obiozor.

Some of the items recovered from the suspects paraded by the police include guns of different calibre, assorted charms, and a live snake, among others.

Source: CHANNELS TV

Amid running mate controversy, Tinubu departs for France

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Monday, departed Nigeria for France.

It was gathered that Tinubu left the country shortly after he held a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday morning.

This was contained in a statement issued by Tinubu’s Spokesman, Tunde Rahman, in Abuja.

The statement partly read, “He is off to Paris, France to hold some important meetings. The APC standard-bearer is expected back in the country shortly.”

The development is coming in the wake of Tinubu’s statement on Sunday that he was still searching for his running mate for the 2023 presidential election.

Although Rahman did not state how long the former Lagos State Governor would be away, there were insinuations that his travel must have something to do with the consultation for his running mate.

The development is coming in the wake of controversy over Tinubu’s claims that he lost his academic certificates in his submission to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The national leader of the APC stated that he was still studying how the House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila and the Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase, had been working harmoniously, in his search for a running mate.

He said this at the presentation of a book titled ‘Mr Speaker: The Legislative Life, Service and Resilience of Femi Gbajabiamila and the unveiling of a Legislative Mentorship Initiative to mark the Speakers's 60th birthday.

Stampede at New York Parade as fireworks mistaken for gunfire

A stampede occurred at a Pride Parade in the city of New York, United States, on Sunday, with hundreds of people attempting to flee after mistaking the sound of fireworks for gunfire, police said.

“There were no shots fired in Washington Square Park. After an investigation, it was determined that the sound was fireworks set off at the location,” the NY Police Department said in a tweet shortly after the incident. 

Police told newsmen “there were no serious injuries” from the stampede.

Terrified people ran or walked briskly along a street adjacent to the square after the scare, videos on social media showed.

Tens of thousands of people attended Sunday’s LGBTQIA+ Pride parade, which wound its way through the streets of lower Manhattan under the blazing sun.

The atmosphere was largely festive, although the shadow of Friday’s US Supreme Court decision to abolish a constitutional right to abortion — leaving states to legislate on the matter themselves — loomed over proceedings.

New York’s Pride parade is the second-largest in the United States, after San Francisco, and Sunday’s gathering was the first time it had taken place since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Organisers also said the US Supreme Court decision on abortion was “devastating.”

“This dangerous decision puts millions in harm’s way, gives government control over our individual freedom to choose, and sets a disturbing precedent that puts many other constitutional rights and freedoms in jeopardy,” the organisers said. 

Many rights groups fear that the verdict on abortion could be the beginning of a broader push by the Supreme Court, currently dominated by a conservative majority, to curtail other freedoms won in recent decades, such as rights to contraception or same-sex marriage. 

Source: AFP

Nigeria to benefit from $18b Global Support Fund to end malaria

Nigeria, Kigali amongst other African counties are to benefit from the $18 billion support to end malaria as global change makers including David Beckham, Pierre Aubameyang, Yemi Alade, Eliud Kipchoge, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie came together with youth voices from across the globe to demand urgent action to end malaria.

Decision makers have the opportunity to put renewed momentum behind this fight, by building on the commitment to halve malaria across the Commonwealth by 2023, and by galvanising the record funds needed ahead of the Global Fund’s Seventh Replenishment in New York this Autumn, totaling US$18 billion to get progress back on track.

According to a statement, presented at the Summit by acclaimed Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the petition is a rallying cry to wipe out the disease that now kills a child every minute and is the culmination of the multi-award-winning Draw. The Line creative campaign, created and executed by Dentsu who are activating mass media as a catalyst for global change.

Held on the side-lines of the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), the Kigali Summit is a milestone moment in the malaria fight, and one where game-changing political decisions are needed to save hundreds of thousands of lives, predominantly children, under renewed threat due to the perfect storm of economic, pandemic and political pressures.

World Health Organization Director-General Dr Tedros  Adhanom  Ghebreyesus says: “The World Health Organization welcomes a new host of scientists, youth, and champions to join the malaria fight at a crucial time when progress against the disease is lagging. Draw The Line provides a platform for Africa’s most powerful narrators to change this trajectory, disrupt political apathy, and lead the fight to end this treatable and preventable disease which kills a child nearly every minute.”

With close to three-quarters of Africans aged under 35, youth are vital and powerful agents of change. The ground-breaking Draw The Line campaign, first launched in early 2021, is the first global malaria campaign targeted at young people. Dentsu International are renewing their commitment to malaria at the Kigali Summit, unlocking $5 million worth of pro bono media support to help accelerate progress by inspiring action and commitment, and delivering an urgent appeal to leaders to improve the lives and futures of millions of people. 

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Chief Storyteller at the Summit, says: “Malaria has been a frequent and terrible scourge in my life and in the lives of so many people. It doesn’t have to be. Malaria is preventable and has no place in our world today, shackling the health and futures of the next generation. I ask leaders at the Kigali Summit to please be bold and make zero malaria and neglected tropical diseases their legacy.”

Source: VANGUARD

FG urges medical directors to involve in health reforms

The Federal Government of Nigeria through Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, had impressed on the Guild of Medical Directors to involve in the health reforms in the country

Dr. Ehanire who stated this during the inaugural leadership and business summit of the guild held in Abuja, urged the guild to invest in sustainable collaborations and networks that will attract funding in and outside the country to scale their medical businesses.

The minister noted that there is a need for a permanent and continuous communication link between the Federal Ministry of Health and the guild as key stakeholders in health care delivery in the country.

He added that Federal Government should review the issue of actively leasing out some of its facilities to be managed by the private sector in the Public-Private Partnership arrangement.

This was contained in a communique signed by the GMD’s National President, Dr Raymond Kuti, and the Assistant General-Secretary, Dr Abimbola Silva, and made available to newsmen in Abuja.

The guild quoted the minister as saying that “Although the Federal Ministry of Health as the policy-making body, may not directly offer financial aid to private medical facilities, there needs to be a permanent and continuous communication link between the FMOH and the GMD, as key stakeholders in Health care delivery in Nigeria.

“In order for the NHIS (now NHIA) to be successful, the key providers of health care need to be effectively involved with the operational guidelines of such Health Insurance.

“The FMOH should engage the private sector by encouraging the aforementioned innovative services and by being the greatest advocate of the GMD to lead to the reversal of medical tourism.”

On his part, the GMD's National President, Dr Kuti said to attain Universal Health Coverage, the guild must be involved and must be active team players in the health care reform in the country.

JUST INN: Justice Tanko Mohammad resigns as Chief Justice of Nigeria

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, has resigned his appointment on Monday.

According to Channels Television, Justice Muhammad resigned on Sunday night, citing ill-health as the reason for his decision.

Information also has it that arrangements are ongoing to swear in the next most senior justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.

According to reports, a formal announcement will be made shortly.

Until his resignation, reports had it that Justice Muhammad was seriously ill.

Only last week, 14 justices of the Supreme Court had written him a letter to lament the decrepit state of affairs in the apex court.

Source: Channels TV

Nigerian Academy of Engineering mull improved funding, infrastructure for education

The Nigerian Academy of Engineering, have advised the Federal Government and other tertiary institution administrators to improve funding and infrastructure facilities in schools.

The group made this call through its former president, Prof. Rafiu Salawu, at the recent investiture of Prof. Azikiwe Onwualu as the new president of the Academy, held at University of Lagos.

Prof. Salawu noted that the practical approach to engineering education that was obtainable during the early days had been eroded by the present teaching modules.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Engineering Education in Nigeria: Today, Yesterday and Tomorrow’, Salawu said, “As of 2019, Nigeria had 168  universities. Government approved 10 about two months ago and we learnt that the national assembly says it has 100 still awaiting approval. We are establishing universities without funding them. Government and establishers must fund universities very properly and provide equipment for learning, and pay teachers.

“Nigerians are sending their children abroad, enriching other countries at our own expense. No one comes here because we don’t have facilities and Nigerian universities have been on strike for many months.”

Addressing the forum, the new President of the Academy, Prof. Onwualu, said the academy was ready to collaborate with the government and other stakeholders to generate advice on knowledge and get policymakers in government and industry to implement them.

He pledged to carry on the laudable plan already set out by the academy, provide critical knowledge inputs to public policy and chart a new path for implementation.

“We must develop new ways of advocacy that can make the relevant authorities seek and use the knowledge generated by the academy. We need to work more with other academies globally and nationally. All members of the engineering family must close ranks and complement each other,” he further said.

“We need to interface more with the executive arm of government both at federal and state levels to be more proactive. Rather than reactive interface with relevant committees of the national and state assemblies to provide inputs into policies and development plans, work more on promoting academia-industry collaboration to drive innovation in all sectors of the economy using technology innovation hubs to promote the industrialisation of Nigeria and revitalisation of critical infrastructure.”

He urged fellows of the academy to work with government and industry to save the education sector from complete collapse, revive skills, technical, vocational and entrepreneurship education to prepare future graduates of colleges and universities for the future of work and work of the future, which he said was very dynamic.

The investiture also featured the induction of 10 new fellows into the academy as well as the presentation of lifetime awards to some of its deserving fellows.

‘I’m willing to be the best spare tyre every governor ever had' – Tonto Dikeh

Nollywood actress turned politician, Tonto Dikeh, has said she is prepared to be Deputy Governor of Rivers State, adding that she has never failed in leadership.

Dike, a single mother of one, also stated that she is ready to answer questions bothering on the controversies around her.

The actress is the running mate to the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress in Rivers, Tonte Ibraye, for the 2023 general elections.

Speaking on Sunday Politics, a current affairs programme on Channels Television on Sunday night, Dikeh said, “I know that this is controversial but nevertheless, this is the truth: a deputy is a spare tyre and I’m willing to be the best spare tyre every governor or every man had ever had.”

While stating that the ‘King’ in her name is not a title, the thespian admitted that there are issues around the name.

“I know and that is something I’ve never been able really gotten to explain to a lot of people but I think now I have to because I have to take it out for my campaign name and initiative because I don’t want the traditional rulers to think me ahead of them. My ‘King’ comes as a result of my name, as a name gotten from my son. It is not a title in any way or form,” she said.

On critical questions about her personal life that might come from political opponents, Dikeh stated, “I am prepared for anything, truthfully. I have had three years to work on this.

“It is not something that I just came out or emerged with. We had a lot of time to work on this and for this. Criticism, I am ready; not criticism, I am ready. So, it doesn’t matter where the question is coming from or where it is not coming from.

“I have failed in my life, I am not denying that and everybody has seen that. But am I going to fail with leadership? Have I ever failed in leadership? Let’s start with motherhood, have I ever failed in motherhood? Have I ever failed with my Foundation? I think I was one of the Foundations who actually stood up for this country and helped this country in the time of the (COVID-19) pandemic.

“There was no assistance whatsoever, I did it myself; I did it even more than the government. I did more than Imo State. I did it because I cared. So, I am prepared for whatever criticism it is. I know that it would come.”

Kingmakers petition Abdulrazaq to dethrone monarch

The kingmakers and princes in Odo-Owa, in Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State, have petitioned the state Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, to dethrone the monarch of the town, Oba Adeyemi Adimula.

The Kingmakers, also known as (Iwarefa) and Afin Descendants Union (Princes) of Odo-Owa said that they have passed “a vote of no confidence” on the monarch.

The kingmakers who are six in number accused the monarch of exhibiting attributes that are antithetical to the stool of Olota of Odo-Owa, and therefore urged Kwara state government to immediately dethrone Oba Adimula.

They added that a new Olota be installed in place of the current one based on his alleged “disgraceful acts”.

In a petition addressed to the state government dated May 23, 2022, and signed by the six High Chiefs and 14 princes of the community, they alleged that there was no development in the town as a result of division among the five communities that constitute the town which was allegedly caused by the monarch.

The petition was jointly signed by High Chiefs: Ejisun, Bankole Funsho, Eesa, MA Tope, Asalu, Omotoso Kayode, Odoka, Adebanjo Ogunsola, Ojoko, Popoola Bunmi and Erunna, Ashaolu Raphael

while 14 princes (members of Afin Descendants Union) including the President, Prince Tunji Osaji, Prince Sunday Adimula, Secretary and Professor Abiodun Adimula among others signed the vote of no confidence petition.

According to the petition, the monarch’s alleged insatiable desire for land grabbing is legendary and was making development in the community difficult.

The petition reads: “His reign has been characterized by riots and public violence that had claimed some lives within the community.

“Majority of the title chiefs of the community no longer regard him as king and whoever amongst them speaks against his misrule is publicly flogged and paraded half naked in public or have his valuable properties destroyed.

“He has dragged the entire community into antagonism with neighbouring communities. He is at loggerheads with the Oke-Ero traditional council and does not attend statutory and emergency meetings.

“The Odo-Owa community that used to be a single entity is the danger of splitting into five different communities because of the maladministration of the Olota.

“The above and many other reasons, we pray that Oba Joshua Adeyemi Adimula be dethroned immediately and prosecuted for the crime he has committed.”

But in his reaction, the monarch denied the allegations, explaining that notable developments have been recorded since he ascended the throne.

“Today, Odo-Owa can boast of having a divisional Police Station, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps zonal office and FRSC zonal office. I have rehabilitated the Palace with new buildings and a fence which were not present before 2015 when I was installed as the King.

“No fewer than 25 youths have secured employment in Federal government agencies between 2019 and now through the palace and the record of this is the palace for anyone that wants to confirm.”

Oba Adimula said that the people were raising petitions against him because they thought he would die on the throne.

“They thought I would die before three years after my ascension to the throne but when I did not die they began their attack. I ascended the throne in 2015 and in 2018 they started to embark on all sorts of things to frustrate me out of the throne. They have sent a python and a buffalo to attack me in the palace and one of them came to meet me in the palace with charms but God has been sparing my life”,  the monarch revealed.

Oba Adimula said that out of the people that signed the petition, only two of the six ‘kingmakers’ are Iwarefa.

“The people that signed the petition are not the official Iwarefa. The record is there that they were not the Iwarefa (kingmakers) that recommended me for the throne. The petitioners are not kingmakers in Odo-Owa.

“Just two of them are kingmakers. The head of the kingmakers who is a professor was not carried along. One of them called Popoola Bunmi has been suspended indefinitely by me because of the atrocities he had committed. I have suspended him. He is no longer a council member in my cabinet.

“None of the members of the Afin Descendants Union is living in Odo-Owa. Two of my brothers who are members of the union were not carried along in the petition. They also forged the signatures of some of the persons that purportedly wrote the petition.

“Incidentally, the state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs says I should maintain my calm as prominent members of the community have waded in.”

Reacting through its Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs, Aliyu Saifudeen,  Kwara state government confirmed the receipt of the petition, said that the government has waded into the matter.

Saifudeen said, “The petition was directed through my office to his Excellency and he has directed me to wade into the matter. As you know that the government is always interested in peace in any community, we are going to invite all stakeholders and find out if what they alleged were true. We are meeting them this week.

“The governor was empowered to install and dethrone any monarch. We are going to investigate if the allegations they raised against the monarch is true and we are also going to invite him and hear his own side of the story so as to know the truth before making a decision. We have scheduled a meeting with the stakeholders for this week”, the commissioner said.

Source: The PUNCH

NJC shortlists 29 for Supreme Court judges, ignores SANs

The Federal Judicial Service Commission may have again shunned lawyers, including Senior Advocates of Nigeria, from its ongoing recruitment process to fill six Supreme Court vacancies.

It was gathered that a total of 23 lawyers, including eight SANs, applied for the position.

Despite that the position was open to legal practitioners with at least 15 years post-call experience, as stipulated by Section 231(3) of the 1999 constitution (as amended), only judges of the Court of Appeal made the provisional shortlist.

According to documents made available to the newsmen on Saturday, one of the documents showed that 29 judges of the Court of Appeal, drawn from five geopolitical zones, made the list. The North-Central had five; North-West, five; South-South, five; South-West, five while the South-East had the highest, with nine candidates.

 According to the document, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammad, who also serves as Chairman of the FJSC, requested the nomination of suitable candidates for consideration “to fill six present and potential vacancies at the Supreme Court” in a January 19, 2022 letter to critical stakeholders, including the Nigerian Bar Association.

Meanwhile, in response to the CJN’s request, the NBA subsequently forwarded the names of the 23 lawyers who expressed interest in being called to the bench of the apex court to the FJSC for consideration.

The applicants from the bar included Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN); Mrs Joy Okungbowa (SAN); Mrs Miannaya Essien (SAN); Mr Chukwugekwu Ezenwa (SAN); Mr Itoyah Otaru (SAN); Mr Edwin Obiorah (SAN); Mr Abugu Oromafunu (SAN) and Mr Mahmud Adesina (SAN).

Others were Mr Ogbemudia Omoregie; Mr Stanley Princewill; Mr Udochukwu Ezeani; Mr Ayoola Akande; Mr Kadir Temim; Mr Ujah Oyiwona; Mr Omokhuwa Giwa; Mr Achara Ezekwesiri; Mr Adolor Onorieukuhakpo; Mr Ademola Alabi; Mr Nuraddeen Ayagi; Mr Salisu Shuaibu; Mr Enya Nwocha; Mr Ademi-Akpeto Awolowo and Mr Adelekan Ajayi.

However, in a latest development, another letter, dated June 13, by the Chairman of the NBA Judiciary Committee, Dr Babatunde Ajibade (SAN), to his colleagues showed that only judges of the Court of Appeal were shortlisted while all the lawyers were sidelined, which is a continuation of the tradition of elevating only Appeal Court judges to the apex court.

From the North-Central, the names of the judges who made the provisional shortlist include Justices Jummai Sankey, Stephen Adah, Sa’idu Hussain, Ridwan Abdullahi and Mohammed Idris.

In the North-West, the shortlisted judges include Justices Ali  Gumel, Tani Hassan, Mohammed  Shuaibu, Jamilu Tukur and Balkisu  Aliyu.

From the South-East, the successful applicants are Justices Uzoamaka Ndukwe-Anyanwu, Chidiebere Uwa, Chioma Nwosu-Iheme, Theresa Orji-Abadua, Obande Ogbuinya, Uchechukwu Onyemenam, Onyekachi Otisi, Ugochukwu Ogakwu and Kenneth Amadi.

In the South-South geopolitical zone, Justices Moore Adumein, Biobele Georgewill, Frederick Oho, Abimbola Obaseki-Adejumo and Ebiowei Tobi made the list.

In the South-West, Justices Oyebisi Omoleye, Tunde Omotoye, Habeeb Abiru, Peter Olabisi Ige and Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole made the list.

The letter asked lawyers who had comments and/or reservations over their suitability or otherwise to send them to the association’s national secretariat no later than Monday, June 27, 2022.

But in a swift reaction to the development and the fact that no lawyer made the provisional list again, the NBA’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Rapulu Nduka, told The PUNCH on Saturday  that it was unfortunate that lawyers were asked to indicate interest but none were shortlisted.

He added, “We intend to ask more questions on why no lawyer was shortlisted, because we don’t want to speculate. Prior to this time, it’s been for judges to rise through the cadre to the Supreme Court bench and there have been arguments either way.

“The constitution does not say that only judges from the Court of Appeal should go to the Supreme Court. The constitution says once you have 15 years post-call experience, you are qualified to be a Supreme Court judge, but when you look at the convention; the way things are being done, there may be reasons why this has not been done all this while.

“The other side to it is that lawyers who come in from practice are most times people who have shown themselves to be good practitioners. That would also inject some balance into the system. Definitely, somebody who is in the field of practice will see things from another perspective.

“The bottom line is that we want to ask more questions to know why that happened. Like I said, I don’t want to speculate.”

Nduka expressed hope that lawyers would someday be called to the Supreme Court bench or that of the Appeal Court, given the balance it would create.

Court denies Ekweremadu, wife bail in London, case adjourns until July 7

A magistrate’s court in London has denied bail to Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife Beatrice over charges on trafficking a 15-year-old Lagos boy with the intention to harvest his organ.

The arrest was announced by the London Metropolitan Police on Thursday, with officials saying the couple would be charged promptly before a court in Uxbridge.

Mr Ekweremadu appeared before a magistrate on Thursday afternoon and was denied bail. The case was subsequently adjourned until July 7, after the child involved was identified as a homeless 15-year-old from Lagos, Arise TV reported.

Uche Anichukwu, a spokesman for Mr Ekweremadu, confirmed that his principal had been held in the UK.

UK Police arrest Ekweremadu, wife for child trafficking, organ harvesting

Former Senate Deputy President, Dr. Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice have been detained by the Specialist Crime Team of the Metropolitan Police in London.

According to Sky News, the two suspects were arrested for alleged conspiracy to harvest the organs of a child.

But the child has been taken into protective custody.

The media organisation reported that, the two people have been charged with conspiring to bring a child to the UK in order to harvest organs, the Metropolitan Police said.

“Beatrice Nwanneka Ekweremadu, 55, and Ike Ekweremadu, 60, have been remanded in custody and will appear at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court today.

“Charges were brought against the pair, who are from Nigeria, following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime team.

“A child has now been safeguarded.

“The investigation was launched after detectives were alerted to potential offences under modern slavery legislation in May 2022, the force said.”

BREAKING: APC, PDP lose senators to LP and NNPP

Two senators, Dauda Jika representing Bauchi Central, and Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi, Imo East have defected to the Labour Party and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) respectively.

Their move was contained in a statement signed by Ezrel Tabiowo, a media aide to Senate President Ahmed Lawan, who said the duo wrote to his principal informing him about their defections.

In the letter, Senator Jika wrote, “I hereby wish to notify you of my defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) whose ideals are in line with my political aspirations,” 

On the other hand, he said Onyewuchi’s move to the Labour Party followed the lawmaker’s consultations with his family and constituents.

“I wish to inform Mr. President and a distinguished Senators of my defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the Labour Party,” the statement quoted the Imo lawmaker as telling Senator Lawan in a letter.

“This is after due consultation with my family, constituents and supporters. This will enable me to participate fully in the movement for a new Nigeria.”

With the most recent defection, the number of APC Senators is now pegged at 66 while those in the minority parties stand at 43.

“The minority parties in the Senate are presently five in number as of Wednesday, June 22nd, 2022,” the statement added.

“They are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Young People’s Party (YPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Labour Party (LP).”

Buhari is fueling secessionist agitation in South-East - Ohanaeze

The apex Igbo sociocultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has accused President Mohammadu Buhari, as the person fanning the ember of secessionist agitation in the South-East Nigeria by refusing to extend justice to all and sundry.

The Igbo sociocultural group also disclosed that Buhari’s request to international partners, especially the United States (U.S.) and the United Kingdom (UK) to take additional steps to proscribe the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organisation is unachievable.

President Buhari, in an interview with Bloomberg, had pleaded with Nigeria’s international partners, especially the United States (U.S.) and the United Kingdom (UK) to also block the group (IPOB) from the international financial network. 

But in a statement in Enugu by spokesman of Ohanaeze, Alex Ogbonnia, the group said: “The request by Mr. President to the West is most unachievable because the West watch with keen interest and utter resignation the pathetic governance paradigm in the country.

“For the avoidance of doubt, democracy all over the world requires justice, equity, mutual toleration and institutional forbearance all of which are in short supply in today Nigeria.

“Mr. President is reminded that the British profound sense of justice, fortitude, restraint, civic virtues and forbearance are the hallmarks that sustain their enviable government with an unwritten constitution. In a similar vein, what sustains the US democracy is not just the constitution but democratic norms and values anchored on justice and patriotism.”

The group explained that IPOB began the agitations for a state of Biafra because of the marginalisation and the height of injustice meted to the South-East and its people under the leadership of President Buhari.

It added: “What, I think, the IPOB is asking for is very clear: Treat us as partners in the Nigerian project or allow us to go.

“On the other hand, how can one explain the obvious lopsidedness in the appointment of military and paramilitary personnel to head the followings organisations with little or no South-East considerations; Nigerian Army, Nigerian Airforce, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Security (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Nigeria Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, and Nigeria Customs Service; and several others”.

Ohanaeze noted the President ignored the admonition of the Nigerian foremost patriot, democrat and diplomat, Maitama Sule, who before his death, urged Buhari to let justice be the key to good governance.

“Alhaji Maitama Sule of the blessed memory in congratulating Mr President, admonished that “justice is key to good governance”. That Mr. President should “extend justice to all and sundry, irrespective of religion or tribe.

“Sule reminded Mr. President that an infidel with good conscience and equity can govern successfully, far better than a believer devoid of sense of justice.

“Sule added that the solution to Nigerian problems can never be achieved by force, nor by fear, nor by power but by equity and justice to all.

“The prophetic Sule urged him to do justice to all parts of the country because according to him, peace and stability are a product of justice and equity.

“He added that in the absence of justice and equity, there can never be peace and development. Sule among others stated that in absence of development, there will be mass unemployment, poverty and that the idle men is a devil’s workshop……”

“On the other hand, as Maitama Sule predicted, the orchestrated alienation of the South East from the centres of power is the basic cause of the agitation in the South East.

“The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide led by Ambassador Professor George Obiozor has repeatedly stated that a people denied justice may not have interest in peace.

“As I am writing, the sad news of another Benue massacre flew in: “No fewer than 16 kinsmen of Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State were, Monday, reportedly murdered in a fresh attack by suspected armed herdsmen, who invaded Udei and Yelwata communities in Guma Local Government Area, LGA, of the state”.

” According to the report which is viral, “the latest attack is coming about 10 days after a similar attack claimed several lives in Igama village, Edumoga Ehaje, Okpokwu LGA and four days after a lawmaker and his sibling were also murdered and beheaded by the marauders in Orokam, Ogbadibo LGA of the state……”

“Ohanaeze contends that if Mr President confronts the menace of the Fulani herdsmen who have been terrorizing several states, communities and individuals for over seven years now with similar obsession and commitment deployed to IPOB, Nigeria will be a better place”.

Ex-APC spokesman mocks Obi, says ‘Obidient' movement exists only on social media

A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Yekini Nabena, has cautioned the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, not to rely on any support from his ‘Obidient’ movement ahead of the 2023 election.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, Nabena said the former Anambra governor would be shocked to discover that the movement only exists on social media when the actual voting process begins.

The Bayelsa born politician expressed confidence that the APC will secure nothing less than 2.1 million votes in the Niger Delta during the presidential election.

He said, “I can tell you that the so-called ‘Obedient movement’ only exists on social media and after the coming elections they will naturally turn to disobedient movement, and later obituary because the movement will naturally vamoose.

“The APC will secure nothing less than 2.1 million votes from Escravos to Forcados, Brass to Bonny, in the Niger Delta. This is because our people are massively coming out to get their PVC and they know the right party and candidate to vote for when the time comes.”

The APC chieftain also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to step up its game and make adequate protection for its server, alleging that the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party is only banking on hackers to manipulate the INEC server and change results in 2023.

Nabena’s outburst is coming on the heels of reports that Obi on Wednesday morning had a closed-door meeting with Governor Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt.

The Labour Party presidential candidate was spotted exchanging a handshake with Wike after the meeting, which was held at Rivers State Government House.

The move has come to many Nigerians as a surprise especially as talks of a merger between Obi’s party and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso have reached an advanced stage.

Wike receives Bala Mohammed after hosting Obi

It was a beehive of activity for the River State governor, Nyesom Wike, as he played host to his Bauchi state counterpart, Bala Mohammed moments after he received former governor of Anambra state and presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi.

The governor played host to the two men at his private residence in Porr-Harcourt.

Both meetings were held separately behind closed doors.

None of them also spoke to journalists about the purpose of the meetings as no media coverage was allowed.

Obi and Bala’s visit was held four days after the Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, was also received by Governor Wike at night.

All the visitors and their host were presidential aspirants in the last primary conducted by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

While Umahi was a presidential aspirant on the platform of the APC, Bala Mohammed and Nyesom Wike contested on the platform of the PDP.

Peter Obi, who was seeking the ticket of the PDP, pulled out of the race mid-way to pick the presidential ticket of the Labour Party (LP).

Political consultations are expected to be high in the run-off to the 2023 elections as political parties have concluded the selection of party flag bearers and running mates for the elections.

Wike hosts Obi amidst defection speculations

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, visited the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

The closed-door meeting lasted for a few hours at the governor’s private residence in Port Harcourt.

Though the outcome of the meeting was not known, the two politicians were seen shaking hands in front of Governor Wike’s residence in pictures online.

Wike was spotted in white, while his guest, Obi wore a blue senator material.

Obi’s visit is coming amidst speculations that Wike may dump the Peoples Democratic Party, due to the fallout over the presidential primary of the party and the failure of the party’s presidential standard-bearer, Atiku Abubakar, to pick the Rivers governor as his running mate for the 2023 general elections.

Atiku had also set up a reconciliation committee to reach out to Wike to pacify him and to solicit his support for the party to wrestle power from the All Progressives Congress at the centre.

When contacted, Wike’s media aide, Kelvin Ebiri, told  The PUNCH that the meeting was ‘private’.

Efforts of the newsmen to reach one of the media aides to the LP presidential candidate for comments proved abortive, as he did not pick up several calls put across to him.

A source, however, told our correspondent that Obi may be cashing in on the fallout to woo Wike to his party and solicit his support in his quest to become the next Nigerian president.

‘I opted for parallel gov primary to rescue PDP in Akwa Ibom' – Enyong

A two-term member representing Uyo federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Mike Enyong, who emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in a parallel primary, said his action would rescue the party from not having any candidate at all in the forthcoming elections.

The lawmaker explained that he opted for the parallel primary because the court had asked for status quo ante bellum in the case brought before it over the fraudulent selection of some people as ad hoc delegates, but the party went ahead and used them to pick their preferred aspirant.

Enyong whose action had been widely criticised on social media, said his critics should rather celebrate his patriotism and love for the party, adding that it was the only way the party would be on the ballot papers.

Speaking while reacting to several attacks on social media against his action, on Wednesday, the lawmaker explained that his action was based on his deep understanding of the current Electoral Act and the constitution of the country.

“My adversaries are looking for every opportunity to blackmail and tarnish my hard-earned reputation because they know I have beaten them to their game.

“I am waiting for July 15, for the people to understand that I am the rightful candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State. The court had asked for status quo ante bellum in the case brought before it over the fraudulent selection of some people as ad hoc delegates but they went ahead and used them to pick their preferred aspirant.

“I understood the implication of being part of the sham and opted for the parallel primary with statutory delegates with the Independent National Electoral Electoral Commission as observers, and officials from the national secretariat of our dear party.”

Enyong, however, urged those working against him to desist and rather pull their energies into his drive to ensure that the state remained in the grip of the PDP beyond 2023.

He stated further that he took advantage of his deep understanding of the Electoral Act, stressing that the May 18 Abuja High Court order on ad hoc delegates with status quo ante bellum, automatically left the party with no ad hoc delegates to conduct governorship primary for the party.

“That order still subsists as we speak today, I am the rightful candidate of the party and the next Governor of Akwa Ibom State,” he maintained.

He described as laughable, the trending video of a youth alleging that he got a paltry N1000 after voting as a delegate in the primary that produced him as a candidate saying that he could not even give beggars on the street N1,000, let alone, a politician.

“I don’t know him, they are using him to blackmail me, he is not part of the exercise, go and ask all statutory delegates that participated to get a clearer picture.”

Source: The PUNCH

Experts caution Nigerians against use of transformer oil for cooking

Experts have cautioned Nigerians against the use of transformer oil for frying bean cakes also known as ‘akara’ or for cooking domestic meals.

Transformer oils, according to the experts, contains polychlorinated biphenyls, are described as tasteless, odourless, and fire-resisting insulating liquid with high boiling point and range in consistency from an oil to a waxy solid.

The experts who gave the warning in Calabar, the Cross River capital, on Tuesday on the sidelines of a training and capacity building workshop for state counsel, regulatory officers, power operators and custom officers, also advised farmers not to farm near transformer locations.

Chemically known as polychlorinated biphenyls, the oil is called transformer oil as it is used for electrical transformers because it is stable at high temperatures and has excellent electrical insulating properties.

The event, which discussed regulations and guidelines for environmentally sound management of PCBs, was organised by the Federal Ministry of Environment and the United Nations Development Programmes.

A facilitator and consultant to the Federal Government, Prof Babajide Alo, who spoke on the danger PCBs poses to the environment and human health, said the workshop was to sensitise stakeholders on the danger of PCBs, adding that PCBs are imported and blocking their importation was a way to control their use and protect the environment as there are alternatives to PCBs.

A project coordinator, Olusanya Olubunmi said, “Although PCBs have a long history of useful applications in many facets of human endeavours, such as in power sector, as a coolant and dielectric fluid in electrical equipment, studies have shown that PCBs portend deleterious effects on the environment and human health, hence the global action on its control.”

Another facilitator, Dr Toyin Adejonwo-Osho also disclosed that its use for cooking causes cancer and birth defects and PCBs oils should not be used as hair sheen.

Nigeria accounts for 11 million of global 40 million out-of-school children – World bank

The World Bank has said the 11 million out-of-school children recorded in Nigeria in the year 2020 is the highest any country has recorded in the World.

According to the global financial institution, the number of school children under review who are between 6-15years increased by 100% between 2003 and 2020.

This was disclosed in the World Bank document titled “Nigeria Development Update (June 2020): The Continuing Urgency of Business Unusual.”

The document revealed that the number of in-school children in 2003 was 20 million and has increased to 40 million in 2020, stating that the population of Nigerian children aged 6-15years in 2003 was 35 million and 51 million in 2020.

It, however, stated that more efforts need to be made to ensure Nigeria’s children are back to school.

The Bank said, “Although Nigeria has experienced a significant expansion in access to education during the last few decades, it still has the highest number of out-of-school (OOS) children in the world.”

According to tge bank, “Nigeria’s more than 11 million OOS children between the ages of 6 and 15 represent 1 in 12 OOS children globally. The OOS children phenomenon in Nigeria is multi-causal and will require a combination of interventions. On the demand side, reducing the cost of education by eliminating school fees, providing cash transfers, and shifting socio-cultural norms that prevent school enrollment are critical steps.”