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Politics
2023: Umahi orders immediate suspension of Aide over alleged gross misconduct
By Christiana Ekpa
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Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi has ordered the immediate suspension of one of his Special Assistants, Mr Collins Eze over alleged acts of gross misconduct.
Umahi’s directive was disclosed in a statement signed and made available to newsmen in Abakaliki by the Secretary to the State Government/Coordinating Commissioner, Ugbala Kenneth Igwe.
The statement reads in parts: “The Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, has ordered the immediate indefinite suspension of the Special Assistant to the Governor on EAs STAs and TAs Affairs, Mr Collins Eze from office for acts of gross misconduct”.
The governor also withdrew the state honours conferred on the embattled aide recently.
“As a direct consequence of this indefinite suspension, His Excellency, the Governor has, in the exercise of his powers as enshrined in the State Honours Law, 2022, approved the cancellation and withdrawal of the honours award recently given to Mr Eze by the state government.
Umahi also directed Eze ”to hand over all government property in his possession to the Secretary to the State Government and Coordinating Commissioner before the close of work on Wednesday, 28th December 2022″.
In a swift reaction, Eze said it was a minor issue that existed between him and the governor, adding that the suspension will be called off.
Arthur Eze under fire for comments against Obi’s chances
By Musa Baba Adamu
Nigerian politician, Arthur Eze has come under severe criticism, over comments against the Labour Party, LP presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.
Eze had during the 2022 Ofala festival of his brother, Igwe Robert Eze, who is the traditional ruler of Ukpo kingdom, said he had advised Obi to withdraw from the race as he was incapable of winning.
But supporters and nonsupporters of Obi have descended on Eze, saying his support amounts to less, especially as he has never supported a winning candidate in a presidential election, or even been able to produce a governor in his home state.
Many of Obi’s supporters alleged on social media that the rich politician only had money and nothing else, others berated him for supporting an outsider against his supposed brother.
Meanwhile, a former publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Olisa Metuh has advised Eze to steer clear of politics to avoid infamy.
Metuh who mimicked Eze, referred to him as “My dear Princh”, while insisting that people should focus on their candidate and leave Obi alone.
He said: “Some of us are now non-partisan and will no longer make public comments on our political choices but then, we are not expected to make certain categorical statements. For indeed, no man is God and no man should attempt to play the Almighty role.
“God has blessed you for decades, you have acquired untold riches and unimaginable wealth. Calm down and do not allow political punditry to lead you to infamy and public opprobrium.
“Let all the mini Amadiohas in our land campaign for their candidates and leave that poor man alone.”
He recounted that similarly, Anambra power brokers had stood against him in previous elections he contested, but he won.
Metuh said Obinhas been accused severally of not having structure and not having a crowd but he has disappointed them all, adding that only God knows who the next winner will be.
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, “harvests” a bunch of plantain as the Chief Harvester at the Youth Harvest held yesterday at St Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Uzuh, Omuma...
Bolanle Raheem: Right activist decries ‘unprecedented’ rights abuses under APC
By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
Following the gruesome murder of Lagos lawyer, Omobolanle Raheem, by a policeman on Christmas day, Human Rights activist, Barr. Chukwudi Ezeobika, has decried what he called unprecedented level of human rights abuses under the current administration, saying it is disturbing and deeply concerning.
The rights activist also described the ‘gruesome’ murder of Lagos lawyer, Barr. Bolanle Raheem, by an officer of the Nigeria Police Force as an unlawful and reprehensible act that is worthy of condemnation.
Barr. Ezeobika, who is a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, noted that the incident brings to bare the number of undocumented actions by Officers and Men of the Nigeria Police Force which, due to their reckless, irresponsible and unprofessional conduct led to deaths of innocent Nigerian citizens.
The former National Chairman of United Patriots party, UP, maintained that this action by the Nigerian Police remains incomprehensible in this 21st century and shows to a greater extent, the rot and systemic human rights” abuses being carried out under the Buhari led - APC government against innocent Nigerian citizens.
He stressed that the level of extrajudicial killings and human rights abuses under the current administration is unprecedented and deeply concerning.
Recall that an officer of the Nigeria Police Force reportedly shot and killed a lawyer, Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem, at the Ajiwe area of Ajah, Lagos State, on Christmas Day.
Mrs Raheem, who was a member of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, was shot at close range by an officer identified as Drambi Vandi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP.
She was said to be coming from an eatery with some family members on Christmas Day and had tried to make a U-turn under the Ajah Bridge when the cop shot at her vehicle. The 41-year-old woman was rushed to a hospital, where she was confirmed dead.
Report has it that the woman, who had a child, was seven-month pregnant when tragedy struck.
Officer Vandi, who is now in detention for further investigation, was attached to the Ajiwe Police Station, Ajah, Lagos State and have spent 33 years in the police force.
Barr Ezeobika, who is a former Senatorial Candidate of UP in Anambra South said: “ I condemn in the strongest terms possible, this dastardly act and unprofessional conduct by the Nigerian Police and call for a prompt and immediate arraignment and prosecution of the Police Officer(s) involved.”
The human rights activist called for compulsory mental and psychological evaluation of Police officers, stressing that this is long overdue.
Meanwhile, Nigerians have demanded the removal of the DPO of Ajiwe Police Station, saying extra-judicial killings are becoming rampant in the division.
Recall that on December 7, 2022, one Gafaru Buraimoh was shot dead by a policeman attached to the division.
Borno candidate to electorate: Take their money, vote the right candidates
Shehu Abubakar, Maiduguri
The persistent scourge of vote buying in Nigeria’s electoral process has constituted a matter for serious worry to the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) senatorial candidate for Borno Central Senatorial District in the 2023 elections, Attom Mohammed Magira.
Consequently, he advised the electorate in the district: “Since they (vote-buying politicians) cannot stop buying votes, when they come to you with their money, take it, but vote the right candidate.”
Addressing his teeming supporters at Bama, Magira attributed bad political leadership to the ‘cash-forvote’ syndrome in the country’s electoral process.
He appealed to the Borno Central electorate to vote for him, saying, however, that he has no money to give them, but he possesses the required character, capacity and commitment to deploy to provide them the required representation at the National Assembly.
He promised to execute qualitative constituency projects for the development of education, women and youth empowerment and health for the people of the district.
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma and the wife, Chioma, at their Christmas Thanksgiving Mass, yesterday at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Uzuh Omuma...
2023: Soludo promising Igbo leader Southeast should follow – APC chieftain
By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
Aformer presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adamu Garba has disclosed why Igbos should follow Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State.
Garba said Soludo is the promising leader Igbos should follow because he kept the promises of the late Chukwuemeka Ojukwu.
He noted that Soludo joined Ojukwu’s party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.
In a series of tweets, Garba said the Anambra State governor knows what is best for the Southeast.
He wrote “Gov. Soludo kept the promises of Chief Ikemba Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. He held on to the belief that a true Igbo identity in Nigeria is what will make Igbos stronger, not a divided, fictional & terroristic Biafra movement.
“Soludo knows what is excellent for the Igbo people.
“In line with keeping onto his promise for the dream of General Ojukwu to be alive, he joined APGA. Not APC, not PDP but APGA. This is the promising leader Igbos should all follow.
Northerners behind Atiku due to Wike’s insults – Reno Omokri
By Musa Baba Adamu
Aformer aide of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has said the reason why northerners are behind the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, is a result of the provocations from Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.
Omokri, in a post on his social media handles, said the manner in which Atiku responded to Wike’s provocation has been the major thing that galvanised the North behind Atiku.
According to Omokri, Atiku has been able to hold his peace instead of replying Wike, no matter the insult he threw at him.
He explained that Wike’s attacks on Atiku has made the former Vice President more popular in the North, having been able to keep a cool head in spite of the barrage of insults from Gov Wike.
Wike has been leading a team of five aggrieved governors of the PDP, known as the G-5, against the presidential candidate of their party.
The crisis started immediately after Wike lost the PDP presidential primary election to Atiku.
The Rivers governor has since then requested the resignation of the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, for being a northerner like Atiku.
Wike and the other four aggrieved PDP governors said it would be unfair to the South that the presidential candidate of the party and its national chairman are both from the North.
Since then, efforts to placate the governors to support Atiku have been abortive, as they threatened to work for another presidential candidate from the South, starting from January 2023.
It is being rumoured that Wike and his team are yet to convince one another on who to support between Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP, and Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Recently, Wike shut down a campaign office of Atiku in Rivers, saying it was set up in violation of his executive order.
Speaking, Omokri said: “One other thing that galvanised the North behind Waziri Atiku Abubakar is the way he responded to Wike’s provocations. No matter the insult Wike threw at him, Atiku held his peace and never responded. If you know how popular it has made Waziri, you will thank Wike!
“In their view, a man who can command such a presence and cool head under such a continuous and one-sided barrage of insults is a man with capacity to lead under pressure.”
Peter Obi picks Obasanjo’s ex-aide, Osuntokun as Okupe’s replacement
By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
The Labour Party (LP) has appointed former Political Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo, Akin Osuntokun as the new Director General of its Presidential Campaign.
This was confirmed by the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, in Abuja, on Tuesday.
According to Abure, the decision was reached after comprehensive consultations with party stakeholders across board.
Meanwhile, a statement issued by Diran Onifade, the Head of Media, Obi/ Datti-Ahmed, said “The Obi-Baba Ahmed Campaign Organization has appointed Balogun Akin Osuntokun as the new Director-General of the campaign organisation. He succeeds Dr Doyin Okupe.
“Until recently, Osuntokun was the Zonal Coordinator(South) He is a Nigerian political scientist, strategist, researcher, administrator, journalist and writer, with experience in media advocacy, policy research and implementation and political analysis.
Osuntokun will now replace Doyin Okupe who resigned from the position last week.
Okupe stepped down from the position following a federal high court judgment which convicted him of money laundering.
The court sentenced him to two years imprisonment but with an option to pay a N500,000 fine on each count, totalling N13 million.
Okupe opted to pay the fine after the sentencing.
Nigerians in UK task political parties, candidates on town hall meetings
Nigerians in the United Kingdom (UK) have tasked candidates of various political parties on the need to engage with the citizens on what they should expect if elected into office.
Mr Daddy Kris, a Nigerian based in London, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview that Nigerians in UK were eager to engage candidates for the 2023 general elections to know what they have in stock if elected into office.
Kris, who is the founder of Superior Radio and Television (SRTV), said that the yearnings for the engagement led to organisation of a virtual town hall meeting tagged “#Nigeriadecide2023” scheduled to begin on Dec. 27.
“We have a candidate who is a serving House of Representatives member from Ethiope Federal Constituency of Delta State, Ben Igbakpa, coming to interact with the people on his election programme,” he said.
According to Kris, the constant demand by Nigerians for good governance and good leaders will be the defining factors in the country preparation for the 2023 general elections.
“It is on this notion that SRTV London in partnership with individuals, various platforms and organisations came up with town hall meetings.
“As the name implies, it is an avenue for our host, candidates, party representatives or supporters come virtually to discuss their manifestos.
“The importance of the town hall meeting cannot be far fetched as it will help foster unity and healthy competition among flag bearers, political parties and party members.
“It will help the political parties to inform and educate Nigerians on their programmes and also hear from the average Nigerians on what their expectations are ahead of the elections.
“It is also expected to build a true sportsmanship among the candidates of various political parties and discourage politicians from being desperate,” Kris said.
He added that various Nigerian associations, town unions, socio-cultural groups and individuals in UK have declared their interest to participate in the virtual town hall meetings, as politicians in Sokoto, Delta and Lagos have already keyed into the programme. (NAN)
How I’ll tackle security if elected Katsina senator – Yar’adua
Abdul’aziz Musa-Yar’adua, the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Katsina Central, says finding solutions for the current insecurity in the state will be his top priority if he is elected senator 8n 2023.
Musa-Yar’adua, who is a retired lieutenant colonel in the army, disclosed this while briefing journalists on Monday in Katsina.
According to him, as a retired military officer, he has the experience and the vast knowledge of various strategies to follow and bring the problem to an end.
“If I become a senator, I have a lot of ways to present before the National Assembly with the aim to find a lasting solution for the lingering security challenges.
“I know most of the military heads in the country, some of them we had training together while some of them we worked together, hence I will find it easy to collaborate with them.
“I also have a plan if elected to collaborate with all the senators representing the areas with security challenges to work together to end the problem.
“By the grace of God, if I become a senator, I will also suggest the expansion of the North-east Commission to cover all the states with the security challenges in the north,” he said.
On the issue of empowerment, Musa-Yar’adua, who is a younger brother of late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, pointed out that he has plans for a sustainable special empowerment programme that the youth can rely on continuously.
He added that the youth must undergo training on how to utilise the empowerment for their own benefits, unlike some of the empowerment programmes in which the beneficiaries sell the facilities given to them immediately.
“When you have sustainable empowerment programmes, you provide job opportunities for the youth, such will also assist in tackling the security situation and also boost the state’s economy.
“And regarding other critical sectors in the country, I will do my best to see that I become a better representative of my people,” he added.
He assured the people of his constituency of fair representation at the National Assembly, adding that he will always be having physical contact with them to know their priority needs.
The APC senatorial candidate added that most politicians do not ask electorates for their major needs, which is why in most cases they are not happy with the politicians.
He assured the people that if elected, he is going to do his best to see that the purpose of his representation is achieved through presenting their needs before the chamber.
Musa-Yar’adua explained that on issues of infrastructure that concern the local or state governments, he will ensure a constant collaboration with them to ensure the success of their party.
He also commended the effort of President Muhammad Buhari and of Governor Aminu Masari for their commitments towards ending the security challenges and providing selfemployment. (NAN)
Picnickers enjoying themselves at Magic Land, during the Boxing day Celebration, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa
Governor Ortom endorses Peter Obi for 2023 Presidency
By Christiana Ekpa
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has declared his support for the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Governor Ortom described Obi as the best person who can solve Nigeria’s socioeconomic problems.
On Christmas Day, Ortom praised the presidential candidate of the Labour Party for visiting the camps of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with them.
Ortom said, “Several presidential candidates have come here, and none of them have chosen to visit those IDPs camps and look at their plight to see how they are doing and give them hope that when they win, they will bring them succour, help, and hope.
“For you to have chosen to visit the IDPs on a Christmas Day that you should be celebrating with your family, for me as a Christian, I say God will bless you and your aspirations. My prayer is that God will bless your aspiration to be the president of this country.
“But because I’m in PDP, I’m telling Nigerians that this man can help deliver this country from its challenges,” he added.
Ortom has been a regular critic of President Muhammadu Buhari’s All Progressives Congress government.
He said Nigerians were very sorry for electing Buhari and the APC in 2015, considering the level of insecurity and biting economic hardship in the country.
