Politics, World News

Brazil’s ex-president Bolsonaro seeks six-month U.S. visa

No Comments

Brazil’s ex-President Jair Bolsonaro has applied to extend his stay in the United States on a six-month visitor’s visa amid claims that he wants to escape facing a lawsuit on returning home.

The Financial Times first confirmed the development by citing Mr Bolsonaro’s immigration lawyer, Felipe Alexandre.

The 67-year-old politician travelled to Florida in December, two days after the inauguration of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as Brazil’s new president.

In the wake of Mr Lula’s inauguration, thousands of Mr Bolsonaro’s die-hard supporters trooped to the street across Brazil, protesting the emergence of the incumbent president.

The protesters invaded and damaged government buildings while demanding the election that brought Mr Lula to power be overturned.

Following the violence across various cities in the country, authorities in Brazil launched an investigation into the part Mr Bolsonaro played in the inciting attacks to topple a democratically elected government official.

It is one of several pending legal issues awaiting the former president once he returns home from the U.S.

Mr Bolsonaro, reported to have entered the U.S. on an A-1 visa, would not be entitled to immunity from legal prosecution once he returns to Brazil.

The A-1 visa is reserved for sitting heads of state.

Politics

General Elections: Buhari directs NIS to tighten security around borders

No Comments

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to tighten security around the nation’s borders before and after the general elections.

Interior minister Rauf Aregbesola disclosed this in Katsina on Tuesday while inaugurating the Katsina State headquarters of the service.

“The order from President Muhammadu Buhari is that between now and the time we will conclude elections, you must make sure our borders are secured,” Mr Aregbesola said.

The minister charged officers to ensure that illegal immigrants do not create problems during and after the elections.

“The service should live up to the directives of Mr President,” he said.The minister also tasked them on ensuring the documentation of all migrants.

Mr Aregbesola said that Katsina State had 400 kilometres of border lines and 14 border positions which the service needed to protect.

He said the government was upgrading the capacity of the NIS to control the nation’s borders effectively.

“We are deploying electronic digital technology to ensure 24/7 surveillance of the 5,000 kilometres border lines.

“We have already awarded the contract, so, very soon, the comptroller-general, from his office, will be able to see what is happening anytime at any border point,” he said.

In his remarks, Governor Aminu Masari, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Muntari Lawal, commended the NIS for the project and affirmed the administration’s readiness to support the service to secure the nation’s borders.

Also speaking, the State controller, Bello Garba, who reiterated the commitment of officers and men to their responsibilities, said the service currently had 688 officers and men across the state.

Politics

Representative member’s aide kidnapped in Cross River

No Comments

Kenneth Abang, a legislative aide to a House of Representatives member representing Boki-Ikom Federal Constituency in Cross River, has been kidnapped.

Mr Abang, an aide to Rep. Chris Agibe, was abducted in the Betem community in the Biase Local Government Area of Cross River.

He was kidnapped alongside his relative, Eunice Abang, on January 30.

Mr Abang’s friend, Fidelis Ekpah, in a telephone interview on Tuesday in Calabar, said the aide was travelling to his home town in the Boki Local Government Area when he was abducted.

Mr Ekpah explained that Mr Abang was travelling to prepare for his late father’s burial, scheduled for February 3 and 4.

“Mr Kenneth Abang has been kidnapped along the Calabar-Biase highway while travelling to Boki to make preparations for his father’s burial.

“He was kidnapped alongside his relative, Miss Eunice Abang. They took them away and abandoned his car by the roadside.

“This is a double tragedy for us. We were already planning for his father’s burial before this ugly incident occurred.

“I want to appeal to the police, the army, civil defence and the department of state service to come to our aid and rescue our brother and his relative,” Mr Ekpah said.

The spokeswoman of the Cross River State Police Command, Irene Ugbo, who confirmed the abduction in a telephone interview, said efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims.

“The deputy commissioner of police in charge of operations has drafted our men to the area to ensure the release of Abang and his relation,” she said.

Politics

Governor Yahaya Bello begins Tinubu-Shettima presidential campaign

No Comments

Governor Yahaya Bello on Sunday began the Tinubu-Shettima presidential campaign in Anyingba, Kogi East.

The governor, who described APC as a strong united family in Kogi, assured of an outstanding outing at the February 25 and March 11 elections in Kogi.

The rally in Anyigba saw the governor receive scores of estranged APC members returning to the party.

Mr Bello said the attendance at the Kogi East rally alone, was a testimony that;

“APC is one and united family ready to sweep the votes for Tinubu-Shettina presidency in the state.”

Presenting the APC flags to the candidates in Kogi East, the Kogi governor reiterated that the party’s presidential flag bearer Bola Tinubu, and his running mate Kashim Shettima as the right choice for Kogi electorates.

“Today, we are declaring to the world that Kogi APC is committed to coming up with the highest percentage amongst the entire 36 states for the presidential, senatorial, house of rep and state assembly elections,” stated Mr Bello.

“It’s in the records that In 2019, you did deliver 100 per cent because you are trustworthy people and I believe this time around, similar feat will be repeated across board.”

He added;

“Of course, such results will give Kogi a vintage advantage to demand for certain dividends from the central government after its emergence.”

The governor urged party supporters to reach out to their families, friends and associates to vote again for the ruling APC for outright victory.

Politics

My victory shows INEC needs to improve its processes, says Oyetola

No Comments

Gboyega Oyetola, the immediate past governor of Osun, says the verdict of the election petition tribunal which validated his victory in the July 16, 2022 governorship election, shows that there are anomalies in the voting process deployed by electoral body INEC.

“INEC is the greatest beneficiary of the judgement,” said Mr Oyetola who flew the flag of the All Progressives Congress in the election.

“It will afford them the opportunity to look at all the anomalies and make necessary adjustments to prevent such mistakes now that the general elections are coming.”

Nigerians will head to the polls on February 25 and March 11 for national and state elections, respectively.On Friday, a majority ruling by the three-man Osun Elections Petition Tribunal held that the July 16 elections conducted by INEC did not comply with the Electoral Act which came into force in 2022.

Following the passage of the Electoral Act, Osun was one of the few states where INEC first deployed its recently introduced Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, which it claimed was fraud-proof.

But the Justice Tersea Kume-led panel found that there was indeed over-voting in 774 polling units in 10 local government areas in the state.

He said it was the duty of the tribunal to deduct the valid votes cast from the over-voting and therefore awarded victory to Mr Oyetola after retabulating the figures to score him 314,931 votes as against Governor Ademola Adeleke’s 290,266 votes.

A minority judge, however, ruled that Mr Adeleke won the election.Mr Oyetola, while speaking with reporters in his country home, Iragbiji, said “it is a collective victory for our state and our nation’s democracy.”

Mr Adeleke, however, vowed to appeal the judgement which he described as a miscarriage of justice.

Lifestyle, Politics

Reps asks tertiary institutions to suspend academic activities for students to vote

No Comments

The house of representatives has appealed to management of tertiary institutions in the country to suspend academic activities ahead of the elections.

In the appeal made to National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NABTE), National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), and the ministry of education, the lower chamber of the national assembly said suspension of academic activities will enable students to travel to the areas where their polling units are situated and also ensure they are disenfranchised.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was also asked to make special arrangements for students to collect their PVCs.

The resolution was reached on Thursday, January 26, following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Kabir Ibrahim, a lawmaker representing Zuru/Fakai/Danko-Wasagu/Sakaba federal constituency of Kebbi.

Ibrahim who pointed out that there are over 2.1 million students in universities, and over 2.4 million students in polytechnics, monotechnics, and colleges of education, noted that the academic calendars of various tertiary institutions “are structured in a way that most students are disenfranchised as school calendars do not take into consideration the timelines and date for elections”.

He also revealed that a report released by INEC shows that 3.8 million of the newly registered voters are students, accounting for 40.8 percent of the total number of newly registered voters.

Ibrahim said;

“These students who constitute 40.8 percent of the newly registered voters, have their polling units sited in states outside their campuses, thereby necessitating travelling outside their respective institutions to vote in the 2023 elections.

“Tertiary institutions are not considering academic breaks for students during the general elections, despite knowing that most students registered outside their campuses during the continuous voter registration exercise, which took place during the prolonged Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), strike.

“INEC has devolved PVCs distributions at the registration areas and wards across the 774 local government offices throughout the federation.

“Distribution of PVCs at the wards has ended, and the exercise moved back to the local government/area council offices, thereby further limiting the chances of the students to collect their PVCs which is a precondition for voting at the polls.

“While the students are busy with academic activities, INEC is engaged in distributing PVCs at the wards across the 774 LGAs of the federation which deprives students of the opportunity to collect their PVCs.

“Tertiary institutions do not consider periods of elections in designing academic calendars, as most of them conduct semester examinations when the preparations for the general elections are almost completed or when the polls are going on, thereby disenfranchising the students from exercising their civic duties.”

Following the unanimous adoption of the motion, the house mandated committees on tertiary education and electoral matters to “liaise with the agencies to facilitate the process” and report back within one week.

Politics

Governor Zulum directs set up of emergency banks to mop up old naira notes in Borno

No Comments

Borno governor Babagana Zulum has directed the state Ministry of Finance to quickly establish branches of existing microfinance banks in 25 local government areas in the state, ahead of the January 31 deadline for the withdrawal of some old naira notes from circulation.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the governor on Communications and Strategy, Isa Gusau, and made available to reporters on Thursday in Maiduguri.

According to the statement, the ministry of finance is to work with that of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation in that direction.

“Zulum’s directive follows the CBN’s policy on stoppage of old naira notes amid the absence of banking services across 25 out of Borno’s 27 LGAs due to over 12 years of destruction by Boko Haram insurgents.

“The governor announced the microfinance measures on Wednesday in Maiduguri during an extraordinary stakeholders meeting which was attended by the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar Garbai Elkanemi, represented by the Waziri of Borno, Mustapha Waziri Muktar.

“Zulum directed that where possible, branches of the microfinance bank should start being established this week in Monguno and Gwoza LGAs,’’ the statement explained.

Mr Zulum also directed the ministry of finance to immediately develop a template to organise and ensure people in rural communities deposit their old Naira notes before the January 31 deadline.

Besides, the governor ordered the ministry of higher education, science, technology and innovation to support mobile telecommunication providers toward improving their network coverage for internet connectivity across all the 27 LGAs in the state.

Lifestyle, Politics

Gunmen kidnap traditional ruler in Kaduna

No Comments

Gunmen have abducted Joshua Ahmadu, the district Head of Chawai in Kauru Local Government of Kaduna State.

Abel Adamu, president of Chawai Development Association, CDA, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday, January 25, 2023.

Mr Adamu, in the statement signed by Raphael Joshua, Public Relations Officer of CDA, said that the traditional ruler was kidnapped on Tuesday night, January 24, by unknown gunmen who invaded his house at Zambina.

“It was reported that the kidnappers stormed the house of the traditional ruler in their numbers around 9:30 p.m. and took him away,” the statement read.

The CDA president was further quoted as expressing dismay over the situation while assuring residents that CDA was working hard to ensure that the victim was released unhurt.

“Already, relevant authorities and heads of security operatives on special duty in the chiefdom have been duly informed and have already swung into action to rescue the traditional ruler. We are calling on all sons and daughters of Tsam land to pray for the safe return of the district head.”

The statement urged youths of the chiefdom to always take communal security seriously so as to avert such breaches.

“We have to be on our feet to ensure the land is safe. It’s unfortunate that at this critical time, the youths, who ought to be the communal force to guarantee security across communities, are not ready to work in collaboration with security personnel to secure the land,” he lamented.

The CDA boss appealed to government to direct security agencies to ensure that the district head was rescued and released unconditionally.

Politics

Buhari’s regime approves new policy to protect children online

No Comments

The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday in Abuja approved the National Child Online Protection Policy and Strategy.

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isah Pantami, told reporters at the end of Wednesday’s cabinet meeting that the strategy was aimed at protecting children from the harmful side of the digital environment.The meeting was presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

Mr Pantami said the policy was in line with the International Telecommunication Union’s policy document for all its member countries.

“Today, we have around 6.3 billion people online and by implication, among this number, you will discover many children.

“They will not be able to differentiate what is beneficial and what is harmful.

“According to a report by the International Telecommunication Union, more than one billion children were online during COVID-19 lockdowns for their studies because schools were shut.

“Today, without any solicitation, you will discover that many things are coming into your device on-line and unsolicited,” the minister said.

According to him, children will not be able to avoid such unsolicited items online which will definitely affect their innocence; affect them morally and otherwise.

“The document has been titled: ‘keeping children safe in the digital environment’.

“All member countries have been urged to ensure they come up with a policy where children will be protected.

“It is because of this that we organised stakeholder engagement, where we invited around 37 institutions of government since it is a multi-sector issue.

“The Ministry of Information and Culture, the National Broadcasting Commission and the National Orientation Agency, among others, have roles to play.

“The Office of the National Security Adviser and other security agencies have roles to play; the Ministry of Justice has a role to play to differentiate what is legal and what is illegal,’’ Mr Pantami added.

He said the cabinet also approved the Nigeria Data Protection Bill to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of data being submitted to the government and to other institutions.

The minister said FEC also approved the National Duct One Policy aimed at institutionalising the provision of ducts during construction at federal, state and local government levels. “This is the global best practice today.

“Before construction and even during the conceptualisation and design, there should be provision for ducts for road construction, bridges, rail lines, sea ports, and any important building,” Mr Pantami said.

Politics

You’re part of Buhari’s failure, PDP tackles Tinubu

No Comments

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has tackled Bola Tinubu, saying he should not exonerate himself from the anti-people policies of President Muhammadu Buhari-led government.

This came a few hours after Mr Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), accused the Buhari regime of using the fuel scarcity and recently-introduced naira notes to block his chances in next month’s poll.

“Let them increase the price of fuel, only them know where they have hoarded fuel, they hoarded money, they hoarded naira; we will go and vote and we will win.

Even if they changed the ink on Naira notes,” he said on Wednesday at his campaign in Abeokuta, Ogun state “Whatever their plans, it will come to nought. We are going to win. Those in the PDP will lose (won ma lule).”

But in swift reply, the opposition party, in a statement, said Mr Tinubu was only trying to hoodwink Nigerians and blame others for fuel scarcity currently being experienced nationwide.

“It is unfortunate that Tinubu is trying to hoodwink Nigerians by seeking to exonerate himself and blame others in the Buhari led-APC administration from the biting fuel scarcity in the country, when in reality he (Tinubu) is known to be behind the insensitive and anti-people policies that have brought so much calamity to our country including the current persistent fuel scarcity,” Kola Ologbondiyan, spokesperson for the PDP said in the statement obtained by Peoples Gazette.

The two-term former governor of Lagos state would be facing 18 other presidential candidates among which are Atiku Abubakar (PDP), Peter Obi (LP), and Rabi’u Kwankwaso (NNPP), even as Mr Buhari has repeatedly promised to allow a level-playing field during the next month’s election.

Speaking further, Mr Ologbondiyan specifically took a swipe at the former Lagos governor, saying that blackmailing Mr Buhari would not help Mr Tinubu win the election.

He stressed that politician who has always won elections by relying on bullion vans has now become troubled over the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) monetary policy to redesign the naira.

“How can Asiwaju Tinubu accuse an administration he had been a part of since 2015 of trying to sabotage the 2023 elections except he is making revelations to Nigerians about their plans? It is imperative to state that Nigerians, who are prepared to trek distances to cast their votes are the patriots who have been at the butt of pains which the government Asiwaju Tinubu installed has foisted on them.

“In any case, from the songs of lamentation of Tinubu, it is clear that his Presidential life ambition has collapsed,” the PDP spokesperson added.

Politics

Buhari’s regime using fuel scarcity, naira notes crisis to suppress my election chances- Presidential candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu

No Comments

Bola Tinubu on Wednesday accused the Buhari administration of using the raging fuel scarcity and recently-introduced naira notes and cash handling policies of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to blunt his chances at the ballot box next month.

“You’re hoarding fuel and hoarding the naira,” Mr Tinubu said during a campaign stop in Abeokuta this afternoon. “Still, we will vote, and we will win this election.”

“Whether you change the ink of the naira or spend money till you are in debt, things won’t turn out as you hope, we are the ones who will win the election, and our opponents will fail,” Mr Tinubu said.

The presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress was expressing his disapproval over the fuel crisis that has seen long queues across the country, with citizens spending productive hours at filling stations while also paying more to get the crucial commodity.

The CBN also recently announces changes to the national currency and vastly limited amounts that could be withdrawn in a day from bank accounts across the country.

The currency change has seen millions of Nigerians besieging banking halls across the country in a rush to deposit cash still in their possessions.

Politicians like Mr Tinubu, who have been counting on using cash to sway the election, have been grumbling over the policy changes.

Recognising the potential devastation of acute fuel shortages ahead of a presidential election, Mr Tinubu appeared not only to distance himself from the policies but to insinuate a conspiracy against him by President Muhammadu Buhari, his political ally whom he helped into office in 2015.

Mr Buhari has indicated his intention to allow a level-playing field during the upcoming election, a position that has unsettled Mr Tinubu who was looking forward to a generous payback for his contribution to Mr Buhari’s electoral successes in 2015 and 2019.

Mr Buhari said he backed CBN’s decision to recolour naira notes in order to restore control over the money supply.

Millions of Nigerians have been forced by the programme to transfer their cash to banks before it loses its legal tender status next week.

While the general public has lamented the policy’s haste, political moneybags have more insidious discontent. Mr Tinubu and his crew have a niche for influencing elections with money through various means, including vote buying.

On the eve of the 2019 general elections, multiple bullion vans were seen entering his private residence in Ikoyi Lagos, drawing wide criticisms.

His contenders Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi of the Labour Party have also been previously accused of paying voters.

Mr Tinubu said the government’s plan to remove subsidies and increase in fuel prices are tactics to scare the voters, promising a reduced price at the pump if elected on February 25.

“They want to put their caps on their waist, they are planning to increase the price of fuel, don’t be worried, we will bring it down. They don’t want the election to hold, but will you let them?” he asked rhetorically.

“They think they can cause panic, the sabotaged fuel supply, whether there are means on vehicular movement or not, on election day, we will go and vote, and we will win,” he added.

Politics

President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurates Lagos Blue Rail Line

No Comments

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Tuesday inaugurated the first phase of the Lagos Blue Rail Line.

This was as he joined other top government officials in a maiden ride from the Marina Station to National Theatre Station.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, revealed this in a statement he signed on Tuesday titled ‘President Buhari inaugurates Phase 1 of Lagos Blue Rail Line; takes train ride.’

Speaking at the event, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stated that the Line would accommodate about 25,000 passengers per hour, thereby reducing travel time, improve the quality of life of Lagosians, and make the state one of the most resilient mega-cities in Africa.

He added that the piece of infrastructure will position Lagos to compete favourably with other megacities globally.

The governor said;

“This iconic Marina Station would be the largest and busiest in Africa. It has the capacity to process about 450 passengers per minute, meaning that in an hour this station can process about 25,000 passengers.”

Sanwo-Olu also hinted that he would invite the President again to Lagos to commission the Red Line, which he described as a bigger rail corridor project compared with the Blue Rail Line.

The Lagos Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, said the Blue Line project owed its origin to the current presidential candidate of the APC and one-time Lagos Governor, Bola Tinubu.

According to him, Tinubu envisioned and laid the foundation for the project as governor.

He noted that the master plan has six rail lines and one monorail, 14 Bus Rapid Transit corridors, over 20 water routes, and several major roads.

“Talking about the Blue line without making a reference to the ground-breaking contributions of the presidential candidate of our great party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is like talking about the beach without the ocean.

“A visionary leader, Asiwaju Tinubu, pioneered the idea of the Lagos Blue Line and many other revolutionary initiatives.

“The Tinubu administration developed the Strategic Transport Master Plan, which laid out the foundation for a network of robust and modern transport infrastructure befitting a 21st century City-State, such as ours,” Hamzat said.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun, said the completion of Phase 1 of the project is a demonstration of the harmony in the bilateral relations between Nigeria and the Asian Tiger.

Thereafter, Buhari boarded the train alongside the Lagos State Governor, his Deputy, members of the Federal and State Executive Councils, members of the Federal and State Legislative Assemblies, the President of China Civil Engineering Construction Company, Chen Sichang; and journalists, among others.

The President also witnessed the signing of the contract for the construction of the second phase of the Lagos Blue Rail Line by the Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, Abimbola Akinajo, and the President of CCECC, Chen Sichang.

The first phase of the project executed by the State Government spans 13 kilometers.It has five stations; Mile 2, Suru-Alaba, Orile Iganmu, National Theatre, and Marina.Earlier, the President also inaugurated the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, after which he departed Lagos for Dakar, Senegal, to attend the high-level Dakar 2 Summit hosted by President Macky Sall of Senegal and the Chairperson of the African Union.

Politics

I have not disappointed Nigerians – President Buhari

No Comments

President Buhari has said that he has not disappointed Nigerians in fulfilling all of the campaign promises he made in the 2015 and 2019 elections.

A statement released by presidential aide, Femi Adesina, says the President stated this during his visit to the Emir of Bauchi, Dr Rilwanu Adamu, on Monday, January 23.

“I normally call on Emirs and Chiefs, whether on political or personal tours to states to show my gratitude.

I like to mention that between 2003 and 2011, I visited all the local governments, and in 2019, when I was seeking my re-election for a second term, I visited all the states of the Federation and the people that turned out to see me were more than what anyone could buy or force and there, I made a promise and pledge that I will serve Nigeria and Nigerians to the best of my ability and so far, I have not disappointed anybody.”

Politics

President Buhari to visit Senegal

No Comments

President Buhari will on Tuesday, January 24, depart Lagos for Senegal where he will attend the 2nd edition of Dakar International Conference on Agriculture.

A statement from Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, says the high-level Dakar 2 Summit hosted by President Macky Sall of Senegal and the Chairperson of the African Union is holding under the theme “Feeding Africa: Food Sovereignty and Resilience.”

The conference, which seeks to create favourable conditions toward achieving food security in Africa, is convened jointly by the government of Senegal and the African Development Bank.

The President’s delegation is made up of Ministers and top government officials including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, National Security Adviser, Mohammed Babagana Monguno and Director-General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar. President Buhari is expected back in the country on Wednesday, January 25.

Politics

IPOB suspends Nnamdi Kanu’s brother

No Comments

Kingsley Kanu, younger brother of embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has been suspended by the separatist group.

In a statement issued by the National Coordinator of the group in Germany, Collins Chinedu and IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, Kingsley was accused of indulging in a series of anti-IPOB activities.

The statement read;

“Mr. Kingsley Kanu has been in the constant habit of flagrantly flouting every IPOB code of conduct, thereby seeing himself as above the laws and often throwing every decorum to the winds.

“Reporting a fellow very hardworking IPOB member to the German Criminal Police contrary to the IPOB Code of conduct and in violation of his oath to the IPOB.

“Issuing orders to his superior officers in the hierarchy of IPOB without the approval of the IPOB Leadership.

“Imposing and parading an expelled IPOB member, Mr. Ogbonna Abraham as the new National Coordinator in Germany with the sole intent to cause division within the existing structure in Germany.

“Ordering his purported national coordinator in German to create another principle servants forum through which IPOB members are being lobbied to join his illegal group and to attend series of his illegally organised online.

“The IPOB in Germany is a registered non profit making organisation under German laws.

“Mr Kingsley Kanu must, therefore, be reminded that further violations of the code of conduct will have serious legal consequences.

“In view of the above stated infractions and anti IPOB activities carried out by Mr. Kingsley Kanu, the lPOB leadership in Germany hereby, unanimously suspends him indefinitely from the family of IPOB in Germany led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu with effect from today, the 21st of January 2023.”

Politics

Gunmen behe@d Imo LG chairman after collecting N6m ransom

No Comments

Abducted Sole Administrator of the Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, Chris Ohizu, has been behe@ded.

Ohizu was kidnapped alongside two others on Friday, January 20, from his country home at Imoko community in Arondizuogu area by gunmen who also razed down his building.

He was then beheaded on Sunday, January 22, after the collection of N6m ransom.

In videos shared online, the abducted chairman was seen kneeling while his abductors warned Governor Hope Uzodimma that a similar fate awaits him.

After beheading him on Sunday, they posted the video with his phone on his WhatsApp status.

Imo Police Command spokesperson, ASP Henry Okoye, who confirmed the incident said that police had commenced investigation into the incident.

Politics

PDP chairman slumps and dies during campaign in Enugu

No Comments

The Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, SKB Ogbuagu, has died.

Ogbuagu collapsed on Thursday evening, January 19, 2023, during a town hall meeting of the governorship candidate of the party held at the Ezeagu Local Government Area headquarters.

It was gathered that the meeting had ended and everyone was moving to reception venue, when he fell sick.

Ogbuagu, who was said to be an asthmatic, was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where he passed away.

Politics

Governor Ortom’s convoy involved in an accident

No Comments

Governor Samuel Ortom’s convoy was involved in an accident on Friday morning, January 20.

The accident occurred while his convoy was heading for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship campaign rally in Utokon community, Ado LGA of the state.

Punch reported that the driver of a branded bus fully loaded with PDP supporters lost control and rammed into three vehicles; a Jeep, a security vehicle, and another bus in the convoy.

While no death was recorded, some persons were injured, including three lawmakers of the state house of assembly. The lawmakers were taken to the hospital and are in “stable condition”.

The motorcade in the convoy consisted of the state’s deputy governor, Engr Benson Abounu; Senator Abba Moro; House of Representatives members, and House of Assembly members from Benue South district; among other top government and party officials in the state.

Politics

US plans $2.5bn new weaponry, munitions for Ukraine

No Comments

The United States has announced a massive new package of arms and munitions for Ukraine on Thursday as the country’s Western supporters seek to boost its armored forces.

The package does not feature Western battle tanks requested by Kyiv, but includes 90 Stryker armored personnel carriers, an additional 59 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, Avenger air defense systems, and large and small munitions, according to a Pentagon statement.

“The 59 Bradley IFVs included in this package, together with the 50 Bradleys previously committed on January 6, and the 90 Stryker APCs will provide Ukraine with two brigades of armored capability,” it said.

An initial 50 Bradleys were included in a more than $3 billion package announced last week.

The United States and other countries have made several large donations of armored vehicles to Ukraine, but with the exception of Britain have not pledged to provide modern Western tanks.

Britain promised last weekend that it would send Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine, while Germany said last week that it would provide Marder armored vehicles, and France has promised to supply AMX-10 RC light tanks.

The United States has said it is reluctant to provide its Abrams tanks to Ukraine due to difficulties with maintenance and training.

According to a senior US lawmaker, Chancellor Olaf Scholz told US congressmen that Germany would supply heavy tanks to Ukraine if the United States did likewise.

Although Germany has been cautious about providing heavy weapons for Ukraine, Scholz is facing mounting pressure within Europe to authorize exports of German-made Leopard tanks.

Berlin left the door open to letting allies supply Ukraine with the tanks, saying late Thursday it would “become clear in the next few hours or tomorrow morning.”

Asked about the thinking behind the rise in the number of armored vehicles being promised to Kyiv, US Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl told journalists on Wednesday that they are needed to help Ukrainian forces defeat increasingly heavy Russian defenses.

Moscow’s troops are “digging in, they’re digging trenches, they’re putting these Dragon’s Teeth, laying mines. They’re really trying to fortify that FLOT, that forward line of troops,” he said.

The aim is to “enable them to change that dynamic with these kind of static defenses by being able to fire and maneuver through the use of more mechanized forces,” Kahl said.

The latest US package — which was announced the day before a major aid meeting in Germany — brings Washington’s total military assistance to Ukraine since Russia’s February 2022 invasion to more than $26.7 billion.

Lifestyle, Politics

Hoodlums set court ablaze in Abia

No Comments

The Ikwuano High Court built by Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has been set ablaze by hoodlums.

The Abia State Government has called on the security agencies in the state to bring to book those responsible for the arson attack.

The Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the State, Chief Uche Ihediwa, SAN, made the call in a statement after he and his team paid an unscheduled inspection to the area to ascertain the level of destruction.

In the statement signed by the Public Relations Officer in the Ministry, Anyim Agbai, the CJ expressed shock over the destruction of the court building.

He wondered why a court building built to resolve disputes among people in the rural area would be burnt.

He added that burning the court would adversely affect the people’s quest for justice as they would henceforth travel to Umuahia for their cases.

He challenged the security agencies in the area to ensure they unveiled those behind the act.

Close Menu

Privacy Policy