Politics

The Federal Government says N3.36tn has been allocated for fuel subsidy in 2023 as Nigeria’s debt profile hits $102bn

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The federal government says N3.36 trillion has been allocated for fuel subsidy in the first half of 2023.

Zainab Ahmed, minister of finance, made this known on Wednesday, October 19, in Abuja.

Ahmed said the 2023 budget proposal has a deficit of N10.78 trillion. She said the deficit will be funded through domestic and multilateral borrowings and proceeds from privatisation.

According to her, of Nigeria’s $102bn debt, 35% is foreign and 65% is domestic, adding that the current public debt is at 23% of the country’s gross domestic product.

The minister also said the 2023 budget also factored in 17.16% inflation. According to her, the draft 2023 budget has been prepared on the background of international challenges such as the Russia-Ukraine war and COVID-19 pandemic, adding that revenue generation has been a major challenge to national development in the country.

On allocations for critical sectors, Ahmed said the sum of N2.05 triliion was allocated to education and N1.58 trillion for health. She added that N2.74 trillion was earmarked for defense and security, infrastructure got N998.9 billion, while social development and poverty reduction has N756 billion.

Meanwhile, Ahmed had said the federal government will halt spending on petrol subsidy in June 2023.

Lifestyle, Politics

80 suspects including women arrested for helping bandits – Zamfara govt

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80 suspects have been arrested by the Zamfara State Government for aiding bandits.

The suspects, including women, were informants, and suppliers of food, drug, military camouflage and police uniforms to bandits.

They were taken into custody for alleged involvement in banditry, kidnapping for ransom and illegal possession of firearms.

Abdullahi Shinkafi, Chairman, Committee on Prosecution of Banditry and Related Offences, addressed the media on Tuesday, October 18.

Shinkafi disclosed that security agencies were investigating their level of participation in criminal activities.

Shikari said that the resurgence of banditry and kidnapping was due to the bombardment of camps by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

The chairman said a number of the outlaws were neutralised or dislodged from their hideouts.

He confirmed that insecurity was part of the reasons the government suspended political rallies and campaigns.

Lifestyle, Politics

Police confirm arrest of Labour Party senatorial candidate who is Governor Umahi’s opponent

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Ebonyi state police command has said that Labour Party (LP) senatorial candidate for Ebonyi South Senatorial zone, Linus Okorie is in its custody.

It was reported earlier that the two-term House of Representative candidate who represented Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo Federal Constituency, was taken away by “gunmen” on Sunday morning.

Ebonyi police command spokesperson, Chris Anyanwu who confirmed that Linus who is Governor David Umahi’s opponent in 2023 senatorial election was arrested by Ebubeagu Security operatives and taken to Old Government House Abakaliki, debunked reports that he was abducted.

He said the Police upon hearing reports that Linus was abducted, swung into action and later traced him to the head office of the Ebubeagu Security Outfit at the Old Government House, Abakaliki.

Anyanwu revealed that Okorie was arrested for inciting violence in the State, falsely accusing Governor David Umahi and alleged involvement in drug related offences.

He said;

“Police detectives were briefed on why he was arrested which include his activities and utterances that incited and provoked the violence that engulfed Onicha LGA which led to suspected IPOB/ESN operatives or unknown gunmen to unleash mayhem in the area, leaving seven (7) persons dead at the end of that fracas.

“Hence, the case has now been taken over by the Police Command for a scrupulous investigation.”

Anyanwu also alleged Okorie was severally invited by the Security and Intelligence Bureau of the Command over a petition dated 23/3/2022 by the Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, alleging that he was spreading fake news against Umahi.

In the petition, Okorie allegedly accused the Governor of illegally withdrawing N6.7 billion from State Government’s Account to fund the Appeal Court Judgment against his removal from office, etc.

The police spokesperson added;

“Similar to the above is another series of false allegations against the Government of Ebonyi State and the Police Command in his social media handles.

“When invited by the SIB over the false allegations/petition,Honourable Linus Abaa Okorie in his characteristic pompous manner refused vehemently to report to the SIB for a chat. Rather he chose to file fallacious suits against the Police Command.

“It is also pertinent to mention that Honourable Linus Abaa Okorie also have a pending case in which he is implicated in a drug-related offence where the suspects purported to be his agents were arrested for Hard drug sales and use at his City Hub Inn, Mile 50, Abakaliki. Case was later transfered to the NDLEA for further necessary actions.

“Ebubeagu is a lawfully established local security outfit by the House of Assembly and Government of Ebonyi State. If the outfit as empowered by the State Law, arrests anybody, it shouldn’t be interpreted as abduction or kidnapping because those terms mean different things.

“However, it is expected that the outfit after effecting such arrest, should hand over the matter to the Police for further investigation and other necessary actions which has played out in this instance”.

“In view of the above, Dr David Ogbonna of Hon Linus Okorie CaringHeart Foundation is warned to henceforth know the implication of wrong choice of words when next dishing out information for public consumption otherwise he will face the dire consequences as enshrined in the laws of the land.”

Politics

Wike says PDP must apologize to Nigeria over Atiku asking Northerners not to vote for Igbos and Yorubas

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Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state has said that the Peoples Democratic Party must apologize to Nigerians over its Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar’s advice to Northerners last weekend.

Atiku while speaking at an event organized by Northern Elders last weekend, had said that Northerners only need a President from the North, and not an Igbo or Yoruba.

He said;

“I know the whole of this country. I have built bridges across this country. I think what the average northerner needs is somebody who is from the north, who also understands the other parts of Nigeria, and who has been able to build bridges across the rest of the country.

“This is what the northerner needs. He (the northerner) doesn’t need a Yoruba candidate or an Igbo candidate. This is what the northerner needs. I stand before you as a pan-Nigerian of northern origin”.

However speaking in Port Harcourt on Monday October 16, shortly after arriving from Spain, Wike said while he doubted the possibility of Atiku making such a statement at a critical time of the nation’s history, such disposition of the presidential candidate would justify his fight for equity, justice and fairness in the PDP.

The Nation reported that the Rivers state Governor also asked the PDP to urgently address the issue and appeal to Nigerians otherwise people would begin to see the party as one that lacked justice and equity.

Politics

Ekiti state gov, Biodun Oyebanji, freezes state accounts hours after his inauguration

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The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji has frozen all operational accounts of the state government with immediate effect.

He gave the order a few hours after his swearing-in which took place on Sunday, October 16.

Governor Oyebanji ordered that all financial officers in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) must comply with the directive on the freezing of the accounts.

At the swearing-in of the governor, the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinibu, seven governors of the party, and other dignitaries attended the ceremony in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

Politics

‘Campaign of lies’ – Politician Emeka Ihedioha denies writing Malami not to release Nnamdi Kanu

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The former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives and former Governor of Imo state, Emeka Ihedioha, has denied reports claiming he wrote a letter to the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, asking him not to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Recall that last week, the Court of Appeal dismissed the charges the Federal government filed against Kanu and asked for him to be released.

On October 16, a letter in the former governor’s name which was addressed to the AGF, surfaced on social media.

In the letter, Ihedioha allegedly urged the AGF not to release Kanu to ensure stability and peace in the southeast. Also a recording was in circulation wherein a voice that was claimed to be Ihedioha, said there won’t be peace in the state since he isn’t in government.

However in a statement released on Sunday, October 16, Ihedioha said he had no link to the letter or audio in circulation.

“It appears that some people are not satisfied with their stolen mandate. They want to drag me out by an orchestrated campaign of lies. And those carrying out this campaign of calumny against my person are doing so at the behest of the same man who was imposed on Imo state.But I understand their dilemma.

Having succeeded in their evil plot of removing me from office, they realised that the bigger battle was winning the hearts and minds of the people. And that is proving difficult.

That they have failed to endear themselves to the good people of Imo State in the last 34 months is why they are now desperate. And also becoming dangerous.

So dangerous that they are now working with political renegades across party lines.While in office, Emeka Ihedioha was their nightmare. But they have also realised to their utmost chagrin that even out of office, I have remained a bigger nemesis, hence the unceasing campaign of calumny with the sole purpose of damaging my reputation and putting a wedge between me and Imolites.

In doing this, there are no off-limits. They have forged documents, concocted voice messages, perjured and maximised the social media in throwing mud to see if any one sticks.Yhey use issues that are very dear to our people in this nefarious project.

Two of such devious acts were a purported voice of me making threats and a letter, also purportedly written by me to the honourable Attorney General of the federation and Minister of justice, Abubakar Malami, advising him not to honour the appeal court judgement that discharged and acquitted Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, so as not to imperil the 2023 elections.

It is laughable and preposterous, knowing my background and predicament, that I will be writing to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, asking him to continue to illegally hold on to Nnamdi Kanu even after a court of competent jurisdiction had discharged him.

What benefits will such a letter confer on me in a matter of such public concern, sensitivity and volatility. How does that make sense?” Ihedioha also urged security agencies to investigate the source of the letter and audio attributed to him.

“While Nigerians are aware that those who can forge polling results for manufactured votes can forge anything, I have decided not to keep silent again in the face of this criminal defamation of my character because as we inch closer to the 2023 elections, the evil machinations will intensify.I am not unduly worried, though, because our people know better.

But we can no longer allow criminality to reign supreme. I therefore urge the security agencies to investigate those behind this blatant forgery and bring them to justice.

Criminality should not be elevated to an art of governance. Imolites deserve better.”the statement reads in part

Politics

President Buhari budgets N248bn for Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, roads

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The Federal Government has earmarked N248.5bn for the construction, maintenance and rehabilitation of ongoing road projects nationwide.

This was revealed after an analysis of the 2023 appropriation bill presented by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari(retd.), to the National Assembly in Abuja last Friday.

The President during his speech noted that appreciable progress had been made in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of key road networks like the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Expressway and East-West Road in Niger Delta.

He also expressed the hope to commission these projects before end of his tenure in 2023.

The projects were financed through the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund, Sukuk Bonds scheme and public-private partnership.

Some of the road projects to be completed include the rehabilitation of the Ikorodu-Shagamu road including the access road to Mosimi in Lagos State at the cost of N100m; counterpart funding for the expansion of Abuja-Keffi dual carriageway; dualisation of the Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi road in Nasarawa and Benue states; and 9th Mile (Enugu)-Otukpo-Makurdi road in Enugu and Benue states valued at N32.5bn.

Other road projects are the rehabilitation of Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia road project valued at N101.1bn, completion of the construction of the Chanchangi bridge along the Takum-Wukari road in Taraba State at the cost of N100m, dualisation of the Jattu-Fugar-Agenebode road and the reconstruction of Irekpa-Fugar-Agenebode road in Edo State at the cost of N250m.

Also, N400m was allocated for the construction of Bidda-Sacci-Nupeko road and the Nupeko/Patigi bridge across the River Niger linking Nupeko and Patigi in Niger/Kwara states.

The rehabilitation of the Maiduguri-Monguno road is to cost N250m, while the rehabilitation of Wukari/Akwana road in Taraba State will cost N150m.

The sum of N250m was allocated for the reconstruction of the Igboho Oloko -Agbonle road, while rehabilitation of the Damaturu-Biu road in Yobe/Borno states will cost N300m; the construction of joint border bridge at Mfum/Ekok under the Nigeria/Cameroun international highway was valued at N500m.

Others projects are the dualisation of Obajana junction to Benin (Okene-Auchi) at the cost of N5bn, limited rehabilitation of the road off the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway at the cost of N25m, construction of Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota Expressway valued at N1m, rehabilitation of Ilorin-Kabba-Obajana road in Kwara/Kogi states at N400m, and comprehensive repair works of the Eko Bridge (4.1km) in Lagos State valued at N75m.

Reacting, the Chief Executive Officer, the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Muda Yusuf, noted the amount was grossly inadequate, adding that about N1tn should be earmark for road projects every year.

Politics

Fayemi bows out as Oyebanji takes over as new Ekiti state governor

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A former secretary to the state government (SSG), Biodun Oyebanji, has been sworn in as the governor of Ekiti state.

He took the oath of office at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion on Sunday, October 16.

Oyebanji, who was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared winner of the Ekiti governorship election on June 19 with 187,057 votes, defeating his two closest challengers, Segun Oni of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) who polled 82,211 votes, and Bisi Kolawole of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who got 67,457 votes.

He takes over from Kayode Fayemi.

Politics

Tinubu to kick off campaign in Kwara

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The camp of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Friday disclosed that Ilorin, Kwara State capital in the North Central region of the country has been chosen as the official port to launch their campaign.

This was confirmed by one of the party’s bigwigs (name withheld) who also attended Wednesday’s tripartite meeting with the Progressive Governors Forum, Presidential Campaign Council and members of APC National Working Committee.

The source, one of Tinubu’s loyalists, told our correspondent that the presidential candidate and the stakeholders agreed on the North Central in general and Ilorin specifically.

The closed-door meeting, held for about three hours at Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, witnessed heavy traffic and security presence.

In attendance were National Chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led NWC; Tinubu’s running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima; Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Atiku Bagudu; Deputy Director General of the PCC, Adams Oshimhole; Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje; Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila among others.

Though spokesperson for the Presidential Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo, told journalists after the meeting that a ‘region’ had been selected for the campaign launch, he was unwilling divulge it.

He said, “We have agreed on the region to begin the campaign but I am not going to say that now. We have also addressed all the basic issues because we want to carry the leaders of the party along.

For now, no date has been chosen (for PCC inauguration). But we will announce that sooner than you think.”

Lifestyle, Politics

Elections in North-West and South-East may be hampered by insecurity – INEC

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The Independent National Electoral Commission has expressed fear of elections in the South-East, North-West and North-East region of the country being hampered by insecurity.

Speaking at an event organized by National Endowment for Democracy and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems at the NED Headquarters, Washington DC, United States of America, INEC Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood noted that while insecurity has spread to some parts of the country, he has received assurances from the service chiefs that they would secure the voting environment during the 2023 polls.

He said;

“Are there concerns about the 2023 general election? I’ll be the last to say there are no concerns. The first concern is the perennial issue of insecurity in different parts of the country, compounded by the traditional issues of thuggery during elections organized by some of the political actors.

“I say it is a perennial issue because, at the end of the day, it is nothing new. However, the dimension of the insecurity is concerning in the sense that in the past, it was localized or confined to a particular part of the country, the northeast.

But now, it is more widespread and we are keeping our eyes, particularly on the northwest and the southeastern parts of the country.

“Elections are conducted by human beings. We worry about the security of our officials, voters and the materials to be deployed. Without them, we cannot conduct elections.

We have spoken to the security agencies and they have assured us that the situation will improve before the elections.“So, fingers crossed.

Those who are supposed to secure the environment have assured us that they will secure the environment for us to conduct elections. Our responsibility is to conduct elections.”

On the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), Yakubu said the technology has eliminated the flaws in previous elections, including identity theft and multiple accreditations.

He also said the commission has dispatched the BVAS to over 23 states of the federation.

Yakubu said;

“The BVAS has eliminated multiple accreditations that were observed in previous elections. Now, you are sure that the person who is accredited is the voter and the bearer of the card.

“It has increased public confidence in the outcome of elections as shown in the recent off-cycle elections. People tend to be more confident now with the protection of the process of accreditation using technology.

“It has eliminated the use of the Incident Form. For those of you who have been following our elections for a long time, when the Card Reader was introduced, the machine would read the card but it may not read the biometrics.

“So, when it fails to read the biometrics, they then say – give the voter the Incident Form. And through that, many people voted using identity theft. We have eliminated the Incident Form.

So, every registered voter must go through the biometric and the facial, and we jokingly say that the only way the two processes can fail, particularly the facial, is when the voter forgets his or her face at home on election day.

The system of using the BVAS for the conduct of elections has come to stay. There’s no going back.”

Lifestyle, Politics

Jonathan, Okonjo-Iweala, Amaechi Celebrate With Elumelus On National Awards

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Former president, Goodluck Jonathan, Director General, World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and former transportation minister, Rotimi Amaechi, were among dignitaries who attended the reception organised by businessman, Tony Elumelu, on Tuesday.

The reception was to celebrate the conferment of national honours on him and his brother and federal lawmaker, Ndudi Elumelu.

Politics

I’ll hand over a Nigeria free of insecurity – President Buhari assures

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President Buhari has once again reassured Nigerians that he would hand over a Nigeria free of insecurity to the next set of leaders in 2023.

The President gave the assurance while speaking at the 2022 National Honours Award Investiture held at the International Conference Centre in Abuja on Tuesday, October 11.

Buhari said his administration would root out all forms of banditry, criminality, terrorism and insurgency before leaving office in May 2023.

“We will continue to root out all forms of banditry, criminality, terrorism and insurgency in the land.

As I stated earlier in my in- dependence address to the nation, I will hand over a Nigeria that is free from insecurity to the next generation of leaders” President Buhari said

According to the president, the national honours were not mere decoration but a reminder of citizens’ responsibility, saying that, “we must always endeavour to do our best for our country.”

Lifestyle, Politics

EFCC files money laundering charges against ex-Lagos Attorney General Olasupo Shasore

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has filed a four-count money laundering charge against a former Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Olasupo Shasore, SAN, accusing him of inducing one Olufolakemi Adetore to accept cash payment without going through a financial institution.

Shasore was the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice during Mr Babatunde Fashola-led government.

Vanguard reports that according to the charge sheet filed by the EFCC at the Federal High Court in Lagos on August 12, 2022, the former attorney-general was alleged to have made a cash payment of $100,000 to Olufolakemi Adelore through Auwalu Habu and Wole Aboderin.

He was alleged to have committed the offences on or about November 18, 2014.

The charge also added that the former Lagos State’s Attorney-General made a cash payment of $100,000 to one Ikechukwu Oguine without going through a financial institution.

The offences contravened sections 78(c); 1(a) and 16(1)(d) and 18(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and were punishable under section 16(6) and 16 (2)(b) of the same Act.

The arraignment of Shasore has been fixed for October 20.

Lifestyle, Politics

INEC deletes 2.7 million double registrants, says new PVC will be available by November

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Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Yakubu Mahmood has revealed that 2.7 million double registrations were weeded out of the last Continuous Voters Registration exercise conducted by the commission.

Speaking on Tuesday October 11, at a National Endowment for Democracy event in Washington DC in the United States, Yakubu also said the new Permanent Voter Cards will be made available by November.

He also revealed that about 50% of the new PVCs are ready but yet to be distributed to collection centres.

Entertainment, Lifestyle, Politics

Teni, Okonjo-Iweala and Amina Mohammed receive national honours

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As the world celebrates the International Girl Child day, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and singer, Teni have been conferred with national honours.

While Okonjo-Iweala and Amina were presented with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) award at the National Honors Award held on Tuesday October 11, at the International Conference Centre in Abuja, Teni was awarded the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).

Lifestyle, Politics

Police give update on chief abducted and murdered in Osun

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The Osun State Police Command has disclosed that Chief Oladepo Asaolu, who was abducted and killed in the state was sold to kidnappers by his tenant.

Late Asaolu was the Babaloja of Ora-Igbomina in Ifedayo Local Government Area of Osun State.

The decomposing body of Asaolu was recovered from Akisa forest in Ora-Igbomina four days after he was abducted.

Asaolu was said to have been declared missing on October 5, 2022 after a motorcyclist came to his house in Ora-Igbomina around 5am and took him to an unknown place.

The deceased was said to have informed neighbours that the unknown bike man was taking him to his farm.

Spokesperson of the command, Yemisi Opalola, said four suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder.

The PPRO told Channels Television that one of Asaolu’s tenants allegedly sold him to some kidnappers for N1 million.

“It is true that the man’s decomposing corpse was found in the bush on Sunday.

I gathered that his tenant, an indigene of Osan community, close to Ora-Igbomina, sold him to kidnappers at the rate of N1 million.

Meanwhile, his abductors have been arrested. Four of them are presently at the police net.” the police spokesperson said.

Politics

Political parties can’t substitute candidates again – INEC

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that political parties can no longer substitute the candidates whose names have been published on its final list.

The commission which disclosed that the window for the withdrawal and substitution of candidates has closed, added that only dead candidates and those whose nominations are voided by the courts can be substituted.

The Nation reported that INEC also revealed that only the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) had approached it to replace Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau who defected to the Peoples Democratic Party PDP.

Shekaru was nominated as NNPP’s senatorial candidate for Kano Central before he dumped the party, forcing the NNPP to approach INEC for substitution. INEC rejected NNPP’s request because it was made after the window for substitution had elapsed.

Confirming the development, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye said;

“The period for the withdrawal and substitution of candidates has elapsed and the Commission has published the final list of candidates standing nominated for national and state elections.

“At this point in time, a candidate can only get on the list if the duly and validly nominated candidate dies. Any form of withdrawal on grounds of voluntary withdrawal or incapacitation can no longer take place.

“Yes, the Commission is aware of some pending litigations. At the end of the day, the Commission will comply with valid court orders based on constitutional dictates. We urge political parties to focus on their campaigns and rallies as the next big thing in the electoral process.

“The Commission is now focused on making the Permanent Voters Cards available for collection by legally registered persons.

The Commission is also focussed at making sure that voters are equitably distributed to the various polling units.“The Commission will not be distracted with belated requests for withdrawals and substitution of candidates.

All the registered political parties have a copy of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities released on the February 26, 2022 and the schedule and timelines are clearly delineated.”

Lifestyle, Politics

Gunmen invade local government council in Ebonyi, burn documents

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Unknown gunmen on Monday, October 10, invaded the Ezza North local government area headquarters and set a section of the building ablaze, destroying valuable items and documents worth millions.

Confirming the incident to newsmen, the chairman of the local government, Chief Ogodo Ali Nomeh, said that the arsonists numbering over 20 persons stormed the area around 1:30 am in the morning and proceeded to set ablaze the store of the local government.

He said the arsonists were however resisted by the police who succeeded in inflicting bullet wounds on some of them before their escape.

“The fire destroyed new air conditioners bought for the renovation of the council, some documents and a generating sets and some furniture”, he explained.

The chairman said efforts are being made to apprehend the hoodlums.

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