Lifestyle, Politics, World News

Kumuyi cancels planned South-East crusade after IPOB warning.

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The General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi, has cancelled the crusade scheduled to hold in Aba, Abia state, following warning by the proscribed group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Punch gathered on Saturday, May 21, 2022, that the cancellation was as a result of the volatile security situation in the South-East region.

The crusade was billed to take place in Aba from May 24 to May 29, 2022, but IPOB had cautioned Kumuyi against proceeding with the event citing security concerns in the region.

The newspaper spoke with an official of the Global Crusade With Kumuyi who confirmed the cancellation, adding that a new venue for the crusade would soon be announced.

The Chairman of the organising team for the crusade, Pastor James Akpofure, also issued a statement on Saturday to confirm the cancellation.

“As there are currently some security challenges at the intended alpha location (Aba, Abia State, Nigeria), the Global Crusade Convener, Pastor (Dr) W.F. Kumuyi commiserates with our people in Abia State and will be praying along for God’s Divine Intervention,” Akpofure said.

In a statement issued by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, on Thursday, May 19, 2022, the group had urged Kumuyi to consider security situation in the South-East before he comes to Aba for his gospel crusade.

Powerful also reiterated the call on Saturday when he implored Kumuyi and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to not ignore its advice, alleging that political thugs have perfected plans to attack the crusade attendees.

He said, “It is unbelievable that CAN would not summon the courage to fight for their members when Muslims and security men attack and murder their members.

“They should understand that IPOB will not fold its arms and watch our people deliberately put in harm’s way to be slaughtered because of crusade, when they know that politicians will employ their local thugs to slaughter people and tag it that IPOB was responsible for such attack.”

Powerful then asked both Pastor Kumuyi and CAN to publicly declare that they should be held responsible if anything should happen during the course of the crusade.

“Security intelligence and strategy are what is required in a situation as this, which is what we are applying now by advising Kumuyi and his ministry. The CAN must understand that IPOB has Judeo-Christians also as family members and it is our responsibility to protect them from political tugs and criminal elements.

“IPOB does not have any issues with Kumuyi or other pastors or men and women of God for that matter; what we are talking about is the security of Biafrans.

“CAN should know that all politicians in Nigeria have criminal thugs they use to pursue a particular political interest and these people are not minding the repercussions or outcome, therefore we still advise Kumuyi and deeper life ministry to think twice and stop this crusade.”

Recall that the leader of the group, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, was recently denied bail by the a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

Justice Binta Nyako, in a ruling, held that since Kanu was earlier granted bail in 2017 and jumped the bail, the court must first determine the real reason he jumped the bail before he reapplies for another one.

Lifestyle, Politics, World News

Lagos NURTW Caretaker Chairman accuses MC Oluomo.

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The newly appointed Caretaker Committee Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State, Fatai Adeshina, aka Akeweje, has accused the Chairman of the Parks Management Committee in Lagos, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly called MC Oluomo, of snatching his wife.

Adeshina’s allegation was contained in a tell-all interview published by The Punch.

The Caretaker Chairman also detailed how Oluomo hijacked his branch and unit from him despite all his efforts to make peace.

He said the age-long rivalry between them took another dimension when he contested the NURTW Chairmanship position with Oluomo in 2019.

Adeshina said despite him being the popular choice amongst the unionists, the Lagos state government settled for MC as the preferred choice, and offered him a Vice Chairman position instead

However, to his dismay, his name was struck out from the executive members list with a pen on the day of inauguration as no position was offered to him.

“When he took over as the NURTW chairman in Lagos. The worst thing he did to me that made me part ways with him was that after his inauguration, I bought a foreign used car for N13m and took it to him as a gift.

“I added N10m to the car gift, but he rejected them. I begged him but he refused to make peace. I am not MC Oluomo’s peer and he knows this, but I prostrated before him to make peace,” Adeshina said.

The Caretaker Chairman alleged that Akinsanya’s rejection of the peace offering was because he had his eyes on his second wife at the time.

He accused Nollywood actress and an associate Ronke Oshodi Oke of helping Oluomo to snatch his then second wife.

“Yes, there was a lady called Ronke Oshodi Oke, a popular actress. She was a friend to my second wife. Though they met outside my residence, Ronke started visiting my home at one point. So, I challenged her and warned her not to ever step into my house again.

“Yes, Ronke was an associate of MC Oluomo and I know what Oluomo is capable of doing. When I challenged Ronke, she told me that she came to see her boss, adding that my second wife was her boss. I told her not to come to my house anymore, because MC Oluomo and I did not belong to the same camp.

“My second wife and Ronke knelt and apologised, but after five days, I met Ronke in my house again. I was furious and I accused her of trying to carry out a mission in my house. I sent the two of them out of my house that day. To my surprise, Ronke took my second wife, who I sent packing, to MC Oluomo.”

Adeshina said his wife was housed in MC’s hotel for over one month before he purchased a house for her.

“Some concerned close allies at MC’s hotel in Oshodi phoned me that they saw my second wife at MC’s place. They asked whether MC and I had settled our issues, but I said we were yet to resolve our differences. They told me that MC had asked them to give my second wife a room in his hotel. She was there for one month and seven days in his hotel.”

“Yes, my second wife, Queen B. She stayed in his hotel for one month and seven days before he bought her a house. Unionists in the state know this story very well.”

Recall that the national body of the NURTW had sacked MC Oluomo as the Lagos branch chairman.

The union said the decision was based on the provisions of the union’s constitution.

Politics

APC filled with crass nepotism —Adamu Garba

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Former presidential aspirant under the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC) has branded the party as being characterised by crass nepotism holding Nigeria down.

Adamu defected to the Young Progressives Party (YPP) having raised about N83 million as an APC presidential aspirant, accusing his former party of over-financialising politics.

Adamu, who featured in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, said the APC was full of cronyism.

He noted: “That is why I said since APC has taken us to that direction, we have to define a new path.

“A path that would remove Nigeria from poverty and transit it to one of the greatest countries in the world away from the crass nepotism and cronyism that is evidently happening in the APC.

“In a situation where you commercialise political participation in the country, you are causing so much damage to the future of the country.

The YPP presidential hopeful lamented the outrageous fees pegged by the APC for presidential aspirants, adding that young Nigerians had no future in the party.

“By fixing the presidential form price at N100 million, the APC has succeeded in pursuing young people from politics.

“If you are a young man in Nigeria and you try to participate in any political activity in the APC, it is very clear that you are just trying to waste your time.”

Politics

Kano Assembly member returns to APC two days after defecting to NNPP

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A member of the Kano State House of Assembly, Ali Ibrahim Isah Shanono, has returned to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) two days after he defected to the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP).

Shanono who represents the Bagwai/Shanono Constituency in the Assembly, was among the 14 lawmakers in the state who dumped the APC and moved to the NNPP along with former state governor Ibrahim Shekarau on Wednesday.

But he made a hasty retreat on Friday when he returned to the troubled APC after he reportedly had a secret meeting with Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and top party leaders in the state on Thursday night.

In a letter Shanono sent to the state APC faction led by Ganduje, he said he had to deactivate his membership of the NNPP and move back to the APC and promised to “work round the clock for the success of the party at the forthcoming polls” while promising to remain loyal to Ganduje and the party.

However, a source in the state insists Shanono went back to the APC after party officials from his zone loyal to the governor threatened that he would lose his reelection bid if he failed to return to the APC.

Politics

2023 PRESIDENCY: I’m more qualified than Tinubu, Osinbajo —Amaechi

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The Former Minister of Transport and presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rotimi Amaechi, has boasted that he is more qualified than the party’s National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to become Nigeria’s President in 2023.

Amaechi, who stated this on Wednesday, when he visited Kano as part of his consultative meetings with the party’s delegates ahead of the APC presidential primary, asserted that when Tinubu, who is a former Governor of Lagos State, has never been a Minister, and even when he was a lawmaker, it was for only a few months.

He went further to note that while he was a Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Osinbajo was a Commissioner in Lagos State.

In response, the Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who carefully avoided endorsing his presidential ambition said: “I know your position as far as our party presidential candidature is concerned, and I want you to change for me.”

Ganduje had been reported to have also avoided endorsing the presidential ambition of the Rivers State Governor, and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nyesom Wike, when he visited the state.

The Kano Governor is said to be in full support of Tinubu’s presidential ambition.

Politics

Buhari to unveil NNPC Ltd July 18

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President Muhammadu Buhari will unveil the new Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited on July 18.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, disclosed this on Tuesday while receiving the CEO of the Year 2021 Award of the Leadership Newspapers Group in Abuja.

Kyari, who addressed the gathering from Kampala, Uganda, where he is attending the African Petroleum Conference (CAPDE VIII), thanked the newspaper for the award.

The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) signed by the President in 2021 restructured the NNPC as a new entity.

Politics

APC presidential aspirant, Jack-Rich identifies job creation as solution to Nigeria’s insecurity

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant, Tein Jack-Rich, on Tuesday identified job creation as a major solution to Nigeria’s security challenges.

Jack-Rich stated this when he featured in a Channels Television’s programme, Politics Today.

He promised to create 26,000 jobs in his first 100 days in office if elected as the country’s president in 2023.

The aspirant said: “I will create an economic pipeline by creating jobs for the teeming population and convert our young men and women into the economic value chain.”

The oil magnate is one of the 28 aspirants vying for the APC presidential ticket at this month’s primary in Abuja.

Politics

‘Stop IPOB from using your platform to incite violence in Nigeria,’ FG tells Facebook

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The Federal Government on Tuesday asked the social media giant, Facebook, to stop the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) from using its platform to incite violence in the country.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, made the call at a meeting with a team from Facebook in Abuja.

He said several people had been killed in the South-East because of the group’s activities, adding that Facebook has no reason whatsoever for allowing the use of its platform to the organisation whose goal was to destabilise the country.

The latest warning came about one year after the federal government suspended another social media platform, Twitter, for allegedly promoting hate speech and other activities undermining the country’s existence.

Mohammed said: “I have called this meeting to enable us to discuss the increasing use of Facebook by separatists and anarchists, especially those of them based outside the country, to instigate violence and ethnic hatred in Nigeria.

For whatever reason, they seem to have now chosen Facebook as their platform of choice. And their tools include disinformation, incendiary statements and hate speech.

They use Facebook broadcasts to reach their followers, who are in thousands. They tag those opposed to their violent ways as ‘saboteurs’ who must be attacked, maimed and killed. They use both English and their local language as it suits them.

“Our social media people have been monitoring these separatists, anarchists and purveyors of hate, and have been reporting their atrocious actions to Facebook, but all they get are default responses that their complaints have been received and are being looked into.

“Most often than not, nothing is done about such complaints. The truth is that whatever Facebook is doing to check these people is mere tokenism and is totally ineffective.”

Politics

Why IPOB must drop quest for Biafra Republic – Gov Mohammed

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The Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, on Friday explained why the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) should drop its agitation for the actualization of the Republic of Biafra.

Mohammed, who addressed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Anambra State, said the people of the South-East extraction own half of the capital investments in the country.

The governor is one of the politicians eyeing the PDP presidential ticket at this month’s primary slated for Abuja.

He noted that IPOB should not be talking about self-determination when the Igbos have investments in every part of the country.

He said: “When I was minister of Federal Capital Territory, the Igbo capital investment in Abuja was over 50 percent.

That is the true position, not only in Abuja, but in Kano, Lagos, Kaduna and other states. So, we are interrelated and connected as a people in Nigeria.

“We need to stabilise that symbiotic bond that binds us together. When IPOB is talking about self-determination and self-actualization for where? When you own over half of the country.

“God may not give you everything. He has given something to you. That is the truth. Because of this, I am calling for this unity and fraternity among us. If the Igbo youth understand this, they will now know the need for peace and unity in the country.”

Politics

Atiku promises to restructure Nigeria as president

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Friday promised to restructure Nigeria and restore the economy if elected as the country’s president in 2023.

Abubakar, who is one of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirants, stated this while addressing the party delegates and the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, at the Government House in Asaba.

He listed the unity of the country, insecurity, economy, and education as some of the areas he would focus attention on if elected as president next year.

The ex-Vice President stressed that the country was at a cross road and needed an experienced hand to navigate through.

He thanked the delegates for the support given to him at the Port Harcourt convention in 2019 and urged them to vote for him in the PDP presidential convention billed for May 28 and May 29 in Abuja.

Abubakar said the issue of power rotation was enshrined in the party’s constitution, pointing out that what the PDP needed at this time was to grab the power before entrenching rotation.

The former Vice President has repeatedly identified restructuring as a major solution to Nigeria’s challenges and promised to carry it out if given the chance to lead the country.

He said: “We want to thank you very much indeed, particularly for the support that we received from Delta in the last primaries that took place in Port Harcourt.

We cherished that support and we value that support and we shall not forget that support.

Having said that, we have come to another season of elections in the country but this season is unique because Nigeria has never found itself in this type of situation facing numerous challenges.

That was why when l declared to run for the presidential election this time around, l identified five key areas that this country requires immediate attention.

“First of all, l identified the lack of unity in our country today.

“Government at all levels must identify with our diversity, and respect our diversity but this has been neglected over time.

“And as a result of that, we have a very divided country and l said l will tackle this disunity on the first day of my presidency if elected.”

He urged the delegates to put competence and credibility above money in casting their votes for aspirants to fly the party’s flag in 2023.

“And as a result of that, we have a very divided country and l said l will tackle this disunity on the first day of my presidency if elected.”

He urged the delegates to put competence and credibility above money in casting their votes for aspirants to fly the party’s flag in 2023.

“And as a result of that, we have a very divided country and l said l will tackle this disunity on the first day of my presidency if elected.”

He called on delegates to put competence and credibility above money in casting their votes for aspirants to fly the flag of the party.

On his part, Okowa said Abubakar has the requisite experience to take the country out of its present challenges.

He added that the issue of restructuring was important to the people of the Niger Delta in the choice of who should rule the country in 2023.

Okowa said delegates from the state would scrutinize the presidential aspirants and throw their weight behind the most credible at the primary.

Politics

INEC raises concern over insecurity ahead of 2023 elections

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The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has expressed concern over the escalating insecurity in the country as the 2023 general elections draw near.

Nigeria has been beset by insecurity with the Boko Haram insurgents and bandits killing and abducting citizens in the Northern part of the country.

Yakubu, who addressed stakeholders at the second quarterly meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in Abuja, however, noted that with just nine months to the elections, there was still enough time to tackle the insecurity.

He also urged political parties to keep to the time table for the elections.

The INEC chief said: “The general security situation in the country and its impact on the electoral process is a source of concern to the commission.

However, we are confident that with nine months to the 2023 general election, there is enough time to respond to the security challenges and secure the nation for elections to take place nationwide.

“The timetable for the election has also been released. Let us not wait until a few weeks to the election before we realise that time is not on our side and begin to seek for extension of timelines. The time to act is now. We wish to reassure the security agencies that we will continue to work cooperatively with you to ensure the success of all forthcoming elections and electoral activities.

“We have tasked our Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to provide basic data on areas of security challenges in their states, including citizens living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

“Our idea is to harvest the data as a basis for further engagement with the security agencies as well as devising the best way to provide electoral services to all Nigerians under all circumstances.”

Politics

Debt burden, zero production stalling Nigeria’s progress — Peter Obi

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The former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, on Friday blamed the country’s sluggish growth on humongous debt burden.

Obi, who is one of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirants, stated this at a meeting with the party’s leaders and delegates in Calabar, Cross River.

He stressed that Nigeria remains trapped as a result of its inability to increase its production capacity.

Obi said: “Nigeria is a nation of over 200 million people with about 100 million living in poverty, over 18 million out of school children out of which about 10 million are girls.

“We have a 35 percent unemployment rate and if we add underemployment it will rise to over 50 percent, many of which are youths in their productive age, so we cannot celebrate.

“The consequences of borrowing for consumption today are that Nigeria is spending over 90 percent of its revenue to service debt without much production to show.

“Export of crude oil has not saved any country. We really need to invest in our massive landmass and grow our economy as other nations such as Singapore, Vietnam, and even Morocco have done with tourism.”

Politics

‘Nigeria needs pragmatic president for development,’ says APC aspirant, Jack-Rich

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An oil magnate, Tein Jack-Rich, on Friday urged Nigerians to vote for a committed leader in the 2023 general elections.

Jach-Rich, who made the call during the declaration of his 2023 presidential bid in Abuja, said the problems rocking the country can only be addressed by someone with a pragmatic approach to governance.

He also submitted his All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination and expression of interest forms at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

The presidential aspirant noted Nigeria was devoid of a leader who can think for Nigerians and shows readiness to deliver.

He said: “Nigerians need a president that can think for them, not himself. You need a president that will ensure the wealth in Niger Delta is not for the region alone but a president who can utilise it for the benefit of all.

“The idea of loans with no strong means of repayment is bad. The reason we are struggling with inflation is because we are not consuming what we are producing. We need a leader with different approach to government. A president that will be genuinely committed to the course of the country.

“We need a president that will encourage more production, plan more, and make the country respected in the community of nations. We need to strengthen our currency and create jobs for youths.”

Politics

2023: Fayemi claims to have solution to terrorism, banditry in Nigeria

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The Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, claimed on Friday that he has a template to end the country’s insecurity.

Insecurity has been a major challenge in Nigeria since President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office in 2015 with the Boko Haram insurgents, bandits and other criminals pillaging communities across the country.

Fayemi is one of All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirants eyeing the party’s presidential ticket at this month’s primary slated for Abuja.

The governor, according to a statement issued by the Head of Campaign Organisation, Femi Ige, stated this during his visit to Borno, Yobe and Gombe States as part of consultations ahead of the party’s presidential primary.

He said: “Security will top my agenda as a security expert. I have a Ph.D. in War Studies and I consulted for Nigeria under President Olusegun Obasanjo, I was deeply involved in the resolution of the wars in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Rwanda, and Sri Lanka.

We have a template that we’ll use in bringing peace to our people so that we can farm in peace, school in peace, and live in peace. If I can do it outside, why not for the country that has given me everything?

“My focus would be on bringing peace to my fatherland and ensuring that the Ibadan man finds home in Sokoto and the Sokoto man finds home in Akure, Abakaliki, Onisha or Owerri. The Oweri man must find a home in Damaturu. This is the Nigeria I want to fight for and I’m confident it’s achievable.

“Any government who can successfully tackle this would have succeeded in bringing happiness to our country, discourage the urge to secede, and address our perennial problem of youth restiveness.

“I believe I have the education, the energy, the capacity, and the knowledge to tackle this problem.

“Nigeria is a diverse country and there is diverse competency. There are competent people across the country but in a multi-cultural, multi-dimensional, and multi-religious society, you also need zoning to build trust and confidence.”

Politics

Job of Nigeria’s president is not about might but smartness – Tinubu

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The National Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said on Friday the job of leading Nigeria as President was not about might but smartness.

He stated this during a meeting with APC delegates ahead of the party’s presidential primary on Friday in Minna, Niger State.

He said: “A President’s job is not to climb mountains, wrestle or carry concrete. It is to think and perform with his brain.

“We are not looking for a WWE wrestling fighter. We are looking for a thinker to provide security for us.

“We are looking for a doer who will look at economic opportunities and turn it around to prosperity.”

The ex-Lagos State governor stressed that he knew what was required to become a president in a country like Nigeria.

Tinubu said his track record in Lagos State would be replicated throughout the country.

He added: “I know the road to prosperity, safety, clean environment, development of our nation and infrastructure because I have done it all in Lagos State and I can do it again.”

He urged delegates to choose someone who has made other people living in Nigeria.

“Where are their track records? How many councillors, local government chairmen and chairpersons, members of the House of Assemblies, House of Representatives or Senators have they produced? I have produced them,” Tinubu concluded.

Politics

Akpabio, Onu reportedly resign from Buhari’s govt

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The duo of Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, and his Science and Technology counterpart, Ogbonnaya Onu, have reportedly resigned from President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.

The Personal Assistant on Media to the Minister, Jackson Udom, confirmed the development to journalists.

He said the minister took the decision in line with President Buhari’s directives.

On his part, Onu reportedly dropped his resignation letter at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Wednesday afternoon.

The President had earlier on Wednesday directed members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and other political appointees with designs on the 2023 elections to leave their posts latest by May 16.

The Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, resigned from the position a few hours after the FEC meeting.

Akpabio, Nwajiuba, and Onu are eyeing the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for next year’s election.

The ruling party will hold its presidential primary between May 30 and June 1 in Abuja.

Politics

Like Akpabio, Onu, Amaechi reportedly resigns from federal cabinet

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The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has reportedly resigned from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The trio of Godswill Akpabio (Niger Delta), Ogbonnaya Onu (Science and Technology) and Emeka Nwajiuba (Education) had earlier resigned from the Federal Government to pursue their interest in the 2023 elections.

The ministers are among the All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirants eyeing the party’s presidential ticket at this month’s primary in Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari had during Wednesday’s FEC meeting in Abuja directed all political office holders with designs in the 2023 elections to leave their positions latest by May 16.

Amaechi’s resignation was confirmed by the United Kingdom chapter of APC on its Twitter handle on Wednesday evening.

The chapter wrote:

“Nigeria’s Minister of #Transportation, HM Chibuike R. Amaechi [@ChibuikeAmaechi] has resigned from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to focus on his Presidential Campaign.

“Thank you for your service to Nigeria.”

However, there has been no official confirmation of the former Rivers State governor’s resignation by his media team.

Politics

Umahi visits Buhari, insists on political solution to Kanu’s case

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The Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, on Tuesday paid a “thank you visit” to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The President paid two-day working visit to Ebonyi last week and commissioned some projects including a facility at the University of Medical Sciences, Uburu, the Presidential Lodge and the Government House in Abakaliki, among others.

The governor, who addressed State House correspondents at the end of the visit, said he was in the State House to deliver a letter of appreciation to the President from the leaders of the South-East region for his recent working visit to Ebonyi and by extension to the region.

He said: “I came to the Villa to see the President and give him a thank you letter from South-East leaders, which expresses their deep appreciation for the visit of the President on a two-day working visit to Ebonyi, by extension South-East.

“I thought it necessary to do that as quickly as possible, our people are deeply very happy with the President and very appreciative of all the rewards of that visit.”

On the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, the governor insisted on a political solution to the problem.

He dismissed the insinuation that the people of the South-East zone were no longer interested in the “Nigeria Project.”

The people of the South-East, according to him, are not in support of any form of agitation or plan to secede from Nigeria.

Umahi said: “I had many months back met with the President, where we had very detailed and frank discussion on that particular matter. South-East people are tired and I have always said that we are not totally in support of agitation to secede from the Nigerian nation.

We want to belong to the Nigerian nation and as the Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, I have publicly said it, I have defended it, I don’t care about the attacks and those who have taken to the politics of that matter in our place.

“So, the President graciously granted my request for a political solution but you see, when the President repeatedly said the matter is in court, we must appreciate his pedigree and integrity.

“He cannot just as a President say he is going to destroy the matter in court.

“But there is always room for dialogue and out of court settlement and that is what we are looking for.

“He has said, your cultural leadership should be able to initiate that with Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer.’

“But, this is over six months and we have been begging the President of Ohaneze to take up that responsibility.

“So, that is the position and we are waiting for the President of Ohaneze to kick-start this political dialogue.

“I met with the Attorney-General of the Federation, he is very well disposed to it,

“I have also met with the Director General of the Department of State Services and he is also disposed and the same with the Inspector General of Police – so the ball is in our hands.”

Politics

Court orders accelerated hearing in suit seeking to stop PDP presidential primary

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Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday ordered the accelerated hearing into a suit seeking to stop the presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) slated for May 29.

The judge gave the order while ruling on an application for abridgment of time argued by Mr. Paul Erokoro (SAN) on behalf of the plaintiff, Mr. Cosmos Ndukwe.

He held that time was of the essence in the matter and that it would be in the interest of justice for the suit to be fully determined before the primary election.

Justice Okorowo asked the PDP, its National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu and the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu to file their responses to the suit against them within four days.

The judge fixed May 18 for adoption of final addresses in the suit, saying a date for judgement would be fixed immediately after the adoption of addresses.

Erokoro had in the application pleaded with the court to abridge the time for the suit to be expeditiously heard.

The respondents, however, opposed the application for abridgment of time and accelerated hearing, claiming that there was nothing urgent about the case of the plaintiff.

The PDP counsel, Mr. Mahmud Magaji, (SAN), said the plaintiff had nothing to lose if the party went ahead with the presidential primary.

Ndukwe had on April 28 filed an ex parte application restraining the PDP from proceeding with the primary election over its refusal to zone the presidential ticket to the Southern part of the country.

Politics

Court nullifies sale of assets recovered by Malami committee

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Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on Tuesday nullified the sale of assets recovered by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), under the Asset Tracing, Recovery and Management Regulations, 2019.

The judge gave the ruling in a suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) Resource Centre against the AGF.

He also declared that the Asset Tracing, Recovery and Management Regulations, 2019 as an invalid statutory instrument, saying the powers of the committee headed by Malami were beyond the legal powers of the office of the AGF.

The AGF had on November 9, 2020, inaugurated the Inter-Ministerial Committee on the disposal of assets forfeited to the Federal Government.

The establishment of the committee, according to the minister, was in line with the President’s directive of October 2018 following recommendations of the Presidential Audit Committee on Recovery and Management of Stolen Assets and a need for efficient management of the assets.

But HEDA through its counsel, Omotayo Olatubosun, challenged the AGF’s power to set up the committee, arguing that the regulations conflicted with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act, Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administrative Act, 2015, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act, 2004 and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission Act (ICPC), 2000, among others, on the disposal of forfeited assets.

In filing the suit, the plaintiff sought nine reliefs including the nullification of all disposals of assets by the committee.

In his judgment, Justice Lewis-Allagoa dismissed the AGF’s preliminary objection argued by the committee’s counsel, Tolu Mokunolu, and granted all of HEDA’s reliefs as prayed on the motion paper.

He said: “I am entirely in agreement with the submission of counsels to the plaintiff that the Asset Tracing, Recovery and Management Regulations, 2019 are contrary to the statutory provisions of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC Act, Trafficking in Persons Cohabitation Enforcement and Administration Act, NDLEA Act and Immigration Act.

A careful perusal of the above statutory provisions will show the provisions for the Attorney-General of the Federation to make regulations for the agencies for disposal of assets under the various enactments listed above.

“The above statutory enactments are therefore the enabling source of the Attorney-General of the Federation to the regulations.

“Consequently, the administrative powers to be exercised by the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation must flow from the enabling statutes.

“It is pertinent to state that the powers of the Attorney-General of the Federation do not override the provisions of the enabling statutes stabilising the powers of the law enforcement agencies and anti-corruption agencies and consequently the powers referred to in the commencement clause of the regulations merely are to be exercised in accordance with the Acts not to usurp the mandatory powers vested in the law enforcement agencies and the anti-corruption agencies.”

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