Nigeria’s Labour Party leader and Presidential Candidate of the party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has congratulated the newly elected 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump.
The Labour Party leader expressed the hope that Trump’s victory will help to deepen democracy globally and engender much-needed peace in the World.
Obi commended the US electoral officials as well as the people of America for conducting a successful poll.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has bemoaned the untimely death of Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, describing it as a huge loss to the Country and the Army.
Lt. Gen Lagbaja reportedly died Tuesday night in a Lagos hospital, aged 56.
A statement by Oguwike Nwachuku, Chief Press Secretary/Special Adviser Media to Governor Uzodimma said his principal was shocked to receive the sad news of Lagbaja’s passing which he said was devastating and unexpected.
Governor Uzodimma described Lagbaja as a humble, gallant and resourceful Army officer who did his utmost to ensure that Nigeria’s territorial integrity was secured under his watch as COAS.
The Governor regretted that Lagbaja died when his services were most needed in the country.
On behalf of his family and the government of Imo State, Governor Uzodimma commiserated with the Lagbaja family, particularly the widow (Mariya), the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Army leadership, as well as the government and people of Osun State.
Governor Uzodimma also prayed God Almighty to grant all those Lagbaja has left to mourn his passing the fortitude to bear the huge loss, and to the deceased’s soul, eternal rest.
By Suleiman Anyalewechi
Chieftains of the All Progressive Congress APC, in Abia State have reinstated the party’s resolve to wrestle power from the Labour Party come 2027.
Hon Chris Nkwonta, Member representing Ukwa West/East Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, High Chief Sylvanus Nwaji four time chairman of Ukwa West Council, Federal Commissioner representing Abia State on the NNDC Board, Eroba Dimgba and Chief Don Ubani, former Deputy Chief of Staff to the immediate past Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, spoke separately at a formal reception for over one thousand Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, members who defected to the APC in the Obuzor mega Ward of Ukwa West on Tuesday November 5.
The Source reports that since the beginning of the second half of the year, the PDP in Abia State has been hit by several high profile defections, with the rival APC being the major beneficiary.
Some erstwhile Commissioners, top Government and party functionaries who played key roles in the immediate past PDP administration in the state, including the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chinedu Orji, have since signed on for the APC from the PDP.
The coalition of such numerous former PDP lords into the APC was part of the reason why Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives audaciously, but controversially, declared two months ago that the APC is condemned to take over power in the State in 2027.
Only last month, Hon Nkwonta, the only House of Representatives member from the state elected on the platform of the PDP, alongside Chief Ubani, erstwhile Deputy chief of Staff to former Governor Ikpeazu, decamped to the rival APC.
Speaking while receiving the PDP decampees from the only oil producing Local Government of Abia State, leader of the APC in Obuzor and Ukwa West High Chief Nwaji, expressed happiness with the decision of the PDP members to join forces with APC.
Nwaji, a House of Representatives candidate in the 2023 general elections noted that the APC is poised to reclaim the top spot in the political equation of Abia state.
“Let me appreciate the decampees for their wise decision to join forces with the APC.
“My interaction with them before this public declaration has shown that they (decampees ) are ready and committed to supporting and growing APC not just in Abia State, but, also, in the entire South East Zone.
“As they are joining us today, I want to appeal to the party hierarchy at all levels to carry them along so that they will contribute their quota towards the APC controlling Abia State and the South-east in 2027.
“Our focus now is to build a formidable structure that ,will enable the APC take over Abia state ,and consolidate its preeminent position at the centre .
“I want to warn the new members that there will be no room for divided loyalty, betrayal, and insincerity of purpose.
“If you know you are not going to give your all to the party, then you still have time to ship out now. We don’t want anything to distract us from wresting power in Abia in 2027.
“The Labour Party Government in the State has proven beyond any reasonable doubt that it can not be trusted to lift Abia and Abians up from the very low level that the PDP left them.
“APC is set on a redemption mission and by the grace of God, nothing is going to stop us in 2027” Nwaji stated.
On his own, Hon Nkwonta who was appointed Chairman, House Committee on the South East Development Commission as an immediate reward for joining APC from PDP, urged party members ,particularly the decampees to be focused and dedicated.
He assured that the APC will take its rightful position in Abia State come 2027.
“I call on every party member to remain focused and committed. In politics, there are bound to be distractions and disagreements.
“But the most important thing is for the people not to be distracted. On my part, my decision to leave PDP and join APC is for the public interest.
“My concern is about how to collectively retrieve Abia State. Iam very optimistic that with the calibre of people ,in the party and their commitment ,APC will no doubt take over the state in 2027.
“Let me assure you that more dedicated people will be joining the Abia APC train any moment from now. The party will surely occupy its rightful position in Abia State.
Earlier, the NNDC Commissioner, Chief Dimgba, while expressing joy over the large number of those that decamped to the Party from the rival PDP, assured the new members of enough space in the APC to accommodate all.
He also enjoined party faithful to be focused on the task of taking over Abia State come 2027.
By Ayodele Oni
A Japanese company, Kawasho Foods Trade Corporation and JFE Shoji Corporation, on Wednesday donated educational materials to 10 public basic schools in Oyo State.
The materials, which included 11,000 exercise books, 360 desks, and benches, as well as 150 cartons of canned food products, were distributed among some selected primary schools across the three senatorial districts of the state.
Speaking at the official presentation of the educational materials in Ibadan, the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OYOSUBEB), Dr. Nureni Adeniran commended the company for its support towards the state government’s efforts at providing qualitative education in the state, starting at the basic education level.
Adeniran who urged the donor to continue with their support, noted that “the furniture would improve the pupils’ sitting posture and convenience, while the exercise books would provide writing materials for the pupils, particularly the indigent ones, which would improve their academic performance”.
He said the donation to Basic Schools in the State is a good step in the right direction and it will serve as an encouragement to other multi-national companies operating in the country towards investing in the future of children.
Dr. Adeniran said the company’s gesture will complement the effort of the state government, noting that the governor recently approved the recruitment of 7,000 teachers to fill the existing vacancies created by retirement and other factors.
He assured the company that its effort will not be in vain as the materials will be put into good use.
“I enjoin the teachers of the beneficiary schools to reciprocate this good gestures of the Corporation by remaining diligent and dedicated to their duties so that the effect will show or manifest sooner than later.
“As a board, we appreciate the gift of 360 desks and chairs, 11,000 pieces of 60 leaves exercise books, and 150 cartons of Geisha.”
Speaking earlier, the Africa representative of the company, Mr. Murata Kotaro disclosed that JFE Shoji Corporation and Kawasho Foods Corporation, the brand owner of Geisha brand, have been supporting education in Nigeria since 2011 and have been to more than 15 States.
He added that the company chose Oyo State in 2024 to express gratitude for the support by consumers in the state.
He noted that, “provision of notebooks, desks, and benches each year is to support children’s education, and Geisha canned foods are donated to support the pupils’ diets.
“It is in line with our corporate social responsibility that, this year in 2024, we officially donate these educational materials of 360 sets of desks and chairs,11, 000 copies of Geisha branded notebooks, and 150 cartons of Geisha mackerel products to the selected beneficiary schools chosen by the Oyo State school Board.”
By Charles Igbo
A Double tragedy has hit Imo State within a space of 24 hours. The tragedies claimed with them, at least, 18 lives.
The first was on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. It came in the form a devastating and unexpected bomb which hit the Orlu International Market.
The second which happened Wednesday morning was a fatal accident which happened in the same Orlu Zone, but now at the Njaba Local Government Area.
The bomb was detonated at the Orlu International Market when the market was filled up. While people were there transacting their daily businesses, the Improvised Explosive Device, IED, was detonated and sent everybody scampering for their lives. Confusion reigned.
While the scores who ran helter-skelter were injured, two were not that lucky. They lost their lives. Fortunately, the victims were the criminals who detonated the bomb.
Henry Okoye, Imo State Police Command’s Spokesperson, confirmed two fatalities and also confirmed it was an IED. He added that: “The Commissioner of Police, Imo State, Aboki Danjuma, has sent an anti-bomb squad to the scene.”
And in the fatal accident which happened on the River Njaba bridge in the Njaba LGA, 16 persons lost their lives.
According to eye witnesses, the accident occurred when a commercial vehicle lost control as it approached the bridge located on the Njaba-Owerri road, hit the edge of the bridge. The impact was tragic.
For years, the Njaba bridge has been notorious for such accidents.
By Charles Igbo
The business of kidnapping which took a backstage in Imo State in the past few weeks has reared its ugly head again.
A Roman Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Azubuike was, on Tuesday, November 5, Kidnapped. The Priest was incharge of St Theresa’s Catholic Parish, Obollo Community, Isiala Mbano Local Government Area.
Fr. Azubuike was returning to his Parish after attending a Church assignment when he was intercepted and kidnapped. Time was about 6.00pm.
In a statement, the Catholic Diocese of Okigwe prayed for the safety of the Priest, and appealed for his release by the hoodlums who kidnapped him.
Signed by the Diocese’s Chancellor/Secretary, Very Rev. Fr. Princewill Iwuanyanwu, the statement said: “I am directed to inform you that one of our Priests, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Azubuike was kidnapped this evening, Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at about 6pm.
“Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Azubuike who was ordained on September 27, 2014, is the Parish Priest of St. Theresa’s Catholic Parish, Obollo, Isiala Mbano LGA, Imo State while on his way back from an assignment.
“We solicit your fervent prayers that he may come back to us safe and sound while trusting in your goodwill and solidarity.”
Imo State Police Command Spokesperson, Henry Okoye, confirms that the Commissioner of Police has set up “a high powered investigation team to look into the matter for possible rescue of the Catholic Priest and apprehension of the suspects.”
Kidnapping for ransome has since become a big time booming business in the South-east. And the people are helpless.
Former president Donald Trump has been elected as the 47th president of the United States. The election results announced on Wednesday indicate that the former US leader recorded a decisive win against his opponent, Kamala Harris who represented the Democratic Party in the historic election.
Even though the winner has not been declared by the authority, the former president has already gone past his opponent in the Electoral College votes so far counted.
The former president, who ruled the country between 2016 and 2020 described his victory as a decisive one.
Watchers of the US election says the win is an extraordinary comeback for the former president who refused to accept defeat four years ago, sparking a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol Hill.
In his first reaction to the election, Trump described his victory as magnificent “for the American people that will allow us to make America great again.”
Recall that Trump has been convicted of felony charges and survived two assassination attempts before the election, which started few weeks ago and climaxed on the Super Tuesday.
With a win in Wisconsin, Trump cleared the 270 electoral votes needed to clinch the presidency.
The victory validates his bare-knuckle approach to politics. He attacked his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, in deeply personal – often misogynistic and racist – terms as he pushed an apocalyptic picture of a country overrun by violent migrants. The coarse rhetoric, paired with an image of hypermasculinity, resonated with angry voters – particularly men – in a deeply polarized nation.
“We’ve been through so much together, and today you showed up in record numbers to deliver a victory,” Trump told throngs of his cheering supporters in Florida. “This was something special and we’re going to pay you back.”
As president, he’s vowed to pursue an agenda centered on dramatically reshaping the federal government and pursuing retribution against his perceived enemies. Speaking to his supporters Wednesday morning, Trump claimed he had won “an unprecedented and powerful mandate.”
The results cap a historically tumultuous and competitive election season that included two assassination attempts targeting Trump and a shift to a new Democratic nominee just a month before the party’s convention. Trump will inherit a range of challenges when he assumes office on Jan. 20, including heightened political polarization and global crises that are testing America’s influence abroad.
His win against Harris, the first woman of color to lead a major party ticket, marks the second time he has defeated a female rival in a general election. Harris, the current vice president, rose to the top of the ticket after President Joe Biden exited the race amid alarm about his advanced age. Despite an initial surge of energy around her campaign, she struggled during a compressed timeline to convince disillusioned voters that she represented a break from an unpopular administration.
Harris has not publicly spoken since the race was called. Her campaign co-chair, Cedric Richmond, said she would speak Wednesday. “You will hear from her tomorrow. She will be back here tomorrow.”
Trump is the first former president to return to power since Grover Cleveland regained the White House in the 1892 election. He is the first person convicted of a felony to be elected president and, at 78, is the oldest person elected to the office. His vice president, 40-year-old Ohio Sen. JD Vance, will become the highest-ranking member of the millennial generation in the U.S. government.
Congratulations started pouring in from world leaders even before Trump’s victory was announced.
There will be far fewer checks on Trump when he returns to the White House. He has plans to swiftly enact a sweeping agenda that would transform nearly every aspect of American government. His GOP critics in Congress have largely been defeated or retired. Federal courts are now filled with judges he appointed. The U.S. Supreme Court, which includes three Trump-appointed justices, issued a ruling earlier this year affording presidents broad immunity from prosecution.
Trump’s language and behavior during the campaign sparked growing warnings from Democrats and some Republicans about shocks to democracy that his return to power would bring. He repeatedly praised strongman leaders, warned that he would deploy the military to target political opponents he labeled the “enemy from within,” threatened to take action against news organizations for unfavorable coverage and suggested suspending the Constitution.
Some who served in his first White House, including Vice President Mike Pence and John Kelly, Trump’s longest-serving chief of staff, either declined to endorse him or issued dire public warnings about his return to the presidency.
While Harris focused much of her initial message around themes of joy, Trump channeled a powerful sense of anger and resentment among voters.
He seized on frustrations over high prices and fears about crime and migrants who illegally entered the country on Biden’s watch. He also highlighted wars in the Middle East and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to cast Democrats as presiding over – and encouraging – a world in chaos.
It was a formula Trump perfected in 2016, when he cast himself as the only person who could fix the country’s problems, often borrowing language from dictators.
“In 2016, I declared I am your voice. Today I add: I am your warrior. I am your justice. And for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution,” he said in March 2023.
This campaign often veered into the absurd, with Trump amplifying bizarre and disproven rumors that migrants were stealing and eating pet cats and dogs in an Ohio town. At one point, he kicked off a rally with a detailed story about the legendary golfer Arnold Palmer in which he praised his genitalia.
But perhaps the defining moment came in July when a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. A bullet grazed Trump’s ear and killed one of his supporters. His face streaked with blood, Trump stood and raised his fist in the air, shouting “Fight! Fight! Fight!” Weeks later, a second assassination attempt was thwarted after a Secret Service agent spotted the barrel of a gun poking through the greenery while Trump was playing golf.
Trump’s return to the White House seemed unlikely when he left Washington in early 2021 as a diminished figure whose lies about his defeat sparked a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. He was so isolated at the time that few outside of his family bothered to attend the send-off he organized for himself at Andrews Air Force Base, complete with a 21-gun salute.
Democrats who controlled the U.S. House quickly impeached him for his role in the insurrection, making him the only president to be impeached twice. He was acquitted by the U.S. Senate, where many Republicans argued that he no longer posed a threat because he had left office.
But from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump – aided by some elected Republicans – worked to maintain his political relevance. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the California Republican who at the time led his party in the U.S. House, visited Trump soon after he left office, essentially validating his continued role in the party.
As the 2022 midterm election approached, Trump used the power of his endorsement to assert himself as the unquestioned leader of the party. His preferred candidates almost always won their primaries, but some went on to defeat in elections that Republicans viewed as within their grasp. Those disappointing results were driven in part by a backlash to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that revoked a woman’s constitutional right to an abortion, a decision that was aided by Trump-appointed justices. The midterm election prompted questions within the GOP about whether Trump should remain the party’s leader.
But if Trump’s future was in doubt, that changed in 2023 when he faced a wave of state and federal indictments for his role in the insurrection, his handling of classified information and election interference. He used the charges to portray himself as the victim of an overreaching government, an argument that resonated with a GOP base that was increasingly skeptical – if not outright hostile – to institutions and established power structures.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who challenged Trump for the Republican nomination, lamented that the indictments “sucked out all the oxygen” from this year’s GOP primary. Trump easily captured his party’s nomination without ever participating in a debate against DeSantis or other GOP candidates.
With Trump dominating the Republican contest, a New York jury found him guilty in May of 34 felony charges in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through a hush money payment to a porn actor who said the two had sex. He faces sentencing later this month, though his victory poses serious questions about whether he will ever face punishment.
He has also been found liable in two other New York civil cases: one for inflating his assets and another for sexually abusing advice columnist E. Jean Carroll in 1996.
Trump is subject to additional criminal charges in an election-interference case in Georgia that has become bogged down. On the federal level, he’s been indicted for his role in trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election and improperly handling classified material. When he becomes president on Jan. 20, Trump could appoint an attorney general who would erase the federal charges.
As he prepares to return to the White House, Trump has vowed to swiftly enact a radical agenda that would transform nearly every aspect of American government. That includes plans to launch the largest deportation effort in the nation’s history, to use the Justice Department to punish his enemies, to dramatically expand the use of tariffs and to again pursue a zero-sum approach to foreign policy that threatens to upend longstanding foreign alliances, including the NATO pact.
When he arrived in Washington 2017, Trump knew little about the levers of federal power. His agenda was stymied by Congress and the courts, as well as senior staff members who took it upon themselves to serve as guardrails.
This time, Trump has said he would surround himself with loyalists who will enact his agenda, no questions asked, and who will arrive with hundreds of draft executive orders, legislative proposals and in-depth policy papers in hand.
AP
By Ayodele Oni
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has appointed Justice Lekan Adekanye Ogunmoye as Acting Chief Judge of the State.
This is in furtherance of the powers conferred on the Governor by Section 271 (4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The appointment of Justice Ogunmoye takes effect from November 5, 2024.
He replaces Justice John Oyewole Adeyeye, who passed on November 4, 2024.
Born on November 6, 1963, Justice Ogunmoye was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1987, and was appointed a Judge on April 1, 2010.
A statement signed by Yinka Oyebode, Special Adviser media to the Governor wishes the new Acting Chief Judge a successful tenure.
The appointment is still subjected to confirmation by the state House of Assembly.
If confirmed, he will be in the substantive position till 2028 when he will clock the mandatory retirement age of 65 for Judges.
By Ayodele Oni
Finally, President Bola Tinubu has put a stop to all the speculations by officially announcing the death of Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.
Speculations over Lagbaja’s status – dead or alive – had been on for about two weeks. The Army vehemently denied his death when it was first strongly rumoured and threatened those who said an acting Chief of Army Staff had been appointed with treasonable felony.
But on Wednesday, November 6, after he had appointed Major General Olufemi Oluyede as the Acting Chief of Staff, and his subsequent promotion to the rank of a Lt. General on Monday, President Tinubu finally confirmed Lagbaja’s passing in an undisclosed hospital in Lagos.
Speculations are that he died of an undisclosed type of Cancer.
In a statement which announced Lagbaja’s death, main Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, heaped praises on the late General. He said Lagbaja died after a period of illness.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, regrets to announce the passing of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of the Army Staff, at age 56.
“He passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness.
“Born on February 28, 1968, Lt. General Lagbaja was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu.
“His distinguished military career began when he enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987. On September 19, 1992, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps as a member of the 39th Regular Course.
“Throughout his service, Lt. General Lagbaja demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment, serving as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion.
“He played pivotal roles in numerous internal security operations, including Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in Southeast Nigeria, and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States.
“An alumnus of the prestigious U.S. Army War College, he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, demonstrating his dedication to professional growth and excellence in military leadership.
“Lt. General Lagbaja is survived by his beloved wife, Mariya, and their two children.
President Tinubu expresses his heartfelt condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces during this difficult time. He wishes Lt. General Lagbaja eternal peace and honours his significant contributions to the nation.”
He is the second Chief of Army Staff to die in office in recent years.
