Home Blog Page 1092

Iran Mourns As President Raisi Dies In Helicopter Crash, To Elect New President In 50 Days

May 20, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

Following the unfortunate fatal Crash of the Helicopter conveying Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi and his Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, as well as seven others which happened yesterday, Iranians are in deep mourning

The helicopter crashed as it was crossing a mountain terrain in a heavy fog. There were three Helicopters on the trip. Two landed safely at their destination but the President’s Helicopter crashed. It took over 16 hours for the site of the crash to be located, albeit, with the help of concerned countries including India and Turkey.

Raisi, 63 years old, was elected president in 2021.

According to the Iranuan Constitution, a new President will be elected in 50 days time. Before that, the Vice President will be the interim President.

The late President first ran for the office in 2017 as the candidate of the conservative Popular Front of Islamic Revolution Forces. A divisive figure, he lost to Hassan Rouhani, 57% to 38.3%.

known as the “butcher of Tehran”, he was one of the four people on the prosecution committee, responsible for the execution of thousands of political prisoners in Iran in 1988. The Committee was later labeled the “death committee”.

He was sanctioned by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control in accordance with Executive Order 13876. He was accused of crimes against humanity by international human rights organizations and United Nations special rapporteurs.

Raisi successfully ran for president a second time in 2021 with 62.9% of the votes, succeeding Hassan Rouhani. According to many observers, the 2021 Iranian presidential election was rigged in favour of Raisi, who was considered an ally of Ali Khamenei.

Raisi served in several positions in Iran’s judicial system, such as Deputy Chief Justice (2004–2014), Attorney General (2014–2016), and Chief Justice (2019–2021). He was also Prosecutor and Deputy Prosecutor of Tehran in the 1980s and 1990s.

He was Custodian and Chairman of Astan Quds Razavi, a bonyad, from 2016 until 2019.

He was a member of Assembly of Experts from South Khorasan Province, being elected for the first time in the 2006 election. He was the son-in-law of Mashhad Friday prayer leader and Grand Imam of Imam Reza shrine, Ahmad Alamolhoda.

“Kwankwaso Deceiving The Public, Expelled NNPP Faction”

Suleiman Anyalewechi

May 19, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The National leadership of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of displaying bias in the ongoing internal crisis rocking the party.

However, it has insisted that the only way the electoral umpire could convince the party of its neutrality is for the Professor Mahmud Yakubu-led INEC to take all necessary steps to fish out and punish its staff that monitored the last National Convention held by “some expelled and renegade members of the party in Abuja.”

In a statement issued on Sunday, May 19, 2024, by its National Secretary, Oginni Olaposi, the NNPP expressed dismay that despite being served with all necessary court notices halting the said convention, INEC staffers still monitored the exercise.

The party warned that the INEC should, as a matter of necessity, maintain a high level of neutrality in the present crisis situation in the party as doing otherwise will expose it to accusations of bias.

“Without prejudice to the integrity, honour and leadership of the INEC Chairman, we are using this medium to remind him that successes and otherwise of electoral processes in Nigeria largely depends on the level of quality of leadership of the Commission under his watch.

“It is trite to note that INEC as a Commission has the mandate to regulate and control electoral processes in Nigeria in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Electoral Guidelines.

“This shall be without prejudice to the partial autonomy and independence of political parties to regulate and control themselves in accordance with the party’s constitution.

“One begins to wonder why INEC, as a Commission, other than being neutral is found to be doing the contrary, and taking sides over an internal matter of the NNPP .

“And for the records, Federal High Courts sitting in Awka Anambra state and Abuja have said that the crisis in NNPP should be resolved internally .

“We regret to note that Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and others expelled from our party have been deceiving the general public that the NNPP under the leadership of Major Gilbert Agbo rtd lost in the various court cases .

“One begins to wonder how the pronouncements of the Courts that NNPP leadership crisis is an internal matter of the party translate to loss .

“The Federal High Court has jurisdictions over the party constitution to give direction. We have approached the Court of Appeal in that regard to demand for a clear statement as to how the internal crisis can be resolved and who does it.” Part of the NNPP statement reads.

“The NNPP has therefore called on the INEC chairman to rise to his responsibilities and ensure that the electoral body guarantees fairness ,justice and equity for all in its operations .

“This is even as it has urged Prof Yakubu to quickly act on a letter written to the electoral umpire by the Board of Trustees BOT seeking the custody of the party ,while the various court cases instituted by different interests groups last .

“However ,we have been meant to understand that sometimes ,the Chairman of INEC may be shielded from facts of issues and sectional heads tend to do things on their own without the the knowledge of the Chairman.

“On the part of the INEC as a regulator ,it shall be oversight function to deploy alternative dispute resolution ,especially when the matter is brought before it formally .

“Other than that, INEC is found attending and observing an illegal convention of the expelled members .INEC again,should have the courage to respond to the letter of the Founder ,and Members of the Board of Trustees BOT to facilitate and order the board to take responsibility of resolving the internal crisis .

“And for the avoidance of doubts,it is on record that Rabiu Kwankwaso and his splinter group and INEC were duly served court notices against the illegal convention and yet it held and INEC erroneously attended ” the NNPP stated .

Local Militia Behead Two, Abduct Seven In Renewed Ebonyi Communal Clashes

Suleiman Anyalewechi

May 19, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The communal clashes rocking some parts of Ebony State upped its ante early Sunday morning May 19, 2024, two persons were beheaded, and seven, including five women abducted. No fewer than five houses were also razed by suspected local militia in a dawn attack on Ikachi Village in Akparata Effium area of Ohaukwu Local Council of the State.

But the Ebonyi State Police Command spokesperson Ukandu Joshua, ASP, lauded the swift and timely interventions of security agencies, particularly the military in protecting and restoring normalcy to the area.

The President General of the Community, Dr James Agena, in a statement made available to the Media, said the attackers,who struck at about 3.00 am on Sunday, came from the Ezza axis of the State.

“This is one attack too many on the peace loving people of Effium. I call on the Government of Ebonyi State and Security Agencies to promptly arrest and prosecute all those involved in these genocidal acts.

This attack came just before the new peace committee’s meeting billed for Tuesday May 21 2024 ,for the reading of the Government White Paper on the Effium crisis to the warring factions.”Dr Agena noted

The Effium PG stated that a similar attack was carried out last Sunday resulting in the killing of one Mrs Cecelia Omah also by beheading .

“I write to inform you that this morning (Sunday) around 3.00 am, Ezza warriors attacked Ikachi village in the Akparata area of Effium, resulting in the killing and beheading of two men. Seven Effium natives were abducted (five women and two men), and twelve people sustained gunshot wounds and five houses burnt down .

The deceased are Obinna Aje ,(19) and Ogenyi Abowu (78) .This latest attack follows an Ezza warriors’ attack on Effium urban last Sunday May 12, 2024, where Mrs Cecelia Omah was killed and beheaded ” the Effium PG noted.

The Ebonyi Police Command spokesperson, however, informed that Police authorities have launched an investigation in to the incident,.

The Source reports that the communal conflict between the two communities have since 2021, led to the loss of many lives and valuables on both sides .

NNPP Faction Accuses INEC Of Taking Sides In Internal Crisis

James Orji

May 19, 2024

The New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, on Sunday accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC , of undue interference and taking sides in the party’s internal leadership crisis

The party also advised INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu to look into alleged attendance of it’s splinter group convention by the commission’s staff, even when they were served with court notice challenging the illegal convention

In a statement signed by the NNPP National Secretary, Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday ,
the party insisted that INEC chairman must fish out the colluding staff and ensure he or she is punished.

It noted that INEC must remain neutral in the NNPP internal crisis as required by law.

“Without prejudice to the integrity, honour and leadership of the INEC chairman, we are using this medium to remind him that the successes and otherwise of electoral processes in Nigeria largely depend on the level of quality leadership of the commission under his watch.

“It is trite to note that INEC as a commission has the mandate to regulate and control electoral processes in Nigeria in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Electoral Guidelines.

“This shall be without prejudice to the partial autonomy and independence of political parties to regulate and control themselves in accordance with the party constitution.”

The NNPP pointed out that the courts including the Supreme Court of Nigeria had made several pronouncements in relation to the liberty and authority of political parties on matters of self regulation and control of its affairs , administration and management.

“One begins to wonder why INEC as a commission, other than being neutral is found to be the contrary and taking sides over an internal matter of NNPP.

“And for the records, the federal high courts seated at Awka in Anambra state and Abuja have said that the crisis in NNPP should be resolved internally by members.

“We regret to note that Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso Senator and others expelled from our party have been deceiving the general public that the NNPP under the leadership of Major Gilbert Agbo lost in the various cases.

“One begins to wonder how the pronouncements of the courts that NNPP leadership crisis is an internal matter of the party translate to loss?

“The Federal High Court have jurisdiction over the party constitution to give direction. We have approached the Court of Appeal in that regard to demand for a clear statement as to how the internal crisis can be resolved and who does it.”

According to it, under the constitution of the NNPP, it is the mandate and responsibility of the Founder and Members of the Board as the conscience of the party, to take responsibility and resolve the internal crisis .

“The court has to say so to add impetus and the force of the law to it to enable resolutions. Regret that Federal High Courts were not able to do so in the various judgments.

“On the part of INEC as a regulator, it shall be an oversight function to deploy alternative dispute resolution especially, when the matter is brought before it formally.

“Other than that, INEC is found attending and observing an illegal convention of the expelled members. INEC again should have the courage to respond to the letter of the Founder and Members of the Board to facilitate and order the board to take responsibility in resolving the internal crisis.

“And for the avoidance doubts, it is on record that Kwankwaso and his splinter group and INEC were duly served with court notices against the illegal convention and yet it held and INEC erroneously attended.

“However, we are meant to understand that most times, the chairman of INEC may be shielded from facts of issues and sectional heads tend to do things on their own without the knowledge of the chairman.

“We shall therefore advise the chairman INEC to step up his supervisory role in the management and administration of the commission’s statutory responsibilities and know when to evoke his residual powers to act.”

The party, therefore, appealed to Yakubu to attend to the letters written to him by the Board of Trustees of NNPP, requesting that while the cases are ongoing in the courts the life of NNPP should be preserved in the hands of the Board.

Ogene Knocks Soludo’s Plan To Appoint 8th Set Of LGA Chairmen in 2yrs As Ridiculous, Puppeteering

James Orji

May 19, 2024

The member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, has described the decision by Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra state, to snub the calls for elections and singlehandedly appoint another set of Local Government Transition Committee members, as ridiculous, undemocratic, abuse of power and unfair to the development dreams of the people.

This was contained in a statement the federal lawmaker made in Awka, on Sunday, May 19, 2024, in response to the correspondence between the office of the governor and the local government chairmen of the Governor’s party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), calling for submission of CVs by interested persons within the party, through the office of the party’s LGA chairmen, for appointment into the Transition Committee.

According to Ogene, who is the Labour Party’s House of Reps’ Caucus Leader, “Records show that Governor Soludo changes LGA Transition Committee members every three months, and have therefore, made these curious changes seven times since assumption of office in 2022. By the time he makes another of such change this month, that would be the 8th time within two years in office.

“That to me, would be an inglorious record by a democratically elected governor. This puppeteering style of leadership, which toys with the destiny, aspiration and desires of the grassroots, must be resisted and not allowed to continue to shrink the development potential of the LGAs.

“The local government ought to be the most important tier of government, as envisaged by the Nigerian Constitution, because it’s not only the tier that is closest to the people, it is also the obvious foundation of both the subnational and the federal government. And should not be at the whims of state governors.”

“Such undemocratic practice of appointing LGA administrators, rather that democratic election, is an enabler of impunity and lack of democratic accountability and also hurts transparency in the local governments and the state as a whole, as those so appointed would only scramble for personal interests during the three months of their stay in office. This does not help the management of scarce resources or the development of the LGAs.”

Speaking further, Hon. Ogene queried: “For instance, what manner of meaningful development plan would a TC chairman articulate and execute within a period of three months? Isn’t it troubling that Governor Soludo, a prominent economist, is promoting this charade contrary to all the economic indices that point to the decreasing economic and social fortunes of the people in the grassroots as a result of the shrinking presence of government development activities in the rural areas?

“What really is Governor Soludo afraid of in conducting elections in the LGAs, in line with his campaign promises and the desires of the people in the grassroots and provisions of the Constitution? It should be noted that other states, such as Delta, Lagos, Edo, Rivers, Kaduna, Awka Ibom, etc hold elections in the third tier of government, no matter how imperfect; why then is Governor Soludo appointing and discarding LGA administrators as if they are used tissue papers?

Meanwhile, the Senate on Thursday, May 16, 2024, also accused state governors of misappropriating funds allocated to local government councils in Nigeria, saying that arm of government was dead in the country, as a result of the overwhelming powers of the state governors over the LGAs.

It also said the dream of achieving the objectives of the local government system has encountered harsh realities as successive governments have often eroded local autonomy, limiting their financial resources and control over decision-making.

The Senate, consequently, asked the federal government to stop further allocation of funds to caretaker committee-led local government areas, LGAs, and urged President Bola Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, champion the cause of full autonomy for local governments in the country.

The resolutions of the Senate were sequel to a motion sponsored by Senator Suleiman Kawu, NNPP, Kano South.

The Senate resolved that President Tinubu should champion the cause of full autonomy for local governments in the country.

Insecurity: Zamfara Ex Governors Meet, Vow To End Insurgency

Ayodele Oni

May 19, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, realizing their role as former helmsmen of Zamfara State and in a bid to tackle the worsening insecurity in the State, has rallied other four former Governors for a meeting to address the lingering challenges confronting the state.

The meeting which took place at the Abuja residence of Matawalle, was attended by, Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima, Alhaji Mamuda Aliyu Shinkafi, and Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar.

Yusuf Idris Gusau, the APC Publicity Secretary for Zamfara State, who confirmed the meeting in a press statement, underscored the commitment of the former governors to finding lasting solutions to the security crisis.

The high-stakes meeting, lasting approximately four hours and extending into the late night, focused on devising strategies to improve the state’s security conditions.

He stated in the statement that “The former governors emphasized the need to set aside political differences and prioritize the well-being of Zamfara’s residents.

“Their discussions also covered broader aspects of socio-economic growth, education, and healthcare development, aiming for comprehensive improvements alongside enhanced security measures.

“While specific details of the meeting were not fully disclosed, a reliable source revealed that the former leaders also deliberated on strategies to strengthen the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the state gears up for the upcoming elections.

“The unity and progress of the party were highlighted as crucial elements for the state’s future stability and prosperity.

“The meeting underscores the urgent need for collaborative efforts among Zamfara’s political leaders to address the pressing security challenges facing the state.

“As the situation remains critical, the actions taken by these former governors could be pivotal in steering Zamfara towards a more secure and prosperous future.”

Governor Uzodimma Commiserates With Families Of IMSU Junction Accident Victims

The Source

May 19, 2024

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma is mourning the victims of the fatal accident which happened in Owerri, the Imo State Capital.

The Governor in a statement issued his Commissioner fir Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, said he “is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives at IMSU junction in Owerri on Saturday night as a result of vehicular accident.

The statement said “While the governor yesterday directed immediate response team including security agencies, that assisted in taking the injured victims to hospitals and the fatal ones to the mortuary, he has further directed the State Commissioner for Health to follow up and ensure that adequate medical attention is given to those on admission.

“He has equally directed a holistic investigation into the accident with a view to identifying the culprits who should be made to face the full wrath of the law.

“His Excellency regrets the avoidable loss of lives, including those of innocent students whose future has been abruptly arrested as a result of this tragic event.

“While condoling with the bereaved families , His Excellency has assured that necessary measures would be taken to ensure that such a deadly tragedy does not recur at that particular junction.”

Imo: Why Chinasa Nwaneri, Governor Uzodinma’s Most Powerful Aide Was Arrested, Detained

The Source

May 19, 2024

By Charles Igbo

For many people, including a number of former and present Aides of Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, the arrest of his former Aide, Nze Chinasa Nwaneri, by the Police it is jubilation time. It is karma at work. To others the arrest is a shock. They are in disbelief. What they are all agreed on, however, is that “there is time for everything, and the time to interrogate Nze Nwaneri is now.”

During Governor Uzodinma’s first tenure in office, Nze Nwaneri was, without doubt, the Governor’s most powerful Aide. He was the Governor’s Special Assistant for Special Duties, but he was everywhere. He was his closest Aide. The most powerful. He literally took over everybody’s job, including Security. He had the ears of the Governor. He was, according to a number of people, the Governor’s most trusted Aide.

Not a few people insist you had to be in his good books to be in the good books of the Governor. A former Aide confided that he, allegedly, literally destroyed not a few innocent people before the Governor. But all that has come to end – so suddenly. As another former Aide, who, for years, was the Governor’s friend and who watched his back, “I thank God that the sh*t has hit the roof, and the Governor now knows who is who. The sh*t has hit the roof. That guy killed me before the Governor. I suddenly became a nobody. ”

Not many people had an inkling that something was wrong until when Governor Uzodinma dissolved his Cabinet as soon as he was sworn-in for a second term in office without reappointing Nwaneri immediately to his former position. Days and weeks passed, and there was nothing for Nwaneri. The surprise was final when the Governor reconstituted his Cabinet, appointed Commissioners, Special Advisers and Special Assistants, and Nwaneri’s name was nowhere.

Before all that, speculations had been rife that Nze Nwaneri had allegedly got himself involved in a number of scandalous issues that hurt, shocked and embarrassed the Governor. They alleged that the Governor felt betrayed and embarrassed that the name of his very close, trusted Aide could be so entangled with the scandals.

The scandals included, but not limited to alleged land racketeering, forgeries of Certificates of Occupancy, and worse, the Governor’s signature.

It is not known how much Nwaneri was involved in the allegations, but the scandal surrounding land racketeering had led to the removal from office, arrest and investigation of former Commissioners for Housing and Lands and Physical Planning, Mrs Love Ineh and Noble Atulegwu respectively.

A few days ago, Eze Amuchie, aka, Chinco, the boss of Imo State Amalgamated Association of Traders, ISAMAT was arrested on the orders of the Governor over allegations of constructing markets in the State without the approval of the Governor or anybody. It is not known if Nze Nwaneri was involved or not in the unwholesome business.

But a couple of days after, it was the turn of Nze Chinasa Nwaneri to be arrested. He was arrested at the Rockview Hotel, Owerri, his residence in the past two years or so. He was arrested by the Imo Police Command’s State Investigation Bureau, SIB, and has since been detained on sundry allegations, including land racketeering and alleged forgeries of documents and signatures.

An unconfirmed source said soon after his arrest, Nze Nwaneri’s blood pressure rose to high heavens, and he was taken to the hospital. He has, however, been returned to detention after he was stabilized.

For Governor Uzodinma, it is a difficult situation. To have his former closest Aide in Police detention is hard, but harder still for him than that is the betrayal he feels by the trusted Aide.

Boundary Dispute: Ekiti Gov Oyebanji Reaches Out To Kwara Counterpart For Solution

Ayodele Oni

May 19, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

In the recent violent attack on the Eda Oniyo community, Ekiti State Government has urged residents to remain calm while reaffirming its commitment to the security of lives and property.

A high-level state government delegation visited the affected area on Sunday to assess the situation and ensure that the Governor’s order for the deployment of additional security personnel is being followed.

The visit comes after a deadly clash attributed to a boundary dispute between Eda Oniyo Ekiti and Obo Ayegunle in Kwara State on Saturday.

The conflict, which reportedly involved armed men from Obo Ayegunle, resulted in the tragic death of a community youth leader.

The delegation included the State Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun; the Special Adviser on Security, Brig. Gen. Ebenezar Ogundana (rtd.); and the State Commissioner of Police, (CP) Tunde Akinyele as well as a military Gartisoon Commander.

They were received by the Commissioner for Local Government, Folorunsho Olabode; House of Assembly member, Iyabo Okeimen; and Local Government Chairman, Alaba Dada.

The government assured the people of its commitment to resolving the boundary dispute and ensuring peace in the region.

Information commissioner and state police commissioner that addressed the people of the community stated that contact has been established with military in Kwara state to deploy soldiers to Obbo Aiyegunle boundary to stop further attacks.

They assured that as soon as Governor Biodun Oyebanji returns from his foreign trip, he will establish contact with his Kwara state counterpart with a view to resolve the crisis permanently.

Eleda of Eda Oniyo, Oba Julius Awolola advised that more soldiers, police and other security Agents should be deployed and remain permanently in the disputed area until the crisis is resolved.

NGF DG Okauru Retires After 15 Years

Ayodele Oni

May 19, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

After 15 yeas of service, the Director General, (DG) of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Asishana Bayo Okauru, has announced his retirement from the Forum.

Okauru has been at the helms of affairs for 15 years in the position of DG during which he anchored the bureaucracy of the Forum.

A statement by the NGF chairman, Governor AbdulRazaq AbdulRahman of Kwara State, said that Okauru’s notice of retirement was “reluctantly accepted”.

“But with the acceptance of Okauru’s request, his full-time engagement with the forum has come to a terminus.

“During his tenure, Okauru served with diligence, professionalism, honesty, loyalty and total commitment.”

He lauded Okauru’s leadership, under which the secretariat, the administrative arm of the NGF, evolved into a strong and credible organisation.

“He led his team to expand engagement with development partners and federal and legislative arms of government while also ensuring that states’ priorities were reflected and met.”

Okauru will officially retire on July 1, 2024, after completing his pre-retirement leave.

The NGF chairman expressed gratitude for Okauru’s service, stating, “We are incredibly proud of the work he did here and the height he and his team have taken the Forum.

“We are grateful for Mr. Okauru’s service and wish him the very best in his future endeavours.”

1...1,0911,0921,093...2,904 Page 1,092 of 2,904