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SERG Calls On INEC, Security Agencies, To Protect Igbos Seeking To Register As Voters

By
The Source
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Chief Willy Ezugwu

Leading pan-Igbo sociopolitical pressure group, the South East Revival Group (SERG) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to protect Igbos in all parts of the country as they seek to register as voters ahead of the 2023 general elections in their state of residence.

The SERG in a statement signed by its President and National Coordinator, Chief Willy Ezugwu, equally urged INEC to extend the deadline for the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR).

The group was reacting to reports that a large number of Igbos in Lagos State and parts of the South East were being marginalised and targeted for disenfranchisement as they attempted to register as voters.

According to the SERG, “several videos on social media supporting these allegations call for concern as the claims that Igbos at Alaba International, Ojo, and in other parts of Lagos State were attacked by hoodlums who, in some cases, carted away biometric machines deployed by INEC.

“While we call on INEC and all security agencies in the country to protect Igbos who seeking to register as voters, the CVR exercise should be extended to enable all eligible voters to go to their respective local government area offices of INEC and register to vote or collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) in view of the current challenges.

“In most parts of the country, including South East, there is observable level of insecurity, and in some areas, military operations are ongoing in their communities. These justify the need for INEC to consider extending the CVR exercise.

“We also call on INEC to ensure that permanent voters cards of all registered voters, especially South earterners, are printed and distributed before the 2023 general elections.

“In the past, there were allegations that inadequate data capturing mechines were deployed in the South East while some Nigerians with southern names, particularly those with Igbo names, were disenfranchised in 2015 because their PVCs were either not printed as at when due or were allegedly sorted and kept away by unpatriotic citizens until after the elections.

“This is part of the marginalisation of Igbos across all the states of the Federation as being witnessed in Lagos State.

“It is unfortunate that while some Igbos were seeking the restoration of Biafra, those who believe in the use of their PVC to install the leadership that will unite and solve the numerous problems of the country are being attacked by hoodlums while performing their civic responsibility.

“It is therefore imperative that INEC and Security agencies put in place adequate security arrangements to protect the electoral umpire’s staff and law abiding citizens, especially Igbos who are seeking to register to vote.

“We also call on Igbos everywhere in the country to defy the intimidation and go out enmass and register to enable them cast their votes in the 2023 general elections for candidates of their choice”,the SERG said.

Terror Attack: Ondo Govt Cancels Democracy Day Celebration

By
Ayodele Oni
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Catholic Church in Owo

By Ayodele Oni

The people of Ondo State are to remain indoors on Sunday as Nigerians mark another democracy day celebration.

President Mohamadu Buhari had last year christened June 12 of every year as democracy day which was earlier being held on 29th May.

The June 12 new date is to commemorate the annulment of the 1993 presidential election won by the late business mugul, Basorun MKO Abiola but annulled by the military under ex President Ibrahim Babangida.

He was the candidate of the Social Democratic Party, (SDP) that defeated Alhaji Bashir Tofa, a candidate of the National Republican Convention, (NRC).

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Ondo State Governor, Richard Olabode reads “The Ondo state government has canceled this year’s June 12 celebration earlier slated for Sunday 12th June, 2022.

“This is consequent upon the terror attack on innocent worshipers at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, on Sunday 5th June, 2022.

“The cancelation is to enable the entire people of Ondo State mourn their loved ones who lost their lives in the horrific attack.

“Recall that the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, had directed that all flags in the state be flown at half -mast for seven days in honour of the victims of the terror attack.”

The Federal Government, has, however, declared Monday, June 13 as a public  holiday since June 12 fell on a Sunday.

Insecurity: Soludo Pounces On Kidnappers

By
The Source
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Demolision of Kidnappers Den in Anambra State

In his avowed determination to rid Anambra State of criminalities,  Governor Charles Soludo’s directive that all kidnappers and other criminal gangs’ hideouts be raided and buildings harbouring them be destroyed was effectively carried out in Oba, Idemili South local government area, on Friday, May 10, 2022

Anambra State Joint Security Task Force conducted the demolition exercise which lasted for more than five hours at the hideout of the notorious kidnappers, an old bungalow building at Oba, Idemili South Council Area.

A statement by Soludo’s Chief Press Secretary,  Christian Abumire, said that the hideout has earlier been raided recently, where exhibits such as locally made pistol, shrine, charms, concoctions, indian hemp, among other incriminating materials were recovered at the building with some arrests also made.

However, it will be recalled that a gang of kidnappers were traced to the hideout by the Police, following an attack and subsequent kidnapp of two persons at Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area, and another two persons in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area.

The gunmen had entered Oko through Nanka for a kidnap operation and were on the verge of succeeding before the prompt intervention of the police special force acting on a tip- off and subsequently engaged them in gunfire.

One of them was killed, but others escaped with various degree of injuries.

The gunman killed at Oko, whose video went viral on some social handles, was identified as a former vigilante who was part of a four-man gang who have been involved in high profile killings and kidnapping within that vicinity

The State police Command Spokesman, DSP  Tochukwu Ikenga had explained that the command received distress call about the kidnap of two persons at Oko, and while on their trail, they learnt that the gang had kidnapped two more persons at Ekwulobia, and quickly pursued them and were able to track them down.

He explained further that Police operatives working with the vigilante stormed the location, rescued the four victims and arrested one Emeka who was suspected of complicity.

When interrogated, he confessed to the crime and  led detectives to the hideout of his gang in Oba, Idemili South, where a shootout ensued.

According to Mr. Ikenga, the gang leader, one Chinedu Ajogu, AKA Sampolo was gunned down and five other persons including their native doctor were arrested for interrogation.

Addressing journalists later at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, Governor Chukwuma Soludo commended the efforts of the State Joint Security Task Force saying the demolition exercise would serve as a deterrent to other criminals.

Governor Soludo explained it has been established that the building demolished was being used as a den for criminal activities, stressing that the government policy does not allow any criminality to reign in the state.

He warned that henceforth, in line with the law, criminals will have no place in any part of Anambra state, assuring that his government is fully determined to ensure that the state is safe for everyone, and that people can move freely around without fear or molestation

He also applauded the cooperation by some people in the state who have been volunteering information, adding that every stranger is suspicious until his or her job is confirmed to be legitimate.

Governor Soludo again re-emphasised that any building being used for any criminal activities will be brought down and confiscated by government.

He also appealed to the people to be security cautious at all times, stressing that they should always report strangers and criminals operating in their communities to Security agencies

Owerri: Professor Adiele Kidnapped From Radio Station

By
The Source
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Professor Jachimike Adiele

By Charles Igbo

Reports emanating from Owerri, capital of Imo State, indicate that Professor Jachimike Adiele was abducted Saturday morning from the premises of a Radio Station.

He had gone to Boss Radio to co-host a programme, THE FORUM.

Just as he stepped out, gunmen stormed the premises and abducted him. His whereabouts is not known.

A posted frantic message from the Radio station said:

“After the Program “THE FORUM”, some unidentified armed men stormed the premises of Boss Radio, Owerri, and abducted the co-host of the Forum, Prof Jachimike Adiele to an undisclosed location.

“We cannot confirm his whereabouts or his present state.

“We implore the law enforcement agencies to please, come to our rescue.

#bossradioowerri

#bossradio989fm”

At the time of filing this report, his abductors have made no contact, nor has the State Police Command confirmed the story.

Obi Is The Most Qualified Among The Aspirants – Labour Boss

By
The Source
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Peter Obi with Certificate of Return

Former Governor Peter Obi, was officially presented the certificate of return by the Labour Party as its official Presidential Candidate in the coming 2023 elections.

Obi was handed the certificate by the leadership of the Party in Abuja, yesterday.

Presenting the certificate of return to Obi, the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barr Julius Abure, extolled the leadership qualities of Obi. He expressed confidence in Obi’s candidacy, saying that the party will not only coast to victory in the coming general elections, but will remain committed to the development of the nation.

“We are, today, making another major step towards the rescuing of our nation. The Labour Party, with all its members across the nation, is ready and committed to the dream. Our candidate, Mr Peter Obi, is the most qualified among the aspirants and he is very passionate about building a better Nigeria. I urge every Nigerian to support him for the good of our nation,” Abure said.

In his reaction, Obi restated his resolve to rescue the nation from further collapse, and set it on the path of development. While stating that the nation had painfully retrogressed in all fronts, he said he was not intimidated by the decay in the Nigerian society, as he will leverage on his visionary leadership experience to move the nation forward.

“This is another major landmark in our journey to the rescue of our nation. I encourage all Nigerians to live above their tribal, religious and ethnic differences and join me to save our nation. We have no other country but Nigeria, we will not let it collapse,” Obi said.

He thanked the leadership and members of the party who, he said, have remained supportive in the journey of saving the nation.

2023: INEC Mute On Extension Of Voters Registration; Pledges Free, Fair, Inclusive Exercise

By
Akinwale Kasali
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INEC Yoiuth Vote Count

By Akinwale Kasali

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu,  has applauded the large turnout of Youths at the Voters Registration Exercise held at the Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS, Lagos, under the Youth Vote Count Campaign organized by INEC, in partnership with European Union, EU, Yiaga Africa and other partners.

At the Youth Vote Count Mega Concert, which was the grand finale for the week long Voters Registration Exercise, where A-List Musicians like; Pasuma, Small Doctor, MI Abaga, 2Face Idibia, Broda Shaggi, Omawunmi, Teni the Entertainer, Waje and others thrilled the fans with their lyrics.

Yakubu said that the Voters Registration Exercise advocacy for the Youths was positive as over 5,000 Youths were registered, with a whole lot still yet to register.

He added that this has prompted INEC to deploy more machines to all States of the Federation. All the 20 Local Government Areas in Lagos State is affected to further make sure that a whole number of people are registered and not disenfranchised from exercising their rights.

The INEC Boss said that as regards the extension of the Voters Registration Exercise which elapses on June 30, 2022, the Commission will get across to Nigerians on the decision taken.

The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Samuella Isopi, said that Youth Vote Count Mega Concert is a success. The EU is happy with the huge success and the large turnout of youths, as it poses a sign of hope, trust and confidence in the nation’s electoral process, the Ambassador added.

“INEC has been cooperative with EU and it has brought about the confidence repose on the commission. We strongly believe that the Youth Votes will count at the 2023 election as INEC is now technologically advanced and there is need for every one to have faith in the nation’s electoral umpire.

“The Youths need to get their PVC and further make their votes count and make the difference in the nation’s electoral process”.

Lagos PVC Clash: Tinubu Afraid of Election – PDP; Says Nigerians Cannot be Deterred

By
The Source
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0

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has condemned the disruption by thugs in Lagos, of the PVC registration exercise.

The Alaba International Market Traders had shut down the market on Thursday to enable them go for their PVCs.  But they were attacked by scores of thugs who disrupted and so, aborted it.

In a reaction to the incident, the PDP, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba said the attack was the handiwork of the AII Progressives Congress, APC, and its Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. The PDP alleged that the exercise was disrupted because Tinubu is afraid of election. The Party warned the incident portends serious threat and danger to Democratic process.

It said: “Asiwaju Tinubu has been in morbid fear of the soaring popularity of the PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, hence the attempt by the APC to stop Nigerians from obtaining their PVCs to vote in the elections; an action that portend serious threat and danger to our democratic process.”

Hereunder, the full text of the statement.

“Nigerians are disturbed by the dastardly action instigated by leaders of All  Progressives Congress (APC) to prevent citizens, particularly people of the South East region resident in Lagos State from collecting their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) to enable them vote in the 2023 general elections.

“That action by the APC in Lagos is part of its desperate design to use violence to sabotage free, fair and credible elections in 2023 having realized that Nigerians have rejected its Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the polls.

“Asiwaju Tinubu has been in morbid fear of the soaring popularity of the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, hence the attempt by the APC to stop Nigerians from obtaining their PVCs to vote in the elections; an action that portend serious threat and danger to our democratic process.

“Is it not an irony that the party of the government of the day that pretends to have the support of the people and professes continuity is busy chasing away prospective voters?

“The APC is already suffering from Pre-Election Fever Syndrome in trepidation that it cannot win in a free, fair, credible and transparent process where Nigerians are allowed to freely express their Will.

“It is particularly disturbing that this pattern is a resurgence of previous attempt in 2019 where APC leaders harassed Nigerians, especially the people of the South East and threatened to throw them into the Lagoon should they vote for any other party other than the APC.

“It will also be recalled that similar act of violence was unleased on Nigerians in the Isolo axis of Lagos in the 2019 general elections, where the APC, upon discovering that it has been rejected at the polls, openly sponsored and unleashed terror on innocent citizens and destroyed all votes cast.

“The APC has again become chaotic and desperate because Nigerians have recognized it as what it is; a Special Purpose Vehicle which was hurriedly put together to defraud the nation.

“Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC must know that they cannot surmount the determination of Nigerians who are now rallying on the platform of the PDP to use this 2023 general elections to take back their country from the stranglehold and misrule of the corrupt, incompetent, inhumane and rudderless APC.

“Our Party cautions Asiwaju and the APC to thread carefully and rein in their thugs, hoodlums and terrorists as they will be firmly resisted by Nigerians.”

However, not a few people insist that the disruption of the exercise was not because of Atiku, but because of the candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, who most youths, country-wide, almost, are rooting for.

The Lagos incident sparked outrage and condemnation.

Imo PDP Loses Only Senator

By
The Source
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Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi

By Charles Igbo

Going into the 2023 General Elections, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Imo State Chapter, will be one high profile member short.

It has lost its only Senator. The Party is now without a Senator at the National Assembly.

The only Senator it had before now, Senator Francis Ezenwa Onyewuchi, has dumped it. PDP’s loss is the gain of the fast rising Labour Party, LP. The LP has become home to thousands of people since Peter Obi, former Anambra State Governor, dumped it for LP, where he is now the Presidential candidate.

Senator Onyewuchi decamped so quietly that not many people in the PDP knew. They knew only on Friday when the Labour Party reeled out the names of its candidates for the 2023 Senatorial contest.

Until he decamped, Onyewuchi was the Senator representing Imo East

(Owerri Senatorial District) at the National Assembly. It is the Zone where both former State Governor, Rt Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and the PDP National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu (Sam Daddy) hail from. Both men now have an LP Senator representing them at the Senate.

Senator Onyewuchi’s journey to defection began seriously the day he was defeated at the Senatorial Primary by Hon. Uche Onyeagucha, a former House of Representatives member and, the immediate past Secretary to Imo State Government, SSG,  under Ihedioha.

Onyewuchi was, at once, shocked and destabilised by his defeat. He was sure his second term bid was secured, especially, as he had the tacit backing of the District’s main stakeholders, especially, the elderly ones. But, like a hurricane, Onyeagucha was aggressive and unsparing in his campaign. He blew Onyewuchi and his supporters away.

This medium gathered that the hands of Ihedioha were tied. He couldn’t save Onyewuchi, the man he installed as Senator in 2019, in preference to Samdaddy.

Both Onyewuchi and Onyeagucha are close to Ihedioha. He, therefore, preferred not to take sides, and like a true democrat, allowed the delegates to make their choice. They chose Onyeagucha.

By his defection, the Senators representing Imo State now are:

*Senator Rochas Okorocha -APC.

*Senator Frank Ibezim -APC.

*Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi- LP.

In 2023, both Okorocha and Ibezim will be missing at the National Assembly. The political environment in the State did not favour Okorocha, Imo-west,  to seek for a second term as a Senator. In his place, both the State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, and the officially recognised APC faction in the State preferred Senator Osita Izunaso, a former National Organising Secretary of the Party. He won the Primary.

Okorocha, wisely, did not take part in the Primary. He was busy with the Presidential Primary where he scored zero number of votes, prompting many to ask if he did not even vote for himself.

Like, Senator Onyewuchi, Senator Ibezim, Imo North,  was defeated at the Primary which condemned him to a one-term Senator.

As for Onyewuchi, whether he goes back to the Senate or not depends on his performance during the proper election in 2023.

He will face two heavyweights – Onyeagucha who will be backed by the very aggressive opposition Imo PDP, and Prince Alex Mbata who will be backed by the ruling APC and the incumbent Governor, Uzodinma, who has won all the elections in the State held since he came into office. Imo will be tough in 2023.

Rivers APC Tackles Wike Over Amaechi, Says “We Shall Meet In Court”

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0

By Adesina Soyooye

The All Progressives Congress, APC, Rivers State Chapter, has tackled the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike over his decision to prosecute its Leader and the immediate past Minister for Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi in Court over alleged fraud against the State Government.

Wike had, on Friday, ordered the newly sworn-in Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Zacchaeus Adangor, to immediately start Amaechi’s prosecution over an alleged fraudulent missing of the sum of $50m, proceeds from the sale of a couple of Rivers State assets.

Wike said that money was transferred to the account of Sahara Energy, a private company owned by Tonye Cole. Mr Cole is the APC Governorship candidate, Rivers State, in the upcoming election in 2023.

Wike had set up a Judicial Panel of Inquiry to investigate how the money ended up in Sahara Energy’s  account. The panel handed in an indictment against Amaechi. But Amaechi had gone to Court to challenge the Panel’s report.

A couple of weeks ago, the Supreme Court cleared the way for the Rivers State Government to embark on the prosecution of Amaechi.  To be in Court with him are Cole and Sahara Energy.

Wike: “The world will see how $50 million from our account was moved to a company without nothing to  show whether there was a business.”

But in a swift response, Rivers APC said Amaechi and Co were not afraid of appearing in Court.

In.a statement signed by its  Spokesman, Chris Finebone,  the APC said only the guilty are afraid, because the Court is not a place for persecution.

Finenone: “If you are sure of  yourself in whatever you are doing, you need not be afraid. The Court is not a place where they take you to, then they just order that your neck be cut off.

“The Court is where justice prevails. So, no right-thinking innocent person should be afraid to go to Court because it is not a one-sided place.

“As it is now, Amaechi and Cole are not culpable. We know that, and even the State Government, that is Wike and his people, know that.”

The assets sold include Power Turbines and the Olympian Hotel, Porthacourt.

Wike Threatens To Sue EFCC Over Governorship Candidate; Says “You Cannot Threaten Us”

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Nyesom Wike

By Adesina Soyooye

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has threatened to sue the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for contempt of Court.

Speaking on Friday at the swearing-in ceremony of three new members of his Cabinet members, including the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Zaccheaus Adangor, Wike ordered Adangor to write a letter of protest to the EFCC over the “harassment” of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Governorship candidate, Siminalaye Fubara.

Fubara, was the Accountant General of the State before he resigned to contest in the Governorship Primary. As the anointed candidate of the Governor, it was easy for him to win. But before then, the EFCC had declared Fubara and a couple of other Rivers State officials wanted over an alleged sum of over N400 billion.

The Governor described the EFCC action as an intimidation, and said nobody would tolerate such from the EFCC again.

He said the Rivers State Government has a subsisting Court Order, which prevents the Commission from investigating the finances of the State or its officers.

In addition to that, Wike explained that Fubara has a judgement against the graft Commission on the enforcement of his fundamental rights.

He reminded the EFCC that this was no longer the time for “impunity and flagrant disobedience to the rule of law.” That time, he said, is gone.

Wike: “Rivers State Government had judgment against EFCC since 2007. The court said the EFCC has no business in the financial transactions of the (Rivers) State.

“EFCC has been struggling to set aside that judgement uptil now. They have not even appealed it.”

The Governor warned against the use of the EFCC as a political weapon against political opponents.

Wike:  “We are in a political period. People should not think that they will use EFCC to intimidate or manipulate him (Fubara). Nobody will accept that. So you,  Attorney General, have to attach the judgment of the candidate against EFCC and send the right signal to them that we are not people that can be cowed.”

Since Fubara was declared wanted, he has not been seen in public, as such. The question is: if the EFCC continues its harassment of Fubara, how is he going to campaign?

If he does win, he is likely to be sworn-in somewhere before he comes out, publicly, unless the EFCC lifts its siege on him.

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