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Our Role In Arrest, Extradition Of IPOB Leader – Kenyan Govt

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

As the United Nations issued warning to Nigeria and Kenyan Governments over an attempt to breach fundamental rights of detained leader of the Independent People’s of Biafra, (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, Kenyan Government has wriggled itself out of his arrest and extradition.

In its defence to the suit filed against it by Kanu’s brother, Kingsley Kanunta Kanu, on behalf of the IPOB Leader, Kenya informed the Court that Kanu did not undergo extradition proceedings in Kenya.

A statement on Thursday by Kanu’s brother quoted Kenyan Government as saying that there was no record in any Kenyan police station showing that Kanu was legally arrested or detained in the country.

“On 2nd November 2021, the Government of Kenya filed its defense to the suit I had earlier filed in Kenya on behalf of my brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“It will be recalled that following my brother’s extraordinary rendition in June this year, the Kenyan Government had publicly issued series of statements, denying its complicity in this abominable act.

“In the said defence that it filed in Court, Kenya has not only persisted in its denials, but it went further to confirm that my brother was denied the benefit of the due process of extradition in Kenya or even a lawful arrest.

“In particular, the defence the Kenyan Government filed in court stated in major part ‘That there are no extradition proceedings to justify that the Government of Kenya is responsible for the subject’s extradition.’

“That there is no OB record from any of the Police station within the Country to indicate that the subject in issue was lawfully arrested and detained for purposes of commencing extradition proceedings.

“It needs to be emphasized that above admissions have officially confirmed our long-held position that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s transfer from Kenya to Nigeria is unlawful, not lawful as was claimed by the Nigerian Government.

“This latest revelation, officially made in open Court by Kenya, further solidifies our abiding position that the Nigerian Government cannot benefit from its own wrong by subjecting my brother to trial.

“As the next hearing date unfolds in 7th December 2021, more legal processes will be in view. Our immediate goal is to secure the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention.”

Kanu is the custody of the Federal Government being prosecuted for, among other things, terrorism and treasonable felony.

South-east: One Week Shutdown Begins

By
The Source
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By Charles Igbo

Unless the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, changes its mind and recants, the five States in the South-east of Nigeria, beginning from Friday, November 5, 2021, will be shutdown.

The Zone will be reduced to a Ghost Zone. While economic and social activities in other Zones of the Federation will be in full swing, the South-east Zone will remain dead, literally, for a week.

IPOB issued an order to that effect. Last week, it had given the Federal Government an ultimatum to release its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, unconditionally, or it would lock down the South-east between November 5, 2021 and November 10, 2021.

Kanu is in the custody of the Federal Government being prosecuted at an Abuja High Court for sundry issues including terrorism and treasonable felony.

For months, IPOB has used its shutdown orders, popular as sit-at-home, as a weapon to pressurise the Federal Government into releasing Kanu. So far, it has not worked. Kanu remains in FG’s custody, and his prosecution continuing.

Unless the behind-the-scene moves being made by Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the South-east Caucus of the National Assembly works, Kanu’s trial, from all indications, will go full circle.

The sit-at-home order was initially for every Monday of every week, but after appeals which centred on the harm to the Zone, including the disruption in schools, IPOB reduced it to only the days Kanu would appear in Court. But it has not worked.

More out of fear, every Monday in the South-east has become a no-go-out day. Those who had dared, have traumatic stories to tell. Some had died for daring. Businesses have collapsed. Schools, including tertiary institutions are shutdown every Monday.

Both Anambra and Enugu State Governments have had to include Saturdays as school days to make up for Mondays. And, even though IPOB denies complicity in the every Monday violence, a “rogue” group still manages to wreak havoc on the people.

In the instant case, even though IPOB vehemently denies, not a few people believe it is targeted at the November 6, 2021, Anambra Governorship election.

Many people think it is counter productive.

They believe that shutdown or not, “election” will hold; results will be produced, a Governor would emerge. They also believe that blood,   both of the innocent and of the guilty will flow. A number of the victims will be from the Zone.

Beyond that, not a few people are, also, worried about the impact and implications of a one-week shutdown of the Zone.

Schools will be shutdown. And so will every other activities. The question people are asking is how the ordinary people, especially, those who depend on everyday struggles will survive.  And they ask of what use it will be, especially, as it is well known that the FG will not buckle under the ultimatum and release Kanu? The chorus from Abuja and other parts of the country is: “Let them go ahead, let them continue. It is their Zone that they are hurting.”

All appeals by individuals and groups to IPOB to cancel the shutdown order has, so far, been ignored. The effect it will have on the Anambra election has been pointed out. But IPOB says its order has nothing to do with that. It says it did not ask anybody not to vote. But, in same breath, it is asking people to be mindful of their security. It didn’t need to say more than that to force people to sit-at-home.

Unfortunately, even if IPOB rescinds its order before November 6, it comes a little  late. Not many people will risk going out. And that could continue until November 10.

That is the IPOB effect.

Anambra Elections: Obiano’s Aide Decamps To PDP

By
Uche Mbah
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Governor Willy Obiano of Anambra State

By Uche Mbah

Ahead of Saturday’s Anambra Governorship election, A Special Adviser to Governor Willie Obiano, Tommy Okoli, has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party. This comes two days to the election.

News Agency of Nigeria reports that Okoli,  a former Governorship aspirant under the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance, made his current status known at a rally Thursday in Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, he has shifted allegiance to the PDP in support of the candidature of Valentine Ozigbo and his running mate, Azuka Enemo.

NAN reports that, according to him, he is throwing his weight behind Ozigbo, having x-rayed all the candidates and finding PDP most qualified for the task of “redeeming” Anambra.

Okoli said he had consulted widely the people of his constituency who wholly supported his decision to join the PDP.

He said, “I have decided to endorse the ticket of PDP with Valentine Ozigbo and Azuka Enemuo as governorship candidate and running mate respectively to win the Nov. 6 election in Anambra State.

“I will use all the resources, contacts, and enormous goodwill available to me to support their ticket. I took this difficult decision after due consultation with my campaign organization and therefore urge members of this platform to please vote for Val Ozigbo and Azuka Enemuo.

“These two people are decent, humble, and compassionate people, capable of transforming Anambra into a more prosperous and secured state, we shall all be proud of.

“I offered myself to serve as the Governor of Anambra State, but Valentine Ozigbo will equally do better by providing purposeful leadership for our people.”

Okoli thanked Obiano for allowing him to serve and for the support he enjoyed while in APGA.

“I hereby withdraw my membership of APGA,” he announced.

“I sincerely appreciate, His Excellency, Willie Obiano, for allowing me to serve in his administration and I pray to the Almighty God to bless him and his family. Thank you so much for your support and may God reward everyone in Jesus’ name,” he added.

Meanwhile, there are unconfirned reports of a large number of Luxurious Buses being brought into Anambra state from outside the state.This has given rise to speculations that some unscrupulous elements would like to utilize the opportunity of the proposed sit-at-home order to bring in vote riggers from outside the State.

OPINION: Anambra Poll: A Vote For Soludo Is A Vote For APC

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The Source
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By Claire Arinze Asogwa

When, on 19th November, 2017, Gov. Willie Obiano was declared to have won his reelection in 21 out of the 21 local governments in Anambra, not many were in the know of so many factors that enabled his victory.

Prior to the November 18, 2017 election, Gov. Obiano had a suspicious closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday, 3rd October, 2017.

After the secret parley, an elated Obiano informed the State House correspondents that he was confident he was not just going to win against Oseloka Obaze of the PDP, but was going to win “on a landslide”, a refrain usually employed by Nigerian politicians when they have perfected their art of courting the establishment, with the powers of FEDERAL might.

Thursday, 7th October, 2021,   close to the Anambra guber poll, Gov. Willie Obiano  again met with the President. After the closed meeting, the exhilarated governor, amongst other statements, also swanked about how All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and its candidate, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, were going to trump the PDP and the other fringe political parties in the November 6 election “on a landslide”.

This is indeed deja vu for any diligent political watcher. It is helpful to understand that this seeming coincidence and twist of fate inherent in both meetings may indeed have been closer to being a clinical design than accident of history.

There is more to this than meets the eye that both meetings took place behind closed doors, especially when Tony Nwoye was told “I wish you the best of luck young man” at the grand finale of the APC rally 2017 was reminded to RAISE his hands. The seemingly lack of commitment to the victory of APC in that election was obvious even to the blind

While I revile people who unnecessarily concoct illogical conspiracy theories in situations of this nature, I wish to, as a matter of fact, back up my assertions with some logical and empirical evidences.

It would be crass political naivety to think that it counts for nothing that Chief Victor Oye, APGA National Chairman, appeared on Channels TV Politics Today on Thursday, 14th October, 2021 and repeated the phrase “landslide”, seven clear days after the visit of the governor to President Buhari.

The confidence shown by Prof Soludo during the ARISE debate in insulting, publicly, Andy Uba denigrating him before the whole world clearly shows that the Presidency Soludo presently works for as a Special Adviser would give HIM same package as Obiano had in 2017.

Having set the above tone, I wish to state that I am mortified by the deafening silence of Ndi Anambra on the absence of their Governor in Enugu on 5th October, 2021 wherein the South East Governors converged to find a way of resolving the insecurity plaguing the region. It is imperative to note that the October 5th meeting was sequel to the killings that have been taking place in Anambra to the exclusion of other South East states.

The killings saw to the ruthless extermination of the lives of illustrious sons and daughters of Anambra, including Dr. Chike Akunyili, and the near-death-attack on the convoy of Hon. Chris Azubogu who escaped by whiskers. The Governor who was supposed to lead the charge was nowhere to be found when the security situation of his state was being discussed by his colleague-Governors. Even Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu who could not attend the meeting managed to send his deputy while Anambra, the epicenter of the renewed insecurity was conspicuously missing. Not even Gov. Willie Obiano’s deputy was sent!

Whose script was Gov. Obiano exactly playing? Little wonder the Governor declared right inside the precincts of Aso Rock that only fifteen (15) persons were killed in Anambra, a very flippant, thoughtless and insensitive way of drawing analogy.

It may also interest discerning minds to remember that Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the APGA candidate in the November 6 election, is currently on the Presidential Economic Advisory Council. When situated properly, it could be fitting to say, therefore; that Prof. Soludo is currently serving as Economic Adviser to President Buhari. While this intervention is less interested in the quality of his economic advice to the President, this article is nonetheless focused more on the pact and romance of APGA and their candidate with the discredited APC Government at the center.

Prof. Chukwuma Soludo works for President Buhari and that fact is unassailable. Prof. Soludo himself alluded to this fact on September 25, on the occasion of APGA campaign flag off at Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, wherein he stated that “we are the Presidency….”. He went on to say “I work for President Buhari and I don’t need a pass to enter the Villa”. Ndi Anambra, pls use your tongue to count your teeth.

It is, therefore, against the above background that this opinion article has reached an inexorable conclusion that a vote in the November 6 election, A VOTE for APGA, is a vote for APC.

With a crystal ball, one could vividly see that plans are already hatched for Soludo’s eventual defection to the APC in the unlikely event of his victory in the poll. APC wants to have Anambra at all costs but realized that their brand had been grossly damaged in the South East, especially in Anambra.

As a result, they reasoned that the only way it could work was to infiltrate the party that once resonated with the people due to the looming influence of Ojukwu’s ghost in the State. Ojukwu’s widow realized this infiltration early enough and severed her relationship with the party, a painful but unavoidable decision for her, to save her husband’s image.

APC  activated their very ambitious and audacious Plan B which  to field a candidate for APGA. This ensured that they allowed Dr. Andy Uba to fly the flag of their party. The Aso Rock strategists wilfully allowed their own party (which they obviously know is a damaged brand in the State) to field an unmarketable candidate to ensure that Ndi Anambra are left with the choice of only two parties – PDP and APGA. They will want to use Ojukwu’s influence using APGA. Good enough, the legal huddles in the way of the PDP candidate, Valentine Ozigbo, have been cleared.

APC’s game plan in this regard has indeed proved counterproductive, thanks to the extent of the injury Gov. Obiano has inflicted on the APGA brand. Gov. Willie Obiano’s lackluster performance and shambolic governance style in Anambra is unhelpful to the game plan of APC and this is known to every refined mind.

Having said the above, my final admonition to Ndi Anambra is never to contemplate the exchange of their dog with a monkey. If we reject APC and embrace APGA “ife mmakpu ka no na Anambra” and this will be a mortal mistake!

Arinze-Asogwa, a Lawyer,  wrote from Abuja

Insecurity: Abuja On Red Alert

By
The Source
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Abuja-Keffi Expressway

By Gideon Njoku

Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, was literally locked down on Wednesday, November 3, 2021. It is likely to continue for some more days, a source which pleaded anonymity told this magazine.

On the receiving end were motorists. Workers and just everybody were the worst hit. They were stuck for hours.

The reason is simple: Insecurity which forced the Nigerian Army to take over all entrances and exits into, and from Abuja. The fierce looking and well armed soldiers drawn mainly from the Brigade of Guards, according to reports, brooked no nonsense as they politely, but firmly, subjected many motorists and individuals to a thorough search. In the process, some arrests of suspicious individuals were made.

Their action stemmed from an alleged security report that a combination of Boko Haram insurgents and Bandits had concluded plans to storm the FCT, especially, through the Keffi-Abuja high way. This raised a red flag, and the Army took immediate action to forestall any such incident.

If they were in doubt of the vulnerability of Abuja, the unprecedented invasions of the senior staff quarters of the University of Abuja confirmed it.

At about 12.30am Tuesday, Bandits, numbering about 50, invaded the University, and after over two hours of siege, abducted two Professors and some members of their families.

Reports say their abductors have made contacts demanding a whopping sum of N300m. Earlier, there were reports that they had been released, but the University Management put a lie to the claim, and said it does not have information to that effect.

Also, the Vice Principal of a Secondary School in Abuja was kidnapped. And on Wednesday, at about 11.00am, two gunmen, again, invaded the permanent site of the University of Abuja and made to kidnap a lecturer, Dr David Okoroafor, from his office. It was foiled when he confronted them and raised an alarm which attracted students who gave the gunmen a chase. They escaped, but forgot the key to the vehicle they came in.

On Wednesday morning, at about 2.00am, it was the turn of the staff of the Nigerian Meteorlogical Agency, NiMet, Abuja. The staff quarters was invaded, and nine members of staff, abducted.

Confirming the incident, NiMet’s General Manager, Public Relations, Muntari Ibrahim, told newsmen that the Agency was working to secure the release of the abducted staff.

Given the situation, there is tension in Abuja, and the residents may have to endure the presence of soldiers along the roads for sometime, a worried source told this magazine.

NNPC Allays Fears Over Lagos Leaking Gas Pipeline

By
Bayo Bernard
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By Tosin Olatokunbo

The NNPC has urged residents in the Anifowose area of Lagos state not to panic over possible explosion as a result of a leaking gas pipeline in the area. The incident which occurred on Tuesday has thrown residents into panic.

But the government oil corporation said the leakage was caused by road construction and activities in the area, and that the problem has now been taken care of.

According to a statement signed by NNPC Spokesperson, Garba Deen Muhamma, the energy company wished to “informs the general public, especially those living within the Anifowoshe area of Ikeja in Lagos State, that a gas pipeline that was reported leaking in the early hours of today has been isolated and the general area cordoned off.

“The incident was caused by road construction and rehabilitation activities in the area.

“Preliminary findings indicate that at about 8.40am, Wednesday, 3rd November 2021, a pipeline gas leakage was reported around Anifowoshe, Ikeja Underbridge, Lagos State. The pipeline is a 6-inch gas pipeline supplying gas to Mainland Power Ltd, near Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.

“The NNPC immediately moved in by engaging Gaslink Ltd, its franchise partner operating the pipeline, mobilized to the location, cordoned off the area and successfully isolated the gas pipeline at Oba Akran Valve pit.

“In the meantime, residents of the area are urged not to panic as all necessary safety measures have been put in place to avert any further escalation of the incident; while NNPC’s team of maintenance engineers are collaborating with Gaslink team at the site to ensure that gas supply services to areas affected by the incident  resume within the next 48 hour,” the statement said.

Adebanjo To Tinubu: Negotiate Restructuring Before Aspiring To Presidency

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has maintained that Nigeria may remain an “all motion- no movement nation,” if its constitution is not reviewed before the 2023 general election.

Pa Adebanjo declared that ”if my son emerges as a Presidential candidate of any political Party, I will not support him if Nigeria is not restructured.”

The Afenifere chieftain made the remarks during a biweekly meeting of Yoruba Global Council, (YGC), a body of progressive Yoruba sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora,  tagged “The Platform”.

Chief Adebanjo commended the body for bringing themselves globally to promote unity, as well as protect the interests of Yoruba sons and daughters home and abroad.

He applauded the missions and the visions of the group, insisting that if Nigeria is not restructured before 2023 election, Nigeria will continue to dwell in the same problem.

The Yoruba leader maintained that the Buhari Regime had deliberately ignored the restructuring of the country which was part of his central campaign mantra.

Chief Adebanjo revealed that he advised Asiwaju Bola Tinubu that before becoming the Presidential flag bearer of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), he should, in the first place, negotiate the restructuring of the country.

He pointed out further that the national conference  recommendation was still there for any government that is sincere with the issue of referendum to work on; saying the excuse of rancour among ethnic nationalities should not be an issue.

While accusing the Buhari led government of insincerity, he emphasised that for the country not to be disintegrated further, necessary constitutional actions must apply  to appease those that have been sidelined in the scheme of things.

“Even those that came into office advocating federalism like Tinubu, Osoba, Akande. You remember how they came into office under restructuring, they now say restructuring is not their priority.

”I implore you to invite Bola Tinubu, Segun Osoba, Bisi Akande and others to this platform as well. Ask them why they derailed, advise them to persuade Mohammadu Buhari to restructure Nigeria before 2023 elections.”

He insisted that the 1999 Constitution foisted on the country by the military was a fraud and there is the need to revisit the law guiding how Nigerians agree to live together.

“How can you say a product of the fraud would amend the fraud?

“They cannot rule us under the rule of the thumb and those of us who fought for democracy will keep quiet? No, it can’t work.

“In 2021, Buhari telling me Nigeria’s constitution is not negotiable? What a balderdash! What an insult! That is not the agreement we made with the founding fathers.”

Spokesperson of Yoruba Global Council, Prof Lere Amusan, had highlighted the missions and vision of the group to Chief Adebanjo to include the restructuring of Nigeria, which could only be a palliative measure to solve many pressing challenges Nigeria is facing today.

”Right now, people are in need of material gains, basic necessities of life, education, health, good roads and hospitals and when these things are fixed due to more wealth redistribution, then we will have lesser fights about security, corruption, tribalism and nepotism.”

Gov Akeredolu, PDP Bicker Over Dismantling Of Security Checkpoints In Ondo

By
Ayodele Oni
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Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State
Rotimi Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

The People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) in Ondo has accused Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of insensitivity to the security of the people by his refusal to pay allowances of security personnel, culminating in the sudden dismantling of security checkpoints in the state.

The opposition party had, on Wednesday, raised alarm over the sudden disappearance of a checkpoint manned by military personnel along Ondo road in Akure.

The party, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Kenedy Peretei, pointed out that naval personnel who mount surveillance at the coastal area have abandoned their posts due to non payment of their allowances by the State Government.

Peretei’s statement reads “Soldiers that man security check points in Ondo State, especially at the inter State boundaries have abandoned the check points.

“This is as a result of the refusal of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to pay  allowances due to these personnel.

“Over the years, the Army high Command approved the mobilisation of soldiers to thirty  two (32) strategic locations in the State to stem the activities of kidnappers and other criminals on the condition that the State Government pays a token as allowances to the soldiers.

“This arrangement preceded the incumbent administration under Akeredolu.

“Unfortunately, in the last four months, these allowances have not been paid. All efforts to appeal to the Governor fell on deaf ears. Also, efforts by Traditional Rulers to plead with the Governor did not yield any results.

“In the last one year, eleven Traditional Rulers have been kidnapped, while one first class Oba, the Oluifon of Ifon was murdered in cold blood by gunmen.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ondo State chapter joins other well meaning Ondo State citizens to appeal to Governor Akeredolu, to immediately pay the outstanding allowances due to the security personnel without further delay.

“The primary responsibility of any Government is the protection of lives and properties, a duty that has been observed by the APC Government more in the breach.

“Even with the presence of the soldiers, the people don’t sleep with their two eyes closed, what happens when, the criminals now have a field day, because of the failure of the Governor to do the needful?”

But, the State Government, in a statement by the commissioner for information, Mr Donald Ojogo, described the allegation by the PDP as that of a party that lacks understanding of governance.

“The spurious efforts of the opposition PDP to weaponise a seeming situation of near sabotage, clearly shows how detached they are from the arena of vigilance.

“To them, everything is politics and politics must be infused into everything, including the safety and welfare of the people.

“No discerning group could have bought into such cheaply brandished propaganda.

“The ignorantly appraised security situation by the PDP is an inelegant manifestation that they would rather dance on the blood of innocent South westerners on the alter of politics for patronage than stand firm in defence of their people.

“The Ondo State Government desires not to go into the merits of the flying story about non-payment of allowances to any arm of the military.

“It deserves no such efforts more so, that, the concerned arm of the military has yet to issue any statement in that regards.

“It must be noted that notwithstanding the politicisation of any situation, the Ondo State Government ably led by Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN shall not, under whatever circumstances, succumb to blackmail and allow any puerile allegation wrapped under ethnicised platforms to wrought further violence on our people.

“It must clear to all, including the PDP, that, the target is AMOTEKUN. Unfortunately for whoever whose motive is to perpetrate violence under any guise, our resolve to sustain AMOTEKUN remains unwavering.

“We won’t be deterred in any form. Our time-tested character and attitude toward tackling insecurity even at odd times, shall not be compromised.”

U.S. Monitoring Anambra Elections, Pays Attention To Violators

By
The Source
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0
US Embassy in Nigeria

The United States Embassy in Nigeria says it is paying a close attention to the upcoming November 6 Governorship Election in Anambra State.

The election is scheduled for Saturday, November 6, but there are fears that it may likely be marred by violence and voter apathy.

Already, there are fears that the election could be a no-event over the threat by the Indigenous Peoples of  Biafra, IPOB, to shut down the South-east beginning from November 5 to November 10, over the prosecution of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, for among other things, terrorism and treasonable felony. The Group is asking for his unconditional release on or before November 4, 2021.

But the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, in a Press Release says it is looking forward to a peaceful and transparent election. It also says it is keeping an eye on those who would indulge in anti-democratic activities during the exercise.

In recent years, the US has developed ways of punishing election violators, including cancelling the Visas already issued them, or denying granting them Visas.

Following is the text of the Press Release. 

Statement On The Upcoming Anambra Election

“The United States looks forward to a gubernatorial election in Anambra State on November 6 that is peaceful and transparent, with results that accurately reflect the will of the state’s residents.

“We will be paying close attention to actions of individuals who interfere with the democratic process or instigate violence against civilian populations before, during, or after the elections.  We will not hesitate to consider consequences – including visa restrictions – for those found to be responsible for election-related violence or undermining the democratic process.

“Under U.S. immigration law, certain violations also may lead to restrictions on family members.  We call on citizens, electoral officials, party members, and security force personnel to do their part in ensuring a credible and secure electoral process.”

Imo Alleges Plot to Destabilise State; Fingers Former Governor, Others

By
The Source
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Declan Emelumba - In a Press Briefing

The Imo State Government says it has uncovered fresh plot by politicians to sponsor further destabilization of the State.

Unbelieveably, it said,  the masterminds of the alleged plot are politicians from Imo State who are said to have vowed that the Government of  Governor Hope Uzodimma will never have peace.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Declan Emelumba raised the alarm on Tuesday when he addressed newsmen at the Government House Owerri.

According to Emelumba, “a former Governor of the State” and those he referred to as “other disgruntled politicians have voted a hefty N5b with which to trigger another round of security crisis in the state.”

Emelumba alleged that “a serving member of the House of Representatives from Imo State is coordinating the destabilization plot.”

His words: “Part of the plot is to raise a petition to the Inspector General of Police that security has collapsed in the State and that the government has been overwhelmed by the challenges. They are going to use the recent unfortunate fate of our two Royal Fathers from Njaba to anchor their campaign.” 

Emelumba said after the petition, the politicians plan to commence a destructive campaign for the declaration of a state of emergency in Imo.

He said with the N5b at their disposal, they also plan to sponsor sundry protests and violence in Imo as a way of giving vent to their position as being real, followed by intensive national and International media propaganda.

Emelumba noted: ” As I am addressing you now, a member of the National Assembly is leading the campaign. A serving senator and a perennial governorship aspirant in the state are planning a courtesy call on the Inspector General of Police to serve him the poisoned chalice that Imo State is ungovernable.”

The commissioner alleged that those conspiring to unleash the fresh violence on Imo consist of politicians who lost the 2019 election and have refused to let go.

He also named those indicted by the White Paper on recovery of land and looted assets of the State as being behind what he described as “the politically contrived security breaches in the state.”

He noted: “The actors had openly boasted to make the state ungovernable for Governor Hope Uzodinma, a threat he said “had been maliciously executed.

Regretting that the perpetrators of the security breaches were dancing on the graves of innocent citizens, Emelumba wondered why they are still bent on causing more havoc in the state.

Hear him:  “It is truly alarming that greed and vaulting ambition could drive people to such villainous levels as to desperately seek to sacrifice the lives of their fellow citizens and the progress of the State just to get back at someone.

However,  he warned: “Government was prepared to match them with legal force should they try to constitute themselves into security nuisance again.

” If in the first instance they took us by surprise, they will not have a second day.” 

The Commissioner indicated that “Governor Uzodimma was ever ready to discharge his constitutional responsibility of securing lives and property of citizens of the state.”

He noted that “apart from pockets of security concerns like the murder of the royal fathers, Imo State has been largely peaceful as even acknowledged by the United Kingdom which didn’t list the State as one of the unsafe ones in its recent travel advisory note to citizens.”

Emelumba, therefore, advised Imo citizens to be on alert and be prepared to “resist the plot of disgruntled politicians to trigger another round of violence in the State.” 

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