NIGERIAN NOTCH

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has spoken up about the controversial primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State. INEC spokesperson, Festus Okoye, told PREMIUM TIMES the Commission received a damning report on the APC primary from its officials. Mr Okoye, however, said top officials of the electoral body were yet to meet to consider the document and take a decision. “The Commission has not taken a decision on the issue. A political party may conduct primaries and refuse to upload the list and personal particulars of its candidates,” he said. Mr Okoye spoke just as INEC ends the uploading of the list and personal particulars of nominated candidates today (9 July). The governorship election in Anambra State has been fixed for 6 November. The INEC spokesperson said the 18 registered parties interested in contesting the November 6 governorship election gave the commission the statutory 21 days notice of their intention to condu

His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma today received a high powered 6-man delegation from the Nigerian Navy led by Rear Admiral Odogwu Ezekobe, the Chief of Policy and Plans, on a familiarization visit to the Governor on the proposed Naval Base to be situated at Osse Moto, Oguta LGA. According to Governor Uzodimma “the recent events in the State have proven the need to strengthen security in the state to protect our lands and maritime boundaries and curb the criminal activities of oil bunkers and unknown gunmen at the Imo State waterways which is not just a State issue but a National sabotage, hence the need for the partnership”. The Governor in his statement assured them of every necessary co-operation from the Government of Imo State. Speaking earlier, Rear Admiral Odogwu Ezekobe, disclosed that the partnership can be traced to the good relationship of Governor Hope Uzodimma and the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Zubairu. Rear Admiral Ezekobe stated that

The Senate on Wednesday passed a bill to expand the jurisdiction of the Federal Capital Territory Customary Court to undertake the trial of criminal matters. The bill titled: Federal Capital Territory Customary Court Act, 2007 (Amendment) Bill, 2021, was sponsored by Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central). The passage of the bill followed the consideration of a report by the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters. Chairman of the Committee, Opeyemi Bamidele, in his presentation, said the primary objective of the bill was to amend the Federal Capital Territory Customary Court Act, 2007. According to the lawmaker, the bill when signed into law by the President seeks to, among other things, “expand the jurisdiction of the court to include the trial of criminal matters in order to Seck of the dockets of magistrate courts in the Federal Capital Territory.” “On the whole, the amendment is intended to promote timely dispensation of justice”, the law

Troops of Sector 2 Joint Task Force Operation Hardin Kai on Thursday 8 July 2021 nabbed a notorious Boko Haram/ISWAP informant, carrying out espionage activities on troops in the general area of Katarko village of Yobe State. The gallant troops also repelled an attack on Katarko village. During preliminary investigation, the informant identified as Abor Kawu confessed to having monitored and disclosed troops’ location and movements to the terrorists. A statement by Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations said, ” He also revealed that more Boko Haram collaborators were deployed in the general area to spy on the troops. “Following this revelation, troops of Sector 2 have been placed on red alert and effort is ongoing to unravel the network of informants within the general area. “Commending the troops of Sector 2 for their vigilance and tenacity, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya charged them to flush out  Boko Haram/ISWAP elements in the

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo has sued for peace following the suspension of six House of Assembly members in the state. Mr Cajetan Duke, Publicity Secretary of the APC in Imo made the call in an interview with newsmen in Owerri on Thursday while reacting to the suspension. Duke described the Assembly as “an independent organ of government”. He called on the suspended lawmakers to desist from acts capable of jeopardizing their public image and the legislative House. He noted that as law-abiding persons, the party would not only respect the independence of the Assembly but also align with any decisions taken by its leadership. “APC respects the independence of the House of Assembly and supports any disciplinary measures that make for decorum. “We urge the suspended lawmakers to resolve issues using internal resolution mechanism,” he said. “He said the nature of the suspension was an indication that it was not a case of political witch-hunt against any political

Two chieftains of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), High Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwo and one Mrs Okoye Nwabuogo, have commenced legal moves to stop Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo from flying the flag of the party at the Anambra State 2021 governorship election. According to our correspondent, Mr. Eneh Victor Chigozie, Mrs. Nwabuogo, a chieftain of APGA, approached a Federal High Court Abuja, with a suit. Nwabuogo is asking the court to set aside the election and nomination of Soludo as the party’s candidate for the November 6 governorship election. The suit also seeks an order restraining Soludo from parading himself as the validly or duly elected candidate of APGA for the said election. This case has two major issues for determination; The non-compliance to the mandatory 21 days notice on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to monitor the ward delegate congress. In the suit, the plaintiff it is seeking an order of the court to nullify the June 23 go

African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said it is still consulting widely with stakeholders  to get a formidable Anambra State Gubernatorial team that will meet up with the yearnings and aspirations of the people with a view to bringing great progress and development to the state. The party made this view known yesterday as a Havard-trained entrepreneur and 2011 Forbes' Youngest Most Powerful Women in Africa, Mrs Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli has announced  her unavailability to participate in the race for the Deputy Governorship race on the party's platform.  The media have been awash that  Nwuneli was among ten  outstanding personalities shopped personalities consulted by the party to participate as running mate to ADC's  Governorship candidate for the November 6, 2021 election.  But does investigation by our correspondent, showed that Mrs Nwuneli  has opted out of the race, but has wished the party epp omits endeavour to capture the state's Government House and improvedl on t

…TWO VANDALS ARRESTED IN ANAMBRA STATE The Enugu Electricity Distribution PLC (EEDC) has decried the incessant attacks on its power installations across the South East. This development was expressed by the organisation’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, following the arrest of two suspected vandals in Aniocha, Anambra State, last week. The suspects identified as Odom Sunday, a native of Ozara in Agwu Local Government Area, Enugu State and Okwuchukwu Nweze, a native of Ozubulu in Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Anambra State, were both arrested by Akwaeze Vigilante team for attacking Magbuwa 2 Distribution Substation, property of EEDC, located in Akwaeze Village, Aniocha Local Government Area, Anambra State. Ezeh confirmed that the suspects along with the recovered vandalized items and a Nissan Hummer bus used by the suspects for the operation have been handed over to the Police Area Command, Uga, for further investigation and possible prosecution. “The inc

Hon. Rimamnde Shawulu (PDP-Taraba), has urged the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Uche Secondus, to resign following mass defection from the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Shawulu said this a letter addressed to the chairman and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday. He decried the rate at which the party was losing members to the ruling APC in recent times. Shawulu also urged members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to resign. “Today, unexpectedly, four members of the House of Representatives from Zamfara defected from the PDP to APC,” he said. He said unlike before, when leaders of the party at the House usually put up a form of protest, not a whisper was heard or a hand raised in protest against the defection.   “Dear Chairman, Sir, events in the last two years call for sober reflection and sacrifices by both the leadership and membership of the party and it is necessary y

- ROCHAS OKOROCHA SHOULD FACE THE TRUTH AND QUIT THE UNNECESSARY ATTENTION SEEKING Our attention has been drawn to a skewed press release credited to Sam Onwuemeodo, Media Aide to former Governor Rochas Okorocha, wherein he erroneously denied the knowledge of Imo State Government's ownership of Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University, Ogboko and held that the state government has no right over the institution. Ordinarily we would have ignored Onwuemeodo as usual, since we appreciate his present psychological state of mind following the recent recovery of all that his paymaster Okorocha stole from the state and Imolites, but for the sake of undiscerning members of the public, we wish that rather than joining issues with him, he should be brought to speed of the knowledge he lacks about the ownership of Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University, Ogboko. (1) There is a University called Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe at Ogboko which is owned by the Imo State Government. (2) Imo State Governm

Valentine Ozigbo, the Anambra Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag-bearer for the November 2021 governorship election, on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Senator Duoye Diri.  At the meeting which held in Abuja, Governor Diri congratulated Ozigbo on his victory at the PDP primary election, pledging his unalloyed support ahead of the guber election scheduled for November 6, 2021.  Governor Diri described Mr Ozigbo as a “great businessman with a strong capacity to provide effective leadership”, urging the people of Anambra State to rally round the PDP candidate.  Governor Diri further assured Ozigbo that the PDP leadership would mobilise resources and support for him and ensure his victory at the poll.  In his remarks, Mr Ozigbo thanked Governor Diri for his warm reception, kind words, and the pledge of his support for the forthcoming election.  "Your Excellency, I am humbled by the reception I have received tod