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