JUNE 12 DEMOCRACY DAY: NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT DECLARES MONDAY, JUNE 13, PUBLIC HOLIDAY
June 12 Annulment
AJM NEWS
As part of this year’s Democracy Day celebration, the Nigerian Government has declared Monday, June 13, as public holiday.
This was made known in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Shuaib Belgore.
Belgore stated that the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who declared the holiday felicitated with Nigerians while urging them to support the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in its efforts on maintaining security of lives and properties and making the country a united and prosperous one.
His words: “As we mark another Democracy Day in the history of our dear country, let us reflect on the efforts of our founding fathers and ensure that Nigeria remains one united, secured, peaceful and an indivisible entity, noting that no development can take place in an acrimonious environment”.
He also called on Nigerians to use the occasion to reflect on the efforts and sacrifices the country’s patriots have made towards the enthronement of democratic governance before and after independence.
“With the challenges we face in Nigeria today, I see an opportunity for us not to break up or break down, but to break open; open up to ourselves in truth so that we may appreciate each other, understand each other, honour each other and live together in peace and prosperity,” he stated.
While reflecting on the spate of insecurity in the country, Aregbesola encouraged Nigerians to use the Nigeria Internal Security and Public Safety Alert System (N-Alert) Mobile App recently designed and launched as part of efforts to solve security challenges and other disasters in the country.
According to him, no matter what the country is going through, “There will surely be light at the end of the tunnel.”
Hausa-Fulani Doesn’t Know Book But Knows POLITICS!
Their Game Plan: Give APC Ticket To South Where There Is Already A Very Popular Candidate In The Person Of Peter Obi, Then Divide Their Votes And Retain Power In The North Through Atiku. Still The Divide And Rule System That Has Been Working For Them.
They Will Succeed In Their Plan As Usual Because They Know Very Well That A Southerner, Particularly A Typical Igbo Man CANNOT Step Down For A Fellow Southerner To Win In An Election. That’s The Very Reason Atiku Defeated Nyesom Wike In The PDP Primaries.
Give APC Ticket To A Southerner And See ALL THE NORTHERNERS Cast Their Vote For Atiku.
Fingers Still Crossed As We Keenly Observe The Outcome Of The Ongoing APC Convention And The Forthcoming 2023 General Elections!
NATIVE DOCTORS ON THE RUN AS NIGERIAN SECURITY AGENTS AGAIN STORM NINE SHRINES IN ANAMBRA
AJM NEWS
Report reaching AJM NEWS says security agencies in Anambra State have once more busted nine camps allegedly belonging to ‘unknown gunmen’ in the Anambra South Senatorial District.
Nine shrines used by the hoodlums for oath-taking were also raided by the joint task force on security in the state.
A police source said natives who acted as informants to the hoodlums were also in detention and making useful statements.
Some of the areas raided by the task force included Aguluezechukwu in Aguata Local Government Area; Ebenato community in Nnewi South LGA; Ezinifite community also in Nnewi South LGA; and Ichi, in Ekwusigo LGA.
Other areas include part of Osumoghu, Lilu and some parts of Ukpor in Nnewi South and Ihiala LGAs.
The source said most native doctors had fled from their homes because some of their colleagues who were arrested had been providing names of those involved in killings and kidnappings in the state.
However, the Anambra Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, said it was too early to begin to count the successes in the war against terror in the state.
GOVERNOR OKEZIE IKPEAZU OF ABIA STATE ORDERS ALL FULANI HERDSMEN LIVING IN THE FOREST TO VACATE IMMEDIATELY
Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu
AJM NEWS
Aftermath of the abduction of the Prelate of the Methodist Church, Samuel Kanu Uche, at Umunneochi council area of Abia state , Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has ordered herders and other people residing in the forest in the area to vacate.
The Governor also directed that cows and herders around operating in the area are restricted to the Cattle Market at Umuchieze until a final decision is reached concerning the menace in the Cattle Market.
Commissioner for Information, Mr.Eze Chikamnayo, who stated this in a statement disclosed that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mrs Janet Agbede, has been mandated to draw up logistic requirements for mounting six additional check points at strategic locations across Umunneochi council area.
“Governor Okezie Ikpeazu hereby directs that all settlers, herders and individuals residing inside the forests around Umunneochi LGA to vacate such locations with immediate effect. Government can no longer guarantee the safety of any person or group found to be residing in the forests around Umunneochi LGA.
“That the Commissioner of Police, Abia State alongside with Umunneochi Youths, provide immediate Security along the Ihube to Isuochi Road stretching from Ngodo through Lomara Junction all the Way to Ihube.
“Upon the implementation of the above directive, The Governor directs the Chairman of Umunneochi LGA, Chief Ifeanyi Madu to open the Road leading from Ihube through Lomara Junction to Ngodo Isuochi immediately.”
He further directed the leadership of the Youths of Umunneochi council area, vigilante groups, hunters and the Hausa Community to continue to meet with him until an amicable solution is found to the incessant cases of insecurity in the area.
The Governor, however, urged all parties to show restraint in their utterances and actions in order to maintain peace and promote peaceful coexistence of all law abiding citizens.
PDP CHIEFTAIN KICKS AGAINST ZONING OF GOVERNORSHIP POSITION IN EBONYI
Chief Abia Onyike
AJM NEWS
A former Commissioner for Information and State Orientation in Ebonyi State, Chief Abia Onyike, has disagreed with politicians clamouring for the zonning of governorship seat in the state.
Onyike who broke down on the political journey of the state so far from 1999 till now, stated that such idea could lead to political instability across the three senatorial zones.
His words: “In a democracy, all voices are allowed to ventilate their feelings. My message to all politicians and leaders is that they should moderate their actions and utterances with a modicum of responsibility. Those who ignore the lessons of history are bound to repeat it or in the long run, are often ignored by history itself”.
In a statement he issued in Abakaliki, the chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Onyike stressed that such could remind the people of old Abakaliki and Afikpo blocs the unresolved issues surrounding the Ebonyi Charter of Equity.
He said: “Some Elders of Ebonyi South zone met and made a vigorous argument that the Ebonyi Charter of Equity is yet to be implemented as envisioned by the Founding Fathers of the state”.
According to the press statement, the Charter was drafted and documented but not signed. It was based on a gentleman agreement that power shall rotate between Abakaliki and Afikpo blocs.
“According to them, when Ebonyi State was created on 1st October, 1996, Abakaliki had six LGAs while Afikpo had four LGAs. Later on, three new LGAs were created, namely Ebonyi, Ezza North and Ivo. So, Abakaliki had eight while Afikpo became five. Abakaliki was later split into two Senatorial districts.
“In the current debate over the zoning of the Governorship seat, echoes of Ebonyi Charter of Equity have started to rent the air. As someone who was active in the last stanza of Ebonyi State Movement (1994-96), I was privy to certain meetings where efforts were made by the Leaders of the Movement to have the Ebonyi Charter of Equity endorsed, so as to become a working document. But that did not materialize.
“In the last two meetings held at the residences of Chief Anthony Ekoh in Abakaliki and Chief Chris Nwankwo in Enugu in January/February, 1996, the leaders agreed on virtually everything but could not append their signatures to the draft on the Charter of Equity which was painstakingly produced by the Committee which included Chief Barr. Okeagu Ogada, Chief Hyacinth Ikpo, etc.
“So, Ebonyi State Movement with Chief Martin Elechi as Chairman and Dr. Ikechukwu Igbo as Secretary, managed to secure the creation of the state with the powerful inputs and influence of other prominent sons and daughters of Ebonyi such as late Ezeogo Dr. Akanu Ibiam, Dr. Offia Nwali, Sen. Chief Chris Nwankwo, Sen. Andrew Nwankwo, Chief Francis Oji, Chief Anthony Ekoh, Dr. Agom Eze, Osuu S.C.Oduko, Dr Chigozie Ogbu, Dr. Emmanuel Oko Isu, Chief Lawrence Nwuruku, Chief Frank Nchita Ogbuewu, Dr. Selina Oko, Dr. Mrs. Uche Azikiwe, Princess Alu Ibiam, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, S.O.Mgbada, Chief Aja Nwachukwu, Chief Henry Ude( Ajimbest), etc.
“Though the document on the Charter of Equity was not endorsed, there was an agreement that if Abakaliki became the capital of the new state, the first civilian Governor would come from Afikpo block. However, when the state was created with Abakaliki as capital, new political maneuvers took over,” Onyike said.
He argued that although “two former Governors, Sen. Sam Egwu and Chief Martin Elechi have been reported to support a return to Ebonyi North zone, from where the zoning arrangement started in 1999”, adding that “politics is not as straight forward as mathematics.”
Continuing, he said: “But Sen. Obinna Ogba, in his new year press conference on 1st January, 2022 opined that the zoning arrangement cannot be seen as sacrosanct and that “it cannot be binding as the aspirants were at liberty to contest”
“My own contribution was that we should all be mindful of our political history in all that we do or say. Dr. Sam Egwu and Chief Martin Elechi are quite right in their support for Ebonyi North and it is difficult to debunk them, if we are to remain logical in our sequencing of events.
“However, if you support that view, then it means that even Ebonyi Central may be disqualified from contesting.”
According to the former Special Adviser to former Governor Martin Elechi on Media, “Since 1999, it has proved difficult to confine the political contest to particular zones.
“In the 1999 guber election, Dr. Sam Egwu of PDP defeated Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu of APP. In 2007, Chief Martin Elechi was declared winner against Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu of ANPP. Even in 2015 when Engr. David Umahi of PDP won as Governor, his opponent was Chief Edward Nkwegu of APC.
“Based on these narratives, it is self-evident that it has not been easy to decree on issues relating to jungle politics.
“Nobody can succeed in suppressing the innate political desires and aspirations of the people. Is it not better to allow for open contest than to bottle up political agitations?
“It is my considered view that even if you come up to say that it is the turn of Ebonyi North zone, you may not succeed in stopping everyone from the Central Zone from contesting.
“And if you cannot stop anyone from Central, then you cannot summon the moral strength to argue against an aspirant from Ebonyi South zone.
“Incidentally, Abakaliki block produced the Governor for 16 years before the present Governor (from Afikpo block) was elected in 2015.
“Based on this reality, there are those who believe that it may not be out of place to allow another person from Afikpo block to do another tenure.”
Ebonyi State is composed of three zones, namely, Ebonyi North, Ebonyi Central and Ebonyi South as some political analysts are of the view that power can shift to any zone in 2023.
EBONYI POLICE ARREST TWO NATIVE DOCTORS IN IKWO FOR ALLEGEDLY PREPARING CHARMS FOR IPOB/ESN MEMBERS
The Two Native Doctors
AJM NEWS
The Ebonyi State Police Command have raided the shrine and residences of two notorious native doctors in Ikwo local government area of the state.
According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Chris Anyanwu, the two native doctors were arrested in connection to the incessant attacks on police formations/personnel and government establishments, and for preparing charms for IPOB/ESN and other criminal groups in the state.
The PPRO gave the names of the native doctors as Itumo Omukwor aged 63yrs and Irem Ogbeji Nwaduma aged 50yrs, all of Okpera Osege in Ndufu Echara Ikwo LGA, of Ebonyi State.
He said that one locally fabricated pistol, one revolver pump action gun with two cartridges and substances believed to be charms were recovered from them.
PPRO, Chris Anyanwu added: “The Police Command advises all medical practitioners and hospital operators to report any case of patients with bullet injuries to the police for necessary actions.
“Members of the public are hereby implored to assist the Police with relevant information about the activities of the criminals and their hideouts and be assured of utmost protection of their identities”.
EBONYI REPS MEMBER, HON. CHINEDU OGAH RAISES ALARM OVER ALLEGED EXCLUSION OF SOUTH-EAST FROM PTDF’S SCHOLARSHIP
Hon. Comrade Chinedu Ogah
… Threatens To Institute A Legal Action, If Nothing Is Done
Otu Obiahu AJM NEWS
The Member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon (comrade) Chinedu Ogah (OON), Tuesday raised alarm over an alleged exclusion of South-East region from the Scholarship Program of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, PTDF in the country.
Disclosing this in a statement, Ogah called on the Executive Secretary of PTDF, Dr. Bello Aliyu Gusau, to review the Corporation’s scholarship program and accommodate the South-East geopolitical zone.
He explained that the exclusion of South-East from the Scholarship Program, under the guise of security challenges within the region was not proper as other regions facing worse security situation than the South-East had been accommodated in the scheme.
The House of Representatives member who described the development as “an act of violation of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the laid down guidelines of the Federal Character Commission, FCC.” added that if a review of the scholarship program was not urgently done to accommodate the South-East, he will institute a legal action against PTDF.
According to him, I am saying so because, I was elected by the people and will stand to speak for the people as many South Easterners applied for the scholarship. They are ready and willing to come for the interview in Abuja, instead of shortchanging them, on the ground that there’s security threat in the South-East.
His words: “The South-East is not more prone to security threat than other zones in the country as others are being accommodated in the scholarship of PTDF
“It is an act of hatred and negligence of the zone. I want to ask the management of the PTDF to review the scheme as they are hereby given an ultimatum to reverse it’s decision on the South-East as regarding the Agency’s scholarship program or face court action.
“You say there is security threat in South-East and you still held seminars in Enugu, Owerri and Anambra states. Are those areas not South-East?
“The act of denying or neglecting South-East such scholarship is what tries to increase security threat in the zone. After this call made to PTDF, we will do an open letter to Mr. President to call the Executive Secretary of PTDF to order and revise the scholarship scheme to accommodate the South-East zone.”
JONATHAN IS NOT A MEMBER OF APC, SAYS PARTY’S VICE CHAIRMAN NORTH-WEST, SALIHU LUKMAN
Goodluck Jonathan
AJM NEWS
The National Vice Chairman, North-West of All Progressives Congress, Salihu Lukman, has said former President Goodluck Jonathan is not a member of the party.
Lukman, disclosed this in a telephone interview with newsmen, adding that some leaders of the ruling party are dragging Jonathan into the APC presidential race.
He said he found the news touting Jonathan as the party’s joker or anointed candidate annoying.
The APC Vice Chairman said, “I can tell you this straight away. Jonathan is not a member of the APC as far as this party is concerned. What is being discussed in the media is very strange to many of us. We are not even aware that anybody has bought form in the name of Jonathan and we have closed the sales of forms.
“All those media speculations, yes we know everything can be possible in this country. But as far as this party is concerned and some of us are there in critical structure, that is not going to be possible.
“You can quote me on this that I said it is not going to be possible. Anybody who is talking about it is just talking nonsense.”
When reminded that there are still some high ranking members of the party and in the presidency who are still keen on his candidacy, Lukman disclosed that he was unaware of it.
“I am not aware whether the chairman or any member of the National Working Committee makes such a statement. But where such a statement was made, it must have been done out of error. It is not possible.
“Jonathan is not a member of APC as far as we know. Besides, our membership in the political party is not a secret. Feel free to quote me please,” he said.
Lukman slammed media reports saying the party has settled for consensus, saying the APC is willing to give every presidential aspirant a level playing field.
As of the time of filing this report, the camp of the former president could not be reached for reaction. Efforts made to contact Jonathan’s spokesman, Ikechukwu Eze, proved abortive. He neither picked the calls nor replied his sms.
Meanwhile, a Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, had ruled on Friday that the former President is eligible to contest the 2023 presidential election.
The presiding judge, Justice Isa Hamma Dashen, gave the judgment in a suit marked FHC/YNG/CS/86/2022. Dashen also held that Jonathan’s right to vie for the office of president again cannot be stopped by any retroactive law.
EBONYI POLICE ARREST APC ASSEMBLY ASPIRANT, BARR. ROLLINS OVU-UNATA OFFIA NWALI AND BROTHER, ENGR. ALFRED OFFIA NWALI FOR REFUSING TO STEP DOWN FOR AN OPPONENT
Barr. Rollins Offia Nwali
AJM NEWS
Police in Ebonyi State have arrested two sons of the foremost founding father of Ebonyi state, Late Senator Offia Nwali at the All Progressives Congress primaries venue.
Barr. Rollins Offia Nwali and his brother, Engr. Alfred Offia Nwali, were arrested on Thursday at Onueke in Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Mr Rollins Offia Nwali, a Lawyer, was an aspirant in the APC House of Assembly primaries, who contested for the Ezza South State Constituency seat.
The duo were said to have been arrested at the venue of the primaries in Onueke, Headquarters of Ezza local government.
A source told newsmen that Barrister Rollins Nwali was arrested for refusing to step down for his opponent in the election.
“He was called severally from government house to step down but he told them that as the son of one of the founding fathers of the State, the opponent should be the one to step down for him”.
“He had received so many threats over the election but he refused to step down preferring to go to the field.”
“They arrested him because they saw that he was going to win as he has a large following in the constituency”, the source said
The source also alleged that his supporters including some of the delegates were chased out of the election venue.
The elder Brother of the two brothers, Oguzor Offia Nwali confirmed the arrests of his brothers.
Oguzor also alleged that the arrest was instigated by the powers that be, in the state, that allegedly wanted him out of the race to pave way for their preferred aspirant to win.
Oguzor added: “Yes, my two brothers were arrested and we heard they have been taken to the Police Headquarters in Abakaliki”.
The Police spokesperson in the state, Chris Anyanwu could not be reached for comment as his phone lines were switched off as f the time of filing this report.
In the same vein, the APC primaries for gubernatorial aspirants in Ebonyi ended with the emergence of two guber flag-bearers through parallel elections. The two aspirants that emerged include Gov. Umahi’s anointed candidate, who is also the Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, and former Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Chief Elias Mbam.
FINALLY, GOV. UMAHI’S ANNOINTED CANDIDATE AND EBONYI ASSEMBLY SPEAKER, HON. FRANCIS NWIFURU EMERGES APC FACTIONAL GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE, AS CHIEF ELIAS MBAM EMERGES IN A PARALLEL ELECTION
Hon. Nwifuru And Chief Elias Mbam
…Two APC Flag-bearers In Ebonyi
Otu Obiahu, AJM NEWS
The All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ebonyi State has concluded its gubernatorial primaries in the state with the Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru emerging as the winner.
Hon. Nwifuru polled 743 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mrs Rosemary Ofoke who came second in the exercise with 63 votes.
The primary election was held at the Pa Ngele Oruta Stadium, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital.
Other aspirants are: Sen. Julius Ucha who came third with 22, Chief Elias Mbam scored 10 votes and Chief Edward Nkwegu, eight votes.
Announcing the result, Mr Emmanuel Adebayo, Chairman of the party’s committee for the primaries said a total of 855 delegates were accredited for the exercise while the total votes cast was 854.
“The total number of valid votes was 846 while the invalid votes were eight.
“I am delighted over the peaceful conduct of the exercise as this shows that the party is united in the state.
“I thank the national body of the party for finding us worthy to conduct the exercise and the security agencies for providing a peaceful and secure atmosphere.
“I also thank officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) among other concerned stakeholders who monitored the exercise, ” he said.
Reacting, Nwifuru appreciated Gov Dave Umahi for his support.
“Umahi has been the instrument God uses to uplift me and I will forever remain indebted to him.
“He picked me from nothing and made me something including being the speaker of the state House of Assembly since 2015.
“I also thank all those who made this victory possible and this auspicious occasion is dedicated to all party faithful especially the youths,” he said.
While the Ebonyi Speaker emerged winner from the Governor Umahi’s faction, former Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Chief Elias Mbam was elected in a parallel election.
Mbam emerged as the APC candidate in a parallel election conducted at his Campaign Office, Mile 50 in Abakaliki.
AJM NEWS 