Anambra state Governor, Chukwuma Soludo has revealed that the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) may broadcast from detention if there is a need arises, especially against the background of sit-at-home in the South East region.
Gov Soludo made this known following his visit to Kanu in his detention room on May 13th, 2022.
Soludo said; “I visited Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, yesterday, (Friday, 13th May, 2022) to felicitate with him and also as part of the wider consultations with critical stakeholders in search of lasting peace and security in the South East.
“He was in very high spirits and we had quality and frank discussion in a very convivial atmosphere. He expressed sadness over what he described as “sacrilegious killings” of innocent persons, kidnappings and all forms of criminalities, including the brutal enforcement of the senseless “sit at home” perpetuated by sundry groups claiming to be acting for or on behalf of IPOB. He assured that if the opportunity arises, he will be glad to personally broadcast to his followers to maintain the peace.
“Together, we shall restore peace, security and prosperity in Anambra and the Southeast”.
The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN has called for a nationwide protest over the gruesome killing of Deborah Samuel, a 200-level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto.
The CAN President, Rev. Olasupo Ayokunle, in a letter addressed to all bloc leaders, urged Christians to hold peaceful protests within their church premises on Sunday, May 22, 2022.
He made the call against the backdrop of the Thursday killing and setting ablaze of the female student by an angry mob that accused her of blasphemy.
The letter dated May 14, 2022 and signed by CAN’s General Secretary, Joseph Daramola, reads: “I have been directed by the CAN President, His Eminence, Rev. Dr. Samson Olasupo A. Ayokunle, to request all Church Leaders, through your various Churches to organize a PEACEFUL PROTEST in honour of one of our daughters, DEBORAH YAKUBU who was gruesomely murdered on Thursday, 12 May, 2022 at the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto in Sokoto State by some Islamic extremists.
The protest will take place on 22 May, 2022 in the afternoon by 3:00 Pm in every Secretariat of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) nationwide and not on the streets in order to avoid further loss of lives. Those without CAN’s Secretariat may use any church with big premises.
“We are to hold placards with some succinct message like “WE DEMAND JUSTICE 4 DEBORAH,” “NO MORE KILLING IN GOD’S NAME”, “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH,” “POLICE, STOP UNPROVOKED KILLINGS IN NIGERIA,” “CHRISTIANS ARE NOT SECOND CLASS CITIZENS,” “KILLERS OF DEBORAH MUST BE PROSECUTED,” “WE CONDEMN RELIGIOUS KILLINGS,” “WE SAY NO TO ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS.”
“We urge those who could afford it to make use of the traditional media and the social media and others can use only the social media to give it a wide coverage in other to sensitize the whole world. We also call on Nigerian Christians in diaspora to join us using our embassies all over the world.
“The occasion can also be used to pray for Deborah’s family and friends, peace for the country, victory for the Church and godly political leaders in the coming general election.”
The remains of late Deborah Samuel, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto State, have been laid to rest in her hometown, Tungan Magajiya in Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State today amidst controversy.
This is even as the Sokoto State Government allegedly insisted that the body be kept in the mortuary until it concludes its arrangement on the matter.
Deborah was stoned to death and burnt on Thursday by her fellow students for allegedly making a blasphemous statement on a WhatsApp group.
The deceased, it was gathered, had been living with family members in Sokoto since she was in primary school before her death.
It was learnt that while the body of Deborah was being transported home for burial, an official of the Sokoto State Government allegedly called that the body should be returned back as it belongs to the government.
The government had asked the family to deposit the deceased in the mortuary until burial arrangements are concluded.
However, the parents disagreed with the government’s position, while insisting that their daughter’s body would be buried today.
ABN TV learnt that since the news of the incident reached the parents of Deborah, the mother has been unconscious while the father has been in a state of grief and pain.
Reacting, the Pastor of the family in charge of 1st ECWA in Tunga Magajiya, Pastor Emmanuel Maaji explained that the family are insisting that their daughter be buried today as against the state government’s position to wait until it completes its own arrangement.
According to him, the parents are not happy with the way and matter the government is handling the issue.
The cleric said the body of the deceased was transported back home in a chartered bus and not a government vehicle.
Maaji further stated that the government only called and said that it is not right for the family to take the body like that without informing them. They said that they shouldn’t bury the body as the body is for the government and not for the family. They asked them to put the body in the mortuary.
When asked the name of the government official that asked that the body be returned back to Sokoto State, the pastor stated that he cannot recollect the name, but that the person claimed to be a representative of the state government.
Confirming the development, the CAN Coordinator of the Rijau Local Government Area, Reverend Danjuma Doma explained that the family and church are preparing to bury the remains of Late Deborah, adding, “we will update you on the situation as it goes, but we are all here to support the family at this moment of grief.”
Earlier, there was a disagreement over the burial site prepared for her at the town’s cemetery, when some group of youths appeared and claimed that she cannot be laid to rest in it, saying that it was dug for another deceased person in the area.
Also, confirming the development, Pastor Maaji said as a result of the action of the youth, the family and church decided to suspend the burial and deposit the deceased in the morgue to avoid further argument.
”But, when we pravailed on the youth, they saw reason with us and allowed us to burry her in the grave under contention. This is because, the body is burnt and not good to the eyes,” the cleric added.
Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade ll on Friday lamented that the age-long and laudable objective of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programmes was under serious threat as a result of the seemingly intractable problem of insecurity ravaging the land.
The monarch, while hosting the management team of the NYSC in Oyo State led by the State Coordinator, Mrs. Grace Ogbuogebe at his Alarere residence, called on the Federal Government to put more efforts in the fight against insecurity.
He noted that, “The level of insecurity is fast eroding the noble idea and objective of the founding fathers of the scheme that remains one of the best attempts to unify the country.
“Today, an average parent would not want his or her child to go far away from the home state in the name of national service because of the fear of the unknown which was unheard of in years past. The gains of the NYSC scheme are too precious to be discarded on the altar of insecurity”, Olubadan added.
Recalling his experience on his return to the country from the United Kingdom in 1972 when he had offers to either work at the then University of Ife (UNIFE) now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife or Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria he said he chose Zaria because he wanted to know his country.
The monarch said such a decision was made then because everywhere was safe and secured for all and sundry.
Earlier, Ogbuogebe said the visit was to felicitate with Oba Balogun on his ascension of the throne, stressing that the entire management was on camp during the installation/coronation in March this year which made it impossible for her team to be part of the epoch -making event.
She reeled out numerous achievements of the scheme across the country as well as the various interventions being made in the critical sectors of national life including education and health.
The All Progressives Congress has announced that the screening of the 28 presidential aspirants who submitted their nomination forms have been shifted to May 23.
This is even as the party observed that some of the aspirants have started withdrawing from the presidential race.
This was confirmed in a statement by APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, on Saturday.
Argungu disclosed that the clarification became necessary after the party was inundated with calls and messages by worried aspirants and delegates, who wanted to know why the presidential category was left out of the weekend’s two-day exercise.
“The screening for the presidential aspirants, we have so far 28 presidential aspirants.
“As you are all aware, some aspirants have started withdrawing their aspirations. By God’s grace, on 23rd of this month, those who are left will be screened properly,” he said.
Following the gruesome murder of a Christian student for alleged blasphemy, and a riot that broke out in Sokoto State on Saturday, Governor Aminu Tambuwal has imposed a 24-hour curfew on the people of the North-West state.
The governor in a statement said, “Following the sad incident that happened at the Shehu Shagari College of Education on Thursday and sequel to the developments within (Sokoto) metropolis this morning till afternoon, by the powers conferred on me by sections 176(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and section 1 and 4 of the Public Order Act; and, also Section 15 of Sokoto State Peace Preservation Law, I hereby declare, with immediate effect, a curfew within (Sokoto) metropolis of Sokoto township for the next 24 hours.
“I appeal to the good people of Sokoto state to kindly continue to observe law and order and calm down (on the) restiveness currently pervading in the metropolis.
“Everyone should, please, in the interest of peace go back home and observe these measures, with a view of the reestablishment of peace, law and order in the state.
“It is not in the interest of anyone for us to have a breakdown of law and order. I, therefore, appeal for restraint; and, for people to observe and respect the rule of law.”
Some placard-carrying Muslim youths began a protest in Sokoto on Saturday morning and demanded the release of two suspects arrested in connection with the gruesome murder of Deborah Yakubu, a 200-level Home Economics student of Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto.
Deborah was mauled and burnt to death on Thursday on the school premises for alleged blasphemy of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
The Christian youth was murdered in the most barbaric manner and her killers had gleefully posted videos of the act on social media.
The police in Sokoto had confirmed the killing of Deborah by her Muslim colleagues on campus and the Muslim youths had protested on Saturday, clashing with security operatives who fired shots to disperse the surging demonstrators.
The youths, it was gathered, met at the Gawon Nama Roundabout at 9am, where the protest started.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Sokoto, Sanusi Abubabar, confirmed the protest in a telephone interview with The PUNCH on Saturday.
“We are on top of the situation,” he told our correspondent, adding that the police authorities in Sokoto are in talks with leaders of thoughts and opinion moulders in the state.
Many civil society groups and lawyers have condemned the murder of Deborah while some persons have defended the mob action.
Sokoto, a state in Nigeria’s North-West has a more Muslim population than Christians and there have been cases of sectarian strife and religion-triggered extrajudicial killings.
A Professor of Political Economy, Ikenna Nzimiro Jnr on Saturday said the South-East geo-political zone will appreciate the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu after the 2023 presidential election.
Nzimiro said the decision of the former Abia state governor to back the Senate President Ahmad Lawan was in order, since the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, have refused to concede the 2023 presidency to the South-East geo-political zone.
He commended the courage and sagacity of Senator Orji Kalu to speak truth to power, describing him as a politician with deep vision and tactical leadership acumen.
Nzimiro stated this while reacting to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing and Pa Edwin Clark’s criticisms of Orji Uzor Kalu’s endorsement of Senator Ahmad Lawan, saying Ndigbo will appreciate Kalu better after the general elections.
“We have no reason to believe that former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu has any motive beyond the well-being of the nation and Ndigbo in particular in issuing his support for Senator Ahmad Lawan.
“He has taken the bull by the horns, by openly supporting the North East geo-political zone to produce the next president of Nigeria. The emergence of a Northeasterner is a masterstroke to me because it will avail Ndigbo the shortest route to the presidency after 8 years since our chances are so slim next year. I believe that Ndigbo will begin to experience a new lease of life as his efforts yield fruits after 2023.
“We need to start on a good note in 2023 by first reintegrating ourselves into the mainstream of the nation’s politics. Supporting the South-West or South-South means we have to wait for another 16 years. Let’s say it is Goodluck Jonathan for example; we have to wait for another 12 years, because after his four years, it will go back to the North for 8 years before another Southerner would be considered.
“I think Kalu’s is an intelligent politician with the right contacts and capacity. Ndigbo should rally round and support him to reintegrate us into the mainstream of the nation’s politics. If we don’t get it right in 2023, it will be a difficult task in the years to come. I strongly believe that Kalu is on track and Ndigbo shall appreciate his decision later,” he said.
The family of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafran, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has expressed shock over the fingering of the former Governor of Abia State, Senator Theodore Orji representing Abia Central; his son and Speaker of the Abia House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji; the Deputy Governor, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu; and former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Charles Ogbonnaya, as sponsors of insecurity in the state.
The family said nobody should be indicted for any crime “until thorough investigation and verifiable evidence are established.”
IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, had in a statement, accused the above individuals of masterminding insecurity in the state, warning them to desist or be dealt with.
Kanu’s family who spoke through Kalunta Kanu, expressed surprise over the veracity of the intelligence that led to the conclusion.
The family said that their son currently in security custody would not appreciate the involvement of IPOB with matters outside the group’s core mandate which is the restoration of Biafra.
They asked politicians to settle their issues and leave IPOB alone.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria Chief Femi Falana has described the alleged withdrawal of resignation letters by Abubakar Malami and Chris Ngige as illegal and gross contravention of the stipulated law.
Media reports had claimed that the AGF and the Minister of Labour had withdrawn their resignation letters to focus on their jobs.
But AGF Malami confirmed that “I have not resigned as the Attorney General of the Federation but have only withdrawn from the Kebbi governorship race,”
Falana, however, noted in a statement he personally signed that “At the last Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari directed all Ministers and other political appointees who aspire to contest for elective offices in the 2023 General Elections to resign their appointments.”
Falana recalled, “In compliance with the directive, nine Ministers resigned their appointments. The former Ministers are Rotimi Amaechi, Godswill Akpabio, Ogbonnaya Onu, Timipre Sylva, Chris Ngige, Abubakar Malami (SAN), Uche Ogah, Pauline Tallen and Chief Tayo Alasoadura.
He noted that, “In a farewell meeting held with the former Ministers on Friday, May 13, 2022, President Buhari thanked them for serving the nation sacrificially, ”with dignity and honour”. While wishing them success in the upcoming elections and in future endeavours the President commended them for their decision and courage to contest for elective offices and their compliance with his directive.
Having resigned from the Buhari administration Mr Abubakar Malami SAN and Dr Chris Ngige were reported to have withdrawn their letters of resignation after the farewell meeting. Such withdrawal is illegal as it constitutes a gross contravention of section 306 (2) of the Constitution which stipulates that
“The resignation of any person from any office established by this Constitution shall take effect when the writing signifying the resignation is received by the authority or person to whom it is addressed or by any person authorised by that authority or person to receive it.”
“Since the resignation of the former Ministers has taken effect they cannot return to the cabinet either of their own volition or on the directive of the President.”
“The resignation of the Ministers is not a cabinet reshuffle. It is akin to the removal of the former Ministers by the President. Therefore, if the former Ministers are going to be reappointed the President is required by section 147 of the Constitution to submit names to the Senate for fresh screening and confirmation.”
Former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara, has urged governorship aspirants in the 2023 governorship election in the state to consider Ukwa clan for the Deputy Governorship position.
Senator Wabara who is the Secretary, Board of Trustees BoT of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said this when one of the party’s governorship hopefuls, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe, paid a condolence visit to him at his Ukwa Destiny Villa country home.
Wabara who was deeply concerned over the gross political marginalisation of his Ukwa kinsmen in the politics of Abia State said the anomaly had to stop.
Wabara commended Mayor Igbokwe for his courage to join the governorship race, saying that people are not known until they showcase what they have.
He, however, reminded him that the contest is like examination which could go either way, urging him not to see any investment in elective position as a waste.
In a swift response, Igbokwe reminded the former Senate President that he had already resolved and even declared during an earlier meeting with Ukwa East PDP delegates and stakeholders, that he would pick his running mate from Ukwa.
Asking the two Ukwa LGAs to agree on a consensus running mate for him, said that he was already planning to change the narrative of Ukwa clan by giving them a sense of belonging.
The governorship hopeful noted that Ukwa people had been unfairly treated in the political equilibrum of the state despite being the hen that lays the golden egg for the state.
He regretted that Ukwa land had crude oil, palm trees and a lot of tourism sites but unfairly treated.
The Entertainment guru said his experience in the Entertainment industry which had taught him how to make something out of nothing, had equiped him to transform Ukwa land if given the opportunity.
“I know how to develop human beings who are not even educated and they will become stars. If I become Governor, I will harness the potentials in Ukwa land and make them proud”.
Igbokwe had earlier in a remark said he came to condole with Senator Wabara over the demise of his wife, and prayed God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
The governorship hopeful who said he shared in the grief the former Senate President was passing through as a result of the demise of his dear wife, told him he would return after the funerals to share his manifesto and vision for the state with him, and for counsel.
The people of Ebem Ohafia Ancient Kingdom have rolled out warm tributes to Hon. Chief Ibe Okwara Osonwa, Member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency in...
