₦airaland Forum

Following the building collapse that occurred on Saturday, the Anambra State Government on Monday demolished no fewer than 2,000 shops in Onitsha.

The building collapse occurred on Basden Street, Fegge, in Onitsha, but on Monday, the state government demolished shops located on Niger Street in Fegge, Onitsha South Local Government Area, Anambra State.

The shops located by the bank of the River Niger were mostly owned by members of the Sand Miners Association of Anambra State, who use them as equipment and operational offices, while some are occupied by petty traders who serviced them.

The illegal structures were said to have been built by traders who allegedly got the approval of the National Inland Water Ways, but the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, stated during a visit to the area last week that NIWA does not have the right to build or allocate spaces to traders on Anambra land.

Soludo, during the inspection of roads constructed by his administration, ordered the Onitsha South Local Government Chairman, Chief Emeka Orji, to demolish all the illegal structures, noting that the land belongs to Anambra State and not NIWA.

“The code or bye-laws establishing NIWA gave the organisation 100 metres from the banks of the River Niger as right of easement but what we are seeing here are illegal structures and should be demolished,” the governor said.

This development is coming as the state government has declared war on illegal structures following the collapse of a five-storey building at Fegge in the same community.

Our correspondent, who was at the scene of the demolition, observed that the exercise displaced over 4,000 people, and multimillion naira worth of goods were damaged in the exercise.

The Chairman of Onitsha South Local Government Area, Emeka Orji, who supervised the demolition, told journalists and the displaced victims that he was acting on the orders of the state governor following the incessant building collapse in the area.

Orji said, “A notice was issued as regards the demolition and it was followed by series of follow up notices but they disobeyed.

“Then last week, Mr Governor came here and told them that this place is not for shops or markets and ordered me to demolish the area but I gave them another one week notice which ended today.”

The area according to Orji, would be barricaded and cleared for the establishment of a Sea Side Resort which would have green park areas with umbrella trees for relaxation and amusement.

“Everywhere cannot be market in Onitsha and we have declared war on illegal structures and we shall ensure that the right thing is done about building collapse in Onitsha South local government area.”

While the demolition was going on, the affected victims were seen trying to salvage some of their equipment and goods, according to them, there was no prior information about the demolition.

One of the victims, Mrs Ekeoma Okafor, said, “We were not given any notice as regards the demolition. It is a vindictive one targeted at us because we refused to settle some government officials. We pay appropriate taxes and levies to the state government, and we don’t cut corners or pay to illegal revenue collectors or government agents who shortchange the state.”

Other displaced victims who spoke to journalists, described the exercise as “wicked,” wondering why a state government would embark on such an exercise during this period of economic uncertainty, without allowing people to remove their machines and goods.

The Manager of Lake Petroleum Limited, one of the owners of sand beaches and shops, Chief Okechukwu Okoye, said that they lost over 130 shops and equipment worth millions of naira, saying that there was no prior information over the demolition.

Okoye said, “We are law-abiding in everything we are doing here, we are properly licensed and registered with the Federal Ministry of Environment and National Inland Waterways Authority. We pay all the necessary taxes and levies to NIWA and Anambra State government; we have even paid the necessary 2025 levies and taxes to Anambra State government, and we don’t have any problems with NIWA, so we don’t know the reason for the demolition of our offices.

“We did not erect any illegal structures here; all the structures were legally registered and approved by the relevant government agencies and the appropriate payment made. It is therefore a surprise to us when they stormed the place and started demolishing without any prior notice.”

When contacted, the NIWA Area Manager, Suleiman Nicholas, said the state government cannot take action on the NIWA Right of Way without informing the agency.

Nicholas said, “If there is any illegal structure on NIWA Right of Way, the state government should write us and we will take action against any of our customers involved. But we did not receive any complaint from the state government about such obstruction and therefore, there is no reason for such demolition to take place.”

The people of Kogi Central senatorial district, on Saturday, trooped out in support of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Usman Ododo, shutting down Okene in a rally for the November 11 poll.

A mammoth crowd converged on Agassa Junction, Okene, in solidarity with the APC and its candidate.

The various speakers at what was described as the most attended rally in the history of the state, stressed that the massive turnout was an indication of the forthcoming resounding victory for the APC.

Addressing the excited supporters, mainly Ebira indigenes, the Minister of Steel Development and Director General, Kogi State APC Governorship Campaign Council, Shaibu Audu, said: “This crowd gathered here today is unprecedented in the political history of Kogi State.

“In my years of following the politics of Kogi State, without mincing words, this is a game changer, a final nail on the aspiration of the opposition political parties in the state.

“The vision of Alhaji Usman Ododo which has attracted this crowd is to provide agricultural revolution across the state, with massive crops produced across the senatorial district.

“We are here to pursue a Kogi agenda and not an ethnic agenda. The incoming administration will build on the legacies of Governor Yahaya Bello in massively providing infrastructure and empowerment for the people.

“The Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is interested in the revitalisation of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant.

“He has asked that Ajaokuta be declared an industrial park. The President is also interested in ensuring that the free trade scheme across Nigeria is reviewed so that Ajaokuta can be declared a free trade zone.

“Once that is done, it would create massive jobs; 500,000 direct and indirect jobs will be created for our teeming youths. This is the reason the President is concerned and has said we cannot afford to outsource a critical state like Kogi to a hostile opposition party.

“Kogi State will remain an APC State,” he declared.

In his remarks, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mohammed Asuku, said the people of Kogi Central had, by the mammoth crowd, testified to the great achievements of Governor Bello.

“The mammoth crowd is a testimony that indeed Governor Yahaya Bello has done more than enough for the people of the State. The mammoth crowd is a testimony that indeed the APC has chosen an acceptable candidate.

“The people of Kogi Central have, by today’s turnout, resolved to vote massively for Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo and Comr. Salifu Joel,” he said.

One of the key stakeholders of Kogi East Senatorial District, Hajia Halima Alfa, commended Governor Bello for bringing a new dimension of politics to the state. He described the governor as a prophet well respected at home.

“I have never seen this kind of crowd in Kogi State in my entire political life, since I started attending rallies in 1999. Kogi Central is no doubt APC.

“History will no doubt be made come November 11, as the district will produce the highest vote for the APC,” she declared.

Mohamed Idris, son of former Governor of Kogi State, Ibrahim Idris, who publicly declared his support for the APC candidate, urged the people of Kogi Central, and the State at large, to follow the man and party that know the road. He insisted that there was no vacancy in Lugard House for opposition political parties.

Governor Bello
Governor Yahaya Bello, who was visibly elated by the unprecedented turnout, described the sea of heads at the rally and the acceptance displayed as a show of love for the APC and appreciation of the party’s achievements under his watch.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu for his quality leadership, and for his unflinching support for Kogi State

He added that the party in the state would not disappoint the President and would win, landslide, in the coming election.

Bello said, “This unprecedented crowd is an indication that the APC has won. We have no opposition in Kogi Central and in Kogi State.

“We did it before, we will do it again come November 11. As an administration, we have done our best by uniting the people of the State.

“We met, on assumption of office, fault lines of disunity, ethnicity and injustice. But under our administration, we have been able to mend all the fault lines and Kogi State is now united.

“We have created employment. We built infrastructure. We empowered our women and youth like never before under any administration in the State since creation. We have made fairness, equity, justice our priority.

“I can assure you that we are leaving Kogi State better than we met it for the incoming administration. Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo is a capable hand.

“He is competence personified. Let’s support him to build on the legacies we have created,” Governor Bello urged.

He assured the people that the elections would be violence-free, noting that the APC governorship candidate was not coming to learn on the job, not promoting ethnic agenda, and would hit the ground running with visible results in terms of building on the achievements of his administration.

He called on security agencies to continue the good job they had been doing in the state and clamp down on criminals before, during and after the elections.

Ododo…
The APC governorship candidate, Usman Ododo, expressed the confidence that Kogi would remain an APC State after the November 11 governorship election.

“I will continue to deliver on the mandate of our party for the development of Kogi State and the wellbeing of our good people.

“We are serious about meeting the yearnings and aspirations of our people.

“We have been doing that under my mentor, Governor Yahaya Bello, and we will continue to do so,” he said.

Highlights of the rally was the massive defection of members of the SDP, PDP and other political parties to the APC.

LONDON, Aug 22 (Reuters) - British police said on Tuesday they had charged former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke with bribery offences, saying they suspected she had accepted bribes in return for awarding multi-million-pound oil and gas contracts.

Alison-Madueke, 63, was a key figure in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, serving as petroleum minister from 2010 to 2015. She also acted as president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

"We suspect Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts," said Andy Kelly, Head of the National Crime Agency's (NCA) International Corruption Unit.

"These charges are a milestone in what has been a thorough and complex international investigation."

The NCA said Alison-Madueke was accused of benefitting from at least 100,000 pounds in cash, chauffeur driven cars, flights on private jets, luxury holidays for her family, and the use of multiple London properties.

Charges against her also detail financial rewards including furniture, renovation work and staff for the properties, payment of private school fees, and gifts from high-end designer shops such as Cartier jewellery and Louis Vuitton goods, the NCA said.

Since she left office she has been dogged by corruption allegations but denies the charges.

British police said she was currently living in St John’s Wood, an upmarket area of west London, and would appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on October 2.

The Labour Party (LP) has faulted the process of collating the result of last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly Elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying it will challenge the outcome in court.

LP alleged that most of its members were deliberately disenfranchised through varied means across the country, but were more discerning in its strongholds.

The party in a statement on Sunday issued by the National of Secretary, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim said while the party made inroads with high votes in most parts of Northern Nigeria, LP members were deliberately prevented from voting, chased away violently from polling units, or had ballot papers and boxes destroyed and burnt in others.

Umar said in some places, INEC staff and electoral materials were not deployed to areas that are known to be strongholds of Labour Party, or deployed late to frustrate the party supporters who, psychologically got tired of waiting and had to leave the polling units for the fear of the unknown.

“The delay by INEC to upload and announce results, especially where Labour Party, is already known to have taken lead, is also worrisome and we feel it is deliberate to anger our party and our supporters” he said.

Umar also alleged that intelligence from the fields revealed that across the Northern states, electorates identified as Labour Party supporters were tactically denied access to their polling units by some officials who connived with others to confuse the electorates by insisting their polling units are different and sending them to the wrongs ones. He said this frustrated the electorates, and reduced the votes polled by Labour Party, which would have more than doubled if the right things were done.

LP called on INEC to checkmate and call its polling staff to order and also ensure punitive measures in line with the electoral Act 2022 as amended.

The Labour Party National Secretary assured that the party would definitely challenge the outcome and final result in court.

He however called on the party members and supporters to be calm, remain law abiding, but be encouraged with their efforts so far, and mobilise even more for the next round of elections, as the party takes steps to right the wrong meted out to her in the Saturday presidential and National Assembly Elections.

It’s exactly six days to the presidential election. If everything goes according to plan, Nigerians will be voting for candidates of their choice out of which one will be announced as President.

Leading the pack of 18 candidates are in no particular order: Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

The PDP has been in the news over its internal crisis following the activities of five of its aggrieved governors who have expressed displeasure with the party leadership over the continued stay in office of the National Chairman, Dr Iyiorchia Ayu.

The Governor Nyesom Wike-led group had hinted at the possibility of backing a single presidential candidate other than Atiku should Ayu remain in office against what they argued is against the letter and spirit of the PDP Constitution.

Specifically, they noted that the party’s Constitution provides that party and elective positions be zoned between the North and the South.

It is now clear that each member of the G5 Governors has opted to back different presidential candidates.

This is the sequel to their inability to reach a consensus on a single candidate to support as a result of the political peculiarities in their respective states.

The five aggrieved PDP governors, namely, Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), fell out with the party leadership after the emergence of Atiku Abubakar, as the party’s presidential standard bearer.

From the recent voter distribution summary, Rivers, Oyo and Benue States have 3.53million, 3.27million and 2.77millions votes, respectively, and, in that order, are ranked 4th, 6th and 9th of the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in the chart made public by the INEC.

The five PDP governors had insisted that the National Chairman of the party, Ayu, resign from office to pave the way for a southerner since a northerner has emerged as the party’s candidate.

Sunday Vanguard gathered in Abuja, yesterday, that the governors, having realized that their choice of candidates may either promote or adversely affect their individual political fortunes, settled for candidates they believe would advance their chances.

Aside from Wike who is not contesting for any electoral position, his four other colleagues are contesting.

For example, Makinde is seeking re-election as governor in Oyo for a second term, the rest are seeking to install successors while also seeking Senate seats.

Makinde is being speculated to have given tacit support for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu.

This position, it was also gathered, aligns with that of Wike who, after a recent meeting with Tinubu in Port Harcourt, declared Tinubu as a “man of character “ who has not changed his political party

Ortom has not hidden his preference for Obi.

However, both Wike and Ortom, who have been the most vocal in the criticism of the Ayu-led PDP, have since obtained court injunctions restraining the PDP from either suspending or expelling them.

Their action followed the decision of the party to expel some of their loyalists who are candidates in Saturday’s elections.

Prominent among those sanctioned include former Enugu State Governor and senator representing Enugu East, Chimarole Nnamani, as well as the son of a former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose.

Ikpeazu, on his part, has been treading with caution as he has said the G5 agitation was a call for inclusiveness and not about the 2023 elections.

A top-ranking member of the party, who pleaded anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, told Sunday Vanguard, “Our internal issues are largely behind us.

“I can tell you, both Ugwuanyi and Ikpeazu have agreed in principle to give Atiku the requisite support to win in their respective states and we have men on the ground to ensure victory for our party at all levels in all the five states Rivers inclusive.

“Apart from Wike and maybe Ortom, all the others have realised that they were misled into taking some of the actions they took, if not, why are people rushing to court to get restraining orders?”

Governor Samuel Ortom has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to quickly review the Naira swamp and cashless policy warning that the country is facing looming anarchy.

The Governor who make the call in Makurdi said the policy was anti-people and should not come from a government that is eager to impact the people positively.

According to the Governor, “it has now gotten to a level where you will struggle and earn money and you cannot spend it. It is very painful.

“What kind of policy is that; are they making these policies for us or for something else?
“It is only in Nigeria that a Supreme Court will issue a ruling and an individual will choose not to obey it.

“Here in Benue state, we respect the rule of law. If an Area Court, Magistrate Court or State and Federal High Courts give an order we respect it. But if we are not satisfied we appeal it. That is what happens when you respect the laws of the land.

“Disobeying the ruling of the Supreme Court is not right. Today we are gradually moving to anarchy. As I speak I don’t understand why the Supreme Court will issue an order it is not respected.

“But we cannot all fold our hands and watch our country drift into anarchy. Democracy is anchored on the rule of law. And when you don’t respect the laws of the land, the land becomes lawless. And when there is lawlessness you are asking for anarchy. And when we have anarchy in our country nobody will be safe.

“Even security men with all their guns and tanks will be helpless because if you move on the streets how many people will you kill.

“Well-meaning Nigerians must rise up. The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, must speak up because gradually we are being led like a country that does not respect laws.

“Anarchy is looming in this country, a time will come when nobody will respect the Government. Nobody will respect the police or soldiers everybody will be on his own and that will be too dangerous and it will be late and there will be monumental losses that will come. This is not correct.

“This Naira redesign policy what is it all about? America some years ago changed their currency but there was transition that went on for years. Britain also did and you are allowed enough time to exchange the money in the bank and nobody will feel any pains doing it.

“So what kind of a thing is this? Where is the National Assembly of this country? Don’t we have them anymore? Look at how people are suffering in Nigeria, this is not right and it must be corrected.

“President Buhari must be told that this is the worst policy that he has brought at a time that he is about to leave.

“Those people advising him do not mean well for him. He will remain a pain in the neck of Nigerians if he does not reverse this policy before the leaves office.

“He should find out what happened in America, Europe and other countries where currencies are changed seamlessly.

“Nigerian people are suffering presently. You have money in the back and you cannot spend it. Go to the banks and see the queues that are mounted there.

“I always say it as it is because I believe in equity, fairness and justice. Those who have access to the President should please tell him that this policy will eliminate his name from being an honourable man of integrity. This policy will ruin him, because the man out there that I represent, the woman, the children are crying, they are feeling the pains.”

“If it is for the purpose of elections, allow the people, they will vote who they want. Whoever wins so be it because it is God that crowns.

“So I appeal to Mr President to review this action. There are too many cries in the land.”

Parents of the four students of the University of Port Harcourt killed in Aluu Community, in 2012, codenamed, Aluu-4, have urged the seasoned blogger, Linda Ikeji and Netflix, to suspend the planned premiere of their new movie titled ‘Dark October’ which centres around the murder of their four children.

The families through a rights group, The Integrity Friends for Truth and Peace
The initiative, TIFPI said Linda Ikeji made the movie about their late children without consulting them.

TIFPI, however, in a statement in Port Harcourt yesterday, the Executive Director of the body, Livingstone Wechie, said the movie that was produced without the consent of the four families has reawakened the already doused trauma caused by the tragic killing of their children.

Wechie said: “The attention of the four bereaved families of the ill-fated Aluu 4 incident have been drawn to a widely advertised movie titled “Dark October” which was produced by a known blogger by the name Linda Ikeji as stated therein.

“For the records and sadly so, Linda Ikeji produced the movie without seeking the consent of the affected families and parents of the unforgettable Aluu 4 victims.

“The question to Linda Ikeji is: Can you cry more than the bereaved or do you not have some conscience and humanity in you as a parent that you have become?”

He said Ikeji acted of her own volition without giving attention to meeting the families of the four killed innocent students, adding that Ikeji’s action meant that the victims had no families.

“For the umpteenth time, I have been instructed in writing through my organisation The Integrity Friends for Truth and Peace Initiative TIFPI by the four affected families, that is the parents of late Lloyd Toku-Mike, Chiadika Biringa, Ugonna Obuzor and Tekena Elkanah to represent them and ensure that justice is done in this matter.

“This is to the effect that Linda Ikeji acted both of her own volition and on a frolic of her own as she failed, refused and neglected to seek the consent of the affected and families/parents of these boys whose names and the story of the Aluu 4 incident form the entire essence of the said movie.

“It is important to state that the inexcusable and desperate action of Linda Ikeji on this blood-laced story in what is now christened globally as Aluu 4 or Uniport4 may falsely or arrogantly indicate that these innocent boys do not come from homes and this is not only illegal, it is both inhuman and un-African of one who should know better.”

Wechie emphasized that the movie is the story of a true event, noting that the families ought to be consulted before the production.

He charged the companies involved to stop the planned premiere and make effort to meet the families of the four late students.

“To this end, on behalf of the parents/families of the Aluu 4, we hold that the production and distribution of this movie by Linda Ikeji without the consent and consultation with the affected families/parents is insensitive, mischievous and unacceptable.

“We, therefore, demand that Linda Ikeji and her business partners including Netflix, FilmOne Entertainment Company, etc should by this notice immediately retract and suspend any further actions including the premiering slated for February 3, 2023, and any other date pending and subject to consultations and express consent of the affected families who are at the receiving end of the entire assault.”

About 31 days to the presidential and National Assembly elections slated for Saturday, February 25, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has said the cost of non-returning lawmakers was too heavy on the country and democracy.

Speaking on Wednesday at the end of plenary, the Senate President lamented that many Senators may not return for the 10th Senate in June.

He said that the casualties have always been too heavy and too expensive for the nation and for democracy. He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct free, fair and credible elections, just as he also urged the security agencies to ensure violent-free elections.

Lawan said: “The Senate will start its recess from today (Wednesday) and this is to enable Senators participate fully in the campaigns for their return or for their political parties.

“The elections of the National Assembly (members) together with that of the President, will take place on the 25th of February, 2023 that we all know.

“It is our prayer and hope is that, for those of us who are going to participate in the National Assembly elections in the Senate, God Almighty would be on our side. “This is because we need to have those who would provide institutional memory to be around. “The casualties have always been too heavy and too expensive for our country and for democracy in Nigeria.

“That is not to say that Nigerians should not have the way they want to elect their members of the National Assembly. “But it pays to retain parliamentarians if they are doing their job well.
“Because it helps the institution or the parliament in building and working for the people and for the country.

“We also pray that INEC conducts very free, fair and credible elections. This Senate and indeed the National Assembly has supported INEC to the teeth.

“Almost everything that was requested for INEC was approved here in the National Assembly. We expect that INEC will be on top of its game.

“When we come back on February 28, three days after the presidential and National Assembly elections, our hope is that we come back here and review the situation that would have taken place.
“But we pray that what our review should all be on the positive side.

“And for one legislative week, we will be in the chamber to March 1, before we will also go for the gubernatorial and state houses of assembly campaigns and elections of March 11.”

GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike says the alleged plot within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to punish him for insisting on equity and fairness in the party would make the party lose the presidential election.

Wike at the Rivers PDP Campaign rally on Wednesday in Mogho Town for Gokana Local Government Area said his insistence on equity, fairness and justice to be practised within the party has become a political crime for which the camp of the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, allegedly gears to punish him.

Governor Wike described the perceived threats to deal with him as laughable as those threatening would never win at the polls, and consequently not have such opportunity to carry out their threats.

Apparently hitting at Atiku and party National Chairman, Iyorcha Ayu, Wike said, “Most of you have watched on YouTube where they said they will deal with me when they win. You can’t win.

“You’ve not won, you are threatening to deal with some people. Will God allow you? All of them planning and saying they will deal with us, they’ve not been born. I dare them, let them try it.”

He said the 2023 election would be about the use of the PVCs, the people’s power, and it would not be the experience in 2019 where officers of the Nigerian Army and police were allegedly used to intimidate voters.

Rivers Governorship candidate of the PDP, Sir Siminialayi Fubara said at the rally that the party would win the election, but there was a need for the winning to be very convincing.

Fubara assured that when elected, his administration would continue in the performance footsteps of Wike’s administration, as he would do everything possible to sustain the security of life and property, and provide more roads and educational infrastructure in the area.

Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on Sunday says that the first commercial vessel has berthed at the Lekki Deep Sea Port. This is contained on the official Twitter handle of the authority.

It reads, ”Ahead of the President’s commissioning of @LekkiPort for commercial operations tomorrow, one of the largest container vessels, the CMA-CGM, has berthed at the port.

“Once more, @NigerianPorts has proven that it is prepared to offer marine services for seamless port operations. https:///jEv99qwJdv,” it said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that President Muhammed Buhari will officially inaugurate the $1.5 billion Lekki Deep Seaport, for commercial operations in Lagos State.

The Lekki Deep Seaport is a state-of-the-art facility, the largest seaport and one of the biggest in West Africa.

Gov Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, has donated a whopping N200 million largesse to traders affected by the on-going remodelling works at the Ariaria International Market, Aba, Abia State.

This was disclosed yesterday by Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu during while inspecting the progress of works at the A-Line section of the market.

He explained that his Rivers State counterpart expressed his sympathy and support to the traders who were displaced as a result of the ongoing work.

Describing Wike as a dependable friend who has stood by him and Abia people, Ikpeazu explained that he had informed the Governor about the ongoing work and he pledged N200 million to assist the traders re-acquire their shops after the reconstruction.

He commended the contractor handling the remodeling works, Blessed Henken International Company, for working in line with specifications and interpreting the government’s vision for the market and urged him to increase the pace of work to ensure early completion.

Ikpeazu explained that the quality of remodelling work at the market has vindicated his interventionist move to remodel Ariaria market after more than 40 years to make it a true international market.

The Governor who also donated N100 million to the traders explained that the donations are for the first 600 original shop allottees to enable them recommence business. Ikpeazu also said he was working hard to complete the new Government House Umuahia before leaving office in May.

“Yesterday, I inspected a brand new government house in Umuahia. The Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu administration is the one that will bequeath a new Government and remodeled A-line in Ariaria International market to the state.

” I take regular visits to inspect projects where I spend money. You need to put speed but don’t compromise quality because my people deserve the best.

“I told my friend, the Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Nyesom Wike, that I’m going to visit Ariaria traders. He was aware that Ariaria international market is being remodelled.

” I have friends who can assist my people and one of them is Gov. Wike. He gave me a message for Ariaria traders. The message he asked me to deliver is that he will pay N500, 000 each for 400 original allottees who are affected by the remodelling works at the market.

“What this means is that he gave N200 million to the concerned traders. The contractor will have to deduct it from the money to be paid for shops by the traders.

“Yesterday, I also approved some money to the traders. I approved the sum of N100 million. This money will also be deducted from the money to be paid for the shops.

“What the two donations mean is that the 600 traders have paid N500, 000 each for the shops. The traders will soon pack in and they will have money to do business. The remodeling of A-line in Ariaria market is almost completed.

“We have also done Faulks (Ariaria) road and we are committed to making life pleasurable for Ariaria traders.

“I will also help the traders to complete their secretariat and commission it. For those who are coming to campaign at Ariaria market, ask them what have they done to assist you?

” Let them provide evidence of what they have done. Don’t allow them to come and deceive you with their sweet tongue and fake promises. 2023 is the time to show full working.

First Vice Chairman of Ariaria International Market, Chief Goddy Udunna , who spoke for the executives of the market, commended the Governor for the asphalting of Faulks road and the remodeling works which has changed the face of the market.

Earlier, some of the affected traders, Obi Collins and Chiabuto Anaba, lauded Ikpeazu’s efforts in remodelling the market and for his various road projects.

They pledged support for his senatorial bid.

Fresh facts have emerged about what transpired during the National Working Committee (NWC) meeting which culminated in the suspension of Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, former Governor Ayo Fayose’s son, Oluwajomiloju, and other candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu, Imo and Ekiti States.

The NWC also dissolved the Ekiti State Executive Committee which was populated by Fayose’s loyalists.

It also emerged why G5 Governors – Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Samuel Ortom (Benue) – who have been campaigning against their party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar – after Atiku rejected their demand to remove the PDP Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, escaped the hammer.

They had accused Ayu of siding with Atiku during the presidential primary of the PDP which the latter won, beating Wike to the second position.

Sunday Vanguard gathered in Abuja, yesterday, that with the suspension, the affected candidates, most of whom are contesting the National Assembly elections next month, risk losing their right to contest the February and March polls.

Wike joins fray

Wike, yesterday, joined the fray as he vowed to lead a court battle against the dissolution of Ekiti State Executive Committee (EXCO) of the PDP.

The Rivers governor, speaking during a rally of Rivers PDP Campaign Council in Bori, Khana Local Government Area, described the action of the NWC as tyrannical, a resort to despotism that will do the party no good in the forthcoming general elections.

He said, “Your dissolving Ekiti State PDP Exco will not help you in any way. Your suspending people will not help you. The battle line has been fully drawn. We will do everything legally possible to challenge any decision we know is illegal.

So, don’t think you can threaten people by saying so, so persons have been suspended. Rubbish! Completely rubbish. We are above that level that you think you can threaten anybody, intimidate anybody with whatever illegal decision you have taken.
So, we are waiting for you to announce my own and any other of my friend. As I said, when a man says you will not sleep, he too will he sleep. Will Ayu sleep? Will those his cohorts sleep? So don’t worry, we have the capacity to pay back. We have the capacity to tell you that enough is enough.

Chapter 10 of the Constitution of the PDP (As amended in 2017) states in Section 57 (3): “The Working Committee at any level of the party, and the Executive Committee (at the Ward Level) may, after preliminary hearings, suspend a member from the party for a period not exceeding one month, during which period the member so suspended shall lose his right to contest any election, and shall be referred to the appropriate Disciplinary Committee.”

It was learnt that the PDP NWC, which met on Friday, wasted no time in arriving at a decision when each case was tabled for discussion. A source familiar with what transpired said, “It wasn’t a meeting that took so much time because the issues were straightforward.

“Take the case of Senator Nnamani for example, he has not only been fraternizing with Asiwaju Tinubu the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, he has also been campaigning for him and destabilizing our party in Enugu. Nnamani, who is seeking re-election into the Senate, has been at it despite several appeals to party members to abide by our rules.

“In Ekiti, of our three senatorial candidates, only Senator Biodun Olujimi, who has remained loyal to the party despite several challenges, was spared from suspension.

“Fayose’s son and other House of Representatives candidates in Ekiti were equally suspended for various acts of anti-party activities, all of them have been hobnobbing with the opposition and took it a step further by absenting themselves from our rallies in the state and in the South-West without justifiable reasons.

“The chap from Imo was caught in the web of working against our party’s collective interest.”

Another party source, however, explained that the suspension was not final, noting that the affected persons still have an opportunity to explain themselves before a disciplinary panel which, if satisfied with their explanations, may recommend it’s lifting. The source said, “The NWC decision in this matter is not yet final. The suspended members can still appear before the disciplinary committee to state their cases.

“In any case, if they appear and show remorse, chances are that they’ll be forgiven. We are a party of laws and due process that is why it appears to some that we are slow in taking action on such infractions.”

Asked if the matter of the G-5 governors was discussed, the source simply said “No”. He explained that “despite all of their antics, they have consistently announced their membership and loyalty to the party. None of them has been engaged in an open and direct campaign for our opponents.

“You are also aware that none of them has denied us the use of facilities in their states for our campaigns, it shows that though we are quarrelling like is normal in most families, we are still members of the same family.”

Recall, the PDP NWC announced the suspension of Nnamani and a host of other party candidates and the dissolution of the Ekiti State Executive for actions bordering on anti-party activities.

The NWC’s decisions were contained in two separate statements signed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, in Abuja, late Friday.

Ologunagba said, “After a very extensive review and consideration of the affairs of our Party in the country, pursuant to the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) approved the suspension of Senator Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu State) and Chief Chris Ogbu (Imo State) with effect from today, Friday, January 20, 2023, over allegations of anti-party activities.

“In the same vein, the NWC has approved the suspension of the underlisted Party members in Ekiti State also with effect from today, Friday, January 20, 2023, over allegations of anti-party activities.

“The suspended members in Ekiti State are;

1.Ayeni Funso -(Ekiti North)

2.Ajijola Lateef Oladimeji -(Ekiti Central)

Others are;

1.Emiola Adenike Jennifer -(Ekiti South II)

2.Ajayi Babatunde Samuel -(Ekiti North II)

3.Olayinka James Olalere -(Ekiti Central)

4.Akerele Oluyinka -(Ekiti North I)

5. Fayose Oluwajomiloju John -(Ekiti Central I)

The party urged its leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our Party across the country to remain united and focused on the mission of our Party to Rescue, Rebuild and Redirect our nation from misrule.

Ologunagba also said, “Following recent developments in the Ekiti State Chapter of our great Party, the NWC after careful deliberations and extensive consultations, on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and pursuant to Sections 29(2)(b) and 31(2)(e) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017), has dissolved the PDP Ekiti State Executive Committee with immediate effect.

“In its place, the NWC, on behalf of NEC has approved the appointment of Ekiti State Caretaker Committee to run the affairs of the Party in the State for a period of three (3) months effective from today Friday, January 20, 2023, and to function pursuant to Section 24(2) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

“The NWC also approved the appointment of Arch. Sadiq Obanoyen as Chairman of the PDP Ekiti State Caretaker Committee.

“The PDP urges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our Party in Ekiti State to remain united and focused on the task ahead.”

Defiance

Meanwhile, the seven suspended National Assembly candidates in Ekiti State, yesterday, faulted the action by the party leadership, describing it as an unnecessary distraction.

The candidates said the suspension won’t have an effect on their candidacy, adding that their concern was how to win the elections.

Reacting to the development, Ajijola, Ayeni, Akerele, Ajayi, Olayinka, Joju Fayose and Jennifer called on members and supporters of the party in the state to remain calm, assuring that nothing will be left undone to ensure victory in the forthcoming elections.

While describing the party’s action as unfortunate and unguided, they said that, by the Constitution of the PDP, the purported suspension was null and void because none of them was informed of committing any offence.

A Yola High Court presided over by Justice Mohammed Danladi Tuesday sacked Senator Ishaku Abbo as the APC Senatorial candidate for Adamawa North senatorial zone for this year’s election.

The court sacked Senator Abbo on the ground that he was expelled from the party by his ward in Mubi North local government area of Adamawa.

Justice Danladi, held that the Senator and APC are bound by the resolution of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Mubi North Local government chapter’s executive expelling him from the party on the 7th of October 2022.

The court also averred that Senator Abbo is not entitled to enjoy any right or privilege accorded to APC members.

Recall that the Mubi North LG executive of the party had on the 7th of October 2022, approved the expulsion of the Senator as recommended by the party’s disciplinary committee.

The court further restrained APC under which the Senator is seeking re-election from recognising him as its candidate, saying that he cannot validly be the candidate of the party in the forthcoming general election.

The ruling also restrained Sen. Abbo from parading himself as the candidate of the party in the Northern Senatorial District in the forthcoming general election.

Justice Danladi, held that the plaintiff’s counsel has proved beyond doubt and that the court is satisfied with the procedure followed by the party, saying that Senator was accorded the opportunity to defend himself but deliberately refused to so do.

He said that the action of the plaintiffs in suing the Senator is not an internal affair of the party as claimed and that they have locus standi to institute the action against him since they are registered members of the party.

It could be recalled that two APC members, Abdullahi Suleiman and Yusha’u Usman of Kolere and Sabon Layi Wards, Mubi North LGA, respectively, sued the Senator and sought for an interpretation regarding his status in APC.

In his reaction, Counsel to the Plaintiffs, Abubakar Ali Esq, appreciated the court, saying that the judgement will serve as a deterrent to erring members of the party who claim to be above the party.

The Counsel to the defendant, E. O. Odo, said that he will inform his Client about the judgment of the court, saying if he agrees, they will challenge the judgement at the Court of Appeal.

Shikini:
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A known thief, a convicted drug criminal ... OP, will you associate with such a fellow if put in Buhari's shoes?
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