₦airaland Forum

The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, who is facing terrorism charges from the Federal Government, has opted for new legal representation as his trial resumes at the Federal High Court in Abuja today.

POLITICS NIGERIA gathered that a fresh legal team headed by Alloy Ejimakor will now spearhead Kanu’s defense against the 7-count charges.

The reasons behind the switch from the previous legal team led by Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN and Ifeanyi Ejiofor remain undisclosed.


Despite the change in legal representation, the courtroom is already filled with lawyers and supporters of Kanu, demonstrating solidarity with the Biafra agitation.

The Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru on Friday, narrowly escaped death, after a truck rammed into his convoy while returning from a campaign rally at Uburu community Ohaozara LGA of the state, Igbere TV reports.

The accident, which occurred at Amagu community located before Timber shade Abakaliki, crushed the amoured car conveying the APC gubernatorial candidate beyond repair.

Also involved in the accident were the state APC chairman, Stanley Okoro Emegha, the former Minister of Culture and Tourism, Ambassador Frank Nchita Ogbuewu and the driver of the governorship candidate, whose name is yet to be identified at the time of filing this report.

The Director-General of the APC campaign organization, Mr. Austin Umahi, who is the younger brother of Governor David Umahi, told journalists shortly after the accident that the survival of Nwifuru was an act of God.

According to him: “Yes, there was an accident but the act of God was mightly demonstrated, in the sense that we came on the divine mandate. This accident would have been avoided, but unfortunately, we don’t know whether the truck driver was drunk or not.

“I personally narrowly escaped the accident and the next car was our gubernatorial candidate, Nwifuru. The truck driver just crossed the road and the next thing was to put them inside the bush. It is unfortunate but we thank God for everything because our candidate survived.

“Both the driver and two other occupants; the state chairman of our party, Stanley Okoro Emegha and the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Ambassador Frank Nchita Ogbuewu are in good condition,” he stated.

The opposition coalition CUPP Ebonyi state is alerted of the attack on supporters of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
In Ugwulangwu, Ohaozara LGA of the State by thugs alleged to be loyal to the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Opposition Coalition CUPP is saddened that scores of attacks on members of the opposition and their campaign materials in the state has remained unabated and in strongest term wishes to outrightly condemn this latest attack in Ugwulangwu.

Available information revealed that the Guber Candidate of the party, Prof Bernard Ifeanyichukwu Odo visited the community and in a crude attempt to validate stronghold, the thugs mobilized and attacked a chieftain of the party in the area, Mr Ikenna Eze. At the moment the victim of the attack is unrest!

This particular attack like others negates ethos of Constitutional democracy, and freedom of association as enshrined in the Nigerian consutition. We therefore, wishes to invite the Nigerian police to investigate this condemnable act and bring everyone behind to face the wrath of the law.

The Nigeria Police is warned to stop shielding thugs working for the governing party in the state because the resultant effect of the whole bugbear will lead to anarchy and unnecessary chaos.

Authoritatively, those who trademark is oppressing opponents with intimidation and attacks are reminded that nobody has monopoly of violence. The stakeholders of Ugwulangwu is called upon to boldly condemn this attack and warn those behind to stop forthwith.

Racoon:
This is what Dave Nweze Umahi has turned Ebonyi into since he miraculously came into government despite the opposition of then governor Marthin Elechi to his candidature even when he stayed put in PDP.

Now, he is on seat and has became a despotic tyrant wasting State funds on fanciful bridges, roundabouts, non-viable Airport while Ebonyians are languishing in abject poverty and penury.

dominic17:
This coming from opposition party I don't the type of politics we play in this part of the world. I doubt this .

Jlow2:
Deceiving people with flyovers in the forest

Hassany4u:
Pls do I have to get the attestation letter before I apply online

Stringz1:
Please how were you able to upload your degree?

Stringz1:
Has anyone been able to apply?
The site isn't letting me upload my degree result

Gov. Diri Should Be Commended For His Proactive Stance To Ensure Improved Education Opportunities - Bayelsa Govt Tells Groups

The Bayelsa State government on Friday stated that the Governor of the state, His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri should be commended for his proactive stance to ensure improved education opportunities for the youth with interests in the medical sciences and more in the state.

In a statement made available to IGBERE TV by the Media Assistant to the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Bayelsa State, Onisoman kos-Ikah, lambasted Nonso Nwosu & Company, Barristers & Solicitors, who wrote on behalf of unnamed, “concerned chiefs and stakeholders of Ogbia, Nembe and Brass Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State, wherein they alleged that the Governor of Bayelsa State is making moves to propose the establishment of Federal University for the South-South in Bayelsa State.

They also accused the Governor of making moves to “deceive the Federal Government and compromise top officials of the Federal Ministry of Health to achieve the objective of offloading the illegally employed staff of the Bayelsa Medical University...”

Meanwhile, the state government has dismissed the entire publication as childish, lacking in both facts and knowledge of the issue, orchestrated to cause disunity among Bayelsans in general.

The Bayelsa state government noted that the "Federal Government of Nigeria is implementing a most commendable initiative to establish six Federal Universities of Medical Sciences, one in each of the six Geo-Political Zones in the Country. The South-South Geo-Political Zone consists of Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa-Ibom and Edo States, and any of these states reserve the right to pursue the siting of the Federal University of Medical Sciences in their state. At the moment, no site in any particular state has been decided or agreed on for the South-south. "

The statement reads in full,

RE:

"COMPLAINT OF MISREPRESENTATION BY THE GOVERNOR OF BAYELSA STATE TO THE PRESIDENCY ON THE STATUS OF THE FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER, YENAGOA VIS-A-VIZ THE FEDERAL UNIVERSITY, OTUOKE IN BAYELSA STATE AND THE NEGLECT OF BAYELSA EAST SENATORIAL DISTRICT"

"SETTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT"

"Our attention has been drawn to a malicious petition with the above subject, written by Nonso Nwosu & Company, Barristers & Solicitors, on behalf of unnamed, “concerned chiefs and stakeholders of Ogbia, Nembe and Brass Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State, wherein they alleged that the Governor of Bayelsa State is making moves to propose the establishment of Federal University for the South-South in Bayelsa State. They also accused the Governor of making moves to “deceive the Federal Government and compromise top officials of the Federal Ministry of Health to achieve the objective of offloading the illegally employed staff of the Bayelsa Medical University...”

"While we dismiss the entire publication as childish, lacking in both facts and knowledge of the issue, orchestrated to cause disunity among Bayelsans in general, we deem it necessary to set out the simple fact as it is, for the better judgment of Bayelsans of the true motive of the so-called concerned chiefs and stakeholders."

"The Federal Government of Nigeria is implementing a most commendable initiative to establish six Federal Universities of Medical Sciences, one in each of the six Geo-Political Zones in the Country. The South-South Geo-Political Zone consists of Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa-Ibom and Edo States, and any of these states reserve the right to pursue the siting of the Federal University of Medical Sciences in their state. At the moment, no site in any particular state has been decided or agreed on for the South-South."

"The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, proactively represented for the Bayelsa Medical University to be adopted and converted to the Federal University of Medical Sciences for the South-South Geo-Political Zone. Although there is a private University in Rivers State, owned by Sir Dr. Peter Odili, the fact that the Bayelsa Medical University is the only public medical university in the South-South, which has achieved resource verification and approved to run full scale medical courses, proves a comparative advantage for the state and remains the very best option for expedited adoption as the FUMS for the South-South Zone."

" Having stated the above, it is also pertinent to state that the position of the Bayelsa State Government transcends political interests and considerations, neither is it against the interests of any Senatorial District or specific Local Government Areas. It is clear, therefore, that any group of persons giving political interpretations or colorations of genuine efforts that will be beneficial to Bayelsans, irrespective of their ethnic, educational and political backgrounds, are doing so with the sole intent to deprive the state and its teeming educable youth and future generations, of this important opportunity."

" Furthermore, it is misplaced understanding to say that “a new Federal Medical University is being contemplated for Bayelsa State” or that a Federal University is being proposed, as there has not been any specific request or registered agitation for a Federal Medical University anywhere in Bayelsa State. Also, The Federal University of Medical Sciences in no way undermines the existence or continued development of the Medical Faculty of the Federal University, Otuoke, its proposed Teaching Hospital and the Federal Medical Center, whether in Yenagoa or Otuoke. At best, this initiative complements existing medical faculties and expands opportunities for students with interests in the medical sciences across the state."

" The complaint or petition is self-serving, smirks of unwarranted rivalry, intended to disparage the person of Former President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan by dragging his name into a narrow, politically motivated, ill-intended, ethnically-skewered petition to massage the egos of individuals. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is a Statesman and Father who would not trade the development of Bayelsa State on the grounds of petty sentiments knowing his antecedents as one who has never traded his interest for the peace, development and unity of his dear people little wonder today the name Dr Goodluck Jonathan is known globally for peace unity and development."

" Therefore using his name to drive home this malicious demand is already an effort in futility and dead on arrival.

"Also, His Excellency Dr Goodluck Jonathan is a Father and leader to all in Bayelsa and enjoys a robust relationship with the current Governor, His Excellency, Sen. Douye Diri who always listens and has high level regard for the former president, therefore it is unfounded for any group of persons to fan the embers of discord between both leaders as the bond that exists between them is that of a Father and Son relationship."

" It is also clear that the petition does not represent the views of the good people of Ogbia, Nembe and Brass Local Government Areas, as it is only a representation of a few individuals whose intentions are not altruistic."

"The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri who approved and invested several millions of Naira for the accreditation of all the tertiary institutions in the state in the current academic year, is representing the long term interests of Bayelsa state and should be commended for his proactive stance to ensure improved education opportunities for the youth with interests in the medical sciences and more."

"We therefore urge all well-meaning Bayelsans and the general public to disregard the contents of the petition/publication, and the progenitors of this campaign of calumny against the long term benefits of this venture for all Bayelsans."

Onisoman kos-Ikah
Media Assistant to the Honourable Commissioner for Education Bayelsa State.
01/12/2022.