SOUTH EAST DIGEST

Olayinka Owolabi The Transition Implementation Committee (TIC) Chairman, Offa Local Government, Offa, Hon Jare Thomas Olatundun has congratulated the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Kwara State Chapter,, Hon Folaranmi Tajudeen Aro, on the occasion of his Birthday Anniversary on Saturday September 25th, 2021. In a congratulatory message, issued by the Director, Jare Media Team, Olayinka Owolabi to mark Hon. Folaranmi's  birthday, Hon. Olatundun commended the Party Spokesperson for exhibiting exemplary leadership virtues and commitment to the ideals of democracy. Olatundun described Hon Folaranmi Aro as a leader of impeccable disposition. The Chairman remarked that since his emergence as Party Publicity Secretary for Kwara State Chapter of the ruling APC,, Folaranmi Aro has left no one in doubt as to his capacity to handle matters of state interest, development and progress. "I therefore charged you to continue in your quest to provide leadership in th

Olayinka Owolabi A former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Obadiah Mailafia, has passed on at the age of 64. The former deputy governor, who was the Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress in the 2019 election, was a known government critic and had advocated for public sector and exchange rate reforms. Despite losing, he remained an ardent government critic and got into trouble with the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, when he alleged that a northern governor was a Boko Haram commander. This earned multiple invitations by the Nigeria Police Force, forcing him to recant his statement. Mailafia, was said to have died at midnight after a brief illness. Mailafia was born on December 24, 1956, in the Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State. He later graduated top of his class at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1978 with a B.Sc. Honours Social Sciences degree (Politics, Economics, and Sociology). He also has an M.Sc. from the same inst

Olayinka Owolabi A former Minister of Aviation during the President Olusegun Obasanjo government, Mr Femi Fani-Kayode, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The former PDP chieftain was introduced to President Muhammadu Buhari as the newest member of the ruling party on Thursday during a visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He was led to the meeting with the President by the APC National Caretaker Committee Chairman and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, as well as Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State. Mr. Fani Kayode said that he was led by the Spirit of God in his decision and that he joined the APC to help for the unity of the country, adding that he was against anything that would cause the disintegration of Nigeria. He informed that he was instrumental for the exit of three Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governors to the APC. The governors he mentioned were Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, Ben Ayade of Cross R

Olayinka Owolabi Anambra State Government has commenced palliative work on the Amansea axis of the Enugu-Onitsha expressway. The failed Amansea portion of the road has been a dread to motorists, plying the road, resulting in massive breakdown of vehicles, especially the articulated ones. The development has also increased traffic drastically on the Old Enugu-Awka road, as motorists seek alternative routes, causing gridlock that keeps them stuck in traffic for hours. A journey to Enugu that normally takes 2 hours, now takes an upward of six to seven hours due to the very bad road. When our correspondent visited the road today, a caterpillar was on ground, breaking and spreading the stones used to fill up the hollow created on the failed spots. In a chat, the Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Works, Mr Emeka Ohuoha said the palliatives followed a marching order given to them by the State Governor at the State Executive Council meeting of last week, to make the road passable. Mr Ohuo

 Olayinka Owolabi Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi on Friday called for the establishment of a federal ministry to address the grievances of bandits and killer Fulani herders terrorising the country. Mr Gumi’s statement came days after Katsina Governor Aminu Masari openly admitted that Fulanis are the bandits and herders responsible for the widespread killing and abduction across the country. Mr Gumi, a self-appointed intermediary in the ongoing crises of banditry and killer herdsmen, said in a Facebook post on Friday that bandits should be rehabilitated like Niger Delta militants, adding that declaring war against bandits would be futile. “Some said we have tried amnesty but it didn’t work. You didn’t try amnesty but tried amnesia. Amnesty without rehabilitation, reconciliation, and reparation is no amnesty,” Mr Gumi said. “Ask the former Niger Delta Militants who killed security men in the past what an amnesty is. What stops us from having a federal ministry of Nomadic Affairs where

  Olayinka Owolabi The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has ordered all parties to maintain status quo and refrain from taking action that would give effect to the judgement of a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt that allowed the Rivers State government to collect Value Added Tax (VAT), pending the hearing and determination of the instant suit. A three-man panel of the appellate court led by Justice Haruna Tsammani gave the order on Friday while ruling on an appeal filed by the Federal Internal Revenue Service (FIRS). The court also ruled that the motion of joinder by the Lagos State government be heard and gave the applicants two days to file their written addresses. Similarly, the respondents have been given two days to file their response, while the applicants were given a day to reply on the point of law.

  Olayinka Owolabi The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recognised Mr Valentine Ozigbo as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the governorship election in Anambra State. INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday. He explained that the decision was taken at the meeting of the electoral umpire during which a number of issues were considered, including a court order and the general preparations for the November 6 poll. Okoye said, “The commission was served with two judgements of the Court of Appeal (Awka Judicial Division) in respect of the candidature of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Anambra Governorship election. “The court has ordered the commission to recognise and publish the name of Mr Valentine Ozigbo as the governorship candidate. Earlier, the party had substituted its deputy governorship candidate within the deadline provided

Olayinka Owolabi President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived in Imo State. Buhari landed at the Sam Mbakwe Airport in Owerri, the state capital where he was received by dignitaries, including the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr Dave Umahi. Addressing journalist at the airport, the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, stated that the President is in the state to commission some projects. “It is with a heart full of gratitude that I, on behalf of the good people of Imo State, welcome His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR to the Eastern Heartland on a working visit to commission some of our completed people-oriented projects. “Mr President, we are delighted to have you in Imo State on this august occasion despite your tight schedules and it’s our pleasure that while in Imo State, you will enjoy the hospitality and conviviality of our people.” The Imo State Government said Buhari visit to Imo State would advance the socio-economic well-being of the people of the state and the South-Eas

 Olayinka Owolabi Ahead of President Buhari’s Planned Visit in Imo State Biafra on Thursday 9/9/21, the Indigenous People Of Biafra has kicked against Thursday’s planned visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Imo State. IPOB in a broadcast on Monday evening declared Thursday as a Sit-at-home protest over the president’s visit. IPOB the Head of Directorate of State DOS Maazi Chika Edoziem  have declared total shut Down in the entire southeast, adding that residents are to observe a dusk to Dawn curfew, stock your homes with food items so as to avoid being a scapgoat. Part of the statement read “The Imposter Muhammadu Buhari having held our Leader Maazi Nnamdi Kanu in DSS Custody in Abuja is not Welcomed in any part of Biafra Land”. “Therefore this Thursday will be very dangerous for those who have ears but could not hear, Do not allow stray bullet to take your life kindly stay at your Home till Dawn”. “Preparations are Underway, details will remain private, sorry for the Traditional rul

Olayinka Owolabi Former Minister of State for Transportation Prince John Emeka and ex-Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly Rita Maduagwu have dumped their parties to join the All Progressives Congress (APC). The former minister was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while the ex-speaker was a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Four local government area executives from ward to local government areas of the PDP, at the weekend, collapsed their structures into the APC. They are Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Ayamelum and Anambra East, including the Hausa and Yoruba communities in Onitsha South Council Area. Also, ex-governor Peter Obi’s brother, Chief Chris Chikwelu, a member of the PDP state executive, has defected to the APC with a former governorship aspirant in the party in the last primaries, Chief Chuma Nzeribe. It was also learnt yesterday that in the next few days, four members of the National Assembly will dump their parties for the APC Recei

Olayinka Owolabi Leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra North senatorial zone on Friday, September 3, 2021, pledged their unalloyed support for Mr Valentine Ozigbo, the party's candidate for the November 6 Anambra governorship election.  The stakeholders made this announcement at the end of a crucial meeting convened in Ogbaru Local Government Area by Hon Chukwuka (Chuchu) Onyema, the lawmaker representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives.  In his address to the gathering, Hon. Onyema said he called the meeting to enable the party leaders to brainstorm how to ensure victory for Ozigbo in the forthcoming guber election. "We need to correct the impression that Anambra North senatorial zone, and Ogbaru LGA in particular, is now a catchment of the APC. It is not," Hon Onyema declared.  "Despite the exit of some leaders, our dear party remains intact. Nobody in our party left with them. "As we all know, no othe

Olayinka Owolabi Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, says he has secured approval for President Muhammadu Buhari to visit the state on Thursday, September 9, 2021, to commission some significant projects put together by his administration. The governor disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, on Saturday. Uzodinma, who spoke upon his return from an official trip to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, said that the President would commission some “significant projects” executed by his administration. The governor said that he visited Abuja to “address some political matters and some critical issues that are supposed to be handled in Abuja.” His words: “The good news is that Imo has been able to attract additional support from Mr. President on management of some ecological problems in the State.” Speaking on his assignment as the Chairman, APC Campaign Council for the Anambra State governorship election, Uzodimma acknowledged

 Olayinka Owolabi The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 6 governorship poll in Anambra State, Senator Andy Uba, has said he was in the governorship race to liberate the state from the shackles of the underdevelopment it had been subjected to over the years by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). He said Anambra became liberated the day President Muhammadu Buhari handed the party flag to him in Aso Rock. Uba made this known when he later addressed the crowd shortly after he escaped a shooting on Saturday during a rally at the Ekwulobia Township Stadium in Aguata Local Government Area when a policeman on duty accidentally fired a gunshot. The gunshot which was just about a foot off the position of Uba shocked the crowd who turned out to receive the governorship candidate. A stunned Uba was heard saying in confusion: “My friend what is it? What is it?” A television cameraman who was close to the cop told our correspondent that he suspected the policem

  Olayinka Owolabi “Who will break Nigeria? Is it the Igbo vulcanizer or the Yoruba Former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido has said that Nigeria cannot break up because the elites are united in preserving their advantages over the masses irrespective of any difference. Addressing a youth gathering who converged in their hundreds, calling on him to vie for the 2023 presidency on the occasion of his 73rd birthday, the former governor noted that Nigeria is too weak to break. He asked, “Who will break it? The ordinary person in Jigawa or the ordinary person in Sokoto or the ordinary person in Bayelsa? Is it the Igbo vulcanizer or the Yoruba woman selling kerosene by the roadside or the Okada man in Delta? “They don’t have the capacity to unite because they are burdened by poverty. We have taken away from them their dignity, their self-esteem, their pride and self-worth so that they cannot even organize for the break-up of the country. “Up there, we (elites) unite. We will neve

Olayinka Owolabi No fewer than 5,890 members of Boko Haram have surrendered to troops in the Northeast following intensive bombardment of their hideouts, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), has said. Acting Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Brig-Gen. Ben Onyeuko, who released the information, said the kinetic and non-kinetic approaches adopted in the prosecution of the counterinsurgency war were yielding fruit. Some 565 of those who surrendered comprising three Commanders, four Amirs, five Nakibs and others have been handed over to the Borno State Government for further management after profiling them. “Within the period under review, troops of Operation Hadin Kai sustained their operations to terrorists in the North East theatre,” he said, adding, “Within the last few weeks, more than 5,890 terrorists comprising foot soldiers and their commanders have surrendered with their families to our troops in the North East Zone.” Brig.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko said troops of Operation Hadarin

Olayinka Owolabi The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has declared Valentine Ozigbo as the validly elected candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Anambra Governorship election slated for November 6, 2021. A three-man panel of justices led by the President of the Court of Appeal, Honorable Justice Monica Dongban- Mensem, made the declaration on Friday following an appeal filed by Ozigbo. It should be recall that two candidates from two factions had emerged to represent Nigeria opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for the upcoming governorship election for the state. Valentine Ozigbo win the PDP primaries of the faction that happened on Saturday 26th June at Dora Akunyili Women's Development Center, Awka while Senator Ugochukwu Uba win the one of the faction that held at St. Paul University primary school Awka on the same day. While Ozigbo win with 62 votes, Senator Uba win with 275 votes. In its ruling today, the court held that the appeal challenging the judgem

Olayinka Owolabi A day after the set aside day for implementing the ban of Open Grazing in the Southern region of Nigeria, the Enugu State House of Assembly, on Thursday, passed bill for a law to prohibit open grazing, regulate cattle ranching into law. The House had, on Tuesday, conducted a public hearing on the bill, which was applauded by stakeholders in attendance. Although, the leadership of the Northern Community in Enugu State had said during the hearing that they would support any law that will bring peace and security in the state, they urged the House to give them 30 days to articulate their position on the bill and submit to the House. Passing the Bill into law during the plenary on Thursday, the Speaker, Edward Ubosi, said the bill was not targeted on any group or individuals but for the peace and security of residents of Enugu State. He commended the members for working tirelessly to ensure that the bill was passed today. “This bill is for the unity, security and peaceful

  Olayinka Owolabi President Muhammadu Buhari has sacked the Ministers of Agriculture, Mohammed Sabo Nanono, and Mamman Saleh, his power counterpart. The Minister of Environment, Mohammed Mahmoud Abubakar is to take over as the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development while the Minister of State for Works, Abubakar Aliyu, is to take over as the Minister for Power. In the brief statement read by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, President Buhari said the process of rejigging his cabinet is going to be continuous. More details later..

  Olayinka Owolabi Six members of the Anambra State House of Assembly elected on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance have defected to the All Progressives Congress. Chairman APC Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee and Yobe state Governor Mai Mala Buni, received the lawmakers at a brief ceremony at the Imo Governors Lodge, late on Tuesday. A photograph of the event was made available to newsmen by the APC media Directorate in Abuja, on Wednesday. The defectors described the All Progressives Congress as a preferred political party in Nigeria and promised to mobilise support towards victory in the November 6 governorship polls. The six state lawmakers include Hon. Nonso Okafor, representing Nnewi North, Timothy Ifedioramma, representing Njikoka 1, Cater D. N Umeoduagu, representing Aguata 1, Lawrence Ezeudu, representing Dumekofia, Arthur Chiekwu, representing Idemmih North and Edward Ibuzo, representing Onisha North 2. While receiving the new APC mem