Author: Editor
Our Reporter, Abuja Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has openly decried the pervasive culture of electoral manipulation in Rivers State. Speaking at the Port Harcourt International Airport upon his formal reception by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday, Amaechi vowed to challenge the state’s notorious reputation for “writing election results.” “Our state is notorious for writing results. We must stop them from writing results. They make noise after writing results,” Amaechi declared to a cheering crowd of supporters who braved the rain to welcome him. His remarks come amid widespread allegations of…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia As the National Assembly takes the draft amendment of the constitution to geo-political zones for their inputs, former Minister for Education, and Health respectively, Professor Ihechukwu Madubuike, has advocated a return to regional government, power devolution and fiscal federalism where the federating regions will control their resources and pay agreed royalty to the Centre. The elder statesman also demanded the creation of the long-agreed parity state for the South-East, and the drafting of a brand new constitution for Nigeria, describing the current constitution as “fraudulent, over patched and an imposition” by the military. Professor Madubuike who also…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara, has condemned Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State over a recent threat and travel ban reportedly issued against the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi. Wabara described the governor’s comments as “executive rascality taken too far” and an abuse of power unbecoming of a public office holder. Governor Okpebholo, last week, warned that Obi must obtain security clearance before visiting Edo State, stating that the former Anambra governor would have himself to blame if anything happened to him. “If Peter Obi wants to come here, he should…
Our Reporter, Abuja Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has strongly condemned the reported police shooting of unarmed residents protesting the demolition of their homes in Karsana, Abuja, describing the incident as a “state-sponsored trauma.” Senator Kingibe in a statement on Wednesday, said security operatives allegedly opened fire on civilians who had gathered to express their anguish over the destruction of their homes by government bulldozers. “That bullets were fired at civilians, people merely trying to salvage their lives and dignity, is both unacceptable and indefensible. This is not law enforcement; it is state-sponsored trauma.” She further…
By Uzor Maxim Uzoatu Zik disappeared inside a bottle and then reappeared before daring Mammywater to do what he had done if she had the powers! Mammywater went into the bottle, laughing, and Zik instantly corked the bottle. The news broke like tropical thunderclap: Zik of Africa is dead! The announced death of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Nigeria’s first President & C-in-C, was like the falling of an elephant. I hereby recall the words of the iconic poet Christopher Okigbo in “Hurrah for Thunder” thusly: “Alas! The elephant has fallen -/Hurrah for thunder -/But already the hunters are talking about pumpkins:/If…
Our Reporter, Abuja Rights advocate and legal scholar, Professor Joy Ezeilo (SAN), has reignited debate over gender-based discrimination in Nigeria’s citizenship laws, particularly as it affects women married to foreign nationals. Reacting to comments made by British-Nigerian politician Kemi Badenoch, Ezeilo, a former United Nations Special Rapporteur and a prominent voice in Nigeria’s legal reform space, described the UK Minister’s critique of the Nigerian Constitution as valid—likening it to “a broken clock being right twice a day.” At the heart of the controversy is Section 26(2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which allows Nigerian men…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has condemned the continued exclusion of the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones from recent appointments into the boards and leadership of key federal parastatals under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ezechi Chukwu, Ohanaeze decried what it described as a glaring lack of regional balance and equity in the composition of strategic national institutions. The group cited the recent reconstitution of the Bank of Industry and other major federal agencies as examples where the South-East and South-South were deliberately sidelined. “These…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Nigeria’s Super Falcons bid for the celebrated 10th title coded as “Mission X” is only one match away. The girls on Tuesday sealed their place in the final of the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over South Africa in a thrilling semi-final encounter. The decisive goal came from defender Michelle Alozie, who turned hero in the closing minutes of the match, delivering a moment of brilliance that sent Nigeria into the final. The semi-final clash, played in Morocco, was fiercely contested, with both teams locked in a tense battle from…
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki The Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has reserved judgment in a suit challenging the validity of the local government and councillorship elections conducted in the state on July 20, 2024. Presided over by Justice H.I.O. Ochoma, the court reserved its decision on Tuesday after hearing arguments in the case filed by two indigenes of the state, Mr. Samuel Udeogu and Mr. Isu Amaechi. The plaintiffs are seeking to nullify the elections, citing alleged violations of electoral laws. Joined as defendants in the suit are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Ebonyi State Independent…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Former Minister of Education, Professor Ihechukwu Madubuike, and the Concerned Citizens of Igbo Nation in Diaspora (CCIND) have condemned Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, over his claim that Igbo youths are responsible for 99.9% of crimes in the South-East. Soludo reportedly made the statement during a recent address in Maryland, USA—drawing criticism from various quarters, including prominent Igbo voices who described the remarks as reckless and unsubstantiated. Professor Madubuike said it was disappointing that an intellectual of Soludo’s calibre would make such a sweeping generalization without proof. He challenged the governor to disclose how he arrived…