Author: Editor
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia, with Agency reports The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says over 95 per cent of results from Saturday’s Anambra governorship election have been successfully uploaded on its Result Viewing Portal (IReV). Checks by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) showed steady progress in the transmission of results from polling units across the 21 local government areas of the state. According to data on the IReV portal, 5,472 out of 5,720 polling units have completed result uploads, reflecting improved efficiency in the use of technology compared with previous elections. INEC reaffirmed that all uploaded results would remain secure…
…Moves pay from ₦4,000 to ₦50,000 Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has approved a 1,150% increase in the monthly allowance of members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in the state, raising it from ₦4,000 to ₦50,000. The Governor also approved the implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for health workers across the state. According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, corps members serving in Abia will now receive a base allowance of ₦20,000 monthly. Those posted to state government establishments will get an…
…Says anyone denying it may be an accomplice Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Igbo Women Assembly (IWA) has declared support for former U.S. President Donald Trump over his recent comment designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for alleged genocide against Christians. The group said Trump’s position vindicated the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who had long spoken against what he described as “genocidal killings by jihadists masquerading as herdsmen.” In a statement signed by its President, Lolo Nneka Chimezie, IWA said anyone denying the existence of Christian genocide in Nigeria “must…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Coal City Hotel Owners Welfare Association (CCHOWA) has condemned the sealing of hotels in Enugu by the Enugu State Government through the State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS), describing the action as a flagrant disregard for a subsisting court order. Addressing journalists in Enugu, counsel to the association, Barrister Chijioke Ezeh, said the state government’s action amounted to contempt of court. He explained that the association had approached the Federal High Court to challenge what it considered double taxation arising from the state’s demand for “purchase tax” and land use charges. “The Enugu State Government, through its…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has dismissed reports claiming its detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, forfeited his right to defend himself in his ongoing terrorism trial before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja. In a statement by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, IPOB described the reports as false and misleading, insisting that Kanu never forfeited his defence as alleged. “The claim that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has forfeited his right of defence is a desperate lie meant to mislead the public and cover up an illegal process,” the group said. IPOB maintained that Kanu’s trial…
Our Reporter, Abuja The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed November 20 for judgment in the terrorism trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Justice James Omotosho set the date after foreclosing Kanu’s defence, following his refusal to open his case under what he described as a “repealed law.” “The defendant has been given ample opportunity under Section 36 of the Constitution. He has waived his right to defence,” the judge ruled. The Federal Government has been prosecuting Kanu on seven terrorism-related charges since 2015, linked to his agitation for an independent Biafra.…
Lawrence Ndubeze, Awka The Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to sanction any official found guilty of malpractice during Saturday’s Anambra governorship election. Head of CTA’s Expert Team, Prof. Alex Asigbo, made the call on Friday at a pre-election briefing in Awka, commending INEC’s past disciplinary actions but stressing the need for stronger accountability. “Integrity should be the watchword for INEC staff. Ndi Anambra expect nothing less,” he said. Asigbo said CTA has deployed 50 trained observers across the 21 local government areas to provide real-time reports from polling units. He identified Orumba…
By Owei Lakemfa There are intense discussions going on in Nigeria. Is the United States of America (USA) preparing to attack? If it is, what are the targets? A government increasingly incapable of securing lives and property? The people, so terrified that they self-impose movement restrictions? Terrorists roaming around the country? Bandits building empires and imposing peace conditions on communities and state governments? Islamic fundamentalists, populated by foreign fighters, depopulating communities? Or can it be that the USA just wants to impose sanctions and withdraw certain support, including military assistance? There are those already calling for national mobilization to counter…
By Vitus Ozoke The day Nigeria finds accountable leadership is the day its so-called religious problems will fade into history. The day Nigerians stop kneeling before corrupt leaders as they kneel before God, that is the day the chains will break…” There is a lie that has stalked Nigeria since independence – that our greatest enemy is religious division. It is a myth carefully designed, polished, and perpetuated by those who benefit from chaos: the political elite. Religion has been made the convenient scapegoat for every outbreak of violence, every act of terror, every national fracture. But look closely, and…
Lawrence Ndubeze, Awka The Social and Integral Development Centre (SIDEC) has trained its election observers ahead of their deployment across all 21 local government areas of Anambra State for Saturday’s governorship election. SIDEC is among the 114 domestic observer groups accredited by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the off-cycle poll. Addressing the trainees, SIDEC Executive Director, Ugochi Ehiahuruike, charged the observers to maintain strict neutrality and adhere to all regulations guiding election observation. “As our observers, you must be mindful of your conduct. We do not want to hear that you are involved in anything outside the task…