Author: Editor

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki  A Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki,  Ebonyi State, has affirmed the expulsion of National Vice Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), South-East, Chief Ali Odefa from the party. Odefa was suspended from the party on October 4, 2024, by the executive committee of the party in  his Oguduokwor Ward, Onicha Local Government Area of the state, for alleged anti-party activities.  He described the suspension as to no effect and continued to operate as the National Vice Chairman of PDP in South-East. This  forced the executive committee to expel him from the party after he allegedly failed…

By Promise Adiele Recently, Nigeria’s former military dictator Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida publicly presented his autobiography in Abuja. Unfortunately, what should have passed as a day of mourning, a requiem for the desecration of Nigeria’s human landscape ended up becoming a confluence of eulogies from a few badged members of the country’s hall of infamy. One after another, the guests praised IBB, chronicling his outstanding, ingenious identity as a statesman, astute administrator, distinguished political hero, and exceptional character with all the messianic attribution. The virulent intensity of the encomiums shot straight at the heart of the Nigerian existence, making a caricature…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu  The All Progressives Congress (APC) Enugu State chapter, has dismissed reports in the social media that its state chairman, Mr Ugochukwu Agballah and his EXCO, have been expelled from the party. The state Publicity Secretary of APC, Mr Titus Ezeagu, while reacting to the expulsion said the report was fake, urging party faithful and the general public to disregard the report. He said: “Our attention has been drawn to a fake publication allegedly signed by Mr Alphonsus Onyeachonam and Charles Solo Ako, purportedly expelling the Ugochukwu Agballah-led state EXCO. “Ordinarily, we would have ignored the error ridden…

By Uzor Maxim Uzoatu It was an outlandish showcasing of knavery by the ruling class of Nigeria when former Military President General Ibrahim Babangida launched his autobiography entitled, A Journey in Service.   There was the dimension that the disgraced dictator was also building a presidential library.  From all accounts available to me, as much as 16 billion Naira was raised on the spot in a matter of less than a handful of hours.  One of the self-confessed Babangida-made billionaires of Nigeria wrote a cheque of 500 million Naira.  The much-ballyhooed richest man in Africa pledged 8 billion Naira, stressing that…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Igbo women under the aegis of Igbo Women Assembly, IWA, have called for immediate reversal of the ban on Igbo language by some private schools in the South-East. This is as IWA, Ala Igbo Development Foundation, ADF, and relevant stakeholders including traditional rulers and university lecturers, have vowed to resist any act that could lead to the extinction of Igbo language and culture. These were part of the highlights of the gathering of the stakeholders at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, Abia State to mark this year’s United Nations Mother Tongue Day. The event which was organised…

…Hails BoT chair for wooing Otti  Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia PDP Frontiers for Change and Progress, has knocked the Minister for Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, for accusing the party’s Chairman of Board of Trustees,  Senator Adolphus Wabara, of anti-party over the latter’s commendation of  Gov Alex Otti of Abia State. The group said that, “Wike who claims to be a PDP member but proudly serving under an APC-led Federal Government as a Minister,” had lost the moral impetus to accuse any PDP member of anti-party. It argued that Wabara’s personal opinion on Gov. Otti’s infrastructural strides in Abia…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Member representing South East in the North East Development Commission, Hon. Sam Onuigbo, has lauded President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, over the Federal Government’s approval of N14.37 billion for the completion of Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene federal road. The 51-killometer road which was awarded over nine years ago for total reconstruction has remained a nightmare for motorists and commuters plying the route except few portions of the road which had been fixed recently. This is as the ex-lawmaker appealed to the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, “to ensure the proper award of the 16-kilometer Umuahia-Umudike Dualisation Project, which has…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, said he had secured the commitment of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration, NAFDAC, to unseal all the sections of Ariaria International market and Eziukwu market, sealed by the agency over alleged involvement in dispensing of fake and expired drugs. According to a statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, the commitment followed an investigation that the affected shops were not involved in the marketing of expired and adulterated products. The statement made available to Ikengaonline read: “The Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr.…

By Zainab Suleiman Okino A leader may not have all the answers, but their thoughtful approach and composed response to criticisms, cries of marginalisation and demands from various quarters can help diffuse tension and foster more constructive dialogue. Whether we call it politics, diplomacy, or clever manoeuvrings, if it calms frayed nerves, it achieves vital, albeit symbolic and intangible goals: rebuilding trust, soothing emotions, and creating space for constructive engagement. President Bola Tinubu appears to be that kind of leader, adept at displaying political symbolism. The January visit of Ogoni leaders to the president left an indelible mark because of…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu  Enugu State House of Assembly on Tuesday began the first reading of a Bill for a Law to amend the Landlord and Tenant Law of Enugu State, 2004. The bill sponsored by Hon. Okey Mbah, among other things, seeks to reduce the outrageous amount charged by house agents and Lawyers to those unsuspecting members of the public seeking for for house in Enugu metropolis. The bill also seek to peg agents fee to 10 per cent of the annual rent payable for the apartment. “With effect from the commencement of this law and notwithstanding any provision in…