Author: Editor

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Mr. Bruce Fein, the international lawyer to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has written to Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, urging him to dismiss Kanu’s ongoing trial “for lack of jurisdiction.” The American-born international attorney, in a letter dated October 28, which was sighted by Ikengaonline, argued against the further prosecution of Kanu in any Nigerian court, considering the illegal manner in which he was “abducted and renditioned to Nigeria.” According to Fein, the illegality of Kanu’s abduction and extraordinary rendition from Kenya has rendered…

By Promise Adiele Recently, Nigeria’s political and social spaces were saturated with news, rumours, propaganda, and sundry narratives of multiple complexions about a botched coup d’état. Although the military hierarchy quickly released a statement assuring Nigerians that there was no coup, some military officers were arrested. Again, the military insisted that the officers’ arrest was not connected to any coup, but rather a routine disciplinary measure to maintain professionalism within the military. The cancelled October 1st Independence parade at Eagle Square in Abuja conveyed a feeling of unease within the presidency. The reason advanced by presidential media handlers that the…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has appealed to the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FMFA) and financial institutions to create an enabling environment for local industries in the South-East to thrive and compete favourably within the ECOWAS sub-region. Mbah, who was represented by his deputy, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, made the appeal in Enugu during a one-day workshop on the Modalities for Participation in the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), organised by the Ministry’s ECOWAS National Unit in collaboration with the Enugu State Government. The workshop, themed “Increasing Intra-Regional Trade Through ETLS,” brought together stakeholders from across…

Our Reporter, Abuja  Former Nigerian Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has called on African leaders to chart a new course for the continent — one rooted in self-determination, innovation, and good governance — rather than dependence on external validation or aid. Delivering the keynote address at the Democracy Union of Africa (DUA) 2025 Forum in Nairobi, Saraki said Africa’s transformation must begin with leadership that is ethical, strategic, and accountable to its people. The forum, hosted by Kenya’s KANU Party and opened by its Chairman, Gideon Moi, brought together leaders of over 25 centre-right political parties from across Africa…

By Zainab Suleiman Watching the news of the recent elections in Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire broke my heart. Once again, Paul Biya — at 91 years old — has been declared the winner of Cameroon’s presidential election, extending his more than four decades in power. In Côte d’Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara, who has been president since 2010, has also secured another term. Both men claim victory in countries where discontent, fatigue, and frustration are palpable. Ouattara was once in the opposition. Has he forgotten where he came from? So soon? For me, these are not just isolated events. They represent everything…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to delivering the dividends of democracy to the people, declaring that no amount of distraction will derail his government’s focus on the welfare and happiness of Abians. Otti made the remark while receiving an Abia-born cyclist, Mr. Wisdom Chisom, who rode a bicycle from Lagos to Abia State in solidarity with the governor over his “visible and impactful achievements.” “We are happy that our people are happy because the essence of government is to make your people happy — that is the welfare of the people.…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Abia State Government says public school enrollment has increased by 100 percent within four months — from July to October 2025. The State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this during a press briefing in Umuahia after the State Executive Council meeting. He attributed the increase to the free education policy introduced by the administration of Governor Alex Otti. According to him, since the Otti-led government declared free and compulsory education from primary to Junior Secondary School 3, more pupils have returned to public schools. “This is an indication that confidence and trust in our…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Executive Director, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, is to take the center stage at the October edition of the monthly Ikengaonline town hall meeting, coming up on Thursday, October 30, 2025. Nwanguma, who was the former National Coordinator of the Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN), will speak on the theme: “Nnamdi Kanu’s Continued Detention, IPOB and Insecurity in the South-East.” This was contained in a statement by the Editor-in-Chief of the South-East-focused accountability online media platform, Uche Ugboajah. The monthly meeting, scheduled for 7:00 p.m. (WAT), will be…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki  The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, has assured Nigerians that the Commission is fully prepared for the November 8, 2025, Anambra State Governorship Election. Speaking at the meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) held at INEC Headquarters, Abuja, Prof. Amupitan said the Commission had completed a comprehensive readiness assessment across the state and was confident of a smooth and credible exercise. According to him, about 24,000 personnel would be deployed across 5,718 polling units, with results collated at 326 wards, 21 local government areas, and…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing delays and addressing identified gaps in emergency preparedness and response across the South-East region. NEMA’s Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, stated this on Tuesday at the opening of a two-day Emergency Preparedness and Response (EP&R) Stakeholders’ Engagement Workshop held in Enugu. The event was organised by NEMA in collaboration with the World Bank Group and the Enugu State Government. Represented by the agency’s Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Dr. Onimode Bamidele, Umar described the workshop as “the culmination of a far-reaching journey that began months…