Author: Editor
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has vowed not to seek any political office after completing his tenure as governor. Otti made the declaration while reacting to allegations in a viral video that his recent visit to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, at the Sokoto Correctional Centre, was motivated by an alleged vice-presidential ambition. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, the governor dismissed the claims, insisting that he harbours no vice-presidential, presidential or senatorial ambition after leaving office. While acknowledging…
By Owei Lakemfa It is difficult to be a patriot when you don’t know where the truth lies. It is good to stand by your country. But at least, you should know where your country stands to be able to stand by it or with it. However, where the vision is blurred, it becomes difficult to know where to stand. That is the dilemma of not a few Nigerians. But let us start from the good news that the eleven Nigerian military officers on board the C-130 aircraft that made an emergency landing in Burkina Faso were freed on December…
Lawrence Ndubeze, Awka The Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), Anambra State Chapter, has issued a stern warning to cultists and other criminals to desist from operating in the state, as security agencies intensify efforts to ensure zero criminality during and after the Christmas celebrations. The warning was issued during an advocacy walk themed “Promoting Peace, Preventing Crime This Christmas,” organised in collaboration with the Anambra State Police Command, the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN), youth associations and other stakeholders. Participants converged at Ekwueme Square, Awka, and marched through major streets of the state capital, including the…
Lawrence Ndubeze, Awka Nawfia community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State has announced the suspension of its major Igbo cultural festival, Igu Aro, until further notice, citing rising insecurity and repeated gunmen attacks. The community said the decision was taken to forestall further loss of lives, noting that “perpetrators of these evil acts are still devising further measures to cause pain to innocent residents of the town.” In a statement signed by the traditional ruler, His Royal Highness, Igwe Daniel Ogochukwu Obelle, the monarch explained that the suspension followed wide consultations with stakeholders and the traditional council of…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday intervened in the leadership crisis rocking the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urging the contending factions to reconcile in the interest of upcoming off-season elections. INEC said the intervention became necessary in view of critical polls scheduled for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils as well as the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, convened a joint reconciliation meeting in Abuja, bringing together the faction led by Tanimu Turaki and the group backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,…
Our Reporter, Abuja A broad coalition of civil society organisations, rights advocates and community leaders has called on the Federal Government to urgently scale up security measures and protect internally displaced persons (IDPs) and vulnerable communities across Nigeria, warning of a recurring pattern of deadly attacks during the Christmas season, particularly in the Middle Belt. In a joint statement issued on December 19 in Abuja, Jos and Kaduna, the groups said Christmas had increasingly become a period of fear and displacement for many communities since the 2010 Christmas Day twin bombings in Ungwan Rukuba and Gada Biyu, Jos, and the…
Our Reporter, Abuja President Bola Tinubu on Friday presented a proposed ₦58.18 trillion 2026 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly, placing security at the top of sectoral allocations and unveiling a tougher national security doctrine. Tagged the “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity,” the proposal is aimed at consolidating recent macroeconomic gains, restoring investor confidence and translating recovery into jobs and improved living standards. In his address, which began at 3:31 p.m., Tinubu declared that all armed groups operating outside state authority would henceforth be treated as terrorists, warning that the government would pursue more…
Our Reporter, Abuja A civil society organisation, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), has criticised the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) over its recent defence of the Motor Vehicle Tinted Glass Permit Policy, accusing the police of confrontational rhetoric, disregard for judicial restraint, and failure to address public trust deficits associated with traffic enforcement. In a press statement dated December 19, 2025, and signed by its Executive Director, Mr Okechukwu Nwanguma, RULAAC said the statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer raised concerns not only about the content of the police’s position but also about what it…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia An Nigerian man of Igbo, Mr Osinakachukwu Onu, 37, has been shot dead by South African police officers at a traffic checkpoint on the N12 highway in Klerksdorp, North West Province, South Africa. Meanwhile, four traffic police officers have reportedly been arrested in connection with the killing. The North West Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that the officers, aged between 25 and 36, were arrested on Wednesday after they allegedly fled the scene following the shooting but were later tracked down by detectives. In a statement, the police said: “Four traffic police officers aged between 25…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The House of Representatives, on Wednesday, approved a minimum of two years’ imprisonment or a N5 million fine, or both, alongside a 10-year ban from contesting elections, for individuals involved in vote buying and vote selling. The House also adopted an amendment to Section 60(3) of the Electoral Act, making it mandatory for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to electronically transmit election results from polling units to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV) in real time, alongside physical collation of results. As part of efforts to curb electoral fraud, lawmakers further increased penalties for multiple voter…