Author: Editor
Chukwudike Ndubeze, Awka The current crisis rocking Anambra State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, may cost it the opportunity to field candidates for Senatorial, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly seats in the forthcoming elections. This came after Anambra Ward congress panel of the PDP, led by Jibrin Ahmed, was on Sunday, held hostage by the party’s aspirants and stakeholders over its inability to present the original result sheets. The scenario almost resulted into a free-for-all fight at the party’s Secretariat at Udoka Estate, when the Panel members reportedly claimed they left the original result sheets…
By Azu Ishiekwene The statement by the leader of the Yoruba Cultural Group, Afenifere, Ayo Adebanjo, that the South-East should get the next turn at the presidency has ruffled quite some feathers. This comes at a time when nearly half a dozen of his kinsmen have shown interest and almost nothing seems certain anymore because the two major political parties, having just discovered the virtue in merit, are now disposed to an open race. The only thing that is certain is where the presidency may not go: the South-East. When you hear top politicians talking about power shift, and insisting that the…
By Rudolf Ogoo Okonkwo If democracy were a straightforward process, abides by any given logic, follows a particular standard or pattern, the 2023 presidential election would be a battle between the former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, for the PDP and the current vice president of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, for the APC. Flawed candidates Obi and Osinbajo are, but probably the only two chances that the crooked, ragtag, oil-leaking, wiper-missing, axle-broken Nigerian vehicle with its deflated front and back tyres can still be on the road a little bit longer. Unfortunately, irrespective of the climate, democracy is…
Nonsochukwu Uwa, Owerri Barely two weeks after an explosion occurred in Abaezi community in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, killing over a hundred and ten persons, on Wednesday, another explosion occurred around an oil flow station managed by Addax Petroleum Development Nigeria Limited. Ikengaonline gathered the incident happened at Izombe, Oguta LGA. The Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Michael Abattam, confirmed the explosion and the killing of two persons in it. “The two people were the ones carrying the bomb to destroy the oil facility and on their way the bomb exploded and killed them,” he said.…
By MacHarry Confidence In a bid to amend the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2013 about a week ago, the Senate criminalised the payment of ransom to abductors and imposed a jail term of 15 years for paying kidnappers and terrorists for the release of any person wrongfully confined, imprisoned or kidnapped. The amendment also prescribes death penalty for the crime of abduction in cases where victims die and life imprisonment in other cases. The bill was passed following the consideration of a report by the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, under the chairmanship of Senator Opeyemi Bamidele who…
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki As President Muhammadu Buhari visits Ebonyi State, South-East Nigeria tomorrow, a pro-Biafra group, the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), has demanded the immediate release of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, from detention. MASSOB also made a demand for a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction in 2023. Both MASSOB and IPOB are seeking the carving out of an independent state of Biafra from the region’s five states and some parts of South-south region of the country. Kanu was arrested in June 2021 and charged to court…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, has cleared the former Chief Judge of Anambra State, Professor Peter Umeadi, for its presidential primaries for the 2023 election. Professor Umeadi is the only presidential aspirant of the party cleared for the race according to a statement signed by the Secretary of the party’s Presidential/ Governorship Screening Committee, Hon. Sly Ezeokenwa, and made available to Ikengaonline. According to the statement, APGA also cleared Professor Greg Ibe, Gen. Ijioma Ijioma (retd.), and Chief Chikwe Udensi, for governorship primaries in Abia, while Chief Etigwe Uwa, SAN, was disqualified on the basis that…
Chukwudike Ndubeze, Awka New Tyre Market Dealers Association Nkpor, near Onitsha, has protested the disappearance of its market Chairman, Mr Okey Atuenyi, after receiving severe beatings by some youths from Amafor village Nkpor, on Friday when he was leaving the market. The angry traders who carried placards with various inscriptions like “New Tyre is A Peaceful Market;” “Stop Touts in The Market;” “New Tyre Market Weep;” “Anambra State Government Help Us;” “Our Chairman Is Missing;” “Emma Guilder Give Us Chance;” among others, blocked the Enugu /Onitsha Expressway to register their grievances. The former Chairman of the market who addressed the…
Stephen Ukandu News & Features Editor A book titled “Remaking Nigeria: Sixty Years, Sixty Voices,” written by young Nigerians with fresh ideas on nationhood, democracy, and development, will be presented to political aspirants, public libraries, and book clubs across the country. The book, according to the presenters, seeks to give voice to young Nigerians, the critical change agents, to help the country understand and sharpen its focus on those issues that hold the key to its collective survival. It will be presented by the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL); Premium Times Books (PT Books); and the Network…
By Our Reporter, Abuja Adding to what is already a crowded field of aspirants for the highest office in the country, Kayode Fayemi, Wednesday formally declared his intention to contest for the office of President of Nigeria in 2023, under the All Progressives Congress (APC). The Ekiti State Governor made his declaration at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, in company of his wife Erelu Bisi Fayemi, APC Governorship aspirant, Biodun Oyebanji, members of the State House Assembly and traditional rulers. Fayemi’s official declaration follows months of nationwide consultations, speculations and denials of the plan. Mr. Fayemi had…