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Protest rocks INEC office in Bayelsa as PDP demands cancellation of alleged fake results from Nembe, Southern Ijaw

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By: Ikenna Oluka

The Bayelsa State Capital, Yenagoa, was on Monday locked down by a massive protest by aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) demanding the cancellation of what they described as the fake results from Southern Ijaw and Nembe local government areas of the state.

Chairman of the State PDP, Moses Cleopas, who led thousands of the party faithful, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reject the contentious results and conduct a rerun of the elections in the seven wards in Nembe Bassambiri and Wards 12, 14 15 and 16 in Southern Ijaw Constituency 4.

Cleopas said that it was shocking and unfortunate that INEC accepted results from an election that did not involve the use of the Permanent Voters Card as required by the Constitution and the Electoral Act guiding the operations of the commission.

He said that it was a bizarre show of desperation for INEC to declare fake results of an election in the crisis ridden arrears of Southern Ijaw where a PDP leader, Seidougha Taribi, was murdered and a Government House Photographer, Reginald Dei, was shot with voters scared from the polls by gun wielding men in Army uniforms.

The Bayelsa PDP Chairman said that it was equally sordid that INEC accepted results from Nembe Bassambiri where electoral officials and materials were taken to Darius hotel for thumb printing and made to produce results under duress.

He added that the same thugs backed the Army supervised the orgy of violence unleashed on Brass Local Government Areas where a Deputy Commissioner òf Police, Tope Okunola was abducted and beaten up by thugs under the supervision of an Army Officer òf the rank of a major.

According to Mr Cleopas, members of the PDP were pained that the commission could ignore by the wanton destruction of lives and property by security forces sympathetic to the interest of the APC in the last election to endorse fake results.

Mr. Cleopas said the protest was to register their displeasure over the tragic incident as well as the brazen rigging of the election.

His words: “In  Nembe Bassambiri, elections didn’t hold because materials were carted away to Dairus Hotel with the aid of military personnel and suddenly it’s all over the place that election results from the 7 wards are being collated by INEC.

“This is unacceptable to us because they are all concocted results. In Southern Ijaw Constituency 4, wards 14, 15, 16 and even in 12, materials and results were carted away to Ogboinbiri where the results were collated and have been brought to INEC office for collation.

“Our party cannot watch that happen and that is why we are embarking on this peaceful protest as a party that believes in the rule of law.”

Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Konbowei Benson, who was part of the protesters described what happened in Bayelsa as a clear rape of democracy.

He said that it was a glaring case of terrorism for voters to be scared away by gun wielding thugs and soldiers.

He also accused the military of conniving with the APC thugs to cart away election materials and falsified results in Southern Ijaw.

The Speaker who is also contesting the Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency seat, wondered why the military would indulge in such brazen display of bias and lawlessness.

“This is a civilian era, we ought not to experience the militarisation of our electoral process. It’s an abuse of democracy.”

Also in his remarks, Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Kemela Okara, stressed the need for INEC in the state to strictly adhere to its guidelines in the conduct of elections.

Barr Okara urged the electoral umpire to properly address the issues raised by the PDP and other political parties to avoid a break down of law and order.

In their separate remarks, the PDP Senatorial candidate, Chief Blessing Izagara, and his House of Representatives counterpart, Mrs Marie Ebikake, appealed to INEC not only to cancel the fake results but also provide a level playing ground for the electorate to choose their leaders.

Responding, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, Pastor Monday Tom Udoh, commiserated with the PDP over the murder of their members during the election, describing it as unfortunate.

Represented by the Commission’s Administrative Secretary in the state, Mr. Lebari Samson Ndom, he assured the protesters that the Commission would look into the issues raised with a view to addressing them within the ambits of its guidelines.

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2027: Nsukka Leaders Endorse Gov Mbah Over Massive Projects in the Zone

…say senatorial district highest beneficiary of Mbah’s projects, reports Ikenna Oluka

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Nsukka Leaders Endorse Gov Mbah for 2027
Nsukka Leaders

Leaders of Enugu North Senatorial District, otherwise known as Nsukka Zone, have endorsed the Enugu State governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, to continue in office beyond 2027, saying the governor has transformed the zone in less than two years of his administration.

The Nsukka leaders who convened at the Adada House, Nsukka, on Thursday, under the aegis of Enugu State Coalition for Progress, Enugu North Senatorial Zone Branch, comprised a cross section of socio-cultural groups, the academia, representatives of Traditional Rulers, captains of industry, businessmen and women, politicians, market men and women, farmers association, labour leaders, among other leaders drawn from the 6 council areas of the zone, expressed their unwavering support for the Mbah administration.

In an interactive session by a panel of discussants from the groups which was followed by a communique issued at the end of the discussion and signed by no fewer than 700 signatories including the former deputy governor, Chief Okechukwu Itanyi, Senator Chuka Utazi of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the deputy speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ezeani Ezenta, Dr. Dan Shere, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, Gen. Godwin Ugwuoke (rtd), Dr. Mike Ajogwu SAN, Chief Maxwell Ukuta, Prof Osita Ogbu, and Igwe Dr H.N Ukuta, they cited the litany of monumental infrastructural developments of the governor across the state, particularly in Nsukka Zone, as the reasons behind their endorsement.

In a resolution and vote of gratitude, the coalition commended the governor’s outstanding leadership and stellar performance since assuming office in May 2023, saying the only candidate the zone would support in 2027 is Governor Mbah.

They insisted that supporting Mbah to do 8 years in office was in the best interest of Nsukka people as his re-election would enable him finish the landmark projects initiated by his administration in the zone which were already opening Nsukka for economic development.

The coalition further praised the governor for providing peace and security in Enugu State, making it an attractive destination for investment, business, and tourism in Nigeria.

“In particular, we note with satisfaction, that the setting up of the Enugu State Command and Control Center by His Excellency at the Government House for tracking criminal activities across the state has become a model for other states of the federation. We applaud His Excellency’s holistic development agenda for Enugu State anchored on his disruptive innovation philosophy as a catalyst for positive change,” the communique read in part.

Nsukka Leaders Endorse Gov Mbah
Traditional leaders

While underscoring that the senatorial district has 102 electoral wards constituting 39.2 percent of the 260 electoral wards in the state, the elated Nsukka leaders said with 102 Smart Green Schools and 102 Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres across the six councils, the zone has become the highest beneficiary of Mbah’s stellar performance.

On the ongoing dualization of Enugu-Ugwogo Nike-Opi-Nsukka Road, the coalition described it as a critical infrastructure aimed at enhancing connectivity and boosting economic activities, adding that the reconstruction of the 44.8 km Ama Ngwo-Eke-Oghe-Iwollo-Umulokpa road and the new 40 km Owo-Ama Nkanu-Ubahu-Mbu-Neke dual carriageway would open up a new traffic and economic corridor to the senatorial zone.

It also noted that Mbah’s administration has transformed Enugu State from a civil service state to a fast-emerging  industrial hub, with an unimaginable  annual internally generated revenue of over N600 billion by the end of 2025. “The governor’s commitment to progress is evident in the rapid pace of development and transformation across various sectors, including roads, bridges, healthcare, security, tourism, entertainment, industries, and educational institutions.”

Throwing their weight behind the governor, Chief Ukuta said the people of the zone would not only queue behind him in the next polls, they also owed the governor apology for the herd mentality that almost led to the voting of wrong candidates.

Expressing confidence in the governor’s leadership ability, Senator Utazi said as an APC card-carrying member, he was at the meeting to particularly appreciate the good work of the governor, stressing that he deserved the unwavering support of the entire zone.

“I am a card-carrying member of APC starting from my ward in Nkpologu all the way to Abuja. I want to say that this gathering is not for PDP. It’s a gathering for every well-meaning Nsukka indigene who is appreciative of the good job the governor of Enugu State is doing in Enugu State and especially in Enugu North senatorial district. In fact, when I came back to Enugu, starting from the airport, I saw nylon roads, the type only seen in Abuja. When I visited the governor recently to discuss the police station I built there as a senator, the governor was immediately working to operationalize it, and is additionally working on the road from 9th Mile to Umulokpa. He also told me severally the things he was doing in Nsukka zone and all of them are what people can see on ground. Let’s support him to continue with his job. I want to say frankly that Nsukka people are happy with him,” the senator added.

Adding his voice, Dr. Ajogwu said the coalition had already spoken the minds of Nsukka people which was to support the governor for another term.

On his part, Hon. Ezeani, who led lawmakers from the zone, said the governor would continue to enjoy cordial relationship with the House of Assembly to ensure the continuation of the good governance in the state.

He described the Mbah administration as business unusual where new projects were springing up daily with many already completed across the state, adding that they had already declared unalloyed support and endorsement for his candidacy beyond 2027.

Lending his voice, Dr Shere lauded the governor for the transport infrastructure project which has the Nsukka Central Terminal Station, the Holy Ghost utra-modern terminal stations, Abakpa and Gariki stations in addition with the recently delivered CNG buses ordered by state government.

“You don’t need to be told that in Nsukka, we are all adopting governor Peter Mbah to complete the job he has started here. Nsukka is now looking beautiful because of what he’s contributing to our economy, infrastructure, education and transport sectors. Look at the Enugu Air, it’s a game changing moment for the state. The investment prospects will impact all the nooks and crannies of the state. Again, the International Conference Centre, the ongoing 5 star hotel, the Hotel Presidential and the 300-bed international hospital in the state will make Enugu the hub of medical tourism where robotic surgery will be conducted and thousands of jobs created,” he said.

Moving a motion for endorsement of the governor for 2027, Chief Itanyi insisted that the ongoing 43.7 km dualisation of the Penoks-Ugwogo Nike-Opi-Nsukka road was the single most costly project in the state. The motion was unanimously affirmed by voice votes by the members coalition who filled the hall.

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Breaking: ‘Welcome home,’ Gov Mbah Receives Edeoga Back to PDP

…‘You’re Enugu people’s choice,’ Edeoga tells governor

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Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State welcome Edoga back to PDP
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State welcoming Chijioke Edeoga back to PDP

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, on Wednesday, welcomed the gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 governorship election, Hon. Chijioke Edeoga, back into the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, fold, commending the ex-opposition flagbearer for demonstrating that politics is not a do-or-die affair.

Mbah said that Edeoga’s return to the PDP was in line with the party’s principle of reconciliation and making the people, not personal ambition, the focus of governance, urging him and his supporters to feel very much at home.

This was even as the former gubernatorial candidate endorsed Mbah as the popular choice of the people of Enugu State, stressing that he had fully aligned with that choice.

Receiving Edoega in his office, in the company of party leaders led by the state party chairman, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike, Mbah said, “Welcome back home. The symbolism of your action is a mark of the enduring bond that runs in our party. I am indeed very delighted to have you back to rejoin your family.

“What we are witnessing today is a result of fence-mending consistent with the philosophy of our party – the imperatives of reconciliation.

“It is also a demonstration on your part that politics is not a do-or-die affair; that what we are currently doing in Enugu State appeals to you and you believe that it is working for the interest of the people and you have taken that decision to say, ‘Look, let us join hands together and serve our people.’

“I commend you greatly for making such a courageous bold step. The lesson for us is quite profound, as it shows that the common denominator even when we express our aspirations on different political platforms, is all about the people and making them the centerpiece of our ambitions.

“So, we will embrace you with our arms wide open. You are going to be treated as a member of PDP, which we know you are indeed. We look forward to working with you in the service of our people.”

Edeoga, on his part, commended Governor Mbah for making his return possible, describing it as a paradigm shift from politics of animosity and winner takes all to politics of empathy and people-centred development.

“I thank Your Excellency for overseeing the process that has culminated in my return to the PDP and my visit to your office. It is easy to downplay what has happened. But something like this has not happened in the annals of politics in Enugu State. I commend your wisdom, I commend your empathy, I commend your mental sagacity.

“What has happened here today will effect a paradigm shift in the way politics is played in Enugu State. It will no longer be winner takes all or politics being seen as a hostile or brutal activity. It has restored politics as just a contest of ideas and visions. These contesting visions were thrown open to the public and the people of Enugu State have made their choice, which I completely align myself with.

“Politics should be played without bitterness; it should be played without animosity and as much humanely as possible. Once the victor has emerged, the next thing is governance. The governance is ongoing and it is going very well. When it is time for politics, people are free to pursue their dreams. For now, it is time for governance.

“Anyone, who feels annoyed or deeply angered that Edeoga has taken this step of faith, I believe with time, they will align with the superior wisdom of those who are their leaders. Leadership comes with responsibilities and one of these responsibilities is to take a step of faith.

“Again, thank you for making my return to the PDP possible. I recommit myself to the ideals of PDP. As much as possible, I will work to ensure that PDP becomes victorious going forward,” he said.

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Minister Commends Guards Brigade for Exceptional Service in Securing the Seat of Government

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Minister of State for Defence, H.E. Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle,
Minister of State for Defence, H.E. Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle at WASA 2024

The Minister of State for Defence, H.E. Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has expressed profound appreciation for the unwavering commitment and exemplary efforts of the Commander, officers, and personnel of the Guards Brigade in safeguarding the Federal Capital Territory and its environs.

In his remarks as the Special Guest of Honour at the 2024 West African Social Activity (WASA 2024) held in Abuja, the Minister stated, “Your loyalty, sacrifice, and dedication in executing your Presidential security duties, coordinating ceremonial parades, and managing operational challenges are commendable. Your proactive approach in addressing security threats has ensured the safety of the Presidency as well as that of citizens, visitors, and diplomats alike. I urge you to continue embodying compassion and empathy in your operations, striving for excellence in all your responsibilities.”

The Minister highlighted that the WASA event serves as a vibrant testament to the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria, as showcased by the personnel and families of the Guards Brigade. “The traditional dances and local delicacies on display tonight not only enhance our appreciation of our diverse cultures but also play a crucial role in preserving our cultural heritage and distinct identity,” he added.

In conclusion, the Minister called upon the Guards Brigade to uphold the trust placed in them by consistently meeting the challenges of their duties and ensuring that the flag of the Nigerian Armed Forces continues to fly high.

Earlier, Major General Adebisi Onosayan, Commander of the Guards Brigade, delivered a welcome address expressing gratitude to the President for his unwavering support of the Brigade’s operations, training, and welfare. “Thank you, Your Excellency. I also wish to extend my sincere appreciation to the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff for their relentless guidance and support. We pledge our unwavering loyalty and readiness to contribute effectively to the security of lives and property in the Federal Capital Territory and its surroundings,” he emphasized.

General Onosayan further noted that the 2024 WASA highlights the social diversity, cultural identity, values, beliefs, and rich heritage of the Nigerian people, resonating with the ethos of the Nigerian Army. “This event provides an opportunity to showcase various cultural dances, traditional cuisines, languages, attire, and ethnic groups of our great nation in a relaxed atmosphere,” he stated, adding that today’s event marks the Brigade’s Grand Finale.

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