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UMAHI Blinks: Reverses forfeiture order on shops’ obeying IPOB sit-home order

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“Sit at home, lose your jobs”—Umahi warns Ebonyi workers

… As Gunmen burns Abia Immigration Office***

Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has reversed his order that traders who fail to open for business on Monday will forfeit their shops.

Umahi during his statewide broadcast on May 29, had issued the forfeiture order to scuttle the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) sit-at-home agenda.

IPOB had issued its sit-at-home order in the  South East with a threat to deal with those that might violate it which prompted Umahi to counter with his forfeiture notice on traders who might close shops on Monday.

The governor’s reversal is, however, contained in a statement signed on Sunday by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Francis Nwaze, and made available to newsmen.

Umahi in the statement disclosed that the state government had received several requests from some citizens who wished to remain at home on that day to organise personal prayers.

“The prayer requests are to honour their loved ones killed during the Nigeria – Biafra civil war and most of those who made these requests are traders.

“The state government remains resolute to protect its citizens but also realises that people have the right to remain at home or engage in various engagements,” he said.

The governor in the statement, therefore, directed that those who wished to remain at home on Monday would no longer be penalised or have their shops locked.

“It is their constitutional right while the rights of those who wish to open for business should also not be infringed upon.

“Security agencies are directed to do everything possible to maintain law and order in the entire state.

“The ban on processions or gatherings of any kind throughout the state is still in force,” the statement added.

In another development, Unknown gunmen have attacked the Abia Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service, setting the office on fire.

The Public Relations Officer of the service, Mr Godwin Ogbonna, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Sunday.

Ogbonna, however, said he had yet to get details of the attack on the facility, situated at the Ubakala axis of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

“It probably happened Saturday night. I do not have details about the incident, the time it happened and extent of damage yet but no casualty was recorded.

Also read: Gunmen kidnap 6 in Tafa, hoodlums barricade Abuja – Kaduna highway — Official

“I tried to go to the office from my house on Bende Road, Umuahia today (Sunday) but the whole road was blocked so I went back home.

“I hope I would be able to find my way to the office Monday to see things for myself and ascertain what was damaged,” Ogbonna said.

Unidentified gunmen have sustained attacks on Federal Government’s facilities in Abia in the last one month, killed some operatives and left many with gunshot injuries.

The list of the facilities included at least eight police formations and offices of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and Independent National Electoral Commission.

Meanwhile, palpable fear and tension now pervade the state, especially Umuahia, ahead of Monday’s sit-at-home order by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra.

 

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#EndBadGovernance: Court Admits 10 Protesters to N10m Bail Each 

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#EndBadGovernance: Court Admits 10 Protesters to N10m Bail Each 

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday admitted 10 #EndBadGovernance protesters charged with treason to a N10 million bail each with one surety each like sum.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on their bail applications, agreed with the submissions of the counsel for the defendants.

Justice Nwite ordered that each of the defendants’ sureties must own a landed property in Abuja and submit the property documents to the court’s registrar.

The press reported that the Federal Government had, on Sept. 2, arraigned the protesters on counts bordering on treason, intent to destabilise Nigeria, conspiracy to commit felony and inciting mutiny, among others, which are punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.

The Federal Government, through the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, filed the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/454/2024 on Aug. 30 against the defendants.

10 of the 124 persons arraigned included Michael Adaramoye also known as Lenin; Adeyemi Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Opaluwa Simon, Angel Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello, Nuradeen Khakis and Abdusalam Zubairu.

It was also reported that some youths staged a nationwide protest against economic hardship in the country between Aug. 1 and Aug. 10.

The demonstration turned violent in some parts of the country, with looting and vandalism recorded in some states.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty.

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Gov. Makinde Begins Annual Leave Aug. 5; APC Begs Nigerians To Shun Protest

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Gov. Makinde Begins Annual Leave Aug. 5; APC Begs Nigerians To Shun Protest

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has written to the State House of Assembly to inform it of his intention to embark on his annual leave.

The governor’s letter was read on the floor of the House by the Speaker, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin, during Thursday’s valedictory plenary held in honour of Mrs Yetunde Awe, the House Clerk.

The governor also indicated in his message his desire to transfer executive powers to his Deputy, Mr Bayo Lawal.

Lawal is to serve in an acting capacity in Makinde’s absence, and Makinde’s leave will begin on Aug. 5 and end on Sept. 6.

“Based on Section 190 sub-section 1, I hereby transmit that during the period indicated above, Deputy Governor Lawal shall be the acting Governor.

“I shall be back from the vacation on Sept. 7,” Makinde said in the letter.

Similarly, the House also swore in Mrs. Taiwo Muraina-Akinola, who was formerly the Deputy Clerk, as the Substantive Clerk of the House to replace Awe who is retiring from the state civil service. Her swearing-in followed her recommendation by the House of Assembly Commission.

In another development, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun,  Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has appealed to Nigerians, especially the youths, to shun the planned nationwide protest.

Oyintiloye urged Nigerians to continue to keep faith in President Bola Tinubu-led administration in its ability to revamp the economy.

The APC chieftain, a member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), appealed while speaking with newsmen on Thursday in Osogbo.

He urged Nigerians to see a promising future in the government’s framework capable of pulling the country out of the current economic quagmire inherited from the past administrations.

He said that Nigerians’ expectation to get dividends of democracy was high owing to their trust in the president’s pedigree as an astute manager of men and resources.

Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, said that the government was working tirelessly to meet the expectations and yearning of Nigerians.

He said that the intention of the president by removing the fuel subsidy and merging the foreign exchange rates, among other policies was to improve the economy and not to inflict pain on Nigerians.

The APC chieftain said that Nigerians should give more time for the president to fully develop the economy, which is going through the recovery process.

“With all sense of humility and modesty, we must appreciate the people of this country for their endurance, perseverance and unflinching support as we are passing through the dark tunnel.

“But one certain thing is that after these temporary pains, we shall all live in abundance.

“Although the task is herculean, but we are gradually navigating through the storm and challenges the country is passing through.

“In the real sense of it, this present government is working tirelessly on how to stabilise the economy, foreign exchange rates, inflation, and price control.

“With the initiatives and programme designed for good governance by the president, we are getting to the coast of self-sufficiency and economic stability.

“Our people should believe in the leadership of the president and the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration, in due course, we shall laugh last.

“I strongly believe that with a little patience from Nigerians, we shall soon live in abundance. Let’s exercise a little patience, he said.

Oyintiloye, who noted that the president felt the pains Nigerians were passing through, said that was why he pleaded with Nigerians to be patient with him. 

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NNPP: Founder, Dr Aniebonam Goes Stoic on Kwankwaso and Galadima’s Defection

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NNPP: Founder, Dr Aniebonam Goes Stoic on Kwankwaso and Galadima's Defection

…Urges Members to Remain Calm and Trust in God’s Intervention

The founder of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Dr. Aniebonam Boniface Okechukwu, has finally adopted stoicism on the defection of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima, two prominent members of the party. 

In a lengthy statement, Dr Okechukwu expressed his disappointment and sadness over the betrayal of trust by his “friends and brothers” but urged members of the party to remain calm and trust in God’s intervention.

According to Dr. Okechukwu, the defection of Kwankwaso and Galadima is a temporary setback and a human activity that will not change the name and fate of the party. 

He described the duo as ‘men’ who were deceived by fake marabouts but hoped that they would soon realize their mistakes and return to the party.

Dr Okechukwu also called on members of the party to be patient and work hard, assuring them that God would soon intervene and restore the party to its rightful owners.

 He referenced the party’s past victory at the Supreme Court in Kano as a testament to God’s power and intervention.

The full statement by Dr. Okechukwu reads:

“My attention has been continuously drawn to the avoidable propaganda and circumstances of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima. 

“These elder statesmen are my good friends and brothers with bad intentions. It is human, noting that no human being can be predicted. I do know that the first law of God is choice. They chose the channel of betrayal of trust.

“None of you should be worried because the New Nigeria People’s Party belongs to God, and we shall continue to work hard and serve Him. Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima are not above God, and He shall intervene at the appropriate time.

“All you people should do is work hard and pray for Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima for the wisdom of God and protection because they do not really know what they are doing as mortals.

“What is certain, as you people can see, is that they cannot change the name – New Nigeria People’s Party. This simply means that nothing has happened. The illegal conversion of the colour, logo, and constitution are human activities which, of course, are temporary.

“What I will advise all of you is to bear with INEC in their shortcomings, which are human and the work of the devil. What is certain is that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima may be agents of the devil, betrayal of trust and kindness. When God decides to call them to order, we shall all be witnesses to the heavenly divine intervention and glory.

“God did it for us in Kano at the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He shall do it again to show that He is God. You should all remain peaceful and work hard. Let us be patient with God because He shall soon intervene, and His party shall be returned to His children.

“When that happens, the logo, colour, and constitution shall be reversed in His honour and glory. No one should be worried because He with God is with the majority.

“We do know from the physical appearance of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima at the moment that they are burdened, and we are aware that the fake marabouts are deceiving them. Let us pray for them for life and good health, politics or no politics. What is certain is that we are brothers.

“Remark – Supreme Court of Nigeria is the final judgment, and God’s decision prevails at God’s time before or thereafter. Let us remain calm in the event of extreme provocation. Our party shall come back to us, and that is the word of God”, Dr. Aniebonam Boniface stated further.

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