COURT AFFIRMS EXPULSION OF PDP VICE CHAIRMAN
COURT AFFIRMS EXPULSION OF PDP NATIONAL VICE CHAIRMAN A Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki Ebonyi State capital, has affirmed the expulsion of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Vice Chairman South-East Chief Ali Odefa from the party. This followed the granting of the reliefs sought by applicants in Suit No: FHC/AI/CS/FHR/197, between Hon. Herbert Onyedikachi, Hon Anoke, Egbe, Njoku Nwagu, Moses Idika, Ogbonnaya Idika, Obinna Chukwu, Chief John Igboke, Mrs. Ijeoma Nome, Okorie C. Okorie and nine others as applicants versus Chief Ali Odefa (defendant), PDP and Independent National Electiral Commission (INEC). The plaintiff had sought for a reliefs seeking an order restraining Ali Odefa from parading himself as a member of the PDP and enjoying the rights and privileges accorded to members of the part iny. They equally sought for an order restraining Ali Odefa from holding the office of National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP ) South -East Zone. Delivering judgement on the suit, the presiding Judge Justice Hilary I. O. Oshomah, granted the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs and affirmed the expulsion of Ali Odefa from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Reacting to the judgement , counsel to the plaintiffs Chief Mudi Erhenede, commended the court for the judgement. Erhenede asked for cost of N5 million against the 1st defendant Chief Ali Odefa. However counsel for the defendants Ifeanyi Chukwu, told the court that they were not opposed to the judgment. Odefa was expelled from the PDP on December 12, 2024, by the Executives of the party in Oguduokwor ward Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, after a disciplinary committee of the party recommended his expulsion having found him guilty of anti-party activities. It would be noted that the Federal High Court in its earlier ruling, presided by Justice Hilary Oshomnah, had awarded N100 million damages against the expelled PDP National Vice Chairman South-East Chief Ali Odefa. The court issued the order restraining Ali Odefa and the police from harassing, arresting or in any form intimidating the applicants on the issue of his earlier suspension from the PDP, Oguduokwor ward.
SOUTH EAST DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION TARGETS $20BN REGIONAL ECONOMY IN 10 YEARS
SOUTH EAST DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION TARGETS $200BN REGIONAL ECONOMY IN 10 YEARS The South East Development Commission (SEDC) is targeting $200 billion regional economic growth by 2035, according to Mark Okoye, its managing director. Okoye, in his inaugural speech on Wednesday, projected a 400 percent growth from the current $40 billion within the next decade. The senate had confirmed President Bola Tinubu’s nominees for the North West Development Commission and SEDC on January 14. Tinubu signed the development commission bills into law on July 24, 2024, enabling the region to receive funds for project execution. Okoye said the SEDC’s inauguration marks the beginning of the region’s reconstruction, 54 years after the civil war. He acknowledged the enormous task ahead, citing the World Bank’s requirement of a $10 billion annual investment for 30 years to bridge the infrastructure gap in south east. The managing director said the region faces challenges such as a harsh investment climate, 2,500 active erosion sites, low ease of doing business, and unemployment. Okoye assured that the commission will rely on Tinubu’s support, governors of the five states, the private sector, and strategic partnerships to achieve economic goals. Also, he said the commission has studied past regional development blueprints, including the visionary economic plans of Michael Okpara, which laid the groundwork for the region’s industrial and agricultural potential. “Despite these obstacles, we remain a resilient and enterprising people, it is now up to us to shape the South-East we envision within the framework of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Okoye said. “Working with the state governments, private sector ecosystem, and development partners, we will drive the South-East towards a $200 billion regional economy by 2035. “We will not pay lip service to development, SEDC will prioritise action over rhetoric and results over promises.” THE SEDC WILL PRIORITIZE SECURITY, INVESTMENT Okoye said the commission would prioritise security and investment, infrastructure development, agriculture, industrialisation, technology, innovation, and human capital development. “Our tenure will be built on transparency, accountability, and public participation, every project will align with a clear roadmap and deliver measurable impact,” he said. “In the coming months, we will embark on several projects, programmes, and initiatives designed to accelerate the development of our region.” The managing director appreciated Tinubu for his belief in him and his colleagues.He also thanked the national assembly for its role in passing the SEDC bill into law, as well as its nominations and subsequent confirmation. Also speaking, Emeka Wogu, the chairman of the commission board, stated that the SEDC’s goal is to contribute to the region’s overall development through high-value projects and creating jobs for thousands of youths.
PDP STAKEHOLDERS CLASH OVER LEGITIMACY OF BOT
PDP STAKEHOLDERS CLASH OVER LEGITIMACY OF BOT The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened as stakeholders clash over the legitimacy of its Board of Trustees (BoT). While some party members argue that the BoT’s tenure has expired, others insist that its leadership retains the authority to steer the party through turbulent times. Reports indicate that 85 of the 127 BoT members have been absent from recent meetings, raising concerns over the board’s ability to form a quorum and make binding decisions. Critics claim that the Senator Adolphus Wabara-led BoT is acting without constitutional backing, rendering its decisions invalid. The PDP has been grappling with internal discord since the 2023 elections, exacerbated by leadership disputes. The battle over the National Secretary position between Sunday Ude-Okoye and Senator Samuel Anyanwu has further fueled tensions. A recent Appeal Court ruling confirmed Ude-Okoye as National Secretary, but Anyanwu and his supporters continue to challenge the decision. On January 28, a confrontation erupted when Anyanwu’s loyalists forcefully removed Ude-Okoye from a BoT meeting, prompting security intervention. PDP governors, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, have since backed Ude-Okoye, urging the party’s National Working Committee to enforce the court ruling. However, Anyanwu remains defiant, petitioning the police and judiciary to recognize his claim to the position. He argued that the BoT’s endorsement of Ude-Okoye lacks legal standing, as most members’ tenures have expired. PDP Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor also denounced the BoT’s recent actions, insisting that over 70% of its members are either inactive or ineligible. He accused Wabara of exploiting the situation for personal gain. “Over 70 per cent of the current BoT members’ tenures have long expired, and nearly 15 of them are already facing physical health challenges. Therefore, the BoT is not currently properly constituted and does not have the necessary numbers to form a quorum to sit, address, or speak on any issues. “Now, Wabara, knowing that the BoT he presides over is merely a shell in name and lacks substance, is going ahead with all these meetings across the country which seem to aim only for his personal aggrandisement, rather than the betterment of the party. “In the name of God and everything that is worth integrity, they should not refer to themselves as members of the BoT. Their tenures have expired. They are PDP elders,” Osadolor told Punch. In defence, a BoT member, Senator Umar Ibrahim-Tsauri, acknowledged the tenure expiration issue but maintained that the board is acting within the party’s constitution to prevent further instability. He stated that the BoT has instructed state and zonal executives to nominate replacements for expired positions. “It is true that the tenures of some of the BOT members have expired. But due to the sad, unfortunate, and avoidable situation the party is experiencing, the board decided to rely on section 32 (6) of the party’s constitution which gives it the power to regulate its proceedings. “It should be noted that the board has already instructed all state and zonal executive committees to bring their nominations to replace those whose tenure has expired. “The PDP is in a deep challenge caused by an internal crisis. So, it is not a surprise that people continue to bring in something unwarranted, unimportant, and not useful to the progress and stability of the party. “You don’t expect the BoT members to sit down and act illegally with their experiences. All the members have earned a reputation over the years. “How do you expect them to knowingly commit an act that will be regarded as null and void? Remember they are all elder statesmen. In fact, some of them are even Senior Advocates of Nigeria,” Ibrahim-Tsauri said.
YAR’ADUA REJECTED DANGOTE’S BID TO RUN NIGERIA’S REFINERIES – OBASANJO
YAR’ADUA REJECTED DANGOTE’S BID TO RUN NIGERIA’S REFINERIES –OBASANJO Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed how his successor, late President Umar Musa Yar’Adua, rejected Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s bid to manage Nigeria’s refineries on a public-private partnership basis. Obasanjo revealed this in an interview with Channels TV on Thursday, while discussing Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries during his presidency. The former president explained how he sought external help to rehabilitate and manage the facilities but faced resistance. Obasanjo explained that after Shell’s refusal to manage the refineries, Dangote assembled a team and paid $750 million to operate the refineries through a public-private partnership. He noted that Dangote has capacity to manage his privately-owned refinery effectively, contrasting it with the government’s inefficiency. Obasanjo said, “I asked Shell to come and run it for us and Shell said they wouldn’t I said, Please come and take equity they said no. I said okay, don’t take equity, come and run it, they said no. “Later on, I called them. I called the boss of Shell to come and tell me what the problem was and he gave me four or five reasons. He said, first of all, they make a major profit from upstream, not from downstream. He said they run downstream just to keep their head above water. “Two, our refineries were too small: 60,000 barrels 100,000 barrels and I think 120,000 barrels. He said that at that time, the average refinery was going for 250,000 barrels. “Three, he said our refineries were not well maintained. Four, he said that there was too much corruption around the activities of our refinery and they would not want to get involved in that. “Aliko got a team together and they paid $750m to take part in PPP (Public–Private Partnership) in running the refineries. My successor refunded their money and I went to my successor, I told him what transpired, he said NNPC said they wanted the refinery and they could run it and I said but you know they cannot run it. “I was told not too long ago that since that time, more than two billion dollars have been squandered on the refinery and they still will not work. “If a company like Shell tells me what they told me, I will believe them. If anybody tells you now that it is working, why are they now with Aliko? And Aliko will make his own refinery work; not only make it work, he will make it deliver.”
Dons Eze
- Biafra News
- December 27, 2024
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IPOB DEBUNKS CLAIM BY NIGERIAN ARMY OF KILLING 13 OF ITS MEMBERS
IPOB DEBUNKS CLAIMS BY NIGERIAN ARMY OF KILLING 13 OF ITS MEMBERS The spokesman of the Joint Task Force ‘Operation UDO KA’ in the South-East, Lt. Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, had, in a statement on Monday in Enugu, said troops killed 13 suspected members of IPOB in the region during a clearance operation. But in a statement on Thursday morning by the IPOB’S Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, the group said the Army lied about killing its members. Powerful stated that the Army lied and deliberately peddled falsehood in its attempt to demonise the group and scare Ndigbos from traveling home for the Yuletide festivities. “The Directorate of State (DOS) of the noble family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) wish to debunk the falsehood and concocted propaganda peddled by the Nigeria Military in Enugu State of killing 13 IPOB members,” Powerful said in the statement. “The Nigerian Army is fear-mongering. They planned to use this fake news of killing 13 IPOB members to scare away Ndigbo from returning and enjoying their Christmas in their respective homes in the South East Region. These scare tactics by the Nigeria government and its compromised military will not work “IPOB understands Nigerian Government and its Nigerian military uses the name of the peaceful noble family of the IPOB movement and ESN to deceive the general public international community into believing that they are working on insecurity in our territory. “The Nigerian Army in the South East are not curtailing insecurity. Instead, they are fueling the insecurity to justify the genocide they committed and have continued to commit against Ndigbo. “We are happy that a reputable Civil Society Organization like INTERSOCIETY has compiled and published the murderous activities of the Nigerian Army in the South East. “Nigerian Army has made uncountable efforts to destabilize, demonise, and criminalize IPOB and ESN before Ndigbo and the international community. “The more they try, the more they fail because IPOB are not involved in the insurgency and insecurity, including criminal activities going on in the South East Region. “The Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police, and their murderous DSS are among the state actors destabilizing the South East in the name of fighting insecurity. These notorious Security Forces are the insecurity that the people experience themselves. “What is the beef of the Nigerian government and her murderous military against unarmed and non-violent movement like IPOB? “The ethnic bigot government of Nigeria proscribed IPOB and labeled IPOB a terrorist organization in Nigeria but failed convinced international community to labeled IPOB a teror organisation, we all knew IPOB as the leader of a non-violent self-determination struggle to restore Biafra. “The same self-determination is being pursued by the Oduduwa agitators and Hausa agitators respectively but, who are not considered as terrorists by the same Federal (Fulani) government of Nigeria. “Since the 1945, Biafrans have always been considered enemies in Nigeria. Why then is the Nigerian State afraid of the Igbos exiting the unholy and unworkable union called Nigeria? Nigeria can’t keep humiliating, intimidating, killing, and illegally abducting Ndigbo out of their ethnic hatred for Biafra citizenry and, at the same time, refuse to let them leave from that bloody nation. Is Nigeria a witch? “The Nigerian government and her military colluded with Fulani terrorists to overrun Biafra Land. That is why we allege that the Nigerian Army target is to destroy IPOB and ESN, who are the only formidable obstacle to their Fulanization agenda. “IPOB formed ESN to curtail the terrorists activities of the Fulanis. On the other hand, the Nigerian government deployed the Nigerian Army under the Operation UDO-KA to attack Ndigbo and claimed it is ESN members who were up against Fulani terrorists in our bushes and farmlands. That is…
ATIKU, OBI HAVE LEARNT THEIR LESSONS, AIDE HINTS ON MERGER
ATIKU, PETER OBI HAVE LEARNT THEIR LESSONS – AIDE HINTS ON MERGER Paul Ibe, the spokesperson to the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, has said that his principal and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP, have learnt their lessons in the last general election and would unite to kick out the “incompetent and clueless” administration of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Ibe, a media to Atiku, said this as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Monday. Atiku and Obi scored over 12 million votes combined in the 2023 presidential election won by APC’s Bola Tinubu who got over eight million votes. Obi, a frontline member of the PDP and a longtime ally of Atiku, left the PDP for LP prior to the 2023 general election, when it was clear he would not get the party’s ticket. Analysts believe that with their combined efforts, either the PDP or the LP would have removed the APC from power. However, Ibe said that Atiku and Obi have learnt their lessons and won’t allow a repeat of their mistake in 2023 going forward. “Nigerians deserve better than what they are getting. It’s never been this bad in this country and there is no hope,” he said “The truth of the matter is that Atiku Abubakar has promoted opposition parties to work together, to come together; that is the only way they can kick out this incompetent and clueless government. And I believe that discussions have been going on. “Lessons have been learnt from 2023 by all parties including Atiku Abubakar and I believe that it is on the basis of the lessons that have been learnt that they are moving forward and having discussions. “They have learnt that lesson and want to be united and go forward,” he stated. He said for Atiku, “all options are on the table”, but refused to provide an answer to the question of whether the former Vice President would step down for Obi in the 2027 election.
EXPLOSION ROCKS RIVERS APC SECRETARIAT HOURS TO LG ELECTION
EXPLOSION ROCKS RIVERS APC SECRETARIAT HOURS TO LG ELECTION There is tension in Rivers State as individuals suspected of arson reportedly detonated explosives at the state secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday morning.Naija News reports that the APC is the principal opposition political party in Rivers State. The state is preparing to hold its local government elections today, Saturday, October 5. However, just a few hours before the exercise, the secretariat of the APC located in Port Harcourt was reportedly attacked. According to Leadership, video clips obtained online indicate that the incident, believed to involve dynamite, caused damage to the main gate and the security post of the APC secretariat, as well as to portions of a nearby building. In a brief message sent to journalists in the state, Chief Tony Okocha, the chairman of the party’s caretaker committee, attributed the attack on the secretariat to supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Okocha wrote: “At the wee hours of Saturday, pro-Fubara civilian soldiers detonated dynamites at our office. “The second attempt to set it ablaze was foiled as the security at the gate quickly put out the fire.” The APC had previously declared its intention to abstain from the local government elections scheduled for this Saturday throughout the state. In a surprising turn of events, the ruling party in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the leadership of Hon. Chukwuemeka Aaron, also announced its decision to refrain from participating in the election.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MOVES TO AVERT STRIKE, MEETS WITH LABOUR
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MOVES TO AVERT STRIKE, MEETS WITH LABOUR The National Assembly on Sunday revealed that it would mediate in the standoff between organized labour and the federal government as part of moves to avert the impending nationwide indefinite strike starting June 3, and a shutdown of the nation. In a joint statement signed by the spokesperson of the Senate, Senator Yemi Adaramodu and the spokesperson of the House, Akin Rotimi, the federal legislature said it is intervening to resolve the deadlock on a new national minimum wage and reversal of the recent hike in electricity tariffs. The National Assembly stressed that both parties have tenable reasons for their respective positions. The statement also revealed that the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, to rein in the situation as the industrial action would have severe repercussions on the populace and economy “The National Assembly acknowledges the announcement by Organised Labour, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), to commence an indefinite strike action from Monday, June 3, 2024, nationwide. “In view of this, the National Assembly Leadership and the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Labour, Employment and Productivity respectively, Senator Diket Plang, and Rep. Adegboyega Adefarati, are looking to engage both parties in constructive dialogue and explore a variety of solutions in addressing the issues at hand. It added that the 10th National Assembly was committed to ensuring that the interests of all parties are fairly represented,” the National Assembly statement added. Recall that last Friday the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) announced an indefinite nationwide strike from tomorrow (Monday) over the federal government’s failure to agree on a new national minimum wage and reverse the recent hike in electricity tariff. NLC and TUC leaders had, on Workers Day, celebrations given the Federal Government a May 31 deadline to conclude the negotiations on a new national minimum wage or risk nationwide industrial unrest. The tripartite committee on a new National Minimum Wage set up by the government failed to make a decision on a new national minimum wage after about four meetings. Labour leaders had walked out of the meetings three times after rejecting government and the Organised Private Sector offers. Friday’s decision by the pressure groups happened at the expiration of the deadline given to the government by labour. The trade unions had asked the government to conclude on a new minimum wage, as the old minimum wage of N30,000 that was signed into law by former President Muhammad Buhari on April 18, 2019, expired on April 18, 2024.