Nedu Echianu's Blog

The Ikeoha Campaign Organisation, the body gunning for the election of a former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu as governor of Enugu State, has issued an update on a lawsuit that it instituted at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging the legality of a three man delegate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State. A statement signed by the  Director-General, Ikeoha Campaign Organisation, Hon. Charles Ogbo Asogwa, read; " We wish to inform our teeming supporters that the lawsuit concerning THE three-man ad-hoc delegates came up today, Friday, May 20, 2022 at the Federal High Court, Abuja. Arguments were taken and the matter was adjourned to May 27, 2022 for judgment. We await the outcome and intend to pursue the matter to a logical conclusion. "In the meantime, it is noteworthy that the President is yet to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill that will allow the participation of statutory delegates in the congresses and

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Mohammad Bello on Thursday ordered the indefinite closure of Dei-Dei International Market following a clash between commercial motorcyclists and traders. A death of a yet-to-be-identified woman in the area was said to have led to a clash between the traders and ‘Okada’ riders. The clash resulted in the destruction of goods worth billions of naira in the market, while many vehicles were also destroyed. The minister gave the directive after inspecting the scene of the incident with the FCT Commissioner of Police, Sunday Babaji, Director, State Security Services with other sister security agencies and top officials of the FCT Administration. Bello also directed the community and the market leaders to fish out the hoodlums responsible for the crisis. He said: “The community and market leaders must fish out hoodlums and bad eggs among them, unfortunately this time around hoodlums carry arms and they shoot innocent people. As a m

At least five persons have been reportedly killed and houses set on fire in a clash between traders and okada riders at Dei Dei, a community in  Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). A resident told Daily Trust that an accident involving a bike man led to the break down of law and order in the community. “Five persons that I know have been killed in this incident. We have been calling for security intervention to no avail,” said the resident who pleaded anonymity. “We are really worried that this crisis is tilting towards ethnic dimension.” There is no independent verification on the number of casualties for now but one of the affected persons confirmed that his house was torched. The traders at the timber section of the Dei-Dei market were said to have attacked the rider, whom they blamed for recklessness which led to the death of the passenger. The okada riders colleagues reportedly moved to rescue him from the attackers and the

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, declined to grant bail to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, pending the determination of the treasonable felony charge the Federal Government preferred against him. Trial Justice Binta Nyako held that Kanu must explain the reason why he breached the previous bail that was given to him, before he could enjoy another favourable discretion from the court. “Until the issue of absence of the defendant for his trial, with all the bail conditions breached, is determined, the instant application of the defendant for bail will at best be premature and it is refused. “However, the defendant is at liberty to refile the application”, Justice Nyako held. The court noted that Kanu’s trial had since 2015, suffered various setbacks owing to over 19 interlocutory applications that have been filed in the matter. It, therefore, implored the parties to allow the case to proceed on trial to enab

The National Legal Adviser of Accord party, Maxwell Mgbudem, yesterday lamented the gruesome muder of a 200 Level Economics student of Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto State, even as he called on the Federal Government to investigate the incident and prosecute the culprits.  Recall that last week Thursday, irate youths murdered a 200 Level student of Shehu Shagari Collage of Education, Miss Deborah Samuel, over alleged blasphemy against prophet Muhammed. Reacting in a statement issued in Abuja, the Accord chieftain, Mgbudem called for urgent measures to ensure that the situation does not escalate to other parts of the country, and worsen the insecurity challenge facing Nigeria.  He regretted that life has become short and brutal in the country, hence calling on the Government to take a decisive action that will not only deter future occurrence, but ensure peace across the country.  Mgbudem also expressed fears over the rising tension and insecurity across the co

Many persons were feared dead following an explosion along Court Road in Sabon Gari, Kano State on Tuesday. The explosion, which occurred near a private secondary school, Winners School, destroyed a residential building and affected part of the school. The explosion occurred around 9:30 am with many schoolchildren affected. Visuals of the incident showed several injured schoolchildren crying for help. Some parents were seen rushing to the scene to rescue their children. “Where are my children?” one parent shouted. While some injured schoolchildren have been rescued, others were stranded at the scene before the arrival of emergency responders. As of the time of filing this report, security operatives, including the army, police, and NSCDC had surrounded the place. The National Emergency Management Agency and Fire service operatives were also on the ground trying to rescue victims of the explosion. Meanwhile, the Kano State Government clarified that the early Tuesday

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) on Monday, arrested serving Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris over allegations bothering on money laundering to the tune of N80bn. The EFCC noted that the AGF’s arrest followed verified intelligence that he allegedly “raked off the funds through bogus consultancies and other illegal activities using proxies, family members and close associates.” The Commission’s Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren in a statement said the funds were laundered through real estate investments in Kano and Abuja. The EFCC further explained that Mr Idris was arrested after failing to honour invitations by the EFCC to respond to issues connected to the fraudulent acts.

The Police Service Commission has risen from its 15th Plenary Meeting on Friday   May 13th 2022 in Abuja with the confirmation of acting DIG John Ogbonnaya Amadi as a substantive Deputy Inspector General of Police, approved the appointment of Zama Bala Senchi as a Deputy Inspector General of Police and promoted eight Commissioners of Police to Assistant Inspectors General of Police.  The Commission also approved the promotion of 23 Deputy Commissioners to the next rank of Commissioners of Police; 31 Assistant Commissioners to Deputy Commissioners of Police and 63 Chief Superintendents of Police promoted to Assistant Commissioners of Police. The Plenary Meeting which began on Wednesday, May 11th 2022 was presided over by Alhaji Musiliu Smith, Chairman of the Commission and former Inspector General of Police.  DIG Amadi, currently acting, replaced late DIG Joseph Egbunike and will be representing the South East in the Force Management team while DIG Senchi was the most senior

The Nigeria Football Federation on Sunday announced the appointment of Mr José Santos Peseiro as the new Head Coach of the Senior Men National Team, Super Eagles. The appointment is with immediate effect, subject to the signing of agreed terms between the NFF and Mr Peseiro, according to a statement by NFF’s spokesperson, Ademola Olajire. “Peseiro is expected to lead out the Super Eagles for the first time during the upcoming tour of the United States of America, during which the three–time African champions will slug it out with Mexico and Ecuador ‘A’ Teams in prestige friendlies. “The Eagles will tango with the El Tri at the AT & T Stadium in Dallas, State of Texas on Saturday, 28th May before flying to New Jersey to confront Ecuador at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison on Thursday, 2nd June,” the statement read in part. The NFF also announced that “former Nigeria international forward, Finidi George will now be 1st Assistant to Peseiro, with Salisu Yusuf now to be s

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state has imposed curfew on the state metropolis over the violent protest by youths who were demanding the release of two suspects arrested in connection with the killing of Deborah Samuel over alleged blasphemy. Daily Trust reports that the curfew will last for 24 hours.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has pulled out of the 2023 presidential race to retain his ministerial seat. The former governor of Anambra State and member of the All Progressives Congress made his withdrawal known in a statement on Friday. Ngige’s withdrawal from the APC presidential primary slated for end of May and the 2023 elections next year followed a directive by President Muhammadu Buhari, that all ministers and appointees with political ambitions quit their offices in government. The minister’s letter was titled, ‘Withdrawal of my presidential ambition’. It read, “On Tuesday, 19th April 2022, publicly declared my interest to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, following the constitutional provision that precludes our amiable incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari from seeking re-election to the office, as he would have completed his two terms in office by 29th May 2023. The declaration was made in my home

A female student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education in‪ Sokoto‬ State was burnt alive on Thursday over alleged blasphemy. The student, who was accused of insulting Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), was beaten to pulp. In a video of the incident, young males hurled stones at her. Some also used sticks and different objects to hit her. When the victim fell to the ground unconsciously, the attackers gathered tyres around her before she was set ablaze. Daily Trust gathered that the girl simply identified as Deborah was said to have made a blasphemous comment on a WhatsApp group. “The group was created by her colleagues and it served as a platform to discuss academic issues,” a source said. Someone said a religious comment was posted on the platform and while criticising it, Deborah made a blasphemous comment against the Prophet. Another person said she made the comment while quarreling with a fellow student at the hostel. “She was asked to apologize but refuse

The Central Bank Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, said his fate is still being decided as regards the controversy surrounding his rumoured presidential bid. When newsmen approached him on Thursday after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari,  in Abuja with the notion that his current position as a presidential aspirant and the CBN governor is a major point of concern for Nigerians and even the international community, Emefiele replied, “Let them have heart attacks. It’s good to have a heart attack.” This is as he said that despite the current outrage by Nigerians, the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party, and the international community, he is “having fun.” Emefiele’s assertion comes barely 24 hours after the President ordered members of his cabinet vying for various elective positions to resign on or before May 16, 2022. Also, a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, with reference number SGF/OP/ I/S.3/XII/ 173, titled,

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the resignation of Godwin Emefiele, governor of the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN), and other political appointees seeking to contest the 2023 elections. The order was given in a circular issued by Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). The CBN governor was copied in the circular titled, ‘Ministers, heads of government agencies, ambassadors and other appointees with political ambitions to resign’. “Mr. President has observed and noted the expression of interest and intention by some members of the Federal Executive Council, heads of extra-ministerial departments, agencies, parastatals of government, ambassadors and other political office holders to contest the upcoming presidential, gubernatorial, national and state assemblies’ elections.” “Consequently, Mr. President has directed that the affected office holders aspiring to run for various offices in the 2023 general election, should tender their resign

Edwin Clark: You And Others Betrayed South East, We Are Only Wiser  I have great respect for Chief Edwin Clark; He is an elderstatesman and a patriotic Nigerian. I want to sincerely commend him for openly supporting the South-East geo-political zone to produce the next President of Nigeria. It is imperative I remind him that I didn't betray my people, rather I am doing my best to reintegrate them into mainstream politics. In the last two years, I have been at the forefront agitating for a Nigerian President of South-East extraction, when most of them were all saying "Southern Presidency". None of these actors openly said the South-East geo-political zone should have it. I was shocked that even the zone the entire South-East supported in unity including myself in 2011 and 2015 respectively, has the highest number of contestants without thinking of their brothers, knowing fully well that the South East zone has remained the only zone in  Southern Nigeria that ha

The National Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, on Wednesday threw open its presidential ticket ahead of its Presidential primaries slated for May 28 – 29, 2022. The decision came after its 96th meeting held at its Wadata Plaza National Secretariat. According to the Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the NEC has also appointed former Senate President David Mark to chair its convention planning committee. Speaking shortly after the meeting late on Monday, Ologunagba said “After a very extensive deliberation NEC aligned with the recommendation of the PDP National Zoning Committee that the Presidential Election should now be left open. The Party should also work towards consensus candidates where possible. “NEC noted the recommendation of the Zoning Committee that in the interest of justice and fair play, the Party should take decisions on Zoning timeously so as to prevent complications to the process.” On its Presidential Primary and

The Senate has adjourned sitting till June 7, 2022, to enable lawmakers participate fully in the Presidential, National Assembly, Governorship, and State Houses of Assembly primaries.  The motion for adjournment was moved by the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North) and seconded by the Deputy Minority Leader, Shuaibu Lau (Taraba North). The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in a Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Elections released on 26th February, 2022, directed political parties to conduct their primaries for the nomination of candidates from the 4th April to 3rd of June, 2022.  Special Assistant (Press) t o President of the Senate,  Ezrel Tabiowo said in a statement that t he Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, in his remarks, moments before the close of plenary on Wednesday, explained that the decision to adjourn plenary was to enable lawmakers participate fully in activities and processes leading to the conduct of party primar

All members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) contesting elective positions have been asked to resign on or before Monday, May 16, 2023. The Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed announced this Wednesday while briefing State House reporters on the outcome of the federal cabinet meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Among the ministers eyeing elective seats are Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation), Chris Ngige (Labour), Abubakar Malami (Justice), Godswill Akpabio (Niger Delta).etc. Daily Trust

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal on Wednesday set aside the judgment of Justice Evelyn Anyadike of a Federal High Court in Umuahia which voided the provision of Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022. The Appellate Court in a judgment by a three-member panel headed by Justice Hamma Akawu Barka held that the Federal High Court Umuahia had no jurisdiction to have entertained the case because the plaintiff, Nduka Edede, lacked the locus standi to have filed the suit in the first place. The Appellate Court added that Edede did not establish any cause of action to have warranted his approaching the court on the issue because he did not establish that he was directly affected by the provision. The Court of Appeal struck out the suit marked: FHC/UM/CS/26/2022 which Edede filed before the Federal High Court in Umuahia. While determining the appeal on the merit, the Appellate Court however held that the provision was unconstitutional because it violated Section 42 (1)(a)