News

Nov. 30 Deadline, Nwoke Dike Calls For Peace B/w ALGON, Imo Govt.

Published

2 months ago

November 27, 2020

Chairmen and councilors elected by the former Governor Rochas Anayo Okorocha’s government in the twenty seven Local government areas in 2018, but suspended by the Rt Hon. Emeka Ihedioha administration, have been advised to shelve their planned forceful takeover of the council headquarters on Monday, November 30, 2020, in the interest of peace.

Giving the advice in Ngor Okpala, yesterday, while interfacing with newsman, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, from Ngor Okpala Local government area, Chief Bona Nwoke Dike, pleaded with them, especially the suspended Chairman of Ngor Okpala Local government area, Hon. Chinwe Obinna, not to take the laws into their hands or breach the peace of the state by such move/ stressing that his home Local government area, Ngor Okpala, has been and will remain a peaceful place with its peace-loving people.

Chief Bona Nwoke Dike, an apostle of politics without bitterness, while commending them for initiating the court processes, further advised them to allow the processes to be exhausted as any move contrary to that would be seen as an affront on the government.

He recalled that when the chairmen and councilors were suspended by Rt Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, on the recommendation of the Imo State House of Assembly, a life- a Councilor from Orsu Local government area, who resisted the directive and insisted on forcefully entering the council was lost in confrontation with security agencies, and enjoined them not to allow a repeat of such scenario.

Chief Nwoke Dike further reminded his younger brother, Hon. Chinwe Obinna that it is on record that in 2011 when Governor Rochas Anayo Okorocha dissolved the duly elected chairmen and councilors under Ohakim administration, the former chairman and councilors of Ngor Okpala Local government area at that time, Barr Chief. Enyinna Onuegbu who is now the commissioner for land, Survey and physically planning did not use force to break into the local government headquarters at Ngor Okpala. Therefore, he continued:” Hon, Chinwe Obinna must follow his predecessor’s foot step and obey the law. Their can never be two Governors in Imo State at a time. Any unlawful force by the ousted chairmen and councilors will be resisted by the members of APC in the Ngor Okpala, in particular” He further advised them to listen to words of wisdom and good reasoning.

According to him, if they insist on forcefully taking over the councils on Monday, the resultant effect may not be favourable to them and indeed, may be a black spot in the history of the state should lives be lost. He went on to plead with them to ignore those behind the scene who are fanning the embers of disaffection in the state, as those who will bear the brunt of the confrontation would be they, themselves and their loyalists.

News

Farmers/Herders clash: “pass anti-grazing bill”, SDP advises state government.

Published

13 hours ago

January 26, 2021

Jovita Chinonso

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has advised State governments to pass the Anti-Grazing Bill into Law to tackle the constant farmers/herders conflicts across Nigeria.

The Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Alfa Mohammed, gave the advice in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

Also he urged the state governors to set up Ministries of Internal Security and Conflict Resolution to deal with the activities of aliens in states.

In his words, “It is high time the [governors] start taking bold steps toward securing the lives of their citizens who are being kidnapped, raped, maimed or killed on a daily basis by marauding Fulani herdsmen who are mostly foreigners.

“The governors must remind themselves that the 1999 Constitution makes security and welfare of the people the primary purpose of their governments and confers upon them Chief security officers of their various states.

“This makes them accountable for security lapses suffered by their subjects in their various states.”

Also Read:Fulani Herdsmen Ultimatum: Sunday Ighoho responds to his arrest order by Presidency

Mohammed also added, “The Governors’ Forum should set up an investigative panel to investigate, among other things those who are responsible for the unrestrained influx of foreign bandits and herdsmen into Nigeria in the last 6 years.

“So that any ethnic leader who’s found to be aiding criminality among his people can be replaced and prosecuted.”

Mohammed also lauded state governments who have taken bold steps to establish their local security outfits and pass the Anti-Open Grazing Bill.

Recall that some states, for instance Oyo and Benue, have passed the Bill into law already.

Business

CBN lending rate still at 11.5%

Published

14 hours ago

January 26, 2021

Samuel Chidiebube Jackson

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele has disclosed that CBN will retain her Monetary Policy Rate at 11.5 per cent.

This was disclosed in Abuja, after a two-day meeting held by the Monetary Policy Committee on Tuesday.

It also retained the Cash Reserve Ratio – CRR and Liquidity Ratio – LR at 27.5 percent and 30 percent respectively.

These rates are the rates the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) maintained at its last meeting in November, 2020

Breaking News

Buhari appoints new Service Chief – Femi Adesina

Published

14 hours ago

January 26, 2021

Samuel Chidiebube Jackson

Following the clamour to replace the Service chiefs that had been appointed by the president since 2015, The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) has responded by accepting the resignation of the service chiefs.

This was disclosed in a statement titled, ‘President Buhari appoints new service chiefs, read by the Special adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.

It read, “President Muhammadu Buhari has accepted the immediate resignation of the Service Chiefs, and their retirement from service“.

Those involved are:

Chief of Defence – Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin
Chief of Army Staff – Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai
Chief of Naval Staff – Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas
Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

The new Service chiefs are:

Major-General Leo Irabor – Chief of Defence Staff
Major-General I. Attahiru – Chief of Army Staff
Rear Admiral A.Z Gambo – Chief of Naval Staff
Air-Vice Marshal I.O Amao – Chief of Air Staff.

“President Buhari thanks the outgoing Service Chiefs for what he calls their ‘overwhelming achievements in our efforts at bringing enduring peace to our dear country,’ wishing them well in their future endeavours

“The President congratulates the new Service Chiefs, and urges them to be loyal and dedicated in the discharge of their responsibilities.”