Ohanaeze youth propose south-east federation, fix date for referendum

The youth wing of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, has proposed the merger of all five south-eastern states as one federation.

Arthur Obiora, national youth leader of the group, disclosed this in a statement sent to TheCable on Monday.

He said a referendum to decide on whether the south-eastern states of Abia, Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu would be consolidated as one federating unit would be held on August 8.

The statement noted that a bill tagged “A law of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states houses of assembly for the holding of a referendum on the proposal to federate Abia with Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo and constitute same into South-Eastern Region of Nigeria within the Federation of Nigeria” has also been sent to the houses of assembly for consideration.

Obiorah said the proposal is “in view of the socio-political and structural conflicts in Nigeria.”

“On the 8th of August, 2019, a referendum shall be held in Abia state, Anambra state, Ebonyi state, Enugu state and Imo state of Nigeria on: Whether the Government of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states should negotiate with each other with a view to forming a Federation of State to be known as South Eastern Region of Eastern Nigeria,” the statement read.

“Whether the said Region should negotiate with the Government of Nigeria and the remaining 31 states or any group of states that have also agreed to federate … to achieve autonomy/self-determination for the said region within a federation of Nigeria Constituent Units.”

Obiora added that those to vote during the referendum “are the persons who, on the date of the referendum, would be entitled to vote as electors at a Local Government Election in the electoral area/ward of the state in which they reside or carry out business.”

He said the governor of each of the five states shall appoint a chief electoral officer who shall subsequently appoint an electoral officer for each local government area.

“The result of the referendum shall constitute the entire position of Abia, Anambra. Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states (South-Eastern Region of Nigeria),” he said.

- THECABLE 

CCECC deports Chinese national after impregnating Nigerian lady in Ibadan

A Chinese national, whose name has not been revealed, has been deported by his employer months after allegedly impregnating a young lady, identified as Mary from Benue State in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The Chinese, who works with China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) the company, which is currently constructing the yet-to-be-completed Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge rail line until his repatriation, was said to have impregnated the lady inside one of the yards of the company located at Omi on the Ibadan-Abeokuta Road in Ibadan.

The Chinese expatriate, according to multiple sources in Eleso community, near Omi, the community where the lady resides was said to have impregnated the lady after which he asked the lady to abort it.
But, the lady, Mary was said to have declined to abort the pregnancy, the situation which made the Chinese expatriate to flee.
One of the Igede leaders in Eleso community, who spoke on condition of abnormity, said that the Chinese expatriate has been repatriated by his employer in order not to cause a setback for the company in a bid to complete its ongoing project.

It was learnt that after nine months of nursing the pregnancy, Mary delivered a baby boy whose completion resembles the Chinese expatriate, who has been sent packing.
However, trouble started for Mary last week when men of Oyo state Police Command arrested her and her new boy friend for allegedly selling the baby for a sum of fifty thousand naira, though the Police said it is investigating the matter.
Mary was arrested along with her boyfriend, Odunayo following a report that the duo connived to sell the baby after the biological father had been deported ostensibly to avoid embarrassment for the company.

The complainant, a worker with CCECC, Mr. Moses Kehinde, said that the father of the baby, (Chinese expatriate) had persuaded the lady to abort the pregnancy but the baby’s mother never supported the idea, the consequence of which led to disagreement between the two lovers.
He said “Shortly after, the baby developed health challenges, to the point that the mother could not afford the hospital bills, but within a short time the baby got well and was playing around at home.
“Now, the police are saying a Good Samaritan came and decided to take up the treatment of the baby. And decided to take the baby away from the mother and bought her a cell phone. That is cock and bull story. The question is how, can a mother give away eight month baby that is still breast feeding to a strange man just because the man cares and not be with the child at the hospital bed. Instead, the mother is here romancing with another lover?”

According to a family member of the mother of the baby, the Chinese expatriate unknown to them had been having love affairs with the mother of the baby at secluded place near the yard of the company for several months, promising that he would marry her.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr.Olugbenga Fadeyi, while speaking with DAILY POST said that the matter was reported at Omi Adio Police Station by some concerned residents, as he insisted that the case is being investigated by the command to ascertain the veracity of the alleged transaction.
Fadeyi in a telephone conversation with DAILY POST maintained that the baby was not sold based on the findings at preliminary investigation.

Fadeyi while confirming that the Chinese expatriate has been repatriated, said that the lady was released after it was discovered that she did not sell the baby.
Fadeyi said, “It happened while ago. The lady was impregnated by the Chinese national, his employer has repatriated him. But, the blood of the baby was tick. The baby has pneumonia. Somebody came to the rescue of the baby to take care of the hospital bill.

“When the people did not see the baby, they accused the lady of selling the baby. The DPO in the area intervened and they invited the man who promised to take care of the baby, to assist with the hospital bill. The man who impregnated the lady has been repatriated. Even, he has been repatriated before the case was reported to the police. The DPO said that they are still conducting investigation. She promised to update me if there is any development.”

- DAILY POST

Only one political party has submitted 2019 election’s expenses – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says only one political party has so far submitted its audited report on 2019 general elections expenses, three months after the poll.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja, in his remark during the review of the 2019 general elections with political parties.

Yakubu also disclosed that only one presidential candidate has also submitted his financial expenses for the elections.
He said no political parties had complied with section of the Electoral Act directing parties to disclose contributions received from individuals and corporate bodies for the elections.
He stressed the need for political parties to comply with the Electoral Act within the period specified.

“It is important to remind us that as we review the 2019 general elections in order to identify successes, challenges and the way forward, we should also ask ourselves the extent to which we have complied with the extant laws.
“I wish to remind you that the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) requires each political party to submit two election expenses reports to the commission.
“First is the disclosure of material contributions received from individuals and corporate bodies three months after the announcement of the results of the General Election as provided for in Sec. 93(4) of the Electoral Act.

“So far, no political party is in compliance.
“Secondly, parties are required to submit audited returns of their election expenses within six months after an election as provided for in Sec. 92(3)(a) of the Electoral Act.
“Although we are still within the time frame provided by law, so far only one party has filed its returns.

“Similarly, the Commission notes that only one presidential candidate has submitted financial expenses report. We wish to remind leaders of political parties of their obligations under the law,” he said.
Yakubu advised political parties to build their capacities for internal democracy, voter mobilisation and financial procedures, saying effectively run political parties are crucial to our democratic consolidation.
He said conduct of party primaries and nomination of candidates for 2019 elections was acrimonious resulting in a number of court cases on participation or otherwise of political parties and candidates in elections in many constituencies.

This, according to the INEC chairman, made the management of electoral logistics and post-election litigations more challenging to the Commission.
“At the moment, there are 809 cases challenging the conduct of primaries by political parties in regular courts across the country.
“This figure is more than the number of petitions challenging the conduct of the main election currently before the Election Petition Tribunals nationwide’’.

On Bayelsa and Kogi States scheduled for Nov. 16, Yakubu said that so far, three political parties had given the commission notices indicating the dates for their primaries.
He said that deadline for party primaries remained Sept. 5, and no nomination arising from primaries conducted after the deadline would be accepted.
Yakubu advised political parties to ensure that their primaries and nomination of candidates was transparent and democratic in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act as well as INEC regulations and guidelines

“So far, three political parties have given us notices indicating the dates for their primaries for both Bayelsa and Kogi Governorship elections.
“The Commission once again reminds party leaders to do the needful. In doing so, you should indicate not only the dates but also venues and time for the primaries.

“I urge you to avoid persistent rescheduling of your primaries or late minute change of venue which sometimes disenfranchise your members and make effective monitoring by the Commission difficult.
“Where political parties opt for direct primaries, there should be proper register of members otherwise it will amount to conducting an election without the voters’ register,’’ he said.
Yakubu disclosed that the commission would before the end of the week announce the date for conduct of bye-election in Pengana State Constituency in Plateau.
He said that the commission in June received the declaration of vacancy from the Speaker of the State House of Assembly following the death of the constituency’s elected member shortly after he was declared winner.
The meeting was attended by national leadership of registered political parties.

- DAILY POST

Why some parts of Nigeria airspace remains unsafe for flying – NAMA

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has attributed the creation of new routes to the reason some aspect of the country’s airspace remained unsafe for flying.
The agency said this in a statement by the Managing Director of NAMA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu.

This was in apparent response to the claim by some pilots in the country that some aspects of the nation’s airspace was unsafe for flying,
The agency, however, said efforts were being made to improve the situation.
Akinkuotu further assured the flying public and pilots that the nation’s airspace was safe for seamless and economic air navigation, adding that the last phase, which was the area control or upper airspace communication, may have a few challenges

The statement read: “NAMA is making concerted efforts to address these challenges, one of which was the deployment of the Total VHF Coverage of Nigeria in 2010, which was limited by the architecture of eight VHF remote radio stations deployed then.
“The agency has taken drastic steps to tackle communication challenges especially in the upper airspace in the past couple of years, significant progress was being made in that direction.
“Pilots still fly blind in some parts of the airspace between Lagos and Abuja and Port Harcourt, the radio communication in that axis is poor and irresponsible.

“Radio communication in the ground control, covering 65 nautical miles at the 32 air traffic control units in Nigerian airports was perfect and this was done under phase one of the project. The second phase, which was the tower control, also covering 65 nautical miles and critical for landing and takeoff, was equally working optimally in all the 32 airports in the country.
“The third phase “approach communication,” covering up to 130 nautical miles is working perfectly in all the 32 air traffic control units in the country. Although the last phase, which was the Area Control or Upper Airspace Communication, may have a few challenges, but this is due to the creation of new routes.
“The agency is making concerted efforts to address these challenges, one of which was the deployment of the Total VHF Coverage of Nigeria in 2010, which he said was limited by the architecture of 8 VHF remote radio stations deployed then.

“The agency had just taken delivery of Extended Range VHF radio systems to replace old the radios in 8 remote sites, while six more are to be added, making them 14 in number.”

- DAILY POST

EFCC re-arraigns Fayose before new judge

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday re-arraigned former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, before a Federal High Court in Lagos over N6.9billion money laundering and fraud charges.

DAILY POST had reported that the EFCC last Friday told the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos State that it was yet to receive briefings as to the ways to go since the trial of Fayose was transferred from Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, to Justice Chukwujekwu Joseph Aneke.

The EFCC counsel, S. A. Obafemi had opposed the re-arraignment of Fayose by reading the charges preferred against him, noting that “Since the matter was transferred, we are yet to hear from the EFCC on the way forward. We apologize to the court. That is the predicament we found ourselves.

“At this point, we ourselves, we are handicapped as to the way forward in this matter. We urge the court to give us another date for the defendants to be arraigned properly.”

While giving further reasons why the matter should be adjourned, the EFCC counsel said “the information we gathered is to the effect that the 1st defendant is still being investigated for further matters. The leading counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) has not been directed on the ways to go, that’s why he is not in court today.”

Justice Aneke, however, responded; “So I will just be here, waiting for EFCC to give directive when the matter is already before me? I don’t take directive from EFCC.”

- DAILY POST

Defuse tension and restore peace in Nigeria, Onaiyekan urges Buhari

Cardinal John Onaiyekan has called on the Federal Government to defuse the tension that had arisen in the country in recent times, restore peace and security.

Onaiyekan made this call during the Opening/Welcome Dinner of the Second Edition of the Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP) 2019/2020 Fellowship Programme on “Interreligious Dialogue and Mediation Certificate Programme’’ in Abuja on Monday.

“As we all gather here in this peaceful environment, we cannot but draw attention, with grave concern to the ominous and dangerous clouds of destabilisation hovering on the horizon of our nation.

“As a matter of fact, this had been gathering for quite sometime, but it has reached a high pitch in recent weeks.

” It will appear that this is following on some announcement or mere rumours of certain controversial plans of the Federal Government that has been greeted with strong and loud oppositions from many sectors of the nation.

“This goes beyond frightful nonconstructive statements on social media bothering on declaration of war. In the name of God and for the common good and future of our nation, this should not be allowed to continue to fester.

“The primary responsibility to defuse this tension and restore peace rests with the government, which must listen to the deeply felt complaints of all citizens, ” he said

The Cardinal said it was also a time for all lovers of peace to stand up and speak out loudly for peace, harmony and justice in the nation.

He urged religious leaders to make efforts to eschew all forms of religious fanaticism, which rejected others and created fertile ground for violent extremism to grow and thrive.

According to him, religion in their diversities should no longer be considered as a problem to be solved but as an asset to deploy for the good of humanity.

- PM NEWS

Tanker explodes in Benue, many feared dead

Many residents were feared dead on Monday in Ahumbe village on the Alliade/ Makurdi Federal Highway in the Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State when a tanker, loaded with petroleum product, exploded and caught fire while trying to avoid potholes.

An eyewitness, Mr Austin Nembe, told the PUNCH that the tanker was coming from the eastern part of the country and was heading towards Makurdi when it fell at Ahumbe.

The witness was said to have narrated that, as soon as the tanker fell, the villagers raced to the scene to scoop fuel and in the process, the vehicle exploded and killed many of the residents.

“You know that tankers are always partitioned in drums. So, the people went to the scene of the accident to scoop fuel.

“In the process of scooping fuel, there was an explosion, which resulted in several people being burnt to death”, he told the news medium.

He added that a commercial bus with passengers also ran into the accident scene.

- PM NEWS

Nigerian kidnapper in Ghana begs Nigerians, Ghanaians, Canadian victims

A Nigerian Sampson Agarlor, one of the alleged kidnappers of the two Canadian students in Kumasi, Ghana has shown remorse for his action, by apologising to everyone he has hurt.

Agarlor made the unexpected apology in the court room today, Ghana News Agency reported. He apologised to the Canadian ladies and their families, the Republic of Ghana and Nigeria for his actions.

“I take this opportunity to apologise to the affected Canadian ladies and their families, Ghana and Nigeria and other persons affected by our actions,” Agarlor who is alleged to be the leader of the gang  said before an Accra High Court hearing the case.

All the suspects and the Ghanaian policemen that arrested them

Canadians Lauren Tilley, left, and Bailey Chitty victims of the kidnapping gang are students of University of New Brunswick

He also asked for a favour from the court: to order their detention in prison custody, instead of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) cells, where he alleged he and gang members  had been tortured.

Agarlor, also known as Romeo explained that “the BNI and the CID exerted torture on me while forcing me to accept a statement against myself. Am not saying am innocent, I played some roles that is the fact, but definitely not all the roles am accused of”.

He claimed that the BNI officials had totally cut them off from interacting with their families, and said if they were remanded in prison custody, they could get people to talk to and receive visitors.

Agarlor and seven other suspects are being tried for the alleged kidnapping of two Canadians ladies,  Miss Lauren Patricia Catherine Tilley and Miss Bailey Jordan Chilly, in Kumasi, on June 4

Two other Nigerians,  Elvis Ojiyorwe and Jeff Omarsar are members of the gang, arrested along with  Agarlor.

The Ghanaian accomplices also arraigned for the kidnapping are  Yusif Yakubu, Abdul Nasir, Seidu Abubakar, alias Mba, Safianu Abubakar, and Abdul Rahman Suleimana.

One of the suspects, Saidu Yakubu, a.k.a Mba, right

- PM NEWS