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‘Go ahead and report me to the Pope’ – Father Mbaka replies APC

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‘Go ahead and report me to the Pope’ – Father Mbaka replies APC

Catholic priest and Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Fr Ejike Mbaka says the All Progressives Congress, APC, should go ahead with its threat of reporting him to the Pope.

The clergyman was responding to Yekini Nabena, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC who in a statement said calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to either resign or be impeached because of the current challenges is ungodly.

Mbaka addressed the threat and other issues raised last week during his sermon on Sunday.

“If the Pope knows I am speaking against bad governance, he will clap for me. So please, quickly go to Rome.

“Why I don’t even want them to go to Rome is because, if Rome hears about this, they may give me a position I don’t like.” he said.

Responding to the Presidency’s allegation that he was only criticising the government of President Buhari because he wasn’t awarded contracts, the clergyman admitted that he led three men to President Muhammadu Buhari for contracts during his first term.

He said the three men were security experts who had offered to help in solving Nigeria’s security challenges.

“These three men we brought that will handle insecurity in this country, they have the facility. That was during the first administration. They said they will help them to handle this insecurity under one month. I just handed them over to the government and they denied them.” He said.

“I don’t even know these people, they came to Enugu and say can I help them reach government, that the level of insecurity and how Nigeria has been shipping oil outside the country to refine them and moving them back, that we are losing.

“They have all it takes to revive oil apparatus in the country and get the whole youth employed and the issue of insecurity will die.

“These are the three people they rejected their offer. Since they know how to talk, am I begging them?,” he further stated.

Boko Haram insurgents attacked 2 Army bases in Borno State – soldiers killed

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Boko Haram insurgents attacked 2 Army bases in Borno State – soldiers killed

A commanding officer and 7 others were killed when Boko Haram insurgents attacked 2 Army bases in Borno State.

The terrorists have intensified attacks on army camps in recent weeks as part of a more than decade-long insurgency that has killed more than 36,000 people.

AFP reports that the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) arm of the dreaded Boko Haram group on Sunday morning attacked a base in Ajiri, about 20 kilometres (12 miles) away from Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.

A similar attack had been carried out earlier on Saturday night when the insurgents hit a base in Rann in the same state, the military sources said.

In Ajiri, troops fought a two-hour gun battle with the insurgents in gun trucks and on motorbikes who eventually breached the base and forced troops to withdraw.

“The commanding officer of the base… paid the supreme price while six civilians who were caught up in the fight were also killed,” one of the military sources said.

Another source confirmed the toll and said militants escaped with weapons from the base.

Late on Saturday, fighters attacked a base in Rann, 172 km from Maiduguri but were beaten back by troops using artillery.

“They came in six gun trucks and met a stiff resistance from troops at the base. Two of the gun trucks were hit by troops artillery fire. The other four fled,” a military source said.

One civilian who was wounded later died in hospital.

President Muhammadu Buhari earlier this year replaced his four top military commanders in a bid to better combat the insurgency that has also displaced more than two million people from their homes since 2009.

ISWAP split from mainstream Boko Haram in 2016 and became a dominant group, launching attacks on military bases and ambushing troops while abducting travellers at fake checkpoints.

Since 2019, the army has mostly withdrawn from villages and smaller bases into so-called “super camps”, fortified garrisons meant to give better protection against attacks.

But critics say the strategy has left jihadists with more freedom to roam untouched in rural areas and made highways vulnerable to kidnappings and assaults. 

We will no longer tolerate those with “main objective to cause a disintegration” – DSS warns

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We will no longer tolerate those with “main objective to cause a disintegration” – DSS warns

The Department of State Services (DSS) has alleged that religious and political leaders who have either called for forceful change of government or mass action are collaborating with external forces seeking to plunge Nigeria into crisis.

The Service, through its spokesman, Peter Afunanya, accused some clerics and prominent leaders of making divisive comments.

The service warned that it will ”no longer tolerate deliberate machinations by subversive and hostile groups whose agenda is to throw the country into anarchy so as to serve the interests of their sponsors.”

The warning comes a few days after the Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, called on the National Assembly to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari if he fails to resign over rising insecurity in the country.

The DSS had in the past invited some prominent Nigerians, including a former deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Obadiah Mailafia, over their comments against the government.

Afunanya said the DSS won’t allow some individuals to break up the country through their ”unsavoury statements”.

”The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby condemns the unsavoury statements by misguided elements who have continued to threaten the government, sovereignty and corporate existence of this country.

”Notable are the unnecessary vituperations and activities of some religious and past political leaders who have either called for forceful change of government or mass action against it.

”It has been established that the main objective for these is to cause a disintegration of the country. It is unfortunate that those in the forefront of this are respectable individuals who should be patriotic and not allow their personal ambitions to ruin the nation.

”The Service has also noted their desperation and penchant to collaborate with external forces and influences against Nigeria. ‘They are reminded that even though democracy offers free speech, it does not give room to reckless pronouncements capable of undermining security.

”It is instructive to note that the ballot box remains the vehicle of change in a democracy.

”In this regard, self-centred individuals and groups are warned to stop engaging in acts inimical to the peace and sovereignty of this nation.

”In the same manner, influential personalities should be sensitive to the emerging situations and guard against divisive and inciting utterances that may cause a breakdown of law and order.

”Recently, the Service invited and cautioned some persons who deniably recounted their earlier statements or said they were quoted out of context.

”The public should be wary of such individuals and their co-travellers who, incite them in the open but, turn in the secret to retrieve their words after they had caused the damage.

”While the Service reaffirms its unambiguous support to an indivisible, indisolluble and united Nigerian State in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, it will no longer tolerate deliberate machinations by subversive and hostile groups whose agenda is to throw the country into anarchy so as to serve the interests of their sponsors.

”Consequently, the Service is assiduously working with other security and law enforcement agencies to ensure the maintenance of peace and internal security of the country.”

“We are better together than divided” – Bola Tinubu begs, says “I have no where I am going”

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“We are better together than divided” – Bola Tinubu begs, says “I have no where I am going”

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has appealed to those clamouring for secession to jettison such idea.

In a goodwill message at a Special Ramadan Prayer Tafsir lecture held at the Lagos House, Marina, on Sunday, Tinubu maintained that Nigeria is better together.

He said the drums of war being beaten by some people may result in crisis like Sudan and Iraq.

Nigeria, which according to him is yet to recover from the effect of the civil war, cannot afford to experience another war.

“For clamouring for war, God will not allow Nigeria to experience war. If we say Nigeria should separate, people should remember what war caused in Sudan and Iraq. Such war does not end on time and we are even yet to recover from the civil war.”

“We are better together than divided. I have nowhere I am going. Whoever has experienced war in the past will not pray for such. Nigeria will not separate; it is not acceptable to us. Our prayer is for prosperity and more wealth for the country and not separation or war,” he said.

Tinubu praised the governor of the state, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Kadiri Hamzat, for their achievements; saying the state has witnessed massive developments under the Sanwo-Olu administration.

Also, in his lecture at the event, the National Missioner of Ansaru-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Ahmad Abdul-Rahman, appealed to those clamouring for division in the country to have a rethink.

Though he admitted that insecurity is on the rise, he noted that with constant prayers, change of thoughts and character by Nigerians, the country would come out victorious.

The Governor of Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in his message promised to fulfill his campaign promises and deliver dividends of democracy to Lagosians.

He disclosed that the State government is in the process of installing 2,000 cameras across the state for security surveillance.

Sanwo-Olu assured that more funds would be deployed into the Security Trust Fund to empower the Police and other security operatives, while technology would be deployed around Lagos.

He also assured the Islamic clerics that the proposed LASTMA buses, which would be unveiled soon would eradicate the menace of Okada riders in the State.

Just In: Full list of members of national sports federations’ caretaker committees

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Just In: Full list of members of national sports federations’ caretaker committees

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, on Friday in Abuja announced the dissolution of 31 national sports federations.

The minister also immediately announced the constitution of caretaker committees to oversee the federations until elections into their boards.

Following is the full list of members of the caretaker committees:

1. AQUATICS FEDERATION OF NIGERIA
NAME DESIGNATION
1 Babatunde Fatai Williams Chairman
2 Onyeacholom Stephen Augustus Member
3 Sani Mohammed Secretary-General

2. ATHLETICS FEDERATION OF NIGERIA

NAME DESIGNATION
1 Olamide George Chairman
2 Maria Wophill Member
3 Adisa A. Beyioku Secretary-General

3. BADMINTON FEDERATION OF NIGERIA

NAME DESIGNATION
1 Francis Orbih Chairman
2 Olumide Bamiduro Member
3 Victor Osuoha Secretary-General

4. BASKETBALL FEDERATION OF NIGERIA

NAME DESIGNATION
1 Musa Kida Chairman
2 Prof. Florence B. Adeyanju Member
3 Afolabi Olabisi Omobola Secretary-General

5. NIGERIA BOXING FEDERATION
NAME DESIGNATION
1 Gen. Joseph Ayeni (Rtd.) Chairman
2 Mrs. Uche Julie Netufo Member
3 Obot Uko Monday Secretary-General

6. NIGERIA CHESS FEDERATION
NAME DESIGNATION

1 DIG. Sani Muhammed Chairman
2 Bode Durotoye Member
3 Akinyele Dapo Secretary-General

7. NIGERIA CRICKET FEDERATION
NAME DESIGNATION
1 Prof. Yahaya Adam Ukwanya Chairman
2 Prof. Mariamn Suleiman Member
3 Taiwo Oriss Secretary-General

8. CYCLING FEDERATION OF NIGERIA

NAME DESIGNATION
1 G. Massari Chairman
2 Mohammed Bashir Member
3 Shammah Makpa Secretary-General

9. DARTS FEDERATION OF NIGERIA
NAME DESIGNATION
1 Abubakar Gaiya Haruna Chairman
2 Rita Oyoku Nwaeke Member
3 Etim Udokang Secretary-General

10. NIGERIA DEAF SPORTS FEDERATION
NAME DESIGNATION
1 Alh. U. Nahuche Chairman
2 Ogundele Olusola Foluke Member
3 Agbabiaka Lukman Secretary-General

11. FIVES FEDERATION OF NIGERIA
NAME DESIGNATION
1 Abubakar A. Dangaladima Chairman
2 Sheba Victoria Jefferson Member
3 Salisu Mamman Secretary-General

12. NIGERIA GOLF FEDERATION
NAME DESIGNATION
1 Olagunsoye Oyinlola Chairman
2 Dr. Patrick Uwagbale Member
3 Almu Umar Lambu Secretary-General

13. GYMNASTICS FEDERATION OF NIGERIA

NAME DESIGNATION
1. Kelvin Erhurnwunse Chairman
2 Moyosore Ogunseinde Member
3 Davies Oludare Secretary-General

14. HANDBALL FEDERATION OF NIGERIA

NAME DESIGNATION
1 Samuel Ocheho Chairman
2 Halima Banjeminia Member
3 Muhammed Maigidansama Secretary-General

15. NIGERIA HOCKEY FEDERATION
NAME DESIGNATION
1 Sen Abdul Ningi Chairman
2 Dr Success Anyanwu Member
3 Rita Mosindi Secretary-General

16. NIGERIA JUDO FEDERATION
NAME DESIGNATION
1 Brig. Gen. Z.L. Abubakar Chairman
2 Prof. A.O. De-Souza Member
3 Monica Otumola Secretary-General

17. KARATE FEDERATION OF NIGERIA
NAME DESIGNATION
1 Silas Agara Chairman
2 Dare Jegede Member
3 Adamu Maikano Secretary-General

18. KICKBOXING FEDERATION OF NIGERIA
NAME DESIGNATION
1 Yakubu Abubakar Chairman
2 Dr. (Mrs) Uwaoma Ifeyinwa A Member
3 Ademisoro Oluwasegun Secretary-General

19 NIGERIA WUSHU KUNGFU FEDERATION
NAME DESIGNATION
1 Adewunmi Adekunle Chairman
2 Amaefule Kathleen Chimezien Member
3 Abbas Wosilat Secretary-General

20. NIGERIA ROWING, CANOEING & YATCHING FEDERATION
NAME DESIGNATION
1 R.A. Porbeni Festus Chairman
2 Ayorinde Oluwafemi Member
3 Olubunmi Oluode Secretary-General

21. NIGERIA RUGBY FEDERATION
NAME DESIGNATION
1. Iyorcha Grace Chairman
2 Ntisien Williams Member
3 James Eakyns Secretary-General

22. NIGERIA SCRABBLE FEDERATION

NAME DESIGNATION
1. Suleiman Garba Gora Chairman
2 Aka Olabotoke Member
3 Abimbola Adesiyan Secretary-General

23. NIGERIA SHOOTING FEDERATION
NAME DESIGNATION
1 Maj. Gen. Johnny Hamakim Chairman
2 Group Cpt. Rahinato Garba Member
3 Akanmu Olusoji Secretary-General

24. NIGERIA SQUASH FEDERATION
NAME DESIGNATION
1 Oyerinde Oyeyemi Adeboye Chairman
2 Uba Uchenna Chukwudi Member
3 Evelyn Fabunmi Secretary-General

25. NIGERIA TABLE TENNIS FEDERATION

NAME DESIGNATION
1. Tikon Ishaku Chairman
2 Oladapo Olabanji Member
3 Asiegbu Chimezie Secretary-General

26. NIGERIA TAEKWONDO FEDERATION
NAME DESIGNATION
1 Mrs. Margaret Binga Chairman
2 Chika Chukwumerije Member
3 Kabir Yusuf Secretary-General

27. NIGERIA TENNIS FEDERATION
NAME DESIGNATION
1 Akindoju Ifedayo Olaloye Chairman
2 Prof. Osaretin Aigbovo Member
3 Abulude John Oludayo Secretary-General

28. TRADITIONAL SPORTS FEDERATION OF NIGERIA

NAME DESIGNATION
1 Usman Musa Chairman
2 Bamdele B. Funke Member
3 Libata Ahmed Abdullahi Secretary-General

29. NIGERIA VOLLEYBALL FEDERATION

NAME DESIGNATION
1 Musa Nimrod Chairman
2 Habu Gumel Member
3 Ngozi Amayo Secretary-General

30. NIGERIA WEIGHTLIFTING FEDERATION

NAME DESIGNATION
1 Tonobok Ojuru Okowa Chairman
2 Laurence Iquaibom Member
3 Mariam Akande Secretary-General

31. NIGERIA WRESTLING FEDERATIONS

NAME DESIGNATION
1 Daniel Igali Chairman
2 Damiam Ohaike Member
3 Patrick Abobi Secretary-General

Reno Omokri writes Pope, wants Father Mbaka Investigated

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Reno Omokri writes Pope, wants Father Mbaka Investigated

Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has petitioned the world leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis to investigate Ejike Mbaka, a priest in Enugu state, for alleged shady dealings in politics.

Addressing the Vatican, Omokri accused Mbaka, the spiritual director of Adoration Ministry Enugu, Nigeria (AMEN), of making false allegations and dabbling into politics.

“You may or may not have heard of a certain Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka, a Catholic priest in Enugu, Nigeria, who has left the calling he took holy oaths to abide by, to dabble disastrously in politics,” Omokri said.

“At various times between the years 2015-2016, this fellow made public pronouncements to the effect that God had told him that He was displeased with and had departed from Nigeria’s then President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

“He then claimed that God had told him that his opponent, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) was (and these are his exact words, not mine) “an answer to prayer”, a man who would “save” Nigeria, a “liberator” of Nigeria, and the “glory” of Nigeria.”

Omokri touched on the role Mbaka played in the exit of his principal, Jonathan’s exit in the 2015 election and he slammed the priest for helping the Buhari-led administration win the 2019 election despite alleged failures on his first term.

“He also in the year 2015 made false allegations against Mr. Jonathan, to the effect that Mr. Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, wanted to assassinate him. That I am willing to make an oath on a sworn affidavit that that allegation is false, and that at the material time when he made that allegation, I called on Reverend Mbaka to substantiate them with evidentiary proof, of which he never did,” he added.

“That again in 2019, after Nigerians had gone through so much hardship under the said Major General Buhari, a man of very strong religious bias, Reverend Mbaka made pronouncements to the effect that Nigerians should continue with Buhari, after he had publicly humiliated a fellow Catholic, Peter Obi, on December 3, 2018, for failing to make a public donation, and called him “stingy” and said “the way you and Atiku are moving will end in shame.”

“In the opinion of many Nigerians, Reverend Father Mbaka has brought the Catholic Church into disrepute, and undermined the faith of the faithful, by his conduct. I therefore call on Your Holiness to investigate this matter, and take proper measures to ensure that there is discipline within the Catholic Church in Nigeria.”

Mbaka has been in the spotlight since Wednesday when he made a surprising U-turn and asked President Muhammadu Buhari to be sacked or resign from office.

Citing insecurity, the priest said ‘God is not happy with President Muhammadu Buhari’.

Police arrest job seeker’s killer, Uduak

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Police arrest job seeker’s killer, Uduak

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested the lead suspect in the murder of Iniubong Umoren, a job-seeker who went missing after she went for a job interview in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State.

Ini Ubong was later found buried in a shallow grave – The lead suspect in the murder case has been identified as one Uduak Frank Akpan

Announcing the arrest, Okido Macdon, spokesperson of Akwa Ibom police command, on Sunday reported that Akpan confessed to having lured Umoren to his house in the guise of giving her a job.

He was also quoted to have said he sexually and physically assaulted her afterwards, leading to her death.

Macdon added in a statement that the suspect subsequently buried the victim in a grave in his father’s house.

“The perpetrator who confessed to have lured his victim to his house in the guise of giving her a job, but ended up sexually and physically assaulting her which led to her death. To cover his tracks, he dragged and buried her in a shallow grave in his father’s compound,” the statement read.

“The deceased has been exhumed and deposited at UUTH for autopsy. The suspect confessed to have told his local government chairman of his atrocity before escaping to Calabar and was never at any time handed over to the Police by anyone.

“Suspect is a confessed serial rapist who has owned up to the raping of other victims. He will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigations.”

Iniubong left home for an interview at Airport Rd in the outskirts of Uyo April 29, 2021. About 2 hours later, she was said to have made a frantic phone call to her friend where she was heard screaming before the call was abruptly ended. Her phone was switched off shortly after that.

Her friend alleged that she was abducted by one Uduak Frank Akpan, from Nung Ikot Obio, after he lured her on social media with a fake job offer. The police said on Friday, April 30, that an investigation into the case has began and two persons have been arrested.

She was said to have been invited by one Frank Ezekiel Akpan regarding the job, after which she became unreachable.

However, in a post shared on Sunday morning, May 2, @umohuduak1 revealed that she was raped and murdered by her abductor. Details of her death are still sketchy, she was reportedly murdered and buried in a shallow grave.

“They killed my friend and they buried my friend,” she tweeted with a video of her in tears.

Nnamdi Kanu has ordered a total shutdown of the entire ‘Biafraland’ on May 30

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Nnamdi Kanu has ordered a total shutdown of the entire ‘Biafraland’ on May 30

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has ordered a total shutdown of the entire ‘Biafraland’ on May 30.

Kanu disclosed this in a statement released by the spokesman of the proscribed group, Emma Powerful on Sunday.

“We the global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our prophet and liberator of our time, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wish to announce to the public and Biafrans both home and abroad, that the annual anniversary of our fallen heroes and heroines will be on Sunday, 30th of May 2021,” Kanu said in the statement.

“As usual, there will be total lock down of the entire Biafraland on that day. There will be sit-at- home across Biafraland, Lagos, Abuja as well as northern towns with reasonable Biafran population.”

According to the statement, Kanu urged Biafra members residing in over 100 countries around the world and Christians in the northern region to join the shutdown to condole with the slain members of the group.

“The sit-at-home order is also to be observed in all the markets within and outside Biafraland where our people do their businesses. It shall also be observed by Diasporan Biafrans in the over 100 countries with the IPOB family is present,” the statement added.

“We equally request our fellow comrades in Yoruba, Middle Belt and other Christians living in the far North to solidarise with us in the event as we honour all those who have paid the supreme price in our struggle for total freedom.”

Just In: Niger state govt debunks viral video of Boko Haram terrorists forcefully converting people to Islam

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Just In: Niger state govt debunks viral video of Boko Haram terrorists forcefully converting people to Islam

The Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, has debunked a video circulating on social media alleging that Boko Haram terrorists are forcefully converting people to Islam in the state.

The video was shared by many handles on Twitter including a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, who said it happened in territories captured by Boko Haram in Niger State.

“Boko Haram and ISWA forcefully converting people to Islam in the parts of Niger state that they have captured, conquered, occupied and flown their flag. This is happening just two hours from Abuja! I warned you!” Fani-Kayode had tweeted on Sunday.

But Governor Bello said it is an old video that didn’t originate from Nigeria, talk more of Niger State.

“This widely shared video on social media is totally misleading and the work of those who wish to see the country up in flames. This video is an old video that does NOT even originate from Nigeria, talk more of Niger State.

“As citizens, we should rather use our vantage position to complement the peace efforts of the government than spread fake news, cause disunity, raise unnecessary alarm capable of causing disaffection among the peace-loving people of Niger State and Nigeria at large,” he tweeted.

Buhari wants journalists not to encourage words that could hurt Nigeria’s unity

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Buhari wants journalists not to encourage words that could hurt Nigeria’s unity

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged journalists not to encourage incendiary words and actions that could further hurt Nigeria’s unity.

On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the president, in a statement issued on Sunday by Femi Adesina, his spokesperson, said he’s recommitted to freedom of the press – the president urged media professionals to wield freedom responsibly, and without licentiousness.

He noted that freedom of the press is an irreducible minimum in a democracy that would flourish, adding that freedom must, however, be used responsibly.

“That everything is permitted does not mean that there are no rules of correctness, particularly in a polity seriously challenged as ours now,” the statement reads in parts.

“The media must be sensitive to what we are going through as a country, and anything that would exacerbate the situation, and further inflame passions and emotions, should be avoided.

“The media needs to ensure that while informing, educating, entertaining and setting agenda for public discourse, it does not encourage incendiary words and actions that could further hurt our unity in diversity.”

There is always difficulty assessing information from government institutions, but the president pledged to cooperate with the media to discharge its duties, in line with the theme of this year’s World Press Freedom Day, “Information as a Public Good.”

He charged those who manage information for government to do everything in public interest, while also encouraging the media to use the freedom on information (FoI) to make its jobs easier.

The president added that it is vital to have access to reliable information in an era of misinformation, disinformation and hate speech.

Hoodlums burn INEC office in Akwa Ibom

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Hoodlums burn INEC office in Akwa Ibom

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has disclosed that its office in Essien Udim Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State has been set ablaze.

This was contained in a Sunday statement issued by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye Esq.

According to the statement, the security guard at the INEC office escaped unhurt while stressing that the building and properties suffered extensive destruction.

INEC, however, revealed that an investigation by the police into the incident has commenced.

The statement read, “The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Akwa Ibom State, Barr. Mike Igini, has reported that our office in Essien Udim Local Government Area has been set ablaze.

“The incident occurred in the early hours of this morning, Sunday 2nd May 2021. Our security guard on duty escaped unhurt but the destruction to the building and properties therein was extensive. Items destroyed include 345 ballot boxes, 135 voting cubicles, megaphones, water tanks and office furniture.”

The statement lamented past attacks of it’s facilities and staff and said the unfortunate events is frustrating efforts to getting prepared for the 2023 general elections.

“It will be recalled that on the eve of the 2019 General Election, our newly constructed prototype LGA office in Ibesikpo Asutan was burnt down while two more offices in Mkpat Enin and Eastern Obolo LGAS were bombed.

“The recent attack on our facility after we have just concluded the inventory of electoral materials nationwide in readiness for the 2023 General Election is worrisome. If unchecked, these attacks may constitute a setback on the Commission’s preparations, including the ongoing conversion of Voting Points to Polling Units, the forthcoming Continuous Registration of Voters (CVR) exercise and the conduct of polls.

“Nevertheless, the Commission wishes to assure Nigerians that we will leave no stone unturned to recover from the incident in Akwa Ibom State as we continue to prepare for all electoral activities.

APC begs Nigerians not to play politics with insecurity

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APC begs Nigerians not to play politics with insecurity

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the spate of insecurity in parts of the country, should not call for playing to the gallery or playing of politics and that “no one be in doubt as to the urgency and capacity of the President Buhari-led government”.

Sen. John Akpanudoedehe, National Secretary, APC Caretaker, and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

The statement is APC’s response to the communique issued by governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on recent security incidents recorded in some parts of the country. Akpanudoedehe said the situation required that all well-meaning Nigerians, including the leadership of the opposition political parties to sit down and find lasting solutions.

He said the APC and the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government definitely shared the concerns of all Nigerians, including PDP governors. “However, let no one be in doubt as to the urgency and capacity of the President Buhari-led government to end the recent security incidents,” he said. He assured that President Buhari was working to achieve lasting solutions to all issues raised.

He, therefore, urged stakeholders to avoid politicising or being simplistic about the security situation. Akpanudoedehe said at a time like this, our duty to the nation as good citizens should outweigh political party colourations. He added that as those who received constant security briefings, PDP governors should know that divisive rhetorics could only embolden the criminals who were carrying out these cowardly acts.

“This is not the time to play to the gallery, but sit down to find real and lasting solutions, the latter is what the President Buhari administration is doing,” Akpanudoedehe said.

He added that while high-level investigations were ongoing to fish out sponsors and perpetrators of the security incidents, the president had already given marching orders to security services to address the situation. He prayed that the investigations should not reveal conspiracies to weaken the government in furtherance of desperate 2023 aspirations.

Akpanudoedehe expressed confidence that PDP governors and indeed all stakeholders would cooperate and support ongoing efforts to quickly and permanently end the security incidents.

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