IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

As written by The New Nigeria Crew

On the 31st of January when he declared his intention to run for the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, there were a trail of reactions that followed this move.

In retrospect, his declaration illustrates the beauty that lies in Democracy. It showcases the diversity and the freedom of candidates with true intentions to render their service to the people as democracy revolves around the people. Twenty-three years after democracy was adopted and came into full play, election periods have arrived and it’s imperative we are conscious of the caliber of leaders we allow to get close to the corridors of power.

Rochas Owelle Okorocha has proved his mettle in service to humanity. From his activities before and during power, we can boldly say that his style of leadership is a servant-leader type and also satiates the need for a president from the Igbo extraction.

He is not without bad press though as day after day, articles against him meant to soil his name are being churned out in their numbers and although such nefarious claims shouldn’t be paid heed to, it is important we state the facts that these are all falsehood and begs the question of who is afraid of Rochas? Who are those hell bent on making sure Nigeria does not rise from the things that have plagued her? Who are those trying to avoid Nigerians seeing the light and demanding for better? Who are those willing to mortgage the future of Nigeria for a few morsels from their paymasters? Who are those trying to cause disunity and disarray in the nation by trying to divide that which unites us?

As citizens, it is our collective right to demand for good governance and make sure we get it. In Rochas lies these possibilities. His narratives cannot be exhausted because it is a reminder of what he is capable of doing. 

The New Nigeria will surely emerge and from the dusts and ashes of our yesterday will rise a better Nigeria which will be the pride of even generations yet unborn. We are ready for it.

There was pandemonium on Sunday as yet to be identified gunmen burnt down Idemili North Local Government secretariat in Ogidi and a Magistrate Court in the area .

Sources said the arsonists entered the premises on Sunday night to perpetuate the act, burning down all files, properties in the secretariat, including the secretariat building and cars.

Confirming the incident, Anambra State Police Command attributed the ugly incident to a yet to be identified arsonists.

DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, the spokesperson of the State Police Command said: “Yes, the incident was confirmed, and our men were there to restore normalcy.

“Right now, the fire has been put off, and calm has been restored to the area,” Ikenga told Imo Breaking News Correspondent.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) Dr. Monday Ubani has advised lawyers to be circumspect over calls for the cancellation of the 2022 NBA-SPIDEL Conference scheduled to hold in Sokoto in protest against the murder of a female student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education by irate youths in Sokoto, Deborah Samuel. This is even as the State Governor, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has continued to intensify efforts towards ensuring that the peaceful atmosphere in the state of the Caliphate is not breached by the unfortunate incident.

Tambuwal, immediately after the unfortunate incident happened, first met with the Chairman of the state chapter of the Christians Association of Nigeria, CAN, Rev. Nuhu Iliya, before meeting with the Council of Ulamas in the State. The Governor has also met with various strategic political and religious leaders, opinion molders and relevant stakeholders in the state, during which his message centered, primarily, on the need to ensure peaceful coexistence among all the people in the state. The Chairman of the NBA section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) Dr. Ubani maintained that it is preposterous for lawyers to call for the cancellation of the 2022 NBA-SPIDEL Conference scheduled to hold in Sokoto in protest against the killing of Deborah which was carried out by law breakers in the state.

According to him, “the barbaric act was not authorized or approved by the State Government to our knowledge. In fact the State Government has issued a statement condemning the act and requested that the crime perpetrators be brought to book. "Arrest of two persons have been made and we await the outcome of the process. Gentlemen let us all be circumspect over the sad Sokoto incident. "The barbaric Killing is condemnable as no individual has any right, under our present jurisprudence, to take life except in accordance with due process.

"Assuming but not conceding that the said lady has committed a written and known crime, the state alone has the requisite power to prosecute and punish the alleged crime. Extra judicial killing is not allowed by our laws.” "Having said that, it will be preposterous for someone who is a lawyer to be suggesting that we should cancel our conference that is billed to take place in Sokoto because of the acts of law breakers in the state.” “I have sent a text (MESSAGE) to the Governor and the AG (Attorney-General of Sokoto), and requesting for a statement that our safety is guaranteed. "I am in touch with the President of the Bar, Mr Olumide Akpata and if there is any need to take a drastic decision about the conference in Sokoto we will ensure prompt communication to the constituency. 

“It is absolutely wrong for our colleagues, without locus, to be calling for boycott of the conference when the state government that is hosting is not complicit in this heinous crime unless there is evidence to the contrary.

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against President Muhammadu Buhari “over his failure to probe allegations that over N1.48 trillion reportedly spent on maintaining the country’s four refineries between 2015 and 2020 may have been stolen, mismanaged or diverted into private pockets.”

The government reportedly spent N10.23 billion in June 2020 on three refineries that processed zero crude. Also in 2021, the government approved $1.5 billion (about N600 billion) to repair the Port Harcourt refinery. Despite the huge spending, the refineries are still not working while fuel scarcity persists. In the suit number FHC/L/CS/806/2022 filed last week at the Federal High Court, Lagos, SERAP is seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel President Buhari to investigate the spending on Nigeria’s refineries, and alleged mismanagement of public funds budgeted for maintaining the refineries since 1999.”

SERAP is also seeking “an order of mandamus to compel President Buhari to ensure the prosecution of anyone suspected to be responsible for the importation and distribution of dirty fuel into Nigeria and to identify and ensure access to justice and effective remedies to affected victims. SERAP is arguing that “It is in the public interest to ensure justice and accountability for alleged corruption and mismanagement in the oil sector, which has resulted in the importation and distribution of dirty fuel and protracted fuel scarcity in the country.”

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said he "could not be prouder" of his quadruple-chasing side after they beat Chelsea on penalties to win the FA Cup. The Reds replicated their shootout win over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final by triumphing 6-5 on spot-kicks after a goalless 90 minutes and extra time.

"I couldn't be more proud of my boys, the shift they put in, how hard they fought," Klopp told BBC Sport. "It was an incredible game, a nerve-wracking shootout, my nails are gone." Klopp, 54, became the first German manager ever to lift the FA Cup after edging out compatriot Thomas Tuchel in a Wembley final for the second time in less than three months.

As in February's final, the shootout went to sudden death with Alisson's save from Mason Mount handing Liverpool the advantage before Konstantinos Tsimikas slotted home the winning penalty. "It was intense - Chelsea would have deserved it exactly the same way we did, just like in the Carabao Cup - that's how small the margins are," added Klopp.

"Chelsea played outstanding but in the end there must be one winner and that was us today."