IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

A former Chief Judge of Anambra State, Retired Justice Peter Umeadi, has emerged as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Justice Umeadi who is the sole presidential aspirant of APGA was declared the winner of the primary election of the party on Wednesday. His candidacy was affirmed by 150 delegates who voted at a special convention of the party held in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The former chief judge, in his acceptance speech, asked Nigerians to respect the ballot and promised to secure votes at the polls that would transform the county. 

Following the recent confirmation of Monkey Pox resurgence in Nigeria and the death of one person with co-morbidity, the federal government has urged hunters and dealers to stop buying, selling and consumption of bushmeat forthwith. 

In a press statement signed by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar, said the order was necessary to prevent any possibility of spillover of the pathogen in Nigeria through the practice of selling and buying of the bushmeat. The Federal Government through the minister revealed that there are heightened collaborations between ministries, departments and agencies of government as well as the private sector to ensure that the resurgence of the monkeypox virus in Nigeria is contained and brought under control. 

Abubakar also noted that the ministry, through its Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services, is actively collaborating with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and other stakeholders in the One Health Team to ensure the situation is contained and brought under control.

However, the minister advised Nigerians to avoid contact with persons suspected to be infected with Monkey Pox at home and at work places and discourage the act of consumption, trade and keeping of non-human primate as well as rodents as pets in homes. 

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar has received Rivers State Governor at his residence in Abuja.

Mr Atiku had earlier met Wike in Abuja at the latter’s Abuja residence, hours after Atiku beat him to the party’s presidential ticket. Mr Wike, after the initial meeting, proceeded to Rivers State, where he was greeted by his supporters.

It appears Mr Wike then travelled to Abuja for the second meeting on Wednesday. 

“It was a pleasure to receive His Excellency Nyesom Wike in the company of notable leaders and officials of our great party, the PDP, at my residence today,” Atiku said in a statement on Facebook. “I am proud of the promises that this spirit of camaraderie holds for our party as a united front that guarantees victory in the next election to rescue the country.”

The PDP is currently shopping for a Vice Presidential candidate for Atiku and Mr Wike has been rumoured to be one of the favourites to fill the post.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said his administration will continue to defend the interest of law-abiding Nigerians abroad. He stated this during a meeting with Nigerians living in Spain on the sidelines of his official visit, pledging that Nigeria will continue to defend the interests of its nationals living abroad.

“Some of you are engaged in other businesses that have enhanced your socio-economic status, both here and at home. More importantly, through your commitment to your various callings, you have enhanced the name and image of our country, thereby, earning Nigeria respect in Spain,” Buhari was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his media aide, Femi Adesina.

“Many of you are here for different reasons, some for a fulfilling career in sports, especially in football from where you earn respectable incomes to sustain yourselves as well as maintain your extended families in Nigeria including investments back home.

“I have also been informed of how law-abiding you are here in Spain. I wish to encourage you to continue to be role models for our youth back home as well as sustain the image of being excellent Ambassadors of Nigeria in Spain and live peacefully in the various communities in which you reside here.”

The Diaspora team, which met with the President included John Bosco, President of the association, his deputy, Richard Omoregbe; Super Eagles player who plies his trade with Leganes FC, Madrid, Kenneth Omeruo; Obinna Okafor, a football agent, Mohammed Bashir; a student of Aviation, Segun Adedoyin, studying Global Affairs, and Bright Omorodion, a businessman. 

The suspended Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, has been released on bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the development. The EFCC had arrested Idris on May 16 over an N80 billion fraud.

He was arrested after failing to honour the commission’s invitations to respond to issues connected to the fraudulent act, the EFCC said. After his arrest, the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, suspended Idris.

The suspension was contained in a letter by the minister dated May 18, in which she said the move was necessitated by the need to “allow for proper and unhindered investigation into the serious allegations in line with Public Service Rules 030406”. 

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has revealed plans to reconstitute the State Executive Council. The governor had on May 24 announced the dissolution of the council through his Special Assistant, Mr Kelvin Ebiri, with immediate effect.

However, his (Wike) decision to reconstitute the council followed his Communication to the State Assembly for the screening and confirmation of three Commissioner nominees. The Speaker of the Assembly, Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani on Friday read Governor Wike’s letter during plenary.

The nominees include two former Commissioners on the immediate past cabinet and one former Special Adviser to Governor Wike. They are former Commissioners Professor Zaccheaus Adangor (SAN), who was the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, and Mr Isaac Kamalu, who was the Commissioner for Finance.

The other nominee is Dr Alabo George-Kelly, who was Governor Wike’s Adviser on Special Project.