IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, has advised persons vying for political offices to abide by the rules of the game and maintain decorum in the forthcoming elections. 

Addressing journalists in Abuja at the bi-weekly media briefing of the Defence Media Operations, General Irabor warned that any attempt to circumvent the process would be dealt with according to the nation’s laws. “They must allow peace reign in the country by navigating away from actions and comments that can undermine national security as they engage in political campaigns,” the CDS maintained.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, has advised persons vying for political offices to abide by the rules of the game and maintain decorum in the forthcoming elections. Addressing journalists in Abuja at the bi-weekly media briefing of the Defence Media Operations, General Irabor warned that any attempt to circumvent the process would be dealt with according to the nation’s laws.

“They must allow peace reign in the country by navigating away from actions and comments that can undermine national security as they engage in political campaigns,” the CDS maintained. 

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Kano said three priorities of the administration, security, economy and corruption, have received significant attention, with measurable results, following his vision of making Nigeria more peaceful, prosperous and reliable, among nations.

At the Passing Out Parade of the Regular Course 4/2016 Cadets of the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, the President noted that policies and actions of the government made impact on the tripod vision, in spite of challenges, assuring that more will still be done to safeguard lives and property, enhance livelihood and ensure probity. “As you are all aware, this administration came to office determined to make impact in three main areas: security, building a sustainable economy and fight against corruption. We can say that recent positive developments in these areas have shown that despite the challenges on ground, we can see general improvement in all three areas.

“In the area of corruption, as you are all aware, I am determined to ensure that we do not have a repeat of what has gone on in previous administrations and we have taken a strong stand against pervasive corruption. “This administration has also focused on security by repositioning our national security to perform their duties effectively. We have equally embarked on some crucial changes in their funding, structure, and modes of operation. With the launching/empowerment of the Police Trust Fund, this administration swung into action after taking the assessment of needs for possible interventions in the provision of logistics and infrastructural needs of the Force,’’ he said.

Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has warned of the implications of ongoing plot of by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to change its own rules at the end of the game to favour preferred aspirants in Abia State, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stick to the rules of the game in accordance with the Electoral Act 2022 to safeguard the country's democracy. 

The CNPP in a statement signed by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, noted “with dismay that the APC, which is supposed to be a shinning light for all political parties will engage in a manipulative process against its own rules.”

The statement was issued on the heels of a move by the APC to replace candidates that emerged after its direct primaries in Abia in line with its request to the INEC in its letter dated 25th May, 2022, with reference no. APC/NHDCINEC/19/022/61, in which the party adopted direct primaries mode of election in Abia, Benue and Osun States. 

The letter was signed by the party’s National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu and the National Secretary, Senator lyiola Omisore and in response, INEC monitored the primary which produced the immediate-past Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uche Ogah, as the APC governorship candidate in Abia State.

The CNPP noted that “We are worried that the APC, after the primary election in Abia State, turn around to plot to upturn the outcome of the election in a fresh letter backdated to 26th May 2022 notifying the commission "that Abia State was inadvertently included among states for direct primaries”, which we see as a bad omen ahead of the 2023 general elections.  

“The CNPP, therefore, strongly condemned this unhealthy development and calls on INEC and the APC to thread with caution and play politics according to the rules as that is the only way to deepen the country's democracy and promote good governance. 

“Nigerians and the whole world is watching as the attempt to submit a fresh letter to the commission today, June 16, 2022 after the primary election has been won and lost is a Coup against democracy that cannot be tolerated in a sane clime”, the statement read.

The Anambra state police command on June 13 uncovered a hotel named Gally Gally in Nkpor where children between the ages of 14 and 17 are allegedly being used for s€x s!aves, and baby factory. 

A statement released by DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, spokesperson of the state police command, states that the operatives rescued, 35 girls and 4 of them are pregnant. He said the police also arrested 3 persons namely: Mrs Ifeoma Uzo age ‘F’ 35yrs, Chidiebere Alaka ‘M’ 28years and Nweke Chidiebere. 

''We recovered three pump action gu n, seven cartridges and cash sum of Eight hundred and seventy seven thousand, five hundred naira (#877,500).

The Suspects arrested are being interrogated with a view to eliciting information on their involvement and unmasking other gang members.'' the statement in part read

Tochukwu added that the police will hand over the victims to NAPTIP for the welfare and rehabilitation of the children. 

He said all suspects will be charged to court at the end of the investigations.

The National Peace Committee (NPC) has appealed to the residents of Ekiti to choose peace over violence in the coming governorship election in the state. Chairman of the committee and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, made the appeal in a statement barely a week to the Election Day.

He urged the people to come out without fear, but with hope to exercise their franchise and vote to deepen the democratic process in the state. General Abdulsalami also advised the youths not to make themselves pawns in the hands of the political class but should be aware that the security, stability, and future of Nigeria remain their common patrimony.

He urged everyone taking part in the election to follow due process, conduct themselves with civility and patriotism, and ensure they do not take the laws into their hands no matter the grievances they may hold against individuals and other stakeholders in the poll. The NPC chairman reminded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and others that Nigerians and the world were monitoring them as they expect a level-playing field for all parties.

According to him, the conduct and peaceful outcome of the Ekiti State off-cycle election will put to test all the claims of reforms and strategic policy implementations of the last four years. General Abdulsalami also believes the governorship election will offer an opportunity to assess how the 2023 elections will span out. He disclosed that the various political parties and stakeholders in the election would sign a peace accord on Wednesday in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.

Midfielder Nemanja Matic has joined Italian club Roma on a one-year deal. It is the third time Jose Mourinho has signed the 33-year-old after bringing him to Chelsea in 2014 and then Manchester United three years later.

Former Serbia international Matic left the Old Trafford club when his contract ended earlier this month. Roma's general manager Tiago Pinto said: "The enthusiasm he showed at the prospect of joining our project was hugely encouraging. "I am sure that will serve as a starting point for a very productive journey for all of us.

"Nemanja brings with him to Roma, not just a lot of quality on the pitch, but the vast experience he has gained from so many seasons in the Premier League and a focus and mentality that has consistently set him apart throughout his career."

Under Mourinho, Matic won the Premier League at Chelsea and played in an FA Cup and Europa League final for United. He has signed a deal with Roma until June 2023 and will wear the number 21 shirt for the Europa Conference League winners.