How Wike Orchestrated My Removal As Governor – Umahi

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March 28, 2023

How Wike Orchestrated My Removal As Governor – Umahi

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has claimed that the outgoing Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike was the reason the Federal High Court sacked him as governor sometime in 2022.

The Eastern Updates recalls that in March, 2022 a Federal High Court in Abuja had sacked Umahi alongside his deputy Kelechi Igwe, with 15 lawmakers in the state over their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

The 15 lawmakers were elected on the PDP platform before they joined him in dumping the party for the APC. However, an Appellate Court later restored Umahi’s mandate.

Speaking on the incident on Monday during the commissioning of the remodeled community secondary school, Okoro nu Odo, in Rivers State, Umahi said that he would never fight Wike again.

He pointed out that no one can fight the Rivers Governor and win.

He said, ‘First look at the decamping of G-3 governors – Cross River, Zamfara and Ebonyi; that is the stepping stone, of course governor Wike fought us; fought us very, very badly.

‘And when APC people said why are you supporting Wike, I said what did you do when Wike removed me in the first court as governor of Ebonyi State, you want me to come and fight again? I chose my fight, I said I will not fight the man again. But the truth is that if anybody thinks he can win Governor Wike in Rivers State, that is a joke taken too far. And I am very bold to say that.’

Meanwhile, Umahi has appealed to the president-elect, Bola Tinubu, to work towards integrating Wiki, into his government when he comes to power.

The Ebonyi State governor said Wike has “a lot to offer for the unity of the country” which would be highly beneficial to the Tinubu-led Federal Government.

The Eastern Updates

Ebonyi: Protesting Women Did Not Burn Houses – Police

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March 27, 2023

Ebonyi Protesting Women Did Not Burn Houses – Police

The Police Command in Ebonyi State said no house was burnt during last weekend’s protest in the Ishiagu community, Ivo Local Government Area of the state.

The Eastern Updates reports that some media outfits had over the weekend reported that the palace of the traditional ruler, Moses Ngele, was razed by the protesters.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, told NAN on Sunday that calm has been restored to the community.

‘There was a protest by women of the community due to the death of one Arinze suspected to be killed by gunmen.’

‘The women barricaded the roads, burnt tyres, and vandalised some properties at the palace,’ she said.

The PPRO pointed out that the protesters complained that leaders and prominent people in the community have been indifferent to the issue.

A resident of the community, Mr. Emmanuel Orji, said the protest staged by women from various villages which make up the community, was largely peaceful.

The Eastern Updates

‘You Offended God In 2023 Elections’ — Mbaka Lambasts Clergy

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March 27, 2023

'You Offended God In 2023 Elections' — Mbaka Lambasts Clergy — Rev Fr. Ejike Mbaka

Controversial Catholic Priest of Adoration Ministry Enugu, Rev Fr. Ejike Mbaka has asserted that the clergy of all Christian denominations in Nigeria offended God in different positions they took in the processes to the 2023 general election.

Mbaka however submitted that he would not talk much of politics so as not to be sent back to the Monastery again, but noted strongly that on behalf of all the clergy, he has apologised to God to forgive the priests who took different ways offensive to the church and God in the process to the general election.

The fiery made this assertion in the Adoration ground, Umuchigbo-Nike Enugu while celebrating the Catholic mothering Sunday for the Adoration mothers, yesterday.

He prayed for Nigerian women and their families, asking God not to allow blessings to depart from their families.

Mbaka whose mother also celebrated the Mass said that motherhood comes with challenges and made special tributes to his mother whom he discloses laboured much during his birth, noting that it was good his mother is still alive to witness his life and times.

On the political scene, Mbaka said: ‘I apologise on behalf of all the priests and pastors for our shortcomings, particularly during the election and in this political period. We have offended God in the process but let God forgive us because we got it wrong.

‘The power of God is above any rigging, the country is rotten, let us use the times we are expensing for politicking to search for solutions to our problems. Politics is now dividing Nigerians and all these politicians I call them political hawks and vultures.’

Mother General of the Adoration Ministry, Trans-Ekulu zonal leader, Mrs. Ngozi Chigbo prayed that their children should obey them to be successful in life while as mothers they will continue to seek and pray for their children’s welfare.

The Eastern Updates

Unknown Gunmen Murder 2 Policemen At Checkpoint In Enugu

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March 27, 2023

Unknown Gunmen Murder 2 Policemen At Checkpoint In Enugu

Some yet-to-be-identified Gunmen yesterday attacked a police checkpoint and killed two policemen In Enugu State.

The police are yet to confirm or dismiss the attack but a viral video showed that at a police checkpoint that took place near the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.

The Eastern Updates reports that a viral video making the rounds showed two policemen in uniform lying in pools of blood.

While one lay on the ground, the other was seen inside the gutter.

The hoodlums were said to have opened fire on the checkpoint and the police officers.

The Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Ammani, said Many of the hoodlums escaped with varying degrees of fatal gunshot injuries in the ensuing gun duel, while two of the Operatives, who sustained severe gunshot injuries, were moved to the hospital, where they were confirmed dead and their corpses deposited in the mortuary for preservation.

Consequently, the manhunt of the assailants, which was immediately launched, resulted in the miscreants abandoning the black-colored Mercedes Benz ML 350 4Matic Jeep they used for the operation along Enugu/Port-Harcourt Road, Enugu. The vehicle, riddled with gunshots and blood stains, has been recovered. The recovery of the vehicle and the signs thereof corroborates the preliminary investigation, which suggests that at least two of the hoodlums were neutralised.

He ordered Tactical/Operational Operatives of the Command to sustain the ongoing manhunt operation, warning that anything short of fishing out and bringing the assailants to book, to assuage the unfortunate loss of the two Operatives, will not be accepted.

The Eastern Updates

Abia Will Be Rededicated To God Before Swearing-In – Otti

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March 27, 2023

Abia Will Be Rededicated To God Before Swearing-In - Otti

Abia State Governor-elect, Dr. Alex Otti has declared that the state has fallen short of its original status as ‘God’s Own State,’ and hence would be rededicated back to God before he officially assumes office on 29th of May, 2023.

Otti, who worshipped at both the Living Word Ministries on Aba-Owerri Road and Christ the King Church (CKC) Asa Road, Aba, thanked Abians, particularly the Church and its leaders, for standing by him and voting massively for the Labour Party (LP) in the just-concluded general elections.

This was made known in a statement by his media aide, Kazie Uko.

It pointed out that the incoming governor whose speeches at the various churches were greeted with intermittent applause and shouts of joy, however, asked the Church not to rest yet as it still had work to do.

‘I know how had you fought last Saturday, March 18, 2023. It was a fight for freedom. God used all of you and freedom we now have. I want to say that we dedicate the victory to God Almighty and He will take all the glory.

“At some point (during the election) the usual ill wind that accompanied elections in Abia started again, but the game changer called BVAS became their albatross. They almost had their way but God said, no. God said that enough is enough.Now, this victory is not for me. I don’t need anything. It’s for you. I’m just a vessel to work for you and you know I will work for you.

‘What is happening in Abia State today is not ordinary. Before we’re sworn in, we will bring the state back to God. The Bible says that when the righteous are in power, the people rejoice. Again, it says when the wicked rule the people groan. We have been groaning until Wednesday when we started rejoicing,’ Otti told the congregation at CKC.

Otti urged the church to continue to pray for the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, who is currently in court contesting the outcome of the presidential election, held Saturday, February 25, 2023, where the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Eastern Updates

Iwuanyanwu Never Referred To Yoruba As ‘Political Rascals’

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March 27, 2023

Iwuanyanwu Never Referred To Yoruba As 'Political Rascals' — Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu

Apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze-Ndigbo has debunked the story making the rounds that the Chairman of its Elders Council, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, referred to Yoruba in Lagos State as political rascals.

The apex Igbo social cultural organisation described the news as a lie from the pit of hell.

In a statement, on Sunday in Enugu by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, the group denied that Iwuanyanwu made such a comment while speaking in Awka, Anambra State, on Saturday during an event to mark the one year in the office of Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo.

‘The report is a typical falsehood, fabricated by social media entrepreneurs, decorated with wings, expanded with venom, injected with ethnic nuances to create inter-ethnic mistrust between the age-long partners in social, cultural, religious and economic development of Nigeria.’

Ogbonnia clarified that what Iwuanyanwu said was, ‘I want to tell those in Lagos to realise that there is no war between us and the Yorubas…those who attacked Ndigbo in Lagos recently are rascals who should be arrested.’

He lamented how the Ohanaeze chieftain’s words were mischievously twisted to imply ‘Yoruba people are political rascals and that we will fight them.’

He said platforms that carried the twisted statement were bent on creating a rift between Igbo and Yoruba.

“As much as some mischief makers will twist the speech by Iwuanyanwu, the truth remains that he holds the Yoruba in a very high esteem and he used the Awka event to express it.”

Ogbonnia said what Iwuanyanwu emphasised in his Awka speech was that no one “must attribute the ugly event in Lagos to the good people of Yoruba, rather, it was the handiwork of rascals, hooligans, charlatans, miscreants and dregs of Lagos society.

‘It is important to highlight that Chief Iwuanyanwu is a renowned patriotic detribalized Nigerian who has enjoyed the fidelity, confidence, solidarity, support of the Yoruba when he was in active business and politics. Iwuanyanwu in all his private and public discussions has often commended the profound Yoruba cultural values, intellect and hospitality. He applauds the cordial relationship between the Igbo and the Yoruba, citing that several Igbo are integral parts of various Yoruba communities.’

Meanwhile, Iwuanyanwu has charged Igbo to continue to live in peace and harmony with the Yoruba, irrespective of ongoing incitements.

The Eastern Updates

Senate Presidency: Why Kalu Is Best For The Job – Esin

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March 27, 2023

Senate Presidency Why Kalu Is Best For The Job – Esin — Sen, Orji Uzor Kalu

A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Larry Esin, has called on lawmakers on the platform of the party and the party faithful for the realisation of the Senate presidency bid of Orji Uzor Kalu.

Esin, who is former special adviser to former governor Donald Duke of Cross Rivers State, said Nigeria was at a cross road and required leaders like Kalu to assist resolve its socio-economic challenges.

‘Never before in our post-war history has the unity of this country been so challenged; thus the need to bring in men and women of goodwill, character and capacity to bind the nation’s wounds, sue for peace and put the country back on track towards nationhood and sustainable development.

‘Kalu, as Senate president, will re-ignite the true purpose of governance, which is the fulfilment of this great country’s promise to its citizens, the promise of equal protection under the law, justice and equity. Kalu, as Senate president, will also reassure our brothers in the South East of effective inclusion in the affairs of Nigeria as well as demand their contributions and responsibility to the Nigeria project,’ Esin said.

Kalu, who is chief whip of the Senate, recently declared it was his turn to become head of the 10th Senate.

The former governor of Abia State, who made the assertion while answering questions from newsmen at the National Assembly, Abuja, urged the APC to zone the seat to the South East.

He said with his position as chief whip he is the most ranking senator from the region and, therefore, deserves the position.

‘So, I will like the party to zone it to my zone, to my village in Igbere because president-elect, Bola Tinubu needs people of high character to turn around the economy and work for the masses, make laws that will enable him turn around the economy, because, I am an economic person, an entrepreneur,’ he said.

His bid has also received the backing of a political pressure group, The Equality Movement that said the Senate chief whip possessed the aptitude to lead the upper legislative chamber.

The Eastern Updates

‘Turn New Leaf Or Relocate’, Abia NSCDC Warns Criminals

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March 27, 2023

'Turn New Leaf Or Relocate', Abia NSCDC Warns Criminals

Criminal elements operating in Abia State have been warned to turn a new leave or relocate immediately by the State commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Paul Igwebuike.

Igwebuike gave this wanting on Sunday when six persons suspected of illegal dealing in petroleum products were paraded at the command’s headquarters in Umuahia, the state capital.

He said the command is poised to execute its mandate and the zero tolerance of the commandant general of the corps, Ahmed Audi for illegal dealings in petroleum products and vandalism.

‘I want to assure the people of the state that under my leadership, the command will stop at nothing in our resolve to checkmate unwholesome activities by criminals,” he vowed.

‘Although I am just few days in the state, but from the day I assumed duty, I made it clear that our activities will be intelligence-driven and it is paying off already,’ he added.

Explaining that the parading was a strong signal to criminals, he said the suspects were arrested at Gass Line by Iheoma, Uratta, Aba, following a tip-off from the command’s informants.

The suspects are Maduakolam Uzoije (25 years), David Lazarus (24 years), Anambra; Chukwuebuka Onwuzurigbo (18 years), Abuchi Eze (35 years), Tochukwu Onwuzurigbo (48 years), and Ezechi Emeka (41years).

According to him, items recovered from the suspects include a truck with Reg. No. SSM 839 X loaded with about 42 drums of petroleum products suspected to be crude oil.

He thanked the general public for their support through providing of timely information and reiterated that every information the command received shall be treated with utmost confidentiality.

The Eastern Updates

Lagos Election: Igbos Will Never Be Killed Again – Iwuanyanwu

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March 26, 2023

Lagos Election: Igbos Will Never Be Killed Again – Iwuanyanwu — Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu

An Elder statesman and a Southeast leader, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu has come out to condemn the attacks and reported killings of Igbos during the just concluded elections in Lagos State.

The Eastern Updates recalls that the general elections which were held on February 25 and March 18 in the state witnessed several incidents of harassment, and intimidation of Igbo people.

Residents in the state have continued to lament how thugs scuttled the process in many polling units, particularly locations where Igbos and other voters support the Labour Party, LP.

In his reaction on Saturday, Iwuanyawu declared that Southeasterners will resist any further attempt to suppress them or take their lives.

The businessman, considered one of Nigeria’s richest, spoke at a town hall meeting at the International Conference Centre in Awka.

The gathering was part of the events organised to commemorate the first year of Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo.

‘I want to make our people in Lagos know that on Wednesday, I called a meeting of Ohanaeze council of elders worldwide. And we express (sic) the events in Lagos.

‘I want to tell you that we have resolved that never, never again can we allow anybody to take the life of any innocent Igbo person.

‘All of us are going to fight the person, we are going to fight the person. Never again!

‘We are in Nigeria, and we have invested in Nigeria. We are not going to take the pressure of telling us to go, we are not going anywhere.

‘I want to tell those in Lagos to realise that there is no war between us and Yorubas…(violent) Yorubas are just political rascals. We are going to handle them,’ he stated.

Iwuanyanwu further disclosed that elders had directed the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to set up a commission of enquiry on the Lagos matter.

The Awka event had in attendance former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Soludo’s predecessor Peter Obi, among other dignitaries.

The Eastern Updates

We Have No Plan To Impeach Ikpeazu – Abia Lawmakers

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March 26, 2023

We Have No Plan To Impeach Ikpeazu - Abia Lawmakers — Governor Okezie Ikpeazu

The House of Assembly in Abia State has described as false rumours the reports that the lawmakers planned to impeach the outgoing Governor of the State, Okezie Ikpeazu.

Mr. Ifeanyi Uchendu, the Deputy Speaker, who dismissed the rumours while addressing newsmen in Aba on Saturday, said that the lawmakers had never contemplated such a plan.

Uchendu urged members of the public to disregard the rumours, assuring that the Assembly would continue to support the governor till the end of his tenure.

Also, Mr. Solomon Akpulonu, the Majority Leader, said that the rumours emanated from mischief makers.

Akpulonu said that the Assembly was pleased with the achievements recorded by Gov. Ikpeazu, especially in the area of infrastructural development.

Also, the Minority Leader, Mr Chijioke Chukwu, said individuals peddling the rumours were doing so to malign the state House of Assembly.

Recall that Ikpeazu has sent out his congratulations to the Labor Party candidate, Alex Otti, for winning the governorship election in the state.

Ikpeazu in a statement issued and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, said Otti has fought a long battle and deserves commendation for his staying power and resilience.

He said, ‘Since we have come to the logical end of this battle, it is appropriate to congratulate the winner, Dr. Alex Otti on his hard-fought victory. In every battle, there will always be a winner and in the spirit of sportsmanship and love for our state, the Governor elect must see his victory as a higher call to service to the people of Abia State’.

The governor also commended the PDP candidate, Okey Ahiwe, for their doggedness and advised other candidates not to distract the Governor-elect with court cases.

The Eastern Updates

The Eastern Updates

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