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10th NASS: Allow Democracy To Thrives, Oduwa Frontiers Tells APC NWC

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The socio -political group under the umbrella of ‘Oduwa Frontiers’ has called on the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to follow the path of honour and justice by reversing the unsolicited, unpopular zoning proposal and allow democracy and its tenets to thrive.

The group called on the President-elect to interrogate this skewed arrangement and give direction that reflects our collective commitment to equality, fairness, and inclusivity as a basis for participatory democracy.

National President, of the group, Kolawale Adediji Kazeem, made the call in a statement made available to journalist in Abuja, on Saturday, said: “We join the Southern Governors Forum and other concerned Nigerians in calling on the National Working Committee of the APC to follow the path of justice.”

According to him, “As stakeholders in the affairs of the South-west and Nigeria generally, we hereby corroborate the Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum’s views and adopt all the issues raised which are very sensitive, not only to the president-elect and the APC, but also to the corporate existence of the country.

“We warn the President-elect not to wave aside the views of the Southern Governors Forum and majority of his genuine lovers in other regions, in order to avoid falling into the traps laid to set him up against other sections of the country and damage the image of his administration even before it takes off.

“We hereby state our strong position that the manner in which the party leadership directly meddled in the affairs of the legislative arm of government, which is an independent body, amounts to an infringement on the constitutionally guaranteed legislative independence and autonomy.

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“We warn that the APC cannot afford to make the mistake of allowing the repeat of what transpired in the eighth Assembly when Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara emerged Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives,” he said .

Kazeem also joined the APC to replay its exemplary leadership of allowing open contest and level ground for the party primaries that paved the way for the emergence of the Asiwaju as its Presidential Candidate.

“It is therefore expedient for the APC to allow open contests for all interested candidates irrespective of region or geopolitical zone and allow the members of the National Assembly to vote for their leaders.”

Speaking further ,he noted that this calculated design to give the incoming administration of Asiwaju a bad name even before it takes off, is without a doubt, part of the disturbances that have been created since the emergence of a South Western presidency.

In particular, the despotic move to zone the National Assembly leadership positions to suit certain vested interests with false love for the President-elect only aims to set a dangerous foundation of distrust and suspicion as traps to undermine the coming administration.

“Everyone knows the democratic antecedents of the Asiwaju and his unbending commitment to democratic principles of fair-play and the right of choice.

“It would therefore be misplaced to believe that a man with such high commitment to democratic processes would be involved in such unconstitutional actions.”

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Dr Elayo Reappointed As Nasarawa State Women Affairs Commissioner

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By Emma Peter

Governor Abdullahi A. Sule of Nasarawa State has reappointed Dr Princess Margaret Itake Elayo as Commissioner for Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services, following a recent cabinet reshuffle.

Dr Margaret’s reappointment comes after the state executive council was dissolved on 3 January 2025. While she was initially excluded from last week’s swearing-in due to allegations regarding the diversion of palliative materials, a subsequent investigation cleared her of any wrongdoing.

The governor has also restructured the Ministry of Humanitarian, Special Duties & NGOs, renaming it the Ministry of Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services.

Speaking shortly after taking the oath of office at the Executive Council Chambers in Lafia, Dr Margaret expressed her gratitude to Governor Sule for the opportunity to serve again.

She pledged to revitalise initiatives focused on women and humanitarian issues, particularly empowering elderly women, vulnerable groups, and marginalised communities.

“Women are the backbone of society, the nurturers, and the future builders of the next generation,” she said.

“We must invest in their potential, equip them for success, and create an enabling environment for them to lead and innovate in facing everyday challenges.”

She further assured that under Governor Sule’s leadership, the ministry would drive meaningful change, champion women’s development, and ensure that women in Nasarawa State have a voice and a pathway to prosperity.

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Court adjourns bail application for detained Ohanaeze youth president

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An Ebonyi Magistrate’s court sitting in Abakaliki on Thursday adjourned hearing on a bail application for the release of the detained national president of the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), Mr Igboayaka Igboayaka until March 12.

Igboayaka was arrested in Owerri on Feb. 8 by operatives of Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Ebonyi Police Command after winning reelection for a second term as the president of the Council.

He was subsequently brought to Abakaliki, where he was detained by the police.

Igboayaka was later arraigned on Feb. 12 at the Abakaliki magistrate court on a felony charge and was remanded at the Abakaliki Medium Custodial Centre.

The Magistrate, Mrs Sandra Ifeanyi-Oyibe, ruling on the bail application brought by the defence counsel, Mr Obinna Ekeke, said that the defendant was appearing before the court for the first time after he was remanded on Feb. 12.

But Ekeke, however, argued that the bail application was made consequent on the deteriorating health condition of the defendant and appealed to the magistrate to grant the request in the interest of justice.

“If not for the health condition of the defendant, we won’t stress ourselves; and it won’t serve us any good, the society, the interest of justice if this young man’s life is lost because of this case.

“This is my first time of appearing before this honourable court and this application for bail bears a mark of the Supreme Court, which has made a clear position on this.

” I strongly believe that this court has jurisdiction to allow bail even without application,” Ekeke said.

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The magistrate noted that the matter was coming up for the first time for hearing after the suspect was remanded after his arraignment.

She said: “This is the first time this matter is coming up after the remand; you also know that you can make this application at the High Court , so if by the next adjournment and the law says 14 days, you can apply for bail especially if it’s not a capital offence.

“Therefore , the matter is hereby adjourned to March 12 for compliance,” Ifeanyi-Olive ruled.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the prosecution counsel was absent in court.

Igboayaka, 42, alongside others now at large, are facing trial for alleged conspiracy to commit felony and accusations of causing extreme fear to the people of Amegu Nkalagha community in Ishielu Local Government in Ebonyi (NAN)

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Oscar-winning actor, Gene Hackman, wife found dead at home

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Oscar-winning U.S. actor, Gene Hackman, 95, his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 63, and their dog were found dead in their Santa Fe home, in New Mexico.

Adan Mendoza, Santa Fe County Sheriff, in a statement said:”We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday afternoon at their residence on Sunset Trail.

“This is an active investigation, however, at this time we do not believe that foul play was a factor.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Hackman was known for iconic roles in movies like : ‘The French Connection’, ‘Unforgiven’ and ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’.

He was a two time Academy Award winner and retired from acting in 2004.

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