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Obi Will Be Declared President – Igbo Elders
By Sunday Isuwa, Abuja
The Igbo Elders Consultative Forum FCT, Abuja has said that the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections, Peter Obi will be declare president.
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Speaking at a press conference jointly address by the Chairman of the Igbo Elders Consultative Forum and former governor of Anambra State, Dr Chukwuemeka Nzeife and Secretary, Prof Charles Nwekeaku, said they are confident that Obi won the election and will soon be declared as the rightful winner.
“The Igbo Elders Consultative Forum met recently; reviewed and critically analyzed some national issues including the fall-out of the February 25, 2023 Presidential/National Assembly Elections and resolved as follows:
I Have Confidence Of Winning In Court – Peter Obi
“The media reports credited to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Gen Muhammadu Buhari that he would swear-in Mr Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, the candidate of the All Progressives Party, APC in the February 25, 2023 Presidential elections as the new President of Nigeria on May 29, 2023 despite the fact that the matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction is shocking and embarrassing to the members of the Igbo Elders Consultative Forum.
“It would be recalled that both His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and His Excellency, Mr Peter Obi the presidential candidates of both the Peoples Democratic Party “PDP” , and the Nigeria Labour Party, respectively have both challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declaration of Mr Ahmed Tinubu as the president elect in a controversial and fraudulently conducted election.
The statement credited to Mr President, which is yet to be refuted, is the height of arrogance, insensitivity, madness, unpatriotism and prejudice. Many credible international and local observers, including the Igbo Elders Consultative Forum have condemned that election as fraudulent, dubious and irresponsible exercise capable of setting Nigeria ablaze as INEC has failed in every material content to meet its own yardstick for free, fair and credible elections.
“The voting materials, polling and security agents arrived very late in different parts of the country on the voting day, as INEC deliberately refused to upload or transmit the votes to the central server as stipulated in the 2022 new Electoral Act. In some cases there were no security agents in polling units thereby exposing the electoral officers and voting materials to unimaginable risks and dangers. In few cases where INEC reluctantly transmitted results, it was selective as only the Senate and House of Representatives results were uploaded, while the Presidential results were blatantly and recklessly abandoned, and, in some cases ‘doctored to suit the interest of INEC and its paid masters. Therefore, Mr President’s comment before the Judicial pronouncement on the matter is considered as the height of insensitivity, indecorum, arrogance and naked intimidation of Nigerians who, despite the existential hardships, trooped out in millions to vote for a new and functional Nigeria, ” the elders said adding that with the court case, they are confident Obi will emerged as the next Nigerian president.
The elders which also condemned what they described as the naked intimidation, harassment and destruction of shops and other property of non-indigenes in some parts of the country, especially in Lagos and Rivers States where the ruling political parties apparently lost to the Labour Party in the February 25, 2023 Presidential election is worrisome, disturbing, embarrassing and dangerous to democracy, adding that it is capable of setting this country ablaze.
“That the government is yet to arrest and prosecute the culprits who perpetrated these heinous crimes is even more worrisome and embarrassing, as it raises a fundamental question of whether the Federal Government is still capable of protecting lives and property of Nigerians, which is the primary responsibility of every modern government. We, therefore, call on the Federal Government and various state governments to rise up to the occasion of the protection of lives and property of Nigerians especially non indigenes in Lagos and Rivers States to avoid reprisal effects and the resultant instability and destabilization of this country by the enemies of progress. We also demand that the victims of these unwarranted intimidation, harassment and destruction of lives and property should be paid adequate compensation and properly rehabilitated as loyal citizens of this country,” the elders said while urging the Independent National Electoral Commission not only to get its acts together to conduct free, fair and credible elections on Saturday, but also ensure that votes are transmitted immediately at the polling units as provided in the 2022 new Electoral Act.
“INEC should ensure adequate security for polling materials and voters at the polling units in various parts of the country. The Igbo Elders Consultative Forum wishes to encourage Nigerians to vote in this weekend’s election and retire from politics all non-performing governors and legislators for a new and functional Nigeria.
“We encourage our people in various parts of the Federation, including South East, Lagos and Rivers states to go out and vote for candidates of their choice on Saturday without fear of molestation and intimidation as adequate security has been put in place for the protection of their lives and property. The shoddy work and unimpressive performance of INEC in the February 25 Presidential elections, the intimidation of voters and some party agents at some collation centers, the harassment and destruction of shops and property of non indigenes in Lagos, Rivers and other states in the country, as well as some incitements of some faceless scoundrels in the South East that threaten voters not to participate in the election, among other threats, should not discourage any person from voting because your votes will count in deciding who becomes your governor and state legislator. Please, go out and vote on Saturday as adequate security arrangements have been put in place to protect your lives and property. Your vote will count this time; hence you should boldly go and discharge your civic responsibility, vote out and retire unceremoniously non performing politicians on Saturday.
“And for shameless and unpatriotic elements who go to beg and collect money from dubious politicians in the name of Ohaneze, only to sabotage the collective efforts of our people with other progressive Nigerians to produce a credible, competent and widely acceptable President of Nigeria, posterity will not be kind to them and their families. By the grace of God, Obi will be declare president, ” the elders said while answering questions from journalists.
By Our Reporter
The Management of Federal Housing Authority FHA, under the leadership of Hon Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo has asked residents of its estates in Abuja to provide approvals and approved documents and building plans for commercial purposes to the office of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Housing Authority FHA, Abuja forthwith.
A Press statement issued by the management and signed by the Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Chigelu on behalf of the authority directed the submission to be carried out at the Authority’s Head office, Julius Nyerere Crescent, Asokoro , Abuja beginning from Wednesday , 3rd April , 2025.
The directives covers all buildings irrespective of the approval dates , that became expedient , following management discovery of sharp practices by commercial outlets ,as most of this buildings are built either without approval and or in contravention to the granted approval.
Chigelu stated that management discovered that some commercial buildings are in contravention of approval granted them, through alterations in total contravention to the development control regulations of the Authority.
Following the danger posed , management will not allow such negative consequences that will pave way for indiscriminate building collapse, therefore, a controlled demolition was carried out by the authority, with a building with structural defects in March , 2025, on 5th Avenue, Gwarimpa Estate.
Consequently, owners of commercial apartments, which included Hotels , Supermarkets, Hospitals, Schools and Banks including shopping malls through this announcement are expected to submit their approved plans for revalidation.
Management expect strict compliance to this directive, as violators will attract heavy sanctions with authority’s non negotiable stance .
The release further said ..
SPECIAL PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
“The Management of Federal Housing Authority, FHA hereby calls on all owners of commercial properties in FHA Estates in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory to submit their approved building plans to the office of the Managing Director and Chief Executive, at the Authority’s head office, No 26 Julius Nyerere Crescent, Asokoro Abuja from Wednesday, April 3rd, 2025.
“This directive which covers all buildings irrespective of when the approval was given, has become expedient following Management’s discovery that most commercial outlets in these Estates are built without approvals, or developed outside the granted approval.”
” Management has also discovered that some commercial buildings are in contravention of the approval granted them for alteration, in total contravention and disregard to Development Control regulations. ”
“Following the dangers posed by this development, the Management of FHA would not fold its hand to allow this looming disaster to happen. It is to avert the ugly incidence of building collapse that the Authority carried out a controlled demolition exercise of one of its buildings with structural defect on Monday, 24th March. 2025 in 5th Avenue. Gwarinpa estate.”
“Consequently, all owners of commercial outlets: hotels, supermarkets, hospitals, schools, banks, shopping malls etc through this announcement are requested to submit their building approved plans for revalidation. All such buildings must undergo an integrity test.
Strict compliance to this directive is not negotiable as severe sanctions await defaulters. “
By Nahum Sule, Jalingo
The Taraba State Government, in partnership with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has successfully intercepted eight trafficked children who were en route to the South East and Cameroon.
In a statement to journalists in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State, Mrs. Mary Sinjen, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development, revealed that the children had been deceived and transported to various southeastern states in Nigeria.
According to her, the children were trafficked to locations such as Aba, Onitsha, and Imo State under the false pretence that they were orphans.
The interception took place in Gembu, the headquarters of the Sardauna Local Government Area, where it was reported that the traffickers were seeking additional children to abduct.
Mrs. Sinjen affirmed, “Thanks to the prompt response from the Ministry and NAPTIP, eight of the children have been safely returned to Taraba State.
“The primary suspect, Mrs. Patience, along with several of her accomplices, has been apprehended and is currently in custody as legal proceedings commence.
“Search and rescue operations for other trafficked children are ongoing.”
She further emphasised that the state government will not tolerate any unscrupulous individuals who exploit children’s rights for illicit gain.
“This administration is wholly committed to ensuring justice, rehabilitating victims, and enhancing inter-agency collaboration to combat child trafficking,” she stated.
“We urge all residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities, as the welfare and protection of our children is a collective responsibility.”
In the meantime, authorities in Taraba have reiterated the importance of community vigilance and reporting any suspicious activities, stressing that safeguarding children requires a unified effort.
General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, has assured that all security challenges facing the nation will be effectively addressed by the year’s end.
This statement was made during the launch of attack drones and the demonstration of locally produced bombs, developed by a homegrown technology firm.
The event was attended by security specialists and senior government officials, as General Musa showcased the indigenous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to the audience.
Accompanied by Ajao Adewale, the Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, and Caleb Mutfwang, the Governor of Plateau State, General Musa emphasized the ongoing bureaucratic obstacles in acquiring military equipment from abroad.
Governor Mutfwang stressed the urgency for decisive measures against insecurity, calling on leaders to prevent any entity within the nation from possessing military capabilities.
The operational features of the UAVs were also demonstrated, with General Musa expressing satisfaction with this advancement, labeling it a pivotal step in combating insecurity in the country.