By Israel Bulus, Kaduna

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has announced his intention to contest for re-election in the 2027 general elections.

Sani made the declaration on Sunday while delivering his Eid-el-Fitr message at his residence in Kaduna.

“Any politician contesting an election depends on the political equation that determines the position to vie for. If the conditions are right and the equations are favorable, I will offer myself to contest specifically for the Kaduna Central senatorial district,” he stated.

He further emphasized that his ambition remains secondary to ensuring the re-election of Governor Uba Sani for a second term.

“For now, our priority is to see that the incumbent governor, Uba Sani, is re-elected. We will work with all our might and strength to achieve this. We know there will be challenges and opposition, but we are well prepared for all forces,” he added.

Sani also used the occasion to urge Muslims to pray for Nigeria’s peace and unity during the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations. Additionally, he condemned the recent killing of hunters in Edo State, calling on security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators.

“If citizens cannot move freely across the country, then we are not truly a nation. If individuals take the law into their hands for any reason, it means there is no government or authority,” he lamented.

He called on all Nigerians who desire a better country to work towards peace and unity for the preservation of democracy, despite the challenges being experienced.

Sani also urged the government to uphold fundamental human rights, particularly the right to life, as a crucial step towards national stability and development.

Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, Chief of Staff to the suspended Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has categorically denied accusations of his involvement in the fire that engulfed the Rivers State House of Assembly complex on October 29, 2023.

Ehie announced that he has directed his legal team to pursue a criminal libel lawsuit against the former Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, who alleged that both he and Fubara were complicit in the incident.

During a live television segment broadcasted in Port Harcourt on Sunday evening, Ehie, who previously served as Speaker of a faction of the State House of Assembly aligned with the suspended governor, stated, “It is crucial to clarify that I had no role in the destruction of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Like many others, I woke up on October 30, 2023, to the shocking news of the Assembly’s burning.”

He refrained from directly engaging with Nwaeke, emphasizing that he has already instructed his lawyers to take legal action against him for his allegations. “I expect him to be ready to provide evidence to support his claims,” Ehie remarked.

Ehie suggested that the Assembly’s Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, should be the focus of inquiries regarding the fire, asserting that the blaze erupted shortly after security personnel permitted the Speaker’s convoy entry into the complex.

The Chief of Staff accused Nwaeke of succumbing to political adversaries in pursuit of quick wealth. He referenced the distress expressed by Nwaeke’s wife over his sudden disappearance, portraying it as indicative of a man who has “betrayed his conscience” and his family for personal gain.

Ehie shared WhatsApp messages in which Nwaeke requested financial support shortly following his resignation as Head of Service the previous week. He characterized Nwaeke as “a discontented man” whose remarks do not reflect sound judgment.

Moreover, Ehie dismissed claims regarding Nwaeke’s close ties with Governor Fubara, asserting that the former Head of Service had not conducted any private meetings with the suspended governor. He challenged Nwaeke to specify a date and time of any visit to Fubara without the necessary security clearance.

“George Nwaeke has never been listed among those granted unrestricted access to the governor,” Ehie stated. “The records are maintained at the Government House, and the security clearance, which I supervise, is managed by the DSS. I challenge Nwaeke to provide evidence of any visit to the Government House since October 29, 2023, without prior clearance. There is no record to support his claims.”