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Nnamdi Kanu Issues “Sit-At-Home” Order For May 30 As DSS Warns Against Hate Speech

The leader of the proscribed separatist organization, Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has ordered those who believe in the Biafran cause all over the country to take the back seat and sit-at-home on May 30, in commemoration of the death of millions of Biafrans in the Nigerian Civil War. Even though this has been the case in the recent past, this particular order seems a bit far-reaching as it enjoins both Christians and Igbos in most parts of the country, particularly the Southeast, Lagos, Abuja, and the North, to join the sit-at-home exercise.

The May 30 Biafra sit-at-home exercise has been a reoccurring exercise in recent years and has recorded a varying degree of success. While it is religiously adhered to in some Southeastern states such as Abia and Anambra, the case is not always the same in some of the other eastern states. The order for this year’s sit-at-home protest was relayed through a statement released by Emma Powerful, the spokesman of IPOB. It read:

“We the global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our prophet and liberator of our time, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wish to announce to the public and Biafrans both home and abroad, that the annual anniversary of our fallen heroes and heroines will be on Sunday, 30th of May 2021.

“As usual, there will be total lockdown of the entire Biafra land on that day. There will be sit-at- home across Biafraland, Lagos, Abuja as well as northern towns with reasonable Biafran population.

“The sit-at-home order is also to be observed in all the markets within and outside Biafra land where our people do their businesses. It shall also be observed by Diasporan Biafrans in the over 100 countries with the IPOB family is present.

“We equally request our fellow comrades in Yoruba, Middle Belt, and other Christians living in the far North to solidarise with us in the event as we honour all those who have paid the supreme price in our struggle for total freedom.”

On May 30th, 1967, Late Odumegwu Ojukwu who was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Nigerian Army at the time, declared the secession of easterners and some other non-Igbo ethnic groups from the Nigerian political unit to establish the Republic of Biafra, which ultimately resulted in the Nigeria Civil War. Even though the war ended on 15 January 1970, with the country Nigeria still together, May 30 has been celebrated as “Biafra Day” by Biafra apologists.

Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) has warned Nigerians, especially past political leaders and top religious leaders, to desist from making statements that further drive a wedge between the different regions in the country. This is coming from the recent calls by some notable Nigerians for a change in government as a result of the prevalent and wanton killings and destruction of properties in several parts of the country.

According to the country’s secret security outfit, these divisive statements are capable of inciting chaos in the polity. They also decried the fact that respected citizens are the ones perpetuating the agenda to destabilize the country. It noted that even though everyone has the right to free speech, there are limitations to every right and insisted that the service won’t fail to invite suspected persons to its office to explain their public utterances and statements where and when necessary.

As it seeks to work with leaders of thought from across the nation to quell the ongoing spread of violence all over the country, the service reminds Nigerians that the power to change any government lies in their hands at every election cycle and they should desist from creating panic and confusion with unguarded statements.

News

Governors in heated meeting With Presidency Over Tax Reforms

The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) convened a late-night meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, December 10. The meeting ended without a communiqué, fuelling speculation about the contentious tax reform bills at the heart of their discussions.

The meeting, which commenced at 10 p.m. and lasted just an hour, was attended by 15 governors, primarily from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Governors Alex Otti of Abia State and Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, representing the Labour Party and the All Progressives Grand Alliance, were also present.

Sources disclosed that the governors failed to reach a consensus on the tax reform bills President Bola Tinubu recently presented to the National Assembly.

The reforms have drawn sharp criticism, with 19 northern governors rejecting key provisions and urging withdrawal. The National Economic Council (NEC) also reportedly dismissed the proposed legislation.

“The bills are flawed and fail to address the realities in many states,” a northern governor reportedly remarked.

The NGF’s silence following the meeting has further heightened public interest. Deviating from tradition, the governors refrained from issuing a post-meeting statement or briefing journalists.

This development has sparked concerns about potential divisions within the NGF, as the governors grapple with the polarising tax proposals. Observers note that the absence of an official communiqué suggests deep-seated disagreements.

As Nigerians await clarity on the fate of the tax reforms, the meeting’s abrupt conclusion underscores the growing tension over Tinubu’s economic policies. Whether the governors will resolve remains to be seen.

News

Okpebholo Budget Speech: Edo Governor struggles with figures during budget presentation

Edo Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, had a bit of a rough start while presenting the 2025 budget proposal to the state House of Assembly, on Tuesday.

He struggled to get the figures right, stumbling over the numbers and eliciting laughter and murmurs from the lawmakers.

“The Edo state Appropriation Bill of six billion… 605 billion… 76 million…” Okpebholo began, his hands unsteady and voice quivering in the rarefied assembly.

“Let me take it again. 506 billion… 605 billion… sorry… 776 billion… sorry, it’s confusing me,” the governor stuttered and chuckled.

Despite the initial hiccup, Okpebholo composed himself and continued with the presentation.

The proposed budget, tagged “Budget of Renewed Hope for a Rising Edo,” stands at N605 billion, a 25% increase from the 2024 budget.

The governor highlighted road infrastructure and education as key priorities for his administration, allocating N162 billion for road development and N48 billion for education.

Okpebholo also emphasized the importance of security and community development, pledging to bring peace and harmony to the state.

He announced plans to provide N500 million monthly subvention to Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, to support its revival.

The governor’s budget proposal is designed to achieve the goals of his five-point agenda, which includes security, infrastructural development, healthcare, food sufficiency, and education.

News

PDP expels Reps member Ugochinyere over anti-party activities, indiscipline

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expelled the lawmaker representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Honourable Ikenga Ugochinyere, with immediate effect due to gross indiscipline, insubordination and anti-party activities.

Ugochinyere’s expulsion was announced in a letter by the Ideato LGA chapter of the party dated December 5, 2024, and signed by the LGA Chairman, Hon. ThankGod Okeke, and the Secretary, Onyebuchi Umeh which they addressed to the State Chairman.

This is according to a statement on Friday, December 6, 2024, wherein Lancelot Obiak, the Imo PDP Publicity Secretary, said the executives expelled Ugochinyere.

The decision followed the report of the party’s disciplinary committee dated November 27, 2024, which investigated alleged misconduct against the lawmaker in line with Section 57 (1-4) of the PDP Constitution 2017 as amended.

Ugochinyere was first suspended at his Umuopia/Umukegwu ward on October 14, 2024, following failure to honour the invitation to appear before the ward Executive Committee to defend the allegations of disciplinary offences against him.

The statement read, “The expulsion was conveyed in a letter by the Ideato LGA chapter of the party dated December 5, 2024, and signed by the LGA Chairman, Hon. ThankGod Okeke and the Secretary, Onyebuchi Umeh which they addressed to the State Chairman.

“The expulsion followed the report of the party’s disciplinary committee, dated November 27, 2024, which investigated misconduct charges against Ugochinyere in line with Section 57 (1-4) of the PDP constitution 2017 as amended.

“The lawmaker had been suspended at his Umuopia/Umukegwu ward on October 14, 2024, after failing to honour the invitation to appear before the ward Executive Committee on October 5, 2024, to answer to allegations of disciplinary offences, and ignoring reminders and further invitation sent to him on October 7, 2024.

“The letter partly read: “Upon receipt of the report, the LGA Executive Committee of Ideato North met on the 5th of December, 2024, and unanimously adopted the report of the disciplinary committee”.

“In light of this, Hon. Imo Ugochinyere Ikegwuonu is hereby expelled from the party (PDP) with immediate effect and he ceases to be a member of the Peoples Democratic Party in Umuofia/Umukegwu ward of Ideato North LGA”.

“The party found Ugochinyere guilty of deliberate failure to attend meetings and participate in activities of the party for a long time in breach of Section 58 (1)e) of the PDP constitution 2017 as amended. He was said to have engaged in unauthorised publicity of disputes within the party which contravenes section 58(1)i of the party’s constitution. Also, he formed parallel executive and organs of the party in his ward, and at the LGA and National levels which also breaches the party’s constitution”.

“Furthermore, he was found guilty of consistently making derogatory and provocative public statements against the party and some of its national leaders, an action that brought the party to public ridicule”.