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Nnamdi Kanu likely for release soon, Kalu raises hope

Published

3 months ago

December 13, 2024

Leader of Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu

Nnamdi Kanu likely for release soon, Kalu raises hope

If the words of House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu are anything to go by, Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kalu would soon be freed.

The deputy speaker said high-level underground dialogues with relevant authorities were ongoing to secure Kanu’s release.

The IPOB leader, who is facing treason trial, has been in the custody of the Department of State Services since June 2021.

But the deputy speaker reaffirmed the efforts being made to get Kanu out of incarceration as soon as possible.

He dropped the hint in Abuja at a meeting with the South East Legislators Forum. The lawmakers from the State Houses of Assembly from the five Southeast states, were led by the Majority Leader of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Kingsley Ikoro.

The deputy speaker said a lot was being done behind the scene with the appropriate authorities, expressing optimism that the result of the meetings will soon become visible.

He said: “I am fighting for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to come out. Very soon, it will happen. Please, keep us in your prayers.”

The federal lawmaker, who called for unity and synergy amongst the political leaders in the region, commended the interest of the lawmakers in the ongoing constitution amendment process, charging them to give their full support.

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He canvassed support for the South East Development Commission (SEDC) in realising its objectives and the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the government means well for Ndi Igbo and Nigerians in general.

Kalu said: “The power of networking is more than money. Unity is power. We hardly recognise our own and we lose a lot of things because of it. We need to end the sit-at-home, people are destroying themselves. We need to come to together. The power of unity, the power of growth is important.

“I want to also commend you for leaving your various Houses of Assembly to come to the Federal House for exposure. It will help you.

“The benefits are many. It will make your legislative activities to be robust. It will help you to speak from the point of knowledge.

“I also want to thank you for showing interest in the Constitution amendment. We can’t do it alone. I am sure when you sell the issues coming from the federal to the people, they will embrace it.

“On the proposed zonal public hearing, we will want you to support what we are doing in the process of amending the Constitution. We are thinking of starting in first and second quarter of next year.

“As members of the South East Legislative Forum, you need to be strong and have a common legislative agenda. Birth an idea and think of how we can utilise it.

“And that is why I want you to support the SEDC. Some people have said that the President said he wasn’t going to do it. They abandoned the 3Rs. Let’s support the president. We will build capacity.

“We will have regional town hall meeting for all members to sit and discuss what we will do. One of the things that is paramount is security. Let’s develop agriculture, infrastructure, energy, technology amongst others.”

The leader of the delegation said that they came to pay a solidarity visit and pledge their homage to the deputy speaker as the political leader of the Southeast.

Ikoro said: “In the political setting today, you are our leader. You are the leader of Ndi-Igbo. We came to pay a solidarity visit and pledge our homage and said that we are all legislators, members of the State Houses of Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo states.”

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INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition

Published

6 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Trends Admin

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition

Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan yesterday got a memo from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

It is a notification to her of the receipt of petition from voters in her Constituency demanding her recall.

The same notification was sent by the electoral agency to the leadership of the Senate.

The Commission also unfolded plans to scrutinise the signatures of the petitioners to ascertain their authenticity.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, confirmed in a statement that the addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of representatives of the petitioners, which were initially not attached, had been submitted to the commission.

On Tuesday, the Commission had picked holes in the petition, pointing out that it failed to meet the standard because the addresses and phone numbers of the petitioners’ representatives were not provided as required by law.

Exuding confidence after INEC’s confirmation that that aspect of recall requirements had been met, the petitioners said the recall request was meant to correct what they described as the error of wrong choice.

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Olumekun said: “Further to the statement issued yesterday, Tuesday 25th March 2025, the Commission hereby confirms that the contact address of representatives of the petitioners, their telephone numbers and e-mail addresses have now been provided in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Commission, dated today Wednesday 26th March 2025.

“As provided in Clause 2(a) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, a letter has been written to notify the Senator sought to be recalled about the receipt of the petition and delivered to her official address.

“The same letter has been copied to the presiding officer of the Senate and published on the Commission’s website.

“The next step is to scrutinise the list of signatories submitted by the petitioners to ascertain that the petition is signed by more than one half (over 50%) of the registered voters in the Constituency.

“This will be done in the coming days. The outcome, which will be made public, shall determine the next step to be taken by the Commission. We once again reassure Nigerians that the process will be open and transparent.”

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, is serving a six-month suspension for misconduct and abuse of the Senate rules after her seat was changed.

She went ahead to make allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

On Wednesday, Zubairu Yakubu, who wrote the petition, accompanied by former Education Minister Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, appeared before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions sitting to defend the allegations.

However, the Committee threw out her petition, saying that the matter was already a subject of litigation.

During the meeting, Dr Ezekwesili and Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) clashed, exchanging hot words.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has been junketing between the United States and Europe, granting interview against Senate president.

INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition

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FG declares public holidays for Eid-el-Fitr

Published

6 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Trends Admin

Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

FG declares public holidays for Eid-el-Fitr

The Federal Government has declared Monday, March 31, and Tuesday, April 1, 2025, as public holidays in celebration of Eid-el-Fitr.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of the government.

He urged Muslims across the country to use the period for prayers, reflection, and acts of kindness, emphasizing the importance of peace, unity, and national development.

In a statement on Wednesday by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani, the minister congratulated Muslims on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast, highlighting the significance of the holy month in fostering self-discipline, compassion, and spiritual renewal.

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Tunji-Ojo called on all Muslims to continue embodying the virtues of love, generosity, and peace, emphasising the need for national unity and religious harmony.

He also urged Nigerians to use the festive period to pray for the country’s peace, stability, and prosperity.

“As we celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, let us reflect on the lessons of Ramadan, embrace one another with love and forgiveness, and work together to build a more united and prosperous Nigeria,” the minister stated.

He further encouraged citizens to celebrate safely and responsibly, while extending acts of kindness to the less privileged, in line with the values of Ramadan and Eid.

On behalf of the Federal Government, Tunji-Ojo wished all Muslim faithful a joyous Eid Mubarak and prayed that the blessings of the season bring happiness and fulfilment to everyone.