Results so far for governorship

Ethiope East
PDP 11,489 APC 21141
Ethiope West
PDP 62,044 APC 6211
Isoko North
PDP 29,648 APC 9814
Aniocha south
PDP 20947 APC 3138
Aniocha North
PDP 17054 APC 4653
Okpe
PDP 20415 APC 9424
Patani
PDP 19683 APC 3288
Ukwani
PDP 18489 APC 7264
Udu
PDP 13021 APC 8298
Ndokwa East
PDP 30670 APC 4313
Oshimili North
PDP 34497 APC 3068
Ika south
PDP 33371 APC 6877
Ika North East
PDP 67417 APC 2303
Sapele
PDP 18572 APC 10457
Ndokwa East
PDP 30670 APC 4306

Result so far

From Michael EKOKORUWE

Delta State governorship and state houses of Assembly election was held peacefully across the various wards and units of Isoko South and North local government area of Delta State as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidates for state assembly wins the two constituency seat of Isoko South local government area.

Announcing collated results at Oleh Isoko South local government area, Dr. Ezoem N. I, provost federal college of Asaba, who was the returning officer for governorship and state assembly election Isoko South said, Hon. Kenneth Ogba, candidate of PDP Isoko South constituency 1 scored 15,973 votes to defeat his closest rival hon. Okiemute Essien of the All Progressive congress, former member Delta State house who scored 7,323 votes.

He maintained that for Isoko South constituency 2, Hon. Chief Ferguson Onwo of PDP scored 27, 753 votes to win Barr. Israel A.Umueri of All Progressive Congress who scored 6,936 votes. Dr. Ezoem said, the People’s Democratic Party scored total votes of 43,730 to defeat All Progressive Congress (APC) that scored 14,259 votes in the gubernatorial election.

Election materials arrived early in all the wards and units visited even as accreditation and voting commenced by 9.30am. Eligible voters queued orderly to vote as INEC smart card readers performed better than last election which according the electorates signifies improvement.

At Olomoro ward 6, unit 4, hon. Chief Ferguson Onwo, candidate for Delta state house of assembly Isoko South constituency 2 said, “I am satisfy with the voting process; this is the most peaceful and organized election, we believe in democracy and will ensure that our votes count’.

Uzere ward 4 recorded large turnouts of voters in all the units visited. Engr. Goodluck Idele, senior special adviser to Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Delta State for community development said, ‘the exercise is peaceful and credible, the policemen working and the army far from the voting area”.

At Oleh headquarters of Isoko South local government area, the election was peaceful and orderly. Sir Matthias Eto, former commissioner public complains commission Delta State who voted at Oleh ward 2 unit 4 said, the voting is cool and fine and eligible voters came out in large numbers to vote for the candidate of their choice.

The voting process in Isoko North also witness peaceful environment as voters were orderly in all the wards and units visited. At Akhiewe Owhe ward 6 unit 11 and 12 were Rt.hon Barr. Tim Owhefere, house leader Delta State house of assembly voted, the election was peaceful compared to last election that was highly militarized. He noted that excitement is high but for the presidential election army that caused apprehension leading to low turnout of the electorates.

Also Arch. Joseph Ogeh, commissioner for housing Delta State who voted at Iyede ward 2 unit 3 commended INEC for the peaceful exercise saying, the people have exercised their franchise as the card reader worked better than previous election. He noted that the fear of the army scared away some electorates and urged INEC to follow the law and subsequently detailed the army to stay far from the poll area.

RESULTS AS COLLATED BY INEC ISOKO NORTH:
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY HON BAR TIM PDP 30,006, APC OKPURE EKEGWURE 8,737.
GOVERNORSHIP: OKOWA PDP 29,648,
OGBORU 9,814

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the 14th edition of Sharjah Biennial (SB14) commenced on Thursday at the Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF) Art Spaces in Al Mureijah.

SB14, held this year under the title ‘Leaving the Echo Chamber’, will feature three distinct exhibitions; Zoe Butt’s exhibition Journey Beyond The Arrow; Omar Kholeif’s Making New Time and Claire Tancons’ Look for Me All Around You.

SB14 features over 80 established and emerging artists from around the globe, including over 60 new commissions, as well as many never-before-seen works that will displayed in various locations across the emirate of Sharjah, the Mureijah Square and the Arts Square, as well as in SAF’s studios in Al Hamriyah, in the East Coast city of Kalba and other spaces in Umm Al Quwain.

The Sharjah Art Foundation is also organizing the 12th edition of the March Meeting 2019, from 9 -11 March, 2019 at the Sharjah Institute of Theatrical Arts in Al Mureijah, which will include panel discussions, performances, films and artistic productions, in line with the themes of the three exhibitions at SB14.

SB14 will also feature independent film screenings for film lovers in the UAE; as well as educational programs, aligned with this year’s theme ‘Leaving the Echo Chamber’.

Programs intended for adults and children include workshops on photography, drawing, writing and theatrical performance. Other workshops for ‘People of determination’ provide a variety of topics on photography skills, puppetry, drawing, musical instruments and Islamic art; while the schools and youth centers’ program offers a set of workshops and field trips on topics such as abstract art, architecture and storytelling.

SB14 is made possible through the generous support of Van Cleef & Arples (Gold Sponsor) and Crescent Petroleum (Silver Sponsor). In-kind support is offered by Sharjah Municipality, Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority; Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority; Bee’ah, the Dubai Economic Department; the Institut Français in the UAE and the Institut Français in France.

The Sharjah Biennial is the most important cultural event in the Arab world and, since its inception in 1993, has been instrumental in supporting the arts landscape in the UAE and the region.
*Source: AETOSWire

-From Sunny A. DAVID: AWKA-

The Chairman of the National Peace Commitee, General Abdulsalami Abubakar has urged Candidates in the State Assembly elections to remain committed to ensuring peaceful conduct of the March 9 elections.

The Former Military Head of State made the call in Awka at a high level dialogue on Peaceful 2019 State Assembly election in Anambra State.

General Abubakar represented by a member of the committee, Mr. Duke Anoemuah restated the need for candidates of the different political parties engaged in the election to eschew violence and all forms of hate speeches and reiterated the need for them to properly advise their supporters to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner especially after the announcement of results.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner INEC Anambra State, Dr Nkwachukwu Orji, who was represented by the Administrative Secretary in the Commission, Mr. Charles Mbanaja reviewed the performance of the Commission in the Presidential and National Assembly elections, and assured of their readiness for March 9 election.

He also spoke on the issues of delay in commencement of voting in some areas, malfunctioning of smart card readers and other issues that cropped up in the past elections.

Speaking on behalf of the Security agencies in Anambra State, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Rabiu Ladodo, represented by the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Haruna Mohammed reassured on security preparations for the elections but sought for more public support in entrenching peace in the state before, during and after the election.

Other speakers at the event including the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe represented by the traditional Prime Minister of the town, Chief Okey Ononye, the Anglican Bishop of Awka Diocese, Right Reverend Alex Ibezim, represented by Venerable Sam Okonkwo, all agreed on the import of peaceful elections to sustainable development.

In attendance at the high level peace dialogue were media practitioners, Civil Society groups and persons living with disabilities who highlighted many challenges facing the electoral process and suggested what should be done to ensure a more credible process.

From Sunny A. DAVID / AWKA

The Anambra State Government has alerted the public of an attempt by some unscrupulous politicians to cause crisis in Anambra State during this weekend’s House of Assembly election.

According to a statement endorsed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment Mr. C-Don Adinuba the unscrupulous politicians are operating under the aegis of the “Coalition for Better Anambra State” ostensibly led by a certain Dennis.

The statement said the group wants to cause severe religious and ethnic crisis in the state which will see Muslims at war with Christians as well as the Igala-speaking community of Anambra State in a bitter fight with the Fulanis.

It explained that their secret plan, which, according to sources, has for days been known to security agencies, is to incite Ndi Anambra by alleging on the eve of the election that the state government is building a huge mosque in the heart of Awka, the Anambra State capital, and to accuse Fulani cattle herders of massacring hundreds of farmers in Anambra West Local Government Area and even sucking their blood as part of a ritual.

It made it clear that the allegations by the group are patently false, as the state government is not in the business of building places of worship, whether churches or mosques.

Stressing that the primary intention of the so-called Coalition for Better Anambra State is to cause fear and bitterness among the people which will be manipulated to achieve electoral gains, while endangering the lives of millions of Igbo people living in different parts of the country.

It cautioned that when manipulative politicians carry out hate propaganda against other people living in Igboland which can lead to a grave crisis it made Igbo people outside Igboland vulnerable to all manner of attacks.

The statement advises Ndi Anambra to always disregard dangerous rumours by self-serving politicians whose stock in trade is the manipulation of primordial differences to achieve immediate electoral gains but which will end up leaving the people worse off.

Nigerian authorities should immediately drop charges against journalist Obinna Don Norman, release him from prison, and reform the 2015 cybercrime act to ensure it is not used to prosecute journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Norman, owner and editor-in-chief of online news outlet The Realm News, was arrested on March 1 by police in Umuahia, the capital of Nigeria’s southeastern Abia state, while he was at local radio station Flo FM to discuss politics on air, according to the journalist, who spoke to CPJ from Afara prison in Umuahia.

The day he was arrested, Norman was charged in an Abia state magistrate court under Nigeria’s 2015 cybercrime act, he told CPJ. During a second court appearance today, he was charged under an Abia state anti-terrorism and kidnapping law from 2009, he said. Norman is alleged to have defamed and harassed Abia state senator Theodore Orji of the People’s Democratic Party, according to the journalist and two charge sheets reviewed by CPJ.

“Abia state authorities should drop the charges against journalist Obinna Don Norman, ensure his release, and cease efforts to intimidate him,” said Angela Quintal, CPJ’s Africa program coordinator. “Nigeria’s cybercrime act has too often been used to silence journalists in the country and the additional charge against Norman indicates that authorities are intent on harassing the press.”

The charge sheets allege that the offenses were committed on or before March 21, 2018, but do not specify any articles or comments related to the charges. Norman and Realm News editor Rotimi Akinola told CPJ they believe the charges are reprisal for Norman’s reporting and criticism of the Abia state government, and are an attempt to silence the press ahead of the gubernatorial election scheduled for March 9, in which Okezie Ikpeazu, a People’s Democratic Party member, is running for re-election.

Norman’s March 1 charge sheet, which CPJ reviewed, listed four alleged offenses from sections 24 and 27 of Nigeria’s 2015 cybercrime act: cyberstalking, sending defamatory messages using a computer, using a computer to send messages “for the purpose of causing public hatred,” and using a computer to “bully, threaten and harass.”

The March 7 charge sheet alleged that Norman threatened Orji’s life with “messages through [the] internet and phone calls,” which is punishable under Abia state’s 2009 anti-terrorism and kidnapping law.

CPJ’s repeated calls to Orji went unanswered, and a recorded message on Ikpeazu’s line indicated that his phone was turned off.

Norman said he was told during the March 7 court appearance that he would be held in detention until April 24; his lawyer has filed a bail application with a federal high court petitioning for an earlier release. Those convicted under Nigeria’s cybercrime act can face fines into the tens of thousands of dollars and years in prison, CPJ has reported.

Abia Police Commissioner Ene Okun told CPJ that Norman was arrested because the journalist was listed as “wanted” in an official bulletin; Okun said he had no involvement in the case after Norman was transferred to the court.

In December 2018, the previous police commissioner had declared Norman “wanted” in an unrelated cybercrime case, The Realm News reported at the time. Norman counter-sued and the bulletin was nullified by a federal court, and Norman was not arrested, according to The Realm News.

Since its adoption, Nigeria’s 2015 cybercrime act has been repeatedly used against journalists for their reporting, CPJ has documented.

“We totally condemn Mr. President’s moves and schemes and say that they are mean and uncomplimentary….. We warn that he should not do anything that would be seen as his interference in the process that will make Saturday’s election not to be free, fair and credible.”

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state, PDP leaders, stakeholders and political appointees are in a last minute strategy meeting in Asaba, ahead of Saturday, March 9, 2019 Governorship and State House of Assembly elections.

Journalists were barred from covering the meeting which is coming on the heels of speculations that the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections may not be a smooth sailing for candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

This is happening just as President Muhammadu Buhari visits Warri today, Monday, March 4, 2019, the second visit in about two months.

The State Publicity Secretary of the PDP in Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza in a statement made available to Blank NEWS Online, said “it is not a surprise that tongues are wagging within the circles of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Delta State that the trip is in bad taste, as the party supporters and Deltans in general are wondering why the president has always limited his visits to a microscopic Warri and ignoring the larger areas of the State.

“However, while we of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Delta State will not get involved in the internal belligerent matters of a party that lives in factional disharmony, we urge the President not to get involved in sinister contrivances by working to use his office as President, to scheme and manipulate the electoral process.

“We say this because of the March 9, 2019 Governorship and State House of Assembly elections, as we have it on good authority that Buhari’s trip is not altruistic, and has nothing to do with the good and progress of Delta State.

“Already, the entire Delta State is abuzz with claims and insinuations and it is being openly said that the President and indeed the whole gamut of well known election manipulators and hatchet men in the national APC leadership, are visiting Delta State ostensibly to perfect an APC rigging plan and subvert the electoral process and the ultimate democratic decisions of Deltans who have sworn to return Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for a well deserved second term and vote for all the PDP candidates in the March 9, 2019 State Assembly elections.

“It is indeed a thing of shame that President Buhari will ignore other very important and urgent State matters to come to Warri to be at the head of a despicable scheme to manipulate and swing votes in favour of the unpopular APC and its candidates.

“We condemn the president’s insensitivity to the sensibilities of the people of Delta State who have taken PDP as their party. We also decry the shameful, slimy drive of Buhari and his detestable mission to use the power of State to secretly get the various agencies of the Federal Government, namely, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, the military and other security agencies to intimidate and harass PDP supporters, voters and subvert their democratic will and foist on the State an unpopular APC and its candidate.

“While the foregoing is to seriously inform and educate the general public of Delta State, Nigerians and the world at large of the President’s tricks and treacherous game plan being schemed to thwart and by subterfuge subvert the already known will of Deltans who are poised to vote for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and other PDP candidates, we warn that President Muhammadu Buhari must be held responsible for any complications that may develop from his inglorious interference in the voting process in Delta State.

“Let the president be reassured that the people of Delta State are resolute in their decision to vote for the PDP candidates and keeping the party in Delta State. Certainly, he should understand that no amount of intimidation and other ill-conceived and devious ideas to thwart the peoples’ will shall thrive because Delta State is PDP and PDP is Delta State.

“We totally condemn Mr. President’s moves and schemes and say that they are mean and uncomplimentary. It is curious why the President has chosen to visit Warri at a time like this in the heat of preparations for, and almost on the eve of the State elections in which his party, and the APC is the major opposition party. We warn that he should not do anything that would be seen as his interference in the process that will make Saturday’s election not to be free, fair and credible.

“On this note, we call on PDP faithful, leaders, supporters and faithful not to be intimidated, but should come out in large numbers to vote the PDP, ensure that their votes count.

“We urge them to remain steadfast in standing by and for Governor Okowa’s re-election and all the PDP candidates.”

BOOK REVIEWER; NKECHI MADUEMEZIA

O the pen that keep my thoughts open
And is the screen to all that happens
Whether awake or asleep

O the pen that knocks at docks
That deep into sea depths
Of known and unknown

O the pen that swims into realms
In dreams
Of the future of unknown structure

O the pen that lives beyond men
And is now immortal
When we are no more.

TITLE OF BOOK; MR BENJAMIN’S PEN
AUTHOR; TONY NWAKA
INTRODUCTION OF THE AUTHOR;
Dr. Tony Nwaka is a Nigerian author from Delta state. He is also the author of ‘’Mountain of yesterday’’ and Lords of the creek. He lives in Asaba , Delta State of Nigeria
PLACE OF PUBLICATION; kraft Books limited. Sango Ibadan, University of Ibadan post office, Ibadan. Oyo state. Nigeria

PUBLISHER; KRAFT BOOKS LIMITED
DATE OF PUBLICATION; 2019
The back cover of the book is green with a dash of lemon green cascading into white where the author’s portrait is. At the front of the back cover is a drawing of three persons gaping at an otherwise ordinary pen lying on a form.
The book comprises of three postscript, five chapters and131 pages. The postscript exposes the reader to the dual personality of Mr. Benjamin. Chapter describes Mr. Benjamin who is the main character in the Novel. Chapter two introduces Maxwell Odum {a friend to Mr. Benjamin}. Chapter three takes the reader to a university setting and highlights the respect Professor Ambrose Idehen[ lecturer in the university where Mr. Benjamin is a part time student] has for him. Chapter four is about Ijele Agaza a politician [an acquaintance of Mr. Benjamin] while chapter five returns the reader back to Mr. Benjamin.

Theme of the book; POLITICS
Politics is a subject many dread but whether we like it or not Man is a political animal. We politic in our homes, communities, places of worship, offices even within our families. It is endless. Like what the author said ‘who truly can fathom the depths of the human mind.
BACKGROUND; Mr. Benjamin who is a full time politician won an award for one of his books. He was excited like any other person especially as he could not believe that what was done as a pastime would result in recognition. His ability to combine politics with literature made His book in the prose category win’ best imaginative literature of 2025. He received a plaque of honour and a gold pen. During a political rally he gave out a plastic biro for people to write down their names but did not retrieve it. He forgot all about it until c Ijele Agaza brought it back to him two months later and proudly announced that he had helped him retrieve the plastic biro left at the party secretariat after the last meeting. A few days after his experience with Ijele an unusual chain of events started happening around. Ordinarily he would not have attached much significance to these setbacks, but they came in such quick succession that it really seemed like some unseen forces may have truly gone to work.

PLOT; the story begins with Mr. Benjamin’s award.
CHARACTERIZATION; These characters in this work belong to our everyday life. Benjamin wins an award for one of his books and becomes a celebrity amongst the politicians and his friends. The character of Ijele is awesome. A shrewd money lender who appears angelic in his place of worship and a politician who belongs to the occult world of JUJU. A passage on Ijele reads ‘’ on Sunday I woke up by 6 am. And started my private chants. After that, I selected a white long sleeved shirt and a pair of grey trousers as my outfit for the day. Soon I arrived at the church with my family. The sermon was on false prophets and wolves in sheep clothing. The topic was delivered with such zeal that I began to fear if the priest too had found out certain things. I couldn’t wait for the service to come to an end.’’ Mr. Benjamin is the type of politician who is simple by nature and easily trust people and collected an ordinary biro that was retrieved after two months like in the words of Odum’’ O boy, life is not the way you look at it. It’s only your mind you know. You can’t tell about others’’. The other characters both the major and minor are unique in their own way.

SETTING AND MODE OR TONE; the work is filled with apprehension, sometimes annoying. A reminiscence of the three friends of Job in the old testament of the Holy Bible in the persons of Clifford who cares enough to tell Odum’ see not everyone has the appetite for incantations and enchantments, but you can introduce him to Christian priests. There are some good pastors around who can pray for him and neutralize whatever evil the pen may have caused.’’ during his discussion on Benjamin’s strange behavior with Maxwell Odum who told Clifford how he had gone on his own to consult baba Adudu over the problem and the native Doctor’s revelation that the pen had been responsible for Benjamin’s recent calamities, and Ijele Agaza who to the outside world is a saint but the devil incarnate in reality

VIEW POINT
From the eyes of Mr Benjamin’s the major and minor characters tried in their own ways to persuade him to join their own line of reasoning. Only his wife stuck to him an encouraged him to be loyal to his party and to put God first in all things. The climax was when Mr. Benjamin who was sacked from the Governor’s cabinet and later appointed Head of Service of Coast State and Ijele carried to the Asylum for he has been found foraging the refuse dump at the popular Ogbe ogonogo Market

STYLE OF WRITING/DICTION. The language is free flowing and easy to read. Understanding the book needs time. This is for the initiates
COMPARISON. This book reminds me of ‘’Alice in wonderland written by LEWIS CAROLL. Dreams of fantasies and waking up to discover that all the journeys were not real but seems so real.

RELATION TO THE THEME; the author defined Mr. Mordi Enujeko’s dilemma when he said’ my name is not Mr. Benjamin neither do I have a friend called Mr. odum. Even more intriguing is the issue of politics. Although I casually wish I could command that air of authority and importance usually seen around politicians- A desire I suppose is normal fantasy of the mind. I never really preoccupy my thoughts with such grandiouse ideas. I am a civil servant for whom job security will always be of higher priority than the fleeting glamour of political officer. Especially when my ambition is to be head of service.’ In dream land he experiences the intrigues of politics and as a politician he became the head of Service. He concluded in the last postscripts thus ‘I do not know if I am Mr. Benjamin seeing myself as Mr. Mordi or I am Mr. Mordi dreaming and appearing as Mr. Benjamin, I honestly do not know.’ The author may be a politician cum writer but was steadfast with the theme.

EVALUATION; the postscript gave an insight into the plot hence makes for easier understanding. When we hold on to the Almighty creator he blesses us with an overdose of what we least expect in his own time. I rate it AB. It should be used in our higher institution of learning.

CONCLUSION; I personally like this book because it reminds me of some seedless endless dreams I sometimes experience. As a writer it is usually difficult to separate the author from his dreams and the inner mind. Many writers are tormented by what they feel and hope for the future. The only avenue of escape is putting down our thoughts in books that when we are no more others like us and the world may benefit from. Sometimes writers are called crazy, bohemians and trouble makers. But the world of the writer is to point evils in the society and re make the world to be a better place for you and for me.
I believe that many writers and others have experienced this situation once in their life time.it means you are not alone and you are definitely not crazy.
This is a book for all to read that we may know the truth and be set free. Every evil deed has an evil repercussion at the end of the day.

Cardinal George Pell, Vatican Treasurer, Convicted Of Child Sexual Assault

Pell is the highest-ranking member of the Catholic Church to be convicted of such crimes.

Cardinal George Pell, once one of the highest-ranking members of the Vatican, was convicted of multiple counts of child sexual abuse during a trial in Australia in December, becoming the most senior figure in the Catholic Church to be found guilty of such crimes.

Pell, 77, was found guilty of five counts of historical sexual offenses related to the sexual abuse of two choirboys in 1996 and 1997, shortly after he was made the archbishop of Melbourne. A jury reached the verdict in December, but the media was barred from reporting on the news because of a court-imposed gag order.

He will be sentenced on Wednesday and is expected to serve prison time. He faces a maximum sentence of 50 years, according to The Associated Press.

The cardinal was once the third-most-powerful figure in the Catholic Church, serving as the de facto finance chief, and was close with Pope Francis. Pell was removed from his role as one of the pope’s advisers in December after the verdict was reached.

The media has been prohibited from covering the trial because of a sweeping suppression order meant to maintain the integrity of criminal trials in Australia. The orders are relatively common in the country, and news organizations that break them can be subject to heavy fines and jail time.

The Washington Post was among the first to report the conviction in December but other American outlets, including HuffPost, could not do the same because they have staff in Australia. A similar story was first published by The Daily Beast, but the outlet geo-blocked the report in Australia in an attempt to comply with the gag order.

“We understood there could be legal, and even criminal, consequences if we ran this story,” Noah Shachtman, the editor of The Daily Beast, said at the time. “But ultimately, this was an easy call. You’ve got a top Vatican official convicted of a horrific crime. That’s major, major news. The public deserves to know about it.”

Source: HuffPost

By Michael Ekokoruwe:

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate and minority leader of the house of representatives Isoko federal constituency hon. Leo Ogor, has been declared winner of Isoko federal constituency for the fifth time in last Saturday Presidential/ National Assembly elections at Oleh, Isoko South local government area of Delta State.
Ogor polled 34,000 votes to defeat hon. Joel Onowakpor Thomas of All Progressive Congress (APC) who scored 23,553 votes.
 Announcing the results at the collation centre, the INEC officer, Dr. Edwin Asikaoh of the federal college of Education Asaba said, the election was free and fair.
In his reaction hon. Leo Ogor through Mr. Jay Ogor said, “We thanked God for the victory and we dedicate it to the good people of Isoko Nation for entrusting us yet again with their mandate for the 5th term”. He noted that he was humbled by the result and commended Isoko people for their support.
In a swift reaction to the declared results, hon. Silas Bowue director general to hon. Joel Onowakpor Thomas campaign protest the result, saying, the declaration is illegal and inconsistent with the provision of electoral act. The law says “where the total vote lead margin is less than the total number of registered voters in area or unit council in an election, a winner can’t be declared until a supplementary elections are held in those places.
He stated that the hurry in the declaration of hon. Leo Ogor, minority leader in the national Assembly as a winner reveals an underground activities by INEC and must be reverted.
He noted that five petitions has been submitted to INEC on the need for the cancellation of results of some wards in Isoko federal constituency due to cases of manifest fraudulent manipulation of the voting process and violation of the electoral act during the election. 
Meanwhile results of the South Senatorial seat of Delta State have been announced. Senator James Manager of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has been declared winner in the Saturdays Presidential and national Assembly elections. 
Manager scored a total of 258,812 votes to defeat his closet rival, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, former governor of Delta State who scored 125,776 votes.

Nigeria’s 2019 Presidential Election Results At A Glance as released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Senator Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party ((PDP) has been declared winner of the Kogi West Senatorial election held on Feb. 23.

Smart Adeyemi is a former Senator who once represented Kogi West constituency of Kogi State, elected to the Senate in April 2007. He is a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) but later defected to APC in a plot to unseat “stubborn” Dino who had also defected from the APC to PDP.

Smart was national president of NUJ from 1999 to 2006.

The Returning Officer, Prof. Emmanuel Bala announced in the early hours of Monday in Lokoja that Melaye polled 85, 395 votes to defeat Sen. Smart Adeyemi of the APC who scored 66, 901 votes.

Also, Alhaji Abdulkarim Isah – Wambai of the APC has been declared winner of the House of Representatives election for Lokoja-Koto federal constituency.

The returning officer, Prof. Muhammed Suleiman said that Wambai scored 37, 656 votes to beat Mr Shaba Ibrahim of PDP who polled 33,662 votes.

Ifeanyi Ubah, the chairman of Capital Oil and Gas, has emerged the first elected senator for the Young Progresives Party (YPP) in Nigeria, beating the Uba brothers, Andy and Chris.


Ubah polled 87, 081 votes to emerge winner of the Anambra South Senatorial District In the February 23 election.

The result was announced early Monday morning at Uruagu Nnewi North Council headquarters.


His closest rival, Chief Chris Uba of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and younger brother of the incumbent Senator for the area, Sen. Andy Uba got 62,462 votes.


Chief Nicholas Ukachukwu, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) scored 51,269 votes while Sen. Andy Uba, the incumbent and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate got 13,245 votes.


Mr M.N. Umenweke, the returning officer, who declared the results said Ubah emerged the winner among the 26 candidates, who contested for Anambra South Senatorial District ticket.


“Mr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah of the YPP having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes is hereby declared the winner and returned elected as the senator representing Anambra South,” he said.


The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ubah’s election victory had ended years of domination of the Anambra South Senatorial District by the Uba brothers from Uga in Aguata area of the state.


Sen. Ugochukwu Uba most senior brother of Sen. Andy held the Anambra South Senatorial District between 2003 and 2007, while his younger brother and incumbent Senator Andy Uba held the position from 2011 to date. 
 


Deltans have continued to count their losses through alleged denial of their legitimate civic duties by the Nigerian military during last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly polls.

More than 400 electorates were allegedly disenfranchised at ward 13 unit 3 of Owhelogbo in Isoko North local government area of Delta State by the Nigeria Army deployed to the area to maintain peace during the Presidential and National assembly election.
Speaking to newsmen at the polling station, Prince Godwin Ogorugba, Chairman Peoples Democratic Party Isoko North decried the manner soldiers on patrol prevented electorates from voting at 2.30pm. Ogorugba said, voting materials arrived at the unit by 10.am while accreditation and voting commenced at 12.pm.
He stated that the smart card readers malfunctioned during accreditation which according to him delayed the voting process. Prince Ogorugba said, at 2.30pm while the electorates queued to vote under the sun with their PVC, the soldiers came and stopped the people from voting, saying voting time is over. 
He maintained that all efforts to persuade the soldiers to allow extra time was resisted and the electorates went back home disappointed.
Similarly at Emede ward 05 unit 3, were hon. Joel Thomas Onowakpor, candidate for Isoko federal house of representatives under the All Progressive Congress voted, bemoan late arrival of materials at 2.pm even as the card readers failed to accredit him and other eligible voters over one hour. 
Onowakpor described the situation as embarrassment culpable of causing apprehension to the electorates which he said could  disenfranchise eligible voters. He urged INEC to be more transparent and train the adhoc staff to avoid same problem during subsequent election even as he promise to calm eligible voters standing under the sun.
At Olomoro ward 06, election voting materials arrived at 1.30pm but expected ballot papers for House of Representatives numbering 11,032 falls short to 9,500 and were rejected.
 Party agents insisted on going ahead with the Presidential and senate election and asked the INEC official to return the materials and postpone that election to another date.
The election was however peaceful at Uzere, Enwhe, Okpolo – Enwhe, Oleh, Irri and other communities of Isoko South except for the initial card reader failure. Chief Iduh Amadhe, president general of Isoko development union, Chief Bashorun Askia Ogieh, director finance and administration DESOPADEC commended INEC for the conduct of peaceful election at ward 04 Uzere community.
 The chairman of Isoko North local government area, hon Emmanuel Egbabor said, the election was peaceful in all the units of Ozoro ward 03 and information at his disposal reveals that the election was also peaceful at Ofagbe, Iyede, Okpe, Otibio,Ozoro ward 02 and other communities in Isoko North except for the card reader and network failure that delayed the process.
He urged INCE to improve on the smart card reader and organize more training for the adhoc staff for subsequent election.
 Egbabor commended the security agents, noting that there was no incident of fight at the time of filing the report.

BY SUNNY A. DAVID / NNEWI

Tragedy struck at Nnewi on Thursday morning as eight (8) people were in the early hours of the day lost their lives in a fatal accident which happened along Oba-Okigwe Road.

An Eye witness told our correspondent that a soak away truck while trying to avoid a trailer parked along the road ran into a tricycles and a motorcycle conveying children to school.

The parked trailer according to our source is owned by a popular Nnewi importer.

Efforts by men and Officers of FRSC to rescue the victims did not yield any positive dividend as they died on the spot.

Irate mob immediately after the accident set the trailer which was fully loaded with beer ablaze as well as the soak away truck.

Another eye witness who identified herself as Ngozi told our correspondent that the most pathetic of all was the poor woman who was taking her children to school only for her and children to meet an untimely death.

She claimed that depot located at point of the road has caused a lot of accident in the area.

As at the time of filing this report, people were still seeing rushing to the scene of the accident to behold the morning disaster.

-By Albert OGRAKA:

A prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta state, Bashorun (Hon.) Askia Ogieh JP, has called on Deltans to put the disappointment of the postponement of the general elections behind them and respond to the call to patriotism by exercising their legitimate franchise on the new election dates.

Bashorun Askia, who made the call during an exclusive interview with Blank NEWS Online, said the only way Deltans can ensure a steady and unhindered democracy is for them to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that has brought democratic dividends to bear in the state.

He encouraged Delta electorates not to be deterred by the postponement and the attendant criticism but to turn the despair to defense of democracy by coming out enmasse to vote out the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) who are bent on frustrating the electoral and democratic process.

He expressed confidence in the capabilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free, fair and credible elections, if the Muhammadu Buhari’s APC government do not interfere in the process.

According to him, the Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has every reason to emerge victorious to secure his second mandate of governance, in which he has preformed exceedingly well by ensuring peace and security in Delta state, youth empowerment, sports development, as well as infrastructure development, especially road construction, even in riverine communities, earning him the name “Roadmaster”.

He explained that such development prowess and strides abounds only among the PDP controlled states, saying that PDP’s victory across boards was the only noticeable light at the end of the tunnel.

While appealing to Deltans to entrench peaceful conduct, devoid of violence during the February 23 and March 09 elections, Bashorun Askia assured victory for all PDP candidates for the Presidency, Governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly seats across the country, including Delta state.

The Isoko National Youth Council (INYC), a body of Isoko youths has endorsed the re-election of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for a second term in office

The Isoko National Youth Council (INYC), a body of Isoko youths which cuts across the 19 clans of the Isoko Nation, has endorsed the re-election of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for a second term in office.

National President of INYC, Comrade Utomudo Fidelis Obokparo, during an enlarged meeting of the youths, encouraged all the youths of Isoko at home and in the Diaspora to come out enmasse during the general elections to vote for all the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates to sustain the development process in Isoko Nation.

The National President lauded the efforts of the governor in his human capital development, youth engagement and empowerment across the state, adding that his people oriented projects, especially in the area of roads, has earned the governor the accolade of “Road Master.”

He noted that the INYC is a peaceful body of youths with positive and growth attitude aimed at ensuring sustainable and peaceful environment for development in Isoko land.

He said that the Isoko youths will not relent in their determination to ensure the victory of Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa’s, come March 09, 2019.

He appealed to the Isoko youths to shun all acts of violence but defend and protect their votes for a sustained dividends of democracy under Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Reports say that security agencies have discovered the plan by opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to deploy $3million (N1.8billion) to each state to induce voters.

The party is reported to have also co-opted former members of staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recruit loyal ad hoc staff for the elections.

Also, a member of the National Peace Committee, a body headed by former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, was also discovered to be in the work plan of PDP.

The Nation reported that the cash was remitted before last Saturday’s postponement elections.

It reported that most state chapters were finding it difficult to change the dollars to naira because of the surveillance on Bureau De Change operators by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS).

Also, the agencies have intercepted alleged compromise of some officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), policemen and other security agents in some states.

The intelligence report, including the alleged implication of a former top official of INEC, may be presented to the chairman of the electoral commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, by the security agencies.

Meanwhile, the major opposition PDP is yet to react to the allegation.

-NAN

-By Chris Okobah PhD

Nigeria’s democracy is in crisis. The 16th of February 2019 botched elections was supposed to move the country to a higher rung on the democratisation ladder, create a more conducive environment to resolve its many internal conflicts and strengthen its credentials as a leading peacemaker, but instead generated serious new problems that may be pushing it further towards the status of a failed state. The ruling APC are beginning to pad themselves with less legitimacy than any previously elected administration and so with less capacity to moderate and resolve its violent domestic conflicts. This botched election was supposed to heal wounds, redress electoral injustice and punish the most grievous voting frauds, including those by officials of the agencies directly involved in administering the elections in relation to what happened in Edo states, Ekiti, Oshun, and to salvage this government’s legitimacy, they need to pursue inclusiveness and restraint in relation to the opposition, create an open democratic practice in the country and they must ensure that the country is not destroyed by their inordinate power ambition .
This president had already pressed the warning button by refusing to sign any electoral amendment bill into law .The elections, in the view of Nigerians and the many international observers alike, was the most poorly prepared , the poor organization has given rooms to massive rigging . In a bitterly contentious environment, President Muhamadu Buhari and his APC acted with unbridled desperation to ensure sweeping, winner-take-all victories, not only in the presidency and federal legislature but also in state governorships and assemblies. Characterized as a “do or die” battle by APC,
Their has been rumors of impending widespread electoral malpractices and plans for staggering scale of falsified results by APC and this could only be possible because of serious shortcomings within the regulatory agencies, most notably the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Vigorously manipulated by the presidency, INEC virtually abdicated its responsibility as impartial umpire. Inefficient and non-transparent in its operations, it has become an accessory to active rigging , they are also used as accessory and in some cases helped in, the brazen falsification of results.
INEC must not push the country further towards a one-party state and diminished citizen confidence in electoral institutions and processes. Most ominously, to undermined Nigeria’s capacity to manage its internal conflicts, deepening already violent tensions in the Niger Delta and refuelling Biafran separatism in the ethnically Ibo south east. It must not damage the country’s international image by this irresponsible and unapologetic election canceling .

-Chris Okobah PhD Tweeter handle @chris-okobah

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige has allegedly survived an assassination attempt which was allegedly masterminded by his kinsmen in his home place.

According to reports, some hoodlums who were allegedly hired to assassinate the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, have been apprehended.

It was gathered that the thugs were nabbed over the weekend in Alor community in Anambra state (the minister’s hometown) following the elections which was postponed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by one week.

The suspects have since been transferred from Alor community to the state CID for further interrogation.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, may have perfected plans for President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, having accused him of colluding with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in taking the decision to postpone the elections.

Oshiomhole, at the caucus parley on Monday in Abuja said “Whatever information INEC conveyed to PDP, they ought to have conveyed it to us.

“What INEC is doing in collusion with PDP is to get PDP to be shouting ‘they want INEC chairman removed. The more I listened to the explanation from INEC chairman, the more disgusted I was. If it was just about disgust, I can manage my feelings; it raises my suspicion about who is behind this agenda.

“The more explanations INEC chairman did, the more questions that were left unanswered. I think INEC deserves to make explanation to us, not because we a are a governing party but because we are a major player.

“Our commitment to democracy is non-negotiable; our people’s determination to elect Mr President is not at the mercy of any institution, including INEC.

“If you ask me, I will say as APC chairman too, I second (PDP National Chairman) Uche Secondus. I have no difficulty in seconding Secondus to have a new INEC chairman if that is what it takes to have a credible election.”

BY MICHAEL EKOKORUWE

Formal commissioner of education Delta State Professor Chief Abednego Eloghene Ekoko, has reiterated the victory of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) during the forthcoming 2019 general election. Professor Ekoko made the statement during the inauguration of campaign canvassers at Uzere, Isoko South local government area of Delta State.

The formal commissioner and passed sole administrator of Delta State University said, to fast track the process of victory for the People’s Democratic party (PDP) in the coming elections, he is inundated at spicing up the efforts of existing party structures as his contribution to ensure absolute victory at the polls.

The canvassers which according to professor Ekoko shall be known as EKOKO CANVASSERS FOR OKOWA, MANAGER AND OKUWEH (ECOMO 2019), were drawn from all the wards of Isoko South local government area of the state. Those inaugurated were mobilized to start work immediately.

Ekoko sued for peaceful conduct before and during the conduct of the elections even as he charged the canvassers to move round entire Isoko South local government area and campaign for votes in accordance with the party candidates issue based manifestos.

In attendance was senator James O. Manager, candidate for Delta South Senatorial District, Mr. Raphael Odorewu, chairman PDP Isoko South and party stalwarts from the area. Also members of political labour congress known as Frontier Interest Group, an umbrella body of the working class, professional, organized labour and associate institutions attended the ceremony.

In another development, professor Abenego Ekoko hinted on the symposium organized by the forum of intellectuals of Delta State for good governance on the theme “ Consolidating Democracy and the imperative for good governance” held at Isoko development union secretariat Oleh recently.

He posited that the performing candidates could be returned for another term while non performing candidates should be voted out. Ekoko called on the electorates to collect their PVC and value them even as he stated that Nigeria need people who can govern well and unite the people and not to divide the people.

Professor Ekoko added that the three tiers of government are equally important and the separation of powers operates within their limits. He noted that due process be applied in discharge and upholding the law of electoral processes. He condemned the acts of rigging elections through the importation of unqualified and sponsored voters.

Ekoko called on INEC to be seen to be fair and transparent in the discharge of their duties, noting that the component parts of governance where an all inclusive participatory and obedience / conformity to rule of law be embedded. Electorate should be properly and continually indoctrinated in voter’s education prior during and after elections by the elites and academics, he said.

The Secretary, VOTE OKOWA AGAIN (VOA) Aniocha South, the Coordinator Door to Door for Elumelu and Secretary, Nsukwa Clan Mandate, Hon. Chidi Chinedu Tugwa, has passionately appealed to youths of Ewulu to come out en-masse to vote Governor Okowa back to power come March 2nd 2019.

He made this call at Ewulu during a one-day sensitization campaign ahead of the 2019 general election, starting from February 16th to March 2nd 2019.

Hon. Chidi noted that the essence of the sensitization was borne out of the fact due mainly to the recent pockets of clashes between APC and PDP members in Ethiope East (Abraka), Uvwie, and Ughelli South with scores of persons feared dead and several others injured.

Chidi, a youth mobilizer for Okowa’s re-election, specifically encouraged the Ewulu people to vote for Hon.Godwin Elumelu and Hon. Austine Chikezie, while calling on every eligible voter in Anioma to vote for PDP all the way.

He affirmed that Elumelu and Chikezie have proven worthy of the offices they are vying for, thereby appealing to the good people of Ewulu and Aniocha South in general to vote them into office.

He equally assured them that Governor Okowa would transform Delta State into a paradise on earth when voted back to power.

Admonishing Ewulu youths to shun all forms of violence prior, during and after the elections.

He also informed them that the community would witness visible development when they vote Okowa back into power.

Hon. Chidi who used the opportunity to appeal to our amiable Governor, the ‘Road Master’ to listen to the cry of Ewulu people and give attention to the deplorable condition of Ewulu road, now and in his second term.

The high point of the one-day sensitization campaign focused on operation show your PVC, which is the only tool that guarantees the progress of the people, including productive engagement of the youths.

In addition, the peoples honorable encouraged them to vote massively for PDP during the elections and to also guard their PVC/Votes jealously while ensuring that the votes are counted at the respective polling units, before moving to the local government collation centre.

The sensitization witnessed a crowd of youths drawn from the various quarters that make up Ewulu community, other neighboring communities, and members of Door to Door in attendance.

AFOKOBAH CELESTINE
REPORTING

National Old Boys’ Association of St Patrick’s College Asaba (SPC), is set for a grand 75 years anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) of their Alma Mater and to rebrand the institution for academic excellence in line with global best practices.

Addressing newsmen yesterday in Asaba as part of activities preceding the anniversary, the National President of the association, Prof Epiphany Azinge (Okilolo Ahaba), said that the institution which was established in 1945 by the Catholic Mission has maintained a long history of academic excellence.

Prof Azinge said that the secondary school has also distinguished itself in the area of moral rectitude as proven in the character of its alumni, stressing that since the takeover of the school by the Church, the poor standards as a result of government interregnum has been boosted.

“On 17, March 2019, we will have to roll out the drums to celebrate 75 years. The institution is planning a 3-day ceremony and the Old Boys’ Association are keying to it. As the present Executive, we have been doing so much under our watch even though we just came on board last year. We are committed to ensuring that we do the best we can to uplift the image of the school.

The basis of any Old Boy Association is to give back to that institution that helped you at your formative stage and helped to groom and nurture you to the stage you have found yourself. We are more or less the ambassadors of the institution because we offer the much needed inspiration to those who are still there”

Corroborating Prof Azinge, the National Secretary, Engr Tony Odiadi, gave a breakdown of activities marking the Diamond Jubilee to include Poetry, Dance, Music and Cultural Presentation by students on Friday 15, March 2019, followed the next day (March 16) with an Alumni Lecture themed “Entrepreneurship in a Challenging Environment”.

He added that after the lectures and at sundown, there will be a Gala to be hosted by the National President while activities will be concluded with a High Mass on March 17 (Feast of St Patrick) by His Grace, the Catholic Bishop of Issle-Uku Dioceses, Most Rev (Dr) Michael Odogwu Elue and thereafter, inspection of ongoing projects in the school.

“Afterward, we will then begin to look at what else we have to do in the year. We will have the grand alumni reunion and lunching of funds because this administration has done a comprehensive NEEDS assessment of what the school need and where we can intervene accordingly” he added.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, held its monthly congress on Thursday, 7th February, 2019 at its temporary Secretariat, Labour House, Asaba. The well attended congress deliberated on sundry issues affecting the welfare of its members, professional practice and the state of Delta and the nation, among others. As part of decisions made, the congress came up with the following as a communiqué where the following resolutions were reached.   

Politicians at both national and state levels have been admonished to be mindful of their utterances in order not to pass the wrong messages to their followers and further heat up the polity.

The call is contained in a seven-point communiqué issued by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, at its monthly congress held last Thursday, February 7, 2019 in Asaba.

The NUJ said the call had become necessary in view of the preponderance at which some people react in line with the body language and utterances of their political leaders to cause mayhem and unleash hardship on innocent citizens.

The NUJ in the communiqué signed by the Council Chairman, Michael Ikeogwu and Secretary, Churchill Oyowe, condemned in strong term, the political violence which it said had resulted in killings in Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area of the state and disturbances of peaceful coexistence in places such as Abraka and Ughelli.

The union called on political leaders to always have their followers in check to nip in the bud any act that might cause breakdown of law and order or endanger lives and properties.

The congress also called on both politicians and the electorate to shun and discourage any act of vote buying in order to ensure free, fair and transparent election, expressing the belief that such would bring about electing credible leaders that would not mortgage the dividends of democracy.

It also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be an unbiased umpire and intensify voters’ education and availability of permanent voters cards (PVCs) to enable the electorate exercise their franchise and make the electoral process credible.

While charging security agencies to live up to their responsibilities by ensuring fair play and neutrality before, during and after the general elections, the congress emphasized the need for security agencies to be civil and eschew overzealous tendencies in their dealings with journalist and election observers, even as its charged journalists and election observers to be professional in carryingout their responsibility.

The union called on the Delta State Government to as a matter of urgency, address the challenges  of reckless parking of articulated vehicles along Umunede and Ubolo-Okiti axis of the Benin/Asaba Express Road, NPA Express Way, Warri and the Sapele/Oghara axis of the Warri/Sapel/Benin Express Road explaining that they posed serious threat to life.

From SUNNY A. DAVID / AWKA 
Residents of Asaba, capital city of Delta State and their counterparts in Awka, Anambra state are now living in fear over raging bloody cult mayhems that have claimed lives in both cities.Orient Daily gathered that no less than 10 persons have been allegedly murdered in the last two weeks in parts of Asaba while about six youths have equally been gunned down in Awka over the last week in the wake of the latest cult clashes in both cities.This paper learnt that the killings in Asaba are perpetuated by two cult groups, the Vickings and Eiye confraternities who are locked in a supremacy battle while that of Awka is reportedly a bloody battle between the Vikings and Black Axe over control of two motor parks along Enugu/Onitsha expressway.It was gathered that the cult groups have allegedly killed their targeted persons in Isieke quarters, Umuagu quarters, Summit area, Bonssac quarters, Okwe and Oduke community and other affected areas in Asaba in the day time, leaving the victims in pools of their blood.According to a reliable source, the Awka mayhems have also recorded some murders, three of which were reported at Ezejiaku, Amikwo village, near Glory of Yahweh Sabbath Church, Awka while the other three were gunned down at Umuonaga village, Awka. “The battle is a continuation of the Imo Oka 2018 festival clash which led to the killing of over 20 people last year before police intervened. From what we gathered, these two groups are still fighting over control of two motor parks before and after Sinai Petrol Station, Onitsha-Enugu expressway, Awka”, the source said.Another source who gave her identity simply as Angel, told this paper how two of the murdered cultists ran into their compound in search of escape route moments before they were gunned down. “We were inside our house and, all of a sudden, two strange-looking boys ran into our compound and begging us to show them an escape route and that some people were after them. As they tried to escape through the other gate, we started hearing heavy gunshots and ran inside. By the time the gun fire stopped and we came out, we saw their lifeless bodies.She disclosed that efforts by residents of the area to reach police during the melee proved abortive, while adding that there had been increase in insecurity in the state even as she appealed that the state government do something urgent about such incidence.Anambra state police public relations officer, SP Haruna Mohammed, told Orient Daily that investigation was ongoing to uncover the facts behind the latest clashes and apprehend the suspects. He disclosed that ‘intensive raid is ongoing’ and that residents of the affected areas “should not relent in their efforts to provide us with useful information that could help us arrest the misguided elements.”
Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, however, denied knowledge of the cult killings, but assured of the police continued protection of lives and properties in the state.“Though I am not aware of any killings, except few suspected hoodlums that are killing themselves, the police are doing everything possible to strengthen the 24-hour patrol teams of the police that will ensure the evil perpetrators are brought to book, the police are not relenting in doing this as well as maintaining law and order in the State”, Aniamaka said.Their modus operandi, further investigation revealed, is in most cases, executed in disguised manners of being masked, giving credence to the fact that they are cultists and after their evil execution, don’t take away any belongings from their victims but ensure dead.Only recently, these suspected cultists killed a bread seller around Ibusa Asaba Junction after he was said to have been severally shot on his head and stomach before jumping into a stationary vehicle without plate numbers.A resident of the area, Margaret Molokwu who spoke to journalists said,” Cultists have been terriorising Asaba, and killing their targets, Business is no longer moving because everyone is living in fear. They have taken over everywhere in Asaba and kill every day. The police seem not to be doing anything about it. Thank God for the soldiers who have been positioned everywhere, especially at Ibusa Junction where the cultists killed the bread seller”

BY SUNNY A. DAVID / ENUGU

The Enugu State Police Command have arrested a 56-years-old woman, one Edith Ewulu, for allegedly buying a five-years-old child stolen from her parents.

Our Correspondent learnt that the woman, who resides in Enugu State, bought the baby from one Chioma who claimed to be operating a social home in Abia State.

A statement by the spokesman of the Enugu State Police, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, said the woman was arrested at a new generation church where she took the child for Thanksgiving and Dedication as her daughter.

“A 56-year-old woman identified as one Edith Ewulu from Enugu Agidi in Anambra State but said to be residing in Emene Enugu State was arrested by the operatives of the Emene Police Division of the Nigeria Police Force, Enugu State Command for allegedly being in possession of a five year old baby stolen from the mother on 6th of February, 2019 at Emene Enugu,” Mr. Amaraizu said.

“She was arrested at one of the New generation churches located at Emene Enugu where she took the child for Thanksgiving and dedication as her daughter after changing the name of the stolen child from little Miss Felicia as named by her parents”.

The spokesman said the suspect on interrogation confessed to the crime.

“The suspect confessed that she bought the said child from one Chioma, who claimed to be running a social home in Aba, Abia state, at the sum of N470,000”

According to the spokesman, the suspect further said she bought the baby on February 7, 2019 from the seller at a renowned hospital in Umuahia which made her believe that the business was genuine.

On her part, the biological mother of the child, Philomena Godwin, said that her baby was stolen on February 6, 2019 at Emene, Enugu.

The statement by the police spokesman quoted Mrs. Godwin as stating that she was having a headache on the said day and decided to go inside her room to have a nap while her baby was outside playing.

“But when she woke up, she could no longer see her baby and various attempt made to get her proved abortive hence she reported to the police.”

She also appreciated the prompt action of the police that led to the recovery of her baby and the arrest of the alleged buyer.

Mr. Amaraizu said the recovered baby has been reunited with her parents while investigations are on to arrest members of the syndicate.

He advised parents and guardians to always be security conscious about their wards to avoid running into the hands of such mischief makers.

“The command also advises members of the public to promptly report any suspicious movement within their environment to the police for prompt necessary action,” he said.

One of the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been gutted by fire.

The incident occurred on Saturday night while the office was completely burnt down with all its content comprising ballot boxes, generators filled with fuel, cubicles, newly printed electronic and manual Voters Register were destroyed, among others.

The fire also destroyed Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) yet to be collected by residents and other materials yet to be identified.

INEC Voter Education and Publicity Officer in Plateau State, Osaretim Imaehorobo, who confirmed on Sunday that burnt INEC office is in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area, said “A drunken security man was said to have caused the fire outbreak,”

The incident has allegedly caused a setback in the preparation for the general elections in the area.

From SUNNY A. DAVID / AWKA:

The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Senatorial candidate for Anambra South Senatorial District in the forthcoming February 16 general elections, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu has won his appeal filed against the earlier verdict of an Abuja High court which had invalidated the party’s Senatorial Primary conducted last October.

The Appeal Court affirmed him the party’s Senatorial Candidate for Anambra South coming on a date he rounded off tours of the one hundred and nineteen electoral Wards within the Senatorial District.It ruled that the Apo High court lacked the territorial jurisdiction to entertain the matter and that it was also filed out of time.

Prince Ukachukwu had a landslide victory of the APGA primary election for the Anambra South Senatorial District which was held at the Ekwulobia Township stadium with two hundred and eleven votes.

He defeated his closest rival, Iyom Bianca Ojukwu who polled one hundred and seventy-seven votes while Dr. Anslem Enyimba and Chief Ikenna Mbazulike-Amechi scored two votes each.

Another aspirant, an American-based professional, Dr. Okey Chidolue who was reportedly among those who joyously congratulated Ukachukwu that night later took him and the party to court, protesting the outcome.

Dr. Chidolue had polled only one vote, and prayed the Apo High Court, Abuja presided over by Hon Justice Valentine Ashi to upturn the primary which was adjudged by all to be very smooth, free and transparent, to his favour.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Thursday suspended its nationwide strike after three months.

ASUU National President, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, who announced the suspension of the individual strike action at a press conference in Abuja, the nation’s capital, disclosed that the Federal government has met with the union’s eight standard demands.

The union suspended the industrial action following its latest meeting with representatives of the Federal Government led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Nigige.

Read the full statement issued by the ASUU President below;

ACADEMIC STAFF UNION OF UNIVERSITIES (ASUU), NATIONAL SECRETARIAT. TEXT OF A PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE ACADEMIC STAFF UNION OF UNIVERSITIES (ASUU), THURSDAY, 7TH FEBRUARY, 2019, AT NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS HEADQUARTERS, PASCAL BAFYAU HOUSE, ABUJA

Protocol

Friends and compatriots of the Press, On Sunday, 4th November, 2018, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) resumed its strike action which was conditionally suspended on 14th September, 2017.

The action of 2017 was suspended following the signing of a Memorandum of Action (MoA) in which the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) promised to address the contentious issues within a timeline that was to end in October 2017.

While announcing the suspension of the nationwide action, however, our Union made it categorically clear that “ASUU will not hesitate to review its position should government renege on the signed Memorandum of Action”.

Predictably, Government implemented the MoA in the breach, thereby forcing ASUU to resume the suspended strike action.

Comrades and compatriots, as we have always argued, the last thing ASUU members love doing is to cause disruption in smooth intellectual engagements with colleagues, friends andstudents right on our university campuses.

This has nothing to do with the dubious advertorial of “non-disruption of academic calendar” by proprietors and administrators of some cash-and-carry universities and other self-styled enemies of ASUU.

Rather, it is about deep-seated pains members of the Union undergo to prevent strike actions and the equally painful consequences strike situations bring to all who are genuinely averse to the mercantile disposition to university education.

Why Strike Action? The question has been asked time and time again: Why does ASUU like embarking on strike action that causes disruption and dislocation in the universities?

However, ASUU is strongly convinced that if academics fail to fight the cause of university education, the fate that befell public primary and secondary schools would soon become the lot of the public university system in Nigeria.

ASUU’s advocacy on the need to stem the continued slide into rot and decay in public universities since the 1980s has fallen on deaf ears. Our experience, as a trade union, shows that successive governments in Nigeria always entered into negotiated agreements only to placate those pleading the cause – be it education, health, transportation, employment or any other issue of meaningful living.

This proclivity of the Nigerian ruling class, irrespective of which wing of the insensitive stock they belong, must be continually be tracked, engaged and resisted by all people of goodwill.

ASUU ‘s action strike, which started on 4th November, 2018, was situated in the context of accumulated records of indifference and lackadaisical attitude of Government to negotiated agreements with the Union.

At our media interaction in University of Lagos on 23rd  December, 2018, we highlighted the outstanding issues in the crisis to include the following:

– Funding for the revitalization of Public Universities based on the FGN-ASUU MoU of 2012, 2013 and the MoA  of 2017

– Reconstitution of the current Government Team to allow for a leader and Chairman of the FG-ASUU Renegotiating team who has the interest of the nation and the people at heart.

– Release of the forensic audit report on Earned Academic allowances (EAA), offsetting the outstanding balance of the EAA and mainstreaming of same into the 2018 budget.

– Payment of all arrears of shortfall in all universities that have met the verification requirements of the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit (PICA)

– Provision of a platform by the federal government for ASUU to engage Governors on the proliferation of universities, underfunding of university education and undue interference in the affairs of the universities

– Release of PFA operational license to NUPEMCO

– Payment of EAA to loyal ASUU members at the University of Ilorin A new Memorandum of Action and Our Resolution To date, ASUU has had a total of ten (10) interactive meetings with representatives of FGN which have culminated into a Memorandum of Action of

2019.

Highlights of the MoA include the following:

1. In addition to the N20 billion for 2018, the sum of N25 billion only would be released in April/May 2019, after which government would resume full implementation of the MoU of 2013.
2. Part-payment of the outstanding arrears of the earned academic allowances; defraying the balance up to 2018 in 4 tranches within 36 months; and mainstreaming further payments of EAA into the annual budgets beginning from 2019 budget.
3. PICA verification and the release of the arrears of salary shortfall at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, not later than 15th February 2019.
4. Strengthening the Consultative Committee on State-owned Universities (CCSOU), inaugurated on Monday, 28th January, 2019 to look into the issues of proliferation, underfunding and governance to consistently deliver on its mandate.
5. Payment of the outstanding EAA arrears of all eligible staff in the University of Ilorin, especially the loyal ASUU members whose appointments were illegally terminated by today, 7th February, 2019.
6. Acknowledgement and appreciation of Government for facilitating the release of the final letter of approval for the granting of operationallicense to NUPEMCO.
7. Visitation to all Federal Universities would commence tentatively by 11th March, 2019.
8. Provision of documented guidelines on procedures and roles of parties in the process of renegotiating FGN-ASUU Agreement of 2009 which would commence not later than 18th February 2019 and end by Friday 29th March 2019.

Based on the initial proposals from Government, the Union made extensive consultations through its various organs. The final level of consultation was the meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) which took place 6th-7th February 2019.

NEC resolved that: Following a careful review of the report of engagements with the Federal Government on proposals for addressing all outstanding in the 2013 MoU and 2017 MoA, NEC resolved that the current strike action by the Union should be suspended conditionally with effect from 12.01 a.m on Friday 8th February 2019.

However, should Government fail to fulfill its part of the agreement as reflected in the 2019 Memorandum of Action, ASUU shall resume its suspended strike action as the Union deems necessary.

Conclusion

ASUU notes, with serious concern, the covert and overt roles of some vice-chancellors in the management and application of funds attracted by our Union to Nigeria’s public universities.

Consequently, we condemn, in the strongest terms, Vice-Chancellors who have made efforts to undermine and, in some cases, attempted to break our patriotic struggles for the revitalisation of public universities in Nigeria.

ASUU will not shy away from taking headlong those Vice-Chancellors who are reputed for acts of impunity, nepotism and other forms of conduct which are antithetic to university culture and the progressive development of our universities.

Our union will compile all their shenanigans and forward them to relevant authorities for further action.

Finally, ASUU acknowledges the understanding and support demonstrated by patriotic Nigerian students and their parents all through the strike period.

We equally appreciate the comradely assistance from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), represented by the newly re-elected President, Comrade Ayuba Waba, who has stood by us throughout the struggle.

We also acknowledge the solidarity of the civil society organisations, especially the Joint Action Front (JAF) and the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), and members of the progressive wing of the media who have consistently partnered with us in our mission to rescue Nigerian public universities from imminent collapse.

While we put a closure to this phase of the struggle, it is our hope and desire that the Nigerian governments (Federal and State) will play the roles expected of them in order to make the new Memorandum work.

We shall never abandon our obligation to ensure the survival of a sound university system.

For ASUU, the struggle certainly continues!

Thank you for listening.

Biodun Ogunyemi

President

7th February 2018

Ahead of the March 2019 governorship polls date, three gubernatorial candidates in Delta state, on Thursday failed to attend the debate hosted by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Africa.

Without reasonable excuses, the trio of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa (PDP), Great Ogboru (APC) and John Akwara (SDP) did not show up at the exciting debate which held at the Orchid Hotel in Asaba, Delta state capital.

Frank Esanubi (AAC), Brando Omu (AGAP) and Odiakpo Obire (PPA) were however on ground to whet the people’s appetite and anxiety during the debate.

Most Deltans, who attended the successful debate were unhappy that some governorship candidates failed to appear, saying that such disappointment clearly shows the poor attitude of the candidates in relating and interacting with people they intended to govern.

Meanwhile, a tip off from Government House, disclosed to Blank NEWS Online that Governor Okowa held his Security Council meeting at same time of the debate.

The BBC Governorship Debate was to enable the governorship candidates sell their manifestoes to the people in Pidgin English. The debate stretch was to see political candidates questioned on issues around economy, education, health, Infrastructure and creation of jobs in the state.

Recall that the Head of BBC West Africa, Oluwatoyosi Ogunseye, had disclosed that the debate aims to bring governance closer to the people by engaging audiences, clarifying the issues as well as bridge the gap between candidates and the electorate.

The Delta state Police Command has confirmed the arrest of one Chief Festus Idele Akinima, who allegedly defiled an under aged teenager and got her pregnant. She has been having long sessions of unprotected sexual inter-course with the old man.

Little Miss Ijeoma Ishima, a 13 year old groundnut hawker and JSS 1 student in one of the Secondary Schools in Obiaruku in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State was a victim of child abuse, one of the gravest ills in today’s Nigeria.

In recent times, cases of child defilement, child abuse, rape and dangerous (illegal) abortion, had been a recurrent issue, plaguing our society. And experts in social psychology have attributed the vices to the rising case of poverty, and lack of parental control.

As a child born to parents of poor background Ijeoma, treks every nook and corner of Obiaruku to hawk groundnut everyday, as soon as she returns from school. This micro – enterprise was necessary to supplement her father’s okada riding venture and her mother’s petty trading, to enable the family ere out a living.

It was this unfortunate circumstance of little Ijeoma’s life that a shameless and morally depraved Chief Festus Idele Akinima took undue advantage of and lured the little innocent girl into unwholesome sexual escapades on several occasions and the cat was let out of the bag when Chief Akinima got her pregnant. The pregnancy was five (5) months old when it was discovered by her mother.

Miss Ijeoma’s ordeal started sometime in late July 2018, while walking across the compound of Chief Idele Akinima at Wire Road, Obiaruku.

After patronizing the little girl, Chief Akinima, who developed a lust full interest in her, told her to come and sell groundnuts to him at home everyday because he loves eating groundnuts, unsuspecting Ijeoma was ecstatic with joy as she felt that a big customer had placed an order for daily supplies, unknown to her that Chief Akinima had an evil plan to steal her virginity.

Blank NEWS Online reporter gathered that Chief Akinima skillfully established a relationship with the small girl by giving her the impression that he was going to empower her through his patronage and that therefore positioned him to have easy access to the girl’s sexuality. This was how the unholy affair between Chief Akinima, a 69 year old man, with a 13 year old, J.S.S. 1 student began.

The cat was let out of the bag when Ijeoma’s mother, Mrs. Ishima, started noticing signs of pregnancy in her daughter’s body. According to her, she observed Ijeoma’s enlarged boobs, protruding stomach and weight gain and the signs forced her to question the girl closely before she confessed that she has been having long sessions of unprotected sexual inter-course with the old man.

Mrs. Ishima could not contain the unholy discovery alone. She told her husband who was immediately consumed by anger and immediately, the young man sharpened his cutlass and went after Chief Akinima.

It’s only the good God that saved what could have resulted to jungle justice and murder that fateful day of early January, 2019.

Blank NEWS Online gathered that when Ijeoma’s father got to Chief Akinima’s house, he met his absence and that saved the day.

Subsequently, Chief Akinima, knowing that his bedroom evil deeds had been exposed, began under-ground moves to settle the issue with the family of the defiled girl.

It was however, at this point that a human rights activists (names withheld), reported the matter at the Police Station, Obiaruku. The Police at Obiaruku immediately went into action and invited the victim, Ijeoma and her mother to the Station for interrogation.

The victim, at that time, had been pressured by the accused, Chief Akinima and his cohorts to commit an illegal abortion to terminate the pregnancy and she opened up to the police all transpired.

Blank NEWS Online was reliably informed that one Samuel, who is a brother to the victim’s father, was the man Chief Akinima used to intervene on his behalf on the matter. It was the said Samuel who then appeased the anger of Ijeoma’s parents and got them to cooperate and get the pregnancy aborted.

Thereafter, with funds obtained from Chief Akinima, the team of Samuel and Ijeoma’s mom took Ijeoma to one of the private hospital at Obiaruku on their bid to terminate the pregnancy.

Blank NEWS Online reporter was also reliably informed that doctors at the hospital, after conducting necessary tests, discovered that the that the pregnancy was already five months and therefore refused to carry out the abortion. They instead, advised Samuel and the girl’s mother to desist from carrying out the abortion because it was illegal and that the life of the little girl may be put in danger if they go ahead to do it.

However, while the girl and her mom, along with Samuel, were going from the hospital, an auxiliary nurse/ward attendant cornered them a few meters away from the hospital and told them that she could handle the illegal abortion.

The party subsequently assigned the job to her and she gave them an appointment for the abortion to take place somewhere in Abraka, the neighbouring community, after the deal was struck.

Blank NEWS Online was reliably informed that the auxiliary nurse subsequently gave Ijeoma a cocktail of tablets which the little girl was pressurized to swallow and the following day, she developed several complications arising from the abortion.

When her health condition worsened and she was at the point of death as a result of the unwholesome effects of the abortion drugs, she was rushed to another private clinic, opposite Rain Oil Filling Station, Obiaruku, owned by Head of Department, Primary Health Care, Ukuwnai Local Government Area, Dr. Edwin Igwale, who quickly carried out a life-saving medical treatment on her by cleaning the young girl’s womb of the dead fetus and in the process, saved her life.

Following the confessional statement of Ijeoma and her mother, the Police made several efforts to arrest Chief Akinima without successes as he was said to have evaded police arrest on several occasions.

On the first occasion, he was invited on an appointment and he failed to honour the invitation. On a second instance, police got information that he was in a meeting with other Onotu-Ukus at Chief Dickson Odogwu’s house, the Onotu-Uku General of Obiaruku. When they (police) got to Chief Odogwu’s compound, he (Chief Akinima) on sighting them, escaped into one of the adjoining rooms in Chief Odogwu’s house. The Police had to honour the intervention of the chiefs and later sent a letter to Chief Odogwu to produce him within 24 hours.

Blank NEWS Online learnt that two days later, Chief Akinima was escorted to submit himself to the Police by Chief Andrew Nwabueze, his close friend.

When the victim (Ijeoma) was invited to identify her abuser, she quickly identified Chief Akinima as the randy old man who impregnated her, and of course, the day was saved as Chief Akinima didn’t deny as he accepted responsibility for his sexual assault on the underage girl (Ijeoma).

Equally, little Ijeoma also implicated Chief Andrew Nwabueze as the one who told Chief Akinima to abort the pregnancy and this led to his detention along with Chief Akinima by the police.

Efforts are been made by Chief Akinima to kill the matter and reconcile with the family of the victim.

Blank NEWS Online gathered that Chief Akinima and the victim’s family had already reached an agreement where Chief Akinima hd agreed to pay the sum of two hundred thousand naira (N200,000.00) to the family of the girl, to settle the matter. The agreement was said to have been written by a lawyer (name withheld).

However, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Obiaruku Police Station, Sp Isaac Ogbodu was to be uncomfortable with the scenario whereby the case was not treated with the severity and justice it deserves. The DPO therefore refused to be compromised, as he is known to be a highly disciplined and upright police officer committed to the dispensation of justice wherever the need arises. He was said to therefore, promptly transferred the case to the State CID, police Headquarters, Asaba and subsequently transferred the criminal who could not control his high libido to Asaba, in pursuit of justice. Chief Akinima was however, said to been detained for almost three days at the Police Headquarters, Asaba, before he was released on bail.

Blank NEWS Online is however, yet to find out what will be the outcome of Police headquarters involvement in the matter; whether the police would charge the case to court or not.

When Blank NEWS Online contacted the Police Headquarters at Asaba, the Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Mr. Andrew Aniamaka, confirmed the incident and said “The DPO did the right thing by transferring the case to the State CID for discrete investigation, pls!.”

However, the human right activists, (names withheld) had vowed to pursue the case to its logical conclusion in his determined bid to ensure that Chief Akinima is made to face the full force of the law, for justice to be done.