News
Democracy Is Alive In Nigeria After 2023 Elections — Tinubu
In his first address to Nigerians on the occasion of the 2023 Democracy Day, on Monday June 12, President Bola Tinubu said the “intensely contested” 2023 general elections showed that democracy is “well and alive” in Nigeria.
Democracy Day is celebrated yearly on June 12 in honour of the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola and other heroes of democracy.
Addressing Nigerians on Monday, Nigeria’s newly inaugurated President said the heroes of democracy paid the supreme price for the gains enjoyed in the country currently.
Tinubu said the 2023 general elections showed that democracy is well alive in Nigeria.
According to him, the beauty of democracy is that winners today can lose tomorrow and losers today can later win elections.
The President said, “This year, we held the seventh in the cycle of elections that have become sacred rituals of our democratic practice in this dispensation since 1999.
“That the polls were intensely contested is in itself positive evidence that democracy is well and alive in our land. It is only natural that even as those who won and experienced victory in the various elections are elated and fulfilled, those who lost are disenchanted and disappointed. But the beauty of democracy is that those who win today can lose tomorrow and those who lose today will have an opportunity to compete and win in the next round of elections.
“Those who cannot endure and accept the pain of defeat in elections do not deserve the joy of victory when it is their turn to triumph. Above all, those who disagree with the outcome of the elections are taking full advantage of the constitutional provisions to seek redress in court and that is one of the reasons why democracy is still the best form of government invented by man.”
Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) came out tops in 12 of Nigeria’s 36 states, and secured significant numbers in several other states to claim the highest number of votes — 8,794,726, almost two million votes more than his closest rival, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Atiku, 76, who has now run for president six times, got 6,984,520 votes, while Peter Obi of the Labour Party, who, in less than a year, galvanised young voters in a manner some have described as unprecedented finished the race with 6,101,533.
Both Atiku and Obi are challenging Tinubu’s victory in court, alleging electoral fraud.
News
Police hunt for abductors of Ebonyi ex-deputy Governor’s Father
Eyewitnesses said that armed men on a motorcycle intercepted his vehicle, forced him out, and whisked him away to an undisclosed location.
The Nigeria Police Force in Ebonyi State has confirmed the abduction of Francis Igwe, father of former Deputy Governor, Kelechi Igwe.
He was reportedly kidnapped on Sunday morning while on his way to church in Ndufu-Alike community.
Eyewitnesses said that armed men on a motorcycle intercepted his vehicle, forced him out, and whisked him away to an undisclosed location.
The Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, Sunday Nwankwo, confirmed the incident, noting that local authorities are working closely with security agencies to facilitate his rescue.
Also confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Joshua Ukandu, said operatives have intensified efforts to ensure the victim’s safe return.
News
A Lagos Drug Kingpin Ends Up in NDLEA Net After 13 Years in Hiding
Reacting to the eventual arrest of Chidiebere after 13 years on the run, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), said that the agency remains resolute in dismantling criminal networks and bringing all offenders to justice.
Photo credit: NDLEA
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a notorious drug kingpin, Reginald Peter Chidiebere after 13 years in hiding.
Femi Babafemi , Director, Media & Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters Abuja, made the disclosure in a statement on Sunday.
The drugs kingpin was caught by the operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos.
The drug lord was first arrested in 2013 over the shipment of cocaine into Nigeria and was subsequently arraigned before Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court Lagos in charge no. FHC/L/187c/2923.
He however jumped bail and went into hiding after the trial judge granted him bail in 2013 and has since remained at large.
In February 2024, his name featured prominently as one of the masterminds of the shipment of 49.70 kilograms heroin imported from South Africa following the interception of the consignment by NDLEA operatives at the import shed of the Lagos airport.
A follow-up operation was carried out on 19th February 2024 at his Golden Platinum Hotel & Suites, located at No. 16/18 Reginald Peter Chidiebere Street, Hope Estate, Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos where an additional 2.20 kilograms of heroin was recovered from one of his guests, Igbuanugo Ebuka ThankGod.
As a result, Chidiebere went underground.
The agency however secured the interim forfeiture of his hotel and blocked all bank accounts traced to him since 2024.
Following these developments, Chidiebere could no longer sustain himself in hiding, prompting his surrender to the agency on 13th February 2026 and has since been taken into custody to face his pending charges for which he jumped bail in 2013 and fresh charges based on the 2024 heroin consignments linked to him.
Reacting to the eventual arrest of Chidiebere after 13 years on the run, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), said that the agency remains resolute in dismantling criminal networks and bringing all offenders to justice.
“I commend our officers and men for their persistence and professionalism in this operation”, he added.
News
Governor Nwifuru Suspends Commissioners of Work and Infrastructure
The affected commissioners have been directed to hand over all government property in their possession, including their official vehicles, to the Secretary to the State Government without delay.
The Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has approved the indefinite suspension of the State Commissioner for Work, Engr. Stanley Lebechi Mbam, and the Commissioner for Infrastructure Development for Concession, Engr. Ogbonnaya Obasi Abara, over alleged dereliction of duties.
In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Monday Uzor, the suspension takes immediate effect.
The affected commissioners have been directed to hand over all government property in their possession, including their official vehicles, to the Secretary to the State Government without delay.
No further details were provided regarding the specific circumstances surrounding the suspension.
Police hunt for abductors of Ebonyi ex-deputy Governor’s Father
A Lagos Drug Kingpin Ends Up in NDLEA Net After 13 Years in Hiding
Governor Nwifuru Suspends Commissioners of Work and Infrastructure
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