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“In Enugu There is No Honour Among Political Thieves”, Say State Stakeholders

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Enugu State stakeholders have described the absence of erstwhile Governor Chimaroke Nnamani at the inauguration on Monday of Peter Mbah as the new state governor as a manifestation that there is no honour among those they call political brigands in the state.

“There is honour even among thieves, but it is not so among the swindlers in our state who robbed the people of the mandate they freely gave the Labour Party on March 18”, declared the Enugu State Stakeholders Forum (ESSF) in a statement today signed by its president, Professor Joseph Aneke, and the secretary, Dr Ifeanyi Agbo.

Outgoing Senator Nnamani brought out the “purported governor-elect from nothing and placed him on a high pedestal”, observed the stakeholders,“ yet he did not find it worthy of attending Mbah’s swearing-in as governor because they could not keep their agreement to shortchange the Enugu people”.

The stakeholders recalled how the then-governor made Mbah his Chief of Staff fresh from school and later appointed him the Commissioner for Finance.

The statement alleged that Mbah and Nnamani, both from the Nkanu sub-ethnic group, parted ways even before the conclusion of the 2023 general elections because of their “crass selfish interests which turned out to be mutually exclusive”.

The former governor has publicly been accusing fellow PDP leaders in the state of betrayal since he lost the Enugu East senatorial race on March 18 to little-known Sir Kelvin Chukwu of the Labour Party, a younger brother of Chief Oyibo Chukwu of Labour Party who was assassinated three days to the National Assembly poll, a development which compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the Enugu East senatorial election to three weeks later.

Dr Nnamani has in a series of statements accused the immediate past governor, The Right Honorable Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and Mbah of masterminding the rigging of the gubernatorial poll in favour of their party but refused to rig for him during the senatorial election for fear that the reaction of the people would be too severe for the PDP to bear.

“It was Senator Nnamani who convinced Ugwuanyi that Mbah is the right person to protect his interests after leaving office on May 29 as governor and should, therefore, anoint him as his successor”, claimed the stakeholders.

“Still, both Mbah and Ugwuanyi had no scruples in ditching him when it mattered most because there is no honour among the political scavengers of our state”.

The ESSF described the parting of ways between Mbah and Nnamani as paradoxical because Mbah stoutly refused to betray him when he was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after serving as the finance commissioner.

Though a lot of assets including a number of properties, a radio station and a telecommunications company belonging to Dr Nnamani were confiscated by the EFCC which told the court that they were acquired with proceeds from corruption, Mbah is reputed to have done well to avoid implicating his former boss.

“His performance at the EFCC impressed Nnamani so much that he decided to reward him with a higher political position at the right time”, said the stakeholders.

“He had no difficulty convincing the then governor to adopt Mbah as his candidate in the PDP primaries, all the more so since Mbah has made so much money through his Pinnacle Oil and Gas Company and was eager to spend a lot of it in order to become the Enugu State governor”.

With Ugwuanyi’s support, Mbah secured the PDP gubernatorial ticket by a landslide on May 26, 2022, at Nnamadi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu, scoring 790 out of the 807 votes.

The ESSF advised Senator Nnamani to testify honestly at the Enugu State Election Petitions Tribunal where Chijioke Edeoga, the Labour Party gubernatorial candidate, is contesting the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) declaration of Mbah as the elected governor.

“The testimony will not be borne out of vengeance against his party but to free his conscience and help liberate the state from brigandage”, stated the stakeholders.

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NCS Says July Recruitments CBT is Fake

At no time did the Service issue any such announcement regarding a CBT slated to take place in July 2025.

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ABDULLAHI MAIWADA Assistant Comptroller of Customs National Public Relations Officer for Comptroller-General of Customs, a Computer-Based Test (CBT) scheduled to take place in July, 2025 as part of the ongoing NCS recruitment exercise, currently circulating on social media and other messaging platforms, is fake .

In a statement on Sunday, MAIWADA categorically stated that the said press release is fraudulent, misleading, and did not emanate from the Nigeria Customs Service.

The statement reads:

At no time did the Service issue any such announcement regarding a CBT slated to take place in July 2025.

Upon close scrutiny, it is clear that the fake statement contains several discrepancies, particularly in its formatting.

The e-signature format differs from our official standard and the recruitment timeline mentioned shows a faulty structure that is not connected to any legitimate process.

The Nigeria Customs Service understands the interest of many Nigerians in its ongoing recruitment process and urges the public not to engage with, share, or act upon such unverified content.

Authentic information about NCS activities, including its ongoing recruitment exercises, will be published only on our official website, verified social media platforms, and recognised national newspapers.

The Service is taking steps to trace the origin of this false information and will take appropriate action to hold those responsible accountable.

When the Service is set to begin the next phase of the recruitment process, the public will be duly notified through appropriate channels.

The NCS deeply appreciates the vigilance of concerned Nigerians. We reaffirm our commitment to protecting the public from misinformation, ensuring all our processes uphold the highest standards of transparency and integrity.”

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Oyo Police declares readiness to foil July 7 ‘Black Axe’ violence

In a statement on Sunday, the command’s spokesman, SP Adewale Osifeso, warned that intelligence reports indicate the possibility of violent reprisals and large-scale mayhem by rival cult groups during the event.

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The Oyo State Police Command has issued a security alert ahead of the July 7 Founders’ Day celebration of the Neo-Black Movement of Africa (Aiye Confraternity), popularly known as the Black Axe cult group.

In a statement on Sunday, the command’s spokesman, SP Adewale Osifeso, warned that intelligence reports indicate the possibility of violent reprisals and large-scale mayhem by rival cult groups during the event.

The police said intelligence-led operations and community engagements have revealed that the Neo-Black Movement may use the occasion to carry out attacks, potentially triggering serious public disorder across parts of the state.

The Command urged residents to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, and cooperate with security agencies to maintain peace and order.

“As part of our proactive security measures, the Police Command has conducted multiple sensitisation sessions with key stakeholders, including hoteliers, lounge owners, and operators of studio apartments, to emphasise the importance of refusing to make their facilities available for hosting gatherings associated with cult groups known for violent activities.

“The safety of all residents remains our highest priority.

We therefore call on parents, guardians, community leaders, and influential figures to collaborate with law enforcement in mitigating these risks.

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Akwa Ibom: Gov. Eno increases corps members’ allowance to N20,000

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Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has approved an increment in the monthly state allowance for corps members serving in the state from N5,000 to N20,000.

Mr Eno made the announcement on Friday during the state delivery meeting, held at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Uyo.The increment will take effect from Aug. 1st.

The governor said that the increment was to support the Federal Government’s N77,000 monthly allowance, toward helping corps members meet their basic needs.“

More than 10, 000 corps members are posted to Akwa Ibom annually. We must continue to encourage and support them,” Mr Eno said.

It would be recalled that the governor, last week, approved the reconstruction of the NYSC orientation camp at Ikot Itie Idung, as part of efforts to improve the welfare of corps members in the state.

(NAN)

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