News

Killing Of Anambra Ex-monarch: APC, APGA In Verbal War

Published

4 years ago

September 12, 2021

Last Friday’s gruesome murder of the former traditional ruler of Mkpunando community in Anambra East LGA, Alex Edozieuno and his driver, Chukwuemeka has triggered an altercation between the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

APC had raised the alarm over plots by some top government functionaries in the state, to eliminate selected leaders of the party, claiming that the late Edozieuno was also its member.

In a press conference by the Director-General of the Andy Uba campaign organization, Mr Paul Chukwuma and the state party chairman, Mr Basil Ejidike on Sunday, the duo said some leaders of the party in the state have been receiving death threats.

Chukwuma said some members of his party, including himself, has received threats for supporting the APC and its candidate, adding that the assassination of Edozieuno last Friday was politically motivated.

“We are here to brief you on a sad event that took place in our state on Friday. We woke up to the news of the assassination of Chief Alex Edozieuno. Until his death, he (Edozieuno) was the traditional ruler of Mkpunando community, before he was dethroned by the Obiano government.

“This death is of major concern to us because it is considered to be a politically motivated killing. We wonder how anyone could indulge in such an act, no matter how highly placed.

“A few weeks ago he joined our party in an elaborate political function. His reception into the party took place in his home town and was attended by many Anambra people, and now he is gone.

“Like late Edozieuno, most of our members, including the APGA lawmakers that defected to our party have been receiving death threats by phone calls. We wonder why the death threats to us and to members of our families, from highly placed individuals in Anambra, and a serving member of this government (names withheld).

“Our contest in Anambra has never gotten to a point where lives are lost and we are not taking this lightly. We are calling on the law enforcement agencies to move into action and conduct proper investigation since the threat has come to reality.

“Our resolve to salvage Anambra is not shaken. We could have swept it under the carpet, but the manner in which Edozieuno was killed is a source of concern to us. Things have gone bad in Anambra State, and infrastructure has broken down.

“We have had series of things go wrong in this state, but we have never addressed a press conference. We are forced to address this one because the issue at stake is bigger than the rest. I have been receiving threats and our party leaders too.

“We have decided to do things differently this time and we are reaching out to the people in the grassroots and by the grace of God it is yielding results and people are leaving APGA and PDP in droves to join our party, and it is apparent that some people are not happy with this.

“If this had happened on a Monday, it would have been blamed on IPOB. Let us distinguish criminals from IPOB, because IPOB has never threatened any APC member, and we have nothing against them,” Chukwuma said.

But the APGA in its reply through the state governor, Willie Obiano accused the APC of politicizing the death of the former monarch.

Governor Willie Obiano, while reacting through the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C. Don Adinuba described the allegation as stupid and unintelligent, calling on the APC not to politicize the death of the former monarch or that of anyone.

A release by Adinuba read: “The Anambra State Branch of the APC held a press conference where its leaders attempted to politicize the brutal murder of the former traditional ruler of Mkpunando community in Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area, Chief Alexander Edozieuno.

“The APC leaders alleged some Anambra State Government officials and a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Chinedu Obidigwe, had a hand in the murders, adding that the persons had been sending threatening messages to APC members.

“It is important to remind some politicians that it is asinine and callous to attempt to politicize the death of any person. To allege that the murders were preceded by threats and text messages without proof is preposterous.”

Adinuba said rather than politicize the ex-monarch’s death, the APC should provide whatever it has about the crime to the Nigeria Police Force, to help fish out the killers, as they are also the party in power at the federal level and controls the country’s security apparatus.

Obiano had immediately after the news of the killing on Friday ordered security agencies in the state to immediately swing to work, while the new state police commissioner in Anambra, Mr Tony Olofu also visited the scene of the event.

News

JUST IN: EFCC Summons Ex-AGF Malami For Questioning

Published

30 minutes ago

November 28, 2025

Editor

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has invited former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami for questioning.

Malami announced the development on his Facebook page on Friday, confirming that he had received a formal invitation from the anti-graft agency.

“I would like to inform my family and friends that I have been summoned by the EFCC to provide clarification on certain matters, and as a law-abiding and patriotic citizen, I am determined to honour this invitation without any hesitation,” he wrote.

News

Senate Confirms New FCC Chairman, Approves 37 Commissioners

Published

13 hours ago

November 27, 2025

Editor

The Senate on Thursday confirmed Hon. Ayo Omidiran, a former member of the House of Representatives, as the Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC).

At the same time, 37 commissioners representing the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were approved.

The confirmation followed the adoption of the report by the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, presented by Chairman Senator Allwell Heacho Onyesoh.

He informed the Senate that all nominees had successfully passed thorough screenings, submitted required documents—including Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) clearances, police reports, DSS vetting, and curriculum vitae—and had no criminal petitions filed against them.

The Senate conducted a state-by-state review in the Committee of the Whole, which was adopted when lawmakers returned to plenary.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, addressing the chamber after the unanimous confirmation, urged the appointees to serve with dedication and uphold public trust.

“Go and serve in the interest of the nation. I congratulate all the nominees and wish them a successful tenure,” he said.

Notable appointees include Peter Ogbonna Eze (Enugu State) and AbdulWasiu Kayode Bawa-Allah (Lagos State), while Mohammed Musa was retained as Secretary of the Commission.

Other confirmed commissioners are: Obinna Oriaku (Abia); Lawal Ya’u Roni (Jigawa); Abubakar Atiku Bunu (Kebbi); Eludayo Eluyemi (Osun); Bema Olvadi Madayi (Adamawa); Dora Ebong (Akwa Ibom); Nnoli Nkechi Gloria (Anambra); Babangida Adamu Gwana (Bauchi); Sir Tonye Okio (Bayelsa); Aligba Eugene Tarkende (Benue); Engr. Modu Mustapha (Borno); Dr. Stella Odey Ekpo (Cross River); Ederin Lovette Idisi (Delta); Barr. Nwokpor Vincent Nduka (Ebonyi); Hon. Victor Sabor Edoror (Edo); Hon. Sola Fokanle (Ekiti); Ibrahim Baba Mairiga (Gombe); Hon. Jerry Alagbaoso (Imo); Ruth Jumai Ango (Kaduna); Muhammad Awwal Nayya (Kano); Hon. Anas Isah (Katsina); Bello Idris Eneye (Kogi); Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi (Kwara); Alh. Isah Jibrin (Niger); Comrade Ajimudu Bola (Ondo); Prince Ayodeji Aleshinloye (Oyo); Hon. Pam Bolman (Plateau); Aaron Chukwuemeka (Rivers); Alh. Aminu Tambar (Sokoto); Bobboi Bala Kaigama (Taraba); Hon. Jibir Maigari (Yobe); Sani Garba (Zamfara); and Solomon Ayuba Dagami (FCT).

The Senate expressed confidence that the newly confirmed FCC leadership will enhance the commission’s capacity to promote equitable representation across Nigeria’s public institutions.

News

Tinubu Constitutes Membership For US–Nigeria Security Working Group

Published

13 hours ago

November 27, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has approved the formation of the Nigerian delegation to the US–Nigeria Joint Working Group, a bilateral initiative aimed at strengthening cooperation on security matters.

The decision follows a recent visit to Washington DC by a high-level Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. Ribadu will head the multi-agency team, which includes senior officials from key security and foreign policy institutions.

According to a statement signed by the President’s aide, Bayo Onanuga, members of the working group include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Bernard M. Doro; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Mohammed Mohammed; and Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun.

“Ms Idayat Hassan of the Office of the National Security Adviser and Mr Paul Alabi of the Embassy of Nigeria in the US will serve as the secretariat,” the statement added.

Tinubu urged the team to engage closely with their American counterparts to ensure the implementation of security agreements reached during the visit. The working group is tasked with coordinating bilateral efforts on counter-terrorism, defence cooperation, and regional stability.

The initiative has gained prominence following recent remarks by US leadership. US President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious-freedom violations and warned of possible military intervention should attacks on Christians persist, increasing pressure on the Nigerian government to strengthen its security response.

Bilateral cooperation
Recall that last week, a high-level Nigerian delegation led by Ribadu concluded a series of engagements with United States officials aimed at reinforcing bilateral security cooperation.

The discussions, held in Washington DC, involved senior representatives from the US Congress, the White House Faith Office, the State Department, the National Security Council, and the Department of War.

During the meetings, the Nigerian delegation rejected allegations of genocide in the country, emphasising that violent attacks affect communities across religious and ethnic lines.

“Wrongful framing of the situation would only divide Nigerians and distort the realities on the ground,” the delegation stated.

The United States expressed readiness to deepen security support, including enhanced intelligence sharing, expedited processing of defence equipment requests, and the potential provision of excess defence articles, subject to availability, to bolster ongoing counter-terrorism operations. Additional support in the form of humanitarian assistance and technical aid to strengthen early-warning mechanisms was also discussed.

Both nations agreed to implement a non-binding cooperation framework immediately and to establish a Joint Working Group to coordinate efforts across the agreed areas. The Nigerian delegation reaffirmed the government’s commitment to civilian protection measures and the safeguarding of vulnerable communities, particularly in the Middle Belt region.

The Nigerian delegation included Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, Attorney General of the Federation; General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff; Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Parker Undiandeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence; Mr Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police; Ambassador Ibrahim Babani, Director of Foreign Relations at the Office of the National Security Adviser; and Ms Idayat Hassan, Special Adviser to the NSA.

The Federal Government highlighted that the engagements provided an opportunity to correct misconceptions about Nigeria, build trust, and advance a coordinated approach to protecting citizens.

It urged the public to remain assured that coordinated measures are being taken to enhance security nationwide.