Headline

New S’South Governors Told Not To Toe Wike’s Path

Published

2 years ago

July 8, 2023

Urge Obaseki, Diri To Galvanise New Govs

Monarchs, leaders, and stakeholders of the South-South have urged the governors of the six states in the geo-political zone to “steer clear of squabble, and self-centered political” interests that made the immediate past governors work at cross-purposes in the dispensation that ended May 29 (2015-2023).

They urged the governors of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, the oldest among them, and his Bayelsa counterpart, Senator Douye Diri, to galvanize the four new governors, and ensure cohesiveness for the collective growth of the region.

The new governors are Sheriff Oboreverowi- Delta; Pastor Umo Eno – Akwa-Ibom state; Siminialaye Fubara (Rivers); and Bassey Otu (Cross-River).

The people were unhappy that the former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, was at loggerheads with other governors of the region, including the ex-governors of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Obaseki, and Diri, which adversely hurt the zone.

In addition, the former governor of Cross River state, Senator Ben Ayade, practically forgot about the collective South-South vision, as he distanced himself from other governors of PDP extraction in the zone, making it impossible for them to pursue the BRACED Commission mandate.

BRACED means Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Cross-River, Edo, and Delta, an acronym for the development machinery set up by the governors of the six oil states to fast-track integrated development of the region.

East-West Road should be a major concern – HRM Kabari, Rivers

The paramount ruler of Barako, Gokana Local Government Area, Rivers State, HRM (Mene) Kadilo Kabari, told Vanguard: “To make the difference, the current South-South governors can take a cue from what the South-East governors did in the preceding dispensation.”

“They were toe-to-toe with Federal Government, monitoring and following -up on ensuring it delivered the Second Niger Bridge, and today the people are happier for it.”

“You see in unity of purpose in their efforts to deal with insecurity as well. Therefore, for the South-South governors, we expect them to awaken the good intentions for bringing about their regional forum and the BRACED Commission, above partisan and selfish sentiments.

“On the horizon, there are many things they should be focused on realizing. Aside from initiating broad-based joint development projects, the East-West Road should be a major matter they should tackle with the federal government. The Bonny-Bode Road is another key infrastructure vital to the development of the region.

“Then, there are the ports, not forgetting Ogoni Cleanup that has lingered for too long. It is in the atmosphere of cohesiveness and collective bargaining that the governors can give meaning to the successful realization of these goals.

“As the longer-serving governors, Godwin Obaseki of Edo, and Duoye Diri of Bayelsa should bring their experiences to bear by providing selfless leadership for the South-South Governors Forum that will earn the trust of the four new governors, and stir up all of them to build a greater South-South.”

They should unite —HRM Baridam, Rivers

The Gbenemene and Kasimene VI of Ancient Bangha Kingdom, Khana Local Government Area, Rivers State, HRM, King (Dr) Suanu Baridam, told Vanguard, “South-South is one of the strongest geo-political zones in Nigeria. I think the best option for the governor of the zone is to come together, irrespective of their political affiliation to forge a way forward for South-South.”

HRM Baridam, who is the acting President, the Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers, asserted, “What we want is for the governors of South-South to unite for the common interest if the region. If they do this, we are going to achieve a lot as a people.

“Other governors of the South-South should feel free to work with Siminialaye Fubara. He is the Vice-Chairman of PDP governors. They should liaison with Fubara to get the region on the path of development.

“Douye Diri has an election to contest soon and the Edo Governor, Godwin Obaseki, is bowing out soon, I want these older governors to liaise with the new governors to work in unity.

“They should push a strong front that will stand for the people, in case we want to ask anything from the federal government. If they are not united, how will they bring benefits to the region? The best thing they can do for the people is to come because of the people that elected them.”

Obaseki and Diri should motivate others – HRM Ologho, Delta

The Regent of Emevor Kingdom, Isoko North Local Government Area, Delta State, HRM John Holt Ologho, advised Governors Obaseki and Diri to inspire the -other South-South governors to unite like their northern counterparts.

“The unity of the governors matters so much. They should come together and speak with one voice.”

Learn from past gaffe —Chief Gbenekama, Ijaw leader

The Fiyewei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta state, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, asserted: “If governors came together and agree that this is the direction they want to go, they should go in that direction. If all South- South governors feel that it is the South- South turn, or the South turn to produce the president, then so be it.

“But all politicians are ambitious, everybody wanted to try his luck and somehow my friend, the person I respect so much, the immediate past governor of Delta state, tried his hands, all of them tried their luck in different things.

“Therefore, you cannot totally blame him, right now, what they should is to come together. The days of politicking is over, deceiving people, and deceiving themselves is over.

“Governor Diri and Obaseki and the other new ones should come together, pull themselves together, we need them to give South-South direction because as of now, they are the political leaders of the South- South.

“We need to give South- South adirection, let them learn from the mistakes of the past governors and forge ahead, let them come together, think, plan, and see how we can benefit this present dispensation.”

Mend fence —Olorogun Akpomudje, SAN, Delta

The Otota of Olomu Kingdom in Delta State, Olorogun Albert Akpomudje, SAN, “The idea of South-South governors coming together is brilliant. But if you recall, they took a stand that the Presidency should shift to the South, they did, but in between, you know what happened.

“There were betrayals and that is where the whole thing fell apart. If they can be true to themselves, why not, it is a welcome development because you see the northerners under the Arewa Movement.

“When it comes to major policy decisions, they listen to that Arewa and you see their governors’ forum, whether APC or PDP very strong. By the time it comes to a major decision, they are able to come together and say hey, this is where we should go.

“The South should do the same, but it is because of this lack of trust for each other. The Igbo man does not trust the Yoruba man, and the Yorubu man does not trust the Igbo. That is our major problem, but there is no way that there will not be disagreement, you should always try to find a way to reconcile their differences and continue with what they were doing before as South-South governors.”

Breathe life into BRACED Commission — Nwauju, APC chieftain

However, the Spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers state, Darlington Nwauju, asserted, “First is to internalize the nuances of governance, especially for the first timers (even though most are in litigation).

“Get a grip on the current realities, especially the economic health of the state, and how it can manage to stay afloat in the next four years. Therefore, it is far more important to establish purpose and direction before looking beyond the shoulders to see how to unite with other South-South states.”

“I do not see anything binding the governors beyond political interests. No religious, educational, security, or economic bridges between and amongst the South-South states, we continue to witness the personalization of governance. Therefore, the more institutional bridges we succeed in building, the stronger the bonds of friendship we see. It is not rocket science.

“Good thing they are birds of the same political plumage (PDP), the more experienced governors should take the initiative to revive the BRACED Commission. Shed off primitive political orientations; invite ideologues and governance experts to blow the breeze of ideas on how to take the region out of the pecunious situation it finds itself.

“They should begin mass enlightenment of all political office holders from Councillors to Assembly members in the region to understand that the days of 13 percent Derivation funds will soon end and that the region must respond to the stimuli of the new reality that a knowledge-based economy is a way to go.”

Make S-South an investment hub —Prof Awhefeada, Delta

An intellectual, Prof Sunny Awhefeada, said: “South-South governors should encourage regional integration and revive the brilliant idea of BRACED states made up of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Cross- River, Edo, and Delta.

“There is so much they can do to develop infrastructure in the region and make it an investment hub.

“The South-South is one of the most endowed in terms of human and natural resources even without oil. So, the governors should think in the direction of regional integration.

“The toxicity (strained relationship of immediate past governors) was a product of misguided ambition and political selfishness. The present governors should jettison selfishness for selfishness, and focus on what to do to make life better for their people.

“Governors Godwin Obaseki and Duoye Diri, having been governors before the recently sworn-in governors should endeavor to chart a course for them to follow. Both men have the experience that can provide the navigational guide for the new governors.”

Reactivate S-South Govs Forum — Dr. Jonjon, ex-IYC president

Special Assistant on Ijaw National Affairs to the Bayelsa State Government, and president emeritus of the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Dr. Oyeinfie Jonjon, “Firstly, they need to reactivate the forum of South- South Governors and meet at least once a month rotationally in order to broaden, deepen, and strengthen the level of unity, they should go into partnership in areas of projects of common interest, like road, power generation, distribution, and railway among others.

”The people should be placed above any partisan interests. In addition, the governors should carry everyone not withstanding his/her political parties at the state Houses of Assembly and by extension, the federal parliamentarians.

”There should be a synergistic social, political, and cultural relationship in all areas of life, including fighting crime, poverty, and religious extremism.

”The doctrine of entitlement mentality and lazily waiting for manas from heaven should be strongly discouraged.”

VANGUARD

Headline

INTERPOL Arrests Nigerian In Argentina Over Multi-country Romance Scam

Published

6 hours ago

October 8, 2025

Editor

A Nigerian national identified as Ikechukwu N. has been arrested in Argentina for allegedly orchestrating multiple online romance scams targeting thousands of victims across several countries, according to a statement released by INTERPOL on Tuesday.

The arrest was made under Operation Jackal, an INTERPOL-led operation focusing on West African organised criminal groups involved in cyber fraud, money laundering, and related transnational crimes.

INTERPOL announced via its official X handle that Ikechukwu’s arrest marked Argentina’s first arrest of a fugitive under a Red Notice who was simultaneously listed in the organisation’s Silver Notice database — a new project aimed at tracing and recovering criminal assets worldwide.

The statement read: “Argentine authorities have captured Nigerian national Ikechukwu N., marking the country’s first arrest of a #RedNotice fugitive who was also the subject of an INTERPOL Silver Notice. The suspect is accused of orchestrating multiple romance scams involving thousands of women, and leading an international cybercrime network.”

INTERPOL added that the arrest was jointly carried out by the Argentine Federal Police and the Airport Security Police, with assistance from the INTERPOL Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre (IFCACC), the Federal Intelligence Secretariat (FIS), and INTERPOL Brazil.

The Silver Notice project, piloted in January 2025, enables member countries to share intelligence on the location and recovery of illicitly acquired assets linked to transnational crime.

Although details of the victims and total financial losses remain undisclosed, the operation is part of a broader international crackdown on cyber-enabled fraud schemes traced to West African syndicates.

Nigeria has been a focal point of similar investigations. In December 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced the arrest of 792 suspects — including foreign nationals — linked to a crypto-romance fraud ring operating from Lagos.

The syndicate reportedly targeted victims in the Americas and Europe through social media and messaging platforms, promising relationships and fake investment opportunities before defrauding them.

INTERPOL said further investigations into Ikechukwu’s activities are ongoing, with cooperation expected between Argentine authorities, Nigerian law enforcement, and other international partners involved in Operation Jackal.

Always ask who coin these words, who to benefit from such words

Headline

Eswatini Jails 10 Africans Deported From US

Published

2 days ago

October 6, 2025

Editor

The African kingdom of Eswatini said it received and jailed 10 more deportees from the United States on Monday as part of a US scheme to expel undocumented migrants.

Eswatini took in a first group of five men in July, with Ghana, Rwanda, and South Sudan also accepting US deportees in recent months in a programme criticised by rights groups.

The tiny southern African nation agreed in May to accept up to 160 deportees in exchange for $5.1 million to “build its border and migration management capacity”, according to a deal signed with the United States and seen by AFP.

Its correctional services department said in a statement Monday it “confirms the arrival of ten (10) third country nationals from the United States of America”.

It did not give details but said they had been “securely accommodated in one of the country’s correctional facilities” and the government would “facilitate their orderly repatriation”.

A US-based attorney representing some of the deportees said the new group included “three Vietnamese, one Filipino, one Cambodian”.

The lawyer, Tin Thanh Nguyen, represents two of the Vietnamese nationals who arrived Monday.

“One of my clients … tried to assert a reasonable fear of harm being deported to Eswatini, but ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement) ignored him and put him on the plane anyways,” he told AFP.

He also represents a Vietnamese and a Laotian who were part of the first group which also included nationals from Cuba, Jamaica and Yemen.

– ‘Legal black hole’ –

The deal that Eswatini signed with the United States on May 14 says that the US deportees may include third country nationals “with criminal backgrounds and/or who are designated suspected terrorists”.

Washington said the first group of men had been convicted of crimes in the United States, including child rape and murder, but their lawyers told AFP that all five had long finished serving their sentences.

Eswatini jailed them in its maximum security Matsapha Correctional Centre which is notorious for holding political prisoners and for overcrowding.

One of them, a 62-year-old Jamaican who had reportedly completed a sentence for murder in the United States, was sent back to his country around two weeks ago.

Nguyen said Eswatini was a “legal black hole” and the deportees were denied legal counsel.

His two clients had been detained since mid-July without a charge, he said.

“I cannot call them. I cannot email them. I cannot communicate through local counsel because the Eswatini government blocks all attorney access,” he told AFP.

Lawyers and civil society groups in Eswatini have gone to court to challenge the legality of the detentions.

A local lawyer on Friday won a court ruling allowing him to visit the four men still detained, but the government immediately appealed, suspending the ruling.

US President Donald Trump has overseen a drastic expansion of the practice of deporting people to countries other than their nation of origin, notably by sending hundreds to a notorious prison in El Salvador.

But rights experts have warned the deportations risk breaking international law by sending people to nations where they face the risk of torture, abduction and other abuses.

Human Rights Watch last month urged African governments to refuse to accept US deportees and to terminate deals already in effect, saying they violated global rights law.

Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland and landlocked by neighbours South Africa and Mozambique, has been led by King Mswati III since 1986 and his government has been accused of human rights violations.

Headline

Russian Strikes Kill Five In Ukraine, Cause Power Outages

Published

3 days ago

October 5, 2025

Editor

Russian strikes Sunday on Ukraine killed five people and badly damaged energy infrastructure, temporarily severing power supplies to tens of thousands and prompting neighbouring Poland put ground defence on high alert.

Russia has stepped up strikes on energy networks, increasing fears Moscow would resume its widespread campaign of attacks on power facilities, which have plunged millions into darkness in past winters.

Russian forces fired 496 drones and 53 missiles at Ukraine, the majority of which were shot down, according to the Ukrainian air force.

“Sadly, five people were killed. My sincere condolences to everyone who lost loved ones to this terror,” Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Strikes killed four people near Lviv, which lies in western Ukraine and is hundreds of kilometers from the front line, and has been largely spared the attacks that have hit cities further east.

“Near Lviv, an entire family of four was killed in their home, including a teenage girl,” Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said.

Emergency services released photos showing firefighters battling flames in a destroyed building, and helping elderly residents to safety.
Attacks also killed one person in the southern region of Zaporizhzhia and wounded people near the eastern front, local authorities said.
“Russians once again targeted our infrastructure -– everything that ensures normal life for our people,” Zelensky said.

The strikes cut power to over 110,000 subscribers across several regions, Ukraine’s emergency services said, with the hardest hit being Zaporizhzhia.

– ‘Gas, heat and light’ –
Overnight, more than 73,000 people in Zaporizhzhia were left without electricity, regional head Ivan Fedorov said, though power had been partially restored by the afternoon.

Ukraine’s state-run gas company Naftogaz network also reported damage to its network.
“These maniacal terrorist strikes are aimed solely at one thing — depriving Ukrainians of gas, heat, and light,” Naftogaz CEO Sergii Koretskyi said in a statement.

The Russian army said it launched an attack “against enterprises of the military-industrial complex of Ukraine and gas and energy infrastructure facilities that ensured their operation.”

Russian attacks have also rattled Ukraine’s European allies after a spate of alleged Russian airspace violations into Europe.

NATO boosted its defences along its eastern borders throughout the month as it accused Moscow of testing the alliance’s air defences with drone incursions into several members and by flying military jets in Estonian airspace.

Overnight Poland’s armed forces said on X that they had mobilised planes and put ground defences on high alert to secure the country’s airspace, especially in areas close to Ukraine.

Ukraine also said Russia was intensifying a campaign of air strikes on its railway network in an attempt to isolate frontline communities ahead of winter.

Russia launched drones at two passenger trains in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region on Saturday, killing one person and wounding dozens, according to Ukrainian officials.