NEWS
IPOB FG Faceoff: Southeast Govs, politicians to explore political solution
By Edozie Obasi-Eze
Eminent political personalities in the southeastern part of Nigeria, including elected governors and other gladiators have resolved to explore political solutions in the bid to resolve the festering security challenges confronting the area.
Governor of Ebonyi State, HE Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, in his capacity as chairman of the South-East Governors Forum disclosed this in a press statement issued in Abakaliki, on Friday, as a prelude to the peaceful conduct of the gubernatorial elections in Anambra State, scheduled for November 6, 2021.
We gathered from the statement that the Forum and leaders said they had had identified some spokespersons allegedly holding brief for the proscribed Peoples of Biafra (IPOB). The group of influential politicians said they were strategically engaging some of the spokespersons.
According to the statement, “We as Southeast governors are committed to political solutions over the present situation and this will be achieved faster if all the illegal “sit-at-home’’ orders and violence by the various state agitators are stopped.’’
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Umahi assured that the Governors’ Forum, the socio-cultural group, Ohaneze Nd’igbo and the Conference of Southeast Bishops and Traditional Rulers were working hard to ensure adequate security in all parts of the zone.
“We thank Ohaneze Nd’igbo for a good job it did through its various committees in raising various solutions towards addressing all issues raised by our young children.
“South-East governors are studying their reports with the elders and leaders of the various Southeast states and very soon we will be meeting with the Federal Government on these issues.
“We are also looking at deploying political solutions in the case of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB leader, which we have already initiated,’’ the statement added.
On the Anambra gubernatorial elections and sit-at-home orders, the statement noted, “We are aware of the various illegal orders of “sit-at-home’’ by different groups of state agitators for our people of Southeast to sit at home every Monday and from Nov. 5 to Nov. 10.
“We have identified some of the spokespersons of some of these groups and we have been engaging them to stop all forms of violence and illegalities in the Southeast and allow our leaders to address all issues raised by them.
“We are working with security agencies, our local security outfits and our leaders to protect the lives of our people and to address all issues raised.’’
The Ebonyi State Governor commended religious leaders, the Conference of Bishops and Archbishops as well as the Christian Association of Nigeria for their interventions and mediations on the matter.
“We thank them for the good work. We will work with them to achieve the desired result for our people and for Nigeria,’’ the statement also read.
He also pleaded with all security agencies deployed for the Nov.6 Anambra governorship election to secure the lives of the people in Anambra while operating within the rules of their engagements.
“We are aware that the insecurity in the Southeast has gone beyond IPOB. Cultists, armed robbers and kidnappers have recruited themselves and are using the name of IPOB to be killing innocent citizens. We will not allow this to continue,’’ the statement stressed.
He applauded the Federal Government and INEC for their determination to hold the Anambra election on November 6.
“We will give them every support and shall help them to ensure a free, fair and violence-free election.
“We, therefore, ask our people to go out and vote for candidates of their choice as we have been assured of adequate security measures to secure their lives and property.
“We are confident that through our mediation, that of religious leaders, the Ohaneze Nd’igbo and traditional rulers, IPOB will see reasons to call off all “sit-at-home’’ orders including the one ordered for Nov. 5 to Nov. 10,’’ the statement read.
In response to allegations of a conspiracy to impeach him and other high-ranking officials of the Assembly, Speaker Blessing Agbebaku of the Edo State House of Assembly took decisive action on Monday by suspending three lawmakers.
Among those suspended is Donald Okogbe, representing the PDP in Akoko-Edo II constituency, who notably refrained from endorsing the petition that resulted in the impeachment of Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, a close ally.
The other two lawmakers he suspended are Addeh Emankhu Isibor of the APC representing Esan North-East I, and Iyamu Bright, representing the PDP in Orhionnwon II.
Agbebaku also alleged that the trio had arranged for the presence of traditional healers at the Assembly premises on May 1st, around 1 am, purportedly for ritualistic purposes.
Agbebaku declared the indefinite suspension of the three lawmakers, asserting that external influences were driving them to disrupt proceedings and oust the Assembly’s leadership.
However, the suspension sparked tension within the House as the affected lawmakers vehemently protested against their suspension.
During a chaotic session, the three suspended lawmakers vocally objected, arguing, “Mr. Speaker, you lack the authority to unilaterally suspend any member(s) of the house. You must put it to a vote. Let the members vote on the issue.”
Following the commotion, the Speaker abruptly adjourned the plenary session.
In a significant development, the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) has announced a tariff reduction for its Band A customers.
Effective immediately from Monday, May 6, 2024, customers in Band A will see their tariff lowered to N206.80 per kilowatt-hour, down from the previously approved rate of N225/kWh by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.
This decision, disclosed by IKEDC spokesperson Olufadeke Omo-Omorodion on Monday, marks a proactive measure by the company to provide relief to its Band A customers.
Notably, while this adjustment ensures a minimum of 20-hour daily power supply for those on Band A feeders, tariffs for customers on other bands remain unchanged.
IKEDC said “Dear Esteemed Customers, please be informed of the downward tariff review of our Band A feeders from N225/kWh to N206.80/kWh effective 6th May 2024 with guaranteed availability of 20-24hrs supply daily. The tariff for Bands B, C, D, and E remains unchanged.”
Recalls that on April 3, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) revised the electricity tariff for Band A customers dramatically, soaring from N68 per kilowatt-hour to N255/KWh. It’s worth noting that this tariff hike did not affect other customer categories.
Since the release of the supplementary Multi-Year Tariff Order, consumers categorized as Band A have been expressing discontent, citing the significant impact of the tariff increase on their finances.
They have been calling on the Federal Government to reconsider this policy.
However, during an investigative hearing before the Senate Committee on Power last Monday, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, issued a stark warning.
He emphasized that if the electricity tariff hike was not implemented, the nation could face a total blackout within the next three months.
Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris has voiced concerns about influential figures allegedly undermining his administration’s goals.
However, at the Uhola Festival and Agricultural Show in Zuru, Gov Idris reaffirmed his commitment to staying focused despite these challenges.
He disclosed instances where individuals from the state reportedly interfered with road development plans he had submitted to the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja.
He said, “It might interest you to know that someone went and changed the submission we already made on the Koko Dabai Road with that of Bui-Kangiwa-Kamba Road up to the border with Niger Republic at the Ministry of Works in Abuja.
“Whereas the KoKo-Dabai Road needs more urgent attention than the Bui-Kamba Road which is still motorable. I feel sad whenever I come to Zuru because all the three roads linking the town to other places are in bad shape.”
Governor Idris pledged to assemble key figures from the Zuru Emirate, including traditional rulers, for a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja, aiming to swiftly address the concerning situation.
Emphasizing his administration’s commitment, he affirmed support and financial backing for the annual Uhola Festival, recognizing its importance in fostering cultural promotion for economic development and social unity.
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