NEWS
Obi Decries Uzo-Uwani Killings, Declares ‘Enough Is Enough’
Former Governor of Anambra State and the presidential candidate for the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has raised a voice of lamentation over the killings of Uzo-Uwani residents in Enugu State over the weekend.
His outcry was expressed on his verified X handle on Monday, 29th April 2024, where he urged the Federal Government to show commitment to the security of Nigerians.
He described the recurring horror as utterly distressing, given that the public has been witnessing a relentless onslaught of terror inflicted upon defenseless communities.
Obi sent his condolences to the people of Uzo-uwani who have lost their family members and friends in the barbaric attack, as well as to all those who have suffered at the hands of insecurity throughout Nigeria.
He pointed out that, it had become imperative for security agencies to adopt a proactive stance, particularly in regions like this that have become hotspots for such atrocities, and take decisive measures to prevent future tragedies.
He prayed, “May the Almighty grant eternal peace to the departed souls, speedy recovery to the injured, and bring healing to our nation, which is currently bleeding profusely from the scourge of insecurity.”
In a series of tweets, the former presidential hopeful, wrote, ”I just read reports of yet another senseless killing of harmless and defenseless villagers in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu state over the weekend.
“I find the report very disturbing especially recalling that these terror-mongers have continued to unleash terror on the people of Uzo-Uwani is one of the areas I have closely related with and remained supportive to.
“I recall that in 2015, a hostel of one of the best secondary schools in that area, Mater Amabilis, Adani was completely razed by fire, and the studetns were without a hostel.
“When I read the reports, I quickly intervened, rebuilt the hostel and handed it over to the school’s management by March 2016. A month after that, the people of Nimbo Community in the same Uzo-Uwani were senselessly murdered, and this attracted nation attention.
“I attended their funeral alongside the former governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. I helped in consoling and rehabilitating the victims. My heart, again, goes out to the people of Uzo-Uwani who have continued to experience these attacks.
“We must not allow further spilling of blood of innocent Nigerian under any guise. Enough must now be enough. The government should show visible commitment to the security of lives and property of the Nigerian people.
“Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State is the main agricultural bed of the state and continued insecurity there would have far-reaching consequences on food production in the state.
“Security agencies should be proactive, especially as this area has become prone to these attacks and take necessary actions to avert future occurrences.
“I sincerely commiserate with the people of Uzo-Uwani who lost their loved ones to this cruel attack and indeed all the many victims of insecurity in our nation.
“May God Almighty grant eternal rest to the dead, grant quick recovery to the wounded and heal our land bleeding profusely from insecurity.
We shall conquer! – PO”
A suit challenging President Bola Tinubu’s controversial appointment of a Sole Administrator for Rivers State suffered a setback on Thursday as the President and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, failed to appear or send legal representation before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
The matter, brought before Justice James Omotosho, was instituted by Abuja-based legal practitioner, Mr. Johnmary Jideobi, who is urging the court to declare the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd) as unconstitutional and to nullify the suspension of the state’s elected Governor and Deputy Governor.
READ MORE: BREAKING: HURIWA Urges Supreme Court To Dispense Justice Quick On Rivers Emergency Rule
Although the Attorneys-General of Lagos, Bayelsa, Taraba, and Edo states were present and announced their appearances, the absence of legal representation for both the President (1st Defendant) and the AGF (2nd Defendant) drew attention during the proceedings.
Plaintiff’s counsel, Mr. Chimezie Enuka, confirmed to the court that all parties—except the Attorneys-General of Zamfara and Bauchi states—had been properly served with the originating processes and hearing notice.
Following a consensus among the present legal teams, Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to June 11, 2025, and ordered that fresh hearing notices be issued to all defendants.
The suit, filed under number FHC/ABJ/CS/572/2025, has Tinubu, the AGF, and the 36 state Attorneys-General listed as defendants. Jideobi is asking the court to set aside all decisions and actions taken by Ibas in the name of a Sole Administrator, arguing they lack any constitutional basis.
In his affidavit in support of the suit, the plaintiff asserted that President Tinubu does not possess the constitutional powers to suspend elected state officials or to appoint unelected figures to govern in their place.
“As a Nigerian lawyer and all through my years of practice, I have never seen the word ‘Sole Administrator’ in the amended 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Jideobi stated.
“I know that neither the 1st Defendant nor the 2nd Defendant appointed the Governor and Deputy-Governor of Rivers State of Nigeria and that no Governor or Deputy Governor in Nigeria is an appointee of the 1st and 2nd Defendants,” he added.
The plaintiff contends that the only constitutionally recognized grounds for removing or interrupting the tenure of elected Governors and their deputies are outlined in Sections 180, 188, 189, 305, and 306 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
He is therefore seeking a declaration from the court that the President has “NO constitutional authority to either remove, suspend or otherwise tamper with the tenure of a duly elected Governor and Deputy Governor of a State and appoint a sole Administrator [or any other substitute howsoever called or described].”
Jideobi warned that unless the court intervenes, “removal of duly elected Governors and Deputy-Governors may become the pastime of the President, thereby opening the floodgate of anarchy capable of consuming this nation.”
He added: “I have instituted this suit in the public interest, in the defence of the Rule of Law and accentuation of the supremacy of the Constitution… It will be in the interest of justice for this Honourable Court to grant the prayers contained on the face of this Originating Summons.”
Among the specific reliefs sought are an order setting aside the suspension of the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State, a nullification of Ibas’ appointment, and a directive ordering him to vacate the Government House immediately.
In a dramatic show of solidarity, members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) staged a picket outside the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development’s headquarters in Abuja.
The protest was sparked by the ministry’s refusal to comply with a court order that demanded the reinstatement of Comrade Victor Ekpaha, who was dismissed from his position more than 20 years ago.
READ ALSO: Tariff Hike Protest: Telecoms Union Backs NLC’s Suspension Of Protest
The workers’ action resulted in the shutdown of the ministry’s operations, as they called for Ekpaha’s immediate reinstatement and the payment of his full salary, allowances, and other benefits for the over two decades that the case has been unresolved.
The NLC has expressed its determination to continue pressuring the ministry until the court ruling is respected and Ekpaha is fully compensated for the years of unpaid entitlements.
The union has also emphasized the broader issue of labor rights and justice, urging the government to address such longstanding grievances.
More to follow………………
Dangote Refinery has announced a N15 reduction in its ex-gantry loading cost, bringing it down to N865 per litre from the previous price of N880.
The new price, confirmed by a pro forma invoice and verified by petroleumprice.ng, was communicated to customers in a notice on Thursday morning.
This price adjustment follows earlier reports that the 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery was expected to lower its petrol loading costs by the end of this week.
The reduction is expected to further drive down fuel prices in the country, providing some relief to consumers.
READ MORE: ECCIMA Applauds Dangote’s Impact On Nigeria’s Economy
Chinedu Ukadike, National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), assured the public that the price drop aligns with the Federal Executive Council’s recent directive on the Naira-for-Crude agreement.
“We are confident that this price reduction will be beneficial for the Nigerian people,” Ukadike said.
In a related development, the Federal Executive Council has authorized the full implementation of the long-suspended Naira-for-Crude agreement with local refiners.
This policy aims to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on foreign exchange for petroleum imports and boost local refining capacity.
The Ministry of Finance released a statement following a meeting between Finance Minister Wale Edun and Dangote Refinery officials.
The statement emphasized that the Naira-for-Crude initiative is a long-term policy, not a temporary measure.
“The initiative is designed to support sustainable local refining, enhance energy security, and reduce the country’s dependency on foreign currency for petroleum products,” the Ministry’s statement read.
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JUST IN: Dangote Refinery Cuts Petrol Price To N865 per
