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Reps to Mount Diplomatic Pressure for Ekweremadu

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Reps to Mount Diplomatic Pressure for Ekweremadu

 

By Edozie Obasi-Eze

The House of Representatives has resolved to activate legislative diplomacy in the bid to help embattled former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

Recall that Ekweremadu and his wife Beatrice Nwanneka Ekweremadu are facing charges in the United Kingdom (UK) over allegations of human trafficking and organ harvesting.

The Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed that he would contact the Speaker of the British House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, in the hope of getting the UK to follow due process on the Ekweremadus matter.

He went further to assert that Nigeria ought to mount pressure on the British Government, by exploring diplomatic channels to resolve the matter.

In the words of Gbajabiamila, “I have spoken with the Nigerian High Commissioner (to the UK, Sharafa Ishola) who has been extremely proactive in this matter and I expressed the need for him to continue to avail Senator Ekweremadu with all the necessary assistance that he will need to prove his case.

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“I think this should be heightened as well to the UK Parliament. I would try and get in touch with the Speaker of the Parliament whom I was opportune to meet with and had fruitful discussions with just a couple of months ago.

“I believe the Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Buba Yusuf, should also get in touch with his foreign affairs counterpart in the UK Parliament.

“So, it is important that we apply diplomatic pressure. Nigeria has very strong diplomatic ties with the United Kingdom and all those areas must be explored.

“I wish the Senator and his family well. We cannot imagine what they are going through at this time.”

Hon Abdullahi who moved the motion pointed out, “We cannot have a situation where a simple allegation that has not been thoroughly investigated would result in a high-ranking public officer who has served and is still serving the Nigeria public and the Nigerian State and he has a diplomatic passport.”

He stressed the need to for standards to be set to ensure that no country disrespects Nigeria’s public servants, including her diplomatic passport, irrespective of to whom it has been legitimately issued to.

“We cannot allow this to happen. If it can happen to somebody of Ekweremadu’s status, I wonder what would happen to ordinary Nigerians.

“Secondly, as a diplomatic passport holder, there are status and privileges that he is supposed to enjoy. But from what is happening so far, we feel that all the privileges and status that he is supposed to enjoy has been thrown to the dustbin.”

Recall that Senator Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice, standing trial in the UK over an alleged conspiracy to harvest the organ of a minor, Ukpo Nwamini David, who is currently in protective custody.

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Old Video Of Wike Campaigning Against Godfather Syndrome Resurfaces

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A damning video clip has resurfaced, showing former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike vehemently opposing the godfather syndrome in politics.

The clip, which is currently circulating on social media, reveals Wike’s stance on the issue, stating that the godfather syndrome will not be tolerated in Rivers State.

In the video, Wike, who is currently serving as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, explicitly states that the system of godfatherism may be prevalent in other states like Lagos, but it will not happen in Rivers.

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He emphasizes that he cannot perpetuate the system even if he wants to, and that it is not possible for one individual to dictate the political landscape of the state.

He said, “It may happen in Lagos State but it cannot happen in Rivers, we are quite different. As a governor, I will come and go and I can’t stop it.

“The day that my tenure ends, by the grace of God, I will go. When you are thinking that what is happening in Lagos State, we will do it here, it may be difficult.

“You can’t continue to say that you must be a godfather of a state. That is the problem and it is not possible.

However, the irony of Wike’s statement is not lost on many, as Rivers State is currently embroiled in one of the worst political crises in the country.

wike and incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara are locked in a bitter struggle for control of the state’s leadership structure, with both sides trading blows and accusations.

The crisis has divided Rivers State along ethnic and political lines, with various groups issuing threats and warnings.

The Ijaw Youth Council and the Ijaw National Congress have warned that any attempt to remove Fubara from office will be seen as an attack on the Ijaw nation.

As the situation in Rivers State continues to unfold, the resurfaced video clip has raised questions about Wike’s commitment to his earlier stance on godfatherism.

 

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JUST IN: Explosion Hits APC Secretariat In Rivers State

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An explosion rocked the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday, causing significant damage to the building and its surroundings .

The blast, suspected to have been caused by dynamite, shattered the secretariat’s gate, doors, and windows, and also destroyed other properties.

This is the second attack on the APC secretariat this year, and it comes at a time when the local government elections are set to hold in the state.

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The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission has confirmed that all sensitive materials have been distributed to the various local government area.

A viral video of the incident has been circulating, showing workers assessing the damage to the secretariat.

The police have not yet commented on the incident, but the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, has promised to investigate and provide updates.

The APC has not made any official statement on the incident, but the attack has raised concerns about the safety and security of political parties and their properties in the state.

The incident is currently under investigation, and more details are expected to emerge in the coming days.

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Police Raid Notorious IPOB Camp, Rescue Traditional Ruler, Others

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The Anti Kidnapping Unit of the Imo State Police Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has successfully raided a notorious camp linked to the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the Ezioha forest of Mbaitoli local government area.

The operation, which took place on Friday, resulted in the rescue of several kidnap victims, including a 69-year-old traditional ruler from the Umuorji Mgbidi community in Oru West local government.

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According to Henry Okoye, the Command Public Relations Officer, the operation was initiated following intelligence reports about the camp’s activities.

Upon arrival, security operatives engaged in a fierce gun battle with the armed group, which led to the neutralization of the gang leader, identified as a key figure in recent kidnappings that have plagued the state.

Other members of the gang fled the scene, reportedly suffering from bullet wounds.

In addition to the rescue of the traditional ruler, a couple and several other individuals held captive were freed during the operation.

Law enforcement officials recovered a range of items from the camp, including several vehicles, a pump-action gun, ten live cartridges, four locally made explosives, a Biafra flag, and a native bulletproof vest.

The Imo State Police Command has reiterated its commitment to combating kidnapping and criminal activities in the region, urging citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.

 

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