Six suspected kidnappers apprehended in Nasarawa state

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BY SULE TAHIR

Officials of Nassarawa Eggon unit of Vigilante’s on Monday have successfully arrested six suspected kidnappers in their hideouts.

The group invaded their hideout at Tudun Waya, Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State and also rescued seven abducted victims during the raid.

The suspects were said to be responsible for the recent spate of kidnapping-for-ransom along the Akwanga/Nasarawa Eggon/Lafia road.

It was also gathered that after their arrest, the six suspects were taken to the state Police Headquarters, Lafia for further investigation and prosecution.

The feat achieved by the Vigilante attracted cheers from residents of the area who trooped out to watch as the suspects were conveyed to Lafia.

One of the residents of the area who spoke to our correspondent on the incident, Bawa Ibrahim, expressed gratitude to the VGN operatives for their efforts towards ensuring peace in the area.

He said, “We are happy with the development today because, for some time now, we have not been sleeping with our two eyes closed, but I believe that with the arrest of the six suspected bandits, we will start enjoying peace in the area.”

When contacted to get the reaction of the Nasarawa State Police Command on the matter, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel, simply said, “I can’t confirm their arrest at this moment because the command is yet to be notified.”

Reps summon Finance Minister, SGF, NNPC over $2.4bn crude money deal

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BY SULE TAHIR.

THE House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Oil Theft is inviting several high-ranking officials in the Federal Government over its investigation into an alleged loss of over $2.4 billion in revenue from illegal sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil export in 2015.

Some of the officials invited on Tuesday to answer questions are the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed; and the Secretary General of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, reports has disclosed.

Also summoned are the acting Accountant General of the Federation, Sylva Okolieaboh; and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), among others.

The committee is also concerned about the disparity in figures from crude oil sales from  2011 to 2014 and is accusing the minister of finance of approving payments to whistle-blowers in variance with the whistle-blower policy.

The ad hoc House committee is investigating a whistle-blower’s allegation of illegal sale of 48 million barrels of Nigeria’s bonny light crude in China in 2015, valued at $2.4 billion.

The committee, in February, had accused the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami as well as Interpol, on what it described as interference in the committee’s investigation.

The committee questioned why a whistle-blower would be invited by Interpol on the request of the Ministry of Justice just after the commencement of the investigation of the House.

However, the Head of the National Central Bureau of Interpol Nigeria, Garba Umar, said the Bureau only acted on the request of the AGF.

The Chairman, House Ad hoc Committee on Oil Theft, Mark Gbillah said, “There is a group called Advocacy for Good Governance and Free Nigeria.

“That is the so-called Civil Society Organisation that wrote to the Attorney General claiming there was this international gang of blackmailers trying to blackmail senior officials of the government.

“How come the Attorney General responded to allegations by a faceless body? That means the Attorney General himself did not ascertain the veracity of any organisation.”

The Committee, dissatisfied with the submission of Interpol, accused the AGF of interfering with the investigation of the House.

The Committee feared the safety of the whistleblower and insisted that the Ministry of Justice should not be making direct requests to Interpol but should go through the police, as Interpol by law is only expected to respond to requests by local law enforcement agencies.

Kudos For Rt Hon Goodluck Nanah Opiah – By Kenneth Uwadi

When God has destined a man to become something in life, no man born of a woman can do otherwise. Anyone who tempers with God’s creation will be doing more harm than good to himself. One man that so many persons have fought against is Rt Hon Goodluck Nanah Opiah. The more they fight against him, the more his political profile continues to wax stronger and stronger. Martin Luther King  Jnr once said. ‘Politicians are called to be the salt of the earth, to be light of the world, to be that vitally active leaven in the lump of the nation.’’ Opiah is indeed one of those politicians called to be the salt of the earth. He is a man who has been working tirelessly and putting smiles on the faces of the people.

He is currently the Nigerian Minister of State for Education. He has made that position unique in just a few months. He is a man who sees Education as the proper upbringing of children so that they grow up to be acceptable to the society and hopefully also become respectable members of such society. He believes that If· such children grow to become peace-loving, law-abiding, and responsible citizens, they will then be acceptable. While it is commendable to have· acceptable citizens, it is even more desirable for every citizen to strive to be a respectable member of society. He believes the Government has the responsibility of providing the facilities, and indeed the environment for the citizens to avail themselves of the opportunity so provided.

I say kudos to him for using his position as Minister to ensure that there are equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels for Nigerians, kudos for promoting Science and Technology, kudos for striving to eradicate illiteracy. I say kudos to him for the efforts in putting an end to the ASUU strike. The Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, has got the Federal Government’s nod for a second campus in Egbema of Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, Imo State, kudos to Opiah.

Opiah is performing well as a Minister. We know he will perform well. When he was at the Imo State House of Assembly as Speaker and at the Federal House of Reps, he gave a good account of himself. He also gave a good account of himself as Special Adviser to the Governor of Imo State and Coordinator of Oil and Gas Matters as well as Imo State Commissioner for Petroleum Resources. Through him, so many pro poor, pro people’s government policies were adopted. Through him so many persons have received political appointments, contracts, jobs and scholarships.

He has attracted so many state and federal government projects to his constituency. His efforts brought about the existence of the Imo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission ( ISOPADEC ) . He also promoted the law that created the Imo State Polytechnic. With Men like Opiah in government, the people will always smile; the government will always get it right by going for the right policies.  He is counted among men who have occupied leadership positions with genuine intentions to serve their fatherland, with loads of enviable and unmatched credentials. He deserves all the credit he is getting. His Leadership philosophy and his ability to grow his ideas from paper to service-delivery outcome make him a champion in this segment of our democracy.

-Kenneth Uwadi lives in Mmahu-Egbema ,Imo State, Nigeria.

“The Enemies Have Hijacked Our Sit-at-home” —IPOB Raises Alarm, Reiterates Suspension

 

By Izunna Okafor, Awka

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a secessionist group and movement agitating for creation of a sovereign country of Biafra, has said the enemies of Biafra have hijacked the sit-at-home order hitherto enforced initiated by them, and now use it to torment the residents of South-eastern region as well as dent the image of the group.

The Spokesperson of the group, Emma Powerful raised the alarm in a statement issued on Tuesday, in which he also reminded the people that the group has long suspended the sit-at-home order, and therefore urged the residents of the region to stop observing it.

While alleging that criminal elements now used the period; Mr. Powerful stressed that the people who do such things are not known to IPOB, and should be treated as criminals when apprehended.

The statement read, “We the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by the great and indefatigable leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu wish to remind Biafrans in Biafra Land, friends of Biafra, and lovers of Biafra freedom across the world that Monday sit-at-home remains suspended.

“We are concerned that in some areas, especially rural areas, our people continue to observe Monday sit-at-home due to threats from criminal enforcers linking themselves to the IPOB movement. We have said it numerous times that the Monday sit-at-home is infamous and can not be allowed to continue.

“The now-suspended Monday sit-at-home order was an IPOB leadership order that was suspended by the leadership in collaboration with our leader after considering some adverse effects of it on our people and how our enemies can possibly use it.

“Just as predicted by IPOB leadership, Nigeria Security Agents, infiltrators, and government agents hijacked it and used it to torment our people and to rubbish IPOB’s name in Biafra Land and in other countries.

“Mondays in Biafra Land has become a day for the agent provocateurs and the Nigeria Security Agencies to kill and destroy our land just because they want to blackmail IPOB. IPOB leadership is always ahead of our enemies and canceled this tool before our enemies could start using it. We are telling all and sundry that sit-at-home has been cancelled.

“Our leader, Mazi Nnamdi KANU, has once again ordered from DSS custody that Monday sit-at-home should cease in every part of Biafra Land.

“IPOB is not and will never be responsible for any outcome arising from this non-existent sit-at-home, and we shall no longer talk about it. Ndigbo are not cowards and, therefore, should normalize their Mondays like before. Anyone seen enforcing Monday sit-at-home should be treated as a criminal and enemy of our people.”

How Immigration Officers Detained Obi at London Airport

 

By Izunna Okafor, Awka

Reports have emerged on how the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, was detained by immigration officers at an airport in the London.

The tale of Obi’s detention was told by his former Commissioner as a Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna, who is also the first female professor of Mass Communication in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Prof. Okunna, in a Facebook post, titled “WHAT PETER OBI IS GOING THROUGH: DOES ANY HUMAN BEING DESERVE THIS TYPE OF SHOCKING INTIMIDATION & EMOTIONAL TORTURE???”, said the incident happened last week Friday, but was revealed to her by Obi when they met at an event yesterday (Tuesday).

She wrote: “Today 11/04/2023, I was shocked beyond words to hear from His Excellency Mr. Peter what he went through when his British Airways plane landed at Heathrow Airport London in the early morning of Friday 07/04/2023.

“He was talking to me at the Official Opening of the Specialist Hospital of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Sisters, Nkpor. He had arrived at the event after flying in from London, his presence heralded by the usual ‘ear-splitting’ ovation that accompanies him everywhere nowadays. As the “Most Outstanding Pillar of the Foundation/Hospital”, the Reverend Sisters were full of expectations that he would attend; so were we (Members of the Governing Board of the IHM Sisters Healthcare System), although there was also anxiety about whether he would be able to make it, being outside Nigeria.

“I actually had no idea he had travelled out of the country, until the ovation over his presence in a London Church went viral on the Internet. I would never have imagined he would be able to go anywhere so soon after his energy-sapping marathon visits on 06/04 to Paul University, Regina Caeli Hospital and other health facilities where he went about touching lives in his usual quiet philanthropic manner.

“His whirlwind activities that day in Anambra State and beyond were another eloquent testimony to Peter Obi’s incredible stamina and multi-tasking capacity. To be able to fly out of the country that night, made this capacity even more incredible.

“Landing in London, Peter Obi joined the usual queue to pass through Immigration, and that was when his ordeal began: He was stopped and questioned for a long time and subsequently handed a detention note and told to wait for further interrogation and investigation. This was terribly unusual for a man who had lived honourably in the UK for a long time.

“In the face of this harassment, some well-meaning Nigerians, knowing who he is, raised their voices in protest, demanding to know why he was being treated that way.

“Then came the shocking revelation by the Immigration Officer who told him that his identity “WAS DUPLICATED”. This revelation has definitely set off alarm bells.

“For people who are knowledgeable about such matters, this is a very dangerous development because the implication is that someone is IMPERSONATING Peter Obi. And that someone could implicate Obi in all manner of dubious and even criminal activities, and rope him into any number of offences; he could get Obi framed for one criminal act or another. The frightening scenario of what can happen, is unimaginable!!!

“This is the height of it all for a man who has been under sundry intimidation and emotional torture: Bugging of his phone and those of his wife and children; keeping him constantly under surveillance; calling him names; putting him under severe pressure to leave (run away from) the country; wrongly accusing him of negative things he knows absolutely nothing about etc.

“As he was telling me his ‘Heathrow tale of woe’ at Nkpor today, I could see a man who was in severe pain and and under unbearable stress, who many would expect to be at the point of despair. But, as he confirmed, he is ready to suffer this pain and is as determined as ever to pursue the path which he has chosen to enable him arrive at the destination which well-meaning people in Nigeria and far far beyond are expecting him to arrive at. This is the destination where Nigerians will be able to live in a secure and productive country which they (particularly the younger generations) will be proud to call their own.

“Ahead, Ahead!!!

“I suppose he told me all this confidentially. My very sincere apologies, Your Excellency, for ‘breaking’ this confidentiality, but History beckons and I CANNOT KEEP QUIET.”

Bauchi community honours Bogoro, ex-TETFund boss, with “Jagaba” title

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The Tapshin community in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State has conferred the title of “Jagaban Tapshin” on Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, former Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

The honour, according to its traditional ruler, Dauda Godit, is in recognition of his efforts toward national and community development.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bogoro was decorated with the regalia and title during the area’s 2023 cultural festival held at the Community Secondary School, Tapshin on Tuesday.

Godit eulogised Bogoro for impacting on the lives of the community in the past 20 years.

According to the traditional ruler, the former TETFund boss assisted the community with educational facilities as well as bursaries to its students.

“He also initiated other developmental projects even before he was appointed to lead TETFund in 2014,” he said.

Godit commended Bogoro for the landmark achievements recorded when he served at TETFund, saying that he lifted tertiary education in Nigeria to its desired position.

The Chief said that almost all public tertiary institutions in the country benefitted from infrastructural developments and capacity building programmes when Bogoro led the agency.

The traditional ruler praised the innovative policies initiated by Bogoro in research and development as a way of contributing to national development.

On social relationships, Godit eulogised Bogoro’s efforts in bringing together people across tribes and religious divide in Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa Federal Constituency.

“His focus is always on development and progress. He has done so well,” Godit said.

Responding, the recipient noted that it was his deliberate policy to ensure that all ethnic nationalities and religions lived in harmony.

“My policy is that if you eat in your house, you should also assist your neighbours to eat because if they are hungry, it means you are also hungry,” he said.

Bogoro, who noted that his assistance to Tapshin Community dated back to when he was a senior lecturer at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, promised to do even more.

He urged guests invited for the event which featured fund raising for water projects, to assist the community achieve its goals.

The former TETFund boss commended Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State for the construction of the Bogoro-Lusa-Mallar and Boi-Tapshin roads, saying that the projects had opened up the communities around the area.

Bogoro urged the people of the state to continue to support the Governor in his efforts to provide development to the state.

The cultural festival, which is tagged “Kang Khishi Masur 2023”, was graced by a huge crowd that included Prof. Sylvester Shikyil (SAN) of the Law Faculty University of Jos, Dr Justina Deshi, among others.

The event also featured traditional dancers across towns and villages in Tapshin communities as well as Zaar Cultural dancers.

Imo National Assembly Rerun Election – Labour party Rejects Use Of Ad-hoc Staff

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By Joshua Chibuzo Andrew, Owerri

Ahead of the Imo State national assembly rerun election slated to hold in Mbaitoli/ Ikeduru federal Constituency at 58 (fifty eight) poling units, on Saturday, April 15th 2023. The labour party in the Federal Constituency have issued a joint statement, urging the Independent Electoral commission (INEC) to avoid involving ad-hoc staff for the election.

The LP, unanimously made this appeal on Monday, in a press conference held at Akabo ward, in Ikeduru Local Government Area presided by it’s candidate, Rt. Honourable Uche Ogbuagu, in attendance with other relevant party stakeholders in the federal Constituency.

According to them, “INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and the INEC National Commissioner, in charge of Imo State, Dr. Ken Okaegbu should as a matter of urgent importance and safety assign unbiased/uncompromised INEC staff from Abuja to come and conduct this Mbaike rerun election of Saturday April, 15th, 2023, because the people of Mbaike federal Constituency have resolved that they will resist any act of impunity and unprovoked invasion by Ebubeagu and Armed men in fake military uniforms, in the affected areas during the return election this, Saturday April 15th, 2023.

“The Imo State commandant Of Nigeria Security And Civil Defense Corp, should call his men to order and ensure that they play by their rules of engagement and never again be used as election thugs, by Mbaitoli Sole Administrator like they did on the March 18th, 2023 House Of Assembly Elections.

“Let me sound straight and make it succinctly clear, that Mbaike people will not accept any Ad-hoc Staff in this rerun election. So INEC should avoid involving ad-hoc staff in this rerun of 58 polling units.”

Governor Okowa Denies Deporting Anambra Beggar

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By Izunna Okafor, Awka

Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa has denied reports the allegation that his government deported a female alms beggar of Anambra origin, who was allegedly constituting nuisance in Asaba, the capital city of the State.

Recall that reports started trending recently that the Government of Delta deported a 32-year-old beggar, identified as Ogochukwu Nwabude, for what many described as embarrassing begging in the State.

The State Governor, however, refuted the allegation in a statement issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika.

He stated that the beggar, who always clutched a baby, stayed at the Inter Bau Roundabout on Asaba-Okpanam Road, for about two weeks begging for alms.

According him, the insinuations in some quarters that the woman was deported by the state government were most uncharitable.

Ifeajika said a check was conducted on the woman by officials of the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

He said, “After observing her for a period, it was revealed that she was stable and of sound mind, but needed financial help.

“And moved by her need, and as with standard procedure in handling such matters, the ministry gave her some assistance, especially as she was with a baby.

“Thereafter, it returned her to its counterpart Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in Anambra for necessary support.”

Mr. Ifeajika explained that the measure was a routine activity on similar cases, which often transpired among states in the country and the Federal Capital Territory.

“Anambra State Government was grateful to its Delta counterpart for the effort and promptly began the process of assistance to the woman.

“The Delta Government acted in good faith and within the ambits of regulations, which Anambra Government acknowledged with gratitude,” he stated.

Speaking further, Ifeajika said: “It is necessary to state that other states in the country had returned some of our citizens to us at different times and still do.

“It is a normal routine that should not be politicised because it bothers on serious humanitarian service.

“What Delta Government did was the routine procedure in rehabilitating persons of that nature and it is the standard practice among states in the country.

“We provided her with some assistance and returned her to her state of origin to ensure that she is properly re-integrated into society.”

Breaking News: Lagos Assembly Stops Salaries Of Government Appointees

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– Summons HoS, Accountant-General, Commissioner

– orders withdrawal of appointment letters to affected appointees

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday ordered the withdrawal of letters given to government appointees whose nominations should have been sent to the House for their screening and confirmation, but who took up the jobs without the due process.

The House also ordered immediate halting of salaries and remunerations enjoyed by the affected government appointees pending their appearances before the House. The Assembly further summoned three top officials over the issue.

Those summoned include the Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, the Accountant-General of the State, Dr. Abiodun Muritala, and the state’s Commissioner for Establishment, Mrs. Ajibola Ponnle.

In a ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ brought before the House by Hon. Noheem Adams, Deputy Majority Leader, the lawmakers lamented the increasing situation where supposed nominees of the governor continue to work without being screened and confirmed by the House

Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, who presided at the sitting, agreed with the lawmakers that appointments of that nature without recourse to the House amounted to infractions.

“I quite agree with all of you that the failure of such nominees to appear is an infraction or violation of the laws of this House, especially as it relates to the MDAs, most of which were established by the laws of this House,” Dr. Obasa said adding that the laws of the House of Assembly have statutory provisions that nominees of the governor must appear for confirmation.

“It is becoming common and regular and if we fail to act now, it becomes a norm. I share your sentiments that there is a need for us to put a stop to this. I am aware of the development in the Audit Commission, I am aware of the one in the Law Reform Commission and now the Auditor-General and some others,” he said.

Raising the issue earlier, Hon. Adams cited Section 196, subsection 2; Section 198 and Section 126, subsection 3 which give backing to the House of Assembly in respect of nominations by the governor for appointments.

“Section 126, subsection 3 provides that except with the resolution of a State Assembly, no person shall act in the office of the Auditor-General for a state for a period exceeding six months.

“As the chairman, House committee on legislative compliance, I have observed that some appointments to boards and other agencies were not brought to this noble House. If this persists, the principle of separation of powers will be in jeopardy.

“For example, the Auditor-General was appointed on the September 22, 2022 and today is April 11, 2023,” Adams said adding that the Auditor-General’s appointment in acting capacity had exceeded what the laws stipulate.

Supporting Adams, Hon. Ademola Kasunmu said the stipulations of Section 198 should be strictly adhered to. He added that because such appointments are considered null and void, every remuneration that had gone out, should be returned to the coffers of the State.

Speaking on the same matter, Hon. Victor Akande observed that the situation happened in the judiciary where an appointment was done without recourse to the House and the due process.

Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh lamented that such appointments without regard for the House were becoming too many.

“Separation of power is a doctrine enshrined in the constitution. The executive has the right to nominate people and the House has the responsibility to either confirm or reject such nominations.

“It is not only in the office of the Auditor-General, but I don’t know in what capacity one can act beyond the time limit without recourse to the House,” he said while urging the House to look at the issue holistically so as to put an end to what could cause issues later.

Hon. Rotimi Olowo, who noted the difference between nomination and appointment, lamented: “Today, we have a lot of people parading themselves with many names without appearing before this House for clearance. It should not be a padi-padi thing. This is a constitutional matter and if we do not adhere, we would end up facing the wrought of the people.”

He said it was an infraction to have people who are not cleared by the House receiving salaries and “I am of the opinion that such money is supposed to be returned to the coffers.”

Hon. Desmond Elliot called on the House to act in a way to curtail any future occurrence while Hon. Femi Saheed suggested that “in line with the constitution, anyone acting outside the stipulated time must recourse to the House.”

He further suggested that the Head of Service be made to appear before the House to clear himself over the issue.

No Power Can Rob Tinubu, APC Of Nigeria’s Presidency – Gov Umahi

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From Mba Nnenna – Abakaliki.

Against the rising anxieties in some quarters over the fate of Nigeria’s President-elect, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has reassured Nigerians that no power can deprive Tinubu of his mandate.

Governor Umahi gave the assurance Tuesday while receiving the Ebonyi Governor-elect, Right Hon. Francis Nwifuru, in his office in Abakaliki.

Nwifuru was in the Governor’s office to present to the Governor his INEC Certificate of Return and appreciate the Governor for his support which gave him and the All Progressives Congress victory at the recently concluded governorship polls.

Addressing journalists at the event, Governor Umahi dedicated the victory of the All Progressives Congress in the State and across the country to God.

He maintained that those seeking to upturn the victories at the tribunal were simply wasting their time and resources, adding that the Party merited all it got at the polls.

He advised those thinking they would rob Tinubu of his mandate to have a re-think, insisting that Tinubu can’t be stopped.

“There is no power or force that will remove Tinubu from being the President, because the time God would have stopped him, God allowed him.

“Because God allowed him, no man can stop him.

“And this extreme politics should be deemphasized in Nigeria so we can move forward, in a better Nigeria.”

Turning to the Governor-Elect, Governor Umahi praised the qualities and character of Nwifuru, stressing that his election was built upon the platform of equity, peace and love in Ebonyi State and nurtured by all men of good will.

He maintained that should the election be held again, the APC will still carry the day.

“When people say they are going to Court or going to tribunal, I will just laugh.

“The PDP got the little number they got in our State because the election became local in the sense that they had House of Assembly members from the various localities that were  making efforts to also win.

“That’s why they got eighty thousand, against our One hundred and ninety-nine thousand votes; a clear difference of almost One hundred and twenty thousand.”

Governor Umahi further urged the Ebonyi Governor-elect to consider for appointment into his team, younger generations, adding that the youths should be given more opportunities to contribute their knowledge to governance.

He also made a case for increased number of women appointees in the coming administration,  up to 50 percent.

Presenting the  Certificate of Return to the Governor, Nwifuru described the Governor as “the man that made all that happened to happen,”

He appreciated the Governor for standing strong for equity and justice in the State.

Nwifuru added: “Your Excellency, I am here this afternoon to present to you the Certificate of Return issued to me by the Independent National Electioral Commission on that fateful day made by the Lord, the 29th day of March, 2023, while you were away.”