The Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) has rescheduled the Local Government elections to October 5, 2024.

Initially slated for July 6, 2024, and later moved to November 16, the new date was announced on Wednesday by the Commission’s Chairman, Dr. John Chen, during a meeting with the Benue State House of Assembly Standing Committee on Electoral Matters and Civil Society.

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Represented by the Commission’s Secretary, Dr. Vincent Gisaor, Dr. Chen cited a recent Supreme Court ruling as the reason for the date change.

He emphasized the Commission’s collaboration with stakeholders to ensure a free, fair, and credible election.

Dr. Chen also highlighted several challenges faced by the Commission, including a lack of funds and operational vehicles.

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He noted the importance of addressing these issues to ensure the smooth conduct of the elections.

Mr. Abu Umoru, Chairman of the Standing Committee, urged the Commission to prepare thoroughly for the elections, referencing the Supreme Court ruling that declared Caretaker Committees at the Local Government level illegitimate.

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He stressed the need for elected councils to be in place by the court’s deadline to avoid disruptions in Local Government administration.

Additionally, Mr. Umoru called for the unfreezing of the Commission’s accounts to facilitate access to funds necessary for election preparations.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo has expressed its commendation for President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) Bill, calling it a significant advancement for the region.

The organization described the President’s action as “a quantum leap” and a renewal of hope.

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In a statement, Ohanaeze celebrated the President’s decision as a new beginning for the South East, which includes the states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.

The group extended its gratitude to Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, and other co-sponsors of the bill for their efforts in bringing the long-awaited SEDC to fruition.

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The SEDC is designed to manage funds from the Federation Account for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads and other infrastructure in the South East, addressing ecological and environmental challenges that have plagued the region.

Ohanaeze emphasized that this commission is a crucial step towards addressing the historical neglect and underdevelopment of the South East.

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Ohanaeze’s statement also highlighted the federal government’s neglect of the region over the past 54 years since General Yakubu Gowon’s 3R promise—Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction—was made in 1970.

The organization pointed out that the South East has suffered from a lack of local government areas, states, political appointments, and poor infrastructure compared to other regions.

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The group linked the region’s youth restiveness and secessionist agitations to these long-standing issues.

They expressed optimism that the SEDC would help leverage the industrial, agricultural, tourism, energy, commercial, and investment potentials of the South East, as well as establish a centrally coordinated security architecture.

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Additionally, Ohanaeze noted the federal government’s plans to construct a 477-kilometer, six-lane super highway connecting the South East to Abuja, as announced by the Minister of Works, Sen. David Nweze Umahi. This development is seen as another positive step for the region.

The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, expressed his gratitude to President Tinubu, acknowledging his departure from previous administrations by signing the SEDC Bill into law and making key appointments, such as Sen. Dave Nweze Umahi as the Minister for Works and Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla as the Chief of Naval Staff.

Ohanaeze concluded by affirming that these actions represent a significant leap forward and a promising new beginning for the South East.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio recounted how he faced backlash from Nigerians following a comment he made about Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

During a recent Senate plenary, Akpabio remarked that the Senate chamber was not a “nightclub” and that Akpoti-Uduaghan should be recognized before speaking.

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This comment sparked outrage, leading to a flood of calls and messages directed at Akpabio and his family.

On Tuesday, during another plenary session, Akpabio apologized, stating he never intended to insult Senator Natasha and had no desire to denigrate women.

He blamed the social media backlash on political enemies manipulating his words.

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Akpabio mentioned that his wife’s phone number was leaked, resulting in her receiving over 3,000 calls daily.

He added that his own phone crashed within three hours due to the overwhelming number of calls.

He reflected, “I am still learning. Even those who have been in the Senate for 16 years are still learning. I merely intended to emphasize that we should speak in turn, not to offend. Unfortunately, my words were twisted on social media.”

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who chairs the Progressives Governors’ Forum, has officially presented former Senate President Pius Anyim to President Bola Tinubu.

Anyim, who was the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, recently switched allegiance from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

After meeting with Tinubu, Uzodimma addressed State House reporters, praising the current administration’s support for the South East region.

He highlighted the South East Governors Forum’s satisfaction and gratitude towards the President’s efforts, noting that an entire local government area had recently come under APC control due to the administration’s performance.

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“This is a new dawn and many people have agreed that the President’s administration is doing very well,” Uzodimma stated.

Anyim expressed his commitment to national progress, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to advance the country.

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His defection to the APC, along with his supporters, took place during the grand finale of the APC campaign for the Local Government Area elections in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State.

Joining Anyim in his defection were former Senator and PDP Gubernatorial Candidate in the 2023 general elections, Sen. Obinna Ogba, Labour Party’s Chief Edward Nkwegu, and several former members of the National and State Assemblies, as well as former Local Government Area Chairmen.

All these political figures transitioned from the opposition to the APC.

The Labour Party (LP) in Cross River State has suspended its chairman, Mr. Ogar Osim, citing allegations of embezzlement and anti-party activities.

Alongside Osim, the State Secretary, Mr. Felix Etim, was also suspended on Tuesday.

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The suspension was announced in a press statement issued by the Chairman and Secretary of the State disciplinary committee, Bonnie Adie and Ibiang Igri, respectively.

The statement also named Eugene Obia and Allen Ekpe as the acting Chairman and Secretary until a congress is held to elect substantive officers.

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“The decision to relieve them of their positions was taken following a thorough investigation into allegations of gross misconduct, anti-party activities, inability to maintain a state secretariat, embezzlement, and other serious issues,” the statement read.

“We are confident that Mr. Obia and Mr. Ekpe, appointed in acting capacities, will provide strong leadership and ensure the smooth functioning of the Labour Party in the state. We urge all members to cooperate with the new leadership and work together to achieve the party’s goals.”

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In response, Osim dismissed the suspension as baseless and claimed that those who signed the suspension letter were impostors.

“Those persons who signed the purported suspension letter are impostors and I will describe them as stranger elements because their names are not in any of our registers, from ward level to chapter and state; we don’t know them,” Osim stated.

Osim also argued that any disciplinary committee, if legitimate, would require the signature of the party’s legal adviser to take any significant action.

“Even if there was anything like a disciplinary committee as they claimed, their letter should have been signed by the legal adviser. As a matter of fact, we are taking them to court; even if such a committee exists, they can only make recommendations, they don’t have powers to suspend,” he added.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, convened an emergency meeting with ministers to devise strategies to address and potentially avert the nationwide protests planned for August 1.

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The Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office in the OSGF, Richard Pheelangwah, issued a letter to the ministers on Tuesday night, declaring the meeting mandatory.

Among those invited were the Special Advisers to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala-Usman; Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga; and former Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare.

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Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, is expected to provide an update on the discussions from the closed-door meeting later.