The Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate in the Imo election holding on November 11, Samuel Anyanwu, has debunked the rumours that he has stepped down for his rival, Hope Uzondinma of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

A viral video circulating on social media claimed that the PDP’s candidate has asked his supporters to vote Uzodinma who is up for reelection.

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“We emphatically state that this information is categorically FALSE. After a thorough examination of the video, it became evident that it was heavily edited with manipulated audio to mislead the public,” Anyanwu’s spokesman Dumebi Ifeanyichukwu said in a statement on Friday.

He blamed the circulate of the “false” video on the “agents of the outgoing Uzodinma administration”.

He said by resorting to spreading disinformation, there “is incontrovertible proof of the palpable fear that has engulfed their camp due to the widespread endorsement of Senator Anyanwu’s Gubernatorial Bid and the Federal Government’s Commitment to ensuring free and fair elections in Imo.”

Member representing Ideato federal constituency of Imo State in the House of Representatives, Barr. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere Ikeagwuonu, has again endorsed the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the State, Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu (Sam Daddy).

Ugochinyere, during a live broadcast on the upcoming November 11 election, said that it was the obligation of every Imo citizen to come out and vote on Saturday, considering what he called the horrors of the past four years.

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He maintained that the November 11 election was an opportunity for everyone in Imo State complaining about misrule, intimidation, impunity, executive recklessness, unbridled violence and the wanton incidents of insecurity, to right all the wrongs with their votes.

Ugochinyere, during the briefing, also produced shocking evidence of how fake accreditation figures were successfully uploaded into the BVAS and used to back up what he called the magic figures that were used to allegedly steal the mandate of Mbaitolu/Ikeduru, Ahiazu Mbaise, Isu and Ideato South during the last supplementary election.

“The shocking evidence about Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi State governorship elections, showed the BVAS backend server that has simultaneously fake accreditations figures that have the same time stamp with no difference between any of the voters. The evidence showed that all voters were accredited magically in one second”

He said: “The way the incumbent governor and his handlers are desperate to retain office and continue to feed fat on our common ealth is the same manner every Imo citizen should be hungry to unseat them, restore sanity to Imo and save the state from the brink of collapse and anarchy.

“In this struggle for the life of Imo, there is no neutrality and no middle ground. You are either standing on the side of the people of Imo State or standing with the oppressor. It is a battle between light and darkness, a struggle by the forces of development against the minions of retrogression.”

Ugochinyere said he was mobilising Imo people to declare “Operation Vote, Defend Your Votes and Transmit Results”.

He maintained that the endorsements of the incumbent governor in Owerri were by people he called political jobbers, who, according, were only interested in their stomach and not even in who will win or lose the election.

“We know these people, immediately the power changes hands, this same people will be the first to jump ship, so ignore their theatrics, they are only responding to the impulses from their stomach,” the lawmaker stated.

He maintained that a change of leadership has become imperative in Imo and Senator Samuel Anyanwu was the best bet for Ndi Imo, so Imo people can get some respite.

Ugochinyere, therefore, called on Imo citizens to own the project to reclaim Imo, man their polling units and close ranks with men of goodwill until the forces of evil in Imo State are defeated.

The military high command, on Thursday, declared that troops deployed for governorship elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo States would inflict injuries on anybody that attempts to disrupt the exercise.

It specifically said it was aware of plans by some individuals to dress in military uniform to disrupt the electoral processes in the three states on Saturday during the gubernatorial elections.

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Addressing journalists at Defence Headquarters, Abuja, the Director of Media Operations, Edward Buba, said the military was determined to give the elections the seriousness it deserved.

Buba, a Major-General in the Nigerian Army, said, “For the off season elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states this weekend, here is a message for those who plan to disrupt the process.

“Stay away from the Nov. 11 governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa or face injurious consequences from the military. We are aware of your plans to dress in military gear to misled the public. Be assured of injurious consequences should you proceed with those plans. We will not allow our image to be dragged to the mud. You’re warned.”

According to him, troops and platforms were being moved to locations to reinforce security already in place in those states, adding that security agenciesw eare ready to identify and differentiate between real soldiers and the fake ones.

Buba explained that troops had continued to exert pressure on groups that sought to derail any progress toward peace and security in the country.

He noted that it is for these reasons the military is inflicting severe damage on terrorists, insurgents and violent extremists through operations across the country.

The senior military officer added, “Accordingly, we are targeting their leadership, infrastructure and foot soldiers. The coordination between air and ground forces is like never seen before and yielding amazing results.

“We are expecting new platforms that would further enhance our capabilities to further root out terrorists and destroy their military capabilities.”

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has fixed Saturday for adoption in the governorship appeal by the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Governor Caleb Mutfwang.

Caleb Mutfwang was declared the winner of the March 18 governorship election in the state.

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The state tribunal had also affirmed his victory.

However, the APC candidate appealed the tribunal judgement and asked the appellate court to declare him winner on the grounds that the PDP lacked structure and was not qualified to sponsor any candidate in an election.

The APC candidate also told the Appellate court in his notice of appeal that there was over-voting and noncompliance with the 2022 Electoral Act during the 2023 governorship election in the state.

In the hearing notice of the case, the court said, “November 11, is for the adoption of briefs of the case.”

Meanwhile, Caleb Mutfwang, had appealed to the people of the state to remain calm in the face of the appeal court judgement against the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

Mutfwang said in spite of the judgement against his government, he still had confidence in the integrity of men and women in the judiciary.

He stated this while addressing large party supporters and top government officials who came to receive him at the Yakubu Gowon Airport Heipang, Jos on his return from foreign trip.

He said, “I was following the judgement of the appeal court while I was away, and I know that Plateau people who actually voted massively for the PDP are not happy on those judgements.

“Let me appeal that in a contest, the wind can blow but does not mean it will bring you down. And I want to assure the people of Plateau State that the victory they gave us will be sustained. We have had some setbacks; we will be looking at it these few days to see what we will be able to do to remedy such situations.

“We are on top of the situations, and there is no cause for alarm. Our confidence in the judiciary has not been broken. We have confidence that the judiciary consists of men and women of integrity that will still do what is right when the time comes.”

The Court Of Appeal sitting in Lagos state on Thursday says it will on Friday, November 10 2023, deliver verdict on the appeal filed by the Enugu Labour Party Governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections, Barr. Chijioke Edeoga, challenging the declaration and return of Mr. Peter Mba of the Peoples Democratic party, PDP, by INEC.

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Daily Gazette recall that the appalate court had on Monday reversed judgment on the petition after counsels to both Petitioners and respondents adopted their briefs.

According to the results announced by INEC, Mr. Peter Mba of the PDP got 160,895 votes to defeat his closest rival, Barr. Chijioke Edeoga of the Labour Party who secured 157,552 votes.

Not satisfied with the outcome of the march 18 governorship elections in the state, Barr. Edeoga proceeded to the Governorship/House of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal seeking Mba’s disqualification on the ground that he (Mba) presented a forged certificate of national service, NYSC to INEC.

Other grounds of the petition include; Over-voting, deliberate non use of BVAS in Nkanu East LGA, computational errors, result swap among other irregularities.

Justice Kudirat Akano led tribunal on September 16, while delivering her judgment, dismissed the petition and upheld the declaration of Mba by INEC.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, Labour Party and her candidate went to the court of appeal praying the appalate court to set aside the judgment of the lower court, void the return made by INEC and grant the reliefs sought in their petition.

As Court Of Appeal delivers judgment tomorrow being Friday, November 10, Ndi Enugu are waiting with high expectation that the appalate will deliver justice without fear or favor.

The Senate on Tuesday indicted the Comptrollers of Customs in Kaduna, Katsina and Ogun States for jettisoning rules of engagement in the use of firearms.

This was contained in a report by the Senate Adhoc Committee on Abuse of Forearms by Officials of the Nigeria Customs Service which was presented during plenary by the chairman Senator Francis Fadahunsi.

The committee probed the alleged abuse of firearms by Customs officers at border towns in different parts of the country.

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The report, which was adopted by the Senate, said traders and non-traders were allegedly forced to obtain unofficial receipts before they were allowed to pass with legitimate goods.

It also said the disbanded Strike Force of the Federal Operation Unit shot at innocent citizens, raided markets and chased smugglers into towns which always led to loss of lives.

The Senate therefore asked the Comptroller General of Customs to investigate issuance of unofficial receipts at the borders.

It also asked the federal government to lift the 20-kilometre ban on sales of petroleum products in border communities.

Unions in the aviation industry have directed the withdrawal of all flights to Owerri, Imo State, from all airports in Nigeria.

This is in response to the directive of the Labour Union, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) following last week’s brutalization of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in Owerri.

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The aviation unions including the National Union Of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots And Engineers (NAAPE), said this in a joint statement.

The joint statement by their General-Secretaries, including Comrades Ocheme Aba; NUATE, Frances Akinjole; ATSSSAN, Abdul Rasaq Saidu; ANAP and Umoh Ofonime, NAAPE, also declared Governor Hope Uzodimma persona non grata in all airports.

The statement read: “Following the escalation of the imbroglio created by the mayhem unleashed on workers by the Imo State Government of Hope Uzodimma and continued insensitivity of the Government over the matter; and in compliance with the directive of the joint NEC session of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), the above named unions, being affiliates of NLC and TUC, hereby direct all aviation workers (both public and private) to withdraw all services to all Owerri flights (inwards and outwards) from any airport in Nigeria with effect from midnight of 08/11/2023 (today).

“In addition, the person of Hope Uzodimma, the Governor of Imo State is hereby declared persona non grata at all airports in Nigeria until he purges himself of bestial tendencies.

“Our unions will make further efforts through our international affiliations to blacklist Hope Uzodimma worldwide.

“Furthermore, all aviation workers in Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, owerri are hereby directed to stay at home, also with effect from midnight today (08/11/2023) as directed by NLC and TUC.

“Based on the above, the State Councils and all Branches of the unions will meet today at 5pm in Lagos and Abuja to agree on modalities for carrying out the above directive. The meeting in Lagos will hold at NUATE Secretariat, while that of Abuja will be at GAT (pilgrims’ terminal).

“By this notice, the airports’ managements, airlines operating into and out of Owerri, intending airport passengers into and out of Owerri, and the general public are hereby advised about this situation so as to be forewarned.”

The strike action is of indefinite nature until otherwise directed by NLC and TUC.

The Court of Appeal, sitting in Lagos, on Wednesday, unanimously affirmed the election of the member representing Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere Ikeagwuonu, as the validly elected member of the House of Representatives.

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In a unanimous judgment, the panel headed by Justice Abubakar Babandi Gumel overruled the judgment of the Imo State National/State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal, which had disqualified Ikenga and nullified his election on a pre-election matter of the primary election of the PDP despite plethora of authorities by the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal to the effect that Election Tribunals do not have jurisdiction over pre-election matters.

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Speaking after the judgment, counsel to Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, Emeka Ozoani, SAN, described the judgement as victory for democracy and an end to political rascality.

He said the travesty of the tribunal judgement led to the filing of nine appeals before the Appeal Court, the highest number of appeals ever against a singular judgement in the nation’s election petition jurisprudence.

While commending the President of the Court of Appeal and the three members of the Panel, Barr Tochukwu Ohazuruike, said: “The President of the Court of Appeal and the three Panel members deserve all the commendation for resisting the attempts of Hope Uzodimma to undermine them like he did to Justice Akpovi who has lost all his respect for such strange judgment he delivered after the Tribunal hearing. It is only those who that Hope Uzodimma stops at nothing when he wants to desecrate the judiciary that will understand why this commendation is necessary and apt.”

In his own reaction, Hon. Ugochinyere said God always vindicates the innocent.

He said this was not the opportunity cost for those that were killed in the battle, but it will, at least, show they did not die in vain.

He further stated, “Uzodimma is a sore loser. His candidate won only one polling unit out of 346 Polling units. Finished a distant third in the election yet went to the Tribunal to ask that he be declared the winner of the election and the Governor was spending public funds on such shameful enterprise to undermine the judiciary. But we thank God for this day.

“We can now start the burial arrangements for my uncle who was murdered in cold blood on 7th January so he can now rest in peace having been here till this final victory.” He also cautioned Governor Hope Uzodimma to desist from sanctioning with continued existence of his non state armed group the killing and maiming of Imo indigenes and residents as power is transient and he would answer for his crimes either here on earth or before God in heaven.”

Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, on Wednesday appeared before an Abuja High Court sitting at Maitama to answer corruption charge that the Federal Government preferred against him.

Justice Olukayode Adeniyi granted Emefiele bail and ordered that he should be released immediately to his lawyers, who were charged with the responsibility of producing him in court for his arraignment next week or at any other day.

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According to the judge, the ex-bank chief must also deposit his travel documents before the chief registrar of the court, pending his arraignment.

The judge also pointed out that there must be an end to detention, without trial.

Justice Adeniyi noted that the court must also not overlook the fact that he had been in detention for 151 days, adding that the Federal Government and the Attorney General of the Federation must abide by court order.

The substantive motion on notice as well as the preliminary objection, were adjourned to November 17, 2023 for hearing.