12-06-2024,

As we mark this year’s Democracy Day, I, Senator Sir Kelvin Chukwu, representing the esteemed people of Enugu East Senatorial Zone, extend my heartfelt greetings and congratulations to all Nigerians.

This day is not just a celebration of our democratic system but also a reflection of our collective journey, the sacrifices made, and the victories achieved in our pursuit of a free and just society.

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Since the advent of our current democratic dispensation, Nigeria has made significant strides in various sectors.
Our democracy, though still maturing, has provided a platform for the expression of the people’s will and the implementation of policies aimed at improving the lives of our citizens.

This journey has not been without challenges, but our resilience and commitment to democratic principles have seen us through tumultuous times.

The Enugu East Senatorial Zone has been pivotal in the democratic development of our nation.
Our commitment to quality representation anchored on the will of the people remains unchanged.

While we celebrate our successes, we must also acknowledge the challenges that lie ahead. Issues such as poverty, unemployment, insecurity, among others, remain significant obstacles. However, these challenges also present opportunities for us to strengthen our democratic institutions, implement robust policies, and ensure that governance is truly by the people and for the people.

I urge all citizens of Enugu East Senatorial Zone and Nigeria at large to remain steadfast in their support for democracy.
Participate actively in the democratic process, hold your leaders accountable, and contribute positively to the development of our nation.

Democracy thrives when there is active citizen engagement and a collective effort towards national development.

As your representative, I remain committed to serving the people of Enugu East Senatorial Zone with dedication, integrity, and transparency.

I will continue to advocate for policies that promote social justice, economic development, and sustainable growth.

Together, we can build a Nigeria that upholds the values of democracy and ensures a prosperous future for all.

Let us reaffirm our commitment to the ideals of democracy. Let us honor the memory of those who fought for our freedom and continue to strive for a Nigeria that is just, equitable, and progressive.

Happy Democracy Day!

Senator Sir Kelvin Chukwu
Enugu East Senatorial Zone

#PuttingThePeopleFirst

Nigerian troops have successfully neutralized multiple militants and bandits across several states, bolstering security in the affected regions.

In Abia State, troops raided a hideout of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the Arochukwu Local Government Area, where five soldiers had previously been killed during IPOB’s sit-at-home order on Biafra Heroes Day. During the raid, soldiers encountered three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by IPOB fighters.

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Despite this, they overpowered the militants and recovered locally-fabricated weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades and an artillery gun.

One soldier sustained minor injuries but is currently recuperating. The successful raid represents a significant setback for IPOB elements operating in the area.

In Kaduna, troops on a two-day fighting patrol in the Kajuru and Kachia Local Government Areas engaged and killed five terrorists in a fierce battle at Dantarau.

The soldiers recovered a substantial cache of arms, including AK-47 rifles, a fabricated submachine gun, and various ammunition.

Additionally, two motorcycles and handheld radios were seized.

This operation significantly disrupted terrorist activities along the Maro-Enugu community axis, enhancing regional security.

Kaduna State Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the success of the operation and warned locals against providing medical aid to suspicious individuals.

Governor Uba Sani commended the military’s efforts and urged continued vigilance.

In Zamfara State, troops foiled a kidnap attempt along the Gusau-Tsafe-Funtua road in the Tsafe Local Government Area. Responding to a distress call, soldiers engaged the kidnappers in a shootout, killing two and rescuing four passengers from a Toyota Corolla.



The operation resulted in the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, ammunition, and the vehicle involved in the attempted abduction.

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has appealed to the Court of Appeal to restore the bail previously granted to him by an Abuja Federal High Court.

Kanu’s appeal also challenges the appellate court’s decision to deny his transfer from the Department of State Services (DSS) facility to Kuje prison.

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The bail, originally granted in 2017 on treasonable felony charges, was revoked when Kanu failed to appear as required.

Following his rearrest in Kenya and extradition to Nigeria in 2021, eight of the fifteen charges against him were dismissed by Justice Binta Nyako in April 2022.

The remaining charges were quashed by the Court of Appeal on October 13, 2022, which ordered Kanu’s release.

However, this release was stalled by an Appeal Court stay of execution on October 28, 2022, following a federal government appeal to the Supreme Court.

On December 15, 2023, the Supreme Court reversed the Appeal Court’s decision, mandating Kanu to resume his trial at the Federal High Court.

On May 20, 2024, Justice Nyako denied Kanu’s application to restore his bail, instead modifying counsel visitation conditions.

Kanu’s lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, contested this ruling on several grounds, arguing that the court erred in its assessment of the DSS detention conditions and its impact on Kanu’s right to a fair trial.

Ejimakor’s notice of appeal to the Court of Appeal, dated June 8, 2024, seeks to overturn the Federal High Court’s decision, restore Kanu’s bail under the original or revised terms, and transfer him to a more suitable place of custody.

He argues that the trial court misdirected itself by failing to recognize the hostile conditions at the DSS facility and the resulting miscarriage of justice.

Ejimakor further contends that the court wrongly held that no steps could be taken regarding Kanu’s bail until the outcome of the sureties’ appeal.

The appeal seeks orders to reinstate Kanu’s bail and provide an alternative place of custody to ensure a fair trial.

The Court of Appeal will now review the grounds and reliefs set out in Ejimakor’s notice, including reinstating Kanu’s bail and possibly remanding him to home detention or house arrest.

Igbo women, under the umbrella of Igbo Women Assembly (IWA), have demanded the immediate disarming of violent herdsmen causing havoc in the South East.

The women, speaking at a press conference in Umuahia, Abia State, expressed their concerns about the impact of these herdsmen on local farmers, who are now too afraid to tend their fields due to the threat of attacks.

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Lolo Nneka Chimezie, IWA National President, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and protect rural farmers from these criminal activities.

She highlighted the recent killings in Enugu State, where no arrests were made, as evidence of the urgent need for action.

Chimezie argued that since there is no cattle rustling in the South East, herders should not be permitted to carry weapons, challenging a previous justification for arming herdsmen.

The IWA also demanded the removal of numerous military checkpoints across the South East, claiming they hinder economic activities and contribute to the harassment of local youths.

The checkpoints, they argue, create traffic jams and extend travel times significantly, with Chimezie recounting a personal experience of being stranded overnight due to a military checkpoint-induced traffic jam.

The women called for the replacement of military checkpoints with police mobile forces, asserting that the police are better trained to handle civilian interactions.

However, they also urged a reduction in police checkpoints, accusing many of being sites of extortion.

The IWA blamed the high cost of food in the region on the disruptions caused by herders, stating that farmers can no longer cultivate their land safely.

They urged South East Governors to enforce anti-grazing laws and promote the establishment of ranches by herdsmen, rather than allowing them to roam freely and destroy crops.

In addition, the IWA addressed the “militarization” of the South East, appealing to President Tinubu to withdraw military forces to their barracks, suggesting that community vigilantes could be more effective in maintaining local security under the supervision of conventional security agencies.

They acknowledged the sacrifices made by the military and condemned recent attacks on soldiers, emphasizing the need for tactical strategies against criminal elements instead of forceful measures that affect innocent citizens.

The women decried the labeling of Igbo youths as members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), stating that this stigmatization discourages them from investing in the region.

The IWA also called for an investigation into a private individual allegedly hired by the previous administration to secure the South East without public knowledge. They urged South East Governors to ensure the security necessary to attract investors.

Lastly, the group appealed to President Tinubu to consider a political solution for the continued detention of IPOB Leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, believing that his release could reduce regional tensions.

In summary, the Igbo Women Assembly is calling for the disarming of herdsmen, the dismantling of military checkpoints, and the release of Nnamdi Kanu to restore peace and economic stability in the South East.