The convoy of Chief Chris Uba of Anambra State was yesterday attacked by gunmen at Uga junction, (his hometown) in Aguata local government area of the state.

It was gathered that two policemen attached to the politician lost their lives during the attack as well as two other civilians.

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The Anambra State Police command in a statement confirmed the incident.
Uba’s convoy ran into the gunmen at Uga junction leading to a gun battle between them and the police, but Uba who was said to be in a bulletproof car was able to escape.

Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Tochukwu Ikenga, said:
“The command has launched an intensive manhunt for armed insurgents who infiltrated from a neighbouring state and killed two police personnel on 28th December 2023.

“The gang, which was disguised in military fatigue and seemed to be on a kidnap mission, were jolted on seeing two armed police officers approaching their direction.

“They opened fire on the officers who had moved ahead of the convoy they were escorting to decongest traffic gridlock. Other personnel returned fire, careful not to hit many motorists who were in traffic, forcing the bandits to flee.

“Police-led Mobile Forward Operating Base which had been on intensive patrol of the entire area throughout Christmas celebrations, promptly responded to the scene.

“It recovered a Lexus SUV the gang operated with and defused an improvised explosive device found in the vehicle. It also recovered an AK-47 rifle belonging to one of the slain personnel.”

According to the PPRO, the state Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye, has urged the police not to be demoralized by the supreme price paid by their colleagues from Enugu State command, but to draw inspiration from their bravery in confronting the criminal gang.

“The CP has condoled with the families of the deceased officers and Enugu State Police Command and vowed that the personnel will not die in vain.

“He has urged all officers and men of Anambra State Police Command to redouble their efforts and remain vigilant. He assured that technology would be employed to track down the criminals who unleashed the attack on Police personnel.”

Meanwhile, apparently because of the attack on a fellow politician, Senator Nicholas Ukachukwu, also from Anambra State, has requested 16 soldiers, 20 policemen, and 12 DSS to secure him during this yuletide season.

The famous politician and businessman, Chief Ukachukwu applied for the heavy security to enable him go to his Osumenyi home town in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State to perform some functions in early January 2024

Ukachukwu, who recently married Miss Universe Nigeria, Mitchel Ihezue, in separate letters to heads of security agencies in the state, said he would need the security operatives because of insecurity in the area.

According to the letters he signed, Ukachukwu said he would need 16 soldiers, 20 police officers and 12 operatives from the Department of State Service, DSS, to perform the functions he had lined up in the state during the period.

In one of the letters addressed to the Commander 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha, Ukachukwu said:
“I humbly write to request for 16 Army security personnel to provide security for me during my program /activities in Anambra State and beyond, scheduled to commence on January 6th to 10th of January 2024, respectively, taken cognizance of security challenges in my home town of Osumenyi in Nnewi South LGA of Anambra State.

“The activities are as follows: On the 6th is my arrival and inspection of my personal road project at Osumenyi; on the 7th, the dedication of our village Church which my family rehabilitated and funded; on the 8th of January I will be performing the traditional mandatory rites for my marriage with my wife in her home town at Akaokwa.

“9th will be the dedication of another Church we built. On the 10th, other activities I have in the East.

“I graciously hope my request will be given a favourable consideration and approval.”

Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday extended the order that restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Rivers State House of Assembly from declaring 27 seats vacant.

The order was based on an application by the lawyer to the lawmakers, Steve Adehi (SAN).

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Recall that the court had barred the commission from conducting an election to fill the seats of the 27 members, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The judge rejected the objection raised by the lawyer to the PDP, Adeyemi Ajibade (SAN), and upheld the argument by Adehi.

He agreed that the court, under Order 26, Rule 10 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, had the discretionary power to grant such extension in the interest of justice.

Justice Okorowo held:
“Application for the extension of the lifespan of the ex-parte order pending the hearing and determination of motion on notice is hereby granted.”

He adjourned until January 24 for a hearing of pending applications.

The judge had granted the earlier orders while ruling on December 15 on an ex-parte motion filed by the 27 lawmakers along with a substantive suit numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/1681/2023.

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They are challenging the propriety of the threat by five members of the Rivers Assembly to declare their seats vacant and invite INEC to conduct a fresh election.

INEC, the PDP, Rivers State House of Assembly, the Clerk of the House, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Department of State Services (DSS) are the defendants.

Adehi told the court that he had a motion on notice which is for hearing.

He noted that given the withdrawal of Lukman Fagbemi (SAN) (for the House of Assembly) and a new lawyer replacing him, it may be impossible for the court to proceed.

He sought an adjournment to also allow him to reply to what the PDP and other defendants filed and served on him.

Adehi said: “In any case, I ask that the matter be further adjourned to enable us to serve the third and fourth defendants (the Assembly and its Clerk) and to also enable us to reply on points of law to the process served on us by the counsel to the second defendant.”

Njemanze, who replaced Fagbemi, said had the instruction of the third defendant to handle the case on its behalf and that he had filed a memorandum of appearance.

He said he was not yet served with what the PDP filed to enable him, adding that he also planned to respond to what the plaintiffs filed.

Njemanze said: “Without prejudice to the political solution brokered by Mr President, I need to get my client’s reaction to this and then report back to this honourable court.“
In the circumstance, we pray for an adjournment to enable me to file my processes.”

Maine’s top elections official has removed Donald Trump from 2024 primary election ballots, marking the second state to disqualify the former president in his bid for the White House for his involvement in the January 6 Capitol riots.

Shenna Bellows, the Maine Secretary of State, said in a filing on Thursday that the former president contributed to riots at the Capitol by using false claims of election fraud and then directing supporters there when Congress was set to certify the 2020 election results.

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Hours later, California’s Secretary of State, Dr. Shirley Weber declined to block Mr Trump from the state’s ballot, including his name on a list of certified 2024 candidates to county election officials.

This comes as Colorado Republicans are asking the US Supreme Court to reverse a historic state Supreme Court ruling that removed him from that state’s 2024 ballots.

That request from the state GOP to the nation’s highest court followed the unprecedented ruling from the Colorado Supreme Court that found the former president is constitutionally ineligible from holding office for his role engaging with the Capitol riot in 2021.

Trump’s campaign and allies in Congress and in media are furious with a decision from Maine’s top elections official to disqualify him from 2024 ballots, a decision based on challenges to his eligibility under Section 3 of the 14th Amendemnt, which bars candidates who engaged in insurrection from running for office.

Third-ranking House Republican, Elise Stefanik called the decision “illegal” and “corrupt”.

Ifitedunu Town Union in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State on Thursday elected Prof. Stephen Ufoaroh, former president of ASUU-UNIZIK chapter as their new president general.

Youths and adults from the community turned out in large numbers for the exercise that took place at the community’s civil centre.

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Option A4 voting system was used by the electoral committee for all the contested positions, as indigenes queued behind their preferred candidates and were counted, while the election was supervised by the State Government through the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs.

Prof. Ufoaroh who garnered a total of three hundred and fifty six (356) votes to defeat other two rivals was returned elected.

Comrade chinedu ofozor Ofodile won the Vice President-General post with four hundred and twenty four votes and Hon Ike Paul Chijoike won the office of the Secretary with six hundred and thirty one votes respectively.

Posts of Financial Secretary, Welfare officer, Public Relations Officer among others, were voicely announced unopposed during the process.

The returning Officer of the election, Dr. Rich Egenti, while speaking to Journalists shortly after announcing the results, affirmed that the election was peaceful, free and fair.

“The election was conducted free and fair in the presence of all concerned citizens of Ifitedunu community. I am delighted and fully satisfied with the way and manner that the youth conducted themselves before, during and after the election.”

“This is the most fair election in the history of the Ifitedunu community.

“My greatest happiness is that those that lost during the election have congratulated the winners.

“And I strongly believe that with the emergence of Prof Ufoaroh as the new PG of this great community, the long awaited peace will be fully restored.”

The newly sworn in governor of Ondo state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has started shopping for his deputy.

According to Daily Gazette source, stakeholders are currently lobbying the new Governor through notable personalities in the state for possible consideration.

Since after his swearing in, politicians in the state have been making moves to be favoured.

However, Aiyedatiwa may announce his deputy next week after consulting with President Bola Tinubu on his final choice.

Sources said the governor is looking towards the Central Senatorial District of the state to pick his deputy.

Aiyedatiwa’s choice, according to sources, is the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Razaq Obe, but party leaders prefer former Secretary to the State Government and a former member of the National Assembly, Sunday Abegunde.

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Obe was made a commissioner following the recommendation of Betty Akeredolu, wife of the late governor, Betty Akeredolu.

Abegunde, who is an ally of President Tinubu, was recently appointed as the Executive Director, Corporate Services of the Niger Delta Development Commission Commission, NDDC.

Obe and Abegunde both hail from the central senatorial district.

Recall that Obe, an ally of Aiyedatiwa, was the commissioner that raised the alarm that the signature of the late governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, had been forged by some cabals.

Former managing director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Chief George Moghalu has said that imposition of candidate will ruin the chances of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in producing the next Governor of Anambra state come 2025.

Chief Moghalu who was former national auditor of the party in a chat with newsmen on Thursday noted that the issue of integration does not arise “because you can only talk about integration for someone outside.”

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He said “My advice has always been that for whatever decision whether personal or family, try and see to it that you will get the majority of the people with you. We must present our first foot forward. Imposition will not do us any good in the election. Let me put some issues in the right perspective. The issue of integration does not arise because you can only talk about integration for someone outside.

“I am a bonafide founding member of APC. So, it is an irony for a tenant to sack the landlord in his house. I am one of those who insisted that things must be done properly. Due process must be followed, and an enabling environment created for things to work. And that is what I have always demanded”

“I went to court after the 2022 primaries because things were not properly done. You cannot ask us to contest for primary, you sit back in the bedroom, write results, come out and announce it, and expect me, George Moghalu, to accept that as a result. I will be honourable enough to congratulate the winner if I lose in an election. But when you manipulate the process, I will tell you that it will not work. That was exactly what I did last time, and I will do it again if the need arises. However, if things are done properly, I don’t have any problem.”

Attahiru Jega

Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega has been nominated alongside nine other experts from Commonwealth nations to monitor Bangladesh general elections scheduled for January 7th, 2024.

Commonwealth Secretary General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC announcing the constitution of expert team observers, said it followed an invitation from the Bangladesh Election Commission and appointed the cross-functional team of experts.

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She said former Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Hon Bruce Golding, will lead the 10-man Commonwealth Expert Team.

Accepting the invitation, Golding said it’s an honour to lead the CET’s mission to observe Bangladesh’s elections.

Statement of the Commonwealth Secretary General reads;

“The team’s deployment demonstrates the Commonwealth’s continued commitment to supporting electoral democracy in our 56 member countries and safeguarding the rights of the people of Bangladesh as they take part in these pivotal elections.”

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She added that the CET will also be supported by staff members from the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Other members that constituted the team include Dr Samuel Azu’u Fonkam, former Chairman, Elections Cameroon, Mr Sabyasachi Banerjee, Advocate and Special Public Prosecutor, Calcutta High Court, India, Ms Pauline Njoroge, digital media specialist, Kenya, Mr Jeffrey Salim Waheed, former Deputy Foreign Minister, Maldives.

Others are Ms Hennah Joku, media specialist, Papua New Guinea, Prof Dinesha Samararatne, Professor, Department of Public & International Law, Faculty of Law, University of Colombo and Member of Constitutional Council of Sri Lanka; Sri Lanka, Ms Terry Dale Ince, gender and human rights advocate, organisational development consultant and Founder of the CEDAW Committee of Trinidad and Tobago and Mr Mark Stephens, Partner, Howard Kennedy LLP and Member of Commonwealth Lawyers Association, United Kingdom.

Throughout their time in Bangladesh, the CET will meet various stakeholders, including political parties, police, civil society groups, citizen observers and monitor groups, as well as representatives from the media.