In a dramatic twist, both Senator John Azuta Mbata and Dim Uche Nnam Okwukwu are laying claim to the position of President General of the Igbo apex socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

Reports had earlier indicated that Okwukwu, a prominent lawyer and activist, was elected as the new President General of the organization during a convention in Port Harcourt on Friday.

However, in a shocking turn of events, Senator Mbata emerged with his own election, held separately in Enugu.

Prominent figures at the Enugu election included Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, Dr. Alex Otti of Abia State, among other notable Igbo sons and daughters.

According to the returning officer at the event, Senator Mbata was returned unopposed by the General Assembly.

Senator Mbata, in his acceptance speech, expressed gratitude to the delegates and vowed to prioritize the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), alongside advocating for the restructuring of Nigeria and other pressing Igbo issues.

However, speaking on Arise Television on Friday evening, Okwukwu denied any knowledge of the election in Enugu and insisted that his election, which took place in Port Harcourt, was legitimate.

He reaffirmed his position as the rightful President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and emphasized that he was elected unopposed by the General Assembly during the Port Harcourt convention.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has announced that land grabbing is now a criminal offense, with individuals caught forcibly occupying another person’s property set to face legal repercussions.

This declaration comes as part of efforts to tackle the growing problem of land encroachment in the state, through the establishment of the Anti-Land Grabbing Agency and the Rule of Law Enforcement Authority.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Adebayo Lawal, made the announcement during a one-day stakeholders’ engagement event organized by the Oyo State Mobilisation Agency for Socio-Economic Development (OYMASED) at the University of Ibadan.

The session, which aimed to revive the core values of the Yoruba people, saw discussions on how to address socio-economic challenges in the state, with a focus on land-related issues.

Governor Makinde expressed confidence that the newly created agencies would play a pivotal role in curbing land grabbing, calling the practice “alarming” and stressing that forcefully taking land from others would no longer be tolerated.

“Forceful occupation of land is no longer acceptable,” he stated. “Anyone attempting this must be prepared to face the consequences.”

In addition to tackling land grabbing, Makinde also warned against indiscriminate cattle grazing, revealing that violators would be prosecuted under the Rule of Law Enforcement Authority, which is headed by retired Hon. Justice Aderonke Aderemi.

The event also highlighted the ongoing efforts of OYMASED to address various socio-economic issues, with the Director-General of the agency emphasizing the importance of returning to the foundational values of integrity, respect for elders, and hospitality.

The Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, further endorsed OYMASED’s initiatives, announcing plans for public awareness campaigns.

Key stakeholders at the event, including traditional leaders and legal officials, voiced their support for the governor’s initiatives to restore order and discipline in the state.

Justice Aderemi also lauded the steps taken to ensure compliance with state regulations and promote value reorientation.

Raheem Okoya, son of billionaire businessman Chief Razaq Okoya, has publicly apologised to Nigerians for his involvement in a viral video showing the abuse of naira notes.

The video, which also featured his brother Wahab and an unnamed police officer, sparked public outrage and led to the detention of the officer.

In a statement posted on X, Raheem expressed regret for his actions, stating, “To the Nigerian people, my actions were not to cause any trouble or harm. My intentions were pure and naive. I ask for your forgiveness and support in this situation, as I had no intention to raise such an alarm. I wasn’t fully aware of the consequences of my action.”

The Nigeria Police Force confirmed the detention of the officer involved, emphasizing that disciplinary action was underway.

Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, condemned the officer’s involvement, noting that his behavior violated the ethical standards of the police.

“The policeman captured in the recent viral video shared by the sons of Lagos businessman Chief Okoya, where they were abusing the naira, has been identified and detained for disciplinary action,” Adejobi wrote.

“The involvement of the policeman has been condemned, as it’s unethical.”

The video, which surfaced last week, depicted Raheem and Wahab Okoya dressed in agbada outfits, dancing and tossing bundles of N1000 notes into the air to promote Raheem’s new song, “Credit Alert.”

The footage sparked widespread criticism, with many questioning the accountability of the billionaire family in the matter.

While disciplinary action against the officer is ongoing, no official statement has been issued regarding potential consequences for the Okoya brothers.

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has raised concerns over the overwhelming financial burden of conducting elections in Nigeria, calling it excessive and unsustainable.

In his statement on Friday during a defense of the 2024 budget implementation before the National Assembly, Prof. Yakubu noted that while INEC is one of the largest employers in the country, it operates with a significantly reduced budget of N40 billion, far below the N80 billion originally requested.

He expressed that the budget constraints are straining the commission’s ability to effectively manage the electoral process and its responsibilities.

To address these challenges, Yakubu urged lawmakers to consider organizing a retreat that would allow both the legislature and INEC to collaborate, share ideas, and devise solutions to the pressing issues facing Nigeria’s electoral system.

“We need a major conversation, the commission cannot continue conducting elections all year round,” Yakubu said.

He also highlighted the urgent need for repairs to INEC’s deteriorating facilities, including 860 buildings across the country.

The chairman called on the National Assembly to ensure that the electoral body, which has now proposed a budget of N126 billion, receives sufficient funding to meet its growing demands.

The victims of the tragic stampede during a Christmas rice distribution in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State, have been laid to rest amidst grief and sorrow.

The incident, which occurred on December 21, 2024, claimed the lives of at least 21 individuals, mostly women and children, during the palliative distribution organized by Chief Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi through his Obijackson Foundation.

The victims were honored in an inter-denominational burial service at St. Mary’s Field in Okija on Friday.

The service, attended by grieving families, survivors, community members, and prominent figures, was organized by the Obijackson Foundation in collaboration with the Okija royal palace.

The Very Rev. Donald Chukwudolue, who led the service, prayed for the families of the deceased, asking God to comfort them and prevent such tragedies in the future.

He referenced Revelation 21:1-8, stating, “We ask God to wipe away every tear and console the families of the deceased. We pray such an accident will not occur in Okija again. Okija mourns, Anambra mourns, and Nigeria mourns.”

Bishop Ralph Okafor of the Ihiala Diocese also offered words of comfort, encouraging the grieving families to move forward with faith.

“The past is past, we must move on,” he said, reading from Psalm 23.

Chief Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, founder of the Obijackson Foundation, expressed his condolences and reassured the community of the foundation’s commitment to continuing its work for the people of Okija.

“This tragedy has strengthened our resolve to ensure that such an incident will not happen again,” he said.

“We will continue our service to the Okija community with love and dedication.”

The traditional ruler of Okija, Emeka Okezie, urged the foundation to remain steadfast in its philanthropic efforts, despite the unfortunate incident.

Chief Daniel Chukwudozie, Chairman of Dozzy Group of Companies, also offered his condolences, donating N10 million to the affected families.

The Administrator, Office of Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Anani, on Friday pledged that justice will be served for a 12-year-old girl, who was allegedly gang-raped by five men on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024.

The hideous crime happened in Igiafodo Awuyemi, Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area.

Speaking during a visit to Esther at the Daisy Ehanire Danjuma Centre, Anani vowed that the perpetrators would face the full wrath of the law, citing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law.

“The Edo State Government will leave no stone unturned to ensure that these perpetrators are brought to book. Section 4 of the VAP Law defines rape, while Section 5 outlines the punishment.

EDO State has zero tolerance for any form of violence, and we are standing firmly with the victim,” she stated.

Anani condemned the perpetrators, who reportedly filmed the act and circulated the video on social media, adding that the evidence strengthens the case against them.

“The video footage makes it impossible for anyone to cover up this crime. The law will take its course, and these individuals will be dealt with decisively,” she added.

She commended the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, His Royal Highness Lukeman Akemokue, and his wife, Blessing, for their swift action in bringing the case to light and ensuring that both the victim and her mother were relocated to Benin City for safety and medical care due to threats against their lives.

“I really want to commend your Highness. He did a fantastic work with his wife. It happened in his community, Okpella Kingdom, and they didn’t hide it, immediately he saw the videos he took it up, I want to say when things like these happen speak out, speak out for somebody else because tomorrow it could be your own child,” she advised.

On his part, the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, Akemokue, thanked the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and the office of the First Lady for a fantastic job for being proactive in response, noting that the Okpella community will continue to support the administration.

Anani was also at the Edo State Police Headquarters with the victim and other stakeholders. She commended the Police for responding promptly and appealed that the little girl get justice.

In his response, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Umoru Ozigi commended Anani for the visit, assuring that the victim will get justice.

He disclosed that three persons are currently in police custody concerning the crime.