Appointees of Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State have issued a warning, threatening to curse the governor if he fails to officially swear them in before the end of October 2024.

The governor had listed 1,273 individuals for various appointments, including special advisers, senior special assistants, constituency and community special assistants, as well as members of boards, commissions, and agencies.

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Despite the appointments being made in batches starting in June, the appointees have not been inaugurated, nor have they received official letters.

The first batch of appointments, released on June 19, 2024, listed 134 appointees, followed by a second list on June 25 with 61 names.

Additional lists were published in July, with 573 appointees on the 15th, 502 on the 16th, and three more on the 22nd.

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The appointees were directed to submit their resumes via WhatsApp, but four months have passed without any formal swearing-in or letters of appointment, leaving many frustrated.

Some have even declined the positions, while others are threatening to take drastic measures if the governor does not inaugurate them soon.

One appointee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed anger over the governor’s neglect of those who supported him during the 2023 election, accusing him of filling key positions with outsiders.

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“He brought in people who didn’t work for him during the campaign, leaving those of us who worked tirelessly in the cold,” the appointee said. “We’ve been listed for months, but we’ve received no official letters, no allowances, and our status is in limbo. If the governor doesn’t swear us in before the end of October, we’ll swear for him.”

The appointees expressed concern about the financial strain and social pressure they’ve faced due to their unofficial status as political appointees, warning that the situation could affect the governor’s chances in the 2027 elections.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of former Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, on charges of alleged money laundering.

The case, filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), will now resume on November 13 for the continuation of proceedings.

The trial, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, was scheduled to continue on Monday but was delayed as the judge was attending a seminar at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja.

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Earlier, during the June 26 session, EFCC’s counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, had presented two witnesses.

One of them, Ugochukwu Otubelu, a former commercial bank employee, testified as the third prosecution witness (PW-3).

Otubelu managed the security vote account for Obiano’s government and revealed that funds from the account were transferred to six company accounts but did not reach the account holders directly.

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Another witness, Bureau De Change (BDC) operator Hayatu Hadejia, testified as PW-4, detailing his involvement in transactions related to the case.

Following his cross-examination by Obiano’s defense counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, Hadejia was discharged from the witness box.

Obiano, who governed Anambra from March 2014 to March 2022, faces a nine-count charge, including the alleged misappropriation of over N4 billion from the state’s treasury.

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The court initially set October 7-10 for the continuation of the trial but has now rescheduled the case to November 13.

The political turmoil in Rivers State has escalated further, with the Emohua Local Government Council Secretariat being set ablaze, reportedly by thugs believed to be loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike.

The attack is allegedly in protest of the results from the recent local government elections.

This marks the third local government office targeted, following similar incidents at the Eleme and Ikwerre LGAs.

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In Eleme, significant portions of the secretariat were destroyed, while the chairman’s office in Ikwerre was set on fire.

Armed thugs are said to have stormed the premises shortly after Governor Siminialayi Fubara swore in new council chairmen.

The violence has triggered widespread looting in council offices across the state, with reports of mobs stealing office equipment and materials from various local government areas.

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These attacks followed the withdrawal of police officers from LGA premises, as per the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, which left the secretariats vulnerable to such acts of violence and vandalism.

On Monday, Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, Abuja, discharged and acquitted former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye of all charges brought against him by the Federal Government.

The case, which dates back to 2019, involved a six-count charge accusing Melaye of attempted suicide, escape from police custody, and damage to police property.

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The alleged incident took place on April 24, 2018, while Melaye was being transported by the police to Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State.

During the journey, Melaye allegedly forced his way out of the police vehicle, threatened to commit suicide, and broke the vehicle’s window, thus causing damage to public property.

Despite these serious allegations, Melaye maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, pleading not guilty.

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His legal team, led by Professor Mike Ozekhome SAN, filed a no-case submission after the prosecution presented five witnesses and ten exhibits.

Initially, Justice Oriji upheld the no-case submission on two of the six counts — threat to injure public officers and attempted suicide.

However, the remaining four charges required Melaye to enter a defense.

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In delivering the final judgment, Justice Oriji held that the prosecution could not prove beyond reasonable doubt that Melaye was guilty of the remaining charges, which included escape from custody and damage to police property.

Consequently, the court acquitted him of all charges, affirming that the prosecution failed to meet the legal threshold for conviction.

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A section of the Ikwerre Local Government Council secretariat has been set on fire, escalating tensions in the area.

This is the second local government office to be targeted today, following an earlier arson attack at the Eleme Local Government Council secretariat.

The fire occurred shortly after the Inspector-General of Police ordered the withdrawal of officers who had been stationed at local government secretariats to prevent unrest.

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No arrests have been made yet, and the police have not issued an official statement on the incidents.

The attacks have raised concerns about the potential for more violence in Ikwerre and other local government areas in Rivers State.

Residents are on edge as authorities work to contain the situation and prevent further incidents.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has directed the immediate unsealing of local government secretariats across Rivers State.

The decision follows widespread public outcry over the involvement of the police in the aftermath of the recent local government elections in the state.

The announcement was made in a statement by Grace Iringe-Koko, the Public Relations Officer for the Rivers State Police Command, on Monday.

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The newly appointed Commissioner of Police for Rivers State, CP Bala Mustapha, has been tasked with overseeing the withdrawal of police personnel initially stationed to secure the 23 local government secretariats.

The police command emphasized that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to maintaining neutrality and supporting the functioning of democratic institutions.

This latest directive comes after a period of political friction stemming from a controversy over local government leadership in the state.

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The conflict began when the tenure of local council chairmen, who were allies of the current Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, was reportedly extended.

This decision was opposed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who subsequently appointed caretaker committee (CTC) chairmen.

In response, the IGP ordered the temporary sealing of the secretariats, effectively barring both local government workers and the CTC chairmen from accessing the offices.

With the recent order to unseal the secretariats, the police have confirmed they will only return if there is a threat to public safety or a breakdown of law and order.

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The police reassured the public that any future emergencies would be swiftly managed to restore normalcy.

As the situation stabilizes, the newly sworn-in 23 council chairmen are expected to assume their duties, with councillors being sworn in across the state’s local government areas.

The Rivers State Police Command has called on residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding as the situation unfolds.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday reaffirmed Israel’s determination to achieve victory as it continues military operations in Gaza and along its northern border with Lebanon, while also preparing for potential action against Iran.

The announcement comes a year after the unprecedented October 7 attack by Hamas, which has left Israel embroiled in two ongoing conflicts.

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During a visit to troops at the Lebanon border, Netanyahu declared that Israel “will win” as it battles militants in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

He also suggested Israel’s military actions against Iran-backed Hezbollah were part of broader regional efforts, including a potential strike on Iran.

Netanyahu asserted that Israel’s forces had “completely transformed reality” over the past year, referencing the defeat of Hamas’s military wing, according to Israel’s army chief, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi.

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The conflict was triggered last October when Hamas launched a massive surprise attack, killing 1,205 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli sources.

Israel’s retaliation in Gaza has led to extensive loss of life, with over 41,870 people killed, primarily civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry, a figure corroborated by the United Nations.

Netanyahu also addressed growing tensions along the northern front with Hezbollah. Since September, Israel has intensified military operations in response to rockets fired by Hezbollah from Lebanon, heightening fears of a broader regional conflict.

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Despite the risk of escalation, Netanyahu told French President Emmanuel Macron that Israel’s actions would ultimately bring “stability, security, and peace” to the region.

Meanwhile, international appeals for a ceasefire have intensified.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati called on the global community to pressure Israel for a ceasefire, while U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and other world leaders, including those from Jordan and the UAE, have urged a halt to the fighting in both Gaza and Lebanon.

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Despite these calls, Israel remains on high alert as the October 7 anniversary approaches, and military officials have warned of potential attacks on the Israeli home front.

Critics of Netanyahu have accused him of obstructing truce efforts, particularly in Gaza, where negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of hostages have stalled.

The Labour Party (LP) has expressed its openness to the recent offer by Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, to serve as Peter Obi’s running mate in the 2027 presidential race.

Kwankwaso’s gesture is coming just two years after failed negotiations between both parties ahead of the 2023 elections.

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In a viral post, Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, indicated his willingness to run alongside Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, on the condition that certain agreements are made.

Speaking in Hausa, Kwankwaso emphasized his readiness to engage in discussions but made it clear that mutual trust would need to be established for the partnership to succeed.

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“I’m politically bigger than Peter Obi. I’m his elder brother, I have a PhD, and I performed better than him as a governor. I have no issue deputizing for him, but only if certain conditions are met,” Kwankwaso said in a video shared on his official account.

In the 2023 elections, Peter Obi came third with approximately 6.1 million votes, while Kwankwaso, despite his influence in the North, secured about 1.5 million votes, placing fourth.

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The two had previously considered a merger before the election, but disagreements over leadership roles derailed the effort.

Kwankwaso, who has been an outspoken critic of the Bola Tinubu administration, has repeatedly condemned the government’s economic policies, which he claims have worsened the plight of ordinary Nigerians.

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Reacting to Kwankwaso’s offer, the National Secretary of the Labour Party, Umar Farouk, welcomed the possibility of a renewed alliance between the two political figures.

However, he urged Kwankwaso to drop any rhetoric that could jeopardize future talks.

“As a political party, we are always open to discussions that promote good governance. We are glad Kwankwaso is now willing to serve as Obi’s deputy, acknowledging the over six million votes Obi secured in 2023. Kwankwaso, despite his popularity in the North, garnered less than two million votes. The idea of claiming superiority based on politics or academic qualifications should not be the focus. What we need is unity and a common goal to wrest power from the APC,” Farouk stated.

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Farouk further noted that while the potential collaboration between Obi and Kwankwaso could strengthen opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the government would likely resist any such political moves.

“As we look ahead to 2027, it’s clear that the dynamics will differ from 2023. The real test will be whether both leaders can work together to challenge the status quo,” he added.

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