The 2019 general elections are here with us. On February 16 2019, Nigerians will be going to the polls to elect the president and members of the National Assembly. A few weeks after the national elections, the electorate will also file out to elect their governors and members of the various states Houses of Assembly. The coming election like previous elections in the country has generated a lot of tension and dust that fears are now being expressed in many quarters that it may be marred by violence and bloodletting.…
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Need for INEC to conduct credible elections
There have been allegations from opposition political parties that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC wants to rig the coming general election especially the presidential election in favour of the ruling APC. This allegation although not yet authenticated is nevertheless a source of concern. Although INEC has come out to deny the allegation we are still constrained to call on INEC to do everything within its powers to conduct a credible, free and fair election. We feel the electoral umpire has no other option than to conduct an election that…
Read MoreCase against Buhari’s suspension of CJN, Onnoghen
President Muhammadu Buhari’s announcement of the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Walter Onnoghen has continued to draw comments from within and outside the shores of Nigeria. President Buhari had on Friday last week, announced the suspension of the CJN, reportedly relying on an order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal regarded in some quarters as “an auxiliary judicial panel that addresses assets filings of public officials” rather than a regular or full- fledged court. Prior to his suspension Friday, Justice Onnoghen was dragged to the Code of…
Read MorePoliticians beware of overheating the polity
As political activities are at their peak to usher in the 2019 general elections in a few weeks’ time, it will be right to observe and note certain dangerous trends that could jeopardize the elections and the well being of Nigerians. Recently, it was in the news that the present Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Walter Onnoghen was being threatened for his failure to declare his assets which is required of any serving public officer at the assumption of a public office. It was also allegedly reported that a…
Read MoreTasks before new IGP Mohammed Adamu
At last, Idris Ibrahim, Nigeria’s former Inspector General of Police has been retired having served the country for about 35 years as a public servant. Already, President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Mr. Mohammed Adamu as the country’s new Inspector General of Police, IGP in acting capacity. The immediate past IGP Idris’ retirement had before yesterday, generated controversy over speculations that President Buhari had planned to extend his tenure beyond January 16, being his actual retirement date. So, his retirement two days ago has sort of calmed frayed nerves especially, as…
Read MoreVery many killings in Imo: The police challenge
With the latest round of assassinations in Imo State, it is now crystal clear that the state has come under the siege of assassins and kidnappers. Imolites are still shocked by the dastard assassination in Obowo LGA of retired police officer and his wife. And just in the wake of that gruesome killing reports again filtered about the murder of a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, women leader in Ideato North Local Government Area. These three recent cold blooded killings according to investigation have brought the number of Imo citizens sent…
Read MoreNeed for right behaviours on our roads this Yuletide
Now that the yuletide is around the corner it is a common feature in Owerri, the Imo State capital to observe that virtually all gateways and roads leading to the city experience influx of vehicles mostly by indigenes of the state living in the diaspora coming home. These are of course, those who are returning from their various base to spend the yuletide with their loved ones and participate in the launching of new development projects in their various communities before going back to their respective stations. One thing that…
Read MoreTask before FRSC, security agencies as Yuletide approaches
In less than two weeks away, Nigeria will join the rest of the world to celebrate Christmas and New Year festivities. These two celebrations no doubt, are characterized by increased socio-economic activities including heavy vehicular traffic on the roads accompanied with increasing number of travelers. Here in Nigeria, the period is usually marked by upsurge in auto accidents as road users especially, commercial drivers tend to become reckless in their driving in order to rake in more money from transport fares. It is this particular mindset among road users that…
Read MoreNeed to be vigilant this Christmas
The clock has gone full circle and December the twelfth and last month of the year is here with us again. All over the world, particularly in countries and regions where Christianity is the dominant religion, December beyond being the last month of the year is also significant for the well known reason of being the month of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Lord and saviour of the whole wild world. Usually, Christians remember the birth of Jesus Christ with festivities prominent of which are Christmas day and Boxing…
Read MoreLooming epidemic, environmental disaster along Item and Mbari Streets
Unless something urgent is done by authorities of the Imo Environmental Transformation Commission, ENTRACO, state Ministry of Health and other relevant agencies, residents of Owerri especially, those who live and do business around Item Street, Mbari and environs may have to grapple with looming epidemics following stinking deadly refuse that has blocked all the drainages there with health-threatening ordour oozing from the said drainages. A walk through Item Street around UBA junction up to Diamond Bank along the same street, will make any right thinking citizen of this state put…
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