We are not Igbo, Rivers Ikwerre blasts Iwuanyanwu, Ohaneze
Photo Credit: The Nation
The claim by Ohaneze Ndigbo and its President, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, that Ikwerre is part of Igbo, has drawn the ire of the Ikwerre socio-cultural group, the Iwhnurohna Progressive Organisation (IPO).
Join millions of traders around the world who trade global markets with the #1 broker
FxPro | SponsoredJoin millions of traders around the world who trade global markets with the #1 brokerJubna Ads Choice
The membership of the IPO led by Dr. Okahchukwu Dibia at the weekend said it was offensive, insulting, shameful, disgusting, insensitive, careless and uncivilised for Iwuanyanwu to be credited with the falsehood and unfounded claim that Ikwerre people were Igbo.
Reading the position of the members after a meeting in Port Harcourt, Dibia said: “To us at IPO, Ikwerre is Igbo means that all the ancestral communities in Ikwerre originated from Igbo. This is not true and can never be true, hence our reply to him and indeed Ohaneze.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Ikwerre people are a distinct ethnic nation recognised in Nigeria and the United Nations. Ikwerre language is one of the recognised languages in Nigeria and the United Nations (UN).
“Whoever is in doubt can contact the appropriate government authorities in Nigeria and the UN. While Ikwerre is our political name, Iwhnurohna is our native name, and both refer to the same people: Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality.
“We live and own the Emohua, Ikwerre, Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt City (in alphabetical order) local government areas in Rivers State, Niger Delta, South South geo-political region of Nigeria”.
Citing the works of some renowned scholars like Prof. Otonti Nduka, Dibia used thematic headings of appearances, innate qualities and history to explain that the Ikwerre remained distinct from the Igbo despite similarities in their language.
Akpata slams Obaseki for swearing in judges 11 months after recommendation
Photo Credit: Punch
The governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Edo State, Olumide Akpata, has slammed the state Governor, Godwin Obaseki, for swearing in only five out of the eight judges of the Edo State High Court.
On Friday, Obaseki sworn in five judges to the bench of the state High Court.
This, he said was in line with his commitments to strengthen the judiciary due to its role in the democratic process.
However, this did not sit well with Akpatac who condemned Obaseki for swearing them in 11 months after being recommended by the National Judicial Council.
He made his displeasure known in a statement shared on his official X handle on Saturday.
He wrote, “I condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the reprehensible conduct of Governor Godwin Obaseki, the Governor of Edo State. Firstly, for the unconscionable delay in swearing in new judges for the Edo State High Court 11 months after they were recommended by the National Judicial Council as far back as June 2023. Secondly, for the inexplicable decision to unilaterally select and swear in only five out of the eight recommended judges.”
He added that the governor’s action is unacceptable
Group urges EFCC to investigate Defence Minister, Matawalle
Photo Credit: Vanguard
A socio-political pressure group, the APC Akida Forum, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the former Governor of Zamfara State and current Minister of Defense, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, over alleged corruption and mismanagement of public funds totaling N70 billion.
In a formal complaint submitted to the EFCC headquarters on Friday, May 3rd, 2024, the group urged the commission to reopen the investigation into Matawalle’s alleged corruption activities during his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State.
According to the group’s chairman, Mallam Musa Mahmud, the EFCC had previously investigated Matawalle over allegations of monumental corruption, award of phantom contracts, and diversion of over N70 billion, but the case was allegedly swept under the carpet. The group is demanding that the EFCC revisit the case and bring Matawalle to justice, citing the government’s commitment to fighting corruption and the need to hold public officials accountable for their actions.
Matawalle has been accused of diverting funds meant for projects in Zamfara State and using them to fund his political ambitions, among other allegations.
The APC Akida Forum’s call for investigation came at a time when the government is taking bold steps against corruption, and the group is urging the EFCC to demonstrate its commitment to fighting corruption by investigating and prosecuting Matawalle if found guilty.
Mahmud said, “We formally request that the commission reopen the investigation into the corruption allegations against Bello Mohammed Matawalle, the State Minister for Defense. Some of the contractors who had been invited and quizzed by the Commission made startling revelations on how the governor allegedly compelled them to return the funds received from the state coffers back to him through his aides after converting them to United States Dollars (hard currency).
“We want the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to investigate the matter and bring justice to those responsible for the mismanagement of public funds. This will serve as a deterrent to others considering engaging in corrupt practices in public office,” he added.
In response to the group’s demand, the EFCC Acting Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, assured that the Commission will continue with the alleged N70 billion corruption case against Matawalle.
“I want to commend members of the APC Akida Forum for this peaceful protest. It is within your rights to protest. The Constitution guarantees the right of free expression, and you have done that today.
“I want to assure you all that EFCC does not close cases. Once we open an investigation into a case, we will continue. So, I assure you that this petition will be looked into. Thank you very much,” Uwujaren said.
Three arrested, charged over Indian Sikh activist’s murder in Canada
Photo Credit: Vanguard
Three Indian nationals have been arrested and charged over the killing of a Sikh separatist leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, which sparked a major diplomatic row between the two countries.
The 45-year-old activist was gunned down last June by masked gunmen in a busy car park in a Vancouver suburb
The diplomatic row escalated after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged India’s government may have been involved, an allegation his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi denied.
According to BBC, in announcing the arrests on Friday, Superintendent Mandeep Mooker said the three suspects were 22-year-old Karan Brar, 22-year-old Kamal Preet Singh, and 28-year-old Karan Preet Singh.
He said all three had been living in Edmonton, Alberta where they were arrested. They have been charged with first-degree murder, court records show, as well as conspiracy to commit murder.
The police added that the trio had been in Canada for three to five years.
Police added that investigations were continuing, including into “connections to the government of India”.
Photo Credit: Google