Today's Headlines: West African Delegation Arrives In Niger Republic; How Ganduje Emerged As APC Chairman

West African Delegation Arrives In Niger Republic

A delegation from the West African bloc ECOWAS arrived in Niger on Thursday for talks in a bid to resolve a crisis following last week’s military coup, an airport source told AFP.

The source said the delegation landed in the capital Niamey at 6:11 pm (1711 GMT). ECOWAS on Sunday had given the junta a week to reinstate elected leader Mohamed Bazoum or risk a possible military intervention.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu urged the representatives to do “whatever it takes to ensure a conclusive and amicable resolution of the situation in Niger”, his office said in a statement.

The delegation headed by former Nigerian leader Abdulsalami Abubakar is due to “meet the coup leaders in Niger to present the demands of the ECOWAS leadership”, Tinubu’s office added.

Tinubu also sent another delegation led by Nigerian ambassador Babagana Kingibe “to engage with the leaders of Libya and Algeria” on the crisis.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has already imposed trade and financial sanctions on Niger, with Nigeria cutting its electricity supply.

How Ganduje Emerged As APC Chairman

Photo Credit: Dailytrust

Abdullahi Ganduje, a former governor of Kano State yesterday emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairman at the party’s 12th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Abuja.

With the development, Ganduje is the sixth national chairman of the APC after Chief Bisi Akande, John Odigie-Oyegun, Adams Oshiomhole, Mai Mala Buni and Abdullahi Adamu. Recall that the APC celebrated its 10th anniversary three days ago.

Daily Trust reports that Ganduje emerged following his endorsement by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governors who are members of the party, and some members of the National Caucus prior to the NEC meeting.

His endorsement by Tinubu and other stakeholders followed Adamu’s resignation because of internal crises in the party.

Sequel to his resignation, the deputy national chairman (North), Senator Abubakar Kyari took over in an acting capacity. But Kyari was later nominated by President Tinubu as a minister. The APC women leader, Beta Edu was equally nominated.

Consequently, the National Working Committee (NWC) summoned a meeting of the National Caucus, which was held at the State House on Wednesday.

Enugu people comfortable with military presence – Ohanaeze counters IPOB

Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has faulted claims by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, that Governor Peter Mbah is militarising Enugu State.

IPOB made the allegation in a statement issued by its spokesman, Emma Powerful.

Powerful said militarising and humiliating the people of Enugu State in the guise of ending the sit-at-home order was a wrong approach and unacceptable.

However, the National President of Ohanaeze Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike told journalists on Friday that there has been no reported case of intimidation or humiliation of Enugu residents by the security agencies deployed to checkmate the activities of hoodlums.

Okwu, who said Governor Mbah should be commended rather than vilified, noted that the presence of security agencies at strategic locations in the State had built the confidence of residents.

Edo Deputy Gov Stops Move to impeach him

Photo Credit:Punch papers

The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Phillip Shuaibu, has asked a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to stop the commencement of an impeachment process against him.

In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1027/2023, the Inspector General of Police; State Security Service; the Governor of Edo State; the Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, and the Chief Judge of Edo State are the first, second, third, fourth and fifth defendants respectively.

Shauib is seeking an interlocutory injunction restraining the 3rd, 4th and 5th Defendants/Respondents or their agents from commencing an impeachment process against him.

He also prayed the court to restrain the governor of the state or other person acting on his order from harassing and preventing him from effectively discharging his duties as the deputy governor of the state.

The reliefs read in part, “An order of interlocutory injunction restraining the third Defendant/Respondent whether by himself or his agents or persons acting for and on his behalf from harassing, intimidating, embarrassing and preventing the Plaintiff/Applicant from carrying out the functions of his office as Deputy Governor of Edo State including attending the State Executive Council Meetings/Functions and other duties about his office pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

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