Headlines
Aggrieved PDP Govs Set to Lead Rivers Guber Campaign
The deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, South-South, Chief Dan Obih and the G5 governors will lead the commencement of the party’s governorship campaign in Rivers State scheduled for Saturday.
The Director General of the State PDP Campaign Council, Felix Obuah, disclosed this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
Obuah, who is the immediate past Chairman of the PDP in the state, said the occasion would be the official inauguration of the party’s campaign in the Rivers State capital.
He said, “The high point of the rally which is billed to take place at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium would be the grand unveiling of the PDP’s governorship candidate, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
“The unveiling ceremony will be performed by the G5 governors who are at the centre of a fight designed to promote inclusiveness.
“While in Port Harcourt, the state governor, Nyesom Wike, who is the chief host, will treat our friends, elders and leaders to a State Banquet. The banquet will be held on Friday, November 18, 2022.
“Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, the host Governor and leader of the G5 – Wike – will grace the occasion.”
While applauding the G5 for remaining the soul and conscience of the PDP, Obuah said they had earned the respect of Nigerians by remaining in the main opposition party.
“Their decision to pursue peaceful options despite obstacles placed on the way has further endeared them to the Nigerian people. We are happy that these great patriots who believe in one Nigeria will participate in activities marking the beginning of our campaign effort in Rivers State.
“As the clock ticks and public attention turns in the direction of Rivers State, we want to inform you that we are ready. We are ready to fight the good fight, our sleeves rolled up, and our hands on the plough.
“We are ready, as a political party, to win the 2023 governorship election. We are also ready to sweep the National Assembly and the State House of Assembly elections,” he stated.
The Punch
Former US Vice President Kamala Harris said in a British television interview previewed Saturday that she may “possibly” run again to be president.
Harris, who replaced Joe Biden as the 2024 Democratic presidential candidate but lost to Donald Trump, told the BBC that she had not yet decided whether to make another White House bid.
But the 61-year-old insisted she was “not done” in American politics and that her young grandnieces would see a female president in the Oval Office “in their lifetime, for sure”.
“I have lived my entire career a life of service, and it’s in my bones, and there are many ways to serve,” Harris told the British broadcaster in an interview set to air in full on Sunday.
“I’ve not decided yet what I will do in the future, beyond what I am doing right now.”
The comments are the strongest hint yet that Harris could attempt to be the Democratic Party nominee for the 2028 election.
The interview follows the release of her memoir last month in which she argued it had been “recklessness” to let Biden run for a second term as president.
She also accused his White House team of failing to support her while she was his deputy, and at times of actively hindering her.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made changes in the hierarchy of the Service Chiefs in furtherance of the efforts of the federal government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture.
The President appointed General Olufemi Oluyede to replace General Christopher Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff.
The new Chief of Army Staff is Major-General W. Shaibu. Air Vice Marshall S.K Aneke is Chief of Air Staff while Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff. Chief of Defence Intelligence Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye retains his position.
The President expressed appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and the other Service Chiefs for their patriotic service, and dedicated leadership.
The President charges the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them to further enhance the professionalism, vigilance and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
All appointments take immediate effect, Special Adviser to the President
Media and Public Communication, Mr Sunday Dare, said in a statement in Abuja.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, till Monday, October 27, to enable him to open his defence in the terrorism charges filed against him.
Justice James Omotosho fixed the new date on Friday, after Kanu informed the court that his former legal team, led by former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), had yet to release his case file to him.
At the resumed hearing, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) appeared for the Federal Government and reminded the court that the matter was fixed for Kanu to begin his defence as earlier directed.
However, no counsel represented Kanu.
He pleaded for an adjournment to allow him to retrieve and study the file to prepare adequately for his defence.
He said, “My lord, my counsel left the case yesterday, and I have not received the file from them.”
He also informed the court of his intention to call 23 witnesses, both local and foreign, and requested an order directing the Department of State Services to allow his foreign witnesses access to him.
Additionally, he sought permission for his lawyers to visit him on non-working days — a request Omotosho granted.
Counsel to the Federal Government, Awomolo, however, described Kanu’s complaint as “strange”, noting that the defendant had spent hours in court with his former lawyers. He further urged the court to strictly enforce its earlier directive giving Kanu six days to open and close his defence.
The prosecution said, “I’m aware that there is a standing order for the defendant to defend himself within six days. The defendant wasted yesterday. This is the second day, my lord. I urge your lordship to keep to the standing order of the number of days given to the defendant,” Awomolo said.
In his ruling, Omotosho said while Kanu’s claim about the withheld case file was “strange and difficult to believe”, he would still grant a short adjournment in the interest of justice.
The judge cautioned against unnecessary delays, stressing that several other cases had been affected by the protracted proceedings.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to Monday, October 27, for Kanu to open his defence.
