Headlines
Another Nigerian Stabbed to Death in South Africa
The president of Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA), Ben Okoli, says a Nigerian, Okechukwu Henry, from Imo State, was stabbed to death by unknown South African robbers.
The NICASA president said this in a letter to the Consul-General, Nigerian Consulate Johannesburg, South Africa.
A copy of the letter was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja.
Mr Okoli said that the association was tired of sending Nigerians back home in body bags due to premeditated and organised crime against them in South Africa.
“Tragedy has struck the Nigerian community again, just after 4 pm on Friday, May 3. Mr Okechukwu Henry was stabbed to death by unknown local South African robbers.
”The late Henry, a car dealer who specialised in used cars, lived in Middleburg Mpumalanga Province.
“Earlier before his death, some two local guys had indicated interest to buy his car – a white VW polo.
“They had negotiated the price and agreed to buy; late Henry had produced all necessary documents to seal the deal when suddenly the local buyers said they wanted to test-drive the car first before paying,” he said.
According to him, Mr Henry obliged them but insisted he would drive along with them.
“As they drove out, he suddenly realised that they were robbers as they demanded for the key of the car.
“They attacked him and stabbed him several times, they took the keys but could not manage to drive away the car.
“Their action attracted the attention of people around and they ran away with the keys without the car,” he said.
According to him, Mr Henry was rushed to hospital, but it appeared he had died at the scene.
He said that a case of robbery and murder had been opened by the NICASA Provincial chairman in Mpumalanga.
“Your Excellency, the attack on Nigerians has reached an alarming level and demands something urgent to be done to stem this ugly tide.
“Our nationals are under attack in South Africa. We are under attack from every angle.
He called on the Nigerian Mission to urgently intervene.
“We no longer feel safe, we have become like a trophy hunted by all.
“The Nigerian Citizens Association, South Africa, is disheartened by the frequent repatriation of the remains of our dear citizens,” he said.
(NAN)
Former Governor of Delta State, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential running mate in the 2023 election, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has dumped the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Okowa confirmed the news of his defection to ARISE NEWS on Wednesday following the announcement of the current governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, who also defected from the PDP to the APC on Wednesday.
The development was disclosed by Senator James Manager after a six-hour meeting at Government House, Asaba.
“All PDP members in the state, including the governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, all the local government chairmen and others, have agreed to move to the APC,” Manager stated. “We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat.”
Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr Aniagwu Charles, officially confirmed the sweeping political shift, attributing the decision to the need for renewed direction and enhanced governance in the state.
“There is a need for us to adjust our drinking patterns. And in adjusting that drinking pattern, we needed to make a decision that would further help to cement the development in our state,” he said.
Aniagwu added that the move aimed to sustain progress in law, security, and welfare, likening the PDP to a “palm wine whose taste has changed,” necessitating a change in “drinking party”.
He further indicated that the defection was unanimously agreed upon by key PDP leaders and stakeholders in the state, with a formal public declaration expected on Monday.
“By the grace of God, on Monday next week, we will be able to make a very big statement confirming that we are moving into the APC,” he said.
The mass defection represents a dramatic realignment in Delta State’s political landscape and could significantly alter party dynamics in the broader South-South region, historically a PDP stronghold.
Okowa will be received on Monday by Vice President Kashim Shettima alongside Governor Oborevwori.
AriseNews
Delta State governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defection was announced after Wednesday’s closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon.
Ahon said the Governor’s decision to switch allegiance to the ruling APC came after thorough discussions with political stakeholders, aimed at fostering long-term development for Delta State.
Governor Oborevwori, who secured victory in the 2023 gubernatorial election under the platform of the PDP, was welcomed by high-ranking APC officials.
The National Assembly has taken a swipe at Pastor Tunde Bakare over his recent criticism of the country’s legislature, describing it as biased.
Bakare, the serving overseer of The Citadel Global Community Church, had on Sunday condemned the Senate’s suspension of Senator Natasha-Akpoti Uduaghan; the National Assembly’s ratification of the emergency rule in Rivers State.
“The two main contenders in the ongoing institutional immorality Olympics are the executive and the legislature,” he said.
But on Tuesday, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, said the cleric was biased and crossed the line in his commentary.
“While the Senate respects the right of every citizen – regardless of station – to express views on the state of the nation, we are constrained to respond when such commentary crosses the line into unwarranted invective and misleading assertions that risk eroding public trust in democratic institutions,” the statement by Adaramodu read.
Adaramodu said, “such commentary crosses the line into unwarranted invective and misleading assertions that risk eroding public trust in democratic institutions”.
“We view his corrosive criticisms of the National Assembly as a biased and political ecumenical homily,” the statement read.
“The challenges facing our country require dialogue anchored on truth, mutual respect, and a commitment to nation-building, not polarizing rhetoric that undermines confidence in our democratic institutions.”
“We are confident that, in time, with a nuanced review of the performance of the 10th national assembly — within the context of the exigencies of this time and season — Pastor Bakare may, at some point in the future, commend us for acting in the best interest of the people of Nigeria, in line with our constitutional mandate,” the Senator added.
