Headlines
Ebonyi Gov, Umahi Tasks Tinubu to Address Igbo Marginalisation
The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, has been asked to address the marginalisation and discrimination of the South East in the country.
The Governor of Ebonyi State, Davi Umahi, who spoke on Thursday, during a town hall meeting attended by Tinubu, the political elite and entrepreneurs from the region in Owerri, Imo State, said since the end of the civil war, the Igbo had continued to be shortchanged.
Umahi said, “As we welcome and align ourselves with you, it is important that we urge you to address this issue as by the grace of God you become the next president of this country. There are certain positions that have continued to elude Ndigbo since the end of the civil war. It is our hope that your presidency will address this issue when you emerge as the next president of this country by the grace of God.”
The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, said the people of the South-East had resolved to align with the APC and make Tinubu the next president of the country.
He disclosed that a group of entrepreneurs from the region had levied themselves N500,000 each and realised over N1bn to support the presidential bid of Tinubu.
A former governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim, described Tinubu as a “warrior who has won the fight before the war.”
The immediate past deputy governor of Anambra State, Nkem Okeke, said he made no mistake by joining the APC in 2021, adding that Tinubu would emerge the next president of the country.
Tinubu, while responding, said if elected in the 2023 elections, his administration would bring about progressive governance.
The former Lagos State governor noted that he and his running mate, Kashim Shettima, were the best for the country and vowed to deal with stealing in government.
Reacting to Umahi, Tinubu said, “Your Excellency, the executive governor of Ebonyi State, I heard you very clearly. Our government will address the issue of marginalisation and segregation.”
He added, “I will bring progressive governance; a forward looking governance, not to take us to yesterday. My government will support entrepreneurs and stop exploitation. We are thinkers and doers. We will encourage greater productions in Owerri and Aba, establish and modernise existing hubs throughout Nigeria.
“Outside Lagos, my administration will fight corruption, encourage local production and increase the production demands in the country. We will use Nigerian potentials to realise progress, industrialisation and electricity. The more we consume, the more we will produce.
“We will reduce stealing in governance. We will tackle insecurity in Nigeria. We will address the issue of marginalisation and segregation. Though tongues and languages may differ, but in brotherhood we stand. I believe in the unity of our country.
“Good return on investments. My government, our government will comprise people from every segment of this country. Religion and tribalism, not our problem. We will prove wrong those who want to see us divided.”
Former governor of Anambra State, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, has officially defected to the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Obi announced the decision on Tuesday at an event held at the Nike Lake Resort, Enugu.
“We are ending this year with the hope that in 2026 we will begin a rescue journey,” Obi said.
The National Chairman of the ADC, David Mark, was among the attendees.
United States Representative Riley Moors has said further military strikes against Islamic State-linked militants in Nigeria could follow recent operations ordered by President Donald Trump, describing the actions as aimed at improving security and protecting Christian communities facing violence.
Moore made the remarks during a televised interview in which he addressed U.S. military strikes carried out on Christmas Day against militant targets in North-west Nigeria.
The strikes were conducted in coordination with the Nigerian government, according to U.S. and Nigerian officials.
“President Trump is not trying to bring war to Nigeria, he’s bringing peace and security to Nigeria and to the thousands of Christians who face horrific violence and death,” Moore said.
He said the Christmas Day strikes against Islamic State affiliates had provided hope to Christians in Nigeria, particularly in areas affected by repeated attacks during past festive periods.
According to U.S. authorities, the strikes targeted camps used by Islamic State-linked groups operating in parts of north-west Nigeria.
Nigerian officials confirmed that the operation was carried out with intelligence support from Nigerian security agencies as part of ongoing counter-terrorism cooperation between both countries.
The United States Africa Command said the operation was intended to degrade the operational capacity of extremist groups responsible for attacks on civilians and security forces.
Nigerian authorities have described the targeted groups as a threat to national security, noting their involvement in killings, kidnappings and raids on rural communities.
Moore said the strikes marked a shift from previous years in which attacks were carried out against civilians during the Christmas period. He said the U.S. administration was focused on preventing further violence by targeting militant groups before they could launch attacks.
U.S. officials have said the military action was carried out with the consent of the Nigerian government and formed part of broader security cooperation between the two countries. Nigeria has received intelligence, training and logistical support from international partners as it seeks to contain militant activity.
Moore had previously called for stronger international attention to attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria and has urged continued U.S. engagement in addressing extremist violence. He said further action would depend on developments on the ground and continued coordination with Nigerian authorities.
Nigerian officials have maintained that counter-terrorism operations are directed at armed groups threatening civilians, regardless of religion, and have reiterated their commitment to restoring security across affected regions.
World-renowned boxer Anthony Joshua on Monday survived a ghastly road accident in Makun, Ogun State.
Eyewitnesses report that the incident occurred along a busy highway of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
The vehicle carrying Joshua, a Lexus Jeep with the number plate, KRD 850 HN, reportedly collided with a stationary truck under circumstances that are still being investigated.
Joshua reportedly sustained minor injuries, while two persons were said to have died on the spot.
