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Aged women from Ishinkwo Autonomous Community in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State staged a peaceful protest on Monday, accusing government officials of fraudulent activities in the ongoing land demarcation exercise between their community and the neighboring Abaomege community.

The Ebonyi State government had initiated the demarcation process as part of efforts to resolve the longstanding land dispute between the two communities, a conflict that has resulted in the loss of lives and destruction of properties worth millions of naira. The exercise follows the terms outlined in a government white paper aimed at ensuring a lasting settlement.

The protesting women, who stormed the Ebonyi Government House in Abakaliki, carried placards with inscriptions such as: “Gov Nwifuru, father of the State, please come to our aid,” “Enough is enough to land grabbing, follow the white paper,” and “Return Ugwuekuma Primary School to Ishinkwo, it’s our ancient landmark.”

They also marched to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, where they registered their grievances with lawmakers. The women accused the Chairman of Onicha Local Government Area, Mr. Ikechukwu Ogbofia, of allegedly colluding with the land demarcation committee to favor his Abaomege community.

In an open letter addressed to Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru and signed by the National President of the Women Wing of the Ishinkwo Community Development Union (ICDU), Mrs. Fidelia Nworie, along with 12 others, the protesters claimed the demarcation process was flawed and could undermine the government’s peace efforts.

They alleged that the Deputy Surveyor-General of the state, Mr. Ekeroku, was conducting the demarcation without reference to the white paper, which they described as the legal framework for the exercise.

“The demarcation is being executed without reference to the white paper, which renders the process illegal, null, and void. No one can place something on nothing and expect it to stand,” the letter stated.

The women further claimed that a key survey map, which is crucial for guiding the demarcation, had been withheld from Ishinkwo community leaders while allegedly being made available to the Onicha LGA chairman, an Abaomege native.

They called on Governor Nwifuru to urgently intervene and ensure that the demarcation exercise adheres to the government’s approved white paper to prevent further tension between the two communities.

Peter Obi the Labour party presidential candidate of the 2023 general election has strongly criticized the release of statutory allocations to an appointed Sole Administrator in Rivers State, despite a Supreme Court order barring such action.

In a statement on social media, Obi described the development as an “aberration” that is “unknown to our Constitution” and must be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians. He decried what he called a “brazen disobedience and disregard for the rule of law and our democratic principles,” stressing that such actions set a dangerous precedent for governance in the country.

The Supreme Court had previously ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) not to release funds to the Rivers State government until a duly constituted House of Assembly passed an Appropriation Act. Obi, however, noted that the order was being ignored, raising concerns about the implications for the rule of law.

He warned that allowing government institutions to flout judicial directives could erode Nigeria’s democratic foundation. “A country cannot function where the rule of law is trampled upon, where the separation of powers is disregarded, and where judicial decisions are treated as mere suggestions,” he said.

Obi called for respect for the judiciary, urging authorities to uphold constitutional principles to safeguard the nation’s democracy.

Bishop Matthew Kukah has described the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia (FUASK), Kaduna State, as a divine instrument for fostering growth and development in the state.

Kukah made the statement on Friday in Abuja during the inauguration of the university’s Governing Council and Principal Officers. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, presided over the event, appointing Kukah as the Chairman of the Governing Council.

Speaking at the event, Kukah said the university’s establishment marked a significant intervention, addressing key challenges in Southern Kaduna.

“The establishment of this university is a realisation of God’s intervention,” he said. “Nigeria may have its own challenges and will continue to have them, but I can assure you, Mr. Minister, that 60 per cent of the problems in Southern Kaduna have now been solved with the establishment of this university.”

He emphasized the region’s strong academic background, stating that Southern Kaduna has produced no fewer than 200 professors. Kukah expressed gratitude for the educational opportunities he and others had received, crediting missionaries for their contributions to education in the region.

“By locating this University of Applied Sciences here, you have given us the tools we need to move forward,” he added, pledging to support the institution’s growth.

In his address, Alausa said the university’s establishment was part of broader educational reforms aimed at strengthening technical and vocational training, expanding STEM education, and reducing the number of out-of-school children. He also highlighted plans to promote girl-child education and establish a College of Medicine within the university.

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, has announced the release of withheld local government allocations and assured that necessary measures will be taken to ensure the prompt payment of workers’ salaries.

Speaking during a meeting with Heads of Local Government Administrators in Port Harcourt, Ibas described the gathering as a crucial step toward restoring stability and progress in the state.

He lamented the economic hardship in the Niger Delta, noting that despite the region’s abundant natural resources, its residents continue to face severe economic challenges.

“This is unacceptable,” he stated, stressing the need for transformation and accountability in governance.

Ibas expressed concern over the delayed salary payments affecting local government workers and acknowledged the difficulties they have faced.

“I feel the pain of the workers,” he said, assuring them that the withheld funds had been released and that salaries would be paid without further delay.

However, he emphasized that financial accountability would be strictly enforced.

The retired vice admiral and former Chief of Naval Staff directed all local government areas to submit their wage bills, along with supporting documentation, through the office of the Head of Service.

Supporters of Labour Party’s (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have approached the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to discuss a possible move for the former Anambra governor ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

SDP’s National Secretary, Olu Agunloye, confirmed the development during an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political program on Channels Television.

“Obi’s people came to us to ask if we would accept him if he decides to join. Of course, we told them ‘Yes’,” Agunloye said.

He emphasized that those advocating for Obi’s entry into the party must officially align with the SDP.

“You cannot be in the Labour Party and be telling us Obi is coming without joining us; otherwise, we can’t open our doors for you,” he added.

Meanwhile, political realignments have intensified ahead of the 2027 elections, with key actors exploring platforms among the 19 registered political parties. Agunloye also disclosed that the SDP has already recorded seven presidential aspirants and is focused on retaining them.

“We have eight presidential aspirants; it could be 10. Seven of them are on our platform,” he said, adding that the party is working to prevent defections.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Friday destroyed counterfeit, substandard, and expired pharmaceutical products worth over one trillion naira at the Anambra State Waste Management Authority Dump Site in Agu Awka, Anambra State.

NAFDAC’s Director General, Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by the agency’s South-East Zonal Director, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, led the destruction exercise in Awka South Local Government Area.

The affected products included banned and controlled substances such as Analgin and Tramadol 225mg. The confiscated items were seized from Onitsha Bridge Head Drug Market (Ogbu-Ogu) and Ekumi/Tenant Road drug market in Aba during a month-long enforcement operation.

Speaking before the destruction, Adeyeye reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to ensuring the safety and effectiveness of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, packaged water, and beverages in Nigeria.

“Today, we are destroying fake, counterfeit, and illicit drugs seized during our enforcement exercise. The discovery of unregistered and banned products in major drug markets across the country is alarming. The presence of such substances contributes to security risks in Nigeria,” she stated.

She emphasized that NAFDAC remains determined to eliminate substandard medicines from circulation.

“We have listened to public concerns and realigned our strategies to ensure that only safe and approved medicines are available in Nigeria. Nigerians can be assured that the drugs currently in circulation meet the required safety standards,” Adeyeye added.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as unconstitutional.

On Tuesday, President Tinubu announced the emergency rule, suspending Governor Similayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the state House of Assembly for six months. He appointed Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (Rtd.) as Sole Administrator.

In his biweekly newsletter, The Business of Governance (Issue 110), published Thursday evening, Makinde called on Nigerians to oppose the decision, warning that it threatens democratic governance.

“I stand today to say that the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of the executive and legislative arms of government by the presidency is an illegality that right-thinking members of society must oppose,” he stated.

Makinde stressed the need to uphold democratic principles, urging Nigerians to resist actions that could undermine the nation’s democratic progress.

“Our democratic tenets must never be trifled with, no matter our personal feelings and loyalties. This is the time to take a stand for fairness, equity, and justice,” he added.

The governor also commended his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for its firm stance on the matter. He disclosed that the PDP Governors’ Forum, during an emergency meeting on Wednesday, unanimously resolved to challenge the president’s decision in court.

“We cannot fold our hands and watch the democracy we have built for almost three decades be trampled upon,” Makinde said.