Anambra Governorship Candidates Sign Peace Accord
Candidates in the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State on Thursday signed a peace accord in Awka, the state capital.
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, was present at the ceremony, which was facilitated by the National Peace Committee, chaired by former military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
Ifeanyi Uba of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Andy Uba of the All Progressives Congress and Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) were among who signed the peace accord.
Others were Valentine Ozigbo of the People’s Democratic Party, Godwin Maduka of the Accord Party (AP), Etiaba Chukwuogo of the Action Alliance (AA), Nwankwo Chidozie of the African Action Congress (AAC), Onyejegbu Okwudili of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Ohajimkpo Emeka of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Ezenwafor Victor of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Nnamdi Nwamuo of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Uzo Godwin of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Okonkwo Francis of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
Anambra Election: We are in high spirit to vote – Electorate
Meanwhile some residents of Awka the Anambra state capital have said that they were ready to exercise their franchise in the Saturday Governorship election in the state.
The residents told newsmen on Friday that they were in high spirit to vote for their preferred candidate on the Nov. 6 election.
Moses Nnake, a transporter, said that he would do the needful by voting for his choice candidate.
Also, Margaret Ikejiofor, a woman leader, called on Anambra citizens to come out enmass and vote for candidates of their choice.
Bernard Nwofor, said that with the calling off of the Sit at Home by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), people were now free to come out and vote.
According to reports, there is relative peace and calm in various parts of the state following the public holiday declared by the state government for Thursday and Friday.
Osinbajo Denies Ownership of Ikoyi Collapse Building Land, Threatens Court Action
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has denied ownership of the land on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos State, where a high-rise building under construction collapsed on Monday, November 1, 2021.
The vice president, in a statement issued on Friday by his spokesman, Laolu Akande, said he had no interest whatsoever in the said property and that all his property and assets had already been publicly declared.
Osinbajo, expressed sadness over what he called a horrible tragedy and condoled with the families and relatives of all those who died, injured or affected by the collapse.
The Vice President while describing the accusation as a despicable lie in sponsored online report said that he has referred the disgraceful publication to his lawyers for prompt legal action.
Justice Odili’s home raid: NBA demands Buhari probe panel
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has vowed to get to the bottom of last Friday’s raid on the home of a Judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Mary Odili.
It has demanded that President Muhammadu Buhari set up an independent investigative panel to unravel those behind the incident.
NBA President Olumide Akpata, who met with journalists in Lagos, warned that if president Muhammadu Buhari fails to do so, lawyers would take legal action.
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami (SAN) and the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, have separately denied authorizing the raid or have knowledge of it.
However, the NBA noted that the said policemen appeared to be from the Attorney-General’s office, adding that because he cannot investigate himself, Malami would be reported to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) for investigation.
IN BUSINESS
National Assembly tackles Amaechi over Nigeria-Niger Republic rail line, others
The Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committees on Land and Marine Transport on Thursday protested against the proposal of the Minister of Transport, Chibuike Ameachi, to construct a standard gauge for the Kano-Maradi rail line while an old narrow gauge was planned for other parts of Nigeria.
The lawmakers became angry when Amaechi presented the 2022 budget proposal of his ministry before the Joint National Assembly Committee.
While presenting the budget, Amaechi said, the construction of Kaduna-Kano rail lines to link up the Abuja-Kaduna rail line has commenced and the survey and design for Ibadan-Minna-Abuja is ongoing.
Chairman of Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Danjuma Goje, and House Committee Chairman, Pat Asadu, kicked against the marginalization of other regions of the country in the rail line construction.
Ameachi, while responding to issues raised by the committee, said the difference between the narrow gauge and standard gauge was speed, adding that the country might not get the money to build standard gauge across the country, and that the project was not based on sentiments but economic benefits for the country.
ON THE FOREIGN SCENE
Jury to begin hearing case in killing of Ahmaud Arbery
In a trial that will scrutinize citizen’s arrest laws, an almost all-white Georgia jury will hear opening arguments on Friday in the case of three white men accused of chasing down and killing Black jogger Ahmaud Arbery, who they say they suspected was a burglar.
The shooting of Arbery, 25, in a suburb of the coastal city of Brunswick in February 2020 stoked national outrage after cellphone video taken by one of the three defendants became public more than two months later.
Arbery’s relatives, some of whom have attended jury selection since the trial began in Glynn County Superior Court in Brunswick on October 18, have alleged that Arbery was targeted on the basis of his race.
Former policeman Gregory McMichael, 65, his son Travis McMichael, 35, and neighbour William Bryan, 52, face charges of murder, aggravated assault and false imprisonment in which all had pleaded not guilty and risk to face a sentence of life imprisonment if convicted on the murder charges.
ON THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Nigerians drag Taaooma on Instagram for visiting VP Yemi Osibanjo with some IG comedians
Nigerian comedian Apaokagi Maryam popularly known as Taaooma has reacted after she was called out for visiting the vice president of Nigeria, Yemi Osibanjo with some Instagram comedians.
In a lengthy post shared via her Instagram page on Thursday, the comedian explained the reason behind her visit to the nation’s number 2 man.
She noted that she made the presidency understand how important Twitter is for the majority of the youths. The SMEs and others who make a living via that platform, and urged the Vice president to help canvass for lifting of the Twitter ban.
The Instagram comedian also revealed that she stressed the continuous police brutality experienced by young Nigerians.
Taaooma’s long post didn’t sit well with many as she was called out by her followers for visiting the Vice President.
IN SPORTS
Al Sadd announce Xavi move to Barcelona
Qatar side, Al Sadd have announced that Barcelona has paid the release clause which will see Xavi Hernandes return to the Spanish club as manager.
This was confirmed on Friday by Al Sadd, adding that a deal has been agreed on between the clubs.
The Qatari club in a statement said, Barca had paid the release clause for Xavi, who has been coaching in Qatar since 2019 and now rejoins the club where he enjoyed huge success as a player.
Also stating that Xavi had informed them earlier of his desire to go to Barcelona at this particular time, due to the critical stage of his hometown club, not wanting to stand in his way, it was well understood.
Barcelona had to let Lionel Messi leave the club before the season began and have admitted they are saddled with huge debts.
