ANINRI PROTESTS: stakeholders unite as more names of the sponsors emerge

As new waves of tensions threaten instability in Aninri council area, critical stakeholders are scampering to have seats on table of dialogue.

• LEAKED – How Anyayo Onwuegbu gives ₦53M for Aninri protests

Earlier today the President Generals of all the autonomous communities in the council met. They are curious to understand the motives behind the organised media attacks on the council chairman, and pinpointed the recent protest against him as that which made them more furious.

InfoWars reported that tens of Aninri natives took protest to the Government House on Tuesday, demanding that Governor Peter collect power for the chairman Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku and give it to the people of Okpanku ward.

In his speech during the meeting, the Aninri coordinating President General Comr Pius Ani insinuated that the protest was not actually against Aninri chairman, but rather some grand covert plan to undermine Governor Peter Mbah’s reelection bid in 2027.

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According to him the governor had earlier hosted a wide stakeholders’ meeting for Aninri, a meeting which cut across political and clannish divides as well as business and religious sections. Nearly all of them who led and participated in the protest were there in the meeting and were given all chances to relate directly to the governor whatever grievances or concerns they have. They said nothing.

So why the the noisy barely a week after the governor sat face-to-face with listening ears before the agitators? Pius also added that Governor Mbah had encouraged anyone with grievance to use appropriate channel.

“The governor has demonstrated that he is a leader for all. He encouraged dialogue, not disorder. Anyone with political ambition should pursue it lawfully,” Pius said.

The PGs unanimously agreed that Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku has done very well under two years. They appealed to the governor to keep supporting the council and to stand on his earlier decision to return the Prince a second time even as they themselves have endorsed Nwanjoku’s return.

The PGs’ today’s endorsement, however, has a very special meaning. At least, it’s the latest bold step to serve as a warning that Aninri people cannot allow external forces to foment trouble in their soil. So far, sources of the attacks in the council are coming from outside.

How a wheelbarrow pusher stabs trader to death in Port Harcourt

Police is presently investigating the murder a 30-year-old man who was stabbed to death yesterday. The incident happened at Fruit Market, Oil Mill, Rumuokwurusi, Port Harcourt.

• “We won’t fight Prince Nwanjoku”, Amagu women defy PG Udengene

According to eyewitness account, the deceased who was identified simply as Higightor Wenem asked a wheelbarrow pusher to remove his barrow from his space so he could sample his wares.

But the barrow busher refused, and the two men started fighting. I a twinkle of an eye the barrow man drew a dagger and stabbed Higightor dead in cold blood. He was rushed to Military Hospital where he was confirmed dead.

The spokesperson of Rivers State Command, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident to newsmen.

It was gathered that the two fighters are from Hausa and Benue communities in the state. The ugly development has since put many to flight as the police has confirmed having arrested the murderer.

Why FCT workers continue strike despite Wike’s threats

Workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has defied Nyesom Wike’s threats and continued their strike. The FCT minister has been began striking since January 19 over welfare concerns.

There was huge turnout of workers at the offices yesterday. But renewed call has emboldened the workers. According Nigeria News Agency, FCTA secretariats, departments and agencies were scanty this morning.

The workers, under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), are resisting Federal Government’s neglect of their welfare. Wike has tried to stop them through court orders, but is seen to have failed.

JUAC’s Secretary, Abdullahi Saleh, in a circular on Wednesday, told the workers to “stay at home and pray for the success of the strike”.

• UNN lecturer assaults a Smart School teacher at Gov. Peter Mbah’s Owo town

Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress, TUC, had, in a joint communiqué on January 28, told FCT workers to stand firm and “defend their rights with courage and dignity”.

Femi Falana, SAN, famous human rights lawyer is the lead counsel of the oppressed workers.

wike

Gov. Soludo exposes politicians behind Onitsha sit-at-home

Governor Charles Soludo has doubled down on his threat to shut down Onitsha Main Market for a week. He said that laws allow him to do whatever he likes in the market, and he is likely to extend the closure for two weeks.

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Speaking during a press briefing in the Government House Awka yesterday, Soludo called those behind the sit-at-home “saboteurs”.

“There are criminals, saboteurs, and, some politicians who are instigating the sit-at-home,” the governor told the press.

Recall that Governor Soludo ordered a one-week closure of Onitsha Main Market on Monday for observing sit-at-home. According to him, there were no reasons for such exercise as it leeks of hypocrisy and deliberate economic sabotage.

In response of the governor’s order, traders hit the Anambra economic hub with protests.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ordered sit-at-home every Monday across Southeast in August 2021 following the unlawful rendition of it’s leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

It has long cancelled the order, but that came a bit late. Criminals had already seized the opportunity to carry out kidnappings, robberies and terror attacks in Igboland.

“We have dialogued with the leaders of the market since past two years, and, IPOB sit-at-home ended two years ago,” Soludo said.

He added that the state government has concluded plans to reconstruct Main Market and that stricter rules would be applied in the Africa’s biggest market.