News
Guber Poll: Tension In Imo, Sokoto As S’Court Delivers Judgment, Today
There is palpable tension in both Imo and Sokoto states as the apex court announced that it would deliver judgment on the petitions against the declaration of Emeka Ihedioha, as the governor of Imo State and Aminu Tambuwal as governor of Sokoto State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), today.
While members of the Peoples Democratic Party are upbeat that the Supreme Court would uphold Ihedioha and Tambuwal’s victories, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) are hopeful that the judgment would go in their favour.
The Director of Imo Orientation Agency, Martin Opara, told our correspondent that there was no cause for alarm despite the tension, expressing optimism that the apex court would uphold the governor’s election.
He said that the declaration of Ihedioha as governor was in tandem with the Electoral Act as against the position of the petitioners.
Opara said “there is no cause for alarm. The governor will win at the Supreme Court as he won at the tribunal and the Court of Appeal, respectively. This is a governor that was voted by the majority of our people.”
But the APC Chairman in the state, Daniel Nwafor, said that he was hopeful that the judgment would go in favour of his party.
However, in order to check excesses of criminal elements who might want to take advantage of the situation to loot, the state police command has deployed well over 1, 000 combat policemen to strategic locations across the state capital, and other vulnerable areas.
Similarly, no fewer than 1,000 police personnel, including plain clothed officials, have been deployed by the Sokoto State Police Command across the state ahead of today’s Supreme Court ruling on the appeal by the Sokoto State governorship candidate on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ahmed Sokoto on the 2019 general and rerun polls.
The development was disclosed, yesterday in Sokoto by the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Kaoje.
He said the measure was to ensure peace reigns before and after the ruling.
Ka’oje explained that the command would focus on the Sokoto metropolis and its environs as well as on some strategic locations within their environs.
“We are on a 24-hour red alert and we are on standby, round the clock, 24/7. We will not waiver in our sustained routine and surprise tactics to keep the peace.
“We will leave no stone upturned in keeping the state safe and secure, for all the law abiding residents to conduct their lawful businesses,” the police boss assured.
He vowed the strategy would be maintained until further notice, in line with the recent directive issued by the Inspector General of Police ( IGP), on a 24-hour, nationwide red alert.
He further expressed delight that zero-violence was witnessed during last Friday’s congregational prayers across the state.
“The massive deployment of our officers and men has by the special grace of God, paid off and we will not relent in our efforts.
“This is to ward off any unpatriotic persons from breaching the peace, as well as the unrepentant criminals,” the CP, added.
The APC candidate had dragged Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before the Supreme Court over his re-election.
He challenged the judgements of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and that of the Appeal Court that all dismissed his petitions, for lack of merit.
The Tribunal and Appeal Court had dismissed APC’s petition for lacking in merits on October 2, and November 22, 2019, respectively.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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