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Marriage of convinience in Imo as Okorocha, Araraume collapse support structures for PDP’s Anyanwu

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In what is clearly self- preservation move, former Imo State governor Rochas Okorocha and long time fighter for the governor’s office, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume has declared their willingness to team up with the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for November governorship election, Senator Samuel Anyanwu with the aim of wrestling power from Governor Hope Uzodinma.

Okorocha and Ararume have been sworn political enemies for years but each of the two politicians has suffered humiliation from Governor Uzodinma in the last three years and some months.

Okorocha who preceded Uzodinma as governor has been facing series of corruption related charges said to be instigated by the Governor who recently received a report by a committee he set up to probe Okorocha’s landed property deals while in office.

On his part, Ararume has equally taken enough doses of Uzodinma’s political head-butt including the reversal of his appointment as Chairman of the Board of the NNPC by then president Muhammadu Buhari, an action said to be the handiwork of Hope Uzodinma.

So, on Tuesday, when the Imo State Chapter of the PDP inaugurated its campaign council for the November 11 governorship election, Rochas Okorocha and Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, two APC bigwigs openly endorsed the PDP candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu against Uzodinma who is the candidate of their party.

At the event which took place in Owerri, the state capital, several members of Okorocha’s Rescue Mission Group and Araraume’s Destiny Group announced their endorsement of Anyanwu adding that he was the only candidate who could wrest power from Uzodinma.

The council was inaugurated by the party’s Chairman, Mr Charles Ugwu.

Speaking on the development, Ugwu revealed that the campaign will have Ikenga Ugochinyere, a member of the Federal House of Representatives, as Director-General, and Prince Marshal Okoroaforanyanwu as Secretary.

He charged all party members to work towards ensuring the party’s victory in the election.

The Party’s Gubernatorial Candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, during his speech, disclosed that he is in the race for the position of Governor to end killings and insecurity in the state, revamp the state’s health system and to restore the dignity of the workforce and pensioners alike.

He said that he would return tourism to the state and get the local governments working again. He charged the council not to be afraid, but to carry out its lawful duties and not be intimidated by any person or group.

“I will lead and I fear nobody. I want to stop the bloodletting and suffering in the land. Do not be afraid, I know where I’m coming from.

“I am your messenger and I will lead you right. My name is Samuel, God has spoken and I have heard”, he said.

Okoroaforanyanwu, secretary of the council said that the PDP’s choice of Anyanwu, who is from the Imo East senatorial district, favored the principle of equity.

He said the district had ruled the state for only seven months since the return of democratic rule in 1999.

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Supreme Court to rule on ADC, PDP cases Thursday

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The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.

According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.

While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.

 

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Tinubu to reconstitute NHRC board, retains Ojukwu as ES/CEO

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President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of fifteen nominees to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

The letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

The letter seeks the reconstitution of the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions with the list comprising nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.

Among the nominees are the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors and Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba; and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been proposed as chairman of the board.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) is to retain his position as the Chief Executive Officer.

Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye as members.

Also nominated are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim, listed as members.

The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.

He explained that the reconstitution of the board was necessary to enhance the commission’s institutional capacity and enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.

If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing the NHRC’s oversight functions, particularly at a time of heightened concerns over rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.

Following the presentation of the request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report within two weeks.

 

 

 

 

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Breaking: EFCC investigates Pastor Jerry Eze over alleged money laundering

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has revealed that it investigated the founder of Streams of Joy International, Pastor Jerry Eze, for six months over suspected money laundering before clearing him.

Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Commission, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.

According to him, the probe was triggered by intelligence reports and petitions after the commission observed large inflows of foreign currencies into the cleric’s domiciliary account.

“We work by intelligence, we work by petitions. At some point, I saw there was an account, a domiciliary account. Dollars, pounds were dropping in like raindrops, from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.

“I said who is this man? Yes, I’ve been hearing about his name, I’ve seen his face a couple of times. I never bothered about what he was doing. I knew he was a pastor.

“So they said this one pastor of streams of joy, go and investigate him. So we went to the investigation. We combed the books,” Olukoyede stated.

The EFCC boss said he subsequently invited Eze for questioning after preliminary findings were compiled by investigators.

He added that upon meeting the cleric and reviewing the findings of the investigation, the commission found no wrongdoing.

“So he came to my office. He told me what happens and all of that, and how the money came, what he does, how he has been helping people, and all of that.

“I said, you know what, I didn’t call you here to explain to me. We have already done our work. I called you here to commend you,” he stated.

The remark drew applause from the audience, as Eze, who was present at the event, acknowledged the commendation.

He noted that the commission has a responsibility not only to investigate financial crimes but also to recognise individuals found to have acted with integrity.

The EFCC chairman, however, stated that the agency would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary, stressing that its preventive mandate remains critical in tackling corruption.

 

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