Cardinal Okogie reacts to Fr Mbaka's recent outburst, claims Mbaka was under the influence of another spirit

 Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, the retired Archbishop of Lagos state has reacted to the recent statements made by Fr. Ejike Mbaka on President Jonathan's led administration. In an interview with Vanguard, Cardinal Okogie said the statements made by Fr Mbaka were abnormal and certainly not one influenced by God's spirit but by another spirit. According to the respected clergyman, Mbaka's attitude is unbecoming. He says if he had his way he would have closed down the Enugu diocese as Fr. Mbaka has repeatedly been involved in controversial things which the leadership of the diocese has not deemed fit to call him to order. Excerpts of his interview  after the cut...

Real change ! Current Gubernatorial Poll Standings APC Has Swept, 19 States, PDP Has 5 States

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is cementing its ruling party status in the country with massive wins in more than half of the states in Nigeria in the governorship elections.

According to results announced so far, the APC won in 19 states and was leading in Plateau and Kebbi states. The ruling party now to become opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), however, won in Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Gombe and Enugu.

While it lost the governorship seat in Lagos, the PDP won six seats in the Lagos State House of Assembly for the first time ever.

Senator Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, yesterday, broke the re-election jinx like he vowed last year. Since 1983, no governor has ever been re-elected in the state.

The APC won the governorship elections in Kaduna, Sokoto, Niger, Borno, Adamawa, Lagos, Kwara, Katsina, Bauchi, Kano, Yobe, Zamfara, Oyo, Ogun, Benue, Nasarawa, Jigawa and Benue States.

Yesterday, the Inde­pendent National Electoral Com­mission (INEC) released results of the gov­ernorship and House of Assembly elections held on Saturday, with the All Pro­gressives Congress (APC) winning in majority of the states.

At press time, from the re­sults released by the INEC, the APC had already won 14 out of 29 states where gov­ernorship elections held on Saturday.

In the poll, which was largely peaceful across the nation, the APC created up­sets in states traditionally controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since 1999.

Such states include Kadu­na, Niger, Adamawa, Benue and Bauchi.

For the PDP, apart from Imo, it literally had a smooth sail in the South-East and South-South, winning in Enugu, Ebonyi, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Riv­ers. The party also won in Gombe and Taraba states.

Ogun

In the ‘Gateway State’, Governor Ibikunle Amosun was re-elected for a second term in office.

The INEC Returning Of­ficer for the state, Prof. Duro Oni, declared him winner of the April 11 governor­ship election having polled 306,988 out of 555,430 total valid votes cast in the state.

With Amosun’s victory, the hope of the people of Ogun West to produce a governor of the state for the first time has once again been dashed. The district remains the only section that has yet to produce a governor for the state since its creation over 38 years ago.

The governorship candi­date of the PDP, Gboyega Isiaka, who came second be­hind Amosun with 201,440 votes, hails from Imeko in the Ogun West Senatorial District of the state.

Declaring Amosun as the duly elected governor of the state, the INEC returning of­ficer, who is also the deputy vice chancellor of the Univer­sity of Lagos, said the APC standard bearer beat 15 other governorship candidates to emerge the overall winner of the poll.

Oni also said the election did not hold in nine polling units spread across three local government areas of Odeda, Ogun Waterside and Sagamu.

Katsina

The APC gubernatorial candidate in Katsina State, Aminu Masari, won in all the 33 constituencies so far de­clared at press time yesterday out of the 34 in the state.

The collation of the votes was deferred from 1pm till 3pm because the result of Fasakri Local Government Area was still being awaited.

However, results so far declared showed that APC polled 613,132 votes as against 457,903 by the PDP in the election.

A breakdown of the result revealed that the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, delivered his home constituency, Daura, with ease while Governor Ibrahim Shema lost in his Dutsin-ma constituency.

Similarly, the governor­ship candidate of APC, Ma­sari, won in his home constit­uency, Kafur, while his PDP counterpart, Musa Nashuni, lost in Kankia.

Investigations revealed that though the governorship and assembly elections were generally peaceful in most local government areas, they were characterised by vio­lence in some areas.

The worst hit area was Danmusa Local Government Area, where the results of 10 out of the 11 wards in the constituency were cancelled due to violence.

Kaduna

Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Nasir El- Rufa’i, of the APC won the election.

According to the INEC in Kaduna, El-Rufa’i polled a total of 1,117,635 million votes from across the 23 lo­cal government areas of the state.

The INEC Returning Of­ficer for Kaduna State, Prof. Ja’afaru Kaura, who an­nounced the result, said El- Rufa’i defeated his main op­ponent, the PDP candidate, who is also the incumbent governor, Mukhtar Yero, who polled a total of 485,833 votes. Yero had earlier in a telephone conversation with El-Rufa’i and special radio broadcast conceded defeat and congratulated the win­ner.

Meanwhile, there was jubilation among APC sup­porters across the state as soon as the result was an­nounced, with youths taking over major streets in Ka­duna metropolis, singing and dancing.

Enugu

In the coal City state, the PDP candidate, Ifeanyi Ug­wuanyi, was declared the winner in the election which he won overwhelmingly.

INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Hilary Edoga, who de­clared the result at the com­mission’s office in Enugu, said Ugwuanyi fulfilled all the requirements of the law to be pronounced the winner of the governorship election in the state.

Ugwuanyi polled a total of 482,277 votes out of the total 538,752 valid votes cast to beat the APC candi­date, Chief Okey Ezea, who scored 43,839 votes.

Former governor Chima­roke Nnamani’s party, PDC came third with 4,813, while APGA took the fourth posi­tion with 3,343 votes.

The state chapter of the PDP in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Dr. Okey Eze, congratulated Ug­wuanyi and all its candidates at the election, saying they had successfully won and overwhelmingly too.

The Deputy Senate Presi­dent, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, congratulated Ugwuanyi on his victory, saying his vic­tory was very much expected as the PDP was not only the party on ground in Enugu, but also going by his over­whelming popularity across the state.

Gombe

Governor Hassan Dank­wambo of Gombe won re-election on the platform of the PDP. He won with 285,369 to defeat the APC candidate, Inuwa Yahaya, who got 205,132 votes, ac­cording to the Returning Of­ficer, Prof. Saminu Ibrahim.

Oyo

For the first time since Oyo State was created on March 17, 1976, the incum­bent governor of the state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has become the first civilian gov­ernor to be re-elected for a second term in office.

Besides, it was jubilation galore in many parts of the state, especially within the camp of the APC, when Aji­mobi emerged the winner of the keenly contested election.

He was returned winner of the governorship elec­tion having polled a total of 327,310 votes.

The Returning Officer for the state, Prof. Ayobami Sa­lami, who is the deputy vice Chancellor (Academics), Obafemi Awolowo Universi­ty (OAU), Ile-Ife, announced that he defeated his closest rival, Senator Rashidi Ladoja of the Accord Party, who scored 254,520, with 72,790 votes. Ajimobi won in 20 lo­cal governments areas, while Ladoja won in seven.

Otunba Adebayo Alao- Akala of the Labour Party (LP) polled a total of 184,111 votes and won in six council areas.

The governorship candi­dates of the PDP, Teslim Fo­larin, polled 79,019 votes.

Ebonyi

The PDP governorship candidate, Chief Dave Uma­hi, was declared winner of Saturday’s election in the state.

Umahi won all the 13 lo­cal government areas in the state to emerge winner of the keenly contested election in the state.

The Returning Officer for the governorship election and the Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (NAU), Prof. Joseph Ahaneku, while declaring the result of the election, said Umahi scored 289, 867 votes to beat his closest ri­val, Chief Edward Nkwegu of Labour Party, who polled 124, 817 votes. APC candi­date, Senator Julius Ucha, scored 27, 583 votes.

Sokoto

The outgoing Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, won the Sokoto governor­ship election.

The state Returning Offi­cer and Deputy Vice Chan­cellor of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Prof. Abdullahi Bagudu, announced the re­sults collated from the 23 lo­cal government areas of the state. Prof. Bagudu said out of 926,682 total votes cast, 32, 054 votes were invali­dated.

Bagudu stated that out of 958,736 votes cast during the poll, the APC, on which platform Tambuwal contest­ed, scored 6747,609 votes, while the PDP came second with 269, 074 votes.

Lagos

In the Centre of Excel­lence, the APC has won the tension-soaked April 11 governorship election in the state.

He polled a total of 811, 994 votes to defeat Mr. Jimi Agbaje of the PDP, who scored 659, 788 votes.

The APC governorship candidate won the election in 15 out of the 20 local gov­ernment areas in the state, while Agbaje won in Ojo, Amuwo Odofin, Ajeromi Ifelodun, Oshodi-Isolo and Surulere local government areas.

The Returning Officer, Prof. Isaac Adewole, who is also the vice chancellor, University of Ibadan, said the APC candidate, having scored the majority of votes cast and scored 25 per cent of votes across the 20 local government areas, was re­turned as winner of the gov­ernorship poll.

Meanwhile, the governor­ship candidate of the PDP for Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, yesterday evening put a phone call through to Mr. Ambode, the APC can­didate, to congratulate him on his victory in Saturday’s contest.

Agbaje made the call at about 6.50pm.

“I just made a phone call to congratulate Mr. Akin­wunmi Ambode, the gov­ernorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress,” Agbaje said, according to a press statement by the Direc­tor of Media and Publicity for the Jimi Agbaje Cam­paign Organisation, Felix Oboagwina.

Delta

At press time, in the oil-rich state, the PDP governorship can­didate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, won 16 of the 20 local govern­ment areas released by INEC, while Chief Great Ogboru of Labour Party clinched four local government areas. Delta State has 25 local governments.

Rivers

The results released at press time by INEC showed that Wike had won 19 out of the the 21 lo­cal government areas. A break­down of the results showed that PDP scored 82,289 in Port Har­court City Local Government Area, while APC got 26,367.

In Ikwerre Local Govern­ment Area, Wike polled 23,511 as against 10,555 votes by APC. In Etche Local Govern­ment Area, PDP got 33,954, while APC scored 6,488. The PDP got 31,103 votes in De­gema Local Government Area, while APC got 1,244.

Akwa Ibom

In the oil-rich state, the PDP won the gubernatorial election by polling 996,071 votes to beat its closest rival, the APC, which got 89,866 votes.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. James Okpoke, who an­nounced the result, said a total of 1,122,836 votes were cast out of which 12,256 were rejected and 1,110,580 votes valid.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fielded the former Sec­retary to the State Govern­ment, Mr. Udom Emmanuel as its candidate while APC fielded yet another former Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Uma­na Okon Umana as its candidate.

The Accord Party that fielded the former deputy state chairman of PDP, Bishop Sam Akpan, came third with 10,598 votes only, while the current Chair­man, Senate Committee on Women Affairs, Mrs. Helen Es­uene, who flew the Labour Party flag, came a distant fourth with 8,600 votes. DPP came last with only 10 votes.

Meanwhile, pockets of vio­lence were recorded in major streets of Uyo in the afternoon of Sunday as the results were being relayed on Akwa Ibom Broad­casting Service.

Youths in their hundreds marched through some major streets carrying placards and calling for “free and fair elec­tions.”

Major junctions such as Udo Udoma by Oron Road and Edet Akpan by Oron Road were blocked by the youths, who made bonfires and erected bar­ricades,

They were, however, dis­persed by security agents who also cordoned off all access roads to INEC office.

Imo State

Governor Rochas Okorocha and candidate of the APC at press time was coasting to vic­tory, leading his closest rival, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and candidate of the PDP, Emeka Ihedioha. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Captain Em­manuel Ihenacho, came a distant third.

From results already an­nounced by the state Returning Officer, Prof. Oye Ibidapo Obe, Okorocha polled a total votes of 378,752, as against 324,480 polled by Ihedioha.

Okorocha won in 19 lo­cal government areas out of the 27 council areas of the state.

However, Ihedioha swept the votes in Ohaji/Egbema, Ngor Okpala, Aboh Mbaise, Ahiazu Mbaise, Oguta, Isiala Mbano and Ezinihitte Mbaise.

But the collation of results was put on hold over vehement disagreement between APC and PDP agents, forcing the re­turning officer to order for the re-computation of the results in Ezinihitte Mbaise.

Abia

At press time, the result from Abia State was not clear as the PDP and APGA candidates were running neck and neck, having won six local government ar­eas of the state each. The con­troversial results of Osisioma where the APGA agent, Ahamdi Nweke, alleged that there was no election, caused a stalemate.

An international female ob­server, from the European Union Election Monitoring Mission, Sheller, supported Nweke’s claim.

 

 

Pics: John Okafor aka Mr Ibu Hosts Friends to Football Match in Enugu

Nollywood comic star, John Okafor otherwise known as Mr. Ibu facilitated a few companions and partners who are situated in Enugu state to a fun football match at Enugu stadium.

Present at the amicable match are, Chidinma and Chidiebere (Aneke Twins), Mr. Ibu’s wife and children, on-screen character Steve Eboh, Christabel Egbenya, Okoronkwo Solomon and fans.

Pics: John Okafor aka Mr Ibu Hosts Friends to Football Match in Enugu

Fulani Herdsmen Kidnap Ogbobe Stephen, Enugu Auditor, Demand N5m Ransom

By Chinenyeh Ozor

Tension has pervaded Uzo-Uwani local government area of Enugu state, following the abduction of an Enugu state auditor over the weekend by Fulani herdsmen along Nsukka-Adani express road. The abductors have demanded N5 million as ransom for his release.

Vanguard gathered that the state auditor identified simply as Ogbobe Stephen who hailed from Ukpabi Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani LGA, had gone home in company of six others for a town hall meeting of the community, only to be kidnapped by herdsmen on his way back to Nsukka after the meeting.

Photo: law enforcement lawlessness in Enugu

This happened along Agbani street in Enugu; the police vehicle was moving against traffic and bringing on holdup, why cant they be able to pass normal road  like the rest  of us.

Photo: law enforcement lawlessness in Enugu

Enugu Deputy Gov. Orders Driver To Pay 60,000 Naira For Hitting His Car

A cooling van driver in Enugu, Mr. Uche Ijeoma, who allegedly hit the Prado Jeep on the convoy of the State Deputy Governor, Rev. Ifeanyi Nwoye, has been detained at the Government House. Based on reports, the incident occurred Monday a week ago near Enugu Airport flyover on the Enugu – Abakaliki highway as the Deputy Governor was on his way to the airport.

Based on Uche, he'd parked his van off the trail on hearing the siren but while other pilot vehicle in front of the Deputy Governor's jeep had passed, the driver of the automobile conveying the Deputy Governor came very near the van and smashed the side mirror at the back of the van.
He said.

Attackers Engaged Policemen, Soldiers In A Shoot-out – Enugu CP

The Force headquarters said a special team set up by the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has prevented many attacks on innocent Nigerians by Fulani herdsmen.

It stated that the Special Intelligence Response Team, had foiled many violent attacks by bandits, including herdsmen, adding that many suspects had also been arrested and charged to court.


The Force Public Relations Officer, Bisi Kolawole, said this in response to inquiries about the incessant bloody attacks by Fulani herdsmen across the country.

ENUGU MASSACRE: Northern Govs Under Fire… For Defending Fulani

The 19 northern governors came under criticism yesterday over their position that the Fulani should not be labelled as criminals.
The Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, asked the governors to bury their heads in shame over their position which came in the wake of the heat generated by the attack on Ukpabi-Ninbo community in Enugu State by suspected Fulani herdsmen, last Monday.
Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) also condemned the governors.


The northern governors, who met in Kaduna, on Friday, had taken a strong exception to the branding of perpetrators of crimes around the country as Fulani.

Pics: Super Eagles star Ejike Uzoenyi ties the knot

Super Eagles footballer Ejike Uzoenyi wedded his mate Chioma Abum at St. Brigid’s Catholic Church, Asata Enugu in Enugu state, on Saturday Dec. 27th.


The wedding pulled in very much various dignitaries including Enugu state head of Staff, magistrate for business and parts of Enugu state House. Glad wedded life to him…

Pics: Super Eagles star Ejike Uzoenyi ties the knot

Photos from Chike Ike's 'Miss Teacher' movie premierein Enugu

On-screen character Chika Ike had her first motion picture debut with fans and cast & team of the film Miss Teacher at the Genesis Deluxe Cinema in Enugu.


The movie was shot in Enugu produced by Chika Ike and steered By Serah Donald Onyeachor.

See more images bellow.

 

Photos from Chike Ike's 'Miss Teacher' movie premierein Enugu

Photos: Anger, condemnation as Enugu traditional ruler accuses his subjects of witchcraft

Report by lawyer and blogger, Chukwudi Iwuchukwu. Read below...

The story sounds like a fairy tale or a Nollywood Epic Movie script but the story is real and happened in Unadu community in Enugu State.
The traditional ruler of Unadu community In Nsukka Enugu State a retired police officer, Barnabas Agbaji who allegedly forced himself to become the Igwe of the town recently elevated the act of wickedness by arresting" two of his subjects Remigus Nwa Ikeagwu and Silas Ameh, arbitrarily accused them of witchcraft, convicted the accused of being guilty of the offence of Witchcraft, hung a tire around their necks, tied fresh palm fronds all over their bodies and paraded them around the community as common criminals!!

Yul Edochie Attacked By Robbers In Enugu (photo)

Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Yul Edochie was recently attacked by armed bandits in Enugu on Friday, October 16, 2015. The son of veteran Nollywood actor, Pete Edochie, was on location for a movie shoot in Enugu when bandits attacked him alongside other people at hotel he was staying on Friday night just while relaxing in the premises. Yuledochie ''I really wish it's a rumour but its not. This really happened. I was attacked by armed robbers on Friday night in enugu while I was relaxing in my hotel premises after the day's shoot. Luckily I escaped but unfortunately I crashed into a glass door as I was running for dear life and sustained this cut on my ear and a few bruises. Not a funny experience at all. I'm back to Lagos to run a full scan to be sure all is well inside. I thank God for His protection''

IPOB Blames APC For Death Of 9, Names Victims

Markets, schools, banks remain shut in Onitsha
Soldiers, mobile policemen take over streets, conduct stop-and-search on motorists
MASSOB dissociates self, factions trade blames
ONITSHA—Following the three-week long protests embarked upon by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, over continued incarceration of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu which led to the alleged killing of its members by members of Joint Military Task Force, markets, banks and schools in Onitsha and its environs remained closed, yesterday, in apparent solidarity with the protesters.
The Building Materials International Market at Ogidi, near Onitsha, New Auto Spare Parts market at Nkpor and other major markets remained closed, just as banks and schools remained under lock and key.

Woman arrested for trying to sell her baby for N100,000

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, Enugu State Command, has arrested Nkechi Isioko, for allegedly attempting to sell her baby for N100,000.
Nkechi had allegedly collected the sum of N100, 000 from one Mrs. Blessing Egbo before members of the NSCDC arrested her and the suspected buyer.
She claimed that Mrs. Egbo initially gave her part payment of N10,000, and later gave her the rest of the money.

Two Ebonyi State University Undergraduates Kill US Returnee Email FB share Tweet

Two undergraduates of the Ebo­nyi State University, James Okoh and Victor Uchenna Okefie, have been accused of killing a US based lady, Mrs. Stella Uhuo.

The late Mrs. Uhuo, who is said to have been a benefactor to one of the alleged killers, James Okoh, informed him of her visit to Nigeria and asked him to come pick her from the airport. He is said to have turned up with a friend. Her family members are also said to have turned up, but she opted to go with Okoh and his friend so she would deliver some things.

7-year-old boy detained for over month for accidentally killing someone, regains freedom

Chibuike Miracle Oramalu was released this evening in Enugu State, Punchng reports. The primary two pupil has been detained since May 30, after accidentally firing a gun, which killed a 12-year-old boy, Oluebube Boniface, in the Independence Layout area of Enugu.

Court Remands Business Woman for N25.9m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, on Tuesday May 3, 2016, arraigned Obiageli Funmilayo Nwagu on a six count charge of Obtaining Money by False Pretence and Issuance of Dud Cheques before Justice C. O Ajah of the State High Court, Enugu.


The accused person pleaded not guilty on all counts.

In view of the accused person’s plea, the defense counsel, O.A.U Onyema prayed the court to grant the accused bail. But the prosecuting counsel, M.A Shehu opposed the bail application and immediately drew the attention of the court to two separate applications for bail by the defense. The defense counsel immediately withdrew the earlier application, which the court granted.

17 Year Old Armed Robber: My Girlfriend's Demands Led Me Into Robbery

Agents of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Enugu State police charge, have captured one Uchenna Ikwuegbu who was supposedly very nearly dispatching a theft assault on inhabitants of Maryland hub of Enugu.

As per Vanguard,the 17 year old suspect was captured on February 16, after observation reports. He was captured with a mainly made gun, slice to seize with two live cartridges.

The suspect said:

“I acquired the gun from a timber mill at Maryland. The urge to meet up with the demands from my girlfriend, Chinaza, living at Uwani axis of Enugu, propelled me into robbery.
    “I had acquired the gun to unleash robbery attacks on residents of Maryland in order to dispossess them of their valuables. “I was on the verge of carrying out the act when the operatives swooped on me. I do not know how they knew I was carrying a gun. I am so ashamed of myself now. I do not know what led me into this.
    “My parents are crying their hearts out over this incident. They are so disappointed in me. I want to call on teenagers like me to shun robbery and other nefarious activities because the security operatives are always watching.”

FG Provoking Ndigbo Everyday – Ekweremadu

The Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, on Sunday accused the President Muhammadu Buhari led government of provoking Ndigbo.

Ekweremadu, representing Enugu West Constituency, said that until the leadership of Nigeria learn to respect Nigbo and ensure that equity and justice prevailed, the country can never be the same.

The Deputy Senate President, who spoke in Enugu while addressing people of Eziagu council area of Enugu State during a solidarity visit, said that despite the contributions of Ndigbo in the development of Nigeria, “we are being provoked everyday by the government of this country”.

Photo: Teacher shot dead in Enugu

A female teacher identified as Princess Uzoamaka Onyishi, nee Ugwuokwor, 40 pictured above was last week murdered by unknown gunmen while on her way from the swearing in ceremony of new commissioners by Enugu state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Continue.