DELE MOMODU: As APC Finally Berths

Pendulum By Dele Momodu; dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

Fellow Nigerians, let me start by congratulating the leaders and members of the newly registered political party, All Progressives Congress (APC) of Nigeria, on their well-deserved victory. You will agree with me that it was never a smooth ride for them, and they were forced to fight like wounded lions, every step of the way, against all manner of forces that attempted to frustrate their efforts and derail their mission. Even at a time many of us wondered what was so special about a name, and an acronym, that at best stood for a popular pain-killer, the leaders of the merging political parties stuck adamantly to their guns and refused to be intimidated by the powers that control life and death in Abuja. It speaks volumes about the uncommon bravery of those the PDP, the ruling party at the centre, are poised to duel with sooner or later.

Okorocha Boos APGA, Takes APC Campaign to Igbos in USA

Imo State Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha

Imo State Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha has reacted to his suspension by the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) by the Victor Umeh-led party, stating that he has since left APGA and that, ‘you don’t suspend a man that has since left APGA’.

Governor Okorocha also has defended his membership of the APC in far away Atlanta, USA, declaring that the future political fortunes of Ndigbo are better served in the new mega political party.

At Last! APGA Suspends Governor Okorocha

Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has suspended the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, from the party for engaging in alleged anti-party activities.

Rising from an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting Saturday in Abuja, the party said NEC unanimously decided to dissolve the Imo State chapter of the party’s executive, replacing it with a 21-man committee to be appointed to oversee the party until a new congress is held.

Terror Alert: US Shuts 21 Embassies

President Barrack Obama

Amid warnings over a fresh planned attack on Western targets, United States officials in Washington and diplomats in US postings around the world were on high alert at the weekend, leading to the closure of 22 embassies and travel alert to American citizens in the Arabian Peninsula.

The British Broadcasting Corporation reported Saturday that the United States is not the only one worried by the latest threat to peace. The United Kingdom, French, and German embassies in Yemen will also be shut Sunday and Monday.

The uneasiness was coming on the heels of warnings that fresh intelligence points to Yemen-based al-Qaida being on the final stages of planning an attack on Western targets.

Keyamo Petitions Prisons over Attempt to Sodomise Charles Okah

Mr Charles Okah

Lagos lawyer, Festus keyamo, has written a petition to the Comptroller General of Nigeria Prisons, over allegations of acts of sodomy taking place in Kuje Prison, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

In the petition dated Tuesday, Keyamo complained that his client, Mr Charles Okah, elder brother of jailed Henry Okah, was almost raped by some prison officials on the pretext that they wanted to confirm if he had stuffed some substance in his anus.

Finally, Nigeria’s Mali Troops Arrive, Storm Borno

Nigerian troops

Over 100 troops of the Nigeria Peacekeeping contingent that were involved in the United Nations backed war effort in Northern Mali arrived Wednesday for onward deployment to Borno State to enforce the state of emergency rule in the state.

The troops’ deployment to the action areas in some states of the North East where the Special Forces of the Joint Task Force are dislodging the Boko Haram insurgents is in line with the stated reason of the Federal Government for withdrawing some of its troops from Mali.

INEC withdraws ACN, ANPP, CPC Certificates

Attahiru Jega

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Wednesday said that it has approved the application by three political parties – the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) – to merge into one, to be known as the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement signed by the Secretary of the commission, Alhaji Abduallhi Kaugama, INEC said, “On considering the application, the Commission found that the applicant-parties have met all statutory requirements for the merger, and has accordingly granted their request”.

Fire Guts Muoka Foam Company in Lagos

A mysterious fire outbreak yesterday night gutted the warehouse of Mouka Foam Manufacturing Company,  along Ladipo Oluwole Street, Off Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja, Lagos. When contacted, the Spokesperson, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), South-west Zone, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed the incident. He said his  agency had mobilised firefighters from both the state and federal fire service to put out the fire, adding that there was no casualty.

How 42 Boko Haram Suspects were Rounded up in Lagos

Joint Task Force 

A two-week raid carried out by a Joint Task Force led by operatives of the Nigerian Army, 81 Division Headquarters, Lagos, may have once again saved residents in Lagos and Ogun States from possible attacks by terrorists, THISDAY investigations revealed Tuesday.

The joint raid had led to the arrest of 42 members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect who were dislodged from the North-east by military purge carried out under emergency rule in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States and had migrated to Lagos and Ogun States to regroup and plant terrorist cells.

FEATURES: Going Beyond Security Service

Ekhomu, Gbadebo, Mrs. Victoria Ekhomu

Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that with the security challenge in the country, more efforts are geared towards professionalism by private security providers

Before now, an issue of security in Nigeria was treated with levity. But not anymore.   With frequent attacks by members of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram and   pockets of violence everywhere, many individuals and parastatals have started to tow the line of hiring private security personnel to meet the need of securing their property.