Ehirim Files News & Views Sunday, June 03, 2007

Who leads the Senate?

DESPITE strong opposition from some senators-elect and some strong external interests, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to have its way on its choices for the leadership of the next Senate. The nominees of the party are, however, not taking chances and weekend, launched consultations with the emerging zonal caucuses of senators-elect to ensure an uneventful election after the inauguration of the Senate on Tuesday. more>>

Yar'Adua postpones Niger Delta Summit indefinitely

PRESIDENT Umaru Yar’Adua has ordered the indefinite suspension of the Niger Delta Summit earlier scheduled for tomorrow. A statement yesterday by Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said “consequently, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has directed that the (Niger Delta) summit be postponed to accommodate the wishes of the stakeholders. New dates for the Niger Delta Summit will be announced in due course”. more>>

How Onovo lost out to intrigues

Facts are beginning to emerge on to why Mr. Ogbonaya Onovo lost out in the race to become the 13th indigenous Inspector General of Police to Mr. Mike Okiro. The former IG, Mr. Sunday Ehindero, who formally retired on Friday, had earlier been asked to hand over to the most senior among the deputy inspectors-general. more>>

Mark's camp jittery over Nnamani's speech

Sunday Punch gathered on Saturday that the fresh lobby was initiated following comments made by the outgoing senate president, Chief Ken Nnamani on Thursday, that the ruling party should allow the 109 senators choose their leaders. more>>

New Governors yet to declare assets

Many of the 28 persons given fresh mandates to serve as governors in their respective states during the April 14th governorship elections have not declared their assets in line with the requirement of the law, Sunday Trust authoritatively gathered. more>>

I stayed away to save my life - Peter Obi

Contrary to insinuations that he deliberately shunned the inauguration of Governor Andy Uba, and also brazenly refused to hand over, former Governor Peter Obi said he was advised to avoid the forum because his life was in danger. more>>

Student found dead in farmland

Ritualists are again on the prowl in and around Awka , the Anambra State capital, with the latest victim being 16 year-old-boy, Master Chika Eziegbuna, student of Comprehensive Secondary School Nawfia who was found dead in a farm land at Umukabia Amawbia , Awka South local government area.Parts of his body including the eyes , tongue , genitals and the breast were cut off . more>>

Ohakim makes temporary appontments

GOVERNOR Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State has ordered the dissolution of Boards of Government owned parastatals and companies. more>>

North Corners top security posts

The South West may have assumed its backseat position in Nigerian political life as the North has cornered seven key security positions, leaving the South with only three. Sunday Tribune findings showed that of the three top security positions in the three Southern Zones; the South West has none, while the South East has two and the South South one. more>>

I've done my best for Imo - Udenwa

Anything that has a beginning must surely have an end. The administration which brought President Olusegun Obasanjo, state governors and other elected political officer holders sworn into offices on May 29, 1999, came to an end some eight years later, precisely last Tuesday, May 29. Some of the elected public officers had been in office for that period in the present dispensation, while some others did not last as much due to one problem or the other. more>>

US Congress holds hearing on Nigerian polls

American Congress has invited Innocent Chukwuma, chairman of Nigeria’s Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), to testify before its hearing on the recent general election and the unrest in the Deep South. The hearing takes place on June 7, Sunday Independent can confirm from a letter sent to the TMG office from the U.S. Congress office in Washington DC. more>>

EFCC must try Enugu ex-governor, says Nnamani

Outgoing Senate President, Ken Nnamani, wants the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prosecute immediate past Enugu State governor, Chimaroke Nnamani, for wanton looting of the state’s funds. more>>

The Igbo: Facing the rising sun

THERE is no doubt that the Igbo are today faced, with a most challenging time in their modern history. There has never been a time when the survival of the Igbo – its people, its material culture, its coherence as an organic nation and its political and economic capacity – has come under such intense threat and pressure as now, especially with the pursuit of the policy of attrition, the final solution, embarked upon by the outgoing President Olusegun Obasanjo and his collaborators. more>>