Halloween party ideas 2015

 



IMSU Gets New SUG, As NANS Commends 'Versity Authorities

By Augustus Onyekachi Nwaozor 


The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), through its Joint Campus Council (JCC), Imo State Chapter, has commended the Imo State University (IMSU) Management for ensuring that the just concluded IMSU SUG Election was free, fair, credible, and peaceful.


In a letter dated July 31, 2025, Jointly signed by NANS JCC Chairman, Imo State Chapter, Comrade Nwosu Stanley O. and the Secretary Comrade Enyeribe Evans Izukamma, addressed to the Dean of Student Affairs, IMSU, copied to the Vice-Chancellor, Commissioner of Police, Director State Security Service, Commissioner of Education, Commissioner of Youths, SA to Governor on Youths, SSA Students, Imo State Government, NANS National President, Stakeholders Chairman South East, Stakeholders Chairman Imo State, with the caption "RE: NANS COMMENDATION FOR A CREDIBLE SUG ELECTION IN IMSU", reads in part, "we would like to extend our warmest congratulations to you and the entire electoral committee for conducting a transparent and credible election of Imo State University's SUG, which took place on 30th July, 2025. Your leadership and commitment to upholding democratic principles are truly commendable. Thank you for fostering an environment of trust and fairness".

In her speech, the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor N. M. Oly-Alawuba, shared some insights about the election process. She explained that the election was initially scheduled for last year, 2024, but faced challenges from a group claiming to be “Stakeholders.” Interestingly, these individuals weren’t students of IMSU, yet they tried to interfere by opposing the introduction of electronic voting, insisting on traditional physical voting instead.


“When they raised concerns last year, I made it clear that it was either electronic voting or no election at all,” she explained. Unfortunately, this led to some tensions, including an attack on her then-deputy and even damage to their office. But this year, the Management was determined to move forward and set a goal to hold the SUG Election by the end of July 2025.


She stated that, despite the challenges and resistance from those “stakeholders,” the University remained committed to implementing e-voting to ensure a smooth and peaceful election process. The Dean highlighted that past SUG elections using physical voting often resulted in chaos, leading to a general apprehension about the elections. This time, however, the University was resolute in conducting the election electronically to avoid any issues.


On election day, July 30, 2025, only accredited observers, including NANS representatives and security agents, were allowed on campus for monitoring. Students were encouraged to vote electronically from the comfort of their homes or wherever they were, using their ID cards, which ensured that each student could only vote once eliminating the risk of double voting.


The Dean proudly stated, “The University Management emphasized that there would be no room for any illegality, and I’m thrilled that everyone followed the rules and regulations guiding the election. As a result, the election turned out to be free, fair, credible, and peaceful, and we give God the glory!”


"We celebrate this achievement together and look forward to even more positive developments in our university community."

At the end of the exercise, the following were in the following positions: 


1. SUG President - Ijezie Brendan Daberechukwu (Ikenga)

2. Vice President - Udensi Chinasa L

3. Vice President (External) - Iwuchukwu Henry C.

4. Secretary General - Mmegwa Victor 

5. Assistant Secretary General - Iloh Favour Chiamaka

6. Treasurer - Orji Justice 

7. Director of Finance - Raphael Rachel C.

8. Director of Welfare - Uzowuru Paschal C.

9. Director of Information - Egema Sunshine C.

10. Director of Health - Ifediorah Stanley Ifeanyi.

11) Director of Environment - Echemazu Favour C.

12. Director of Transport - Balogun Victor A.

13. Director of Social - Aloy Arinze Collins 

14. Director of Sports - Ebosie Anthony Kyrian (Olek).


 

Again, 3 IMSU Law Graduates Made First Class At The Nigerian Law School ~ By Onyekachi Augustus Nwaozor

Over one hundred and twenty (120) Universities in Nigeria presented their Law graduates to the Nigerian Law School. Three (3) Law graduates of Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, namely: Orji Vivienne Chinyere, Ekwueme Uzondu, and Akuchie Anita Ugochinyere, made First Class out of the seventy-two (72) First Class graduates of the November 2024 Bar II stream 2 of the Nigerian Law School, according to the recently released Law School result. 


Even if it is decided that the one hundred and twenty (120) universities get one First Class graduate each, the seventy-two First Class graduates still won't go round. Still, Imo State University alone produced three (3) out of those seventy-two. It would be recalled that in the previous result released by the Nigerian Law School (stream one), six (6) law graduates of Imo State University broke records with First Class. 


As part of Governor Uzodimma's resolve to develop the education sector in Imo State and to encourage scholarship, his Shared Prosperity government paid the Law School Fees of all eligible Imo State University Law graduates, for the November 2024 Bar II. The Imo State Government, under the leadership of Senator Hope Uzodimma, considers education a fundamental investment in the state's development.


The repeated record-breaking successes by graduates and undergraduate students of the Faculty of Law, Imo State University, underscore the unrelenting efforts of the Dean, Heads of Department, and the entire staff of Faculty of Law, in ensuring quality teaching and a conducive academic environment for the students to thrive..


Irrespective of repeated attacks by disgruntled elements and faceless individuals, the indefatigable Vice Chancellor of Imo State University, Professor Uchefula U. Chukwumaeze, SAN, FCArb's policies have continued to yield positive results and excellence. By providing corruption-free and quality leadership, as well as a conducive academic environment for the generation and fertilization of creative ideas and knowledge, Professor Chukwumaeze and his Management Team dutifully keyed into the Shared Prosperity philosophy of Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma's government..


The Vice-Chancellor, therefore, stated that it is a thing of great delight for the Imo State University community that her students have continued to blaze the trail as shown in the latest three First Class from one institution, at the Nigerian Law School.


He, however, congratulated the students for making Imo State, Imo State Government, Imo State University, and their families proud, and urged them to continue to be the shining Stars of their generation, adding that as the ambassadors of Imo State University, they have to keep the light that has been enkindled in them, ever burning. He also congratulated the Dean, Professor C. K. Okorie, SAN, FCArb, the Professors and Lecturers of the Faculty of Law, Imo State University, for pouring out their knowledge on the students who have now made the University proud.


Onyekachi Augustus Nwaozor is

The Ag. Public Relations Officer of

Imo State University, Owerri.

 

Trump Demands Arrest of Obama Amid Explosive Coup Claims

President Donald Trump has openly called for the arrest of former President Barack Obama on bombshell claims of a coup plan tied to the 2016 U.S. presidential election.  This unusual demand comes amidst charges by Trump and his administration that Obama and his national security staff hatched a years-long treasonous plan to undermine Trump’s election win and presidency.


 The background of these charges is around assertions that the Obama administration manufactured or politicized information to wrongly depict Trump’s 2016 campaign as having links to Russia, which Trump and his supporters allege was a concerted attempt to delegitimize his triumph.  Trump has charged Obama with treason for supposedly seeking to damage his administration and manipulate the will of the American people via intelligence manipulations.


 The situation escalated in late July 2025 when Trump publicly ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate Obama after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, a Trump appointee and former Democratic congresswoman turned MAGA supporter, released declassified documents purportedly evidencing Obama’s involvement in this so-called "coup."  Gabbard filed a criminal referral to the DOJ stating that Obama and his advisers devised a conspiracy to interfere with Trump’s election and administration.


 On July 22, 2025, Trump upped his rhetoric during an Oval Office news session, blaming Obama without offering actual proof of treason and election subversion, declaring, "It’s there, he’s guilty...  They attempted to steal the election...  They did things that nobody’s ever imagined, even in other countries."  He proceeded to assert that harsh repercussions should follow, presenting the problem as a question of justice for an alleged assault on American democracy.


 Adding to the contentious nature of the argument, Trump shared AI-generated doctored videos and photos on his social media, portraying Obama being jailed in the Oval Office.  These movies, which are manufactured, were disseminated extensively on sites like TikTok and reposted on Trump’s own social media accounts, stoking political divisiveness and disinformation.


 The Obama administration and its officials have vigorously denied these charges.  Spokespersons for Obama condemned the charges as "bizarre," "outrageous," and a "weak attempt at distraction."  They reaffirmed that investigations, including a bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee report from 2020, concluded that while Russia tried to influence the 2016 election, there was no successful manipulation of vote counts or direct collaboration by the Trump campaign, undercutting the thrust of Trump's allegations.


 Legal and political analysts have regarded this incident as a dramatic increase in U.S. political divisiveness, with Trump using unfounded charges to strengthen his narrative of being the victim of a deep-state plot.  Critics claim that such tactics violate democratic norms and potentially heighten tensions in American political life just as Trump’s administration confronts other obstacles, including requests for openness related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.


 The Department of Justice's reaction to Trump’s demand is keenly monitored, since any criminal investigation of a former president would be a watershed in American political and legal history.  So far, the DOJ has made no public confirmation of additional investigations based simply on these latest referrals and assertions, underlining the highly sensitive climate surrounding the matter.


 The news story outlines a volatile and developing political crisis wherein President Donald Trump has called for former President Barack Obama’s arrest on grounds of treason and conspiracy related to the 2016 election, citing newly declassified intelligence and referrals from Trump’s director of national intelligence.  The claims remain highly contested and are widely condemned by Obama’s team as unfounded and politically motivated, highlighting deep fissures in American politics in 2025.

 

Natasha Confronts Immigration Officers Over Her Passport Seized

On Thursday morning, July 24, 2025, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Nigeria, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan's international passport was briefly seized by officers from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). This led to a tense standoff that unfolded at the airport.  The event, which took place just before she was scheduled to board a British Airways flight to London, caused a commotion among passengers and prompted her husband, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, who was traveling with her, to express his immediate concern.


 It has been claimed that immigration authorities have identified Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, as a "national security risk."  This designation, sources close to the senator claimed, was reportedly at the request of the leadership of the National Assembly, who had placed her name on a watch list.  They were on their way to the United Kingdom to attend the graduation ceremony of her stepson when immigration agents stopped her at the departure terminal. The senator and her husband were en route to the United Kingdom.


 A scene of cool resistance from the senator was reported by witnesses who were present at the airport, despite the unexpected trauma that had occurred.  On the other hand, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was overheard resolutely proclaiming her rights, saying, "The court never authorized this."  You have no authority to keep my passport in quarantine.  She is said to have maintained her composure throughout the entire encounter, insisting that the officers did not have the legal authority to seize her passport without first obtaining a court order.


 During that period, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was not supplied with a formal reason for the seizure, which led to allegations of political meddling.  A family member, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed bewilderment, highlighting that there was no court order restricting her movement and that she had consistently appeared for all her court proceedings.  The absence of a specific cause further encouraged suspicion regarding the intentions behind the short arrest.


 As the delay prolonged, Chief Uduaghan was spotted making a series of frantic phone calls, apparently to handle the emerging crisis.  The incident caused a momentary travel scare and drew the attention of other travelers, some of whom described it as an "unnecessary embarrassment" and a potential "abuse of institutional power".


 Remarkably, after a stressful few minutes, the senator's passport was restored to her without any official explanation.  This rapid turnaround enabled her to go through immigration and catch her aircraft just in time.  Despite the rapid conclusion, the episode has raised doubts about the due process and the authority used by immigration officials, particularly affecting prominent personalities.


 As of the time of publishing, neither the Nigeria Immigration Service nor the office of the Senate President has released an official comment about the event.  The absence of an official response from the participating parties leaves many concerns unanswered, notably about the reason for putting a sitting senator on a watch list and the unexpected restoration of her passport without explanation.  The case illustrates persistent worries about the possibility of arbitrary acts by state agents and the need for more openness and respect for legal norms in such instances.


 

Senator Atik

President Tinubu Holds Private Meeting with Atiku and Others
u Bagudu, Nigeria's Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, and President Bola Tinubu met behind closed doors to assess the country's economic performance and plan for the second half of 2025.  A meeting in the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, highlighted Tinubu's active involvement in overseeing fiscal and monetary policies at a crucial juncture for the Nigerian economy.


 Speakers at the event included Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Economy; Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of Gas; Bashir Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC; and Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service.  Despite the absence of Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, this session allegedly proceeded with briefings on fiscal and monetary coordination.


 Updates on Nigeria's fiscal performance, ongoing reforms, and projections for the remainder of 2025 were reportedly the key topics of discussion; however, the agenda was not formally revealed.  The gathering was in keeping with the president's regular engagements in order to keep him apprised of developments in the vital economic areas that will ultimately dictate Nigeria's economic growth rate.


 The four new tax laws that President Tinubu signed into law were a primary topic of discussion, as was the strategy for their eventual implementation beginning in January 2026.  Dr. Adedeji, the Executive Chairman of FIRS, gave a presentation on strategies to increase non-oil revenue and widen the tax net.  These measures aim to streamline tax compliance and promote budgetary discipline, expanding the government’s revenue base beyond its traditional dependency on oil royalties and levies.


 In light of the challenging global economic climate, Minister Edun and Senator Bagudu discussed budget performance, macroeconomic statistics, and strategic initiatives to reassure investors.  Inflation and naira stability initiatives were priorities discussed, underlining the linkage between monetary policy controlled by the Central Bank and fiscal policies coordinated by the Ministry of Finance.  The governor of the central bank was conspicuously absent, but his office supposedly conveyed crucial information regarding the present monetary policy and how it ties in with government reforms aimed at maintaining economic recovery and financial stability.


 The energy sector also received particular attention at the conference, reflecting the administration’s increased commitment to the Decade of Gas project.  Minister Ekpo provided updates on gas infrastructure development and investment opportunities aimed at unlocking Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources to boost domestic production and export capacity.  The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s engagement in this sector emphasized the government’s objective to use public and private sector partnerships to diversify Nigeria’s energy mix and boost industrial growth.


 This closed-door discussion happens at a time of heightened scrutiny of President Tinubu’s economic policies, with certain political opponents and civil society groups condemning the administration’s approach to governance and change.  Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, despite not being part of this economic team, is a strong political figure advocating for alternative economic and political initiatives.  Notably, Atiku has publicly announced a coalition to challenge Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, emphasizing democratic competition and economic turnaround as key election themes.


 Within the ruling administration and affiliated political circles, there is a projected focus on budgetary consolidation and recovery under what President Tinubu labels the “Renewed Hope Agenda.”  The President’s periodic briefings with ministers and agency heads represent an effort to preserve discipline, transparency, and cooperation among Nigeria’s economic leaders.  In a recent statement, Tinubu expressed confidence in his team’s competence and dedication to delivering reforms for Nigeria’s long-term development.


 The meeting format—with officials arriving individually for private consultations—demonstrates the seriousness and strategic confidentiality of these meetings.  Sources say that while economic management dominates these discussions, aspects of national security and governance challenges may also be considered to enable coordinated government measures.


 President Tinubu’s administration has the challenge of combining economic changes with the demands of Nigeria’s population, inflation pressures, and external economic shocks.  The closed-door meeting with Atiku Bagudu and other economic stakeholders is a significant component of the government’s policy arsenal, aiming to enhance communication, information flow, and problem-solving among ministries and agencies crucial to Nigeria’s fiscal health.


 As Nigeria proceeds into the second half of 2025, conclusions from these consultations are expected to affect policy revisions, budget reallocations, and fiscal management methods.  The success of the new tax regime and gas industry investments will be crucial indicators followed attentively by investors, policy analysts, and Nigerians who are eager for sustained economic growth and increasing wealth.


 In summary, President Tinubu's closed-door meeting with Finance Minister Wale Edun, Budget Minister Atiku Bagudu, and other senior officials represents a strategic effort to review Nigeria’s economic outlook, enhance coordination among fiscal and monetary authorities, and advance reforms aimed at strengthening the country’s financial stability and development prospects over the coming months

 

Reps Push to Ban Public Servants from Using private schools, hospitals

A new chapter in Nigeria’s bid to overhaul the nation’s educational and healthcare systems is developing as the House of Representatives has presented a landmark measure proposing to bar public personnel, along with their families, from patronizing private schools and clinics.  If approved into law, this measure could drastically reconfigure access to social infrastructure for thousands of government workers and drive significant reform across important public sectors.


 The “Private Institutions and Health Care Service Providers (Prohibition) Bill, 2025,” sponsored by Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah of Abia State, was read for the first time before a receptive—yet cautious—chamber of lawmakers on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.  The audacious plan draws a clear line in the sand regarding the privileged access typically enjoyed by the wealthy at the expense of the nation’s failing public institutions.


 Speaking at a press briefing after the bill’s introduction, Hon. Ogah called the law “a turning point in the history of our nation.”  The fundamental purpose is to restore faith in public institutions and eliminate conflicts of interest that have contributed to the collapse of the country’s educational and healthcare systems.  The proposed law particularly tries to curb:


 The ingrained tendency of public officials to opt for private schools and hospitals rather than using and upgrading public options.


 The perception and reality that government-owned institutions are inferior to their private counterparts.


 The systemic neglect and underfunding that follows government officials’ avoidance of public services.


 Ogah called on Nigeria’s media community and wider public to join the campaign, launching the hashtag #PromoteOurSchoolsAndHealthcareServices as a rallying point for nationwide discourse.


 Historical Context: Then and Now

 The sponsor cited the history of Nigeria’s founding fathers—Sir Ahmadu Bello, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and Alhaji Tafawa Balewa—who were all products of public or mission schools.  These icons, Ogah observed, benefited from solid public systems that formerly formed the cornerstone of national growth.


 "The tendency for patronizing private educational institutions and healthcare services was strange to our democrats of old.  Today, it has become an unwholesome practice for public and government personnel to seek private educational institutions and medical care for themselves and their family members, to the cost of our country," Ogah remarked.


 By contrast, modern-day leaders increasingly rely on private and even foreign institutions, fuelling what critics call “medical and educational tourism” at the expense of local capacity building.


 Nigeria's annual budgetary commitments to the health and education sectors are large but, according to Ogah, pale in comparison to the riches moving abroad:


 Healthcare: The 2024 national budget allotted N1.336 trillion to healthcare, while Nigerians reportedly spend over $1 billion annually on treatment overseas.


 Under the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, Nigerians are believed to have spent at least $29.29 billion on international medical bills in just eight years.


 Education: Between January and March 2024 alone, Nigeria expended $38.17 million on foreign education.  The 2023 amount was an astounding $218.87 million.


 These trends, lawmakers warn, erode the country’s capacity and drain essential resources from local institutions that sorely require investment and reform.


 Key Provisions of the Bill

 If enacted, the “Prohibition Bill” would virtually bar:


 All public and government personnel, including their immediate family members, are prohibited from sending their children to private schools or obtaining treatment from private hospitals within Nigeria.


 Attempts to circumvent the law by seeking services through proxies or third parties.


 Use of public funding or allowances to finance private healthcare or education domestically.


 According to the bill's sponsor, the intent is to:


 "Avoid conflict of interest, maintain public trust, and ensure high, uncompromised standards and integrity of these public institutions."


 Lawmakers believe that requiring public officials to use the same schools and hospitals as the general population will have numerous revolutionary effects:


 Increased Accountability: Officials will have a personal stake in improving public institutions’ quality and responsiveness.


 Restored National Pride: Confidence in Nigeria’s ability to deliver world-class public services may improve when the privileged cannot opt out.


 Reduced ‘Brain Drain’: Medical and academic professionals may be encouraged to remain in Nigeria if public institutions see better funding and oversight.


 Cultural Solidarity: Breaking down barriers between the governing class and average citizens could generate more national unity.


 Ogah underlined that the bill would align with recent economic reforms such as the removal of fuel subsidies, signifying a new era of sacrifice and accountability for public officials.


 A major part of parliamentarians and advocacy groups have approved the bill, regarding it as a necessary corrective action.  They argue:


 Years of neglect, underfunding, and elite exodus have rendered public hospitals and schools shadows of their former selves.


 Holding elites accountable is the only practicable approach to achieve much-needed improvements.


 Many residents also express hope that a law of this sort could put an end to glaring double standards that have long characterized public service in Nigeria.


 Critics, however, warn of potential pitfalls:


 Some dispute the viability of enforcement, noting a history of circumvention in Nigeria’s public sector.


 Concerns have been expressed over whether the approach may initially worsen outcomes for the wealthy without meaningful parallel investment in public institutions.


 Others have argued for a staged approach so that systems are neither overburdened nor worse damaged by unexpected influxes of new users.


 Past attempts at similar reforms—including a rejected bill to stop officials from sending their children to school abroad—have met strong resistance and failed to pass legislative or executive muster.


 Other countries have tried various models to persuade officials to rely on public services:


 India: Some state governments require public servants to send their children to government schools—an initiative credited with improving standards, but also faced with ongoing loophole exploitation.


 Rwanda: Top officials, including President Paul Kagame, receive treatment in rural hospitals to encourage public trust, which has catalyzed changes in the national health system.


 Explicitly associating elite fortunes with those of average citizens, researchers suggest, is a powerful—but difficult—way to spur permanent reform.


 Education and Health Sectors

 Educators and health professionals have expressed both optimism and caution.  Many see the bill as an opportunity to attract new funding and focus.  However, they emphasize that Nigeria’s public institutions are persistently under-resourced:


 Infrastructure is generally ancient or inadequate.


 Salaries lag behind private equivalents, worsening “brain drain.”


 Transparency tools for new investments and supervision are continually evolving.


 Parents and Civil Servants

 Response from public servants themselves has been mixed:


 Some acknowledge that the current status of public facilities is unsatisfactory and applaud initiatives that will drive improvement.


 Others worry that the unexpected change could disrupt family life and put their children or loved ones at risk if improvement preparations lag.


 Activists and watchdog groups welcomed the bill as long overdue, but they stressed the necessity for robust monitoring and anti-corruption mechanisms to prevent officials from finding workarounds.


 With its first reading passed, the bill faces a hard journey:


 Committee Review: The proposal will be debated and perhaps altered at the committee level.


 Public Hearings: Stakeholders—including teachers, doctors, parents, and advocacy groups—are likely to be invited for feedback.


 Further Readings: After committee consideration, the House will debate the altered text.  The Senate would also need to concur for the bill to become law.


 Presidential Assent: The President’s signature is required for full enactment.


 Supporters warn that the bill’s success rests on:


 Timely and open funding for upgraded public services.


 Effective anti-corruption strategies.


 Ongoing public participation to ensure elites are not allowed to exploit gaps.


 Broader Implications

 National Image and Soft Power

 If Nigeria’s top leaders are viewed as relying on and enhancing local institutions, this could:


 Position Nigeria as a model for other African countries facing similar issues.


 Chip away at the culture of privilege and impunity.


 Long-term, the hope is that merging the experiences of the strong and the ordinary will:


 Accelerate advances in public sector delivery.


 Democratize access to quality services.


 Raise both basic standards and the aspirations of citizens.

 

Peter Obi: Wike Supports Okpebholo on Security Measures

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike openly backed Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo's demand that former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi get security clearance before visiting the state, adding fuel to the fire of the ongoing controversy over the security protocols for Obi's visit to Edo State.  Due to this support, the discussion about safety, political animosity, and the duty of state governors to protect prominent guests in their states has intensified.


 When Governor Okpebholo reminded Peter Obi that he needed to get the necessary security clearance before visiting Edo State last Friday, it caused quite a fuss.  Following Obi's alleged contribution to a nursing school in Benin City, he connected his most recent visit to a security breach that allegedly resulted in the deaths of three individuals.  Okpebholo stated that without this procedural permission, the state could not ensure Obi's safety and that if anything were to happen to him, he would be solely responsible.  His remarks, the governor later explained, were not an explicit threat but rather a plea for strict adherence to security measures; he emphasized his constitutional obligation to protect citizens and their property in his role as Chief Security Officer of Edo State.  The spokesperson for Okpebholo stressed the need for these security measures, saying that they were needed in light of the recent violent episodes in the state, such as attacks and abductions of religious leaders.


 During an occasion in Benin City to commission the Edo Line transport project, FCT Minister and former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike sided with Governor Okpebholo, bringing him into the fracas.  According to Wike, Obi had informed him ahead of time about his 2023 presidential campaign stops in Rivers State so that he could plan for vehicles and logistical support.  He maintained that anything unfavorable happening to Obi during such visits would involve the hosting governor, underlining the necessity of prior security clearance.  The governor's stance should not be interpreted as animosity, Wike said, since Okpebholo's demand was a legitimate security precaution and not an outright prohibition on Obi's movements.


 Wike did not stop there; he also took a strong tone against Peter Obi’s recent public actions, specifically slamming a viral tape showing Obi distributing food at a church gathering in Imo State.  Wike labeled the gesture as political theater intended for popular sympathy, criticizing the modesty story around it.  He questioned the logistics and security implications of a presidential candidate personally serving food and said that such gestures were disingenuous attempts to garner favor.  The minister went further, claiming that Obi’s prospects for the presidency were fading and hinted that his acts were more about optics than true leadership qualities.


 The clash has prompted a reaction from various prominent personalities.  Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar decried threats against opposition leaders, expressly stressing that any danger to Peter Obi is a threat to all opposition groups.  Atiku’s remarks were a direct response to Okpebholo’s security clearance demand, which some interpreted as a veiled threat or intimidation tactic against Obi.  Atiku advocated respect for political opponents and highlighted the significance of political inclusion and safety.


 Governor Okpebholo has stayed steady, claiming he has no remorse regarding his security clearance requirement.  He underlined that when Obi visited Rivers State during Okpebholo’s reign, Obi obeyed the norm by notifying the authorities in advance.  The governor underlined that his appeal is centered on responsible governance and security intelligence rather than political hostility.  He further recommended a more careful approach to politically sensitive public donations and appearances to prevent inciting unrest or exposing vulnerable institutions and persons to risk.


 The episode has exposed fault lines in Nigerian politics concerning security, freedom of movement for political personalities, and the norms expected of politicians visiting states outside their base.  It underscores the problems of reconciling security concerns with political freedom and the sensitivity of opposition actions in politically sensitive contexts.


 Governor Okpebholo’s insistence on security clearance can be interpreted as both a protective precaution and a demonstration of the power and authority state governors possess in administering their territories.  At the same time, it offers an opportunity for accusations of political manipulation or intimidation against opposition candidates, as seen by the strong pushback from Peter Obi’s followers and certain political observers.


 Wike’s public backing for the governor reflects an alliance among certain important lawmakers that stresses tight security standards for high-profile political visits.  His critiques of Obi’s public image and actions add another layer to the political narrative, depicting Obi as increasingly vulnerable and less credible in his political ambitions.


 As Nigeria approaches future elections, the interaction between security concerns and political competition remains a critical issue.  The situation in Edo State provides a case study of how security protocols intersect with political rivalry and how political personalities traverse this terrain in a setting where violence and unrest remain continuous dangers.

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