News
Rep Ugochinyere Alleges Plot to Frame Him, Warns Against Move to Silence Opposition Parties
…accuse police unit of abducting constituents, as he appeal to IGP, PSC to intervene
By Gloria Ikibah
Member representing Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo State in the House of Representatives, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, has accused some officers attached to the Tiger Base and Violent Crime Response Unit of the Imo State Police Command of abducting and torturing his constituents in what he described as an attempt to implicate him in criminal activities.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the lawmaker alleged that some of the detained individuals were being forced to make statements linking him to terrorism, gun-running and murder.
He said: “Imo police are abducting my constituents and torturing them in a bid to frame me for frivolous criminal allegations, terrorism, gun-running and murder,” Ugochinyere alleged.
“They are creating fear and uncertainty in Imo State and attempting to intimidate opposition voices ahead of the elections.”
The federal lawmaker claimed that the activities of some officers attached to the controversial Tiger Base unit had turned the police structure into what he described as a tool for political persecution.
He appealed to the Inspector-General of Police and the Police Service Commission to intervene urgently and investigate the officers involved, particularly those allegedly linked to unlawful arrests, extortion and torture.
Ugochinyere also raised concerns over what he described as a coordinated attempt to deregister opposition political parties through the courts ahead of the 2027 elections.
He mentioned parties including the African Democratic Congress, Accord Party, Action Peoples Party and the Zenith Labour Party as groups allegedly targeted in the legal action.
According to him, the move was aimed at shrinking the political space and frustrating opposition candidates ahead of future elections.
“What kind of anarchy do you want this country to go through?” he asked.
“You cannot deregister political parties a few months to elections and expect Nigerians to fold their arms. You are playing with fire”, he added.
The lawmaker warned that any attempt to eliminate opposition parties through judicial means could create political instability and undermine democratic participation.
He, however, commended the Court of Appeal for suspending proceedings in the case seeking the deregistration of some political parties.
Ugochinyere praised the appellate court judges for granting a stay of proceedings against a Federal High Court ruling he claimed had raised serious constitutional concerns.
“The Constitution is clear. Once a party wins even one councillorship seat, deregistration does not arise,” he stated.
He cited Section 225A of the Nigerian Constitution, maintaining that parties which had secured elective positions could not legally be deregistered.
The lawmaker also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission not to challenge a recent Federal High Court judgment relating to aspects of the electoral timetable, warning that further legal disputes could heighten political tension ahead of the elections.
“The country cannot afford confusion at this critical moment.
“Appealing this judgment will create tension, uncertainty and doubts about the credibility of the elections,” he said.
In his closing remarks, Ugochinyere appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, security agencies and the National Judicial Council to protect democratic institutions and prevent what he described as attempts to weaken opposition politics through intimidation and exclusion.
“Democracy is about participation, not exclusion.
“You don’t claim to be popular while running around disqualifying opponents, deregistering parties and framing critics with criminal allegations”, he said.
By Prosper Olayiwola
A House of Assembly Candidate for Ikole Constituency 1 on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kayode Arewa Sanni, has called on his constituents, party members and supporters to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Arewa Sanni made the call in Ikole-Ekiti while addressing party faithful and supporters at a stakeholders’ meeting convened to strengthen grassroots mobilisation in the constituency.
He said the 2027 elections present a defining moment for the people of Ikole Constituency 1 to chart a new course of inclusive representation, people-oriented legislation and accelerated development.
The candidate noted that disunity among party members and supporters remains the greatest obstacle to victory, stressing that only a united front can dislodge entrenched interests and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
“I appeal to all our party leaders, members, supporters and well-wishers across Ikole Constituency 1 to put aside personal differences and work together as one family. Our strength lies in our unity,” he said.
Arewa Sanni said his candidacy was driven by a desire to give Ikole Constituency 1 a vibrant and responsive voice in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, with focus on youth empowerment, education, healthcare and rural infrastructure.
He assured constituents that if given the mandate, he would prioritise quality representation and ensure that government presence is felt in all communities within the constituency.
He also called on supporters of the ADC across Ekiti State to rally behind the party’s vision of good governance, transparency and accountability as preparations for the 2027 polls gather momentum.
The aspirant expressed confidence that with unity, commitment and collective effort, the ADC would emerge victorious in Ikole Constituency 1 and other constituencies across the state.
No fewer than six inmates have died within one week following a suspected cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano State.
Amnesty International raised the alarm in a post on its official Facebook page, calling on authorities to immediately declare an emergency at the correctional facility.
Amnesty said several other inmates were currently receiving treatment, warning that the death toll could be higher as the suspected disease continues to spread among prisoners.
It urged the authorities to immediately transfer critically ill inmates to hospitals for proper medical attention to prevent further deaths.
The organisation warned that failure to urgently intervene could amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, which it described as a serious human rights violation under international law.
Amnesty also expressed concern over the broader conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, particularly the prolonged detention of inmates awaiting trial.
According to the organisation, detainees without financial means face greater difficulty having their rights protected, with some spending years in custody without being convicted of any crime.
It further said many inmates were being held in overcrowded and unhygienic cells without adequate food and healthcare.
Amnesty called for urgent reforms to improve conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities and ensure compliance with international best practices.
Popular media personality and self-acclaimed relationship expert, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has reportedly lost her second son while remanded in custody.
The development was confirmed in an online appeal by Amira Agiye, head of the Isaamira Love Foundation, who spoke on Okoro’s behalf to request public financial assistance.
She said, “It is sad to announce to you all that Blessing CEO just lost her second son. My name is Amira Agiye.
“I’m here to appeal on behalf of Blessing CEO, who is currently in custody. I understand that people might have different opinions about her and the circumstances surrounding her case.
“And like every one of us, she deserves compassion and an opportunity for redemption.
She needs N20 million to meet the bail requirements. She also needs N36 million to pay the people she owes who brought the case against her.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive her for the sake of that boy who is still in the mortuary. With Blessing’s full consent and authorisation, I’m appealing to all Nigerians to help donate so we can help her out of this situation.”
Also speaking in a voice conversation played by Amira, Blessing, CEO, said, “My second son, Bryan, was full of life. While in custody, I lost Bryan.
I pray this turns out positive so I can leave this place, pick up the pieces of my life and pay my respects to him.”
Recall that the self-acclaimed relationship expert was remanded in Kirikiri Prison over an N69.15 million property fraud trial.
She was granted N20 million bail in July 2026, with two sureties in like sum, and each surety was required to provide three years’ proof of deposits valued at N20 million.
Following her inability to meet the bail conditions, Blessing CEO, remains in prison facility two months after she was granted bail.
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