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PANDEF hails TInubu for endorsing South South Devt Comm Bill into law

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has commended President Bola Tinubu for signing into law the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) bill recently passed by the National Assembly.

PANDEF noted that the presidential assent to the bill will further boost the confidence of the people of Niger Delta on the President Tinubu-led administration and its renewed efforts to bringing development to the oil-rich region.

In a statement on Wednesday signed by the National Chairman of PANDEF, Amb. Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali, OON, described the development as historic and laudable steps to bring succour to the region plagued by underdevelopment.

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Igali, according to the statement, the establishment of the commission would address peculiar social, environmental, and developmental issues.

PANDEF similarly commended the leadership and members of the National Assembly for the speedy passage of the bill as it will help to accelerate development in the South-South.

“On behalf of the Niger Delta ethnic nationalities and peoples which make up the South-South geopolitical zone, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) conveys profound gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR on the historic signing of the South-South Development Commission Bill into law, announcedon Tuesday the 25th of March, 2025. We also commend the National Assembly for the timely completion of work on this piece of legislation.

“This singular action has boosted the confidence of our people in the commitment of the Federal Government to promote even regional development across the country and; in particular, to address the peculiar social, environmental, and developmental challenges facing our region.

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“PANDEF is hopeful that in setting up this new Commission, Mr President will carefully select competent and tested hands with cognate skills and experience to ensure that this body plays its complimentary role to the efforts of our Governors in delivering sustainable development to the region, which continues to contribute immensely to the sustenance of the Nigerian national economy for decades.

“PANDEF reiterates that other outstanding issues, especially environmental remediation from the negative impact of oil and gas production as well as an acute deficit in basic infrastructure which constitute an existential threat to the South-South, would be treated as a priority.

“Finally , PANDEF is hopeful that based on the sustained nationwide appeals and genuine concerns from virtually every corner of the country over the suspension of the Rivers State Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the Deputy Governor and the State Assembly, Mr President would graciously accord urgent attention to restoration of the State back to its normal democratic governance by immediately recalling the Governor, Deputy Governor and the State Assembly”, the statement added.

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Delta Police Arrest Suspected Kidnappers, Recover Arms, Ammunition

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The Delta State Police Command has recorded another major breakthrough in their fight against crime, arresting suspected kidnappers and armed robbers while recovering a cache of weapons, including AK-47 rifles, a pump-action gun, a Beretta pistol, and a significant quantity of ammunition.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, SP Edafe Bright, in a statement on Tuesday, said on March 26, 2025, operatives of the CP Special Assignment Team, led by ASP Julius Robinson, tracked down a suspected kidnapper, Chedeye Mohammed, in Rivers State.

Acting on intelligence, officers pursued the fugitive and arrested him at around 6:20 PM. During interrogation, Mohammed led the team to a bush near a trailer park in Rivers State, where they recovered an AK-47 rifle loaded with thirteen rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.

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Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect and his gang were responsible for multiple kidnappings in Ughelli, Agbarho, and other parts of Delta State, using Rivers State as a hideout. Efforts to apprehend other gang members are ongoing.

In another major operation, officers acting on credible intelligence launched a sting operation in Anyangba Town, Kogi State, where they arrested three suspects: Zakari Mohammed (31) from Olugbujo Community, Ibrahim Mumuni (29) from Anyangba Town, and Mohammed Hamisu (25) from Anyangba Town, all in Dekina Local Government Area (LGA).

A search of their residences led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle and an automatic pump-action gun. Further investigations led to the arrest of another suspect, Samaila Mohammed (35) from Udo Community, Dekina LGA, who was found in possession of a Beretta pistol loaded with three rounds of live ammunition and cartridges. All suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.

In another development, on March 25, 2025, at approximately 6:20 PM, security operatives arrested Emu Lucky (35) in Olomoro Community, Isoko South LGA. A search of his residence uncovered eighty-two rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

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Preliminary investigations indicated that Lucky was supplying ammunition to kidnappers in collaboration with Mohammed Bellow, a suspected criminal already in police custody.

Bellow allegedly acted as a middleman, facilitating the sale of weapons between Lucky and various criminal groups. Both suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.

According to Edafe Bright, Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, assured residents that law enforcement would sustain its momentum in combating crime.

He reiterated his commitment to fulfilling the mandate set by the Inspector General of Police, ensuring that all residents of Delta State can sleep peacefully without fear of criminal activity.

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CP Olufemi also called on the public to support the police by providing valuable information and maintaining close cooperation with security agencies.

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Kogi Central constituents jubilate as Senator Natasha arrives home+Photos

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Infoemtion from Kogi Central zone indicate that the country home of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at Ihima is agog.

A report by a witness circulated on social media stated: “I live at a close distance to Natasha house. She has a very large compound that can take hundreds of people.

In my opinion, all the activities going on are within her expanded mansion. I really do not see any reason for (any) attack so long all her fans do not go to the extreme.

“At the same time, the situation is not as ugly as being painted outside. They may have advised her to remain within her jurisdiction to prevent outsiders from using her home coming to create violence in central.

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“In all honesty, I still see some level of good character from the government of the day.

“Unless something happens later today, I can say everything is smooth and fine.

“I see security personnel going everywhere peacefully without harassing anybody. I am reporting from a close distance.

“Though, I could see a helicopter hovering around her house possibly she is now flying back to her base. Peace will reign by the grace of God in Kogi state.”

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Report that filtered in about 3 pm that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan beat off security adversaries in Kogi State.

She flew a helicopter into her country home in Kogi Central and hosted a rally in her expansive premises.

She reportedly rubbished the state government’s ban on rallies and congregations targeted at her.

While she was interacting with her constituents, after arriving home by air, thugs were reportedly waiting for her arrival through all road accesses into Kogi State.

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Edo Gubernatorial Election Tribunal Announces Ruling Date(Tomorrow)

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The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has scheduled its judgment for Wednesday, April 2, 2025, according to.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the 2024 election. Okpebholo triumphed over Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP).

The tribunal had reserved judgment in the petition filed by the PDP and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, who are challenging Okpebholo’s victory. They are alleging electoral irregularities such as over-voting, ballot non-serialization, improper collation, and computation errors.

Throughout the hearings, the petitioners called 19 witnesses and subpoenaed a Senior Technical Officer from INEC’s ICT department, who presented 154 BVAS machines to support the over-voting claims.

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INEC, Okpebholo, and the APC are the first to third respondents in the case marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024. INEC did not call any witnesses to counter the petitioners’ claims. Okpebholo called one witness, while the APC called four before closing their defense.

The tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, announced that the judgment date would be communicated to all parties by the Secretary of the tribunal.

During the hearings, the petitioners’ lead counsel, Adetunji Oyeyipo (SAN), formally adopted their final written address. INEC’s counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), argued that the case lacked merit and urged the tribunal to dismiss it, pointing out that the petitioners’ polling unit agents had signed the result sheets and could not distinguish between what they heard and observed.

Agabi further criticized the petitioners for failing to present alternative results or credible evidence to support their claims, describing the allegations of non-compliance as weak. On behalf of Okpebholo, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) emphasized that the APC candidate won through valid votes, countering the petitioners’ claims about non-serialization of materials and over-voting.

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APC’s counsel, Emmanuel Ukala, also adopted the final address, stating that the petitioners failed to provide enough witnesses to support their case and criticized their limited focus on just five polling units out of over 4,000 in the state.

In response, petitioners’ counsel, Ken Morzi (SAN), clarified that their complaints were confined to 765 polling units and argued that the case should be assessed comprehensively, not just by the percentage of contested polling units. He stressed that their primary issue was with the transformation of 25 votes into 525 at the collation centers.

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