Opposition Planning To Instigate Crisis, Urged Tinubu To Declare State Of Emergency In Edo, APC Alleges

Opposition planning to instigate crisis, urged Tinubu to declare state of emergency in Edo, APC alleges. Mr Tenebe alleged that those behind the plot aimed to force President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state.

The Edo chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised the alarm that some major opposition political parties are planning to instigate a crisis in the state and make it ungovernable.

The state APC chairman, Jarret Tenebe, raised the alarm during a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

“It has come to our attention that the leadership of some major opposition parties in our state, along with two others, has devised a reckless and dangerous plot to instigate crisis and make Edo ungovernable,” he said.

Mr Tenebe alleged that those behind the plot aimed to force President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state.

“Their sinister objective is clear: they want to force President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Edo because they have no confidence in securing victory at the Edo Election Petition Tribunal.

The tribunal will, on Wednesday, deliver judgment on the petition filed by the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, against the outcome of the governorship election on September 21, 2024.

The APC chairman alleged that the opposition, in their desperation, had resorted to acts of sabotage, hoping to manipulate public perception and judicial sentiment in their favour.

He said that as part of their plans, they had enlisted some disbanded members of the State Security Network to orchestrate violence, as seen in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area.

“Their aim is to falsely implicate the state government in these disruptions, creating a narrative that fosters chaos and sympathy for their failed cause,” he said.

Mr Tenebe called for the arrest of some of the opposition party leaders in the state over the recent killings of 16 people in Uromi.

He said the call for their arrest was premised on the intelligence report before APC, which allegedly indicted them.

“Their recent criticism of Governor Monday Okpebholo for travelling to Kano State to condole with victims’ families has further exposed their involvement in the Uromi mayhem,” he said.

He accused the opposition of hypocrisy and desperation, adding that the governor and APC in the state would not be deceived by their antics.

Mr Tenebe also alleged that some opposition members outside the country were instigating violence in the state.

“As a political party, we are going to formally write to foreign missions, embassies and other international bodies to extradite these fellows who keep inciting the public to commit acts of terrorism.

APC

“They must be repatriated to Nigeria in order to face terrorism charges. “Let me make it categorically clear: no amount of blackmail, intimidation, or desperate orchestration will stop our governor from emerging victorious at the tribunal on Wednesday.
“The people of Edo have spoken, and their mandate will not be stolen through underhand tactics.

“Their antics will not weaken us; rather, it will make Edo stronger. We will continue to stand firm in defence of democracy, justice and the rule of law,” he said.
The APC chairman also said that since coming on board, the governor has been tackling insecurity in the state, making it a thing of the past.

He said Mr Okpebholo had procured some security gadgets, Hilux vehicles, and drones, which had been distributed to security agencies to aid in apprehending the criminals operating in the state.

According to him, the Okpebholo-led administration will not rest on its oars until the state is totally free from every form of crime and criminality and residents, irrespective of their religious and ethnic affiliations, begin to live in peace.

He appealed to the APC faithful in the state to remain calm as they await the tribunal judgment on Wednesday.

Rivers NSCDC Impounds 70,000 Litres Truck Of Stolen Crude Oil

Rivers NSCDC impounds 70,000 litres truck of stolen crude oil. Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have impounded a long-container truck loaded with 70,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in a major crackdown on oil theft.

The truck, which had an in-built tank for illicit petroleum transport, was intercepted around Eleme junction flyover in Elelenwo following an intelligence tip-off.

However, the suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled upon sighting the operatives. Chief Superintendent of Corps, Afolabi Babawale, the NSCDC’s National Public Relations Officer, said the agency remains committed to dismantling oil theft networks in the country. Babawale explained that the operation was carried out by the NSCDC Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad.

“The truck was sighted while on transit, and our operatives swiftly moved in to impound it. This is a major breakthrough in our ongoing fight against economic sabotage,” Babawale stated.

According to him, the red-head, navy-blue container truck with registration number AGL574XY was illegally siphoning crude from vandalized wellheads and destroyed pipelines.

Stolen Crude Oil

“As our operatives approached, the conveyors of the truck abandoned it and fled the scene. We have launched a full-scale investigation to track down the syndicate behind this illegal operation.”

He further revealed that the stolen crude oil and the truck have been confiscated and will undergo legal forfeiture.

“At the conclusion of our investigation, we will file for the forfeiture of the vehicle and its contents in a court of competent jurisdiction.

The proceeds will be remitted to the Proceeds of Crime Account,” he added.

Natasha Addresses Constituents, Accuses INEC Of Bias In Her Recall

Natasha addresses constituents, accuses INEC of bias in her recall. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of bias in her recall from the senate.

Akpoti-Uduaghan spoke on Tuesday while addressing her supporters in Okehi LGA of Kogi state.

The senator, who arrived in a chopper, defied security restrictions imposed on the state hours to her homecoming rally.

“What I see INEC doing is aiding and guiding petitioners on how to perfect their illicit acts,” she said while addressing the jubilant crowd.

“The first time the petition was submitted, they didn’t have address and phone numbers, so INEC went out to guide them on how to submit information that will perfect their petition.

“And what did they do? The petitioners, who were from the other party, the APC, submitted a letterhead. What was the name of it? Kogi Central Political Frontier. And the address there was number 4, Oboroke.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan said the address does not exist, adding that she ran a check on the status of registration of Kogi Central Political Frontier, the association which sponsored her recall.

“And the CAC report came negative, that the association is not registered,” she added.

“So, I’m still waiting and wondering why INEC has not yet made a statement to that effect or sent people down to Oboroke here, which is just five minutes away, to ascertain whether that address is real.

“Or have we stooped to the point whereby fictitious, non-existing associations and individuals can call for the recall of a senator? Are we in a kangaroo country? We should not allow that.

Natasha Addresses Constituents

“I don’t know whether the process will be stalled, but we are in courts as well. Also, I don’t know when they will come down here to verify.

“But I will say this, if the time ever comes for the verification of the 250,000 people that signed for my recall, I trust that you will do right.”

The senator’s return comes after the Kogi state government banned public gatherings and rallies over alleged security concerns.
Amoka Monday, chairman of Okehi LGA, also declared a curfew across the council area in a statement on Tuesday.