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Only AA can redeem Imo, now a killing field – Ogunewe *Receives more endorsements
Lincoln Keyonemere Jack Ogunewe, has promised to rid Imo States of bloodthirsty elements who have turned it into a killing field in recent years, saying the November 11th governorship election would be another watershed that would determine its fate.
Ogunewe, a retired General and candidate of the Action Alliance (AA), who spoke while receiving the leadership of the Imo State Redemption Group (ISRG) made up of the 27 local government area coordinators and woman leaders in his Reset Imo Campaign Office, located at Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, Imo State on Tuesday 8th August, 2023, promised to tackle the menace without fear.
Bemoaning the orgy of violence accentuated by bad governance which has turned Imo villages into extra-judicial killing fields thus making it an easy theatre of assassinations, arson and mayhem, he frowned at the ugly situation where Imo villages were now deserted, with children abandoning school in many of them, saying they posed enough concerns that demanded quick attention.
Maintaining that the restoration of peace to ensure security of life and property remained the primary responsibility of government, he went debunked the impression now being spread that the state was in good hands, describing it as propaganda, adding that the contrary was the case, as the situation had now worsened to the extent that many families, were now burying their deceased ones in foreign lands for fear of being killed in their villages. While stressing that dialogue and negotiation remained key to solving security challenges, he urged every Imo indigene and residents alike to support the party in the November polls, stating: “We will not act cowardly. I will campaign everywhere. Insecurity will not deter us … I will ensure that every single vote counts and is protected … What is motivating me to run is the suffering of the masses, lack of justice, and fairness.”
Cautioning the electorate to beware of cloners, whose merchandise was in cloning other people’s hard earned identity, he said: “There is only one General in the race, and that is, Maj. Gen. Jack Lincoln Keonyemere Ogunewe Rtd. Peter Obi is not contesting the Imo governorship election and should not be dragged to it.”
The leader of the delegation, Comrade Stanley Igbo, who said he appreciated the decision of the Ogunewe to contest the election to redeem the situation of the impoverished, less privileged, insecure, and other ordinary Imo citizens and its occupants in the state, highlighted the efforts of the group in mobilisation and sensitisation and promised to explore other strategies to ensure the victory of AA in the 306 electoral wards of the state, adding that his adoption was based on his credibility, capability, integrity, emotional intelligence, and confidence.
In their contributions, the delegation, including the coordinators of the three senatorial districts in the state also took time to eulogise the charismatic qualities of the AA candidate, saying he was the best man for the task of redeeming state from the suffering they had encountered over the recent years.
Uche Eze, Director General of the campaign organisation, who appreciated the efforts of the group, promising to engage them fully during and after the campaign, expressed optimism to the victory of the retired general.
On his part, the Deputy Governorship candidate, CMC Onuoha, who expressed delight that that such a group, existed advised that restoring peace, progress, and unity in the state must be prioritised above money politics, imploring the electorates to view themselves as being in the race as it could only be by a concerted effort that victory could be guaranteed.
Hillary Nwauzoije, Publicity Secretary of the group, while stating that the ISRG, convened by Hardy Biaduo, was none partisan, stressed that being an apolitical pressure group, its goal included, leadership and mentoring, advocacy for good governance, organisation of empowerment programmes for the youths, women and the less privileges, as well as advocacy for equity and justice for all, adding that it also had numerous members in the diaspora.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed the judgement of the federal high court in Abuja nullifying the timelines issued for the conduct of party primaries and the nomination of candidates.
Alex Izinyon SAN, leading a team of lawyers of the commission in a notice of appeal dated May 25, raised nine grounds it urged the appellate court to consider and vacate the judgment the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered on May 20.
Apart from raising the issue of jurisdiction, which it said the lower court did not determine, INEC also maintained that the legal action the Youth Party (YP) initiated against it was not only hypothetical but academic.
Arguing that failure of the trial court to make pronouncements on the issues, resulted in the denial of fair hearing to the Appellant, the commission also stressed the lower court misinterpreted the provisions of the electoral act.
It said: “The high court erred in law when it held that: ‘It is clear from the wordings of Sections 29(1), 82 and 84 of the Electoral Act, 2026, the following can be understood. Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026 mandates Political Parties to submit the names of candidates in prescribed forms of the candidates who emerged from its valid primaries which such a political party intends to sponsor at the elections, not later than 120 days before the date of the General Election.
“What is required of Political Parties to do under the Electoral Act, 2026 is to notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 21 days before the holding of its primaries, congresses or conventions, days before the holding of its primaries, congresses or conventions, or any conference or meeting convened for the election of its executive committees, other governing bodies for nominating candidates.
“The Defendant is not mandated to impose a timeframe for political parties to conduct their primaries provided that it will be done and submitted not later than the 120 days provided by the Electoral Act, 2026. See Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026.”
It was another day of misery in Kwara State, when daredevil terrorists reportedly stormed Yashikira Community in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, and as has been the case in many of the attacks, abducting scores of residents including women and children.
But, apparently to register their authority, the gunmen, who were said to have operated for hours without challenge from the security operatives, were said to have torched the palace of the Emir.
The attackers, which reportedly occurred late Sunday night were said to have announced their presence through heavy firing and after storming the palace of the monarch during the period, set it on fire before whisking away their victims, but a similar attempt at the police station in the community, was repelled.
While some of the residents, narrated how the spent hours without resistance, leaving behind destruction and fear in the border community, another account said the villagers were caught unawares as the gunmen invaded the town under the cover of darkness.
However operatives made up of the police and military personnel, were said to have launched a manhunt immediately for the immediate rescue of the victims, including throwing a cordon in the area as part of the mission.
“The suspect offered ₦500 million to the SPU commander in an attempt to make the team stand down and allow him to contact his associates to move the consignment elsewhere. The offer was rejected immediately and properly documented for further investigation.”
These were the exact words of Olohundare Jimoh Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), with which he detailed how operatives of the Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) scoffed at a N500million bribe to turn their eyes off the importation of a huge consignment of drugs imported into the country.
This was part of the details of a major breakthrough by the operatives after bursting a major drug trafficking syndicate in Lagos, which led to the seizure of suspected illicit drugs estimated at ₦7.8 billion and arresting several suspects, including the alleged kingpin.
In the operation, reportedly carried out by officers of the Special Protection Unit (SPU) in collaboration with divisional police detectives, the operatives, were said to have stormed a house in Mende, Maryland area of Lagos, following months of surveillance and intelligence gathering coordinated by the Zone 2 Headquarters.
The recovered drugs consisted of hundreds of bags of suspected Canadian Loud, allegedly stored in the residence of the prime suspect, Jimoh, said disclosing that the suspect was apprehended on May 19 after weeks of strategic monitoring by operatives.
Offering further details, he said the operation was executed with technical support and guidance from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, alongside coordinated efforts between the SPU and divisional police teams.
Jimoh revealed that during the operation, the suspect allegedly attempted to bribe the SPU commander with ₦500 million to compromise the mission and allow the movement of the drug consignment.
The AIG described the development as a reflection of the renewed professionalism and operational discipline being entrenched in the Force under the current policing strategy.
He noted that the success of the operation underscored the importance of deploying specialized police units alongside conventional divisional teams in tackling organized crime.
According to him, the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of rapid containment strategies, intelligence-led policing, and professional conduct among the operatives involved in the raid.
“Rapid containment was achieved as the Special Protection Unit worked with divisional teams to secure the perimeter and prevent escape or interference with evidence.
“The operation was intelligence-driven, following months of surveillance and technical monitoring before the raid was carried out.
“The immediate rejection and documentation of the bribe attempt also reflect the standard expected from redeployed personnel at the divisional level,” Jimoh added.
Reacting to the development, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, commended the operatives for their professionalism, saying the success of the operation validated the ongoing redeployment of personnel to divisions and units across Lagos and Ogun states.
The IGP noted: “Policing must be close to the people, and our specialized units must work side by side with divisional teams on the ground.
“The professionalism shown by the SPU commander in rejecting a ₦500 million bribe and following due procedure is the standard we expect. It shows that when you put your best foot forward at the grassroots, you get results and restore public trust.”
Disu further assured that the Force leadership would continue to reward integrity while holding officers accountable to the highest ethical standards.
Police authorities said exhibits recovered during the operation have been properly documented and will be tendered in court. The suspects are currently in custody while investigations continue to track down other members of the drug trafficking network.
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