Connect with us

News

No feud between me and Imo NLC — allegations against me false, says Uzodinma

Published

on

UZODINMA

 

Imo state governor, Hope Uzodinma, says he does not have a feud with the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

On Wednesday, aviation unions directed their workers to withdraw services to all Owerri flights from all airports in the country.

The unions said their decision was owing to the mayhem unleashed on workers and the state government’s continued insensitivity to their plight.

The development followed a proposed strike in the state by the leadership of the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

Joe Ajaero, NLC president, was reportedly picked up from the Imo council secretariat of the congress in Owerri by heavily armed police officers last week Wednesday.

NLC said Ajaero was beaten and blindfolded immediately after security operatives arrested him.

However, the police command in Imo said Ajaero was not arrested but was taken into protective custody to avoid being lynched by a mob.

Speaking on the issue on Politics Tonight, a Television Continental (TVC) programme on Thursday, Uzodinma said Imo workers are happy with him.

See also  'Attempt at skit making' — Senate dismisses Natasha Akpoti’s return attempt

Uzodinma said instead of Ajaero to focus on his duty in Abuja, he is interested in how the Labour Party would produce a governor in Imo.

He noted that Ajaero was going about achieving that in the wrong way.

He also said what could have been an advantage — that the NLC president is from Imo — has become a disadvantage.

Advertisement
“There is no feud between Imo state and organised labour. There is an attempt to factionalise organised labour in Imo state. Government has no link with what is happening there,” Uzodinma said.

“But there’s an ugly coincidence which naturally should have been a thing of joy — that Imo state government produced the president of the NLC.

“That is supposed to be an advantage but somehow it is becoming a disadvantage. Because the president of NLC left the job he is supposed to do in Abuja and he is interested in how Labour Party would produce a governor in Imo and he’s doing it the wrong way.

See also  #Oniduro mi: I advised Tope Alabi to apologise to Alaseyori, says Telemi

“And the Labour in Imo said: ‘no, we like what our governor is doing; we are not quarrelling with our governor’.

“I challenge Joe Ajaero if there are people that the government is owing salary, he should publish their names.

“I preside over a sub-national government. I’m not controlled by the leadership of NLC in Abuja. The workers who are my workers here are happy wirh me.

“They have passed vote of confidence in me, they have endorsed me. Everyday, they are campaigning for me to be reelected. Why should I have a problem with such a group?”

‘ALLEGATION OF INTIMIDATION UNTRUE’

Uzodinma also said the allegation that he is intimidating other political parties in the state is untrue.

“Everybody who knows me know that I am a very humble person. I am God-fearing; I am a Christian. So, how will I change overnight at this age?” he asked.

“Rather, all I need is for my people to come together, let us build the only state we can call our own — Imo state. No one man can do it alone. I need the contribution of everybody.

See also  16 suspected ESN members arrested in Imo, armd recovered

“So, I don’t think that I’m given to intimidation. I am 24 hours busy in the office. Since I assumed office, I’ve only travelled outside the office twice for medical reasons. Just for medical check up.

“I work from morning till night. What I want to hear; what makes me happy is to see that the roads are good, that my people are happy. I derive my happiness from the happiness of my people.

“All those allegations are based on falsehood, all those blackmails, I don’t want to be distracted by that. But at the end of the day, history will vindicate me.”

News

Police bust high-tech indoor Cannabis farm in Lagos, arrest two suspects

Published

on

By

The Lagos State Police Command says its operatives have uncovered a suspected high-tech indoor cannabis farm at a residential property in the  Apapa,l area of the state.

The suspects are a 49-year-old Polish national and a 36-year-old Nigerian.

According to the police, the suspects are Thomas Razvickas and James Chisome, both of whom reportedly reside at the property where the facility was discovered.

The operation was carried out on November 2 at about 8:15 a.m., following credible intelligence received by police operatives, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi.

A search of the premises led to the discovery of a sophisticated indoor farming facility reportedly equipped for the cultivation, harvesting and processing of substances suspected to be cannabis.

The police said the two suspects had been taken into custody, adding that they had made confessional statements and were providing useful information to assist ongoing investigations.

See also  NLC holds emergency NEC meeting over Ajaero’s police invitation

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, CP Tijani Fatai, visited the scene to inspect the facility, assess the scale of the operation and receive a briefing on the investigation.

Fatai commended the operatives for their vigilance and intelligence-led policing, while reaffirming the Command’s commitment to tackling drug-related offences and dismantling criminal networks in the state.

He also appreciated members of the public for providing credible information and urged residents to sustain their cooperation with the police.

Continue Reading

News

Troops kill ISWAP commanders, two Arab fighters in Borno

Published

on

By


The gallant troops of the Nigerian Army have killed Abu Hajara, a high-profile member of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) Shura Council, and Abul Walid, a prominent commander and close associate of Ba Shuwa, the group’s overall Wali (leader).

In astatement issued on Sunday, the acting media information officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Mohammed Goni, said that two other high-ranking Arab fighters were also killed during the engagement in Kukawa LGA of Borno state on October 31.

Goni said the attack came three days after troops killed 55 terrorists, including three key commanders.

“Combined troops of Joint Task Force deployed in Kukawa defeated massive ISWAP terrorists attack on their locations and troops utilised both ground and air assets from the air component,” the statement reads.

“Following the engagement, troops recovered scores of arms, ammunition and communication devices.

“The successful engagement further demonstrates the combat readiness, vigilance and superior firepower of Operation HADIN KAI troops in sustaining pressure on terrorist elements across the theatre.

See also  'Attempt at skit making' — Senate dismisses Natasha Akpoti’s return attempt

“The attack on troops location at Kukawa comes barely 3 days after Buni Yadi attack where as at date 55 terrorists were neutralised including key commanders such as Ali Mandara Abba Gajiri (Munzir), Habu Ikkima Nakif Yana Faruk and Commander Gogore.”

Goni described the killing of the ISWAP fighters as a “significant blow to the leadership and operational capability” of the group.

Continue Reading

News

Jailed Osun monarch drags Adeleke to court over plan to replace him

Published

on

By

Dethroned Oba Joseph Oloyede, Apetumodu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, who is presently serving jail time in the United States of America for offences bordering on fraud, has dragged the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, before the court, asking it to stop him from filling the stool.

Oloyede, who is the second claimant in suit no. HIF/50/2026, in his motion on notice filed before an Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife, alleged that Adeleke did not formally inform him of any infraction he committed before embarking on the process to replace him.

He is seeking an order of the court stopping the governor or any of his officials from filling the stool of Apetumodu until the substantive suit was determined.

Other claimants in the matter include Prince Oyewusi Adewusi, Prince Isaac Adewuni, and Prince Abiodun Oyetoro, for themselves and on behalf of other members of the Latimogun Royal Family of the Aribile Ruling House of Ipetumodu.

See also  Osinbajo's shoemaker OJBest is dead

Aside from Adeleke, other defendants in the matter are the Osun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Afolabi Adedeji, the Asalu of Ipetumodu and the head of the kingmakers, Chief Adesoye Babalola, the Malefon of Ipetumodu, and the Ife North Local Government.

The motion on notice filed by Oloyede, dated September 16, 2026, partly read, “An order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants/respondents either by themselves or through their servants, agents or privies from taking any step to fill the stool of the Apetu (Apetumodu) of Ipetumodu or appoint any person in place of the 2nd claimant who is the occupant of the Apetu’s stool, pending the hearing and final determination of this suit.

“That in The Guardian Newspaper of May 11, 2026 (online edition), it was alleged that the 2nd claimant/applicant has, by order/instrument purportedly signed by the 1st defendant on May 7, 2026, been deposed from office as the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu without any lawful basis.

See also  Former minister, Turaki arraigned for ‘adultery, criminal intimidation’

“That there was no time the 2nd claimant/applicant was informed by the 1st-3rd defendants of any wrongdoing before the issuance of the publication contained in the said Guardian Newspaper and the purported instrument or order of deposition.”

The hearing in the matter was, however, stalled on Monday, following non-service of hearing notices on the parties in the case.

During the day’s proceedings, only the claimants’ counsel, O. Ogbewe, and counsel for the 5th defendant, Soji Oyetayo, entered appearances.

Addressing the court, Ogbewe said he had served the defendants with the processes regarding the case.

But Oyetayo, counsel for the 5th respondent, Adesoye Babalola, said hearing notice had not been served on him by the claimants.

Oyetayo subsequently urged the court to adjourn the matter for the claimants to serve all the defendants’ hearing notices.

In his ruling, Justice Dapo Adeniji adjourned the case to January 21, 2027, and ordered that fresh hearing notices be issued and served on the defendants.

See also  Rising cost of living: TUC backs out of NLC’s proposed strike, gives reason

It would be recalled that Adeleke approved the deposition of Oba Oloyede as the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, following his conviction in the US on tax fraud and money laundering charges.

Continue Reading

Trending News