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Ekweremadu’s community shuts market, prays for God’s, FG’s intervention
In a demonstration of solidarity with their son and former Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who is standing trial in the United kingdom (UK) over alleged conspiracy to harvest organ, the people of Mpu community in Aninri Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State shut their market at the weekend to pray for divine intervention in the case of their son and his wife.
The community equally appealed to the Federal Government of Nigeria to intervene in the continued detention of their son, insisting that his continued detention was injustice both to him and Nigeria, as Nigerian government could not have treated a UK Member of Parliament in the same manner.
They made the appeal during a one-day prayer summit organised by the leadership of the community to seek divine intervention on the matter.
Leading the prayer, the head Pastor, Ancient Path Restoration Revival Assembly, Pastor Nathaniel Nwankwo, admonished the people to put their faith in God as the ultimate decider of every case.
“We are committing Mpu Community primarily to God, thanking Him for the good things he has done for the land and asking for divine intervention in the trouble surrounding our brother, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who had been away from the shores of Nigeria since June 21,2022 for an allegation that has no basis”.
The President-General of the Community, Chief Francis Oshimiri-Ude, said Ekweremadu had saved so many lives by his acts of philanthropy, expressing grief that “water appears to be sticking between his teeth for trying to do the same for his own daughter”.
“Senator Ekweremadu is our illustrious son. Without him, our world seems shattered. We know he didn’t commit any crime. This is a man with a heart of gold, who has transformed our communities and many communities in Enugu West and beyond.
“So, those holding him should investigate his life style from birth to know that he has good records, the reason we started giving leadership responsibilities even before he was 10 years old.
“He should be released unconditionally to rejoin his people and continue his good works, which he had been carrying out for over 20 years now”, he reiterated.
In a sombre mood, one the women leaders, Mrs. Happiness Ajah, said they had cried uncontrollably because their son is all they have.
“We are not protesting. As you can see, we have no placards. As mothers, we are concerned about Ike, the wife and the sick daughter.
“The world should come to our aid. God should deliver our son for we know he is innocent. Many people that depended on him for survival are now helpless. No grants anymore for our farming activities, no one to pay or subsidise our children’s school fees and medical bills. You see, there are single individuals that when something happens to them, the entire community becomes helpless and comes crumbling. That is what Ikeoha is to the entire Mpu and Aninri. So, God, please help us” she cried out.
Also, the traditional ruler of Amokofia Mpu Autonomous Community, HRH Igwe Cyprian Udemefuna; his counterpart from Anekeorji Mpu Autonomous Community, HRH Igwe David Ajah; and the traditional ruler of of Achi Orie Mpu Autonomous Community, HRH Igwe Cletus Udechukwu, said the entire community had been in sober mood since start of the ordeal Ekweremadu’s family in the UK.
The Royal fathers, who described the Senator as a great achiever and a worthy Nigerian, encouraged members of the community to intensify prayers without ceasing until something positive happens and called on the South East Traditional Rulers Council to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari on the matter, especially given Ekweremadu’s usual interventions for other Igbo leaders in difficult situations.
They said: “We closed the market and shops today to demonstrate the weight of anger in us over our brother’s incarceration in the UK. In fact, it is to show that we are highly annoyed.
“We are also here to ask God for his mercies, to bring back our brother and son, who has been held overseas for trying to save his daughter in a proper way. He wrote to the UK authorities and did not hide anything.
“The Mpu people are feeling bad because we know our son as a peace loving someone, who doesn’t believe in doing things wrongly, but we have handed his matter over to God, believing that there is nothing human beings can do when God says yes”.
In their separate remarks, the councillor representing Mpu Ward, Hon. Edwin Ogbuka and the coordinator of Town Union Presidents in Aninri LGA, Chief Nwabueze Okoro, expressed worry about the long adjournments and trial schedule and appealed to the Federal Government to eschew political sentiments and do the needful.
“Things have not been normal in our town politically and otherwise since the absence of Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu. In fact, we are not happy in Mpu and in the political circle that an Iroko tree, a political hero, who piloted Nigeria’s electoral reforms and constitution amendments have been away from the town as we approach the 2023 general elections.
“Again, we know that a UK parliamentarian could not have been humiliated and held indefinitely by the Nigerian government in the manner the UK is doing.
“Therefore, today the entire Mpu people, both old and young, gathered to pray to Almighty God as their last hope. We are asking God to intervene and we are also asking the Federal Government to do the right thing irrespective of tribal, religious, and political differences.
“They did it for one Zainab Aliyu held in Saudi Arabia over drugs. So, why can’t they do it for an illustrious lawmaker and highly detribalised Nigerian like Ekweremadu, who was merely trying to save his daughter and was also open to the UK government. This is not just about Ekweremadu. Nigeria as a whole is being diminished”, they stated.
It is recalled that Akaeze community in Ebonyi State had in September suspended the 2022 edition of its annual new yam festival in solidarity with Ekweremadu’s ordeal, recalling the road infrastructures he attracted to Akaeze and other neighbouring communities, not minding that he hails from Enugu State.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) has deployed no fewer than 2,527 personnel for the Enugu State Local Government Elections scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26.
The Commandant of NSCDC Enugu State Command, Dr Elijah Willie, told newsmen on Thursday in Enugu that those deployed included uniformed and plain cloth officers and men.
Willie noted that the Corps would strategical deploy seven vehicles for the Area Commanders, four additional van trucks, other vehicles for operational support staff for monitoring, while the commandant vehicular team would be on duty.
According to him, the command is ready for the council elections and we have been preparing ahead of time for it.
He said, “I have met the Corps management staff, Area Commanders, Divisional Corps Officers, head of special squad units and heads of departments on the election for sometime now.
“They have been briefed and oriented on their roles and responsibilities.
“We have developed an operational modules for the election, having received that of the police.
“The command will extend the same operational modules and its instructions down to officers and men in divisional areas and wards in order to ensure all officers and men work according to instruction.
“The command also directed officers and men to be firm carrying out their election duties while being civil and ensure due respect for human rights.”
He revealed that due to the council polls, the command and sister security agencies had been raiding criminal black spots and flashpoints in the state to ensure the state remained calm during the election.
The commandant urged residents to feel free and come out to exercise their franchise, while voting for the candidate of their choice without fear or favour.
“The NSCDC and other sister security agencies are assuring residents of a peaceful, violence-free and fair election as we are highly prepared to ensure a hitch-free and successful election.
“Miscreants are also warned to steer clear of the state and the election as there will be no room or space for them to operate.
“They should also be reminded that their activities are being tracked with statewide technology that will easily spot them out,” he said.
Willie noted that the NSCDC had also put in place other vintage security measures for the election, which might not be appropriate for the press.
It would be recalled that the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) had scheduled a statewide elections into the 17 Chairmanship and 260 Ward Councillorship positions in the state on Saturday, Sept. 26.
Security agencies in Enugu State have assured residents of the state of a peaceful, hitch-free and credible Local Government Election upcoming on Sept. 26.
Speaking on behalf of other security agencies after a security meeting on the elections on Thursday, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, said that the election security arrangement had been concluded.
Giwa noted that the security agencies had put in place firm and robust strategies to ensure a peaceful, hitch-free and credible election on Sept. 26.
He said that the security agencies had made robust plans to take care of flashpoints and ensure no miscreant do anything to violate electoral rules.
According to him, we have planned to give the residents of Enugu State a very successful and peaceful election that they will be proud of.
“We have put our heads together to come out with formidable strategies for the conduct of the election.
“Our officers and men from various security agencies will be everywhere to ensure safety for all residents and people come out to cast their vote without fear or favour.
“The security agencies have vowed to ensure peace before, during and after the election and respond swiftly to any perceived incident that will be a threat to the election,” he said.
The commissioner said that so far there had been no threat to the election, while the security agencies had deployed adequate intelligence to ensure any threat is taken care of proactively.
Giwa urged those who would want to protect their votes after going to the ballot to do it with civility and decorum, while respecting electoral rules.
Speaking, the Executive Chairman of Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), Prof. Christian Ngwu, said that ENSIEC was “very ready” for the election after “due and proper” arrangement.
Ngwu said that security agencies had assured residents adequate security with all their officers and men on ground before, during and after the election.
“They have assured the commission to deal decisively with any threat or persons that intend to cause trouble or create problem for election officials or electorate.
“We are anticipating a successful, hitch-free, transparent and credible election on Saturday.
“ENSIEC want eligible voters to come out en masse with their voters cards to cast their votes and elect their preferred candidates,” he said.
It would be recalled that ENSIEC had scheduled polls for the 17 Chairmanship and 260 Ward Councillorship positions in the state for Sept. 26.
The chairman also urged electorate to be free to defend their votes, adding,: “But you should not cause any trouble while doing that”.
The other security agencies that attended the meeting included: Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense (NSCDC) and Department of State Security (DSS).
The rest are: the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, Federal and State Fire Service and the Forest Guard among others.
Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Governing Board of the South-South Development Commission, SSDC, Chibudom Nwuche, has urged the Federal Government to grant amnesty to repentant cultists and militant youths in the Orashi area of Rivers State who are willing to lay down their arms and embrace peaceful and productive lives.
Nwuche also called for the rehabilitation, reorientation and reintegration of such youths into society, saying the initiative would help restore peace and security to the troubled communities.
The Orashi area comprises Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Abua/Odual and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government areas of the state.
Nwuche made the appeal through his representative, Chief Kingdom Ajugo, at the commencement of the 2026 Upata Folklore, Ele, at Ula Upata, Ahoada East Local Government Area, on Tuesday.
He expressed concern over the deterioration of security in Ahoada and other parts of the Orashi region, saying the area had witnessed killings and various forms of criminality.
He recalled the gruesome killing of the then Divisional Police Officer, DPO, late CSP Bako Amgbashim, whom he described as a dedicated, intelligent and gallant police officer.
According to him, several appeals have been made to Rivers State government for an amnesty programme for repentant youths in the area, with no action taken.
Nwuche, therefore, appealed to the federal government, particularly the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, headed by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to consider an amnesty programme for repentant cultists and violent youths.
He said the programme should include proper rehabilitation, reorientation and reintegration measures to enable beneficiaries become productive members of society.
He also appealed to youths still involved in cultism, kidnapping, robbery and other criminal activities to abandon violence and embrace legitimate livelihoods.
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“Those who are still carrying guns and killing our people indiscriminately should stop and accept amnesty and be ready to be reintegrated into society,” he said.
Nwuche said the predominantly farming and trading Ekpeye people should be able to carry out their legitimate businesses without molestation, harassment or fear.
He said hundreds of Ekpeye people had lost their lives to cultism and related violence over the years, declaring that the situation must end.
He urged traditional rulers, community leaders, government and the people to work together to restore peace, insisting that Ekpeye land could no longer be allowed to become a haven for criminals.
Urges Ekpeye unity
Nwuche also urged Ekpeye traditional rulers to provide exemplary leadership and work together to advance the interests of the people.
He appealed to the people of Upata to support their monarch, Eze (Dr.) Felix E. Otuwarikpo, Eze Igbu Upata III, and preserve the cultu ral heritage of the kingdom.
He described the annual Upata Folklore as an important platform for promoting unity, culture and hospitality among the people.
The monarch had earlier declared the 2026 celebration open, describing it as an enduring tradition through which the people celebrate their culture and heritage following the harvest season.
Use your votes wisely in 2027
On politics, Nwuche urged the people of Ekpeye to vote wisely in the 2027 general elections, saying they should support politicians who had demonstrated commitment to the development of the area.
“We have seen and known all those seeking our votes, and I will therefore urge you not to waste your votes but to support those who have shown attention and developed Ekpeye land,” he said.
Nwuche also spoke in support of President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid and the political platform associated with FCT Minister and former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike.
He said he would, at the appropriate time, tour Ekpeye and the wider Orashi region to mobilise support for the political coalition led by Wike.
He recalled projects executed during Wike’s tenure as Rivers State governor, saying they remained significant to the development of Ekpeye land.
The event attracted traditional rulers, chiefs, community leaders, women and youth groups, students and representatives of Ahoada East and Ahoada West local governments. It featured cultural displays, traditional dances, goodwill messages and presentation of gifts to the monarch, chiefs and participants.
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