POLITICS
IPOB Leader, Kanu Fast Losing his Sight in Detention -Ozekhome

. As Outlawed Group Paralyzes Activities in South-east
Human rights lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) who is the lead counsel of detained leader of the outlawed separatist Indigenous People of Biafra,(IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu claimed before Justice Binta Nyako of Federal High Court, Abuja that Kanu was fast losing his sight.
Ozhekome said Kanu who is facing multiple terrorism charges may go blind unless urgent attention was given to him.
He said Kanu who is in custody of Nigeria’s secret Police, the DSS, had his glasses seized since 2015 during his first arrest and should be allowed to have his glasses.He lamented that another set of glasses which the IPOB leader has on him when he was arrested was taken away from him by the DSS.
Ozhekome also complained that the DSS refused to allow Kanu to have new clothes which his younger brother got for him in spite of the express orders of the court that he should be allowed to have his glasses.Besides, Ozekhome bemoaned that despite an express order of the court, the DSS declined to allow the IPOB leader have a change of clothing. He alleged that the security agency refused to allow Kanu to receive new clothes that were brought to him by his younger brother, Emmanuel. Meanwhile the Indigenous People of Biafra paralyzed all business activities in the South-east states of Anambra, Imo and others as there was total compliance on Wednesday in the region with the sit-at-home order.
The directive was over the appearance of their leader, Mazi Kanu in court. Security operatives were not seen in major parts of Anambra state and residents stayed indoors for fear of molestation and other mishaps over disobedience to the order by members of the separatist group. All schools, banks, markets and commercial activities were shut down in all the cities of Anambra.
In Onitsha, the commercial hub of the state, the Onitsha Main Market and other markets within and environs were also closed. The traders stayed away in their homes, even when there was no formal announcement to obey. The banks, schools, filling stations, motor parks and major roads were not spared in this. The beer parlours where people took off their time to enjoy some bottles of liquor witnessed increased patronage as consolation for the day.
The youths, in their mid-term break were busy converting streets to football pitches.
In Imo State, children did not go to school while workers stated indoor in adherence to the directive.
POLITICS
Buhari Felicitates Tinubu at Midterm, Calls for Nigerians’ continue support

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated his successor, President Bola Tinubu, on his midterm, calling for Nigerians’ continue support for his administration’s efforts to address poverty and inflation.
This is contained in a statement issued by Buhari’s former Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Wednesday.
Buhari also called for steadfast support for the All Progressives Congress-led government as it marks its second year in office, saying reforms would achieve success gradually, not overnight.
He warned that necessary reforms and desired changes must not fall victim to mettlesome domestic politics.
According to him, as the party and the government celebrate, the country should be reminded that leadership is a continuous journey.
Buhari expressed support for the ongoing efforts by the Tinubu-led administration to curb poverty and inflation, which, he said, had hit the poorest families.
Seeking Nigerians’ support for Tinubu-led administration, he said that the task of reducing poverty and inflation mustn’t be left only for the government.
“The private sector and all of us, as citizens, must join in all ways we can,” he said.
The former president urged Nigerians to remain optimistic and stay confident about the country’s future, saying ‘our expectations from our governments should not get heavy’.
While expressing his heartfelt felicitation to Tinubu on his two years in office, Buhari prayed God to keep and grant him the wisdom and care to continue to lead the country. (NAN)

President Tinubu Appoints Ex- Speaker, Enugu Assembly, Odo, as UNN Governing Council Member
President Bola Tinubu has appointed the former speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Chief Eugene Odo, and Mr. Muhammad Tahir, as governing council members of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
The appointment comes as part of the President’s renewed efforts to reposition federal tertiary institutions for excellence and global competitiveness.
Odo served as a two time speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly between 2007 and 2015.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Chieftain also served under the previous administration of Muhammad Buhari as a governing board member of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife.
Also appointed were the governing councils members of the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) and Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka.
The appointments were contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, in Abuja.
Onanuga said President Tinubu charged the new council members to justify their appointments by ensuring that their respective universities move forward.(NAN)
POLITICS
PDP NEC Gets Under Way in Abuja

By Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja
All is set for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 99th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting today at the party’s Presidential Campaign Office, Legacy House, located in the Maitama District, Abuja. After a marathon meeting of the various organs of the PDP at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge, officials of the party have converged on Legacy House for the long awaited NEC meeting, which had been postponed for several times.
Security in and around the house has been beefed up with the deployment operatives from the Police, DSS and NSCDC. Many prominent members of the party, including its 2023 Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, were absent from the marathon meeting.The NEC, one of the highest decision-making organs of the PDP, comprises of Party National Chairman and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC), state governors, serving and former presidents, former vice-presidents, the chairman and secretary of the Board of Trustees (BoT), principal officers of the National Assembly, state chairpersons, former governors, and founding members, among others. The NEC meeting is expected to address critical issues affecting the party, including strategies for upcoming political engagements, leading to the 2027 general elections.On Monday, barely 24 hours to the much expected NEC meeting, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) keep to its threat and sealed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Secretariat, Wuse Zone 5 for failure to ground rent, a situation the party described as temporary set back.However, reprieve came to the PDP and others who had their properties sealed as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, intervened and gave them 14 days to pay their ground rent.