The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Chief Ifeanyi -Chukwuma Odii, has urged Ebonyi people to remain law-abiding and committed to peace ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Odii made the call in a statement titled, “Eyes on the Ball,” made available to news men on Wednesday in Abakaliki.

He urged politicians, stakeholders and residents to place the peace and development of Ebonyi above partisan interests.

The governorship candidate stressed that political differences should not be allowed to degenerate into violence, noting that Ebonyi indigenes remained brothers and sisters irrespective of their political affiliations and party loyalty.

The call followed a recent alleged attack on members of the PDP and journalists in Ezza South Local Government Area by suspected political thugs allegedly from opponents.

Odii, popularly known as Anyichuks, said political contests should be based on records, achievements, impact and deliverables rather than violence, propaganda or personal attacks.

According to him, candidates aspiring to public offices should allow their accomplishments and scorecards to speak for them.

“Going forward, let us allow our scorecards to speak for us, both as private individuals and, most importantly, as people who have occupied political or public offices,” Odii said.

The candidate explained that his campaign would be anchored on issues and constructive engagement, adding that the “ANYI GA EMEYA” (his political movement) would avoid politics capable of undermining the unity of the state.

“ANYI GA EMEYA will campaign on issues, facts and constructive criticism; we will not engage in smear propaganda or politics of personal attacks,” he added.

He maintained that Ebonyi politicians should focus on the kind of leadership and development capable of improving the lives of citizens and creating opportunities for future generations.

“Ebonyi needs development, opportunity, prosperity and good governance and we must pursue these with urgency.

“There is no time to waste when the future of our people and the generations yet unborn is at stake,” he said.

Odii also called on party supporters and political stakeholders to conduct themselves responsibly throughout the electoral process, stressing that the state’s peace should not be sacrificed for political ambitions.

“We are Ebonyi people first before we are members of any political party,” he said.

Odii further said that his campaign policies and programmes would be intentional, reality-based, solution-driven and focused on issues that mattered to the people.

He urged all political actors to embrace tolerance, civility and issue-based campaigns as the 2027 election approached, saying that the collective interest of Ebonyi should remain paramount and above any other personal interests.

From Dan Amasingha, Minna

The Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, mnips, has assured the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) of the Command’s continued cooperation in the fight against the proliferation of illicit arms and ammunition in the state.

Elleman gave the assurance on Tuesday, when he received the Director-General of the NCCSALW, DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (Rtd), on a courtesy visit to the Niger State Police Command Headquarters, Dutsen-Kura, Minna.

Kokumo, who was accompanied by the Centre’s North Central Zonal Director, Abdullahi Adamu Eneche, and other officials from the Centre’s headquarters and zonal office, was in Niger State as part of his official tour of the North Central Zone.

The NCCSALW Director-General described the visit as both official and symbolic, recalling his professional relationship with CP Elleman during their years in active service.

He commended the Commissioner for his professionalism, intellectual capacity and leadership qualities.

He also acknowledged the existing cooperation between the Niger State Police Command and the NCCSALW, stressing that sustained inter-agency collaboration was essential to tackling the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, which continue to contribute significantly to banditry and other violent crimes across the country.

According to him, the Federal Government established the Centre and strengthened its legal and institutional framework in recognition of the need for a coordinated national response to the illicit circulation of arms.

Kokumo explained that the Centre operates through zonal offices across the six geopolitical zones, with provisions for state offices in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to enhance its operational effectiveness.

He commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for his support and cooperation with the Centre, disclosing that the Nigeria Police Force had remitted more than 11,000 recovered arms to the NCCSALW for destruction.

He said the initiative would help prevent recovered weapons from finding their way back into the hands of criminal elements, adding that the IGP’s directive to State Police Commands to transfer recovered arms and ammunition to the Centre was a significant contribution to national security.

The Director-General called for enhanced information sharing and sustained operational collaboration between the Niger State Police Command and the Centre to strengthen efforts towards reducing the circulation of illicit arms.

Responding, Elleman expressed appreciation to the Director-General and his delegation for the visit, describing DIG Kokumo as a distinguished retired senior police officer, mentor and seasoned professional whose career was characterised by integrity, transparency and excellence.

The Commissioner reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to maintaining a strong working relationship with the NCCSALW, noting that the visit would further strengthen the existing partnership between the two institutions.

He assured the Director-General that the Command would continue to support initiatives aimed at curbing the proliferation of illicit arms and ammunition and enhancing public safety across Niger State.

Elleman further pledged that all arms and ammunition recovered by the Command, upon completion of investigations and other necessary procedures, would be duly remitted to the NCCSALW through the appropriate channels, in line with existing directives.

The Commissioner thanked the Director-General and his delegation for the visit and wished them a safe and successful tour of their operational engagements.

By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja

The Senate, through its Committee on Sports has held an emergency meeting with both the Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusua and the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Alhaji Shehu Dikko where it expressed dismay over the recent abysmal performances of Nigeria football teams in both the male and female categories.

The meeting held yesterday at the office of the Senate Committee Chairman on Sports, Alhaji Abdul Ningi in his office at the National Assembly, according to the Bauchi lawmaker was at the instance of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio who he said was worried that the Super Eagles missed out of the recently concluded World Cup and a few days ago her female counterpart, Super Falcons missed out on the qualifications to the World Cup in Brazil next year.

According to Ningi , the need for NSC and NFF to close ranks for better performances by Nigerian teams at the world stage was emphasized at the meeting and commitments already being got in that respect .

Ningi disclosed further that the meeting was summoned to unravel reasons behind the dismal performances of Nigerian football teams in recent time despite the enormous motivational packages given by President Bola Tinubu to both the players and officials.

He however said despite calls for disbandment of NFF by some concerned football enthusiasts in the country, the Senate along with other critical stakeholders will ensure that whatever action that will be taken falls within the limits of the law.

“My concern is that whatever action we must take must be within the limits of the law. We must look at our laws and we must also look at the FIFA statutes”, he said.