Yesterday, during the plenary session, the Anambra State House of Assembly led by the Speaker 𝗥𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗵𝘂𝗸𝘄𝘂 𝗡𝗸𝗲𝗺 𝗨𝗱𝗲𝘇𝗲,𝗣𝗵.𝗗, passed the Anambra State Homeland Security Bill 2025 into Law.

This law gives legislative strength to the efforts of Mr Governor 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗸𝘄𝘂𝗺𝗮 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗼, 𝗖𝗙𝗥 in the establishment of a 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗙𝗜𝗧 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗗 𝗔𝗚𝗨𝗡𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗔 in other to restore absolute peace in the State, thereby making Anambra safe from any type of Criminal activity.

This law captures all the necessary things needed for effective implementation. Some clauses I want to highlight includes;

>𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 4: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐠𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐚.
1. Prevent and detect crimes
2. Make available relevant information on criminals
3. Take necessary measures to ensure that criminals do not operate in any part of the State
4. Preserve law and order
5. Protect lives and properties
6. Arrest criminals and hand them over to police for investigation
7. Give further assistance to the Police where required in the production of witnesses.

>𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 5; 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐠𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐚
1. The Agunechemba shall have powers to arrest and hand over to the police, any person who commits crime
2. Patrol the streets and villages at any time of the day
3. Maintain security barricades in appropriate places
4. Question and handover to the person, any person of questionable character or of suspicious movement
5. Enter and search any compound into which a questionable person runs into while being pursued
6. Form special forces or squad for the purpose of tackling kidnapping, banditry, consumption of illicit drugs, cultism, robbery and any other violent crimes in the State.
>𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 8: 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧;
(1). There is establishment a supervisory body to be known as the Anambra State Security Supervisory Committee
(2). The Anambra State Security Supervisory Committee shall consist of,
(a) The Governor or any other person designated by him, as the Chairman
(b) The Commissioner in charge of homeland security, if any, as a member
(c) The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, if any, as a member
(d) A representative of the Nigeria Police Force as a member
(e) A representative of Department of State Security Service (DSS) as a member
(f) A representative of National Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC) as a member
(g) The Chairman of House of Assembly Committee on Security as a member
(h) The Chairman of State Council of Traditional Rulers or his representative as a member
(i) A Secretary/Legal Adviser who shall be a State Counsel from Ministry of Justice
(j) The Mayors of the Local government areas
(k) Any other member or members as maybe appointed by the Governor.

>𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 13: 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞.
1. As from the commencement of this law, all president Generals of the town unions recognized by the State Government shall not later than the first week of every month, submit to the Mayor of their respective local government areas and ministry in charge of homeland security or where not existing at the time, any other department or office in charge of security in the State as may be designated by the Governor, a report in any manner as may be prescribed, of;
(a) All criminal or criminally suspicious activities in their communities or by persons from their communities, for the preceding month

(b) Any apprehension or arrest of offenders or suspects made by the Agunechemba establishment under this law, the Nigeria Police or any other law enforcement agency in their communities for the preceding month

(c) The names, addresses, phone numbers, whereabouts and any other necessary particulars of the persons alleged or suspected to have taken part directly or indirectly in the activities in paragraph (a) of the subsection 1 of this section or apprehended or arrested as in paragraph (b) of subsection 1 of this section.

(d) Any person who appears to them to be new and unknown but resides in the community in the preceding month, with the name, address, phone numbers, and any other necessary particulars of such person

(e) Any location whether in the forest or not, suspected to be occupied or used by kidnappers or bandits either as a dwelling place or for perpetration of crime

(f) Any person who brandishes wealth or engages in lavish or luxurious spending or lifestyle without an ostensible and verified means of livelihood in their communities for the preceding month, with their name, address, phone numbers, and any other necessary particulars of such persons; and

(g) Their assessment of the Security condition in their communities

2. Any President General who fails to make the report as required under subsection 1 of this section shall be guilty of misconduct and shall be liable to have his recognition by the State Government withdrawn.
3. Any President General who parades himself as such after his recognition has been withdrawn by the State Government, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 2 years or a fine of 5million naira or both.

>𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 14: 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐬, 𝐋𝐨𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬.
(1.a) As from the commencement of this law, any landlord or owner of property shall before before letting out his property, demand and obtain from the proposed tenant, a copy of the valid means of identification of the tenant with his phone number, details of his occupation and where applicable, his place of work and shall submit such means of identification and information to the President General of the town union who shall upon demand, immediately transmit same to the Mayor of the Local Government.

(b) In any community where there exist(s) estate which makes it difficult for the President General of the community to receive the means of identification and information specified in paragraph A of sub-section of this section directly from the landlords, the President General shall direct the leadership of the Estate association to collect such means of identification and information from the landlords and transmit to him.

(2) Any person who lets out his property without obtaining a valid means of identification from the tenant or the information required under subsection 1 of this section, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of one year with an option of fine of five million naira or both.

(3) The proprietor or operator of any hotel, commercial guest house, inn, lodge, motel, short let apartment or other commercial dwelling place by whatever name called, or hostel shall before accommodating any person, demand and obtain from the guest, a copy of the valid means of identification of the guest and shall as prescribed by the State or Local Government, submit to the appropriate authority the means of identification of the guest and any other information required by the State or Local Government.

(4) The proprietor or operator of any hotel, commercial guest house, inn, lodge, motel, short let apartment or other commercial dwelling place by whatever name called, shall as from the commencement of this law, install in such facility, a surveillance camera to record the checking in of guest and or the activities taking place within the premises and surroundings and shall as prescribed by the State or Local Government, submit to the appropriate authority the data recorded by the camera.

(5) Any proprietor or operator of hotel, commercial guest house, inn, lodge, motel, short let apartment, hostel or other commercial dwelling place by whatever name called, who fails to comply with the provisions of sub-sections 3 and 4 of this section, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of six months with a option of fine of one million naira or both

(6) The commissioner in charge of hospitality may withdraw the license or shut down the operations of any hotel, commercial guest house, inn, lodge, motel, short let apartment, hostel or other commercial dwelling place which fails to comply with the provisions of sub-sections 3 and 4 of this section

>𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 15: 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐲
1. Any person being the owner of any land whether or not in a forest or of any building or a person in control of any such land or building who allows such land or building to be occupied as a camp or settlement or used for purposes of perpetrating or aiding kidnapping, detention of kidnapped victims, demanding or collection of ransoms in relation to kidnapping or any other crime in furtherance of kidnapping or any form of banditry, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 25 years without an option of fine.
2. Any person not being a member of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Army or other Security agency recognized by the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or the laws of Anambra State, who lives or harbours people on any land in the forest in any part of the State except for purposes related to farming or in furtherance of any lawful business, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 25 years without an option of fine.
3. Any person being the owner of any land in the forest or a person in control of any such land, who allows any person, not being a member of the Police Force, Nigeria Army or other Security agency recognized by the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or the laws of Anambra State to live or camp in such forest except for purposes related to farming or in furtherance of any lawful business, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 25 years without an option of fine.
4. Any person being the owner of any property or a person in control of any such property, who is or becomes aware that such property is used for the commission of any offence and conceals such fact or fails to report same to the police or Agunechemba under this law, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 25 years without an option of fine.
5. Any person or building used for the commission of any offence under this section shall be forfeited to the State Government
6. Nothing in sub section 5 of this section shall preclude the Governor of the State from revoking or acquiring for overriding public purpose, any property in the State, in line with the provisions of the Land use Act.

>𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 16: 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭 𝐝𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐬
1. No property in the State shall be used for the manufacture, use or sale of illicit drugs.
2. Any property used for the manufacture, sale or use of illicit drugs in the state shall be forfeited to the state Government.

>𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 17: 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥.

In furtherance of the powers granted to the Attorney General of the States pursuant to section 211 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), section 149 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Anambra State 2023 and the section 31 of the Police Act 2020.

1. The files of all cases bothering on or related to kidnapping under investigation by the police shall at the conclusion of investigation, subject to the direction of the Attorney General, be immediately forwarded to the Attorney General for review or advice.
2. Where the investigation is not concluded within 15 days from the date of the arrest or the date the report is made whichever is earlier, the case file shall be duplicated and submitted to the Attorney General immediately upon the expiration of the said period of 15 days for his direction, review or advice.

>𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 18: 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬.

1. Any person who under the practice of “𝑶𝒌𝒆𝒊𝒕𝒆” or “𝑬𝒛𝒆 𝑵𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒊” or under any other guise, administers any substance or charm on or for any other person for the purpose of commission of any offence or for the purpose of accumulation of wealth by supernatural means other than by any known lawful means of livelihood or who publicly propagates the accumulation of such wealth other than by any known lawful means of livelihood, commits and offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 6 years with an option of fine of 20 million naira or both.
2. Any person who performs any sacrifice or dumps on any road or thrown into any water body in the state, any charms, substance or items of sacrifice in foregrance of the commission of any offense under subsection 1 of this section, commits and offense and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 6 years with an option of fine of 20 million Naira or both.
3. Any person who misleads the public by purporting to wield any Supernatural powers which he is found not to possess or who obtains any reward from any person in furtherance thereof, commit an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 6 years with an option of fine of 20 million naira or both.
4. For the purpose of ascertaining weather or not a person possesses the natural powers under subsection 3 of this section, any such person suspected of misleading the public under subsection 3 of this section shall at the stage of investigation, be subjected to proof that he possesses such powers.
5. An investigation made by the police in respect of any offence under this section shall be forwarded to the Attorney General of the State for review and advice before the prosecution of any person suspected of having committed the offence.

>𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 19: 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞
1. Any person who uses any religious place for the commission or to aid the commission of any crime, commit an offense and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 6 years with an option of fine of 20 million naira or both.
2. Any religious place suspected of being used to commit or aid the commission of any crime may be sealed by the order of the Governor pending the conclusion of investigation.
3. If after the conclusion of investigation, there exists a prime facie case of the commission or aiding the commission of any crime in such place, any person found culpable shall be charged to court.
4. Where a person is charged to court under this section, the property or place involved shall be sealed, except unsealed by the order of the Governor, remain sealed until the determination of the charge or unless otherwise ordered by the court.

>𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 20: 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬.

Any person who performs or requires of any person the performance of any rituals involving human parts, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 25 years without an option of fine.

From these clauses highlighted, you can see that this law encompasses all.

We shall continue to bring you more details of this law.

✍️ 𝐑𝐭. 𝐇𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐣𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐎𝐤𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐮𝐤𝐰𝐮 (𝑶𝒈𝒃𝒖𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒌𝒐𝒆𝒇𝒊), for House of Assembly Committee on Media and Publicity

African Action Congress (AAC), on Wednesday, called on Inspector-General of Police, IGP kayode Egbetokun and the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam to stop officers from extorting motorists plying the State.

According to the party, the police and other law enforcement agents usually stationed at checkpoints have turned Anambra State and the rest of South East geopolitical zone to cash cow while insecurity kept on ravaging the entire zone.

The State Chairperson of AAC, Comrade Chioma Ifemeludike, who raised this concern at a press conference in Awka, Anambra State capital, urged the relevant authorities to checkmate the anomaly and bring lasting peace to the zone.

According to Ifemeludike, this called for the officers to be called to order, while their welfare should be improved upon as better salaries and incentives would make them to stop such illegalities.

“It is dangerous and reckless to hand guns to police officers whose basic and social
requirements are not well taken care of leaving citizens at their mercy. Anambra State has become a cash cow for the police. They do it boldly and no one is holding them accountable. They even give out changes to the motorists without shame.

“Anambra people must join hands to pressure the government to do the right thing at the right time. We must start holding them accountable so they can do the right thing now. Our youths have been battered. We must sit up and demand for the police and the Government to deliver on their mandate,” she lamented.

The party further called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to wake up to address the insecurity ravaging the State, lamenting that if allowed to continue, socioeconomic development and others would be impeded because nothing thrives in atmosphere of chaos.

She said the party would no longer keep quiet while the citizens lives were wasted for nothing, adding that they would mobilise their members and other citizenry to launch social media campaigns geared towards mobilising the populace to take ownership of the security and secure Anambra State from crimes and criminalities.

“These men of the underworld have caused mayhem, pain and suffering to the
physical, financial and emotional well-being of the good, hardworking and law abiding citizens of the state. This menace is suffocating and almost crippling business activities in the state.

“Anambra State known as the light of the nation seems to be struggling with darkness of insecurity and fear of the unknown terror gangs. It has gotten so bad that people now avoid to travel or disguise when they are visiting homes. This is totally unacceptable and we hold the government of Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo responsible as the chief Executive in the state whose major duty is to secure lives.

“We urge governor Soludo to take charge and be proactive with matters that affect security of lives in the state as this is the bedrock of commercial activities, growth and development in our dear state. The mental and psychological state of Anambra populace is our utmost interest and we will do anything and everything in our possible best to make sure our people are safe and sound.

“We will defend our ancestral lands against intruders. We will not run away from unscrupulous elements both the official and unofficial, the masked and unmasked, the ones on uniform and the ones running criminal network. We warn that we will use every tool available to us.

“The African Action Congress, Anambra state chapter highlights the major issues of insecurity in Anambra state right after the state Governor declared a state of
emergency which seems like a mere political statement or lip service due to
government’s inability to effect any obvious change in securing lives of Ndi Anambra which is their utmost responsibility.

“In recent times, villages and communities in Anambra State have been ransacked and invaded by what we know today as unknown gun men, faceless men who have terrorised, oppressed, kidnapped in most cases murdered innocent citizens in cold. The once bubbling state and
nightlife environment where commuters and visitors travelled at anytime of the day
without any fear especially during the festive seasons have now come to an abrupt end,” she lamented.

A credible source at the election ground of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Enugu has disclosed to our Reporter that, contrary to our earlier report that Uche Okwukwu has been declared Ohanaeze President General , we have gathered from reliable sources that Uche Okwukwu was suspended by Imeobi in Enugu and the election is still ongoing with Senator Mbata standing unopposed.

It was gathered that Okwukwu emerged from a factional election in Port Harcourt, where he was returned unopposed.

While another election is holding in Enugu, Okwukwu’s faction held his in Port Harcourt.

According to information available, while some Igbos from Rivers had stepped out to contest, one, in the person of Uche Okwukwu was suspended by Ime Obi and cannot run for the office.

Former IGP of Police Chief Mike Okiro Obama also stepped down yesterday following a court order barring him from the contest.

The other candidates include Senator John Azuta Mbata and others.

Source: Jungle Journalist

A renowned Activist lawyer, Dim Uche Nnam Okwukwu, has emerged as the President General of Ohanaeze N’digbo Worldwide at the organisation’s ongoing convention in Port-Harcourt.

The General Assembly of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, according to a statement by the returning officer, Dr. Achi Achi, copy of which was made available to newsmen, said the new President General, Okwukwu, was returned unopposed at the the convention, which began on Thursday and is expected to end on Friday.

The returning officer said the President General, Okwukwu was elected by the progressive movement in Igboland, expressing appreciation to the national delegates who stormed Port Harcourt for the exercise, even as he noted that they were the true members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo for finding the helmsman worthy.

He said the new leader had pledged to defend the interest of all Igbos under the sun and uphold the tenets of the constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

Okwukwu, in his acceptance speech, Okwukwu thanked the delegates, saying that he humbly accepted the enormous responsibility imposed on him to lead the Igbo race “at this moment in our history.”

The newly elected President General said his top priorities included engaging the Federal Government on the unconditional release of the leader of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and restructuring Nigeria.

Besides, he promised to “unite fractured nerves and bring the Igbo together as one indivisible family,” saying that he was fully aware of the unprecedented trust reposed in him and his capacity to do so.

This was just as he pledged solemnly to defend Igbo nation by living up to their high expectations, adding: “I shall live up to their high expectations.”

He thanked all members of the Electoral Committee, the elders, members of the press and Igbo public, men, women, and youths for all the joint efforts that helped to yield these positive outcomes.

The newly elected President General, while noting that Igbo nation had gone through unprecedented travails, assured that he would waste no time in engaging the Federal and State governments, Igbo businessmen, politicians, youths, and intelligentsia, to address the problems facing the Igbo nation.

He said he would meet President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to work for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu and other political prisoners, and ensure de-criminalization of political exiles to enable them return home to join the process of reconstruction.

“We shall encourage the Federal and State governments to engage all agitators to address grievances so as to bring a just closure to issues,” Okwukwu said.

Speaking further, the newly elected President General said he would also engage the Federal Government in dredging, modernization and restoration of the Igweocha/Port-Harcourt and other coastal ports for the Igbo/East and others, together with the dredging of the Azumini to Opobo Imo River basin to the coast, in order to recreate a pole of export-import industrialization and development in Igboland/East, down to the Middle-Belt and Maiduguri.

“I will work for the creation of the Anioma State as an equalization state for the Igbo, and for additional Aba, Adada, Etiti, Orlu or other states in case the balance is further disrupted,” he said.

On restructuring, Okwukwu promised to mobilise the Igbo for it to come about, which he said all other ethnic nationalities had ready templates, but no recent Ohanaeze leadership had had any courage to address.

“I will work hand in hand with critical Igbo stakeholders to advance the unity of the Igbo nation, and ensure that Igbo communities in Benue, Edo etc, are fully incorporated into the Ohanaeze family memberships, modernize the Igbo language as one of the major languages of global commerce, culture, science and technology,” he said.

Okwukwu, it was gathered emerged as the consensus candidate having been identified as the only independent contestant among more than four aspirants that sought to lead the Igbo socio-cultural organisation.

The election attended by several people was held in Port-Harcourt, with delegates from the South-East and the Diaspora in attendance, while more than 200 social and cultural groups were also present at the historic event.

Okiro is from Ogwumankwu village, Obiakpu community, Egbema, Ohaji/Egbema LGA, Imo State.

His age grade is OTU EGOBUEZE and their secretary is Christopher Nze Umezuruike. Other members of his age grade are Chief Clement Mmata, Mr. Owuamala Stephen and Chief Toke Gilbert etc.

His late younger brother, Eze Ozoemela Okiro was the traditional ruler of Obiakpu community Egbema, Imo State.

Okiro was the special Adviser to former Gov. Rochas on security matters.
His son, Saviour Okiro, is the special adviser to Gov. Hope Uzodinma on community matters.

His age grade is junior to OTU REPUBLIC age grade.
Kindly put it on record that Mike Okiro is an Imo man and cannot deny Rivers Igbos their right. Thank you and God bless.

Source: BVI Youtube Contact

In a press statement issued to newsmen in Enugu on Thursday night, Chief Okiro cited an existing court order that bars him from participating in the election.

In his statement, the former police chief expressed his disappointment, stating: “The court order, which is based on an alleged non-indigene status, contradicts verifiable facts. It is unfortunate that I was neither invited nor heard before this objectionable order was issued, which I learned about through the media. The facts are as follows: (a) I am from Egbema in Rivers State, as proven by my National Population Commission Attestation of Birth. (b) My Traditional Ruler, the Nzeobi of Egbema, has confirmed my status as a native of Rivers State. (c) In my numerous published works, my indigene status of Rivers State is explicitly stated in the author’s column, notably in my bestseller, *Nigeria: The Restructuring ‘Controversy*. (d) Page 6 of my biography, written by Mr. Dozie Okebalama, also affirms my Rivers ancestry. (e) I have participated in numerous Imeobi meetings, representing Rivers State, as documented in the Secretary-General’s attendance list. (f) During my time at the University of Ibadan, I was a member of the Rivers State Students’ Association, where I served as Treasurer while the distinguished Senator Andrew Uchendu was elected Secretary. (g) I represented Rivers State at the South-South People’s Assembly, alongside our respected leader, Chief Edwin Clark, with Prof. Pat Utomi representing Delta State. My records and credentials speak for themselves.”

Okiro reiterated his commitment to the rule of law, stating, “As an Igbo man and elder statesman from Rivers State, a position that has been zoned to me by the electoral committee, I respect the court’s order. My obedience to court orders, regardless of their nature, reflects our commitment to democracy. I believe the principles of the rule of law are fundamental to our collective progress.”

While confirming that he will not participate in the election pending the resolution of the case, he urged his supporters to remain composed. “The rule of law is the foundation of our society; its principles must be upheld, for our democratic values are non-negotiable. Together, we will emerge stronger. Our commitment to justice, due process, and the rule of law will ultimately vindicate us. I will refrain from participating in any election until the matter before Honourable Justice N.R. Oji of Enugu State High Court is resolved, as the court imposed the restraining order.

“Although I have not been formally served with the suit or order, my dedication to law and order remains steadfast. Yet, the reliefs granted in the order against me appear to infringe upon my fundamental rights as outlined in Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”

“I Was Sacked, Not Removed By Tinubu”
“My esteemed career as Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police highlights my commitment to justice and ethical conduct. I have instructed my legal team at Eze Okafor & Co. to pursue this case vigorously to ensure those who propagate hatred and lawlessness are held accountable in accordance with our legal framework.”

“As stipulated by our constitution, I demand to be heard, and I trust that the court will uphold the principles of natural justice in handling this case. We remain hopeful in our judicial system.”

“I call upon my immediate community, Egbema, and the broader Igbo-speaking populace of Rivers State, who stand firmly with me, along with my supporters across Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra, and Delta to uphold the rule of law throughout this contest. Our resolve strengthens the unity and progress of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. Together, we will navigate this challenge.”

He also expressed gratitude to Governor Siminialayi Fubara for his support and reiterated his “commitment to the ideals of Ohanaeze Ndigbo—unity, progress, and peace in Igbo land,” asserting that “justice will prevail; Igbo unity and progress remain our guiding principles.”

“I assure you all that we shall overcome this minor setback, as our democratic values are non-negotiable.”