Gist Arena

A group of bikers will be organising a commemorative ride tagged, “The one Nigeria Ride” slated for October 1, Nigeria’s independence day to advocate for the country’s unity. Abubakar Abdullahi, speaking on behalf of the group to journalists on Saturday at the Unity Fountain, said it was ‘their own way of standing for the peace of Nigeria.’ Mr Abdullai said they will bring together bikers from every part of Nigeria to ride in the capital city. He said the increasing agitations in the country and counter-attacks had become a source of worry for the bikers “As we all have noticed, there has been a wave of divisive and secessionist sentiments sweeping across Nigeria since the recent 2015 elections. “Amidst of all of these, many Nigerians remain fervent in their belief in the oneness of Nigeria, that we are stronger together, that progress and development only comes through enduring peace and unity, that our differences are what makes us a beautiful people and ...

S tatement of the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo on move to revoke Nnamdi Kanu’s bail ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION, PLEASE RESPECT YOUR OATH OF OFFICE!! It has just been brought to my notice that the Attorney-General of the Federation has approached the courts to incarcerate Nnamdi Kalu for flouting his bail conditions. I am amazed that the distinguished attorney is prepared to contest the superiority of the provisions of the constitution on fundamental human rights of freedom of movement and freedom of association over an erroneous judicial proclamation violating those rights. I am equally miffed by the audacity with which the Attorney-General displays his bias without regard to his oath of office. A few hours ago under the watchful eyes of the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and in total defiance of the Head of State’s proclamation of the rights of a citizen of Nigeria to live anywhere in Nigeria and to do business anywhere in Nigeria,...

N o fewer than three persons have been reportedly killed as traders and youths of Ekeukwu market in Owerri, the Imo State capital clashed with security operatives over directives given by the state government on the relocation of the market. The incident occurred this morning when the state government moved in to start the demolition of the market which is to be effected by security operatives. The clash became heavy as gunshots were heard by residents in the neighborhood. The situation escalated when one of the protesters, a young man, was hit and killed by a stray bullet fired by security operatives deployed to maintain order in the melee which ensued after the demolition. But the State Commissioner of Police has interfered in the matter to restore peace. The market relocation has been a major issue between the Imo state government and traders of the market as well as some indigenes of Owerri who see the location of the market as their ancestral home. ...

A head of the Anambra State governorship election, a Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the State, Linus Ukachukwu has accused the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose and his Rivers counterpart, Nyesom Wike of hijacking the party in the state. Ukachukwu accused both governors of altering the results of the recent convention to elect delegates ahead of the party’s primary election. Ukachukwu described the governors alleged action as undemocratic. He made the claim while addressing journalists on Friday in Abuja. According to Ukachukwu, “The party just survived the recent legal tussle and the Makarfi led caretaker committee affirmed as the National entity to run the party, and thing are moving on well now. “The only problem we have now is that some of the thugs in governors forum have high jacked the party. “Some of the incumbent PDP governors have hijacked the party. “The election is coming up in November but there is a very serious p...

F irst Republic politician, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, has reacted to the marching order given to Service Chiefs by President Muhammadu Buhari to crush Biafra agitators. The former Aviation Minister said the order was superficial and biased as it focuses on the utterances and activities of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, but remains mute to those of other ethnic groups that clearly violated Nigerian laws. He spoke to Sun, saying “If I wake up and say, I would go and blow up Aso Rock, would I be arrested, or when I march to Aso Rock fully armed? “Why the focus on Nnamdi Kanu, what of the other Arewa yoths who are committing similar or more grievous offences? What has been done to them? “If Kanu breaks the law, let him be punished, not when he is unarmed and just making statement that his people are not being treated fairly. “What Kanu is saying is that Igbo want to go, if you don’t agree with him, put it to plebiscite. That is ...

T he leader of Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has revealed the weapon his group has adopted in the fight against Nigerian government. In a statement personally signed by Kanu in reaction to the federal government’s call for the revocation of his bail, the IPOB leader said pro-Biafra agitators will continue to use civil disobedience as a potent weapon in the protection of Biafran people from the dictatorial tendencies of the Buhari administration. His words: “The directive to service chiefs to clamp down on IPOB is a continuation of the Buhari’s dictatorial and un- democratic approach to governance. I find it unacceptable, abhorrent, and insulting that somebody elected by the people can turn around to dictate to them. “Buhari was elected to govern Nigeria, he should get on with the business of governance and not try to instigate another war. “I insist on the boycott of November 18 Anambra governorship elections, because only the beneficiaries o...