By Chinedu Sabastine

ENUGU — Founding National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Chekwas Okorie, has cautioned against what he described as premature attacks on the South East Development Commission (SEDC).

Chief Okorie who made this call during a press briefing at his residence in Enugu, urged stakeholders in the region to avoid actions capable of undermining the newly established intervention agency.

Speaking on the controversy surrounding the commission’s expenditure and consultancy engagements, Okorie said the South East must desist from “hurting itself” at a time when a long-awaited development institution is beginning to take shape.

“I have been involved in the struggle for the South East for over 50 years without interruption. I know how much damage we do to ourselves, especially when good things are about to come our way,” he said.

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The elder statesman commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing the commission and giving it a clear mandate to address developmental challenges confronting the region.

“This is the first time we have a commission specifically designed to tackle the issues arising from the neglect and devastation suffered by the South East after the Biafra civil war. Whatever reservations some people may have, President Tinubu deserves commendation for taking the bold step of not only approving the commission expeditiously but also providing it with a specific mandate,” he stated.

Okorie argued that relying solely on statutory allocations would be insufficient for the commission to achieve its objectives, noting that its management was right to seek alternative funding sources and investor partnerships.

According to him, projects such as interstate rail transportation, gas development, electricity generation, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship support and skills acquisition require substantial investments that can only be attracted through well-prepared feasibility studies and professional consultancy services.

“If you want investors to come and invest in the South East, you must have documents showing the viability of those projects. Consultancy is about preparing such documents. Without them, how do you attract investors?” he asked.

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Reacting to concerns raised by the Senate Committee overseeing the commission regarding alleged expenditure on office accommodation and consultancy services, Okorie questioned why the committee waited several months before raising the issues publicly.

“The Senate appropriated funds for the commission and has oversight responsibility. If there were concerns, why did they not engage the commission earlier? If an office was rented for N153 million in Abuja, what stopped members of the committee from driving there to inspect it?” he queried.

He described the public dispute as unfortunate and capable of creating the impression that some persons were working against the interests of the South East.

“Let us stop hurting ourselves. It is too early. After the commission waited for about one year and eight months before receiving funds, six months later the Senate committee suddenly begins to raise alarm publicly. Oversight should be carried out diligently and maturely, without creating the impression that there are ulterior motives,” he said.

However, Okorie also faulted the commission’s communication strategy, saying inadequate public engagement had created room for rumours and speculation.

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“The commission has not done enough publicity. People need to know its constraints, what it has achieved and what plans it has for the funds already released. Better communication would keep those who want to cause confusion at bay,” he noted.

He urged SEDC to strengthen its presence across the region by making its Enugu head office fully operational and establishing offices in all five South-East states.

“They should have functional offices in the five states and engage local people to communicate their policies, programmes and activities. Their communication is poor, and that creates room for rumours and all sorts of allegations against the commission,” Okorie added.

He maintained that while accountability remains important, stakeholders should support rather than undermine an institution established to drive the development of the South East.

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.. Petition Nigeria Police Over Corruption Allegations and Cyber stalking and bullying

The State Chairman of All Progressives Congress in Anambra State,Senator Emma Anosike has petitioned Nigeria Police following an allegation made by an expelled APC Anambra member, Mr Arinze Awogu against his person and Office, where Mr Arinze Awogu alleged that the APC Anambra State Chairman, Senator Emma Anosike had embezzled over 1 billion Naira, monies via donations and grants from the National Chapter of the Party.

The Lawyers of Senator Anosike yesterday being Tuesday, 16th June 2026 launched a two-pronged legal offensive against Sir Arinzechukwu Awogu, demanding ₦5 billion in damages and petitioning the Inspector General of Police over allegations of cyberstalking and cyberbullying.

In a demand letter dated June 16, 2026, Chief Clems Ezika, SAN, accused Awogu of granting a “false, malicious and misleading” interview on June 13, published across Igbere TV and other media and social platforms. In the interview, Awogu reportedly ran amok by claiming Anosike misappropriated over ₦1 billion meant for the party within four months of becoming chairman, collected money in dollars and naira from the opposition to field weak candidates, and traded off party tickets ahead of the polls for personal gain.

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The lawyers say the claims damaged Anosike’s reputation and goodwill, and have demanded Awogu retract the interview, delete the publications, and publish a retraction in three national newspapers, YouTube, and WhatsApp platforms within 7 days, followed by payment of ₦5 billion in damages. Failure to comply, the letter warns, will trigger legal action.

In a separate but related petition to the Inspector General of Police, the same lawyers urged police to investigate the matter as cyberstalking and cyberbullying and to prosecute Awogu, alleging the publication exposed their client to fear of violence and reputational harm.

The petition noted that with Anosike’s notable political career as a one time House of Representatives member for Anambra East/West (1999–2003), Senator from 2003, current chairman of the Anambra-Imo River Basin Authority, and a former PDP deputy governorship candidate, their client’s reputation was likely to suffer from such outlandish and malicious set of allegations.

Awogu, who was recently expelled from the state chapter was up till the point of his expulsion the APC Anambra North Zonal Chairman but has repeatedly sought to mislead the public that he is the state treasurer, made the remarks on the sidelines of a stakeholders’ meeting convened to discuss the party’s direction in the state.

Chieftains of the party have also hailed the state chairman’s action, biting that such action by the state chairman will surely serve as a deterrent to many who choose to go on a wild goose chase and malign the character of others without evidence.

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More than one year after 22 athletes, coaches, officials, medical personnel and journalists from Kano State lost their lives in a tragic road accident while returning from the 22nd National Sports Festival in Ogun State, families of the deceased and surviving victims say they are still waiting for compensation and other benefits promised by the state government.
Following the accident, which occurred on May 31, 2025, at Dakatsalle, about 40 kilometres from Kano metropolis, the Kano State Government announced a support package for the victims and their families. The package included N5 million compensation, a plot of land and permanent employment for one family member of each of the 22 deceased victims. The government also promised N2 million and a plot of land each to the 10 injured survivors.
The tragedy claimed 22 lives, injured 10 others and threw Kano State and the nation into mourning.
Representatives of the victims told SolaceBase that while several individuals and organisations have fulfilled their pledges, promises made by the Kano State Government and the National Sports Commission (NSC) remain outstanding.
One representative, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the state government initially provided N1 million and food items to the victims and their families shortly after the incident.
Former Vice Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), North-West Zone, Ado Salisu, confirmed that many prominent Nigerians fulfilled their commitments.
“The incident truly happened, and many individuals such as the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senator Barau Jibrin and others made promises and fulfilled them,” he said.
However, Salisu noted that the state government’s major commitments are yet to be redeemed.
“Up till now, the Kano State Government has not fulfilled the promises it made, especially the N5 million compensation, plots of land and employment opportunities. But we are hopeful they will be fulfilled soon,” he said.
He also alleged that promises made by the National Sports Commission during a condolence visit to Kano by its Chairman, Shehu Dikko, have not yet been fulfilled.
“The Sports Commission also made promises, but they have not been fulfilled yet,” Salisu added.
Another representative of the victims, Salisu Jegus, echoed the concerns, stating that commitments made by individuals had largely been redeemed, unlike those of the Kano State Government and the NSC.
“All the promises made have been fulfilled except those from the Kano State Government and the National Sports Commission. We are hopeful that they will be fulfilled soon, especially those of the state government,” he said.
Responding to the complaints, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth and Sports, Sani Musa Danja, said Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had already approved the compensation package and other benefits promised to the victims and their families.
According to Danja, the delay is due to an ongoing verification process.
“The reason it is taking time is because of the verification process, but everyone will be paid once the Governor is back,” he said.
He assured that families of the 22 deceased victims would receive the approved N5 million compensation, plots of land and employment opportunities, while the 10 injured survivors would receive N2 million and a plot of land each.
For now, however, more than a year after the tragedy, the affected families and survivors continue to wait for the promises to be fulfilled.

A coalition of prominent civil society organizations has strongly petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), urging it to dismiss a recent petition targeting former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and the incumbent, Governor Usman Ododo.
The coalition—comprising the Centre for Public Integrity, Nigeria’s Integrity Watch, the Northern Council of Nigeria, the Nigeria Ethnic Nationality Forum, and the Foundation for Democracy in Africa—described the allegations of financial misappropriation against the duo as “highly politicized, sponsored, and malicious.”
The development follows a June 9 petition submitted to the anti-graft agency by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and the Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre (ALAC). The groups had demanded an investigation into the management of ₦36.9 billion and ₦23.7 billion belonging to the Kogi State Government, alleging that the funds were illicitly funneled through the state’s Security Operation Account to private entities and individuals.
However, in a counter-petition addressed to the ICPC Executive Chairman, the coalition argued that the public exposure of specific individuals and security assets by CISLAC was a deliberate attempt to compromise covert security operations in the state.
“In the fight against terrorism, operational tactics and actors are, by necessity, kept highly confidential,” the coalition stated in a joint release signed by Comrade Job Samuel Danfulani and Dr. John Samuel Nangi, among others. “The decision to expose these sensitive details raises serious questions about whether the petitioners are intentionally trying to compromise the security architecture of Kogi State.”
Political Vendetta
The coalition traced the sudden wave of activism to aggrieved political actors who lost out during the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections in Kogi State.
“Having failed to secure the mandates of their party delegates, these individuals have resorted to using civil society organizations as proxies to wage a war of distraction, character assassination, and political vendetta against both the past administration of Governor Yahaya Bello and the current administration of Governor Usman Ododo,” the statement read.
Legitimate Security Funding
Defending the state’s financial transactions, the coalition referenced clarifications from the Kogi State House of Assembly. Through Yabagi Mohammed, Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, the Assembly confirmed that the financial operations of the state, including security accounts, have remained under regular and rigorous legislative oversight.
Furthermore, the coalition cited the State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, who recently noted that maintaining security in a critical transit state like Kogi requires substantial, continuous, and highly confidential investments. The funds, they argued, were legitimately deployed for intelligence gathering, operational logistics, surveillance systems, and strategic support for federal security agencies.
“The figures being brandished by the petitioners are deliberately sensationalized to generate negative media coverage. They rely on leaked administrative transaction lists and hearsay, ignoring the reality that public security operations often involve unconventional disbursements to field operatives and community intelligence networks,” the coalition added.
A Call for Accountability
Warning the ICPC against being used as an arena to resolve post-primary grievances, the coalition urged the commission to protect the integrity of national security operations by refusing to let confidential defense spending be politicized.
They further demanded that the ICPC invite the signatories of the CISLAC petition to substantiate their allegations under caution, ensuring that those who make destabilizing allegations to public institutions are held legally accountable.
The petition was also copied to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; the Director General of the Department of Stateh Services (DSS), Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi; the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu; the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu; and the leadership of the National Assembly.

By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) on Tuesday demolished a distressed building at Amansea Boundary in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State after it showed signs of imminent collapse.
The demolition followed the evacuation of tenants from the structure as part of efforts to prevent potential loss of lives and property.
In a statement personally signed by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ACTDA, Dr. Osita Onuko, the agency said the decision was taken after experts identified the building as a serious safety risk.
“ACTDA today evacuated tenants from a building showing signs of imminent collapse in Awka and subsequently demolished the structure before disaster could strike,” Onuko stated.
He emphasized that the authority remains committed to proactive administration and effective management of the capital territory, particularly in matters relating to public safety.
“This is what proactive governance looks like—putting lives first, not paperwork. We are determined to take necessary actions to safeguard residents and prevent avoidable tragedies,” he said.
Dr. Onuko noted that the intervention underscores the agency’s determination to prevent building-related disasters and ensure strict compliance with safety standards across the capital territory.
He also commended the Governor of Chukwuma Soludo for his commitment to the protection of lives and property.
“Kudos to Governor Soludo for always leading from the front and supporting initiatives that protect lives and property across the state,” he added.
The ACTDA boss reassured residents that the authority would continue to monitor buildings within the capital territory and take necessary action against structures that pose risks to public safety.