News
APC governorship candidate, Uba denies kidnap of Dr. Chris Ngige 18 years ago
The November 6 Anambra governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Emmanuel Andy Uba has denied his involvement in a political cartel that kidnapped Dr. Chris Ngige in 2003.
Uba was reacting to a statement by the former governor of Nigeria’s Central Bank and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.
Both Soludo and Uba are battling to take over from Mr Willie Obiano who will be completing his second tenure of office.
Uba’s family controlled political cartel in Anambra in 2003 so much so that the current Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige was kidnapped as a sitting governor at that time for his alledged disloyalty to his godfathers.
Ngige was abducted and kept somewhere for 12 hours before his release.
While holding a debate on Arise Television preparatory for the governorship election, Prof. Soludo described Mr. Andy Uba as a kidnapper, recalled that he was involved in the kidnap a ‘sitting governor.’
But, Uba vehemently denied, saying:
“About what he said about kidnapping…or whatever he said, I wasn’t involved. I’m not a violent person. There was a White Paper that came out [during that period]… how would you think I had anything to do with it? What are you talking about?
“I walked with the President of this country. I know about security…I know about security. Now let me tell you, for you saying that I’m involved…, I’m not involved in anything that has to do with kidnapping or anything.
“I wasn’t even in the country when it happened. I was outside the country when it happened and the call came through to me at 2:25 am and the person said he wants to speak with the President.
“I took the call to the President and he asked me to call the IG of Police which I did and the whole thing was sorted out. That’s why the whole thing was stopped. So how would I have been involved? If I was involved how would I have made that phone call?”
The Honourable Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubaka mini visited the Executive Governor of Katsina State, Mallam Umar Dikko Umaru Radda, at the Government House in Katsina to express condolences following the passing of his beloved mother, Hajiya Safara’u Umar Bare-Bari Radda.
During the visit, Minister Abubakar, on behalf of himself, his family, the Minister of State for Defence H.E. Dr. Bello Matawalle MON and the entire staff of the Ministry of Defence, conveyed heartfelt condolences to Governor Radda, his family, and the people of Katsina State during this difficult time.
In his remarks, he prayed for Almighty Allah to forgive the deceased, grant her mercy, and bestow upon her a place in Jannatul Firdaus. He also offered prayers for the Governor and his family, asking for strength and fortitude to bear this profound loss.
The Minister was accompanied by Hon. Idris Garba Jahun, former Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, along with Hon. Abubakar Sadiq Jallo and Hon. Mas’ud A. Naruwa, members of the Katsina State House of Assembly representing Hadejia and Babura, respectively.
All political office holders who were appointed by the embattled governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara have been suspended from office by the Sole Administrator of the State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas.
They were suspended from office with immediate effect, according to a statement by the Chief of Staff to the Sole Administrator, saying the decision followed powers granted the Sole Administrator by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff to Fubara were among those suspended from office.
Commissioners, chairpersons and members of boards, agencies, commissions, and parastatals, as well as all Special Advisers, Special Assistants, and Senior Special Assistants were all relieved of their appointments.
“This suspension takes effect from Wednesday, March 26, 2025. The affected officers are to hand over to the permanent secretaries in their MDAs.
“Where there may be no permanent secretary, they are to hand over to the most senior director/head of administration,” the statement read.
Ibas was sworn in as Sole Administrator on Wednesday, March 19, by President Bola Tinubu after the President declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The President also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
Ibas, who is a former Chief of Naval Staff, vowed to maintain law and order in the state.
“If the main issue is that of maintaining law and order in the state, I think for any meaningful activities to take place in Rivers State, that is the utmost task that I have,” he said to State House correspondents after the swearing-in.
He also promised to work together with other stakeholders to ensure that order is restored in the state.
Agency Report
The 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Bayero, has announced the cancellation of the Eid-el-Fitr Durbar celebration due to security concerns in the state.
Emir Bayero made this announcement while briefing newsmen at his Nasarawa Mini Palace in Kano on Wednesday night.
He said that the peaceful coexistence of the people takes precedence over the Durbar celebration.
Emir Bayero had initially planned to hold the Durbar celebration, which would have coincided with his fifth year anniversary on the throne.
He noted that respected Islamic clerics, elders, stakeholders, and his council members advised him to cancel the celebration to maintain peace.
Emir Bayero urged the people of Kano to use the Sallah celebration period to visit families and friends and to observe the festivities in a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.
He prayed for Allah’s blessings and mercy during the month of Ramadan, hoping that the people of Kano would receive forgiveness and mercy.
NAN
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