January 29, 2024
Three countries have abruptly pulled out of the Economic Community of West African States; ECOWAS citing influence of foreign powers and refusal to reverse sanctions meted out to them since democratic governments were toppled in their domains.
Niger Republic, Mali and Burkina Faso announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) ‘with immediate effect’.
The countries did so on the grounds that after 49 years, the bloc no longer pursues the interests of its people but is influenced by foreign powers. They also criticised ECOWAS over the sanctions imposed on them as part of efforts to reverse the coups in their countries.
The joint statement reads: “After 49 years of existence, the valiant people of Burkina, Mali and Niger note with much regret, bitterness and great disappointment that their organisation has moved away from the ideals of its founding fathers and Pan-Africanism.
“Furthermore, ECOWAS, under the influence of foreign powers, betraying its founding principles, has become a threat to its member states and its populations whose happiness it is supposed to ensure.
“Indeed, the organisation has not provided assistance to our States in the context of our existential fight against terrorism and insecurity; worse, when these States decided to take their destiny into their own hands, it adopted an irrational and unacceptable posture by imposing illegal, illegitimate, inhumane and irresponsible sanctions in violation of its own texts; all things which have further weakened populations already bruised by years of violence imposed by instrumentalised and remote-controlled terrorist hordes.
“Faced with this continuing situation, Their Excellencies, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Colonel Assimi Goïta and Brigadier General Abdourahamane Tiani, respectively Heads of State of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger, taking all their responsibilities in the face of history and responding to the expectations, concerns and aspirations of their populations, decide in complete sovereignty on the immediate withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States.”
Mauritania was the first Country to pull out of the West African bloc in December 2020, after giving the required one year notice according to the treaty.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have progressed to the quarter-finals of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations after a 2-0 win over Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Ivory Coast on Saturday.
Nigeria will face Angola; who also got a win over Namibia in the same stage, in the quarter-finals February 2, as they hope to claim a fourth continental title after previous wins in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
It was a blockbuster clash that had generated reviews as the old rivals squared off yet again at the continental showpiece, but it was the Nigerians who made short work of their eastern neighbours with a comfortable victory in Abidjan.
Nigeria had a goal disallowed in controversial circumstances after defender Semi Ajayi found target in the ninth minute off Ademola Lookman’s corner that was parried into the pathway of Simon Moses, before Semi got his attempt.
Moroccan referee Redouane Jiyed ruled out the goal for offside after consulting the Video Assistant Referee.
The Super Eagles, however found the back of the net in the 36th minute after Osimhen displayed strength and alertness to win possession off Oumar Gonzalez just outside the penalty area, then picked out Ademola Lookman with a diagonal pass to the right of the penalty area and the Atalanta winger’s shot squeezed in through Ondoa’s gloves to give Nigeria the lead.
Ademola Lookman grabbed his second of the night just before the 90th minute mark after a quickly worked free-kick on the left, from which Alex Iwobi sent Calvin Bassey clear inside the box. Bassey found Lookman and the winger’s measured finish hit target once again through Ondoa’s fingers on a night to forget for the Cameroon goalkeeper.
January 25, 2024
The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom state command, Olatoye Durosinmi, has ordered an investigation into the death of an unidentified woman said to have been beheaded by some unknown assailants on Sunday. The incident occurred around the banking layout area, on Udo Udoma Avenue in Uyo; the state capital where the deceased had lived and farmed before she met her death.
The Public Relations Officer of Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Odiko Macdon, confirmed the incident noting that the identity of the victim was yet to be ascertained, and that the Force was doing everything possible to solve the case.
The PPRO said that the Akwa State CP, Durosinmi, had ordered an immediate investigation into the incident which he said is being conducted discreetly.
He said, “In no distant time, we will get to know what transpired and fish out the perpetrators”.
January 25, 2024
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has tackled the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, asking him to “perish the thought” of taking over control of Akwa Ibom State in 2027.
This is in response to a statement credited to Senator Akpabio while receiving the Governoship Candidate of the Young Progressives Party, YPP; Senator Bassey Albert, who recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC .
The PDP stated that the ploy to use false claims and inciting comments to destabilise the state has failed.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the party advised the Senate President to come to terms with the fact that the people of Akwa Ibom are firmly rooted in the PDP as a peaceful and united people blessed by God, especially under the immediate past and current administration.
The statement said: “They cannot be swayed by any agent of disunity, incitement, hatred and retrogression whose intention is to use propaganda and hate speeches to derail, as well as appropriate the state for selfish interest.
“The boast by Akpabio to take over Akwa Ibom in 2027 is pathetically empty.
“Our party advises Akpabio to leave Akwa Ibom alone and focus on the challenges of his office as Senate President.”
The PDP urged the people of Akwa Ibom to disregard Akpabio’s antics and remain united in their determination to build their state under the banner of the PDP.
