Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin has issued a direct challenge to the United States.

Putin proposed a “high-technology duel” to test the effectiveness of Russia’s latest hypersonic ballistic missile, the Oreshnik.

The head of state made the proposition during his annual end-of-year press conference, a platform he often uses to assert Russia’s strength.

Military.com reports the Oreshnik missile, named after the Russian word for hazel tree, is an advanced intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads.

It reportedly reaches speeds up to 8,500 miles per hour, making it a formidable addition to Russia’s arsenal.

What is Putin’s challenge to US and allies

Putin’s challenge involves the US selecting a target to defend, against which Russia would launch the Oreshnik on Kyiv to demonstrate its ability to penetrate advanced missile defence systems.

“We’re ready for such an experiment,” expressing confidence that Western technology “stands no chance” against this new weapon.

In November, Russia deployed the Oreshnik against a military facility in Dnipro, Ukraine, marking its first known use in combat.

This action was framed as retaliation for Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied missiles, such as the US ATACMS and British Storm Shadow, in strikes against Russian territories.

How did Ukraine respond to Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to Putin’s challenge, questioning the rationality of such a proposal.

“Do you think he is a sane person?” Zelenskyy posed to reporters at his latest news conference as reported by Al Jazeera.

He went on to say that Ukraine and Russia had failed to strike an agreement during early-war discussions in Istanbul.

This comes after Putin stated that a tentative deal agreed by Russian and Ukrainian negotiators in Istanbul during the early weeks of the war may serve as the foundation for future conversations.

“Ukraine did not agree to the ultimatum from the Russian Federation. Ukraine did not sign anything, no agreements existed. There was a response to the ultimatum from the Russian Federation,” he declared.

A High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has invalidated the ward, local government, and state congresses of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which led to the emergence of Tony Okocha as chairman.

The ruling, delivered by Justice Godswill Ogbomanu, declared that the party disregarded a prior court order that prohibited the congresses.

The court imposed a fine of ₦10 million on the APC, citing the need to maintain its authority.

The claimants’ legal representative expressed satisfaction with the judgment, describing it as a proper application of the law.

Meanwhile, the defence team plans to consult the APC’s National Working Committee before deciding on further steps.

GOVERNMENT OF IMO STATE

PRESS RELEASE

Uzodimma commends Okewulonu, Nnaji, Okere, Obi, others as they join APC

… Defectors say Governor is a political magnet

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Friday, recorded another political feat in Imo State with key figures in the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), dumping such platforms and pitching tent with the ruling Party in Imo and at the national level.

The prominent politicians, including serving and former lawmakers with their numerous followers, were received by the leader of the APC in Imo State, Governor Hope Uzodimma, who commended them for their courage, wisdom and foresight.

The new APC members described Governor Uzodimma as a political magnet.

The Governor was joined by his Deputy, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru and the husband, Chukwuka, Imo APC Chairman, Macdonald Ebere and other key political figures and government officials in the State to welcome the new entrants at the Party’s headquarters on Okigwe road, Owerri, amid pomp and circumstance.

Among the defectors are Chief Chris Okewulonu, associate and ardent supporter of the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha as his Chief of Staff during his short-lived period as Governor, former House House of Assembly Deputy Speaker, former Commissioner and one time PDP Deputy Governorship candidate to Ihedioha in 2015, Hon Chuma Nnaji and former House of Representatives member for Ideato North and South, Rt. Hon Pascal Obi.

Others include House of Representatives member for Owerri Municipal, West and North, Rt.Hon. Chinedu Tochukwu Okere, former Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Jonas Okeke, retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 8, Lokoja, Bartholomew Onyeka and Hon Emeka Ahuoku, a PDP chieftain from Nwangele.

All the seven politicians came with their supporters who also joined the APC.

In welcoming them, Governor Uzodimma said he understands what it means to take such bold decisions, noting that he was not surprised because “genuine members of the political class in Imo wants the State to move forward regardless of political leaning.”

“For the wisdom, courage to take this decision, we must commend you, and I welcome all of you to our Party. Real stakeholders or political class in Imo State have once more come together. This is Hope Renewed, new programme, new agenda.”

Governor Uzodimma who used the opportunity to brief the old and new Party members on his laudable programmes and projects that will drive human traffic to Imo and put the State on the trajectory of development in the future, said he was not in doubt the new entrants have come to add value to the State given their rich resume in public and private sector.

The Governor hinted that full approval had been given by the parent body of Hilton Hotel to be domiciled in Owerri, Imo State, contrary to the thinking of pessimists that Hilton will not come to Imo.

He noted that his dream of having Imo State fully connected via a road network that will cut across the three senatorial zones, and require people from all the zones to access one another in record time, with 24 – hours power supply is already in progress and urged the people to patiently join hands with him to realise the objective.

The Governor decried the situation where those who claim to be leaders in Imo clandestinely support and even fund insecurity in the State with the attendant killing of innocent people, all in the name of politics.

Governor Uzodimma did not round off his remarks without reeling out palliatives, including cash, for all the 305 electoral wards to enable Party faithful have joyous Yuletide.

He also assured them of the security of their lives and property during the period.

Speaking on behalf of their other colleagues who joined the APC, Chief Okewulonu (Okigwe Zone), Chief Nnaji (Orlu zone) and Rt Hon Okere(Owerri zone) said they were majorly attracted to the Party by the examplery leadership Governor Uzodimma has shown in Imo, and more importantly, by his superlative performance in office.

They described Governor Uzodimma as a powerful political magnet whom they are proud to share in his accomplishments, not just in Imo, but at the national level.

They commited to join other well meaning members of the Party to value to the APC in the interest of all.

They thanked the Governor and the leadership of APC in Imo for welcoming them with open hands and promised not to let them down.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Imo APC Chairman, Dr. Macdonald Ebere, admonished the fresh members to come into Party with their whole heart.

He reminded them that they took the best decision to join the APC, insisting that when one joins the Party is irrelevant because what members bring to the table is cherished more than when they became members.

The Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu, the Chief of Staff, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief COC Akaolisa, Members of the expanded Executive Council and other political appointees witnessed the defection.

Others who witnessed the occasion include the Speaker Imo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Chike Olemgbe with his serving and former members as well as stalwarts of the Party such as former Imo APC Chairman, Chief Marcellinus Nlemigbo, Chief Tony Chukwu, Chief Lemmy Akakem, Chief Beneth Nwokojobi, among others.

Oguwike Nwachuku
Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor
December 20, 2024.
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PHOTO: R:L: Imo APC Chairman, Macdonald Ebere, Governor Hope Uzodimma, Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, her husband, Chukwuma and others, listen to the former Chief of Staff to Governor Emeka Ihedioha, Chief Chris Okewulonu (left) address Party members on behalf of other PDP and LP defectors to the ruling APC in Owerri…Friday