Barr Peter Mbah, Gov. of Enugu State has shipped in 100 electric buses and still shipping in another 200 for the purpose of equipping Enugu with ease of transportation.

He wants the high cost of transportation in Enugu to be a thing of the past. He has built a digital bus terminal at the Holy Ghost area of Enugu for this purpose. Everything is found in this bus terminal. Nothing is lacking including digital exchanges.

The only source of revenue for Enugu is federal government allocation. Another is just tax. Ebonyi as a state is way richer than Enugu. In Ebonyi, federal fiscal allocation, money from quarry, Lead and other mineral resources including sand. There’s also tax resource. This is just to convey knowledge.

After four years of leading Enugu, Peter Mbah will have embarrassed other eastern governors with performance. He’s even embarrassing them already.

The crisis of confidence within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears to be far from being over, as the schism within the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) gets worse with two different power blocs issuing contradictory press releases on crucial party matter.

No sooner had a bloc within the NWC represented by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba addressed a press conference announcing the party’s acceptance of the Appeal Court’s ruling sacking Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary and enthronement of Sunday Kelly Enemchukwu Udeh-Okoye in his stead than the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi held a separate press conference to declare that Senator Anyanwu remained in his position pending the final resolution of the national secretaryship dispute by the Supreme Court.

Accusing Ologunagba of being driven by sentiments and interest, Abdullahi claimed he acted at the behest of the acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum to counter the National Publicity Secretary.

The court of Appeal, Enugu Division had on December 24th sacked Anyanwu and declared Udeh-Okoye as the authentic National Secretary of the party following a suit by the latter which had sought to remove Senator Anyanwu from that position having emerged the party’s candidate for the November 2023 Imo State governorship election.

Udeh- Okoye, a former PDP National Youth Leader who was nominated by the South-East chapter of the party as Senator Anyanwu’s replacement had argued that he (Senator Anyanwu) lost his position as National Secretary when he vied for and secured the PDP ticket for the Imo guber election.

Following Senator Anyanwu’s emphatic declaration that he had “resumed” office despite the Appeal court ruling and the Ologunagba’s group acceptance of his sack by the appellate court, keen followers of the unfolding drama had predicted the situation signposted darker and more troubling days for the party.

Briefing journalists on the court judgement, Ologunagba had maintained that the party recognised Okoye as the authentic National Secretary of the party in obedience to the appeal court ruling.

“There were two court orders, and on Dec. 24, 2023, after consultation with the PDP National Legal Adviser, it was confirmed that we had received the judgment of the appeal court affirming Udeh-Okoye as the National Secretary of the party.

“We are a rule of law-compliant party; we believe in this finality of the judicial process. We have always respected judicial pronouncements and we will always abide by that culture. The position of the party has not changed regarding that.

“In accordance with our position in the past as a rule of law-compliant party, we are obeying the court’s order. We will follow the process and ensure full compliance with the pronouncement of the court of appeal.

“We have received the judgment of the court of appeal that affirmed Ude-Okoye as National Secretary of PDP, and as a party, we are bound by that judgment”, Ologunagba said.

However, when Senator Anyanwu stormed the PDP national secretariat in defiance of the Appeal court judgement, he dismissed Ologunagba’s position on the matter as his personal opinion, insisting that he remained the authentic National Secretary of the PDP pending the final determination of the case by the Supreme Court.

Hon. Geoffrey Ekong, a member of the party in Akwa Ibom State is concerned that Senator Anyanwu’s defiance of the Appeal Court ruling and his rubbishing of Ologunagba’s press briefing, which announced the PDP’s National Working Committee’s acceptance of the ruling will inevitably result in a fresh round of rancour, factionalization, suspension and counter suspension within the NWC.

According to him, “agents of the APC masquerading as members and leaders of the PDP are doing everything humanly possible to wear out the party and destroy it before moving to the APC just before the commencement of the 2027 general elections. That is their agenda, that is their plan and all these are all about the 2027 presidential election. They don’t want a united and formidable PDP to present a strong candidate to challenge the incumbent president and his party.”

He further said that “the schism within the NWC is still there and even widening; the Ologunagba faction that announced the acceptance of the Appeal Court ruling and the Umar Damagum/Anyanwu faction that defied the ruling are likely to suspend each other once again just as they did in October and this is not good for the stability of the party, not good for a party that hopes to upstage the ruling party in two years’ time.

“As leaders, I expected the Damagum/Anyanwu group to respect the rule of law instead of making mockery of it. Defiance of a court order, in this case, the second highest court in the land, is a bad omen. This is regrettable”

Meanwhile, while Senator Anyanwu insists that “I have appealed the Appeal Court judgment and filed for a stay of execution, until these matters are resolved, I remain the National Secretary,” Ologunagba, maintained that Ude-Okoye remains the recognised National Secretary of the PDP on the strength of the Appeal Court ruling, which he noted, is declarative in nature, and therefore, cannot be stayed.

Ologunagba further posit that “the PDP has not received any notice of motion or stay of execution. Anyanwu’s actions are unfortunate. This is a party of law and order, and we will continue to abide by court judgments. Those who resort to self-help are not acting in the party’s interest.”

The PDP image makers also suggests that some elements within the party are in bed with the APC and are fuelling the crisis rocking his party.

Although the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP, Daily Sun learnt, was instrumental in preventing the Anyanwu-Ude Okoye feud from dangerously degenerating, its chairman and former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara is of the view that Senator Anyanwu should give peace a chance by abiding by the Appeal Court ruling.

“The judgment affirming Ude -Okoye as PDP National Secretary is a welcome judgment. It further lends credence to the decision of the South East PDP on the issue. We had always contended that the party’s constitution must be obeyed, and the Appeal Court judgment has just affirmed that.

“Since PDP is a party that obeys the law, and believes in constitutionality, we should obey this court order. As the BoT chairman of the party, I want to request of the NWC of our party to obey that judgment. If at sometime in the future, there is a counter court judgment, we won’t have any option but obey it. Such counter-judgment must come from a superior court, and the Supreme Court in this circumstance.

“I want to make it very clear; I have consulted widely on this and found that the issue of stay of execution does not come in here. One can only challenge the judgment but not stay the execution because that judgment is a declaratory judgment. In law, the execution of a declaratory judgment cannot be stayed. It can only be challenged in a higher court.

“You cannot stay action on declaratory judgment. I will, therefore, advise those going to court for a stay of execution not to waste their money on that. They should apply their money appropriately towards the Supreme Court, and not to cause problem here and there, thinking that once you appeal against a judgment, it is automatic stay of execution. That does not apply here because declaratory judgment does not entertain stay of execution.”

Political analysts and watchers of the unfolding drama in the PDP are of the view that the dispute between Senator Anyanwu and Ude Okoye over the Secretaryship of the party may lead to its final amputation. They further submit that the dispute could create a leeway for broader schism in the party resulting in the emergence of parallel or factional NWC, a situation that could provide an alibi for some governors of the party as well as National Assembly members who are already allegedly in defection talks with the ruling APC to quicken their exit.

For example, an impeccable PDP source disclosed that “despite the denial by Governor Sheriff Francis Oborevwori’s aides about his impending defection to the APC, he is in fact in the final stages of his plans to leave the PDP; he will move soon and will be citing the crisis in the PDP and its inability to function properly as an opposition party as reasons for leaving.

“The truth is that the governor is concerned about his second term, he feels that the PDP is in a bad shape and lacks the steam to guarantee him second term. He also wants to enjoy the cover and assistance the so-called federal might gives to ruling party candidates during elections. Besides, given the influence his kinsman and former Governor, Chief James Ibori still wields in the state, Governor Oborevwori is desirous of belonging to the same political party and political camp as Ibori; as you know, Chief Ibori is now an APC chieftain and calls the shots in Delta chapter of the party,” the source added.

Daily Sun further gathered that because of his alleged defection moves, Governor Oborevwori has lately been intolerable of criticisms against the APC and its leaders.

“ It may interest you to know that contrary to the charges of incompetence levelled against the erstwhile commissioner for information, Ifeanyi Osuoza as a reason for his sack, he was actually fired because of his harsh criticism of the Delta APC and acerbic rebuttal of Governor Oborevwori’s alleged defection plans; a rebuttal where the commissioner had assured that ‘they (APC) will suffer even more disgraceful de-feat in 2027’ it is like saying that Governor Oborevwori will suffer disgraceful defeat in 2027.

“Recall too that in November, Governor Oborevwori had dissociated himself from a scathing criticism of President Bola Tinubu by his Executive Assistant on New Media, Mr Felix Ofou. Remember that the Governor, in distancing himself from Ofou, urged Deltans to support the President as his (Tinubu) failure also meant his failure,” the source added.

Donald Trump will be sworn in for a second term as president of the United States on Monday, as the world braces itself for the return of an unpredictable leader. Follow DW for the latest.

Donald Trump due to be sworn in as 47th US president at 12 p.m. local time (1700 GMT) Ceremony in Washington, DC to be attended by outgoing President Joe Biden, Argentine President Javier Milei, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and others Trump vows to issue flurry of executive orders on issues ranging from energy to immigration on Monday

Below you can read a roundup of the latest developments regarding Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025:

Inauguration Day: What you need to know

Trump’s swearing-in ceremony is just hours away.

If you’re wondering what happens during the event, who is invited, or who pays for it all, DW has you covered.

We’ve compiled everything you need to know about the inauguration right here.

Can Trump keep pledge to end war in Ukraine?

During the 2024 campaign, Trump repeatedly said he would end the war between Russia and Ukraine.

But since his election, he has not repeated that pledge, and his aides now concede that it will take months to reach a peace agreement.

While there is no fully developed Trump peace plan, most of his key advisers support taking Ukraine’s NATO membership off the table as part of any deal, at least for now. They also broadly support freezing the battle lines at their current locations.

Trump has also indicated that Kyiv may have to cede some territory in order to reach a peace agreement.

In early January, Trump said he was optimistic the war would end within six months. He also said preparations were underway for a meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the Kremlin had received no proposals from Trump’s team for a meeting with Putin.

According to Lavrov, Russia has not yet seen any concrete proposals on how Trump intends to bring the two sides to the negotiating table.

US ties ‘vital,’ says Germany’s chancellor ahead of inauguration

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has stressed the importance of trans-Atlantic relations as well as European self-reliance.

He made the comments in the Rheinische Post newspaper ahead of Trump’s inauguration on Monday.

Scholz said that “trans-Atlantic relations are vital for Germany and Europe.”

He also highlighted the US’ role in the development of democracy in West Germany and NATO’s role as a guarantor of Germany’s security, reaffirming the US as Germany’s closest ally.

“That is why we need stable relations with the US,” he said.

Scholz also emphasized Europe’s strategic advantages, saying that “as a community of more than 400 million Europeans” the region has economic might and can “build on our own strength.”

The chancellor’s remarks came after a cable by the German ambassador to the US was leaked in which he said that Trump’s presidency would be “driven by vengeance” and that the new US president would undermine “fundamental democratic principles.”

What are Trump’s promises on Day 1?

Trump says he plans to issue a flurry of executive orders and directives on issues ranging from energy to immigration after his inauguration.

The incoming president has pledged to deport a record number of immigrants living in the US illegally, and many of the actions he plans to take on his first day as president are aimed at ramping up immigration enforcement.

The executive actions would give federal immigration agents more leeway to arrest people without criminal records, send more troops to the US-Mexico border and restart construction of the border wall. Trump is also expected to declare illegal immigration a national emergency to free up military funds for border wall construction.

On energy, Trump is expected to reduce support for electric vehicles and charging stations and withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, an action he also took during his first term.

Another move Trump could make is to follow through on threats to raise tariffs on imports from America’s largest trading partners.

He has also vowed to sign an executive order ending transgender rights in the US military and in US schools.

Who will be at Trump’s inauguration?

Outgoing President Joe Biden is expected to attend the ceremony, despite Donald Trump’s refusal to appear at Biden’s 2021 inauguration.

All living former presidents — Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama — are expected to attend with their wives, with the exception of Michelle Obama.

Heads of state are not traditionally invited to US presidential inaugurations. But Trump has sent invitations to the presidents of China, El Salvador and Argentina, plus the prime ministers of Italy and Hungary.

Argentine President Javier Milei and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni are expected to be present.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will not attend, but sent Vice President Han Zheng to represent him.

Three of the world’s richest men — Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg — will also be in attendance.

Donald Trump to be sworn in as 47th US president

Donald Trump is scheduled to be sworn in for his second term as US president in Washington, DC at 12 p.m. local time (1700 GMT) on Monday.

The inauguration comes two and a half months after the Republican defeated outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election.

The ceremony was originally due to take place outdoors on the west side of the Capitol. However, it was moved indoors due to freezing temperatures in Washington.

After taking the oath of office, administered by Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts, Trump will deliver his inaugural address.

He is only the second president in US history to win non-consecutive terms and return to office after a four-year hiatus. The first was Grover Cleveland in the 1890s.

Outgoing President Joe Biden defeated Trump in 2020 and hoped to repeat the feat in 2024, but stepped down as the Democratic nominee in mid-2024 amid concerns about his age and mental fitness.

Trump, who long refused to concede defeat in the 2020 election, broke with tradition by staying away from Biden’s swearing-in ceremony in January 2021. Biden, however, has said he plans to attend Trump’s inauguration and witness the transfer of power.

dh/nm (AP, AFP, dpa, Reuters)