Politics

Zelensky backpedals: Putin got what he wanted

Published

6 months ago

October 26, 2024

Zelensky backpedals: Putin got what he wanted © President Of Ukraine from Ykpaiha licensed under CC0 via Wikimedia Commons

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To ask for nuclear weapons or not to ask for nuclear weapons? This is the question that everyone was asking after the recent (rather ambiguous) Ukrainian president’s statements.

On October 21, Monday, Volodymyr Zelensky assured that Ukraine wasn’t asking for help from its Western allies in order to obtain nuclear weapons and therefore prevail over the Russians.

“We’re not asking for nuclear weapons to be given to us,” he assured the press. Last week, the Ukrainian leader made some innuendos about obtaining nuclear weapons if his country couldn’t join NATO. “Either Ukraine has nuclear weapons, which will serve as its protection, or it must be part of some kind of alliance,” Zelensky said last Thursday. Before adding that, in his opinion, there was no alliance more effective than NATO.

These statements didn’t please Vladimir Putin at all (although he’s also inclined to raise the nuclear threat) and also described them as a “dangerous provocation”. The Russian head of state clarified: “I can say right away that Russia will not allow this to happen under any circumstances”.

Is Zelensky afraid of an escalation? On Monday, Zelensky reminded people that his victory plan included the use of non-nuclear deterrents on his territory, specifies L’Express.

(MH with Manon Pierre – Source: L’Express – Picture: Picture by President of Ukraine from ykpaiha licensed under CC0 via Wikimedia Commons)

Politics

Nasarawa Assembly confirms new clerk, deputy

Published

25 minutes ago

April 14, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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The Nasarawa State House of Assembly resumed plenary on Monday after the Sallah break, confirming Mr. Ibrahim Abdulazeez Musa as the substantive Clerk of the House.

The confirmation was announced by the Speaker, Dr. Danladi Jatau, during proceedings in Lafia.

Musa had been serving in an acting capacity since December 6, 2023, following the ill health of the former Clerk, Mr. Ego Maikeffi Abashe, who passed away on March 1, 2025.

In the same session, the Speaker also announced the appointment of Mr. Paul Okugya as the Deputy Clerk of the House. Prior to his new role, Okugya served as Director of Protocol.

The Speaker congratulated both appointees on their elevation and wished them success in their new responsibilities.

Jatau also led members of the Assembly in observing a minute of silence in honour of the late Clerk, Mr. Abashe.

Meanwhile, two bills were introduced for first reading during the plenary session.

The first, a private member bill, titled “A Bill for a Law to Establish Lafia General Hospital and Other Related Matters Thereto,” was presented by Hon. Solomon Yakubu Akwashiki, who represents Lafia Central Constituency.

The motion was seconded by Barr. Esson Mairiga, member representing Lafia North Constituency.

The second bill on the order paper was “A Bill for a Law to Amend the Re-enacted Nasarawa State House of Assembly Service Commission Law 2023 and Other Incidental Matters Thereto.”

The motion for first reading was moved by the House Leader, Hon. Suleiman Azara, and seconded by the Minority Leader, Hon. Luka Iliya Zhekaba.

The bill has been scheduled for second reading on April 29, 2025, while deliberation on Hon. Akwashiki’s bill is slated for April 28, 2025.

Politics

Rivers: Refund N300m Fubara gave you – Ibas tells NBA

Published

39 minutes ago

April 14, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, retd, has challenged the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, to refund the N300 million from suspended Governor Sim Fubara’s administration.

Ibas said the money was given to NBA to host it’s Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt but it was later relocated to Enugu State.

NBA had disclosed that it moved its 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu due to the emergency rule in Rivers State.

Disclosing this, NBA’s leadership, Afam Osigwe, said the actions of Ibas undermines democratic institutions and processes, adding that it flouts the rule of law with impunity, which NBA abhors.

Osigwe said NBA members agreed that the body could not in good conscience, proceed with the conference in a state governed unconstitutionally by a sole administrator.

Reacting, Ibas faulted NBA’s reason, stressing that it was misleading and uncharitable.

A statement by Ibas reads partly: “While we respect the NBA’s right to choose its conference venues, we find it curious that the association—despite its “principled position”— didn’t address the refund of the N300 million already paid by the Rivers State Government for the hosting rights of the 2025 conference.

“If the NBA truly stands on principle, it should demonstrate the same integrity by promptly returning these funds rather than benefiting from a state it now publicly discredits.”

Politics

PDP deputy governorship candidate in 2023, Emana defects to APC

Published

2 hours ago

April 14, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, on Sunday formally received the 2023 governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, Dr Emana Duke Ambroose-Amawhe to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The former PDP Deputy Governorship Candidate had via her X (formerly Twitter) announced her defection to her new party before her meeting with the Governor, her wife, the state chairman of the APC and the Chief of Staff to the Governor on Sunday.

Following the announcement of her defection, Emana was led to Governor Bassey Otu and his wife by the Chairman of the APC in Cross River State,Barrister Alphonsus Ogar Eba.

Speaking with our correspondent on phone, Emana said, “I only went to greet His Excellency, the Governor and His Wife, Her Excellency Bishop Eyoanwan Bassey Otu as a mark of respect and to formally inform them of my movement.

“The day of my formal and ceremonial movement to my New Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), along with thousands of my supporters and other big names will be made known soon”.

She had recently resigned her membership from the Peoples Democratic Party.

Her resignation letter dated March 28, 2025, and addressed to the chairman of Edem Odo Ward, in Akpabuyo local government area of Cross River State, was with immediate effect.

She said her decision to leave the PDP was not made lightly, but she remained committed to serving her community and contributing to the progress of Cross River state and the Country in other capacities.

Dr Ambros-Amawhe was the Deputy Governorship Candidate to Senator Sandy Onor during the 2023 elections in Cross River State.

She was also an aspirant for the House of Representatives ticket in Bakassi/Akpabuyo/Calabar South Federal Constituency also on the platform of the PDP.