Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, has reacted to the Supreme Court judgment affirming Alhaji Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar as the rightful Emir of Gwandu.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Tafida congratulated the Emir on the verdict and described the ruling as a significant step toward restoring lasting peace and unity in the emirate.

Ekwutosblog gathered that the judgment, delivered on Wednesday, ended a two-decade legal battle that began with the removal of Al-Mustapha Haruna Jokolo in 2005.

The deputy governor urged all parties involved in the dispute to accept the court’s decision and work collectively toward stability and development in Gwandu Emirate.

He also cautioned residents in flood-prone areas of the state to take necessary precautions by relocating to safer grounds, citing the recent flood incidents in Niger State as a warning.

The National President of Igbo Women Assembly, IWA, Nneka Chimezie, has called on the former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, to speak up about the 1966 Coup.

Doing this, she said, will tally with former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida’s statement that the Coup was not an Igbo plot.

Chimezie, who was speaking about the sit-at-home held on May 30 in different parts of the South East, said that there was nothing wrong with the observation of the Biafra Heroes Day, as, according to her, it was used to honour loved ones who were killed during the civil war.

She argued that the continued injustice against Ndigbo gave birth to the renewed agitation for Biafra by youths, advising the Federal Government to engage the agitators in a peaceful dialogue with a view to addressing their grievances, not using force.

The IWA President further said that the revelation by former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, should have earned the Igbos an apology from the Federal Government.

“We have done a lot of research and discovered that the civil war was avoidable. The false narration that the 1966 coup was an Igbo coup, as recently confirmed by Gen. Babangida, has not been addressed,” she said.

IWA renewed the call for the unconditional release of IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, as part of the healing process for the protracted injustice against Ndigbo.

According to them, Kanu’s release will rather fast-track the return of peace to the South East and not escalate tension in the region.

They also called for unity among Ndigbo but cautioned Igbo political leaders against sacrificing the interest of the race on the altar of their personal gains.

A group of young professionals from the South East, under the aegis of South East Progressive Ambassadors, SEPA, has called for support from Ndigbo, for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

The group in a press release signed by its convener, Mr John CDO Ikeotuonye, and his secretary, Dr Justin Ogoo Nwankwo said it will be to the disadvantage of the zone not to support Tinubu in 2027.

It, however, expressed optimism that people of the zone were already buying into the renewed hope preachment of the president, and that they now understand the importance of building alliance with the president, instead of fighting him.

They insisted that the message of renewed hope of President Bola Tinubu has started sinking gradually, adding that in 2027, the people would vote massively for him.

The group said: “The only time to demonstrate that the South East has taken it’s proper seat in strategic planning and geo political renaissance in Nigeria is in the upcoming 2027 election and the best choice for Ndi-Igbo to make, is to unanimously key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“For us at SEPA, President Tinubu has shown immense courage to address issues like diversion of funds by state governments, delays in remitting funds, and ultimately vision to enhance local government accountability and development.

“SEPA immediately calls for a close of ranks and building of bridges in the entire South Eastern States, especially by young professionals and progressives – who are tired of back room and arm chair politics.

“We call on young professionals and progressive ambassadors willing to make a difference by joining President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to reintegrate, reconcile and reconstruct the South East Region to rise and be part of this socio- political movement for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu come 2027.

“We therefore resolve and advise Ndi-Igbo that 2027 must not catch South East Region unawares! We must be prepared to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda, and position for strategic and progressive alliance with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

The group mentioned key indices that showed that Tinubu is well positioned to solve the challenges of the South East. They included the establishment of South East Development Commission, SEDC, appointment of special Adviser for community liaison in South East states, key political appointment to people of the zone and recent official visits to all the South East states.

The group said: “Following the tide of events, it is evident that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has the capacity and will achieve his promises to Nigeria. We believe in Tinubu to restructure and recover the Nigerian state from failure.”