Politics

Wife of ex-Nigerian governor, late rebel leader, Odumegwu Ojukwu’s wife clash at swearing-in ceremony

Published

3 years ago

March 17, 2022

The swearing-in ceremony of Professor Chukwuma Soludo as the governor of Anambra State, Nigeria yesterday was overshadowed by the reported fracas between the wife of outgoing Gov. Willie Obiano, Ebelechukwu, and Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu at the event.

Earlier reports in the media claimed Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano, slapped Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu at the event but video footage from the scene obtained by slamreportafrica.com revealed Mrs. Obiano leaving her seat and walking towards Mrs. Ojukwu for a confrontation on the front row at the inauguration event.

From the angle in the video, it appears Mrs. Ojukwu hit Mrs. Obiano first but the footage also suggests the actions must have been triggered by taunting gestures from both parties.

Unconfirmed reports also say the fight began when Mrs. Obiano, who arrived at the event late, was going round to exchange pleasantries with the dignitaries.

On getting to where Bianca sat, she said: “Bianca so you are here? I thought you said you will never attend any APGA event again.”

A visibly provoked Bianca stood up abruptly and handed Mrs. Obiano a dirty slap, before dragging her wig off her head.

Meanwhile, the newly inaugurated governor of Anambra State, Governor Charles Soludo has issued a public apology for the fracas that broke out between the wife of former Governor, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano, and Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu during his inauguration on Thursday.

In a statement signed by his Head of Media, Joe Anatune, the Anambra governor said “steps are being taken to resolve the misunderstanding”.

“Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo hereby apologizes to all Anambra people, friends, and guests who attended his inauguration this morning as the Anambra State governor for the breach of protocol.

“The breach was caused by improper communication which itself arose from a personal issue between the two parties involved in the breach.

Politics

Burkina Faso releases 4 French spies after Moroccan intervention

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

In a diplomatic spat over their imprisonment, France and Morocco announced Thursday that four French nationals detained in Burkina Faso for a year had been freed after mediation from Morocco.

They were spies, according to a prior statement made by the director of France’s foreign intelligence organisation, the DGSE.

A request for comment was not answered by the DGSE or a representative of the French military, which is in charge of the agency.

Since December 2023, they have been held in Ouagadougou.

President Emmanuel Macron hailed King Mohammed of Morocco on Wednesday for his intervention, “which made possible the liberation of our four countrymen who had been held in Burkina Faso for a year,” according to a statement from the French administration.

King Mohammed and President Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso were also commended by Morocco’s foreign ministry, which stated that “this humanitarian act” was made possible by their positive bilateral ties.

In October, France made peace with Morocco, one of its former protectorates, after three years of hostilities between Paris and Rabat stoked by immigration concerns and the disputed Western Sahara region.

Morocco offers Burkina Faso and other military-ruled Sahel republics Atlantic trade.

However, France’s relations with former West and Central African colonies, such as Burkina Faso, remain difficult. In Ouagadougou, French troops and diplomats were ejected, the defence attache and ambassador were asked to depart, and certain French media were suspended.

The military junta that took control in 2022 in Burkina Faso has been criticized by international rights groups for cracking down on free expression and harassing dissidents to handle a security crisis precipitated by Al Qaeda and Islamic State extremists.

Politics

Ghana: President-elect Mahama appoints anti-corruption team

Published

3 days ago

December 19, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

According to a statement released by his transition team on Wednesday, Ghana’s President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, has designated an anti-corruption committee to investigate allegations of wrongdoing.

When he takes office next month, Mahama, the leading opposition candidate in the presidential election held on December 7 and who received almost 56% of the vote, has pledged to reclaim the proceeds of corruption and hold those responsible for it accountable.

In anticipation, an anti-graft squad has been established. The parliament’s Committee on Assurances, which has previously raised suspicions of governmental corruption, is chaired by MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwah.

An investigative journalist, a private attorney, a former auditor general, and a former police officer with experience in high-profile robbery cases make up the other three members.

After looking into alleged financial irregularities that took place during the previous administration, Daniel Dumelovo, the former auditor general, was fired.

Recovering lost assets and fighting corruption were two of Mahama’s main campaign pledges.

“He intends to hit the ground running on these commitments,” the statement said.

Eight years after leaving office, former President Mahama is back to head the West African country. Despite not being personally contaminated, he faced criticism during his 2012–2016 administration due to claims of political corruption.