News
NBC Calls for Peaceful Coexistence Amid Efforts to Resolve Abia-Cross River Boundary Disputes
Joel Ajayi
The National Boundary Commission (NBC) has called for peaceful coexistence among border communities in Abia and Cross River States amidst escalating tensions.
The Director-General, Surv. Adamu Adaji, made this appeal following violent clashes between the Isu community in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State and the Ukwa Mbiabong Ukwa Eburutu community in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State, which claimed lives in early January 2025.
In a statement by Efe Ovuakporie, Head of the Information and Public Relations Unit, NBC condemned the killings and extended condolences to the affected communities. It urged all stakeholders to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could undermine ongoing boundary resolution efforts.
The NBC highlighted its proactive measures, including the Joint Meeting of Officials (JMO) on the Abia-Cross River boundary held on December 11, 2024, at the Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar.
The meeting, chaired by Surv. Adamu Adaji, outlined key steps towards resolving the desputes in the affected areas.
The steps included the agreement to share the disputed triangular land between Okon-Aku and Ikun communities, subject to approval by the Deputy Governors.
Other steps include plans to resolve land issues with respect to point Abia/Cross River (AC)15A (Abia, Achara, and Biakpan communities) at a Joint Technical Meeting scheduled for January 20, 2025, in Abuja.
Aside the foregoing, the meeting also considered the submission of documents supporting claims over disputed points AC19 to AC23 (Mbiabong-Ito and Isu areas) by January 20, 2025 and the formation of a Joint Committee for the rehabilitation and return of displaced communities in the Mbiabong-Ito/Isu sector.
The NBC used the opportunity to reiterate its role as a neutral mediator committed to fairness, consensus, and fostering sustainable peace. It emphasized the importance of dialogue over violence, stressing that any acts of aggression would counter efforts to attract development and resolve disputes.
The Commission also urged traditional rulers, community leaders, and security agencies to collaborate in fostering peace and ensuring productive discussions ahead of the January 20th meeting.
During the December 2024 meeting, Deputy Governors Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu (Abia State) and Rt. Hon. Peter Odey affirmed their states’ commitment to an amicable resolution of the disputes.
Both leaders emphasized the need for peace and mutual understanding among the affected communities.
The NBC remains optimistic that its proactive approach, including its emphasis on accurate surveying and equitable solutions, will achieve a lasting resolution to the Abia-Cross River boundary continued disputes.
As preparations for the January 20, 2025, Joint Technical Meeting progress, the NBC has appealed to all stakeholders to prioritize peace and remain patient as the Commission works towards finalizing boundary resolutions. It is confident that these efforts will pave the way for stability and development in the region.
Politics
Wike’s Loyalists in PDP Suspend Acting Chairman Damagum, Spokesman Ologunagba, Others
Cyril Ogar
The Peoples Democratic Party has plunged deeper into crisis as fresh divisions emerged within its leadership, with a faction backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, announcing the suspension of the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and five other members of the National Working Committee.
Briefing newsmen in Abuja on Saturday on behalf of the factional NWC, the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, announced the party’s National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, as the Acting National Chairman.
He stated, “First of all, we want to commend the judiciary over the judgment of yesterday, which is a victory for the entire PDP members all over. Nobody can claim victory over the judgment of the court. It is a judgment against impunity, against illegality. We promote unity, peace, and cohesion in the party.
“Having said that, the party did not overlook the activities of some members of the NWC who have already decided to cause disaffection in the party, which has made most of our leaders and governors leave the party in droves. I would say that this is the time to arrest such a situation and call it to order.
“On this note, after the emergency meeting, we decided, as a party, to suspend Ambassador Damagum, the National Chairman of the party, for incompetence, misappropriation of party funds, and flagrant disobedience of court judgments. We decided that we should suspend him for one month, and we will send him to the Disciplinary Committee for him to be able to answer questions.
“Secondly, we have overwhelming evidence against the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba. We have seen the frequent press releases by the National Publicity Secretary which was confirmed that even at a point, the then National Vice Chairman suspended him for appearing or defending the party because of the unapproved frequent press releases. For us to have sanity in the party, we have suspended him.”
Anyanwu also announced the suspension of the National Deputy Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, accusing him of failing to properly advise Damagum against engaging in anti-party activities and reckless behavior.
He continued, “On that note, he is also suspended for 30 days. Now, we talk about the National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyenguikoro. We have discovered that in the last few days and months, there have been congresses and sales of forms meant for our congresses, which were bought and paid into two different accounts controlled by the National Financial Secretary. So, on this note, he has been suspended, and we are sending him to the Disciplinary Committee. We are also going to involve the financial agencies to look into those activities.
“Again, the Youth Leader, Sulaiman Kadade, PDP Youth all over, if you watched yesterday, the youth leaders all over the country met and said that they don’t want Mohammed Kandede to be their youth leader again because he has never activated the youth wing of our party, and that wing has been abandoned. For that reason, he has also been suspended for one month.
“Finally, the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo who is supposed to be my deputy, is also suspended for one month. He resumed the office of the National Secretary illegally, signed all kinds of letters, especially to some states, where he has caused disaffection among our party members in those states. For that reason, he has also been suspended for 30 days.
“All of them are sent to the Disciplinary Committee to show cause why they should not be expelled from the party. The judgment of yesterday confirmed the reason why this suspension should be effective. In their place, especially the National Chairman, we are asking the National Vice Chairman (North-Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman to act as National Chairman. In the place of the National Publicity Secretary, we are going to ask the Director of Publicity of our party, Chinwen Nnorom, to take over all the activities of the party in terms of information.”
According to Anyanwu, ten members of the NWC were in attendance.
Earlier, the NWC under Damagum’s leadership announced the suspension of Senator Anyanwu, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), and two other members.
Despite the scheduled National Elective Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, internal strife continues to grip the party.
Supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, remain dissatisfied with the leadership of the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum.
Their grievances revolve around unresolved disputes concerning the South-South zonal leadership and control of party structures in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Plateau States. In addition, disagreements over the micro-zoning arrangement ahead of the convention have further deepened divisions within the PDP.
These ongoing conflicts eventually escalated into a legal confrontation aimed at halting the planned convention. On Friday, the Federal High Court in Abuja granted an interim injunction restraining the PDP from proceeding with the convention until further notice.
In case number FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, the court ruled that the PDP must suspend its convention pending full compliance with its own constitution, the 1999 Constitution, and the Electoral Act of 2022.
The case was filed by three aggrieved PDP members Austin Nwachukwu, the Imo State PDP Chairman; Amah Abraham Nnanna, the Abia State PDP Chairman; and Turnah Alabh George, the PDP Secretary for the South-South zone.
They argued that the planned convention violated both the Electoral Act and the party’s internal regulations, citing the PDP’s failure to conduct valid congresses in 14 states before issuing the convention notice.
Justice Omotosho upheld their arguments, ruling that the PDP had indeed breached its constitution, the 1999 Constitution, and INEC’s guidelines by neglecting to conduct proper state congresses and failing to provide the mandatory 21-day notice to INEC.
Consequently, the court ordered the suspension of the planned convention until all internal irregularities are corrected in accordance with the law.
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