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White Smoke Signals New Pope Elected White smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, signalling that cardinals locked inside have elected a new leader for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. Thousands of pilgrims and curious onlookers in St Peter’s Square cheered and applauded as the smoke appeared and bells began to ring, indicating the 2,000-year-old institution has its 267th pope. All eyes now turn to the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, to see who has been elected to succeed Pope Francis, an Argentine reformer who died last month after 12 years as leader of the worldwide…

Ikpeazu’s Former Spokesman, Onyebuchi Ememanka, Resigns  From PDP Former Chief Press Secretary to ex-Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Mr. Onyebuchi Ememanka, has formally resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), marking the end of a long and eventful political chapter. In a letter dated May 6, 2025, and addressed to the Chairman of Amasato Ward 3, Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area, Ememanka announced his resignation with immediate effect. He expressed gratitude to the party for the platform it provided and the cooperation he enjoyed during his service. “I wish to notify you, officially, of my resignation as…

Constituency Projects: Performance In Orji Kalu’s DNA, Says Retired Abia Pensioners Retired civil servants and pensioners in Abia State have described Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as a leader with performance etched in his DNA, praising his commitment to development and welfare across Abia North Senatorial District. The commendation came during an inspection tour of projects facilitated by Senator Kalu, who is the Chairman Senate Committee on South East Development Commission, including the newly constructed male hostel at Hope Waddell Secondary School. Speaking on behalf of the group, Rev. Kalu Ukpai Ota, a respected cleric and retired public servant, said Senator…

The suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, recently visited the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, at his Abuja residence to beg for reconciliation. The visit came a few days after Mr Fubara held a meeting in London with President Bola Tinubu over his (Fubara) political feud with Mr Wike, which led to Mr Tinubu declaring an emergency rule in the oil-rich Rivers and suspending Mr Fubara and other elected officials for an initial six months. Mr Fubara was led to Mr Wike’s residence by Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Olusegun Osoba, a former governor of Ogun,…

Abia North: Constituents Applaud Senator Kalu For Rural Roads, Say His Performance Is APC’s Major Selling Point In South-East A wave of appreciation has swept across Abia North Senatorial District as constituents from various communities continue to laud Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for facilitating the construction of rural roads that have opened up their communities and enhanced local development. Residents of Ihechiowa, Ndi Orieke Ohafia, Okai Item, and Alayi—among others—commended the senator for fulfilling his campaign promises by attracting vital infrastructure projects that had long been neglected. In Ndi Orieke Ohafia, Chief Emmanuel Kalu, a community elder, praised the senator…

Rep Amobi Ogah Petitions INEC, Seeks Probe of Minister Nkeiruka Onyejeocha over Alleged Electoral Fraud The Member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah, has formally petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging it to investigate and prosecute the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, for alleged electoral malpractice. In the petition, titled “Forgery, Uttering, and Tendering of Allied Forged Polling Unit Result Sheets Arising Out of the 2023 General Elections in Respect of Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State by Hon. Nkeiruka Chidubem Onyejeocha”, Hon. Ogah accused the…

Senator Orji Kalu Begins Additional 2KM Umuzomgbo —Okpo Ihechiowa Road After 2.4KM Project Residents of Umuzomgbo Ihechiowa in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State are set to experience much-needed relief, as Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North Senatorial District, has commenced the construction of a new 2-kilometre road in the community. During a visit to the area by our correspondent, it was observed that construction works had already commenced. It was also gathered that Senator Kalu had earlier delivered a 2.4-kilometre road project in the same area before embarking on the new initiative. The fresh intervention has sparked…

‘Count Us Out’ — Abia North Leaders Reject 2027 Coalition, Reaffirm Support for President Tinubu, Senator Orji Kalu Stakeholders from Abia North Senatorial District have reaffirmed their support for President Bola Tinubu and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, firmly rejecting any coalition allegedly being formed against the President ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking under the banner of the Abia North Peace Foundation, the leaders — comprising lawyers, doctors, traditional rulers, youth and women leaders — made their position known during a press conference on Monday in Umuahia. The Foundation’s President, Chief Nnanna Ukaegbu, alongside Prince Kalu Umeh, stated that…

Kenneth Okonkwo, Spokesperson for the Labour Party in the 2023 Presidential Election, has said that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will soon implode, warning that those defecting into its ranks will ultimately regret their decision. Okonkwo made this statement in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday following the wave of defections into the APC, saying that the defections are not a sign of strength, but rather a reflection of politicians’ desperation for self-preservation in the face of insecurity and political uncertainty. “APC is already imploding, and will continue to implode until they are blown to smithereens. And we…