Editorial: Imo Gov: APC, AA, Others To Join Forces With Samdady, As Uzodinma May Face Worst Election In Imo

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Editorial: Imo Gov: APC, AA, Others To Join Forces With Samdady, As Uzodinma May Face Worst Election In Imo

 

Editorial commentary by 247-Ureports

There is serious alliance in Imo, following the recent development in the forthcoming Imo Governorship election and the withdrawal of the former Governor Emeka Ihedioha from the PDP Governorship primary election.

A political analysts in the state, Mr. Asinobi Davison has predicted downfall of the Govenor, Senator Hope Uzodinma in the forthcoming Imo Governorship race.

According to the analyst, “Uzodinma will not have his way again to the Douglas House, considering the height of conspiracy against his re-election from Abuja-Imo stakeholders.

He revealed that the incumbent Govenor has already lost Abuja grip therefore he will face the worst election like his bossom friend and predecessor, Ikedi Ohakim did in the 2011 Imo Governorship election where the then incumbent Govenor, Ohakim was defeated by Rochas Okorocha who ran with the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

A reliable source who is close to Imo State government has revealed that since the emergence of Bola Amedi Tinubu as the president elect, all is not well with Imo State APC members and the Govenor who has been accused of working against Presidential ambition of the Jagaban of Lagos.

It was alleged that Bola Tinubu and his many political loyalists are very unhappy with Uzodinma whom they sees as a threat. Therefore the likes of Senator Godwin Ifeanyi Ararume are standing a chance to take over the leadership of APC in Imo State to substitute Uzodinma when the president elect is inaugurated

This narrative may cost the re-election of Uzodinma by November poll, considering the fact that Buhari led administration will be handing over to Tinubu whom by every indication will not like to work with Hope Uzodinma who’s loyalty is not with the Yoruba-Abuja Political Lords.

There is indications that Tinubu led administration may likely work with the PDP candidate for Imo Governorship race, Samuel Anyanwu, a very close friend to the Rivers State governor,Nyesom Wike who people sees as a major stakeholder in Tinubu’s prospective government.

Meanwhile, considering the recent withdrawal of Ihedioha from Imo Governorship race in PDP, the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu may likely emerge as the candidate of the party unopposed. Few days after this development over (3,000) three thousand APC members in Imo State are moving into negotiation to join PDP with a sole purpose of working for the candidate of PDP to defeat Govenor Uzodinma.

An authority in Imo State APC Secretariat who confirmed the news stated that APC members and executives in Imo State are in starvation since Uzodinma administration, which is enough reason for their party men to think otherwise.

In his words; “our Govenor is not interested in taking care of our party members in the state, rather he gives attention to the people in Abuja. Since two years of our emergence as party executives, we are yet to receive our monthly stipend as he promised.

“This is politics, if it is the interest of our party members to join Samdady in the PDP we shall hold nothing against them. Our members are angry with the party and it policies, where leaders highjacked money made for campaign and election.”

It is however trending that the PDP Governorship candidate to be, Samuel Anyanwu is also in a serious alliance with Rochas Okorocha who is the former govenor of the state and his son in-law, Uche Nwosu who contested for Imo Governorship race with the platform of the Action Alliance.

A Source revealed that 70% of the members of Okorocha and Uche Nwosu political family are with Samuel Anyanwu in the race, this is an indication that Senator Anyanwu may use Okorocha son in-law as a running mate in the PDP.

However, many political analysts in the state have predicted Uzodinma’s downfall, which according to them may begin shortly after president Buhari’s departure from the Aso Villa.

Breaking: Lagos Govt arraigns Chrisland school, 4 staff for alleged manslaughter of 12-year-old old student

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Breaking: Lagos Govt arraigns Chrisland school, 4 staff for alleged manslaughter of 12-year-old old student

The Lagos State Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) on Thursday arraigned Chrisland School Ltd and four staff members for alleged manslaughter of 12-year-old student, Whitney Adeniran.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ademoye Adewale, Kuku Fatai, Belinda Amao, Nwatu Victoria are charged with manslaughter and negligent acts.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was read to them.

They were arraigned before Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the Ikeja High Court. (NAN)

…….Details shortly….

Abia: Our Path To The Top – By Dr. Ody Ajike, Esq.

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Abia: Our Path To The Top – By Dr. Ody Ajike, Esq.

At the outset of the current democratic dispensation, Abians have been levied and pacified with uninspiring leaderships. Predictably, Our worst times will end on May 29th, 2023. From this date, Abians will collectively make great things happen. It is remarkable to note that, four things that devastate people in any political system are wars, natural disasters, economic failures and weak/corrupt leadership. We have faced man-made developmental failures greater than wars, uninspiring leaderships that are greater than natural disasters and abject economic failures triggered by corrupt/weak leaderships.

Our decline featured the worst any people could bear until the enthronement of this new Alexandrian order that will set the stage for prosperous building. In Abia,physical and social infrastructure are non existent or primitive. The public service and social safety nets are in tartars. Public trust in government is non-existent while corruption rates are busting tops across board. School classrooms and medical centers are fit for pigs while internal generated revenues are stashed in private pockets as credit collapse looms or rather existential. In Abia we have a form of boutique government wherein the Governor and his cohorts struggle to make, take and distribute our common wealth among themselves.

Abians are determined to build wealth and power themselves and spread prosperity across board. The new Abia leadership must then focus on education with a technical bias. This will drive competitiveness, innovation and technology, increased productivity, stronger economic output, security and development. However, we must not forget that the incoming government will be faced with significant challenges to its rule but our resilience should ensure we overcome.

It’s our ken to support Otti to design an excellent system integrated for meaningful development with a focus on investments, income growth, infrastructure, education and technological innovations. Otti is open to the best thinking in the world and Abians are sure we will become more productive and prosperous.

The end of our pathological socio-political deterioration is here. The end of the predatory economic accumulation of our common wealth is here. The seed of the pathway to our recovery has been planted and this new path will deliver too much, too early to too many Abians. Alex is our path to the top.

Dr. Ody Ajike, Esq is a renowned legal practitioner and security expert

Police rescued a 10 year old abducted in Nsukka

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Police rescued a 10 year old abducted in Nsukka

BY SULE TAHIR

Abduction for ransom has become a lucrative business, and is now becoming one of the dominant crimes across various sections of the major cities in the country.

Prime targets are Politicians, entrepreneurs, and just anyone with good financial worth, including school children, among others.

Gunmen, in October last year, abducted several students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, who were returning to school after their holiday.

The incident occurred along Nsukka-Opi Road, which is notorious for such incidents.

Meanwhile, Police in Nsukka, in Enugu State, have rescued an abducted 10-year-old at Enugu-Ezike community last Monday.

According to Police spokesperson in the state, Daniel Ndukwe, stated in Enugu on Tuesday that the minor was rescued at about 11 p.m.

He explained that the abductors abandoned their victim in the community as a result of pressure mounted on them by police operatives.

“Four masked and armed men operating in a black colour pickup truck abducted the minor from her home at Ukwuinyi Ogrute area of Enugu-Ezike community on Sunday.

“She has been reunited with her parents, however, Mr Ndukwe, a deputy superintendent of police, stated.

He added that Commissioner of Police in the state, Ahmed Ammani, noted that the horrifying abduction of the minor, shown in a viral video, “is one that is highly intolerable and shall not be treated lightly”.

Suspected herders, in July last year, have abducted 15 people from a community in Enugu State.

The victims were abducted at about 7:00 a.m. along Mgbuji-Agu Road within the community.

A resident of the area, Onyekachi Odo, said some of the villagers were going to their farms with tricycles when they were intercepted by some gunmen, numbering over 20, and whisked them away.

UNICEF, UK float project to protect children’s in North-East Nigeria

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UNICEF, UK float project to protect children’s in North-East Nigeria

BY SULE TAHIR

A humanitarian intervention by UNICEF, UK focused on providing integrated food, nutrition sanitation and protection services in Nigeria’s with particular emphasis on north-east region will empower over 300,000 mothers and caregivers.

With approximately 1 in 4 children aged 12-23 months not vaccinated.

Recent survey has indicated that the north-east region has one of the highest numbers of un-vaccinated children in Nigeria, according to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey and National Immunization Coverage Survey (MICS-NICS 2021).

Data from the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene: National Outcome Routine Mapping (WASH NORM 2021) shows that four per cent of the population in Borno and two per cent in Yobe have access to safely managed drinking water. Up to 1.1 million people across the region still practice open defecation, a risk factor for malnutrition and stunting in children.

The first 1000 days of life of a child is an unmatched window of opportunity. UNICEF is grateful for the support of the FCDO to invest early in the lives of some of the most vulnerable children in the world,’’ said Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria.

“It is heartwarming that through the capacity building and empowerment approach of this project, thousands of children will benefit from this intervention in the long term,’’ said Cristian Munduate.

The intervention aims to enhance dietary practices, home-based malnutrition screening skills, provision of high impact lifesaving nutrition interventions (such as early identification and referral of acute malnutrition cases for treatment), and micronutrients supplementation to prevent infections among children.

These interventions are aimed at improving the survival of children affected by conflict.

Funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the UK Government, the Multisectoral Integrated Nutrition Action (MINA) project is being implemented by UNICEF and other partners in 24 Local Government Areas of Borno and Yobe states till March 2025.

The project leverages a bouquet of essential services and community structures to provide integrated essential services for children, including birth registration and immunization services, nutrition counselling, cash transfer support, establishment of vegetable gardens, market-based sanitation and hygiene interventions, mothers’ groups, nutrition mobilisers and WASH Committees.

Critically, the highly successful mother-led Mid-Upper Arm Circumference programme is being expanded while roving midwives will be deployed to hard-to-reach areas to improve the nutrition status and overall wellbeing of the most disadvantaged children.

Senate President Slot: It is Not Your Turn ~ Eze Tells Kalu

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Senate President Slot: It is Not Your Turn ~ Eze Tells Kalu

…Says the Country Needs a Clean, Energetic, Visionary and Goal-Oriented Man in the Mould of Gov. Umahi to Represent the South-East

…Urges Him to Purge Himself of Corruption Case with EFCC before Eyeing and Lobbying for Such Exalted Office

Former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze says it is not appropriate for the Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Oji Uzo Kalu, to wake up and begin to arrogate to himself the sole right to head the leadership of the 10th Senate which would be inaugurated in a few months.

In a statement made available to media houses in Port Harcourt, Eze urged the former Abia Governor whose State has just broken a long record of hostage by godfathers and cabals who have serially looted their common patrimony and left them in squalor for decades to channel his energy towards relieving himself of the huge corruption allegation pending against him at the instance of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC.

“The claims by Senator Orji Uzo Kalu, the incumbent Chief Whip of the Senate that it is his right to be elected as the Senate President is mischievous and unacceptable seeing that he is yet to free himself from the corrupt charges still hanging on his neck and for ruining the chances of APC in Abia State through his poor style of leadership.“

Making a case for the Southeast, Eze said since the ouster of the PDP administration at the centre, the South Eastern region of Nigeria has suffered serial neglect in terms of allocation of key national offices and urged the APC as a party to use the opportunity within its disposal to redeem itself by ensuring that the office of the Senate President is allowed to the South East strictly by merit.

He said the plea became imperative since the South West and North have produced the President elect through Senator Bola Tinubu and Vice President elect through Shettima.

The party Chief said should the party consider his plea as appropriate, the search for a creditable and suitable candidate should be encouraged. And in that regard, he threw his weight behind the position of the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Ebonyi State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists of their choice of Governor David Nweze Umahi, the Governor of Ebonyi State and Chairman of the South East Governors Forum, who seems to be the best candidate from the zone suitable for the exalted position of Senate President.

The above notwithstanding, apart from the fact that Governor Umahi was the Southern Campaign Director of APC during the last Presidential Campaign but due to his ingenuity in politics Ebonyi is one of the very States in Nigeria that elected three APC Senators, an APC Governor and almost hundred percent of elected APC House of Reps and State Assembly while the opposite is the case of Senator Orji Uzor-Kalu in Abia State where the Labour Party is now the ruling party.

“I have watched this embodiment of unique feats and his magic in turning Ebonyi State from a desert to the Dubai of Nigeria within a space of eight years. I have also watched his vast connections with political leaders, stakeholders within the South East and across other divides of this nation and feel that he is the most suitable candidate for this particular office if it is zoned to the South East.”

Umahi will surely rise to become one of the most visionary Senate President ever in this nation if considered accordingly, Eze noted.

Why We Allowed Peter Obi To Contest For Nigeria’s Presidential Election, By Biafra Group

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Why We Allowed Peter Obi To Contest For Nigeria’s Presidential Election, By Biafra Group

A Pro-Biafra group, Biafra Regional Emancipation Movement (BREM) has explained the real reason it allowed the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, contest the February 25 presidential election.

The group said that it allowed Obi to pursue his ambition so that he would say Biafra agitators dissuaded people from supporting his ambition.

Spokesman for the group, Prince Armstrong Orji, stated this while answering questions from newsmen concerning the just concluded Nigeria’s elections after their group meeting in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

Orji reiterated that Obi and his Obedient movement’s dreams were not for Biafrans.

“What Biafrans want is a separate Biafra nation. Any Igbo or Biafran who does not want to live in Biafra land has the choice of staying back in Nigeria.

“We allowed Peter Obi to pursue his ambition so that he wouldn’t say Biafra agitators dissuaded people from supporting his ambition. But, he needs to understand that dream is his, and his alone which does not represent the aspiration of NdiIgbo, neither that of Biafrans”, he said.

On the just concluded presidential

Orji said Biafra Regional Emancipation Movement was not expecting anything more than the woeful outings by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“It (election mess) is synonymous with Nigeria. What else do you expect. It was a purely Nigerian affair. It has nothing to do with Biafra, and I will want the Igbo and other Biafrans to understand this

“There is no way such a mess could happen in Biafra land”, Orji said.

He further explained that though the Biafra Provisional Government through its Shadow Government, directed Biafrans of voting age to participate actively in the elections, there was no time Biafrans believe in Nigeria’s electoral process because one does not give what it has not.

He emphasized that Nigeria since inception has been a fraud and so cannot offer anything except fraud.

“Our participation in the elections is to exercise our franchise because Biafra land is still under occupation. Our participation does not negate the fact that the solution to Nigeria’s problem is division.

“Come to think of it. Every Nigeria’s election season opens up the inherent division and hatred in Nigeria. Innocent people are killed, ethnic profiling goes on, and after these atrocities all go back to the suffering and smiling, with military enforcement, as everybody looks up to the oil money, and everybody pretends that all is well.

“In 2015, Igbo corp members who were helping to conduct elections were murdered in cold blood in Muslim North. That has been the story, with churches burnt. This time, Igbo in Lagos, and those who look like them were barred from voting. This is a state where their population accounts for the amount of money the state gets from Federation account, and who also pay their taxes in Lagos. After committing these atrocities, they tell us Nigeria’s unity is non-negotiable”.

My Greatest Birthday Gift Is Winning The 2023 presidential election – Says Tinubu

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My Greatest Birthday Gift Is Winning The 2023 presidential election – Says Tinubu

BY SULE TAHIR

As Nigerian President elect, Senator Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC clocks 71 today Wednesday, March 29, he officially cancel the 71 Birthday Celebrations, instead sued for public prayer’s for peace,unity, and progress of Nigerian state.

Tinubu, who turn 71 today being Wednesday, March 29, opted for special prayers and thanksgiving service instead, adding that he’s seeking God’s guidance for him and the country as he prepares to take the reins of leadership.

Despite the cancellations yet some well wishers including associates and some state governor’s have congratulated the country’s number one citizen happy birthday

Least amongst is the Jigawa state Governor Badaru Abubakar. In a congratulatory message signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Print Media, Ahmad Muhammad Danyaro, Governor Abubakar noted that Tinubu’s personal attributes of humility, tenacity, courage, discipline, patriotism and loyalty have helped greatly in strengthening the democracy in the country and stabilizing the polity.

He noted with delight Asiwaju’s invaluable contributions to democratic governance in particular and development of the country in general for more than three decade.

He said, Bola Tinubu is rare breed politician that holds the people and his associates dear to his heart at all times and the people and colleagues also hold him in high esteem as they elected him overwhelmingly in the February presidential election.

The Jigawa State Governor prayed to the Almighty God to bless the President –elect ,a leader of leaders, political strategist and dynamic team player with many more years of good health to continue to serve the nation and humanity in the highest capacity.

Ndigbo need President now, not Senate President – Imeobi Igbo

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Ndigbo need President now, not Senate President – Imeobi Igbo

By Chuks Eke

Imeobi Igbo Forum, IIF, an Igbo Grassroots Socio-cultural organization has stated that what Ndigbo need at this point in time is a President of Igbo extraction and not a Senate President of Igbo extraction.

The forum said it is wishing to remind Igbo political elites that Ndigbo have an unfinished business of having a Nigeria President of Southeast extraction and as such, do not need to engage in a struggle for Senate President now as it would be a distraction to them.

President of IIF, Dr. Mike Ikegulu who made the assertion in a press statement he issued yesterday, via Whatsapp, recalled that by the way, Ndigbo have had the opportunity of having five Senate Presidents in the past but could not achieve any meaningful political impact with it.

According to the forum, “From Evan Enwerem to Ken Nnamani to Pius Anyim and Chuba Okadigbo, Igbo Senate Presidency ended in a shameful manner with each of them upstaging the other to emerge”.

IIF contended that having exhibited the worst features of Igbo political elites in the past and considering the fact that our Igbo political elites have agreed that there is nothing wrong with a Muslim President handing over to another Muslim President, let a Muslim Senate President compliment the Muslim Muslim presidency, while the Southeast political elites continue with carrying the suit cases of the powers that be and at the same time, build bridges long and strong enough in their warped expectation to take Ndigbo to the presidency.

“Since our Igbo political elites did not see anything wrong with another Muslim succeeding a Muslim as approved by many Igbo political elites, just to spite Peter Obi, the only courageous Igbo man who devoted his time and energy to make Ndigbo proud, then NASS offices can’t be on the basis of ethnicity and religion”.

It would have been interesting to have the Federal Executive Council, FEC populated by only Muslims for a change. But whether we like it or not, Peter Obi has taught us to lay emphasis on integrity, competence and capacity.

DSS Confirms Plot For Interim Government By Misguided Political Actors

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DSS Confirms Plot For Interim Government By Misguided Political Actors

The Department of State Services (DSS) has identified some key players in the plot for an Interim Government in Nigeria. The Service considers the plot, being pursued by these entrenched interests, as not only an aberration but a mischievous way to set aside the constitution and undermine civil rule as well as plunge the country into an avoidable crisis. The illegality is totally unacceptable in a democracy and to the peace loving Nigerians. This is even more so that the machination is taking place after the peaceful conduct of the elections in most parts of the country.

The planners, in their many meetings, have weighed various options, which include, among others, to sponsor endless violent mass protests in major cities to warrant a declaration of State of Emergency. Another is to obtain frivolous court injunctions to forestall the inauguration of new executive administrations and legislative houses at the Federal and State levels.

The DSS supports the President and Commander-in-Chief in his avowed commitment to a hitch-free handover and will assiduously work in this direction. It also supports the Presidential Transition Council and such other related bodies in the States. It will collaborate with them and sister security and law enforcement agencies to ensure seamless inaugurations come 29th May, 2023.

Consequently, the Service strongly warns those organising to thwart democracy in the country to retract from their devious schemes and orchestrations.

Stakeholders, notably judicial authorities, media and the Civil Society, are enjoined to be watchful and cautious to avoid being used as instruments to subvert peace and stability of the nation. While its monitoring continues, the DSS will not hesitate to take decisive and necessary legal steps against these misguided elements to frustrate their obnoxious intentions.

 

Peter Afunanya PhD fsi

Public Relations Officer

Department of State Services

National Headquarters

Abuja

29th March, 2023​

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