The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

Enugu LG Polls: Aninri, Awgu people rally round Ugwuanyi

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi-led Local Government Elections campaign train of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State stormed Aninri and Awgu Local Government Areas, on Saturday, in continuation of the party’s concerted efforts towards recording a landslide victory for the PDP at the February 23, 2022, LG chairmanship and councillorship elections in the state.

At Aninri and Awgu LGAs, the people unanimously pledged their support and loyalty to Gov. Ugwuanyi as their leader who they will always abide by his leadership style and follow his political aspirations.

They appreciated the governor for his achievements in their council areas aimed at impacting their lives positively such as healthcare facilities, infrastructure, school projects, empowerment of their people, peace, and security, among others.

Speaking at Aninri LGA rally, the Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives who represents Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency, Toby Okechukwu told Gov. Ugwuanyi that “leadership of the state (Enugu) is in your hands and we have to appreciate that and we will always remain loyal and respect the leader’s approach”.

Okechukwu commended Ugwuanyi for the way he has been leading them in particular and the people of Enugu State in general.

The federal lawmaker, who informed the audience that the Senator representing Enugu West Senatorial District, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, was unable to attend the rally because of flight cancellation in Abuja, also applauded the governor for entrenching peace in Enugu State saying: “If there is no peace, there won’t be progress and the peace you have brought shall follow you anywhere you go”.

He assured the governor that they will deliver the PDP and its candidates overwhelmingly in the forthcoming Local Government elections in the state.

“Your Excellency, what we promise is that we will make our commitment and do the needful to make sure that our candidates sail through and we will support the party and we will also support the candidates”, Hon. Okechukwu said.

Also speaking, the member representing Aninri Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Okwu Chinedu Otaka described Gov. Ugwuanyi as the leader of the party in the state and “decider of our political fate”

Stressing that Gov. Ugwuanyi is the leader, Hon. Otaka said: “We have no two governors except Gov. Ugwuanyi, Gburugburu, Nwoke Obi Oma.

“We are behind you, whatever you tell us to do is what we will do. You are the leader of the party in the state.Tell us what to do and we will do it”.

Other speakers at the event lauded Gov. Ugwuanyi’s peace and grassroots development initiatives in the state, assuring him of their unflinching support and loyalty.

They expressed gratitude to Gov. Ugwuanyi, the state leadership of the PDP and party members in Aninri LGA for the emergence of Hon. Benneth Ajah as the Chairmanship candidate of PDP in the forthcoming LG polls, pointing out that Ajah is a good man, philanthropist and human capital developer.

February 13, 2022
Police invite monarch, three others over killing of seven persons in Imo

A traditional ruler in Mmahu Autonomous Community, Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, Eze Augustine Iwuogu, Ezemma 1 was on Friday invited by the police in connection with the killing of seven persons in the community.

The police on Friday said preliminary investigation revealed that the killing has elements of cultism. And that ‘Ossy’ an escapee from Imo Correctional Centre Owerri led the cult group known as ‘De- Gbam’. While the persons killed are suspected to belong to another cult group known as ‘De- Well.’

The monarch, it was gathered, was invited alongside three other persons to the Egbema Divisional Police Station for explanation of the constant killings in his kingdom by some suspected notorious killer gang allegedly taking cover in his kingdom.

A source close to the police told The Nation yesterday that the traditional ruler who has been on the run after the killing of the seven victims allegedly carried out by one Osita Ogbiri who is an escapee from Owerri correctional centre, was invited to the station for questioning over the constant killings in the community .

“The traditional ruler was invited to the Egbema Divisional Police station for explanation of the constant killings in his kingdom by some suspected notorious killer gang.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, CSP Michael Abattam could not be reached as he was said not to be on sit but a source at the state Command said that the traditional ruler and three others were invited to the station for questioning over the incident.

February 13, 2022
Delta hotelier allegedly kills security guard

A hotelier identified as Noble Iteme has been arrested for allegedly killing his security guard, in Abraka, Ethiope East Council Area of Delta State.

Iteme is the chief executive officer of Noble Ocean Hotel, Abraka.

It was gathered that the suspect was assisted by some others in clubbing the victim, Godstime Sunday, to a pulp, leading to his eventual death.

According to reports, the security guard, 31, was beaten for being absent when some armed robbers allegedly invaded the hotel, creating suspicion that he might be in the know.

The suspect reportedly questioned the security guard about his whereabouts when the robbers allegedly stormed the hotel.

He then ordered that he be beaten up, perhaps to confess, when he was unable to give a genuine reason for his absence.

Upon noticing that the security guard was bleeding profusely, the suspect, on a second thought, contacted the police for the guard’s arrest.

Sources further said that the security guard was already gasping for breath from blood loss before the arrival of the police and consequently died.

Rather than arresting the deceased, the police operatives who arrived the scene, arrested the hotelier for alleged murder.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Delta Police Command, DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident.

He said that the deceased died of machete wounds which he sustained in the head while he was being clubbed.

“He was accused of stealing handsets in the hotel. While they were trying to make him confess, he was beaten to a pulp with machete cuts on his head. He died in the hospital.

“The hotel owner was arrested on the strength of his being the one that initiated the attack on the boy.

“The hotel owner is presently at the State CID in Asaba,” he noted.

February 13, 2022
War will stifle development in your community, Okowa advises communities

Delta Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has appealed to communities embroiled in boundary disputes to embrace peace to pave way development.

Okowa made the call weekend at the funeral service for the late Professor Abednego Ekoko at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Uzere in Isoko South LGA Of Delta State.

He said that no land was worth the life of any individual and urged Isoko people to embrace peace in honour of the late Ekoko who was an accomplished boundary scholar.

According to him, Ekoko contributed immensely to the peaceful resolution of crises in many communities, adding that Isoko people should tread the path of peace in memory of the deceased peacemaker.

Okowa recalled that Ekoko played a vital role in the resolution of Aladja-Ogbe-Ijoh crisis and other boundary issues in the state and across the country when he served as National Commissioner, National Boundaries Commission.

He said “on behalf of my family and the government and people of Delta, I extend my condolences to the Ekoko family of Uzere on the passing of our father, brother and friend.

“We thank God for what is happening today on the day a peaceful man is being laid to rest. Professor Ekoko achieved all that he truly needed to achieve and today we are celebrating his life of great accomplishments.

“In everything he found himself doing he excelled and he taught my wife at the postgraduate level and has impacted directly on my family.

“In the community, he rose to achieve the highest honour in the land and beyond serving God; he served Nigeria at our national governance and through various appointments in the state.”

He counselled the people to eschew bitterness, especially over land matters, saying “when you fight because of land and for the sake of land, destroy lives, those lives you destroyed you cannot recreate them when you settle.

“No land is worth the life of anyone and as leaders and elders, we ought to handover things that will connote peace and development and not crisis.

“I hope that the sermon spoken to us today will touch our lives for a change in honour of the late Ekoko.”

Okowa urged the leadership of Isoko Development Union and the Christian community to organise a collective prayer to rededicate Isokoland to God.

Bishop of Oleh Diocese (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev. John Aruakpor, said that late Professor Ekoko was a man who worked for peace across the country.

He described him as a man who was an addicted singer and worshipper of God, adding that his death was a great loss to Christendom.

The bishop said that Ekoko worshipped God even through pains and sickness.

He urged Christians to live in peace and shun the spirit of bitterness and acrimony which had pervaded the land in recent years.

“As politicians, it is only when we are united that we can attract dividends of democracy to our land,” he said.

February 13, 2022
Obiano closes youth empowerment programme

Barely one month to the end of his administration, Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano, has closed the youth empowerment programme he established.

The One-Youth-One Skill Empowerment Programme which was created in 2018, targeted to lift the youth out of various crimes, was shut down on Friday

It was the initiative of the Anambra State Ministry of Youth Empowerment and Creative Economy.

This was announced by the State Commissioner for Youth Empowerment and Creative Economy, Prof Theresa Obiekezie during the graduation ceremony of the 5th Batch of the training programme.

She said that about 10,000 youths had so far benefited from the programme with a Trade Test Certificate from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

According to her, “I want to use this ceremony to announce to you all that this 5th batch of One-Youth-One-Skill Programme might be the last for this administration.

“As you all know, in one month’s time, the present administration will come to an end. Though, the administration still has a training programme called; The Youth Aprenticeship Programme.

“We have not closed that one. I hope and believe that the incoming government of Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, will continue from there and more.

She, however, thanked the governor for the huge success of the programme.

The training, according to her, covered confectioneries, barbing, cosmetology, shoe making and Solar and CCTV production and repair.

The graduates were trained at three different centers in the three senatorial districts of Anambra State.

Fifty-nine of the trainees were also empowered with start-up packs during the ceremony.

Presenting the equipment to the beneficiaries, Prof. Obiekezie, said that the intervention was in line with Governor Willie Obiano’s promise to empower ten thousand youths in the State.

She advised the beneficiaries to make proper use of the equipment, and to remain resolute and creative through the rough edges of entrepreneurship.

February 13, 2022
Panic as gunmen kill another 4 policemen in Enugu

Less than 48 hours after three policemen were shot dead by unknown gunmen in Enugu, another four cops were on Saturday evening killed by unidentified gunmen at Amodo Obeagu in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The development, our correspondent learned, has caused panic among residents of the state.

It was gathered that the gunmen stormed a police checkpoint along Agbani Road, opened fire on the policemen, and killed four of them instantly.

It was gathered that some of the surviving policemen sustained heavy bullet wounds during the attack that villagers said lasted for about five minutes.

Villagers further disclosed that the hoodlums stormed the police checkpoint at Amodo with two Sienna cars and shot consistently for several minutes even after killing the policemen.

The gunmen had last Thursday, killed 3 policemen at the Independence Layout and a popular leader of the Vigilante group known as Jango along Agbani Road.

It was reported that the hoodlums also attacked customs officers at Ozala, near Four Corners Junction, Enugu the same day.

The hoodlums, who killed the three policemen along Timber Road Independence Layout Enugu, were also said to have kidnapped a woman and her driver in the process.

The Enugu State Police spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe could not pick his calls as of the time of filing this report but a police source disclosed that four policemen were killed today at Amodo.

“They are boys looking for guns but we are going to restrategize and carry out massive patrolling of Enugu, “he stated

February 13, 2022
Ex-IGP Okiro backs Southeast over presidency agitation

A former Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro has thrown his weight behind the growing agitation by the Southeast region for a president of Igbo extraction to take over power from President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said that it is in consonance with the cardinal principles of justice, equity and fairness that growing agitation should be supported by well- meaning Nigerians.

Okiro, a former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, who took a critical analysis of the nation’s leadership since the restoration of the current political dispensation in 1999, argued that since the North, South West and Southsouth had taken a shot at the presidency, justice and fairness demand that the South East should be allowed to take her turn, stressing that what is good for the geese is also good for the gander

The ex-Police boss who spoke at a one day meeting with members of a 2023 Pro-Igbo Presidency Group “Okezuo Igbo” which he hosted at his private residence in Owerri however reminded the champions and vanguards of the project that the road to success had always been rough and stormy and enjoined them to put their houses in order and also reach out to other ethnic nationalities to actualize their dream.

“I wholeheartedly support the quest for a presidency of Igbo extraction in 2023 but going for it means that you should make hay while the sun shines and also reach out to the other zones”.

In a communiqué made available to newsmen at the end of the

meeting-the National Coordinator Ezinwa Akuakonobi explained that the

organization is a group of like minds for the realization of the envisioned Igbo presidency project.

Ezinwa who expressed gratitude to the national apex leader of the group Mike Okiro for his support to the body enjoined members to retire to their various states, LGAs, communities and wards for

aggressive grassroots sensitization and mobilization.

“What we are talking about is a president of Igbo extraction and such a president can come from Rivers, Delta or Benue states so long as he is a bonafide Igbo man,” he stated.

February 12, 2022
Youths allege killing, police brutality in Anambra community

Youths of Ifite Nteje community in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State have raised the alarm over alleged extra- judicial killing, police brutality and arson in the area.

The youths called on the state government to come to their rescue by constituting a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the matter.

Addressing reporters on behalf of the youths, a legal practitioner, Martins Okechukwu accused an influential politician in the community and his aide of being behind the crisis.

He alleged the individuals were arming youths involved in the sale of communal land and renting a crowd to scuttle police investigation.

He said, “They were demanding from various quarters of the community about 600 plots of land.

“Some youths opposed to the selling of their ancestral land were detained at police custody in Abuja known as Abattoir and many died in the process as a result of torture and brutality.

“The Inspector-General of Police had directed the State Commissioner of Police to investigate the matter and in the process, some of their loyalists were arrested with firearms.”

Also speaking, Mr. Lazarus Aniefuna said he has been in exile, while his family had been suffering after two of his houses were razed down three months ago.

He called on the government to restore sanity in the community by deploying law enforcement agents to the area.

Reacting, President-caretaker Committee of Nteje Town Union, Chief Beneth Chinweze said the community was in disarray due to police intimidation, regretting that efforts to draw the attention of the Zone 13 Police in the area had been futile.

He also alleged that charges of murder and illegal possessive of firearms were levied against innocent people to ensure they were detained without bail.

When contacted, Police spokesperson, Ikenga Tochukwu said he was yet to receive any information on the matter.

February 12, 2022
Tension in Imo community over dethronement of monarch

The Obibi Uratta Community in Owerri North Council Area of Imo State has been thrown into confusion following the alleged dethronement of the traditional ruler of the community, Eze Amaobi Uwaleke, by the state governor, Hope Uzodimma.

Uwaleke, the Obilobi of Uratta Ancient Kingdom was accorded a letter of recognition and presented with a staff of office by the former governor of the state, Senator Rochas Okorocha.

Uzodimma had on Friday 14th, February presented staff of office to 51 newly recognised traditional rulers in the state who either filled the vacuum created by the demise of some traditional rulers or were newly installed by their communities during which he replaced some with new ones.

However, indigenes of the Obibi Uratta who expressed shock over the alleged sacking of their monarch by the state government have stuck tenaciously to the ezeship stool of the deposed monarch with a vow never to have any business to do with the purported new monarch, Boniface Ariri.

When The Nation visited the palace of Eze Uwaleke on Tuesday, scores of his subjects including cabinet chiefs, Chairman of Oha Uratta Supreme Council, and other titleholders were seen holding a brief meeting.

They said that they would defend the sacredness of the stool with the last of their blood.

Reacting to the development, Eze Uwaleke who received staff of office and a letter of recognition on the 14th of August 2018 from the defunct Rochas Okorocha administration as the Eze Udo IV of the community, dismissed his dethronement as mere rumour, baseless, null, and void and of no effect.

“The news of my dethronement is a mere rumour because I have not received any letter or a telephone call from the state government informing me that I am no longer the Eze of my people”

Uwaleke argued that it is an established Igbo tradition and custom that the people should be allowed to choose who becomes their traditional ruler and present same to the government for recognition as against the government’s intervention.

According to him, the community which was created in 1978 and since remained in peace, unity and tranquility was later riddled with unnecessary hullabaloo by some reactionary forces who brought pressure to bear on the Owerri North Local Government to conduct a plebiscite but who surprisingly failed to face the exercise.

“I still maintain, I do not think that it was Governor Hope Uzodimma who did this and so it is rumour because for now, nobody has asked me to return or drop my staff of office, no statement or press release on this.

Insisting that he is the bonifde traditional ruler, Boniface Iheanacho Ariri who reacted to the tensed situation in the community said “I am the Eze Udo IV of this community known as Obibi Uratta. Since four years, I have been the Eze-elect but I only recovered a Certificate of recognition last Friday (4th February, 2022) from the state government”.

Ariri explained that the former traditional ruler of the community, HRH Pius Ukaga died in March 2016 and was buried the next month which provoked a mourning process by the indigenes.

According to him, a situation like that authorized the Regency council to take over the administration of the community for continued sustenance of peace and unity among the people after which they would now select a new monarch and present him to the appropriate government institutions for recognition.

Ariri explained further that why the mourning period of Ukaga lasted, his opponent, Amaobi Uwaleke dramatically installed himself as the Eze Udo IV, an act he said is an abomination in the community.

This, he said, constrained the regency council to alert the state government about the untoward situation.

Ariri, said that at the expiration of the one-year mourning period the community informed the state government of her readiness to select a new monarch and a regency council communicated his village-Umuorii to select its own candidate for the stool.

“They gave us three months to do this which terminated in August 2017 and upon a directive for all the villages to send their credible delegates Umuori he said forwarded 40 names, Umuobaa gave 60 names and Okwu 40 with three government officials involved in the exercise.

He described the election which brought him up as Eze as free and fair adding that he scored 109 votes to beat the other contestants. Ariri accused Amaobi of operating with the old constitution of the community fashioned in 1978 instead of the one amended in 2016,

On why it took too long for his recognition, Ariri attributed this to rampant tampering and missing of relevant documents by his detractors.

He however appealed to the community to remain calm and peaceful and enjoined his opponent and his followers to join hands with him to move the community forward.

Meanwhile, the community is tensed up with each group spoiling for war.

Efforts to reach the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ruby Emele yielded no result as she could neither pick her calls nor respond to the text message to her.

February 12, 2022
Ugwuanyi is in charge of Enugu State affairs, says ex-lawmaker

A former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who represented Enugu West Senatorial District in the second Republic, Senator Hyde Onuaguluchi has declared that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State is firmly in charge of the affairs of the state.

Onuaguluchi maintained that he had never believed, followed or trusted any other person other than Gov. Ugwuanyi.

Speaking during a well-attended rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the February 23, 2022 LG Elections in Enugu State, held at Oji River LGA, the former federal lawmaker and revered chieftain of the PDP described Gov. Ugwuanyi as “our leader, a God sent leader, our friend, the friend of Ndi Enugu State, the friend of Nigeria, and the friend of humanity”.

Onuaguluchi said that the governor’s good works, humility, penchant for peace and uncommon leadership qualities had already done the campaign for the PDP and its candidates.

He told the governor that “you have saved a lot of souls in Enugu State; you have made people who are desperate to be accommodated, to be recognised, to be accepted, and to belong in the society.

“Gburugburu (Ugwuanyi) you were sent by God to deliver Enugu State; Gburugburu you are a gift of God to Enugu State.

“Gburugburu I don’t listen, follow or trust any other person than you. God will bless you and continue to bless you in the Mighty Name of Jesus Amen.”

February 12, 2022