Category: South East

•Stakeholders kick

By Bisi Olaniyi, Benin

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki’s-initiated meeting of stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Government House, Benin at the weekend was not for harmonisation, ahead of the party’s national convention at the end of this month, but for Obaseki to take charge of the affairs of the party in the state.

Some stakeholders of Edo PDP, who spoke in confidence yesterday in Benin, wondered why Obaseki decided not to extend invitation to the meeting to the former Chairman of the party in Edo, Chief Dan Orbih, who is the National Vice Chairman, Southsouth of PDP, and the party’s state Secretary, Hillary Otsu.

Orbih, Otsu and many other leaders of Edo PDP did not attend the stakeholders’ meeting, where sources revealed yesterday that Obaseki said that as the leader of the party in the state, he had taken charge of the affairs of PDP in Edo, giving one week ultimatum for leaders of the party across the state to integrate members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who defected to the PDP with him on June 19 last year.

Obaseki, according to sources at the meeting, also disclosed that integrating the new PDP members was the criterion to release the list of the remaining commissioners and special advisers, having on September 28 forwarded the names of 11 commissioner-nominees to the House of Assembly for screening and confirmation, and also appointing “with immediate effect,” two special advisers: Crusoe Osagie and Sarah Esangbedo Ajose-Adeogun.

The commissioner-nominees, without any politician, included Oluwole Osamudiamen Iyamu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN); Prof. Obehi Akoria; Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe; Osaze Ethan Uzamere; Monday Osaigbovo; Marie Edeko; Joseph Eboigbe; Moses Agbukor; Isoken Omo; Andrew Emwanta and Mrs. Otse Momoh-Omorogbe.

Otsu, later in a statement, disclosed that a list of the 233 PDP stakeholders invited to last Saturday’s meeting was compiled by himself and the Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie, based on defined categories, but expressed surprise that the list that was circulated before the meeting did not represent the full list, as compiled.

Edo secretary of PDP said: “Some names (of stakeholders) were left out, despite belonging to the categories of invitees that were identified. Essentially, the final fist was not endorsed by me, before it was circulated.”

Shortly after the stakeholders’ meeting, which was attended by Obaseki; his deputy, Philip Shaibu; and some top PDP leaders in the state, Edo governor’s Special Adviser on Media Projects (Crusoe Osagie), in a statement, claimed that the forum was for harmonisation.

Obaseki, speaking with reporters after the meeting, according to Osagie, said: “PDP is organising its convention at the end of this month, and this meeting is to prepare us for the convention. There were few house-keeping issues that we needed to discuss and clear. So, it was important to get everybody across the divide to have a session like this, to get feedback and also take decisions on what to do and make progress in the state.

“The meeting went well, as our members are glad that PDP is back at the Government House in Edo State. The members commit themselves to supporting the work of the government, this administration and leaders of the party. We want to ensure that we provide the services that we promised our people during electioneering.”

Members of Aziegbemi-led SWC of Edo PDP, however, kicked against Obaseki’s plot, and reported him to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, while declaring that the only condition for harmonisation would be the resignation of Edo deputy governor and his replacement by one of the old members of the PDP.

Obaseki eventually divided Edo SWC of PDP, which subsequently suspended Aziegbemi, with the suspension described as illegal and unconstitutional by most stakeholders of the party nationwide, while the state chairman of PDP in Edo was later reinstated.

By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt

Tragedy struck at Agip Estate area of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, yesterday following the electrocution of a nursing mother identified as Latifa Seiyi.

The incident reportedly occurred when a high tension wire fell on the roof of the victim’s building.

A source in the area who identified himself simply as Stanley said while the woman rushed to save her four-month-old baby, she stepped on the live cable.

A neighbour to the victim, who spoke in confidence criticised the act of building houses under high tension and called on the government to end the menace.

Read Also: Woman journalist decries invasion of her home by EFCC operatives

The source said: “The incident is pathetic. It is something that nobody would want to see happen. The woman just gave birth some four months ago.

“We were at home when the cable fell. I would have also been a victim. The woman was rushing to the room to save her daughter but her legs touched the cable.

“The cable burnt her legs. She struggled to her daughter, but she never knew that the protector had current. It was that one that killed her.

“I want to use this opportunity to discourage the act of building under high tension lines. It is bad.”

By Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the November 6 election in Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has promised to create 130,000 jobs annually for youths in the state if voted into power.

He also promised to create 1,000 youth millionaires every year to further drive job creations and economic boom in the state.

Soludo gave the assurance while addressing no fewer than 27 Union Markets at the Onitsha Head Bridge market during their monthly worship service.

He further pledged to ensure the commercial city retained its premier position as the international trading hub in Africa, as well as promote made-in-Anambra goods and services.

He said, “I will be the chief marketing officer of made-in-Anambra goods and services as a way of promoting businesses and boosting our State economy.

Read Also: Soludo: losing coming election may end APGA in Anambra

“I’ll set aside a N5 billion as start-up business capital for young entrepreneurs to engage in business in the state.”

The former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) also promised to digitalise businesses in the state by providing almost free Wifi Internet connectivity to enhance their business activities.

He added, “Anambra is going to be the digital tribe in Nigeria. We’re going to work with telecom providers in the country to achieve this. You must get yourself immersed into the world of tomorrow.

“The issue of electricity will be tackled headlong to enhance the traders’ businesses, while the revival of the Onitsha port will be taken up.

“I’ll also liaise with relevant government agencies to address the issue of Customs’ encumbrances in freighting goods to the Southeast.

“My greatest desire is to encourage manufacturers from China and other parts of the world where the traders go to buy their goods to set up their manufacturing plants in the State.

“This will reverse the business strategy from being an importing to an exporting State.”

Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Hon. Uche Okafor urged the people to vote for Soludo, stressing that he had the experience and training to turn the State around for the better.

Other dignitaries at the occasion include, Hon Emeka Asoanya, Chairman of Onitsha South Local Government, Chief Ikechukwu Ekwegbalu, President General of ASMATA among others.

By Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

Three persons were crushed to death yesterday morning by a truck at Akpoha community, in the Afikpo North Local Government Area, of Ebonyi State.

The incident, The Nation learnt, occurred along the Afikpo-Abakaliki Expressway.

It was gathered that the articulated vehicle veered off the road and killed three youths, including a suspected motorcyclist with two passengers.

The incident incensed the youths of the community who immediately embarked on protest along the road.

Read Also: Rivers, Ebonyi, Anambra top overall in fiscal performance – BudgIT

The protesting youths blocked the road forcing commuters to park their cars on the roadside while others turned back to seek alternative routes so as to avoid colliding with the angry youths.

A source in the community advised commuters not to ply the road to avoid escalation of the development.

He said: “We are not happy over this development. A truck killed three of our youths and dumped their corpses in the bush and that’s why we are protesting about it. I will advise people to turn back. We are not happy at all. How can the truck driver kill our youths and hid their corpses?”

At the time of filing this report, security agencies were said to have mobilised to the area with a view to bringing the situation under control.

Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi, in a message, said, “Help will come immediately.”

Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Aliyu Garba confirmed the incident.

He explained that the protest was caused by an accident.

He said: “It’s as a result of a fatal motor accident where an Okada rider and passenger were crushed to death.”

Chairman of Afikpo North local government area, Obiageri Oko-Enyim could not be reached for comments at the time of filing this report.

By Bisi Olaniyi, Southsouth Bureau Chief

Stakeholders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Edo state chapter, yesterday held an enlarged meeting for harmonisation ahead of the party’s national convention, slated to hold at the end of this month.

The meeting, which took place at the New Festival Hall of Government House, Benin, was attended by Edo Governor, Godwin Obaseki; his deputy, Philip Shaibu and other top PDP leaders in the state.

Obaseki, while speaking with reporters after the crucial meeting, said: “PDP is organising its convention at the end of October, 2021, and this meeting is to prepare us for the convention. There were few house-keeping issues that we needed to discuss and clear. So, it was important to get everybody across the divide to have a session like this, to get feedback and also take decisions on what to do and make progress in the state.

Read Also: 6,000 delegates for PDP National Convention

“The meeting went well, as our members are glad that PDP is back to Government House in Edo State and committed themselves to supporting the work of the government, this administration and leaders of the party. We want to ensure that we provide the services that we promised our people during the electioneering.

“Naturally, not all will be happy in a situation like this and we have tried to address some of the concerns of our people who feel unhappy as a result of certain things that may have happened.

“The key issue was that of harmonisation, seeing how to bring in all parties to the table to have an expanded party in the state.”

Edo governor also stated that the commitment he obtained from the stakeholders at the strategic meeting was that within a week, the areas not cleared would be dealt with, and they would come back to him with their resolutions.

Our Reporter

Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has commended the resilience of Nigerians that made it possible for the country to still stand firm today, 61 years after independence despite all odds.

He also said that the dream of Nigeria as a work in progress has a lot to do with their resilience, noting that the country has every reason to celebrate at 61 regardless of the circumstances she has found herself in today.

Addressing Nigerians who came out to celebrate the 61st Independence Anniversary at the Hero’s Square in Owerri the Imo State capital, the governor said in spite of the challenges that have assailed the nation in the last 61years, Nigeria is still standing strong and even waxing stronger.

He congratulated all Nigerians, including leaders and heroes, past and present, for their individual and collective contributions and sacrifices in sustaining the big Nigerian family these 61 years.

Read Also: How Buhari, governors, others celebrated Nigeria’s 61st independence anniversary

“This is more so for the fact that in spite of the challenges that have assailed the nation in the last 61years, Nigeria is still standing strong and even waxing stronger.”

The governor also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for providing “inspirational leadership at the most trying time of our nation, a time the country has had to contend with reactionary elements who want to sabotage the nation for purely selfish and political reasons.”

He reminded them of the devastating consequences of a 30 months civil war that affected the zone so badly and cannot be allowed to repeat itself.

His words: “As a people who are everywhere in Nigeria Ndi Igbo need to remain agents of consolidation, not division and destruction to avoid suffering in their own country by their actions or inactions.”

He saluted the good people of Imo State and reminded them that “the 61st Independence Anniversary celebration is a clarion call to move closer as a people in the pursuit of our common goal which is to make Imo State better for the future generations.”

The governor congratulated Ndi Imo, “particularly those of them who break all odds to express their faith in the united Nigeria by residing in almost all parts of the country to ply their sundry trades and businesses,” and described their actions as “patriotic.”

Governor Uzodimma reminded his audience that 2019 elections have long been concluded and as such, he asked all and sundry to look forward to brighter future.

The governor also highlighted the modest achievements of his government in reversing the decay in infrastructure, addressing the rot in the civil service and halting the corruption in the payroll system, as well as touching the lives of Imo youths, saying that his “government has spent more than N8billion for their training and empowerment in the past one year.”

He said in a few weeks, Vice President Yemi Osibanjo will be coming to Imo State, “precisely on October 15, to administer N12billion empowerment programme to the private sector.

“Imo traders, artisans and the vulnerable are expected to benefit from this massive empowerment. This is a direct benefit from the presidential visit,” he said.

Highlights of the occasion were the cutting of anniversary cake and the release of white pigeons to express the unity of Nigeria.

The event was graced by the First Lady, Barr. Chioma Uzodimma, the Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid Njoku and his wife, Dr. Bola Njoku, the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem, serving and former National and State Assembly lawmakers and members of the Imo State expanded executive council.

By Nsa Gill

There are clear indications that the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Cross River State is contending with internal rancour and bickering in the aftermath of the ward and local government congresses.

A case is in the state High Court instituted by a party member, Comrade Mfam Asu, challenging the “unconstitutionalities” of the party hierarchy, both at the state and national level.

At the same time, reports of a possible defection back to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) anytime soon by eight out of the 18 members of the State House of Assembly that defected to the APC along with Governor Ayade have also been confirmed.

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A reliable source at the State House of Assembly, who pleaded anonymity confirmed that a lot of the Assembly members who defected with the Governor to the APC are not happy that the governor is not living up to his promises, whereas, the few who remained in the PDP are getting pledges made to them by a group of PDP Governors within the south-south that pledged support to fund PDP in Cross River State.

Our source maintained that even though they are also concerned about the unconstitutional approach and the tactics deployed by Governor Ayade in the congresses at the wards and local government levels, the Assembly members are more concerned about their welfare and the failed promises of the governor to them.