The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Ajayi is my brother but Jegede is best for Ondo gov – Kuku

    Ajayi is my brother but Jegede is best for Ondo gov – Kuku

    Our Reporter

    In this interview, former Special Adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Kingsley Kuku, speaks on the party’s chances in this week’s governorship election in Ondo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) designation of flashpoints in the state and sundry issues.

    YOUR party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was able to pull off a surprise in Edo State with the victory of Governor Godwin Obaseki, but then it had the advantage of a sitting governor. Do you see a repeat of that feat in Ondo?

    The PDP, my beloved party, truly has the capacity, spread, and historical acceptability across Ondo State, from the natural creeks of Arogbo Izon through the hills of Idanre to the aboriginal farmlands of Akokoland. The Edo feat can be repeated in Ondo State with the requisite attitude, tenacity, and political neighbourhood watches on election day. The PDP national leadership, governors, and state actors must sincerely work in consonance to win the governorship election in Ondo. Some leaders and governors in both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and PDP are playing reckless politics of 2023 in, and with, these isolated elections in the country.
    No political party in opposition, in serious climes, plays such dangerous internal politics with the lives and wellbeing of its teeming natural membership. The late Governor Olusegun Agagu and other leaders provided very sound and enduring structural foundations for our party. It was methodically built. We remember him these days again.

    Political actors who lack our party orientation have created avoidable cracks in our fabric. We shall return to basics, the Agagu way of mobilization and consolidation, rebuild our party, and rise up stronger and better. PDP is the most widespread, acceptable, and service inclined party in Ondo State. We simply lack a political pointsman, a political striker.

    A lot of people would expect you to be backing Ajayi, the candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and current deputy governor of the state since you are from the same senatorial district…

    Honourable Agboola Alfred Ajayi is not just from my Senatorial District; he is my friend and brother. We started practical politics together from the same political family: the F.K. Ajih Political Lineage. He supported me with all the energy at his disposal to become a member of the Ondo State House of Assembly, and I supported him to become an elected chairman of our local government area, Ese-Odo).

    We both contested the House of Representative’s primary, he won and I supported him sincerely. As a special adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, I respectfully worked with him to improve our lot. He wanted to be Senator, but I thought otherwise and supported Pastor Yele Omogunwa to emerge. God Almighty made Honourable Agboola Ajayi deputy governor of Ondo State. The deputy governor and I are from the same ethnic group, local government, Federal Constituency, and Senatorial District. We are from the same PDP political family.
    Ordinarily, it can be said that I have every reason to support my friend and brother. Unfortunately, he is of the ZLP and I am unrepentantly a member of the PDP. No matter what, I shall and do stand with my party. He will understand. I pray that God protects him and grants him his destined paths.

    What stands Eyitayo Jegede out from the pack?

    My party’s candidate, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), is a complete gentleman, a dedicated professional, and an astute administrator. Despite the seeming differences of today, I thank former Governor Olusegun Mimiko for tapping into his immense resources. Jegede is a Peace, Justice, and development advocate. He will make a great governor of Ondo State.

    No state truly develops sustainably without a practical sense of peace and justice to her citizenry. Eyitayo is an embodiment of that profound possibility. Despite the dynamics that produced him as our candidate and the justifiable agitation and unease in my beloved Southern Senatorial District, the PDP remains home. We are the Ondo PDP powerhouse. Let us sustain the Agagu legacy and soon, verily, it shall pay off. I plead and beg my people to vote for the PDP.

    A chieftain of APC in Ondo State, Isaac Kekemeke, recently said in a video that went viral on the internet that Jegede and PDP cannot withstand federal might in Saturday’s election. How would you react to that?

    Barrister Duerimini Isaac Kekemeke is my leader and older cousin. He is a very successful and effective legal practitioner. He was one of the few political actors that birthed the current political dispensation. He was a founding leader of the PDP. He is not of the frivolous ilk. He is a leader of peace. He meant no harm. I know and grew under him.

    The APC can win if the, my party fails to coordinate efforts and energy sincerely on election day. Politics is practically about interests, ideas, sentiments, and hopes. Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) is maternally from Ese-Odo, my local government area. He has picked a running mate from Ilaje local government area. You have leaders like Olusola Oke (SAN) and D. I. Kekemeke Esq. behind him from the South. I think the actual battleground is the south. The governor will have a great race in the south, don’t let impractical politicians deceive you.

    How would you react to the designation of 62 polling units in Ese-Odo and Ilaje local government areas as flashpoints by the Independent National Electoral Commission?

    I totally condemn the categorization of units in Ese-Odo and Ilaje LGAs local government areas as flashpoints by INEC. It is a lazy and reckless pronouncement with dire implications for our people and the environment.

    Ese-Odo and Ilaje have been peaceful. Despite incessant security attacks on our people and communities, the territory has always been predominantly calm and peaceful. The political attacks and fatal incidents recorded so far in Ondo State have taken place in Akure, Owo, and other cities with a massive security presence. No such has occurred in the oil-rich coastal local governments.

    I strongly condemn this premeditated political assault by INEC which is capable of targeting a particular candidate(s) with voter suppression effects. Political actors are merely scared of the ever-rising political consciousness of the gallant people of Ese-Odo and Ilaje local government areas. We must massively vote as usual and protect our votes.

    INEC and its actors must remain neutral and impartial. It must stop endangering our people and communities unduly. It should simply conduct a free, fair, and credible election on October 10. INEC and the security agencies did well in Edo State. They should do the same in Ondo.

  • Body of missing Ebonyi land dispute victim found

    Body of missing Ebonyi land dispute victim found

    By Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

    The Police in Ebonyi State have discovered the body of a 53- year- old man who went missing during a boundary clash between two communities in Ebonyi State.

    Spokesperson of the Police Loveth Odah stated this in a statement on Sunday night.

    She gave the name of the victim as Joseph Isu.

    The Nation reported how one person had gone missing and many others injured in the boundary dispute between Ezeke Amasiri community and neighbouring Amata Akphoha in Afikpo North local government area.

    Chairman of the Council, Obiageri Oko Enyim, had accused the people of Ezeke Amasiri of attacking their neighbors during a security meeting she convened recently.

    Odah, in the statement, said the victim’s corpse was discovered in Amasiri River, in a cellophane bag with a heavy stone hung around his neck.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Decomposed body of varsity staff found in Lafia

    “You would recall that on 28th September, 2020 one Joseph Isu aged 53yrs was declared missing by the family after the attack on Amata Akpoha people at the farmland by suspected Ezeke Amasiri Community over land/quarry ownership where about three (3) persons were also reported injured and were taken to the hospital for medical treatment”

    “The search party organised by the Afikpo north Divisional Police Officer (DPO) on October 1 recovered the body of the said Mr. Joseph packaged in  a cellophane bag with heavy stone hanged round his neck, with gunshot injury on his right leg and his stomach cut wide open”, she said

    The spokesperson said the corpse has been deposited at Martha memorial Hospital Mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

    “Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police Ebonyi State, CP Philip Sule Maku, who described the incident as barbaric and inhuman mourned and commensurated with the deceased family, the general public, especially the people of Amata Akpoha Community in Afikpo North LGA of the State”.

    “He urges them to remain calm and not to take laws into their hands as he has ordered full scale investigation into the matter with a view to arresting and prosecuting the assailants”, the spokesman said.

    Odah said the CP while admonishing the residence of the State to always embrace Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) instead of violence, called on the anyone with useful information that will lead to the arrest of the culprits to contact the nearest police station.

    The spokesperson quoted Maku as restating the Police commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the residents in the State.

  • Imo political aspirant, Victor Ngumah plots comeback

    Imo political aspirant, Victor Ngumah plots comeback

    Our Reporter

    Ghana-based Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Victor Ngumah is looking to serve his people after contesting in 2019 to represent Ezinihitte Mbaise state constituency in the Imo state house of assembly.

    The Chief Executive Officer of Lumen Media has quit the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and is carefully plotting his next move to actualize his political ambitions to serve the people of his constituency.

    With a strong commitment to impact his society, the founder of Victor for Victory Global Foundation (VVGF) reached out recently to his Ezinihitte constituency with palliatives to help ameliorate the harsh economic impact of the COVID19 pandemic.

    Speaking about his activities, the ICT graduate of Radford University College, Ghana reveals, “I did quit APGA after the elections however stakeholders are still calling on me to return. As we all know, leadership comes with responsibility and I must ensure the best interest of my people is well served. I know PDP and APC have upper hands in Imo State but right now I haven’t made up my mind on either of the party.”

    Lending his voice to the diplomatic row between Ghana and Nigeria, the technocrat sued for calm. “As a businessman based in Ghana, I plead on both government to find a long-lasting solution to the current row, for the fact that it involves trade, it will drastically affect both countries’ economy.”

    Through his Lumen Media International, a multi-national media company, Victor Ngumah has been making an impact in the West-African country in areas such as broadcasting, events, entertainment, and branding among others.

    Born on January 8th three over decades ago, Victor Ngumah attended Okpofe Community School Ezinihitte and moved to Mater Ecclesiae Seminary, both in Imo State. Through his Lumen Media International, a multi-national media company, Victor Ngumah has been making an impact in the West-African country in areas such as broadcasting, events, entertainment, and branding among others.

    His efforts have been recognized by Peace Builders with an award for Excellence in Community Development and Leadership Skills and another as Media/Showbiz personality of the year by City People Magazine during the 10th Anniversary of City People Magazine in Ghana.
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  • Over 30 ‘disabled persons’ protest at FedPoly Nekede

    Over 30 ‘disabled persons’ protest at FedPoly Nekede

    From Chris Njoku, Owerri

     

    Over 30 physically challenged persons yesterday barricaded the two gates of Federal Polytechnic at Nekede, Owerri, the Imo State capital, calling for five per cent employment slot.

    The protesters, under the aegis of the Association of Applicants/Workers with Disability in Nigeria, prevented vehicular movements in and out of the institution.

    Some of the polytechnic’s workers and visitors could not drive their cars out of the school premises while those entering could not enter the compound.

    The physically challenged persons defied the day’s downpour during the protest; some of them slept on the floor half-naked.

    Speaking with The Nation, one of their leaders, Chinedu Ejiogu (aka Shekar), said they were asking for their rights, as enshrined in the Constitution, that five per cent of jobs should be allotted to physically challenged persons.

    “We learnt that the management employed about 300 new personnel into the polytechnic without consideration for disabled people. So, what happened to our five per cent?” he queried.

    The Nation found the school’s spokesman Everest Nwosu speaking with the protesters in company of some management workers.

    He refused to comment on the incident, saying: “I will not speak now.”

    But a management worker, who pleaded anonymity, said the school authorities were not aware of the five per cent slot for the disabled people.

    He promised to include their request when the school gets a directive from the Federal Government to employ.

    It was gathered that the recent job placement was causing ripples in the school.

    The Rector, Michael Arimanwa, and other management workers had reportedly been interrogated by security agencies.

    This followed a petition by the Director of Intervention and Linkages, Norbert Nworie, who the Rector allegedly suspended over the disputes that arose from the employment of the new personnel, allegedly without advertisement and interview.

     

     

  • Edo primary, secondary schools to resume Monday

    Edo primary, secondary schools to resume Monday

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has approved Monday, September 28, 2020, for the resumption of primary and secondary schools for the 2020/2021 academic session across the state.

    In a statement yesterday in Benin, the state capital, Education Commissioner Jimoh Ijegbai said the governor the schools are to observe social/physical distancing as well as other safety protocols in the classrooms.

    The commissioner said the schools are to operate according to the following schedule: JSS 1-3, between 8 a.m -11 a.m, while SSS 1-3 will be between 12 p.m to 3 p.m.

    He urged parents and guardians to provide face masks for their children and wards to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

    “School heads and proprietors are to ensure strict adherence to COVID-19 safety protocol guidelines and collect copies of the 2020/’21 academic calendar from the office of the Chief Inspectors of Education in the 18 local government areas,” Ijegbai said.

    He added that the sale of forms for examination into the six model schools is still on, while the entrance examination has been moved from September 26 to October 3, 2020.

  • Anambra seals off collapsed building

    Anambra seals off collapsed building

    From Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

    The Anambra State government has sealed off an uncompleted one-storey building that collapsed at Umuota village, Obosi in Idemili North Local Government Area.

    Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the state’s Physical Planning Board (ANSPPB), Chike Maduekwe, stated this during an inspection of the site.

    The structure reportedly collapsed on Sunday, leading to the death of a 40-year-old nursing mother.

    Some other persons were reportedly trapped in the rubble while a six-months-old baby was rescued alive.

    “Our workers have sealed off the building. It is a 40-year-old uncompleted building. The partial collapse affected one section of the building.

    “We’ve invited the owner and the caretaker to our office in Awka. After our meeting with them, we will pull the remaining section down.

    “We appeal to our people to always obtain building permits before construction. This helps the Board to monitor the development,” he said.

    Maduekwe said the woman was confirmed dead by medical officials.

  • Over 2,500 delisted Cross River civil servants protest

    Over 2,500 delisted Cross River civil servants protest

    From Nsa Gill, Calabar

    Over 2,500 civil servants who were delisted from the payroll of the Cross River State government 13 month ago protested yesterday in Calabar, the state capital.

    They barricaded the state secretariat on Murtala Mohammed highway in the capital town as they called for their reinstatement.

    A leader of the protesters, Francis Inah, said many of the affected civil servants had not received salaries since 2018 while others had not been paid since August 2019.

    He said: “We were duly employed in 2015 and due process was followed as many of us wrote different examinations and were given employment letters by the Cross River State government. But surprisingly, for no reason, many of our names were dropped from the payroll in 2018 and another large number in August 2019.

    “The government claimed that many of us entered through the back door. We have been made to go for various audits; yet, our names have not been reinstated till date. What crime have we committed?

    “We are appealing to Governor Ben Ayade-led administration to take a good look into our plight because many of us are now homeless and our children are out of school, coupled with the impact of COVID-19. Life is getting worse by the day.”

    The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions, such as: “Ayade, pay us our salaries”; “No Trade Union in Cross River”; “We will protest until we are reinstated” and “John Odey should be sacked.”

    They decried the removal of their names from the government payroll.

    Francis said Labour had failed to take up their case.

    He said: “Labour has abandoned us. The Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have abandoned us because it does not affect them directly. We can no longer keep quiet. We are dying by the day out of frustration and depression. What we are passing through is terrible. Many of us have been receiving salaries for about three years before our names were illegally removed and things turned from bad to worse for us and our families.”

    The state’s TUC Chairman Monday Ogbodum said they met with the Head of Service on the matter and that there will be a screening this week to resolve the anomaly.

    “We are not keeping quiet about their plight, we are doing our best to resolve the matter, there are plans to carry out screening to know those genuine persons whose names were removed from the payroll this week,” he said.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Christian Ita, argued that the protest was unnecessary as Labour and government had concluded plans to carry out a screening to ascertain the civil servants who were erroneously removed from the payroll.

     

  • 2023: Centre tips Onu, Obi, Soludo for Igbo presidency

    2023: Centre tips Onu, Obi, Soludo for Igbo presidency

    From Emma Elekwa, Onitsha and Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia

    A non-political intellectual think-tank, Millennium Centre for Training and Leadership (MCTL), has named the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu; former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, as having the requisite personalities to be the first Igbo executive President.

    The group said they could win the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) or the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    In a statement yesterday by its President, Prince Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, MCTL argued that zoning the presidency to the Southeast would foster a sense of belonging in the region as well as end alleged political marginalisation.

    The statement reads: “It will also help to douse national tension and mitigate the tide of separatism that has engulfed the region for some years now, in keeping with the ideals of inclusion, fair play, and justice in order to foster national cohesion and a more perfect union.”

    MCTL added: “In the APC, Dr. Onu, amongst others in the party, stands distinctly tall among his peers and he has enduring character, temperament and national acceptance to make a good candidate for APC and subsequently President.

    “We urge all the other political parties, like the PDP, to field Igbo candidates, like Mr Peter Obi or Prof. Soludo, to realise the national ethos of unity base on justice and equity.”

    Also, an Igbo group, Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), has blamed continued marginalisation and dehumanisation of the Igbo as the reason for the persistent demand for the restoration of Biafra.

    In a statement by the Chairman of its Publicity Bureau, Chief Abia Onyike, ADF said it was  dangerous for anyone or government to continue to exclude the people of the Southeast from the political equation of Nigeria and expect the people to be happy.

    The statement reads: “ADF believes that the root causes of these curious predictions are the marginalisation/dehumanisation of Ndigbo, the serial killings/systematic programme of occupation of Alaigbo and their total exclusion from the political equation in Nigeria (ranging from the Executive to the Legislature, Judiciary, bureaucracy, parastatals to all spheres of political and economic life of the state.

    “Given this type of most unusual state of affairs, the longing for Igbo redemption becomes more and more acute and a most welcome idea to all strata of the Igbo society. Thus, the dreams of Igbo emancipation, independence and freedom are bound to be arresting to the youths and pauperised population of Alaigbo.”

  • Citizens’ participation crucial to Bayelsa budget process, says Diri

    Citizens’ participation crucial to Bayelsa budget process, says Diri

    From Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

    Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has said his administration will actualise its prosperity agenda for people of the state through their involvement in strategic government policies.

    Diri spoke yesterday during the second edition of the Citizens’ Participation for Preparation of the 2021 Annual Budget at the Harold Dappa-Biriye Conference Centre in Yenagoa, the state capital.

    Represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the governor said the initiative was meant to ensure accountability and strong collaboration with all stakeholders.

    “We are here not only to fulfill a necessary obligation of the prosperity government but also to fulfill a legal provision.

    “Over the years, we have always done a top-bottom approach in budgeting, which has made us to misplace and duplicate projects in communities. Thus, this budgeting process will eliminate a lot of that.

    “The Citizens’ Participation Budget Conference has been called in compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Law of 2009 (as amended) with the outcomes of the conference to be published on the state’s website,” he said.

  • 2023: Ikpeazu tasks PDP excos to ensure total victory

    2023: Ikpeazu tasks PDP excos to ensure total victory

    By Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia

    The governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has tasked the executive members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia North Senatorial District to brace up and ensure that they bring back the fortunes of PDP in the zone and State at large.

    Our correspondent reports that unlike in previous elections conducted in the state, PDP lost control of key political seats in Abia North including the National Assembly seats which Senator Mao Ohuabunwa lost to the incumbent Chief Whip of the Senate, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu while Nnenna Ukeje lost her seat to Hon. Benjamin Kalu, both of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 general election.

    But Ikpeazu who was represented by his deputy, Sir Oko Chukwu when he received a delegation of Abia North PDP at the Government House, Umuahia, the state capital, stressed the need for the party Executives in the zone to ensure that there is unity of purpose among members of the party in the zone.

    According to Oko Chukwu, the task of ensuring total victory in all elective positions in the area come 2023 to regain their pride is one that can be achieved if there is unity and peace amongst the party faithful.

    The Deputy Governor used the forum to congratulate them on their emergence as PDP Executives both at the zonal and state levels, describing their elevation as one that requires lots of expectations and responsibilities.

    Speaking earlier, the Abia North PDP Zonal Chairman, Dr. Amah Abraham who said their mission is to engage all stakeholders from Abia North to work constructively towards their quest to recover Abia North for PDP and assured that with hard work, commitment and sense of purpose, they are going to rewrite the story of the zone and State come 2023.