The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Pools agent held on rape charge

    Police have arrested a man suspected to have attempted to defile a minor in Abia State.

    The suspect, Ogbonnaya Ogbuka, a pools agent based in Uzuakoli in Bende Local Government Area of the state, was almost lynched by a mob for allegedly trying to rape an eight-year-old daughter of a student-pastor.

    The father of four, believed to be in his early 60s, was said to have lured the girl into his inner office when a neighbour who saw the girl enter, raised the alarm.

    The Primary Three pupil said she came to buy kerosene in the neighbourhood when the pools agent, who is said to be separated from his wife, beckoned on her to come so he would send her on an errand.

    The little girl said that immediately she came into the office the man grabbed her and dragged her into the cubicle in his office and started fondling and forcibly undressing her, tearing her dress and underpants.

    She said that the man was trying to force himself on her when a neighbor came into the office and raised alarm.

    Passersby soon flooded the pools office and saw the pair in compromising positions.

    The timely arrival of police reportedly saved the man from being lynched by an angry mob.

    The suspect was quickly whisked him away to Uzuakoli police station where he was detained.

    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ezekiel Onyeke, confirmed the arrest of the man who was said to be paedophile.

  • N6b needed to clear Abia salary arrears

    The Federal Government has provided N3 billion to clear workers’ salary arrears in Abia State but the state has said it needs N3 billion more to offset the outstanding wage bill.

    The state said, however, that with the bailout cash provided, it would soon start paying the arrears.

    The state government said that it will look inwards with its internally generated revenue to make up the shortfall to enable it clear the salary backlog.

    Speaking with The Nation in Umuahia the Senior Special Adviser to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on Media, Mr. Ugochukwu Emezue, said that the government is current with the payment of salary from the time Ikpeazu assumed office.

    Emezue explained that workers who have not received their May salary were being delayed by the current verification exercise going on in the state’s work force to fish out ghost workers.

    He said that those who have done their verification exercise have already received their May salary and will soon get their June pay while waiting for the salary arrears for those who are being owed to be cleared.

    Emezue dismissed rumours making the rounds in some quarters that Governor Ikpeazu was not ready to pay the arrears of salary owed Abia workers.

    He said, “The government has received the bailout fund; it is in the neighbourhood of N3 billion; we need about N6 billion to clear the arrears which we are going to clear in no distant time.

    The money is here with us though it is not enough looking at our wage bill debt, but Governor Ikpeazu is looking inwards to augment the money and clear the salary arrears”.

    The Abia governor’s media aid said that the governor has made it clear that he will clear all salary arrears, but will be done after clearing the current salary of workers from June and gradually clear the backlog.

    Emezue said, “Current salaries are being paid, though some agencies have not received theirs and it is because government is carrying out workers verification to fish out ghost workers.

    The workers that have not completed the verification exercise are those who have not received their current salaries, those who have done theirs have since received their current salaries.

    Those who have completed their verification exercise will continue to receive their salaries; Government will by then know clearly who the genuine workers in its payroll are.”

    The Nation observed that part of the problem facing the government in clearing the salary arrears is the issue of ghost workers who were planted in the government payroll by top government officials, including past commissioners, permanent secretaries, council chairmen and chairmen of boards.

    Ikpeazu during a media chat vowed to fish out ghost workers and those who planted them and bring them to book.

    Emezue said, “Governor Okezie has vowed not to owe genuine workers and also demands cooperation of the workers in this direction so that those who are genuine workers will get their pay as at when due, the governor will not owe any genuine worker.”

    He urged the workers who have not done the verification to do it and begin to get their salaries, pointing out that the Governor wants to build a civil service that is proactive, dynamic and compliant.

    The governor’s media aid also urged the workers to ignore the rumour that Ikpeazu would not pay the arrears, saying that the Government will pay the arrears of all Abia workers.

  • ‘Buhari’s US visit timely’

    Hon. Donatus Nwankpa, Abia State chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Comrade Chris Akomas, a chieftain of the party and former deputy governor of the state, have described President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the US as timely because Nigeria needs to strengthen ties with the US and the international community.

    They were also optimistic that the meeting between the two leaders will improve trade and investment, technological advancement, recovery of stolen funds, tackle corruption and help in the war against terrorism.

    “You know that the president is inheriting security challenges, corruption and economic challenges. Mr. President was a military president, he didn’t have the best of relationships with the West and this time around, they need to see a democrat, a man that has the image of transparency that the world is looking for. They need to see the image of a man who knows that the biggest problem that is facing this nation is corruption and collectively they will all sit together for the purposes of putting Nigeria where she belongs.

    “Remember that terrorism is a global syndrome and virus and the United States has a strong posture having suffered various terrorist wars: Osama Bin Laden and his cohort. They have been victims of various terrorist attacks and they have advanced technology in terms of international security system. They have also the armoury and weaponry to counter and fight terrorism. So, it is a good relationship that will bring a new approach in the fight against insurgency and terrorism. It is no longer all about shooting and fighting; it is requires intelligent networking, some fundamental technological and communication system breaking into the process of war against terror and Nigeria needs them to assist her in the onslaught or war against terrorism that is going on in the country.

    ”Remember also that Nigeria is seeking for permanent membership of the Security Council and whether we like it or not, the United States has a lot contribute in these areas.

    “It will boost trade and investment. There will be private sector investment and opportunities. It is a way of reopening a lot of opportunities. It will also help the multi-national companies that have their parent nation as the United States and now trying to reappraise their relationship and regulation with Nigeria,” Nwankpa stated.

    Akomas added that it was expected that by the end of the visit, there would be economic opportunities, hope for the recovery of looted funds, and improvement on the method of prosecuting the war against terrorism and insecurity to improve.

    On the National assembly crisis, the political leaders said, “They should respect the party, accepting the party’s supremacy, and the party in taking their own decision remember Section 14(4) of the constitution which talks about geographical spread. So in whatever they are doing, every region in this country must be given a sense of belonging.”

     

  • ‘Buhari should partner town unions’

    ‘Buhari should partner town unions’

    An Aba industrialist and President-General, Association of Indigenous Town Unions, Imo State, in this interview with Sunny Nwankwo speaks on  how town unions can spur national development. Excerpts:

    Why are you passionate about Town Unions?

    The Town Union is the only development driven identity of the Igbo man that has stood the test of time.  It predates the colonial era. The Town Union structure is an exclusive product of the Igbo man’s genetic configuration of unrepentant republicanism. It is the only genuine democratic structure in Igbo land with undisputable credible leadership.  It is the only structure that has total coverage in the whole of Igbo land.  In fact democracy started from Igbo land in Nigeria via the Town Union leadership.

    In my community, Akpulu, for instance, the first documented meeting proceedings of the Town Union was in 1936, when they produced the first person who could read and write.  The modern version of the Igbo man’s ancient republican system of governance is what we are celebrating the world over today as democracy. Americans who are the father of modern democracy have just embraced the Town Hall meeting as a democratic mobilisation process under the Bush regime but Town Hall buildings and Town Hall gatherings  originated with the Igbo man a long time ago.  Every living Igbo man today cannot say when the Town Union meeting of his town/community started; he grew up to see it. The age grade (Ebiri), nnoko Umunna/Otu Umunna, Nze na Ozo, Umuada, etc, were all forms of Town Unionism that existed in the past which metamorphosed and developed into the present modernised town unionism.

    The two most important things about the Town Union are that it drives development to the grassroots mainly through self-help effort.  Eighty per cent of rural development in any part of Igbo land is through the Town Union leadership – the schools, hospitals, roads, churches, market squares, scholarship programs, etc. Secondly, the leadership is the willing choice of the people by all democratic and credible standards.  The president generals are men of integrity with credible mandate of majority of the people.

    What is the difference or relationship between the Town Union and Ohanaeze Ndigbo?

    Ohaneze is an elitist Igbo pressure group. I am a member too and I think all state leadership of Town Unions in Igbo-speaking states are statutory members but the Town Union, in addition to being an Igbo pressure group, has a statutory function. There is only one Town Union involved in the day-to-day administration of the communities to maintain peace and order via various vigilance groups, etc. They are the closest to the grassroots and as such, the structure is the most effective agent of mobilisation in Igbo land. Every genuine Igbo man including members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo is a member of his Town Union. Any Igbo man who is not a member or is expelled from the Town Union has a questionable character. In fact, the phenomena of Town Unionism are deeply rooted in the psyche and culture of the Igbo man both at home and in Diaspora. Beside the mother Unions that are based at home, all the major cities in Nigeria- Lagos, Kano, Ibadan, Onitsha, Aba etc, all have branches of their various Town Union. In US, UK, Germany etc there are Igbo Town Unions too.

    Are Town Unions political?

    The Town Unions are political but not partisan. The Town Union is father to, and welcomes, all political parties. That is to say that the Town Union as a structure does not belong to any political party even if it has Igbo tribal coloration. Individual members and groups could belong to various political parties of their interest. However, the Union can come out and take a definite position when the collective interest of the Igbos or that community is at stake. It can also be described as a non-governmental organisation.

    What is the relationship between the government and Town Unions?

    The association of Imo State indigenous Town Unions as registered with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is independent just like its counterparts in other states like Anambra.  It is not an arm of the government.  However, the structure should on mutual discretion support and partner with government in relevant areas to drive development to the grassroots.  For instance, Anambra State especially under the administration of Peter Obi and Willie Obiano have partnered with the Town Union structure to develop the rural communities in the state. These Town Union structures both at the state level and zonal level in the South East are all duly incorporated with Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja with approved board of trustees and as such are legitimately entitled to function and operate as registered.

    To what extent do you think the voice of the town union can be heard?

    First we have established that the Town Union is a generic and indelible identity of the Igbo man.  It is one language every Igbo man understands.  Its administration covers all nooks and crannies of Igbo land and cuts across all political, religious, demographic barriers.

    We have also established that it has a credible leadership of president generals and their various executives who are selected by their various communities based on their integrity profile and genuine leadership qualities.  No bribery, no lobbying, no thuggish acts, and no snatching of ballot boxes.  There is this genuine and patriotic willingness on the part of the leadership to serve their people and they are generally not paid. I therefore want to state without fear of equivocation that this Town Union leadership as far as Igbo land is concerned has more integrity and credibility than the political party leadership we have today. I dare any Igbo man to challenge this fact.

    The only thing is that this leadership is not loud and does not have sufficient resources to be noticed; you know the Nigeria factor.  Therefore, if Buhari wants to tidy up the governance of Nigeria based on integrity and credibility to fight corruption this structure of Town Unions leadership must not be neglected at least in the Igbo-speaking part of Nigeria.

    There is this adage that says “Ihe yiri ite ka eji ekpuchi ite” that is you cover the pot with an identical diametric lid”.  If you are looking for the eye of an animal, it is only in the head that you can find it.  Buhari has to look beyond his nose bridge to see credible characters, remember “na only when you bend down, you go see Aba well well”.

    It is only through this Town Union structure that relevant government programmes and policies could be marketed and communicated to the people and interpreted in the language they will understand.

    What is your assessment of Buhari’s victory at the polls?

    Buhari’s presumed integrity profile remains his greatest asset in this current political dispensation.  I am personally excited by such level of integrity profile as acclaimed. Looking at Buhari’s antecedents, track record and history both as a military personnel   and as a civilian, one would notice some form of defiant straight forwardness which is what Nigeria requires now and which is the only gospel I preach in my political career.  If you remember his time as a military head of state, the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) and other character moulding policies then, you would understand what I am talking about.  If Nigeria had continued with that policy, we wouldn’t have found ourselves in this messy corruption today. However, I hope he is still the same Buhari of the WAI fame. Buhari won the election because of this singular factor of perceived integrity.

    There are fears of a possible marginalisation of the Southeast as Buhari got the least support from the zone in the last election?

    Who told you the Igbos didn’t vote for him?  You see, there are two types of voting and political support; one is active, the other is passive.  If one deliberately refuses to vote for his brother who is your opponent, it’s a form of passive or latent support for you.  If you compare the voting pattern in 2011 with that of 2015, especially in the Southeast you will realise what I am talking about. Even at that the Igbos voted for Buhari both actively and passively. However, we have passed the stage of election politics; we are now in the politics of governance.  Buhari has won the election, he needs to also succeed and win in governance.  The two stages and scenarios are quite different.  A set of people relevant for a successful election might not necessarily be the set relevant for successful governance.  Buhari like himself must bluntly appreciate this obvious fact.

    What are the areas you want the President to prioritise?

    The other day I read in the newspaper that there are four major challenges they want to start with; unemployment, corruption, insecurity and economy.   As far as I am concerned, Nigeria has only one major, mega problem; CORRUPTION.  It is a killer virus that controls all other challenges in Nigeria.  If Buhari can successfully develop a vaccine for this virus, he would have been the best thing to happen to Nigeria.

    Why do you think Buhari can tackle corruption?

    You see, the first and most effective armour to wear in the fight against corruption is integrity – being corruption-free, that is leadership by example.  He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.  Buhari is widely known for having this armour, at least when compared other human leadership options. Buhari should be very careful because most people around him are all corrupt and disqualified from participating in this war.  Corruption cannot fight corruption; when corruption fights itself, the result will be compromise.

    But there are Nigerians who are not corrupt or whose level of integrity is within acceptable range.  Buhari must look for such people.  He can take his time to do this instead of hurrying into calamity.  He must look beyond his party and tribal environment.  Buhari should constitute credible search committees at all levels so that this reformation will happen simultaneously throughout the federation.  Credible and potent anti-corruption taskforces must be put in place.

    Buhari has just appointed Service chiefs and no Igbo man or woman made the list.  Some Igbo leaders are crying marginalisation, what is your take on that?

    I think it is still not yet time for a loud suspicion.  There are many other appointments yet to be made. The Presidential spokesman said the appointments of the Service Chiefs were purely based on merit.  Let’s watch.  Luckily the Igbos are known for merit and achieves a lot by merit. There are many appointment areas where the Igbos will excel on merit. Let’s see whether merit will turn to de-merit.

    Critics have described Buhari as slow. Is it about age? What do you think?

    I don’t know why people harp on irrelevances. Buhari made an innocent, realistic observation about his natural limitations and some busybodies are making unwarranted issues about it. Tell me who doesn’t have limitations?  Do we prefer a young energetic but corrupt president to an old president with sufficient integrity profile?  Nelson Mandela was older when he gave South Africa the best leadership in history.

    Buhari, Osibanjo and some state governors have either said they won’t take salaries for now or slashed their salaries by half.

    This has no impact on the economy or payment of salaries to workers. Even if you put together all the official salaries of the President, governors and National Assembly members, it won’t create any significant impact on the economy. If they want to sacrifice, let them sacrifice all the allowances including security votes and retain their basic salaries.  A labourer is worthy of his wages.  That is the essence of basic salaries.  We are talking of mountains of money and resources that corrupt officials stole and removed from the treasury and you are talking of salaries.   Let them take their salaries, but institute an enduring solution to corruption, that is the only the country can prosper. Even if they forfeit their salaries but do not confront corruption frontally, corrupt officials will hijack the forfeited salaries and it would defeat the essence of such forfeiture.

    What is your advice to the President?

    He needs to be himself and firm.  He should be focused and concentrate on the war against corruption.  He should look for very credible Nigerians no matter their political party or tribe to join forces with him in achieving good governance in Nigeria. Buhari should avoid policy summersaults.  That he somersaulted on his earlier decision to allow the state government sort out their workers’ salaries issue does not show administrative firmness.  Is he allowing himself to be pushed around?  The states should be compelled to fill-up the trenches they dug.  It is not proper for the Federal Government to run to their rescue immediately after they have looted the state treasuries.  I hope this is the Buhari we used to know? Well let us give him the benefit of doubt because of the civil servants’ sufferings.

     

  • IMT teachers appeal to Ugwuanyi over unpaid salaries

    The gale of unpaid salaries sweeping across the country is also  causing havoc in the Ivory Tower, as staff of the Institute of Management and Technology, IMT Enugu have cried out to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi over the matter.

    Some of the lecturers who spoke to The Nation on their plight, appealed to the state government to pay their May, June and July salaries, stressing that the inability of the state government to pay their arrears after receiving the federal government bailout puts them in a tight corner.

    A member of the staff who would not want his name in print, told The Nation that efforts made by the management of the institution to see the state governor after his inauguration have yielded no fruits.

    According to the staff, most of them now find it difficult to provide put food on their family tables and to so adequately, not to say anything about fulfiling other financial obligations including payment of their children school fees and house rents.

    “You know the situation in IMT. We were getting N20million monthly subvention from the state government abinitio; that was when the student population was much and when they (student) were reduced, we started getting N120million subvention from the immediate past Governor of the state; Barr. Iheanacho Sullivan Chime.

    “We were paid half salary in February, in March we were paid fully and since then, we are yet to receive salary from the state government. It might interest you to know that while we are waiting to be paid, one of us, though a non-academic staff with the works department died because he hadn’t the money to foot his medical bills.

    “We learnt that members of the management of our institution have made efforts to see the Governor, but their efforts we understand has proved unsuccessful.

    “The situation is not a funny one. None payment of workers salary is not peculiar to Enugu State, I agree. But the federal government through the intervention and magnanimity of President Buhari graciously granted financial bailout to states recently and Enugu is among the states that were granted the bailout and one would expect that IMT being a state managed institution should also be able to pay her workers from the bailout fund. The situation is not funny here. Many staff has been using the IMT auditorium for prayers and in our various private praying times, it has been our praying point that God will touch the heart of Governor Ugwuanyi to come to our rescue,” the source  pleaded.

  • Abia workers demand pay

    Abia State has acknowledged receipt of N3b bailout from the Federal Government to clear salary arrears but that has not stopped the state workers from asking for their backlog of pay.

    The civil servants are said to be owed between four and nine months in salary depending on the parastatal.

    Senior Special Assistant to Abia State Governor on Media, Mr. Ugochukwu Emezue said the salaries would soon be paid.

    Some local government staff, who spoke anonymously with our correspondent for fear of victimization, said that they were yet to get their salaries after February payment.

    A health worker said, “The situation is so bad that some of us who don’t have money to feed our families have withdrawn our children and wards from school because not everyone has the money to pay or afford the school fees private schools demand. Some of us owe our landlords; we are yet to renew our house rent.

    Some whose landlords could not show understanding have been asked to quit their flats and apartments. That is how bad the situation has gotten to and we are yet to know the position of government about our case.

    “It was these problems that led the federal government to give bailout funds to states and we prayed so very hard for it to happen and since the bailout was release, we are yet to be paid our salaries by the state government. We don’t know what the state government is waiting for to order that the money be used to pay our salaries.

    Another civil servant said, “We have been finding it very difficult to transport ourselves to the office…but they still want us to be coming to work daily and punctual too.”

    The Nation gathered that the delay in the payment may be connected to the staff audit in some, if not all, of the local governments and parastatals, owing to government’s determination to address reported cases of ghost workers in the state civil service, a situation which a local government in the state confirmed.

    A worker at Obingwa Local Government Area told our correspondent that they are being owed about four months in salaries, adding that they now use a log book as a means of checking truancy among staff of the council, a system the staff said was introduced by their Head of Service.

    According to the staff, it was shocking that some people that have even traveled overseas like we learnt were earning salaries which the use of log book has helped the council to uncover.

    A source in the state told our reporter the state got N3billion from the Federal Government but needed N6billion to pay its workers.

  • Man stabs sister-in-law to death, commits suicide

    Man stabs sister-in-law to death, commits suicide

    A man who was identified as Uba Okoroafor has allegedly stabbed his sister-in-law to death in Aba, Abia State.

    He was also said to have committed suicide after committing the crime.

    The incident, according to sources, was said to have occurred at No. 209 Hospital Road in the commercial city.

    Though information on the incident was sketchy at press time, it was gathered that the man committed the crime after he was resisted by the sister in-law from going out because of the state of his mental health.

    A source who claimed to have been reliably informed about the incident, said that Okoroafor after stabbing his sister-in-law stabbed himself and “fell off from the building to the ground where he later died”.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, Ezekiel Udeviotu Onyeke confirmed the incident, saying that Ndiegoro Police Division under whose jurisdiction the incident happened, was  already investigating the matter to ascertain the true picture of the incident.

    In another development, Abia state police command has arrested a suspected member of a kidnapping gang terrorising the state capital and its environs.

    Ifeanyi John, a native of Obigbo, Rivers State, was said to have been kidnapped by the gang at Nsukwe, Umuahia South Local Government Area of the state, along Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway but was lucky to regain freedom at the border of Imo and Abia states after a police team from Ubakala Police Division gave them a hot chase.

    It was gathered that while the police team at a checkpoint in Obowo, Imo State had flagged the suspects down for routine checks not knowing that their guests were also being trailed by another police team from Abia.

    The Imo team were still with the suspects when the Abia police arrived at the scene.

    While Ifeanyi was not lucky like his colleagues who drove off with the victim’s car, the Police Public Relations Officer for Abia State Command said that investigation into the matter was still ongoing, promising that they were going to  collaborate with their Imo State counterparts to track down the escaped members of the gang.

  • ‘No regrets endorsing Ikpeazu’

    The factional chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prince Nnanna Ukaegbu said that he and the section of the party he leads endorsed and campaigned for Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.

    Ukaegbu was fielding questions from reporters in Aba, Abia State.

    He said his faction supported Ikpeazu because he was only the best candidate among the lot that were aspiring for the number one position in the state and that he believed the governor will deliver the dividends of democracy to Abians.

    He also hailed Ikpeazu’s prudent management of funds.

    The APGA chairman who also vied to represent Aba North and South Federal Constituency, called on Abians and other political parties in the state to support the Okezie-led administration, warning people who are disparaging the governor.

  • A queen’s love for orphanages in Anambra

    A queen’s love for orphanages in Anambra

    The usually quiet children’s home in Nise, Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State, was a beehive of activities when Jennifer Okorie, the Miss Goodluck 2015, Southeast visited the orphanage last weekend to give succour to the less privileged and the needy.

    Tears of joy rolled down the cheeks of those present.

    Queen Jeloy as she is fondly called by all and sundry in the state, took with her some items needed by the children, including cartons of soaps, packets of tissue papers.

    Also, she presented some bags of rice, bags of salt, cloths, beverages, Indomie noodles among others.

    The secretary of the motherless babies home in Anambra state, Dr. T. C. Aguocha, told TheNation that he wished the Miss Goodluck South East was made Miss Nigeria.

    He said the kind hearted mind of the queen was exemplary, adding that she behaved like somebody from the moon.

    According to him, “this young lady has shown the qualities of a good leader, she has showers the kids with lots of goodies in this community orphanage home and you can see that the children themselves are happy”.

    “I have nothing else to tell her, but I will continue to pray for her for more successes and God’s best wishes and I believe the hearts of the children will equally guild and protect her in all her endeavours”.

    The queen’s intimate friend, Chinwoke Nkemere told the Nation that it was not the first time the beauty queen had done such a thing, adding that she had taken such gesture to Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo states.

    “She has a good heart and wonderful initiative and these had endeared her to the hearts of not only the children in these states but to those that matter in the society”.

    The Nation discovered that the orphanage home which was established over 10 years ago, has over 12 children and situated along Nise – Agulu road.

    For the beauty queen, the inspiration to help the needy and the homeless children came from God.

    According to Okorie “these are bundles of joy from God, we are not going to allow them suffer in the society, I feel fulfilled celebrating this day with them”.

    “They are the gifts of nature and should not be abandoned, all I am praying for is that the rich in the society should come and help in making sure that they live the normal life like every other persons in the society”.

    “Nigeria has many individuals who have plenty of money, corporate organisations, let them not only concentrate on sports and other mundane issues, they should equally spread their tentacles to the motherless children in the society”.

    “They are not the cause of what has befallen them, therefore, all of us should rally round them to lift them to greater height, this is just the beginning from my little end” Jennifer Okorie told The Nation.

  • Senator cautions Imo Assembly new speaker

    Senator cautions Imo Assembly new speaker

    A socio-political crusader in Imo State, Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha has congratulated the new Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Iheanacho Ihim (Onwa) on his elevation as the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly.

    Samuelson described Dr. Acho Ihim as a grassroots politician who has re-integrated himself back with the mainstream political leaders across the state.

    Iwuoha, who played a major role that stopped Hon. Ihim from emerging Speaker on June 7, 2011, which eventually saw to the emergence of former Speaker Benjamin Uwajumogu, however, cautioned the new speaker on the kind of aides he would recruit to pilot the affairs of the 6th Assembly.

    Iwuoha specifically advised Hon. Ihim to do away with the former Speaker’s senior aides if he does not want the rain to beat him. Iwuoha mentioned the name of the former Chief of Staff, Mr. Kodichi Anamekwe and others like Mr. Emeka Ahaneku, Mr. Godson Amadikwa, Mr. Kingsley Ndubueze, Mr. Dan Orji, Mr. Ugwu and Mr. Ifeanyi Nwannenna etc. as people which Hon. Ihim should stay away from, if he intends to make any meaningful impact as speaker.

    While Kodichi Anamekwe defrauded the Assembly of Funds running into hundreds of millions of naira through fictitious and fraudulent supply of diesel (AGO), computer accessories, ghost workers, award of road contracts, financial assistance scam and burying of several charms allegedly prepared with new born babies and aborted babies at the Imo Assembly compound, Emeka Ahaneku defrauded the Assembly of funds running into tens of millions of naira through the general duties department of the office of the speaker.

    Through this department, Emeka Ahaneku signed off millions of naira for former Speaker’s sister Chidinma Uwajumogu’s non-governmental organisations – Development Initiative for African Women (DIFAW) and Development Initiative for African Youths (DIFAY).

    Also, Ahaneku brought down or reduced the number of media correspondents at the Imo State House of Assembly from 36 to only 16, thereby inflicting untold hardships on correspondents. He was stealing the sum of N300,000 from the correspondents stipends on monthly basis and so many other fraudulent activities.

    All these information are with EFCC and force headquarters. Emeka Ahaneku is a serial blackmailer who operates with pseudo names (fake names) such as Amaefula Amadi, Chinonso Obi, Ikenna Obioha and most recently Barrister Chikodi Amadi etc.

    He uses these names to blackmail people of integrity and credibility. He recently blackmailed the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, with the name Barrister Chikodi Amadi accusing him of interfering with Assembly matters. The rest of Godson Amadikwa, Kingsley Ndubueze, Dan Orji, Ugwu, Ifeanyi Nwannenna etc are members of the Ihitte/Uboma cabal that saw to the desecration of the office of the speaker. Anything that has a beginning must have an end.

    Samuelson pointed out that the names he mentioned above including Speaker Uwajumogu should be held responsible for the various deaths that occurred at the Speaker’s office between 2011 and 2014.

    The social crusader finally advised Hon. Ihim to make use of aides from among the Acho Ihim Campaign Organisations and credible people across the state.

    “Ihim must not allow the rain to beat him and the only way to avoid the rain from beating him is to do away with Kodichi Anamekwe, Emeka Ahaneku, Godson Amadikwa, Kingsley Ndubueze, Dan Orji, Ugwu, Ifeanyi Nwannenna etc.

    Political leaders should advise Hon. Ihim better because I am ruthlessly serious. I want him to succeed in Jesus Name, Amen,’’ Samuelson concluded.

    The new Deputy Speaker Hon. Ugonna Ozuruigbo was also congratulated by the social crusader.

    Iwuoha has further cautioned the new Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Ihim over the alleged plan to retain senior aides of the former Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Uwajumogu.

    Samuelson maintained that retaining those boys by Dr. Ihim would mean inheriting Uwajumogu’s problems, battles and troubles as he would not sheath his sword against the office of the Speaker.

    He has therefore pleaded with the Clerk of the House, Chief Chris Duru and the other honourable members, including political and religious leaders to talk sense into Hon. Ihim so that he would not make the mistake of inheriting Uwajumogu’s problems by attempting to retain any of those senior aides whose names he listed.

    Few days ago, Samuelson had congratulated the new Speaker on his emergence but strictly cautioned him never to retain Uwajumogu’s senior aides over their criminal, fraudulent and occultic tendencies including his battles with the office of the speaker.