Category: Southeast report

Akwa Ibom State Government has slammed the Young Progressives Congress (YPP) for alleging that the government intends to sponsor a civil unrest.

A statement issued yesterday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Iniobong Ememobong, denied any plan by the government to sponsor a civil unrest.

He said the Peoples Democratic Party-led administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel could not stoop as low as instigating political tension that would threaten the security of the state.

The government was reacting to recent allegations by the state Chairman of YPP Campaign Council, Sir Emem Akpabio, who issued a statement, alleging impending attack against the YPP by the state government.

The government recalled that it had, in its earlier statement, hinted Akwa Ibom citizens of a planned unrest by politicians from opposition parties, without mentioning any of them.

The statement said: “We had hinted that the planned unrest was sponsored by politicians from opposition parties, without mentioning any of them. But as usual, the guilty are always afraid. This attitude of self-identification is not strange.

“We recall that in 2019, when the state government criminalised cultism, their candidate, without any direct accusation, took it personal and went on to admit to being “a cultist.

“This attitude of theirs is consistent with the age long African maxims that ‘old women are uncomfortable when dry bones are mentioned’ and ‘a murderer is always afraid of someone walking behind him with a machete’.

The Traditional Rulers Council of Ikwuano/Umuahia political bloc in Abia State yesterday affirmed its decision to endorse the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), High Chief Ikechi Emenike.

The affirmation took place at the expanded meeting of the royal fathers at Abam, Ubakala in Umuahia South Local Government, where they also kept to their promise of bringing on board other levels of leadership in their domains to support the governorship project of Emenike.

It was at the close of last year that the Ikwuano/Umuahia royal fathers adopted the governorship candidate of Abia APC at a meeting held at Ajata na Igu in Ikwuano Local Government.

In keeping to their resolution, they went back and mobilised other levels of leadership in their domains to affirm their choice of Emenike.

At the meeting, 69 royal fathers were in attendance. They were joined by 120 village heads and the president-generals of the town unions in Ikwuano/Umuahia communities.

The Ugoezes (league of wives of traditional rulers) were also present in their full numbers to support their husbands and assure them of their readiness to mobilise the women of Ikwuano/Umuahia to play their role in making a new Abia possible with their votes.

It was the largest gathering of stakeholders so far to endorse the Rescue and Develop Abia (RADA) agenda of the Abia APC governorship candidate and further stamp the Ajata na Igu declaring of December 31, 2022 in which the royal fathers adopted and endorsed Emenike, and told him “we want you to go for us”.

At the expanded meeting of the royal fathers, Ugoezes, Village Heads, and PGs, held at the palace of His Royal Highness, Eze Friday Ihuoma, Abam Ukwu II or Abam Ubakala autonomous community, the stakeholders solidified the stance of the royal fathers. They affirmed their support for the 2023 governorship project of “our own son”.

Emenike reiterated his desire to lift Abia out of the miry pit it was plunged into by successive inept leaders foisted on the state by the ruling party.

He said Abia could not do without having building blocks of development in order to create a sustainable environment of job opportunities, flourishing of commercial and industrial activities and expanded and steady flow of revenue to the coffers of the government.

The APC governorship hopeful urged eligible voters in Abia to ensure they collect their permanent voter cards (PVCs) and use them to vote out the old order of retrogression and usher in a new Abia that will take its rightful place as well governed developed state in Nigeria.

The senatorial candidate of Labour Party (LP) for Anambra Central, Sen. Victor Umeh, has said he has no regrets in contributing his quota for Prof. Chukwuma Soludo to be elected as governor of Anambra State.

The former National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) said yesterday that he had forgiven Soludo after removing his campaign billboards in Awka.

Umeh, who spoke with reporters at his campaign office on Udoka Housing Estate, said he would not challenge the governor’s action in court, as he had resigned himself to faith.

He said during the 2021 governorship election, he toyed day and night, even as Soludo’s returning officer on the election day, yet, the only way he paid him back was to remove his campaign billboards that were paid for because of party politics and interest.

Umeh said there was no level of persecution that would come from Soludo that would force him to condemn him, having supported him during the election, even as many people were against him.

He said:  “I campaigned for him (Soludo) to be governor. I was his director general, and during the run-off at Ihiala, he called me to be his returning officer, and I discharged that duty creditably, ensuring his votes were not stolen, and after that, I took the result to him in Isuofia, his community and presented it to him.

“I have no regret. I only told him my interest then was for him to take care of Anambra people, and it is left for the people to judge if he is doing well or not.”

“Anything I say now will be misinterpreted because the governor recently pulled down my billboards.  It’s left for the people of the state to judge him.”

Umeh said the governor ordered the removal of the billboard during a meeting with some members of his party at the Governor’s Lodge.

“He instructed them to remove it, but someone told him that I duly paid for the billboard to stand at Unizik temporary site junction, but he replied that they should refund my money to me, that the space was too strategic for any other party to display its billboards.

“They removed it on Saturday morning, and in the evening, they replaced it with APGA’s billboard.

“I made inquiries before I agreed to pay for placement of that billboard. That space was previously occupied by a brewery and when their contract expired, an advertising company, which is duly registered, which works with us, told us the space was vacant.

“We paid N1million for our billboard to be placed on that space, and the billboard had my face and that of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.

“The advertising company also paid Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA) for the billboard.

“That billboard has been there since December, and the contract was to expire after the election, but he (Soludo) ordered it to be removed.

“He did it in bad faith, and I heard he had asked me to go to court if I liked. That if I do, the matter will remain there until after the election.

“On the day he ordered the billboard to be removed, about five people who were at that meeting called to inform me.

“This is impunity. The Soludo government has been very intolerant of other political parties campaigning in Anambra, except APGA and PDP. This is unfair,” he said.

Cross River State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Eric Anderson, has said the state recorded the destruction of over 157 properties belonging to the government and individuals during the #Endsars protest in 2020.

The commissioner, who spoke in Calabar during a ministerial media briefing when he was confronted with the dilapidated structure that used to house the state newspaper corporation, said the case of the newspaper corporation was similar to what befell the state after the #Endsars protest.

He said he was part of the government committee that looked into the destroyed properties during the #Endsars protest and the recommendation was that Cross River State should be assisted with N45billion.

“The state is yet to receive the N45billion, which was reviewed by the Senate as compensation funds to cushion the effects of #Endsars protest.”

Anderson said the state needed support from the Federal Government, adding: “I appeared before the Senate on two occasions and we told them that 157 properties were destroyed during #Endsars protest, and we are asking for support to the tune of N73billion. They, however, did a recommendation to the presidency and reviewed it and asked the presidency to pay N45billion to Cross River State, which has not been paid.”

He appealed to the presidency to release the fund, to assist the state in repairing the destroyed properties.

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has said with an open, inclusive, transparent, accountable and God-fearing government, he has restored people’s confidence in governance despite being handed a failed state by his predecessor, Emeka Ihedioha.

Uzodimma, who said this during a broadcast in Owerri yesterday to celebrate his three years in office, noted that there was no document of handover he inherited from Ihedioha.

He expressed joy that the dark clouds that shrouded the process of governance in the past had yielded to a new era of well illuminated governance process that was transparent, inclusive and accountable.

“With these, we have restored the confidence of the people in governance. We have returned Imo State to the rightful owners, i.e. the people. Democracy is after all about the people buying into a participatory government that is for them and run by them.

“Today, Imo people from all walks of life know how their government is run. They have become part of the governing process. The dark clouds that shrouded the process of governance in the past have yielded to a new era of well illuminated governance process that is transparent, inclusive and accountable.”

Uzodimma said his administration had restored to Imo people a true democratic government of the people, by the people and for the people.

He said the problems he encountered in the early days of his administration were daunting.

The governor said despite the challenges of COVID- 19 pandemic and insecurity, which he noted was politically motivated, his administration in 36 months had recorded achievements.

He said he inherited a failed road network, but had been able to construct uncontactable number of quality roads, which had attracted the presence of President Muhammadu Buhari to the state twice.

Uzodimma said the civil service system he inherited was nothing to write home about. But today, the state possesses one of the best civil service systems in the federation.

He said he had given the traditional institution and the judiciary a facelift since he became the governor.

Said he, “The Imo State we met in January 2020 on assumption of office can best be described as something very close to the political definition of a failed state, this time at a sub-national level. For all practical purposes, we met a state with a decayed infrastructure, dysfunctional workforce and a deeply despondent and traumatised populace. There was hardly any good road across the state. The state capital, Owerri, was littered with bad roads and dilapidated government buildings.

Labour Party candidate for Idemili North and South Federal Constituency, Uche Okonkwo, has urged Nigerians to vote for better governance ‘so clearly  abundant in the Obi-Datti  presidential ticket’.

He spoke at a rally in Anambra State, alongside Peter Obi and Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed.

Okonkwo tasked citizens to rise collectively and put a stop to the country’s ‘leadership tragedy’  through their votes.

He said: “Nigeria has had enough baptism of fires of failures and enough broken promises for a lifetime. We have been fed too much lies from men without conscience nor character, men denied their vigour yet insisting feebly to heal the land. Hope is no longer hopeful, because deceit is their only exchange for our common trusts. Now is the time for the baptism of life and prosperity so sure in Peter Obi, and very secure in Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed.”

Okonkwo promised his constituency  improved security, crime reduction, youth entrepreneurship through expanded digital learning and skill acquisitions, healthcare for the aged and vulnerable and wider educational inclusion for all youths in business, farming and tradesmen.

He thanked his constituents for their faith in him, adding that with their goodwill and inspiration,  their Youth Expressions for Service, (YES) mandate will score victory at the polls.

•Donates gifts to 210 widows in Enugu

Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi , assured widows of fallen heroes  that his administration shares their pains.

 He gave the assurance during  the activities marking this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) at Michael Okpara Square, Enugu.

 Ugwuanyi, on arrival, observed and inspected the parade mounted by the military, laid the Remembrance Wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier and released the pigeons symbolising peace in honour of the fallen heroes.

The governor identified with widows seated at the event and assured them of the continued prayers and support of the state government towards the wellbeing of their families, amid tears of joy.

The governor announced the donation of cash and food items to each of the 210 wives of the fallen heroes in Enugu State, describing the event as a solemn moment for the state and the country.

Ugwuanyi also identified with officers of the military and commended them for the sacrifices they make for the peace and stability of the state, stressing that “the peace we have here in Enugu would have been difficult without you people; we are grateful.”

Earlier, prayers were said by Christian and Islamic clerics for the repose of the fallen heroes’ souls and the wellbeing of their families after a minute silence was observed in honour of the departed military personnel.

Prayers were equally offered for the peace, security and progress of Enugu State and Nigeria; for God’s guidance and protection upon all those in leadership positions in the country including President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Ugwuanyi and other governors, and the Service Chiefs; as well as for peaceful general election and successful transition in 2023.

The laying of wreaths were also performed by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigeria Army, Maj. Gen. Umar Musa, represented by the Garrison Commander, Brigadier General M.K Ibrahim; the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Ground Training Command, Nigerian Air Force, Enugu, Air Vice Marshal S. Olatunde; the Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi; the Chief Judge of the State, Hon. Justice Afojulu Raymond Ozoemena; the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Ahmed Ammani; the Chairman of Nigerian Legion, Enugu State Council, Asst. Cmdt. General Emeka Norman Igwesi; the Chairman of Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Igwe Amb. Lawrence Agubuzu, and representative of wives of fallen heroes, Mrs. Gracious Moses.

The President, Customary Court of Appeal, Enugu State,  Justice George Chibueze Nnamani; the lawmaker representing Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency,  Prince Cornelius Nnaji;  Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly,  Uche Ugwu; other members of the state parliament; representative of the State Director, Department of State Services (DSS); other Heads of Security Agencies in the state; the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya; the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Enugu, Prof. Malachy Okwueze; the  Head of Service, Ken Chukwuegbo; other members of the State Executive Council (EXCO), Special Advisers to the Governor; Council Chairmen; Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Emmanuel Edeh; Judges of the State Judiciary; Senior Military Officers; and members of the Nigerian Legion, Enugu State Council, attended the colourful and memorable event.

Southeast governors have been called upon to make the region safe if they want the people to participate in the forthcoming general election.

Participants at a Southeast stakeholders meeting, who spoke in Enugu at the weekend, lamented that the spate of insecurity in the zone would force many voters out of the election if serious steps were not taken to stem the tide.

At the event tagged: “Southeast Stakeholder’s Meeting in Preparations Towards the 2023 General Election”, organised by an election observer group, the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), one of the participants, Dr. Charles Okwuwa, said the security situation in the region called for a decisive action of the governors, who were the chief security officers of their states.

Okwuwa, the director of Abia Governance Network, urged the governors to give the residents assurance that would help them participate fully in the election and vote for candidates of their choice.

The Executive Director of CTA, Faith Nwadishi, said as an accredited domestic observer group, the meeting was part of CTA’s contribution towards free, fair, peaceful, inclusive, conclusive and credible elections.

Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has described Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) as a laudable vision to make life more meaningful for rural dwellers across the country.

He spoke yesterday in Calabar while declaring open the 2023 training and annual retreat organised for RAAMP workers across the 20 participating states.

The governor, represented at the programme held at Transcorp Hotel in Calabar by the Commissioner, Ministry of International Donor Cooperation (MIDC), Dr. Inyang Asibong, welcomed participants to the state capital and described RAAMP as a multi-dimensional project of several benefits poised to uplift humanity and positively change lives, especially of the rural dwellers.

The National Project Coordinator of RAAMP, Aminu Bodinga Mohammed, an engineer, called on participants to utilise the opportunity of being part of the project to make meaningful impact that would stand the test of time in the country.

From Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

As part of measures to have free, fair and credible general election in Bayelsa State, the police, in conjunction with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other stakeholders yesterday organised training for police officers in management of election security.

The training, held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, was attended by chairmen of political parties, security agencies and critical stakeholders.

Delivering a paper on the ‘Electoral Act and the Role of Police on Election Security’, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Bayelsa State, Dr. Emmanuel Hart, said on February 25 and March 11, the electorate would go to the polls to elect their leaders.

He said the performance of civic responsibility by the electorate without hindrance was dependent on an environment that was safe and secure for the delivery of the commission’s electoral services. 

Hart, represented by the Head of Legal Services, INEC, Bayelsa State, Ayi Obaseki, contended that the effective discharge of the responsibility of the police during the conduct of election would lead to a free, fair and credible election, thereby increasing voters’ confidence in the electoral process.

The REC noted that the role of the police towards creating a conducive atmosphere at voting centres was crucial to the conduct of a free, fair and credible election on February 25 and March 11.

“As a key stakeholder, I advise that we work towards increasing voters’ confidence in the electoral process by guaranteeing security at voting centres during election, which in turn will prevent voters’ apathy,” Hart said.

Police Commissioner Ben Okolo assured the stakeholders that the police were prepared for the elections.

He said: “Well, I will take this opportunity to assure you that the police command and other security agencies and INEC, through the inter-agency consultative committee on the election, are prepared.  I assure you that the general election will be seamless.

“We have no other option but to comply with what the electoral laws say. The police and other security agencies will apply the laws and conform to them.”

A security relations consultant, Bosinde Araikpe, said the training, which he was part of, had achieved its purpose, noting that if the country must have a free, fair and credible election, it must begin with law-abiding.