Category: Southeast report

By Damian Duruiheoma, Enugu

The people of Enugu West Senatorial District and kinsmen of the former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, have assured Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi that they will accept his decision regarding the 2023 governorship position.

The people, who spoke under the aegis of Enugu West Patriotic League, said they were in support of zoning for the governorship seat.

The league, in a communiqué yesterday after a visit to the governor, passed a vote of confidence in Ugwuanyi’s administration, saying it had concluded plans for a “one million-man march” in support of the government.

It said the resolve was to encourage the governor to enthrone peace and development.

“The league supports the zoning system for the governorship position in Enugu State and will support Ugwuanyi on his decision on the choice of next governor,” the communiqué said.

The three-point communiqué, signed by the 36 national leaders of the league present during the visit, including the National President, Chief Paul Anikwe; National Secretary, Prof. Uchechukwu Okoro; and National Public Relations Officer, Chief Uche Obute, said the march would hold in October.

“Enugu West Patriotic League supports the leadership quality and style of Governor Ugwuanyi and passes vote of confidence in the governor.

“The League assures the governor of highest support from Enugu West Senatorial District.”

Enugu West Patriotic League comprises stakeholders from the five local governments that make up Enugu West Senatorial District (Aninri, Awgu, Ezeagu, Oji-River and Udi) and the leadership represents a mass movement of people from the 81 wards in the zone.

Enugu All Progressives Congress(APC) ward congress committee has attributed the success of the exercise to cooperation of members.

At a press conference on Sunday, the committee’s chairman Dr Ijeomab Arodiogu commended members for their maturity.

He described his committee’s performance as satisfactory, stating it has monitored the exercise and found it free and fair.

Arodiogbu stated in some wards the members had gone for consensus and voted for their preferred candidates in others.

He further stated the exercise had been carried out under strict adherence to the party’s Constitution and set guidelines.

He pointed out relevant agencies such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) , Police and the State Security Services, SSS were involved in the exercise in line with their constitutional roles.

On the allegation that result sheets were missing, Arodiogbu dismissed such stories as mischievous.

He stated at no point in the exercise was such a report made to him or the appropriate authorities.

He stated for such reports to have surfaced at the conclusion of the exercise was only a pointer that people who had lost out were trying to undermine the process.

By Chris Njoku, Owerri

IMO State Police Command yesterday shot dead two armed bandits while attempting to launch attack on Njaba Police station.

The bandits who were in a convoy moving towards Njaba town were intercepted by the Command’s Operation Restore Peace team at about 1.20am in a crossfire.

In a statement, the police spokesman, CSP Michael Abattam said two of the suspects were gun down in the ensuing fire fight while others escaped into the bush with gunshot wounds.

He said on searching the vehicle one Ak 47 rifles was recovered with ten rounds of live ammunition and a locally made double-barrel pistol with two expended cartridges.

According to him, the bandits detonated an Improvised Explosive Devices into the parking lots of a nearby Njaba Police Station causing minimal damage.

By Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

THE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Anambra State has assured motoring public in the state of its readiness to ensure officers’ conduct themselves in the highest level of professionalism and civility.

The Sector Commander, Adeoye Irelewuyi who gave the assurance in a chat with The Nation, however solicited cooperation of the public, including avoiding deliberate provocation and incitement of officers on duty, just as he noted that such did not justify officers’ incivility.

He said, “But I want to assure all road users in the state that the Command is doing everything possible to ensure officers’ conduct themselves in the highest level of professionalism and civility.

“Before we send out our men each day, we conduct patrol briefing where we give them patrol focus, as well as talk to them about civility and professionalism while on the road.

“Aside this, there’s a statutory weekly in-house platform where all officers, whether on patrol or not are addressed and lectured on things they need to know and how to interact with the motoring public.

“These are outside regular courses the corps organises to improve the officers’ professionalism. We also have monitoring teams that go out to monitor the officers on duty.

“In addition, we have SERVICOM Unit in all our offices that receives report from members of the public. The desk officers in charge investigate such reports and take appropriate disciplinary actions against such erring staff.

“Since all of us can’t handle situations same way, we plead for the cooperation of members of the public and try not to deliberately provoke and incite our men on duty. But that’s not a justification for our unprofessionalism.”

On the ongoing construction work along the Awka-Onitsha expressway, Irelewuyi called on motorists to avoid driving against traffic, just as he appealed to relevant bodies responsible for the work to expedite action on the road.

“It’s giving us concern that there is interaction of traffic flow on that section of the road. But it calls for patience on the part of the motoring public as we keep bringing the attention of relevant government departments responsible to expedite work on the road.

“On the interim, let them do a palliative work on the portion of the road under construction so as to serve as alternative routes,” he added.

FORMER President Goodluck Jonathan’s aide, Chief Akachukwu Nwankpo, has been tipped to win the Anambra State November 6 governorship election.

The prediction came yesterday in Awka, from the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress ADC, Chief Raphs Okey Nwosu.

The reason, according to Nwosu, who spoke with The Nation, was because the three major political parties in the state had disappointed the people.

He said the All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA, the All Progressives Congress APC and the People’s Democratic Party PDP, were no longer rated in Anambra, adding that the people were now rooting for a new platform.

He maintained that Nwankpo, who dumped APGA for ADC, would succeed Governor Willie Obiano after the November 6 election in the state.

Nwosu, said the electorate had realised that ADC was the ‘third force ‘ in Nigeria’s political circle, describing the candidate as solution provider for Ndi Anambra.

Nwosu, said ADC became the third force in Nigeria because it had produced 15 House of Assembly lawmakers especially in the West and seven House of Representatives members in the country

“We have 15 House of Assembly members across the West. We also have five Reps members, but two of them have decamped to APC because they soiled their hands. But the Anambra election will redefine this.

“If it were a place where things work, the three parties namely APGA, APC and PDP will not participate in the November 6 election and if we don’t correct it now, the country is doomed politically,” Nwosu said

Furthermore, he said the parties had dishonoured the judiciary, the way, according to him; they had dishonoured the country’s politics. “We are having judicial rascality in Anambra State.”

Nwosu disclosed that Akachukwu Nwankpo was presented to the party by some major players in Anambra politics.

“We saw ADC DNA in him when he was screened. He is being re- schooled entirely to fit into ADC DNA completely because he has PDP and APGA infections in him right now. By the grace of God, he will be the next governor of Anambra State come November 6th, “Nwosu said.

By Damian Duruiheoma, Enugu

RESIDENTS of Adani community in Uzo-Uwani local government area of Enugu State, have rolled out the drums to celebrate the commissioning of the newly completed ultramodern market retail and lock-up shops in the community.

The market constructed by the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program –Phase One (ATASP-1), a Federal Government special agriculture intervention initiative, was handed over to the community, which is a host to the famous Ada Rice Irrigation Project.

The project was said to be in fulfilment of the yearnings of rice farmers and dealers in the area to have where they could trade like other communities.

Speaking at a brief hand-over ceremony, National Program Coordinator of ATASP-1, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed Arabi expressed delight that the programme had fulfilled the yearnings of rice farmers and dealers to have a modern market lock-up shops and stalls where they can sell their products.

Arabi, represented by the National Agriculture Specialist, Mr Adekunle Alege, called for proper use of the facilities to ensure that the ultimate goal of the federal government through the ministry of agriculture and rural development to invest multi-billion naira on infrastructure projects and programs in the community was realized.

He urged the community to maintain the market and make good use of it so that ATASP could do more things for them.

The zonal programme coordinator, ATASP-1 Adani-Omor Crops Processing Zone, Mr Romanus Egba explained that the facility was constructed with grants from African Development Bank (AfDB) group and state government’s counterpart funding, with zero financial contribution from the community.

“Apart from supporting our farmers, who cultivate rice, cassava or sorghum to attain maximum yields and create employment opportunities along the value chain, we also provide social infrastructures and support services that enable them sell their produce and attain better living standards.

“Initially, we wanted to drill borehole in the community to provide clean water for them, but we discovered that traders in the market do not have roof under them and were easily exposed to the bad elements,” he said.

By Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

TRADERS of the Onitsha Main Market Amalgamated Traders Association (OMMATU), Anambra State has asked Governor Willie Obiano led government to prevail on the appointed Caretaker Committee to conduct election for traders to avert looming crisis in the market.

The aggrieved traders, under the aegis of Agitators for Democratic Election in Main Market, warned that the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) would experience ‘Tsunami’ in the November 6 governorship election if their call for conduct of their own election was ignored.

Addressing newsmen on yesterday in Onitsha, the over 30 selected traders from different section of the three zones in the market, led by Mr Christiantus Okeke stressed that APGA stood chances of losing the guber poll if the market elections were neglected.He said, “We’ve taken enough of the appointed Caretaker Chairmen to run the affairs of the market. If the APGA led government goes into the November governorship election without conducting election for us, the party will be embarrassed with the outcome of the result.

“We are specifically calling on Governor Obiano, a man we supported 100% in both his first and second tenures election to prevail on Ministry of Trader, Commerce and Wealth Creation and Mr. Kenneth Onyeka led Caretaker Committee of OMMATU to conduct the market election before November 6.

“We can assure them ignoring our demand will definitely lead to opposition parties’ infiltration and possible winning of the heart of the traders.”

Reacting, Mr Kenneth Onyeka alleged that the protesters were former market leaders who were not only short changing state government, but were unhappy with the economic impact his administration was making in the state.

He said, “Those calling for election in the market are either PDP card carrying members who want to take over the market or people being sponsored by PDP chieftains who want to cause trouble in the market. Most of them are not even from the State.”

All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains in Enugu, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Godfrey Onyeama, former Senate President Ken Nnamani and former Governor Sullivan Chime have praised Saturday’s ward congresses across the State.

Members adopted the consensus mode to pick the 27 ward executives.

In Amechi Ward 2 of South East representative of the Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee Nnamani, the congress took place without hitches.

Members conducted themselves peacefully to elect their ward officers, local government delegates and state delegates via consensus.

Delighted with the crowd and enthusiasm by party members, Nnamani attributed the democratic attitude to vision of the Governor Mai Mala Buni- led leadership to entrench true democracy in the party.

In Udi, Trans- Ekulu and Ekeh, the ward congresses were peaceful conduct with delegates electing their 27 members by consensus.

In Ekeh, which is the home ward of Onyeama, delegates arrived as early as 10: 30am to elect their officers.

Onyeama stated he was satisfied with the congresses and commended the Enugu State Ward Congress Committee for ensuring high fairness all over the State.

In Udi, Chime endorsed the ward congresses as the best he had ever seen, describing the process as peaceful and victory for democracy.

Chairman of Enugu Ward Congress Committee,Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, praised members for their orderly conduct and oneness.

He stated he had also informed the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the State about the congresses which he said led to the process been properly monitored by the electoral body.

He also debunked allegations that 206 result sheets were missing, describing the report as the tale of those who wanted the committee to forcibly dance to their tune.

He wondered how 206 result sheets could be missing and there were still harmony and peace during the exercise among members.

By Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Anambra State on Friday disclosed that two lives were lost while five persons were injured in three different crashes at various locations in the state during the just concluded Id el Kabir celebrations.

The Sector Commander, Adeoye Irelewuyi who made the disclosure in a chat with The Nation said 525 offenders contravened 631 various traffic offenses and were apprehended across the state during the period.

He said statistics showed a 50 percent reduction in number of crashes recorded in previous years, attributing the improvement to level of deployment of officers and technical resources as well as traffic control strategy.

He explained that among the most prevalent offences was seat belt violation, regretting the reluctance to use of seat belt by motorists while driving.

He said, “We deployed over 1,000 personnel, Special Marshal ahead of the festival. Between 16th and 25th of Special Patrol we recorded a total number of 525 offenders contravened for 631 various traffic offenses across the state.

“The most prevalent offences was seat belt use, which means that people are still not complying with safety belt while on the road. This has formed the focus of our next line of action during the post-Sallah patrol.

“We recorded a total number of three crashes within the period. Unfortunately, one of them was fatal and claimed two lives. We had about five injured, with a total of seven vehicles involved. These crashes happened at various locations in the state.

“Comparatively, year 2020 was virtually COVID-19 year. The traffic movement was virtually zero. But when compared with 2019, there is a reduction in the crash rate. We recorded total number of five deaths from seven crashes. That means less than 50percent reduction.

“This improvement can be attributed to level of deployment, strategy of traffic control employed because all the crash prone areas were manned by regular and Special Marshals round the clock. All technical resources were also deployed within the routes and highways.

“This realisation has not sunk into our road users. But I believe that with continued public enlightenment and enforcement, we’ll get there. It’s not an easy task to change attitude built over the years.”

By Nwanosike Onu, Awka

One of the communities in Anambra State, Isiagu, Awka South local government area, has recovered a 21.211 hectares of land it leased for 99 years to a firm for agricultural purposes.

According to the leaders of the community, the decision to revoke the lease agreement became inevitable due to the failure by the firm to fulfill its own side of the obligation.

The Deed of Lease between the representatives of the land was dated January, 1978.

It was gathered that, part of the said agreement, which permitted the lessee to take possession of the said land, was for farming and agro-allied purposes.

Justifying the family’s decision, the Chairman of Ezu Family Assembly (EFA), Samuel Nwosu and Secretary, Sunday Odogwu, said the agricultural developers (the lessees) defaulted by failing and refusing  to pay the necessary ground rent and other customary requirements for about 20 years.

“It will interest you to know that for over 20 years, the developer failed to fulfil the legitimate expectations of our family due to its inability to abide to the terms and conditions stated in the lease agreement as reached.”

The duo pointed out that, in the face of such grievous default, the lessees purportedly sold part of the said land to a third party, without the knowledge or consent of the lessors.

According to them, the third party had allegedly mounted a sign post on the land, and taken possession of the land owners’ property with impunity and breach of lease agreement, a development, they described as forcible entry and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.

They told reporters that they did not want to take the laws into their hands and decided to seek the intervention of the traditional ruler of Isiagu, Igwe Augustine Nwankwo.

The monarch confirmed that his subjects sought his intervention, adding that he tried to resolve the matter between both parties, by inviting the lessees for discussion.

But according to him, the courier he sent to the other party to the land since 2019 had not been replied till date.

The monarch said the land owners should feel free to recover their land since the original purpose had been defeated.