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Tag: Anambra Central

  • Anambra Central: Ngige, APC candidate begin door-to-door campaigns

    Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen Chris Ngige and the Anambra Central senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC, Chief Sylvester Okonkwo, say President Muhammadu Buhari’s achievements are enough sign posts for the party’s victory in 2019.

    Even at that, both told The Nation yesterday in Awka, the party had begun door to door campaigns in all elective positions in the state.

    Okonkwo, who is the APC candidate for Anambra Central senatorial zone, a known figure in the state, said he was battle ready for the election.

    Both said the completion of the Zik’s mausoleum in Onitsha, abandoned by previous administrations, the ongoing work at the 2nd Niger bridge among others were added advantage to the APC candidates in the state.

    Furthermore, the training and empowerment of over 5000 youths and women, in Anambra by the Buhari government had lifted the confidence of the people in the state and swayed their support for APC.

    According to Ngige, “ this administration is not playing politics like the other parties when it comes to the welfare of the citizenry, thing are tough but the administration is putting them right for tomorrow.

    “APC is fully prepared and ready to take Anambra Central senatorial zone during 2019 general elections and we are not joking about it.

    “For the candidate, there was no cause for alarm, adding that the party and its members had put everything in motion in Anambra to become victorious and that is why we are campaigning vigorously from house to house.”

  • Anambra Central and Umeh’s re-election bid

    All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) chieftain Senator Victor Umeh has unfolded his re-election bid in Anambra Central District. How far can he go? Micheal Jegede examines his chances in next year’s election

    Former National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Chief Victor Umeh was sworn on January 18 as the senator representing Anambra Central District. Umeh’s inauguration followed a tortuous legal battle, which lasted for almost three years, before the rerun that produced him as a legislator.

    In next year’s elections, can he retain the seat? can he beat his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) challengers?

    Former House of Representatives member Uche Ekwunife, a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, was declared winner of the 2015 poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    But,  Umeh rejected INEC’s verdict and headed for the tribunal. At the Enugu Division of Court of Appeal, the apex court for National Assembly election matters, Ekwunife’s victory was quashed on December 7, 2015. Thehe electoral agency ordered to organise a rerun within 90 days from the date of the judgement. The PDP was disqualified from participating in the exercise.

    However, the rerun did not hold until January 13, Another Court of Appeal had to rule on litigations arising from the refusal of the PDP to accept its disqualification on November 20, 2017.

    The Appeal Court verdict, which came from the Abuja Division, gave INEC the nod to go ahead with the rerun election excluding PDP. Due to the prolonged legal tussles, the Anambra Central seat was vacant for over two years. During the period, the people of the district had no senator in the Red Chamber

    Ten months after Umeh’s assumption of office, he is back in the field to seek for re-election. Has Umeh lived up to the expectation of his people? Does he deserve to be given another opportunity in 2019 to enable him serve for four years?

    To many people, he erstwhile APGA’s helmsman has done well to deserve the mandate of his constituents for another term. His activities in the last 10 months in the Red Chamber have been outstanding. The astute politician, wasted no time in getting used to the process and business of lawmaking, as observed from his input to discussions, and sponsorship of motions and bills.

    To the APC and PDP candidates, Umeh’s performance is low. But, his supporters disagreed.

    To them, the people of Anambra Central are pleased with Umeh, as he is evidently doing them proud with quality representation. Like he did as a delegate at the 2014 National Conference, where despite his late entry, he demonstrated boldness in championing the cause of the Ndigbo, Umeh has been a potent voice on issues affecting the Igbo nation in the short period he has spent in the Senate.

    Many groups have endorsed his re-election bid. Umeh’s supporters are of the view that his return in 2019 will preserve the noble jobs he has begun in the Upper Chamber, while arguing that no other candidate  courageous to do better. Ekwunife, Umeh’s main political rival, would be standing as a candidate. But, in the 2019 Anambra Central senatorial election, loyalists of the estate manager and surveyor are fully confident that their man will carry the day. In rerun poll, he won in all the seven Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the senatorial zone.

    One of the groups that have endorsed Umeh’s second term ambition is the Ndigbo United for Democracy (NUD). The NUD noted that it would do Ndigbo a lot of good to allow Umeh to “continue his remarkable, superlative and excellent legislative duties that have deepened the nation’s democracy.” The group maintained that his performance within a short time in office remains an eloquent testimony that he is the best man to represent Anambra Central.

    NUD added: “His motions on ‘The Urgent Need to include the Eastern Rail Lines in the Nigerian Railway Development Project, Illegal Confinement of Underage Offenders and Infants in the same prison with Adult prisoners, Increase in armed roadblocks along major expressways in the South East geo-political zone’- which he seconded the motion sponsored by Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, showed a leader in touch with the feelings of his people.” It urged “the good people of Anambra Central Senatorial Zone that produced this outstanding grassroots political icon to vote massively for his candidacy in the forthcoming Senatorial election. “Nigerians need courageous patriots with the milk of human kindness in the Senate who will give direction to the ship of the Nigeria state in our collective efforts at building a strong, progressive and prosperous democratic nation.”

    Other groups that have endorsed Umeh include: Nigerians for Democratic Action (NDA), Ogilisi Foundation, an Igbo socio-cultural organisation and Traditional Prime Ministers Council (TPMC) in Anambra State. Members of all these groups are in total agreement that Umeh, who co-sponsored the bill for the establishment of a Federal University of Education, in Aguleri, Anambra State, with Senator Stella Oduah, has done well to merit another term.

    The ex-APGA boss has remained a strong pillar in the party and a force to reckon with in Anambra politics. He is applauded for his philanthropic activities. Umeh has been described as a compassionate leader who derives joy in ameliorating the suffering of the poor. His Education Foundation Scholarship Programme, which came into existence over 10 years ago, has made significant impact on the lives of many youths, who ordinarily may not have been able to acquire education.

    Umeh has awards for his many contributions to nation-building and sustenance of democratic growth. His impressive outing in the Senate earned him the Anambra State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Man-of-the-Year 2018 Award and the 2018 Best Senator Award in Overall Motion by the Senate Press Corps in the National Assembly.

     

     

  • Minimum Wage: Nigerian workers deserve a better deal—Victor Oye

    Dr Victor Oye, National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on Wednesday in Awka said Nigerian Workers deserve all that they could get due to their contributions to development of the country.

    Oye, made the assertion in an interview with our reporter, said the economic reality of the country had made workers the “weeping boys” of the system.

    He urged the Federal Government to not only enhance their pay but improve on their working conditions.

    The APGA chairman commended the quality of negotiations between government, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Organised Private Sector that led to aversion of the threatened industrial action.

    Oye commended the Anambra Government for paying salaries on the 25th every month and for being among the first states to offer to pay N30, 000 minimum wage

    “Nigerian workers deserve a better deal considering the harsh economic atmosphere in the country; they have always been at the receiving end.

    “That the Federal Government is able to avert the strike brought a huge relief to Nigerians and averted what would have come with consequences of embarrassing proportion.

    “APGA urges the federal and state governments to take the welfare of workers seriously.

    “They must come up with a programme on how to develop the cognitive and latent talents of workers to make them more productive,” he said.

    Read Also:I’m committed to new minimum wage – Buhari

    On his part, Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central at the National Assembly, said he considered the N30,000 a meager amount that could not lift any home out if poverty.

    Umeh argued that governors could pay the amount the NLC was asking for if they could appropriate the state resources efficiently and be more innovative.

    “Nigerian workers do not have a living wage; we cannot continue to pretend and say there is no money when a lot of people are living in affluence.

    “They deserve living wage, even the N30, 000 they are demanding is not a living wage, government should know how to manage its resources to enable it pay workers,” he said.

    Umeh thanked workers for suspending the strike that was to begin on Nov. 6 and expressed the hope that all parties would respect the terms reached during the negotiations.

  • Sen. Umeh emerges APGA candidate for Anambra Central

    Sen. Victor Umeh on Wednesday won the Anambra Central Senatorial primary election of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to become the party’s candidate for the 2019 general elections.

    Umeh, the senator representing the zone in the Red Chambers was the only aspirant on APGA platform that emerged from the primary held at St. Mathew Catholic Church, venue of the Wednesday primaries.

    He polled 207 votes from available 209 delegate votes cast in the affirmative election which was witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

    Umeh said that the outcome was an overwhelming endorsement of his performance so far in the National Assembly by his constituents.

    He described the exercise as peaceful and thanked party faithful and people of Anambra Central for affirming his candidature and promised to surpass his past performance in the senate.

    Pie added that “I am happy for this massive show of support, the primary election was peaceful, I got 207 votes out of the 209 votes, only two delegates who could not identify ‘yes’ or ‘no’ put their votes in between and they were discountenanced.

    “What I am going to offer is honest representation; I don’t want to have anything to do with constituency funds.

    “Coming into the next assembly, I will ensure that I surpass the expectations of my people.”

    Umeh said he had already made a mark in the senate and attracted projects in many communities, which he said had direct impact on the lives of the people of the constituency.

    “I went to the senate with a motion and was able to sponsor two awards and two bills within the short time I have been there.

    “I met only one budget session and I was able to get N650 million for constituency projects, tied to verifiable projects with addresses; none of my projects is hanging.”(NAN)

  • Anambra Central: Appeal Court upholds Umeh’s election

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the election of former Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Victor Umeh, as the senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District.

    A five-man panel of the court held, in a unanimous judgment yesterday, that the appeal filed by Obiora Okonkwo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was without merit, and dismissed it.

    Obiora had appealed the January 12 ruling by Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court of Abuja, in which the judge set aside the court’s earlier judgment of December 13, last year, ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a Certificate of Return to Okonkwo.

    The Court of Appeal held that Justice Tsoho was right to have set aside the consent judgment it delivered on December, 13, last year.

    Justice Frederick Oho, who read the lead judgment of the appellate court, held that the lower court was in order in setting aside the judgment because it was a nullity.

    Justice Oho said a lower court has inherent powers to set the records straight by setting aside the consent judgment once it was discovered that there were infractions leading to the judgment.

    Noting that a court cannot sit as an appeal on its own case, Justice Oho said a court has the power to reverse itself, if it discovers that its earlier judgment was obtained by fraud or that it was misled, as is the case here.

    Justice Oho described as sacrilegious events surrounding the December 13, last year’s consent judgment of the Federal High Court.

    He noted that despite being aware of the decision of the Court of Appeal, which ordered that a fresh election be conducted for the seat within 90 days with the exclusion of the PDP and its candidate, the appellant (Okonkwo), who was the candidate of the PDP, still proceeded to mislead the lower court to give judgment in his favour.

    Justice Oho described the attitude of the appellant as a clear disobedience to the orders of the Court of Appeal.

    He added Okokwo’s lawyer was duty bound to have furnished the court with all relevant facts in the case including the three judgments by the Court of Appeal.

    He held that whether the matter is a pre-election or post-election matter, the lower court must always give way to the appellate court on the same issue.

  • NGO petitions NJC on Anambra Central senatorial poll

    •Judge’s verdict faulted 

    A non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Campaign for Judicial Integrity (CJI), has petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) on a ruling by Justice Anwuli Chikere in a suit involving some chieftains of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    A former APGA Chairman Victor Umeh and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi were locked in a legal battle over Anambra Central senatorial election.

    The judge allegedly ruled that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) be represented in the election.

    The NGO demanded the NJC to investigate Justice Chikere to restore public confidence in the Judiciary.

    In the petition, dated May 1, and addressed to the NJC Chairman, Mr Justice Mahmud Mohammed, who is Nigeria’s Chief Justice (CJN), CJI described as worrisome Justice Chikere’s order to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on March 1 that the PDP be included in the election, which was scheduled to hold on March 5, even after its candidate in the original election, Mrs Uche Ekwunife, “had been disqualified and she had left the party”.

    The ruling allegedly disrupted the election, which was meant to find a successor to Mrs Ekwunife who, last December 7, was ordered by the Court of Appeal to vacate her Senate seat as the representative of Anambra Central on the platform of the PDP.

    The court order was said to be based on the admission that she did not participate in the party’s primary leading to the emergence of its candidate in last year’s general election.

    Mrs Ekwunife was to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) last January 8 and unsuccessfully sought its ticket to enable her to return to the Senate.

    In the petition to the NJC by Uzor Isichei, a Lagos lawyer, CJI argued that it was wrong for the Justice to insist on PDP’s participation in the rerun because the law forbids any party from presenting a fresh candidate unless its candidate in the original election is dead.

    The NGO cited legal provisions as well as pronouncements by the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal over the years to buttress its argument.

    It regretted that Justice Chikere ignored Supreme Court’s decision in a 2009 case between the Labour Party (LP) and INEC and the Court of Appeal ruling in a matter between Tunde Isiaq and Okanlawon Soniyi, where the Appellate Court said: “Where there is a nullification of an election based on qualifications, all candidates who participated in the general election, excluding the candidate judged not qualified, can participate in the rerun.”

    CJI also wondered why Justice Chikere’s Federal High Court in Abuja entertained the case for the inclusion of the PDP in the rerun when the matter could have been handled by the Federal High Court in Awka, Anambra State or any other state in the Southeast, even though it said it recogniaed that all “Federal High Courts are treated as one in Nigeria”.

  • Anambra Central: Senator faults fresh primaries for re-run election

    Anambra Central: Senator faults fresh primaries for re-run election

    A Senator from Anambra Central, Annie Okonkwo has faulted plans by political parties that participated in the 2015 general election to conduct fresh primaries for the rerun senatorial election in Anambra Central.

    He argued that the move was “illegal and unconstitutional” and would violate the Electoral Act because the time scheduled by the Independent National electoral commission (INEC) for parties to substitute candidates expired last year.

    Okonkwo, who is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra Central, said, in a statement Wednesday, that “it would amount to an illegality to allow PDP and APC to field fresh candidates for the re- run election in the Anambra Central senatorial district.

    “The court did not ask political parties to conduct fresh primaries. The court only ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a rerun within 90 days.

    “Ngige, who is the only person that can contest the rerun in the All Progressives Congress (APC), was quoted to have said that he would not participate in the election.

    “So, it is laughable to read that Ekwunife, who the Court of Appeal disqualified and nullified her election has defected to APC to participate in the rerun. ‎Though, she has been disqualified by APC.

    “In the recent judgment, the three-man appellate panel led by Justice A.H. Yahya had nullified the March 28 election, sayingthat Ekwunife did not meet the provision of the Electoral Act because she wasn’t a product of a valid primary,” Okonkwo said.

    He contended that if APC or any other political party go ahead to ‎field a new candidate and wins the rerun, it would cause another legal battle because those who will emerge, will not be product of a valid primary.

    Okonkwo said the right thing for parties to do is to allow those, who participated in the primary to take part in the rerun.

    He insisted that “if Ngige is no longer interested in the rerun, APC won’t be able to participate.”

    Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has fixed judgment for January 29 in the dispute among members of the PDP, including Okonkwo over the party’s candidate for the party in the senatorial zone.

     

  • Ekwunife declared winner in Anambra Central

    Ekwunife declared winner in Anambra Central

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday declared Uche Ekwunife winner of the Anambra Central Senatorial Zone ticket.

    Former Minister of Aviation Princess Stella Oduah was coasting home against ex-Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Dubem Obaeze.

    Speaking at INEC’s secretariat at Amawbia in Awka South Local Government, the Collation Officer, Dr. Pius Okoye, said Ekwunife polled 101,548 votes.

    She defeated the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate and the party’s National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh and Senator Chris Ngige of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) standard-bearer, President Goodluck Jonathan, defeated Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Jonathan scored 660,762 votes against Buhari’s 17,926. Valid votes are 688,584, rejected votes, 14,835 and total votes, 703,900.

    The presidential election result was announced by the Collation Officer, Prof. Chigozie Asiabaka, the vice chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).

    Umeh polled 77,129 votes to emerge second and Ngige came third with 20,850 votes.

    During the election, Ngige refused to vote at his Alor ward, because, according to him, manipulations characterised the process, following faulty Card Readers, non-availability of result sheets, among others.

    APC has called for the cancellation of the elections. It urged INEC to conduct a fresh poll.

  • Anambra Central: Battle of heavy weights

    Anambra Central: Battle of heavy weights

    Anambral Central Senatorial District is poised to be one of the most hotly contested districts in he 2015 elections as very influential and experienced politicians line up for the plum job reports Nwanosike Onu in Awka

    The Anambra Central Senatorial seat will not be an easy contest in the state between the three leading political parties, namely; All Progressives Congress (APC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015. Currently, the seat is being occupied by a former governor of the state, Senator Chris Ngige of the APC. Already, political analysts have tagged it a contest of heavy weights.

    Though Ngige has not made his intentions known, as to whether he would seek re-election or aspire for a higher office in his party in the next general elections, one of his associates told The Nation he still has interest.

    But in a recent function at the Finotel Hotels in Awka, in fact, during the inauguration of the state executive of APC, Ngige tacitly said that if Chief Victor Umeh of APGA annoys him, he would bring one of the ward chairmen in his party to contest against him. Some observers say the implication of his statement is that he may not go for a second term.

    Even if Ngige fails to re-contest for the seat, where he floored former Minister of Information and Communications, late Prof. Dora Akunyili twice, the battle in the zone will still be tight.

    Some informed political watchers believe that Central Senatorial zone, comprising of seven local government areas, is too small for any person to defeat Ngige, considering his pedigree in Anambra State politics.

    The local government areas are: Anaocha, Awka North, Awka South, Njikoka, Dunukofia, Idemili North and Idemili South.

    Ngige is not the only one in the race for the position, though in his party, he appears to be the only one so far. There are others planning to unseat him from other political parties.

    These are the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, who is already addressed by his party members as senator designate.

    Also, the member representing Anaocha, Njikoka, Dunukofia Federal Constituency, Hon. Uche Ekwunife, who recently dumped APGA for PDP, Hon. Victor Osita Ezenwa, one time secretary to the State Government (SSG).

    In the race also, included Chief Kodilichukwu Okelekwe from Nibo community, Senator Annie Okonkwo, Chief Sylvester Okonkwo, Dr. Okonkwo Obiorah and Chief Mrs. Christy Okoye.

    Umeh and Ekwunife are from Anaocha Local Government Area, Ngige and the three Okonkwos are from Idemili’s South Council Area, Ezenwa is fron Njikoka, while Okoye comes from Dunukofia.

    Apart from Ngige and Umeh, who are of APC and APGA stocks respectively, the other aspirants are from the PDP.

    For Mrs. Okoye, who aspired for the position in 2011 but failed in her bid because of the unending crisis in the party, she has not finished her consultations, but others had finalized their arrangements for the battle.

    Umeh has never tasted defeat in any election unless in court cases, because he has never contested any elective office in his life. However, he wields influence within the party as every member of the party seems to have conceded the senatorial ticket to him, a development that made Ekwunife to dump the party.

    That notwithstanding, all is not rosy for Umeh as some influential APGA members are reportedly furious over his ambition, accusing him of being selfish and inconsiderate.

    The National Coordinator, Elder’s Forum of (APGA), Chief Sylvester Nwobu Alor, had been fighting the battle of his life in making sure that Umeh was unseated without enough help from members.

    Alor, uncle to former governor of the state, Chief Peter Obi, is also accused of being sponsored by Obi by some members of the party.

    He however told The Nation that Umeh is qualified to contest any election as a citizen of the land, adding that people have been complaining over his decision to seed APGA tickets to himself without any primaries.

    “When I was fighting, some members did not believe in me but now they have seen the handwriting on the wall, so, why should they complain, “Alor queried.

    Battle for PDP ticket

    In the PDP, the race is certainly tough. Ekwunife, who recently joined the party, met very serious contenders for the ticket. In fact, since her defection to PDP, Ekwunife has set machinery in motion, including rebranding of all her campaign vehicles and campaign office, for the battle.

    Nocturnal meetings had been on, while committees had been set up to actualise her dreams with many of her supporters within APGA, also urging her on.

    Unless, she fails to grab the ticket of PDP for the contest, anybody that challenges her in the actual race will definitely know that Ekwunife is a moving train, politically.

    Other people that would be hard nuts to crack in the PDP battle for the seat are Sylvester Okonkwo, who had been with the Akwa Ibom State governor since inception, Senator Annie Okonkwo and Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, an oil magnate from Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area, who The Nation gathered has bulldozed his way into the hearts of PDP eggheads.

    We gathered also that virtually all the PDP aspirants in the central have influential backers. For instance, what goes for Senator Annie Okonkwo is that he had been at the apex chamber before now and highly connected to the powers that be in Abuja.

    The member at the Federal House of Representatives, Ekwunife, according to sources, has the ears of the First Lady of the federation, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, who reportedly cuddles her like her own sister and takes her every where she goes.

    Moreover, having been at the federal house for the second time, and as the chairman, House Committee on Environment, insiders say Ekwunife knows what it takes to vie for such a position as being attested by her constituents.

    That was the reason most of them wept like babies at her party office along Onitsha-Enugu express way, the day she officially dumped APGA.

    Also, Prince Osita Ezenwa, whose father was one time deputy governor of Anambra State, is a house hold name and had equally carved a niche for himself as a gentle man in the state.

    Ezenwa was the Director-General of the governorship candidate of PDP in 2013, Comrade Tony Nwoye’s Campaign organisation that slightly lost to the incumbent governor, Chief Willie Obiano.

    Though, feelers say he is not being sponsored by anybody, The Nation gathered that some political bigwigs, including the oil mogul, Prince Arthur Eze, may be solidly behind him.

    It would be recalled that Ngige’s Idemili North and South, which have the highest number of voters in the state, was won by APGA during the last election because Ngige and his APC withdrew from the race because many alleged irregularities marred the election.

    Be that as it may, insiders say the battle for Anambra Central Senatorial District will be between Ngige, who is seen as half spirit, half human of APC in the zone, Umeh, who has allocated the APGA ticket to himself even before the primaries and anybody from the legion of contestants in PDP, especially Ekwunife, Ezenwa, Obiora Okonkwo and Sylvester Okonkwo.