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Tag: Anambra

  • Anambra poll: PDP Appeal Panel upholds Obaze’s candidature

    Anambra poll: PDP Appeal Panel upholds Obaze’s candidature

    The National Caretaker Committee (NCC), Peoples Democratic People (PDP), has upheld the Primary Election that produced Mr Oseloka Obaze as the party’s flag bearer for the Anambra governorship election scheduled for Nov. 18.

    The PDP Head of Publicity Division, Chinwe Nnorom, disclosed this in a statement issued on behalf of the Caretaker Appeal Panel, on Saturday in Abuja.

    Nnorom said the committee upheld Oseloka’s candidacy having critically examined all the petitions validly filed before it.

    She said appeals for the Aug. 28, governorship primaries were heard on Sept. 12, at the PDP National Secretariat, Abuja, by the Panel chaired by its National Chairman, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi.

    “To this end, the Leadership enjoins all party members and supporters in Anambra, especially the aspirants, to put the issues regarding the Primary Election before, during and after behind them.

    “We should work together as one indivisible family ahead of the Nov. 18 governorship election,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that some of the aspirants on the primary election day staged a protest at the venue of the party’s primaries in Anambra over alleged unwillingness of the party to listen to their complaints.

    Some of the aspirants were Chairman, Capital Oil, Ifeanyi Uba, Sen. Stella Oduah, former Minister of Aviation, Mr John Emeka and a member of the House of Representatives, Lynda Ikpeazu.

    Oduah, who withdrew from the primary election cited imposition of candidates on the party for her action.

  • Anambra guber: Why Uba, others approached appeal panel

    SOME of the governorship aspirants under the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Anambra State have explained the reasons they approached the party’s gubernatorial appeal Committee set up by the party to look into the alleged irregularities that marred the just concluded party’s primary election.

    In a petition addressed to the chairman of the panel, one of the aspirants, Senator Andy Uba cited irregularities during the accreditation of delegates. He said a certain aspirant brought in thugs to chase away the authentic delegates the moment their names were mentioned for accreditation. He alleged that there were also financial inducements and swapping of delegates by a certain desperate aspirant. He said some of the old men and women (delegates) collected between N20, 000 and N50, 000 to surrender their tags to the aspirant, who in turn gave them to his own people – who are not members of the party. The statement reads: “I went to complain to some members of the Primary Election Committee sent from the headquarters of the party.

    To be frank, I continued with this exercise in protest after observing all these irregularities. Most of the disgruntled delegates of the primary election have gone to various courts to depose to an affidavit of events which transpired.” Uba prayed the committee to declare him winner, having polled the highest number of legitimate votes cast in the primary election. He reassured the party that he has the capacity to win the November 18, 2017 governorship election in Anambra, and expressed confidence in the panel to act accordingly for the sake of justice and fairness. Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress Youth Network, has demanded the disqualification of Tony Nwoye, who was declared winner of the primary election. In a petition dated August 31, 2017, it pointed out that the election didn’t comply with the party’s guildlines, adding that the process was marred with obvious irregularities.

    However, the Chairman of the party’s primary election in Anambra, the Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima is said not to be unaware of the alleged malpractices that marred the election, which are presented before the committee panel. He was said to have innocently conducted a free and fair election, unknown to him that some candidates had planned to thwart his efforts. Similarly, the Coalition of Civil Society Groups, in a letter jointly signed by the National Secretary, Emmanuel O. Saawyer and Anambra State Coordinator, Chibueze Akaeze, questioned the results of the just concluded party’s primary election in the state.

    They maintained that there were sharp malpractices before and during the primary election which produced Tony Nwoye as the winner. According to them, the group’s protest was germane to avoid mistakes of the past where corruption in public offices was linked to pre-election manipulations and injustice. Also lending its voice to the matter, the Coalition of Civil Societies on Movement for Good Governance in Lagos, rejected the outcome of the APC’s primary election in Anambra.

    The petition to the Appeal Panel Committee dated August 30, 2017, signed by the National Coordinator, Larry A. Suraj, reads: “Having keenly monitored the processes of the electoral primaries of the major political parties and the candidates that emerged for the Anambra governorship election, we do hereby reject Dr. Tony Nwoye as the standard bearer of APC. “We, therefore, urge the appeal panel to effect necessary change on the candidacy of Nwoye in the election, in order to offer the Anambra people the change they clamour for.” Uba said he believes in the rule of law and peaceful processes to seek legal redress and to express his grievances against any perceived wrongful acts.

  • Anambra AD candidate promises prosperity

    Anambra State candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in the November 18 governorship election, Chief Valentine Ugo-Akpe Onwuka, has promised to turn around the fortunes of the state with policies and programmes that will promote economic prosperity.

    In a statement, the Advertising expert said he was determined to harness the energies and potential of Anambra residents for the reengineering of their collective psyche and reinvigoration a desire to build a solid, economically sustainable and prosperous land where the right to life, freedom and justice would be guaranteed.

    He said: “This shall form the root principles to which my government shall be dedicated to, in order to better lives, make property acquisition affordable, while protecting each and every citizen of the state.”

    The statement reads: “Our beloved state is in a crisis created and sustained by the mismanagement, incompetence and corruption of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) government.

    “While theatrics are promoted, economic conditions are worsening by the day and there is so much suffering in the land.

    “The protection of the lives and properties of our people are no more a priority at this time, when extreme protection should be ensured.

    “From herdsmen mayhem to the tacit approval of the current administration to the murder and violent intimidation of our people, all we see is blood, tears and wailing, and a remorseless government.”

    The Ogbunike-born advertising and brands expert said: “I am asking for your votes so that we can create an inclusive, united Anambra. It is this new and invigorated unity that will bring the rebirth of Anambra State.”

  • Nwobodo to APC: don’t cancel Anambra primaries

    Nwobodo to APC: don’t cancel Anambra primaries

    A Former Governor of old Anambra State Chief Nwobodo has warned the All Progressives Congress (APC) against cancelling the “transparent and credible” governorship primaries won by Mr Tony Nwoye.

    Nwobodo, who was Chairman of Anambra Governorship Election Planning and Strategy Committee, said: “That election was transparent, free and fair and everybody saw  it on television from start to finish and hence no one should dare to nullify that election” Nwobodo said in a telephone interview with journalists.

    The former Governor’s remark re-echoed his position which he made public the day the election result was announced by Governor Shettima on live television, August 27 in Awka, Anambra State. Nwobodo had in a widely circulated message he personally signed said he had monitored every process of the primary election and from his experience, the August 26 APC primaries was the most transparent in the history of Anambra State.

    “I watched with keen interest the live transmission of the 2017 All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Primary for Anambra State, where Dr. Tony Nwoye was declared as the winner with a total of 2,146 votes.“I ?wish to congratulate the National Chairman and National Working Committee for making this possible. I also congratulate the Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, and his Committee for conducting a free, credible and rancour-free primary in the state, making it the first time any political party would conduct such a transparent and rancour free primary in the state.”

  • Karate: Anambra threatens to pull out of competitions

    Karate: Anambra threatens to pull out of competitions

    Anambra Karate Coach, Godwin Okoro has said he might pull his team out of national competitions over what he called ‘deliberate effort to frustrate him’ by officials.

    Okoro said this after two of his fighters, Nnadozie Blessing(-50kg) and Amarachi Nwafor (55kg) exited the competition at the first and second rounds at the ongoing National Youth Games (NYG) in Ilorin on Monday.

    He said while Nnadozie’s fight with Delta State’s Ogene Waguru was abruptly ended in  favour of her opponent, Nwafor’s point against Vanessa Hart of FCT were denied her.

    Okoro said it was unfair to victimise his  team, which took the first position in recent national competitions and represented Nigeria at the African Youth Karate championship in Cotonou, Benin Republic  in August.

    “I do not know why officials are treating us this way, maybe because we always win, or because I don’t have anybody to speak for me.

    “If they do not want us to compete again they should tell us, you can see the general reaction to this injustice,” he said.

    Also speaking on the officiating, Blessing, a former Karate fighter said the decisions were not good for the growth of the game.

    “We played this game in the past, we want to see these children compete fairly and the best emerge.

    “The decision against Anambra was unfortunate and it’s clear to everybody here.

    Reacting to the complaint, Emma Metu, a member of the jury said there were observed issues in the officiating.

    Metu said Youth Games was for talent discovery noting that the coaches’ decision would not affect the rating of athletes.

    He said the federation body would sit to review some the decisions to forestall  confusions while urging coaches to stay calm.

  • Anambra: PDP hear guber poll appeals on Tuesday

    Anambra: PDP hear guber poll appeals on Tuesday

    The National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fixed Tuesday, for the hearing of appeals arising from the party’s Anambra gubernatorial primary election held on Monday, Aug.  28.

    This was disclosed in a notice issued by Chinwe Nnorom, the Head of Publicity Division for the National Publicity Secretary on Monday in Abuja.

    The hearing according to the notice will take place at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Wuse, Zone 5, Abuja, at 11 a.m.

    It said that all aspirants and other concerned stakeholders were invited for the hearing.

    It, however, warned that no aspirant to the NCC Appeal Panel was allowed to come with any crowd.

    “Non compliance with this directive will be viewed seriously by the Party.’’

  • ‘MASSOB-BIM for peaceful governorship poll in Anambra’

    Ahead of its 18th anniversary celebration on Wednesday in Anambra State, the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Biafra Independent Movement (BIM) said they will support and ensure that the November 18 governorship election holds.

    The fused organisations, called MASSOB-BIM, said the call for the boycott by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was self-serving and not in the interest of Biafra agitation.

    Enugu zonal leader of the movement, John Nnamani, told reporters that any call for the boycott of Anambra State election was retrogressive to the pursuit of Biafra.

    Nnamani said: “MASSOB-BIM has gone far in the agitation for the actualisation of Biafra. Anybody or a group of people trying to draw us back by asking our people to boycott Anambra State election should be regarded as enemy of Biafra.

    “Boycotting Anambra election is retrogressive, self-serving; it is anti-Biafra agitation and punishment to the Igbo race. Biafra agitation is not a personal agenda; the election is part of the process to actualise Biafra. MASSOB-BIM is not and would not support such a selfish call.

    “We call on the good people of Anambra State to come out en mass on November 18 and vote the candidate of their choice.”

    The zonal leader urged MASSOB-BIM members to remain peaceful and support the cause being championed by their national leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike.

    He said: “MASSOB-BIM is a responsible and non-confrontational organisation. We are united in the cause our leader is championing. We are firm, resolute and united in this cause.”

  • Oduah calls for adherence to aviation master plan

    Oduah calls for adherence to aviation master plan

    Former Minister of Aviation, Sen. Stella Oduah, has blamed the seeming slow pace of development in aviation sector to the deviation from its master plan.

    At the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja, Oduah called for return to the document, saying that it would guide the development of the sector to desired level.

    She said that when she assumed office as minister, she met decay and a huge gap in the industry, and that with the support of stakeholders, a master plan was developed as roadmap to grow the sector.

    She ascribed the successes recorded in the sector during her tenure to strict adherence to the master plan,

    According to Oduah, because we knew that aviation business is viable, whatever you spend it is recoverable, that gave us the impetus to develop the Aviation Master Plan.

    “This master plan guided us on the A-Z of rehabilitating the aviation sector and we did our best with the resources that we had.

    “I believe that today, if we still maintain that master plan, knowing that aviation is the catalyst for economic growth of any nation, the goals will still be accomplished,” she said.

    The former minister, who currently represents Anambra North constituency at the Senate, said that during her tenure at the ministry, she tackled the problem of unsafe airspace in the country.

    “We started by looking at the impediments, one of which was the airspace – how to make it safe that it will be commercially viable.

    “The same way for the terminals, where you board and where you sit; as much as we wanted it to be safe, we also wanted it to be comfortable.”

    She said that her team ensured that commerce thrived at the airports in a way that it was convenient for passengers to buy something, adding that at the average, each passenger spent N100.

    “A multiple of N100 from passengers is huge for the economy of wherever an airport is located,” she said.

    However, the senator said, “I have left the aviation sector; I left a long time ago, so for me now it is history.

    “I saw decay that should not have been there; I saw huge gaps and I did my best.

    “What made it easy for me was to have a holistic overview of the sector, identified the challenges and charted our objective.

    “The objective was to make the aviation sector in Nigeria a catalyst for our national economic development.”

  • Police arrest army deserter turned IPOB trainer

    Police arrest army deserter turned IPOB trainer

    A 26-year-old alleged army deserter, Ebeje Nnamdi, suspected to be the trainer of members of Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB ), has been arrested by Police in Anambra.

    Nnamdi was arrested alongside three others for their alleged involvement in armed robbery in Iyi Oji area of Anambra on Wednesday.

    The Police Commissioner in the state, Mr Garba Umar, presented the suspects to newsmen on Thursday at the police command headquarters in Amawbia, near Awka.

    The police also arrested 22 suspected cult members who were allegedly conducting their initiation ceremony in a bush.

    Umar said the police recovered 336 rounds of 7.22x39mm, AK-47 live ammunition from the alleged ( IPOB ) members and their trainer.

    “Police equally recovered three empty AK-47 riffles with magazines, one locally made double barrel pistol with two live cartridges, ( IPOB ) wears, IPOB flags, muffler, criminal charms and ATM cards.

    “The Army deserter was formally of the 20 Mechanised Battalion, Taraba, in 2014 before he disappeared,’’ Umar said.

    The  commissioner said Nnamdi became a member of a six-man gang responsible for the attacks and killings of policemen at nipping points, robberies at fuel stations including that of Bukachi filling station, Eziowelle, both in Onitsha on Aug. 31, 2017.

    Others who were arrested alongside Nnamdi were 26-year-old Onyebuchi Peter Ali and Ugwuokpe Nnaemeka, he said.

    Umar said their case was under investigation and that they would be charged to court after investigation.

    He also  said that two members of a four-man gang of kidnappers were arrested, while one was killed in a gun battle with members of the state anti robbery squad (SARS), while the victim was rescued.

    H said the alleged kidnapers were said to have abducted one John Ifediorah of Umuganagu village to Iyi Oji shrine, where he was said to have been subjected to torture before the police swooped on them.

    Those arrested during the raid, he said, were Chukwudi Nwabundo and Obiora Madubueze, while Chinaza Udeezue was killed during the gun battle in the Aguleri bush.

    The commissioner further said that the 22 cultists were apprehended at their initiation centre at Nnewi when the police teams from the Special Anti-Cultism (SPAC) cordoned off the place.

    Umar said the suspects were members of Junior Vikings confraternity (JVC), Ayees, Aro, 2-2, Bagger, Baby Ayees and black axe and were of between the ages of 16 and 25.

    Some of the items recovered from them included one locally made revolver pistol with one live ammunition; one locally made pistol gun with three live cartridges; daggers; three short axes; three machetes; one black turban belonging to Aro; muffler and black berets.

    “The Anambra State Police command has continued to deliver on its mandate of protecting the lives and property of the people of the State.

    “The command has been achieving results in the fight against crime due to the cooperation of well meaning people in the state. We solicit that such synergy should be sustained.

    “I wish to reiterate the readiness of the command to continue partnering with other security agencies and law abiding citizens of the state to eliminate all forms of crime and criminalities.

    “I wish to advise parents to take care of their children/wards so as to reduce cult activities in the society,’’ Umar said.

    The commissioner advised the people of the state to always report to the police or other security agencies any suspicious movement for urgent intervention.

  • Anambra election and charter of equity

    The November 18 governorship election in Anambra is fast approaching and the major political parties have produced their candidates. The candidates of major political parties contesting the election are, Osita Chidoka (UPP), Godwin Ezemo (PPA), Oseloka Henry Obaze  (PDP),Tony Nwoye (APC), and Governor Willie Obiano (APGA). It is a good omen that the party primaries have been concluded and ndi-Anambra are now faced with the opportunity of choosing their next governor. If they make a good choice, it will be for the betterment of our beloved state and if they make a bad choice, it will end in regret.

    Already some selfish politicians have started telling anybody that cares to listen that there is nothing like zoning and that they don’t mind the consequence of working against zoning. They don’t give a damn about public interest; rather they are devilishly scheming to subvert public interest for their own selfish interest. But one thing that is certain is that public interest will always over-ride personal interest. Our people are now politically aware and cannot be misled by selfish politicians. I remember vividly that in 2013 when Mr Peter Obi was leading the campaign for power shift to Anambra North, it was being aired on radio stations across Anambra State that anybody that was not in support of power shift to Anambra North is indirectly supporting Igbo marginalisation in Nigeria. I concur with the referred opinion. We Igbo cannot be crying of marginalisation in Nigeria and back home in our various states, we are supporting marginalisation. Some people are attempting to shift the goal post in Anambra State and they must be stopped for the betterment of the state.

    Dr. Chris Ngige governed Anambra State for three years. Peter Obi governed Anambra State for eight years and Governor Obiano will complete his first term on March 17, 2018.

    Osita Chidoka hails from the same Anambra Central Senatorial zone with Ngige and Peter Obi. Tony Nwoye is from the same local government and senatorial district with Governor Obiano. Oseloka Obaze hails from Ogbaru and the same Anambra North senatorial zone with Obiano. Godwin Ezemo hails from Aguata in Anambra South senatorial zone. Among all these governorship candidates, Governor Obiano is the only person that is constitutionally bound to go for only one term in completion of his mandate for the people of Anambra north. The rest are constitutionally eligible to go for two terms.

    As at 2013, when ndi-Anambra voted for zoning, it was done with the understanding that power can only stay in Anambra North for eight years and return to Anambra South by 2022. It is said whatever that is worth doing is worth doing well hence the reason behind my advocacy for the entrenchment of sense of belonging in Anambra State political system. Anybody trying to wave Anambra charter of equity aside in the forthcoming November 18 governorship election is an enemy of progress because anybody that wants the progress and betterment of his state will support the implementation of good initiatives in his state.

    Ndi-Anambra will make a regrettable mistake, if they fail to return Governor Obiano for second term because the governor’s candidature represents equity, fairness and justice. Outside this, Obiano has performed beyond the expectations of ndi-Anambra and keen watchers of events in the state. He assumed office when Nigeria economy went into recession and he deployed his private sector wealth of experience in navigating ndi-Anambra out of recession. Other states in Nigeria felt the effects of the national economic recession but in Anambra, Governor Obiano cushioned its effect with the rolling out of tax stimulus package for our people. He did this as a leader that knows when his followers are in pain.

    Today Anambra is being referred to as the safest state in Nigeria, courtesy of Obiano administration’s zero tolerance for criminality in Anambra State. His administration received applause for doing well in the agricultural sector.

    Tony Nwoye and Oseloka Obaze are candidates of godfathers. Our people will not forget in a hurry the horrible experience our state passed through in the hands of godfathers in between 1999 to 2006. That era of brigandage and lawlessness is gone for good and must not be allowed to return to our state. It is very painful seeing Peter Obi, the man that led the struggle for power shift to Anambra North, plotting to shift the goal post at the middle of the game. His support for Obaze’s governorship ambition is fraught with a vendetta mission against Governor Obiano because of Obiano’s refusal to be at his beck and call. He wants to be the political alpha and omega in Anambra State with the sole power to make and unmake a governor in the state.

    The Bible made me to understand that only God crowns kings and not humans. So I am of the belief that God made Obiano governor and claiming otherwise is tantamount to the arrogation of God powers to Peter Obi thereby making him to play god. No reasonable Anambra southerner should support the ambition of Obaze, Nwoye and Chidoka because their candidature violates the Anambra equity charter. The best option for the people of Anambra South is to support Obiano’s re-election for the shift of power to their zone in 2022.

    Anambra as light of the nation must lead by example, if truly we want the actualisation of Igbo Presidency in Nigeria. We cannot be advocating for rotational Presidency in Nigeria whereas we are doing otherwise back home. Nigerians are watching us to know if we are going to do the right thing and our failure to do the right thing will have a dire and regrettable consequence on us politically. Peter Obi enjoyed the opportunity of second term because ndi Anambra thought it wise to vote him for a second term, so that the people of Anambra Central will not feel short-changed. An adage says that “when you treat children well and equally they will be happy “. In the case of Governor Obiano, the general public and ndi-Anambra acknowledges his performance in all sectors of governance and the people of Anambra North don’t want to feel short-changed hence the reason why voting him is a necessity for the betterment of our State.

    Nwoye is contesting to retire old politicians in Anambra State. When he emerged APC candidate for the November 18 governorship election, his supporters while jubilating in social media were saying that his victory at the APC primary is tantamount to the political retirement of Andy Ubah and that when they win the main election, they will retire other prominent politicians from Anambra State.

     

    • …Obigwe is National Co-ordinator APGA Media Warriors Forum.