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Tag: Anambra

  • Anambra poll: three chieftains declare interest in IDP ticket

    Anambra poll: three chieftains declare interest in IDP ticket

    The Independent Democrat Party (IDP)  is set for its congress in Anambra State, ahead of the governorship election.

    Its Chairman, Mazi Omife  Omife, told reporters in Awka, the state capital,  that three chieftains have indicated interest in the governorship race in the party.

    He said the party will conduct a credible primary for the aspirants.

    Omife assured that the contestants would be given a level playing ground to avoid a post-primary crisis.

    He said the primary would be witnessed by the national officers  and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Omife said the congress, which would hold at the ward, local government and state levels would take place between this month and next month.

    He said the IDP membership was drawn mostly from former and serving town nion Presidents Generals, adding that there will be an effective mobilisation for the poll.

    He said efforts will be made to enlighten the people about the manifestos of the party, ahead of the exercise.

    Omife said: “The IDP has come to liberate the people of Anambra State from years of socio-economic bondage and exploitation by the so-called big parties and unconscionable politicians.”

  • Help for needy twins, others in Anambra

    Help for needy twins, others in Anambra

    Relief has come the way of 14 indigent persons in communities in Anambra State through an organisation, Caring Helpline Foundation.

    The group was founded by a renowned broadcaster with Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), Prince Emeka Kalu from Abia state.

    Before now the foundation popularly known in the state as “Careless Whispers” had reached out to over 200 less privileged and physically challenged persons in the society.

    The beneficiaries of the recent benevolence from the organisation  were the seven-year-old twins from Mgbakwu in Awka North Local Government Area of the state.

    A third beneficiary was an accident victim, Mr. Moses Okafor, who broke his neck in a ghastly motor accident about seven years ago and had been bed-ridden without help.

    Also, at one of the hospitals in Awkuzu, the foundation, paid the bills of patients who were detained for their inability to pick up their bills. The unpaid bills amounted to N500,000.

    For Mrs. Josephine Obiefuna, from Uruaro village, Igbariam in Anambra East Council area, her one-bedroom apartment’s rent was paid by the foundation which stopped her from being ejected by the landlord.

    The condition of the seven-year-old twins, Amala and Amaka, was very pathetic, as they had not been able to walk since they were born with an ailment.

    The foundation gave them  N200,000 to enable them acquire the instrument that will aid their movement. The gesture threw the people of the village Amaezike into frenzy.

    Their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Benedict Obiekwe Achufuna, who were speechless over the gesture, told The Nation that they had been hearing about the foundation on Radio and their activities and decided to approach the initiator.

    They prayed God to guide and protect the founder and his crew for being the voice of the voiceless, the helper of the helpless and giving people the reason to live again.

    For the accident victim, Mr. Moses Okafor, who required about 97,000 naira to be healed that time said “God will bless you” to the foundation.

    However, speaking with The Nation, the founder of careless whispers, Prince Emeka Kalu, said he was driven into embarking on the gesture because of life experiences.

     

  • Anambra poll: Aspirants protest poster fee

    Anambra poll: Aspirants protest poster fee

    The nine million naira poster fee imposed on governorship aspirants by the Anambra State government is generating ripples.

    The All Progressive Congress (APC), the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA) and The African Democratic Congress (ADC), said they will challenge the draconian guidline in court.

    The Anambra Managing Director, Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA) and Chief campaigner of APGA, Sir, Jude Emecheta, had declared that anybody aspiring for governorship must pay the amount for his or her posters to be pasted anywhere in the state.

    Emecheta said the fee would be three million in each of the three senatorial zones of Anambra North, Anambra South and Anambra Central. He said defaulters would risk prosecution.

    He added that the law did not permit pasting posters in every place without authorisation.

    Furthermore, he said the agency needed money to clean up the mess generated by such posters after the elections.

    Emecheta said the agency was interested in the outdoor adverts, and ensuring that election posters and other campaign materials did not deface strategic locations in the state.

    He also disclosed that a public enlightenment on the modalities for putting up election posters would commence this month. He said politician should know their limits in pasting posters in public buildings, electric poles, bridges, road dividers, roundabouts among others.

    However, the senatorial candidate of ADC in the Central Zone, Chief Anayo Nweke, said his party would challenge the development in court.

    He said it was another way by the APGA led-government to muscle the opposition in the governorship election, describing it as a mercantile attitude.

    Also, the Progressive People’s Alliance Party, (PPA) chairman, Chief Mathias Emeke, kicked against the directive, describing it as a sign that the government would use its machinery to suppress other contenders.

    He dismissed the claim that the Governor Willie Obiano, who is seeking re-election, would also pay the outrageous fee.

    Emeke said the public had been put on notice that Anambra State Government does not want a healthy competition during the election.

    He said the law would not fly because it was a constitutional matters which, according to him, only the National Assembly could dictate and not even the state.

    “The Incumbent needs no fear if he is sure that he is willingly working, rather he should allow the electorate without confusion, incitement and induce them into wrong voting”

    “Fixing of outrageous fees for party aspirants publicly is a sign of government resentment for popular participation in the coming poll and it is unacceptable and reprehensible too”

    The chairman of the APC Mr. Emeka Ibe, said it was exploitative, outrageous and was done to stop small parties from having candidates.

    The APC chieftain said also that it was a ploy to choke and suffocate poor and indigent candidates, adding that the party was opposing it and ready to challenge APGA government anywhere in the state.

    The chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ken Emeakayi could not be reached for his reaction.

  • Obiano-Okorocha rift: Anambra professionals sue for peace

    THE League of Anambra Professionals (LAP) has expressed worry about the lingering spat between the Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha and his Anambra State counterpart, Willie Obiano.

    It urged the two governors to rise above it in the overall interest of Ndigbo.

    In a statement issued in Lagos by its President, Mr. Willy Nzewi, the league called for resuscitation of Southeast Governors Forum to provide an enabling environment and framework for the Southeast governors to focus more productive time on how to fast-track the integration of their states’ resources into “making the Southeast a full employment economy latest by 2025”.

    The league bemoaned the “untypical inertia” stalling the regular meetings of the governors’ forum and wondered if the governors were not as worried as their citizens as to the opportunity cost of this anomaly.

    It cited the case of 19 Northern States Governors, whose regular meetings resulted in pooling and attracting $1.3 billion funding for transmission of electric power through their region, among many other planned massive agricultural, industrial, educational and other projects that have been mapped out by them for integrating the economy of the region.

    Noting that the Eastern Nigeria before the civil war was adjudged the fastest growing economy in Africa, the League boss expressed confidence in the ability of the crop of Igbo leaders to repeat the feat, once they resolve to pool the synergies of the five states appropriately as expected of them.

    The group expressed its readiness to interface with the governors in pursuit of this noble cause.

    LAP is a non-partisan association of capable Anambra State indigenes who believe in partnering with governments to build their home state and the Nigeria into a safer and more prosperous society.

  • Nwoye to APGA: Stop deceiving Anambra

    Nwoye to APGA: Stop deceiving Anambra

    Former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State and member representing Anambra East and West Constituency in the House of Representatives on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Tony Nwoye, has said the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won elections in Anambra State through deceit.

    He said the party used the name of the late Igbo icon, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, during elections.

    Nwoye spoke in Nsugbe, Anambra East local government area, after revalidating his party membership card.

    He said: he would seek the governorship ticket, despite coming from the same area with Governor Willie Obiano, adding that the governor had failed, not only the people of Anambra East council and Anambra North senatorial zone, but the entire state.

    He said the governorship election would be different as the people have learnt their lessons in the hands of the APGA – led government.

    Nwoye said before now, APGA had been using the name of  Ojukwu to deceive the people during elections, adding that the trick would not work again for the party.

    He said: “The APC is not like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where everybody is confused, but this party is a focused one and well disciplined”

    “If anybody tells you that there is problem in APC, tell them it is not true and the influx of politicians to the party will not bring such either, because the more the merrier”

    “We want to bring change in Anambra to stop the APGA led government from the impunity being perpetrated on the local government allocations, APGA government has really siphoned council funds” Nwoye alleged.

    But, the Chairman of APGA, Sir Norbert Obi, challenged the former chairman of the PDP to show evidence of his claim.

    Obi said in Awka that the Obiano administration had shown prudence in managing resources, adding that his achievement within the short time was enough evidence.

    However, Nwoye said that the registration  by the APC was not to target the state executive as being speculated, adding that every member of the APC was comfortable with the executive.

    According to him, APC is a disciplined and focused party, what is happening in Anambra state now is a mass movement and that is why the party is bringing change to the people.

  • When ‘ll Anambra Central by-election hold?

    When ‘ll Anambra Central by-election hold?

    Anambra Central District stakeholders are protesting the refusal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct the senatorial by-election, almost two years after the 2015 general elections. Correspondent NWANOSIKE ONU examines the obstacles on the way of a new poll. 

    When the Anambra Central senatorial by-election was postponed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2015, little did the stakeholders guess that the exercise will be inconclusive, almost two years after.

    The postponement has continued to generate controversy in the district and state.

    The by-election became necessary, following the nullification of the victory of Senator Uche Ekwunife by the Court of Appeal in Enugu on December 7, 2015.

    Then, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was in crisis. There were two factions fighting for the soul of the troubled chapter. The gladiators had to drag themselves to the court. A protracted litigation ensued up to the Supreme Court.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), which had become popular, was unable to rise above the tension unleashed its politics of nomination. It was evident that it was still trailing behind the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA).

    To APGA, the coast was clear. Its candidate, Victor Umeh, the former national chairman of the party, was a popular candidate. The poll was expected to be a walk over for him since the attention of the APC and PDP candidates were distracted by litigations.

    At the Appeal Court, the judges declared that the PDP should not present any candidate for the election.

    The reason was that the party had no leadership and could not have presented any candidate for the election.

    Since then, the parties have shifted the battle to the court.

    Up to now, Anambra Central does not have a representative in the Senate. The stakeholders are not happy that the district has been denied representation in almost two years, owing to the inability of the parties to put their houses in order.

    Many groups had alleged that some top politicians in the APC and the PDP are behind the refusal of the electoral commission to conduct a fresh poll, adding that they were using their positions to frustrate APGA and its candidate.

    Before now, Umeh had been boastful, saying that he was the candidate to beat. He believed that his ambition was a done deal with the backing of Governor Willie Obiano.

    But, reality has dawned on him the political atmosphere had changed, following the change of baton at the centre. The cloud of uncertainty hovering over his ambition has not fizzled out because the APC is a threat to his bid.

    Eyes are on the INEC. But, for the agency, mum is the word. Some stakeholders have criticized the commission, saying that its silence was not helping matters. A source said the INEC has been reluctant to set a new date, until the court cases arising from the nominations and the first botched poll are resolved.

    The Supreme Court is expected to give its verdict on the case instituted by Ekwunife. She is her sack by the Appeal Court in December 2015.

    The waiting game is on. There is anxiety across the political divides. Parties and their candidates are being kept on their toes.

    The APC has replaced its former candidate, Chris Ngige with Lady Sharon Ikeazor. But, the INEC has refused to accept the substitution.

    The electoral body has insisted that only those who were on its initial list could participate in the by-election, except the PDP, whose candidate was dropped by the court.

    Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, does not have a senatorial interest any longer. He told reporters that he wanted to concentrate on his job, which he has described as enough headache for him.

    However, a source said Ngige may soft pedal on his decision, if his party maintains that the he participate in the exercise.

    The Chairman of APGA, Sir Norbert Obi, said his party was ready to face any party during the election, adding that APGA is the only known party in Anambra State.

    Since the indefinite suspension of the election by INEC on March 5, last year, the political arena has been quiet. Umeh, who was traversing the nooks and crannies of the state, has suddenly gone cold.

    The APC, which has garnered enough support and become the beautiful bride, is not resting on its oars. Its secretary, Chukwuma Agufugo, said  the party was ready for the poll.

    The candidates of APGA and the smaller parties seem to be ready for the election. But, the reality is that the cases are still pending in the various courts. Thus, the hands of the INEC are tied..

    Apart from the pending Supreme Court judgment, the PDP case at the Appeal Court challenging the INEC over its exclusion is still on. Some cases on the poll are also pending at the lower courts.

    The suspense is on. The anxiety is rising. The question is: when will the coast be cleared for the INEC to conduct the by-election?

  • APGA ‘ll win Anambra poll, says chieftain

    APGA ‘ll win Anambra poll, says chieftain

    Former Deputy Majority Leader in Anambra State House of Assembly and Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on political matters to Governor Willie Obiano, Hon. Tony Collins Nwabuwanne, has said that no other party except the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) can clinch victory in the governorship election of Anambra State.

    Nwabuwanne was reacting to a remark by former governor of Anambra State and Minister of Labour, Senator Chris Ngige, who said Obiano would lose his governorship seat unless defector to APGA for the APC.

    The political aide to Obiano said unknown to Ngige most of the APC members in the state were already aligning with APGA for the actualization of the second term bid of the governor, who they believe has performed.

    He said: “The honourable minister (Senator Chris Ngige) has no knowledge of what happens in Anambra State anymore as he is now resident in Abuja. He is now an Abuja-based politician who no longer has firsthand information about the true situation of things in our dear state. That is why he is not aware that most APC members now identify with APGA in Anambra State and are all willing to work for Obiano’s victory. The entire people of Anambra State are satisfied with Obiano’s performance, and as such, he doesn’t have to leave APGA to join APC in order to win next year’s election as requested by Ngige. APGA is the only party that can win governorship election in Anambra State. It is the only party our people  trusted because of its record of performance. Ngige should know that if PDP could not use federal might to capture Anambra State from APGA all this while, his APC that just came in last year can never use that it to intimidate APGA, Anambra is not Ondo.”

    Nwabuwanne added: “Obiano has done very well within a short time in office and his performance has gained him a global recognition. He came in and continued the projects that Mr. Peter Obi flagged off, completed and commissioned some while others are still ongoing and he also initiated new projects too. And that was his campaign promise – to continue, complete, commission and commence new projects.

  • Etisalat adopts Anambra school

    TelecommunicationS firm, Etisalat, has adopted Oraukwu Community Secondary School in Idemili-North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    To this end, the school would enjoy facilities upgrade, including renovation of class rooms and toilets, provision of potable water, internet facilities, furniture, and laboratory equipment among other benefits.

    The latest adoption brings to four, the number of schools adopted by the company under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

    Speaking on the new development, Director, Regulatory and Corporate Social Responsibility, Etisalat Nigeria, Ikenna Ikeme, said the telecoms firm is glad to add a new school to its growing list of schools under its Adopt-a-School Programme.

    He explained that it gives the firm an opportunity to enhance access to quality education for young ones and praised Anambra State for partnering with the company to achieve the aim.

    “In Etisalat, we recognise the fact that education is the bedrock of any meaningful development; that is why we have made education one of our three CSR platforms.

    “The initiative is aimed at providing an environment conducive for learning which will bring out the best in our pupils. We are committed to driving sustainable development and one of the key platforms on which that can be achieved is education. Like our other adopted schools, we will implement key components that will ensure sustainable impact on the quality of education in Oraukwu Community Secondary School,” he said.

    Other schools previously adopted by Etisalat are: Government Girls’ College Dala, Kano State; Edward Blyden Memorial Primary School, and Akande Dahunsi Memorial Junior and Senior School, Ikoyi, both in Lagos State.

    Also, the company presented certificates to beneficiaries of the 2016 Merit Awards Scholarship Scheme for tertiary undergraduates.

    The beneficiary universities are: Modibbo Adamawa University of Technology, Adamawa State; Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State; Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu; and Uthman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto.

  • Politicians warming up for Anambra governorship race

    Politicians warming up for Anambra governorship race

    The Anambra State governorship election is scheduled to take place in November. Owing to the fact that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to fix a date for the contest, many politicians are still playing the waiting game. Correspondent NWANOSIKE ONU looks at how the various political parties are preparing for the poll.

    Less than 10 months from now, the people of Anambra State will go to the polls to elect their governor. Governor Willie Obiano’s first term will elapse early next year.

    The governor has already indicated interest to seek for second term. Interestingly, one of his aides, Dr. Elo Aforka, has also indicated that he would vie for the ticket of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Thus, the governor and his aide will complete for the APGA ticket.

    Aforka’s posters have adorned the streets of Awka, including the newly- constructed flyover at Aroma roundabout; a major transit corridor in the capital. It is not yet clear why he chose to challenge his boss, but some political observers believe that he is being used by some aggrieved APGA chieftains to extort money from Obiano through settlement.

    Aforka is not the only one eying the governor’s seat, which will be vacant in March 17, 2018. Legions of aspirants from various political parties have equally indicated their interest to run. Former secretary to the government under Peter Obi’s administration, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, is one of such aspirants. Obaze is running on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Obaze is not alone in (PDP). Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, is also in the race. The former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has been talking tough.

    Philanthropist and industrialist, Mr Godwin Ezeemo, has also indicate interest to run once again on the platform of the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA). Ezeemo was the governorship candidate of the PPA in 2013.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has the largest number of aspirants. This makes the APC the beautiful bride in Anambra politics this time around. The APC was like a political orphan during the 2013 election, because it was called unprintable names. In spite of the popularity of its candidate in 2013, Dr. Chris Ngige, who is currently the Minister of Labour and Productivity, it was derided as a ‘foreign’ party.

    Those aspiring to run on the APC platform include its National Auditor, Chief George Muoghalu; the lawmaker representing Anambra East and West Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Tony Nwoye; as well as business mogul, Dr. Obinna Uzor. Others eying Obiano’s seat in the APC are: Barth Nwibe; and former governorship contestant on APGA’s ticket, Dr. Chike Obidigbo.

    Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, is yet to make up his mind this time around. Other aspirants are: Obinna Onunkwo, Donatus Okonkwo and Ifeanyi Ubah.

    From all indications, whoever that gets the APC is likely to give Obiano a run for his money; considering the number of heavyweights that have joined the party in recent times. Though some of them have not officially declared for the APC, but their body language suggests that they already have sympathy for the party.

    Only the oil magnate, Chief Ifeanyi Ubah, has officially declared. Others like Senator Andy Uba still have one leg in the party with the other leg still in the PDP. Another aspirant is Donatus Okonkwo, who happens to be Senator Annie Okonkwo’s brother. He is the brain behind Tetrazzini fast foods across the country.

    A good number of the aspirants are however using the governorship race to position themselves for other juicy positions in the APC. Some of them are looking for the party’s ticket for the Senate or the House of Representatives.

    Other political heavyweights like former Governor Peter Obi are still holding clandestine meetings for the proposed mega party with some eggheads in the country.

    Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been keeping mum. As a result, most politicians are still playing the waiting game. Apart from Aforka, who is a political adviser to Obiano, and Ezeemo, no other aspirant has his posters on the streets.

    Like the 2013 election, which was a two-horse race between the ruling party and the APC, this year’s contest is expected to be very fierce. Governor Obiano is believed to have sacrificed the goodwill he enjoyed initially, even though he is adjudged to have done well under the current difficult economic circumstances in the country.

    Obiano’s difficulty may not be unconnected with the fact that he has stepped on toes of many party chieftains who helped him to win in 2013. Many of such chieftains have vowed to make things difficult for him this time around.

    Despite the state’s dwindling resources, Obiano has recorded some reasonable achievements, including building three flyovers in a swoop, putting up street lights in major roads in the capital and elsewhere and making agriculture a top priority for his administration.

    In spite of his good showing, members of his party are not happy; they accused his wife of unduly interfering in his government. The opposition parties have even refused to acknowledge that he has recorded any achievement.

    His open disagreement with former Governor Obi, who almost singlehandedly made him governor, in the face of a stiff opposition from other party chieftains, appears to be a big obstacle in his second term bid. Many APGA members have continued to accuse Obi of being behind the governor’s travails.

    The word making the rounds in the state is that Obiano is making frantic efforts to defect to the APC and fly the party’s ticket during the election. Though the allegation has been refuted by one of the governor’s aides, the rumour has refused to go away.

    This development has not gone down well with many governorship aspirants on the APC platform, who see Obiano as an opportunist.

    Observers believe that it is too early to direction the pendulum would swing. The only thing certain for now is that the Anambra governorship election will be held in November this year.

    Though Ngige has declined to join the race, he appears to be the one man who is in a position to influence the outcome of the APC primary. As a result, whoever curries his favour stands the chance of grabbing the ticket.

    Ngige is regarded as a political oracle in Anambra. The minister must be pleased with the growing popularity of the APC in the state. He is one man who laboured to build the party in Anambra.

  • N20b lifeline coming for Anambra MSMEs

    The Anambra State Government has said it is targeting N20 billion to boost Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

    Anambra State Small Business Agency (ASBA) Managing Director, Mr. Clement Chukwuka, who who made this known in Awka, the state capital, said the agency targets N20 billion in the next seven and half years with the hope of generating over N3 billion this year to assist entrepreneurs.

    According to Chukwuka, the agency was already working with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to raise more funds.

    “In the past 19 months, the agency had so far funded in excess of 15, 000 people directly in the micro credit schemes and close to 200 for the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which had further created chains of employment,” he said.

    Chukwuka added that the agency had also put in place shoe manufacturing cluster in conjunction with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) with over a thousand shops built with little funds. He said they are expected to begin manufacturing of shoes for export.

    Apart from providing finance to entrepreneurs at nine per cent interest rate, the ASBA boss said the agency was also mentoring and planned to open up opportunities for fashion designers, mechanics and artisans this year.

    He said since June 2015, the state government in conjunction with the CBN had disbursed about N2 billion loans through the agency to revive moribund industries.

    While reiterating the state’s commitment to remain the choice destination for commerce in the country, Chukwuka said the agency also plans to establish ASBA Business Academy.

    The Academy, he said, would train and certify artisans with the state Ministry of Science and Technology. “Our aim is to ensure that paper qualification becomes a thing of the past because we want people to make a living despite the economic recession,” he said.

    ASBA is a state-owned development financial institution created to cover areas of industrialisation, value added chain programmes, artisans, science and technology, oil and gas, and manufacturing sectors.

    “Major Anambra rice millers and the clusters that export vegetables from the state overseas are funded by the agency to boost the agricultural sector,” the ASBA helmsman said.

    He added that micro-credit entrepreneurs, who applied for funds received between N1, 000 and N500, 000, while between N5 million and N50 million was approved for successful applicants under the SMEs programme.

    Chukwuka stressed that ASBA had impacted over 60, 000 businesses directly and indirectly in the state, adding, however, that the agency had strict policy for recovering every loan.

    He also said Governor Willie Obiano  was determined to encourage investments and build institutions that would not only promote MSMEs, but outlive his administration.