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Tag: Anambra

  • Anambra APC berates Obiano on state of economy

    The Anambra State All Progressive Congress (APC) has accused Governor Willie Obiano of crippling the Local Government System.

    A statement yesterday by its Secretary, Mr. Chukwuma Agufugo, noted that the local government system was for grassroots development, both in human and infrastructure.

    The party said if the Obiano-led administration continued its ‘senseless, pillaging of funds’, the state may end up as a debtor.

    “It is pathetic that Obiano has continued in the footsteps of his predecessor, Mr. Peter Obi, who didn’t conduct council polls until the pressure became unbearable.

    “The state’s economy has become stagnant because funds meant for grassroots development had not gotten to them. We are aware that the Federal Government does not owe allocation, yet, local governments in Anambra lack funds.

    “Just as the Federal Government does, Governor Obiano, through the office of the accountant-general, should publish allocations released to the local governments in the last 16 months,” the party said.

    The party warned that it would not allow the APGA-led administration drain the state, adding that accountability should be the watchword of every responsible government, as being propagated by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

     

     

  • Anambra woos advertisers to increase IGR

    Anambra woos advertisers to increase IGR

    Anambra State Government has agreed to partner the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) to increase its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    The partnership may have started yielding fruit, as the body has urged the state government to route all the outdoor advertisements through the Anambra Signage and Advertising Agency (ANSA) headed by Sir Jude Emecheta.

    The visitors who were  national leaders of the organisation, among whom Tunde Adedoyin (President) and Femi Ogala (Secretary), visited Governor Willie Obiano.

    The governor’s representative, the state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr Mrs Uju Nwogu received them.

    Adedoyin raised the alarm that quacks and street urchins were imposing themselves on the state to defraud the government, adding that such should not be allowed.

    He said that such elements harass and intimidate the ANSA officials in various Communities, by charging them money in the name of space.

    Adedoyin maintained that through the intervention of (OAAN) in some States including Lagos, the IGR of such states were increased, adding that all out door advertisments should go through the authorised body in the state which was (ANSA).

    Responding, the state Commissioner for information, culture and Tourism, Dr mrs Uju Nwogu, promised that all the decisions taken by (OAAN) would be implemented by the Obiano administration to boast its (IGR).

    She stated that the meeting had been the opportunity the state had been waiting for a longtime, adding that the state government would partner with (OAAN) through (ANSA) in the State to make the dream of the state a reality.

    Also, ANSA through its managing Director, Sir Jude Emecheta said they were bound to succeed with the assistance of (OAAN).

     

  • NDLEA confiscates 109.800kg of cannabis in Anambra

    NDLEA confiscates 109.800kg of cannabis in Anambra

    •Declares drug baron wanted

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Anambra State has confiscated 109.800kg of cannabis from a warehouse at the Onitsha main market.

    It declared a suspect, Uche Baron, said to own the warehouse wanted.

    When the agency stormed the warehouse on August 20, Uche was not found but a suspect, Ugochukwu Chukwu, was arrested.

    Parading the suspect yesterday, a Commander Sule Momodu, warned intending recruits to quit because Anambra was no longer safe for them.

    According to Momodu, Chukwu, an in-law to Uche, had been in the business with him.

    “We will charge this suspect to court because he has violated the law, and we believe the court will do justice when we present our evidence,” Momodu said.

    The commander appealed to the people to come up with information that could lead to Baron’s arrest. “NDLEA can invade the main market, we have the resources and man-power to do so but they should oblige us with needed information that could lead to his arrest” Momodu said.

  • PDP, APGA in war of words in Anambra

    PDP, APGA in war of words in Anambra

    • State collapsing under Obiano, says PDP
    • Your party is disabled—APGA

    The political turf in Anambra State is already at boiling point ahead of the 2017 governorship election, with the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at each other’s throat in a bid to outdo each other.

    Throwing the first punch, the PDP accused Governor Willie Obiano of non-performance and building the state secretariat of his party in Awka with state funds.

    The state chairman of the PDP, Prince Ken Emeakayi, speaking with The Nation, said that the APGA-led government was enmeshed in embezzlement of funds belonging to the state, asking the government to make public all the local government funds it had collected in the past 16 months.

    The PDP also accused Governor Obiano of planning to use transition committees in the 21 local government areas when the tenure of the current chairmen and councillors expires in January, 2016.

    It also challenged the government to make public the cost of the three flyovers being erected in Awka, alleging that APGA national chairman and the state chairman draw millions of naira from the state account of as allowances every monthly.

    But reacting, APGA described the PDP as a sinking and drowning party seeking relevance in Anambra State.

    The state publicity secretary of APGA, Hon Chinedu Nkwonta, in a statement made available to yesterday, asked PDP to shut up, describing the party as disabled.

    According to APGA, “for the benefit of Ndi Anambra, APGA as a party sees Ken Emeakayi’s demands as the ranting of a drowning party that is lost in self delusion, a party that does not have the capacity to sort their internal crises, a party bereft of any good intension, even for self.

    “Of course, a political party that is as divided as the PDP at this moment should be focused on how to resolve the mountain of issues they have accumulated over the years in this political journey due to their bullish, crude and intimidating style of politicking.”

  • Anambra PDP: Two factions of a troubled chapter

    Anambra PDP: Two factions of a troubled chapter

    Two factions are locked in a supremacy battle in the Anambra State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the crisis and the its implications for the troubled chapter

    Peace has eluded the Anambra State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) again. Two factions are at daggers drawn in the crisis-ridden chapter. Following the recent party congress, Prince Ken Emeakayi has claimed that he is the authentic chairman. But, his rival, Comrade Tony Nwoye, the former governorship candidate, has objected to the claim, saying that he is chasing shadows. Reconciliation has been deadlock.

    According to sources, Emeakayi is leading the mainstream faction. The faction has the backing of the National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh. Two weeks ago, Nwoye’s group set up a parallel executive committee. The faction declared that Prince Ossy Ezenwa is the Chairman and Chief Basil Ejidike is the secretary. Other members of the factional executive are Dr. Maduka Nwankwo, Mr Keluo Molokwu, O.C. Chinwuba, Mrs. Jessy Balonwu, Afam Odogwu, Golden Ilo, Ken Arinze and Chuba Oranusi, among others.

    Ezenwa is the former Secretary to Government. He served in Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju’s administration. He was also the Director-General of the Tony Nwoye Campaign Organization during the 2013 governorship election. Sources said that, during that period, he sealed a pact with Nwoye and his associates, including some money bags and influential Anambra politicians, to vie for the party chairmanship.

    Metuh and Nwoye went their separate ways, shortly before the congress. Nwoye, a  veteran activist, faulted the timing of the process. He said Metuh was in a hurry to publish an advertorial on the ward, local government and state congresses. He complained that the advertorial was published, shortly before the last Sallah holiday, leaving no time for aspirants to obtain the required bank drafts to obtain the forms for the party positions. The two days between the day of the publication and the commencement of the ward congress were public holidays. Therefore,  many aspirants could not to meet the requirements. Nwoye maintained that the arrangement was unfair.

    However, despite the objections raised by the Nwoye group, the PDP National Secretariat went ahead with the congresses. Nwoye’s supporters alleged that the exercise was tilted to favour Metuh and his associates. They alleged that an aide of Metuh from Enugu State was the leader of the Congress Committee that conducted the exercise. They also alleged that Emeakayi, an associate of Metuh, was returned as the chairman, despite his alleged anti party activities during the last governorship elections. But, Emeakayi fired back, saying that he is a loyal party man.

    Following the controversial congress, Nwoye camp convened a meeting of stakeholders from the 21 local government areas in Awka, the state capital, to decide on the next move. At the end of the meeting, the group issued a statement describing the congress held by the Metuh-led group as a nullity and of no effect. The camp said there was no level –playing field for aspirants. According to the group, there was a pre-determined agenda to foist the newly elected officials on the party, contrary to the wishes of the majority of party members for a full, participatory, free, fair and credible congress to foster party unity.

    Also, Nwoye’s group challenged Metuh and members of his group into a duel. It set up a parallel executive for the party. At its meeting held at Emma House, Akwa, 21 persons were elected into the SWtate Executive Committee. The committee comprise of 18 persons from each of the 21 local government area executives and 17 each from the 326 wards. A total of 6,941 officials at the three levels were elected.

    Nwoye explained his objection to Metuh’s style. He said the National Publicity Secretary has been behaving like an octopus, having stayed for too long in the national executive committee of the party.

    He said: “Metuh has stayed too long at the PDP headquarters and he should, therefore, leave the place as his presence there is having a bad influence on many people working in that office. We in the PDP believe in equity. Those who own this party, including the former  Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Prince Arthur, Sir Emeka Offor, Sir Cletus Ibeto, among others, said I should tell you that you are the authentic PDP.”

    Urging the national secretariat to intervene in the logjam, Nwoye said the crisis would have been avoided, if Metuh had followed the due process,

    He added: “What PDP members demand is to be allowed to conduct free and fair congresses to usher in a new leadership. This is where we need the assistance of the national leadership of our great party. Our members are known to accept defeat, once the process is credible. What has been causing disaffection in the Anambra PDP were attempts to foist unpopular persons as leaders. My belief is that, if we get it right this time, no political party will stop us in Anambra State. Our immediate move will be to go for the membership drive in all the 326 wards in the state and ensure that all the aggrieved members of the party are reconciled.

    “There have been speculations as to what will be our fate in this party. While we admit that the PDP remains ours, we want to use this opportunity to send signals to those who run the party that, if they do not get their acts together, the All Progressives Congress (APC) will take over this state.”

    But, Metuh’s supporters have insisted that the congresses were transparent, adding that they were conducted by a neutral panel mandated to do so by the national leadership.

    The lingering crisis may take its toll on the troubled chapter. The cracks are widening on daily basis. Party sources disclosed that the APC has been wooing Nwoye and his supporters to defect from the PDP, but the group is still resisting the pressure. According to them, a great blow would have been done to the party structure, if the camp succumb to the pressure.

    Many party leaders have acknowledged Nwoye as a big factor, judging by the way he emerged as the governorship candidate. His supporters are grassroots politicians, who have remained steadfast and committed to the party, even in the face of the protracted crisis in the party. Many members believe that, if the group defects, the chapter may be decimated.

    Nwoye said his group will nurture the parallel executive committee, adding that it will command influence. He said with the inauguration of the committee, the officials will be mobilised to carry out the activities of the party at the grassroots. He described the members of the parallel committee as loyal and committed chieftains, who have suffered for the PDP since its inception. He urged the national leadership to visit Anambra for the purpose of organising credible congresses.

    Nwoye said: “The era of some PDP chieftains conniving with the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in this state to undermine the PDP’s electoral fortunes is over. The acting national chairman of our great party, Uche Secondus, has assured us that ours is the authentic PDP and we are, therefore, waiting for the national leadership to organize credible congress for us in this state.”

    The factional chairman, Ezenwa, is a man of few words. Lamenting the crisis, he said it is a product of injustice. He promised to live up to expectation, adding that the team will swing into action and uphold the honour and reputation of the Anambra PDP as a promising chapter.

    He added: “The new executive is prepared to work. Our assignment sbeen made easy with the caliber of the new officials. There is so much work to do and we should start immediately.”

    There are puzzles: which faction will the national leadership recognise? Will the factional chairman operate from the party secretariat? Is reconciliation still possible? Will the national leadership intervene and conduct a fresh congress? Time will tell.

  • Anambra PDP crisis: No end in sight

    Anambra PDP crisis: No end in sight

    Barely two weeks after a faction of the Anambra State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elected its executive, another faction has also elected its own executive, deepening the party’s crisis in the state, reports Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu

    When a faction of Anambra State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on July 26, 2014 held its state congress, leading to the emergence of Prince Ken Emeakayi and Mr. Joemartins Uzodike as Chairman and Secretary respectively, observers expressed worry because the other faction loyal to Senator Andy Uba and Tony Nwoye, allegedly boycotted the congress. It was then alleged that efforts were being made to reconcile the principal elements in the party as a way of moving the party forward.

    As the other faction conducted its own state congress last week where Ossy Ezenwa, a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), emerged the new state chairman of the party, it seems certain that the alleged reconciliation moves may not have yielded any positive result. This is even as the faction also passed a vote of no confidence on Chief Olisa Metuh, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, who is perceived as the power behind the emergence of Emeakayi.

    Years of crisis

    PDP, which was once the ruling party in the state, has suffered greatly over the years primarily because of the high scale intrigues arising from intense power game played by its leaders, especially the super rich and the politically strong members who have consistently disagreed over the control of the party structures.

    So, when his faction pronounced Emeakayi the new helmsman of the party in the state, informed observers said it would be difficult for him to enjoy the support of the other faction in the state

    This, according to some members opposed to his emergence is because Emeakayi, who is the immediate past chairman of the state chapter of the party, has been involved in the crisis over the years, having been the arrow head of one of the leading factions.

    Based on that, they expressed doubt if his return as PDP state chairman, barely nine months after the party’s former State Executive Committee (SEC) was dissolved by the National Working Committee (NWC) of PDP, will bring the needed peace, unity and progress. According to one of them, another major player in Anambra State PDP, “We all know that except something more tangible is done to really reconcile the powerful godfathers behind the factions; it would be difficult for Emeakayi or any other candidate identified with any known faction to carry all the others along. This is the dilemma we are contending with today in Anambra. Without being told, you can see that election of different factional executives cannot take us far. It only means deliberate decimation of our great party by those who should protect and grow it in the state.”

    The future of Anambra State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been a source of concern both to members of the party and to other observers. This is because of the varying interests of powerful elements in the party, which have not only led to incessant clashes and factionalisation but also to lack of a generally acceptable leadership of the state chapter of the party.

    Crisis in Anambra PDP, which was primarily blamed for the party’s loss of political power in the state to All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) over eight years ago, still manifest in the current factionalisation within the party. Although all the party chieftains agree that the party has since remained out of power in the state, primarily because of the internal crisis, each of the influential leaders of the party has overtly refused to cooperate with the other, leading to factionalisations. This problem was well pronounced in 2013 prior to the 2014 governorship election in the state when the party clearly split in two with the national leadership of the party recognizing one faction while the other was recognized by INEC. At the primaries, the two strong factions came up with different governorship candidates. The Ken Emeakayi-led faction, which was backed by the national executive, produced Tony Nwoye as its candidate while the Ejike Oguebego-led Executive, which was backed by INEC, produced Senator Andy Uba as its governorship candidate.

    At the commencement of the drama, Oguebego-led executive had approached a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt. At first, the court gave an exparte order restraining both INEC and PDP from dealing with the Ken Emeakayi faction until the main application is heard. Later, the trial Judge, Justice H.A Nganjiwa, ordered that the result of the Ejike Oguebego-led Executive, backed by INEC where Senator Andy Uba emerged winner, should be accepted pending the hearing and determination of the suit before the court.

    The confusion had deepened when the national leadership of PDP formally declared that its candidate in the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State was Comrade Tony Nwoye, who won the primary election conducted by the Emeakayi faction of the party in the state while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra State maintained that it won’t recognise the Emeakayi-led faction of the state chapter of PDP.

    Explaining why the commission did not monitor the primaries conducted by Oguebego faction, which produced Senator Uba as its candidate, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state then, Professor Chukwuemeka Onukogu, had said “I have instructions to deal with that faction; we monitored their ward congresses substantially. We didn’t monitor the other one. We respect the law of the land and what my chairman tells me is what I’m going to do. Nothing more, nothing less.”

    The crisis and division continued all through 2014 until this year’s National Assembly elections where each of the godfathers practically fought the other, thus crippling the party further.

     “We are worried at this cyclical motion. All we can see is unnecessary power flexing by the so-called super rich leaders of our party in Anambra. With the emergence of Emeakayi and Ezenwa, some of us who do not feel comfortable with factionalisation are really worried. Since we know that Metuh is also involved, we have to reach out to leaders like Dr Goodluck Jonathan to save Anambra PDP before it is too late,” said Dr, Rufos Udochukwu. Like him, many concerned observers say only such external intervention will save the party in the state.

  • Enugu, Anambra govts consult

    Enugu and Anambra State governments yesterday agreed to partner in various areas of mutual interest, including business development.

    Anambra State Governor Willy Obiano and his Enugu State counterpart, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, told reporters at the Enugu State government House that the cooperation would be treated with seriousness.

    Obiano said: “We discussed areas of mutual interest business wise and agriculture.

    “Basically, this is my first visit since Ugwuanyi became governor of Enugu State. I came to congratulate him and if there is any challenge we will discuss it.”

     

  • Anambra PDP gets factional executives

    The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State took a new turn yesterday, with the inauguration of a factional State Executive, led by a former Secretary to the State Government, Prince Osy Ezenwa.

    This is coming barely 12 days after the ward, local government and state congresses, which produced Prince Ken Emeakayi as chairman.

    At the inauguration yesterday, a vote of no-confidence was passed in the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisah Metuh.

    A motion by former Deputy Majority Leader, Uche Ogbonna, which was seconded by former Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Ken Arinze, said the decision was based on Metuh’s fraudulent, anti- party activities in the state.

    The motion urged Metuh to resign and apologise to the people for the embarrassment to the party.

    Addressing the over 5,000 members yesterday, the party’s governorship candidate, Comrade Tony Nwoye, said the All Progressives Congress (APC) would secure the state in the next election, if PDP failed to get its act right.

    He said PDP’s saving grace would be for Metuh to refrain from his impunities.

    Other members of the factional executive included Chief Basil Ejidike (Secretary), Chief Jessy Balonwu (Director Women Affairs), Uche Ogbonna (Treasurer), Ken Arinze (Publicity sec).

    Kelue Molokwu, Dr Maduka Nwankwo and Osy Chinwuba were vice chairmen (Central), (South) and North Senatorial zones, among others.

    Nwoye said their actions had the blessing of Prince Arthur Eze, Sir Emeka Offor, Sir Cletus Ibeto, and other state chieftains.

    His words: “This is a journey to Government House in 2017; therefore, Governor Willie Obiano and his small APGA should start packing their luggage with immediate effect.

    “We would soon hold a rally which will shut down the state to show the people we are ready for battle

    “We have enough bullets to prosecute this journey, today’s meeting has liberated PDP from the clutches of hawks; we are the owners of PDP in this state”.

    Ezenwa hailed the party members for their patience and steadfastness.

  • Photo: International workshop on academic contents

    Photo: International workshop on academic contents

    L-R UNICEF REPRESENTATIVE, MR DIPAK REPRESENTATIVE OF SHARDA UNIVERSITY IN INDIA, DR DALEEP PARIMO AND RECTOR, FEDERAL POLYTHECNIC OKO, PROF. GODWIN ONU, DURING AN INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON ACADEMIC CONTENTS OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AT OKO IN ANAMBRA ON THURSDAY
    L-R UNICEF REPRESENTATIVE, MR DIPAK REPRESENTATIVE OF SHARDA UNIVERSITY IN INDIA, DR DALEEP PARIMO AND RECTOR, FEDERAL POLYTHECNIC OKO, PROF. GODWIN ONU, DURING
    AN INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON ACADEMIC CONTENTS OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AT OKO IN ANAMBRA ON THURSDAY
  • Another PDP Exco emerges in Anambra

    Another PDP Exco emerges in Anambra

    The crisis rocking the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra state, took a new dimension Thursday, with the inauguration of another state executive steering committee of the party led by Prince Osy Ezenwa.

    This is coming barely 12 days the party held ward, local government and state congresses which produced Prince Ken Emeakayi as chairman.

    The party which held its inauguration Thursday at Emmaus House was filled with party members in all the 21 local government areas in the state, also, passed vote of no confidence on the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Chief Olisah Metuh.

    In a motion which was moved by former Deputy Majority leader in the state House of Assembly Uche Ogbonna and seconded by former Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Ken Arinze, said the decision was based on Metuh’s fraudulent, anti party activities and ridiculing of the party in the state.

    Furthermore, the motion raised after the inauguration of ward, local government and state executive members, called on Metuh to resign and apologize to the people of the state for the embarrassment he had caused the party.

    The party further alleged that Metuh betrayed members of the party in the state, during the last general elections.

    While addressing the crowd of over 5,000 members Thursday, the Governorship candidate of the party during the last election, Comrade Tony Nwoye, said that the All Progressive Congress (APC) party would win Anambra state in the next election, if PDP fails to get it right.

    He said what would save PDP in Anambra state in 2017 governorship election in the hands of APC was if Metuh refrains from his impunities in the state.

    Other members of the new state executive of the party were Chief Basil Ejidike (secretary), Chief Jessy Balonwu (Director Women Affairs), Hon Uche Ogbonna (treasurer), Barr Ken Arinze (Publicity sec), while Hon Kelue Molokwu, Dr Maduka Nwankwo and Hon Osy Chinwuba were made vice chairmen (central), (south) and North senatorial zones, among others.

     

    The inauguration followed a 21 gun salute to herald the emergence of a new set of the executive in the state, while Nwoye, told them that what they were doing had the blessings of Prince Arthur Eze, Sir Emeka Offor, Sir Cletus Ibeto among the PDP heavy weights in the state.

    According to Nwoye, “this is a journey to government house in 2017; therefore, Governor Willie Obiano and his small APGA should get ready and start packing their luggage with immediate effect.

    “We are planning a rally soon in the state, this rally will shut down the entire Anambra state to show the people we are ready for the battle and let me tell you people, our national acting chairman, Uche Secondus was not aware of any congress held in this state,” Nwoye said

    The new chairman, who was former secretary to the state government in the state, Prince Osy Ezenwa, commended the PDP members for their patience and stead fastness

    Others who spoke in the same direction included former state secretary, Dr Tony Mcfoy, former House of Reps member, Chief Mrs. Jessy Balonwu, Chief Basil Ejidike among others.