The All Progressives Congress (APC) forum of lawmakers in the Anambra State of House of Assembly has vowed to strengthen the party to enable it win the 2017 governorship election.
The forum spoke yesterday at the party’s secretariat in Awka when members met the chairman, Emeka Ibe.
Coordinator Chief Uche Anakor said the forum was set up to articulate the challenges facing the party.
“We have come together to provide a platform where, as flag bearers of our great party, we can articulate on matters affecting the party and channel them to the necessary quarters.
“The APC must be strengthened to enable us win the governorship elections in 2017 as well as support the Federal Government in meeting its promises to the people.
“Of a truth, the APC should have won half of the seats in the assembly but for the unfortunate developments which saw the unscrupulous edge out the scrupulous,” Anakor said.
Ibe hailed the forum for their initiative, urging them to strengthen the party at their constituency levels. He noted that the party needed such hands at such a critical time.
There was tension on the streets of Awka, capital of Anambra State yesterday, following a clash between operatives of the Anambra Traffic Management Agency (ATMA) and members of Aroma Traders Owners Association (ATOA).
The government Agency officials defied the Federal Government public holidays to extort money from motorists.
Some motorists who refused to play ball by refusing bribe the traffic officers had their vehicles towed away by the traffic officers.
The action of the traffic officers angered some motorists and business owners, who protested the agency’s action.
Following the resistance, the ATMA officials called for reinforcements, leading to exchange of blows by the parties.
The traffic officers operated in an all yellow Hilux jeep, with the inscription: Anambra Traffic Management Agency 003.
One of the agency’s official, who pleaded anonymity, accused members of the business owners association of breaking into the office of the traffic agency to retrieve a vehicle seized by the agency, describing such action as an offence.
Spokesperson of the traders union told the The Nation that the traffic officials were fond of disrupting business activities in the area.
The Agency was set up by former Governor Peter Obi as part of the efforts to decongest roads in towns in the state.
As at the time of filling this report, the business owners, numbering over 150, had moved to the B- Division Police office in Awka to register their protest.
The business owners are appealing to Governor Willie Obiano to provide a parking lot for their customers in order to end what they describes the continued harassments of the agency officials.
After being robbed repeatedly, some up to nine times, staff of a federal college in Umunze, Anambra State, have taken to the streets, crying to just about anybody who will listen. NWANOSIKE ONU reports
In a poorly-worded text message to a woman, the robbers announced: “Lady, we are the big boys in town, you are the next to settle us, we came to your house but we did not get what we wanted. Just keep N2, 000,000 [N2m] inside your booth from now to Sunday, don’t involve the police or security engent because they are our enemy, remember your life and your daughter is on the line, so be careful and hurry up”.
The woman teaches at the Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze, a border town between Imo and Anambra states, in Orumba South Local Government Area of the latter. If the hoodlums made good their threat, it would be the second time they would rob her. The first time they called, on a Sunday, she was off to church. The thieves broke in and helped themselves to her valuables and left.
Two times is insignificant compared to the ordeal of so many other residents of the college town. Some have been attacked six times, some even nine.
Neither the local vigilance team nor the police have halted the rogues in their tracks.
Not too long ago, “the big boys” attacked the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Sunny Ike’s home, shot and killed him before making away with his Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).
One strange dimension in the sustained violence is that the robbers seem to target non-indigenous residents of the community, especially the ones in the college.
The sleepy community has become a den of armed robbers as workers of Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze are being robbed on a daily basis.
The activities of the robbers have caused some workers, mostly from other communities, to flee.
No fewer than 57 members of staff of the institution have been robbed without any help from anybody, except some members of the community who come to sympathise with the victims.
The Nation discovered that those being robbed in the area are tenants; especially the workers of the institution and students from outside, meaning the hoodlums know what they are doing.
Some of them are robbed when they go to church on Sundays or when they go to work, while the houses of some of them are invaded at night.
The unions in the institution told the Nation that some of the college staff have been robbed repeatedly, some about six times, some nine.
Last week, a group of such armed robbers forwarded a text message to a female worker in the institution telling her to keep two million naira (N2m) in the trunk of her vehicle for them.
They warned her not to make any contact with the police or any security outfit, describing them as their enemies.
The lady in question had been robbed once in the community by the same people, carting away her property when she attended a church service.
Ike died from the gunshot wound, his corpse in the morgue.
Following the incessant robbery attacks in the community without any solution from the owners of the land, workers of the institution marched round the community early in the week to protest the ugly incident.
•Gate of the Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze
The protest was done under the aegis of various trade Unions in the institution namely, College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), led by Dr. A.T Nwamaradi, Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) led by Alex Okoli and Senior Staff Union of College of Education Nigeria (SSUCOEN), led by Eze Joachim among others.
The unions and their leaders protested to the palace of Igwe Promise Eze (the Abilikete II of Umunze), former Deputy Governor of the state under Peter Obi, Mr. Emeka Sibeudu and the lawmaker representing Orumba south state constituency, Princess Nikky Ugochukwu and the local government headquarters.
The traditional ruler of the community, the council chairman and the lawmaker were not around despite letters dispatched to them informing them of the protest, but Sibeudu, who received them in his place, assured them that urgent steps should be taken to address the institution.
Some of the placards carried by the protesters numbering over 500 read, “stop the killings in Umunze, injury to one is injury to many, fish out thieves in your midst, enough is enough, life and property no longer safe in Umunze,” among others.
One of the text messages to one of the staff reads, “Lady, we are the big boys in town, you are the next to settle us, we came to your house but we did not get what we wanted.”
“Just keep N2, 000,000 inside your booth from now to Sunday, don’t involve the police or security “engent” because they are our enemy, remember your life and your daughter “is” on the line, so be careful and hurry up”.
A lecturer in the institution, Churchill Okonkwo, told the Nation that they want Governor Willie Obiano to respond to the plight of the workers of the institution over the calamity that had befallen them.
He said, “This is not supposed to happen in a modern society, the tenants in this community are not safe and happy anymore.”
Addressing the former Deputy Governor, Dr. A. T. Nwamaradi said that the staff and students of the institution have lost property worth millions of naira as a result of the invasion of armed robbers in their homes.
He said, “Our lives are being threatened on a daily basis by those armed robbers, who are also threatening to kidnap some others; our lives are in danger at Umunze. We need protection.
“The situation is making learning and teaching impossible in this institution, and if this is not nipped in the bud, all the workers of Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze will vacate this area” Nwamaradi said.
However, Sibeudu, who described the situation as unfortunate and embarrassing, said the Governor Willie Obiano’s administration had made security top priority of his administration and had equally performed well since he assumed office, adding that Umunze would not be an exception.
He said the community’s vigilance group and other security agencies in the area, had done their best also, adding that more efforts should be added to protect life and property.
Sibeudu maintained that some of the armed robbers could be from outside the community, promising that the governor would be notified on the situation.
Another lecture who preferred anonymity, told The Nation that he has been robbed four times, adding that they are living in bondage in Umunze.
The three children who survived Sunday’s accident which claimed the lives of their parents are alive and responding to treatment.
They were taken to Regina Caeli hospital in Awka by men of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) after the accident.
Two of the survivors have been transferred to the teaching hospital in Enugu.
Their grandfather, a retired soldier stormed Regina Caeli hospital yesterday, demanding to see the bodies of his son, the wife and grandson, including his three surviving grand-children. The hospital obliged him despite restrictions.
The police have begun a manhunt for the trailer driver who allegedly caused the accident.
Police commissioner Hosea Karma said they would spread their dragnet towards arresting driver.
When The Nation visited the hospital yesterday, workers said visitors were no longer allowed.
Those who spoke in confidence said the directive was from the authorities.
According to a source, “people have been coming to see the survivors and this has not allowed them to rest. Because of this, the Reverend Father and Medical Director directed that no visitor be allowed to see them again”.
It was yet another sad day in Anambra State on Sunday, when a trailer killed a man, wife and the son.
The deceased six –month old baby boy, four –year old brother and seven-year old sister however survived.
The incident which occurred between 12 noon and 1pm at Esther Obiakor junction in Agu Awka along the Onitsha-Enugu expressway attracted many sympathizers.
People were seen wailing, lamenting and cursing the trailer driver for being the cause of the accident.
The driver, according to an eye witness, ran away immediately the incident occurred. The accident involved a trailer with registration number LSR 897XQ, while the number plate of the ash –coloured Toyota Camry car was not seen.
An eye witness who spoke with the Nation identified as Chijiuoke, said the people were flagging down the lorry when he was speeding, but he refused to slow down.
He said that the Camry vehicle was heading towards Enugu direction and trying to cross the other way at the junction when the trailer lost control and fell on the car.
The owner of the Camry car, Mr. Okechukwu Odinigwe, who died on the spot along side the wife and the eldest son, hails from Urunnebo village in Enugwu Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area of the State.
The three surviving children, two boys and a girl, were rushed to Regina Caeli Hospital in Awka for treatment by men of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC.
When the Nation visited the hospital on Sunday, the survivors were seen at the intensive care unit, while the doctors were still battling to save their lives.
Also at the scene of the incident, some policemen and FRSC men were seen going through some of the documents in the vehicles.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Uche Eze confirmed the incident and another one that happened at Okpu River in Okija in Ihilala Logal Government Area where a driver of L 300 bus lost his life.
He said investigations were still ongoing by the command in other to unravel the cause of the accidents and identities of the victims.
The state governor, Chief Willie Obiano has condoled the family of the victims of the ghastly motor accident.
Saddened by the development, Obiano has undertaken to pay all medical bills to be incurred by the surviving trio, who were receiving treatment at the Regina Caeli Hospital in Awka.
Expressing his condolence for the lives lost, Obiano assured Ndi Anambra that he would ensure safety of lives and regulated movement of heavy duty vehicle within the state
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund or TETFUND has announced the donation of N180m to the Oko Federal Polytechnic, Anambra State for the purpose of developing skill acquisition centre where youths will learn trades and keep of restiveness.
The announcement was made by a member of the Board of Trustees, Chinedu Onu, who was part of the Fund’s team visiting the Rector of the Polytechnic, Prof Godwin Onu.
The announcement of investing the money in the institution on boy-child education is to check youth restiveness in the school, and also the entire state, by implication.
He said the money had already been allocated to the school to develop skill acquisition centres in the polytechnic, and that the team came to inspect the site of the project.
The programme, according to TETFUND’s Onu, was aimed at creating opportunities for male children who unable to further their education because of rigorous process of gaining admission.
Under the arrangement, the programme will ensure the assemblage of all interested skilled youths, who are carpenters, mechanics, masons, bricklayers or hair-dressers.
Also, those who are into such other businesses as trading will benefit to sharpen their skills and knowledge on their careers and at the end, they earn certificates from the institution.
The programme is not only meant to thrive in Oko federal Polytechnic, as other four institutions, had been chosen by TETFUND in the south east.
Onu said that the pilot scheme is starting in Federal Polytechnic Oko in Orumba North local government Area of Anambra state, which is expected to be run by the private sector and will be free from official bureaucracy of the school.
He said, “Federal Polytechnic Oko is a child of TETFUND because of its financial discipline and hard work. Virtually all our programmes are implemented in full capacity here.”
“So, the Rector, who is in a hurry to develop this place, Prof Godwin Onu, has always made our work easier”
“This institution should serve as an example to other institutions whose funds are trapped due to their inability to execute previous jobs; we are impressed with the speed of development here”
“We must also commend the council, students and management as it creates conducive atmosphere for speedy development.”
Responding, Prof Onu, who has gone through series of battles in the community, told them that they were overwhelmed by the choice of the institution as the pilot scheme of the programme.
This, according to him keep the students busy and take their minds away from every vice including armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping among others.
Furthermore, he said that the programme will also ensure lasting peace in the society as the youth will be gainfully employed or be the employers of labour upon finishing the programme.
Before now, the institution had introduced such programme in the area to help students not to flood the labour market upon graduation.
The Rector described TETFUND as the best thing that has happened to tertiary education in the country.
He commended TETFUND for their other initiatives aimed at improving academic standard in the country, while assuring that the institution will continue to utilize every fund it received judiciously.
“In the next few months, the polytechnic you see today will be transformed beyond recognition in addition to over 21 buildings springing up in different locations at the polytechnic”
Governors from the Southeast have condemned the relocation of Boko Haram suspects to prison facilities in the zone, particularly in Anambra state by the Federal Government.
The Governors, who met on Sunday in Owerri, the Imo State capital, noted that the relocation of the suspected terrorists is already creating fear and security tension in the zone, especially around the state where the prisons are located.
Briefing Newsmen shortly after the closed door meeting that lasted for about two and a half hours, the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, said that the Governors have deliberated on the possible consequences of the relocation of the Boko Haram suspects and concluded that it was not in the best interest of the zone.
He said that even though the decision was purely a security matter, it has a far reaching effect on the psyche of the people in the zone.
“We are appealing to the Federal Government to have a rethink on the relocation of the of the Boko Haram suspects. If there is any place they should be relocated to it should be Abuja where they have enough security. The issue is already creating security concern in the zone”.
He however ruled out any plan by the Governors to recall the Igbo in the troubled North, stressing that, “we are all part of the entity called Nigeria and we share in the plight of our brothers in the North East, so it is not the issue of recalling the Igbo in any part of the country but to make sure that they are secured anywhere they find themselves”.
The Forum according to him, also deliberated on the fate of the Igbo displaced in the North as a result of the insurgency and appealed to the Federal Government to adequately compensate them.
•Obiano to residents: “I can’t use Boko Haram to play politics” in Rivers
The South East political class is mounting pressure on the federal government to relocate from Anambra State, the Boko Haram detainees who were recently transferred to the Ekwulobia Prison in state.
The South East Senate Caucus said yesterday that the relocation was imperative in the interest of peace and security.
Senator Mao Ohunabuwa (Abia North) who spoke for the caucus in Abuja claimed there was no justifiable reason for the transfer of the Boko Haram detainees to a state far away from where the suspects were arrested.
Simultaneously, a member of the House of Representatives, Eucharia Azodo (Aguata, Anambra), sent a petition to the federal government to reverse its decision to transfer the detained Boko Haram members to her state, while Governor Wlillie Obiano of Anambra State who is being accused of complicity in the transfer by political opponents deplored what he called attempts to politicize the issue.
Ohunabuwa said that the presence of the suspects in Ekwulobia is capable of creating avoidable tension and fear of the unknown in the area.
He asked for their relocation immediately and threatened to raise the issue on the floor of the Senate should they be retained in Ekwulobia.
He said that such prisoners should be confined in the states where they committed the crime or any other state in the north with maximum prisons.
Ohuabunwa also regretted the renewed killings by the insurgents saying that no effort should be spared to flush out the insurgents from the country.
And in her petition to the federal authorities, Azodo said the relocation of the detainees to Ekwulobia Prison has serious security and socio-economic implications for the people of the state.
She said her constituents are not comfortable with the prisoners’ presence in their midst because the Ekwulobia prison does not have the capacity to accommodate such high risk inmates.
“Ekwulobia Prison in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State is not a maximum security prison,” she said.
“The prison originally has the capacity to house 85 inmates but it is presently overburdened with 135 inmates. The new 47 Boko Haram inmates will over stretch the prison and that could pose dangerous consequences for the community and entire state.
“The arrival of these detainees has led to anxiety across the state with places like Onitsha, Ekwulobia and other major cities of Anambra State witnessing protests.
“Many businesses including markets, filling stations have been closed as a result of the arrival of the Boko Haram detainees.”
According to the lawmaker, the people feared the possibility of jail break that could lead to a culture of violent attacks within the communities.
“There is a general fear of the possibility of a jailbreak aided by their (Boko Haram) members. The relocation of the prisoners to Ekwulobia is in flagrant violation of the avowed wishes of the peace-loving people of Anambra State.
“Even though the management of prisons is on the Exclusive list, I urge the federal government to rescind its decision to relocate the Boko Haram detainees to Anambra.?”
Governor Obiano who has come under attack for allegedly conniving with the federal government on the transfer of the detainees to his state declared yesterday that contrary to insinuations, he would not play politics with the pains and agony of his people.
He appealed to the people of the state to go about their normal businesses while he continues to engage the relevant authorities on the recent transfer of the detainees.
The governor through his media aide, James Eze said: “We wish to inform the general public that Governor Obiano NEVER made any comments to any media. Since the eruption of this controversy, Governor Obiano’s position has been consistent. For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Willie Obiano is aware of the strong feelings provoked by Boko Haram among NdiAnambra and the people of the South East.
“Therefore, he shall never use this subject of pain and anguish to play politics. Those who are not held back by any moral considerations in their pursuit of power, cheap popularity and vendetta are free to play with the agony of the people for their narrow interests.”
There is tension in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra state following the indefinite suspension of the council chairman, John Onyeakpa, by the councilors over allegations of misconduct and poor performance among others. Already, Anambra state police command had deployed more security operatives to the area to maintain law and order.
Before his controversial suspension, the chairman was served with an impeachment notice on July 2nd, 2015. In reaction to the move by the legislators, Onyeakpa dragged the Councillors and the Chief Judge of the state to court, seeking discontinuation of the impeachment process. Specifically, the LG boss urged the Court to stop the Chief Judge from setting up a panel to investigate him.
But in a surprise statement on Friday at Umunze headquarters of the council area, after their sitting, the Councilors announced the indefinite suspension of the Chairman and directed him to hand over the affairs of the council to his deputy, Sir Emma Enwere, within 24 hours.
According to reports, the motion for his suspension was moved by the leader of the house, Sir Chukwudi Okwuma, and was supported by all the 15 legislators present out of the 18 member house.
Okwuma alleged that the chairman had crippled the activities of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the council area and had equally accused Governor Obiano of sponsoring the councilors to impeach him at all cost. Also, chairman information and security, Hyginus Umeaka alleged that the chairman had turned the council area into a private business, while Mr. Stanistus Nnaka accused him of being stubborn.
But there is confusion over the state of things in the council as Onyeakpa has vowed to resist all attempts to wrongly and forcefully remove him from office. Although he could not be reached for his reaction, a close aide of the embattled LG boss said it is unlikely that Onyeakpa will give up without a fight.
“Don’t forget the matter is in court already. I am sure the Chairman will seek justice till the very end. He will not succumb to this extra judicial act by the councillors. He will resist them,” the aide said.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State has apologized to the members of the party in the state over its inability to win the last election in the state. The party chieftians also called on the party’s National Working committee (NWC) to approve a congress for the state without delay so as to further strengthen its weak structures ahead of forthcoming elections.
Rising from a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Marble–Arch Hotels in Awka, the state capital at the weekend, the governorship candidate of the party in the last election, Chief Tony Nwoye, said the meeting was called because they were tired of factions in the state. The meeting brought together most PDP’s eggheads in the state, including present and former lawmakers, former Secretaries to the State Government, former commissioners and former state chairmen of the party among others.
Addressing the stakeholders, Tony Nwoye, told them that the time to get it right before any other election in the state was now.
According to him, “the aim of this meeting is to tell you that our party is intact, Anambra is the heart beat of Igbo land, we should hold ourselves together for the journey ahead”
“Since the members have decided that we should hold our congress in the state, from ward to local government to the state, of which our votes must count, we are going to liaise with the National Working Committee (NWC) for it”
“What we want now is for our members, other stakeholders who feel aggrieved over the outcome of the 2015 elections to come back and embrace the party for us to move forward,” Nwoye said.
Nwoye, said each local government area should nominate two persons as those who would be summoning the meetings for the PDP in the state.
Speaking at the stakeholders meeting, former Deputy Speaker of Anambra State Assembly, Chief Kenneth Enemuo, declared that the members were tired of factions in the state.
He suggested that if the party was organising a congress, it should be conducted in every local government or senatorial zone on a day instead of giving room for manipulation.
Former secretary of the party, Dr. Tony Mcfoy, said PDP candidates were humiliated, disgraced during the election in the state because of disunity, adding that members were the architects of their woes.
