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  • 2015: PDP woos opposition lawmakers

    2015: PDP woos opposition lawmakers

    Ahead of the 2015 general election, the ruling party is intensifying efforts to ensure that it continues in office at the federal level. Dare Odufowokan, Assistant Editor, reports that the party, as part of strategies to ensure victory at the general election, is wooing opposition lawmakers at the National Assembly. 

    The Presidency and the leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are reaching out to some opposition lawmakers at the National Assembly, ahead of the 2015 general elections.

    Investigations on Friday revealed that the leadership of the party had met severally with some lawmakers elected on the platforms of some opposition parties including the Labour Party (LP) Accord Party (AP) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in recent times.

    It was reliably gathered that while the meetings did not discuss defections of the said lawmakers into the PDP, parties to the parleys spent ample time talking about how their various parties can collaborate to check the rising influence of the All Progressives Congress in the national Assembly, especially the lower house.

    The outcome of the ongoing talks, it was learnt, will see some opposition parties ganging up with the ruling party against the APC in the hallowed chambers ahead of the 2015 general election.

    It was also gathered that the opposition lawmakers currently in talks with the PDP leadership may be doing so with the support of the leaderships of their parties as well as some Governors and former Governors.

    A party source, who pleaded anonymity, said the talks are aimed at creating ripples at the owe house with a view to possibly changing the leadership of the party before the next general election.

    “The PDP, backed by the presidency, is in talks with some opposition legislators. The talks have been ongoing for a while now and the notion behind them is to see how loyal PDP legislators in the House of Representatives can collaborate with ready opposition embers in parties like the AP, LP, APGA etc, to checkmate the growing influence of the APC in the national assembly.

    There is a strong fear within the ruling party that the leadership of the lower house is no longer with the party. Although they are still members of the PDP on paper, many of the leaders of the House of Representatives are no longer with the party in principles and practice.

    This explains why the APC appear to be having a field day on the floor of the house. It is also the reason for the incessant decamping of PDP lawmakers to the APC in recent times. The APC, though still the minority party in the House, enjoys the sympathy of the leadership of the chamber.

    For PDP to change the situation and ensure that it continue to steer the ship of the House, there is need for it to form alliances with other minority parties aside the APC on the floor of the House. And since the APC forms the minority leadership of the House, the PDP is left with no choice that to deal with the legislators individually.

    That is what the party has been doing. The Governors and national leaders of the concerned legislators are also part of the ongoing rapprochement. If the deal sails through, the legislators will remain in their parties and champion the cause of the ruling party at all times on the floor of the house.

    The basic implication of this would be the balkanisation of the opposition on the floor of the House. One of the immediate outcome of the ongoing talk is the recent botched attempt to change the minority leadership of the house,” our source said.

    It would be recalled that motion seeking to have the leadership of the Minority dissolved caused a row a fortnight ago in the House of Representatives. The Nation learnt that the development was a fallout of several meetings between some opposition legislators and the leadership of the ruling party.

    The botched motion was raised by the Deputy Majority Leader Leo Ogor (PDP-Delta), to the effect that the APC should relinquish some of the minority positions in the House for other opposition parties to occupy.

    Immediately the lawmaker raised the motion, members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Labour Party (LP) and Accord Party (AP) from Ondo, Oyo and Anambra states insisted they should be part of the Minority leadership hierarchy in the House. This led to a rowdy session on the floor as APC legislators rose to the occasion.

    Ogor noted that the Minority leadership slots of the House were filled with only All Progressives Congress (APC) members. This, the lawmaker said, was a breach of the House rules, which provide that minority parties – not one of the parties – would form the leadership.

    Ogor expressed reservations that all minority leadership slots available were in the hand of APC without the consent and input of the LP, APGA and Accord.

    He said: “It behoves on the minority parties, in line with Item 31 of the House Rules, to nominate among themselves a new Minority Leader, Minority Whip, Deputy Minority Leader and Deputy Minority Whip.” Ogor urged the Minority leadership to vacate their seats and give room for a proper nomination.

    “The lawmakers sitting on the platform of the APC now were members of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Accord Party and other parties. Therefore, they are unknown to the House. and since they were not a part of the nomination process for the leadership of the Minority, APC members must vacate their seats,” he said.

    But Minority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila (APC-Lagos) dismissed Ogor’s motion as unnecessary and unfounded. The lawmaker said the motion ought to have been raised by an opposition member, instead of a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker.

    He said: “Under our rules of privilege, you have to have locus before raising such a motion. If this matter of privilege was raised by a member of the opposition, then it will have locus. Our rules do not create room for meddlesome interlopers. I have seen a letter nominating our leaders sitting here, but I have not seen any letter nominating any PDP member sitting as a principal officer.”

    But APGA, Accord and LP members in Anambra, Ondo and Oyo States disagreed with the opposition leader. They insisted on having their shares of the opposition pie.

    Bukola Abiola Ajaja (Accord -Oyo) opposed Gbajabiamila’s position.

    She said: “I want to say whoever goes to equity, must go with clean hands. Since the formation of APC, we in the opposition have not met to decide who would take positions. Rules 32, 33, 35 and 36 define the roles of different political parties and these provisions provide that all opposition parties must be represented on the leadership of the opposition.”

    Another member, Debo Ologunagba (LP-Ondo), noted that the composition of the opposition leadership violates the privileges of Labour Party members.

    He said: “It’s a collective privilege of members.”

    The rowdy situation was saved when Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, who presided over the plenary, referred the motion to Committees on Rules and Business and Justice for further legislative consideration.

    Of course, many believe that is not the end of the matter. Sources within the collaborating parties insist the collaborators will not rest until the minority leadership of the House is altered.

    “The idea is not just to make noise. It is actually to kickstart the changes in the lower House by altering the minority leadership first. With the ongoing collaboration between some opposition lawmakers and the PDP, it is unclear how the Femi Gbajabiamila-led minority leadership of the House will survive.

    Ogor’s argument has encouraged members of the LP, AOGA and Accord in the House to see that they can actually demand for representation in the minority leadership. This is merely a test case for the bigger push. If their agitation scales through, then the House leadership proper should beware.

    The PDP will instruct its lawmakers to back the agitation of the opposition lawmakers against the pact. The House leadership, on its part, will work against such change knowing fully well that it will be the next target. This is the current scenario at the lower House,” our source said.

    The Nation also learnt that the APC leadership in the House is aware of the nocturnal dealings between the PDP leadership and some opposition lawmakers.

    “We are not unaware of their antics. We are fully abreast of their plots and we cannot be caught unawares. However, one thing we are sure of is that undemocratic forces can never defeat the progressives. We are insisting it is out of place for the PDP to dictate how minority parties will form the minority leadership of the lower house. We are saying we will resist any attempt to impose a leadership on us by the presidency as it is done in the PDP,” another source, a lawmaker said.

  • Bid to change House opposition leadership wishful thinking, says Gbajabiamila

    Bid to change House opposition leadership wishful thinking, says Gbajabiamila

    The Minority Leader in the House of Representatives and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caucus Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said the attempt by some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Labour Party (LP) and Accord (A) members to change the minority leadership of the House is “wishful thinking”.

    The lawmaker described last Tuesday’s attempt to change the status quo, spearheaded by the Deputy House Leader Leo Ogor, as laughable and a twisted logic aimed at undermining existing House rules.

    Gbajabiamila, in a statement yesterday in Abuja by his aide, Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart, rejected the efforts of some PDP, APGA, LP, and Accord members to alter minority leadership of the House.

    He said: “That is wishful thinking. There will be no such thing. They should read the House rules intelligently. Besides, who is fooling who? APGA and LP make partisan democracy in Nigeria a joke.”

    The lawmaker said the move to change minority leadership in the House, following the merger of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and a faction of APGA into APC negates provisions of the House Rules.

    “Besides, the rules are very clear: the minority elect their leaders from among themselves as an opposition group and not on individual party basis. “There were six minority parties in the House prior to now and only four minority positions. By their twisted logic, two extra positions should have then been created for the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) and the Peoples ????? (PPN), which had only one member each. It’s laughable.”

    Gbajabiamila referred the PDP, APGA and LP members to what he earlier called “strange judgment” that stopped the House from changing its leadership.

     

     

    He said: “Besides, the gentleman, who raised the matter of privilege, the former Deputy Minority, now Deputy Majority Leader, Leo Ogor, did not show how his privilege was breached, as required by our rules. Perhaps, he should go back to the same court, where he got his strange judgment stopping the change of House leadership to, this time, compel the change of Minority leadership.”

    He said rather than expending legislative energy on trivialities, the lawmakers should collaborate with Nigerians to ensure safe return of the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls.

    “In the meantime, let’s try and bring back our girls and stop expending legislative energy on irrelevancies. There is much work to be done.”

  • Reps in row over composition of Minority leadership

    Reps in row over composition of Minority leadership

    A motion seeking to have the leadership of the Minority dissolved caused a row yesterday in the House of Representatives.

    It was raised by Deputy Majority Leader Leo Ogor (PDP-Delta).

    Immediately the lawmaker raised the motion, members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Labour Party (LP) and Accord Party (AP) from Ondo, Oyo and Anambra states insisted they should be part of the Minority leadership hierarchy in the House.

    This led to a rowdy session on the floor.

    Ogor noted that the Minority leadership slots of the House were filled with only All Progressives Congress (APC) members.

    This, the lawmaker said, was a breach of the House rules, which provide that minority parties – not one of the parties – would form the leadership.

    Ogor expressed reservations that all minority leadership slots available were in the hand of APC without the consent and input of the LP, APGA and Accord.

    He said: “It behoves on the minority parties, in line with Item 31 of the House Rules, to nominate among themselves a new Minority Leader, Minority Whip, Deputy Minority Leader and Deputy Minority Whip.”

    Ogor urged the Minority leadership to vacate their seats and give room for a proper nomination.

    “The lawmakers sitting on the platform of the APC now were members of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Accord Party and other parties. Therefore, they are unknown to the House. and since they were not a part of the nomination process for the leadership of the Minority, APC members must vacate their seats,” he said.

    But Minority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila (APC-Lagos) dismissed Ogor’s motion as unnecessary and unfounded.

    The lawmaker said the motion ought to have been raised by an opposition member, instead of a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker.

    He said: “Under our rules of privilege, you have to have locus before raising such a motion. If this matter of privilege was raised by a member of the opposition, then it will have locus.

    “Our rules do not create room for meddlesome interlopers. I have seen a letter nominating our leaders sitting here, but I have not seen any letter nominating any PDP member sitting as a principal officer.”

    But APGA, Accord and LP members in Anambra, Ondo and Oyo states disagreed with the opposition leader.

    They insisted on having their shares of the opposition pie.

    Bukola Abiola Ajaja (Accord -Oyo) opposed Gbajabiamila’s position.

    She said: “I want to say whoever goes to equity, must go with clean hands. Since the formation of APC, we in the opposition have not met to decide who would take positions.

    “Rules 32, 33, 35 and 36 define the roles of different political parties and these provisions provide that all opposition parties must be represented on the leadership of the opposition.”

    Another member, Debo Ologunagba (LP-Ondo), noted that the composition of the opposition leadership violates the privileges of Labour Party members.

    He said: “It’s a collective privilege of members.”

    Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, who presided over the plenary, referred the motion to Committees on Rules and Business and Justice for further legislative consideration.

     

  • 2015: APGA legislators can seek re-election

    2015: APGA legislators can seek re-election

    All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) National Chairman Chief Victor Umeh has said that House of Representatives members seeking re-election are free to pursue their ambitions under the platform.

    He rejected the move by party chieftains in Awka North and South Local Government Areas of Anambra State to stop legialators from seeking a second term.

    The National Secretary, Alhaji Sani Shinkafi, who spoke on his behalf in Awka, the state capital, said the decision to ban Hon. Emeka Nwogbo and Kenechukwu Chukwuemeka from contesting was null and void and of no effect.

    He said: “ The attention of the national leadership of our party has been drawn to a media report that APGA leaders in Awka, Anambra State have taken a decision to suspend and bare two lawmakers representing the area from running for a second term in office in 2015.Their decision has no blessing of the party leadership.”

    Some chieftains of APGA in Awka including former Special Adviser to Governor Rochas Okorocha, Chief Austin Ndigwe, former Commissioner of Agriculture, Chief Godson Ezenagu, and  Special Adviser to Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano on Security Matters Chief Chikodi Anara had resolved to suspend Nwogbo and Chukwuemeka over alleged poor performance.

    However, Shinkafi, who dismissed their action, said that, under the APGA constitution, there is no provision for any stakeholder meeting, adding that only the executive committees have the power to suspend members at the local, state and federal levels.

    He stressed: “If the member has failed to discharge his constitutional responsibility to his people, it is for the electorates who voted into office to remove him at the appropriate time. It is not for our party members to start showing to the opposition that our elected representatives are not capable of delivering dividends of democracy to the people. This is not good for the progress of the party in the 2015 general elections.”

    Shinkafi also faulted the suspension of 10 ward executive committees and councillors, saying that at no time was a vote of no confidence passed on them.

    Urging members to prepare for the next year’s election, he said that the party will not allow imposition of candidates.

    “The party will not allow any unconstitutional act by baring or disqualifying any member of the party who wants to aspire to any elective position in 2015. We have a procedure where the party will come out with election guideline on how its candidates will emerge through a democratic process.

     

  • Tension, as Obiano testifies in Anambra

    Tension, as Obiano testifies in Anambra

    •Counsels in shouting match
    •Double registration takes lead

    There was tension as the Anambra State governorship elections tribunal in Awka, following the testimony of Governor Willie Obiano who mounted the witness box for the second time in a week yesterday.

    While being cross examined yesterday at the tribunal by Chief Emeka Ngige SAN, Obiano said he did not know the origin of the double registration document which was given to him by Ngige.

    But the session was marred by shouting match between Ngige and Patrick Ikwueto SAN, Counsel to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) who intermittently interjected during the cross examination.

    Also, Counsel to Obiano, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu SAN made things difficult for his fellow lawyers and reporters continuously talking in muffle tone, without making use of the microphone provided, this elicited murmurings from the crowded tribunal room.

    However, Obiano admitted that the pictures and signatures that appeared on the voters register appeared to be his own but insisted that he was not an INEC staff and would not know how it happened.

    The Governor was, in the witness box between 9.30am till 5.30pm yesterday at the tribunal which was filled to the brim because of his presence and that of Senator Chris Ngige of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Victor Umeh, the Deputy Governor Dr. Nkem Okeke, the Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Chinwe Nwebili among others.

    Also, when Ngige sought to tender the document that bore the particulars of Obiano on the voters register, Ikpeazu SAN, Ikwueto SAN and Ayotunde Ogunleye, INEC Counsel objected, describing it as inadmissible but the tribunal led by Hon. Justice Ishaq Bello over ruled the objection.

    However, the Governor, who was constantly addressed to as “witness” by Ngige which drew the ire of APGA lawyers admitted that the document was the one he used to transfer his registration from Lagos to Anambra State.

    He said he completed the form in the office of the Electoral Officer (EO) on the 21st of August, 2013, adding that he could not confirm his photograph on the form shown to him by Ngige which contained his pictures.

    At this point Ikpeazu SAN, counsel to Obiano interjected by reminding the tribunal that Ngige’s time had elapsed.

    This infuriated Ngige who on top of his voice said my lords, “this is the first time ever a fellow counsel would time his colleague”

    “It is disheartening, I have never witnessed this before in law practice for cross examining a witness” the anger made Hon. Justice Bello to add three more minute for Ngige.

    When the form was shown to Obiano he said “I am seeing the form for the first time, the picture there was not mine, I do not know who planted it there, there is no place my name appeared twice and there is no place I voted twice”

    But Ngige insisted that he should read out the figures on the form, the Governor insisted that they were tiny and that he could not read.

    Upon the insistence of Ngige, Obiano read out the Vinn number as 90F8B14888377881121 adding that what he saw was Obiano Maduabuchi Willie adding that the pictures do not appear to be his.

    “I did not know the origin of this but I have seen Obiano Willie Maduabuchi, also the second one Obiano Maduabuchi Willie and I can not confirm that adhoc staff that worked for INEC came from Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU)” he said.

    At the end of proceedings yesterday evening, Hon. Justice Ishaq Bello warned the lawyers that they should not be temperamental in their arguments.

    “The discrepancies and general practice of behavior will also be seen overseas, whatever we do here may make or mar the judicial system but our promise is that when  we leave here, we are not going to bear any grudges against any person” he said.

    Meanwhile, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and its Governorship Candidate, Tony Nwoye were handicapped yesterday as their matter could not hold.

    Rather, the tribunal had put forward their cases for today (Tuesday) as canvassed by Nwoye’s lead counsel, D.C Denwigwe SAN.

     

     

     

     

  • APGA nominated Obiano, Umeh tells tribunal

    APGA nominated Obiano, Umeh tells tribunal

    Anambra State Elections Petitions Tribunal in Awka, yesterday, was told that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) nominated Governor Willie Obiano and not Dr Chike Obidigbo for the November 16 election.

    Chief Victor Umeh, national chairman of the party testified yesterday that Obiano’s name and his deputy’s, Dr Nkem Okeke, were submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) .

    He said he signed the forms as chairman of the party, with Alhaji Abdulahi Shinkafi as national secretary.

    Umeh was cross examined by counsel to Obidigbo, Maduabuchi Oba, in the suit by Obidigbo challenging the nomination of Obiano.

    He told the tribunal that INEC monitired the primary conducted by APGA , adding that any other leadership not recognised by INEC, which produced a candidate, was not valid.

    “I was the validly elected national chairman of APGA and recognised by INEC at the time the nomination took place.”

    “I was not a party in the suit that said Chief Maxi Okwu was the validly elected chairman of APGA. Prior to that judgment, there was one from theAppeal Court, which stayed execution of an Enugu High Court judgment removing me and my executive.”

    “We filed a stay of execution, and on April 8, 2013, the Court of Appeal at Enugu granted a stay of execution and that was the day Maxi Okwu was purported to have emerged as the national chairman.”

    Umeh has threatened to write a petition against Justice Abdul Kafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja, to the National judicial council (NJC).

    He said yesterday that judicial impertinence was the problem in Nigeria, adding that his members would petition NJC about Kafarati.

    The national chairman said his stay of execution was neither dismissed nor thrown out.

     

  • APGA picked Obiano, not Obidigbo, says Umeh

    APGA picked Obiano, not Obidigbo, says Umeh

    Anambra State Elections Petitions Tribunal in Awka, yesterday was told that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) nominated Governor Willie Obiano and not Dr Chike Obidigbo for the November 16 election.

    Chief Victor Umeh, factional national chairman of the party testified yesterday that Obiano’s name was submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with that of his deputy, Dr Nkem Okeke.

    He said he signed the forms as chairman of the party, with Alhaji Abdulahi Shinkafi as national secretary.

    Umeh was being cross examined by counsel to Obidigbo, Maduabuchi Oba in the case by Obidigbo challenging the nomination of Obiano by the party.

    He told the tribunal that the primary conducted by APGA was monitored by INEC, adding that any other leadership not recognised by INEC, which produced a candidate, was not valid.

    “I was the validly elected national chairman of APGA and recognised by INEC at the time the nomination of the party’s candidate took place.”

    “I was not a party in the suit that said Chief Maxi Okwu was validly elected chairman of APGA. Prior to that judgment, there was a judgment of the Appeal Court staying execution in the judgment of the Enugu High Court, which removed me and my executive as officers of APGA.”

    “We filed a stay of execution and on April 8, 2013, the Court of Appeal at Enugu granted a stay of execution and that was the day Maxi Okwu was purported to have emerged as the national chairman and his colleagues.”

    Umeh has threatened to take Justice Abdul Kafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja, before the National judicial council (NJC).

    He said yesterday that judicial impertinence was the problem in Nigeria, adding that his members would petition Kafarati to NJC.

    The factional national chairman said his stay of execution was neither dismissed nor thrown out as being speculated, adding that what happened was that the lower court lacked jurisdiction to hear it.

     

     

  • APGA advises govt to sit up

    APGA advises govt to sit up

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has condemned yesterday’s bombing of innocent people at the Nyanya, Abuja motor park.

    Over 70 Nigerians were killed and scores of others injured in the rush hour blast bomb blast.

    APGA advised the Goodluck Jonathan government to live up to its responsibility and protect lives and property of Nigerians.

    It urged security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the “cowardly act”.

    A statement by Victor Eneh, the Senior Media Assistant to the National Chairman of the party, said: “The National Chairman, Chief Maxi Okwu, and members of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) received with shock the news of bomb blasts that killed many people and injured several others in Nyanya, Abuja.

    “APGA condemns this dastardly act and calls on security agents to fish out the culprits and bring them to book to serve as a deterrent for those who will contemplate this cowardly act against fellow compatriots…”

     

  • Tribunal nullifies council poll

    Tribunal nullifies council poll

    The Onitsha zone of the Anambra State Local Government Election Tribunal has nullified the election of the Chairman of Ogbaru Local Government, Chief Victor Agolue.

    Agolue was the candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    The tribunal ordered the state Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) to conduct a fresh poll.

    Obi Anizoba ruled yesterday in a petition by Chief Zeribe Ezeanuna, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Ogbaru in the poll.

    The tribunal, after reviewing evidence of the petitioner and submissions of counsel, held that the election was marred by irregularities.

    He ordered ANSIEC to conduct a fresh poll.

    Reacting, lead counsel to the petitioner Chidiebere Ezems hailed the tribunal for ensuring that justice was delivered.

    He noted that the judgment was an indication that the judiciary could still dispense justice.

    Also speaking, Ezeanuna described the judgment as clear and apt.

    He said his party would win the election whenever ANISEC was ready to conduct it.

    The APGA candidates and their counsel were not in court.

     

  • Anambra agog as Obiano takes the rein

    Anambra agog as Obiano takes the rein

    It was the first time power would be transferred in such an orderly manner since the creation of the state.

    Anambra was agog yesterday as Wille Obiano took over as governor with the exit of Peter Obi.

    The crowd was heavy. It was unprecedented in Awka, the state capital.

    The ceremony lasted over four hours as people irrespective of party affiliation, united to say goodbye to Obi and welcome Obiano –the banker-turned politician.

    Anambra’s business moguls, Sir Emeka Offor, Prince Arthur Eze ans senators Joy Emodi, Onyeabor Obi, Emma Anosike and Margery Okadigbo were among the guests.

    Throughout the ceremony yesterday, Obi looked sober. But Obiano and his deputy Dr. Nkem Okeke were all smiles. They were attired in uniformed black suits and ties to match.

    Different cultural groups from across the 21 local government areas were on parade including the popular Kponkiti dance from Umunze in Orumba South Council Area and the Ohafia war dance from Abia State.

    Abia state Governor and chairman Southeast Governor’s Forum Chief Theodore Orji, his wife Odochi, wife of the Delta State Governor Mrs Roli Uduaghan, also attended.

    There were also All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) chiefs.

    Security agencies had a hectic time controlling the crowd.

    At exactly 1.55pm, Obiano’s Deputy Okeke was sworn in by Chief Judge. Justice Peter Umeadi . Governor Obiano took the oath at exactly 2.08pm.

    Nollywood actors and actress were not left out which saw Bob Manuel Udokwu performed as one of the compeers.

    President Goodluck Jonathan was represented by his Special Adviser on Inter Party affairs, Senator Ben Ndi Obi.

    He said very soon, Obi would join the federal executive council.

    Senator Obi said the hint was given penultimate week by Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala at the Women Development Centre in Awka.

    Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, in his prayers said Obi had served meritoriously and was leaving gloriously.

    He prayed for God’s guidance, wisdom and vision for the administration of Obiano.

    Obi in his farewell speech, said it was the first time such event was taking place in the state sine its creation.

    He said when he took over he drove and left the arena in his own vehicle adding that he had provided a brand new bullet proof vehicle for Obiano.

    “I have finished my work, the job is done; today you can look around and say that we have a state and Anambra is the most financially stable in Nigeria today and that is why we are the Light of the Nation”

    Obiano said his administration would launch Anambra into a new economic place through “the four pillars of development.”

    He said: “We shall engage in a serious production of cassava, maize and rice where we have the comparative advantage.

    ”In addition, we will re-train, re-equip and organise our farmers into cooperatives to enable them share resources and attract funding from donor agencies and financial institutions.

    “These efforts will lead to massive increase in food production in the medium to long term and the emergence of Agro-based industries in the area of storage, processing, manufacturing and packaging. That will create a lot of jobs for our people.”

    “We will provide the enablement for Oil & Gas companies to prospect for natural resources in our state and set up a refinery within one year of my administration.”

    “Commencement of a refinery will attract oil & gas ancillary companies to come to our state. This has a lot of job creation potentials for our people.

    “We shall provide an enabling environment for our traders to switch from importation to manufacturing the goods they currently import to Anambra.

    “This state hosts a large number of industrial clusters. My administration will strengthen this advantage with an appropriate policy framework that will boost our indigenous capacity in this sector.

    “This will have a direct impact on wealth creation in the state and bring down unemployment” Obiano said.