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Tag: Ebonyi

  • 18 co-operatives get MDGs grant in Ebonyi

    18 co-operatives get MDGs grant in Ebonyi

    Eighteen agro-based cooperatives have benefitted from the Millennium Development Goals Conditional Grant Scheme (MDGCGS) of the Ebonyi State government.

    The cooperatives, drawn from six local government areas namely Afikpo North, Onicha, Ivo, Ohaukwu, Ebonyi and Ezza North got N500,000 each, totalling N9m.

    The benefiting cooperatives had earlier undergone training on the various agro-based investment opportunities in the state to further equip them with the requisite knowledge needed to establish their own businesses.

    At the launching of the scheme, during which cheques were presented to the cooperatives, wife of the state governor, Mrs Josephine Elechi expressed happiness and appreciation to the state government for supporting the scheme.

    She also commended the federal government for initiating the grants through the MDGCGS Office. She said it would boost agriculture at the grassroots.

    She said, “This scheme is aimed at complementing all poverty alleviation and employment initiatives of the Federal Government”

    “I want to express my deep appreciation to the state government under the leadership of Chief Martin Elechi for making it possible for the 18 benefitting agric-based cooperatives, three each from Afikpo North, Ebonyi, Ezza North, Ivo, Ohaukwu and Onicha LGAs to partake in the programme, through the approval and release of funds to be disbursed to the beneficiaries”.

    “I am glad to note that each of these cooperatives will also receive a total of five hundred thousand naira for a group of agricultural activities…along the agricultural value chain to be operated through a micro-credit finance process”.

    “This will go a long way in assisting the agro-based cooperatives to further expand and improve upon their various ventures, which will in turn ensure increase in agricultural production for economic benefit of the large society”.

    “May I therefore call on various organisations and groups to encourage agricultural programmes by embarking upon small-scale agricultural ventures, through the formation of cooperatives”.

    “I am convinced that through these measures, it would be easier for our farmers to access agricultural inputs, subsidies and funds from government and other agencies to facilitate the growth of their agricultural programmes”.

    “I hereby charge the benefitting cooperatives to make judicious utilization of facilities provided them through the MDG/CGS agric bases micro cooperatives scheme, so as to actuaries the objectives for which the scheme was designed”.

    The Focal Person of Ebonyi MDG/CGS, Dr Ngozi Obichukwu said the grants was part of efforts to eradicate goal 1 of the MIllenium Development Goals (MDG).

    She said the training and grant will go a long way in helping the cooperatives’ members to move their farming system ahead.

    Dr Obichukwu urged them to go into Agro business like fishing farming etc.

    The Head of Service, Mrs Ugo Nnachi noted that the MDG has enhanced the life of Ebonyi people especially those in the rural areas.

    She said the grants will go a long way in encouraging the cooperatives to judiciously use the grants to diversify on their Agro based ventures especially now that the oil prices is dwindling.

    Mr James Uchenna, from one of the cooperatives from Ezza North thanked the state government and the MDG/CGS on behalf of the beneficiaries for the grants which he noted will help them improve on their farming system.

    He also promised that they will use the funds judiciously for the purpose for which they were given.

  • Ebonyi guber war threatens Egwu’s senate ambition

    Ebonyi guber war threatens Egwu’s senate ambition

    The rift between Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party in Ebonyi State has been identified as one of the central determinants of the results of the forthcoming elections in the state. Insiders and stakeholders told Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, how the political rumble may affect the senatorial ambition of former governor Sam Egwu

    AS the governorship election in Ebonyi State draws closer, the intense rivalry between the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the newly rejuvenated Labour Party (LP) in the state is approaching a boiling point. Stakeholders and concerned observers told The Nation during the week that as a result of the political battle, the senatorial ambition of the former governor, Chief Sam Egwu, is under serious threat and that Egwu may lose the seat following allegations that the PDP governorship candidate, Engr. Dave Umahi and his patron, Egwu, have concluded arrangement to hand over Nigerian Cement Factory, Nkalagu, and other strategic economic live wire of the state to an Anambra State business investor who, they allege, has provided over N3bn to the campaign of the Deputy Governor, Dave Umahi.

    Ndubuisi Okpara, a Labour Party stakeholder, explaining the development said,

    “We are concerned about the way Mr Dave Umahi, the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State and the PDP gubernatorial candidate in the state, is carrying on in his campaigns. The disrespect which he has shown to his boss, the governor, must be condemned. It is sad that a man who aspires to be a governor has no atom of respect for a sitting governor. The height of this open show of shame is Umahi’s call for the governor’s impeachment. This does not speak well of Umahi.

    “The position of a governor is not a tea party. It requires maturity, decency, credibility, humility, discipline and economic prudence. If a governor lacks these, he will be a big disappointment.

    “For example, we know that the PDP gubernatorial candidate aims to hand over Nigerian Cement Factory, Nkalagu, to an Anambra State business investor who is said to have provided over N3bn to the campaign of Dave Umahi. Surely, this will provide a playing ground for the business mogul to take over the affairs of Ebonyi State in the event that Umahi wins the governorship seat. Any right thinking parson will easily predict what will befall Ebonyi State’s treasury and the state’s share of the Federation Account if such an aspirant becomes the governor of Ebonyi State.”

    On Egwu, Okpara said, “It is really unfortunate and astonishing how some political tin gods and men of yester-years refuse to embrace the reality of their unwanted presence in the present political dispensation. Such politicians continue to live and well in the past while paying scant attention to the reality on ground about their complete irrelevance in the political scheme of things in their states.

    “One of such politicians who continually box the shadow is the erstwhile governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Sam Egwu. This ex-governor is better remembered in his state for his poor performance and inability to move his state even an inch forward throughout his eight-year tenure as governor. His tenure is a sordid chapter in the political history of Ebonyi State.

    “As a governor, Chief Egwu achieved visibly nothing; his projects were white elephant projects which could not see the light of the day. During his tenure, there was oil boom. Ebonyi State benefited tremendously from this. But alas, Egwu-led state government leveled  the huge revenue in the state coffers on white elephant projects, profligacy, and insensitivity to the plight of the good people of Ebonyi State.

    “Under Egwu, praise-singing and sycophancy was elevated to an art. Government then was hampered in its operation and duties by a coterie of innocent singers, jamboree makers and praise singers.

    “It is therefore inconceivable for such erst-while governor, who has hitherto been in the political wilderness and limbo to wake up from his slumber to seek to represent his people in the Senate. This is a man who has been in political exile of sorts since he left office eight years ago.

    “During this period, he has been politically irrelevant. He kept a safe distance from Ebonyi State and Ebonyians. He did not attend meetings of the party. Of course, he also shunned village and community meetings and holes himself up in his Abuja abode.”

    Okpara also condemned Egwu’s style of campaign, describing it as “unacceptable” and “embarrassing.”

    According to him, “Egwu’s romance with forces disloyal to the governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Martins Elechi, must be viewed as unbecoming and unacceptable. First, it is embarrassing that Egwu, a former governor, should descend so low as to work against his immediate successor in office. Besides, his suggestions make one to wonder when Egwu took up the job of Campaign Manager or Director for the governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State, Mr Dave Umahi.

    “As a statesman, which Egwu is presumed to be, there are certain standards he must live up to.

     There ought to be decorum, dignity and honour in his comments. Descent to an abysmal level in political discourse by a former governor is intolerable. It is unacceptable in any civilized setting. Egwu has a responsibility to respect himself and the occupant of his former office. Nothing less will do.

    “Any wonder then, why Egwu cannot visit or compaign in Izzi clan or Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, which is his primary constituency. Egwu must change his mode of politicking.

    “The truth is that Labour Party has taken over Ebonyi State by storm. Egwu’s ambition to become a Senator under the PDP is unattainable. It is more honourable for Egwu to desist from aligning himself with political charlatans. With his political experiment, Egwu should appreciate that the Labour Party is the party to beat in Ebonyi State.”

    But Okoro Uduma, an elder and a community leader in Afikpo zone, reacting to these claims said, “It is not true that Egwu did nothing in his eight years in office. It is also unfair to say he never attended any meeting since his exit until now. I am an elder and I know what I am saying. What we can say is that the current political realities show that the ill treatment of Governor Elechi may cause PDP this state. As a result of this fact, former governor Egwu will need to fight a serious political battle to win the senatorial contest on the ticket of PDP. It will not be an easy race for Egwu and the rest.”

    Dr Ukonu Uko, a PDP supporter in Abakaliki, in a chat also refuted allegation that Egwu cannot visit or campaign in his constituency. “How can anybody claim that the former governor cannot campaign or visit his immediate constituency? That is unbelievable. He has been and is still our political leader and a well respected leader in the state which he governed for eight years. We are not interested in the politics of name calling. The results of the elections will tell the story better,” he said.

    Comparing the campaigns of the two warring political parties in Ebonyi, Dr Christopher Mgbada, a lecturer and socio- political analyst, lamented what he described as poor electioneering campaign in Ebonyi State.

    “While I must admit that I am not impressed by the do-or-die attitude of the PDP and the Labour Party in the state, I must own up to the fact that the Labour candidate has once in a while preached about economic emancipation of Ebonyi State and how to better the lot of the people if voted into office. This is how it should be. We need such messages of hope not name calling or echoes of wars and woes.”

    It would be recalled that while the serving Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Umahi, is flying the flag of PDP, Labour Party is fielding Chief Nkwegu, a businessman and Senator Igwe Nwagu as the governorship candidate and running mate respectively.

    The inability of the players to resolve the quarrel between these two parties, which has been traced to the controversial result of the PDP governorship primaries that made all the supporters of Governor Martin Elechi to move over to the Labour Party in protest, may help other leading opposition political parties, like All Progressives Congress (APC) and All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) to perform much better in the coming elections. As Dr Mgbada suggested, it however remains to be seen how it will all

  • Anxiety over missing boy in Ebonyi

    There is tension in Ndiechi village, Ndufu Echara community, in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, over the alleged abduction of an 8-year-old boy, Godwin Onaga.

    Master Onaga was said to have been kidnapped by unknown persons, who invaded his father’s compound.

    Sources told The Nation that the abductors demanded N1.5 million ransom.

    The victim’s father, Chief Godwin Onaga, said he had issues with some persons in the village, who wanted to take his land, adding that he suspected them to be responsible for his son’s abduction.

    He said the incident gave him psychological torture and urged the police to arrest the perpetrators to enable his son, whom he noted had been in custody for three weeks, to regain freedom.

    The command yesterday declared a 20-year-old man in Ohaozara Local Government, Aneke Michael Ogbu, missing.

    Ogbu, an indigene of Uburu, left home for Abakaliki to buy the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB’) scratch card and did not return.

    Police spokesman Chris Anyanwu, who confirmed the incident, said Ogbu was last seen on January 9.

  • Ebonyi: The Labour Party’s challenge

    Following the intrigues in People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the January 29, 2015 flag-off of Labour Party’s gubernatorial campaign in Ebonyi State is generating ripples in the state. Ndubuisi Okpala writes on what the candidacy of Edon Nkwegu and his deputy, Senator Igwe Paulinus Nwagu, represent in Ebonyi State politics

    THE Labour Party is set to flag off her gubernatorial campaign in Ebonyi State on Monday 29th, January 2015, in Abakaliki, the state capital. This political activity promises to be resounding and earth-shaking given the pedigree of the Labour Party as the party to beat in Ebonyi State at the moment.

    The party’s gubernatorial ticket is one of its selling points and a political master stroke of outstanding proportion. The ticket has Edon Nkwegu, an Architect and successful businessman, as the gubernatorial candidate.

    His running mate, Senator Igwe Paulinus Nwagu, has no less intimidating credentials. He is the politician’s politician, a consummate politician, a man who has seen it all and paid his dues in the politics of Ebonyi State.

    He is a grassroots politician who has been a key player and factor in Ebonyi State politics since the return of democratic republicanism in Nigeria in 1999. Nwagu has held many political offices such as a councilor, local government chairman, member of the House of Representatives and a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria where he is presently holding sway as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs.

    Labour Party’s gubernatorial ticket presents Ebonyians with a wonderful combination of two cerebral men who will steer the ship of state to a safe anchor and take the promising state to the proverbial next level. The rare combination of Nkwegu’s experience in business, which he has successfully managed, including big conglomerates and the running mate’s political track record which has literally taken him from the political cradle to the zenith, posit a bright future for Ebonyi State in terms of good governance, progressive administration, provision of infrastructural facilities, attraction of the state’s fair share of democratic dividends from the federal government and wonderful transformation of the agricultural sector of the state which will return her pride of place as the great pearl and food basket of not only the South-East, but the nation at large.

    The political wind of change blowing in Ebonyi State is sure and steady and it cannot be wished away. The Edon/Nwagu Government in Ebonyi State will be the driver of the change.

    The Labour Party governorship ticket has another political plus, which is the enviable humility of the personalities involved. Their burning desire to take the state to the next level will surely change the face of the state. Ebonyians will be in a position to access the duo in government than others who are the products of lack of humility, respect and decorum.

    The Labour party’s manifesto shows that the party is after the welfare of the poor masses, poor workers, the down trodden and the hewers of wood and drawers of water. These are the people to be represented by the Labour Party’s governorship ticket.

    The Edon/Nwagu Government will continue where the Elechi government stopped as it will build upon the foundation already laid and consolidate on the gains on ground. It will also continue with the provision of the other huge successes recorded by the Elechi government.

    Besides, the Edom/Nwagu ticket has no moral issues or burden to contend with. It has no integrity issue and no baggage. It has no skeleton hanging over its neck as a sword.

    More than ever before, Ebonyi State has the rare privilege and opportunity to make a giant leap forward. This is the only path to a greater, more prosperous and self-reliant Ebonyi State.

  • Father ‘kills’ son in Ebonyi

    A 45-year-old man, Mr. Nwofu Igbo, at the weekend allegedly killed his 16-year-old son.

    The incident occurred at Nwofee community in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

    The victim, who lived in Lagos State, returned to his village to celebrate Christmas with his family.

    A source alleged that Nwofu killed his son.

    According to him, a quarrel had ensued between him and the deceased’s mother, which led to her being driven out of the matrimonial home.

    The source said the suspect married another wife, who bore him five children. He reportedly took possession of all that belonged to the deceased’s mother.

    The Nation learnt that the victim, who had been living with his mother and siblings, returned to his father’s home to reconcile his estranged parents.

    “When the deceased greeted his father and asked him where he could put his luggage, Nwofu was hostile to him. The deceased left and spent the night in the home of one of his friends.

    “When he returned the next day to apologise and  reconcile his parents,  Nwofu grudgingly showed him a room where he could stay. As he was changing his clothes, he sneaked in and hit him in the head with a big iron and he died. The suspect then dumped his son’s body on the road,” the source said.

    He said when the villagers found the body, Nwofu did not own up. But one of his sons, the deceased’s half brother, told them and the police that he saw the father hit the victim with an iron before he dumped his body on the road.

    Police Commissioner Maigari Dikko confirmed the incident.

    He said it was being investigated.

  • PPA dissolves Ebonyi Exco

    •Over anti-party activities

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) has dissolved its Ebonyi State Executive Committee (exco).

    It said its action followed insubordination and anti-party activities.

    The party’s National Chairman, Comrade Peter Ameh, in a statement in Abuja said the decision was taken at the NWC meeting on December 19.

    He said NWC, in line with the constitution, ordered the reconstitution of the Exco, with Ezeali Stephen as the chairman, while Divine Ogbonna would serve as the secretary, Ogbonnaya Nuribo, deputy chairman (North) and Nkama Olisa, deputy chairman (South).

    The statement reads:  “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) hereby announces the dissolution pursuant to Article 10(D) (iii) of the constitution of the party of the Ebonyi State Executive Committee (Exco).

    “This decision was arrived at during the NWC meeting on December 19.

    “The reasons for the dissolution are insubordination, anti-party activities and conduct likely to embarrass the party and bring it into hatred, contempt and ridicule, contrary to Article 12(A) (ii) (a,b,c and d) of the constitution of the party on the part of the dissolved state Executive Committee.

    “Notice is hereby given to the former chairman to hand over the party’s bus and other property to the new chairman.”

  • Peace campaign takes off in Ebonyi

    Peace campaign takes off in Ebonyi

    The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has flagged off a statewide peace advocacy programme in Ebonyi to hammer home the imperatives of tolerance and harmonious coexistence among the people in the run-up to a momentous election next year.

    At the flag-off which took place at Ndiulo Ngbo Development Centre in Ohaukwu Local Government Area, the National Orientation Agency Director-General, Mr Mike Omeri enjoined all traditional, religious, community and political leaders to champion the cause of peace within their spheres of influence.

    Mr Omeri, who was represented at the event by the state Director of the NOA, explained that the programme became very necessary because of the need for the country to triumph over insurgency and to conduct a violence-free, fair and credible election next year.

    He also explained that the programme was aimed at sensitising Ebonyi residents on the need to build alliances and dialogue in order to consolidate peace and security in the society.

    The NOA Director-General called on Nigerians to be mindful of the  need to maintain peace and security by preventing conflicts and violence in the society, adding, “Peace is one of humanity’s most precious needs. Our societal peace and security ought to be consciously sustained through development of good strategies for managing early warning signs and defining of early response for conflict prevention.

    He enumerated the signs of conflicts and violence to include sudden demographic changes and population displacement; rising unemployment rates; economic shocks or financial crises; destruction or desecration of religious sites; discrimination or injustice; destabilising of referenda or elections; rise in “societal” intolerance and prejudice; increase in numbers of demonstrations or rallies; foreign intervention; influx of refugees; drought, famine; erosion; flooding; fire disaster; earth quake, among others, and urged Ebonyi residents to beware of these signs.

    In their goodwill messages, officials of some security agencies at the occasion- DPO Ngbo Division (Simon Njoku), Nigeria Immigration Service (IgweIkechukwu) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (OgbatuUchechukwu) – appreciated NOA for the information which they said will boost up their efforts to work assiduously before, during and after the elections to ensure that peace and tranquility regain their normal place in the society.

    In his speech, the Coordinator of Ngbo Central Development Centre, Hon Uche Ubochi, allayed people’s fears that the elections in his domain will be violent and promised to deploy all strategies to see that the revise becomes the case.

    Honourable Ubochi, who was represented by Mr Chijioke Onwe appreciated NOA for her efforts at making the people cohabit peacefully and pledged to work with Ward Executives to further cascade the message of peaceful coexistence of one another to the hinterlands.

    Earlier, the Chairman of the Occasion, Dr Sunday Onwe, extolled NOA for the programme saying that it was apt and encouraged them to continue to discharge their constitutional mandate dutifully.

    The NOA Assistant Director, Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone, Mr Anthony Uguru regretted that absence of peace and insecurity in Nigeria is jeopardizing her goodwill and made a clarion call on all Nigerians to desist from all acts watering-down the efforts of the nations past and present heroes. He also thanked the people for honoring his invitation.

    Some of the participants at the event- Mrs Monica Okabe and Jacinta Chibuzo- promised to contribute their quota to the success of the peaceful move.

     

  • Politics of power shift in Ebonyi

    Politics of power shift in Ebonyi

    In this piece, Leo Sobechi, writes on the politics of power shift in Ebonyi State and its implications for stakeholders in post-Elechi period.

    The recent governorship primary election in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has thrown up serious issues about the unity and peace of Ebonyi State. Some observers concluded that the state Governor, Chief Martin Elechi, had lost in the power equation. But the fact remains that there are many sides to any event. Hence it is not the focus of this writer  to comment on the credibility or otherwise of that assumption.

    However, the aspect of the whole scenario which necessitated this reaction is the mischievous imputation in such a hurried declaration that tends to question the place and potency of the current political leader of Ebonyi State. Taken from the perspective of leadership and its place in social development therefore, the matter could be seen beyond victory or loss.

    If leadership presupposes followership, a situation whereby followers denounce leadership gives rise to rebellion. But then another question arises. Is rebellion possible in a democracy where plurality of opinions is the defining feature? Furthermore, does opinion leadership presuppose willy-nilly obedience? One outstanding feature in the analysis of political tendencies is that competition for electoral office is the socio-psychological equivalent of war. In a war situation, reason is a scarce commodity as each camp plots and does all that could win it victory. Against the background of the foregoing, could it be said that Governor Martin Elechi lost out in the competition for power in the coming  election year of 2015? A little background is necessary for a comprehensive appreciation of the issues involved.

    It is a fact that even before he was elected as the second executive governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Elechi was  generally seen as the leader of Ebonyi State. However from May 29, 2007 when he was sworn into office as governor, Chief Elechi began to perform the office of leader of government and the political platform upon which he won the governorship election which is the PDP. It was based on the fact of this political leadership that the Governor nominated David Nweze Umahi as the Chairman of Care-taker Committee of Ebonyi PDP in 2007. The subsequent proclamation by the Governor that the Care-taker committee members should proceed unopposed during the party’s state congress was also in his position as leader. Then in 2011 the Governor yet again nominated Chief Umahi to contest the governorship with him as his running mate. In all these expressions of preferences by Governor Elechi, there  was nothing to suggest that there was no dissenting views or opinions. But the fact that the leader had spoken was enough to stifle those voices of disapproval in the interest of the unity of Ebonyi State.

    The population of Ebonyi State is unevenly distributed among the three senatorial zones of the state. And given historical realities that underline  the state creation, the Abakaliki bloc which is spread into Ebonyi North and Central Senatorial zones share much in common politically. Moreover the population of the old Abakaliki bloc exceeds that of Ebonyi South Senatorial zone otherwise known as old Afikpo bloc. This demographic segmentation is necessary to explain the argument which is beyond those who are not conversant with the socio-political reality of the state.

    It was against that background that Governor Martin Elechi decided to embark on shuttle diplomacy to plead with the people of old Abakaliki bloc to show political understanding by accommodating the necessity of power shift to the old Afikpo bloc. Even prior to that intervention the governor had shown his determination to transfer power to Ebonyi South Senatorial zone by his actions and utterances. However, after elevating Umahi from PDP Chairman to Deputy Governor, it began to dawn on the governor that the criteria for selecting the next governor of the state include the reality of political sensibilities and democratic considerations in Ebonyi South. Such vagaries pointed to the fact that between Ohaozara and Afikpo, Afikpo should be given prime consideration for the position of governor. Not that alone, the historical role played by the late Dr. Akanu Ibiam in the struggle for Ebonyi State creation brought about the moral question. There was need therefore to recognize the unique labour of that hero past in the consideration of where the gubernatorial power should anchor in Ebonyi South.

    In keeping with the dictates of his position as leader, Governor Elechi therefore settled in his mind to nominate Professor  Onyebuchi Chukwu for consideration as the ideal candidate to represent the South in the position of governor. Unfortunately it happened that it was the same people that had benefitted in the past from the Governor’s opinion leadership that decided to kick against the choice of Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu. While these political actors fought against Professor Chukwu’s nomination, they forgot the painstaking campaigns and moral suasion of the Governor that the old Abakaliki bloc should accommodate the interest of their Ebonyi South brothers and sisters. Add to that some envious economic opportunists saw the ensuing political battle as opportunity to come in and settle scores with Elechi and try to have a say in how the rich mineral deposits in Ebonyi State should be exploited. The gang up became so entrenched that various peace conferences that were held in Abuja to resolve the political crisis brewing in Ebonyi lost sight of the hidden interest of economic prospectors. To show their gross misunderstanding of the issues involved, the leadership of PDP gratuitously suggested that Governor Elechi should proceed to the Senate and allow things to go as planned. But disregarding the vain carrot being dangled in his face, the Governor decided to bear the cross of patriotism in his ardent love for Ebonyi State.

    It is therefore to his credit that  the compromised primary election of the PDP should hold without mayhem being levied on the state. Not only did Governor Elechi live true to his name as Peace Advocate, he allowed his democratic ethos full expression. Convinced that water must always find its level and foreseeing that all weights must return to the ground, Chief Martin Elechi prevented Ebonyi youth from going wild. It was obvious that the youth were infuriated by the rebellion of beneficiaries of his  leadership and benevolence. The mass movement of these young elements from PDP to the Labour Party, (LP) is the democratic converse of physical protest. So even though Governor Elechi succeeded in reining in the youth from violent confrontation with those who sought to instigate a return to ferocious exchange, he could not continue to restrain them from using their numerical advantage as weapon of political expression.

    And so, did Governor Elechi lose out in the power equation? Not by any means. Rather the elder statesman should be praised for his patriotism and foresight. Ebonyi State which he joined hands with other veterans to found, remains united in the enjoyment of peace. What is more, the political space has been widened such that the forthcoming election would show whether Ebonyi is for sale to the highest bidder or Ebonyi people have become capable of electing  their leader! As  the Labour Party comes alive in the State, all things seem to be working together for the good of Ebonyi people.  If not for the uprising by political upstarts, who would have thought that Ebonyi  state which is renowned for hard work and sense of social justice  would find its traditional kinship with a political party founded by workers for the suffering masses? Those who see the emergent political realities as Elechi’s loss should rather commend and crown him as a pacific patriot and father of Ebonyi State. Ebonyi is on the march again!

    The recent governorship pri-
    mary election in the Peoples
    Democratic Party (PDP) has thrown up serious issues about the unity and peace of Ebonyi State. Some observers concluded that the state Governor, Chief Martin Elechi, had lost in the power equation. But the fact remains that there are many sides to any event. Hence it is not the focus of this writer  to comment on the credibility or otherwise of that assumption.

    However, the aspect of the whole scenario which necessitated this reaction is the mischievous imputation in such a hurried declaration that tends to question the place and potency of the current political leader of Ebonyi State. Taken from the perspective of leadership and its place in social development therefore, the matter could be seen beyond victory or loss.

    If leadership presupposes followership, a situation whereby followers denounce leadership gives rise to rebellion. But then another question arises. Is rebellion possible in a democracy where plurality of opinions is the defining feature? Furthermore, does opinion leadership presuppose willy-nilly obedience? One outstanding feature in the analysis of political tendencies is that competition for electoral office is the socio-psychological equivalent of war. In a war situation, reason is a scarce commodity as each camp plots and does all that could win it victory. Against the background of the foregoing, could it be said that Governor Martin Elechi lost out in the competition for power in the coming  election year of 2015? A little background is necessary for a comprehensive appreciation of the issues involved.

    It is a fact that even before he was elected as the second executive governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Elechi was  generally seen as the leader of Ebonyi State. However from May 29, 2007 when he was sworn into office as governor, Chief Elechi began to perform the office of leader of government and the political platform upon which he won the governorship election which is the PDP. It was based on the fact of this political leadership that the Governor nominated David Nweze Umahi as the Chairman of Care-taker Committee of Ebonyi PDP in 2007. The subsequent proclamation by the Governor that the Care-taker committee members should proceed unopposed during the party’s state congress was also in his position as leader. Then in 2011 the Governor yet again nominated Chief Umahi to contest the governorship with him as his running mate. In all these expressions of preferences by Governor Elechi, there  was nothing to suggest that there was no dissenting views or opinions. But the fact that the leader had spoken was enough to stifle those voices of disapproval in the interest of the unity of Ebonyi State.

    The population of Ebonyi State is unevenly distributed among the three senatorial zones of the state. And given historical realities that underline  the state creation, the Abakaliki bloc which is spread into Ebonyi North and Central Senatorial zones share much in common politically. Moreover the population of the old Abakaliki bloc exceeds that of Ebonyi South Senatorial zone otherwise known as old Afikpo bloc. This demographic segmentation is necessary to explain the argument which is beyond those who are not conversant with the socio-political reality of the state.

    It was against that background that Governor Martin Elechi decided to embark on shuttle diplomacy to plead with the people of old Abakaliki bloc to show political understanding by accommodating the necessity of power shift to the old Afikpo bloc. Even prior to that intervention the governor had shown his determination to transfer power to Ebonyi South Senatorial zone by his actions and utterances. However, after elevating Umahi from PDP Chairman to Deputy Governor, it began to dawn on the governor that the criteria for selecting the next governor of the state include the reality of political sensibilities and democratic considerations in Ebonyi South. Such vagaries pointed to the fact that between Ohaozara and Afikpo, Afikpo should be given prime consideration for the position of governor. Not that alone, the historical role played by the late Dr. Akanu Ibiam in the struggle for Ebonyi State creation brought about the moral question. There was need therefore to recognize the unique labour of that hero past in the consideration of where the gubernatorial power should anchor in Ebonyi South.

    In keeping with the dictates of his position as leader, Governor Elechi therefore settled in his mind to nominate Professor  Onyebuchi Chukwu for consideration as the ideal candidate to represent the South in the position of governor. Unfortunately it happened that it was the same people that had benefitted in the past from the Governor’s opinion leadership that decided to kick against the choice of Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu. While these political actors fought against Professor Chukwu’s nomination, they forgot the painstaking campaigns and moral suasion of the Governor that the old Abakaliki bloc should accommodate the interest of their Ebonyi South brothers and sisters. Add to that some envious economic opportunists saw the ensuing political battle as opportunity to come in and settle scores with Elechi and try to have a say in how the rich mineral deposits in Ebonyi State should be exploited. The gang up became so entrenched that various peace conferences that were held in Abuja to resolve the political crisis brewing in Ebonyi lost sight of the hidden interest of economic prospectors. To show their gross misunderstanding of the issues involved, the leadership of PDP gratuitously suggested that Governor Elechi should proceed to the Senate and allow things to go as planned. But disregarding the vain carrot being dangled in his face, the Governor decided to bear the cross of patriotism in his ardent love for Ebonyi State.

    It is therefore to his credit that  the compromised primary election of the PDP should hold without mayhem being levied on the state. Not only did Governor Elechi live true to his name as Peace Advocate, he allowed his democratic ethos full expression. Convinced that water must always find its level and foreseeing that all weights must return to the ground, Chief Martin Elechi prevented Ebonyi youth from going wild. It was obvious that the youth were infuriated by the rebellion of beneficiaries of his  leadership and benevolence. The mass movement of these young elements from PDP to the Labour Party, (LP) is the democratic converse of physical protest. So even though Governor Elechi succeeded in reining in the youth from violent confrontation with those who sought to instigate a return to ferocious exchange, he could not continue to restrain them from using their numerical advantage as weapon of political expression.

    And so, did Governor Elechi lose out in the power equation? Not by any means. Rather the elder statesman should be praised for his patriotism and foresight. Ebonyi State which he joined hands with other veterans to found, remains united in the enjoyment of peace. What is more, the political space has been widened such that the forthcoming election would show whether Ebonyi is for sale to the highest bidder or Ebonyi people have become capable of electing  their leader! As  the Labour Party comes alive in the State, all things seem to be working together for the good of Ebonyi people.  If not for the uprising by political upstarts, who would have thought that Ebonyi  state which is renowned for hard work and sense of social justice  would find its traditional kinship with a political party founded by workers for the suffering masses? Those who see the emergent political realities as Elechi’s loss should rather commend and crown him as a pacific patriot and father of Ebonyi State. Ebonyi is on the march again!

     

  • PDP’s wounded governors: What next?

    PDP’s wounded governors: What next?

    Governors of Adamawa, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu and the deputy governor of Sokoto states lost out in the power game that trailed the recently concluded PDP primaries. In this report, Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu and Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan, attempt to unveil the counter plots of the wounded governors

    Ebonyi: Elechi and the LP option

    EBONYI State governor, Martin Elechi, is unhappy. His sour mood stems from the outcome of the governorship primary election of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In spite of his open support for former Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, as his preferred choice for the governorship candidate of the ruling party, party stakeholders, led by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, succeeded in truncating Chukwu’s emergence.

    The development no doubt left Elechi sulking and he has openly vowed to fight the injustice meted out to him by the PDP. Amidst news that he may have decided to dump the ruling PDP for the Labour Party with his supporters, the governor recently said he would remain in the PDP to fight the injustice meted out to him.

    He spoke at a town hall meeting at the Women Development Centre (WDC), Abakaliki. The governor told the people not to be disturbed about the rumoured impeachment plot against him by his estranged deputy, Chief Dave Umahi, who is now PDP’s governorship candidate, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Chukwuma Nwazunku and their collaborators.

    A visibly angry Elechi rejected the candidature of Umahi and vowed to continue to reject all forms of injustice being perpetrated in the party by people he referred to as enemies of the people. According to him, he has been treated very badly by the party he so much loved.

     

    Supporters gone

    Although the governor says continually that he remains a member of the ruling PDP, observers of the politics of the state say he may be selling a dummy to the leadership of the party as his supporters recently defected to the Labour Party (LP) to realise their political ambitions.

    Reports say the defectors numbering about 600,000 joined the little known LP in the state to hold its primaries for governorship, National Assembly and state Assembly.

    Notable supporters, allies and political associates of the governor among the defectors included senator representing Ebonyi-North Senatorial District, Senator Chris Nwankwo, member representing Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency, Chief Tobias Okwuru, the member representing Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Peter Oga-Ali, 13 members of Ebonyi State House of Assembly and Governor Elechi’s first son, Chief Elechi Elechi.

    Others were a business mogul, Chief Edward Nkwegu, the immediate past state chairman of PDP in the state, Chief Ugorji Amaoti, former House of Assembly leader, Ikechukwu Nwobo, Commissioner for Economic Empowerment, Chief James Aronweke and former Ikwo Local Government Area Chairman, Chief Celestine Igberi Nweme.

    Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Blaise Orji, former Abakaliki council chairman, Chief Mathew Uguru, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Celestine Nwali, the Commissioner for Education, Prince Ndubuisi Agbo, his agriculture counterpart, Romanus Nwasum, a former minister, Chief Goddy Ogbaga and a former bank Managing Director, Sam Agom-Eze, among others.

    “These people are the very nerve of Governor Elechi’s political family. With serving commissioners, federal and state legislators defecting to the LP alongside aides and allies of the governor, it would be foolhardy for anyone to believe Elechi’s song of still remaining in the ruling party. He’s gone for good. Don’t forget he has vowed to fight the injustice meted out to him. How else do you think he will fight?

    “Politically, the situation in Ebonyi, as we speak, is unpredictable. The people leaving for the LP are not pushovers politically. With the governor tacitly supporting them, you can be rest assured that PDP will find it tough at the general election,” Chidi Emordi, a legal practitioner and state co-coordinator of Access to Jusitce (AJ), told The Nation.

    The Nation also learnt that the defection of the governor’s people into Labour Party was actually planned and agreed upon by his entire political family following his inability to foist his preferred candidates on the party at the last primary elections of the PDP.

    “The movement to PDP is our response to the hijack of the PDP by a few Abuja-based money mongers who are bent on taking over the structure of the ruling party for their selfish ambitions.

    “How can any serious political party allow a seating governor to be so shabbily treated by people who cannot even win councillorship positions in their wards? We found out too late that a lot of dummies have been sold to the presidency by these same people. They are destroyers. They have nothing to offer the people of Ebonyi.

    “We cannot fold our hands and watch them destroy all we have laboured to do in eight years. We have the support of Governor Elechi and the people of the state in our decision to go to LP and pursue our political ambitions. Don’t forget that the governor’s son is here with us. We will deliver Ebonyi from these political traders in 2015,” a serving commissioner said.

    Trouble started for Elechi the moment he announced former Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, as PDP’s candidate for the 2015 general election and his successor as the next governor of the state.

    The governor made this known during a meeting at the Government House, Abakaliki, which lasted over six hours with members of the state PDP caucus, lawmakers, stakeholders and youth leaders across the 13 local government areas of the state in attendance.

    Elechi, according to a source at the meeting, adopted Chukwu, after an in-depth search and therefore requested the ex-minister to make himself available for the governorship position in the 2015 general election as a consensus candidate.

    Confirming the adoption, the state Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Dr Chike Onwe, said the resolution reached was that all Abakaliki people should support the power shift arrangement in the interest of peace and mutual co-existence of the various sections of the state.

    According to feelers, the governor who chaired the meeting said zoning the governorship slot to the South was due to the immense contributions of late Dr. Akanu Ibiam in the state creation as he hailed from the area, Unwana Afikpo LGA of the state.

    But hardly had the announcement of Chukwu settled down that a battle for political supremacy between the governor and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, started with the later rejecting the choice of Chukwu.

    Soon, the PDP in the state was divided into two camps with Elechi and Anyim taking commands of the two warring factions. So vehement was the crisis that the national leadership of the party and the presidency intervened on a number of occasions.

    Elechi’s camp had the likes of Comrade Chinedu Ogar, Youth Leader of the state chapter of the PDP and the immediate past Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu. Scores of federal and state legislators, commissioners and local government chairmen, amongst other political office holders and state appointees, also lined up behind the governor.

    Those urging Anyim on include immediate past governor, Dr. Sam Egwu, deputy governor Dave Umahi, factional Speaker of the State Assembly, Mr. Chukwuma Nwazunku and former state PDP chairman, Ugorji Amaoti.

    The others include Amaoti’s erstwhile deputy, Joseph Onwe, some federal and state legislators and a few disillusioned members of the Elechi administration. But at the end of the gubernatorial primary election, David Umahi, Anyim’s candidate and Deputy Governor of the state, was declared winner.

    According to the result announced by the NWC of the party, Umahi defeated other candidates by polling 541 votes out of the 592 votes cast by the delegates. Elechi also lost his bid to get a senatorial ticket of the party. But Chukwu, alongside supporters and associates of Governor Martin Elechi, boycotted the primaries.

    Thus began the crisis that is now threatening to cost the ruling PDP its traditional stronghold of Ebonyi state should the governor make good his vow of fighting the injustice that has been meted out to him till the very last.

    “Nothing is certain as we speak. Should the governor support them, the crop of politicians that are daily trooping to the LP today in Ebonyi State can pull a surprise in 2015. And don’t forget that the governor’s son is with them in this struggle,” Emordi said.

  • 30 arraigned for attack on lawmakers

    Thirty persons were arraigned yesterday at an Abakaliki Magistrate’s Court for Monday’s attack on members of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.

    They were arraigned on a six-count charge of assault, stealing and destruction of public property.

    One of the accused, Okorie Andrew, was said to have stolen a Nokia phone and other valuables belonging to the Publisher/Editor-in- Chief of the People’s Conscience newspaper.

    Another suspect, Mr. Kelvin Ugbala, was accused of stealing a phone belonging to a lawmaker, Eni Uduma Chima.

    The suspects were also accused of attacking a legislator, Sam Nwali and his aide Ifeanyi Onwe Agu, by hitting him with weapons.

    The Magistrate, Thelma Achom, granted them bail with two sureties, who must have three years tax clearance certificate.

    She adjourned the matter till February 26.

    The leadership of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, Ebonyi State chapter, has directed the workers of the Assembly to stay away till peace was restored.

    In a communiqué at the end of its emergency executive meeting signed by the Chairman, Comrade Anayo Nwinya and Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Mbam, the association attributed the reason for their action to harassment, arrest and detention of workers.

    The communiqué listed retirement, dismissal, termination of workers’ appointment and non- promotion of workers as part of their reasons for embarking on the strike.