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Tag: Ekwunife

  • Nwobodo, Ekwunife, others dump PDP for APC

    Nwobodo, Ekwunife, others dump PDP for APC

    Top leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State yesterday defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The defectors include Senator Jim Nwobodo, who was the first executive Governor of old Anambra State, and Senator Fidelis Okoro, who was a senator between 1999 and 2007. They declared for APC at a State APC stakeholders meeting convened by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Jeffrey Onyeama, on Thursday.

    Sen. Uche Ekwunife, the erstwhile senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, also announced yesterday that she had defected to the APC.

    Inaugurated as a senator in June, 2015, Ekwunife had her election nullified by Appeal Court in Enugu on December 6, 2015, on grounds of irregularities. The court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election in the zone within 90 days.

    Ekwunife, who has begun preparation for the repeat poll, confirmed her defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to newsmen in Awka. “ It’s better now for me to join the APC,” she said.

    “Let the heat be there; I am already on campaigns for my return to the senate, to complete my contract with the people of Anambra Central District.”

    She said that her goodies for her people under the APC would soon be made public.

    Nwobodo was recently named by embattled former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) among those who benefited from the multi-billion-naira arms fraud currently being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The former governor denied any wrongdoing, saying that the N500 million released to him by the NSA was meant for PDP leaders in the Southeast to mobilise support for the re-election of Goodluck Jonathan as President in the 2015 election.

    Members and stakeholders of APC at the meeting were shocked when Chief Jim Nwobodo and Senator Fidelis Okolo stormed the meeting. The minister who apparently attended the meeting for the first time could not hide his surprise at the turn of events as depicted in his speech.

    The entrance of Nwobodo and Senator Okoro apparently surprised some APC stakeholders at the meeting. The visibly angry stakeholders said: “These are ‘Dasukigate fugitives’ and ‘food is ready politicians’. Are they not those who collected money from Dasuki and allocated 14,175 votes to Buhari as against over 500,000 votes they allocated to former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan?

    “Is there no shame in the country again? They are shameless and the unfortunate thing is that they cannot win their wards. They will infect and contaminate the APC.”

    All efforts made by Dr Ben Nwoye, the state chairman of APC, who appeared to be the only one aware of their entry, to calm frayed nerves failed.

    In his declaration speech, Nwobodo urged members of the APC in Enugu State not to be deterred by the electoral losses they suffered in the state in the past.

    “You must always lose. What matters is the ability to rise again. I must condemn our former party, PDP. I know we had problems. I told our former chairman: ‘how come did we allow five governors to leave the party’?

    “I am not looking for a job. I am talking because I want peace. I want our people to be part of the Federal Government at the centre. I had a problem being an opposition governor. I am not coming into APC because I want anything. I want our people to reintegrate and have our own share of the Federal Government resources,” Nwobodo said.

    Nwobodo recalled that while he was in PDP, his wife had always been an active member of the APC, just as he pointed out that the slogan “change” did not start now, but started in 1983 when he was an opposition governor.

    Earlier, a founding member of APC in Enugu State and former Secretary to the State Government, Onyemuche Nnamani, reminded the party of the need to keep tab on its members, stressing that those who worked for the party’s success must be recognised.

    “We recognise our old members and open door for new ones. Peace, essentially, is guarded by justice. Without justice, we have peace of the graveyard. Those who don’t cherish peace are those who have not tasted the other side. Please, let us do justice. Let us carry everybody along,” Nnamani said.

  • Ekwunife: Okonkwo hails Appeal Court

    Ekwunife: Okonkwo hails Appeal Court

    Senator Annie Okonkwo has hailed the Court of Appeal for the sack of Senator Uche Ekwunife.

    She was representing Anambra Central Senatorial district.

    Okonkwo, in a statement yesterday, said the court’s decision vindicated his belief that Uche was not validly returned.

    The statement by Okonkwo’s media adviser, Collins Ugwu, reads: “The Court of  Appeal final verdict setting aside Uche  Ekwunife’s aberration of victory is proper, timely and natural, because the constant beam of  truth will always outshine the human burden of  lies, darkness and deceit, whether political or otherwise.

    “Uche Ekwunife, as entitled as any other aspirant in that contest, certainly was not and should not have been the flag bearer of the party in that election.

    “We are therefore aghast but not amused, that citizen Uche Ekwunife who ordinarily should be sobered by this clear constitutional declarations given the wisdom of her political experiences, appear unperturbed and unmindful of elementary party internal democracy norms as evident in her obvious contemplation to re-run in the yet to be scheduled re-election as the candidate of our party PDP.

    “The most rigorous, painful and costly processes for any senatorial zone in this country, arrived at Senator Annie Okonkwo as the most popular and validly nominated candidate of the PDP, ultimately endorsed and published as such by INEC, and expectantly wished by Anambra Central electorates to wear the victory cap, but for the reckless impunity of Aso Rock overlords then, which providence and nemesis has through our able judiciary mercifully crushed. “

  • We’ll work for peace in Senate, says Ekwunife

    We’ll work for peace in Senate, says Ekwunife

    The Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Senator Uche Lilian Ekwunife, has said senators are committed to ensure peace and unity in the upper chamber.

    She said the struggle for positions was normal in any democratic arrangement.

    Ekwunife spoke when the women branch of Nri Progressive Union, Abuja, visited her.

    She noted that over 80 per cent of senators were happy with the selection of Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, and Senator Francis Alimikhena as principal officers of the Senate.

    The senator added that those who might not be favourably disposed to the emergence of the principal officers would be happy with time.

    “We want a united Senate family and we will work to achieve that,” she said.

    Ekwunife told her visitors that she was part of them and would work to represent her constituents better.

    She said: “I am part of you. I am overwhelmed by you visit. I will always be there for you. You gave me all your support during my election and you voted for me.”

    The President of the union, Mrs. Evelyn Ejide, said they visited Ekwunife to express their happiness over her election to the Senate.

    Mrs. Ejide said: “We are here to formally congratulate you and to tell you that we are happy with your election. One day we will visit you in the Presidential Villa.”

  • Obiano, Ekwunife mourn NUJ man

    The Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano and the Senator-elect for Anambra Central, Uche Ekwunife, have lamented the death of the state Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Ifeoma Anumba.

    The duo said yesterday in Awka that Anumba’s death was unexpected.

    Ekwunife, in a statement by her Media Assistant, Uzor Emmanuel, described Anumba’s death as devastating, especially at a time the country needed her services most.

    She said the deceased was a diligent young lady that served with joy. She prayed God to grant her eternal rest.

    The statement reads: “It is with deep sorrow and bewilderment that I commiserate with the family of Anumba of Nawfia community, and members of the NUJ, Anambra council, on the death of their daughter and secretary, Lady Ifeoma Anumba.

    “The death is painful. We are always forced to relapse and only say it is well whenever we lost somebody so dear to our heart.

    “I call on NUJ to see this as a tragedy that befell all of us and not journalists alone; we shall miss her smiling face and doggedness in the sustenance of the ethos of the noble profession”.

    Before her sudden demise yesterday, Ifeoma Anumba, who hailed from Nawfia in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, worked with the Federal Ministry of Information in Awka.

  • Ekwunife declared winner in Anambra Central

    Ekwunife declared winner in Anambra Central

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday declared Uche Ekwunife winner of the Anambra Central Senatorial Zone ticket.

    Former Minister of Aviation Princess Stella Oduah was coasting home against ex-Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Dubem Obaeze.

    Speaking at INEC’s secretariat at Amawbia in Awka South Local Government, the Collation Officer, Dr. Pius Okoye, said Ekwunife polled 101,548 votes.

    She defeated the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate and the party’s National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh and Senator Chris Ngige of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) standard-bearer, President Goodluck Jonathan, defeated Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Jonathan scored 660,762 votes against Buhari’s 17,926. Valid votes are 688,584, rejected votes, 14,835 and total votes, 703,900.

    The presidential election result was announced by the Collation Officer, Prof. Chigozie Asiabaka, the vice chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).

    Umeh polled 77,129 votes to emerge second and Ngige came third with 20,850 votes.

    During the election, Ngige refused to vote at his Alor ward, because, according to him, manipulations characterised the process, following faulty Card Readers, non-availability of result sheets, among others.

    APC has called for the cancellation of the elections. It urged INEC to conduct a fresh poll.

  • Ekwunife wins Anambra Central Senatorial seat

    Ekwunife wins Anambra Central Senatorial seat

    Jonathan 660,762 Buhari 17,926
    • Oduah leads in North, fracas mars South
    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday declared Hon. Uche Ekwunife winner of the Anambra Central Senatorial Zone in Anambra state in the National Assembly Election.
    Also, the former Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah was coasting home against former commissioner for local government and chieftaincy matters in Anambra state, Chief Dubem Obaeze.
    Declaring the result at INEC’s central secretariat at Amawbia in Awka south council area, the collation officer for the zone, Dr. Pius Okoye, announced that Ekwunife polled 101,548 votes.
    She defeated the APGA candidate and national chairman of the party Chief Victor Umeh and Senator Chris Ngige of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
    President Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP defeated Gen. Mohammadu Buhari of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Presidential election conducted in the state by INEC.
    Jonathan scored 660,762 votes as against Buhari’s 17,926 while numbers of valid votes were 688,584, rejected votes 14,835 and total votes cast 703,900.
    The presidential result was announced by the collation officer, Prof. Chigozie Asiabaka, the Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO).
    Umeh polled 77,129 votes to come second to Ekwunife of the PDP, while Ngige of APC came a distant third with 20,850.
    During the election, Ngige refused to vote at his Alor ward as a result of alleged manipulations that characterized the process with faulty card readers, non availability of result sheets among others.
    Already, APC in the state had called for the cancellation of the presidential and national assembly polls in Anambra state by INEC for fresh election to be fixed.

     

  • Why I went to court, by Ekwunife

    Why I went to court, by Ekwunife

    A lawmaker representing Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia in Anambra State, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, has said she went to court to challenge the All Progressives Grand Alliance’s (APGA’s) candidate, Willie Obiano’s alleged double registration to save the party from losing out.

    She reacted yesterday, following criticisms that greeted the suit she filed against Obiano, APGA and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Mrs Ekwunife emerged second at APGA’s primaries on August 26 at the Women Development Centre, Awka.

    Mrs. Ekwunife, who chairs the House Committee on Environment, said her action was not done in bad faith.

    She explained that it was to ensure the survival of the party in the likely event of the success of the opposition’s suits against Obiano.

    She said: “I joined in the suit because if Obiano is declared as the winner of the election after the supplementary poll, the matter would become a post-election issue, which would be between Obiano and candidates of other parties.”

    Mrs. Ekwunife said it would be hypocritical of anyone to pretend that there were no suits filed against Obiano, adding that the matter was not one to be approached with sentiments.

    Before the November 16 election, she collapsed her campaign organisation into Obiano’s campaign team.

    Mrs. Ekwunife said her action was a precautionary one aimed at giving the party a second option, should anything untoward happen in court.

    Her words: “My action is a sacrifice to preserve the party. It is not a personal ambition.” She hailed Governor Peter Obi and the party leadership.

    Mrs. Ekwunife said many lawyers agreed with her legal position, which they noted was correct.

    She said more than seven suits were in court on the issue, by opposition parties.

  • APGA primaries: Ekwunife lauds loyalists

    •Doles out cash, materials to council chairmen, others

    YESTERDAY was a sad day for supporters of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate in Anambra State, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, who emerged as the runner-up in the primary election, as they looked disturbed over the outcome of the primary election.

    However, Mrs. Ekwunife, while addressing chairmen/coordinators of the Uche Ekwunife campaign organisation in the 21 local government areas of the state, urged them to remain calm.

    She asked them to remain calm over the outcome of the primary election of APGA last week, noting that in two weeks she will make her stand known to her supporters as it regards the way forward while commending the undying spirit of her loyalists across the state.

    “I want to thank you all for your unflinching support towards my ambition to be the governor of Anambra State. I wish also to use this opportunity to tell those who are still crying over the outcome of the party’s primaries to remain calm, the party has brought out its candidate and that is one of the things a political party does. But I want to tell you that in two weeks time, I shall tell you and brief you on the way forward. For now, let us remain calm,” she said.

    The director of the campaign organisation, John Okeke, expressed sadness at the way and manner the party conducted the primaries, adding that the genuine delegates were locked out of the venue while those who were never party members were allowed into the venue of the election.

    He further challenged the outcome of the APGA primary election on the ground that the party failed to abide by the constitution of the party as regards the election of party delegates from all the 326 wards across the state, adding “this is not the APGA that Ndigbo has been fighting for.”

    The woman leader in Uche Ekwunife campaign organisation, Mrs. Ebere Anene, also commended Ekwunife for her undying commitment to the development of Nigeria’s democracy and Anambra state in particular and promised that the women would always stand by her in her future political endeavours.

     

  • I’ll not step down for anybody, says Ekwunife

    A woman aspirant in the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, has said she will not step down for any aspirant.

    Ekwunife, who is a member of the House of Representatives, denied insinuation that she would step down for another governorship aspirant, Prof Chukwuma Soludo.

    The Chairman, House Committee on Environment, who spoke while picking her form at the headquarters of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abuja yesterday, said she was not intimidated by the male-dominated political environment.

    According to her, election into political office has to do with experience, pedigree and ability to deliver electioneering promises.

    She said: “Politics is about rumour and gossip, as you can see, I have come to collect my nomination form and I have paid. On Monday, I will submit it before people will start to say she has collected she has not submitted.

    “It is just rumours and that is how it goes with politics. I am contesting this election to win. More importantly, I am not running based on what somebody will offer me to step down.

    “Why would I step down, step down for what? I’m not running to step down for anybody. Soludo is qualified to govern Anambra State and I am also qualified to rule Anambra State but I am running to win.

    “So the issue of stepping down is just a political rumour, and that is what it is, a rumour.”

     

  • Ekwunife: don’t scrap NECO

    A member of the House of Representatives representing Anaocha/Dunukofia/Njikoka federal constituency of Anambra State, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife has cautioned the Federal Government against scrapping the National Examination Council (NECO).

    Mrs Ekwunife said the threat by the federal government to scrap the examining body would be counterproductive. She added that the country does not need to scrap the examination body but strengthen it to yield results.

    She blamed poor and low standard of education on lack of proper training of teachers and called for re-introduction of regular tests for students.

    “NECO is not the cause of low standard education and I want to advise the Federal Government against scraping it. It is our only examination body and they should also know that WAEC headquarters is in Ghana and most at times one has to wait for years in case of correction of error in one’s name.

    “I don’t subscribe to the scraping of NECO because it is one of the most credible examination bodies we have in the country. What we must do is to return to constant examination on weekly, monthly and termly basis because students show more seriousness in examination and not continued assessment,” she said.