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Tag: Emordi

  • Emordi: I suffered from interference

    Emordi: I suffered from interference

    Former Enugu Rangers coach Okey Emordi has said he threw in the towel because of interferences in his job by top officials.

    “I must say that the condition of service for me has been greatly breached by the club management,” he told MTNFootball.com.

    “How do you explain a situation where players are imposed on me by the general manager (Paul Chibuzor) or how do you explain the registration of ineligible players which led to our disqualification from the continent?

    “All these and more as well as my inability to transform the team to a trophy-winning side due to the above mentioned interferences, pushed me to take this decision. I wish the club well and hope that whoever takes charge of the team after me will be given the chance to do his job without external interferences in technical matters. The administrators should concern themselves with proper administration of the club.”

    Former Enyimba coach Emordi, who was named CAF Coach of the Year in 2004, further informed MTNFootball.com that he quit his post soon after Rangers pipped visiting El Kanemi Warriors on the final day of the season to place fifth on the table.

  • I suffered from interferences in Rangers – Emordi

    I suffered from interferences in Rangers – Emordi

    Former Enugu Rangers coach, Okey Emordi, has said he threw in the towel because of interferences in his job by top officials.

    “I must say that the condition of service for me has been greatly breached by the club management,” he told MTNFootball.com

    “How do you explain a situation where players are imposed on me by the general manager (Paul Chibuzor) or how do you explain the registration of ineligible players which led to our disqualification from the continent?

    “All these and more as well as my inability to transform the team to a trophy-winning side due to the above mentioned interferences, pushed me to take this decision.

    “I wish the club well and hope that whoever takes charge of the team after me will be given the chance to do his job without external interferences in technical matters. The administrators should concern themselves with proper administration of the club.”

    Former Enyimba coach Emordi, who was named CAF Coach of the Year in 2004, further informed MTNFootball.com that he quit his post soon after Rangers pipped visiting El Kanemi Warriors on the final day of the season to place fifth on the table.

     

  • Rangers deny Anyansi claim on Emordi

    Rangers deny Anyansi claim on Emordi

    General Manager Enugu Rangers Football Club, Paul Chibuzor has denied granting interview that Enyimba chairman Feliz Anyansi warned him about Chief Coach Okey Emordi, that he never made such a statement.

    He said Rangers hold Anyansi in high esteem as their clubs have worked together for the interest of Nigerian Football.

    He said that Emordi knew his contract with Ragners ended with the last match of the season same as other coaching crew in the team.

    Rangers have kept faith with all contractual obligation with players and technical crew and continue to do that according to Director Media and Publicity, Foster Chime.

  • Real reasons Jonathan sacked Joy Emordi

    Real reasons Jonathan sacked Joy Emordi

    Indications have emerged that the Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on National Assembly Matters, Joy Emordi, was sacked because of the manner she handled the Alhaji Abubakar Baraje-led New PDP invasion of the National Assembly.

    The Presidency was said to have been miffed that the Special Assistant to the President had no clue that the Baraje faction of the PDP were going to the National Assembly or knew of the plan by members of New PDP in the House of Representatives to ridicule and disgrace the Chairman of the PDP, Bamangar Tukur, if he had gone to the House.

    President Jonathan relieved Emordi of her job penultimate Friday, though she told National Assembly correspondents that she had tried her best for Jonathan.

    Sources say that President Jonathan was not pleased with Emordi over her inability to furnish him with real time information on the intrigues that played out during the visit of the G7, which ended up in a free for all in the House of Representatives.

    The Nation learnt that on learning of the plan by Tukur to pay a courtesy visit to the House leadership, New PDP members sent information to the Baraje faction to do same.

    The ploy, according to a source, was for Tukur to be thoroughly embarrassed and disgraced with questions, jibes and outright insults during his visit, which was slated for 3 pm on September 17; the day the lawmakers were returning from a two-month recess.

    Baraje would then have come with the G7 immediately after Tukur’s exit and would have addressed the House leadership and members and made to look like a shinning star.

    The Reps members in the new PDP were said to have been promised a return to their seats in parliament by the G7 governors for their support.

    But The Nation learnt that members of the PDP in the House got wind of the plan and prevailed on the President to persuade Tukur to cancel the proposed visit.

    The letter for the cancellation of the visit was received by the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, at his residence very early in the morning of September 17, before he set out for the National Assembly.

    The Presidency felt that for Emordi, who was in charge of the National Assembly, not to have known what played out was a sign that she was not grounded enough in the parliament to be effective.

    But rather than apologise for these lapses, the former Presidential Adviser instead took in the Presidency on the issue of gratification of lawmakers in the National Assembly, saying that was not the way to go.

    “This annoyed the Presidency, which felt that if she had done her job effectively in the first place, there would not have been a need to recourse to using cash as a last option to counter the Baraje faction in the National Assembly,” a source said.

    Another reason which sources say was very important to her sack was the alleged relationship between the former adviser and a senator from the North Central region of the country.

    Emordi was said to be “very close” to the senator who is a former governor and one of the arrowheads of the New PDP in the Senate.

    To this extent, President Jonathan and his advisers were said to believe that she could not be trusted anymore.

    But Emordi has said she did her job well and that her contributions to the stabilization of country’s budding democracy could not be quantified.

    She said contrary to whatever was adduced to her dismissal, her non-confrontational approach to issues hacked on diplomacy and dialogue brought the needed stability between the Presidency and the legislature during her tenure.

    Reacting to her being summarily sacked by President Goodluck Jonathan and in appreciation of a cordial relationships she enjoyed with the National Assembly press corps, Emordi said she contributed well to objectives of her erstwhile principal.

    She said: “It is on record that while I was in office, and worked with you, no executive bill or major government policy instrument failed in the National Assembly.

    “There was not a single override of presidential veto despite the occasional and serious face-offs between the NASS and the executive on such issues.

    “Equally, 99.9 per cent of all Presidential nominees- ministerial, ambassadorial, Chairmen and members of Commissions were confirmed by the Senate through my enormous goodwill, diplomacy, and interventions and your objective reportage of issues.

    “Only one ministerial nominee and one commissioner were rejected on account of state politics.”

  • I did my duty successfully, says Emordi

    A former Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Joy Emordi, yesterday said she diligently carried out her duty as a presidential aide.

    In a statement in Abuja after what an insider described as “a thank you meeting” with her workers, Senator Emordi said she enjoyed tremendous cooperation with President Goodluck Jonathan and members of the National Assembly.

    President Jonathan relieved Emordi of her post on September 20.

    Presidential sources said Emordi was removed because “some hawks in the Presidency found her style of non-confrontation between the Executive and the Legislature uncomfortable”.

    The senator, however, noted that the cooperation she enjoyed from both arms of government ensured, among others, that no executive bill was thrown out under her watch while 99.9 per cent of presidential nominees for appointments were confirmed.

    The cooperation she enjoyed with the two arms of government, she added, also ensured the historic early passage of this year’s budget.”

    She said: “I thank God for the privilege to serve our President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, as well as distinguished senators and members of the House of Representatives, who showed me great solidarity every step of the way.

    “Their cooperation ensured that, among others, no executive bill was thrown out…”

     

     

     

     

  • How Jonathan sacked Emordi over Villa shouting match

    How Jonathan sacked Emordi over Villa shouting match

    *The $25,000 bribe allegation connection

    *Olagunju sacked mid-air to UN General Assembly meeting

     

     

     

    It  was learnt yesterday that President Goodluck Jonathan fired his Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Joy Emordi, following a shouting match with a minister at the Presidential Villa on Thursday.

    It has also emerged that Special Adviser on the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), Dr. Tunji Olagunju was sacked mid-air while in transit to the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

    Investigations by our correspondent show that Emordi had gone to the Villa to draw the attention of the President to a few issues including the alleged inducement of members of the House of Representatives with $25,000 each to disrupt some activities in the House.

    She was said to have advised that the Presidency should caution those behind it in order not to cause a strain in the relationship between the Executive and the Legislature.

    Although the Presidency denied involvement in the alleged bribery saga, a minister was alleged to have flared up and taken on Emordi.

    A source said: “The minister did not see anything wrong and asked Emordi if she wanted loyalists of the President to keep quiet while Jonathan was being intimidated. Emordi stood her ground that lobbying on any issue in parliament could be done without inducement.”

    She also said as a Special Adviser, she owed the President a duty to say the truth. She said it was a “mistake” to introduce money into legislative issues.

    “The atmosphere became charged at the Villa with the minister saying: “Mr. President, you can see that some of your aides are not loyal at all, I don’t know why you are keeping them.”

    The source said the shouting match was a further pointer that Emordi’s days in government were numbered. Elements within the presidency have reportedly not been comfortable with her silence on the emergence of ‘New PDP’ legislative caucuses in the Senate and House of Representatives.

    They are said to have blamed her for not being proactive in frustrating a gang-up against the Presidency in the National Assembly- especially the House of Representatives.

    It is claimed that Emordi assured the Presidency that she had secured the assurances of Senate President, David Mark and Speaker of the House, Aminu Tambuwal, that the G-7 governors and the Abubakar Kawu Baraje faction would not be allowed to pay courtesy visits to the National Assembly last Tuesday.

    Her critics say her weak posture forced the pro-Bamanga Tukur forces to resort to Plan B – the disruption of the visit of G-7 governors and Baraje led PDP to Speaker Tambuwal.

    Another source, however, claimed that the situation in the National Assembly on Tuesday was beyond the control of Emordi. There was a last-minute “gentleman agreement” in order to prevent revolt in the two chambers by the New PDP and the opposition.

    He said: “The leadership’s stand not to receive the New PDP changed when it got assurance from the Baraje-led party leadership that they will give maximum support to Mark and Tambuwal leadership. This was why the Senate President and Tambuwal changed their mind and receive them.

    Prior to the resumption, Mark is said to have had private audience with Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi to get assurances that all was well and the National Assembly would not be turned into a battle ground.

    The G7 governors also reached out to the legislative leadership and gave commitment that the new PDP will not support or encourage any change at the helm. They told the Senate President and other principal officers that they should be neutral in the battle between the old and new PDP.

    Also the senators from the North-Central, where the Senate presidency was zoned to by the Peoples Democratic Party assured the Senate leadership that they remain loyal. Senator Abdullahi Adamu from Nasarawa State and Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki of Kwara State personally assured the leadership that their loyalty was to Mark’s leadership and promised not to sponsor any leadership change in the red chamber

    It was after receiving these assurances that the leadership agreed to receive the new PDP despite pressure not to do so from Tukur and the Presidency.

    Meanwhile, the statement on Olagunju’s sack was said to have been issued shortly after he was airborne to New York. The adviser who travelled in the First Class cabin of the British Airways, received news of his removal when he arrived London at about 3pm. There are still no clear explanations for his sudden removal.

     

  • Emordi feels Akwa threat

    Emordi feels Akwa threat

    Okey Emordi, Head Coach, Rangers International FC of Enugu, on Friday said that he was expecting a tough match against Akwa United FC of Uyo in their Federation Cup Round of 16 encounter.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both teams would go head-to-head on July 24 following their successful wins in the competition’s Round of 32 encounters.

    Emordi told NAN on phone that there were no underdogs in football any longer, adding that his team would take its opponents seriously, to avoid being knocked out of the competition.

    “The draws have been made and we have assessed our opponents critically. Akwa is a good side, they are no pushovers. It is going to be a tough game.

    “There is definitely not a small team in modern day football. It is an encounter that we will handle seriously because we don’t want an upset,” he said.

    The coach was optimistic that his team would progress to the next stage of the competition.

    He said that the team’s technical crew was preparing the players mentally, physically and psychologically for the match.

    “Every team’s desire is to win and to achieve this, you must think positively and act positively. Despite Akwa’s strength, I’m optimistic we will win,” Emodi said.

    Meanwhile, in the other Round of 16 matches also slated for July 24, the defending champion, Heartland FC of Owerri will take on Sharks FC of Port Harcourt.

    Niger Tornadoes will take on Warri Wolves; last year’s semi-finalists, Kano Pillars will play Gombe United, as Nasarawa United plays Sunshine Stars of Akure.

    Enyimba of Aba will play 3SC of Ibadan; Akwa Starlets takes on Abia Warriors, while ABS FC of Kwara plays Lobi Stars of Makurdi.

  • Emordi proud of ‘Trojan’ Rangers

    Emordi proud of ‘Trojan’ Rangers

    COACH OKEY Emordi has hailed Rangers as “Trojans” after they advanced to the group stage of the Confederation Cup ahead of CS Sfaxien.

    Rangers held Tunisia’s Sfaxien to a goalless draw in Sfax on Sunday to reach the mini-league rounds of the CAF competition after they won the first leg 1-0 at home. Emordi, who led Enyimba to win the 2004 CAF Champions League, was full of praise for his team on Sunday.

    “To God be the glory. I am proud of my boys. They did me proud today and fought like Trojans that we are known for. From here there is no stopping us and the trophy remains our target. The Tunisians really gave us a good fight today but my players were up to the task. I am really happy,” Emordi told MTNFootball.com.

    Leader of delegation, Victor Atuonwu, who was visibly overjoyed with the outcome of the match said: “This is the work of God. We give Him the glory. Our players also showed their never say die spirit which earned us this result. It is for the entire Nigerians and especially for the good people of Enugu State who have always been there for us.”

    Rangers braved all odds to hold the Tunisian side to a goalless second leg, third round match inside a packed Stade Taïeb Mhiri.

    Goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel was the hero of the day as he parried, punched and curdled all shots aimed at his post by the more business-like Tunisian league champions. What would have been the opening goal of the match was wasted by Fakhereedine Ben Youssef on 37 minutes as he blasted wide from the penalty spot after the referee adjudged Nnamdi Anyasodo to have fouled goal-bound Maman Youssoufou.

    After this incident, the visitors upped their game and could have been rewarded with a goal when Sunday Chinedu’s curling shot missed target narrowly after sloppy defending by the hosts. Lone ranger upfront, Razaq Adegbite, was all over the pitch working his socks off running the backline of the hosts ragged, but his efforts could not yield any goal.

  • Pillars win prelude to CRD tie, says Emordi

    Pillars win prelude to CRD tie, says Emordi

    Enugu Rangers’ coach, Okey Emordi has said his side’s 4-0 win against Kano Pillars in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Matchday Nine encounter in Enugu is a strong sign of what to expect at the Angolan side, Clube Recreativo Desportivo (CRD) do Libolo at the weekend.

    The CAF Champions League first fixture second round encounter at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu on April 21 ended in a barren draw.

    Emordi said the Nigerian champions have toughened his side for the make-or-break battle in Luanda, Angola.

    “The massive league victory against Kano Pillars is a prelude or dress rehearsal of what to expect in Angola against Clube Recreativo Desportivo (CRD) do Libolo.

    “Pillars gave my side a tough game the type of opposition we needed going into the Champions League battle. I’m happy the goals that deserted us when we hosted the Angolan side, CRD have suddenly resurfaced massively, we hope to re-enact the feat in Angola.

    “The spirit among the players is very high courtesy of the motivation from the management, they’re good to go to make Nigerians happy once again,” said the former Enyimba manager to supersport.com.

    Emordi is hopeful that the hitches around Nigerian forward, Sunday Mba will be over on time for him to be part of the squad.

    “Mba’s case is on top banner, we still hope he’ll be free and ready on time to play in Angola against CRD do Libolo,” he said.

    Rangers who are the only Nigeria side left on the continent are expected to depart the nation’s shores on Wednesday forLuanda, Angola for the decisive clash.

  • Anambra 2014: Akunyili, Emordi, Oduah in battle royale

    Anambra 2014: Akunyili, Emordi, Oduah in battle royale

    By the middle of next year, the political temperature of Anambra State will rise significantly with politicians across the major political parties perfecting the state of their arsenals in a bid to succeed Mr. Peter Obi as the next governor. Out of the lot, three women stand out, reports Remi Adelowo

    The seeming lull on the political scene notwithstanding, the build-up to the electioneering campaign that will culminate in the election of the next governor of Anambra State is gathering pace albeit quietly.

    Since the return of democratic rule in 1999, the governorship contest in Anambra State has always presented an interesting scenario. It is the only state, which has since May 29, 1999, produced five governors under different normal and abnormal circumstances.

    First to be inaugurated as governor was Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju (1999 to 2003); Dr Chris Ngige (2003 to 2006; Mr. Peter Obi from 2006 till date with a break in 2006 that produced Dame Virgy Etiaba and Dr. Andy Uba, whose victory in the 2007 elections was annulled by the Supreme Court.

    As in previous elections, the 2014 contest will be fierce and keenly fought.

    Presently, over 12 aspirants in the three most formidable political parties in the state-All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)-will, sometime next year, activate their political machinery for the governorship seat.

    Out of the crowded pack, the alleged interest of three successful women-Professor Dora Akunyili, Senator Joy Emordi and Mrs. Stella Oduah, is generating discussions and intense debates in the state.

    Presently a member of APGA on which platform she contested for a senate seat last year but lost to Dr. Chris Ngige, it remains unclear under which platform the former Minister of Information, Akunyili, intends to use to actualize her ambition.

    After her loss to Ngige, sources say Akunyili, who rose to prominence following her successful tenure as the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), remains optimistic of what the future holds for her.

    For Emordi, her alleged interest in the governorship seat is not in the least surprising. A tested politician, Emordi was the first woman elected as governor in the country during the botched transition programme of late Gen. Sani Abacha on the platform of the defunct Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN).

    She also served as a senator representing Anambra South from 2007 to 2011 and now the Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters to President Goodluck Jonathan. Her preferred choice of party is the PDP, which boasts a formidable array of other heavyweight aspirants.

    While her qualifications and suitability for the position is not in question, there are fears that Emordi may not receive the endorsement of political kingmakers in the state, in addition to lack of financial wherewithal to prosecute her campaign.

    Another amazon to watch in the 2014 Anambra governorship race is the Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah. A big player in the oil and gas sector before her ministerial appointment last year, Oduah, according to sources, has embarked on many empowerment programmes in the state, particularly in Ogbaru Local Government Area in Anambra North senatorial zone where she comes from.

    Recently, she donated N5m to victims of the flood disaster which ravaged her local government some weeks ago, rendering thousands of people homeless. Allegedly lacking in grassroots support, these gestures, analysts contend, is part of Emordi’s many strategies to build her political base in the state ahead the 2014 governorship election.

    The men not left out

    For now, the incumbent governor, Obi, is still keeping his cards close to his chest on his choice candidate, even as there are unconfirmed speculations that he is looking in the direction of Oseloke Obaze, the Secretary to the State Government.

    Obaze, a former employee at the United Nations, is allegedly ahead of a list of Obi’s potential successors, which also included Dubem Obaze, the Commissioner for Special Duties, who had previously held the local government portfolio.

    A close associate of the governor, the commissioner hails from Anambra North, the zone mostly favoured by political stakeholders to produce the next governor. However, his undoing may be his lack of political and professional experience, as Obi is believed to prefer a technocrat for the highly coveted seat.

    In the PDP, incumbent senator representing Anambra South, Andy Uba, is alleged to be the frontrunner in the race for the party’s ticket.

    The once powerful former presidential aide had his tenure as governor cut short by the highest court in the land after occupying the Government House for just two weeks. “He is determined to reclaim the seat in 2014,” said a source close to Uba.

    The taciturn politician is perceived by many as the candidate to beat if he secures the PDP ticket. What Uba has going for him is his popularity in the state, a deep pocket and a legion of foot soldiers ready to do his bidding at the snap of his fingers.

    Uba’s ambition may encounter a potent challenge from Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, an Onitsha-based medical doctor and former Chairman, Anambra Local Government Service Commission and a PDP governorship aspirant in 2003.Though popular among the youths in the state, funds could pose a major challenge for Obiogbolu.

    Not left out is controversial businessman, Ifeanyi Ubah, whose name has been bandied around in the last few months.

    Of recent, Ubah has made some strategic moves, which stakeholders in the state interpreted as a confirmation of his alleged interest in the governorship seat. Sources disclosed to The Nation that Ubah has been wooing selected members of the Anambra State House of Assembly, including the speaker, Mrs. Chinwe Nwebili, to key into his governorship project.

    Not long ago, he also donated digital cameras, recorders and a sum of N5m to the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) for the furnishing of its new press center in Awka, the state capital.

    ACN in talks with Okonkwo

    Contrary to rumours that the undisputed leader of ACN in the state, Senator Chris Ngige, will take another shot at the seat, the lawmaker, it was gathered, prefers to remain in the National Assembly. So, who would pick the ACN’s ticket?

    Unconfirmed reports has it that businessman-turned-politician, Senator Annie Okonkwo, is in talks with leaders of the party, with a view to his joining the party to contest for the seat. Okonkwo contested for the same seat last year on the platform of the Accord Party, but having realised the party’s weak structures in the state, the next-best option for him is the ACN, said sources privy to the talks.

    Who is the Presidency’s anointed candidate?

    While all these permutations are playing out, indications have emerged that the Presidency is also interested in who takes over from Obi in two years’ time, as a springboard to ensuring that all the states in the South-East are controlled by the PDP.

    And its anointed candidate, according to findings by The Nation, is allegedly Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo, the Technical Adviser to the president.

    As these candidates prepare for the grand political battle, the question on observers’ lips is, will APGA retain the Anambra governorship seat in 2014 or will PDP or ACN dislodge it? Only time will tell.