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  • Abia 2015: Youths, women endorse Ogah for governorship

    Youth and women groups have endorsed the businessman, Dr. Uche Ogah, for the governorship of Abia State at a rally held in Onuaku-Uturu, reports EMMANUEL OLADESU.

    Youth and women groups in Abia State have endorsed the businessman, Dr. Uche Ogah, for the governorship, urging the stakeholders to support the push for change.

    The community leader and philanthropist was asked to declare his interest in the seat a Onuaku Uturu, a small community reputed for producing eminent Nigerians in many walks of life.

    It was a carnival-like rally for the son of the soil. Ogah, the President of Masters Energy, an oil and gas outfit, hailed the crowd for the gesture. He said that good governance in Abia State is a task that must be done.

    The huge crowd attested to the young entrepreneur’s popularity. The people said that they wanted him to replicate in governance what he has achieved in the private sector. It was hectic for him to walk a distance of less than 100 metres from his residence to address the crowd of admirers. Security men and aides also had a herculean task clearing the road to the reception for the businessman.

    Onuaku is in Isuikwuato local government area. Supporters came to the community from other local governments. Some came from Ishiagu, Enonyi State, and Afikpo, Imo State, in solidarity. neighbouring Imo and Ebonyi states.

    “The people of the neihbouring states are envious of Abia people for having a person like Dr Ogah. Abians have not fully appreciated what God has given to them. 2015 will be an opportunity for them to exploit his full potentials in service delivery”, said Ikemba Ezekwen Okigwe, one of the guests from Imo State.

    Ezekwen noted that Governor Theodore Orji has laid a good foundation. He said Ogah is the best person to succeed him, assuring that he will build on the foundation.

    “We’ve been observing how Ochendo has been governing Abia in peace, love and we have seen his legacy projects. We need somebody who would continue the good works. Uche Ogah is the best man for the job”, he added.

    Another speaker, Mr Nwosu, vote for a competent candidate who will sustain the tempo in post-Orji era. “Our people, I ask you to open your eyes. Ogah will keep the flag flying. he will not lower the bar of performance”, he said.

    A former member of the House of Assembly, Monday Ejegbu, hailed the crowd for the bloc support for Ogah. The politician from Isuikwato Constituency said that the businessman “is well qualified” to take the baton of leadership from Ochendo. He said that, after Orji, Abia would need more development, and to keep the flag flying, a worthy successor should fill the void. “We need the kind of person like Uche Ogah”, he added.

    An indigene, Prosper Mba Okorie, who spoke on behalf of Abia North Senatorial District, described Ogah as “a wonderful man like Theodore Orji”. He said that there was no reason for Abia not to go for a man who operates on the same wave length and shares the same passion with the governor for development.

    In Abia State, power shift is on the front burner. There are agitations for the rotation of the position. Dan Silas, who spoke for the Abia Central, acknowledged that, though the seat is being occupied by the zone, this cannot affect Ogah’s chance. He said many people want the businessman to succeed Orji to avoid a relapse in development. Silas argued that the right man for the good job should take the mantle of leadership and pilot the affairs of the ‘God’s Own State for the benefit of the state, irrespective of his zone of origin.

    Ogah thanked the people for their love. He however, did not give a definite answer to them.

    Thanking the people for their love and solidarity, he said” “I need to think about it, pray over it and then, call you back for a feedback”.

    Acknowledging the slippery political field, he asked from the crowd whether they would remain steadfast when the time comes. The businessman got a resounding affirmation.

    Ogah urged them not to relent from backing him, if he decides to heed their advice to run.

    He congratulated Orji for fulfilling his campaign promises to the people. Ogah said that Orji’s successor should be ready to wear a very big shoe of the governor, who has won many awards for sterling performance. However he did not shy away from the raging debate on power shift, arguing that the zone that should produce the next governor is immaterial.

    “The governorship has always been contested by every zone, but nature has a way of making sure that a proper person emerged,” Ogah said.

    Going down the memory lane, he said that the governorship has moved round the zones. He said it is now the turn of Isuikwuato to produce the governor.

    Ogah said that two out of the three component parts of old Abia North have had their turns, maintaining that Isuikwuato should complete the circle. To buttress his argument, Ogah pointed out that, since Ohaozara and Bende had produced governors in the past, power should shift to Aba zone.

    Abia’s first civilian governor, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, hails from Ohaozara, which was in Abia before it was carved into Ebonyi State. Bende’s turn came when Dr Orji Uzor Kalu mounted the saddle. As Abia North is agitating for the seat, the people of Abia South(old Aba Zone), are not relenting in their struggle to get the slot.

    Ogah may have some hurdles to cross. The perception is that he has only played behind the scenes roles in politics. However, he has a success story in business. He is also a philanthropist, who through his Uche Ogah Foundation, has touched many lives.

    Ogah is building a petrochemical complex at Onuaku. It will generate over 10, 000 jobs. The feeling is that Ogah would bring his Midas touch to bear on governance, if given the chance to serve. He is conscious of this high expectation and he believes that the people clamouring for him are right. “My people have seen that I am capable,” he said.

    But, will he run? Time will tell.

  • Ebonyi indigenes in Anambra endorse Ngige

    Ebonyi indigenes in Anambra endorse Ngige

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige, was yesterday endorsed by Ebonyi State indigenes resident in Anambra.

    The endorsement, which occurred at a well-attended function of Ebonyi indigenes in Anambra, was witnessed by the first civilian governor of Abia State, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu.

    The Ebonyi leaders of thought led by Elder Sam Igwe, explained why Ebonyi indigenes in Anambra decided to support Ngige. Speaking during the ceremony, Elder Igwe described Senator Ngige as a pan-Igbo personality and one with the interest of Ndigbo at heart.

    The Coordinator of Ebonyi People for Ngige, Mr. Bernard Ebele, hailed Ngige’s tenure as governor, saying in 2003, he came in as a pacesetter and pathfinder, “but he is coming now as a navigator to navigate through the nook and cranny of Anambra with good governance.”

    Dr. Onu confessed to witnessing the APC’s candidate’s popularity as they drove to Onitsha, the venue of the event.

    He said: “Senator Ngige is a man of the masses. I saw this as I moved with him. At Oyeagu Abagana, Abatete, Nkpor, Onitsha, etc, the turnout of your people to welcome you shows that indeed you are a hero. Let me say this, you have won this election, God will see you through. We shall resist rigging.”

    Senator Ngige said he was highly elated concerning the endorsement, which he said would be a plus to his campaign.

    Said he: “In my desire to be governor, it is my wish to carry every interest and group along, as long as such interests are for the well-being of Anambra State.

    “I will not discriminate against any ethnic or religious group. I will carry everyone along. I will do justice to all. This is what is lacking in our state and this is why there is crime. We are all Igbo, it is not in our nature to discriminate against one other. We are of one lineage, we are one people.”

    Senator Ngige talked about his manifesto, which he said he would implement if he was elected as governor.

    He said he would ensure that every item on his manifesto list was implemented.

  • Arisekola, others endorse Ajimobi for second term

    The Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Arisekola Alao and the Iyalode of Ibadanland, Chief (Mrs.) Aminat Abiodun, were among the personalities, who, yesterday, endorsed Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State for a second term.

    The endorsement was done at the inauguration of Access to Basic Care (ABC) Foundation, the pet project of the governor’s wife, Florence, in Ibadan.

    The foundation is aimed at providing the highest quality and most effective healthcare service, as well as expanding the presence of healthcare delivery in the rural areas and providing innovative and community-based healthcare service to the indigenes.

    It has facilities for services, such as basic healthcare, immunisation programmes, family planning and ante-natal, treatment of sexually- transmitted infections, breast and cervical screening, ultrasound, ECG, minor surgeries and diagnostic services, among others.

    Personalities at the event hailed the brilliant performance and monumental achievements of Governor Ajimobi, saying with the feat he had achieved, they had no choice but to support him for a second term.

    Alhaji Arisekola-Alao described the governor’s achievements in the last two years as unprecedented in the history of Oyo State.

    He said: “I want to tell you that we had never witnessed such a monumental achievement in Oyo State. It is amazing that this man (Governor Ajimobi) has turned Oyo State around and we are all proud of it.

    “We had thought it was only roads that Governor Ajimobi was constructing until we saw Mokola Flyover Bridge and other development projects springing up in all the nooks and crannies of the state.

    “I could recollect that the last bridge in Ibadan was built by General David Jemibewon when he was the military governor of the old Oyo State. Since then, no other governor, whether civilian or military, had built any flyover in Ibadan or anywhere in the state.

    “We are teaming up with Governor Ajimobi and supporting him for a second term so that the development being experienced will continue.”

    Alhaja Abiodun said Oyo indigenes have no regret for voting for Governor Ajimobi in 2011.

    “He has made positive impact on the lives of the people. We have never witnessed what we are witnessing today in Oyo State. We will continue to support him and ensure his second term in office,” she said.

    Other speakers including Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, the Chief Medical Director of University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Prof. Temitope Alonge and the wives of the Governors of Lagos, Osun and Ekiti states also lauded the initiative of Mrs. Ajimobi and praised Governor Ajimobi for taking the state to a greater height.

    The Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Oladipo Akinkugbe, lauded the initiative and urged the founder to ensure accessibility and affordability by the poor people and the neglected rural majority.

    Akinkugbe, an emeritus Professor of Medicine, also enjoined Mrs. Ajimobi to ensure the sustainability of the project.

    Governor Ajimobi described the project as another fulfillment of his administration’s promises to the people to use his office to change lives and make impact.

  • Akande, Tinubu endorse Fayemi for second term

    Akande, Tinubu endorse Fayemi for second term

    The National Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief Bisi Akande and the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday endorsed Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi for a second term.

    They said he is eligible to contest next year’s governorship election.

    At a well-attended event held at Jibowu Hall, Government House complex, Ado-Ekiti, Chief Akande and Asiwaju Tinubu gave Governor Fayemi “a clean bill of health” as the party’s standard- bearer in the poll.

    They hailed him for “his sterling performance in the governance of the state.”

    On the entourage of Tinubu are former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State, Chief Dele Alake, National Secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Senator James Kolawole.

    At the event were Deputy Governor Prof. Modupe Adelabu, former governor, who is also the Southwest Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Otunba Niyi Adebayo, former governor of the old Ondo State, Evang. Bamidele Olumilua, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Dr. Adewale Omirin and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Yemi Adaramodu.

    Also present are Senators Babafemi Ojudu (Ekiti Central), Tony Adeniyi (Ekiti South) and Olubunmi Adetumbi (Ekiti North), Ife Arowosoge, commissioners, special assistants, local government chairmen and other party functionaries across the state.

    Employing anecdotes, proverbs, jokes and illustrations, Tinubu, who spoke for nearly one and a half hours, said the visit was to settle misunderstanding within the party in preparation for the coming election, noting that similar visits would be made to Anambra and Osun states where governorship elections are also being awaited.

    Tinubu went on: “We have not come to impose somebody on you. We have come just to settle a quarrel. America would normally say if the bicycle is not faulty, you don’t take it to the repairer. Fayemi has passed; will you promote him or not?”

    Cautioning Opeyemi Bamidele on his purported plans to contest the 2014 election, Tinubu said: “When we got there (the political headship of the state), why would we not know how to manage our success?

    “If anyone here knows Opeyemi, tell him that Jagaban has sent you to him to drop his ambition. Invite him and appeal to him. We will return later to do official endorsement.”

    He noted: “Koko lo’ju Abe to ba ma fari” (meaning, the knife that will shave must be sharp.)

    Asiwaju Tinubu urged Fayemi and the party leadership to make amends within the ranks. According to him, “there is no shame in politics, everyone’s turn would come sooner than later.”

    He urged that measures must be made to reconstitute ward executives, adding that for the administration to succeed, “party patronage must be controlled.”

    The media has been awash with reports that Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central Federal Constituency I, is planning to contest the governorship election next year. It was, however, uncertain under which party he would be doing that.

    Akande said the task of the ACN was three-pronged, how to merge with other parties without experiencing cultural hiccups, how to position the party for the coming elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states and how to unseat the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from national leadership.

    Said he: “We are going to merge with another party, but is our culture going to change? Three elections are on the way, but how do we prepare for them? The last task is how do we remove the PDP from Abuja?

    “Our mission today is to set in motion processes to settle our in-house misunderstanding. If any exists, we must settle it to move ahead.”

    The ACN National Leader described the PDP as “a burden, which Nigerians must eliminate in the 2015 elections for the country to progress.

    In a parley with reporters at the Government House, Tinubu said the PDP “has failed in justifying its control of the country’s resources for the past 14 years.”

    Assuring Nigerians that APC would bring the much- awaited hope to the country’s disenchanted citizenry, Tinubu said: “The APC is about change; positive change for this country.

    “Unless Nigerians are satisfied with punishment, unless Nigerians are satisfied with the level of poverty, unless Nigerians are not angry with the level of unemployed youths in this country, that is the only way they could decide not to change PDP.

    “But we are determined to oust the PDP. They have been in power for so long and they have not been able to use the power to develop humanity and the Nigerian populace; what a waste.”

  • 25 lawmakers endorse Agbaso’s removal

    Twenty five of the 27 lawmakers in the Imo State House of Assembly have endorsed the removal of the Deputy Governor, Jude Agbaso.

    This puts to rest speculations that the lawmakers’ action was based on party affiliations.

    A special Ad Hoc Committee led by Simon Iwunze, representing Isiala Mbano constituency, had indicted Agbaso on a N458million bribery scam.

    The Chief Judge, Benjamin Njemanze, has set up a seven-man panel of enquiry for further investigation.

    Speaking in a radio programme, Iwunze chided the deputy governor and his elder brother, Martin, for diverting attention from the real issue.

    “The issue has nothing to do with 2015 as the deputy governor and his brother, Martin, would have the public believe.

    “The deputy governor was given fair hearing. He lied several times before owning up to Joseph Dina, the Managing Director of J-PROS Construction.

    “Agbaso also collected Green label designers Porche Whisky which costs over N150, 000. Crying that his travail is political is diversionary.

    “This was a man we gave all the respect and accorded all the honour for him to defend himself.

    “Today, we have gone pass all that, we wait for the chief judge’s panel to make its findings known.”

    The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Chinedu Offor, has called on the deputy governor and his subjects to stop picking on Governor Rochas Okorocha since the matter is a constitutional one.

    He said the rescue mission administration abhors corruption and any attempt for the governor to shield any official undergoing an investigation for corruption is an impeachable offence.

  • Youths endorse Fayemi

    Youths from Isan Ekiti, under the aegis of Isan Youth Vanguard, have urged Governor Kayode Fayemi to contest the 2014 governorship election.

    Speaking with reporters through their President, Mr. Wale Ajayi, the youths said: “The task of stabilising our dear state economically and politically requires that Fayemi accepts to serve again for another four years. He has become a pride not only to Ekiti but the entire Yoruba race.

    “We pass a vote-of-confidence in the governor and urge him to submit himself again for leadership. Fayemi’s score card gives us confidence to adopt him for a second term.

    “In the past, cosmetic approach to road construction, installation of substandard facilities and dubious collusion with contractors to defraud Ekiti was the norm, but Fayemi has reversed all these and instituted a regime of focus, transparency, accountability and delivery.

    “Agriculture, which had been neglected and considered fit for only the old and the uneducated, has been brought to the limelight.

    “The total overhaul of dilapidated buildings in secondary schools and revitalisation of several comatose state-owned industries have endeared Fayemi’s person to this organisation and, indeed, all Ekiti indigenes.”

    The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Ekiti State chapter, yesterday said no governor has supported farmers as much as Fayemi.

    In a statement by its Chairman, Sir J.O. Ogunjobi, and Secretary W.A. Ogunrinu, the association dissociated itself from a recent publication, which claimed that the governor was not supporting farmers.

    AFAN said: “The publication is the product of questionable characters, who have nothing to do with AFAN. There was no forum where farmers met with the reckless and aimless writer.

    “We hail the governor for his contribution to the development of the agricultural sector. We urge our members not to be bothered by the spurious and dubious publication.

    “We remain united in the common pursuit of developing the agro-business in Ekiti. We urge the governor to disregard the malicious publication. Henceforth, any further publication that does not carry the names of AFAN chairman and secretary should be disregarded.”

  • ACN leaders endorse Fayemi for second term

    Leaders of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ekiti State have adopted Governor Kayode Fayemi for a second term.

    They announced this during the end-of-year party hosted by former Governor Niyi Adebayo at his country home in Iyin-Ekti.

    The party was attended by top government officials, chieftains of the party and members of the youth wing from across the 16 local government areas.

    Although the party was supposed to be a social gathering, it turned out to be a political summit, as ACN leaders discussed the future of the party and suggested the way forward.

    Many speakers acknowledged the achievements of the Fayemi administration and endorsed the governor for a second term.

    They included Adebayo, Senator Tony Adeniyi (Ekiti South District), Mr. Ife Arowosoge, House of Assembly Speaker Adewale Omirin, Mr. Dapo Karounwi, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Alhaji Ganiyu Owolabi and Chief Ronke Okusanya, among others.

    Adebayo said the Fayemi administration has impacted positively on the lives of the people since its inception two years ago.

    He said: “The Fayemi administration has done a lot to develop the state through laudable strategies. I think he deserves the second term our people are clamouring for.”

    Omirin said Fayemi has given the people “a taste of good governance” and should be given a second term, so that he can consolidate on his achievements.

    Caretaker Chairman of Ado-Ekiti Local Government Mr. Sunday Ibitoye, who spoke on behalf of the 16 council chairmen, said the state was lucky to have Fayemi at the helm of affairs.

    Ibitoye said the governor’s unique administrative style has brought “a great deal” of development to both urban and rural areas. He cited the building of five-kilometre roads by each council and the Social Security Scheme for the Elderly as two of the administration’s programmes that have endeared it to the people at the grassroots, aside the free education and free health programmes.

    Owolabi, Karounwi and Mrs. Okusanya said no government has touched the lives of the people like the Fayemi administration.

    ACN State Chairman Chief Jide Awe said the testimonies of the average Ekiti residents were enough grounds to endorse Fayemi for a second term.

    He said: “The leaders of our party have spoken and the people on the streets have also spoken in clear terms. They are all saying the governor has performed and should be given a second term. I endorse this position because the Fayemi administration has made a difference in the state.”

    Reacting to the endorsement, Fayemi told reporters in an interview that he was humbled by the wishes of the party leaders. He said his administration still has a lot of work to do, adding that he is just in the middle of his first term.

    Fayemi said: “I am humbled by this expression of confidence and goodwill by our party men and women. We surely have a lot more to do, because we are just in the middle of the term. We have a contract with the people and, God willing, we shall try to deliver on all our electioneering promises.”