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Tag: Ihedioha

  • Ihedioha hails delegates

    IMO State Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate and Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives Emeka Ihedioha has praised delegates in the primary held last Monday.

    In a thank you message, Ihedioha praised the delegates “for their perseverance, orderly and peaceful conduct that led to a successful primary, that has been adjudged by all as free, fair and transparent.”

    He enjoined those who contested for the governorship ticket with him to put the interest of the party at heart and work together to achieve victory for the PDP in the general elections.

    He promised to “run a vibrant, open, inclusive and issue based campaign. A campaign that will have the input of all our stakeholders. A campaign that will accommodate all interests and tendencies within the PDP family.”

  • Court grants PDP permission to move against Tambuwal

    Court grants PDP permission to move against Tambuwal

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has given permission to the People’s Democratic Party to apply for a mandatory order compelling either the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives to declare vacant the Kebbe/Tambuwal seat being held by Aminu Tambuwal following his defection to the All Progressive Congress.

    Justice Ahmed Mohammed, in an ex-parte ruling on Monday granted the PDP “leave to apply, by way of judicial review, for an order of mandamus compelling the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives to give effect to the provisions of Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution by declaring the Kebbe/Tambuwal federal Constituency seat vacant.”

    The ruling was on one of two ex-parte motions filed by the PDP pursuant to order 34 Rule 3 of the Federal High Court (Civil procedure) Rules 2009. By the leave granted it, the PDP is now required to file a formal suit to achieve its aim.

    Named as respondents in the motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/901/2014 are – Tambuwal and Emeka Ihedioha, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    On Monday, PDP’s lawyer, Mike Ahamba (SAN), while moving the motion for leave to apply for an order of mandamus, said by its action, his client only wants whoever occupies the seat of the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Reps to perform his/her responsibility under the Constitution.

    “Section 68(2) renders section 68(1) (g) non-self-operating. Where a person defects from his party, the person can defiantly stay in the House and maintain his seat until either the Speaker or the Senate President performs his responsibilities under Section 68(2).

    “We are asking the Speaker to declare the seat of Kebbe/Tambuwal Constituency vacant following the defection of the 2nd respondent (Tambuwal),” Ahamba said.

    He said the PDP will also apply for “an order of injunction restraining the 2nd defendant (Tambuwal) from performing or continuing to perform the functions of the 1st respondent in the House of Representatives, or sitting or continuing to sit in the House as a member consequent upon the order of mandamus.”

  • Sambo, Ihedioha, other House leaders meet at Aso Rock

    Sambo, Ihedioha, other House leaders meet at Aso Rock

    Vice President Namadi Sambo on Thursday met behind closed doors with the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha and some leaders of the House at the State House, Abuja.

    Crisis erupted on Thursday when members of the National Assembly were prevented from entering the National Assembly premises by the Nigeria Police Force.

    Among those at the meeting with the vice president are the House Leader, Adeola Akande and Deputy House Leader, Leo Ogor.

    They declined to speak with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting.

  • Jonathan meets Mark, Ihedioha at Aso Rock

    Jonathan meets Mark, Ihedioha at Aso Rock

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday met the Senate President, David Mark and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    ‪None of them spoke with State House correspondents on discussions at the closed-door meeting.

    No official statement was issued after the meeting.

    But the meeting is not unconnected with the government’s desire to get the National Assembly nod for extension of emergency rule in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe and tackling matters generated by the recent defection of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, from the Peoples Democratic Party to the rival All Progressives Congress.

     

  • Tambuwal: Court summons Mua’zu, Adoke, Ihedioha, IGP, others

    Tambuwal: Court summons Mua’zu, Adoke, Ihedioha, IGP, others

    A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday summoned the Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Adamu Mua’zu, the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha and four others following a complaint by the House of Representatives Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, that they were plotting to unlawfully reconvene the House before its December 3 adjourned date.

    Also summoned are the Attorney General of the Federation, (AGF), Mohammed Adoke (SAN), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the House of Representatives (who are all listed as respondents in the motion.

    They are to appear before the court on Friday.

    Justice Armed Ramat Mohammed, in a ruling, ordered parties in an ex-parte application filed on Mondayby Tambuwal to maintain status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motion.

    The judge also ordered that an enrolled order of the court, accompanied with a copy of the ex-parte motion be served on the defendants for them to appear in court on Friday and show reasons why the reliefs contained in the ex-parte application should not be granted.

    Justice Mohammed gave the ruling after listening to Jibrin Okutepa and Sunday Ameh (both Senior Advocates of Nigeria) arguments on the motion ex-parte.

    “Having listened to applicant’s counsel and read the processes filed in court, I am of the view that the defendants should be given notice. An exhibit attached to the motion ex-parte shows that there is an urgent need for an order to preserve the res,” the judge held.

    Okutepa (SAN) had, while moving the motion, told the court that “the defendants have concluded plans to summon the House for the purpose of removing Tambuwal as Speaker.”

     

  • PDP, Mua’zu, Ihedioha plotting to reconvene House – Tambuwal

    PDP, Mua’zu, Ihedioha plotting to reconvene House – Tambuwal

    The House of Representatives’ Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, has alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party, its Chairman, Adamu Mua’zu and three others were plotting to reconvene the sitting of the House before December 3 to which it lawfully adjourned.

    Tambuwal stated that the planned reconvening of the House sitting was part of the plot by his former party and its leadership to forcefully remove him from office as Speaker and member of the House of Reps.

    He accused the PDP and Mu’azu of working with the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, to carry out this plot

    These were contained in an affidavit supporting a motion ex-parte filed by Tambuwal before the Federal High Court, Abuja, in addition to the suit he and his new party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), filed on Friday.

    Respondents in the motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/800/2014, are the PDP, Mu’azu, House of Representatives, Ihedioha, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the AGF.

    “The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 7th defendants (PDP, Muazu, House of Reps, Deputy Speaker and the AGF) are planning to illegally and unconstitutionally reconvene the sitting of the 3rd defendant (House of Reps) before December 3, 2014, the date the sitting of the 3rd defendant was lawfully adjourned to, without following due process, for the sole purpose of discussing and perfecting the forceful removal of the 1st plaintiff before the case of the plaintiff is heard and determined,” Tambuwal said in the supporting affidavit deposed to on his behalf by one of his lawyers, Ejura Patience Ochimana.

    The Speaker also stated that the withdrawal of his security details on October 30 by the IGP was upon the prompting of the 1st to 4th respondents (PDP, Mu’azu, House of Representatives and Ihedioha).

     

  • Okorocha demands apology from Ihedioha over ‘attacks’

    Okorocha demands apology from Ihedioha over ‘attacks’

    •’It’s governor who should apologise’

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha demanded yesterday an apology from the House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, for allegedly embarrassing him at Ahiazu Mbaise in Aboh Mbaise Local Government during the ‘Iri Iji’ Mbaise Festival at the weekend.

    Ihedioha, when presenting kolanut to the governor, allegedly taunted him for non-performance and neglect of Mbaise people.

    He said: “My governor, we are happy to have you in our midst at this time. Mbaise people are peace- loving and hospitable. As our governor, who has graced this occasion for the first time since assuming office, we are glad that you will address issues of neglect of Mbaise people before handing over to Owerri Zone and particularly to me next year.

    “It is our collective wish that the issues be addressed soon as the 2015 general election is approaching when you will leave office for my administration as the governor to address neglect and decay.”

    But Okorocha in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, described the deputy speaker’s outburst as an unwarranted, unnecessary and unprovoked verbal attacks on his person and office.

    The statement reads: “After those attacks and the fruitless effort made to prevent the governor from addressing his people, we waited till August 17 to see whether the deputy speaker or leaders of the Mbaise nation could be guided by the rules of decency to apologise to the governor for those needless attacks and actions, but to no avail.

    “It should be stressed that before the event, Okorocha and Ihedioha had no problem to the best of the knowledge of Imo indigenes and Mbaise people in particular, except that Ihedioha is aspiring to succeed Okorocha next year, which is not an offence.  But this should not  warrant verbal attacks against the governor, especially when the deputy speaker is not yet a candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but only an aspirant.”Mbaise people and indeed, Imo people, who were at the Iriji Mbaise festival, saw that Ihedioha began his verbal attacks against the governor when he was given the kolanut for the event to present to the visitors. Instead of performing that traditional assignment, he took on the governor, telling him how he would not return to the Government House in 2015 in a very disrespectful manner as if he is the mind of Imo people.

    “As if that was not enough, when Ihedioha was called upon to address the people, instead of using the opportunity to tell the crowd what he has attracted to the area in the 12 years he has been in the House of Representatives or what the PDP-controlled Federal Government has done for Imo people, he opened another round of attack on the governor, telling the people that the projects of the Okorocha administration were inferior.

    “Ihedioha began that speech and ended it with attacks on his governor. The number six citizen did not deem it fit to welcome his governor to an event he (Ihedioha) was listed as the chief host. That his governor attended such function should have been hailed by him.

    “Although those at the event were disappointed at the attacks, it should not stop at that. Ihedioha should be honourable to apologise to his governor for the attacks. The leaders and traditional rulers of Mbaise should do same.

    “It is important to use this opportunity to urge the governorship aspirants to appreciate the advantages of others over them. Okorocha has earned for himself an enviable popularity among the Imo populace. They admire him because of his sterling performance.”

    Ihedioha, in a statement by his Media Assistant, Mr. Chibuike Onyeukwu, said: “It is the governor who has embarrassed Imo people with his disrespect for traditional institutions that should apologise to Mbaise people for desecrating their New Yam Festival, which has been held successfully over the years without his presence.

    “He should also apologise to the Imo people for turning our once respected state to a laughing stock. The governor also acted similarly during the Oru Owerri Festival, where he disrupted the festival and turned it into a political event. He threw decency to the winds with his hired thugs, knowing that he has no support in Mbaise, being the strongest base of the deputy speaker.”

  • Nzeribe endorses Ihedioha for Imo governor

    Nzeribe endorses Ihedioha for Imo governor

    Senator Arthur Nzeribe endorsed at the weekend House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha for Imo State governor.

    Nzeribe, in his Oguta country home in Oguta Local Government, during a visit by Ihedioha, said he would use his resources and goodwill to ensure the Speaker emerges governor next year.

    The former lawmaker, who  promised to play a leading role in deciding who governs the state in 2015, said he chose Ihedioha in fulfilment of his promise.

    Nzeribe, who was surrounded by political leaders from Oguta, including the legislator representing Oguta/Ohaji Egbema Federal Constituency, Mr. Gerald Irona, said he was ready to do anything to ensure good governance in the state.

    Said he: “We are gathered here today so that I can tell my people that we are supporting Ihedioha to become the next governor. This is in continuation of the project I started in 1991 when I said that an Mbaise man should be the governor. I have found in Ihedioha a reliable man, who can wrest power from the present governor.

    “I want to make Ihedioha the next governor and I am known not to hide my feelings. I choose Ihedioha because he is humble, efficient and can take Imo to a greater height. I’m out to accomplish what I started 16 years ago and I am stopping at nothing to achieve it.”

    Ihedioha, who said the visit was part of his statewide consultation tour, noted that Nzeribe is an uncommon man, whose input in the polity cannot be ignored.

    His words: “Senator Nzeribe is an uncommon man and in uncommon times like this, his input becomes necessary.”

    The Speaker said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was desperate to win in Imo next year, adding: “At this time, we cannot afford to experiment again because we are contesting against an incumbent governor and we need a strong candidate, who can wrest power from the ruling party. I’m the only person among the aspirants who can wrest power from Governor Rochas Okorocha.”

    Hailing Nzeribe for his support, which he noted is significant, he said: “My leader, you are aware that Imo people have been waiting to hear from you and today you have spoken. Let me assure you that when I am sworn in, I will make you the father of the state and I will work with you to make our state great again.”

  • Ihedioha assures on Owerri-Port Harcourt Road

    Ihedioha assures on Owerri-Port Harcourt Road

    Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha has assured on timely completion of the ongoing Owerri-Elele Road dual carriage way, saying the sum of N3.5 billion has been provided in this year’s  budget for the project.

    He spoke when he inspected the ongoing project, even as he regretted the delay in completion of the project which he attributed to funding. He assured that the Federal Government is committed to the completion of the road.

    “This is one of the major projects that will link Imo State with other coastal states of the Niger Delta and indeed trigger economic development. Therefore, the Federal Government is committed to its timely completion,” he said.

    While advising contractors on quality delivery of projects, Hon. Ihedioha said he would continue to embark on inspection visits to the area until the project is completed. He urged the contractors to immediately repair the collapsed portions of the road to cushion the effects of road users while the construction progresses.

    In another development, the people of Nwangele, Isu, and Njaba local government areas of Orlu Senatorial zone in Imo State were ecstatic as the Deputy Speaker who is a gubernatorial hopeful under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP took his consultation tours to the areas with the message of emancipation, rebuilding and restoring the dignity of Imo from the clutches of bad governance.

    Hon. Ihedioha regretted that Imo, under the incumbent leadership, is weak, unhealthy and collapsing due to bad governance and needs deliberate steps to get a person who will give Ndi Imo quality leadership.

    He said Imo people should not be sentimental with their votes but to support a man who has the capacity to provide quality leadership as he believes not in nepotism but in those who can perform, assuring that if voted into power as governor, he will embark on rapid rural development.

    “Only a candidate with antecedents, an honest person with competence and capacity can fix Imo State and I am well prepared to do that,” Ihedioha stated. Addressing the people of Nwangele, the South East Caucus Leader in the House of Representatives Hon Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi from Enugu State noted that the mammoth crowd that received Ihedioha is a demonstration that PDP is, indeed the party on ground in the state, noting that what happened in the state in 2011 was a minor setback that must be corrected.

    He stressed that he has no doubt that come 2015, with Hon. Ihedioha; PDP will make a triumphant entry back to Imo Douglas House.

    Earlier, the members representing Nkwerre/Nwangele/Isu/Njaba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Jones Onyereri and his counterpart from Ohaji Egbema/Oguta/ Oru East Federal Constituency, Hon. Irona, had informed the people that Ihedioha is the consensus candidate of all members of the House of Representatives from Imo State and Southeast for the governorship of Imo State.

    They described Ihedioha as a selfless, courageous man, a bridge builder who has been of great assistance to all they have attracted to their various constituencies and in the entire state.

  • PDP sues Tambuwal, Ihedioha, others

    PDP sues Tambuwal, Ihedioha, others

    In what looks like a preemptive move, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to restrain the House of Representatives from altering the composition of its leadership.

    The PDP, in a suit filed on January 7 wants the court to among others, restrain House of Representatives’ Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, other principal officers of the House and its defecting members in the House from taking any step “to alter or change the leadership of the 1st defendant (PDP).”

    The suit has the House of Reps, its Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, other principal officers of the House and its former members who defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC) as defendants.

    An officer of the PDP, Nanchang Ndam, stated in a supporting affidavit that while the defection of some of the defendants was still a subject of litigation before Justice Mohammed, the defendants, particularly the Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila have issued threats to change the leadership of the House.

    He stated that unless the defendants were restrained, they could carry out the threat and thereby prejudice the earlier suit, cause a breakdown of law and order and parallel the activities of the House.

    The plaintiff, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2/2014 raised two questions for the court’s determination and sought for four reliefs.

    The PDP wants the court to determine whether, in view of the mandatory provision of Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution, and in view of the pendency of an earlier suit by the defecting law makers, they (the defecting legislators) can participate in any proceedings to remove the House’ principal officers.

    The party equally wants the court to determine whether, in view of the provision of Section 68(1) (g) of the Constitution and the pending suit by the defecting legislators, they (the defecting law makers) can lawfully alter the composition or constitution of the House’s leadership.

    It is praying the court to declare that in view of Section 68(1) (g) of the Constitution and the pending case marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/621/2013 the defecting lawmakers “cannot lawfully vote and contribute to any motion for the removal or change of any of the principal officers” of the House.

    PDP also wants the court to declare that the defecting lawmakers, who are plaintiffs in the earlier suit before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the same court, “are not competent to sponsor, contribute or vote on any motion calling for the removal or change in the leadership of the House or the removal of any principal officers of the House.”

    It prayed the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from “altering or changing the House’s leadership.

    The PDP equally filed an application for interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants from altering the leadership of the House pending the determination of the substantive suit.