The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Imo State

  • Imo community threatens to shutdown oil facilities over abandoned projects

    Angry youths under the auspices of Egbema Elites have threatened to shut down oil facilities if the Federal Government fails to complete an abandoned Gas plant in Ohaji-Egbema Council Area.

    They lamented the project, which was awarded in 2001, has been abandoned for 13 years without any feasible reason.

    They accused the federal and state governments, as well as the oil companies operating in the area of deliberately marginalising the oil0 producing communities.

    Leader of the group, Francis Uzor, said that the community had been in total blackout for over 30 years.

    He alleged the Ministry of Power had treated the people of Egbema community with disdain, adding that the management of the abandoned gas plant refused them access into the facility.

    According to him:  “We are here to inquire why the Egbema gas plant which, was awarded in 2001 has been abandoned since 13 years now.

    “Egbema people are very peaceful people we are not as restive and violent as people think we are. We are here to know if there is any way we can help out. Since I was born we have not had electricity yet we have the highest deposit of gas in the whole of Africa.”

    Read also: Parting gift for Imo pupils

    Also speaking, Ademachukwu Chimaraoke, called on the anti-graft agencies to probe the N18b awarded by the FG to ensure that the project was completed.

    Chimaraoke said if the federal government failed to ensure that the abandoned project was revived in a two week,the group would March to Abuja for a protest.

    He stated that not even the promises made by Vice President Yemi Osibanjo when he visited the state in 2017 the abandoned gas plant would be revived in two weeks had yielded any fruit.

    The woman leader, Mrs. Elizabeth Opara, said if the federal government fails to revive the abandoned gas plant within two weeks, the women of the community would protest naked in Abuja.

    She asked the federal government to start engaging their youths for meaningful endeavours and not for electoral violence.

  • I’m not owing any bank, Okorocha insists

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday restated that his administration never borrowed money from any bank within or outside the shores of the land.

    He gave a seven-day ultimatum to any financial institution with a counterclaim to come up with proofs.

    The governor’s explanation came on the heels of a promise by governor-elect Emeka Ihedioha to look into the finances of the state under the watch of Okorocha when he assumed office on May 29.

    Okorocha also disclosed that his administration does not owe workers salary arrears, adding that workers’ salaries have been paid up to February.

    In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, the governor challenged any bank with contrary claim to “openly indicate and give details of such transaction for the public to know.”

    The statement reads: “We have come up with this position because the PDP is synonymous with falsehood and propaganda. And even as a party, if they know any bank the government of Rochas Okorocha has borrowed one naira from, they should mention such bank and state the particulars of the transaction so that interested persons can verify or forever, they should keep their mouths shut.

    “Owing to Governor Okorocha’s monumental achievements, opponents of the administration have always erroneously concluded that he must have borrowed heavily from the banks.

    “And that is the reason we are now stating openly that the Rescue Mission administration which Owelle Okorocha has superintended for almost eight years now has not borrowed money from any bank.

    “We also want to state that Imo State government has paid workers’ salaries up to the month of February 2019, and the payment of the month of March salaries is about to commence. In other words, the State government is not owing any outstanding salary.

    Read also: Non-issuance of Certificate of return: Okorocha is on his own, says APC

    “Again, the government of Governor Okorocha is not owing any contractor. And if any contractor has any claim to the contrary he or she should immediately go to the Office of the Secretary to the government of Imo State with the relevant papers before May 29, 2019.

    “We are doing this so that people would not come after the governor has left office to lie against him or make dubious claims.

    “It is also on record that the administration has run free education since 2011 from primary to tertiary and no child pays one kobo as tuition fee, while the government also repurchased state-owned companies sold by the previous administrations, including the Resin Paint Industry Mbaise.”

  • Governors-elect, others receive certificates of return

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday issued certificates of return to governors-elect and lawmakers-elect. It withheld some certificates based on court orders, report Okodili Ndidi, Owerri; Rasaq Ibrahim, Ado Ekiti; Yinka Adeniran, Oyinlola Lasaki, Ibadan; Chris Oji, Enugu; Kolade Adeyemi,Kano; Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi.

     

    Ihedioha, 27 lawmakers get certificates of return

     

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday issued a certificate of return to Imo State Governor-elect Emeka  Ihedioha.

    The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Francis Ezeonu, also presented certificates of return to the 27 House of Assembly members-elect.

    Ihedioha won the March 9 governorship election under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Speaking shortly after receiving the Certificate of Return at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Oweri,  Ihedioha promised to be fair to all respective of tribe or party affiliation.

    He said he would abide by the rule of law in administering the state.

    According to him, “I will be Imo governor in the real sense of the word.”

    He assured that members of his transition team would comprise of men and women of integrity who would contribute immensely to the development of the state.

     

    INEC withholds four Delta Assembly members-elect certificates

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday refused to issue certificates of return to four members- elect of the Delta State House of Assembly over pending court matters.

    However, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and his deputy, Kingsley Otuaro, along with twenty four other members-elect were given certificates of return.

    National Commissioner in charge of Delta State Dr Mohammed Lecky said the four members-elect were denied certificates following a court action.

    He listed the five members-elect to include Anidi Emosivwe, Ethiope East (APC), Oniyere Whomrouho, Ughelli North1 (APC), Egbo Jaro Movudu, Ughelli North 2 (APC) and Ochor Christopher, Ukwuani (PDP).

    Deputy Speaker Friday Osanebi representing Ndokwa East Constituency was absent at the presentation ceremony.

    Lecky congratulated Okowa and other candidates for their victory at the polls.

    Okowa praised Deltans for the matured manner they conducted themselves during and after the elections.

    He, however, regretted the death of four persons, adding that three died during the presidential elections while one died during the gubernatorial election.

    He said his victory would spur him to do more in the next four years.

    His words: “I believe Nigeria can be great if all stakeholders remain committed. All Deltans should be ready to work and shun all negative vices in my determination to take Delta to the next level. The next four years we will do more than we did in these last four years.”

     

    INEC to Ekiti lawmakers-elect: enact laws to bring succour to people

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday advised the lawmakers-designate in Ekiti State to make laws capable of accelerating the living standard of the people.

    The electoral commission said the legislature remains a veritable tool in ensuring and engendering socio-economic development of any state.

    This, the commission said, will have multiplier effects on the downtrodden masses.

    The Acting Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ekiti State, Dr. Muslim Omoleke, spoke in Ado-Ekiti while presenting certificates of return to the 26 legislators designate elected during the March 9 and 23 assembly polls.

    The event was attended by Commissioner Asuquo Amba and other security chiefs in the state, APC chieftains, traditional rulers and elder statesmen.

    All the 26 lawmakers elect are members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Addressing the elected officials, Omoleke said: “Legislature is a critical arm of government, because it makes laws to regulate the business of governance so don’t do anything that will be repugnant to democracy, equity and justice.”

    He said the essence of legislature is to strengthen constitutionality and the rule of law, by making laws for good governance, urging them not to derail from this norm

    “Don’t enact laws that will be antithetical to the 1999 constitution, because it remains the grand norm. Make sure you make laws that will promote peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

    “We are not also unmindful of the doctrine of separation of powers. But you must cooperate with the executive to make Ekiti greater than it is”, he advised.

    Congratulating the elected individuals, Omoleke said the 2019 elections were largely successful due to ICT innovations introduced by INEC national Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu.

    “Prof Yakubu brought series of innovations into the electoral system. He had moved the conduct of elections from analog to digital level and this was novel in the history of our country.

    “Part of his innovation was the way accreditation and voting was being done simultaneously.

    “He also encouraged and upgraded the use of smart card readers to ensure transparency in our elections”.

    He said the peaceful comportment demonstrated by politicians and stakeholders made Ekiti to be rated the best in the conduct of the 2019 elections.

    The INEC boss applauded the traditional rulers and security agencies for showing immense interest in the conduct of elections.

    The Chairman of the APC in Ekiti, Hon Paul Omotoso, urged the lawmakers elect not to neglect their constituents, who gave them the mandate to serve.

    Omotoso, represented by the State Secretary of the party, Hon Sola Elesin said: “Ekiti people are known for honesty, and you must bring this to bear. People expect much from you and you must live up to the expectations of those voters who voted for you”, he said.

     

    17 cases before Oyo Election Petition Tribunal

    No fewer than 17 petitions have been confirmed to be before the Oyo State Election Petition Tribunal. The petitions include four senatorial and 13 House of Representatives cases.

    The revelation was made yesterday by the Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Mutiu Agboke, at the presentation of certificates of return to the governor-elect, deputy governor-elect and lawmakers-elect.

    The event which held at the Banquet Hall, Premier Hotel, Ibadan was attended by many party stalwarts, religious leaders, security chiefs, well-wishers, family and friends.

    The exercise was supervised by INEC National Commissioner for Oyo, Osun and Ekiti States, Prince Adedeji Soyebi, who also presented the certificate to the governor-elect, Mr Seyi Makinde, and his deputy, Mr Rauf Olaniyan, at about 11: 50 am.

    Agboke noted that 42 governorship candidates across 42 political parties participated in the governorship election while 659 candidates across 42 parties contested for the 32 seats in the Assembly.

    Of the 32 members elected only two are serving, the rest 30 have a fresh mandate. In all, PDP has 26, APC 5 and ADP one member of the state legislative arm.

    Agboke urged the elected officials not to downplay the dreams, feelings and expectations of their constituencies and electorate in general who risked their lives and sacrificed their comfort and shunned intimidation to cast the votes for the eventual winners.

    He said: “Let me admonish the elected officials not to downplay the dreams, feelings and expectations of their constituencies and the electorate in general. The voters, in some cases, risked their lives, sacrificed their comfort, shunned intimidation and harassment to cast their ballot for you.

    “You cannot afford to disappoint them. Always have it at the back of your minds that 2023 is around the corner. Elections are designed to renew or withdraw mandate.

    “Presently, arising from the general elections in this state, we have a total of 17 petitions before the Oyo State Election Petition Tribunal.  The breakdown is four Senatorial and 13 House of Representatives petitions.

    “Filing and hearing of election petitions fall into post-election activities as aggrieved candidates are given the opportunity of presenting their grievances before the judiciary.”

    Soyebi commended the state for the peaceful conduct which resulted in no case of inconclusive elections.

    He called for improved electoral participation by the people, saying the number of votes recorded in the last election was a far cry from the total number of people on the voters’ register.

    He also urged the people to support the commission in its preparations for the 2023 elections, which he says has started in earnest.

    Makinde thanked INEC, the security operatives and his supporters that ensured peaceful conduct during the March 9, polls.

    While congratulating the lawmakers-elect, Makinde expressed willingness to work with them in his “desire to make the lives of Oyo state indigenes better.”

     

    Ugwuanyi, deputy, others get certificates

    Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi yesterday received his Certificate of Return as governor-elect in the March 9th Governorship Election held in the state.

    The governor, alongside his deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo and other elected members of the state Assembly received their certificates of return at the headquaters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Enugu.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in the state, Dr. Emeka Ononammadu, noted that it was gratifying that the electoral process ended in peace with all promises of fairness, openness and neutrality kept.

    “It was a tortuous journey that did not come at zero cost but it is also a journey that the entire nation is poised to learn from Enugu,” he stated.

    Ugwuanyi stated that they had prayed for a peaceful and transparent election and icommended efforts of security agencies during the process.

    A National Commissioner of INEC, Mr. Festus Okoye, who also spoke at the occasion, said INEC could no longer afford to plan in an uncertain environment.

    Okoye, who is the commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, disclosed that the independent National Electoral Commission would embark on aggressive constitutional and electoral reforms to enhance the integrity of the electoral process.

     

    INEC: Enugu polls exceptional

    The national leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commended the peaceful and successful conduct of the general elections in Enugu State, describing it as one of the best in the country.

    The electoral umpire added that the exercise in Enugu State, unlike in some states, witnessed no case of “violence, snatching of ballot boxes or all sorts of electoral malpractices”.

    The INEC commendation was made by the National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, during the presentation of certificates of return to Governor Ugwuanyi and others.

    Okoye, who congratulated the recipients, on behalf of the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, for their victory at the polls, explained that the exercise “is a formal statutory and confirmatory process that you have won an election in accordance with the constitution and electoral dictates”.

    He also congratulated “in a very big way, the people of Enugu State for taking ownership of the electoral process and driving it in a very peaceful and conducive atmosphere that fused power and sovereignty back to them”.

    Offering advice to the recipients, he said: “The sealed Certificate of Return that will be presented to you is not a trophy that marks the conclusion of your service. Rather it marks the beginning of your service to the people. The validity of the certificate rests with the people of Enugu State. It is within their constitutional mandate to renew, withdraw and or elevate it. The key word is service to the people”.

    Read also: Imo Governor-elect to prioritise youth empowerment

    Kano re-run: CUPP denies plan to challenge results

    A coalition of 42 registered political parties in Kano State, under the aegis of coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), has dissociated itself from reports that it had concluded plans to challenge the victory of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje at the just concluded supplementary election before the tribunal.

    CUPP, who visited the Kano State governor-elect, was led by its chairman, Alhaji Isah Nuhu Isah, who expressed disgust over a plan to challenge the governor’s victory.

    Isah who is also the chairman, lnter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), described the position of the coalition as unacceptable, pointing out that “CUPP has distanced itself from such claims.”

    “CUPP was shocked and perplexed to read the contents of the news conference discrediting the whole conduct of the process, security agencies, INEC and worst still the declaration to challenge the outcome of the exercise.

    “We in CUPP comprising the representatives of the 42 political parties in the coalition, and joined by the Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC), categorically disowned and disassociate the coalition from the sham press conference as well as condemn it in its entirety as it does not reflect our true assessment of the election.”

    Isah also explained that the coalition was dismayed by the action of the conveners of the news conference for using the coalition to express personal and untoward views for whatever reasons and influence under the guise of CUPP.

    He noted that the coalition monitored the supplementary election in Kano and in all sincerity believed it to be free, fair and peaceful, but acknowledged that there were pockets of violence in some polling units.

    Ganduje wondered why only the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) faulted the re-run election while it was not the only party that participated.

    “Why is PDP crying more than the bereaved, are they hiding some mischievous anti-Kano mission?”

    Ganduje promised to run an all-inclusive government, which would be anchored on unity, where members of other political parties will be embraced.

     

    Benue Tribunal gets 11 petitions

    There are 11 petitions before The Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Benue State.

    The secretary of the tribunal in the state, Mrs. Deborah Musa, who disclosed this in an interview with reporters in Makurdi, gave the breakdown of the petitions to include four Senatorial and seven House of Representatives.

    Mrs. Musa revealed that two of the petitions were filed against the winner of the Benue South Senatorial seat, comrade Abba Moro.

    According to her, one was filed against Moro by candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC, Chief Steve Lawani and the petition was filed by a defeated candidate of the Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance (APDA), Alhaji Usman Abubakar respectively.

    Both parties are challenging the emergence of Senator Abba Moro as the winner of the Benue South Senatorial District seat election held on February 23.

    She further said the tribunal had also received a petition from the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the National Assembly election, Senator George Akume, challenging the declaration of Emmanuel Orker Jev of the People’s Democratic Party as the winner of the Benue northwest senatorial seat.

    Mrs. Musa stated that the fourth petition was filed by another candidate of the APC for the Benue NorthEast Senatorial Seat, Mrs. Mimi Orubibi-Adzapeh against former Governor Gabriel Suswam.

    She disclosed that Mrs. Adzapeh is challenging the declaration of Suswam of the PDP as the winner of the election.

    She stated that the tribunal was yet to receive any petition in respect of the governorship and State assembly elections in the state.

    The tribunal secretary stated that petitions have been received from Samson Okwu of the People’s Democratic Party and Mr. Nick Ewuro of the All Progressives Congress APC  against Agada David of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) who was declared winner of the Oju/Obi federal Constituency.

    “The law stipulated twenty-one days for respondents to reply to petitions filed against them but they are yet to reply to the petitions and an event that the 21 days elapsed, the tribunal will mandate the petitioners to use substituted means to serve the respondents in view of the time limit which is 180 days that all cases are to last”, she said.

  • Okorocha on his own on non-issuance of certificate of return, says APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday reacted for the first time to the decision of the independent national Electoral Commission (INEC) not to issue certificate of return to Imo state Governor Rochas okorocha.

    It said the party has no official position on the issue since the governor is still under suspension.

    National publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Lanre Issa- Onilu, said at an interactive session with reporters that the governor has also not informed the party of the problem with the electoral management body probably because he is aware of his suspension.

    INEC has said it will not issue certificate of return to Okorocha, who was declared Senator-elect, insisting he was declared winner under duress.

    Asked whether the party planned to intervene in the matter, Issa- Onilu said Okorocha is still under suspension, adding until such is vacated the party will not intervene.

    “On the refusal of INEC to issue Certificate of Return to governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha, who was announced winner of the Imo West senatorial ticket, this party cannot take any action.

    “Don’t forget that he is on suspension and as far as this party is concerned, that situation remains because there is no way we can say that somebody is on suspension and still go ahead to intervene in his case.

    “In any case, he has not even come up to inform the party of his problem because he has realised that he is on suspension.

    “Therefore, until it is vacated, the party will now step in to intervene as a party member who has problem to resolve.”

    On whether former Rivers state governor Rotimi Ameachi had committed anti-party activity for allegedly supporting governorship of African Action Congress (AAC), Issa- Onilu said: “I will emphatically say no because if you liken it to the situation in Imo and or Ogun states, it will be wrong.

    “In Rivers state, APC does not have any candidate and as a party, Rivers state is very important to us. The state has been in the hands of pillagers for too long.

    “If we have the opportunity of working with party willing to abide by our principles, then it is within our right to work with such a party to ensure we free the people of Rivers state from the locust.

    “In this case, he has not abandoned a particular candidate that belongs to the APC for a candidate of another party.

    “They are entirely different issues and in that case, there is no anti-party. Whatever Amaechi has done is completely normal and acceptable to this party as far as working with other party is concerned.”

    Read also: Kwara PDP passes confidence vote on Saraki

    On the supposed suspension of Senator Kabiru Marafa by his ward in Zamfara, Onilu said: “It’s within the powers of the party executives at the ward level.

    “If they have good reason to take punitive action against a member that they considered to have flaunted the rules of the party.

    “In this case, we don’t have all the facts because it has not been brought to NWC attention and they don’t really need to come that far before they can take that decision.

    “Whoever that has happened to has the window to seek redress. So, we are watching to be sure that they stay within the rule.”

  • Blood on the campus

    Ten students of Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Imo State have been killed, scores wounded in campus cult war, as police seize suspects. OKODILI NDIDI reports

    They invaded the poorly guarded hostels with dangerous weapons, mowing down their victims in broad daylight. They decapitated a corpse as a sign of final desecration of the dead victim.

    No less than 10 students have been tragically cut down in the last two weeks, but the blood of these victims has not been enough to satiate the fury of this band of killers.

    They are not members of the dreaded Boko Haram, who kill innocent Nigerians with impunity. They are students, sent to school to learn but chose to become killers instead, and the victims were their bosom friends and schoolmates.

    Ten students have so far been killed and several others severely wounded in the raging cult war that is currently rocking the Federal Polytechnic in Nekede.

    The killings carried out by rival cult groups on vengeance mission have been going on unchecked for the last two weeks. Victims were either shot or clubbed to death before being decapitated by the daredevil cultists.

    It was reliably gathered that the clash between two rival cult gangs, the Aiyes and Baggers confraternities had lasted for over two weeks.

    Residents of the host community who have been witnessing broad daylight massacre have all fled their homes for fear of being attacked. Academic activities have ground to a halt in polytechnic; students have all deserted their hostels.

    Read also: ‘Why we keep talking about endometriosis’

    The management of the institution, The Nation gathered restricted movement after 6pm.

    One of the students who didn’t want his name to be mentioned, said, “We are under attack by cultists. Please help us to inform the police because our lives are in danger. Since ten days now, there is serious cult clash between two disagreeing cult groups. They said it is a supremacy war. No fewer than ten persons have been shot dead.”

    The visibly scared student added: “Since I gained admission into this Polytechnic I have never seen it this bad. The gunshots are frightening. Please don’t mention my name.”

    An indigene of one of the host communities who does not also want his name in print, said that since the deadly cult clash started they have been locking themselves inside their houses.

    The middle-aged man said, “Here in Umudibia Nekede we are sleeping with our eyes wide open. There is this boy they killed around our neighbourhood few days ago. The boys who are members of different cult groups are on rampage. Please inform security agencies to come to our rescue immediately.”

    One of the attacks which happened at Umuerim Junction just opposite the polytechnic gate in Umudibia Autonomous Community caused a stampede in the area as people scampered for safety on hearing gunshots.

    It was learnt that the gangster suspected to be members of Vikings chased the student identified as Okorie Noah to the junction at about 9pm before shooting him dead.

    According to eyewitness, the body of the deceased showed bruises, an indication that he was beaten severely before he was shot.

    Some people interviewed said the gangsters later drove off allowing their victim to die in a pool of his blood. They were not confronted by anyone despite the fact that a vigilante office was nearby.

    It was gathered that the student was a member of another cult group known as Black Axe who had earlier gone to retrieve a handset forcefully snatched from a girl by the Vikings.

    According to an eyewitness trouble ensued and in the process the student was shot dead.

    The killing, it was learnt, aggravated the situation as the Black Axe members went on a revenge mission last Monday, killing a member of the Vikings, Ebuka Okoroafor.

    Ebuka, an indigene of Umuofocha was returning from a night club when he was attacked and hacked to death.

    Also, at the weekend, two other killings took place at the school back gate when the two cult groups exchanged gunshots.

    A detachment of police from the state Police Command has been deployed to the polytechnic and other troubled areas, while several arrests have been made.

    The State Police Public Relations Officer, Orlando Ikeokwu, a Superintendent of Police, confirmed that some suspects, including those with arms, have been arrested.

    Ikeokwu said that the operation which led to the arrest of the suspects was carried out by the Anti-Cult Department of the Command.

    The Rector of the Polytechnic, Martin Aligbe, in a telephone chat, stated that, “We have not confirmed any of the victims to be our student. The cult clashes are happening in the villages, it is not happening in our campus. But our concern is that our students live in the villages where these clashes are taking place. We have equally reached out to the police.”

  • Tears for Imo State

    After the extended long nights of drama and debauchery played out at the state collation centre of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Owerri and broadcast on some national television channels, Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was announced to have triumphed over UcheNwosu, the Action Alliance (AA) candidate and son-in-law of the bungling outgoing governor,RochasOkorocha, the All Progressive Congress candidate, Hope Uzodimma, the former governor of the state, Ikedi Ohakim of Accord party. Ifeanyi Ararume, a veteran of the election contest to the government house in Owerri flew the flag of the APGA party. The choices offered by these five men were a classical grim proverbial dilemma of the devil and the deep blue sea. It holds nothing and promises nothing for the long-suffering state.

    Governor Okorocha, whose incoherent rhetoric has always been dubious was elected in 2011, against the abysmal failure of Ohakim and given the depth of rot that existed then, Okorocha appeared like a whiff of fresh air. Not many suspected that Okorocha was going to squander a historic goodwill, swashbuckling all the way with the irksome and un-intelligent sound bite of rescue mission, whereas, he was the one that needed rescue from the bombastic Berlin wall of pride and prejudice he imprisoned himself and a small company of fellow travellers. When he proposed his son-in-law to succeed him, one wondered how one man would have re-defined the meaning of delusion and stretched it to such breaking point.

    Those who know said, that turning up in Abuja as senator and his son-in-law holding sway in Imo State as governor were not the only items in his political project. His wife was to head to the House of Representative, just as his other daughter is billed to be married to the deputy governor. Had things worked according to plot, Okorocha’s six foot golden statue would have been erected at the centre of the state capital to stare down at the people and even a bill sponsored in the state assembly to rename the state as Okorocha State.

    Because Okorocha, lowered the bar of governance of Imo State, the race to his succession featured desperate political hustlers, equally capable of mudslinging, muckraking and scare mongering, a measure of mutual assured brigandage that played out at the collation centre that saw papers torn and ballot boxes kicked.

    EmekaIhedioha, the INEC-declared governor-elect brings nothing to the table. According to one newspaper columnist, he slept over in his house, adorned babanriga the next morning to snap up, the position of deputy speaker of the House of Representatives from where he trained his eyes to the top job in Imo State.

    Now seated in his posh home, he has been holding court with several elite delegations, who did not even vote. Instead of checking feeder roads in rural communities whose state of disrepair and collapse have disoriented the rural economies and dis-articulated their integrative networks, Ihedioha is issuing warning to banks about the “perils” of last minute transaction with the outgoing government. Banks shuffle money and don’t create wealth and that the governor-elect seemed singularly obsessed about where money is shuffled is a sign of things to come. If EmekaIhedioha has any foresight, this is the time that, along with his shadow government, shall be taking stock and inventory of resource endowment of various communities across the state to be eventually matched with the requisite capacity-enhancement mechanism to realize the ultimate wealth potential of the state.

    Instead of holding endless courts and spewing platitudes, Ihedioha should roll up his sleeves, find out the state of rural infrastructures, rural feeder roads, local bridges and others and rethink the public works department to spearhead the revitalization of rural infrastructures, through which several local jobs can be created among the youths which will discourage them from foreign adventures and local crimes.

    The seeming political orientation of Ihedioha appeared tailored more to power grab than to political responsibilities. If he thinks and believes that he has reached the ultimate political goal by grabbing the top job in Imo State, there might be nothing more to expect from him except to drench in the symbolic power of cheering accolades, blaring sirens and the ultimate suzerainty of patronage of who gets what, how and when.

    If by any means of serious introspection and reflection, he chooses to exert himself to his utmost to the benefit of the people of the state and genuinely seek ways and means to accomplish that, it will be the equivalent of the biblical conversion of Saul to Paul on his way to Damascus.

    Hope Uzodimma did a good job of throwing a spanner in desperate wheels of outgoing governor Okorocha to get a third term by proxy. Had Uzodimma not matched governor Okorocha, wits for wits, the foremost eastern heartland would have been a colony of the Okorochas. But beyond that, it is doubtful if Uzodimma actually took himself serious as a contender for the top job in the state. What is he really bringing on the table? Is it just the rhetoric of hope against the background of despair fostered by Okorocha’sgovernment?

    Smooching across political operational lines and reeking the aroma of its dividends is entirely a different thing from bearing the burden of governance, which is a difficult art of meandering from managing expectations to delivering results. People who are naturally gifted with cutting deals and extracting cuts are not necessarily suitable to the open process of governance, where trade-offs are delicately balanced to generate win-win outcomes.

    Ararume, of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA)  and founder of the formidable destiny political movement, has destiny playing serial games on him. He came too close to the coveted job in 2007 only to have a bullying former President Obasanjo butt him out. All his subsequent political outings have endeared in bouts and bruises. In the last campaign, he seemed most articulate and forthright in outlining the challenges of the state. It is difficult now to know, how he would have walked his talk, but in the campaign trail, he provided the only intelligent and coherent specific outline on his vision of governance. There are speculations a murky past cast a shadow on his political career.

    IkediOhakim, the one term governor of the state, bothered to stage a comeback but one does not think the people of the state even bothered to have him back. With a track record of abysmal failure, Ohakim who crashed into politics and carted away uncommon booty of the top job in the state, would have maintained a dignified distance from the state government house.

    As it stands now, Imo State seemed to have come out from danger of a rampaging one-way bus only that it appears to have entered a one-chance taxi cab.

     

    • Onunaiju is a political commentator based in Abuja.

  • Ten killed, scores wounded in Imo cult war

    Ten students have so far been mulled down and several others severely wounded in the raging cult war rocking the Federal Polytechnic Nekede in Imo State.

    The killings carried out by rival cult groups on vengeance mission, has been going on unchecked for one week.

    Victims were either shot or clubbed to death before being decapitated by the dare-devil cultists.

    It was reliably gathered that the clash between two rival cult gangs, the Ayes and Baggers confraternities had lasted over two weeks

    Residents of the host community who have been witnessing broad day massacre have all fled their homes for fear of being attacked.

    Meanwhile, academic activities have grounded to a halt in Polytechnic, while students have all deserted their hostels.

    The Management of the institution, The Nation gathered had placed a restriction on movement in and out of the school after 6pm.

    According to one of the students who didn’t want his name to be mentioned: “We are under attack by cultists. Please help us to inform the Police because our lives are in danger.

    Read Also: You lack capacity to govern Imo, Okorocha fires Ihedioha

    “Since ten days now there is serious cult clash between two disagreeing cult groups. They said it is a supremacy war. No fewer than ten persons have been shot dead.

    The visibly scared student added:  “Since I gained admission into this Polytechnic I have never seen it this bad. The gunshots are frightening. Please don’t mention my name”.

    An indigene of one of the host communities who does not also want his name in print, said since the deadly cult clash started they have been locking themselves inside their houses.

    According to the middle aged man: “here in Umudibia Nekede we are sleeping with our eyes wide opened. There is this boy they killed around our neighbourhood few days ago.

    “The boys are members of different cult groups are on a rampage. Please inform security Agencies to come to our rescue Immediately.”

    Meanwhile detachment of Police from the state Police Command had been deployed to the polytechnic and other troubled areas, while several arrests have been made.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, Orlando Ikeokwu, a Superintendent of Police, confirmed that some suspects, including those with arms, have been arrested.

    Ikeokwu said that the operation which led to the arrest of the suspects was carried out by the Anti-Cult Department of the Command.

    Rector of the Polytechnic, Martin Aligbe, in a telephone chat, said: “We have not confirmed any of the victims to be our student. The cult clashes are happening in the villages, it is not happening in our campus.

    “But our concern is that our students live in the villages where these clashes are taking place. We have equally reached out to the Police”.

  • You lack capacity to govern Imo, Okorocha fires Ihedioha

    Imo State governor,  Rochas Okorocha, on Sunday said that the governor-elect, Chief Emeka Ihedioha lacks the capacity to govern a “complex” state like Imo.

    The Imo governor who was reacting to the allegation by the governor-elect that the state government withdrew N17 billion shortly after the governorship election,  stated that he (Ihedioha) has never had any corporate experience apart from being a professional politician.

    He described the allegation as frivolous and cheap blackmail.

    The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo in a statement,  stated that,  “Chief Emeka Ihedioha, who was announced the winner of the governorship election in the State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been making careless media statements and unfounded allegations, including the N17billion he said the government had withdrawn and the threat to recover what he called “Imo Property” from the governor.

    “He had earlier given directives to Financial Institutions in the State against further transactions with the State government. Chief Ihedioha does not have the mental or intellectual Capacity to govern a highly endowed State like Imo. The guy is just smart politically. And Political Smartness is different from having the Capacity for Leadership or governance”.

    Read Also: Okorocha to Ihedioha: Get sworn in before issuing directives

    It continued that, “he can not measure up with Governor Rochas Okorocha’s amazing achievements in the State. And he is only laying the foundation for excuses to Imo people why he will fail as their governor.

    “He was contentiously declared winner on Tuesday. And on Thursday he came up with the allegation of the government withdrawing N17billion. He never mentioned how the withdrawal was made whether it was withdrawn cash or through transfer. And where in Imo State, with meager Federal allocation and IGR can one see N17billion to withdraw? Like we said earlier, he is not an intelligent guy. He can’t cope with the challenges of governance”

    It added that, “He (Ihedioha) is coming to be governor with the only income he made at the National Assembly because prior to his going to the National Assembly he never did any paid job and he is trying now to blackmail a man adjudged to be the highest property owner both in Owerri and in Abuja several years before coming for governor.

    “He has not said anything about free education, Urban Renewal and several other sensitive people-oriented programmes and policies of the Rescue Mission Government in the State. He is only talking about money and property. It is going to be interesting. A man who failed as a member of the House of Representatives won’t do magic as a governor.

    “He should also know that with what Governor Okorocha has achieved, Imo people won’t entertain any excuse from him. If he likes let him talk about Rochas Okorocha from now till when he will leave as governor. The die is cast. Action speaks louder than words. Blackmail or propaganda which the PDP invested heavily in during the 12years they governed the State have become old-fashioned in the State at the moment.

    “Nigerans in general and Imo people in particular should ignore him whenever he comes up with such gimmicks. After May 29, 2019 he has every right to probe even the food Rochas Okorocha and the family ate in Government House from 2011 to 2015. Ihedioha won’t make a good governance”.

     

     

     

  • Pro-Buhari group cautions INEC over Okorocha’s Certificate of Return

    The Southeast chapter of the Presidential Support Committee (PSC) and the South East Professionals have cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against creating constitutional crisis by refusing to issue Certificate of Return to the Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha after being declared winner of the Imo West Senatorial election.

    In a statement jointly signed by Emeka Ugwu Esq and Comrade, the groups accused INEC of assuming the investigative role of the Police and the Court by finding the governor guilty without opportunity for fair hearing.

    According to the statement, “we have observed with keen interest the emerging political crisis and constitutional infraction emanating from the National Assembly elections and the Governorship elections, held on the 23rd day of February and the 9th day of March 2019 respectively. We intend to respond to the unconstitutionality and the illegality of the acts of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)”:

    It continued that,  “the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on the 23rd February, 2019 declared H.E Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha, through its Returning Officer, Professor Innocent Ibeabuchi, as winner, Imo West Senatorial District Election 2019 in the presence of all the Security Agencies and other Political Party Agents”.

    The groups contended that, “under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Electoral Act, INEC lacks the power to withhold Certificate of Return in an election duly declared in line with the laws of the land or cancel an election that met the minimum requirement of the law.

    “It is unfortunate that INEC has arrogated to itself the investigative powers of the Nigeria Police and other security Agencies, and the judiciary, by assuming the jurisdiction to illegally and unlawfully investigate the unfounded allegations of Prof. Innocent Ibeabuchi, who is alleged to be an Agent of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “It is quite worrisome that Prof. Francis Chukwuemeka Ezeonu (the Resident Electoral Commissioner) and Prof. Francis Otunta (the Returning Officer) could be used to cause havoc in Imo State by purportedly declaring Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha winner of the Governorship election without fulfilling the requirement of Section 179 (2 &3) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

    The statement argued further that  “the provisions of Section 179 (2&3) are clear and unambiguous, and any declaration made in breach of that section is unconstitutional, illegal, fraudulent, and cannot stand. That the fraudulent calculated and premeditated acts of the two Professors are targeted with the criminal intent to deliver Imo State to PDP.

    Read Also: Rivers: PDP tells INEC to declare its candidate winner

    “That from the results purportedly declared, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha did not meet the minimum requirement of Section 179 (2&3) as he did not secure the mandatory 25% votes casts in 18 out of the 27 Local Government Areas of Imo State. Rt. Hon. Ihedioha only secured 13 local Government Areas Only.

    ” We are hereby calling on the National Chairman of INEC to remove the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Francis Ezeonu, and equally calling on the security agencies to investigate the two Professors, and possibly prosecute them for the act of criminality, which is capable of inciting public unrest.

    “Imo State citizens are law abiding and should be allowed to freely elect their leaders. We therefore warn those inciting these criminal acts to desist henceforth from attacking the sensibilities of Imo Citizens.

    “Finally, we call on INEC, as a matter of urgency, to issue a Certificate of Return to H.E. Owelle Rochas Okorocha as Senator-Elect, Imo West Senatorial District; and to conduct a runoff election in line with Section 179 (4) of the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria. In the event INEC refuses to do the needful by end of business Monday the 18th day of March, 2019, the streets of the five States of the South East will be lawfully occupied”.

     

     

  • Okorocha is finished politically, says Uzodinma

    Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State Senator Hope Uzodinma has pronounced Governor Rocha Okorocha dead politically.

    He said the governor should apologise to Imo indigenes for his misrule rather than looking for scapegoats for his failure.

    In a statement in Abuja, Uzodinma said Okorocha should hide his face in shame rather than blaming him and the National leadership of the party over his failed plot to install his son in-law as governor of Imo State.

    The lawmaker, who was reacting to the comment by Okorocha that the APC failed to win the Imo governorship election due to the candidacy of Uzodinma, reminded the governor that even as “a sitting governor he failed to win a senatorial election and got a Returning Officer to announce him winner under duress.

    “I thought by now Okorocha should be hiding his face in shame after he lost his bid to install his son in-law and win his senatorial election.

    “Despite all the billions he spent to stop me and the APC in the state from the results from the polling units I won the election and we will prove it.

    Read also: Buhari won’t interfere with emergence of NASS leadership, says Presidency

    “But Okorocha has lost his deposit and he is finished politically. He is an expert in running people down but God has punished him today.

    “This same man worked against the APC and he has the gut to speak about others. I challenge Okorocha for a walk in the streets of Owerri if Imo people will not stone him.

    “Thank God all his conspiracy against us has ended and he has buried himself politically.

    “I expect by now he should be apologising to the people of Imo State for the crime against God and humanity he committed.

    “I will reclaim my mandate which Okorocha and Ihedioha stole last weekend and then i will have something to tell Okorocha,” he said.