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Tag: Imo State

  • Imo AA to deliver one million votes for Buhari

    The Imo State chapter of the Action Alliance (AA) has promised to deliver one million votes to President Muhammadu Buhari in the February 16 Presidential election.

    The National Chairman of the party, Obidichie Udeze, who presented the pact draft to a representative of the President, Nasiru Buhari, said that the AA is ready to takeover Imo state and also give President Buhari a landslide victory.

    According to AA Chairman, who made the presentation at the party’s governorship campaign flag off at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Imo State, said that the party adopted President Buhari because he is a trustworthy leader who means well for the country.

    The governorship candidate of the party, Uche Nwosu, while addressing the mammoth crowd, said that he is relying on the massive support of the people of the state to emerge the youngest governor of the state.

    He said he will emerge the youngest governor in Nigeria after the general election, “I am sure of victory because of the support of the masses and I will be youngest governor in Nigeria by May 29”.

    According to him, his youthfulness and wealth of experience stand him out among other candidates, who he said belong to the old order of politicians, stating that, “I am running with those who are old enough to be my father but my appeal to them is to leave the stage for the youths and take their deserved rest, while we harness the potentials of our youths to make our state great”.

    Nwosu assured further that his administration will consolidate on the gains recorded by the current administration in the areas of education and healthcare.

    In his words, “I will not only sustain the free education programme of the current administration, but I will improve on what is on ground. The same goes for the health sector, where I will provide the needed infrastructure and make healthcare free for children between the ages one to seven years, as well as people above 70 years.

    Read Also: Breaking: Imo APC expels Uzodinma

    Addressing the crowd of youths, he said, “I have come today to share the history of my life with you. I was not born a son in-law to the governor, it was a privilege I got as a result of the Grace of God, I had to hawk pure water under the sun, a condition I went through because of where I found myself but today I am standing before you as a successful man and if I can succeed you too can. You thee youths are the bridge that will take me to the Government House.

    “I will return the youths to agriculture, where they will become employers of labour, no more will our youths roam the streets without job. I am the only candidate that has clear and workable plan to empower our youths, I have done it when I was not a governor, I will do more for our youths and women when I become the governor. My ambition is a collective ambition of all Imo people and my victory is the victory of the masses”.

    Disclosing why he left the All Progressives Congress (APC), where he had contested the governorship ticket, Nwosu, stated that the injustice meted out to him by the National leadership of the party, forced him to join the AA, which he said will win the governorship election in the state.

    In his words, “we brought APC to Imo state when nobody knew that President Buhari will win the 2015 election, we were called all sorts of name but today we have left the party because of injustice but that has not affected our support for President Buhari, the crowd you see today shows that we will deliver him in Imo State”.

    Several interest groups and political parties pledged their support for the AA candidate, who they described as detribalized and accommodating.

    The Chairman of the Non Indigene Association, Prince Udoga, said that the non indigenes in the state have adopted Nwosu as their governorship candidate and will vote for him enmasse.

  • Okorocha releases N7.5b for renovation of schools

    The Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, on Wednesday announced the  release of N7.5 billion for the renovation of all the government owned Secondary and Primary Schools in the State.

    He stated that his administration has already rebuilt all premier schools in Owerri, the state capital and environs.

    Okorocha who made the disclosure during the Unveiling and Distribution of new school bags for all the Students and Pupils in the government owned schools at the Heroes Square, noted that the project of renovating the schools would commence immediately and must be completed before he leaves office on May 29.

    It will be recalled that at the inception of the Free Education Programme in the state, the governor gave the students and pupils free sandals, desks, uniforms, bags and also employed over four thousand teachers.

    According to the governor, “I have just come to dramatize our love for education. Education is our number one industry and the best gift you can give to a child is education. And today we can see that the free education has done well in Imo State. The programme can be adjudged successful from all indications. I am grateful to all the teachers for keeping the flag of free education flying.”

    Read Also: Okorocha: I did not dump APC

    He added “But let me say to all of you that you may recall that seven years ago when I was elected your governor, my first pronouncement was that let education be free so that the children of the less privileged can go to school.  I started with that by giving free education, and also giving stipends, uniforms, sandals, desks, chairs etc.

    “Today as I exit in a very short time as your governor I want to conclude with education. All those who have played a very vital role in keeping this light on, I salute you and I commend all of you. As I speak now, I want to announce to you that my parting gift to the people of Imo State in the Education Sector is the immediate release of N7.5billion for the renovation of all the secondary and primary schools in Imo State”.

    The governor continued that, “in addition, I will release immediately the sum of N1million for the children in each of the primary and secondary schools in the State for their pocket money. Every child in Primary and Secondary Schools must also get the new bag already being distributed.

    “For those of you who have done well in their schools, the best overall student in every School will have a letter from the governor plus N10,000. And the best in Primary School in all the Schools will also get the sum of N10,000. Your teachers who have been teaching you, making sacrifices and making sure you are educated, I hereby approve N10,000 for each of the teachers in both Secondary and Primary Schools of Imo State.

    “For those students that have the power of communication and oratory, they will have automatic tickets to the United States of America on holidays. I do this in Rochas Foundation Colleges every year where the best students go to America for holidays. I want to introduce it to Imo State before I leave. So the first set of best students will have to travel before I leave office”.

  • Don’t put your destiny in the hands of learner drivers – Uzodinma

    Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo state, Senator Hope Uzodinma has asked the people of the state not to give power again to those he described as drivers with learner’s permit, accusing the Rochas Okorocha led government in the state of amassing about N300 billion debt for the state between 2015 and 2019.

    The APC flagbearer said he was determined to stop the state becoming a family and restoring governance back to the people of the state, assuring that all salaries and allowances owed workers and elected officials withheld by Governor Okorocha will be paid immediately he assumed office as the next governor of the state.

    Uzodinma who spoke when he received a delegation of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) who came to endorse him as their candidate foe the governorship seat promised to bring what he called a new order to the governance of the state and set up a new team that will bring development to Imo state.

    He also promised to address the alleged illegality perpetrated against them by ensuring the payment of their salaries from 2011 till date.

    He said: “When I was told that the entire ALGON will pay a visit, i did not know how serious the issues were. Not only that you were removed illegally, since then you have not been paid your salaries. We have seen several injustices perpetrated against our people but we have to take a decision and confront this injustice.

    “One with God is majority. Politics is a career and nobody will be happy to cut that career short. It is God that gives power and he gives who he wants. For 305 councillors, chairmen, for any leader to be insensitive to their feelings that leader is not a human being, that is wickedness.

    Read Also: Okorocha: it will take God to market Uzodinma

    “I want to partner with you, come and have Hope because you have suffered enough. Go back to your various wards, I don’t think those who elected you are happy with your condition.

    “We want to build a new order; we want to set up a new team that will bring development to Imo state. What we did was to remove this party from one family and gave back to Imo people. We want to give this state to a good driver, not a driver with learners permit but driver’s license. If you don’t get salary today you will get it after three weeks from today.

    “Dont be afraid of anybody, APC which i am the candidate is the ruling party. Nobody will intimidate you. There must be law and order in the state. Whether they are called Imo security Network or Okorocha, dont be intimidated”.

    He stated further that “Imo state has a debt profile of over N300bilion since 2015 till date. We will get the money where they kept it to provide good health care, good education, our government by the grace of God will be driven by people oriented projects.

    “Power was given to a complacent human being and he mis-used it. I have come to create wealth. We will recover Imo, we will rehabilitate Imo. So help me let us work to the glory of God. When we win the narratives will change and when it changes we will all smile.

    “APC in Imo today is stronger and robust. We are better today and that is why people are coming every day to identify with us. Let us embark in this journey it shall end in praise. When we come we will make sure that everybody will pay all outstanding salaries and everybody will be happy”.

    While urging the ALGON to also ensure victory for President Muhammadu Buhari, Senator Uzodinma noted that “President Buhari’s opponents have said he is a man of integrity and have decided to vote him again. We are going to protect our people’s interest”.

    Speaking earlier, Leader of the ALGON delegation, Mrs. Rubby Elele described the governor Rochas Okorocha led administration as unfair to the people of the State and vowed that the Local Government Executives and workers who were sacked illegally in 2011 by Governor Okorocha will punish him and his son in-law Uche Nwosu with their PVCs.

    Mrs Elele said the former chairmen and councillors were deprived of their salaries up till date, causing undue hardship to their families, adding that God used Senator Uzodinma to liberate the people of the state therefore said they will use their structures in 305 wards in Imo State to ensure victory for the APC candidate.

    She said “We are here to thank God for using you to liberate Imo people. People now walk with smiling faces. We want to join you to finish this liberation effort which will culmicate to your victory. As a result the ALGON in Imo State which i am the chairman have endorsed you as our candidate.”

  • APC: Okorocha dismisses expulsion rumour

    Imo State Governor,  Rochas Okorocha,  on Saturday dismissed reports of his expulsion from the All Progressives Congress (APC) by the state chapter of the party.

    The Imo noted those behind the rumoured expulsion were neither elected Executives of the party, nor appointed by the legitimate Exco.

    He noted that there is no faction in the leadership of the party in the state.

    The Chief Press Secretary to the governor,  Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo,  in a statement made available to journalists,  stated that “contrary to what has been read in some sections of the media, the Imo State Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), never at any time suspended or expelled its leader, Governor Rochas Okorocha from the Party and has never contemplated doing that and won’t have any reason to think about that”.

    The statement  continued that, “there is also no faction in Imo APC. There is only one APC in the State with Hon. Daniel Nwafor as the Chairman and Owelle Rochas Okorocha as the leader. Any other group claiming to be a faction of Imo APC must obviously be a gang of 419ers or league of fraudsters who are experts in issuance of dud cheques and collecting billions for jobs not done”.

    According  to the Governor’s aide, “the the only contentious issue in Imo APC is that the National Chairman of the Party, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole imposed a known PDP member and a known character in the State on the party as its governorship candidate, and by so doing, pushing the party and its members to a very tight corner especially when it comes to the issue of marketing a Candidate.

    “If Mr. Oshiomhole didn’t want the preferred candidate of members of the Party in the State, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, for any reason, and if he actually meant well for Imo APC, he would have taken one of the guber aspirants that formed the coalition who are known members of the party, and who is also from Owerri zone since that was the reason some of them in the Coalition claimed that made them to leave the government.

    Read Also: Madumere remains impeached, says Okorocha

    “But the APC National Chairman preferred a PDP man and also from Orlu zone. And he imposed the candidate on the party and at a time the man was facing charges on corruption. That is the problem with Imo APC and its guber Candidate”.

    It also added that, “aside this problem, Oshiomhole also told his audience that he has dissolved the EXCOs of the Party from the State to the wards in total disregard of a ruling by Hon. Justice O.A. Musa of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Bwari Abuja, delivered on August 14, 2018 in Suit No:FCT/HC/BW/CV/103/2018.

    “In the ruling, Justice Musa stated; “An order of perpetual injunction is hereby made restraining the 1st and 2nd Defendants either by themselves, the National Working Committee, or National Executive Committee from either removing, substituting, replacing, suspending or interfering with the tenure of the 3rdDefendant/Claimant, his Executive and all elected officers of the 1st Defendant contained in exhibits A,B,C and D from their elected offices.

    “And to the best of our knowledge, Justice Musa’s ruling has neither been appealed against nor quashed. In other words, Mr. Oshiomhole decided to urinate on the High Court ruling when he said he has dissolved the Daniel Nwafor EXCO and has set up the M.O. Nlemigbo Caretaker Committee. One therefore does not need to be a SAN to know that the National Chairman’s action was null, void and of no effect. It was effort in futility and that is why a contempt charge has been filed against him.

    “We are worried that the elections are around the corner and some people who are expected to know better, are behaving as if they have nothing at stake. Governor Okorocha and APC members in the State will deliver President Muhammadu Buhari and other marketable Candidates of the Party. And the party in the State shall outlive these yahoo folks”.

  • We sold missing Edo sisters for N.5m each, says suspect

    The two sisters, Christabel and Amanda, who were stolen by their father’s tenants in June, 2018 were sold for N500, 000 each.

    They were sold to separate individuals from Port Harcourt and Nnewi in Anambra State.

    Christabel and Amanda, aged four and six, were stolen from Utese village in Ovia North East local government area by two female tenants simply identified as Mercy and Rose.

    Mercy and Rose had spent only three weeks in their rented apartment when they stole the two sisters away after their mother left them in their care.

    One of the suspects who participated in the transportation and sale of the two sisters, Joy Odum, spoke to newsmen when three members of the syndicate were paraded yesterday.

    Other suspects were Ruth Ese aged 58 and Favour Uju aged 45.

    Another suspect, Esther, who helped Rose and Mercy to convey the children to Agbor, is already serving jail term.

    Joy said the stolen sisters stayed with her briefly in Agbor, Delta State before she took them to Ruth based in Onitsha.

    Madam Ruth contacted Favour in Imo State who brought the couples that paid for the children.

    Ruth insisted that the children were still alive and that it was the police job to locate them.

    She said the children were sold to different childless couples.

    Read Also: Edo seeks probe of shooting on New Year’s day

    According to her: “I gave them to this woman (Favour) and she gave them out. The children are alive. One is at Nnewi and the other is at Port Harcourt.

    “The commission I got is N30, 000. The man that said he brought the children from Cotonou sent his account number where the money was paid into.

    “I told the children parents that they are still alive. The police should go and apprehend.”

    Favour said she is a businessmen woman in Owerri and she does not know the location of the children.

    She said she only helped the couple to adopt the stolen children.

    Father of the children, Spark Omokpia, had earlier told our reporter that he would go to the end of the world to recover his daughter.

  • 2019: Okorcha charges the Military on credible polls

    Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha has urged the Military to ensure free and fair election during this year’s poll.

    The Imo governor also called for severe punishment for politicians who clothe hoodlums with Army and Police uniforms during elections.

    He stated that the political thugs who wear the unauthorized uniforms commit heinous crimes during the elections.

    Okorocha gave the charge when the new General Officer Commanding (GOC) the 82 Division of the Nigeria Army, Enugu paid, Major General A. C. Maikobi, him courtesy call Thursday, at the Government House Owerri.

    He noted that “this is the time all hands must be on deck and ensure that the nation’s democracy is saved”.

    According to him, “You have been posted at a critical time in the period of electioneering. We request that the Military should do the needful to ensure free and fair election. I have no doubt that the Army will do the needful by ensuring free conduct of these elections.

    “We are not unmindful of the fact that some unpopular and unpatriotic politicians sow Army, Police and Navy uniforms and give them to touts or hoodlums to use during elections. I urge the Army to start by fishing out these unpatriotic politicians and ensure that they get the kind of punishment they deserve, to help our democracy”.

    He continued that, “One of the major problems we have as a nation is that people who are not chosen by the people are seen holding public offices because they won through backyard backyards. This is the major problem of our democracy. I urge you to correct this aspect of our democracy by ensuring free and fair Poll.

    Read Also: 2019: How Buhari’ll battle Atiku, by APC governors

    “In Imo State, going by public opinion the people already know who will be their governor, Senators, House of Representatives etc. They know all of them by the way they pronounce them and their actions but sometimes it comes to them as a rude shock when somebody they never expected, emerges and the person did so through manipulations. This is a time for all hands to be on deck and ensure that our democracy is saved”.

    He also added that, “We have all agreed that democracy is the best way of government but in this present democracy comes a lot of problems. It brings hatred, gossips, bickering and all forms of evil activities. I want to urge all Nigerians to know that no matter what happens, we are members of this one family called Nigeria and we are duty bound to protect the integrity of Nigeria”.

    In his speech earlier, Major General Maikobi said he had come with his team to inform the governor that he has taken over as the GOC of the 82 Division of the Nigeria Army Enugu and to also inform him that they have flagged off operation Egwueke 3 in the Southeast with their headquarters at Abakiliki, Ebonyi State.

    He said, “For ease of command and administration we have divided the Command into sectors, one in Owerri. The exercise is not aimed at any person or group. Our purpose is to apply every effort within our capacity to checkmate criminals and criminality. We will work in accordance with the law and create an atmosphere of peace within our different localities.

    “Our relationship with the people will be most cordial and the people have nothing to fear as our men have been warned to work according to laid down rules and principles”.

     

  • Respite for Imo communities as FG commissions Erosion site

    Communities in Imo State threatened by Gully Erosion, will soon a sigh of relief following the commissioning of the Obowo/Ihitte Uboma Gully Erosion Control Works in Isiala Mbano Council Area of the State by the Federal Government.

    The Project was commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He said that it is the 16th  Federal Government ecological intervention projects for the fourth quarter of 2017 that were approved by February last year which was awarded by the Ecological Fund Office Tender’s Board (EFOTB) in April last year.

    The President who was represented by the Minister of Technology,  Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, expressed optimism that the project would recover gullied arable land as well as  check flooding and the menace of gully/soil erosion in the communities.

    He lamented the lingering problem of gully erosion in the Southeast part of the country, adding that the intervention of the Federal Government will usher huge relief to the communities which have been grappling with ecological challenges

    According to him, the approval of the project would further consolidate on the gains of giant stride of his administration and demonstrates the sincerity of the APC led administration in the country.

    He expressed optimism that the successful completion of the project would in no small measure improve the living standard of the people of the communities and its environs, adding that it will reduce the dangers posed to lives and properties as a result of the erosion menace.

    Read Also: IGP reverses self, recalls Imo CP

    The President further underscored his administration’s determination to continue with the implementation of all genuine government policies, agreements and contracts at both National and International levels which are aimed at laying a solid foundation for a prosperous nation.

    Welcoming the President, the Senator representing Imo North, Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu,  described the completion of the project as a dream come true.

    He expressed satisfaction that one of his campaign promises made to the people of the area have been fulfilled.

    The Senator  stated that it was  “unfortunate that the PDP administration in the state in the last 16 years actually failed the Okigwe zone by not being able to cite one single project to the zone”.

    According to him some of the roads projects and other projects in Okigwe and in the South East abandoned by the PDP led administration in the country including the railway among others have been reawarded and completed by the President Buhari led APC administration.

  • Okorocha presents N276 billion budget

    Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha on Thursday presented a budget proposal of N276, 818,071,812 for the 2019 fiscal year.

    A breakdown of the budget, showed that a total sum of N214, 641,699,585, representing 77.54% of the total budget was earmarked for capital expenditure, while N62, 176,372, 227, representing 22.46% of the total budget was set aside for recurrent expenditure.

    Presenting the budget tagged ‘Budget of Consolidation and Economic Stability’ , the governor, stated that “with the presentation of the 2019 budget proposal to the House, we have launched the state into the last phase of the Rescue Mission Development Plan”.

    He said that his administration’s commitment to making the state a robust as well as the fastest growing economy in Nigeria is irrevocable, adding that, the 2019 budget provides a realistic platform for the attainment of the state’s development goals under the Rescue Mission State Department Plan”.

    According to the governor, the budget is designed to ensure the completion of all on going projects in the state and improve the economic growth through investment infrastructure.

    He said the budget will consolidate the development efforts of his administration by ensuring prudence and efficiency in the expenditure programmes.

    “It gives hope and practical support to our youth who are key to our prosperous future; it will not only consolidate our development efforts but will ensure prudence and efficiency in our expenditure programmes,” he said.

    He said the budget would focus on urban renewal, efficient health care delivery, women and youth empowerment, health development among others.

  • Osinbajo, South East APC governorship candidates meet in Aso Rock

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday evening met behind closed doors with some All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidates from the South East.
    The meeting, which was held at the Vice President’s office, lasted for about two hours.
    Those at the meeting included the candidate for Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, candidate for Abia State, Uche Ogah, candidate for Enugu State, Ayogu Eze, and candidate for Ebonyi State, Sunny Ogbuoji.

    Read Also: High fertility rate a problem for Nigeria – Osinbajo

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Ayogu Eze said “It is a purely private visit to the Vice President. These are the candidates of the APC in the South East. There is nothing unusual about our coming to confer with our leader. Just a personal visit and we are done.”
    Asked what extra effort they are doing to deliver the South East for APC, he said “The South East is already APC. If you come to the South East, you will know that we don’t need any effort to deliver the South East, the South East is already delivered.”

  • 2019: ‘I will win the governorship election despite Oshiomhole’s betrayal’

    Former Chief of Staff to the Imo State governor Uche Nwosu on Tuesday said that the failure to clinch the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a result of the injustice meted out to him by the National Chairman  of  the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, cannot stop him from winning governorship election under the platform of Action Alliance (AA).

    Nwosu who officially announced his emergence as the governorship  candidate of the AA at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport Owerri, shortly after his arrival from Abuja, disclosed that injustice, impunity, lack of respect for party’s constitution forced him out of APC.

    He stated that the entire APC structure ,except those supporting the senatorial ambition of governor Rochas Okorocha had defected to AA.

    Describing AA as a party with the ideal democratic manifesto, Nwosu added that his ambition to succeed Okorocha was driven by the fact that he enjoys the massive support of over 70 percent of the population of the state electorate .

    He said that AA will corporate with APC to deliver President Muhammadu Buhari, deliver him as the next governor of the state and  Okorocha who is still in APC as a Senator.

    According  to him,  “We are going to work with APC to deliver President Muhammadu Buhari in Imo state. We will deliver governor Rochas Okorocha as senator because AA has no Senatorial candidate in Orlu zone”

    Read Also: My integrity big challenge to the PDP, says Oshiomhole

    He continued that, “I have no problem with President Muhammadu Buhari. The problem is the National chairman of APC. He stole my mandate and administered injustice to many of us in Imo state.

    “It is a divine project and we are ready for the election.It is inter party marriage between AA and APC in Imo state. We  will work with APC to deliver president Muhammadu Buhari, governor Rochas Okorocha, myself and all our candidates”.

    He said that his resolve to defect to AA was to ensure that he respected the wish of the youths of the state who were projecting his governorship ambition.

    Meanwhile, the Chairman of Imo youths Council Hon. Jeff Nwoha, said that thousands of youths of the state had defected to AA to ensure that Nwosu emerged the next governor of the state.

    Nwoha said that the youths would reject any ploy to rig the 2019 governorship election in the state.

    He informed that the youths would work for Okorocha who is the APC candidate for Imo West senatorial district and Buhari.