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  • NLC, TUC petition Ebonyi governor over murder of principal, teacher

    NLC, TUC petition Ebonyi governor over murder of principal, teacher

    The Organized Labour in Ebonyi state has petitioned Governor Francis Nwifuru over the gruesome murder of a principal and a teacher at Nkaleke, Ebonyi LGA by some hoodlums.

    The groups urged the governor to direct security agencies in the state to fish out the perpetrators.

    They made this known during a courtesy call on the governor by the state chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).

    The NLC chairman, Ogugua Egwu, while lamenting the killings called for arrests and prosecution of the killers by security agencies.

    He said: “The quality of life of teachers is poor, their work environments are being threatened by the flamboyance of our nationality, and communities no longer support the safety of teachers.

    “On Friday, 13th October, 2023, we lost two teachers, including a principal. They were gruesomely murdered in the line of duty at Nkaleke, Ebonyi L.G.A.

    “We use this medium to ask you, Sir, to ensure that the security agencies bring the perpetrators to book to serve as a deterrent to other haters of teachers.”

    It was gathered that the killers suspected to be assassins invaded Nkaleke Achara Community Secondary School in the Ebonyi Local government area of Ebonyi State, and shot dead the principal, Simon Ominyi, popularly known as “Osmosis.”

    Read Also: NLC and petrol subsidy protest

    The assailants after pumping bullets into the about 50-year-old principal also murdered a yet-to-be-named teacher in the school.

    The incident caused tension in the area, raising concerns about whether students and teachers would still return to the school.

    The community has been completely deserted as its leaders and stakeholders fled perhaps for fear of further attack or arrest by security agencies.

    Sources in the area said there was no trouble in the community before the gunmen stormed the school in a tricycle and murdered the duo.

    The source disclosed that the miscreants arrived at the school premises as if they were on a genuine mission, and inquired about the principal’s office from someone who led them to a distance before pointing at the office. But shortly after, they began to shoot sporadically.

    He said: “Immediately the assassins found their way into the principal’s office, they commanded the man and his guests from the WAEC office to lie down and Mr Ominyi having sensed the danger, complied without hesitation.

    “But surprisingly, in spite of the principal’s plea and non-resistance to their order, they still shot him to death on the spot.”

    It was further learnt that the gunmen shot another person in the leg and before making away with his motorcycle.

    Police spokesperson in Ebonyi state, Onome Onovwakpoyeya, confirmed the incident.

    She said police have launched an investigation with a view to arresting the killers. 

  • Withdraw appeals against Nwifuru, Ebonyi youths tell APGA, PDP candidates

    Withdraw appeals against Nwifuru, Ebonyi youths tell APGA, PDP candidates

    The youth of Ezza North Local Government of Ebonyi State, under the aegis of Ezza North Youth General Assembly (ENYGA), yesterday called on the governorship candidates of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Bernard Odo and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ifeanyi Odii, to halt further legal actions against Governor Francis Nwifuru.

    Odoh and Odii contested the governorship election in the state on March 20 with Nwifuru, who was declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    They rejected the result and challenged it at the Election Petitions Tribunal, which last month upheld Nwifuru as the winner. They have reportedly appealed the judgment.

    Read Also: Tribunal affirms Nwifuru’s victory

    Odo is from Ezza clan in Ezza North Local Government, Nwifuru is from Izzi clan in Izzi Local Government, while Odii is from Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone.

    However, the youth urged the duo to as a matter of patriotism, retrace their steps by accepting the result of the governorship election and the ruling of the Election Petition Tribunal.

    They made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of their general meeting at Onu Nwode Prinary School, Umuoghara. The youth noted that Odo and Odii fought gallantly during the election and failed.

    They, however, urged them to accept the outcome of the election in the interest of the state, as Nwifuru has demonstrated capacity in leadership by achieving so much in just a few months in office.

    The communiqué was signed by Emeka Nwokporo, president of the youth, Titus Eze, Secretary, Chika Igboke, Legal Adviser and over 20 others.

  • Tribunal affirms Nwifuru’s victory

    Tribunal affirms Nwifuru’s victory

    • Enugu Senate seat: Tribunal strikes out Nnamani’s petition

    Ebonyi State Election Petitions Tribunal has affirmed the election of Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had announced Francis Nwifuru winner of the March 18 poll.

    It also declared Chukwuma Ifeanyi Odii of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as first runner-up and Bernard Odoh of All Progressives Grand Alliancev(APGA) as second runner-up. 

    But both Odii and Odoh and their parties, PDP and APGA, rejected the outcome and vowed to challenge it. 

    They subsequently approached the tribunal seeking the nullification of Nwifuru’s election on the grounds of non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2022 and alleged failure to score the majority of lawful votes cast at the poll.

    In separate petitions, the duo of Odoh and Odii argued that Nwifuru was not qualified to contest the election on the platform of the APC because he was still a member of the PDP.

    However, Nwifuru’s party, the All Progressives Congress, submitted a letter before the tribunal showing that the governor resigned from the PDP while serving as Speaker of the state House of Assembly, and defected to the APC before its primary election.

    Read Also: Afenifere hails tribunal ruling on Atiku, Obi petitions

    In its judgment yesterday, the three-man panel of the tribunal chaired by Justice O. Lekan held that the issue of nomination and sponsorship by a political party, being a pre-election matter, should have been challenged before the Federal High Court before the election.

    The tribunal then declined jurisdiction to entertain the grounds of Nwifuru’s sponsorship by APC, saying it was an internal political party matter.he National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Enugu has struck out a suit filed by Chimaroke Nnamani, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the victory of Senator Kelvin Chukwu of the Labour Party.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Chukwu as the winner of the Enugu East Senatorial District poll after he secured over 69,000 votes to defeat former governor of Enugu State, Nnamani, who got about 49,000 votes.

    However, Nnamani had alleged that the election was marred by over-voting, irregularities, election malpractices and non-compliance with the electoral guidelines.

    He also urged the court to declare him the rightful winner of the election or declare as invalid the results of the election.

    Delivering its ruling yesterday, the tribunal upheld Senator Kelvin Chukwu’s victory.

    It awarded a cost of N500,000 against the petitioners in favour of the three respondents, Kelvin Chukwu, Labour Party and INEC.

    The three-man panel led by Justice Nusirat Umar unanimously dismissed the petition for being vague, lacking in merit, incompetent, generic and an academic exercise.

  • BREAKING: Tribunal affirms Nwifuru’s election as Ebonyi governor

    BREAKING: Tribunal affirms Nwifuru’s election as Ebonyi governor

    The Ebonyi State Election Petitions Tribunal has affirmed the election of Governor Francis Nwifuru.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had announced Francis Nwifuru winner of the poll with 199,131 votes.

    Chukwuma Ifeanyi Odii of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came second with 80,191 votes.

    The election held on March 18, 2023

    But Odii and PDP rejected the outcome and vowed to challenge it. 

    They subsequently approached the Tribunal seeking the nullification of Nwifuru’s election on the grounds of non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2022 and alleged failure to score the majority of lawful votes cast at the guber poll.

    Odii and the PDP legal team argued that the governor was at the time of the election, not qualified to contest the election on the platform of the APC because he was still a member of the People’s Democratic Party.

    However, the Nwifuru’s party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) submitted a letter before the Tribunal showing that the governor resigned from the PDP while serving as speaker of the state House of Assembly, and defected to the APC before its primary election.

    Read Also: UPDATED: Tribunal strikes out APGA, Odoh’s case against Governor Nwifuru

    In its judgment on Wednesday, September 27, the three-man panel of the Tribunal chaired by Justice O. Lekan held that the issue of nomination and sponsorship by a political party, being a pre-election matter, should have been challenged before the Federal High Court before the election.

    The Tribunal then declined jurisdiction to entertain the grounds of Nwifuru’s sponsorship of APC, saying it was an internal political party matter.

    It held: “Membership of a political party is a non justiciable issue.”

    The Tribunal also said it could not overturn a Federal High Court judgment which observed that Nwifuru defected to the APC while serving as a lawmaker, faulting the PDP for not appealing the trial court judgment before now.

    The panel observed that “the petitioners were consistently inconsistent” when they initially contended that Nwifuru was still their member at the time but eventually admitted he had defected to the APC.

    On the PDP’s assertion regarding alleged overvoting, mutilation and inflation of results, the Tribunal observed that the petitioners called 20 witnesses who failed to prove that the disputed polling units results sheets were defective or not stamped in line with relevant laws.

    The Tribunal observed that the petitioners failed to produce the polling unit results given to their polling unit agents as evidence of alleged electoral malpractice.

    “The allegations of the petitioners remains unproven,” Lekan maintained, citing a Supreme Court judgment which states that overvoting can only be proved using the Voters Register, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System report and Form EC8As.

    Subsequently, the panel dismissed the petition, affirming Nwifuru as the duly elected governor of the state.

    The Tribunal had earlier dismissed the petition brought by the All Progressive Grand Alliance(APGA) and its candidate, Bernard Odoh on similar grounds.

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  • BREAKING: Tribunal strikes out APGA, Odoh’s case against Ebonyi Gov Nwifuru

    BREAKING: Tribunal strikes out APGA, Odoh’s case against Ebonyi Gov Nwifuru

    The Ebonyi Election Petitions Tribunal has struck out the petition filed by the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and its governorship candidate, Bernard Odoh against the election of Governor Francis Nwifuru.

    The court ruled that all the requests made by the applicants were pre-election issues and consequently proceeded to dismiss them.

    Read Also: PEPT’s ruling victory for Nigeria – Gov Nwifuru

    The Judgement on the second petition brought by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Ifeanyi Odii against Nwifuru who was the candidate of the All Progressive Congress in the election is ongoing.

    Details shortly…

  • What has Nwifuru done in 100 days?

    What has Nwifuru done in 100 days?

    Correspondent OGOCHUKWU ANIOKE reports that Governor Francis Nwifuru has already won the hearts of the people with his impactful and purposeful leadership

    When Francis Nwifuru was sworn in on May 29, 2023, as the fourth civilian governor of Ebonyi State, the atmosphere was a mixture of uncertainty and high expectations. Uncertainty because though the new governor had made his action plan, codenamed ‘The People’s Charter of Needs’ known to the people, no one knew exactly what to expect from the administration led by a man known for his quiet mien.

    The people were also not sure of how he would fare as governor, having spent the majority of his political life in the legislative arm of government where he rose to become a two-term speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.

    Yet, the people had high expectations from the governor who can be said to have been a student of his predecessor and mentor, David Umahi. So, it was in this atmosphere of mixed feelings that the administration of the youngest governor to ever rule Ebonyi state kicked off.

    Further uncertainty was thrown up when the Ebonyi State Elections Petitions Tribunal was transferred to Abuja based on a petition by the opposition. This meant the governor had to make weekly travels to Abuja to appear before the tribunal where he is facing about two suits challenging his election.

    Despite the distractions, Nwifuru was the first governor among the new Southeast governors to nominate and swear in members of his cabinet ranging from commissioners, Secretary to the State Government (SSG),  principal officers, special advisers, special assistants and others. With this, work kicked off in earnest as the maiden executive council meeting adopted the governor’s manifesto, the People’s Charter of Needs, as a working document signifying his determination to fulfil the promises therein.

    After 100 days, the Nwifuru administration has been characterised by a series of efforts in many sectors; from poverty alleviation to infrastructural development; health and education reforms, job creation, internal security, ease of doing business, etc.

    Sports:

    One of the promises outlined in the manifesto is the formation of a state football team. It is still unbelievable that despite the talents that abound in the state, it has no football team. To this end, the governor quickly approved funds on assumption of office for a football tournament where budding talents would be unearthed and drafted to start a new football team for the state. The tournament is in the final stages at the time of this report.

    Palliatives:

    The governor upon assumption approved the increase of salaries of workers adding N10,000 to their salaries to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal. He also approved the recruitment of 1454 personnel for the state civil and public service to replace vacancies that arose as a result of retirement and resignations.

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    In addition, he approved the payment of arrears of gratuity to retired civil servants from 1996 to 2021 with an implementation cost of over N4.3b.

    Health:

    To improve healthcare delivery, the governor approved the recruitment of 195 health professionals for the state’s general hospitals ranging from doctors, nurses, pharmacies and others. He also approved the establishment of a Public Eye Health Centre to maintain the sound eye health of Ebonyi residents.

    Water:

    The governor also approved funds for the reactivation of the otherwise moribund water schemes leading to the supply of water to the capital city of Abakaliki and its environs after many years of dry taps.

    Road construction:

    In the area of road construction, he awarded contracts, including 4.5km New Mile 50 internal road, which is nearing completion; 41km road from Obubara Junction to Oferekpe; 19km Obvudechi–Iziogo road; 31. 827km Oferekpe–Agbaja road; 12.81km Ishieke Odomoke Ekebiligwe–Isophu–Nworie road; 1.3km Ebonyi Agro Dealers Market road Onuebonyi; Ogboenyi road, off Ndibe Beach road, Afikpo; Itara–Dr.Akanu Ibiam–Oyoyo–Erei Road.

    The governor also approved the construction of 2km of roads in every community in the state in fulfilment of his electioneering campaign promise. He also approved the rehabilitation of Alo Street/Nwele Street/Ezza Road, which is already nearing completion.

    Job creation:

    Governor Nwifuru reactivated the Ebonyi State Small and Medium Micro Credit Scheme and approved the disbursement of over N50m as initial capital as a means of creating jobs. In a bid to reduce the high rate of Ebonyi indigenes doing menial jobs in major cities across the country, the governor quickly set up a team led by two commissioners to locate, document and repatriate them back to the state for empowerment.

    He consequently approved an empowerment package of two million naira each for 1,500 young Ebonyians involved in street hawking and other menial jobs both at home and across the major cities after graduation from skill acquisition and other training programmes to be implemented in three phases.

    The approval, which will cost the state over N3bn, is going to be implemented in three phases of 500 beneficiaries each. The training and subsequent empowerment of the first batch of 500 beneficiaries will commence as soon as all the necessary frameworks are put in place.

    The governor has also set the wheels in motion towards the rehabilitation of the moribund Ebonyi building material factory at Ezzamgbo.

    Housing:

    In the area of housing, the governor commenced the process of erecting 140 low-cost bungalows for the resettlement of displaced persons at Amanze and Izzo communities whereas the second phase of another 140 units of low-cost for Izzi and Abakaliki communities would soon begin.

    Environment:

    The governor inherited a dirty capital city as contractors engaged by the last administration had stopped working at the end of that administration as their contracts had expired. Following his inauguration, he quickly mobilized the Ministry of Environment to immediately clean up the city. He also approved the expansion of the Umuoghara Pulverization Plant to accommodate a recycling component to explore ways of benefiting from the waste-to-wealth potential of the recycled waste.

    Conflict resolution:

    The governor also set up committees made up of reputable individuals to see to a conclusive end to all communal crisis which has bedevilled the state.

    Agriculture:

    Determined to increase the food production of the state, Governor Nwifuru paid N100m counterpart fund to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and distributed 13000 bags of fertilizers to farmers across the state.

    The distribution which cane during the planting season was hailed by farmers who had complained of the rising cost of farm inputs.

    Education:

    In a bid to improve the standard of Ebonyi State University, the governor increased the state government’s monthly subvention to the institution from N150mnto to N200m. He also paid the staff two months’ arrears of salaries and released N300m owed to the university by the previous administration.

    He further approved bursaries for Ebonyi indigenous law school students. He also used his influence to get the Ebonyi State University to approve the payment of school fees by students in instalments.

    With this, the ceaseless agitations in the school by staff have been eradicated.

    Youth, women inclusion:

    The governor equally approved the appointment of Prof Mrs Grace Umezuruike as the first female Secretary to the State Government (SSG). This is in addition to having the first female deputy governor, Mrs. Patricia Obila.

    As a youth himself, the governor made the youths the fulcrum of his administration by appointing over 80% of youths into sensitive positions.

    Airport upgrade:

    The governor commenced the upgrade of the Wilberforce Chuba Okadigbo International Airport, Onueke by engaging the services of experts in runway technologies to perfect the change from concrete to the globally acceptable asphalt runway.

    He has also perfected arrangements towards increased traffic at the airport with United Nigeria Airline set to commence flights twice a week to and fro Abuja and Lagos soon.

    While 100 days is not enough time to gauge the performance of an administration, it however presents a window into what to expect.

    In this regard, the populace feels that they are happy with the steps and direction Nwifuru is steering the state and urges him to continue.

    A public affairs analyst,  Dennis Uzim said the governor has shown signs that he means business and he keeps his words. Uzim praised the governor for awarding road projects particularly the Ogbaga to Nwofe road. He said: “Since I learnt two days back that our dear governor, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru will construct the very dilapidated Ogbaga Road, right from the beginning to Nwofe market in Izzi LGA, my joy has been boundless.

    “I had taken up the issue of that particular road severally with the immediate past administration in the state. At a time, I met the then Commissioner for Works, Ogbonna Obasi Abara who told me the issue was beyond him, though to his credit after the complaint, he carried out some palliative measures on the road but the measures couldn’t stand the heavy trucks that ply the road. When the current governor has finally made good his promise, I will thank him with eight tubers of king-size yams and one sizable goat. Thank God that our governor is a man who walks his talk.”

  • 17,834 jostle for vacant 1,454 Ebonyi Civil Service Jobs

    17,834 jostle for vacant 1,454 Ebonyi Civil Service Jobs

    Following retirements and resignations in the Ebonyi Civil Service, Governor Ogbonnaya Nwifuru has directed the recruitment process to fill vacancies in the state.

    The commissioner for information and state orientation, Jude Okpor, on Thursday, September 21, announced that the state Civil Service Commission has received 17,834 applications from job seekers for the available 1454 vacancies.

    He noted that out of the 17,834 applicants who submitted applications for employment, only 5,352 met the requirement of submitting Original Certificates, with their applications while the rest submitted their statements of results.

    Okpor said the council resolved to uphold the submission of Original Certificates criteria for eligibility for shortlisting with a provision that opportunities should be given to those who did not attach their certificates but are able to provide theirs before the screening date.

    He explained that Governor Francis Nwifuru who is the Chairman of the executive council emphasized that the recruitment should be merit-based so as to give all applicants equal opportunity to compete for the job.

    Read Also: Police arrest two-man car theft syndicate in Ebonyi

    He noted that the council has urged the Civil Service Commission to fast-track the recruitment process to ensure that the exercise was concluded as soon as possible.

    On payment of gratuity to retired civil servants in the state, the commissioner revealed that the council approved the immediate commencement of payment.

    He said the payment will commence from September 21, 2023, with a release of the sum of N3,851,763,617.65.

    He noted: “EXCO had earlier received a preliminary report on this matter during which the sum of about N4.3 billion was earmarked for the exercise.

    “However, following the actual compilation and computation by the Gratuity Committee and other relevant organs of government with actual available data, it was found out that the total of eligible beneficiaries (retirees) at present is 1,715 which amounted to the approved sum at the council deliberations.

    Okpor disclosed that the council received a report on the state of Ebonyi State Pulverization Plant at Okposi Umuoghara in Ezza North Local Government Area of the state and approved that a brand new Recycling Machine be sourced for installation at the plant to achieve the Waste-to-Wealth vision of the state

    The commissioner stated: “Council further directed the Commissioner for Environment to liaise with his counterpart of Capital City Development to draw a waste management solution to effectively address indiscriminate waste disposal in the state capital and bring it to the next EXCO meeting for consideration.

    “The report of the Committee on the State’s Fertilizer and Chemical Plant at Onuebonyi was read and adopted by Council. Chairman of the Council in background information, explained the genesis of the crises at the plant which was based on the former General Manager’s refusal to leave office even when the past Governor dissolved all the appointees. An audit panel of the office of the Auditor General further indicted him for financial impropriety.

    “Other issues which emanated from his unprofessional conduct necessitated the setting up of the committee on 11th September, inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Grace Umezuruike.

    “Part of the findings of the Committee as readout is that the suspended General Manager used his private company for procuring equipment and materials for the fertilizer plant with government fund which was not properly accounted for.

    He stated: “The following recommendations, among others, were made that the matter be referred to the state Attorney General for further action. That the government should charge the embattled former GM for using the State storage facility for his private company.

    “That the Board of Directors should be properly constituted for proper supervision of the company.

    “That other matters of criminality and shoddy transactions by the former GM should be referred to the police for proper investigation.

    “The Committee concluded that the former GM did not comply with the code of conduct for public officers in his transactions in the company, and such conduct should be followed with the recommended process of public probe. The Council after deliberations deferred further action on the report to the next EXCO meeting.” 

  • PEPT’s ruling victory for Nigeria – Gov Nwifuru

    PEPT’s ruling victory for Nigeria – Gov Nwifuru

    Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has described the verdict  of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal as victory for all Nigerians.

    The Governor expressed gratitude to the Nigerian judiciary for standing firm in defence of democracy by ensuring that right decisions were taken at the presidential election petition tribunal.

    A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Monday Uzor quoted the governor as noting that with the judgement, the President and his team will now remain more focused in the task of offering quality service to the country.

    Nwifuru further urged other political parties to close ranks with the president in the interest of the nation.

    “I wish to once again reaffirm my confidence on the nation’s judiciary who has remained unbiased on issues  that will promote peace in the country.  

    Read Also: Lawan congratulates Tinubu, Shettima over tribunal victory

    “The landmark judgement as delivered today by the presidential election petition tribunal has vindicated our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) which has continued to earn the admiration of Nigerians through people’s oriented policies and programmes”, he said.

    The Governor congratulated President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for the reaffirmation of his landslide victory in the last presidential election and his steadfastness in fulfilling his electoral promises to the people.

    “From all indications the last presidential election was one of the most credible in the history of democracy in the country, therefore, Nigerians should put aside party sentiments and work with  the president for the progress of the country.”

    The Governor gave an assurance that his administration will remain committed to offering quality leadership to the people in line with the manifesto of the party.

  • ‘Accept defeat, withdraw petition against Nwifuru’

    ‘Accept defeat, withdraw petition against Nwifuru’

    Youths of Ezza North Local Government of Ebonyi State, under the aegis of Ezza North Youth General Assembly (ENYGA), yesterday called on the governorship candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prof. Bernard Odo, to withdraw his petition against Governor Francis Nwifuru.

    Odo contested the governorship election on March 18 with Nwifuru, who was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Odo is from Ezza clan in Ezza North Council, while Nwifuru is from Izzi clan in Izzi Local Government.

    Read Also: Guber poll: Bayelsa voters vow to stop rigging, ensure credibility

    The youth urged him, to as a matter of patriotism, retrace his steps by accepting the result of the governorship election.

    In a communiqué issued at the end of their general meeting in Achiegu, the headquarters of the local government, the youth noted that Odo fought gallantly during the election and failed.

    They urged him to accept the outcome of the election because of the bond between Ezza and Izzi people, instead of challenging the outcome in court.

    The communiqué was signed by Emeka Nwokporo, president of the youth, Titus Eze, Secretary and over 20 others.