The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Obiano

  • Between Obiano and Obaze

    Presently the reigning vibes in the Anambra State political terrain is this ear-boozing song – godfatherism. Most Anambrarians believe that the governor, Willie Obiano is evidently so desperate to clinch a second term berth that his followers, who are thinning by the day, are catching at straws like the proverbial drowning man.

    From the saying that the former governor, Peter Obi was demanding N7 billion from the incumbent governor as the money spent while the ‘godfather’ (Obi) installed Obiano to the fairy-tale that Obi left APGA on his own for pursuit of federal appointment, down to the fact that he betrayed APGA by leaving the party, and on to such concocted tales – all in efforts to make Obi abandon any interest in Anambra State politics of 2017.

    But Obi, even though not interested in responding or exchanging words with them amidst very tempting provocations, decided to cut across their ice by getting deeply involved with same election. Their disappointment could be felt, seen and even touched as the brazen accusations of all sorts of conjecture at very evident maligning could not debar the ex-governor from assisting in ridding his dear state of what many perceive as aliens in power.

    Right from when primaries were getting closer and hotter, Governor Obiano’s cronies were busy shouting, attempting to sow seeds of crisis into the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP just because it was then clear that former Secretary to the State Government, Oseloka Obaze was not only a strong contender but also being supported by Obi. From under table intrigues of clandestine nature to open rascality like arranging a handful of paid protesters in Onitsha, the Obiano camp went agog with what many call debasing politics of open blackmail and outright lies masked in propaganda.

    But recently, they seem to have settled on godfatherism. Their deep-like-the-ocean undercards yielded no fruits as Obaze cornered the PDP candidacy in flying colours. It then became very glaring to the Obiano camp that the man they dreaded most, even from the very day of handover, is poised to rock their boat. So they went wild with this new godfatherism chant. They force a move back to history by resurrecting the Dr. Mbadinuju days with Sir Emeka Offor, the Senator Chris Ngige days with Chief Chris Uba to mean godfatherism should not be allowed again in Anambra State.

    But they forget to bring in the king of them all – the late Eze Igbogburugburu, Dim Emeka Ojukwu. Wasn’t he Obi’s godfather? What about Obi himself? Wasn’t he Governor Obiano’s godfather?

    Let’s face it – Obiano himself confessed he was swimming in his pool when he was called home to govern. He was provided even the air ticket to fly home to that call. In all we hear about godfatherism, none has been as completely domineering in execution like the one Obi did for Obiano.

    Today, let’s agree that Obi is Obaze’s godfathe. As Secretary to the State Government (SSG) for three years, at least he inherited official cars he’s still using. He’s conveniently taking care of himself and family. He’s made enough savings as a very prudent man to purchase his own nomination and declaration of interest forms. He’s been funding his campaign team. In his fleet were vehicles he personally bought to boost his campaigns. His posters, literature, handbills, various meetings must have been sponsored by the man.

    If Obi was Obiano’s godfather, did Obi one day arm-twist his godson? When this godson and the other godfather, the former national chairman of the party, demanded for Obi to leave the party, didn’t Obi leave immediately? If there’s any truth in this propaganda-gone-sour, why didn’t Obi insist on being paid this sum before he left in the true ways of the godfather Obiano and his cronies want ndi Anambra to believe Obi represents? And the bold question should be – what manner of godfather would leave his godson’s party if indeed his interest hovered around recouping his campaign fund?

    But looking at the man Peter Obi, which state in Nigeria would not truly wish he was a godfather in anointing any governor? Can a good husband be a bad man? Not likely. Obi, in eight years of governing Anambra State developed all parts of Anambra via ANIDS. Poverty Alleviation; Education; Health; Security; Agriculture; Road Infrastructure; Public Utilities; Water; Judiciary; Housing; etc. – Obi scored first in all these. He brought the state to enviable positions in all departments that for once, ndiAnambra sang in unison that he was God-sent.

    What was Obi’s secret of performance? Professionals say it’s prudence and I can’t agree more. Obi is so prudent that they christened him Aka Gum. Yes, he aka-gummed Anambra’s scarce resources that he was able to give real governance to the masses. That’s why they love him….they shout Okwuteee anywhere they see him.. They still love the only real governor they’ve ever known… Ndi Anambra’s dream of another governor like their Okwute once more. If indeed he is a godfather to Obaze, it is to the latter’s huge credit. For if 20% would have voted for Obaze while standing alone, 80% would vote for same man with Peter Obi standing beside him. This is a huge advantage other candidates don’t have.

    This is the major set-back the other godson lacks that is driving his camp crazy. This is why they are lying to and cajoling ndi Anambra to reject godfatherism. There are godfathers and there are godfathers. Peter Obi is one godfather ndi Anambra will welcome with open arms. Already majority are saying – if Obi tells us to vote for Obaze we will gladly do so.

    Anywhere in Anambra, every of the 177 communities have more than one reason to welcome Obi with genuine love. He’s built schools, constructed roads, built hospitals and health centres, provided amenities, boosted industries, and provided poverty alleviation via agriculture and SMEs, and many others. Such a man should be called back to be a godfather any time. Because today, the hawks are back in governance. What the poor masses see is governance of enriching private pockets and denying the poor masses, despite being cripplingly overtaxed immediately Obi left. What they are seeing is a government where the only finished projects are located in one community – Aguleri, with its completed 35 roads and on-going stadium.

    The masses will want the Obi days to return. They are happy that Obi is interested in bringing those days back by being actively involved. In fact, they were afraid that since Obiano disappointed in continuing with good governance that Obi would abandon Anambra. But they now know how much their Okwute loves them. They will do everything to see those great days back.

    Love him or hate him, Peter Obi is one person great majority of ndi Anambra will welcome wholeheartedly as a godfather.

     

    • Akosa wrote in from Onitsha. 
  • ‘I am not product of gang up against Obiano’

    ‘I am not product of gang up against Obiano’

    Ochudo Martin Agbaso of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) spoke to reporters in Lagos on the party’s crisis. He claimed that Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, entered into an agreement to do just one term in office. Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu reports

    A lot has been said about recent developments in APGA, but is it true that after 2007 governorship election, you abdicated and abandoned your stakes in APGA?

    You don’t have your records right. After 2007, I was in court for four years fighting the injustice that was meted to me. And when the case finally came to an end at the Supreme Court, I helped APGA win election in 2011, when we won two seats to the National Assembly, both at the senate and congressional levels and won the governorship by defeating an incumbent. So, it is not true that I left in 2007, and abdication is not the right word because it is not a throne.

    But there is this report that Governor Rochas Okorocha bargained with you in 2011 to contest the governorship on APGA ticket?

    He did not approach me to cede whatever rights. In fact, what people don’t know, but which I have started discussing in the last few days, is that my battle with Rochas (Governor Okorocha) for the heart and soul of APGA in Imo State, our governorship tussle at the primary, were the fiercest political battle I had ever overcome in my career; because, it was violent, it was just crazy.

    It was towards the end of that tussle that we now relied on the National Working Committee to decide on whose list of delegates should be upheld. Because, basically, he came into APGA and had some people compromised against me; I am synonymous with APGA. He came in from Action Alliance or whatever party; they gave him a line up. So, the issue was whose list of delegates was NWC going to approve? The only time I accepted to work with him was when Victor Umeh told me that Rochas has compromised all the members of the NWC from Imo North, and we have twelve local government councils in Orlu zone out of the 27. Umeh said all the 12 chairmen from Orlu had been compromised, in addition to a few other key people that (Umaru) Shinkafi brought, had been compromised; that the best bet was for me to make peace with him (Okorocha). I told him I wanted us to fight all the way, but he (Umeh) said it was not necessary. Of course, at that time a lot of water had gone under the bridge. Umeh now brokered “the peace” that put Rochas on the slot for four years. He (Okorocha) was to be governor for four years and hand over to me after the first four years. I was to provide the deputy and in my turn, he would provide the deputy. Again, I was to use my structure; this is in an agreement and I can avail you a copy; and also provide funding. That after four years, he also would provide the structure and funding to help me become governor.

    That was the agreement. And we had just two hours to decide on that because at that point we were speaking at about 1.00pm and the NWC meeting that was going to determine our fate was holding by 4pm. So, by the time we had finished the preliminary discussions, I had two hours. I consulted with two or three stakeholders within my (campaign) organisation and people that I knew very well, as well as, my family. Everybody’s attitude was, leave this whole thing and just walk away; it is not worth it, you can see that people you relied on have betrayed you. That Umeh in particular has betrayed you, because what he is telling you that others were compromised, he was the key person that was compromised. As National Chairman, he would have over-ruled those other persons. But, in any case, I have deep-rooted affection for APGA. I said if I walk away, APGA will lose the election, rather let us go and fight. That was what happened. And of course, there was no pecuniary considerations, no money exchanged hands. If anything, I was the one that spent money; I brought the money that was invested in the campaign and the structure.

    Are you suggesting that Governor Okorocha left APGA just to dishonour the agreement he entered into with you?

    I cannot speak for Rochas, but all I know is that from the day one that we reached that agreement, his motives were less than honorable. I don’t think he wanted to keep that agreement.

    Was that also why he caused the impeachment of your younger brother as his former deputy?

    Absolutely! My younger brother worked very well with him, never did anything wrong; they were best of friends. But, because of the agreements that we had, he needed to find a reason to walk away from the agreement.

    What happened to the money in question at that time?

    Well by my training I don’t chase shadows. What was important for me then was to prove to the world that as an Agbaso, my brother will not take bribe, an Agbaso stands firm. I needed to prove that to the world that my brother had nothing to do with the (alleged) bribe money. Of course, I hired forensic auditors who investigated the matter and the money was traced to another person and in Lebanon and Dubai. The records are still there and I can avail you of a copy. It is in the public domain, all over the place and on the internet. The issue should have been how come the authorities never did anything about Imo State money they discovered in Dubai and Lebanon in HSBC bank accounts?

    Is the current crisis in APGA not related to your nomination? 

    What happened in 2004 between Victor Umeh and Chekwas Okorie was completely different. Umeh took two members of NWC and concocted a meeting that they had sacked Chekwas and took over. APGA constitution is that when you suspend a National Chairman, the next in line from the same zone automatically takes over. Umeh was the National Treasurer and Maxi Okwu, the Deputy National Chairman (South). He (Okwu) would have been the next in command, but they out-maneuvered him. Of course, he was not from Anambra State, that was the reason given at that time and he played into their hands. It is a totally different thing. In my case, Oye convened a meeting of the NWC on his own and members of the NWC- I was not a member of NWC- tendered a 13-point charge against him, some of them bordering on criminality, selling nomination forms on cash basis and never reported it to the party. Those issues are being investigated now. So, those are the things his fellow NWC members raised and he could not defend himself. A seven man disciplinary committee was set up to find out from him why he did what was alleged and they affirmed the charges, saying that his answers were not satisfactory. And they suspended him from office, alongside his two deputies, who were his cohorts in that case, because he was running the party as a personal enterprise. So, when he was not leaving the office and still parading himself as national chairman, the NWC, under the leadership of Ozo Nwabueze Okafor, took him to court. They asked the High Court in Abuja, incidentally same Court, where Chekwas and Umeh’s case was thrashed; to order Oye to stop parading himself as chairman and vacate the office. He refused to do that on the grounds that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter. The court ruled that it had jurisdiction and he appealed against that ruling. The appeal has been adjourned to December 14, 2017. Now it was at that point that these gentlemen started exerting pressures in search of someone with enough muscle, character and capacity to turn APGA into a national party, because APGA as a national party cannot be controlled by a small cabal who are just using it as a meal ticket led by Victor Umeh. So they pleaded with me to join the battle to save APGA.

    When they suspended Oye, Ozo Nwabueze Okafor, who was National Vice Chairman, from Enugu State, took over and nominated me as Acting Deputy National Chairman. Unfortunately, on January 8, 2017, Ozo Nwabueze died. We buried him. After his funeral and all that, naturally, as nature abhors a vacuum, on January 30, 2017, I accepted the position of Acting National Chairman. We compiled all these records and sent to INEC. Having waited one week, two weeks, one month and INEC was not reacting, APGA and all its chieftains in Enugu, where this thing happened, went to court, asking the honourable court to determine if due process was followed to arrive at the point where Agbaso is now our Acting National Chairman, and if we acted according to the guidelines and constitution of APGA? We went back and forth and the court, on May 22, 2017, issued an order of mandamus, which is a mandatory order, compelling INEC to recognise me as the authentic Acting National Chairman of APGA.

    INEC and police appealed the matter naturally, and Oye applied to join as an interested party. At the second sitting, INEC withdrew, followed by police through a motion that being a party affair, they had no interest in the matter. Oye now prayed the court to vacate or stay that order. When you stay an order, it means stop the execution. The court weighed the merits of the application and aligned with the decision of the lower court, by affirming that the court took very competent action. That is where we are.

    Are you not a product of gang up against Governor Willie Obiano’s second term?

    If you know my antecedents, I have no time for that kind of thing. I am a beneficiary of God’s mercies; why should I go plotting for another person’s downfall? All I am looking forward to is a way to ensure that APGA becomes a truly national party that will observe internal democracy and run the party the way it should be run, so that it becomes an all-inclusive party and all those who were aggrieved could return. We have lost about 90 percent of our membership and I want to bring them back. People like Peter Obi, Senator Uche Ekwunife; we lost four members of House of Representatives in one day, because of poor leadership. We need to bring all those people back. And we cannot keep running around Anambra. We have to win positions in South-East, South-South and we need to get into the North and Western Nigeria and win positions. In each of the 774 local government councils, if you remove the indigenes, the next in population are Igbo. So, there is no way we cannot take advantage of that mass of people, for the benefit of the party. That is what we are trying to do. I have no interest in vilifying anybody.

    What do you want to do differently in APGA? 

    First of all, all these arguments, skirmishes, law cases and all, I believe will come to an end very soon because there is nothing that has beginning that doesn’t end. APGA has history. These are all strangers. This Oye only got his party membership card the day he was nominated for chairmanship. That day, Victor Umeh wrote it. His party card was not signed by his ward chairman or secretary. It was signed by Victor Umeh, who issued him with the card at the convention ground. There are many people who witnessed that, not just two or three persons. They are living witnesses. So, technically, he (Oye) has only been in APGA for fourteen months before he was suspended. The day he became National Chairman was the day they issued him membership card. So when a character like that talks about Martin Agbaso being a stranger in APGA, it is laughable: a man that has contributed immense financial and human resource into APGA, a man who is synonymous with APGA and won the first congressional seat for APGA in 2003. In 2007, I got elected in the freest and fairest governorship election in this country, but it was canceled and I suffered because of APGA for four years. In 2011, I won for APGA through a proxy, when Okorocha came in, one senatorial seat, through Chris Anyanwu and others. Then here is a man who has never brought one vote for APGA so far, talking about Martin Agbaso being a stranger. Look at Labaran Maku, a character from nowhere, whose tenure in APGA is less than two years. So, technically, apart from these strangers who don’t have the DNA of APGA, who don’t even know how APGA was founded, who don’t know the vision of APGA, we would have closed ranks already, in the old APGA fashion. But, going forward, my assignment when we are through with Anambra election is to carry our message of hope to Nigerians. Look for Nigerians that are completely disenchanted; and there are quite a lot of people you find in that category, who are looking for good governance, who want due process, access to infrastructure, good education, good health; who want windows of opportunities to be opened for their children. Those are the people, who are naturally APGA. And it doesn’t matter what part of this country you are coming from, once you are in that category, you are an APGA. That is the platform we are bringing so that we can have a healthy country, a robust country, where opportunities abound, where it wouldn’t matter where you come from, as long as, you are a Nigerian, you enjoy clear equal opportunity whether you are man or woman. That is the vision of APGA and that is the message we would be taking throughout the country in the coming months.

  • Obiano to provide ambulances in 543 health centres

    Obiano to provide ambulances in 543 health centres

    Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano yesterday said he would provide 543 tricycle ambulances to 543 Primary Health-care Centres.

    The governor spoke while giving cheques in support of mission hospitals at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka.

    Obiano said the tricycle ambulances would help improve primary health care services, especially during emergencies in hard-to-reach areas.

    “The ambulances will assist in emergencies and this is part of my commitment towards quality health care services in Anambra,’’ he said.

    The governor said he would build nurses’ quarters in primary health care centres.

    Obiano said his administration was working on 63 health centres, nearing completion.

    He pledged to provide  ‘’medical tools equipment, vehicles, conducive and clean environment to enhance efficient and smooth operations ,” he said.

    The governor said the state would commence payment of allowances to nurses in remote areas to motivate them.

    “We divided health sector intervention into three; upgrading health infrastructure, ensuring the comfort of patients and training/retraining of health workers and welfare,” he said.

    He also said the funds distributed to missions were part of efforts at supporting them as major players in the health revolution initiative.

    The governor said the state Health Insurance Scheme (SHIS) would soon take effect, explaining that the scheme will address the challenge facing effective health care delivery.

  • Filmmaker throws weight behind Obiano

    US-based filmmaker, Odera Ozoka, has thrown his weight behind the re-election bid of Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State.

    Ozoka, who’s currently in the country scouting location for his upcoming film on Biafra titled ‘A Forgotten Place,’ says that his decision to back the incumbent governor is based on the latter’s populist programmes in the state.

    Ozoka was the guest speaker at the recently held Youth Stakeholder gathering for Obiano’s re-election campaign in Awka.

    The event which drew over 2, 000 youths from across the Local Government Areas in Anambra was a medium for the Harvard-educated filmmaker to voice his support for youth empowerment and engagement into politics.

    He urged the government to open more avenues for entrepreneurial youths to flourish in the state.

    He also spoke with Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu about his upcoming film project which focuses on the Biafran civil war.

    The award-winning filmmaker also had a session with the Deputy Governor of the state, Nkem Okeke, on arts and culture in Anambra, and his film company’s devotion to developing local talents and culture across the state.

    Odera, who won an Africa Movie Academy Award back in 2010 for his first feature film, Soul Diaspora, is a Hollywood based-Nigerian film maker.

     

  • Anambra: APGA picks Obiano as candidate for Nov.18 guber poll

    Anambra: APGA picks Obiano as candidate for Nov.18 guber poll

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on Tuesday elected Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra as its candidate for that state’s governorship poll slated for Nov. 18.

    Obiano scored 1,070 “yes” votes to emerge the candidate in the race he contested unopposed in Awka.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that accreditation and voting by delegates from the 326 wards in the 21 local governments commenced at 11.30 a.m. and ended at 3:45 p.m.

    Obiano was presented the certificate of return at 5:55 p.m.

    Alhaji Sani Shinkafi, Chairman of the congress, who announced the result, said that a total of 1,092 delegates were accredited for the exercise.

    He said that Obiano received 1,070 yes votes, with 11 persons voting against him, while 11 votes were declared invalid.

    “With the declaration of the result, APGA now has a governorship candidate for the Nov. 18 election; we expect him to start his campaign immediately,” he said.

    In his acceptance speech, Obiano thanked the delegates for endorsing his candidature and promised to step up development of the state, if given a fresh mandate.

    He announced the retention of Anambra deputy governor Nkem Okeke as running mate, and urged the people to support his candidature to ensure continuity.

    Chief Victor Umeh, Chairman, Obiano Governorship Campaign Team, thanked APGA for entrusting the ticket to Obiano, saying that the campaigns would start “immediately”. (NAN)

  • Why Obiano deserves second term, by APGA chair

    Why Obiano deserves second term, by APGA chair

    Norbert Obi is the Anambra State Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). He spoke with reporters in Awka, the state capital, on about the governorship election and Governor Willie Obiano’s chance at the poll.

    What is your assessment of Governor W illy Obiano’s performance in office?

    I will start by thanking the governor for making APGA faithful proud in Nigeria and the world at large. To be honest with you, APGA members are sincerely proud of Governor Obiano’s performance in office, The governor has performed excellently well beyond the expectation of Ndi-Anambra electorate. Governor Obiano has truthfully justified the confidence reposed in him by Ndi-Anambra. What we are witnessing in Anambra is a fulfillment of the biblical statement that says “When the righteous is on the throne, the people rejoice”. Governor Obiano came into office prepared to use his private sector wealth of experience and innovative ideas to deliver dividends of good governance to the good people of Anambra State.

    He started with security and succeeded in tackling insecurity in our State and the resultant effect of his well-fought war against insecurity is that Anambra Is now secured and being referred to as the safest state in Nigeria. Governor Obiano’s successful war against insecurity turned Anambra to investor’s best choice of destination. In ail honesty, Governor Obiano has succeeded in attracting life-changing investments to Anambra State and this is to the benefit of our people because it provided job for our teeming youths. Governor Obiano is a man that believes that action speaks louder than words hence the reason why all sectors of governance are beneficiaries of his administration developmental strides, Ndi-Anambra has never had it so good like this. As at today, 130 communities have completed their 20 million naira community project and that is the 1s phase of the project, they are now on the 2nd phase of the community projects.

    What are other achievement?

    On road sector, it might also interest you to know that many road projects have been completed by this administration, starting from inherited projects and the newly initiated projects of this administration. In Anambra north, work is seriously ongoing at the 42km Aguleri Otu-Enugu Otu-Oil rig road with a bridge that has already crossed Omambala River. This project will help to address the issue of the disputed ownership of the oil discovered in Anambra because in the past non availability of bridge at the Omambala river forced our people to be accessing the Enudu-Otu oil rig through Enugu State, but as we speak today, you will just drive down to Aguleri, cross the Omambala river with your car and drive straight to Enugu-otu oil rig through Eziagulu-Otu Aguleri. So that 42km Eziagulu Otu – Enugu-Otu oil rig road is an enviable legacy project of Obiano’s administration. In that same Anambra north, Governor Obiano’s administration is constructing a 7km road with another bridge that has already crossed Omambala River. You will agree with me that Omambala axis in Anambra State is an agrarian and water logged area, so for that reason, major road projects around that area especially Anambra East, Anambra West and Ayamelum must have a bridge that will cross the Omambala river. The people of Anambra West are happy with the lyiora and Mmiata Anam road projects that were initiated by the truly working Governor Obiano’s administration. Major works are ongoing at Nando- junction-Onitsha- Aguleri-Adani road, it is a 7km road project that was awarded by Obiano’s administration.

    The people of Ayamelum Local Government are also beneficiaries of Governor Obiano’s administration dividends of good governance delivery. We have Coched farm rice producing company attracted by Governor Obiano to Ayamelum and it provided job opportunities for Ayamelum people. Works are ongoing on the access road that linked Umueje to Aguleri-Otu oil rig road. If you come to Anambra central, Obiano administration used the construction of the already completed Awka flyover to beautify Awka as Anambra Capital City. All you need to do is to enter Awka at night and you will behold the irresistible beauty of the city staring you at your face. Neni to Nkpuota- Adazi Anl road project awarded by Obiano’s administration has been completed, the Nnokwa – Ichida road project is ongoing. Works are also ongoing at the Oba-Onitsha, Owerri international market road with a bridge. That one is another legacy project of Obiano’s administration. We now move to Anambra South senatorial zone because I am reeling out his achievements in the three Senatorial zones of Anambra State. In Anambra South, works are seriously ongoing   at the 7km Nnewi   urban   roads,   namely,   Onwuzulike Okonkwo road and Francis Maduka road. The Ekwulobia – Ezmifite road project that was awarded in July 2013 by Mr. Peter Obi’s administration has been completed by Governor Obiano’s administration, work is ongoing at St. Peter University-Achina- Onneh road project, the project was awarded by Governor Obiano’s administration in 2016. Serious works are also ongoing at the Z7km Amansea- Ndiukwuenu-Awa- Ufuma road with 2 bridges. The Ukpor-Umunuko-Nza Ozubulu 16km road project is on going. So when you hear people saying Willie is working that is the reality on ground in Anambra State. God used Governor Obiano to bless Ndi Anambra at this point in time that our nation is passing through unbearable economic challenges.

    Opposition party leaders said that they will destroy the Awka flyover project when they take over power in the state because the project is substandard and causing obstruction at the Awka Federal highway.

    That is what you hear from irresponsible opposition party leaders .The person that made that reckless statement is Chris Ngige and that is to say that Anambra ARC has nothing to offer Ndi Anambra except destruction. I remember vividly that Nigeria Society of Engineers gave the Awka flyover projects a standard certification and they also certified it okay for commuters use. Just recently an APC Lagos based activist took a swipe on Anambra APC leaders for the armchair criticism and irresponsible opposition politics they are playing in our State. He did this in a full page article published at the back page of daily Sun. He went as far as declaring his support for Governor Obiano’s 2nd term bid, Responsible opposition party leaders keeps the ruling government on its toes with constructive criticism. But what we are hearing and getting from Anambra opposition leaders is a well orchestrated blackmail and armchair criticism. They are playing irresponsible opposition politics in Anambra State and Ndi-Anambra are now aware that they have nothing good to offer them. What they do is threatening Ndi Anambra on how they will deploy Federal might to conquer the stale of which Ndi-Anambra are already prepared to resist such devilish plot vehemently with the last drop of their blood because even God said in the bible that ‘when you resist the devil, he will flee from you’. That is what we are going to do to APC and PDP in the forthcoming 18th November 2017 governorship election. Anybody threatening to destroy the 3 flyovers constructed by Obiano’s administration at Awka does not mean well for Ndi-Anambra and Ndi Anambra will use their voting power to stop such evil plan. Tile truth is that Anambra opposition party leaders are confused set of people. Governor Obiano’s administration good works plunged them into confusion and they don’t have any other thing meaningful to say against our working Governor and that is the reason behind their resort to unguarded and reckless utterances.

    Anarnbra APC secured a judgment from the Awka High Court ordering the state government to conduct local government elections. What is your reaction to the court judgment?

    That is to say that there is separation of powers in Anambra State. I gave Governor Obiano kudos for giving Anambra judiciary the needed free hand to perform their duties. APGA government in Anambra State is not against the conduct of local government election. The government will conduct the election at the appropriate time. Election at any level is capital intensive and requires careful planning. ANSIEC has just been reconstituted. The State Government will prepare a budget which will be sent to the House of Assembly and as soon as the election budget is approved and signed into law Local Government election will be conducted. Many states in our Country today are battling to pay salaries not to talk of democracy dividends delivery. But here in Anambra, Governor Obiano is paying salaries and at the same time delivering dividends of good governance to Ndi Anambra.

    What is your view on the APGA leadership crisis?

    There is no leadership crisis In APGA because the authentic APGA leader is His Excellency Chief Dr. Willie Obiano and Ozo Victor Oye remains our indefatigable national chairman. Usurpers will not be allowed to hijack the office of APGA national chairman. What I want you to know is that Undemocratic forces are plotting to use a well orchestrated devilish plot to disorganize our party ahead of the November 18th Governorship election, but they have failed because APGA will remain one united and indivisible party under the firm leadership of Governor Obiano and Ozo Victor Oye. What is that APGA will clinch a landside victory in the forthcoming governorship election. Ndi Anambra are in love with AGPA because our government is delivering dividends of good governance for them.

    What is your view on the ongoing voters registration?

    I will advise INEC to improve on the exercise. A situation were 1000 people will converge at their local government headquarters to be registered and INEC staffs will tell them that they are only permitted to register 50 people per day is unacceptable. Our people are now eager to get their voters card for the exercise of their democratic franchise and they must be encouraged and not discouraged to do so. People expectation on INEC is high and my prayer is for them to live up to that expectation for the survival and deepening of our nascent democracy.

    APGA   just   concluded   membership revalidation exercise. What is your reaction to the exercise?

    The turn out was very impressive. Our members are happy with the exercise. The exercise also afforded those that want to join our party the opportunity to do so. One thing you should know is that our people are in love with APGA and they are proving it with the undiluted support they are giving to the administration of our best labour and pensioners friendly Governor in Nigeria award winner, His Excellency Chief Dr. Willie Obiano. The membership revalidation exercise started well and ended in praises. As far as I am concerned, the membership revalidation exercise is a sign of more good things to come for APGA and Ndi Anambra that have kept faith with our party.

    The factional National Chairman of APGA is planning to conduct a primary. What is your reaction to this development?

    Point of correction, we don’t have factions in our party. As I said earlier, we only have one leadership of APGA ably led by Ozo Victor Oye. Martin Agbaso and his cohorts are not members of APGA. We don’t know them as card carrying members of APGA, they are impostors. Having said this, I will also use this medium to debunk the claim of Martin Agbaso that the court of Appeal gave judgment in his favour. The appeal in Enugu Division of Court of Appeal is still ongoing and judgment has not been delivered on the substantive matter.

     

  • Buhari writes Obiano, Lamido

    President Muhammadu Buhari has written to condole with Anambra State Goveror Willie Obiano over the killings in church last Sunday in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area.

    He also wrote to condole with former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido over the dath of his daughter Hadiza.

    The letter to Obiano was a follow up to the telephone call made to the governor.

    A statememt by Senior Specuial Assiatant to the President on media and publicity Mallam Garba Shehu yesterday, said Buhari described the Ozubulu killings as “shocking and cowardly attack on worshippers” in St. Philips Catholic Church.

    Accordin to the statement,the president in the letter signed and sent on Tuesday, said “to attack and kill defenceless people while worshipping is the most heinous of all crimes. The nation is one at deploring this monstrous crime.

    “Please convey to the families and friends of those killed, my condolences for this utterly dastardly crime. Please also convey my considerations and sympathies to the people of Ekwusigo local government area for this tragic attack.

    In a similar letter of condolence to Lamido, President Buhari said he was shocked to to learn about the death of his daughter, Hajiya Hadiza Sule Lamido, his daughter.

    In the letter bearing his signature, the President requested the former Governor to “please convey to your family members, friends, friends and associates of the deceased my sympathies. May Almighty Allah forgive her and may He forgive us when our time comes.”

  • Obiano gets N12.5m birthday gift for APGA nomination form

    Obiano gets N12.5m birthday gift for APGA nomination form

    •Governor picks form in Abuja

    Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano yesterday got a surprise gift from the Willie Obiano Support Group and others.

    They presented the governor N12.5 million to buy the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) nomination form for his second term bid.

    The governor was 62 yesterday.

    A statement by the National Co-ordinator, APGA Media Warriors Forum, Evang. Chinedu Obigwe, said: “A highly elated Governor Obiano thanked them for the gift and promised not to disappoint them. It is a known fact that Governor Obiano has been endorsed by different groups to contest the November 18th election. Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ Council opened the floodgate of endorsement for the governor, followed by Anambra State Association of Town unions, Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and many other professional groups.”

    The statement added: “The reason behind the endorsement garnered by Governor Obiano is his provable performance in office that is acknowledged by keen watchers of events in Anambra State since he assumed the state mantle of leadership.”

    Obiano was in Abuja yesterday to receive the Anambra   nomination form from the party’s National Organising Secretary, Michael Kento.

  • ‘Agbaso’s plot against Obiano will fail’

    NATIONAL Co-ordinator of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Media Warriors Forum, Evang Chinedu Obigwe, has accused a factional leader of the party, Chief Martin Agbaso, of plotting to frustrate the re-election of Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano.

    Obigwe, in a statement yesterday, said the plot would fail.

    His statement reads: “It is now obvious Martin Agbaso and his cohorts are being used by disgruntled politicians to overheat the polity in APGA and Anambra State. His claim of Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, validating his factional and disputed leadership of APGA is pathological lies that lacks an iota of truth. I humbly challenge him to publish his acclaimed Court of Appeal judgment in national newspapers the same way the Victor Oye-led leadership of APGA published the Nnewi High Court Judgment that restrained him from parading himself as APGA national chairman and from conducting primary election for the November 18 governorship election.

    “Failure to publish his constantly  referred Court of Appeal judgment that is in his favour will serve as an evidential proof to Nigerians that he is an impostor and usurper scheming to reap where he did not sow.

    “May I humbly advise him to desist from flouting the Nnewi and Awka High Court judgment that restrained him from parading as APGA national chairman. APGA faithful are advised in their own interest to prepare for the forthcoming primary election with Victor Oye- led leadership released timetable and disregard the the confusionist antics of  Agbaso and his cohorts.”

  • Agbaso: No automatic ticket for Obiano

    Agbaso: No automatic ticket for Obiano

    Chief Martin Agbaso is the Acting National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). In this interview with TONY AKOWE, he speaks on the leadership crisis in the party, which may affect its preparations for the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State.

    Recently, you held a meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and it is believed that the meeting had to do with your party. What is the outcome of that meeting?

    As you are all aware, the High Court in Enugu under Justice Ozoemena on May 22, 2017 gave an Order of  Mandamus, compelling INEC to recognise me as the Acting National Chairman of APGA. When that order was given, a letter was duly written by our lawyers compiling a compendium of what transpired in the court and sent to the INEC.

    Prior to that time, on October 5, 2016, the National Working Committee (NWC) had suspended Dr Victor Ike Oye, then National Chairman of APGA, for various offences he did not have answers to. In accordance with the party constitution, a seven-man committee was set up to investigate the matter. But, all efforts by the committee to meet with him to address most of the issues proved abortive. APGA took the matter to court in Abuja asking INEC and the police to stop Oye from parading himself as the national chairman of the party. Oye petitioned that the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the matter. The court ruled that it had validly dealt with APGA matters in the past, adding that it is in the same court that Victor Umeh and Chekwas Okorie’s case was decided. Oye challenged the decision of the lower court at the Appeal Court which was adjourned to December 14 this year. Shortly after the case was instituted, the then acting national chairman, Ozo Nwabueze Okafor took ill with colon cancer, and eventually died on January 8 this year. In accordance with the constitution of the  party, I became the acting national chairman. Before then, I was the Acting Deputy National Chairman. Under APGA constitution, with the demise or suspension or expulsion of the national chairman, the next highest officer from the zone he came from replaces him. That was what I did. All these documents were sent to INEC for information and recognition. After waiting for over one month for INEC to react without hearing from it, the APGA vice chairman in Enugu where I was nominated as the acting national chairman went to court in Enugu, praying the Court to compel INEC to recognise me since we had  given INEC the documentations of the series of meetings and the party processes we followed to arrive at nominating me the acting national chairman. The court went through all the paper works and the processes before issuing the Order of Mandamus asking INEC to recognise me immediately. It also ordered the police and the IGP to do same. We expected to get reactions from INEC within 48 hours, but unfortunately it never reacted. In the mean time, the parties had gone to the Court of Appeal in Enugu to vacate that Order of Mandamus, the court sat on July 10 and upheld the order of the lower court which compelled INEC to further recognise me. It is those documents from the  rulings that we finally took to the INEC headquarters to do the needful. The good thing is that we had very  fruitful meeting with INEC. But I don’t want to pre-empt the action the Commission will take. I want to emphasise that I am very satisfied with the meeting. We will wait to see what action INEC will take in the next couple of days. However, INEC does not have to give us a letter since an order of the court has been given. Our action is just to put INEC on notice.

    What is the arrangement for the party’s primary and congresses or will you give automatic ticket to Governor  Obiano?

    We have issued 21-day notice to INEC for the conduct of our party primary and congresses scheduled for August 17 and I can assure you that we are ready to kick-start the processes leading up to the Anambra governorship election. The speculation of a plot to stop Governor Obiano is absolute rubbish. How can we plot against a governor who has done very well, a governor we are all proud of? There is no truth to such rumour and propaganda. Asking whether we will give automatic ticket to the incumbent governor is a question I cannot deal with now. However, all I can tell you is that our party will showcase internal democracy. That question was an unfair one. Confirming that the party will give the governor automatic ticket means that we will be very unfair to other five to seven aspirants contesting for the position. All we can do is to ensure internal democracy. However, when you have a sitting governor who has done very well, there is nothing to worry about on whether he will be nominated again. Let me add that the dreams and visions of the founding fathers of APGA is to build a party that will give impetus to those that don’t have the opportunity to partake in the governance of this country and to also take advantage of the widespread Igbo residence in other ethnic groups. We want the downtrodden and the very poor in the society to look up to APGA as a party full of opportunities, a party to fulfil the yearnings of the people and provide good governance. These exactly are the vision of the party for the country. What has happened so far in Anambra with the governors under APGA really met the vision of the party. The eight years of Peter Obi set Anambra miles away from other governments in the region with physical responsibility which saved much money. The governor embarked on the provision of infrastructure, rebuilt the education sector, overhauled hospitals, created due process in every aspect of governance and made governance open.  He ensured level playing grounds for those who have the capacity to perform. In reality, it was eight years of successful administration. We have now had three and half years of Obiano who has continued with the template set up by the Peter Obi administration. He has equally done reasonably well. Anambra under APGA is a model case for other states in the southern regions. APGA has no fear in the forthcoming Anambra governorship election because it will be a testimonial for the good work the party has done. Given the fact that APGA has done well in Anambra State, we have so much to take to the electorate and expect that the party will sweep the votes by November.

    How would you describe your relationship with Obiano and other major stakeholders in the party?

    APGA has become a major institution, yet Nigerians have continued to talk about individuals. We are still struggling to build an institution which should last beyond and above individuals. We cannot be talking about Victor Umeh for instance whose tenure expired after serving as the party’s national chairman for almost 10 years.

    APGA as an institution remains strong and my responsibility is to make it stronger when I leave in the next four  years or so. What should be our concern should be what the institution stands for, the template we have offered to the people, opportunities we created, how we put Nigeria back to work and how we can restore the confidence Nigerians had in the country.

    Do you regret making Rochas the governor of Imo State?

    By my nature as a Christian and as a catholic, I always put most of my actions before God. I won’t tell you whether  I regretted any action I took in making Rochas the governor because at the time I took the decision, it was the best. Some people have expressed disappointed that I supported an Orlu man instead of an Owerri man. But the reality was that no Owerri man informed me of his interest to contest. I stand to be challenged. Rochas was the only person who asked for my support in a most humble manner.

    How do you intend to restore the confidence of your supporters, especially your state chairman, who has declared loyalty to the Oye faction of the party?

    I want to remind you that each time a man’s position is threatened, he fights fiercely. It is the situation facing my state chairman because he must have seen the tsunami coming to blow his position away. I am not going to join issues with him because I was very instrumental to that seat he is occupying now including paying for the office complex and the furnishing. However, I am not coming to sack anybody but to heal and unite the people. I don’t hold any animosity or anger against him because I know he will change soon. Anybody still in doubt whether my people are solidly with me should refer to the reception accorded me in Owerri recently.

    What is your assessment of the threat from other political parties over the November 18 governorship election?

    I don’t see the challenge from other political parties as threat because there is no state in Nigeria where the incumbent is allowed to contest election alone. Candidates must jostle for political positions during elections. Again, you know that Anambra is a very dynamic state, full of many people with the capacity and eminently qualified to contest. However, what is going to stand out is each person’s antecedents. I want to add that APGA has done incredibly well with Peter Obi laying a solid foundation.

    The country is still in recession and the government has made several promises to take the country out of recession very soon. How do you think this can best be achieved.

    We are a country of over 170 million people. We need over 17 million skilled persons to drive an economy of this size. Unfortunately, we don’t have up to one million skilled persons in medical science, ICT, commence and industry in this country. Our education is in comatose. These are the concerns of APGA as a party. We must do something to improve the curriculum we teach our children and the level of encouragement and remunerations we give to our teachers. It is true that people still die of malaria in this country, a disease that can be cured with just N1000. This means that there are people who stand between them and death because their lives are not worth N800. We have 65 per cent of Nigerians operating under zero economy, meaning a situation where a man does not have N1000 income in a month. To come out of recession, we must begin to look at our receivables and payables. How much is our income, what do we have to spend to run government, provide infrastructure and how to block the huge gap created by our reliance on oil and oil related transactions. Government must quickly look for ways and means of generating additional income to cushion the effect of the income and expenditure gap. Yes, the first approach would be to tighten the loose ends and leakages in the system. But we must find a way of earning additional income. We have to also add value to those other avenues of earning income so that we can create jobs that will lead to disposable income. When many have disposable incomes, consumer confidence will rise. There will be capacity to buy and be able to pay. We must understand that it is a cycle that keeps recreating and regenerating money. We must have skilled young, dynamic, proactive workforce to create the wealth. We have many gifted young Nigerians. Look at what is happening at the computer village and job centres like Aba, Ibadan among others where young Nigerians are creating all manners of technological-driven businesses. There is no magic or shortcut to our coming out of recession other than doing the right things and taking the right decisions. Government must cut the fats in the expenditures like blotted salaries, allowances among others which we can no longer afford. We must also look into contract pricing for roads, bridges to save cost.