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Tag: Obiano

  • Ngige, Obiano share birthday dates

    Ngige, Obiano share birthday dates

    •Duo turn 62, 57 

    Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano and the lawmaker representing Anambra Central, Senator Chris Ngige, share the same birth date.

    The duo turned 62 and 57 on August 8.

    Muslim faithful offered Jumat prayers for Obiano in Awka.

    Ngige, briefing reporters on his 62nd birthday, vowed to continue fighting for Igbo cause.

    He lamented that the leaders at the federal level had derailed from the aspirations of the country’s founding fathers, citing insecurity as an example.

    Obi said: “It is definitely not what I envisaged either and since this is what led me into politics, gentlemen, I shall not rest until I see it in reality.”

    He said he was awaiting the Supreme Court judgment on his governorship petition, adding that after that Nigerians would hear from him.

    His words: “I am not a power-hungry politician and when I aspired to rule Anambra State in 2013, it was not because I wanted to participate in that election but because I knew that Ndi Anambra also knew that I was a candidate to beat.

    “Unfortunately, the election was a sham and I’m in court challenging it. My job at the Senate is now my concern.

    “At 62, I am very grateful to God for sparing my life and granting me the opportunity to see this day. Life has been challenging but when I look back, I feel satisfied that life could not have dealt better with me.”

    Obiano, who appointed Alhaji Haruna Garba (Seriki Hausawa) as his Special Adviser on (Islamic Religion), said the day was not a tea party for him, as he was in the field working.

    Members of the Hausa community from Ihiala, Nnewi, Onitsha among others gathered in Awka to hold a Jumat prayer to celebrate his 57th birthday.

    They stressed the need for peaceful co-existence between Muslims and Christians, who, according to them, were God’s creatures.

    Garba said it was the first time a member of the Hausa community was appointed as a member of the executive council (exco).

  • No Ebola in Anambra—Obiano

    No Ebola in Anambra—Obiano

    Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra, said in Awka  yesterday,  that there was no case of Ebola virus in the state.

    Obiano made the clarification at the 2014 Mothers Summit and the inauguration of Caring Family Enhancement Initiative of Anambra First Lady, Mrs Ebele Obiano.

    Obiano’s statement came against the background of a reported case of the return of the remains of an Ebola victim from Liberia to Anambra.

    “There is no Ebola case in Anambra and by the Grace of God there will never be.

    “The rumour we have concerns one corpse that was brought from one of the West African countries.

    “On our own, we decided to take precaution. We were doing the proper thing to confirm that the corpse has nothing to do with Ebola.

    “As we speak, from preliminary reports we have so far, there is no Ebola incident in Anambra State.

    “I have told the police not to allow any corpse to be brought into Anambra by road or by air if the corpse does not have a certificate confirming the cause of death.

    “Wherever we see a corpse, we stop and find out what killed him/her before going further. It is only a precautionary measure by=a responsible government to protect our people.”

    In his address to the women, he urged them to participate actively in the political process, saying their role was critical to ensuring the nation’s stability and security.

    He also enjoined them to endeavour to obtain the Permanent Voter Cards, which he said, its distribution

    would commence on Aug. 16.

  • Appeal Court upholds Obiano’s election

    Appeal Court upholds Obiano’s election

    The Appeal court in Enugu on Saturday dismissed all the four appeals against the judgment of Anambra Election Tribunal which upheld the election of Willie Obiano as duly elected governor of Anambra State as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The presiding Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, leading four others, while pronouncing the lead judgement on the appeal filed by All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Sen. Chris Ngige, resolved the 11 issues sought against the appellant and subsequently dismissed the appeal for incompetence and lack of merit and awarded N50, 000 cost against the appellant.

    On the second appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate, Tony Nwoye against INEC and Governor Willie Obiano, another member of the panel, Justice Ejembi Eko who the lead judgement, dismissed the appeal for lack of. Merit and awarded N50, 000 cost in favour of the respondent.

    The third appeal filed by PDP suffered the same fate of dismissal as Justice Akeju I. O in his lead judgement awarded N30, 000 cost against appellant.

    On appeal number four filed by Chike Obidigbo of All Progressives Grand Alliance, Justice Tijani Abubakar in his lead judgement dismissed the petition for not being meritorious and awarded N50, 000 cost against the appellant.

    The five man panel were unanimous in the four judgements, thereby affirming the ruling of Justice Ishaq Bello led Anambra Election Petition Tribunal, delivered on 24th June, 2014.

    In a quick reaction, the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh expressed happiness and praised the judiciary, saying over 95 percent of judicial officers have decided to uphold the principle of the law, which the ruling represents.

    “We were not in any doubt that the petitions will be dismissed because our candidate, Chief Willie Obiano won that election with landslide. We also said during the announcement of the result that the election was peaceful and fair,” he said.

    While sympathising with the petitioners, he advised them to congratulate Obiano and join hands with him in developing Anambra which he is already doing.

    He expressed confidence that the party will still win should the appellants decide to approach Supreme court following favourable judgements by the two lower courts.

  • Obiano, Wada move to end crisis

    Obiano, Wada move to end crisis

    Anambra State Governor Chief Willie Obiano and his counterpart from Kogi State Idris Wada have begun talks on how to end the hostilities in the border communities.

    On Monday, the indigenes of Echeno, Odeke in Kogi State stormed Aguleri-otu farm in Anambra State and attacked the people over oil wells.

    Four persons were feared killed and many injured.

    When Obiano visited some of the victims yesterday at Onitsha hospitals, he said the attacks had nothing to do with oil as being alleged, but an aggression by misguided persons.

    He said he had met Wada to find a solution to the crisis.

    Obiano said: “We are working out a comprehensive strategy and modalities to entrench peace and check the excesses of miscreants.”

    He urged Aguleri people to remain calm and not to take the law into their hands.

  • We voted for Obiano because of Obi –Cleric

    We voted for Obiano because of Obi –Cleric

    THE Anglican Bishop of Amichi, Most Rev. Aphrian Ikeakor, has said that voters in Anambra State voted for Governor Willie Obiano in the last election because they believed in former Governor Peter Obi who introduced him. The man of God, who made the remark at the third session of the second Synod of his Diocese at Immanuel Anglican Church, Ekwulumili, said the people had hoped to follow in the footsteps of the former governor. “This may not sound palatable to Your Excellency, but someone must tell our new governor the obvious truth. Your Excellency, Anambrarians did not vote for you, rather they voted for Mr. Peter Obi whose glaring achievements spoke for him, and is still speaking for him. We did not know you and what you stand fir, but trusted that this man that Mr. Peter Obi is confident to present to Anambrarians to succeed him must be a performer.” The cleric reminded the governor that he has four years to prove his mettle, pointing out that Obi achieved so much because he partnered with the church. He prayed for the governor’s success.

  • Court refuses Obiano’s request for stay of proceedings

    Court refuses Obiano’s request for stay of proceedings

    Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja yesterday refused an application by Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano and two others for an indefinite stay of proceedings in a suit challenging his competence to participate in the governorship election.

    Instead, the judge granted a temporary stay, to await the decision of the Court of Appeal on an application of stay of proceedings pending the determination of an appeal filed by a commissioner in Obiano’s administration, Tony Nnacheta.

    Obiano, his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Nnacheta prayed the court for an indefinite stay of proceedings to await the outcome of Nnacheta’s appeal against an earlier ruling by the court.

    They argued that in view of the pending appeal and an application for stay of proceedings, it was ideal for the court not to take further steps in respect of the case but await the decision of the appellate court.

    Nnacheta’s appeal is against the court’s ruling on June 3 refusing his application to be made a co-plaintiff.

    The court hinged its decision on the grounds that Nnacheta was not a necessary party in the case.

    The plaintiff’s lawyer, Chief Abdulrasheed Ajana, objected to the application for stay on the grounds that Nnacheta was not a party in the case and that the court could not stay proceedings in a case on the basis of an appeal by a non-party.

    Justice Mohammed held that in view of an evidence that NNacheta’s appeal had been entered at the appellate court and that there was also a pending application for stay before the court, it was prudent for his court to await the outcome of the application for stay of proceedings before the Court of Appeal.

    He adjourned till July 9 for parties to report the decision of the appellate court on the application for stay of proceedings.

    The plaintiffs, Ugochukwu Ikegwuonu and Keneth Moneke, filed the suit before the governorship election held on November 16 last year, asking the court to disqualify Obiano for being in possession of two voter registration cards.

    Before hearing could begin, Nnacheta, who claimed to have participated in the primaries and lost to Obiano, sought to be added as a plaintiff.

    Ruling on June 3, Justice Mohammed held that the case had nothing to do with APGA’s primary election.

    The judge held that there was “an apparent conflict of interest” between the existing plaintiffs and the party seeking to be joined as a plaintiff.

    “Conflict of interest with the plaintiffs on record is being played out in this suit. A person seeking to be joined as a plaintiff must not have conflicting interests with the plaintiff on record,” he further held.

    Justice Mohammed noted that Nnacheta would become “a strange bedfellow” with the existing plaintiffs if his application to be made a co-plaintiff was granted.

    “I am of the view that the application for joinder, if granted, will only make the plaintiffs strange bedfellows. They are being represented by different counsel and the causes of action or interests are fundamentally different.

    “I find no merit in the application for joinder dated May 6 and same is accordingly dismissed.”

    It is this ruling that Nnacheta appealed and sought an indefinite stay of proceedings pending the outcome of his appeal.

  • ‘Obiano ‘ll win security battle’

    ‘Obiano ‘ll win security battle’

     A prime member of the Peter Obi administration, Chief Dubem Obaze, in this interview with NWANOSIKE ONU, speaks on various issues in Anambra State, including Governor Willie Obiano’s crackdown on criminals and the proposal at the National Conference to scrap the local government councils. Excerpts: 

    Since the end of the Peter Obi administration in which you served as a commissioner, some of your former colleagues returned to the farm. What are you doing now? Do you have a farm?

     I do, (laughs), I am from Ogbaru; we all have farmlands, as a matter of fact, but I am also still helping out politically whenever I can.

    Considering the crises in communities, what should town union  Presidents-General do to ensure peace?

    Well, as you know, I just came back from giving a public lecture to the presidents-general of our communities. Among the things I discussed were peace and security because without peace there will be no progress. I am not the serving commissioner for local government or Special Adviser on town union matters who will be in a better position to know what the issues are on ground. However, my advice, like I told them up there is that, were there is no peace, there can’t be progress, is the same thing for the state, if there is problem in communities in Anambra state, if there is problem in some states in Nigeria, there is problem in Nigeria.

    On the security that Obiano is tackling headlong, what would be done to sustain it?     

    I believe he is going to sustain it. I believe so, because if you know Chief Willie Obiano, you will know that he is somebody that can remain focused for a very long time. He is an accountant, also an auditor. You know auditors have the capacity to look at papers for months and audit them. So, I believe he can sustain that and it is also very important that he does, because that’s the only way he will work.

    During your tenure as commissioner, there was this arrangement with communities to act as an informal fourth tier of government. What informed that idea?

    Well, it was to get development to the grassroots. Everything is local, every development is local but unfortunately our local government areas are not functioning the way they should. When I said that, I mean national and not just in Anambra state, I think we have some of the best ones that are functioning. The whole idea is to take development to the people directly and the local government is the people that have the capacity and capability to do that, because you can’t sit in Awka and know what is happening in all the communities in Anambra state. So, you better be in a deal with the presidents general of these communities who will tell you what is happening there. If you use them to impact that development, it will be more sustainable and the people will have that sense of belonging, especially if they generate projects that government will do for them.

     There appears to be this unhealthy rivalry between town union Presidents-General and traditional rulers. What should be done about this?

    It is urging the presidents-general especially to as much as possible carry the traditional rulers along. If you see most communities where there is peace, there is respect for the traditional rulers there. Then, the traditional rulers will also respect the presidents-general and they will find it very easy to work, for peace and harmony. But the important thing is for both of them to realize that it is for the good of the community; once they don’t personalise it, even if both quarrel, as far as they are working for the progress of the community, there is nothing to worry about. But in most cases, if you look deeply, you will found out that somebody is trying to corner the community’s money or cheat them.

    Why did you choose to partner with the community leaders rather than councilors and local government chairmen?

    We were also working with them through the local governments. But, you will found out that the councilors were not the most experience persons in the community. When you go to Anambra communities, you have retired Architects, Engineers, teachers and journalists, we have all kinds of quality people that are living in the villages and if you can tape into those people, most times they are ten times more experienced than those councilors. So, if you get all of them to work together and get the result then it will bring back the success of Anambra local government system.

    Does the present administration intend to adopt that approach?

    I think with the continuation of the same government, I don’t think Chief Willie Obiano will do any other thing totally different from what Mr. Peter Obi was doing, apart from adding the ones he intends to add, like oil and gas and again in agriculture which is the major thing, but you know agriculture will be very successful because Mr. Peter Obi had done an elaborate network of roads and this is the second stage of it. Also, on security where Obi did the groundwork, Chief Obiano is taking off from where Obi stopped.

    On the proposals at the National Conference that the local government councils be scrapped, what is your take?

    I don’t agree that the local government should be scrapped. It needs strengthening, not scrapping. If you can get quality people to become local government chairmen, there must be some kind of control, supervision and oversight functions. If you take Anambra State, for example, most of the success of Obi’s administration is in our communities: light, water, roads, etc, so if you say you are scraping the local government it does not in any way make any sense.

    Another day, they will be talking about scraping the state and we will have a unitary government. We are talking of bringing government closer to the people here in Anambra. There is a law we are trying to create, a fourth tier of government and if the town unions will actually serve as a fourth tir of government. So, when we are talking of brining government to the people, some people are talking of scraping the ones that are there? Will it be somebody that is Awka that will make decisions about Anambra west? It doesn’t go well or you will be here and know what is happening in Anaocha or Ogbaru? You can’t possibly do it. The man in Anaocha or Ihiala is better equipped to discuss and know what the problems in those areas are and we promptly handle them. If what they need is more funding and if there is need for them to be funded, we will look into it and monitor the project.

    Any regrets as a commissioner?

    I regret nothing. I am only thankful to God for giving me a great opportunity to serve. I have absolutely nothing to regret.

    How were you able to manage town union issues?

    I asked a lot of questions, I listened attentively and calmed down people. Like I said during the lectures, I gave to ASATU members. Most of these problems can be solved with a phone call. It can be solved with a visit, can be solved with my brother, I am sorry. It can also be solved with my son don’t do this again. I told them that they are powerful but it takes a very powerful person to know that you are powerful and not use that power. Peter Obi did a lot of that, that’s why we have peace in Anambra today. He used to get out of the way for other people to pass and I would ask him, Your Excellency why would you do this? And he said, No, I am still the governor, the fact that I left the road for somebody to cross does not stop me from being the governor. It is when they now come to my seat to sit down, that’s when you will know I can fight. But other than that, there is peace is Anambra, he didn’t quarrel with anybody. He left successfully. So, managing those communities then was the matter of listening to them, making phone calls when it is necessary and ensuring that some problems do not escalate into violence.

    You wanted to succeed Obi and all of a sudden, the whole thing changed. What actually transpired?

     (Laughs) Well, you know power belongs to God and He also chooses whoever He wants. That is my take on that. Our party chose Chief Willie Obiano, after all the series of issues and problems and we are thankful to God that He allowed us to have an APGA candidate as governor of Anambra State as a successor of His Excellency Governor Peter Obi. I can assure you that if it wasn’t managed well in the last minute, it would have been another story.

    Victor Umeh or Maxi Okwu, which way do we go?

     I am not competent to comment on that but let me tell you that APGA is one united family, we cannot be separated. You know one time in Imo state they said they had APGA- PDD, APGA – APGA, they have APGA –LABOUR but the unifying factor is that, there was an APGA in all of them. What I see in Anambra state is that, there are some of us, that are APGA at heart and APGA is bigger than any one person, we will stand one united and indivisible party.

     The state governor, Secretary to the State Government and Speaker of the House are from Anambra North; are you comfortable with that?

    Let me tell you that our governor is of course duly elected. The speaker has been the speaker for two years before the current governor was elected and it was not coincidence. Obi was governor for four years (central), Rtd Hon. Anayo Nnebe my good friend was speaker for four years and he is also from central. So, the speaker does not have any problem because she was elected before we knew that governor will come from Anambra north. So, you won’t say because the governor came from North that you are going to throw her away. The SSG who happens to be my elder brother, he was the number three man in the United Nations. He is the most competent administrator we can afford. He took a cut off his 60% to 70% of his salary to serve in Anambra state and if you can get that kind of person, I don’t care where that person comes from, at some point, we must choose competent, integrity and choose quality over quantity. If there is a better person to serve as SSG, is not necessary to start checking if the person is from West, North, South and East. He is the best person for now.

    Has Anambra North senatorial zone been represented very well in the Senate?

     Yes, we have our sister there, Senator Margery Okadigbo. She has done well. However, I believe APGA producing a senator will do a whole lot better. Look at our people in the National Assembly, they are doing fantastically well: Hon. Uche Ekwunife, Hon. Afam Ogene and Chris Azubogu. All of them are doing well, they are serving very well. You can’t say that of other parties that are representing Anambra State. We have fantastic senators in other places like the Senate president, David mark; we thank God we have him at this time. He is helping Mr. President to stabilise things. We have Aminu Tambuwal, a young man doing very well.

    Are you going to contest for the Senate in 2015?

    Am I contesting for senate 2015? (Laughs) You see, such things require a lot of consultation. They require talking to your leaders, the people. The only thing I will tell you is that my party has zoned the senatorial seat to my zone, which is Onitsha and Ogbaru axis.

    Are you under pressure to context?

    I am not under any pressure but I will consult my people first (laughs).

     

  • I wasn’t in Anambra during voters’ register display, says Obiano

    I wasn’t in Anambra during voters’ register display, says Obiano

     With 41 days to the expiration of the 180 days in the petitions against his election last year, Anambra State Governor and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Chief Willie Obiano, returned yesterday to the witnaess box at the State Election Petitions Tribunal.

        It was his third in a week. He sometimes contradicted himself during his cross-examination.

    Obiano testified yesterday in the case filed by Mr Tony Nwoye, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate.

    The tribunal has set aside Friday, May 23 for the adoption of the final addresses in the two petitions, besides the case filed by Senator Chris Ngige and his party,  the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    All the three cases have been consolidated at the hearing.

    Another petition by Dr Chike Obidigbo, an APGA member and claimant to the candidature of the party for the election, is standing alone.

    The tribunal has reserved judgement in the Obidigbo case, after the parties adopted their addresses on Wednesday evening.

    During criss-examination by counsel to APGA, Mr Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), the govenor told the tribunal that he was not in Anambra State during the INEC display of voters’ register.

    Obiano later said he applied for the transfer of his Lagos registration particulars in the office of the Electoral Officer for  Anambra East Local Government Area, Mr Nsofor, at a period which coincided with the time of INEC voters’ display.

    The governor confessed that he signed and thumbprinted Exhibit P.402, which was an application for registration under the CVR programme. Yet, he later claimed that it was his transfer form.

  • Obiano buys gunboat to assist Navy

    Obiano buys gunboat to assist Navy

    Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano yesterday said his government will buy a gunboat for the Nigerian Navy to battle crime in the water ways.

    Governor Obiano made the pledge while reacting to the arrest of an arms dealer and four robbery suspects.

    He hailed the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), led by James Nwafor, for apprehending the gun dealer and arresting some notorious criminals.

    The governor assured of a speedy dispensation of justice, with the establishment of a special court.

    “We can’t afford delay in justice in line with our resolve to sustain comprehensive fight against criminals.’’

    He said the state government would repair grounded naval vessels to enable the Navy secure the waterways, stressing that arms were smuggled through the River Niger.

    Obiano said: “Ndi Anambra shall go home and sleep. The war against criminals will be on throughout my administration. More criminals, drug barons and arms dealers will be arrested and their routes blocked.

    ‘’Criminals must be prosecuted and if convicted, face the penalty. Kidnapping attracts the death penalty. We are going to ensure a speedy trial.”

    Obiano said the war was in the second phase and it involves targeting those who supply arms to criminals and smuggling routes.

    Commissioner of Police Gwary Usman said the command arrested four robbery suspects.

    Usman, while parading them, restated the command’s determination to rid the state of criminals.

    He said the arms dealer, Alphonsus Ngwu, who was arrested, was assisting the police with information.

    The commissioner said the gang, which specialised in snatching vehicles, was arrested in Ajalli, Orumba North with two locally-made pistols, 12 cartridges and charms.

    The police, he said, recovered some of the stolen vehicles.

    The arms dealer admitted that he had been in the business for 15 years.

    One of the robbery suspects, Mr. Uchechukwu Orizu, said he was arrested with his girlfriend and another member of the gang at Isuofia while trying to rob a woman.

  • Obiano swears-in ex-Sun MD, 18 others as commissioners

    Obiano swears-in ex-Sun MD, 18 others as commissioners

    GOVERNOR Willie Obiano of Anambra State yesterday administered the oath of office on 19 Commissioners and 10 Special Advisers earlier cleared by the state House of Assembly to serve in his government. Obiano, while performing the ceremony at the Government House in Awka, said that he demanded 100 percent loyalty from the newlysworn commissioners and special advisers and that anyone found wanting would be relieved of his appointment. The Governor described the new commissioners as some of the finest in Anambra State, and encouraged them to abide by the oath of office they have sworn to, reminding them that Anambra people look forward to their delivering on the four pillars of the administration. The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Anali Chude, who spoke for the newly-sworn-in appointees, pledged to work at the pace of the Governor and not to disappoint him and noted the vigorous effort put in by the Governor to accomplish his task of sifting from the many names available to him and thanked him for finding them worthy. The new commissioners: Anali Chude, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice; Callistus Ilozumba, who served under Governor Peter Obi, retained his portfolio as Commissioner of Works; Mrs. Azuka Enemuo, who also served with Obi, retained her portfolio of Commissioner for Local Government Affairs; Greg I. Obi, Commissioner for Finance, and Prof. Kate Omenugha, former Head of Mass Communication Department at Nnamdi Azikiwe University-Education. Others are: Professor Solomon Chukwulobelu, Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget; Mr. Ifeatu Onyejeme, Commissioner forTrade and Commerce; Dr. Mrs. Vicky Chikwelu, Commissioner for Women Affairs; Chinedu Emeka, who was former Deputy Governor to Chinwoke Mbadinuju, was appointed Commissioner for Public Utilities and Water Resources and Community Development; former Sun newspaper Managing Director, Tony Onyima, Information and Culture; Chief Chukwuma Mbonu, Transport; Chief Evaristus Ubah, Environment; Mrs. Stella Onuora; Lands, Survey and Urban Planning. The list also include: Chief Nnamdi Meko, former Chairman of Nigeria Farmers Association, Anambra State chapter, Agriculture; Obi Nwankwo, Science and Technology; Tony Nnacheta, Sports, Dr. Joseph Akabike, Health; Chief Nobert Obi, Special Duties; Chief Tony Nnachetam, Youth and Sports and Chief Law Chinwuba, Commissioner for Housing.