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Tag: Orji

  • Kalu, Orji, others endorse Tinubu for second term

    Kalu, Orji, others endorse Tinubu for second term

    Former governors of Abia State, Senators Orji Uzor Kalu, Theodore Ahamefula Orji and other political stakeholders in the state have unanimously endorsed the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for second tenure.

    The political leaders made up of political office holders from 1999-2027, known as Team 1999-2007, who met in Umuahia, the state capital, at the Azikiwe residence of former governor Orji also vowed to drag the governor of the state, Dr. Alex Otti to court for running the state from his Isiala Ngwa South local government area residence.

    The political leaders who expanded the team to accommodate those that served the state during Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu said that the lawsuit to be filed against Otti would be to compel him to move to Government House in Umuahia and stop running the affairs of the state from his private home.

    In a nine point communiqué signed by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, chairman; Senator Orji, 1st vice chairman and Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, 2nd vice chairman, and read by the former national chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Ike Oye, members were urged to redouble their efforts and work for the re-election of President Tinubu.

    The team who also commended President Tinubu for appointing ex-Governor Ikpeazu as Ambassador designate, asked aggrieved members to forget the past and forge ahead to work for the growth of the group.

    Speaking earlier, leader of the team, Senator Kalu said the group is a social cultural organisation with the aim of bettering the lots of Abians.

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    “The team has three ex-governors from the three senatorial zones of the state. People have called us names and accused us of doing nothing in the past 24 years, but if nothing was done, will there still be Abians?”

    Describing the team as one family, Kalu urged members to forget the past and work for the future.

    “I created Senator T. A Orji and he created Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, so if there is any difference between them, we are going to resolve that so we can move forward.”

    Senator Orji thanked Senator Kalu and others who attended the meeting, promising they would do everything possible to move the state forward.

    He urged all the members to forget the past and work for the good of the team and the state.

    Former Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Chinedum Orji thanked Kalu for accepting to lead the team and his father, Senator Orji for hosting them.

    He urged all members to close ranks in order to move the group forward and ensure a resounding victory for President Tinubu in 2027.

    Other speakers, including chief Don Ubani, secretary of the Team; Eme Abali MBA and Mrs. Felicia Dimgba, all eulogised Kalu and Orji for the able way they have been piloting the affairs of the group.

    They said it was unfortunate that someone would wake up overnight and boasted he was going to retire them from politics and vowed to resist any of such moves.

  • Orji denies N228.4m fraud allegations, demands apology

    Orji denies N228.4m fraud allegations, demands apology

    Senator Theodore Orji, a former governor of Abia state, has denied involvement in an alleged N228.4m fraud linked to Effdee Nigeria Limited, describing it as a deliberate attempt to smear his reputation.

    Orji was reacting to reports published across media platforms about a Motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before a Federal High Court, Abuja, which was fixed for hearing on May 28.

    A statement on Tuesday from Orji’s liaison office claimed that the report was completely false, baseless and malicious, adding that those who authored it failed to conduct proper fact-check.

    A glaring inaccuracy, according to the statement, was the claim that Senator Orji served as Governor in 2016 and 2017, whereas his tenure ended in May 2015.

    It dismissed as false any associations between Senator Orji and Mr. Uchenna Erondu or Mr. Austin Akuma, stressing that none of the two individuals had any role in his administration.

    Senator Orji further denied any knowledge of, or connection to, Effdee Nigeria Limited – the company wrongly linked to him in the report.

    “This publication is not only false but also maliciously intended to damage Senator Orji’s hard-earned reputation. He is a man known for his integrity and dedication to public service,” the statement read.

    Consequently, Senator Orij demanded a full retraction of the story across all platforms where it was published.

    The EFCC is seeking an order for final forfeiture of the N228.4 million allegedly linked to the former Governor in the suit pending before Justice Emeka Nwite.

    Read Also: Court to hear EFCC‘s motion for final forfeiture of N228.4m linked to ex-Governor Orji

    In a supporting affidavit, the EFCC claimed that the money was a subject of investigation by its operatives, which was found in the possession of a firm, Effdee Nigeria Limited, adding that it was suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

    The EFCC said: “Effdee Nigeria Ltd is alleged to have conspired with others to defraud Abia State Government to wit: conspiracy, abuse of office, obtaining money by false pretense, money laundering and diversion of public funds.

    “Effdee Nigeria Ltd, in whose possession the monies were found, is reasonably suspected to have conspired with Senator Theodore Ahamefule Orji, the former governor of Abia State, some officials in the former governor’s administration and his family members.”

    It stated that the ex-governor and others were being investigated for the allegations following an intelligence report received by the Commission against Orji.

    According to the anti-graft agency, there was the need to preserve the money pending investigation and/or prosecution.

  • Ikpeazu never paid me pension, says Orji

    Ikpeazu never paid me pension, says Orji

    Former Governor of Abia State and the immediate-past Senator who represented Abia Central district in the 9th Senate, Senator Theodore Orji, has denied receiving any dime from Abia State Government as pension since his exit as governor in 2015.

    Senator Orji who spoke to our correspondent through his Liaison Officer, Mr. Ifeanyi Umere in a telephone interview following the assent of the Bill passed by the state Assembly lawmakers, prohibiting former governors and their deputies from receiving pensions, by Governor Alex Otti, said he was never paid pension by his successor, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

    Meanwhile, the immediate past governor of the state, Ikpeazu through his media aide, Onyebuchi Ememanka had said that he had not been receiving pension from his successor, Otti in the last 10 months.

    Though there was no official statement, from the second democratically elected governor of the state and Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, sources close to him claimed that he never received any pension from his successor and Senator Orji, who represented Abia Central Senatorial District in the 9th National Assembly.

    The Bill entitled: “H.A.B 11: The Abia State Governor’s and Deputy Governor’s Pensions Law Repeal Bill 2024,″ was sponsored by the Majority Leader and member representing Arochukwu state constituency, Hon. Okoro Uchenna Kalu.

    Speaking through his former Chief Liaison Officer, Hon. Ifeanyi Umere, Senator Orji, said nobody had paid him any pension as former Governor, adding that he had also never asked for it as a matter of morality since he moved to the Senate immediately after leaving office as Governor.

    He said: “Since T. A Orji left office as governor, he has not received any penny as pension.

    “He transited from Governor to Senate and he made it a point of morality that he would not, and he didn’t ask for any pension or question anybody about it because he is not interested in it.”

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    The former governor, who noted that the House of Assembly has the constitutional powers to review any laws of the state, said he was not part of the scrapped pension law.

    “The House of Assembly has the prerogative to periodically review the laws of the state. It’s in their powers to do so but nobody should link Senator Orji with the said pension law because nobody has paid him any pension after leaving office as Governor.

    “Senator Orji has not received any pension as former Governor, and as a statesman, he has not asked for any. He didn’t receive any pension from Okezie Ikpeazu and he didn’t pay anybody either.”

    Leading the debate on the floor of the House, the Sponsor of the Bill, argued that if passed into law, it would help to reduce the cost of governance.

    According to him, the humongous amount used in paying the former governors and their deputies would have been channeled into other better uses.

    He said that it was not fair for the welfare of the majority of the citizens to be sacrificed on the altar of the comfort of only a few individuals who were already comfortable.

  • Tribunal: Former governor Orji’s son loses case against LP candidate

    Tribunal: Former governor Orji’s son loses case against LP candidate

    The son of the former governor of Abia State and former Abia House of Assembly speaker, Chinedum Orji on Thursday, September 7, lost at the National Assembly election petition tribunal sitting in Umuahia, the Abia state capital.

    Orji lost the Umuahia/Ikwuano federal constituency seat to the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Obi Aguocha of the Labour Party (LP).

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    The three-man panel of the tribunal in its ruling, dismissed the petition by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Orji who was seeking to nullify the electoral victory of Aguocha.

    The three judges of the panel in a unanimous judgment read by Honorable Justice Abubakar Kutigi dismissed Orji’s petition for lack of merit and affirmed Aguocha as the winner of the Ikwuano/Umuahia federal Constituency.

    The former speaker is yet to make an official statement about the outcome of the tribunal judgement.

  • Abia Central: Orji, Nwaogu, Ajaegbu battle for Senate

    Former Abia State Governor Theodore Orji is seeking re-election as senator in Abia Central District on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). His challengers are Senator Nkechi Nwaogu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Chief Chidi Onyeukwu Ajaegbu of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

    Orji, fondly called Ochendo by admirers, hails from Ibeku, in Umuahia North Local Government Area. His opponents are from Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area. During the 2015 elections, Orji won in five local governments. He lost  in Umuahia South Local Council where voters revolted over empowerment programmes that were allegedly hijacked by few political stakeholders.

    Orji was Chief of staff to the former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu between 1999-2007. He succeeded his boss in 2007. He was re-elected as governor in 2011. He was the first governor to go to the Senate in the state. The question is: can he retain his seat in the Upper Chamber?

    Nwaogu is an experienced politician. The Amazon has spent 16 years in the National Assembly. She was a member of the House of Representatives for eight years between 1999 and 2007. She represented Osisioma/Ugwunagbo/Obingwa Constituency. She was also in the Senate for eight years.  before ascending to the senate for another eight years where she represented the people of Abia central senatorial zone of the state.

    The third contender, Ajaegbu, is a former president of the Institute of Charted Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). He has helped many politicians in the state. But, this is the first time he is contesting.

    Many stakeholders believe that Orji has a better chance. But, he cannot afford to sleep on guard. The Abia Central slot is being rotated between Umuahia and Ngwa, which make up the zone. Each bloc has three councils each.

    Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is from Ngwa land. Thus, many feel that there is just no political or moral justification for an Ngwa man to seek re-election as governor and another person from the area to vie for the Senate at the same time. The calculation is that Umuahia should fill the slot to foster equity and sense of belonging.

    According to Umuahia leaders, if an Ngwa person becomes a senator now, it smacks of greed. Also, they believe that they should retain the senatorial seat, considering their contributions to the victory of the governor on 2015, and their avowed commitment to his second term bid. The people of Umuahia people are politically conscious. In their view, since Ngwa cannot surrender the governorship, it is logical that they should produce the senator.

    In 1999, Senator Bob Nwanunnu from Ngwa represented the zone at the Senate. He spent a term. He was succeeded by  Senator Chris Adigje from Umuahia, who also spent a term.  In 2007, Nwaogu from Osisioma, Ngwa became a senator. He broke the second term jinx. That followed defection of Governor Orji Kalu to the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA). It was the consensus of opinion that Nwaogu should be re-elected. In 2015, Umuahia filled the slot. Orji, who is from Ibeku, became the beneficiary.

    Orji handed over to Governor Ikpeazu, thus allowing Ngwa to produce the governor for the first time, in accordance with the Charter of Equity subscribed to by the founding fathers of the state over 20 years ago. The founding fathers believe that there will be peace, unity and cohesion, if the number one seat is rotated among the three senatorial districts. But, what are the achievements of Ochendo in the Senate? To his opponents, he is not fit for second term. But, his supporters disagree, saying that he has an intimidating scorecard. A lawyer, Chief Mike Mbah, alluded to Bill Gate’s remarks, saying: “ As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.”

    Orji has set up a scholarship scheme under which he gives 10 students from each of the six local governments yearly. No fewer than 180 university students have benefitted. He also established an eye clinic in Umuahia where over 670 successful eye surgeries have been performed for glaucoma and cataract patients. It is free of charge. In Osisioma Ngwa, where his opponents come from, Orji has provided six functional bore holes and transformer. He has sponsored a skill acquisition programme, where beneficiaries got N87 million for trading.

    The senator has also renovated many primary and secondary schools in his district. He constructed roads in Ikwuano Local Council and Ameke in Umuahia North Council. He has facilitated electricity projects in Umuahia North, Isiala Ngwa North and Isiala Ngwa South councils.

    The senator has sponsored a bill to make Abia State Polytechnic a federal polytechnic . That bill has been passed at the Senate and is just waiting for the assent of the president.

    Many constituents are rooting for Nwaogu. They believe that she has experience and she understands the procedures at the National Assembly. But, Comrade John Nwachukwu, a political activist from  Isiala Ngwa said: “ Senator Nkechi Nwaogu has no business seeking to be in the Senate again after spending 16 years in the National Assembly. I am an Ngwa man from this zone. Nkechi Nwaogu of the APC and Chief Chidi Ajaegbu of the APGA know the political arrangement of the zone and cannot truncate it.”

    A medical practitioner, Dr. Adamma Igwe, who hails from Umuahia South Local Government Area, said “our people have always shared a common, fair and healthy political relationship with our brothers and sisters. We have allowed them to have the governor and equity demands that an Umuahia goes to the Senate.  Senator Nkechi Nwaogu has to tell the people what she did with the 16 years she spent in the Senate. Until then, she has no business there. How many Nigerians have had such opportunity?”

  • No dividends for NSIA shareholders, says Orji

    Shareholders of Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) will have to make do without dividends for now, its Managing Director, Uche Orji, said.

    Speaking at the weekend during the release of the audited financial results of the Authority for last year, Orji noted that the NSIA decided to step down paying dividends to the shareholders after discussions but will look at paying dividends next year.

    Orji stated that NSIA “considered making profit and paying dividends but will continue to work towards paying dividends.”

    Answering questions from reporters if the shareholders, federal, state and local governments in Nigeria will receive dividend after the release of the 2017 audited results, Orji said the federal, states and local government will be eligible for dividends from the contributions they made. The NSIA he said is “not allowed to pay dividends until after five years of consistent profitability.”

    The NSIA was set up in 2012 as an agency, to build a saving base for the country, enhance development of the nation’s infrastructure and provide stabilization support in times of economic stress.

    The reason for the non-payment of dividends to the shareholders is contained in the highlights of the audited financial results of the Authority.

    The NSIA’s activities and performance during the period include a fall in the total comprehensive income (including the impact of foreign exchange gains) of N27.93 billion (previous year: N149.83 billion); and total comprehensive income (excluding the impact of foreign exchange gains) of N26.28 billion (previous year: N46.24 billion).

    However total Assets recorded a growth of 27 per cent to N533.88 billion at year end (previous year: N 420.93 billion). 68 per cent of asset growth was attributed to National Economic Council (NEC) contribution of $250 million allocated by NEC at the 2016 Governing Council Meeting received in Q3 2017.

     

     

  • Buhari, Ikpeazu, Akeredolu, Aregbesola, Orji, others join Emenike to bury mum

    President Muhammadu Buhari was joined by other eminent politicians from across the country to witness the burial ceremony of the mother of Chief Ikechi Emenike, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State.

    Speaking at the burial ceremony at Umukabia, Umuahia North council area of Abia State, President Buhari said the was need for the country to be united through a handshake across the Niger.

    Buhari noted that Nigeria at this time needs more bridge builders across ethnic, religious and political divides for the country to attain the much desired national cohesion, peace and harmony among the diverse peoples.

    The President, who was represented by the minister of education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, said that there was need for those in political leadership and high in the society to build bridges of understanding and goodwill by using their positions well.

    He explained that he was in Abia because Chief Emenike, who is one of the children of the deceased, “is a bridge builder among us” who has used his endowment and position to help people and make them realise their goals in life.

    President Buhari described Emenike’s mother, Nneoma Helen Egobekee Emenike Uwagbama who passed away at the age of 85 as woman who did not spare the rod as her children were well brought up and helping to mould the society.

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu noted that Mama Emenike lived a good life as exemplified by the quality of her children, adding that the family should immortalise the good virtues of their matriarch.

    Ikpeazu called on them not to deviate from the good training they got from their late mother and consoled them by saying that they should not cry those who do not know Christ as death is an avenue every living being must pass through.

    Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Ondo state said that he was in Abia to testify to the humane character of Chief Emenike, who described as is a man of honour and dignity, while Governor Rotimi Akeredolu urged Emenike to be happy for being alive to bury his mother.

    In his sermon, the Prelate Emeritus, Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence Dr Sunday Mbang, warned politicians against indulging in politics of blackmail.

    Mbang said politicians erroneously believed they could control time only to find out that when it was already late that and urged those who are still living in that delusion to retrace their steps before it is too late.

    The Methodist cleric said: “Today God has asked me to tell you that whatever you plan you have no control over time, as only God knows what tomorrow holds for each and everyone in this world”.

    Chief Emenike, a publisher, development economist and politician, in his funeral speech extolled the life of his late mother, noting that mothers are truly the ones created in the image of God, adding that they go extra mile to ensure the success of their children.

    He descried mothers as the most kindhearted creatures whom God used to make the most sacrifice to see to the upbringing of their children and the welfare of the family.

    Emenike said, “If not for my mother I would have ended up as a roadside mechanic and my senior brother, a roadside panel bearer, our mother insisted and sacrificed to ensure that all her eight children got the best education”.

    The attendance at the funeral defied political colouration, geographical and religious locations as governors, senators, ministers, senior clerics, and captains of industry were among the huge crowd of mourners and sympathisers that attended the funeral ceremony.

    These include Governors Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) and the host governor, Ikpeazu.

    Other high profile personalities that came to condole with the Emenike family were Senators Theodore Orji (Abia Central) Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, former governor of Abia and now minister of science and technology, Chief Timipre Silva, former governor of Bayelsa State and former military president General Ibrahim Babangida, who was represented by Senator Dagash Dangana.

     

  • Ekwueme was a Good, Exemplary Nigerian – Obi, Nwosu, Ogbeh, Orji

    The former Gov. of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi has described the former Vice President, Late Dr. Alex Ekwueme as a good Nigerian, who showed us example through his commitment to Nation- building.

    Obi, who accompanied his mortal remains from U.K yesterday spoke during the brief ceremonies  at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja. Describing Ekwueme as a father, Obi said that “the best way to preserve his memories  is through good governance along his lofty dreams of peace and development anchored on justice and equity, which he pursued with adamantine consistency.”

    Similarly, the former Minister of Health, Prof. ABC Nwosu said that Dr. Ekwueme, until his last breath, remained a thoroughbred professional, focused politician,  committed patriot and worthy statesman. He prayed to God to grant him eternal rest.

    On the part of the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Ekwueme was a true father and a patriot.

    Collaborating the foregoing, the former Governor of Abia State, Senator Theodore Orji described Ekwueme as one politician that had the interest of the country at heart and remained focused and consistent on that.

    The Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh( middle), flanked by fmr Gov. Peter Obi( left), and Fmr. Minister of Health, Prof. ABC Nwosu, during the brief burial ceremonies of Late Dr. Alex Ekwueme at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, yesterday.

     

  • Orji donates 1000 fertilizer cans to farmers

    The Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial Zone , Chief Theodore  Orji,  has donated 1000 cans of fertiliser to farmers in the zone.

    Orji, who is also the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, said the gesture was to improve crops yield.

    Media Assistant to the Senator Don Obinna said  the gesture was in line with eradicating, poverty, hunger and child mortality in the zone.

    He said: “In agriculture, Abia State is 65 per cent farmers when one looks at Isiala-Ngwa North and South that produce enormous pineapple needs of the state. All the six local governments in the state are agrarian, capable of feeding the state and beyond.”

  • Orji donates to motherless kids

    Orji donates to motherless kids

    The immediate past governor of Abia State, who now represents Abia Central at the Senate, Theodore Orji has celebrated his two years as a lawmaker by donating food and other items to various motherless baby’s homes.

    Speaking at his campaign office in Umuahia, Orji who was represented by his state capital liaison officer, Ifeanyi Umere said that he decided to celebrate with the less privileged in the society instead of drinking wine and eating with his friends to enable them have a sense of belonging.

    Orji who gave out empowerment items to some people in his senatorial district said that he intends to ensure that people who are within his reach have something to enable them feed their families.

    He said that one of the beneficiaries, Evans Ihesiaba a blind man wrote to him to help him get back on his feet instead of begging and was given a grinding machine urging him to make proper use of the machine to enable him take care of his family.

    The senator also gave out six grinding machines to the six women leaders of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the six local government areas that make up his senatorial district.

    Orji said that the visit to all the motherless baby’s homes in all the six local government areas that make up the senatorial district will be visited and gift items extended to them to ensure that the children are well taken care of.

    The other recipient of the senator’s gesture was James Idika whose house was gutted by fire and who thanked Orji for coming to his aid and prayed God to always protect him and members of his family.

    Responding after receiving the grinding machine, Ihesiaba said that words are not enough for him to thank the senator, stressing that he had earlier written to him asking a for assistance, “His response was alarming”.

    Ihesiaba said that he had been blind for the past two years as a result of glaucoma which affected his sight, adding that he would like to personally visit the senator at his campaign office to thank him for making him a man again.

    At the Agape Charity Home at Ubakala in Umuahia South, Orji gave them food items such as noodles, salt,a pack of toilet rolls, a bag of cloths, grinding machine and a sewing machine.

    Orji said that they should use the food items to feed the children, while the grinding machine should be used to grind their food items instead of doing so outside their home, while the sewing machine should be used to mend their torn cloths.

    Receiving the items the proprietor of the home, Roselyn Okonkwo-Oyibo thanked the senator for the gifts, adding that he has never neglected them, “This is not the first time he is sending gifts to us, he has always done that in many occasions”.

    Okonkwo-Oyibo said that members of the senator’s family have been doing same at different occasions, stressing that his wife and only daughter have been coming on their own to give them gift items and prayed God to replenish their pockets.

    She said, “Despite the economic recession this wonderful family of Senator Orji still remembers us and one of the materials we are receiving which is the grinding machine is one of the items we desire so much to own, is like they read our minds”.

    The same items were also given to the Daughters of Mary motherless baby’s home at Ahiaeke which were received by Rev mother Angeline Umezurike who noted that the senator has always supported them in all ways.

    Rev mother Umezurike said, “I thank Orji for always remembering us, my wish is to see him personally, please tell him that the babies and all of us here wish to see him in person, he should make out time to come and see us so that we will see him as well”.