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Tag: Rochas Okorocha

  • APC governors to FG: Strengthen security operatives

    APC governors to FG: Strengthen security operatives

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) under the auspice of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), on Thursday urged the Federal Government to strengthen the capacity of the security operatives to counter terrorism.

    PGF Chairman, Governor Rochas Okorocha, in a statement expressed condolence to the families of those killed and injured in Tuesday’s explosions in Jos, Plateau State.

    He said, “We urge the Federal Government to strengthen the capacity of our security services and provide all the equipment and resources that our officers and men in the frontline need to become an effective fighting force and to carry out counterterrorism operations.

    “Similarly, we call on the Federal Government to recognize that terrorism has never been defeated anywhere by sheer force alone; all avenues must be explored to ensure the safety of the lives and property of all Nigerians; this is the minimum requirement of government.”

    The governors noted that the blast which occurred just three days after a similar attack in Kano marked a significant escalation in the senseless attacks on Nigerians and an affront on the Nigerian state.

    Okorocha said that it is apparent that the attacks were intended to cause as much carnage as possible and also increase mutual suspicion among people of different faiths and ethnicity.

    Charging the citizenry to remain steadfast, the governors said, “We urge Nigerians to stand firm and not relent to the antic of terrorists who seek to return us to the dark ages.”

  • Editors to FG: Don’t play politics with security

    Editors to FG: Don’t play politics with security

    THE Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) yesterday advised the Federal Government not to further politicise the security challenges confronting the nation but collaborate with all Nigerians to put an end to the Boko Haram insurgency.

    The group spoke in Owerri, the Imo State capital during its Standing Committee meeting.

    Its President, Femi Adesina, urged the Federal Government to step up actions to end the current security challenges in the country.

    Adesina told journalists at the Government House that “the tardiness of the Federal Government in handling the abduction of the female students in Chibok was because it was blaming the All Progressives Congress (APC) instead of talking of rescuing the girls.”

    In his response, Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha maintained that Nigerians should come together irrespective of political or religious inclination to fight terrorism.

  • Okorocha promises state burial

    Okorocha promises state burial

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday assured that the state government will organise a befitting burial for the late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.

    Okorocha, who visited the Oguta home of the jurist with members of the State Executive Council, said he would meet with the family to agree on the burial date.

    The governor could not hide his grief on the passing on of the retired Supreme Court Justice.

    He said then late Justice Oputa was a rare gem, with a wealth of knowledge and a life worthy of emulation through his dedication to duty, discipline, hard work and honesty.

    These, Okorocha said, earned for him various positions and appellations.

    The governor assured that the state government would play major role in the burial, which would be announced later.

    A member of the Oputa family, Nkem, who received the governor, thanked him for the visit, despite his tight schedule.

    Those who accompanied Okorocha duirng the visit included Deputy Governor Eze Madumere and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Anthony Anwuka.

  • ‘Okorocha has conquered political godfathers, says commissioner

    ‘Okorocha has conquered political godfathers, says commissioner

    Imo State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Theo Ekechi, said yesterday that Governor Rochas Okorocha had conquered political godfatherism and returned power to the people.

    He said the era of a cabal running the state like a private estate at the detriment of the people was gone, adding that Okorocha had transformed the psyche of the people that power belonged to them.

    Speaking during an interaction with select reporters in his office, the commissioner said: “Those political leaders who saw themselves as kingmakers, have been subdued by Governor Okorocha. They now know that power belongs to the people. Today, Imo people are seen and treated as stakeholders.”

    According to him, Okorocha had demystified governance and the office of the governor; making the people realise that they should have access to the leaders they gave power to represent them.

    “The greatest achievement of Governor Okorocha as the head of the Rescue Mission is that he has transformed the political psyche of the indigenes to know that power belongs to the people and comes from the people.

    “He has also demystified governance and the office of the governor as an institution. He has proved that those in power are not spirits or super humans, but ordinary people like us, who are given power, which belongs to the people. As a result, the people who gave them the power should have access to those in power. He has also galvanised the people to know the true meaning of democracy,” Ekechi said.

    He noted that Okorocha had also put in place, infrastructures, which had made the state conducive for investments, adding: “Imo is now secure for people to come in, invest and take advantage of the tourism potential.”

  • ‘Imo PDP aspirants should be issue-based’

    ‘Imo PDP aspirants should be issue-based’

    Governorship aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State have been urged to be issue-based, instead of dropping the name of Governor Rochas Okorocha on the pages of newspapers.

    The Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Governor, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, in a statement, advised the aspirants and other PDP chieftains to concentrate on laundering the battered image of their party, instead of attacking a man, who had endeared himself to the people through his programmes.

    He said Okorocha was not the problem of PDP in Imo, but its inability to justify the mandate given it by the people for 12 years.

    The aide said: “It is correct to allude that the problem of Imo PDP is not Governor Okorocha, but the indigenes, who are yet to reconcile with the party for fooling them. PDP chieftains should reconcile with the Imo people, instead of wasting their energy by casting aspersions on a performing governor.

    “PDP ruled Imo for 12 years. APC will also rule for 12 years, after which the indigenes will look at the scorecards of the two parties, rate them and pick the one to continue governance. The decision is that of Imo people and not Okorocha’s or PDP’s.

    “It is equally important to tell those insinuating that the Federal Government or the Presidency will come here and force somebody on Imo people as the governor to drop such an unpopular idea because it will not work. The indigenes will not allow that to happen.

    “Any party, which cannot secure victory through the ballot boxes, should not participate in the poll, because a winner must emerge through this process. That is the truth.”

  • Okorocha charges Heartland to reclaim lost glory

    Okorocha charges Heartland to reclaim lost glory

    GOV. Rochas Okorocha of Imo on Sunday tasked Heartland FC of Owerri to put in more efforts this season to reclaim its lost glory.

    Okorocha gave the charge at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri during an interactive section with reporters journalists after the club 1-1 drew with Dolphins FC of Port-Harcourt. He said the draw was a good beginning for the club but that three points would have placed them in a greater advantage.

    “This is a home match and the first game of the season. I expected noting less than winning the game but since it ended that way, they have to put in more efforts in subsequent games.”

    The governor urged the technical crew not to relent but to strive harder in making the state proud.

    The Chief Coach of the club, Ramson Madu, said the players were wonderful on the pitch but were unlucky not to have won the game.

    Madu observed that Heartland lost many chances that would have given them victory, assuring that more efforts would be made in subsequent matches. He commended the referees, stating that the game was balanced.

    A Heartland supporter, Jude Ibe, who expressed dissatisfaction over the draw, said that the players should have won the match with all the incentives given to them by the State Government.

    The Media Officer of the club, Cajethan Nkwopara, urged supporters to remain optimistic about the club. Nkwopara said that some of the players were new to the club and that they needed little time to adapt.

  • Fraud allegation rocks Imo Assembly

    Fraud allegation rocks Imo Assembly

    •Speaker’s aide indicted in phoney contracts

    •Allegation debunked

    A Former aide to the Imo State Speaker, Mr. Samuelson Iwuoha, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of fraud allegedly perpetrated by the Office of the Speaker, Mr. Benjamin Uwajumogu.

    Iwuoha, who until his resignation was the special assistant to the speaker on Media, said he wrote Governor Rochas Okorocha to compel the House leadership to set up a panel to probe the allegations he levelled against the Office of the Speaker.

    The ex-aide alleged that an official in the Speaker’s office awarded road contracts on behalf of the government to inexperienced contractors and signed contract papers for contractors, who had abandoned their jobs, to facilitate payments for contracts that were not executed.

    He also alleged that close aides of the Speaker were awarded juicy contracts, which they abandoned after collecting payments. Iwuoha said over 120 people were recruited as the Speaker’s personal staff, against the approved number.

    According to him, a certain percentage of their salary was deducted illegally by the official.

    The media aide to the Speaker, Mr. Emeka Ahaneku, debunked the allegation, saying: “It is common knowledge that the Houses of Assembly in the country, Imo Assembly inclusive, do not have budgets and as such cannot afford to fund contracts. So how can an institution, which cannot fund contracts, give out road contracts in a state where the Works Ministry is active?”

     

  • ‘Anyanwu’s exit good riddance to bad rubbish’

    ‘Anyanwu’s exit good riddance to bad rubbish’

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Imo State chapter, dismissed yesterday as deceitful and ridiculous, the claim by the lawmaker representing Imo East, Senator Chris Anyanwu that she returned to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 27 council party chairmen and 17 members of its state working committee.

    APGA’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Tony Mgbeahuruike, said the senator left the party with only her campaign structure from the nine local governments in Owerri zone and not 27 local government party chairmen as she claimed during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally organised to receive her and other returnees.

    Mgbeahuruike, who described her exit as good riddance to bad rubbish, said she did not add value to APGA while she was a member.

    He said: “It is fallacious for Senator Anyanwu to claim that she was compelled to quit APGA due to its crisis. The party is intact. APGA is the only democratic party in the country, which believes in the rule of law. APGA, Imo State branch, is intact. Why should a distinguished senator indulge in falsehood and deceit?”

    On whether the party would take a legal action against the lawmaker to reclaim the mandate given her, Mgbeahuruike said: “We are a law-abiding party. We believe in the rule of law. Her case will be handled in the same manner we handled that of Governor Rochas Okorocha. Although hers is worse than Okorocha’s.”

     

  • 2015: PDP’s new calculation in Imo

    2015: PDP’s new calculation in Imo

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has held a rally to welcome defectors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Owerri, capital of Imo State. Correspondent KINGSLEY NDIDI examines the implications of the defection for the ruling party in the Southeast state.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is on the prowl in Imo State. At a rally in Owerri, the state capital, party leaders vowed to reclaim power from the All progressives Congress (APC) governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha. But, the governor is not sleeping on guard. He said that the PDP chieftains were day dreaming. The rally took place at the Dan Anyiam Stadium. It was attended by President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo, PDP National Chairman Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, Chairman Board of Trustees (BoT) Chief Tony Anenih, Senate President David Mark, and some governors. .

    The rally was organised to welcome defectors from the APC. The defectors include former Governor Achike Udenwa, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume Imo East), Senator Chris Anyanwu, and Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN).

    President Jonathan urged party members to gird their loins, ahead of the 2015 polls. He said they should learn from the wrangling and discord, which permitted a crack on the wall in 2011.

    The governor of Akwa Ibom State and Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum, Chief Godswill Akpabio, said that, with the return of the old members, the PDP will reclaim the state.

    He charged the party leaders to to promote unity in the fold. “We are not just here to receive the returnees, but their thousands of supporters and, with what we have seen so far. the PDP has recaptured Imo State. The will of God is that, in 2015, the PDP flag will fly again in Imo government House,” he said.

    The Senate President advised the PDP family to forget the past and forge ahead in the spirit of new understanding. He described Imo as a PDP state.“In fact ,Imo has returned to the PDP; we are getting back our own that mistakenly strayed away. We have made a strong statement by the turn out of people today,” Mark added.

    His deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, assured that the party will bounce back next year after the polls.

    Anenih was more optimistic that the PDP will regain power in the state in 2015. He said: “With the return of our great members, the job is already done; all we need now is to play the politics of inclusion. Nobody should be left behind. We should avoid the mistake of the past and work together to deliver our common goal. Our coming here today to receive the returnees has shown that the importance of the project to reclaim Imo by the leadership of our great party”.

    Mu’azu, who was impressed by the huge crowd, said: “The

    he journey to recapture Imo has just started and the new leadership of the PDP is committed to reclaiming all the states we have lost as a result of internal problems”.

    He added: “From the beginning of this democratic dispensation, the PDP has swept all elections in Imo, but due to internal wrangling, we were not able to hold on to power. Even, the incumbent governor, Rochas Okorocha ,was a PDP member.

    “Now, that we have found the answers to our problems and, with the returnees, I want to assure you that Imo State has fallen”.

    The national chairman however, appealed to the aspirants to thread softly. He said: “This is a brand new PDP and only our very best will be fielded during the 2015 election”.

    The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and governorship aspirant, Hon Emeka Ihedioha, said: “Imo is a PDP state and today we have earnestly began the journey to take back the state. We made mistakes in the past, but we are back. We misunderstood ourselves and power slipped off our hands, but today, our brothers who strayed away are back and that is one of the things we need to return to Douglass House”.

    President Jonathan described the rally as a reunion that will strengthen the party. He said: “We are here for unity rally because of our brothers that stepped out, but have stepped back. We are making a reunion of the PDP and the party will be stronger than ever before. The PDP is the only stable party in Nigeria and we will continue to play a major role in the country”.

    However, observers contend that the PDP has some some hurdles to cross. Certain elements in the party are not comfortable with the return of the founding fathers. a tall barrier to scale to return to Douglas House in 2015. Firstly is the challenge of internal scuffle which is already building up with the return of founding members of the party.

    The governorship race is already crowded. No fewer than 10 strong members of the party are struggling for the ticket. They belong to the various caucuses. They cannot be ignored because they are party financiers. They Ihedioha, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Acting Minister of Aviation Prof. Viola Onwuliri, Chief Jerry Chukwueke, former Governor Ikedi Ohakim and Ararume.

    A political analyst, Chief Stanley Egwudia, expressed doubt about the ability of the different factions in the PDP to agree on a consensus ccandidate. He said: “The storm is brewing in the state chapter of the PDP. The celebrated return of these heavy weights to the PDP will do more harm than good for the party. It will further break the rank of the party. All of them returning to the party have one ambition or the other they could not realize outside the party and they returned with the hope of getting retribution”.

    A clear pointer to this fact was the move by a faction of the party to concede the governorship slot to Ararume as a compensation for the injustice done him in 2007, which made him dump the party after the governorship election.

    Another challenge is that Okorocha has performed creditably to earn the people’s loyalty.

    In Imo State today, the feeling is that the PDP has ruled the state for 12 years without anything to show for it and the electorate are known to be resolute and cannot be easily swayed by political statements or monetary inducement.

     

     

    Governor Okorocha who was obviously unshaken by the threat by the PDP to sack him in 2015, vowed that the PDP will never govern the state again after.

    He described the 12 years of PDP administration in the state as a total waste, “these expired politicians have nothing to offer the state. Udenwa’s eight years as governor was a total waste, Ohakim’s four years was a disaster so where is there justification to return to power. They can no longer deceive our people the PDP has marginalized Ndigbo and we cannot continue to allow them.

     

    “What they are doing is mere ranting none of them can proudly stand before the people and asked to be voted for. They should show the people what they have done with the state resources for 12 years that should warrant their return to power”.

     

  • Women protest PDP rally in Imo

    Women protest PDP rally in Imo

    •Vow to stop party from reclaiming power

    Commercial activities were paralysed in Owerri, Imo State, yesterday when thousands of ‘broom-waving’ women barricaded roads, protesting the statements by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the Governor Rochas Okorocha administration.

    The women, who stormed Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri venue of the PDP rally at the weekend, at 7a.m, said the PDP leaders came to the state to provoke and mock the people after misruling Imo for over 12 years.

    The protesters, who chanted songs, swept the streets, saying they were sweeping away the footprints of PDP leaders and members.

    As they swept, they swore that the PDP, which they accused of mismanaging the state’s resources for 12 years, would not rule the state again.

    Addressing reporters, the women’s leader, Mrs. Josephine Udorji, said PDP leaders reminded Imo people about the scars of their 12 years of misrule, expressing surprise that President Goodluck Jonathan could attend such a rally to receive those who had no electoral value.

    She said they protested to tell the PDP that it should allow the All Progressives Congress (APC), which had transformed the state in a short time, to continue.

    Mrs. Getrude Oduka said they allowed the PDP rally to hold because the President attended, warning that they would not allow such distraction again.

    Mrs. Tina Adike said the women, who had benefited from the achievements of the Okorocha administration, felt pained that the same people, who held the state hostage for years, were desperate to return to power.

    She added: “Why are they planning to return to power when they have nothing to show for the years they spent in office? It is an insult to the women of this state, who are the greatest beneficiaries of the Okorocha administration.”

    The women, drawn from the 27 local governments, also marched on the Government House in solidarity with the Okorocha administration.

    The Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Chief Uche Nwosu, thanked them for their support. He said APC would continue to promote people-oriented policies.