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  • Umeh, Ningi laud Tinubu for $3bn vote for eastern rail line project, Super Falcons’ Semi-final win

    Umeh, Ningi laud Tinubu for $3bn vote for eastern rail line project, Super Falcons’ Semi-final win

    Senator Victor Umeh and Abdul Ningi on Wednesday lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for earmarking the sum of $3billion for the revitalisation of the Eastern rail line project and supporting the Super Falcons to win their semi-final match in the ongoing Women’s African Cup of Nations encounter, respectively.

    The $3billion for the revitalisation of the Eastern rail line is contained in the $21billion 2025 – 2026 external borrowing plan of the federal government approved by the Senate on Tuesday.

    Umeh and Ningi spoke during plenary through a point of order.

    Umeh said, “I recall that 36 Senators from the South East moved a motion concerning the urgent need to reconstruct the Eastern rail line. The day the budget was to be passed, during the close of session, I raised the same issue that the eastern rail line was not accommodated in the 2025 budget.

    “You magnanimously approved that I should raise it when we reverted to plenary, that even though it was for the budget to be passed, which will not allow for any debate, they would like me to raise the same issue.

    “I did during the plenary by magnanimity, and you promised that there was merit in that agitation or in that observation. You promised that you would take it up with Mr. President, along with the leadership, so that this eastern rail line will be addressed once and for all.

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    “I was just so happy, Mr. President, that when the request for $21 billion loan was submitted to the Senate, the eastern rail line was now accommodated and the sum of $3billion was provided for the reconstruction of the eastern rail line, and yesterday, the Senate, during the session, approved the request. It now paves the way for that eastern rail line to be reconstructed.

    “I feel so happy about this because I’ve always conversed here that anything we should do in Nigeria, we should carry all parts of Nigeria along. This eastern rail line, which now has the prospect of being reconstructed, will be a very good development, particularly in line with the sentiments of the people of the southeast zone.

    “So on this note, I want to thank Mr. President, who has promised that he will do this.

    “During his visit to the southeast on January 4th, our stakeholders raised the same issue with him, and he promised that he would address it.

    “So in keeping with this promise, this cry of the people of this zone, and indeed all the users of the eastern rail corridor, starting from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, including Bauchi, everywhere, they are now happy that this is going to be done.

    “So on this note, I thank Mr. President, and also thank you, Mr. Senate President, for joining me in leading this struggle on behalf of the people using this corridor.”

    In his response, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said:  Senator Umeh, you appreciated the efforts of Mr. President, and I thank you for thanking him. I’m particularly happy that this is coming from you, because sometimes when I look at television, I see some incoming members of the ADC (African Democratic Congress), and I know that I saw you attending the meeting once or twice.

    “So if ADC is already appreciating the work of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it shows that Nigeria has come of age where good works have no political boundaries.

    “So, on behalf of the entire Senate, I appreciate you. I appreciate your members of the ADC who are appreciating the President. I’m very excited about the President, and of course, we in the APC we’re equally happy with the President and what he’s doing. So I’ll convey your message of thanks to him.”

    Also citing order 42 on personal explanation, Senator Abdul Ningi commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for supporting the Nigerian female team to win against their South African counterparts in the semifinal of the Women’s African Cup of Nations yesterday.

    Ningi said, “Mr. President, I discussed with you this morning about the superlative performance of Nigeria in yesterday’s semi-final match against the Bayana Bayana of South Africa.

    “Mr. President, after doom and gloom over the deaths of three prominent Nigerians, beginning with the late General Muhammadu Buhari, the late Dantata, and the late Oba Adetona, this performance of these brilliant girls from Nigeria has spiced our lives, have sweetened our lives.

    “They have brought almost all Nigerians on the same pedestal. Therefore, it is my duty as the Chairman of Sports to most profoundly thank the government of the day, the president of the country, for equipping the girls and giving them the wherewithal in terms of funding to be able to perform this feat.

    “It is important at this juncture to ask for the prayers of Nigeria as these girls are gunning for the 10th title in Africa. They are the most indomitable team, and therefore, they have not had mates so far. We have tried since 2019 to recapture the African Championship, but we have failed in this fight for the last nine years.

    “I think Saturday would be an opportunity for the girls to capture this 10th title in Africa, which is very unprecedented.

    “Mr. President, I will use this opportunity to call for prayers for these girls because they have exhibited an uncommon attitude. They have exhibited an uncommon discipline, especially at this time. Nigeria needs that trophy to be able to bring us together as a country that we’re all proud of.”

    Akpabio, in his response, said, “Let me join you, Senator Ningi, to congratulate our girls for the best, very stimulating performance that led to their qualifying for the finals of the African Women’s Championship in football.

    “Indeed, it was one of the very rare moments that I watched football. I was very excited because you know how it is with international competitions. People don’t want to give Nigeria a chance.

    “So when that golden goal came from outside the 18, and there was a lot of confusion, the goal just went on its own, guided by the angels. I was very excited. Indeed, both the Nigerian team and the South African team were confused.

    “And this is happening under you as Chairman of Sports. You were determined, and you told me that you were, for many years, in charge of the Hockey Federation of Nigeria, and that your passion for sports would change the dynamics of sports in Nigeria. So this is already happening. So I must congratulate you. Thank you so much and congratulations to Nigerians.”

  • Wadada, Fadahunsi, Umeh, seven other senators set to change parties

    Wadada, Fadahunsi, Umeh, seven other senators set to change parties

    As alignment and realignment ahead of 2027 elections continued to take place, no fewer than 10 Senators are set to change parties.

    The indications of these moves are clear given the way events are shaping up at the Red Chamber.

    Both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the adopted party by the coalition of opposition, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will benefit from these movements.

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    The APC has a commanding membership status in the Senate, followed by the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) due to lose more members.

    Also expected to lose members is the Labour Party.

    Senator Ireti Kingibe (LP FCT as already are readiness to defect to the ADC on the floorf of the senate.

    Her colleagues Victor Umeh (LP – Anambra Central)  and Tony Nwoye (LP – Anambra North) are very likely ADC.

    The trio of Umeh, Nwoye and Kingibe attended the takeover of the ADC leadership by defecting coalition politicians last month in Abuja.

    Another Senator expected to jump ship soon from Social Democratic Party (SDP) to APC is Senator Aliyu Ahmed Wadada (SDP – Nasarawa West).

    Wadada’s bid for APC ticket to successes Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi sule is common place in the state.

    As a member of APC in 2020 he defected to the SDP after he was denied the party’s ticket. He won the election.

    Now he was to return to the ruling party to contest for governor.

    His ambition is already creation rillples in the APC leadership in the state.

    Wadada, Chairman of the Senate Public Accounts Committee (SPAC) may cross the aisle on the floor of the Senate anytime soon is awaiting to complete some critical assignment of the committee, before cross aisle in the Read Chamber.

    After moving to the ruling party, he will lose the Chairmanship of SPAC which is traditionally reserved for a members of the opposition party.

    Already, two senators from Akwa Ibom State, Ekong Sampson (PDP – Akwa Ibom South) and Aniekan Etim Bassey (PDP – Akwa Ibom North East) have announced their defection to the APC during the movement of Akwa Bimo State governor Umo Eno to the APC last month.

    They are waiting to for the right time to formalize their decision on the floor of the Senate.

    In addition, the three senators representing Osun State on the platform of the PDP, are expected to defect soon to the APC.

    This is premised on information in the public domain that the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, is believed to be deep in consultation over his defection plan.

    The three senators are – Oluwole Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun – Central), Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi (Osun – Osun East) and Kamorudeen Olalere Oyewumi ( Osun West).

    While Senators Olubiyi and Fadahunsi may likely cross the aisle from PDP to APC soon, the defection of Senator Olalere may be delayed, who will loose the position the moment he crosses over to the ruling party.

    The defection of these senators will alter the configuration of the Senate with the APC gaining more members in addition to its 68 out of the 1096.

    Senate Minority leaders Abba Moro (Benue) may also be on his way out of the PDP given his relation with the man he succeeded and his political benefactor, former Senate President David Mark.

    Mark is national interim chair of the ADC

  • Soludo, Umeh, Anambra speaker weep over Iwuanyanwu’s death

    Soludo, Umeh, Anambra speaker weep over Iwuanyanwu’s death

    …say, it’s a big loss to Nigeria, Ohanaeze

    Anambra state governor, Chukwuma Soludo, Senator Victor Umeh representing Anambra Central, and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Somtochukwu Udeze, have expressed deep grief over the death of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu on Thursday, July 25.

    The Igbo leaders described the passing of the Ohanaeze president general worldwide as a significant loss for prominent Igbo leaders, Nigeria, and the international community.

    In separate statements made in Awka, Soludo, Umeh, and Udeze expressed their profound sadness, calling it a monumental loss not only to Iwuanyanwu’s immediate family and the Igbo nation but also to the entire country.

    Soludo, in particular, referred to Iwuanyanwu as a personal mentor, a great supporter, and an influential figure whose life and wise counsel epitomized exceptional leadership, patriotism, and unwavering dedication to the progress of both the Igbo nation and Nigeria as a whole.

    “His contributions to the socio-economic development of Nigeria are immeasurable. As the publisher of the Champion Newspapers and owner of several other businesses, his entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropic endeavours have left an enduring legacy in our nation”, he said

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    The governor recalled and praised the significant contributions of Iwuanyanwu as chairman of the planning committee of Ohanaeze, a strategic position the governor also occupied in the past in Ohanaeze

    “Also, as the 11th President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, he provided exemplary leadership, fostering unity, and championing the interests of Ndigbo even while building bridges of peace across Nigeria,” Soludo said

    Senator Umeh lamented the rapid loss of national icons, citing figures like George Obiozor, Ogbonnaya Onu, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Alex Ekwueme, and Ben Nwabueze.

    He described Iwuanyanwu’s death as a tragic loss, noting that Iwuanyanwu passed away while still serving the Igbo nation.

    Iwuanyanwu, aged 82, died on Thursday after a brief illness, according to a statement by his son, Jide Iwuanyanwu.

    Umeh’s emotional tribute echoed the widespread sadness and sense of loss across the Igbo nation.

    Anambra State House of Assembly Speaker, Somtochukwu Udeze praised the late president-general of Ohaneze Ndigbo as a true Igbo man who represented the interests of Ndigbo in all respects.

    In his condolence message on behalf of the lawmakers, Udeze emphasized that Iwuanyanwu’s death was a great loss to the Igbo race, Nigeria, and the international community, given his significant contributions to the growth and development of the southeast and Nigeria at large.

    Udeze recalled the many achievements of the late Ohanaeze chieftain, highlighting his diverse ventures in the engineering sector as a renowned engineer, his impact on journalism as the publisher of the famous Champion Newspaper, and his contributions to sports development as the founder of Iwuanyanwu Football Club of Owerri.

    Udeze noted that Iwuanyanwu died as an accomplished statesman.

    He urged other affluent personalities to emulate Iwuanyanwu’s humility, hard work, and selfless service to God and humanity by dedicating part of their resources to the country’s development and the well-being of the masses.

    Udeze called on the federal government to immortalize Iwuanyanwu by naming a federal sports institution after him in recognition of his significant contributions to sports development in the country.

    He extended his condolences to the family, the Imo State government, Ndigbo, and Nigeria at large, urging the family members to uphold the sterling attributes of the late leader and praying for God to grant his soul eternal rest.

  • Umeh: Tribute to a quint essential lawmaker

    Umeh: Tribute to a quint essential lawmaker

    • By Chekwube Nzomiwu

    The recent election of Senator Victor Umeh OFR, representing Anambra Central as the Deputy Chairman of the Southern Senators Forum (SSF) would obviously not surprise anyone familiar with Nigeria’s political trajectory in this Fourth Republic. From being a foundation member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1999, he joined forces with other progressives in 2003 to form the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). They nurtured and built APGA to  become the third largest party in the country.

    During the heydays of APGA, Umeh served the party at different times as the National Treasurer and National Chairman. Under his Chairmanship, APGA enlarged its coast from Anambra State to neighbouring Imo State. It controlled power in the two biggest states of Eastern Nigeria until the then Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party in charge at the federal level.

    After serving as the National Chairman of APGA, Umeh contested his first election into the Senate on the same platform in 2015. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Uche Ekwunife of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the election. Convinced that he won the election, Umeh went to the tribunal and recovered his mandate from Ekwunife.

    Although he eventually had a short stay at the Senate the first time, he gave a good account of himself. His achievements included the empowerment of over 150 constituents through the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), issuing of scholarships to indigent students and initiation of several bills, bordering on youth development and empowerment.       

    In spite of the antics of intruders who did not see APGA beyond a vehicle for riding to power, the party maintained its position in Nigeria’s political landscape until the 2023 general elections, when it was displaced by the third force tsunami of the Labour Party (LP). Being a dynamic Politician, Umeh left APGA to contest for Senate on LP platform and secured a landslide victory. 

    As a ranking Senator, he was appointed Chairman, Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, and Vice Chairman, Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Development. His insightful contributions during plenary and executive sessions, earned him appointment into some important ad-hoc committees of the Senate.

    During his campaign, he promised to speak for the South East like his former leader, the late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, under whose cover he fought many battles to ensure APGA’s survival.  He remains unwavering in his resolve to speak for Igbos. In his capacity as Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Development, he personally visited the office of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) in Abuja  in November last year to intervene in the demolition of Igbo property in Lagos.

    Read Also: Court orders Umeh to repay N136m bank debt with interest

    He equally supported the bill for the establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), which he believed, would aid infrastructure development in the region since the end of the civil war in Nigeria. The Senate passed the bill last month after it was read a third time, with the endorsement of majority of Senators.

    It is important to point out that his struggle for the protection of rights of Ndigbo in Nigeria predated his first election into the Senate. As the National Chairman of APGA, he prioritised the interest of the South East region. He spoke against the political marginalisation of Ndigbo in Nigeria, the poor state of eastern road network, insecurity and erosion menace ravaging the region.

    Umeh promoted a united Nigeria, anchored on the principles of equality, justice and fairness.  As a delegate to the 2014 National Conference convened by President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, Umeh raised a “Point of Order” during the debate seeking for five percent of the national budget for the reconstruction of insurgency ravaged North East region. He demanded that the reconstruction should start from  Igboland, since there was no reconstruction of Igbo property destroyed during the civil war in spite of the declaration by the then Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon of “No Victor, No Vanquished.”

    Consequently, the conference agreed that the reconstruction must take place everywhere insurgency occurred in Nigeria, including Igboland, the main theatre of the bloody Nigerian-Biafra civil war, which lasted for about 30 months.

    At the current Senate, Umeh has once more proved his mettle as a seasoned and experienced politician, and a quintessential lawmaker.

    • Nzomiwu writes from Awka, Anambra State.
  • Court orders Senator Umeh to repay N136m bank debt with interest to AMCON

    Court orders Senator Umeh to repay N136m bank debt with interest to AMCON

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, to pay N135,722,303.40k along with accrued interest to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) over his unpaid bank loan.

    Justice Inyang Ekwo issued the order in a judgment delivered on Monday in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/AMC/12/2022 filed by AMCON).

    Justice Ekwo, who declared that Umeh was actually indebted to AMCON, issued an order directing the forfeiture of Umeh’s 5,000,000 units of Skye Bank shares in the records of the Central Securities & Clearing System to AMCON.

    The judge also awarded a cost of N2m in favour of AMCON and against Umeh, who is currently the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora.

    According to court documents filed by AMCON, Umeh got a loan of N23,250,000.00 from the now defunct Skye Bank in January 2008 “to enable him to invest in and purchase shares of a financial institution in Nigeria.

    “The tenor of the credit facility granted the defendant was specifically fixed for 356 days. The offer letter contained various other explicit terms and conditions which the defendant accepted by duly duly executing the memorandum of acceptance.

    “The defendant utilised the funds granted to him as a credit facility by the bank. However, at the expiration of the tenor of the facility, the defendant failed and neglected to liquidate the credit facility as per the contract.”

    AMCON stated that it later acquired the unpaid debt when Skye Bank became unsuccessful in making Umeh repay.

    It added that its suit was to recover the debt which stood at N135,722,303.40k as at April 2011.

    Justice Ekwo, in his judgment on Monday, noted that despite being served with court documents concerning the case, Umeh failed to file any response or make any effort to enter a defence.

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    The judge said: “It is to be noted at this point that the defendant, upon being served, failed to enter a defence in this case.

    “It is trite law that the net effect of the failure of a defendant to file pleadings is that the assertions of the claimant in his pleadings stand unchallenged and are deemed admitted and established

    “It is also trite that the effect of a defendant’s failure to call evidence in defence of the claims against him at the trial is that he is presumed to have admitted the case made against him by the claimant,”

    The judge added that despite Umeh’s failure to file a defence, the plaintiff was able to prove its case through the evidence it presented.

    He held that by the evidence presented by the plaintiff, “the indebtedness of the defendant has been proved.

    “I find that the plaintiff has established its case by a preponderance of evidence as required by law.

    “Consequently, judgment is entered per terms as follows:

    *A declaration is hereby made that the defendant is indebted to the plaintiff, in the sum of N135,722,303.40 representing the principal debt sum plus all the accrued interest and charges, at the rate of 15 percent per annum drawn up to 25th January, 2021, being the sum due and outstanding from the defendant to the plaintiff.

    *A declaration is hereby made mandating the defendant to pay to the plaintiff the sum of N135,722,303.40 representing the principal debt sum, plus all the accrued interest and charges, at the rate of 15 percent per annum drawn up to 25th January 2021, in settlement of the debt due and outstanding from the defendant to the plaintiff.

    *An order is hereby made mandating the defendant to pay the plaintiff a sum representing 15 percent of the principal sum, as interest on the judgment sum, from 26th January 2021, till the date of delivery of judgment.

    *An order is hereby made mandating the defendant to pay the plaintiff a sum representing 15 percent of the judgment sum as interest on the judgment sum, from the date of delivery of judgment till the date of full and final liquidation of same.

    *A declaration is hereby made that the defendant is liable to a total forfeiture and divestment of all his title, rights, interests, benefits, and claims in respect of the 5,000,000 shares of Skye Bank shares in the record of the Central Secures & Cleaning System while the plaintiff is entitled to take over, as beneficial owner, all the title, rights, interests, benefits and claims in respect of same.

    *An order of final foreclosure and final forfeiture is hereby made foreclosing and divesting the defendant of his title, rights, and interests, in respect of the 5,000,000 units of Skye Bank shares in the records of the Central Securities & Clearing System and vesting same in the plaintiff in furtherance of part liquidation and satisfaction of the outstanding debt obligation of the defendants due to the plaintiff.

    *An order is hereby made mandating the defendant to pay to the plaintiff the sum of N2,000,000 00 as costs for filing and pursuing this claim.”

  • Igbo not against Buhari presidency – Umeh

    The Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial district, Chief Victor Umeh, yesterday described as untrue the impression that the Igbo were against President Muhammaudu Buhari’s presidency.

    He said the people of the region were rather pushing for equity and sense of belonging in the political space and commonwealth of the country.

    Speaking in Awka the Anambra State capital, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) federal legislator commended Buhari for completing the mausoleum of a former president of Nigeria, the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe located in Onitsha.

    Umeh recalled that the project which begun in 1997 had been abandoned by successive administrations, saying that when something good was done, credit must be given to the brain behind it irrespective of his geographical or political affiliation.

    He said, “I’m particularly impressed by the speed at which the mausoleum, otherwise known as Zik Place was completed within three years of Buhari’s administration. What the PDP could not do in 16 years is what President Muhammadu Buhari did and commissioned in just three years. He should be commended for that.” The Senator also called on President Buhari to complete ongoing road projects in the South-East region as well as embark on new ones.

    Describing the Igbo as very progressive-minded and amiable people, Umeh maintained that the Igbo was after equality and fairness to guide the affairs of the country. “What we are saying is that the composition of government and agencies of such government shall be carried out in such a manner as to recognise the diversity of the people and promote a sense of belonging and loyalty among all the people of the federation,” he said.

  • You’re a trickster, Umeh tells Okorocha

    There may be no end to the war of attrition between Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha and the senator representing Anambra Central, Victor Umeh.

    Umeh fired back at Okorocha yesterday for labelling him a non-performing senator.

    The politician, who is also a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), reiterated his regrets for supporting Okorocha to become governor about 10 years ago.

    Addressing reporters in Abuja, the nation’s capital, the senator averred that his support for Okorocha, which made him governor, has remained a source of regret for him.

    Umeh spoke in the National Assembly to underscore the need for the Senate to pass “A Bill for an Act to establish the Theatre Arts Professional Regulatory Council to provide for the regulation, training and registration of the Theatre Arts Professionals in Nigeria and for matters connected therewith, 2018 (SB.681)”.

    The senator noted that Okorocha’s attempt to “orchestrate the impeachment of his deputy”, Chief Eze Madumere, convinced him that the governor is “an irredeemable and unconscionable leader”.

    He said: “If Okorocha is allowed to succeed in piloting the impeachment of his deputy, it will be the second time Okorocha would be behind the removal of his deputy.”

    Umeh insisted that Okorocha began to attack him because he advised him not to impeach Madumere, having impeached his first deputy, Chief Jude Agbaso, during his first tenure.

    He said: “No doubt, Okorocha is about making history in Nigeria as the only governor who impeached two deputies. And because I advised him against impeaching the current one, he started attacking me.

    “I regret supporting him to become governor of Imo State against all odds. I didn’t know he is a trickster who found his way into office through deception.”

    The senator recalled how Okorocha declined to honour agreements with other party stalwarts in the state after his election success.

    “Now, Okorocha has turned himself into a tiger that is attacking all of them without any molecule of conscience,” he said.

    Umeh threatened to publish Okorocha’s alleged “fraudulent transactions” if he continued his outbursts against him.

    He said: “Here is a man who was answering “yes sir, yes sir’ to me, even in the presence of my police orderly who has been working with me in the last 13 years.

    “On getting to office, he suddenly changed, became a tiger and was attacking everybody.  I have documents of some of his fraudulent practices and if he continues to attack on me, I will publish them.”

  • Okorocha to Umeh: you’re a failed senator

    •Ex-APGA chair seeking cheap popularity, says Imo governor

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday lambasted a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and senator representing Anambra Central, Chief Victor Umeh, for allegedly failing to find his feet in the Senate.

    The governor noted that Umeh’s recent attack on him was a ploy to get cheap popularity, which he said had eluded the senator since he got to the National Assembly.

    A statement in Owerri, the state capital, by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, said: “Chief Umeh has turned himself into an interesting spectator in a Senate he should be a key player or participant. And he has come to realise that being a party chairman is a different ball game when compared to being a senator.”

    The statement added: “Nigerians have seen that Chief Umeh has not been able to find his feet in the Senate since he was elected into the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly. He has been staggering, thinking about which leg to put forward first.

    “And for this reason, he has not been getting the kind of media attention he was enjoying free when he held sway as APGA’s National Chairman.

    “Having been starved of media publicity as a result of his abysmal outing in the Senate, Chief Umeh felt that the only way he could get the needed attention from the media was by attacking Governor Okorocha and unwarranted too, leveraging on the impeachment moves against Deputy Governor Eze Madumere by the House of Assembly.

    “In his recent attack against the Imo governor, he concluded by alluding that ‘God would impeach Governor Okorocha’. And you begin to wonder where Chief Umeh was coming from, especially when one remembers that he has never been heard on the floor of the Senate, even for a day, either for his constituents or for Anambra people or for the Nigerian people.”

    On the genesis of the face-off between the governor and the senator, the statement said: “He has continued to talk about how he made Okorocha governor in Imo in 2011 when he could not do that before 2011 and could not also do that after Okorocha left APGA. And he could not do that in any other state in the Southeast, even in Enugu, which is closer to him. And in his senatorial zone, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had produced the senators until he came up recently.

    “Chief Umeh should justify his trip to the Senate. Attacking Okorocha won’t be an acceptable justification for his inaction. His zone is being ravaged by erosion. He can begin with a motion on that. And nothing stops him from engaging a consultant since one does not give what he does not have.

    “Finally, we want to ask Chief Umeh to face his challenges in the Senate and leave Okorocha alone.”

     

  • I regret backing Okorocha for governor, says Umeh

    The senator representing Anambra Central in the National Assembly, Chief Victor Umeh, has expressed regret over his role in the election victory of Rochas Okorocha as Imo State governor.

    He asked God to forgive him and other members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for making Okorocha the governor.

    The senator said he did not know the governor would turn out to be “a pain in the neck” of his people.

    Umeh’s regret is coming on the heels of Okorocha’s alleged move to impeach his deputy, Chief Eze Madumere.

    The senator led party members to Imo State to campaign for Okorocha, after giving him the party’s ticket, when he was APGA’s National Chairman.

    But Okorocha dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Umeh, who spoke at the weekend at the inauguration of the Senator Victor Umeh Support Group at Neni in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, ahead of the 2019 general elections, recalled how the embattled Madumere worked hard to ensure Okorocha’s victory in the governorship poll.

    He recalled that Madumere was even detained because he was fighting for Okorocha.

    According to him, the governor turned round and plotted his deputy’s impeachment because of his plan to install his son-in-law as his successor.

    Umeh said the Imo State governor, in 2013, spearheaded the impeachment of his first deputy, adding that there must be something wrong with him as he cannot be the only right person.

    He said: “This deputy governor went to prison because of Rochas. But look at what he is doing to him. Let him continue to impeach people. God will also impeach him.”

    The senator also recalled that he brought APGA into Anambra State and would continue to support the party.

    He urged its members to remain steadfast to ensure the party’s success in future elections.

    Umeh said: “APGA is doing well. My expectation is that in the next election, our party will win at all levels. The only way to achieve it is to support each other.”

    Warning party members to shun thuggery, the senator reminded them that he did not believe in the use of hoodlums and had never used them since he became a politician.

    He said his people would be happy if what he put into this year’s budget is implemented.

    The support group, which was formed by some like-minds in the area, will also be launched in the remaining six local government areas in the zone.

     

  • Umeh: My election is victory for APGA, Anambra

    Umeh: My election is victory for APGA, Anambra

    Chief Victor Umeh was recently elected as senator by the people of Anambra Central District. Correspondent NWANOSIKE ONU writes on his thorny journey to the Upper chamber of the National Assembly. 

    The journey to the Senate for the former National Chairman of the All progressives Grand Alliance (APGA),  Chief Victor Umeh,  was not easy.

    But, the anxiety came to an end on January 13, when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),  conducted the election in the Anambra Central senatorial re-run and declared Umeh the winner.

    Before now,  many litigations had trailed the re-run, with different parties and candidates fighting against Umeh and his party.

    After the re-run, the APGA candidate was issued with the certificate of return by the INEC in Abuja and proceeded to the senate for his swearing in.

    Umeh and APGA had gone to the tribunal in Awka after the 2015 elections to challenge the declaration of Senator Uche Ekwunife’s as the winner by INEC.

    Umeh won at the Court of Appeal in Enugu, which declared that Ekwunife’s nomination by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was faulty.

    The court also directed in it’s judgement that re-run election be conducted within 90 days in central senatorial zone.

    The court did not stop there, it equally barred PDP from contesting the re-run election, but the court refused the All progressives Congress APC to substitute it’s candidate Sen Chris Ngige, who had already been appointed a minister.

    However, the party sent an official letter to INEC to conduct another primary to replace Ngige, who withdrew from the election.

    The APC and INEC are still in court over the matter. The hearing had been fixed for January 23 by the Court of Appeal,  before the electoral body hurriedly conducted the re-run.

    According to Ngige what INEC was doing was illegal, describing the election as kangaroo and a charade.

    He said listing his name on the ballot paper was an aberration,  when he had already informed the commission he was not in the race.

    Ngige said: “INEC’s action which is biased jaundiced will be viewed as an act intentionally undertaken to humiliate and ridicule my person “

    “My party APC and INEC are in court of Appeal Abuja over this obnoxious and illegal action of INEC with hearing on the matter fixed for 23 January, 2018 which is still within the ambit  of 90 days ordered by the court,  only for them to fix the election 13th, in order to give an unfair advantage to the APGA candidate to go unopposed.“

    Despite the hiccups, Umeh that fought relentlessly in making sure APGA had a representative at the Senate,  having lost Senator Chris Anyanwu from Imo State to another party.

    The struggle for the Senate,  had pitched Umeh against some powers that be in Anambra because of what some of them tagged as ‘arrogance.’

    But, Umeh’s dogged nature and maturity had kept him moving. He has been victorious in many battles.

    There was a power game between him and former Governor Peter Obi, who wanted to become the candidate of PDP, but failed.

    The APGA chieftain could be described as a cat with nine lives in the politics of Anambra State, having engaged in many legal battles and came unscathed.

    When he came face to face with some iconic figures in Anambra politics like Obi,  Ekwunife and Ngige people never gave him any.

    The election has been won and lost. But, will Umeh be a good senator?

    For Chief Anayo Nweke, who was one of the candidates during the election, in the African Democratic Congress ADC, said the Umeh’s purported victory would not stand.

    He claimed that what INEC did in the central senatorial zone was not an election in any way,  accusing the electoral body of compromise.

    Nweke further called on the Senate president,  Bukola Saraki and his co-senators not to swear any body from Anambra, until the court cases are finally settled.

    He said Chief Obiora Okonkwo was equally declared senator-elect by the federal High, while himself is also in the race for the same seat and APC too, adding that it would be unfair to swear the APGA candidate in by the Senate.

    The Anambra state Coordinator, Transform Nigeria Movement TNM, Comrade Obi Ochije, told the Nation yesterday that Umeh’s victory was victory for Democracy.

    He said Umeh’s presence in the Senate would awaken the sleeping ones from the Southeast region.

    Ochije said the people of Anambra are happy for the victory of the man he described as a political bulldozer, adding that the central senatorial zone had really suffered untold hardship since 2015.

    Now that the coast is clear for Umeh, what will be his reaction at the Senate and his body language to his traducers.