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Tag: Uzodinma

  • Imo: Uzodinma storms Nwosu’s village, receive traditional rulers’ backing

    TRADITIONAL rulers from Nkwere Local Government Area of Imo State, the home town of the governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA), Mr. Uche Nwosu, during the weekend, endorsed the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Hope Uzodinma.

    They attributed what they described as an attempt by Governor Rochas Okorocha, to run for a third term in office as reasons for their decision, notwithstanding the fact that Nwosu ‘is a son of the soil’.

    The traditional rulers led by Eze Uzoho Emmanuel Anuruo of Umuezeanoruo autonomous community Nkwere LGA, bared their minds when the campaign train of Senator Uzodinma stormed Nwosu’s home soil.

    According to Eze Anuruo: “Senator Uzodinma is our choice for governor. We are aware that one of our sons wants to be governor, but we believe it is an attempt by the outgoing governor to get a third term. All this government has done is to undermine the traditional institution and we need somebody like Hope Uzodinma, who has the experience to lead our state”.

    Speaking after receiving the blessings of the elders and Ezes from Nkwere, Uzodinma, who vowed to restore the dignity of the traditional institution, lamented that the Governor Okorocha-led administration borrowed N312 billion between 2015 till date, without any visible development.

    “As we speak, the courts have garnisheed the accounts of Imo State government; so what has been happening is that the money accruing to us from the Federation Account goes into private pockets. Those in Government House now share our money as if its their private funds.

    “Today, they are going up and down paying people to vote for them. When they give you money collect it, it is our money, but don’t vote for them. We will recover all they stole and give back to our people. It is a shame Rochas and his family embarked on primitive acquisition of wealth,” he said.

    The campaign train also stormed Okigwe, Onuimo, Ideato North and South and were welcomed by mammoth crowd who are craving for a change in Imo Douglas House.

  • You’re a disappointment to APC, Uzodinma tells Okorocha

    – As Madumere assures of better deal for Imolites

    The governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, Imo State chapter, Senator Hope Uzodinma, has described Governor Rochas Okorocha, who is supposed to be the symbol of the party, as a huge disappointment, alleging that the governor has failed in all fronts to implement the manifesto of the party.

    Uzodinma expressed his dismay over Okorocha’s performance in the state while addressing heads of Ngor Okpala during APC campaign in Ngor Okpala yesterday.

    His words: “It is regrettable that a local government like Ngor Okpala is left in the state it is despite its political resources in terms of votes. I know of an erosion site that has been here in Ngor Okpala for over a decade and yet, our great party APC has the best manifesto in terms of welfare of the people and infrastructure. Unfortunately the symbol of our party is a disappointment.”

    He explained that it is the major reason that accounted for the emergence of the coalition to retrieve both the party and the state. He therefore promised to do the much he could to build roads that will stand the test of time in the local government.

    In the area of employment, Uzodinma averred that it takes a leader who is gifted in creative thinking to be on the saddle, assuring the people of Imo State of employment opportunities for the teeming youths of the state since education curricula will be reviewed to reflect the technical areas needed to provide solution in our today’s society. He also hinted that it is not all about free education but qualitative free education that will see our children compete favourably with their contemporaries at both national and international level.

    For the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, who introduced Uzodinma to the people of Ngor Okpala, he said that what matters at the moment is to ensure that reign of impunity is dispensed with and good governance restored. He called on people of good conscience to unite with a view to bringing impunity to an end and restoring confidence in the system.

    On Owerri zone agenda, he said while the priority is hinged on recovering the state from the present family driven government, Madumere said that Uzodinma can be trusted with Owerri zone agenda, saying that he will deliver on it if given the support.

    He used the opportunity to raise Uzodinma’s hand as the candidate of All Progressives Congress.

    The event, which attracted who is who in Owerri zone witnessed the presence of politicians and business men of notes. Chief Theodore Ekechi, former Commissioner for Information and the convener of Imerienwe Declaration that led to the formation of Restoration group. The Deputy Governorship candidate of the party, Prof. Placid Njoku was present with Chief Cosmos Iwu, Director General of Hope Uzodinma Campaign Organisation. Ekechi took time to introduce the leaders of the party from Ngor Okpala among who are Sir George Schedule, former Secretary of the State Government, Chief Blyden Amajirionwu, House of Representatives candidate for Abo- Mbaise-Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency, House of Assembly candidate for Ngor Okpala, Hon. Ugochukwu Okere popularly known as Blackhawks among others. Others present were George Egu, Tony Grey Okpe, Dr. Uzoma Obiyor, Gibson Achonwa Njemanze among others.

  • Imo 2019: Uzodinma, Ihedioha, Araraume boycott BBC debate

    THE governorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Hope Uzodinma,  People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Ifeanyi Araraume,  yesterday boycotted the governorship debate organized by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Igbo version.

    The much-publicized debate was held at the Ridge Event Centre along the Owerri/ Onitsha Road, with only one out of the four invited candidates, Uche Nwosu of the Action Alliance (AA) in attendance. Fielding questions from BBC anchorman and the participants,  Nwosu said he was in the race to improve and consolidate on the achievements recorded by the current administration. He said he has come to take the state to the next level in terms of infrastructure and social development.

    Read also: Atiku’s visit to U.S. an attempt to score cheap political point —APC UK

    Nwosu also promised improved welfare for civil servants in the state and a better approach to the issue of payment of pensions in the state. He further promised to pay the N30,000 minimum wage if elected into office: “The issue of workers’ welfare will be given priority and my administration will pay any wage approved by the Federal Government”. According to Nwosu, his administration will pay attention to the creation of employment through investing in power and security, which he said will attract investors to the state.

    On his blueprint for the education sector, Nwosu said he will sustain and improve on the free education programme of the state government, “I will not only sustain the free education policy but will ensure that our students gets the best of mentorship”. He also promised to return the schools to the churches to instill morals in the students. On why he left his former party, APC for AA, Nwosu said, “I left APC because of the injustice meted to me by the National Chairman, who robbed me of the ticket which I won but I have to continue with my ambition, so I joined the AA to actualize my ambition”.

  • Okorocha campaigns for AA’s Nwosu at APC rally

    Imo State Governor Rocha Okorocha on Saturday took advantage of the southeast zonal rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to campaign for the governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) Uche Nwosu.

    Senator Hope Uzodinma is the APC governorship candidate but the governor is backing his son-in-law, Nwosu, who lost out in the battle for APC ticket.

    Despite the presence of wife of the President Aisha Buhari represented by wife of the vice president, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo and Uzodinma, Okorocha told voters to pick Nwosu over the APC candidate.

    He however declared support for President Muhammadu Buhari in the presidential race.

    According to Okorocha: “Imo victory for Buhari is designed sealed for Buhari. In Imo state we have 47 political parties and one of the perfect alliances is Action Alliance led by Uche Nwosu.

    “Nwosu is APC in spirit. APC owes Imo people an apology because of the injustice meted to Imo people.

    “In Imo state, Nwosu will win Imo state. It is not anti -party. We refused imposition in Imo state.”

    He went on:  “I am in charge and no sane youth will come and create tension in this state.

    “ Let me say this madam First Lady, this time around we are not here to ask you to campaign for Buhari, what my wife has done is to tell you that Buhari is on ground.

    Mrs. Osinbajo called on APC supporters lo vote for President Muhammadu Buhari.

    According to her: “I am here to represent the wife of the President of the wife of Nigeria. She has asked me to greet you all.

    “She said that everybody should vote APC, and that APC will win in every state. She says nobody should be sleeping on the day of election.

    “There must be no fighting because government is interested in women and youths.

    “I am proud to be a Nigeria woman because Nigeria women are beautiful, strong and successful. We are happy with the President because he is taking us to the next level with APC.”

    Southeast zone coordinator of APC, Nkechi Okorocha, said: “You all are welcome to the Southeast APC rally for women and youths in Imo state.  In 2019 our president will resume that seat that he has started.

    “We thank President Muhammadu Buhari for his genuine leadership and love for this country.

    “For the future to be secured Buhari is the only hope. We are here to say that Buhari must return.

    “The reason is that Buhari loves the unity of this country, he loves this country, so there is no vacancy in Aso Rock.

    “It is only Buhari that can complete what they have started. So that we know that indeed Nigeria is united.”

    Diginitries who attended the event included the Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu; Imo state governorship candidate of APC Senator Hope Uzodimma; Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu (Imo North); Abia APC governorship candidate, Uche Ogar and Imo candidate of Action Alliance, Uche Nwosu.

  • Fears over Imo APC as Okorocha, Uzodinma fight dirty

    Supporters of All Progressives Congress in Imo State are expressing concern over the likely effects of the current battle between Governor Rochas Okorocha and the party’s governorship candidate, Senator Hope Uzodinma, reports Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu

    FOLLOWING current irreconcilable differences between Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and the All Progressives Congress Governorship Candidate, Senator Hope Uzodinma, there are grave concerns that their bitter battles may endanger the fortunes of the ruling party in the 2019 elections.

    There is also the fear that the current secret moves by some aggrieved stakeholders in the APC power game may be designed to mature at a time it would ultimately harm the party. This fear is informed by revelations that some APC stakeholders that lost out may have resolved on plan B arrangements which they want to hold as a secret until the last minute.

    The SDP/ADC options

    One of the issues that occasioned the recent tension in the state, according to Dr. Vincent Nwulu, an APC chieftain is the news that Okorocha’s supporters, who are bent on ensuring the emergence of Uche Nwosu as the next governor of the state, have allegedly renewed their talks with some political parties to field the out-going governor’s choice. A top politician and known supporter of Okorocha, who prayed not to be named, confided that supporters of Ugwumba, convinced that the national leadership of APC have not been fair on their preferred candidate, “will not fold their hands and watch the select elements from Abuja, deny us of the right successor of Owelle Rochas Okorocha. We are making the right efforts to ensure that Ugwumba contests the governorship, even if it has to be outside the APC platform.”

    Nwulu alleged that “certain elements, through the connivance of selfish leaders in Abuja, have come to hijack the party we labored so hard to build in Imo; to reap where they did not sow. If they succeed in taking the party platform, our candidate will use another credible platform to win the election. That is all I can say for now.”

    Although the likely platform Governor Okorocha’s supporters may choose has not been declared publicly as at Friday, insiders said the ongoing negotiations in the camp suggest that they may settle for either the Social Democratic Party (SDP) or African Democratic Congress (ADC). The two parties have, within the last three months garnered momentum within the state in preparation for the 2019 governorship election.

    It would be recalled that the romance between some Imo APC chieftains and SDP for the purposes of winning 2019 elections dates back to August this year, when the power game in APC ahead the 2019 governorship election was still at the nursery stage. At that time, a group of aggrieved members of the party, under the aegis of Good Governance Forum (GGF), reportedly met with the state leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to discuss the possibility of defecting to the party.

    The Publicity Secretary of SDP in the state, Godsent Chilos, who disclosed this preliminary move in a statement, added that the aggrieved leaders of GGF confided that given “the events unfolding in Imo APC, it will be very difficult for the party to win elections in Imo State come 2019.”

    “Our attraction to SDP is as a result of the grassroots strength of SDP; SDP’s commitment to restructuring of Nigeria and operation of Open Government when elected to power, adherence to the principles of internal democracy, harmonious co-existence and respect to the democratic rights of members.

    “We think that SDP is the only party in Imo State that has brighter chances of winning the governorship of Imo State, including majority in the State House of Assembly in 2019, because APC and PDP has failed imolites,” Chilos had quoted the leaders of GGF as saying then.

    Since then, the party has been described as the plan ‘B’ for the APC governorship and other aspirants, eager to win the ticket.

    That status was in a way confirmed further in October, when some aggrieved APC and APGA aspirants actually defected to SDP in the state.

    Since the national leadership of APC finally submitted the name of Uzodinma, thus leaving Okorocha’s favourite aspirant, Nwosu, in the cold, there are hints that the governor may have given his nod for Nwosu’s henchemen to move over to SDP to prepare grounds even as the battle in APC continue to rage on. This calculation has been strengthened by Chilos’ recent revelation that one Okorocha’s disciple, a governorship aspirant has really commenced serious negotiations with SDP in the state.

    Chilos raised the speculation that Nwosu, Okorocha’s Son-in-law, may go for SDP’s flag when he said of the APC’s governorship aspirant negotiating with SDP: “He is one of governor Okorocha’s ardent supporter; he is presently having talks with us.”

    As would be expected, this development has elicited fear that the governorship candidate of the party in the state may be persuaded to drop the governorship ticket for the powerful APC aspirant. Although SDP chieftains in the state had consistently debunked the insinuations that their candidate is standing in for a particular APC aspirant, the speculation and the resultant permutations have refused to die down.

    Even before speculation that SDP may be the fallback party, there was the allegation as far back as June this year that Okorocha had, at the beginning of the crisis in his political family, identified African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the likely ‘plan B platform.’ This allegation was followed with the rumour that the governor had secretly joined ADC.

    The rumour became so wide spread that the Southeast Zonal Secretary of ADC, Mr. Nkem Ukandu, early in June came out and told newsmen that Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has not joined the party.

    Even with that formal denial, some observers insist that ADC remains part of the likely cards that may be played in the intriguing power game in Imo APC.

    Endless war of words

    Perhaps to confirm their resolve to fight until the Election Day, Governor Okorocha and Senator Uzodinma have since November continued to exchange hot words against each other even as concerned party supporters plead for peace in order not to jeopardize the fortunes of APC in the forthcoming elections.

    It all began when Uzodinma was quoted as saying the governor underestimated his (Uzodinma’s) popularity. Responding through a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, Okorocha alleged that Uzodinma was “burdened by at least two criminal cases, besides standing on a wealth of unknown means, including issuance of dud cheques.”

    As he puts it, “Chief Uzodinma should face his two most recent criminal charges over the issuance of Dud Cheque and non-declaration of assets. We won’t talk about other similar cases. “Chief Hope Uzodinma is not a member of APC in Imo State. His purported membership of the party was announced in Abuja. He has never attended any APC meeting either in his ward or in his local government, Oru-East, or at the state level. “That is why no APC member in the state was excited when the party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, announced him as his preferred governorship candidate of the party in the state. “Since Chief Uzodinma has begun to throw stone not considering the fact that he lives in a badly constructed glass house, we challenge him to publish his profile for the public to see and let Rochas also publish his own. Rochas Okorocha was born in Ogboko, and he grew up in Jos. He attended St. Joseph Primary School, Barkin Ladi Jos, and Juladaco High School Jos. He has LLB and LLM of the University of Jos, Post  Graduate Diploma in Management, of the Benue State University,” the statement said.

    In his defence, Uzodinma said Okorocha made reference to a non-existent cheque.

    The Director of Media and Special Duties of Senator Hope Uzodimma Campaign Organisation, Mr. Declan Emelumba, said “Imo State government is referring to a non-existent dud cheque issue and phony assets declaration matter. Imo State Government has only confirmed an open secret which is that they are behind the two baseless issues. “We know that it was Imo State Government that sponsored the jankara Abuja magistrate judgement over a matter between two corporate citizens which a magistrate court has no jurisdiction just to smear the Senator’s intimidating image.

    “They are also behind the baseless assets declaration issue to achieve the same goal. But on each they failed woefully “Is Imo State government now the state, LGA and ward secretariat of APC? This only goes to confirm that Okorocha and his cohorts believe that Imo State and APC are their personal estates. “They are still dreaming and I think they should continue to wallow in their dreams,” Uzodinma said.

    The Uzodinma’s Campaign Organisation also challenged Okorocha, “to tell us the year Okorocha got the so-called LLB and LLM from the University of Jos so that we can expose their falsehood. “We don’t know what they are implying by talking about certificates but if its to imply that Okorocha is better educated than anybody then they must be told the bitter truth which is that he is not in a position to talk about certificate.”

    Earlier, Okorocha was quoted as alleging that the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, Senator Hope Uzodinma, “will never win governorship election.”

    Also speaking through Onwuemeodo, Okorocha stated that “there was jubilation within the opposition parties in the state when Senator Hope Uzodinma was named the candidate of the APC in the state because of how unpopular he (Uzodinma) was.”

    Explaining why Uzodinma cannot win the governorship election, Onwuemeodo, quoted the governor as saying, “In 2011, he took the Senate seat for Orlu Zone from Chief Osita Izunaso, through the court. In 2015, Nigerians knew what transpired in Imo.

    “The state was invaded with armed security personnel by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders like Uzodinma and the rest is history. So, Uzodinma can never win election in Imo, in a free and fair election.

    “And that is why the PDP and APGA members are those celebrating his Kleg governorship candidature for Imo APC.

    “If Uzodinma was to be a known member of the party, there would have been celebration in Imo.

    “The chieftains of the party in Abuja, who are backing him, are elite politicians, who have no relationship with the grassroots,” he said.

    If Okorocha is unsparing, Uzodinma has equally been so.

    He had alleged that it was aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party that “manipulated Governor Rochas Okorocha into power in 2011.”

    He also alleged that Okorocha did never won an election, adding that the governor “has underestimated how unpopular he has become in the state.”

    In a statement signed by his Director of Media and Special Duties, Declan Emelumba, Uzodinma said, “Okorocha has run for many elections, including the governorship of Imo State, before 2011, and even the presidency, and lost all. But, in 2011, in particular, Imo people voted more against former Governor Ikedi Ohakim than for Okorocha, so, he merely benefitted from the anger of the people against Ohakim.

    “Even at that, the election went into a bi-election, where Ohakim was finally manipulated out of the race and Okorocha became governor. Also, in 2015, Okorocha, as incumbent governor, could not win outright on first ballot.

    “The election was concluded on a second ballot, where some aggrieved PDP members helped, again, to manipulate him into the governorship.”

    He also pointed out that he defeated Okorocha’s political party in Imo West Senatorial District in 2011 and 2015, even as governorship candidate and incumbent governor, respectively.

    “I think this is more than enough evidence that in terms of popularity, Senator Uzodinma is far more popular than Okorocha in Imo West (the biggest senatorial district in Nigeria) where both come from.

    “The truth of the matter is that all strata of Imo society are celebrating Uzodinma’s victory as the APC governorship candidate and this has brought them back on track to vote massively for APC in 2019.

    “Uzodinma’s popularity in Imo State is infectious and it will not only guarantee victory for APC, but will rake in far more than five million votes for the APC from the Southeast in 2019. So, let no one be deceived by Okorocha’s boast because he is the problem of APC in Imo State and the Southeast.”

    As the war of words continue and as there seems to be no solution in the peace moves, concerned stakeholders are watching closely to see the final effect on the fortunes of the party in 2019.

     

  • 2019: Fears over Imo APC as Okorocha, Uzodinma fight dirty

    Supporters of All Progressives Congress in Imo State are expressing concern over the likely effects of the current battle between Governor Rochas Okorocha and the party’s governorship candidate, Senator Hope Uzodinma, reports Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu

    Following current irreconcilable differences between Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and the All Progressives Congress Governorship Candidate, Senator Hope Uzodinma, there are grave concerns that their bitter battles may endanger the fortunes of the ruling party in the 2019 elections.

    There is also the fear that the current secret moves by some aggrieved stakeholders in the APC power game may be designed to mature at a time it would ultimately harm the party. This fear is informed by revelations that some APC stakeholders that lost out may have resolved on plan B arrangements which they want to hold as a secret until the last minute.

    The SDP/ADC options

    One of the issues that occasioned the recent tension in the state, according to Dr. Vincent Nwulu, an APC chieftain is the news that Okorocha’s supporters, who are bent on ensuring the emergence of Uche Nwosu as the next governor of the state, have allegedly renewed their talks with some political parties to field the out-going governor’s choice. A top politician and known supporter of Okorocha, who prayed not to be named, confided that supporters of Ugwumba, convinced that the national leadership of APC have not been fair on their preferred candidate, “will not fold their hands and watch the select elements from Abuja, deny us of the right successor of Owelle Rochas Okorocha. We are making the right efforts to ensure that Ugwumba contests the governorship, even if it has to be outside the APC platform.”

    Nwulu alleged that “certain elements, through the connivance of selfish leaders in Abuja, have come to hijack the party we labored so hard to build in Imo; to reap where they did not sow. If they succeed in taking the party platform, our candidate will use another credible platform to win the election. That is all I can say for now.”

    Although the likely platform Governor Okorocha’s supporters may choose has not been declared publicly as at Friday, insiders said the ongoing negotiations in the camp suggest that they may settle for either the Social Democratic Party (SDP) or African Democratic Congress (ADC). The two parties have, within the last three months garnered momentum within the state in preparation for the 2019 governorship election.

    It would be recalled that the romance between some Imo APC chieftains and SDP for the purposes of winning 2019 elections dates back to August this year, when the power game in APC ahead the 2019 governorship election was still at the nursery stage. At that time, a group of aggrieved members of the party, under the aegis of Good Governance Forum (GGF), reportedly met with the state leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to discuss the possibility of defecting to the party.

    The Publicity Secretary of SDP in the state, Godsent Chilos, who disclosed this preliminary move in a statement, added that the aggrieved leaders of GGF confided that given “the events unfolding in Imo APC, it will be very difficult for the party to win elections in Imo State come 2019.”

    “Our attraction to SDP is as a result of the grassroots strength of SDP; SDP’s commitment to restructuring of Nigeria and operation of Open Government when elected to power, adherence to the principles of internal democracy, harmonious co-existence and respect to the democratic rights of members.

    “We think that SDP is the only party in Imo State that has brighter chances of winning the governorship of Imo State, including majority in the State House of Assembly in 2019, because APC and PDP has failed imolites,” Chilos had quoted the leaders of GGF as saying then.

    Since then, the party has been described as the plan ‘B’ for the APC governorship and other aspirants, eager to win the ticket.

    That status was in a way confirmed further in October, when some aggrieved APC and APGA aspirants actually defected to SDP in the state.

    Since the national leadership of APC finally submitted the name of Uzodinma, thus leaving Okorocha’s favourite aspirant, Nwosu, in the cold, there are hints that the governor may have given his nod for Nwosu’s henchemen to move over to SDP to prepare grounds even as the battle in APC continue to rage on. This calculation has been strengthened by Chilos’ recent revelation that one Okorocha’s disciple, a governorship aspirant has really commenced serious negotiations with SDP in the state.

    Chilos raised the speculation that Nwosu, Okorocha’s Son-in-law, may go for SDP’s flag when he said of the APC’s governorship aspirant negotiating with SDP: “He is one of governor Okorocha’s ardent supporter; he is presently having talks with us.”

    As would be expected, this development has elicited fear that the governorship candidate of the party in the state may be persuaded to drop the governorship ticket for the powerful APC aspirant. Although SDP chieftains in the state had consistently debunked the insinuations that their candidate is standing in for a particular APC aspirant, the speculation and the resultant permutations have refused to die down.

    Even before speculation that SDP may be the fallback party, there was the allegation as far back as June this year that Okorocha had, at the beginning of the crisis in his political family, identified African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the likely ‘plan B platform.’ This allegation was followed with the rumour that the governor had secretly joined ADC.

    The rumour became so wide spread that the Southeast Zonal Secretary of ADC, Mr. Nkem Ukandu, early in June came out and told newsmen that Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has not joined the party.

    Even with that formal denial, some observers insist that ADC remains part of the likely cards that may be played in the intriguing power game in Imo APC.

    Endless war of words

    Perhaps to confirm their resolve to fight until the Election Day, Governor Okorocha and Senator Uzodinma have since November continued to exchange hot words against each other even as concerned party supporters plead for peace in order not to jeopardize the fortunes of APC in the forthcoming elections.

    It all began when Uzodinma was quoted as saying the governor underestimated his (Uzodinma’s) popularity. Responding through a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, Okorocha alleged that Uzodinma was “burdened by at least two criminal cases, besides standing on a wealth of unknown means, including issuance of dud cheques.”

    As he puts it, “Chief Uzodinma should face his two most recent criminal charges over the issuance of Dud Cheque and non-declaration of assets. We won’t talk about other similar cases. “Chief Hope Uzodinma is not a member of APC in Imo State. His purported membership of the party was announced in Abuja. He has never attended any APC meeting either in his ward or in his local government, Oru-East, or at the state level. “That is why no APC member in the state was excited when the party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, announced him as his preferred governorship candidate of the party in the state. “Since Chief Uzodinma has begun to throw stone not considering the fact that he lives in a badly constructed glass house, we challenge him to publish his profile for the public to see and let Rochas also publish his own. Rochas Okorocha was born in Ogboko, and he grew up in Jos. He attended St. Joseph Primary School, Barkin Ladi Jos, and Juladaco High School Jos. He has LLB and LLM of the University of Jos, Post  Graduate Diploma in Management, of the Benue State University,” the statement said.

    In his defence, Uzodinma said Okorocha made reference to a non-existent cheque.

    The Director of Media and Special Duties of Senator Hope Uzodimma Campaign Organisation, Mr. Declan Emelumba, said “Imo State government is referring to a non-existent dud cheque issue and phony assets declaration matter. Imo State Government has only confirmed an open secret which is that they are behind the two baseless issues. “We know that it was Imo State Government that sponsored the jankara Abuja magistrate judgement over a matter between two corporate citizens which a magistrate court has no jurisdiction just to smear the Senator’s intimidating image.

    “They are also behind the baseless assets declaration issue to achieve the same goal. But on each they failed woefully “Is Imo State government now the state, LGA and ward secretariat of APC? This only goes to confirm that Okorocha and his cohorts believe that Imo State and APC are their personal estates. “They are still dreaming and I think they should continue to wallow in their dreams,” Uzodinma said.

    The Uzodinma’s Campaign Organisation also challenged Okorocha, “to tell us the year Okorocha got the so-called LLB and LLM from the University of Jos so that we can expose their falsehood. “We don’t know what they are implying by talking about certificates but if its to imply that Okorocha is better educated than anybody then they must be told the bitter truth which is that he is not in a position to talk about certificate.”

    Earlier, Okorocha was quoted as alleging that the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, Senator Hope Uzodinma, “will never win governorship election.”

    Also speaking through Onwuemeodo, Okorocha stated that “there was jubilation within the opposition parties in the state when Senator Hope Uzodinma was named the candidate of the APC in the state because of how unpopular he (Uzodinma) was.”

    Explaining why Uzodinma cannot win the governorship election, Onwuemeodo, quoted the governor as saying, “In 2011, he took the Senate seat for Orlu Zone from Chief Osita Izunaso, through the court. In 2015, Nigerians knew what transpired in Imo.

    “The state was invaded with armed security personnel by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders like Uzodinma and the rest is history. So, Uzodinma can never win election in Imo, in a free and fair election.

    “And that is why the PDP and APGA members are those celebrating his Kleg governorship candidature for Imo APC.

    “If Uzodinma was to be a known member of the party, there would have been celebration in Imo.

    “The chieftains of the party in Abuja, who are backing him, are elite politicians, who have no relationship with the grassroots,” he said.

    If Okorocha is unsparing, Uzodinma has equally been so.

    He had alleged that it was aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party that “manipulated Governor Rochas Okorocha into power in 2011.”

    He also alleged that Okorocha did never won an election, adding that the governor “has underestimated how unpopular he has become in the state.”

    In a statement signed by his Director of Media and Special Duties, Declan Emelumba, Uzodinma said, “Okorocha has run for many elections, including the governorship of Imo State, before 2011, and even the presidency, and lost all. But, in 2011, in particular, Imo people voted more against former Governor Ikedi Ohakim than for Okorocha, so, he merely benefitted from the anger of the people against Ohakim.

    “Even at that, the election went into a bi-election, where Ohakim was finally manipulated out of the race and Okorocha became governor. Also, in 2015, Okorocha, as incumbent governor, could not win outright on first ballot.

    “The election was concluded on a second ballot, where some aggrieved PDP members helped, again, to manipulate him into the governorship.”

    He also pointed out that he defeated Okorocha’s political party in Imo West Senatorial District in 2011 and 2015, even as governorship candidate and incumbent governor, respectively.

    “I think this is more than enough evidence that in terms of popularity, Senator Uzodinma is far more popular than Okorocha in Imo West (the biggest senatorial district in Nigeria) where both come from.

    “The truth of the matter is that all strata of Imo society are celebrating Uzodinma’s victory as the APC governorship candidate and this has brought them back on track to vote massively for APC in 2019.

    “Uzodinma’s popularity in Imo State is infectious and it will not only guarantee victory for APC, but will rake in far more than five million votes for the APC from the Southeast in 2019. So, let no one be deceived by Okorocha’s boast because he is the problem of APC in Imo State and the Southeast.”

    As the war of words continue and as there seems to be no solution in the peace moves, concerned stakeholders are watching closely to see the final effect on the fortunes of the party in 2019.

  • Uzodinma to ‘remain focused on governorship race’

    Imo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Hope Uzodinma yesterday said his eyes would remain glued to the prize – the governorship race rather than be distracted.

    He denied reports of his arrest by the presidential panel on recovery of public funds on Sunday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja.

    He was reportedly arrested for failure of his company to execute a $12 million contract to dredge the Calabar channel.

    However, Uzodinma, Chairman, Senate Committee on Nigeria Customs Service, told reporters in Abuja that the reports may not be unconnected with his emergence as a governorship candidate.

    He said he would not be distracted by people who were yet to come to terms with his emergence as the governorship candidate in state.

    Uzodinma said: “I was never arrested. I also read it in papers like every other Nigerian.”

    On the contract, the lawmaker said Niger Global, the company that was accused of the complicity, had only two per cent share in the contract.

    “Before I came to the senate, I came from the private sector. I was in oil and gas and marine operations. I operated Niger Global.

    “In 2004 we participated in an international deal and Nigeria Ports Authority was looking for partners to manage the channels and we were lucky.

    “We were one of the companies that formed the consortium to manage Calabar Channels.

    “Calabar Channels Management Company is a joint venture being operated by the NPA. They have the major shareholders.

    “They have 60 per cent shareholding and then the consortium of like six other companies had different shares.

    “Niger Global had five per cent share and there is a five member board, where NPA has three and the consortium of companies two.

    “Before I came to Senate, I was in the board and the technical partners to the consortium dredged the Calabar Channel under the supervision of the Calabar Management Board,” he said.

    “All I know is that some aggrieved persons are behind this, otherwise where was this panel since 2004.

    “I was in the 7th Senate from 2011 to 2015, why did this issue not come out. I have been here in the 8th senate from 2015 to date why didn’t the issue come up.

    “If there is any question that must be answered by the company, the majority shareholder should first answer their own query.

    “If anything, I am a serving senator and a ranking one at that and the Chairman of the Southern Senators Forum.”

    On allegations of non-declaration of asset, Uzodinma said coming from the private sector into politics, he was surprised at the request by the panel.

    “Before I joined politics, of course I came from the private sector that is why I became even surprised when the panel said I should declare my asset for the past 20 years.

    “I have never seen anywhere in any law where private people are made to declare their asset to government,” he said.

    However, he said he obliged the panel by sending his declaration form and copying the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami.

    The governorship candidate said he would not be deterred in ensuring that the people of Imo are liberated from the untold hardship they were subjected to.

    He said: “with what has happened in Imo State, I thought by now, some of these underdogs should repent but they are still plotting.

    “I thought what they would do in the spirit of democracy is to appreciate the fact that some people are now in the party and the party will be better for it.

    “It is not easy to do what I have done in recent times. To make sacrifice, I followed my people and encourage them to be in the ruling party.

    “So name calling, campaign of calumny and all of that is only a distraction. I have been around for some time and I understand the meaning of politics and I refuse to be distracted.”

    He further denied inducing the APC National Chairman, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, in order to be made the party’s flag bearer in Imo.

    He called on the aggrieved persons and other stakeholders to work together to grow the country’s democracy.

    He added that “some of us believe that this country must grow and we must be given the opportunity to contribute our own quota to national development.”

  • Presidential panel arrests Uzodinma for alleged unexecuted $12m NPA contract

    Officials of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for Recovery of Public Property (SPIPRPP) have arrested the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma.

    It was learnt yesterday that Uzodinma was arrested at 8.20 p.m by SPIPRPP operatives while returning from Lagos aboard an Air Peace.

    A senior member of the panel, who confirmed the arrest, told The Nation that the SPIPRPP “is investigating allegation of economic sabotage against Uzodinma.

    The alleged offence, the panel member said, arose from the failure of his company to execute a contract of $12 million for the dredging of Calabar channel awarded by the NPA.

    “He has been evading invitations of the panel over one year,” the member said.

    It was not immediately clear where the senator was being held and when he would be taken to court.

    SPIPRPP has filed a two-count charge of non-disclosure of assets against Uzodinma before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    The matter was assigned to Justice Babatunde Quadri.

    It reads: “That you, Senator Hope Uzodinma (Male) on or about March 5, 2018, being a public officer with the National Assembly, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, committed an offence to wit: refused to declare your assets without reasonable excuse and upon notice to declare your assets before the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, Abuja, contrary to and punishable under Section 3 (3) (1) (a) of the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provision) Act 2004.

    “That you Senator Hope Uzodmma (Male) on or about March 5, 2018, being a public officer that the National Assembly Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, committed an offence to wit: neglected to declare your assets without reasonable excuse and upon notice to declare your assets before the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, Abuja, contrary to and punishable under Section 3 (3) (1) (a) of the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provision) Act 2004.”

    On October 29, a court in Abuja referred the case of criminal complaint pending against Uzodinma to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation and appropriate action.

    Justice Abdulwahab Muhammed of the Grade I Area Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Arab Road, Kubwa, Abuja, made the referral, following Uzodinma’s alleged consistent failure to attend court to answer to the complaint made against him and his firms by Chitex Ventures Limited and Chima Akuzie, who claimed that the senator issued them a N200 million dud (bounced) cheque.

    Akuzie claimed that Uzodinma subcontracted to his company, a shoreline protection project in Koko, Delta State, which he (Uzodinma) allegedly got from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and that the dud cheque was intended as payment for their successful execution of the project.

    The referral of the matter to the EFCC was conveyed through a letter, dated October 29, and received by the EFCC Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu on November 6.

    A copy of the letter was sighted by The Nation.

    It reads: “Re-Criminal complaint against Senator Hope Uzodinma, Smiec Engineering and Chemical Construction Company Limited, and Niger Global Engineering and Technical Company Limited for criminal conspiracy, joint act, criminal misappropriation, criminal breach of trust and cheating.

    “The above subject matter between Chimex Ventures Limited and one other and Senator Hope Uzodinma and two others, refers.

    “With reference to the above subject matter, I am directed to inform you and refer the above matter to your office for proper, thorough and discreet comprehensive investigation in line with Section 89(5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

    “Please, find attached a copy of the complaint for your information and further action.”

    The court’s decision to refer the matter to the EFCC was taken on October 29 when it came up. But neither Uzodinma nor his lawyer was in court.

  • INEC displays Tonye Cole, Uzodinma as Rivers, Imo APC governorship candidates

    •APC candidates’ names missing as commission displays list in Zamfara

    •Adelabu, Akala, Makinde make list in Oyo

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday started displaying the lists of cleared candidates of different political parties for next year’s elections. The candidates’ lists are being displayed at state offices of INEC. So far, the lists of candidates from the positions of governor to state houses of assembly are on display. The states that their lists are out include: Lagos, Zamfara, Kwara, Imo, Rivers, Oyo and Abia states.   In Rivers State INEC Office, the names and photographs of governorship candidates, their deputies and political parties are on display.

    While Governor Nyesom Wike and his current deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo-Happy, maintained the list for the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP),  Engr. Tonye Cole and Sir Victor Giadon made the list for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The Supreme Court in Abuja penultimate week nullified the ward, local government and state congresses that brought about the leadership of Amachree as APC state chairman.

    Cole’s details with those of  his running mate, Victor Giadom, were pasted at the Rivers INEC office in Port Harcourt, among candidates representing other political parties.

    The commission equally pasted other nominees of  Amaechi’s APC faction for other elective offices in the coming elections when visited the commission’s Port Harcourt office.

    Sen. Abe could not be reached for reactions at the time of filing the report yesterday evening, but it was learnt that his spokesman and media aide in the state, Parry Benson, said: “There is nothing really for us to say. It is a matter for the APC national body.”

    In Kwara State, the governorship candidates of PDP, APC and 30 other candidates from other political parties made the INEC  list for the governorship poll.

    The APC has Abdulrahman Abdulrasak,  PDP submitted Razak Atunwa, while Labour Party has Comrade Issa Aremu. The three female governorship candidates are Muibi Muibat Aduke of the APA, Deaconess Comfort Yinka of the UPP and Rukayat Toyin Tijani of the MPN.

    INEC Director, Voter Education, Jacob Ayanda, said that the political parties have the opportunity to change or replace names on or before December 1, this year.

    In Imo State,  there was an initial drama when the  first INEC list came out with the name of the governorship candidate of the APC conspicuously missing. However, a few hours later, the name of Senator Hope Uzodinma was displayed as the candidate of the APC. The display of Uzodinma’s name was said to have been based on the directive from  the  National head

     

  • Uzodinma is PDP’s mole, says Okorocha

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has said the governorship candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Senator Hope Uzodinma, is a mole of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who can’t win.

    He said the senator is not yet a member of the APC, adding that he remained unknown and unacceptable to party members.

    A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, reads: “Chief Hope Uzodinma is not a member of the APC in Imo State. His purported membership of the party was announced in Abuja. He has never attended any APC meeting either in his ward or in his local government, Oru-East, or at the state level. That is why no APC member in the state was excited when the party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, announced him as his preferred governorship candidate of the party in the state.

    “APC members in Imo see Chief Uzodinma as still a staunch member of the PDP; that was the reason behind the dead silence in Imo over the announcement of his name as the governorship candidate of the party. If Chief Uzodinma was to be a known member of the party, there would have been celebration in Imo. The chieftains of the party in Abuja backing him are elite politicians who have no relationship with the grassroots.

    “Even when we have not said or written anything about Chief Uzodinma since the controversy over the governorship ticket of the APC for the state began, he took up Governor Okorocha in the media, claiming that the governor ‘underestimates his unpopularity’, among other insulting remarks. We swiftly want to say that we won’t honour Chief Uzodinma with a response because, even when politics today seems to be an all-comers’ affair, people should be humble enough to know their superiors in certain areas of life.

    “Chief Uzodinma should face his two most recent criminal charges of issuing a dud cheque and non-declaration of assets. We won’t talk about other similar cases.

    “Governor Okorocha won his election in 2011 on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) through the ballot box; ditto in 2015, on the ticket of the APC. In the two cases, the parties were not in power at the Federal level.

    “So, he did not enjoy any Federal might. Imo people voted for him for who he is. And the love is still intact. In 2011, he defeated an incumbent governor of the PDP extraction and, in 2015, he also defeated a sitting Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, also of the PDP stock. How else do you measure popularity?

    “In the case of Chief Uzodinma, the story is totally different. In 2011, he took the Senate seat for Orlu zone from Chief Osita Izunaso through the court. In 2015, Nigerians knew what transpired in Imo. The state was invaded by armed security personnel by the PDP leaders, like Chief Uzodinma, and the rest is history.

    “So, Chief Uzodinma can never win an election in Imo in a free and fair poll. That is why the PDP and APGA members are those celebrating his k–leg governorship candidature for Imo APC.

    “Since Chief Uzodinma has begun to throw stones, not considering the fact that he lives in a badly constructed glass house, we challenge him to publish his profile for the public to see and let Rochas also publish his own.

    “Governor Okorocha was born in Ogboko and he grew up in Jos, the Plateau State capital. He attended St. Joseph Primary School, Barkin Ladi, Jos, and Juladaco High School, Jos. He has LLB and LLM of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), a post–graduate Diploma in Management of the Benue State University (BBSU).

    “By 1984, Okorocha had opened Kings Commercial College, Jos. In 1996, he founded the Rochas Foundation and Rochas Foundation Colleges. He founded the Rochas Group of Companies with interest in real estate, aviation, banking, hotels, construction.

    “Okorocha had investments and commercial buildings in Imo before becoming governor. He has two Rochas Foundation colleges, one in Owerri and another in Ogboko. He has a printing press and a hotel as well as some of the biggest commercial buildings in Owerri, all before becoming governor.

    “Let Chief Uzodinma mention any building he owns in Owerri or any investment he has in any part of the state, no matter how small, and then we take off from there.

    “Those who write these things for people like Chief Uzodinma should always count their teeth with their tongues before taking up other people in the media. You do not do such things, knowing the deficiencies of the man you are writing for. A reasonable person who lives in a glass house does not throw stones at all, not to talk of doing so indiscriminately.”

    Senator: APC not governor’s property

    The Imo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Hope Uzodinma, has said Governor Rochas Okorocha and his supporters erroneously believe that the party is their estate.

    A statement yesterday in Owerri, the state capital, by the Director of Media and Special Duties of Hope Uzodinma Campaign Organisation, Declan Emelumba, reads: “By referring to a non-existent dud cheque issue and phony assets declaration matter, the Imo State government has only confirmed an open secret, which is that they are behind the two baseless issues.

    “We know that it was Imo State government that sponsored the Jankara Abuja Magistrates’ judgment over a matter between two corporate citizens, which a magistrates’ court has no jurisdiction over, just to smear the senator’s intimidating image. They are also behind the baseless assets declaration issue to achieve the same goal. But on each, they failed woefully.

    “Is the Imo State government now the state, local government and ward secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC)? This only goes to confirm that Okorocha and his cohorts believe that Imo State and APC are their personal estates. They are still dreaming and I think they should continue to wallow in their dreams.”